Pros
Pro-safety workplace On-job injury government treatment - better be past your 90 days though, or you're gone. Good money for un-educated workforce...some jobs will require to have a specific degree.[meaning no degree] You'll be making more overall money than other contract jobs, but you want to be made regular ASAP after your 90-day.[i've been told approximately 50/60% of USPS could go into retirement right now and they'll make regulars of the contract work-force then] & it's almost a 100% wage raise :) [$14 to $22 + regular raises based on time(MHA to MH)] Job Security[Recession wise and how hard it is to get fired once unionized & AFTER 90 Days] 5 - 15minute breaks and 1 UNPAID 30 minute lunch. True 12 hour day is in effect.[12 hours from start time and not a 12 hour work period] Work Union picnics, i think there's two of them...a specific work union picnic and the general postal office picnic. Job bidding after becoming regular Basically getting paid to work out, so you don't need your gym membership anymore :) Multi-talent/job governmental agency[Mail handlers to lawyers to customer reps to CEO, ect.] Seniority list...the longer you've been there, the more/potential you can do.
Cons
Not a job for the LAZY. 90 day probation - screw up once and you're gone...30, 60, and 90 day reviews. Don't be late, know your supervisors, don't ever call in unless you have a good reason[tire blowout, car crash...that sort of thing that isn't in your control + YOU WILL NEED DOCUMENTATION], don't report small injuries meaning as long as your bones aren't broken and you're not dripping blood, show up to work with a good attitude meaning don't cause problems/friction and YOU'LL BE FINE. Time cards. Military time in 100's...still no idea why they did this. Lengthy recruitment[Urine test, 473-E test, interview, finger-printing, background check, shadow day, orientation and finally training days] can take up to a few weeks to 3+ months depending on your list seniority[how high you scored on the test/disability and miltary get extra points] 12-hour days constantly after your first week working 6-days per week & they retain the right to call you in on the 7th. It's hard to get caught up once you're behind in sweeping mail into bags. MHAs get moved around constantly. Most postal facilities are MH/MHA understaffed, so you'll be expected to atleast work for 2 people[multi-tasking] - your co-workers will try to help you when they can, but after your training period you're expected to keep up w/ no, or little help. Physical Strength is a requirement for this job and this is not stabilized weight we're talking about, so how much you can lift in the weight room doesn't matter. Constant pain through the few weeks...your body will eventually grow used to it and you will start to lose feeling in those areas since calluses are forming[Feet, ankles, soles, knees, hands, wrists biceps, triceps, back, ect] , so it's important to have good shoes & a SUPPORTING INSOLE. Dirty work, so you will get dirty everywhere your skin is exposed and sometimes through if your clothes have tiny holes in them that dirt can get through. You cannot go to the bathroom if your area isn't covered[you'll owe that co-worker a favor and they'll probably ask the same later on], or if you going to the bathroom will result in your job not being done;though, if it's an emergency they'll let you go. You will literally have no life with this job until you make regular[10 hours and then voluntary] and you can work less hours. [Work 12 hours, get home, sleep, wake up, go to work, repeat.] 360 contracts are treated like casuals, but are a step up better because they're on a careerist path to becoming a regular.