E! Television Series Is Offensive to Postal Workers

In a crass display of sensationalism, E! Entertainment Television is broadcasting a series titled Going Postal: 15 Shocking Acts of Violence.

“The title of the series is an affront to more than 700,000 hard-working postal employees who are stigmatized by the cruel stereotype that suggests that postal workers are violent sociopaths,” APWU President William Burrus wrote in a letter to Brian L. Roberts, Chairman and CEO of Comcast, which owns E! “Of course, statistics show that postal employees are no more likely to engage in acts of violence than the public at large,” the union president said.

Burrus asked Roberts to stop broadcasting and promoting the series.

“America’s postal employees take great pride in the service we provide to our fellow citizens — often under difficult circumstances,” he wrote. “In recent years, postal employees have been resolute, sorting and delivering mail in the face of anthrax attacks, bomb-laden mail boxes, and natural disasters.

“The title of the series demeans the efforts of these dedicated public servants in a shameless display of sensationalism. It desecrates the memories of the postal employees who have lost their lives in the line of duty.”

Burrus is asking APWU members to express their outrage to Comcast and E! Entertainment Television. He also encouraged the Postal Service, other postal unions, and management associations to express their outrage. 

“If we are unable to persuade Comcast and E! Entertainment Television to stop broadcasting this disturbing and offensive series,” I will ask postal employees to boycott the show’s sponsors, Burrus said.

Messages should be sent to:

D’Arcy Rudnay
Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications
Comcast Corporation
One Comcast Center
Philadelphia, PA 19103 

Phone: 215-286-1700
E-mail: corporate_communications@comcast.com

Sarah Goldstein
Senior Vice President of Public Relations
E! Entertainment and Style Network

Phone: 323-692-4552 
E-mail: sgoldstein@eentertainment.com