April 2017 April 2017, Volume 108, No

NAPSNAPS 20172017 LegislativeLegislative IssuesIssues BriefBrief page 19

April 2017 April 2017, Volume 108, No. 4 In This Issue April 2017 The Postal Supervisor (ISSN 0032-5384) is printed monthly, with a combined September/October issue, by the National Association of Postal Su- FEATURES pervisors (NAPS), 1727 King St., Suite 400, Alexandria, VA 22314-2753; 703-836-9660; fax, 6 February Consultative Update on request for quarterly NSP 703-836-9665; website, www.naps.org; general data, Hyundai Sonata Hybrid concerns and 2016 NAPS National e-mail, [email protected]. Convention resolutions among items discussed. Periodicals postage paid at Alexandria, VA, and additional mailing offices. NAPS members receive The Postal Supervisor 19 Priority Postal A decade has passed since major postal reform as part of their member- legislation was signed into law; it’s time for Congress to make postal ship dues. Members not reform a priority. The NAPS 2017 Legislative Issues Brief explains the receiving the publica- reasons why NAPS supports H.R. 756. tion on a regular basis www.naps.org should notify their 33 Take Advantage of Peer Support We all are members of branch secretaries. Objectives various groups. When we connect and care, these collections of people Nonmember subscrip- The objective of the Asso- become a community. This powerful resource can offer support and tion price: $25 per year. ciation shall be to pro- solutions. Submissions— mote, through appropriate Branch officer articles and effective action, the (maximum 350 words), welfare of its members, RESIDENT OFFICERS “Letters to NAPS” and to cooperate with the (maximum 200 words), USPS and other agencies 3 Get Smart. Get Informed! Brian J. Wagner “Ask NAPS” queries, of the federal government reprint requests and in a continuing effort to 4 Postal Reform Showing Positive Movement other correspondence improve the service, to Ivan D. Butts may be addressed to Karen Young; phone/ raise the standard of fax, 540-636-2569; efficiency, and to widen 5 Working to Benefit Our Members Chuck Mulidore kbalentyoung@gmail. the field of opportunity com. for its members who make All submissions the Postal Service or the DEPARTMENTS will be edited for brevi- federal government their ty and publication life work. 7 NAPS 2017 State Conventions style. High-resolution photos may be e-mailed to kbalentyoung@ gmail.com. Please include your non-USPS 9 NAPS Training Calendar e-mail. NAPS neither assumes responsibility for the contents of the articles published here- 10 Vince Palladino Memorial Student Scholarships in, nor does it necessarily agree with the opin- Application form ions expressed. Moreover, opinions expressed by an author do not necessarily reflect the 11 Views from the Vice Presidents Richard L. Green Jr. and opinions of the author’s branch. Marilyn Walton

Advertising—Advertising inquiries should be directed to Karen Young; phone/fax, 540- 13 Thrift Savings Plan February 2017 636-2569; [email protected]. The publication of any advertising herein 14 NAPS of Note does not necessarily constitute NAPS endorse- ment of the products or services offered. 28 2017 SPAC Contributors Postmaster—Please send address labels, clipped from undeliverable copies, along with 29 2017 SPAC Scoreboard USPS Form 3579, to The Postal Supervisor, 1727 King St., Suite 400, Alexandria, VA 22314-2753. 35 Notes from the National Auxiliary Laurie Butts Commentary from the Resident Officers Get Smart. Get Informed! his article is not about the 1960’s television When you are not informed, you may tend to show “Get Smart” or a current television pro- speculate, jump to conclusions and start rumors as to ducer’s crazy idea of remaking that iconic spy- what you believe is the reason, rationale or truth be- T spoof comedy show into a 2017 spin-off called hind someone’s or some organization’s action or in- “Get Informed.” Although “Get Smart” was full of structions when, in fact, it may be just the opposite of jokes and laughter, the importance of NAPS members what you believe or thought was happening. getting informed about what is happening on Capitol It’s important that Postal Service leadership at all Hill, at the Postal Service and in levels ensures employees are totally informed as much NAPS is no joking matter today. as possible about the bigger picture of postal business Thomas Jefferson said, “When- and the reasons why various decisions and actions are ever the people are well-informed, taken. When employees, especially EAS, are asking they can be trusted with their own why they have to complete a particular task or report government.” How true. I had an that appears to waste time or not make sense, it’s ap- opportunity to attend the 19th an- parent they have not been fully informed of the bigger nual California Postal Employees picture. Legislative Coalition event this When you are informed, you are part of the past February. One key message process and the solution. It can make all the difference Brian J. Wagner that resonated from those partici- in tipping the scale toward a person being more pro- President pating was for everyone to get and ductive, engaged and involved as a postal employee be legislatively informed. when they are fully informed. Conversely, if you are At the time of this writing, NAPS is preparing to less informed, the opposite may occur. host approximately 500 attendees at our annual Leg- This also goes for NAPS leadership at all levels. islative Training Seminar (LTS). We plan to ensure our NAPS must keep its members informed about what is LTS delegates are well-informed about legislation that happening at the local, state and national levels. This may impact their postal careers and livelihoods. includes informing them about meetings, training, our And that had me thinking. What does it mean to positions on various USPS policies and guidelines and be an informed voter? According to the website of the legislation we support, such as H.R. 756, and why American Association of State Colleges and Universi- NAPS takes such positions. ties, “Being an informed voter means to be knowledge- Conversely, when our members are less informed, able about the issues and positions of candidates when they may become less involved in NAPS. They may be- voting. It also means you are able to make decisions come more skeptical of an association whose objective without influence from outside factors intended to is to promote the welfare of its members. Therefore, persuade those who may not fully understand a candi- having well-informed NAPS members will make for a date’s platform or ideas.” well-run NAPS organization. You can extend this question to include what it Even with all the Postal Service and NAPS informa- means to be an informed postal employee or NAPS tion readily available on websites, social media pages member. American journalist Doug Larson said, or in our publications, if you do not take the initiative “There must be a happy medium somewhere between to seek out information and ask questions, it is harder being totally informed and blissfully unaware.” When to become fully informed. In the political, postal and you consider your role as a postal employee or NAPS NAPS world of today, don’t be blissfully unaware. Get member, where do you rate on this scale? Are you at smart and take the initiative to be informed! the “totally informed” end of the scale or more toward [email protected] the “blissfully unaware” end? I hope more toward the former than the latter. Why?

The Postal Supervisor / April 2017 3 Postal Reform Showing Positive Movement

n Feb. 7, I attended a hearing on H.R. 756, the for years to make MSPB due process a reality for 7,500 “Postal Service Reform Act of 2017.” The bill EAS employees. Inclusion of the MSPB provision in was introduced Jan. 31 by a bipartisan group of the bipartisan postal reform bill shows the strength of Olegislators I call the “Gang of Five Plus One.” our case and is a significant step forward. Movement The reason is that, during the second session of the of this legislation early in the 115th Congress signals a 114th Congress, five leaders of the House Oversight real opportunity for positive change for NAPS. and Government Reform Committee introduced simi- In weighing our support of postal reform, NAPS lar legislation by way of H.R. 5714. The bill was intro- leaders took a comprehensive look at the entire bill duced late in the session on July and the difficult situation facing the Postal Service. It 11, 2016, by Jason Chaffetz (R-UT), became clear the Postal Service’s financial problems Elijah Cummings (D-MD), Gerry only are going to worsen down the road, given mail Connolly (D-VA), Mark Meadows volume trends and the inflexible obligations the (R-NC) and Stephen Lynch (D- agency faces under current law. That downward path, MA)—a group referred to in the despite the bright spots in parcels, will not be kind to press as the “Gang of Five.” the Postal Service or postal supervisors. Finding a sus- In this first session of the tainable future for the USPS must start with the kinds 115th Congress, Rep. Dennis Ross of tools contained in H.R. 756 to help the agency re- (R-FL) rejoined the committee and turn to profitability and begin to show black ink. Ivan D. Butts signed on as the sixth legislator co- During review of the bill, I asked myself, “How Executive Vice President sponsoring this legislation. You long will it be until the new administration hears may remember Ross as the sole co- about USPS quarterly losses?” and “How might it sponsor of H.R. 2309, postal reform legislation intro- react?” The answer may lie in what Trump campaign duced by Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) in the first session of adviser Rudy Giuliani said this past October when he the 112th Congress on June 23, 2011. suddenly told MSNBC host Stephanie Ruhle that the H.R. 756 has posed a challenge for your NAPS lead- government isn’t capable of doing much. “The gov- ers due to the well-noted concerns regarding the inte- ernment can’t run the Post Office!” Guiliani ex- gration of Medicare benefits for all retirees. This provi- claimed. (For more, see my December 2016 article.) sion also is viewed as the major What was striking to me was component to returning the USPS to this comment about America’s financial sustainability. As I write The Postal Supervisor Postal Service was an unsolicited this article, the USPS reported its 2017 Production Schedule response while discussing an un- 20th consecutive quarter of finan- Copy related matter; proponents of pri- cial losses. Issue Deadline* Mails vatizing the USPS are alive and This legislation has the benefit MAY MAR 15 APR 18 well. We must look to the needs of offering transitional reductions in JUNE APR 20 MAY 16 of the many in helping create a Medicare Part B premiums to newly JULY MAY 19 JUNE 15 sustainable future for the USPS. enrolled Postal Service annuitants AUG JUNE 15 JULY 13 In solidarity … and family members in the follow- SEPT JULY 18 AUG 10 [email protected] ing amounts: first year—75 percent; OCT AUG 21 SEPT 12 second year—50 percent; and third NOV SEPT 22 OCT 19 year—25 percent. DEC OCT 24 NOV 16 The bill also standardizes among JAN 18 NOV 28 DEC 21 all EAS employees the right of ap- *Copy must be received by this day; see page 2 for submission information. peal to the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB). NAPS has advocated

