10 Years of ‘Onliner’ Services Has Brought Us To a New Era
We have been at it some 10 years, or since the middle of 1995, somewhere around April-June of that year we, several computer literate Rural Carriers, crossed paths on the INTERNET in chat rooms and forums looking for answers. Originally we were clueless about chat scripts, and web scripts and HTML, but we have, over time, improved our skills, and have been able to scratch out some pretty decent offerings each with it’s own unique personality, not to mention the roots list mail list.
Much frustration was encouraging us to find a better way, and we have. We now have several unofficial and official NRLCA web sites. We have new hyperlinked CD’s to help us resolve local issues, and yes web sites are springing up everywhere and no, they are not all up-to-date or accurate, but they have been there to provide support for a much larger sphere of influence than could have otherwise been possible and provide a starting point for information that would have not been there for someone in desperate need of an answer. Probably the most valuable thing would be the contact phone numbers of union representatives that might have an answer for a craft member in need.
There were several times when I would show up to work, ask the Postmaster or a supervisor about some new knowledge that I had come across from several online sources. My first response from them would be, I haven’t heard anything on that, or no, thats not the case. A few hours later, I would often attend a standup when them presenting the information that I had just relayed that they were just receiving via their CC: mail.
Then I just had to smile, (after I had subscribed to a supervisors mail list and read about their frustration that we were better informed than they,) knowing that I took a major part in the creation of the system that leveled the information playing field between craft and management. It proved to me without a doubt, that we could all make a difference if we just apply some effort as a team.
These days, its not so much the information, but the speed of information that is either used against us or for us. If we can get to the information in time to thwart a mis-guided supervisor then we stave off controversy and grievances, or worse yet, hurt feelings and angry responses. Another issue is between craft and craft when misunderstandings are a problem. Good, timely, information can smooth over sticky situations where a lack of access to good information can cause stress in someones day.
I’m sure you will all agree that we all go through cycles that can have an impact on our abilities and reflexes. Sometimes we are at the top of our game, and then sometimes we hold up the rear of the pack. When we are on top, people usually leave us alone or make the best of our energy levels, but when we are holding up the tail end, is usually when problems arise and some people just naturally are out to ruin your day, and do. Some people have what are called a TELL, or some quirk which lets you know to be on your guard. If we all could just find a way to get a handle on our own weaker natures, or vulnerable moods, then I think we could all agree the world would be, though not as interesting a place, but a much better place to work and live.
Well, we had better not rest on our laurels, because all of this new computer power is being used against us in ways we had never dreamed when we were first looking for answers. We are tracked using our scanners, and they, in their limitless wisdom, are designing new ways to track us. We were supposed to hear something about the new scanners this June, but all has been quiet on that front. I’m worried. We will probably time in and time out using them from now on. (Well that doesn’t really worry me, because I personally don’t have a problem if the device is designed in a way to facilitate smooth clocking in and out.) But I wonder if they are not planning to use it for our DUVRs, X-Time, Z-Time, forwards, labels, and who knows what else. (Just embed a USB port into my brain and we’ll be fine.)
Time standards will be scrutinized like never before. New mathematical matrix formulas will give them targets that they never had before. New pressures from the direct mailers and R.R. Donnelly Co., (who in essence are our real employers,) will drive the direction that management takes against our time standards.
I can see a day in the not so far off future, when just about everything we do that requires a history of information will be carried on our person and not require much space at all. Believe it or not, we are still on the forefront of revolutionary changes, and I see a major shift in the way we go about our daily routines because of all of this new technology. I see the biggest changes more on a level of social communications and education, medical, and health, and not the least of which will be performance.
This technology can be used for confidence building, and a new era in certification levels over the traditional Baccalaureate, Masters and Doctorate system, which some, including myself feel is currently more socio-economically based instead of knowledge and confidence based. In my opinion, we spend far to long studying, and for what? We need more practical application of what knowledge we acquire, and should be receiving some pay and benefits as we go along, instead of being in some kind of holding pattern until we are 26 to 30 and have credentials, or certifications. We are in brutal times, in an economic model that drains the souls of every working class person. Its time we tweaked the whole system to benefit us all, not just the moguls.
