December 31, 2005
Ms. JoAnne Turner
South Holland Postmaster
16260 Louis Avenue
South Holland, Illinois 60473-9998
Re: Unprofessional Behavior of Supervisor
Ms. Turner:
On December 31, 2005 at approximately 9:00 am I, Fred Nance Jr., entered the South Holland Illinois Post Office. I informed Ms. Cora (postal clerk) the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery reports I could pick up a United States Flag from the U.S. Post Office with my brother’s death certificate and discharge papers. My brother, Ray Anthony Nance, served honorably with the United States Marine Corps. Ray will be buried at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery on January 12, 2006 at 9:30 am.
Ms. Cora informed me South Holland did not have any flags. I requested to speak to her supervisor. A woman came from the back of the South Holland Post Office presenting herself as a supervisor named “Evelyn”. Evelyn informed me there were no flags available, and that I could go to another post office to get one. I requested of Evelyn to order a flag for me or find out what post office had one available. Evelyn refused stating she had to get her mail carriers out.
I gave Evelyn my name and business card. I requested her last name stating I was going to file a formal complaint. Evelyn refused to give me her last name stating she was the only Evelyn at that post office. I requested her supervisor’s name. Evelyn stated she had to go get her mail carriers out. I was under the impression mail carriers’ were responsible adults with training for their particular assignments. Evelyn left me standing at the counter without any of the information I requested of her.
I asked Ms. Cora for Evelyn’s supervisor’s name. Ms. Cora informed me Ms. JoAnne Turner was the Postmaster for the South Holland Post Office. I asked Ms. Cora for Ms. Turner’s supervisor’s name. Ms. Cora stated she did not know, but informed me Ms. Turner’s supervisor is located at the Bedford Park, Illinois office. I requested to speak to Evelyn again.
When Evelyn came back to speak to me, I requested the address and name of the supervisor at Bedford Park. Evelyn gave me an address of 6801 West 63rd Street, Bedford Park, Illinois, 60499. Evelyn informed me Ms. Turner’s supervisor is a manager at Bedford Park, but she did not know the manager’s name. Evelyn also stated she did not know who was in charge at Bedford Park. I politely challenged Evelyn’s general knowledge of who was in charge at Bedford Park because she is a supervisor.
Evelyn stated she is refusing to give me any more information because she has to get her mail carriers out. Evelyn informed me if I did not leave the South Holland Post Office right now, she was going to call the postal inspectors to physically remove me from the premise. I was appalled and embarrassed. Evelyn made this statement aloud in front many customers in the post office.
During my entire encounter with this supervisor, Evelyn, she was discourteous and obnoxious. Evelyn was very unprofessional. What kind of public servant decides they are not going to give their last name when a customer states they are going to file a formal complaint? How does one file a formal complaint naming the perpetrator of the complaint without a full name? What kind of supervisor does not know their immediate and hierarchical chain of command? This woman threatened me with further humiliation stating she was going to have me physically “removed”, thrown out of the South Holland post office because I wanted to file a complaint against her and wanted information.
How does a post office customer get optimal and comprehensive service from a supervisor without questions? Why was Evelyn going to “punish” me for asking reasonable questions about her knowledge of where and who managers are? This is horrifying service by United States Post Office supervisor, especially in a time of one’s grief and anguish. Who will respond? Who will answer the call of disgrace and embarrassment? How does a supervisor retain their superiority over others when their character and behavior is questionable? Is the output so great and majestic at the South Holland Illinois Post Office to accept such character and behavior of a supervisor? Evelyn represents the character and behavior of her superiors and the United States Postal Service as a whole.
Therefore, I request an immediate remedy for my brother’s plight in obtaining a United States Flag for his burial. He served honorably for our freedoms and rights. I suggest a strong reprimand and training for this supervisor, Evelyn. Evelyn needs customer and cultural sensitivity training. Finally, where is my relief for such a trying time of humiliation and loss of dignity?
Respectfully submitted,
Fred L Nance Jr., ABD, MA, CADC, NCRS
cc: http://clickforjusticeandequality.blogspot.com/
Mr. John E. Potter, Postmaster General
Mr. John Wawrzynniec, District Manager
Consumer Affairs, Central Illinois
