In a snow-laden scene straight out of a winter survival tale, a mailman from Ohio found himself in hot water after addressing the harsh realities faced by postal workers during a brutal storm. Jason Thompson, a letter carrier from the Fairfield Post Office, was suspended without pay shortly after his candid video plea for help went viral. The clip highlighted the treacherous conditions he and his fellow workers were enduring.
Thompson’s heartfelt message revealed the stark challenges posed by the recent winter storm that swept through the Greater Cincinnati area from January 24 to 25. He described the scene as one where mail carriers were risking their lives traveling from Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, and beyond, only to face the grim reality of empty mailrooms. “There is no mail and no parcels,” he noted, questioning the necessity of their perilous journeys.
Upon arriving at work, Thompson was greeted by a parking lot that resembled an untraversable tundra. Despite these adverse conditions, carriers were expected to dig out their vehicles, buried under two to three feet of snow, a task made even more daunting by the poorly plowed lot.
Thompson’s account also highlighted a frustrating policy: those choosing safety over duty by leaving early due to the dangerous conditions were forced to use their annual or sick leave. His passionate plea emphasized the untenable position he and his colleagues were placed in by the United States Postal Service (USPS), spotlighting a need for reconsideration of safety protocols during extreme weather.
Thompson left early to get to work following a treacherous storm that hit the Greater Cincinnati area from January 24 to 25 and found that the mail truck parking lot had been poorly plowed, and the vehicles were covered with ‘two to three feet of snow’.
The mailman added that they were expected to dig their trucks out of the deep snow and had to use annual or sick leave if they wanted to go home early.
While Thompson and others made it to the office through hazardous conditions, he said there was no plan of action or even any mail to deliver.
‘We have no mail,’ he said. ‘We have no parcels. No anything. No plan, why isn’t there a plan for a level two or level three snow emergency that the district can hand out?
Jason Thompson, a letter carrier for the Fairfield Post Office, was suspended after posting a video showing the dire conditions he was forced to work
Thompson found that the trucks were trapped under to ‘two to three feet of snow’
‘We’re sitting here with our hands tied,’ he added.
Thompson stressed several times that he knows that fellow carriers across the nation are frustrated as well.
‘Trump, let’s go help us out here,’ said the mailman. ‘City managers, senators, anyone we can get involved in this.’
‘Help us, what are we supposed to do?’ he added.
His call for help has nearly 750,000 views online, along with hundreds of comments condemning his post office for putting its staff in such horrid conditions.
However, Thompson made an alarming update to his post shortly after: ‘NOW I’M GETTING THREATENED THAT IF I DON’T TAKE THIS POST DOWN I COULD LOSE MY JOB!!! HELLLLLLP US BE HEARD.’
Despite the alleged threat, his upload remains online, suggesting he is determined to make a change at his office.
‘I can feel the hands on my back pushing me forward,’ Thompson spoke with Fox19. ‘I am grateful forever, and I’m here to continue on to help.’
The mailman noted in another update that he was also put on Emergency Placement without pay.
He has now been asked to return to work, but said he is taking time to set up a meeting with his union leader and corporate officials to discuss the incident, according to the outlet.
‘What started with a lot of concern and uncertainty and frustration and questions led to an explosion of support,’ Thompson said.
USPS sent a statement to Fox19 about their carriers delivering in winter conditions, but ensured that employees safety is their number one priority.
‘The U.S. Postal Service delivers mail in cold weather to maintain our commitment to providing reliable service to every address we serve, including critical items such as medications, government correspondence, and essential supplies,’ the statement read.
‘Weather conditions are continuously monitored, and delivery decisions are made with employee safety as the top priority.’
The mailman said that despite showing up to the post office with his co-workers there was no plan of action or even mail to deliver
Thompson claimed his employer asked him to take his video down or he could be fired. He has since been asked to return to work but, before he goes back he wants to set up a meeting with his union leader and corporate officials to discuss the incident
‘USPS has emergency plans in place and employees are updated about any operational changes. During extremely cold conditions, employees follow established safety precautions, including wearing appropriate cold-weather gear, taking warm-up breaks as needed, remaining alert to icy or hazardous conditions, adjusting work practices when necessary, and maintaining communication with local management. These measures help ensure employees can deliver the mail safely while continuing to serve their communities.’
‘The safety of our employees is a top priority, particularly during periods of severe cold. During extremely cold conditions, letter carriers follow established safety precautions, including:
The Postal Service continuously monitors weather conditions and reinforces safety guidance to help ensure employees can deliver mail as safely as possible while continuing to provide reliable service to our customers.’
The Daily Mail has reached out to the United States Postal Service for comment.
