The Rural Voice, 1998-11, Page 30There is little simplicity in the 1990s business world.
Finding ways to save time and moncy have bccome
the hallmarks of major corporations and small
enterprise. Even in civil service, stability can no longer be
+ taken for granted as governments look to cut costs and
increase efficiency.
Yet in this challenging, changing environment, there are
those who, while not immune to modem realities, carry on
the traditions of the past.
For the rural mail carrier, while some rules may be
different, the role is still the same — providing first-rate,
friendly service.
No faxes, no e-mail messages, no ringing phones, disturb
the day of Pat Brigham, who for close to 10 years has been
delivering mail in the Blyth area. "I love the beauty, the
trees, the quiet and peace of the job," she says.
Also the village librarian, Brigham took over two rural
routes following the retirement of long-time carrier Harvey
Garniss. When the final Blyth rural route became available
following another retirement, Brigham was asked by
Canada Post if she would be interested in taking it as well.
"1 think they want to have one person doing them all if
possible," says Brigham.
The reason could be because the position is now a
contract one. When an existing contract expires the tender
for the route is advertised. The lowest of the submitted
bids gets the job. With extraneous factors considered, such
as a reliable vehicle, one person responsible for three
routes would be less costly than three people for each
route.
What it also mcans, however, is that the job security once
enjoyed by the rural carriers is gone. Dorothy Zettler of the
Walkerton -area has worked on mail delivery for 40 years,
first assisting her husband, then on her own. "Forty years
ago, if you did a good job that was enough, they just
renewed the contract. Now you're not sure of your job at
all. It's an awful position to be in, but then again the whole
world's like that isn't it?"
Admitting that in order to keep her contract the last time,
she had to actually take a cut in pay, Zettler echoed the
thoughts of many these days, by adding that the "little guy
at the bottom always seems to be the one to get it." Unlike
the other postal workers, there is no union protecting the
rights of rural carriers, a condition Zettler's husband
wanted to see changed. "He thought there was no one to
fight for us, and I agree, but I can't fight that fight any
more."
Consequently there is no overtime pay for the rural mail
carriers, no paid sick days. In addition to buying gas and
the necessary insurance, the carriers are also responsible
for back-up help when needed. Brigham has two people
who arc trained and have been swom in by the postmastcr.
"If I need them, thcn I'm responsible for paying them."
But enjoyment in what they do seems to far outweigh the
negatives. A senior, Zettler says that serving the public
provides her with a reason to get out of the house. "There
aren't many places where you can work and cnjoy wide-
open spaces and no one looking over your shoulder."
While extra time spent on the job mcans essentially less
money, Brigham works efficiently, but not at the expense
of the service she provides. Hcr day begins with mail
sorting. With the mail for rural homes, having been pre -
26 THE RURAL VOICE
Special delivery
Rural mail contractors carry on
a long, proud tradition
under changing circumstances
By Bonnie Gropp
For a rural mail carrier, the day begins with mail sorting.
sorted by the Postmaster Faye Bolger and part-time
assistant Dorothy Oster, Brigham places it into designated
slots. Arranged geographically, from first stop to last, she
slides them into each box without hesitation. "A lot of this
job is memory work," she says, prompting her colleague
Dorothy to tease, "But since her last birthday she's not as
good as she used to be."
The camaraderie puts a nice spin on the work place as
the three women good-naturedly rib each other and
share insights and personal stories. The entire while
Brigham methodically continues her sorting until the final
letter has been placed. The process takes about two hours.
"It used to take much longer when we had flyers to sort.
The most I remember was sorting 17 in one day."
"That was quite common Mondays," says Oster. "It was
nothing for Brigham to come in on Fridays and do as many
as she could."
Brigham feels that perhaps the new technology has
helped lighten the load. "E-mail and faxes, have, I think
made a big difference. I don't find it as heavy as when I
first started."
After the mail is sorted it is bound by family and placed
in a box, again in order. Boxes of mail and stacks of
parcels are loaded into Brigham's club -cab truck and she's