4 April 2017 / The Postal Supervisor Working to Benefit Our Members pring finally has arrived and, perhaps, your $1.75 per pay period by NAPS Headquarters. As in thoughts, like mine, have turned to, oh, maybe other cases, it is up to the branch to collect member- baseball, perhaps winter cleanup around the ship dues from associate members. This is another S house, taking a vacation, doing your taxes, gar- source of local branch revenue. dening or any number of other activities related to Next is the Non-Member Report, which we need spring. It’s a wonderful time of year. But, for a mo- you to shrink as much as you can! These are potential ment, can we talk about your monthly branch reports members; they need to join NAPS. Once we sign these that come from NAPS Headquarters? non-members, it can take up to two months or more It’s an important topic and for them to come off your Non-Member Report and one about which I often get ques- move over to your DCO. This is normal, but we con- tions. First of all, as branch lead- sider them members while this transition occurs. Mov- ers, you get four monthly reports ing members from the Non-Member Report to the from NAPS Headquarters: the DCO affords them the benefits of NAPS membership DCO, Non-Member Report, and brings much-needed revenue into your branch Change Report and the Mail List. treasury. So, in honor of baseball season, Next up is the Change Report. This report illus- we’ll start at the top of the order. trates any changes for branch members or non-mem- The DCO documents the bers. For example, a member of Branch A gets a job in Chuck Mulidore transfer of funds from NAPS Head- an area covered by Branch B, which triggers a change Secretary/Treasurer quarters to local branches, paid by in Finance number. Thus, on the Change Report, each an ACH deposit into your local branch is notified of a member leaving one branch branch bank account near the end of each month. The and moving to the other branch. Postal Service transfers the money to NAPS based on Also on the Change Report, NAPS Headquarters the withholding of members’ dues each pay period. can input manual changes. For example, a cancella- Then, NAPS Headquarters transfers this money to the tion of dues notice, even though under postal regula- local branches, minus the per-capita charge of $3.50 tions a Form 1188 is processed only in March and Sep- per member, per pay period used to help fund NAPS’ tember of each year. So, NAPS Headquarters would operations. inform the branch a member is requesting to cancel You also may see on the report certain codes next dues, but will stay a member until either March or Sep- to members’ names; let me explain. Generally, these tember, whichever is closer, of that year. Branch excep- are postal codes used by HRSSC. NU-EMP is a new em- tions are listed on the Change Report, as well. ployee—pretty easy. NO-DED is a member in a non- Finally, our last report is the Mail List, which pro- deduction status. However, NAPS Headquarters still is vides branches the physical and email addresses, if collecting the per-capita dues of $3.50 per pay period available, of its members. This allows branches to gen- from the local branch. It is up to the local branch to erate mailing lists and improve communication with collect dues from that member to reimburse the its members. branch for lost revenue. There you have it: a condensed version of the re- NO PAY indicates a member in a non-pay status at ports NAPS Headquarters generates for our branches the USPS. However, again, NAPS Headquarters is col- each month. Our goal, as always, is to benefit our lecting the $3.50 per-capita charge from the branch; members any way we can. If you ever have questions, the branch must recover that revenue from the mem- please contact our outstanding membership manager, ber. Similar is NO T/C, indicating the member is in a Jovan Duncan, at [email protected], or me at no-time-card, or non-pay, status. [email protected]. We are here to serve you. And, of course, RET is the code for a person who is Okay, since you’ve read your reports, go outside retiring, which is an excellent opportunity for you, as and enjoy spring! branch leaders, to sign that pending retiree as an asso- [email protected] ciate member. Remember, we need their knowledge and expertise. An associate member is charged only

The Postal Supervisor / April 2017 5 Feb. 8 Consultative Update on Request for Quarterly NSP Data, Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Concerns Among Items Discussed

resident Brian J. Wagner, Ex- compass final training modules, fol- for more information about the func- ecutive Vice President Ivan D. lowed by graduation. tionality of the vehicle, specifically Butts and Secretary/Treasurer According to the summary report, regarding instances of the vehicle Chuck Mulidore were present since Oct. 1, 2014, nationally, 287 EAS starting on its own at times. Pfor the Feb. 8 consultative meeting employees are at Checkpoint 1; 41 at The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is not with the Postal Service. Executive Checkpoint 2; three at Checkpoint 3; designed to start unless the operator Board Chair Tim Ford attended via and two supervisors, Customer Service, presses the start button. The vehicle telecon. Representing the Postal Ser- have completed NSP, completing Check- should not start under any circum- vice was Bruce Nicholson, Labor Rela- point 4. stances once the vehicle is properly shut tions Policy Administration. The 16-week NSP training is to be off. Fleet Management has been made completed within six months from aware of one such complaint, but has Agenda Item #1 when classroom training starts. Based not been able to confirm the issue or du- NAPS raised the issue of its ap- on the April 3, 2015, tracking report, plicate the problem claimed. Hybrid ve- proved request from the April 2, the two-week classroom training has hicles will intermittently start and shut 2015, consultative regarding New fallen behind due to the peak mailing off the gas engine when in the run Supervisor Program (NSP) training season. However, NSP training now is mode. Any maintenance or operational data not being supplied quarterly. back on track. issues with any postal vehicle issues NAPS requested data on the number According to the USPS, those in should be forwarded to the VMF so they of employees promoted to EAS training have provided favorable re- can be properly reviewed and addressed. under the NSP structure but who sponses to the NSP survey. Results indi- NAPS follow-up: Additional in- have not begun their training class- cate the training material is preparing formation was submitted to the es. NAPS also requested data on the newly promoted EAS employees for their USPS concerning issues with such number of employees in the NSP supervisory positions. From a positive vehicles starting on their own. USPS structure, listed by district, who cur- aspect, there is excellent tracking and Fleet Management responded that rently are being trained. follow-up with NSP, according to Chief the vehicle will not start under any The USPS provided NAPS with a Operating Officer Dave Williams. USPS circumstances once the vehicle is prop- NSP national summary by USPS quarter Headquarters is committed to making erly shut off. Fleet Management also and area. The report reflects training NSP successful and is making a huge ef- is developing communication mate- data as of April 3, 2015; tracking began fort to get trainees through NSP training. rial regarding user guides for the at the start of the new USPS fiscal year, NAPS requested a copy of the Hyundai Sonata, which will be pro- Oct. 1, 2014. The report is broken down survey results and the quarterly NSP vided to the field when completed. by four checkpoints: tracking report. Safety performed an investigative • Checkpoint 1: Two-week class- USPS Headquarters will look into analysis on the Sonata. The investiga- room training. A checkpoint is not con- providing NAPS with this information tion did not find any evidence that the sidered finished until the entire process on a regular basis. vehicle is self-starting. Further, it was is completed. Data was provided by Learning and found that, in certain situations, the ve- • Checkpoint 2: Weeks 3-7 com- Development for FY16 and Quarter 1 of hicle unknowingly was left running and prise assessment from the trainee’s FY17. the key fob was in the vehicle. A memo manager that all required training has dated Feb. 2, 2017, was distributed to been completed during these weeks. Agenda Item #2 district managers from Phil Knoll, man- • Checkpoint 3: Weeks 8-14 include NAPS requested a follow-up to ager, Fleet Management. cross-functional training, virtual learn- Agenda Item 1 from the January con- NAPS expressed concern whether ing and eLearning. sultative regarding the purchase of the USPS intended to notify Sales • Checkpoint 4: Weeks 15-16 en- Hyundai Sonata Hybrids. NAPS asked employees who often are assigned to

6 April 2017 / The Postal Supervisor drive the Sonatas. NAPS 2017 State Conventions This memo will be distributed to all Sales employees au- Dates State(s) Location thorized to drive a Hyundai April 21-22 Tennessee Inn at Opryland, Nashville Sonata. April 21-22 SD/ND Dakota Magic Casino Hotel, Fargo, ND April 23-27 California Convention Cruise, Long Beach Agenda Item #3 April 27-29 Illinois Embassy Suites, East Peoria NAPS requested an update May 11-13 MINK Area Omaha Marriott, Omaha, NE to still-pending Agenda Item May 18-20 Pioneer Area Tropicana Casino/Hotel, Evansville, IL #5 from the March 2016 con- May 18-20 Wisconsin Chula Vista Resort, Wisconsin Dells sultative: May 18-20 New York Villa Roma, Callicoon During the May 2015 consultative, NAPS presented an May 18-21 New England Area Red Jacket Inn, Conway, NH agenda item regarding EAS June 1-4 Capitol-Atlantic Area Westin Hotel, Virginia Beach, VA staffing of the Local Operation June 2-4 Rocky Mountain Area Elk’s Lodge, Tempe, AZ (convention); DoubleTree (hotel) Center (LOC). At that time, June 2-4 Minnesota Fair Hills Resort, Detroit Lakes the USPS responded: June 7-11 FL/GA Embassy Suites, Savannah Airport, Savannah, GA USPS Headquarters manager, June 8-10 Michigan/Indiana Atheneum Suite and Hotel Conference Center, Detroit Delivery and Planning, is work- June 8-11 Pennsylvania Red Lion Hotel, Harrisburg ing with Organizational Effec- June 15-17 AL/LA/MS Evangeline Downs Hotel, Opelousas, LA tiveness (OE) to consider and de- June 23-25 Texas Downtown DoubleTree, San Antonio termine what EAS staffing is June 25-27 New Jersey Resorts Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City needed for LOCs to ensure it July 8-9 Hawaii TBD works effectively and efficiently. Once USPS Headquarters has a Please report state convention dates to NAPS Headquarters as soon as they are known. decision, NAPS will be notified. NAPS contended that the lack of nary review of the results pending with City District’s request for an EAS-17 a funded EAS staff for these work each of the area vice presidents. LOC product information quality analyst units was reducing supervisory over- staffing will be addressed at that time; (PIQA) position submitted through sight in the field by: once the USPS has something definitive, the Western Area. Western Area lead- • taking Customer Service EAS 17s it will be provided to NAPS. ership stated the request was pending away from the offices in which they In the meantime, LOCs should not review by Headquarters Organization- are assigned. be staffed with field personnel as stated al Effectiveness. NAPS requested a sta- • having EAS employees work to NAPS resident officers from Ed Phe- tus update on the review. seven days a week, with the mandate lan during a meeting on June 23, 2015. Organization Design (OD) returned that the EAS employees assigned to LOCs should be staffed with existing the request for a PIQA position back to the LOC on any given day must stay staff at the district. the Western Area for additional infor- until the last carrier returns to the Latest USPS Response: Delivery Op- mation and review. Once that is com- office, and erations is reviewing the LOCs to ensure pleted, the Western Area will send it • taking EAS support personnel operations are efficient and effective in back to OD for final determination. from their assigned duties to oversee order to evaluate and determine appro- At the July 13, 2016, consulta- the LOC. priate staffing of the LOCs. This review tive, the USPS responded: NAPS requested that the USPS includes meeting with field managers During the May 2016 consultative create a dedicated funded staffing on Feb. 9. meeting, the position request from the model for the purpose of properly Salt Lake City District was returned to managing LOCs. Agenda Item #4 the Western Area for additional infor- Headquarters Delivery Operations NAPS requested an update to mation and review from Headquarters. and OE have met with field managers pending Agenda Item #7 from the Local NAPS representatives should con- from across the country through tele- May 2016 consultative meeting: tact the Western Area to confirm the cons and focus groups regarding district NAPS Headquarters received a re- status of this matter. staffing. The Postal Service has prelimi- quest for an update to the Salt Lake NAPS was in contact with the

