Postmaster General Patrick R. Donahoe

NAPS members gave a warm welcome to Postmaster General Pat Donahoe. He said it was great to see such a big crowd and friends from different parts of the country. He thanked supervisors for the tremendous job they do.

 

He credited supervisors for service levels being at an all-time high. Donahoe acknowledged the challenges of day-to-day management in a rapidly changing environment: volume losses on one side, package gains on the other.

 

"Your leadership has kept this organization on a very good, focused path," he said. "Many others would not be able to do that." He said it's a very interesting time in the USPS, as well as the mailing industry, which still provides a tremendous service to the American public and economy.

 

The current economic climate also is challenging. Companies are making money, but are afraid to spend it, which affects the Postal Service. Bottom line is people are stuck in neutral. He reminded everyone the important thing for the Postal Service is to continue to move in the right direction.

 

"Some of the changes and consolidations-getting our feet under us in a smaller organization to match up with smaller volumes of mail and organizing ourselves in a way to be better competitors in the package business is something we need to do," he said.

 

Donahoe feels once the economic malaise is behind us, there could be a real upside in this country: communications, package business and e-commerce and how the Postal Service fits in with all of that.

All the changes taking place-network downsizing, more flexibility from the unions-gives the USPS the ability to compete in the future. "While we're waiting for legislation," he said, "there are tons of things being done in this organization by you guys. Once we get the legislation in the rear view mirror, we'll be ready to move ahead."

 

Donahoe said the Senate bill is not perfect, but it's a start and we'll have to see what happens on the House side. Hopefully, by the end of the lame-duck session, something will get done.

 

Delivery flexibility, the FERs refund, prefunding-these are things we need to be a flexible organization. "I'll stay with it," he promised, "you have my commitment."

 

The key thing is a bright future. He told NAPS members the Postal Service will be smaller, but it will continue to provide excellent customer service. He also commended the NAPS resident officers for the great jobs they do in representing NAPS members well and urged them to continue supporting the organization.

  

LEAGUE of Postmasters President Mark Strong

Mark Strong, League of Postmasters president, stressed the great working relationship between NAPS and the League. "We couldn't make it far or get done what needs to be done by working alone," he stressed. "We couldn't possibly face what's going on by going it alone-Bob Rapoza (NAPUS) is the third leg of that stool. We work together extremely well." He told delegates they have his commitment to work with the NAPS board and NAPUS to make sure they work as one.

 

"What else can you do to preserve the viability of the USPS in the future?" he asked. Like it or not, the PMG has a job to do. "And, make no mistake, we have ours to do. We have had supervisory reductions, post office and station closures, network consolidations, POStPlan and a pay package, to name a few."

 

He reminded everyone these changes and reductions have been made without a major layoff. "No other company in America could accomplish what we have done," he said. "Yes, we're facing tough challenges," he admitted. Postmasters had 17,000 plus jobs on the line when POStPlan was introduced: 13,000 impacted post offices. A sound plan was worked out: two-year notice of RIFs, two rounds of limited competition postingsand early-out incentives-more than 4,000 took the early-out. There are more than 4,000 upgraded postmaster jobs; they are now dealing with far fewer impacted postmasters and there are commitments to get those still impacted soft landings by 2014.

 

That was not accomplished by postmasters demanding POStPlan, DUO or pay packages not be implemented. Title 39 is an invitation to sit at the table and offer another alternative. "We have no binding arbitration rights," he explained. "We have an invitation to sit at the table-nothing less or more. Gain the respect of USPS leadership and this invitation goes a very long way. If you don't, it's a waste of time and energy."

 

"We are in this together," he pointed out. "We want what is best for our customers and the Postal Service. Take care of the players and the team will get as strong as it once was and the wins will start stacking up again. Set the bar high; lead by example; take care of your players. We will win."