Rethinking EAS Pay and PFP - NAPS · edit all articles, as well as decline to publish submitted material. Branch officer articles must be not more than 350 words. Send all arti-cles

March 2020

Rethinking EAS Pay and PFPRethinking EAS Pay and PFP page 3page 3

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The Postal Supervisor (ISSN 0032-5384) is printedmonthly, with a combined September/Octoberissue, by the National Association of Postal Su-pervisors (NAPS), 1727 King St., Suite 400,Alexandria, VA 22314-2753; 703-836-9660; fax,703-836-9665; website, www.naps.org; generale-mail, [email protected]. ©2020

Periodicals postage paid at Alexandria, VA,and additional mailing offices.

NAPS members receive The Postal Supervisoras part of their membership dues. Members notreceiving the publica-tion on a regular basisshould notify theirbranch secretaries. Non-member subscriptionprice: $25 per year.

Submissions—Articles submitted forpublication should promote the welfare ofNAPS and its membersin accordance with Article II of the NAPSConstitution & Bylaws.The NAPS resident offi-cers reserve the right toedit all articles, as wellas decline to publishsubmitted material.Branch officer articlesmust be not more than350 words. Send all arti-cles to NAPS Secretary/Treasurer Chuck Muli-dore at [email protected].

Reprint requestsand other correspon-dence may be ad-dressed to Karen Young; phone/fax, 540-636-2569; [email protected].

High-resolution photos may be e-mailed to [email protected]. Please includeyour non-USPS e-mail. NAPS neither assumesresponsibility for the contents of the articlespublished herein, nor does it necessarily agreewith the opinions expressed. Moreover, opin-ions expressed by an author do not necessarilyreflect the opinions of the author’s branch.

Advertising—Advertising inquiries shouldbe directed to Karen Young; phone/fax, 540-636-2569; [email protected].

The publication of any advertising hereindoes not necessarily constitute NAPS endorse-ment of the products or services offered.

Postmaster—Please send address labels,clipped from undeliverable copies, along withUSPS Form 3579, to The Postal Supervisor, 1727King St., Suite 400, Alexandria, VA 22314-2753.

March 2020, Volume 111, No. 3

www.naps.org

Objective

The objective of the Asso-

ciation shall be to pro-

mote, through appropriate

and effective action, the

welfare of its members,

and to cooperate with the

USPS and other agencies

of the federal government

in a continuing effort to

improve the service, to

raise the standard of

efficiency, and to widen

the field of opportunity

for its members who make

the Postal Service or the

federal government their

life work.

FEATURES 19 NAPS Urges the PRC to Implement a New Rate-Setting

System Comments submitted to the Postal Regulatory Commission byNAPS ask for a new rate system that would yield a vibrant, responsive anduniversal Postal Service.

36 Being Resilient in the Face of Adversity Traumatic eventsoccur in a variety of ways and affect many communities and businesses.Having resilience helps strengthen us as we go through life and meet itsmany challenges.

RESIDENT OFFICERS3 Rethinking EAS Pay and PFP Brian J. Wagner

4 SPAC 2019—A Year in Review Ivan D. Butts

6 2020—The Year of Membership Chuck Mulidore

COLUMNS23 Legislative Update Bob Levi

35 The NAPS Postmaster Rick Kindsvatter

DEPARTMENTS5 NAPS Training Calendar

8 Vince Palladino Memorial Scholarships

9 NAPS of Note

12 Views from the Vice Presidents Tommy Roma and MarilynWalton

16 2020 National Convention Delegate Credential Form

17 2020 Self-Nomination National Convention Committee Request Form

18 2020 NAPS Golf Tournament

25 2020 LTS Registration Information Registration closes Feb. 28

26 2019 SPAC Contributors

32 2020 SPAC Contributors

33 SPAC Scoreboard

35 Thrift Savings Plan January 2020

38 Thoughts from the NAPS Branches Dioenis D. Perez

39 Notes from the National Auxiliary Rick Hall

March 2020In This Issue

The Postal Supervisor / March 2020 3

Commentaryfrom the Resident Officers

n my January 2020 Postal Supervisor column, I ref-erenced there was no official FY20 PFP agreementbetween the USPS and NAPS. I would like to bringyou up to date on this issue. Here’s the scoop:In early December, NAPS informed the Postal Ser-

vice—as a sign of our good faith—that we would par-ticipate in a joint workgroup with the Postal Service to

explore and resolve supervisorypay issues for FY20, including pay-for-performance (PFP). NAPS madeclear its participation in the work-group process did not waive any ofNAPS’ rights and claims in itspending lawsuit against the PostalService over the FY16-19 pay pack-age and NAPS’ representation ofEAS employees.

NAPS also agreed in early De-cember to specific modificationsto the FY19 and FY20 pay pack-

ages, as proposed by the Postal Service, that would im-prove NPA corporate and unit composite weights andbenefit NAPS members. In a letter dated Dec. 16, 2019,the Postal Service confirmed the adoption of thosechanges and the application of new NPA corporateand unit composite weights for FY20 for all career,nonbargaining personnel. I will explain these actionsand their significance, as well aswhat’s ahead for the joint work-group.

As you are aware, the NPA corpo-rate and unit composite weights arepart of the formula used by the USPSto calculate final PFP payouts for EASemployees. The new NPA indicatorweights that NAPS agreed to weremodified to 50% corporate and 50%unit. They will be applied for FY20to all eligible field nonbargainingemployees.

Over the years, the USPS—andeven NAPS members—casually havereferred to the EAS pay system asPFP, as though the two were synony-

mous. They are not. As we embark on workgroup talkswith the Postal Service over EAS pay, NAPS will worktoward creating a pay system that is systemically fairand equitably rewards performance—specifically, indi-vidual performance. What role PFP serves in that sys-tem remains to be decided.

As I reported in my January column, the USPS hasnot proposed the elements of a FY20 pay package orany framework for improving PFP. To date, no FY20PFP rules or any PFP cell matrix or pay percentageshave been proposed by the USPS or agreed to by NAPS.That is because more fundamental issues about EASpay and PFP remain subject to discussion between theUSPS and NAPS.

Again, it is unknown at this time what will be in afinal FY20 EAS pay system until the pay consultationprocess has concluded. That is why NAPS is participat-ing in the joint workgroup with the Postal Service.NAPS is aware the Postal Service is not going to shyaway from making PFP part of a FY20 pay system. Wewant to discuss how a future EAS pay system shouldbe designed and whether and how that includes a PFPelement.

