August 30, 2013

  Letter from Louie 

 
Serving Those Who Serve Our Customers
Louis Atkins

Louis Atkins

 

 

 

Over the period of the last year, the USPS has established Customer Care Call Centers in key areas in California, Michigan and New Jersey with the purpose of improving the Postal Service's ability to effectively deal with consumer feedback regarding products and services. NAPS has always supported any initiative that improves the overall customer experience. 

 

However, during the early stages of establishing these centers, there was no provision for EAS managers and supervisors to have  any form of NAPS representation, instead being classified as headquarters employees. Considering the scope of work and that these employees would be on the "front lines" of customer outreach, NAPS felt that it was appropriate to extend full representation rights to these employees. 

 

Using our discussions that resulted in NAPS representing employees at Shared Services in Greensboro, NC as a model, we reached out to the Postal Service with the objective of allowing NAPS to represent these individuals.

 

After discussions with USPS Labor Relations, we were able to secure full representation rights for managers and supervisors working in these facilities. This decision, coupled with the ongoing filling of vacancies, will allow NAPS to swell its ranks and increase its ability to represent and protect all EAS managers and supervisors. We have engaged in follow-up meetings with USPS management charged with the oversight of the Customer Care Centers and we are very encouraged about the relationship that is developing between facility management and NAPS.

 

However, the events surrounding the Customer Care Centers should serve as a warning that the Postal operational landscape is very much in a state of transition. We must be prepared to react quickly and decisively to changes that occur within the Postal Service and work to ensure that the rights of all EAS managers, postmasters and supervisors are protected. We will keep our eyes looking "down the field" to ensure that we continue to fulfill this mission.  
Brian's Scoop

  

 

Still Holding Back...1187's?

 

 

  

Brian Wagner

 

 

Sometimes, a message you send may be missed or lost in translation and needs repeating to ensure it is received. That brings me to somewhat of a repeat of one of my NAPSHQ2U articles. Here is the scoop. 

 

In my February 15, 2013 NAPSHQ2U article I wrote about membership, (go figure) and how a sponsor of a new NAPS member receives a NAPS $25 PNC Visa Gift Card for their efforts. I also referenced that until September 30 that new member will also receive a $25 NAPS Gift Card for signing up. Keep motivating membership.

 

Unfortunately, NAPS HQ is still receiving 1187's that have been held back for weeks and in some cases months by either the sponsor, branch officer or the branch itself after the 1187 has been signed and dated by both the new member and branch officer. 

 

As a reminder, Article III of our National Constitution & Bylaws explains who is eligible for NAPS membership. It is great that a branch can announce at a local meeting that they have received new 1187's for membership.  However, nowhere in our national constitution does it state an eligible EAS employee must first be approved by the affiliated branch before the eligible EAS can become a NAPS member. 

 

Please remember, after a new member signs and dates their 1187, mail the original 1187, along with a copy to NAPS headquarters, immediately. Also, keep a copy for your branch and give a copy to the new member, too. 

 

By promptly submitting 1187's to NAPS Headquarters, the branch ensures the timely input of its new member and receipt of branch dues. In addition, the new member can have access to the NAPS website without a delay. 

 

Furthermore, if for some unfortunate reason the new member receives disciplinary action after signing up, they can be assured to receive the necessary and proper NAPS representation without delay. 

 

As not to repeat myself on my February 15 ice cream flavor of the week, this week I recommend - Vanilla Caramel Swirl!,

Vanilla Caramel Swirl!


 
 Like us on Facebook 
  Follow us on Twitter  


Legislative and Political Action Center 

Donate to SPAC!:

Click here to make a secure SPAC contribution via credit card or go to NAPS.org to learn about the other ways you can give.

 

Stay Updated!:

Click here to receive Bruce Moyer's legislative updates.

 

Take Action!:

Click here to go to our CapWiz Legislative Action Center.

Motivating Membership!

Monthly Sponsor Winners:

June:

Sharon Guydon, Branch 80

 

July:

David Lum, Branch 375

 

Each month, one lucky new member sponsor will receive a $25 PNC Gift Card. For more details on the "Motivating Membership" drive, please review the August 2013 issue of The Postal Supervisor.

  

Quote of the Issue!  

 

Courage is being scared to death... and saddling up anyway.   
     
                           -John Wayne
  Jay's Notes

 Back to School...
and other things
   
Jay New
Jay Killackey

 

 

 

After a long, hot summer, most of us who still have children at home are looking forward to the school bus pulling up in the neighborhood to take our children back to school. In addition to the start of classes, most NAPS branches will be starting up their regular fall branch meetings.

 

Throughout the country, branch officers are wringing their hands wondering how to get more members to become more active in our association. If there was ever a time to be more active in NAPS, this is the season to do it. Many branches advertise their upcoming branch meetings. Check out the date and location of your local branch meeting. Don't know who your president or officers are? Visit the NAPS website to locate the name and contact information for your branch president. We should all try to attend our next branch meeting.

 

Congress will be going back to work after a month and a half off for a brief period in a little over a week and there will be a flurry of activity attempting to pass legislation to fix the Postal Service's problems. Now would be a great time to communicate with your member of Congress about your concerns for postal reform.

 

You can easily communicate with your elected officials on our NAPS website at www.naps.org. Once you get to the front page of the website, click on the Legislative Center tab and you can send an email to your member of Congress. NAPS headquarters has even pre-written the text for emails that you can use so in less than two minutes you can have your voice heard.

 

As the days shorten and the days cool down, the heat will be turned up on all of us with more changes in the Postal Service. We must work together to get postal reform passed - and you can help make it happen. 

Seth's Slant
 
 Another addition 
to the NAPS bookshelf
   
Seth
Seth Lennon

 

 

 

In a previous edition of NAPSHQ2U,the importance of having

Robert's Rules of Order in the "library" of every branch was discussed. 
I wanted to share with you another book that should join this marvelous resource on your bookshelf: The Associated Press Stylebook.

 

Now the first question is going to be "why do I need the AP Stylebook?"
 
Here's my reply: How many of you print a newsletter or run a website? The AP Stylebook is important because it provides guidance on how to abbreviate, punctuate or capitalize certain words that are in common use.

 

An example of which is one that many of us (me included) fail to heed: did you know that you are not supposed to capitalize "post office"? Many of us still refer to the entity that is now the USPS as the "Post Office" but that only refers to your local post office and not the organization as a whole.

 

Did you know that you are supposed to capitalize president when used after a proper name (I spoke to President Smith.) and keep it lowercase otherwise (I spoke to the president today.)?These kinds of details are important and really enhance the quality of your publication.

 

In addition, this book has some guidance in terms of media law, including copyrights and the criteria judging slander and libel. While this book does provide some sense of legal guidance when it comes to what you can and cannot use in print or on the internet, I would urge you to seek out legal counsel if you are unsure about the legal impact of something you may print.

 

If you want to enhance your understanding of the world of print and enhance your branch's publication, I urge you to pick up a copy of the AP Stylebook.