Postal Worker Suspended After Social Media Post on Winter Storm Hazards, Now Advocates for USPS Safety Reforms
CLEVELAND, Ohio — A U.S. Postal Service mail carrier from Ohio says he was suspended without pay after voicing safety concerns on social media in the aftermath of Winter Storm Fern, which dumped over a foot of snow across the region last month. The incident has sparked a broader conversation about worker safety and communication failures during extreme weather events within the federal agency.
Jason Thompson, a 45-year-old carrier with over a decade of service, was placed on "emergency placement" on January 26 after a Facebook post he published that morning went viral. In the post, Thompson described arriving at his post office to find delivery trucks buried, parking lots inadequately plowed, and employees—including a 60-year-old colleague he feared for—forced to dig out three-foot snowdrifts themselves.
"I was physically seeing and hearing her struggling," Thompson told reporters. "The handbook states snow removal is for trained personnel, but there was no communication, no plan. We were put in harm's way."
According to Thompson, management contacted a coworker demanding the post be taken down. He refused, and was later informed of his suspension. The order was rescinded hours later after local news station WXIX aired an interview with him, but Thompson, citing immense stress, requested leave instead of returning immediately.
The U.S. Postal Service declined to comment on personnel matters, stating it does not discuss internal administrative actions publicly. However, the case highlights ongoing tensions between frontline postal workers and management regarding safety protocols during increasingly frequent severe weather episodes.
Thompson now aims to leverage the attention to advocate for formal changes. "I want them to say, 'We see you, let's discuss how to make this better,'" he said, expressing a desire to participate in reassessing national safety and communication guidelines. He reports receiving thousands of supportive messages, calling it a "spark of optimism."
Analysis: This incident underscores a persistent challenge within essential services: balancing operational continuity with employee welfare during crises. With climate change intensifying winter storms, protocols written for milder eras may now be inadequate. Thompson's case tests the limits of employee speech versus institutional authority, and may prompt unions and lawmakers to scrutinize USPS's extreme-weather policies more closely.
Voices from the Community
"As a former carrier, this hits home. We were always told 'the mail must go through,' but safety was often an afterthought. Thompson is right to speak up—this is about basic dignity and preventing avoidable injuries." — Michael Rivera, retired postal worker, Cincinnati
"While his concerns are valid, airing grievances on social media before exhausting internal channels can be inflammatory. There are proper procedures for reporting safety issues. His suspension, though harsh, might reflect a breach of policy, not just a reaction to the criticism." — Dr. Elaine Carter, labor relations professor, Ohio State University
"This is outrageous but not surprising. The USPS treats its workers as disposable. Suspending someone for exposing dangerous conditions is retaliation, plain and simple. It's a systemic culture of silence and intimidation that puts lives at risk." — Rebecca "Beck" Vance, community organizer and postal service watchdog (emotional/尖锐评论)
"My husband is a carrier in the same district. They had the exact same issues—no salt, uncleared lots, radio silence from management. Jason's speaking for hundreds who are too afraid to. This storm was a breaking point." — Lisa Chen, spouse of a USPS employee, Toledo