To reach that outcome, NAPS believes the jointworkgroup needs to address how the EAS pay systemrecognizes fiscal year organizational accomplishments,as well as individual performance, to assure fair and

reasonable compensation. As astarting point, NAPS will acceptnothing less than an EAS pay sys-tem that adheres to the law—andthe requirements of Title 39—re-gardless whether PFP is part of thepay structure.

If PFP remains a part of the EASpay system, we want to correct thesystemic PFP flaws correctly high-lighted by the 2019 Federal Media-tion and Conciliation Service’s fact-finding panel in its report. Findingthe right answers on an improvedpay system begins with asking theright questions, which will require

I

Brian J. WagnerPresident

Rethinking EAS Pay and PFP

Continued on page 6

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4 March 2020 / The Postal Supervisor

t the end of each year, it seems every-body does “A Year in Review.” It’s an op-portunity to bring one last focus on whatwas—whether it’s events that happened,

music that made it to the top of the hits list orgreat movies that were released. We give it onelast focus before looking forward to bigger and

brighter things.I want to do the same

with NAPS SPAC in this col-umn. As executive vice presi-dent, one of my duties is exe-cuting our association’slegislative portfolio or thecreation and maintenance ofa robust Supervisors’ PoliticalAction Committee (SPAC).

We began CY19 after an-other excellent finish inCY18—another record-break-

ing year in SPAC contributions. Our CY18 effortwas aided by your tremendous efforts at our na-tional convention. I thank and appreciate allwho gave to SPAC that year to make that newrecord possible.

The NAPS Legislative staff looked to CY19SPAC with the hope of maintaining and buildingon what had been accomplished. Leading up tothe 2019 LTS, we redesigned our SPAC pins tocreate new interest and energy. We continuedour focus on growing “Drive for 5,” our programfor continuous contributions that allows us toforecast our SPAC efforts for the year and helpsus project a budget.

We had a tremendous SPAC effort at the2019 LTS. Our aim was fueled with a challengefrom Southern Maryland Branch 531 PresidentC. Michele Randall and Maryland State Presi-dent Steve Shawn to branches to contribute above andbeyond for SPAC. This helped us maintain the highlevel of LTS giving that we have seen over the past sev-eral years (see top right).

The support you gave to NAPS SPAC at LTS andthroughout the year will be instrumental in NAPSachieving another high percentage of wins for NAPS-supported candidates in the 2020 elections. The NAPSHeadquarters Legislative staff also continues to receiveincreased support from the NAPS Legislative Team,

which is headed by Madam Chair Marilyn Walton,Western Region vice president.

The support of this team continues to help usmove our NAPS SPAC to greater heights. The teamhelps bring new ideas and increased focus—not juston SPAC, but also on how we get our legislative voiceheard locally at the grassroots level.

With your support over these past five years, SPAChas been able to engage legislative leaders in a waythat gives life and full support to our legislative re-

A

Ivan D. ButtsExecutive Vice President

SPAC 2019—A Year in Review


quests and concerns. We are contin-ually building a relationship withlegislators to have a voice in shapingand molding legislation that impactsnot just the lives of our NAPS broth-ers and sisters, but also America’sPostal Service.

However, that all being said, wewent through CY19 with the hope-ful optimism that we would be able,despite being in a non-national con-vention year, to have another excel-lent effort in regard to SPAC. Al-though our SPAC total for CY19failed to provide the continuousgrowth we have seen in prior years,your generosity shows that NAPS ismaking real its commitment to a vi-brant SPAC; we all should be proud.

You stood firm and supportedSPAC in a way that makes your NAPSHeadquarters Legislative staff and Ex-

ecutive Board team proud to serveyou. The charts on page 4 representthe SPAC Ultimate Contributor trendanalysis, as well as the CY19 receiptsvs. disbursements analysis.

Thank you to everyone listed inthis issue of The Postal Supervisor fortheir CY19 SPAC contributions.Thank you to our “Drive for 5”members. I also want to thank every-one who gave to SPAC without pro-viding a receipt to get credit (not rec-ommended) and for those whocontributed with a receipt, but theirCY19 total did not reach the mini-mal donor level.

Many, many thanks to all. I ap-preciate every member of our NAPSfamily who made 2019 a solid SPACyear!

In solidarity …[email protected]

NAPS Training Calendar

NAPS is pleased to announce we have a mailbox for members to submitphotos for our social media outlets. We want to hear from you! Memberscan send photos of NAPS activities directly to NAPS Headquarters at [email protected]. We will review the submissions before posting onour social media outlets.

We encourage members to submit photos of branch meetings, socialoutings, meetings with postal leaders, meetings with congressional lead-ers in their districts, attendance at career awareness conferences andmore.

When submitting a photo, please tell us about the event, the namesof the members in the photo and when the event occurred. Also, pleasesend hi-resolution photos; we want everyone to look good.

We look forward to increasing our presence on social media with thisinitiative. Like, follow, share!

Central Gulf Area TrainingApril 17-19, 2020

Conducted by: Central Gulf Area Vice Pres-ident Cornel Rowel

Location: Doubletree Hotel, 120 MadisonAve., Montgomery, AL 36104; (334) 245-2320; use group code NRT

Hotel Rate: $149/king or double; parking,$7/day

Registration Fee: $50

Training Topics: Adverse action, ELM 650,legislation and more

New York & Mideast AreasTrainingApril 17-19, 2020

Conducted by: New York Area VP JimmyWarden and Mideast Area VP Tony Dalloja-cono

Location: Villa Vosilla, 6302 Main St., Tan-nersville, NY 12485; (518) 589-5060

Hotel Rate: King, $478.20; queen,$451.20; double (king or two queens),$327/person; double (one queen),$310.80/person

Registration Fee: Generous donation toSPAC in lieu of registration fee

Training Topics: Advocacy, branch secre-tary/treasurer duties, SWCs, retirement(disability), violence in the workplace andfiling mitigating factors

Instructors: NAPS Secretary/TreasurerChuck Mulidore, Tony Dallojacono, JimmyWarden and Bruce Nicholson (USPS LaborRelations Policy Administration); others TBA

NAPS Officers: Northeast Region VPTommy Roma and Eastern Region VPRichard Green

MINK Area TrainingApril 23-25, 2020

Conducted by: MINK Area Vice PresidentBart Green

Location: Renaissance Des Moines SaveryHotel, 401 Locust St., Des Moines, IA50309; (515) 244-2151

Hotel Rate: TBD

Registration Fee: TBD

Training Topics: TBD


elcome to 2020—the year to increase NAPSmembership across the country! Whilemembership recruitment is an ongoingprocess for all of us, NAPS Headquarters re-

cently launched a multipronged membership campaignthat we hope—and believe—will dramatically increaseour membership numbers.