The Postal Supervisor / April 2017 7 Western Area and received this re- merous to be processed through the Resolution 44: Non-bargaining sponse at the Oct. 17, 2016, consul- POS system alone. unit employees’ vacation planning is tative: NAPS requests that all revenue provided in Part 512 of the USPS Em- “Hi, Myrna [Pashinski, NAPS associated with prepaid acceptance ployee and Labor Relations Manual Rocky Mountain Area VP], scans be credited to the receiving/ (ELM), which reads: “Annual leave is “I did share with John [Aceves] processing office. NAPS also requests provided to employees for rest, recre- prior to him leaving office the below that all prepaid acceptance scans ation and personal and emergency info. HQ LR also is aware of current generated from IMD scans be credit- purposes.” status. ed to RSS/POS/EDW revenue for the Part 512.62 of the ELM states: “The Western Area requested au- office that makes the scans. NAPS “Vacation leave is granted to these thorization for this position through further requests that RSS/POS rev- employees when their services can normal channels once received from enue be applied to all prepaid ac- best be spared. Postmasters and SLC. This would have been a new ceptance scans from whatever input other responsible officials must authorization. We have been in- source for the office that makes the schedule leave so that (a) employees formed by the COO’s office this po- scan. do not forfeit leave and (b) postal sition is on hold until such time it is The Postal Service does not adopt operations are not impaired.” discussed further with the CHRO.” this resolution. Customer Service Opera- NAPS contends that installation Thanks, tions confirmed that scans performed by heads and administrative support Simon. the IMD on prepaid acceptance items managers in each district are respon- Latest USPS Response: There is no are credited in the Customer Service sible for providing vacation sign-up change to the information previously Variance model. The following process procedures to non-bargaining unit provided to NAPS. outlines how a post office outside the employees under their jurisdiction ZIP Code of the customer’s home ad- before the leave year commences. The following are regarding resolu- dress can receive revenue credit for pack- It has been reported that installa- tions adopted at the 2016 NAPS Na- ages: tion heads and administrative sup- tional Convention: When customers create a Click-N- port managers unilaterally change Resolution 42: Revenue drives Ship account, the system will ask for the previously established vacation sign- staffing at post offices. These offices customer’s home address. That address up procedures, either before or after scan multiple prepaid acceptance will default to the local post office the leave year commences, or arbi- scans and the revenue generated by under the assumption that packages trarily block out vacation weeks or these scans is based on the address with printed Click-N-Ship labels will be refuse to honor the vacation period the customer has associated with dropped off at that local office; there- of a newly reassigned or promoted their account. Also, the number of fore, the revenue will be credited to that non-bargaining unit employee who prepaid acceptance scans is too nu- local office. legitimately signed up in their previ- If a customer decides or if it’s more ous office or location—allegedly On the Move? convenient for the customer to drop based on the needs of the service or packages off at a post office other than to prevent impairment of postal op- Have you moved or are planning a their local post office, then those pack- erations. move? Let NAPS know, too! ages should be accepted at any location. Non-bargaining-unit employees Keeping your mailing address cur- The FAQs within the Click-N-Ship plan in advance and sign up for rent at NAPS Headquarters helps us Program state that if a customer intends their vacation periods for rest, recre- keep The Postal Supervisor coming to drop off a package at a post office ation and personal reasons (includ- to you without interruption and other than their local office, then the ing medical and other appoint- avoid unnecessary “Address Service customer should go back into their ac- ments), oftentimes scheduling Requested” charges. count (i.e., where customers go to print flights and other vacation-booking Please let us know your new address labels) and choose the option “Shipping commitments for themselves, signif- and its effective date as soon as you from ZIP Code.” This option is intended icant others, family members and know it. Address changes may be mailed to NAPS at 1727 King St., strictly for aviation security purposes. friends. Suite 400, Alexandria, VA 22314- However, if a customer chooses this op- A June 24, 2002, USPS memoran- 2753, or faxed to (703) 836-9665. tion, the package revenue will be allo- dum from DeWitt O. Harris, vice cated to the alternative receiving office. president, Employee Resource Man-

8 April 2017 / The Postal Supervisor agement, to managers, Human Re- sources (area), stated: NAPS Training Calendar “National Association of Postal Supervisors President Vince Palladi- Central Gulf Area Training Hotel Rate: $145, single/double; $155, triple no has again expressed concern with March 31-April 1, 2017 Registration Fee: Free for Illini Area mem- unreasonable delays in processing Conducted by: Central Gulf Area VP Cornel bers; $50 for others leave requests submitted by supervi- Rowel Sr. Training Topics: Advocacy, among others sors. If this is happening in your Location: Renaissance Mobile Riverview Instructors: Illini Area VP Luz Moreno and area, we would appreciate your Plaza Hotel, 64 South Water St., Mobile, AL Michiana Area VP Kevin Trayer 36602; (251) 438-4000 working with the operations man- Hotel Rate: $115 agers to ensure requests are handled Pioneer Area Training Registration Fee: $40 in a timely manner. In instances May 18-20, 2017 Training Topics: Appeal-writing, adverse where possible, please return the ap- action and more. In conjunction with the Pioneer Area proved or disapproved PS Form 3971, Convention Instructors: NAPS President Brian Wagner, ‘Request for or Notification of Ab- Southern Region VP Tim Ford, Treva Conducted by: Pioneer Area VP Tim Need- sence,’ to the supervisor within three Sanders and Kevin Logan. ham business days.” Location: Tropicana Evansville Hotel, 421 NW Riverside Dr., Evansville, IN 47708; NAPS requests establishment of a Texas Area Training (812) 433-4000 policy on vacation planning for EAS April 21-22, 2017 Hotel Rate: $99 plus tax employees. NAPS also requests that Conducted by: Texas Area VP Jaime Eli- Training Topic: Leadership the established vacation sign-up pro- zondo Instructor: Former Capitol-Atlantic Area VP cedure is not unilaterally changed Location: Doubletree Downtown, 502 W. John Geter Cesar E. Chavez, San Antonio, TX 78207; before or after the leave year com- (210) 224-7155 mences and that vacation weeks not New England Area Training Hotel Rate: $135; includes one breakfast be arbitrarily blocked out. NAPS fur- buffet per room per day; free Internet and May 18-21, 2017 ther requests that the previously parking. In conjunction with the New England signed-up vacation period of a newly Registration Fee: $35 for installation lunch Convention reassigned or promoted non-bargain- (payable to NAPS Branch 103) Conducted by: New England Area VP Greg ing unit employee be honored. Training Topics: Officer training, represen- Murphy tation, ELM 650, retirement In the event of an adverse Location: Red Jacket Mountain View Re- Instructors: Dillard Financial, JFK3 Con- sort, 2251 White Mountain Highway North, change to employees’ leave, the pre- sulting and Texas Area VP Jaime Elizondo Conway, NH 03860; (603) 356-7816, ext. viously signed-up vacation period of 504 a non-bargaining unit employee Illini Area Training Hotel Rate: $571/single, $688/double; in- should not be canceled or resched- April 27-29, 2017 cludes breakfast buffet each morning and uled by management without discus- lunch and dinner buffets on Friday. In conjunction with the Illinois State Con- Registration Fee: $75 sion and explanation with the affect- vention Training Topics: TBD ed employee. The vacation selection Conducted by: Illini Area VP Luz Moreno Instructors: TBD periods should be from Jan. 1 Location: Embassy Suites Peoria Riverfront through Dec. 31 of the calendar year. Hotel & Conference Center, 100 Conference The installation heads and ad- Center Dr., East Peoria, IL 61611; (309) 694-0200 ministrative support managers should meet and discuss proposed vacation sign-up changes with non-bargaining-unit employees before implemen- this purpose to ensure that postal opera- Resolution 46: Exempt EAS em- tation and with the assistance and ad- tions under their authority are not im- ployees are routinely required to vice of local NAPS leadership. paired. If NAPS believes decisions made work a sixth day. ELM 519.733 The Postal Service does not adopt by an installation head are inconsistent states: this resolution. Decisions should be left with the provision of ELM 512.62, it “When an exempt employee is to postmasters and other responsible of- should be addressed between local man- directed to work a full day on a holi- ficials to determine the most effective agement and NAPS officials and esca- day or other full day in addition to manner in approving annual leave for lated to the district level if unresolved. Continued on page 32

The Postal Supervisor / April 2017 9 National Association of Postal Supervisors VinceVince PalladinoPalladino MemorialMemorial SStudenttudent ScholarshipsScholarships 2017 Official Application Form

he Vince Palladino Memorial selected from each of the NAPS regional areas (North- Student Scholarships are awarded east, Eastern, Central, Southern and Western). Tin memory of the late NAPS presi- This application must be received no later dent and honor his dedication to NAPS than July 31, 2017, at the address provided below. members and their families. These scholar- Scholarship winners will be announced ships are sponsored solely by NAPS. in August. In addition, the scholarship Applicants for this scholarship winners will be listed in the October 2017 must be the children or grandchil- issue of The Postal Supervisor. dren of a living NAPS member, ac- Members whose child or grandchild tive or associate, at the time of have been awarded a Vince Palladino drawing. Furthermore, the children Memorial Student Scholarship will re- or grandchildren must be attending or have been accepted ceive a check, payable to the college or university listed by an accredited two- or four-year college or university. in the application, in October 2017. Scholarships may NAPS will award 10 $1,000 Vince Palladino Memo- be used to pay expenses in the student’s current or fol- rial Student Scholarships. Two winners will be randomly lowing semester. deadline: July 31, 2017

______Student’s name (please PRINT legibly) Major course of study

______Name of accredited two- or four-year college or university attended City and state of the college or university or will be attending

______NAPS member’s name NAPS member’s branch number Applications must ______be received at Student’s relationship to NAPS member (son, granddaughter, etc.) NAPS Headquarters ______NAPS member’s PO box/street address no later than July 31, 2017 ______City State ZIP+4

Please mail completed application to NAPS Scholarships, Attn: Chuck Mulidore, Secretary/ Treasurer, 1727 King St., Suite 400, Alexandria, VA 22314-2753. Thank you. Views from the Vice Presidents Leadership Development

By Richard L. Green Jr. mains strong for the next genera- be encountering. I didn’t understand Eastern Region Vice President tion. That means we—you and I— until that day the importance of the must reach out to new supervisors organization. The togetherness in hen we hear the words lead- and managers and teach them the that room of individuals with similar ership development, the first history of NAPS and why it is impor- experiences helped me develop a W thing we think of is prepar- tant they become involved in the or- network of friends in which I still ing future leaders to run the Postal ganization. confide and ask advice of today! Service. I want to address this from I remember my mentor—Arnold Now, I am asking the following another perspective: devel- Navarre, president of from each of our more than 26,000 oping future leaders of the Richmond, VA, Branch members nationwide: National Association of 98—inviting me to my 1. Reach out to a new supervisor Postal Supervisors. first NAPS meeting. At in your office or district and invite NAPS was started in first I resisted, but, even- them to your next branch meeting. 1908 in Louisville, KY, by tually, I decided to go. I 2. Become a mentor for that in- a group of supervisors who learned that NAPS was dividual—someone they can call had the foresight to under- there for me and I could when they have a question or need stand that supervisors educate myself about the someone in whom to confide. were an important part of the Unit- issues and concerns NAPS was ad- 3. Mentor them so they can ed States Post Office Department; dressing on the national level con- reach their highest potential— their voices needed to be heard. That cerning pay and better treatment of whether in NAPS or the USPS. need continues today. EAS employees. As my great friend Darryl As the current caretakers of our I learned that NAPS was a family Williams, Pittsburgh Branch 554, organization, we have an obligation and the organization was there for says, “Reach one, teach one.” to pay it forward to ensure NAPS re- me—no matter what obstacles I may [email protected] Valuable Training for NAPS Reps

By Marilyn Walton mation needed before meeting with form and other quick references and Western Region Vice President management. There is a representa- information. tive form approved by Labor Rela- The questions and reviews were n Saturday, Feb. 4, Central Val- tions that, once signed, will allow a pointed and case preparation was ley Branch 197 (Stockton, CA) representative to request the mem- precise and to the point. Feedback Ohosted a NAPS representative ber’s personnel info. from the attendees was the work study group. Branch President There are sample let- information, training and Debbie Baker wanted a small inti- ters demonstrating the discussion were well re- mate group to train branch NAPS correct way to respond to ceived. While the attend- representatives. a Letter of Warning or in ing NAPS reps have had We used the NAPS tool kit and Lieu of, as well as an Ad- experience, they said reviewed the document, page by verse Action response and learning additional tools page, looking at how to conduct and Debt Collection appeal and techniques will give document an initial representative procedures. The NAPS them more confidence interview. We also reviewed the Tool Kit contains additional vital when assisting NAPS members in the NAPS worksheet to start the process info on the ELM 650 and 450, Doug- Central Valley. of accumulating vital member infor- las Factors, the NAPS DDF request I also shared information about

