NAPSHQ 2 U
Providing NAPS Headquarter News to You
 
 
 
July 22, 2011
 
Louis Atkins
Louis Atkins
Letter from Louie

 

     Here at NAPS Headquarters we understand that our members want as much information as possible and we try to accommodate that need as much as possible through all of our social media outlets and website updates. Unfortunately, as we enter into pay consultations with the Postal Service, we cannot meet those requests for information. As a long standing NAPS practice, your resident officers as well as the executive board do not discuss publicly the specifics of negotiations with the Postal Service. Discussing the Postal Service's proposals and our counter proposals publicly will only hamper and can even have a damaging effect on negotiations. In this economic climate, we want to get a fair pay package for our membership. I know that rumors will circulate, but I am asking NAPS members to be patient and know that your resident officers and executive board are negotiating hard on your behalf.

     In addition to pay consultations, your resident officers and I are continuing to meet with the Postal Service officials regarding the financial state of the USPS. Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe held a briefing for NAPS, NAPUS, the National League of Postmasters and union representatives on the financial state of the USPS as of June 28.  A PowerPoint presentation was shown providing mail volume losses, cumulative savings vs. work hours and complement, preliminary financial results, 2011-2012 forecasts by the end of the fiscal year without legislative changes and major actions needed to reduce costs. NAPS was also advised of the newly established Delivery/Sales Services & Distribution Associate, PS-6, mandated by the new APWU national agreement.  Two more USPS briefings were conducted this past week - the first on HRSSC Interactive Forms (IAF), the second on the implementation of the Village Post Office (VPO) concept. We also attended the OIG Roundtable discussion on "A Strategy for a Future Mail Processing & Transportation Network." All of these meetings are helpful in keeping us educated on the financial state of the Postal Service and what we can do as NAPS officers to help correct this state.

     Next week is a key week for many of our impacted NAPS members. On Tuesday, July 26, second round posting begins and runs through August 1 with the final selection coming during August 8-19. The jobs of all non-impacted EAS who were awarded a position during the first round will be included in the second round of postings. If you were not selected during the June 14 selections, you may request the Area HR manager for a voluntary lateral or downgrade positions. It is extremely important that our members apply for all jobs during this second round of postings. If you are having issues with posting for positions, contact your local HR department. If you are still having issues after speaking to your HR department, contact your local NAPS representative.

     We all must remain vigilant in helping one another through the final rounds of postings. We understand that this is a difficult time, but now is the time we must all stick together.

Brian's Bits
Update at NAPSHQ

Brian Wagner

     In our younger years, we all enjoyed celebrating birthdays. Maybe not so much as we get more mature in our years. However, we all know the date of our birthday. A date we celebrate with cake and ice cream, at least in my case ice cream.

     Have you ever thought about your Branch's birthdate? Specifically, when your branch received its official charter from NAPS? Well, we have at NAPS HQ.   Unfortunately, NAPS HQ is missing the "birthdates" when many of our NAPS branches were chartered.

     I was informed that back in the 1940's, when NAPS Executive Officers worked from home, an officer in charge of NAPS documents had a flood at their home. This flood destroyed numerous NAPS documents; including information on when NAPS branches were chartered. This is just one reason NAPS HQ does not have all the branch charter dates. I would only be speculating other reasons. What is not speculation is that NAPS HQ does not have an accurate accounting of when numerous branches received their charter.

     If you go to NAPS.org and look under the section of Forms & Documents and further look under Area Lists you will find the historical list of when NAPS branches were chartered. Unfortunately, this list is not complete.

     Therefore, help us help you celebrate your Branch's birthday. Recently, we did not have the date of when NAPS Branch 142 was chartered. Thanks to Michiana Area VP, Kevin Trayer, he found the original Branch 142 charter. Kevin made a copy and sent it to NAPS HQ so we could update our historical branch charter list. We also added the copy of Branch 142's charter to their branch file.

     Please review the branch historical list on our website. If NAPS HQ does not have your branch's charter date listed, please research your branch files to see if you can find any information that substantiates the original date of your branch's charter.

If you find such a document, please send a copy to my attention at NAPS HQ. We will update our records and you can celebrate your Branch's birthday with cake and ice cream!

2011 Restructuring Documents

 

NAPS logo

 NAPS RIF FAQs  

Additional RIF FAQs 

2011 Organizational Redesign Information 

2011 Organizational Redesign VER 

2011 Restructure-Westchester District 

2011 Restructure-Suncoast District 

2011 Restructure-Baltimore District  

2011 Special Incentive Off FAQs  

 

 

AMP Feasibility Studies and Consolidations     

July 6-July 22   

  • Decision to consolidate all originating and destinating mail processing operations at the following Western Area location: Mobridge, SC, CSMPC into Bismarck, ND, P&DF
  • Decision to consolidate all originating and destinating mail processing operations at the following Western Area location: Decorah, IA, CSMPC into Waterloo, IA, P&DF
  • Decision to consolidate all originating and destinating mail processing operations at the following Western Area location: Miles City, MT, CSMPC into Billings, MT, P&DC    
  • Decision to consolidate all originating and destinating mail processing operations at the following Western Area location: Havre, MT, CSMPC into Great Falls, MT, P&DF   
  • Decision to consolidate all originating and destinating mail processing operations at the following Western Area location: Helena, MT CSMPC into Great Falls, MT, P&DF  
  • Decision to consolidate all originating and destinating mail processing operations at the following Western Area location: Butte, MT, CSMPC into Great Falls, MT, P&DF
  • Decision to consolidate all originating and destinating mail processing operations at the following Eastern Area location: Lancaster, PA P&DF into Harrisburg, PA, P&DC
  • Decision to consolidate all originating and destinating mail processing operations at the following Southeast Area location: Huntsville, AL, P&DF into Birmingham, AL P&DC
  • Decision to consolidate all originating and destinating mail processing operations at the following Western Area location: fort Scott, KS, PO into Kansas City, MO, P&DC
  • Decision to consolidate all originating and destinating mail processing operations at the following Western Area location: North Bay, CA, P&DC into Oakland, CA, P&DC  

