Within the NAPS Constitution, it is the duty of this association to "promote, through appropriate and effective action, the welfare of its members, and to cooperate with the USPS...to improve the service and to raise the standard of efficiency." While that statement is a broad mandate, it does illustrate the mission of this organization. Considering the events surrounding the USPS, that mission is more important than ever.

However, in order for this mission to be successful, it is important for our members to understand their rights in the workplace and to exercise these rights when appropriate.

Recently, NAPS Headquarters received feedback from the field regarding interviews with their higher-level managers. There have been occasions where these seemingly innocent interviews have factored into discipline.

This is where knowledge of your rights as a postal employee and a NAPS member comes into play. If you are asked to engage in such an interview, the first question out of your mouth needs to be "will this be used in any form of disciplinary process?" If the answer is "yes", you immediately need to end the conversation and request a NAPS representative. 

The right to representation is clearly spelled out in the Employee and Labor Relations Manual (ELM), specifically in section 650. A clear understanding of your rights when it comes to any kind of disciplinary proceeding could be the difference in keeping your job.

It continues to be our hope that such processes are not necessary and this achieved by promoting a strong and healthy workplace environment where EAS has all the tools needed to succeed. We continue to press the USPS to extend the policy of ZERO tolerance of violence in the workplace to EAS along with encouraging dignity and respect during the conduct of telecons. This is an issue that we have been laboring on for years and telecon abuse must stop.

Telecons should be used as a means to get the team on the same page, not to abuse EAS who can't meet arbitrary and often unrealistic goals. Setting realistic and achievable goals in the field is another priority. We sent a letter to the Postal Service to begin a work study that could result in a recalibration of the existing SWCs formula. With the changing demands being placed on the workforce, the formulas used to determine how the EAS is distributed must be updated accordingly. 

This simple step will not only improve workplace morale by accurately calibrating the demands placed on the workforce but it will also improve efficiency throughout the network. A happier and more productive workplace? Sounds like a winner to me.

Both the Senate and the House of Representatives have started their annual summer district work period for the remainder of August.  During this time, legislators try to go around their respective states and districts and listen to their constituents about the issues important to them.  For every NAPS member, this should mean telling your representatives in Washington about the problems facing the Postal Service. 

This includes both the challenges you face within your workplace and the big picture struggles the USPS is facing, ranging from a decaying vehicle fleet, declining service standards and the need for relief from the health benefit pre-funding mandate. All of this illustrates the need for Congress to pass comprehensive postal reform.  Robust engagement from you, the voters, carries just as much if not more weight than any message the NAPS legislative team can deliver in Washington.

To do this, I encourage you to find local town hall meetings that your representatives are holding in your community. Ask them about our issues. See where they stand on a strong and vibrant Postal Service.  If the Member of Congress seems receptive, speak to them about NAPS, and invite them on a tour of your facility.  This way, they can see the important work that NAPS members do for the American people every single day, and underscore the need for Congress to pass postal legislation to fix the problems you face on a daily basis.

After interacting with your legislators or even a candidate running to represent you in Congress and if you are confident that they can be a champion of our issues, please call me at NAPS headquarters.  The legislative team and I will review the SPAC budget and if possible, would be happy to facilitate members of your branch attending a local fundraiser in your district.  Remember, one third of the Senate and the entire House of Representatives are up for election in 2016, and with so many races already proving to be too close to call, SPAC's financial support will be in high demand.

The more positive interaction you as a NAPS member have with your Members of Congress, the better.  If you would like the contact information for your representatives, please visit both www.senate.gov and www.house.gov.  If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to NAPS Headquarters or speak with your state's legislative chair.