Hopefully, you have seen our“Call for Testimonials,” where we’veasked members to tell us why theyjoined NAPS and what they believethe value of NAPS to be. Or have youseen our new membership materialsrecently sent to all nonmembersacross the country? It’s a sleek, color-ful message that explains the bene-fits of NAPS membership and givesall new members a $50 SignatureFCU gift card just for signing asNAPS members!

Perhaps you have seen the new, recently releasedNAPS video that explains in the words of the NAPS resi-dent officers and members why NAPS is the best man-agement organization to which all EAS employees canbelong. You can find all this and more on our NAPS so-cial media pages, our NAPS website, naps.org, or youcan read a quick reminder below.

On Sept. 8 of this year, NAPS will turn 112; wenever have looked better! The need for this organiza-tion to exist is as real now as it was in 1908 when 50supervisors met in Louisville, KY, to chart the future ofNAPS. Could those 50 men have imagined that, thanksto your efforts, membership has increased to over27,000? As the number of NAPS members rises, so doesthe value of your membership.

Most impressively, over 95% of our members are ac-tively working EAS employees: supervisors, managers,postmasters, SDOs, MDOs, MMOs, plant managers, HRpersonnel, OPS support and district, area and Head-quarters personnel—over 500 EAS job titles! Unlike theother postal management organization where only 49%of its members are actively working EAS employees, werepresent every EAS employee.

NAPS’ representation makes us the best, largest andmost effective management organization representingEAS employees in the Postal Service. NAPS is strong,growing and financially stable. We are well prepared tomeet the challenges of the future and meet them we will!

Your resident officers at NAPS Headquarters, yourExecutive Board members across the country and yourlocal branch leaders are committed to maintaining thestandard of effective representation that has been thehallmark of membership in NAPS. One of the greatestvalues NAPS offers is our Disciplinary Defense Fund(DDF), which represents any NAPS member in any typeof adverse action. This is offered as a part of your mem-bership in NAPS.

In other words, DDF representation does not costyou any additional money out of your pocket, unlikethat other management organization that charges thou-sands of dollars upfront. Of course, our primary focus al-ways has been to educate and train our members on howto stay out of trouble. But, if by some chance somethingadverse should happen to you as an EAS employee, wewill be there with world-class representation.

You see, we represent all EAS employees and havebeen doing so for well over a century. We are, and willcontinue to be, working hard to grow membership.That is the hallmark of the legacy and responsibilitythat have been passed down to each of us over the pastnearly 112 years, allowing NAPS to meet the challengesof today and, most importantly, the future.

We know that never-ending change is the one con-stant in the Postal Service. But there is one thing thatwill never change: As long as there is a Postal Service,there will be a National Association of Postal Supervi-sors. So, let’s get to work and sign those nonmembersin 2020—the year of NAPS membership!

[email protected]

W

Chuck MulidoreSecretary/Treasurer

2020—The Year of Membership

the USPS and NAPS to focus first on what a fair and equi-table EAS pay system means and then, what role, if any,PFP should play. This is why discussions between theparties at this point remain in the conceptual stage, witha specific FY20 EAS pay system yet to be designed.

Until then, NAPS, in good faith, will continue toparticipate in the joint workgroup with the Postal Ser-vice to diligently resolve our EAS pay problems, includ-ing those related to pay-for-performance.

Just to let you know, I have worked diligently on se-lecting a flawless March 2020 ice-cream-of-the-monthrecommendation: spumoni.

[email protected]

Rethinking EAS Pay and PFPContinued from page 3


Vince Palladino Memorial Student

Scholarships

National Association of Postal Supervisors

he Vince Palladino

Memorial Student

Scholarships are

awarded in memory of the late

NAPS president and honor his

dedication to NAPS members

and their families. These scholar-

ships are sponsored solely by

NAPS.

Applicants for this scholar-

ship must be the children or grandchildren of a

living NAPS member, active or associate, at the

time of drawing. Furthermore, the children or

grandchildren must be attending or have been ac-

cepted by an accredited two- or four-year college

or university.

NAPS will award 10 $1,000 Vince Palladino

Memorial Student Scholarships. Two winners

will be randomly selected from each of the NAPS

regional areas (Northeast, Eastern, Central, South-

ern and Western).

Applications must be received

no later than June 26, 2020. On-

line applications only will be ac-

cepted using the NAPS website.

Please go to www.naps.org under

the “Members” tab to apply for

the Vince Palladino Memorial

Student Scholarship, or go to

https://naps.org/Members-

Scholarship-2.

Scholarship winners will be announced in Au-

gust. In addition, the scholarship winners will be

listed in the September/October 2020 issue of The

Postal Supervisor.

Members whose child or grandchild have

been awarded a Vince Palladino Memorial Student

Scholarship will receive a check, payable to the col-

lege or university listed in the application, in Oc-

tober 2020. Scholarships may be used to pay ex-

penses in the student’s current or following

semester.

Deadline: June 26, 2020

T

Vince Palladino Memorial Student

Scholarships

National Association of Postal Supervisors

Deadline: June 26, 2020

T

Online applications only: https://naps.org/Members-Scholarship-2


Louis M. Atkins Scholarship WinnersNAPS of Note

NAPS is saddened to reportthe death of Brian Michaelson,past president of New York StateBranch 935and Staten Is-land Branch110, who diedJan. 17. Hestarted hispostal careeras a 19-year-old clerk at the Brooklyn GPObefore becoming a protégé ofthe late NAPS President VincePalladino on Staten Island.

Brian was the Customer Re-lations coordinator at the StatenIsland Post Office and went onto become a postal supervisor.He retired from the Postal Ser-vice after 35 years of service.

His wife Kristine Ann Pirello,former National Auxiliary presi-dent, preceded him in death.Brian was a great advocate forNAPS; he will be greatly missed.

