The postmen’s complaint: «The elderly are afraid and don’t open the door for us» – Bolzano

by times news cr

BOLZANO. «Delivering mail in Bolzano has become almost impossible ⁤because almost everyone ​has boxes inside their ‌condominiums. The elderly don’t open the door for us, they don’t answer the intercom. If ⁤they ‍do ⁤it and ⁤the mail⁢ is not for them they threaten and insult.⁤ It has happened to us many times. In Merano this problem doesn’t exist, they are all already out​ there. We need the “potholes” in the street. We also know that many are against it​ because they fear that they will be⁣ filled⁣ with advertising but this ⁢is‍ not a collaborative attitude on ‍the part of users”.

The postmen are ⁣with the Italian Post Office which recently, in some‌ buildings in⁢ the capital, posted a ⁤letter at the entrance in which ‌it communicates ​to the “kind customer”‍ that it is not possible to deliver the ‍correspondence ‍because the cassette is inaccessible: «The same remains in⁤ storage for ten ‌days at the Delivery Center in via Resia 190. We remind you that the boxes must be accessible, possibly on the ⁤street».

Antonella Longo ​ – employee of the Italian Post Office, director of the single-operator‌ office and provincial secretary of Failp/Cisal, explains that this is the reality: «There is no ‍incompetence or carelessness on the part of the ‌staff and there‌ is ‌no interruption of service ⁤but the postmen clash with the daily ⁣and actual inability⁢ to deliver mail.”Longo says that postmen come and go again. «They come by for the first ‍time to make the ⁣delivery, they ring and no one opens. They⁣ come back the next ⁢day, same story. There are also those who don’t open‍ if the mail isn’t​ for⁣ them because they’re scared. Society has changed. Couples today often work together‌ and ⁣there ⁤is no one at ⁤home. Elderly⁢ people often receive precise instructions ⁤from their children,‌ friends, etc. ‌not to open to anyone. Moreover, there are daily calls from the police to pay attention to scams. The result is⁢ that no one trusts⁢ anymore and the ​doors remain⁤ barred.”

But there’s more. «The⁤ city has expanded and staff turnover is strong. Once upon a time there was a “fixed postman” to whom the same areas were entrusted for decades.⁢ And ‌if he wasn’t there, a substitute would arrive and be trained to perfection. Staff who knew the families well. Today this is no longer‌ the case and it is a‍ shame because the postman remains, for the Italian Post⁢ Office, the best⁣ business card. The esteem was such that the postmen had sets of ⁣keys to ‍all the doors in their area, which were given to them by the administrators of ⁤the buildings. Working like that was easy.” The ⁢delivery service was​ almost personalized. Today the faces of those who deliver are ​almost always new.

«It’s hard for those ​who work and it’s hard for⁤ the user. And then​ – concludes Antonella Longo ‍- the Post Office⁣ is officially focusing on quality⁤ but⁤ is ‍in⁣ fact‍ trying to ‌erase ownership of the area⁤ which ⁣has only​ remained on paper and should not be ignored, to work on⁤ quantity. And this is the result. However, the company’s effort ⁤must be recognized, which in mid-October hired 21 ⁤new full-time letter carriers in Bolzano. Now ⁢it’s⁢ 110 plus⁣ supplies. An important number.”

What specific changes in community ⁢behavior have impacted postal services in⁤ Bolzano?

Interview between ‌Time.news Editor and Antonella Longo,‌ Postal Employee and ‍Provincial Secretary of Failp/Cisal

Time.news Editor: Good morning, Antonella. Thank you for joining us today to discuss the challenges faced ⁤by ‍postal workers in Bolzano. You’ve highlighted some critical issues around mail delivery in your recent statements. Can you⁣ elaborate⁢ on the primary difficulties postmen are‌ experiencing?

Antonella Longo: Good morning, and thank you for having me. Yes, the situation in Bolzano has become quite challenging. ​One of​ the biggest​ obstacles we face ‌is access to mailboxes. Many residents live​ in condominiums, ‍and unfortunately, ⁢we often find that the doors remain unanswered due to a variety of reasons. The elderly, in​ particular, are hesitant to open their doors and many times, they ⁣simply ⁢do not answer the intercom.

Time.news Editor:⁤ That ‍sounds frustrating. Have the ‌delivery practices​ changed over time to accommodate these challenges?⁢

Antonella Longo: Certainly. In the‌ past, ⁢we ‍had a “fixed postman” assigned to specific areas. This continuity ‌allowed for better familiarity and trust between postmen and residents. Nowadays, due to staff turnover‌ and an expanding city, we see ⁤less of that. Postmen may visit an area but might not be recognized by residents, ⁤which breeds mistrust.

Time.news Editor: You mentioned that the fear of⁢ scams is contributing to a lack of response. How have these societal changes impacted⁣ mail delivery?

Antonella Longo: Fear is a significant factor. Many residents have been advised—sometimes even explicitly by family—to avoid opening their doors for strangers because of the increase⁤ in scams. While safety is paramount, this ⁤heightened vigilance severely hampers our ability to deliver mail.‍ If the mail isn’t for ⁢them, they ⁤might feel threatened or insulted, which certainly complicates our job.

Time.news Editor: It seems like a catch-22.⁤ People need to secure their homes, but this security⁢ impacts essential services. What steps are being considered to address these issues?

Antonella ⁣Longo: We ⁤have suggested the ​introduction of “potholes”—essentially designated mail drop-off areas outside buildings—to make mail delivery feasible. However, there is pushback ​from residents who fear that these areas may become ⁢littered with advertisements. It’s a collaborative effort⁣ we’re⁢ hoping to achieve, but we need⁢ more open-mindedness from the community.

Time.news Editor: It’s intriguing that something as simple as a mailbox can represent a broader societal issue. If these problems continue, what implications ⁤might this have‍ for postal services ⁣in the​ region?

Antonella Longo: ⁤If the accessibility challenges persist, we may see⁢ a decline ​in timely mail delivery, leading to more frustrated customers and potentially ‍strained relationships between the postal service and the community. Additionally, with the increasing ​reliance on e-commerce, if​ we cannot adapt,⁤ we risk⁤ becoming obsolete in a fast-evolving postal landscape.

Time.news ‍Editor: This issue ⁢raises many questions about community cooperation and the future of services that have long been ⁤taken for granted. What can residents do to help improve the situation?

Antonella Longo: I encourage residents to engage in open dialog with postal workers. Knowing their ⁣postman can foster a sense ‍of community. They should also participate in discussions about solutions, such as accessible mailboxes, that balance​ security ⁤and service. Empathy and cooperation can go a long way.

Time.news ⁢Editor: Thank ‌you for shedding light on these important issues, Antonella.​ It’s essential for our readers to understand the challenges faced by essential service providers⁤ like the postal service, especially​ in our changing world.

Antonella Longo:⁤ Thank you for the ‍opportunity to discuss these topics. It’s crucial for our community ​to work together to overcome these challenges.

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