The U.S. Postal Service is hiring 28,000 seasonal employees for the holidays.
Union leaders in Iowa say they’re mindful of the need for strong protections amid a push in the labor force for improved working conditions. The Postal Service holiday plan coincides with a more aggressive staffing approach that began several months ago.
Callista Bates, an American Postal Workers Union steward at the Postal Service distribution center in Des Moines, said the Postal Service usually does well with increasing staff this time of year. But she noted pressure from management for a faster pace can sometimes get in the way, especially for a job that’s already demanding.
“It’s very physical. So, shoulder injuries are very prominent,” Bates observed. “There’s a lot of them.”
As more staff is added, Bates emphasized they are ready to convey their concerns to management. Postal Service leaders are carrying out a 10-year improvement plan on the heels of a financial bailout from Congress.