In Memoriam

Four NAPS members (with certificates) received recognition for their SPAC contributions at the Eastern Region Cabinet Meeting in Evans-ville, IL, in January. From left: Executive Vice President Ivan D. Butts, Mideast Area Vice President Tony Dallojacono, Eastern Region Vice Presi-dent Richard Green, James E. Parks Jr. (Northern VA) District Branch 526 President Lloyd Cox, NAPS President Brian Wagner, PittsburghBranch 20 President Jeanine Adams, Pioneer Area Vice President Tim Needham, Virginia State Branch 951 Vice President Phil Butler, NAPSSecretary/Treasurer Chuck Mulidore and Capitol-Atlantic Vice President Troy Griffin.

Newly elected officers for Omaha, NE, Branch 10 were installed at a holiday dinner. From left:MINK Area Vice President Bart Green, Branch 10 President Phyllis Pfeifer, CS Vice PresidentMaureen Gadbois, Secretary Roger Humphries, Treasurer Cindy Bray-Geibert and NAPS CentralRegion Vice President Craig Johnson. Not pictured: Plant Vice President Michelle Hargis.

NAPS Headquarters is pleased toannounce the winners of the five2019 Louis M. Atkins PresidentialScholarships sponsored by NAPS.One winner from each NAPS regionwas selected to receive a $500 schol-arship. The winners are as follows:

Northeast Region—Victoria Fer-lauto, daughter of Katherine Fer-lauto, Long Island Branch 202. Sheis studying nursing at Emory Uni-versity, Atlanta.

Eastern Region—MackenzieMcCarthy, daughter of Scott Mc-Carthy, Pittsburgh Branch 20. Sheis studying special education at

Penn State University.Central Region—Emily Wilson,

granddaughter of Linda Wilson,Heart of Illinois Branch 55. She isstudying radiography at HeartlandCommunity College, Normal, IL.

Southern Region—Malik Myers,son of Charlesetta Myers, Jack-sonville, FL, Branch 93. He isstudying criminal justice at Missis-sippi Valley State University.

Western Region—Jeffrey WhiteIII, grandson of Ben Clapp, Port-land District Branch 66. He isstudying pre-med at ClackamasCommunity College, Oregon City.


Mid-Hudson, NY, Sal LaGreco Branch 330honored its recent retirees. The retirees re-ceived a certificate signed by the NAPS resi-dent officers and a small token of apprecia-tion from the branch. From left: Branch 330President Frank Barton, retirees Michael Let-terese and Thomas Mannini, NAPS New YorkArea Vice President Jimmy Warden andNortheast Region Vice President TommyRoma.

Southern Region VicePresident Tim Ford (left)conducted advocacytraining on Jan. 18 forNew Orleans Branch 73.

Branch 73 President Tomica Duplessis thankedFord with a Mardi-Gras-themed basket.


Westchester, NY, Branch 336 held its annual holiday meeting that honored 2019 retirees.The branch gave each retiree a gift; many good memories were shared.

New York Area Vice President Jimmy Warden (left),with Northeast Region Vice President Tommy Romaand Branch 336 President Linda Morgan-Glover, pre-sented Branch 336 retiree Felix Burton with a gift.

n fall 2019, the new Federal

Long Term Care Insurance

Program (FLTCIP) 3.0 plan

was launched. This is the only FLT-

CIP plan available to new appli-

cants on or after Oct. 21.

The U.S. Office of Personnel

Management worked with the FLT-

CIP insurer, John Hancock Life &

Health Insurance Company, and the

program administrator, Long Term

Care Partners (LTCP), LLC, to design

a plan that offers comprehensive cov-

erage with added premium stability.

FLTCIP 3.0 is a traditional

long-term care insurance plan that

includes a stay-at-home benefit, as

well as formal and informal care-

giving. It provides many of the

same comprehensive benefits that

have made the FLTCIP a meaning-

ful way of addressing long-term

care risks.

In addition to its core coverage,

the new plan offers the recently in-

troduced premium stabilization

feature—an innovative means of

addressing the risk of large future

premium increases, which is a con-

cern many consumers have wanted

addressed by the long-term care in-

surance industry. Under certain

conditions, this amount may be

used to offset an enrollee’s future

premium payments or provide a re-

fund of premium death benefit.

FLTCIP 3.0 benefits also in-

clude:

• international coverage up to

100% of the maximum lifetime

benefit

• 3% automatic compound in-

flation option or future purchase

option

• two-, three- or five-year bene-

fit period

The FLTCIP is available to eligi-

ble federal and U.S. Postal Service

employees and annuitants, active and

retired uniformed service members

and certain qualified relatives. Visit

LTCFEDS.com/eligibility for the full

eligibility listing.

The FLTCIP is a medically un-

derwritten benefit. Certain medical

conditions, or combinations of

conditions, will prevent some peo-

ple from being approved for cover-

age.

To learn more about FLTCIP

3.0, visit LTCFEDS.com, where you

can sign up for a webinar, view full

program details or view a video on

the new premium stabilization fea-

ture. Or call 1-800-LTC-FEDS (1-

800-582-3337), TTY 1-800-843-

3557, to speak with a program

consultant.

The Federal Long Term Care Insur-

ance Program is sponsored by the U.S.

Office of Personnel Management, in-

sured by John Hancock Life & Health

Insurance Company and administered

by Long Term Care Partners, LLC.

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

What’s New With the Federal LongTerm Care Insurance Program?

I


Viewsfrom the Vice Presidents

By Tommy RomaNortheast Region Vice President

first met Brian in the early ’70s. Iwas a letter carrier and recoveringfrom a fall on ice while delivering

my route. I broke myankle and needed surgery.When I was well enoughto come back to work in alight-duty status, I report-ed to injury compensa-tion at the GPO BrooklynDivision. Brian was an in-jury compensation clerkassigned to my case.

We hit it off right away becausewe shared a lot in common. We bothliked sports, rock ‘n’ roll, wrestling,boxing, collecting old baseball cardsand signatures of sports idols, butmostly old-time movies. After return-ing to work, I would run into him oc-casionally.

I was promoted to supervisor ofMails, EAS-15, Tour 1, in 1976. I alsowas president of the Columbia Asso-ciation in Brooklyn. As luck would

have it, Stanley Michaelson, Brian’sfather, was the timekeeper on Tour 1.Stanley told me straight out, “If youwant to get paid properly, please takecare of Brian.”

When I transferred from Tour 1to Customer Service rep, Imade sure Brian got a de-tail and job in CustomerService. The rest was his-tory. The Brooklyn Divi-sion led the country insales, First-Class presort,Express Mail/custom de-sign and, naturally, the

Benjamin Franklin Stamp Club. Weboth were natural salesmen.