The Postal Supervisor / April 2017 11 my recent visit to the Pacific Area Clockwise, from left: Angie Gallardo, NAPS Executive Leadership meeting. Dean rep; Alisha Tuaila, NAPS Granholm, USPS Pacific Area vice rep; Marsha Danzy, president, stressed that EAS employ- Branch 197 secretary/ treasurer; and Debbie ees must maintain integrity in the Baker, Branch 197 presi- workplace and protect the Postal Ser- dent. Not pictured: reps vice brand, which is known world- Leonard Amador and Joe Tualla. wide. I also shared that the Pacific Area is tracking all data related to and ended the ses- the processing and delivery of mail. sion with lunch and The Pacific Area LOC is very high a lot of current job tech and tracks almost everything. I networking, includ- stressed that Big Brother is watching; ing helping members fill out eCareer tral Valley Branch 197 for this very it’s important to do the right thing! and promoting the popular engage- successful NAPS work study group! We shared great training time ment process. I want to thank Cen- marilynwalton@comcast.net CA Postal Legislative Coalition Annual Event

By Marilyn Walton Jacquelyn McCormick and Harvey maintained to certain standards and Western Region Vice President Smith, part of the community-or- guarantee public access. ganized Citizens to Save the Berkeley The collaborate has focused on unday, Feb. 12, 2017, the 19th Post Office group. Also known as the many postal facilities in California— annual California Postal Em- National Post Office Collaborate, the Napa, Santa Monica and San Francis- S ployees Legislative Coalition’s group, which started in Berkeley, co—and other nationwide federal event was called to order at the La- works to prevent the Postal Service and postal buildings, including New borers Hall 185, Sacramento. Each from selling historic postal facilities, York. The goal is to help us become year, hosting duties are rotated be- most of which were built during the aware of these hidden public treas- tween the union and management 1930’s Works Progress Administra- ures being sold for a pittance of their associations; this year’s program was tion. Many contain historic murals, historic value! hosted by the union. Susan Hammer, artwork and detailed sculptures. The This year’s keynote speaker was APWU, was the host and moderator. buildings are listed on historical reg- NAPS President Brian Wagner. His The opening presentation was by isters and are required by law to be presentation explained NAPS’ posi-

From left: Karen Douglas, NAPS; Michael Evans, APWU; Beverly Marriott, NAPS; Ron Jones, NALC; Marilyn Walton, NAPS; Mary Wooley, NRLCA; Clarice Golden, UPMA; Brian Wagner, NAPS; Chris Casey, UPMA; Helen Zajac, NARFE; Frances Barfield, NAPS; Susan Hammer, APWU/NARFE; Phil Warlick, APWU; John Beaumont, NALC; and Tony Coleman, NPMHU.

12 April 2017 / The Postal Supervisor tion on the postal reform legislation, H.R. 756. He talked about how the legislation would extend Merit Sys- tems Protection Board appeal rights to more EAS employees, as well as the Medicare mandate and postal banking. Wagner joined the panel for additional discussion about important postal, federal and retiree issues. UPMA Director of Government Relations Bob Levi joined us via Skype. He also discussed H.R. 756, focusing on the Medicare provision. Levi has joined the coalition’s annu- NAPS President Brian Wagner discussed the latest postal reform legislation at the annual California Postal Coalition meeting. al event, either in person or via Skype, since its beginning. my NAPS family, Karen Douglas and ernment unions. We welcomed NARFE National Representative Beverly Marriott, who traveled from them as our new coalition partners. Helen Zajac discussed legislative is- North Carolina to attend our annual The final panel discussion Q&A sues that NARFE supports. She also meeting. Their goal is to return to included all organization representa- discussed NARFE’s opposition to the North Carolina and replicate our tives who joined with their com- Medicare mandate in H.R. 756. coalition in their state. We offered ments and organizations’ feedback. NARFE contends the resulting addi- our support in helping them in any The California Postal Employees tional cost would negatively impact way we can! Legislative Coalition meets quarterly, retirees. We also welcomed four attendees hosted by Ron Jones, at the NALC NALC California President John from the American Federation of Local 1111, Richmond, CA. For Beaumont led the discussion on Government Employees (AFGE): Na- those unable to travel to Richmond, coalition projects, including a state talie Bernel, Ian Hoffman, Gilbert we schedule a telecon. Anyone inter- disaster relief bill that would ensure Galari and Leo Terhune-Loomis. ested can provide their email ad- Postal Service employees are paid They represent federal employees at dress; all are welcome to call in and when helping during national disas- Veterans Affairs, the Social Security join the conversation! ters. There also is a state assembly Administration, TSA and other gov- [email protected] resolution to oppose postal closures and consolidations. Beaumont or- ganizes the Lobby Day at the state Thrift Savings Plan capitol to help keep our postal and Fund G F C S I retiree issues front and center at the California State Senate and Assem- February 2017 0.18% 0.71% 3.97% 2.45% 1.44% bly. Past 12 Months* 1.87% 1.66% 25.01% 32.74% 16.19% APWU California President The G, F, C, S, and I Fund returns for the last 12 months assume unchanging balances (time-weighting) from Michael Evans led a discussion on month to month, and assume that earnings are compounded on a monthly basis. postal banking. The APWU is form- ing a group to campaign for this Fund L Income L 2020 L 2030 L 2040 L 2050 issue. The U.S. had a Postal Savings System from 1911 to 1967. Postal or- February 2017 0.77% 1.36% 1.96% 2.25% 2.51% ganizations support re-establishing Past 12 Months* 5.97% 11.12% 15.37% 17.75% 20.06% postal banking services to assist un- These returns are net of the effect of accrued administrative expenses and investment expenses/costs. The performance data shown represent past performance, which is not a guarantee of future results. Investment derserved communities in urban and returns and principal value will fluctuate, so that investors’ shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than rural communities. their original cost. The L 2010 Fund was retired on Dec. 31, 2010. The coalition was honored to Visit the TSP website at www.tsp.gov welcome first-time attendees from

The Postal Supervisor / April 2017 13 Cotton Belt Area Vice Presi- NAPS of Note dent Shri Green and Ten- nessee State President Donna Aaron installed Smoky Moun- tains Branch 165 officers in Ann Konish Branch 11 Knoxville, TN, on Jan. 26. From left: Green, Branch 165 Vice Names New President President Robert McMurry, Scott Slayton has stepped down Secretary/Treasurer Becky Runyons (with son Michael), as president of Ann Konish Branch President Vic Esvang and 11, Rochester, NY, after accepting a Aaron. position in the East Area. Scott En- glerth has assumed the office. At the branch’s January meeting, members wished Scott good luck on his pro- motion and thanked him for his outstanding commitment to the branch and its members.

Frank Baselice (fourth from the left), vice president of NAPS Long Island Branch 202, spoke to new supervisors from the Long Island District during their training session about the benefits of joining NAPS. Also in attendance was Branch 202 President Tom Barone, who took the photo.

Charleston, SC, Branch 215 hosted the 2017 Eastern Region Cabinet Meeting over the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holi- day. The meeting was very successful, with more than 100 delegates attending.

From left: Secretary/Treasurer Chuck Mulidore, Capitol-Atlantic Area Vice President Troy Griffin, Greater South Carolina District Manager Darryl Martin and Branch 225 President Darold Dantzler.

Secretary/Treasurer Chuck Mulidore ad- ministered the oath of office to the Eastern Region branch officers, from left: John Geter, Charlotte Herndon, Joann Farmer, Pauline Brisbon, Steve Shawn and Reggie Gramblin.

From left: Secretary/Treasurer Chuck Muli- dore, President Brian Wagner, Branch 554 Treasurer Darryl Williams, Branch 531 Pres- ident C. Michele Randall, Eastern Region Vice President Richard Green, DC/Mary- land State President Steve Shawn, Ken- tucky State President Rosemary Harmon and Executive Vice President Ivan D. Butts.

14 April 2017 / The Postal Supervisor Northeast Region Vice President Tommy Roma, New York Area Vice President Jimmy Warden, Branch 68 President Jamaal Muhammad and Branch 164 Vice President Mark Velez attended the New Supervisor Program training class in the Triboro District. All new supervisors were signed as NAPS members. Also in attendance was USPS Manager of Learning Development & Diversity Jeanette Brooks. Thanks to the Triboro District for all their support.

The Triboro District held a career fair and invited NAPS to participate. From left, Tommy Roma, NAPS Northeast Region vice president; Anthony Impronto, Brook- lyn postmaster; Elvin Mercado, Triboro district manager; Jimmy Warden, NAPS New York Area vice president; and Ricardo Quental, A/senior plant manager.

From left: Don Chen, Branch 68; Tommy Roma, Northeast Re- gion vice president; Jeff Goldman, Branch 164 president; Jimmy Warden, New York Area vice president; Bobby Gonza- lez, Branch 164; and Mark Velez, Branch 164 vice president.

Philadelphia Metro District Manager Chu Falling Star and Human Resources Manager Lisa Jordan presented NAPS Executive Vice President Ivan D. Butts with a certificate and pin in recognition of his 35 years with the Postal Service.

President Brian Wagner installed the Des Moines, IA, NDC Branch 564 officers. From left: Branch 564 Trea- surer Debbie Barton- Greubel, Secretary Amy Ward, President Gentry Grandberg, Vice President Matt Easter and Wagner. Also assisting was Central At the New Jersey State Executive Board Region Vice President Craig meeting were, from left, Tony D, Gary Rut- Johnson. ter, NAPS Secretary/Treasurer Chuck Muli- dore and John Farrell.

The Postal Supervisor / April 2017 15 Los Angeles Branch 39 celebrated the installation of officers and its retirees at Long Beach Harbor on Jan. 28. Executive Vice President Ivan D. Butts was the keynote speaker. Former President Louis Atkins was on hand to help swear in the new officers. Branch 39 Vice President Sam Booth emceed the event. Western Region Vice President Marilyn Walton and Pacific Area Vice Presi- dent Hayes Cherry also participated.

16 April 2017 / The Postal Supervisor

NAPS Executive Board Directory

Brian J. Wagner Ivan Butts Chuck Mulidore Resident Officers President Executive Vice Secretary/Treasurer [email protected] President [email protected] The resident officers may be contacted at 1727 [email protected] King St., Suite 400, Alexandria, VA 22314-2753; (703) 836-9660; (703) 836-9665 (fax)

Northeast Region (Areas 1 and 2, including all NJ, Eastern Region (Areas 3—DE, PA and NJ Branch 74—4 Regional Vice except Branch 74) and 5) Thomas Roma Richard L. Green Jr. Presidents 385 Colon Ave., Staten Island, NY 7734 Leyland Cypress Lane, 10308-1417; (718) 605-0357 (H) Quinton, VA 23141-1377 (917) 685-8282 (cell) (804) 928-8261 (cell) [email protected] [email protected] Central Region (Areas 6, 7, 8 and 9) Southern Region (Areas 10, 11, 12 and 13) Western Region (Areas 14, 15 and 16) Craig O. Johnson Tim Ford Marilyn Walton 6703 N. Saint Clair Ave., Kansas City, 6214 Klondike Dr., Port Orange, FL PO Box 103, Vacaville, CA 95696-0103 MO 64151-2399; (816) 741-6064 (H) 32127-6783; (386) 767-FORD (H) (707) 449-8223 (H) (816) 914-6061 (cell) (386) 679-3774 (cell) [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

1—New England Area (CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT) 2—New York Area (NY/PR/VI) Area Vice Gregory Murphy James “Jimmy”Warden 31 Hudson Lane, Windsor, CT 06095 137 Evergreen Court, Freehold, NJ Presidents (860) 687-9757 (H) 07728-4122 (413) 244-6810 (cell) (917) 968-5222 (cell) [email protected] [email protected]

