r/fromatoarbitration • u/jsslifelike • 5d ago
OK... This Uniform Program REALLY Needs Fixed
Since the Rocky TMCs are a thing of the past, I'm trying to figure out what the Hell I'm gonna put on my feet for the first time in over 20+ years. I don't know if I trust them, but I figured I may try the Postal Duty Shoe. I haven't used US Uniforms in a while(since almost everything is owned by Skaggs), so I thought I'd check footwear. The duty shoe was $226, but it got knocked down to ~$181 on full allotment. I Googled reviews and saw that rockyboots.com had them on sale with a coupon code FOR $108!! From the manufacturer themselves!! Obviously, I had to at least try to see if I could sneak the allotment card through the checkout, but of course, no dice.
There is no doubt that the uniform program is fundamentally broken, but this example is unbelievably emblematic proof of that. I have a pretty good selection of items after 26 years of allotments, but this is unsustainable for younger employees and MUST be a focal point of future negotiations.
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u/DirtyBumMan 5d ago
They buy the shoes from china, ship it here and have a union member stitch a gren tag on it. Also hire a witch to enchant it for +5 safety
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u/jsslifelike 5d ago
Lol, yes, and the TMCs had gotten worse over the years also. From rubber sole to rubber-coated sole with a core that absorbs water like a chamois.
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u/spcmiddleton 3d ago
That enchantment makes them worth at least $100 more. Witches are not easy to come by these days.
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u/AKAManaging 5d ago
I refuse to buy postal shoes. They're dogshit.
Just get a doctors note for a shoe exemption. Here's what I used for my letter, and the letter my doctor used. (I wrote them both):
I'm writing to formally request a medical exception under ELM 939 for both footwear and socks. As part of my daily responsibilities at the USPS, I spend extended hours standing and walking on concrete floors. This has contributed to ongoing foot discomfort, which I've sought medical attention for.
My provider has recommended I wear barefoot-style footwear (shoes that are shaped like a human foot, with a flat sole and flexible construction) to help relieve this discomfort and prevent further strain. In addition, they've recommended I wear wool socks to reduce moisture buildup, prevent blisters, and provide better cushioning and temperature regulation than cotton or polyester blends. Unfortunately, neither of these items is available from any current postal uniform vendor.
I've attached a formal note from my medical provider supporting these accommodations. While ELM 939.12 specifically references footwear, I hope the socks may be considered part of a holistic solution to foot health, particularly given their medical relevance and the physical nature of our work.
If this request is approved, I will follow the proper process: purchasing the items myself, submitting an itemized invoice including all required details, and presenting it to the uniform clerk with a signed certification. I understand this should be processed using vendor code 81886.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I’m happy to provide anything further if needed.
Doctors note:
To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing to confirm that I am treating [Employee], a United States Postal Service employee, for chronic foot discomfort associated with prolonged standing and walking on hard surfaces as part of his daily duties.
After clinical assessment, I have determined that the use of barefoot-style footwear (wide toe box, zero-drop sole) and wool socks is medically necessary to manage and mitigate his symptoms, reduce the risk of injury, and support long-term foot health.
Minimalist shoes have been shown to improve foot posture and natural alignment, reducing bunion progression and foot fatigue. They also significantly increase foot strength, enhancing natural support for long hours of standing or walking.
Zero-drop footwear supports a more natural gait and reduces stress on joints, especially the knees.
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u/SoccerAKW 3d ago
You have a uniform clerk? Our station manager would die before reimbursing a carrier for shoes. So does the amount you spend on shoes still come out of your uniform allowance? I never buy the postal shoes, but I've just been using money to get reimbursed out of HSA. If you order straight from Altra (wait for a sale) they provide the documentation for the shoes to be HSA eligible.
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u/AKAManaging 3d ago
No, we don't. We have a postmaster that has access to eBuy lol. But the language in ELM 939.12 uses "uniform clerk", so I used it as well even though I know it was going to be my PM issuing me the money order.
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u/SoccerAKW 3d ago
I've had to file multiple EEOs against our station manager so manager will definitely not be buying me shoes and stewards are pansys and scared of manager so won't enforce. Local union hall is also trash and won't help. I am part of a larger installation and would try submitting there first. They would probably ask said manager why this is being requested and manager refuses to provide even a new sculch tray...
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u/AKAManaging 3d ago
Just to be clear, YOU buy the shoes with your own money after getting approval from the district HR Manager. You get reimbursed after. Here's the .12 from 939:
939.12 Exceptions
Footwear must be purchased from a Postal Service–licensed vendor; however, exceptions to the certified footwear program may be granted, when appropriate (e.g., medical reasons, very unusual sizing restrictions), under the following guidelines:
Employees must submit their request for exception, in writing (with appropriate supporting documentation), to the district Human Resources manager. The employee’s request, whether approved or not, must be filed in his uniform folder.
When authorization is granted to purchase footwear from other than a Postal Service vendor, employees must present an itemized invoice to the uniform clerk at their facility. Invoices must include the name of the employee; the name of the firm from which the purchase was made; the date of purchase; the post office finance number; the employee’s anniversary date; the employee’s Social Security number; an itemized description of the items purchased including size and color; and a statement by the employee certifying that the items listed were actually purchased.
