Saturday, November 23, 2013

One of America’s Most Thankless Tasks

Tim’s first job was as a newspaper delivery boy when he was 12 years old. He rode his bicycle through the neighborhood in the dark, early morning hours, just about the time that aliens from outer space were waking up and lurking behind every bush. It was probably part of what influenced him to a different career track. However, for the delivery person who leaves a newspaper in our driveway each day, it is a way of life. Below is an overview of a newspaper carrier’s job. They are:

Independent contractors, not employees of the paper and “buy” the paper at a heavily discounted rate and then “sell” the paper at a higher rate to each of their customers.

Responsible for paying for any supplies: bags, rubber bands, gas for the vehicle, etc.

Usually delivered in the early morning hours. If there are any problems printing the papers, they will be delivered late.

Responsible for getting the papers delivered by 6 a.m. on weekdays and 7 a.m. on the weekend. Any complaints are docked from their paycheck.

To assemble, bag and load them into their vehicles, which can take between 30 minutes and 2 hours. Then they deliver them to each customer.

Accountable for maintaining and keeping delivery lists up to date—new starts, vacation holds and stops, actual stops, etc.

Working seven days a week, regardless of weather. If they miss a day, they don’t earn money for that night and have to pay someone else to take their route.

Rarely getting tips because they are invisible to most of their customers.

Today’s gift was to leave a tip in an envelope for the newspaper carrier with the plastic sleeves that I am returning for them to reuse. If you are like me, walking out to pick up the newspaper each morning is a ritual that starts my day. Reading it with my first cup of coffee helps me wake up.  I am not certain that the delivery person knows how much I appreciate this little luxury. So here’s to those who get out and make their rounds so that I can ease into my day with the latest news and weather report.

In Giving,


Robin

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