In 1981, I decided to go back tomy first love—the Stations in Brook-lyn, serving the public. Brian eventu-ally went to Staten Is-land in a support rolein Retail Sales. He alsowas doing master ofceremony duties for theStaten Island postmas-ter—a job he loved.

We both were offi-cers in our local NAPSbranches in Brooklynand Staten Island. Weboth eventually became presidents ofBranch 68, Brooklyn, and Branch110, Staten Island. We took ourbranches to new, all-time highs inmembership and revenue; Brian’sbranch was at 100% membership.

Vince Palladino, a friend andmentor to both of us, asked me torun for NAPS New York Area vicepresident. Brian volunteered to bemy campaign manager, along withanother legend—Frank Spatola. Inow am entering my 20th year as anational officer and keeping the

legacy of Vince Palladino alive.Brian always reminded me the

NAPS Headquarters building, whichVinny broke his back to buy, shouldbe named in his honor. I am happyto report that on March 11, the cere-mony renaming the building willtake place.

Brian also served the state formany years as president of New YorkState Branch 935. He always wasdoing something to raise money tokeep the state solvent; another jobwell done.

At his funeral service on Jan. 23in Ephrata, PA, the real BrianMichaelson came to light. Those ofus in New York always knew Brianwould help anyone. He went out ofhis way to do good, such as volun-

teering for programs inHospice, Feed the Chil-dren, Meals on Wheels,ASPA and fostering ani-mals, among others.

There was a segmentof the funeral calledsharing; anyone whowanted to say some-thing about Brian couldgo to the podium and

share. It was astonishing to see andhear the local people from Brian’snew church saying how helpful hewas. Even when not asked, Brianwould volunteer. I was so proud ofhim that day.

Rest easy, my friend; your workhere is done. I am sure Stanley, Kris,Vinny, Ruby and Evelyn welcomedyou home.

I

Brian Michaelson

Brian Michaelson—A Man for All Seasons

On the Move?

Have you moved or are planning amove? Let NAPS know, too!

Keeping your mailing address cur-rent at NAPS Headquarters helps uskeep The Postal Supervisor comingto you without interruption andavoid unnecessary “Address ServiceRequested” charges.

Please let us know your new addressand its effective date as soon as youknow it. Address changes may bemailed to NAPS at 1727 King St.,Suite 400, Alexandria, VA 22314-2753, or faxed to (703) 836-9665.


By Marilyn WaltonWestern Region Vice President

Honolulu Branch 214 Holds Post-Holiday Celebration

NAPS Secretary/Treasurer ChuckMulidore and I traveled to Hawaii inearly January to attend HonoluluBranch 214’s post-holidaycelebration. This wasChuck’s first trip to the is-lands. On Aloha Friday(casual day, when youwear your Hawaiian shirt),we visited Honolulu’smain postal facility. GregWolny, Honolulu Districtmanager, met withChuck, Branch 214 President LaurieLum, NAPS Pacific Area vice presi-dent Chuck Lum and me.

Wolny reported the district had achallenging, but successful, peak sea-son due to the hard work and dedi-cation of the district’s employees.There also was discussion on pro-

posed transportationchanges; Chuck Lum hadjust returned from a trans-portation meeting in Ok-lahoma. He is manager ofTransportation for theHonolulu District. LaurieLum is a postmaster.

Amazon de-livery to the is-lands began lastyear, so thatwas anothertopic discussed.It was clear NAPS and theUSPS are engaging on themany challenges facinglocal supervisors and

managers.We also had an opportunity to

visit Kenji Higaki, Honolulu post-master. He welcomed us to Honoluluand wished us a great visit.

Because this was Mulidore’s firstvisit to Honolulu, we allowed timeso he and his daughter could visit

the Pearl HarborNational Memor-ial. The memori-al is a sober re-minder of thelives lost just be-

fore the United States entered WorldWar II.

We enjoyed a meet-and-greetwith local branch officers. The week-end ended with the annual post-hol-

Highlights from Honolulu, Denver and California Branches

Meeting at the USPS Honolulu District Office were, from left: Dis-trict Manager Greg Wolny, NAPS Western Region Vice PresidentMarilyn Walton, NAPS Secretary/Treasurer Chuck Mulidore, Hon-olulu Branch 214 President Laurie Lum and Pacific Area Vice Presi-dent Chuck Lum.

NAPS honored Scott Luzon, former Hawaii State president, onhis retirement from the Postal Service. From left: Marilyn Wal-ton, Chuck Mulidore, Luzon and Chuck Lum.

From left: Honolulu Postmaster Kenji Higaki, NAPSPacific Area Vice President Chuck Lum,Secretary/Treasurer Chuck Mulidore and WesternRegion Vice President Marilyn Walton.

New Branch 214 members were welcomed. From left: Western RegionVice President Marilyn Walton, Secretary/Treasurer Chuck Mulidore, newmembers Angel Haedorn, Kelly Coballes and Anthony Carcho and PacificArea Vice President Chuck Lum.


iday celebration at a local restaurant.In the aloha spirit, guests were givenbeautiful flower leis and a greetingkiss.

Members turned out for thisevent and appreciated the informa-tion from NAPS Headquarters. Theattendees asked questions and pro-vided feedback on their concerns.The branch officers committed towork on behalf of the members andcontinue to engage with postal lead-ers to solve issues in the workplace.

Laurie Lum reminded everyonethat island employees are ohana(family). We will work together andhelp support each other and ensurewe all are successful. We had a won-derful visit. It’s always sad to sayfarewell to the aloha spirit. Mahalo(thank you) for the warm hospitalitywe received on our visit.

Denver Branch 65 Annual Retirement Brunch

Mile High Denver Branch 65hosted its annual retiree recognitioncelebration brunch at the Hiro Japan-ese Buffet in Aurora. The branch rec-ognized 22 retirees for 2019.

NAPS Secretary/Treasurer ChuckMulidore and I were invited guestsand took the opportunity to con-gratulate the retirees. Chuck broughtgreetings from the resident officersand the latest news from NAPSHeadquarters.

Two retirees were able to attend.Carol Klingensmith, Denver Districtsupport office, attended with herhusband. Also, Bob Aldrich, the Col-orado/Wyoming Bi-State president,who retired as postmaster of Greeley,CO.