3—Mideast Area (DE/NJ/PA) 4—Capitol-Atlantic Area (DC/MD/NC/SC/VA) 5—Pioneer Area (KY/OH/WV/Evansville, IN, Branch 55) Hans P.Aglidian Troy Griffin Timothy Needham 5 W. Chester Pike, Apt. D, Ridley Park, 1122 Rosanda Ct., Middle River, MD PO Box 21, Niles, OH 44446-0021 PA 19078-2005 21220-3025 (330) 550-9960 (cell) (610) 659-0905 (cell) (443) 506-6999 (H) [email protected] [email protected] (410) 892-6491 (cell) [email protected] 6—Michiana Area (IN/MI) 7—Illini Area (IL) 8—North Central Area (MN/ND/SD/WI) Kevin Trayer Luz Moreno Dan Mooney 8943 E. DE Ave., Richland, MI 625 Alhambra Ln., Hoffman Estates, 10105 47th Ave. N, Plymouth, MN 49083-9639 IL 60169-1907; (847) 884-7875 (H) 55442-2536 (269) 366-9810 (cell) (773) 726-4357 (cell) (612) 242-3133 (cell) [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

9—MINK Area (IA/KS/MO/NE) 10—Southeast Area (FL/GA) 11—Central Gulf Area (AL/LA/MS) Richard “Bart” Green Bob Quinlan Cornel Rowel Sr. 506 Holt Dr., Liberty, MO 64068 PO Box 490363, Leesburg, FL 34749- 808 N Sabine Dr., Baton Rouge, LA (913) 205-8912 (cell) 0363; (352) 217-7473 (cell) 70810-2471 [email protected] (352) 728-5992 (fax) (504) 450-1993 (cell) [email protected] [email protected]

12—Cotton Belt Area (AR/OK/TN) 13—Texas Area (TX) 14—Northwest Area (AK/ID/MT/OR/WA) Shri L. Green Jaime Elizondo Jr. Cindy McCracken 4072 Royalcrest Dr., PO Box 1357, Houston, TX 77251-1357 3247 109th Ave. S.E. #A, Bellevue, WA Memphis, TN 38115-6438 (832) 722-3737 (cell) 98004-7532 (901) 362-5436 (H) [email protected] (206) 465-8689 (cell) [email protected] [email protected]

15—Rocky Mountain Area (AZ/CO/NV/NM/UT/WY) 16—Pacific Area (CA, HI, Guam, American Samoa) Myrna Pashinski Hayes Cherry Immediate Past President 21593 E. Layton Dr., Aurora, CO PO Box 7455, Moreno Valley, CA Louis M. Atkins 80015-6781 92552-7455 PO Box 80181, Baton Rouge, LA (303) 931-1748 (cell) (951) 242-7960 (H) 70898-0181 [email protected] [email protected] (703) 380-9458 (cell) [email protected] 115th Congress • 1st Session ongress should take action and reform the nation’s postal system this year, beginning with the passage of H.R. 756, the “Postal Service Reform Act of 2017.” The bill was introduced by bipartisan leaders of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee C on Jan. 31, 2017. It has been referred to three House committees for consideration and ap- proval: Oversight and Government Reform, Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means. H.R. 756 deserves the sponsorship and support of all House members. It is the product of nearly two years of bipartisan effort and will help put the United States Postal Service on a path to fiscal stability. NAPS supports H.R. 756 and urges the House to promptly approve it. The bill includes a number of reforms that would provide measured financial relief to the Postal Service, improve operations, provide enhanced benefits to postal customers and promote stability in postage rates. It also would reduce the onerous retiree health benefit prefunding obligation and put the Postal Service on a more sustainable financial path. A decade has passed since major postal legislation last was signed into law in 2006. It’s time for Congress to make postal reform a priority.

H.R. 756 and the Ingredients of Postal Reform

APS believes that meaningful postal reform the Ways and Means and Energy and Commerce N requires the assurance of prompt mail service committees for their consideration of provisions to all Americans, the repeal of barriers that harm within their jurisdiction. the Postal Service’s financial health and the infu- Here are the principal features of H.R. 756: sion of innovation into the postal system. Many of these priorities are contained in H.R. Retiree Health Benefit Funding 756, introduced by the bipartisan leaders of the Reform House Oversight and Government Reform The prefunding schedule established in the Committee: Chairman Jason Chaffetz (R-UT), “Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act of Ranking Committee Member Rep. Elijah 2006” has been a major impediment to the Postal Cummings (D-MD), Rep. Mark Meadows (R- Service’s ability to remain solvent. The $5.6 bil- NC), Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA), Rep. Dennis lion annual prefunding mandate has accounted for Ross (R-FL) and Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-MA). most of the Postal Service’s losses since 2007, The bill has been referred by the House despite USPS deposits of more than $50 billion Oversight and Government Reform Committee to over the past nine years into the Postal Service

20 April 2017 / The Postal Supervisor Retiree Health Benefits U.S. Postal Service Revenue and Expenses—Fiscal Years 1972-2016 Fund. H.R. 756 would reduce Dollars (in billions) the onerous retiree health 90 benefit prefunding obliga- 80 tion. It would require the 70 Postal Service to make 60 actuarially based Retiree Health Benefit (RHB) pre- 50 funding payments to cover 40 100 percent of the cost of 30 the Postal Service’s RHB 20 liability within 40 years. 10

0 Accurate Postal 1972 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2016 Pension Funding Fiscal Year H.R. 756 would calcu- Expenses Revenue Source: U.S. Postal Service late the Postal Service’s pension costs and liabilities in more accurate ways appeal rights. H.R. 756 would correct the situation by using the salary growth and demographic and assure MSPB access to all Postal Service non- assumptions that are specific to the Postal Service bargaining employees, regardless whether they population instead of the government-wide popu- supervise USPS operations. The legislation also lation, as in current law. As proposed, the Postal would extend MSPB appeal rights to employees of Service would achieve $210 million in savings the Postal Service Office of Inspector General. over 10 years, according to a Congressional Budget Office report on a similar bill in the 114th Postal Service Health Benefits Congress. Program and Medicare Integration Accurate calculation of the Postal Service’s Retiree health care costs represent a signifi- pension costs and liabilities was similarly cant expenditure for the Postal Service; the agency addressed through a pending regulatory change is the single largest payer into Medicare. It’s vital proposed by the Office of Personnel Management that the agency gets full value from its participa- on Dec. 22, 2016. tion in Medicare and postal retirees receive full value from their participation in Medicare and the Clarify MSPB Appeal Rights Federal Employees Health Benefits Program The need remains for Congress to clarify cur- (FEHBP). By enrolling all postal retirees in rent law to assure that all employees in the Medicare parts A and B, plus additional Part D Executive and Administrative Schedule of the savings, retiree and USPS interests are satisfied. Postal Service may appeal adverse personnel Medicare integration would save the government actions to the U.S. Merit Systems Protection roughly $1.8 billion over the 2017-2026 period, Board (MSPB). Currently, 7,500 non-supervisory essentially eliminate the Postal Service’s unfunded management personnel are locked out of MSPB retiree health benefit liability and reduce expenses

The Postal Supervisor / April 2017 21 by nearly $17 billion over five years. H.R. 756 would establish separately rated postal plans within FEHBP beginning January 2019. FEHBP carriers currently insur- ing at least 1,500 postal employees and retirees, as well as any other carriers, would be per- mitted to offer postal plans. Postal employees and retirees who elect coverage through Photo: USPS FEHBP would be required to enroll in one of the board. The PMG and DPMG serve at the pleasure postal FEHB plans, with the waiver of any late of the governors. enrollment penalty. Medicare-eligible Postal Currently, nine of the 11 USPS Board of Service retirees and family members would be Governors positions are vacant; the PMG and the automatically enrolled in Medicare parts A and B DPMG are the only serving members. Political under H.R. 756. Part D prescription drug cover- standoffs in the Senate prevented the confirmation age would be made available with subsidies for of President Obama’s nominees to the BOG dur- prescription drug benefits within each FEHB plan. ing the 114th Congress. Also under the bill, the Postal Service would H.R. 756 would reduce the size of the BOG cover a decreasing portion of Medicare Part B pre- by about half, establishing five presidentially miums over a four-year transition period for current appointed, Senate-confirmed Postal Service gov- retirees transitioned into Medicare as a result of the ernor positions with seven-year terms. In addition, legislation: 75 percent in the first year, 50 percent in the PMG and DPMG would serve on the board, the second year, 25 percent in the third year and 0 as they currently do. percent in the fourth year. Under the legislation, the PMG would be explicitly tasked with responsibility to carry out Governance Reform the power of the Postal Service in a manner con- Under current law, the Postal Service Board sistent with a strategy set by the Board of of Governors (BOG) is an 11-member board com- Governors. parable to a board of directors of a private corpo- ration. The nine presidentially appointed gover- Cost Savings Through Cluster Boxes nors choose the postmaster general (PMG), who The Government Accountability Office deter- also serves as a member of the board. These 10, mined in 2014 that cost savings would result in turn, choose a deputy postmaster general through conversion of door-to-door delivery to (DPMG), who becomes the 11th member of the secure curbside or centralized mailboxes, popular-

22 April 2017 / The Postal Supervisor ly known as cluster boxes. H.R. 756 would speed the PRC to conduct a one-time review of the up the Postal Service’s ongoing conversion to Postal Service’s cost allocation methodologies centralized delivery of business addresses. It also and eliminate the right of state and national politi- would open the way for voluntary conversion to cal committees to be eligible for non-profit mail cluster box delivery of residential addresses iden- rates. tified by the Postal Service where 40 percent of the residents consent to conversion. A conversion Innovative Services waiver would be allowed in cases of physical The success of the nation’s postal service hardship. throughout the past two centuries has rested in its responsiveness to a changing America. In turn, Postal Rates the Postal Service has changed America itself. The Postal Service is entirely funded by Robust innovation lies at the heart of the Postal postage and does not rely on taxpayer dollars. Service’s future. That means the Postal Service’s financial stability Under current law, the Postal Service is rests on adequate postage rates. H.R. 756 would allowed to partner with federal agencies to provide allow the Postal Service to increase postal rates services on behalf of those agencies. For example, for market-dominant products by 2.15 percent, or the Postal Service already has a successful 1 cent, for a First-Class stamp. arrangement with the U.S. Department of State to Under the 2006 postal reform law, the Postal accept passport applications at post offices. The Regulatory Commission (PRC) is required in Postal Service’s revenue exceeds the costs of pro- 2017 to undertake its decennial rate review. H.R. viding this service, and the Department of State is 756 establishes priority factors for consideration able to accept applications at thousands of loca- in the PRC’s review. The bill also would require tions across the country without having to invest in physical infrastructure U.S. Postal Service First-Class Mail Volume—Fiscal Years 1972-2016 or personnel. H.R. 756 would expand these kinds Pieces (in billions) of mutually successful 120 arrangements in the USPS delivery of non-postal 100 services to state, local and

80 tribal governments and other federal agencies. 60 First-Class Mail volume is the smallest since Fiscal Year 1981 The bill also would require the Postal Service 40 to establish and appoint a

20 Chief Innovation Officer to manage the Postal 0 Service’s development and

1972 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2016 implementation of innova- Fiscal Year tive postal and non-postal Source: U.S. Postal Service; this chart shows domestic First-Class Mail volume. products and services.