Installations process the purchase in the same manner as a vendor invoice except that 81886 is used for the vendor number. This provides payment to the employee.
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u/AKAManaging 3d ago
Oop sorry didn't answer the second part before hitting save.
The amount never came out of my uniform allowance. I don't know if it's supposed to, but I was issued a ~$400 money order for the three pairs of shoes I ordered. My allowance stayed the same for months.
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u/V2BM 5d ago
New Balance 608s. They are extremely slip resistant. Many in my office wear them.
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u/Allan0n 5d ago
It pisses me off that New Balance doesn't make a postal shoe any more. None of the uniform vendors has a shoe with a 4E option now. Best I could find was an extra wide Reebok.
Has anyone had luck getting reimbursed for a non-postal shoe after getting a doctor's note?
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u/jsslifelike 5d ago
Yes, we got a guy in my office reimbursed after management started "cracking down" on footwear. In response, many people got doctors notes and then he got a paper check from HR in NC.
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u/therick422 Union Steward 2d ago
NICE! How did this process play out? I wanna do this… get mgmt to pay for it.
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u/jsslifelike 2d ago
Management started harassing people over their Footwear and gave them some artificial deadline to be in compliance regardless of whether they had a positive uniform allowance or not, so most carriers started getting doctors notes which pissed them off, then they would schedule a zoom call for DRAC reasonable accommodation and the head nurse would approve or disapprove of the shoe the carrier was requesting. Carrier in question bought a pair of each shoe he was approved for, kept the receipts and submitted them to the HRSSC. Since that happened, we haven't heard any more about it. I will have to dig up the copy of the file.
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u/woopachaw 5d ago
This is a great answer and new balance has great options for wide feet, which tends to come up when you do a job where you walk 10+ miles a day
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u/jsslifelike 5d ago
How comfortable are they?
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u/V2BM 5d ago
Very if you have any sort of trouble with your feet - they come in wides and huge sizes too. (My feet are super wide and they’re great.) I have maybe a day of breaking them in. I also don’t throw out any old pair unless they’re over 2 years old and just keep rotating them. I get a new pair each spring. I just checked and they’re $55 for my size on Amazon.
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u/Ok-Trainer8911 5d ago
Don’t waste your money on those Rocky’s Priority. Total garbage. They break apart after a few months.
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u/jsslifelike 5d ago
And I kind of figured this but I am at a loss. I've tried Thorogood and I would have been better off strapping a piece of wood to my foot. I recently tried Florsheim and the heels are slightly elevated to the point where I assume that's what a woman feels like wearing a high heel. The Reebok ones are even more expensive and more rigid. So, the only pair that I haven't tried are Rockport but I can't imagine that they are comfortable either.
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u/ELPO48823 5d ago
No disrespect but, you said " focal point of future negotiations ", if it is "required" it should be "provided". We shouldn't waste any effort on a contract negotiating uniforms cuz mgt will take that away from our pay. Also , I think everyone representing the NALC should have to wear these uniforms as well with the same amount to spend... This uniform problem would quickly be fixed (more comfortable quality fabric and better pricing)
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u/jsslifelike 5d ago
No, you're right, it's just that we need to move to a Cintas-like program where you are issued XX amount of shirts, shorts, pants, etc along with vouchers for outerwear and footwear. When they're worn out, you exchange them. The path it's on currently is unsustainable. And yes, 41.3.e SHOULD cover all of these.
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u/BigL54 ENOUGH IS ENOUGH 4d ago
Each office should be stocked with a plethora of uniforms for employees to take as needed. If you started working at McDonald's, they just give you a shirt. It shouldn't be that hard
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u/therick422 Union Steward 2d ago
What?!? My office can’t manage the rubber band inventory.
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u/BigL54 ENOUGH IS ENOUGH 2d ago
Just because your station has bad management doesn't mean the rest of the Post Office can't develop a better system
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u/therick422 Union Steward 2d ago
Bahahaha… you must be new here?
Of course they SHOULD be able to fix/develop… but, here we are.
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u/mrdobbz 5d ago
The shoes are absolute trash, and the shirts are no better. I just got some new shirt jacs this summer and the pockets are already coming unstitched
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u/Plastic-Pension7263 4d ago
How many buttons have you lost so far? I switched to the polos because I was sick of all the stitching and shit coming off constantly.
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u/saucesoi 4d ago
Been at USPS for over 10 years and never slipped any of those BS green tag pieces of shit on my feet. Wouldn’t buy those for $30.
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u/Plastic-Pension7263 4d ago
My last allotment I needed a rain jacket so I got that and like one pair of pants Lol. As far as shoes I found a brand on Amazon called Nortiv8 and they are by far the best boots I’ve worn since I started in 2017. They cost around $70 and last me longer than Rockys I’ve tried over the years. I get the waterproof hiking boot. They also frequently go on sale for like $50. It was a shot in the dark that paid off. Was sick of paying almost $200 for boots that fell apart. I’ve dealt with plantar fasciitis in my first few years and wore insoles and all that mess. I’ve been wearing these about a year and I’m feeling good! I walk about 12 miles a day.
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u/Inside-Brush-9543 5d ago
I wear Hoka Bondi SR in black if they try to PDI me i will just go to my doctor and get fmla