Carol and Bob appreciated thespecial recognition and gifts from thebranch. They said they would misstheir co-workers, but looked forwardto the next phases of their lives. I en-couraged Carol to continue her mem-bership with NAPS and stay informedon legislation that can impact work-ing and retired NAPS members. Thebranch has sent associate member ap-

plications to the retirees unable to at-tend the celebration.

We enjoyed a grand buffet lunchand spent the remainder of the after-noon sharing postal memories andmaking new friends.

Long Beach, CA, Branch 698 andOrange County Branch 373 JointMeeting

On a recent trip to the Los Ange-les area, NAPS President Brian Wag-ner, Pacific Area Vice PresidentChuck Lum, past President LouisAtkins and I started the weekend byattending a joint meeting with theofficers and members of Long Beach

Back row, from left: Nina Alfred, Branch 65 President Donna Flaherty, Western Region VicePresident Marilyn Walton, husband of Carol Klingensmith, NAPS Secretary/Treasurer ChuckMulidore and Branch 65 Legislative chair Dick Price. Seated: Branch 65 Secretary Julia Cordova,retiree Carol Klingensmith, Colorado/Wyoming Bi-State Legislative chair Gary Roll, TreasurerValerie Love and retiree Bob Aldrich, who is the Colorado/Wyoming Bi-State president.

Pacific Area Vice President Chuck Lum addressed members at the Branch 698 and 373 joint meeting.


Branch 698 and Al Navarro (OrangeCounty) Branch 373. The joint meet-ing was coordinated by Branch 698President Lori Reed and Branch 373President Jim Isom and Vice Presi-dent Cathy Sutton.

An overflow crowd traveled fromthe Orange County andLong Beach areas to attendthe dinner meeting at the ElTorino restaurant in West-chester. Also attending wasTodd Knapp, the USPS SantaAna Human Resources man-ager, who represented dis-trict management. He saidthe district is laser-focused on safetyand the well-being of all employees.

Wagner brought news fromNAPS Headquarters and providedupdated information on the ongoingNAPS lawsuit against the Postal Ser-vice. He asked that members contin-ue to check naps.org for additionalinformation.

Lum encouraged all members toreach out and invite a nonmemberto join NAPS. This year’s goal is toincrease local branch membership to80% or more.

I spoke about the importance ofbeing legislatively smart and educat-ing each other on the issues that im-pact postal and federal employees

and retirees. This is anelection year, so it’s criti-cal that everyone registersand votes!

Louis and Bonita Atkins alsobrought greetings. Members hadtime to ask questions and get updat-ed NAPS and USPS information, aswell as network and enjoy a greatmeal. A special thanks to bothbranches for the invitation and hos-pitality.

[email protected]

NAPS President Brian Wagner addressed members atthe joint Branch 698 and 373 meeting.

Santa Ana District HRManager Todd Knappand NAPS PacificArea Vice PresidentChuck Lum

f you want a great golf ex-perience, join us at Cow-boys Golf Club this Au-gust at the 2020 National

Convention. Etched into therolling hills of Grapevine, TX,Cowboys Golf Club is distin-guished as the first and onlyNFL-themed golf club in theworld. It’s also one of the re-gion’s only all-inclusive world-class resort golf properties. The Cowboys Golf Club paystribute to the five-time Super Bowl champion DallasCowboys—integrating an historical tour of the accom-plishments of the NFL franchise.

The 2020 NAPS Golf Tournament, in conjunction withthe National Convention at the Gaylord Texan Resort, willtee off at 9 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 16 at the beautiful CowboysGolf Club. The tournament golf fee is $95 until July 15,

and includes breakfast, lunch andfood while playing. From July 16until Aug. 1, the fee is $125.

Also included in the fee arenon-alcoholic drinks on and off thecourse, range balls, golf cart withGPS and other tournament needs.All players must have their ownbag and clubs, wear proper golf at-tire; no metal spikes are allowed.Non-golfers can ride with teams

and eat for $39.95. Registration closes after Aug. 1.The course is approximately five minutes away from

the Gaylord Texan Resort; transportation to and from thegolf event will be provided by the Host Branch Commit-tee. Participants also may take their own transportationto the tournament. Whatever your skill level or love ofgolf, you are not a “Lone Star” player when you are golf-ing, especially with NAPS members and friends.

Please print—One registration form per golfer/non-golfer

❏ Tournament golfer entry fee, postmarked by July 15 is $95; after July 15, the fee is $125

❏ Non-golfer fee $39.95 (food only)

Registration closes after Aug. 1, 2020

_____________________________________________________________________________________Name Phone # (include area code)

_____________________________________________________________________________________Mailing Address

_____________________________________________________________________________________City State ZIP

_____________________________________________________________________________________Branch # Non-postal email Golf handicap

(if available)

For more information orquestions about the 2020NAPS Golf Tournament,contact Bob Bradford, National Convention HostCommittee chair, at (972)264-3717 or email at [email protected].

NAPS 2020 National Convention Golf Tournament SiteCowboys Golf Club1600 Fairway DriveGrapevine, TX 76051(817) 481-7277

Make checks payable toNAPS Convention Golfand mail, with registra-tion form(s), to:

NAPS GolfPO Box 456Hewitt, TX 76643-0456

You may rent Taylor Made M-6 clubs for $97. All players must have a golf bag and clubs to play.Participants are responsible for contacting the Cowboys Golf Club to rent clubs—(817) 481-7277. Transportation to and from the golf event will be provided by Host Branch Committee.Participants also may take their own transportation.

If you have a golf team or wish to play with a specific player, please indicate that information when mailing entry form(s) and check(s) to the address at right.

2020 NAPS Golf Tournament Registration

NAPS Golf TournamentNAPS Golf Tournament20202020

II


Pursuant to the commission’s Dec. 5, 2019, ordernumber 5337, “Revised Notice of Proposed Rulemak-ing,” NAPS hereby submits these comments regardingthe commission’s proposed revised changes to the cur-rent market-dominant rate regulation system.

NAPS represents the interests of Executive Adminis-trative Schedule-level employees of the United StatesPostal Service. These individuals include postal supervi-sors, managers and postmasters who ensure that the fullarray of quality postal services is accessible to all Ameri-cans. Fundamental to their extensive postal responsibili-ties, NAPS members supervise and manage the approxi-mately 633,000 members of the postal workforce andmaintain an extensive postal infrastructure.