The Postal Supervisor / April 2017 23 Post Office Closures or consolidation or alternative options for access H.R. 756 would require the Postal Service to to postal services and permit appeals over the consider additional factors when evaluating closing or consolidation of post office stations whether or not to close a post office: distance to and branches. the next post office, characteristics of the location—including weather and terrain—and the Contracting Reforms availability of broadband. H.R. 756 would require the Postal Service and It would shorten the deadline for the PRC to the PRC to issue a policy on delegating contract- review the Postal Service’s decision to close or ing authority, posting noncompetitive contract consolidate a post office from 120 to 60 days. It awards meeting certain dollar-value thresholds and also would allow communities the opportunity to improving oversight and response to potential con- provide input on their preference as to the closing flicts of interest regarding contracting.

Additional Ingredients of Postal Reform

Modernizing Investment of RHBF The United States had a Postal Savings System Assets from 1911 to 1967, which, in 1947, had $3.4 billion Realigning how Retirement Health Benefit in assets (more than $35 billion in today’s dollars) Fund assets are invested would provide higher or about 10 percent of the entire commercial bank- returns and relieve the prefunding burden through ing system. Worldwide, 1.5 billion people receive those higher returns, as well as reduce the federal some financial services through their postal service. deficit. The RHBF currently contains $55 billion NAPS has supported the restoration of limited in assets. postal banking services by the Postal Service. In the NAPS also supports the “Postal Service 114th Congress, NAPS endorsed the “Providing Financial Improvement Act of 2017,” H.R. 760, Opportunities for Savings, Transactions, and introduced by Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-MA), Lending (POSTAL) Act of 2015” (H.R. 4422), which would authorize the investment of RHBF introduced by Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-LA). A assets in index funds offered by the Thrift 2014 report by the USPS Office of Inspector Gen- Savings Plan. This would modernize how these eral (OIG) found that the Postal Service was well- funds are invested and bring these investment suited to provide non-bank financial payment and practices in line with private-sector business and credit services and products to the underserved, investment practices. some in partnership with the private sector. The OIG found that one in four U.S. house- Limited Banking holds lives at least partially outside the financial Digital services, including limited banking, mainstream—without bank accounts or using cost- that complement the Postal Service’s core prod- ly services, such as payday lenders. ucts and align with the postal mission should be encouraged and authorized by Congress.

24 April 2017 / The Postal Supervisor Additional NAPS Legislative Priorities

1. Opposition to any cuts to the earned toward retirement. Employees hired in 2013 con- retirement and health benefits of federal and tribute 3.1 percent of their pay and those hired postal employees and retirees. Federal and postal after 2013 contribute 4.4 percent of their pay employees and retirees have been promised hard- toward retirement.) earned retirement annuities and health benefits ¥ Eliminating the Federal Employees essential to their future financial and health securi- Retirement System (FERS) annuity entirely for ty. Cuts in these benefits would break a congres- new hires without an equivalent matching sional commitment that deserves to be upheld. increase in pay or Thrift Savings Plan contri- NAPS opposes the following proposals that butions. would break a promise to federal and postal 3. Support for reform of the Windfall retirees: Elimination Provision to provide relief to cur- ¥ Reducing the government contribution rent retirees. The Windfall Elimination Provision toward federal health insurance premiums by (WEP) unfairly reduces earned Social Security limiting increases to inflation, rather than the benefits based on government employment. The cost of health insurance. This proposal could WEP impacts 1.3 million public servants, includ- cost a federal family upwards of $50,000 over 10 ing federal, state and local employees who earn a years, with employees and retirees paying more pension at work as well as in Social Security. The than 50 percent of total premiums. WEP can dock monthly Social Security benefits ¥ Using the Chained CPI to determine cost- as much as $413 a month. of-living adjustments (COLAs) for Social NAPS supports WEP reform that provides Security benefits and federal and military relief from the unfair penalties of the provision. In retirement annuities. Changing CPI measures 2015, Rep. Kevin Brady (R-TX), chairman of the would reduce the annual adjustment by a half-per- House and Ways and Means Committee, intro- centage point on average. duced the “Equal Treatment of Public Servants ¥ Reducing the rate of return on the Thrift Act,” H.R. 711 (114th Congress), which repealed Savings Plan G Fund from an average of 2.25 the WEP and based Social Security benefits on percent to 0.02 percent. Currently, the G Fund real-life earnings and work history. pays interest at a rate about equal to mid-term 4. Opposition to civil service “reform” pro- government bonds. Reducing the rate of return to posals that erode merit system protections. correspond to short-term rates would deprive mil- NAPS opposes politically motivated “drain the lions of federal employees and retirees of earnings swamp” proposals that attack hard-working, dedi- that sustain a key portion of their retirement cated public servants and threaten to undermine investments. the effectiveness of the federal workforce. 2. Opposition to any cuts or net cuts in fed- Current due-process protections for most federal and postal employee pay and compensa- eral and postal employees, such as the right of tion. NAPS opposes across-the-board pay and/or appeal to the Merit Systems Protection Board over benefit cuts that undermine current federal and significant personnel actions, ensure that federal postal compensation schedules, threatening the employees are hired and fired based on merit—not government’s ability to recruit and retain an effec- on their political views or affiliations. These pro- tive workforce, including the following: tections were installed by Congress over a century ¥ Increasing federal employee payroll con- ago to guard against corruption and incompetence tributions toward retirement without any that can arise under a spoils system of govern- added improvement in retirement benefits. ment. The reasons for these civil service protec- (Currently, federal and postal employees hired tions remain as valid today and should be pre- before 2013 contribute 0.8 percent of their pay served.

The Postal Supervisor / April 2017 25 This year offers new SPAC designations with corresponding pins:

President’s Ultimate SPAC $1,000 level includes LTS SPAC reception for donor plus one guest

VP Elite $750 level includes LTS SPAC reception for donor plus one guest

Secretary’s Roundtable $500 level includes LTS SPAC reception for donor plus one guest

Chairman’s Club $250 level

Support SPAC to support the lawmakers who Supporter fight for what matters most $100 level to NAPS members. Make Contributing to SPAC a Habit: Contributions via USPS Payroll Deduction

To authorize your allotment online, 7 Click on “Allotments.” you will need your USPS employee ID number and PIN; if you do not know 8 Enter Bank Routing Number (from work- your PIN, you will be able to obtain it sheet below), enter account number (see at Step 3 below. worksheet), enter account from drop-down menu as “checking” and enter the amount 1 Go to https://liteblue.usps.gov to access of your contribution. PostalEASE. 9 Click “Validate,” then “Submit.” Print a 2 Under Employee App-Quick Links, choose copy for your records. PostalEASE.

3 Click on “I agree.”

4 Enter your employee ID number and password. PostalEASE Allotments/Net to Bank Worksheet 5 Click on “Allotments/Payroll NTB.” On your next available allotment (you have three): 6 Click on “Continue.” • Routing Number (nine digits): 121000248

• Financial Institution Name: Wells Fargo (this will ap- pear after you enter the routing number).

• Account Number (this is a 17-digit number that To authorize your allotment by phone, call starts with “772255555” and ends with your eight- PostalEASE, toll-free, at 1-877-477-3273 digit employee ID number): (1-877-4PS-EASE). You will need your USPS employee ID number and PIN. __7 __7 __2 __2 __5 __5 __5 __5 __5 ______(Example: 77225555512345678). 1 When prompted, select one for PostalEASE. • Type of Account (drop-down menu): Checking 2 When prompted, enter your employee ID number. • Amount per Pay Period (please use the 0.00 format; the “$” is already included): ______. 3 When prompted, please enter your USPS PIN.

4 When prompted, press “2” for payroll options. 7 Follow prompts to add a new allotment.

5 When prompted, press “1” for allotments. 8 Use the worksheet to give the appropriate information to set up an allotment for 6 When prompted, press “2” to continue. SPAC.

The Postal Supervisor / April 2017 27 2017 SPAC Contributors

January Contributors Goodman, James CA Branch 39 Ingalls, Dianne CA Branch 77 President’s Ultimate SPAC ($1,000+) Johnson, Deborah CA Branch 88 Butts, Ivan PA Branch 355 Maginnis, Gary CA Branch 466 Patterson, Charles CA Branch 497 Supporter Earned ($100) Rascati, Wayne CA Branch 244 Campbell, Frederick DC Branch 135 Salus, Ernest CA Branch 159 Salmon, James AZ Branch 246 Simpao, Sally CA Branch 88 Goodman, James CA Branch 39 Sutton, Catherine CA Branch 373 Harper, Alvin DC Branch 135 Swygert, Vontina CA Branch 127 Rodriguez, William FL Branch 146 Thomas, Linda CA Branch 88 Maxwell, Sherry IL Branch 255 Thompson, Carolyn CA Branch 88 Wagner, Brian IL Branch 255 Trevena, April CA Branch 94 Walsh, John IL Branch 289 Tucker, Carolyn CA Branch 301 Winters, Michael IL Branch 255 Walton, Marilyn CA Branch 77 Randall, C. Michele MD Branch 531 Wong, John CA Branch 497 Shawn, Steve MD Branch 403 Annon, Cynthia CO Branch 141 Weilep, Laurie MN Branch 104 Cool Jr., Harold CO Branch 141 Konish, Ann NY Branch 11 Erfman, Glen CO Branch 65 Williams, Darryl PA Branch 554 Jackson, Rebecca CO Branch 141 Cooper, Karen TX Branch 124 Kerns, John CO Branch 141 Tresner, Kristen UT Branch 139 Love, Valerie CO Branch 65 McCracken, Cindy WA Branch 61 Loyd, Albert CO Branch 561 Reedy, James WA Branch 61 Roll, Gary CO Branch 65 Summerfield, John CO Branch 65 Drive for Five Earned in January Collen, Helen CT Branch 3 Douglas, Lisa CT Branch 5 Melchert, Pamela AK Branch 435 Hudson, Derek CT Branch 441 Carson, John AL Branch 901 Siering Jr., Donald CT Branch 47 Frazier, Rickey AL Branch 399 Garland, Angela DE Branch 909 Nash, Leon AL Branch 45 Cox, Jacqueline FL Branch 93 Studdard, Dwight AL Branch 45 Franco, Cheryl Ann FL Branch 296 Bruffett, Shawn AZ Branch 376 Gilbert, Belinda FL Branch 425 Hernandez, George AZ Branch 246 Gonzalez, Ernesto FL Branch 406 Salmon, James AZ Branch 246 Greene, Lisa FL Branch 406 Simpson, Pamela AZ Branch 246 Rodriguez, William FL Branch 146 Burkhard, Mary CA Branch 244 Roundtree, Edith FL Branch 154 Campbell, Stephnia CA Branch 159 Ruckart, Kenneth FL Branch 386 Cherry, Hayes CA Branch 466 Schulz, Mark FL Branch 577 Cruz, Cheryl CA Branch 497 Moore, Kevin GA Branch 281 Danzy, Marsha CA Branch 197 Simpson, Mya GA Branch 595 Edwards, Michael CA Branch 373 Sims, Reginald GA Branch 82 Evans, Bridget CA Branch 159 Alos, Kanani HI Branch 214 Florentin, Diana CA Branch 244 Antoque, Paula HI Branch 214 Gishi, Sharon CA Branch 94 Lum, Chuck HI Branch 214