Proposed Consolidations

  • Intent to conduct an AMP feasibility study at Petersburg, WV, CSMPC for possible consolidation of some operations into the Clarksburg, WV, P&DF
  • Intent to conduct an AMP feasibility study at Youngstown, OH, P&DC for possible consolidation of some operations into the Akron, OH, P&DC or Cleveland, OH P&DC   
  • Intent to conduct an AMP feasibility study at Dayton, OH, P&DC for possible consolidation of some operations into the Columbus, OH P&DC  
  • Intent to conduct an AMP feasibility study at Lexington, KY, P&DC for possible consolidation of some operations into the Louisville, KY, P&DC 
  • Intent to conduct an AMP feasibility study at Cardiss Collins P&DC for possible consolidation of some operations into the Carol Stream and south Suburban, P&DCs
  • Intent to conduct an AMP feasibility study at Washington, PA, CSMPC for possible consolidation of some operations into the Pittsburgh, PA, P&DC
  • Intent to conduct an AMP feasibility study at Altoona, PA, P&DF for possible consolidation of some operations into the Johnstown, PA, P&DF 
Jay's Notes
  Are You Engaged? 
James Killackey
James Killackey


     Politics here in Washington DC are as hot and stifling as the weather these days. The federal government is closing in on the debt ceiling cap and under the radar for most people is the fact that the Postal Service is also closing in on their debt ceiling too.

    I know that some may not realize their impact on the deliberations concerning the Postal Service going on in Washington right now. The fact of the matter is you should be involved and can make an impact on these debates. 

     First and for most, you must be up to date on postal issues, events and news. Political and fiscal issues affecting the future of the Postal Service are available on our very own new NAPS website.  Get familiar with the breaking news feature on the website. Be sure to visit our Legislative center to get legislative updates from Bruce Moyer. You can also visit several secondary websites that provide daily updates on what is happening in the postal community.  

    Once you are knowledgeable of the current situation of the Postal Service - and it is changing by the day- you are now placed in a position to actively engage in discussion with your lawmakers in Congress. Please, get involved. Contact your member of Congress and urge them to get involved in a progressive solution for the Postal Service's current financial situation.   

     For instance, if you have personal knowledge pertaining to the result of post office closures and the elimination of six-day delivery in your community, inform your member of Congress.  Translate to them the impact of postal closures and what one day of less  postal service operations would mean for the constituents in their district or state.  

     Also, let your member of Congress know about our requirement for pre-funding retiree's health benefits and the fact that the Postal Service does not derive any operating funds from taxpayers' money. This matter is extremely important. You wouldn't believe how many new and uniformed members of Congress and Senate that don't even know the Postal Service is not funded by taxpayers!  

     Congress will be making important decisions in these coming months that will determine the future for every employee in the Postal Service. Don't miss out on the action, get engaged!  Let your voices be heard by contacting your representatives and donating to SPAC.

     Finally, in one way or another all members of NAPS need and must be engaged in the political process. Currently, in a companion NAPSHQ 2 U article, Political Engagement, Seth Lennon discusses the importance of contributing to our Supervisors Political Action Committee (SPAC) and how you can be involved with giving regularly to SPAC for as little as $5.00 per pay period.

 

 

 

 

  Seth's Slant

Political Engagement

 

Seth Lennon
     With Congressional races heating up, NAPS clearly understands that the future of the United States Postal Service lies within the halls of Congress. The events that have transpired over the last couple of months indicates the importance of establishing strong pro-postal networks on Capitol Hill.  For instance, Hill lawmakers have proposed multiple pieces of legislation with attempts to "reform" the USPS. 
     Some bills seek to do this in a responsible and measured capacity, which promotes expansion of the business model, operational flexibility and safeguarding the workforce. Others seek to engage in a radical and potentially dangerous approach of reimagining how the USPS conducts its business through Draconian processes.  The latter piece of legislation could rob the USPS of its ability to define its own future.  
     Furthermore, conservative proposals to cut and cap the Postal Service underscores the fact how NAPS must continue to be politically engaged.  The best way to accomplish this objective is by supporting candidates through SPAC.  As of late, shared sacrifice is a phrase that has been circulating around in discussion- mainly having to do with what needed to be done to safeguard and revitalize our fragile economy. It is a mindset that can also be very easily applied to SPAC. 
     Fortunately, we continue to have members who go above and beyond the call of duty in their donations to SPAC.  This generosity has allowed us the resources necessary to support pro-postal candidates for several years. While we will always be eternally grateful for the efforts of this very select group, in order for us to succeed, ALL NAPS members must contribute towards some degree of shared sacrifice to ensure the survival of the USPS.

     Thankfully, this sacrifice does not need to be life altering or create undue burden in order to be effective. Here's some simple math for everyone. If every NAPS member gave $5 every two weeks for the next year, SPAC would bring in $3,770,000.  This alone would allow NAPS to give the $10,000 maximum federal electoral contribution to 377 Congressional Candidates. This represents a staggering number brought about by a meager and sustainable sacrifice.  

     The good news is that many within our membership have already taken the initiative and taken the plunge.  As of today, SPAC has raised over $100,000 - the most that has been donated up to this point during the course of a calendar year in almost a decade.This is simply because our membership has taken it upon themselves to become engaged in the political process either through extremely generous donations or regular, more measured ones. What matters is that more within our ranks are giving to the best of their ability.

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