Consequently, NAPS members recognize the impor-tance of a financially sustainable Postal Service and thenecessity for the government agency to provide vitalmail services and products to all Americans, no matterwhere they reside or where they conduct business. NAPSbelieves that universal service is essential to postal-dependent communities, such as those located in ruraland urban areas. Hence, the Postal Service’s universalservice obligation cannot be undermined by the finan-cial pressures burdening the institution that are theproduct of a smothering rate-setting system.

Section 3622(d)(3) of the Postal Accountability andEnhancement Act, or 2006 PAEA, obligates the commis-sion to review the system for regulating rates and classes

of market-dominant products established under the act“to determine if the system is achieving the objectives”created in the statute. This review, required 10 yearsafter enactment of the act, is the basis of this docket.The PRC correctly concluded in December 2018 that thecurrent rate system “has not achieved the objectivesenumerated in 39 U.S. 3622(c).”1 The system fails tosupport a universally accessible, high-quality and sus-tainable Postal Service. The present rate-setting regimedemands substantive change.

NAPS’ comments focus on the index factor onwhich rate adjustments for market-dominant productsare based. NAPS maintains that the present CPI-U price-cap system fails the Postal Service and provides insuffi-cient revenue to improve postal performance and investin postal capital. The commission’s proposal to buildinto future rate adjustments funds to offset the PostalService’s retiree health and annuity amortization pay-ments and providing an adjustment to account for theincreased cost-per-delivery unit due to falling mail vol-ume is a positive step. However, NAPS believes thesesteps are insufficient to fully address the identified is-sues.

NAPS commends the commission for proposing“postage-for-performance” as an incentive to enhancemail-delivery standards and postal operations. Of course,NAPS considers comprehensive legislative remediationthe most effective strategy for long-term postal relief; a

1 PRC Order 4258, Dec. 1, 2017, at 2

NAPS Urges the PRC to Implement a New Rate-Setting System

Before the Postal Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC

Statutory Review of the System for Regulating Rates and Classes for Docket No. RM2017-3Market-Dominant Products

Comments of the National Association of Postal Supervisors


piecemeal approach only offers temporary answers tothe chronic problems plaguing America’s postal system.

In December 2017, the commission suggested a re-vised rate system that would grant the Postal Service en-hanced rate flexibility within a CPI-U based structure.Generally, the commission would have permitted thePostal Service 2% more rate authority above the CPI-Ufor a five-year period. Moreover, the commission wouldhave conferred the agency with an additional 1% au-thority if specified performance standards were to beachieved.

If immediately implemented, this blended rate sys-tem could have helped alleviate the extraordinary fiscalpressure that the 13-year-old, rigid CPI-U-based adjust-ments placed on the Postal Service. NAPS believes that ifthe commission continued to put trust in a CPI-basedannual adjustment, it would be more appropriate to usea price index that more precisely reflects the market inwhich the Postal Service actually operates. We discuss anew CPI calculation below.

In the instant docket, NAPS believes that the preser-vation of the CPI-U index as the basis for calculatingpostage adjustments, even with the contemplated modi-fications in the PRC’s “Revised Notice of Proposed Rule-making” (i.e., including USPS health and retirementamortization payments, providing a mail density factorand including a performance-based adjustment)2, fallsshort. However, the mail density factor would helpcushion the blow of a projected 4% decrease in revenueper delivery point over the next five years.3

As referenced above, the proposed rate system is animprovement over the current rate regime; nevertheless,the modifications still would be unable to restore andmaintain the enduring fiscal integrity of our postal sys-tem. The planned rate system still would be unable toprovide the necessary resources to fulfill the postal mis-sion to “bind the Nation together” through correspon-dence of the people and to “provide prompt, reliableand efficient services to patrons in all areas and shallrender postal services to all communities.”4 Failure togenerate the vital revenue to support the Postal Service’score mission is an existential threat to universal postalservice and the agency itself.

Fundamental to the establishment of any postageindex is using the proper basis for price adjustments.

The present CPI-U index, as well as the index contem-plated by the PRC in its “Revised Notice for Rule-Making,” is the Consumer Price Index for All UrbanConsumers (CPI-U). This index measures changes in anexpansive “basket” of goods and services purchased byall urban consumers. This index considers the spendinghabits of 80% of American households, excluding pricechanges and the spending preferences of rural con-sumers.

Moreover, the buying preferences and price fluctua-tions experienced by urban households are not repre-sentative of the price fluctuations of the goods and ser-vices unique to the postal and delivery service industry.In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics establishes distinctindices for goods and services in the postal and deliverymarket—the CPI-Postage, CPI-Delivery Services and theCPI-Postage and Delivery.

The CPI-U basket includes such products and servic-es as food and beverages, housing, bedroom furniture,apparel, transportation, medical care, recreation, educa-tion and entertainment.5 These products are consumedby American households, but not necessarily by the de-livery services industry. In contrast, the basket for theCPI-Postage and Delivery Services focuses on price in-puts unique to the Postal Service and its direct competi-tors.6 As such, the CPI-Postage and Delivery Servicesconsider the products and weigh price variations amonggoods and services consumed by the postal and deliverymarket.

These preferences and price changes influence theprices charged by delivery service entities to its con-sumers. As a result, NAPS ardently believes the commis-sion should replace the CPI-U with the CPI-DeliveryServices as the basis of rate-setting for market-domi-nant postal products and services. NAPS would notfavor using the broader CPI-Postage and Delivery Ser-vices because the Postal Service’s considerable input inthat broader index would have an artificial deflationaryeffect.

The December 2019 Bureau of Labor Statistics dataevidences the cavernous disparity existing between theprice increases experienced by all urban consumers, ascompared to price increases levied by the delivery ser-vices sector of the economy (i.e., excluding the U.S.Postal Service).