28 April 2017 / The Postal Supervisor Parker, Laroma HI Branch 214 Ramelb, Laurie HI Branch 214 Williams, Ricky IA Branch 172 Anguiano, Efren IL Branch 34 SPAC Scoreboard Baines-Albert, Pamela IL Branch 493 Statistics reflect money collected from Jan. 1 to Jan. 31, 2017 Brady, Derrick IL Branch 17 Cook, Carol IL Branch 14 National Aggregate: National Per Capita: Dittmann, David IL Branch 489 $22,245.79 $0.86 Hilliard, Ricky IL Branch 489 Levernier, Catherine IL Branch 270 Region Aggregate: Region Per Capita: Matuszak, Kevin IL Branch 489 1. Western...... $5,855.18 1. Western...... $1.08 Maxwell, Sherry IL Branch 255 2. Eastern...... $5,612.99 2. Eastern...... $1.05 Mendoza, Esther IL Branch 14 3. Southern ...... $4,314.74 3. Central...... $0.87 Mondie, Debra IL Branch 493 4. Central ...... $3,825.00 4. Southern...... $0.75 Moreno, Luz IL Branch 489 5. Northeast ...... $2,637.88 5. Northeast...... $0.53 Nolan, Terrance IL Branch 220 Perteet, Cynthia IL Branch 541 Area Aggregate: Area Per Capita: Pierce, Annette IL Branch 255 1. Mideast ...... $2,973.99 1. Northwest...... $1.83 Randle, Kay IL Branch 369 2. Rocky Mountain...... $2,213.99 2. Rocky Mountain...... $1.47 Wagner, Brian IL Branch 255 3. Capitol-Atlantic...... $2,114.65 3. Mideast ...... $1.33 Wesley, Nancy IL Branch 493 4. Northwest...... $1,886.19 4. Illini ...... $1.07 Winters, Michael IL Branch 255 5. Pacific ...... 1,755.00 5. Michiana ...... $0.98 Derby, Karen IN Branch 169 6. Southeast...... $1,638.00 6. New England ...... $0.82 Hardin, Donald IN Branch 55 7. Texas...... $1,438.74 7. Texas...... $0.82 Malone, Tammy IN Branch 8 8. New England ...... $1,397.00 8. Capitol-Atlantic...... $0.81 Mosley, Monique IN Branch 8 9. Illini ...... $1,370.00 9. Cotton Belt...... $0.79 Norton, Paul IN Branch 8 10. Pioneer...... $1,050.35 10. Pioneer...... $0.76 Webb, Marcel IN Branch 8 11. Michiana ...... $1,035.00 11. North Central...... $0.74 Aguilera, Patricia KS Branch 205 12. MINK ...... $769.00 12. Southeast ...... $0.71 Alexander, Stephanie KS Branch 52 13. New York ...... $714.88 13. Central Gulf ...... $0.69 Ewing, Larry KS Branch 52 14. Cotton Belt ...... $710.00 14. MINK ...... $0.65 15. North Central...... $651.00 15. Pacific ...... $0.61 Macias, Juan KS Branch 205 16. Central Gulf ...... $528.00 16. New York ...... $0.29 Waddell, Corey KS Branch 52 Hale, Jenise KY Branch 1 State Aggregate: State Per Capita: Smiley, David KY Branch 390 1. Pennsylvania ...... $2,095.99 1. Utah ...... $6.37 Carter, Tonious LA Branch 421 2. California...... $1,575.00 2. Delaware...... $2.62 Chambliss, Brenda LA Branch 170 3. Florida...... $1,469.00 3. Oregon ...... $2.31 Clarke, Shirley LA Branch 73 4. Texas...... $1,438.74 4. Washington...... $2.29 Duplessis, Tomica LA Branch 73 5. Illinois...... $1,370.00 5. Maine ...... $2.13 Feazell, Albert LA Branch 73 Grayson, Yolanda LA Branch 170 ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ Hampton, Annette LA Branch 73 Drive for Five Harvey, Joycelyn LA Branch 209 Members by Region: Aggregate by Region: Lastrapes, Ebony LA Branch 209 1. Central...... 77 1. Western...... $2,141.00 Laurendine, Kyle LA Branch 73 2. Southern...... 70 2. Central ...... $2,114.00 Minor, Saundra LA Branch 209 3. Western ...... 68 3. Southern ...... $1,897.50 Morse Jr., Sam LA Branch 73 4. Eastern...... 58 4. Eastern...... $1,665.00 Parfait, Ernest LA Branch 73 5. Northeast...... 48 5. Northeast ...... $1,185.00 Rowel, Cornel LA Branch 73 Sevalia, Rosalind LA Branch 73 ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ Cauley, Richard MA Branch 102

The Postal Supervisor / April 2017 29 Curley, James MA Branch 419 Anderson, Shareen MI Branch 23 Foley, Paul MA Branch 120 Bodary, Joseph MI Branch 268 Killackey, James MA Branch 43 Bradley, Anthony MI Branch 142 Lewin, Kim MA Branch 118 Bunch, Kenneth MI Branch 23 Misserville, James MA Branch 498 Burcar, Robert MI Branch 508 Moreno, Richard MA Branch 498 Glenn, Sandra MI Branch 140 Murphy, Gregory MA Branch 102 Hommerson Jr., David MI Branch 130 Ringie, Kevin MA Branch 102 Hunsanger, Laurianne MI Branch 508 Russo, Dominic MA Branch 43 Ice, Marilyn MI Branch 23 Walter, Richard MA Branch 120 Krzycki Jr., Kenneth MI Branch 508 Berger, Ricky MD Branch 531 McCarthy, Bernard MI Branch 23 Brownfield, Patricia MD Branch 531 Pack, Roderick MI Branch 23 Gramblin, Reginald MD Branch 531 Perkins, Ethel MI Branch 140 Griffin, Troy MD Branch 42 Roundtree, Wanda MI Branch 140 Jones, Marcia MD Branch 42 Trayer, Kevin MI Branch 142 Kennedy, Gregory MD Branch 531 Van Norman, Gerald MI Branch 130 Mason Jr., Garland MD Branch 592 Baker, Neil MN Branch 104 Randall, C. Michele MD Branch 531 Beck, Zebual MN Branch 104 Shawn, Steve MD Branch 403 Clausen, Catherine MN Branch 16 Bartlett, Bruce ME Branch 96 Kuiper, Bruce MN Branch 16 Hafford, Darrell ME Branch 96 Mooney, Dan MN Branch 16 O’Neill, Shawn ME Branch 96 Moore, Olin MN Branch 16 Rosario, Tamara ME Branch 96 Nelson, Matthew MN Branch 104 Sadler, Amanda ME Branch 96 Vance, Julianne MN Branch 104

Contribution Amount $______Branch #______SPAC Name______Contribution Home Address/PO Box ______Form City______State______ZIP+4______Date ______Aggregate contributions made in a calendar year correspond with these Employee ID Number (EIN) or donor levels: Civil Service Annuitant (CSA) Number ______$1,000—President’s Ultimate SPAC Enclosed is my voluntary contribution to SPAC by one of the following methods: $750—VP Elite ❏ Check or money order made payable to SPAC; do not send cash $500—Secretary’s Roundtable ❏ Credit card (circle one): Visa American Express MasterCard Discover $250—Chairman’s Club Card number ______$100—Supporter Security code (three- or four- digit number on back of card) ______Current as of February 2017 Card expiration date: ______/______Federal regulations prohibit SPAC contributions by branch check or Signature (required for credit card charges) ______branch credit card. ❏ In-Kind Donation (e.g., gift card, baseball tickets): Mail to: Describe gift ______Value ______SPAC All contributions to the Supervisors’ Political Action Committee (SPAC) are voluntary, have no bear- 1727 KING ST STE 400 ing on NAPS membership status and are unrelated to NAPS membership dues. There is no obliga- ALEXANDRIA VA 22314-2753 tion to contribute to SPAC and no penalty for choosing not to contribute. Only NAPS members and family members living in their households may contribute to SPAC. Contributions to SPAC are limited to $5,000 per individual in a calendar year. Contributions to SPAC are not tax-deductible.

30 April 2017 / The Postal Supervisor Vasquez Elms, Valerie MN Branch 16 Weilep, Laurie MN Branch 104 Did you know SPAC is funded only by Bollinger, Kathreen MO Branch 36 voluntary contributions from NAPS members? Brown, Latasha MO Branch 131 No percentage of NAPS dues go toward SPAC. Bye, Angie MO Branch 119 And all donations are used to educate elected Bye, Kevin MO Branch 119 members of Congress on postal issues and the Davis, Lisa MO Branch 131 need for a sustainable Postal Service for all Davis, Pamela MO Branch 527 Americans. If you have questions about how SPAC funds are used to contribute to federal Johnson, Craig MO Branch 36 candidates or how to contribute, please contact Marley, Carol MO Branch 131 SPAC Manager Katie Maddocks at 703-836-9660 Petersen, Lisa MO Branch 36 or [email protected]. Shumate, Melisande MO Branch 131 Garrett, Donald MS Branch 199 Kindsvatter, Leo MT Branch 929 Gilbert, Jevonda NC Branch 183 Laster, Jacshica OH Branch 46 Jackson, Abner NC Branch 299 Lewis, Gillian OH Branch 2 Robinson, Theresa NC Branch 299 Mayes, Sean OH Branch 29 Blanck Lovelace, Deborah ND Branch 937 Miegl, Cynthia OH Branch 2 Leingang, Michael ND Branch 937 Needham, Timothy OH Branch 133 Fuller, Tamyra NE Branch 64 Nicholson, Rachel OH Branch 29 Goedeken, Carrie NE Branch 10 Paige, Lillie OH Branch 46 Newman, Edward NE Branch 10 Sargent, Richard OH Branch 33 Michaud, Russell NH Branch 932 Smith, Ronald OH Branch 46 Sarnie, Deborah NH Branch 932 Sudberry, Norris OH Branch 46 Barrett, George NJ Branch 74 Zamudio, Juan OH Branch 29 Bosler, Tammy NJ Branch 287 Fearrington, Melvin OK Branch 80 Carmody, Russell NJ Branch 74 Lahmann, Joseph OR Branch 276 Dallojacono, Anthony NJ Branch 568 McNulty, Linda OR Branch 66 Dennis Jr., Edward NJ Branch 53 Shelburne, Sarah OR Branch 66 Kofsky, Jonathan NJ Branch 568 Skjelstad, Aric OR Branch 276 McKiernan, Michael NJ Branch 74 Yut, Rachelle OR Branch 66 Santiago, Jose NJ Branch 538 Adams, Jeanine PA Branch 20 Timothy, Pat NJ Branch 548 Benford, Debra PA Branch 50 Walker, Veronica NJ Branch 237 Bodnar, Kathleen PA Branch 20 Walton, Irma NJ Branch 75 Ferguson, Donald PA Branch 48 Maggart, Charles NM Branch 295 Keefe, Laura PA Branch 112 Wadsworth, Joel NM Branch 295 Kolecki, Michele PA Branch 941 Andersen, Karen NV Branch 463 Lehman, Jason PA Branch 554 Doruth, Patrick NV Branch 249 Robinson, Andrea PA Branch 35 Pixley, George NV Branch 249 Smith, Robert PA Branch 35 Burke, Maureen NY Branch 336 Williams, Darryl PA Branch 554 Burke, Terriann NY Branch 11 Rodriguez, Jose PR Branch 216 Duffy, James NY Branch 85 Delsesto, John RI Branch 105 Englerth, Scott NY Branch 11 Delsesto, Regina RI Branch 105 Evans, Darius NY Branch 85 Disalvia, Betty RI Branch 105 Krempa, Keith NY Branch 27 Giorgio, Victor RI Branch 105 Middleton, Isaac NY Branch 68 Girard, David RI Branch 105 Schirching, Christy NY Branch 27 Halm, Frank RI Branch 105 Yuen, John NY Branch 100 Holt, Brian RI Branch 105 Allen, Peggy OH Branch 46 Saccoccio, Michaela RI Branch 105 Hawkins, Kenneth OH Branch 46 Croswell, Darnel SC Branch 225

The Postal Supervisor / April 2017 31 Aaron, Donna TN Branch 97 Trevino, Manuel TX Branch 124 Blakely, Kathy TN Branch 41 Archer, Sylvia VA Branch 98 Bowen, Randy TN Branch 97 Brown, Lorraine VA Branch 98 Brooks, Lamarcus TN Branch 41 Butler, Phillip VA Branch 98 Cattron, Patricia TN Branch 555 Green Jr., Richard VA Branch 98 Green, Shri TN Branch 41 Hale, Donna VA Branch 526 London, Geneva TN Branch 32 Hartsel Jr., Robert VA Branch 22 Mitchell, Denise TN Branch 41 Holley, Deborah VA Branch 526 Proctor, Kevin TN Branch 32 Hubbard, Jim VA Branch 22 Washer, Patricia TN Branch 32 Jacobs, Charles VA Branch 132 Barcenez, Mary TX Branch 103 Moore, Michael VA Branch 22 Barnes, Marilyn TX Branch 86 Mott III, George VA Branch 132 Bean, Joann TX Branch 136 Rodriguez, Richard VA Branch 526 Breault, Denis TX Branch 265 White Jr., William VA Branch 526 Clark Jr., Bobby TX Branch 124 Baldwin, Dexter WA Branch 31 Cooper, Karen TX Branch 124 Gillett, Michael WA Branch 31 Davis, Willie TX Branch 559 Gruetzmacher, Bjoern WA Branch 61 Elizondo Jr., Jaime TX Branch 122 Haslett, James WA Branch 31 Foster, Debra TX Branch 9 Howe, Steven WA Branch 61 Hammock, Alessandra TX Branch 86 Johnson, Stanley WA Branch 60 High, Gwendolyn TX Branch 86 McCracken, Cindy WA Branch 61 Hill, Earnest TX Branch 122 Moore, Kristina WA Branch 60 Howard, Marsha TX Branch 9 Patterson, LaTanya WA Branch 61 Humphrey, Anita TX Branch 49 Reedy, James WA Branch 61 Jones, Charleen TX Branch 122 Roberts, Charles WA Branch 31 Lomba, John TX Branch 103 Ware, Michael WA Branch 61 Longoria, Richard TX Branch 229 Williams, Arthur WA Branch 61 Lyons, Lisa TX Branch 428 Abrams, Darlene WI Branch 72 McGuire Jr., Robert TX Branch 229 Canada, Pamela WI Branch 72 McKelvey, Courtnay TX Branch 122 Helleckson, Randy WI Branch 213 Miller, Ovetta TX Branch 9 Joers, Julie WI Branch 72 Nettles, Mark TX Branch 9 Knepfel, Kim WI Branch 549 Richardson, Elizabeth TX Branch 86 Sederholm Marti, Susan WI Branch 72 Scott, Michael TX Branch 589 Sprewer, Victoria WI Branch 72 Slaughter, Donna TX Branch 229 Baldwin, Craig WV Branch 212 Staub, Mary TX Branch 124 McComas, Christina WV Branch 212 Trevino, Barbara TX Branch 124 Newhouse, Raina WV Branch 212

Feb. 8 Consultative NAPS proposed the following be left to the supervisory authority be- Continued from page 9 change to ELM 519.733 to read: cause there may be situations where normal workdays, the supervisor “When an exempt employee is FLSA-exempt non-bargaining employees may grant (emphasis ours) a full day directed to work a full day on a holi- may be required to work a full day in of personal absence without charg- day or other full day in addition to addition to normal workdays. As stated ing it to official leave.” normal workdays, the supervisor will in the PMG’s April 25, 2012, memo to NAPS contends that supervisors grant (emphasis ours) a full day of per- the area vice presidents regarding work rarely approve a full day of personal sonal absence without charging it to schedules of FLSA-Exempt Non-Bar- absence, which results in the exempt official leave.” gaining Employees, “Every effort should employee not being compensated The Postal Service does not adopt be made to limit those situations.” for working a sixth day. this resolution. This discretion should

32 April 2017 / The Postal Supervisor e all are members of Peer support is a tremen- various groups. Sta- dous aspect of being in a com- W tistically, we are in Submitted by the USPS munity. It is based on giving groups based on gender, eth- Employee Assistance Program and receiving help in a mutual- nicity and socio-economic sta- ly respectful and responsible tus. We are in neighborhoods, in groups of co-work- way. The goal is to encourage, inspire and empower. ers and in families. While we may or may not be When people have similar experiences, they can re- ideologically connected with those in our group, we late to each other and offer authentic empathy and still have something in common with others in our validation. Let’s explore what peer support is, how group. it may be useful to you personally and professional- We may or may not care about the particular ly and where you can find it. circumstances of others in our group. Sometimes, Peer support is not judgmental; it is easily ap- those groups are distant and show little concern for proachable, empathic and compassionate. Individu- one another. When we do connect and care, how- als are trusted sources of connection and conveyors ever, these collectives of people become more than of hope who provide comfort and support along the a group. When we connect over solving a common journey. It is an accepted fact that social support re- problem, we become more than a group—we be- sults in benefits for both the provider and receiver in come a community. This is a powerful resource in their psychological and physical health. This recipro- our lives. In a community, we can reach out to one cal, helping framework allows communities to be another to offer support and solutions. built. Sharing our vulnerabilities and strengths en-

The Postal Supervisor / April 2017 33 ables us to value one another’s help. we can just listen or talk about our alone. Persons sharing the same di- It is shifting our focus from “what is experiences, knowing we are under- agnosis can relate more closely. wrong with them” to “what is wrong stood on a basic level. We can share In the professional world, peer with the situation.” We concentrate parenting strategies. support has long been a tradition on finding solutions as a team or In marriage, there are sometimes through formal and informal men- community. difficult times. Do we blame our torship relationships. Supervisors Peer support can be formal or in- partner or ourself? Maybe it is a nat- and managers are looking for the ris- formal. Many of us benefit from ural phase in most relationships. We ing talent in their organization to daily informal peer support in our can read books, speak to profession- shoulder more responsibility. These lives, especially when we have con- als and to our peers. Relating to an- employees benefit from fostering a versations about ourselves and oth- other married person about similar supportive relationship based on ers where we share our common ex- struggles can be reassuring. It may trust and success. When you express periences. We provide social and allow us to drop any defensiveness belief in someone, you elevate them emotional support to one another. and blame to see the bigger picture. to a higher level of accomplishment, Formal peer support can be provided Is it more important to be right or therefore benefitting yourself and by trained individuals with the goals heal the rift? And how do you heal? your organization as a whole. of encouraging, listening and guid- Peers can share what has worked Peers can speak to peers through ing toward appropriate people and and not worked from their own ex- their shared organizational commu- resources to help. There are peer sup- periences. They can offer hope and nity language to help master the port specialists who assist others solutions. skills necessary to achieve. They link with medical, mental health, chemi- Peer support works well within a each other to networking opportuni- cal dependency, domestic abuse or larger network of support. It can add ties. Perhaps an employee needs sup- other life-affecting issues. Their life to whatever resources we already port in a specific area that is unfa- experiences go beyond the educa- have. Facing a medical diagnosis can miliar to their manager. Another tion of professionals to provide be scary and emotionally paralyzing. manager may be more effective in unique expertise. Speaking to another person with the supporting this employee in this par- Parents may feel a sense of isola- same diagnosis can offer some com- ticular area. Peer support groups can tion in their families. Connecting fort. The experiences of others can be formed within an organization or with other parents about their real- transcend any professional knowl- in a professional association. life struggles and successes can create edge or advice we may receive from Employees may have outside is- tremendous relief and hope. In turn, our physician. We are no longer sues, such as a medical condition, a

34 April 2017 / The Postal Supervisor Notes mental health issue or other life-af- from the National Auxiliary fecting circumstances. These circumstances may be unique and their managers may not know how to The Ongoing Work of the deal with them. One resource for this employee may be peer support in that particular challenging area. NAPS Auxiliary In our social lives, we gain peer By Laurie Butts portant in gaining NAPS’ access to support though many organizations. Eastern Region Vice President new legislative leaders and affirming They may be based on a common relations with long-standing congres- interest, such as the Sierra Club, or t truly is an honor to continue sional leaders. community service, such as the I serving NAPS members as a leader Different branches have different Lions Club, or even a shared hobby, in the NAPS Auxiliary. I began work- ways of supporting their local Auxil- such as an amateur radio or garden- ing with the Auxiliary almost 15 iary members; however, the key is we ing club. Peer support goes deeper years ago, in 2002. During need your help to support than shared interests. It examines this time, I have had the you. The stronger your sup- the shared problems as a communi- pleasure of meeting and port for your Auxiliary, the ty, looks at strategies tried by real working with some extraor- more efficient we can be in people and creates a custom solution dinary individuals who are helping NAPS. for each person. Peer support may committed to supporting Get your loved ones in- mean dropping our learned identity the advancement of our volved with the Auxiliary. as “the problem.” With peer support, spouses’ and friends’ associ- Come to your local meet- we can expand our capacity to see ation. ings as a family. We always the whole picture. As we step back As Auxiliary members, our sup- are looking for new members who with support, we can have allies in port work is critical in helping with can offer fresh, new ideas to help our struggles and a new perspective. registration at our area and regional make NAPS even more viable. We are Someone else may have a sugges- events, coordinating fundraising ef- your Auxiliary NAPS—here to help in tion we never thought of that is forts in support of our local and state keeping this great association moving worth trying. They may have experi- branches and, most importantly, forward. enced successes or setbacks; we can helping raise funds for NAPS’ Super- [email protected] learn from both. They may have ac- visors’ Political Action Committee quired a skill that makes success (SPAC). Our support of SPAC protects Editor’s note: In the March “NAPS of more likely. We can get support as working members from inadvertent Note,” page 18, Lisa Lloyd was erro- we learn that skill from them. violations of the Hatch Act. Our assis- neously identified as president of the Throughout our lives, we tance helps raise SPAC contributions California Auxiliary. She is president change: We move from birth toward to new highs. These efforts are so im- of the Branch 159 Auxiliary. adulthood, old age and death. We face challenges. We experience dis- ease, moves, promotions and other Now, you can use a search en- peer support is simple. transitions. We are identified in vari- gine to gather information at your The EAP is here to help. There ous groups. As we change, we never fingertips. You easily can locate peer are skilled clinicians who can point need to feel alone; support is avail- support groups based on many inter- you to many resources and referrals, able. We can open up and connect ests. Professionals are becoming including peer support. Allow the in a way that enhances our lives. aware of this valuable resource and EAP to help you discover the rich- You may already have sought sup- may give you a brochure or website ness available through peer support. port through professionals and liter- to check out. Friends may lead you Calling 1-800-EAP-4-YOU (TTY: 877- ature that can be helpful. Now you to speak to another peer or a peer 492-7341) is the first step in getting can add a new dimension with peer support group when they notice or the support you deserve. support resources. Taking the risk to hear of your circumstance. Media Make the call today to find out be authentic with another person is stories point out the easy access and more about this valuable resource. what it is all about—it is worth it. usefulness of this resource. Locating You can call 1-800-EAP-4-YOU 24/7.

The Postal Supervisor / April 2017 35