2 Revised Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Dec. 5, 20193 The U.S. Postal Service Five-Year Strategic Plan FY2020-FY2024, p. 15 4 39 U.S.C. §101(a)5 Consumer Expenditures – 2018, News Release, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Sept. 10, 20196 Crawford, M., Economist, Bureau of Labor Statistics (Jan. 15, 2020). Telephone interview


CPI for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U)Not Seasonally Adjusted

Series Title: U.S. city averageArea: CPI-U vs. CPI-Delivery ServicesItem: December 1997=100Base Period: 2006 to 2019Years: December 1997=100Year CPI-U CPI-Delivery2006 201.8 171.52007 210.036 189.5512008 210.228 199.4562009 215.949 202.7322010 219.179 228.4222011 225.672 254.4642012 229.601 267.2652013 233.049 275.8902014 234.812 279.0562015 236.525 281.3512016 241.432 275.5892017 246.524 294.4842018 251.233 306.0952019 256.974 319.707Annualized inflation 3.900 11.400

7

The above chart measures the prices in the CPI-Uversus the CPI-Delivery Services since enactment of thePAEA. Inasmuch as current postage rate-setting is cali-brated to the CPI-U, the U.S. Postal Service market-dom-inant pricing lags behind its competitors’ pricing by anaverage annualized 7.5%. The average annualized CPI-Uadjusted postage, excluding the 2013 exigent rate in-crease, is 3.9%; in contrast, postal competitors havefound it necessary to raise their rates by an average an-nualized 11.4%.

With more than a decade of hindsight, the commis-sion must concede that the establishment of a CPI-U-based price cap, in tandem with an overly burdensomeand unfair requirement to prefund future retiree healthbenefits at the outset of a deep and wide recession fromwhich the Postal Service still is attempting to emerge,was ill-advised. The commission is now fortunate tohave the opportunity and the authority to alleviate, ifnot correct, the situation.

In summary, under the current rate system, the CPI-U index fails to reflect the costs and input-prices uniqueto the Postal Service and its competitors. The CPI-Umeasures the changes in the price of a market basket ofgoods and services purchased by the broad universe ofurban consumers. The CPI-U contains general inflation

trends of a wide variety of products that all urban Amer-icans purchase. Obviously, this is not the same basket ofproducts and services purchased by the Postal Service orother participants in the delivery services industry.

The Postal Service is primarily a delivery operationand captures expenses related to mail acceptance, pro-cessing, transportation and delivery. It would be fairand appropriate for the commission to use a price indexthat more accurately accounts for the price changes ofentities whose function is similar to the Postal Service,such as private-sector delivery companies that includeUnited Parcel Service and Federal Express. If the CPI-Delivery Services index was used as the basis for market-dominant postage adjustments, the Postal Service wouldhave enjoyed greater pricing flexibility and enhancedrevenue. The agency would have been in a better fiscalposition than it presently finds itself.

The PAEA provides the commission with the author-ity to abandon the flawed price-cap regime altogether,but NAPS recognizes the political consequences of capabandonment. Recent history has demonstrated howthe wrong index has compelled the Postal Service toperpetually cut costs and services. Consequently, thecommission should replace current price caps with amore rational and equitable rate system that focuses onincenting and sustaining high-quality, universally acces-sible postal operations.

NAPS urges the commission to seriously considercreating an entirely new rate system that reflects thecore values of a universal postal system. NAPS wouldsupport a reasonable phase-in of implementing a CPI-Delivery Services index as the basis of market-dominantpostage adjustments.

In conclusion, NAPS urges the commission to aban-don the 13-year-old rate-setting system established by thePAEA because it fails to sustain a financially stable and vi-able Postal Service. This failure has resulted in the reduc-tion of postal services to the American public. NAPS urgesthe commission to adopt a new rate system that willyield a vibrant, responsive and universal Postal Service.

Respectfully submitted,

/s/ Brian J. Wagner /s/ Ivan D. ButtsPresident Executive Vice President

/s/ Chuck MulidoreSecretary/Treasurer

7 Bureau of Labors Statistics, computer-generated data, Jan. 15, 2020

15—Rocky Mountain Area (AZ/CO/NV/NM/UT/WY)Myrna Pashinski21593 E. Layton Dr., Aurora, CO 80015-6781(303) 931-1748 (C)[email protected]

16—Pacific Area (CA, HI, Guam, American Samoa)Chuck Lum95-12222 Moea St., Mililani, HI 96789-5965(808) 227-5764 (C)[email protected]

12—Cotton Belt Area (AR/OK/TN)Shri L. Green4072 Royalcrest Dr.,Memphis, TN 38115-6438 (901) 362-5436 (H) (901) 482-1216 (C) [email protected]

13—Texas Area (TX)Jaime Elizondo Jr.PO Box 1357, Houston, TX 77251-1357(832) 722-3737 (C)[email protected]

14—Northwest Area (AK/ID/MT/OR/WA)Cindy McCracken3247 109th Ave. S.E. #A, Bellevue, WA98004-7532(206) 465-8689 (C)[email protected]

9—MINK Area (IA/KS/MO/NE)Richard “Bart” Green3530 Prescott Dr., Columbia, MO 65201(913) 205-8912 (C)(816) 763-2579 (O)[email protected]

10—Southeast Area (FL/GA)Bob QuinlanPO Box 490363, Leesburg, FL 34749-0363; (352) 217-7473 (C)(352) 728-5992 (fax)[email protected]

11—Central Gulf Area (AL/LA/MS)Cornel Rowel Sr.808 N Sabine Dr., Baton Rouge, LA70810-2471(504) 450-1993 (C)[email protected]

6—Michiana Area (IN/MI)Kevin Trayer8943 E. DE Ave., Richland, MI 49083-9639(269) 366-9810 (C)[email protected]

7—Illini Area (IL)Luz Moreno625 Alhambra Ln., Hoffman Estates,IL 60169-1907; (847) 884-7875 (H)(773) 726-4357 (C)[email protected]

8—North Central Area (MN/ND/SD/WI)Dan Mooney10105 47th Ave. N, Plymouth, MN55442-2536(612) 242-3133 (C)[email protected]

Brian J. [email protected]

Ivan ButtsExecutive Vice [email protected]

Chuck MulidoreSecretary/[email protected]

The resident officers may be contacted at 1727King St., Suite 400, Alexandria, VA 22314-2753;(703) 836-9660; (703) 836-9665 (fax)

Resident Officers

Central Region (Areas 6, 7, 8 and 9)Craig O. Johnson9305 N. Highland Ct., Kansas City,MO 64155-3738; (816) 914-6061 (C)[email protected]

Southern Region (Areas 10, 11, 12 and 13)Tim Ford6214 Klondike Dr., Port Orange, FL 32127-6783; (386) 767-FORD (H)(386) 679-3774 (C) [email protected]

Western Region (Areas 14, 15 and 16)Marilyn WaltonPO Box 103, Vacaville, CA 95696-0103(707) 449-8223 (H)[email protected]

3—Mideast Area (DE/NJ/PA)Tony DallojaconoPO Box 750, Jackson, NJ 08527-0750(973) 986-6402 (C); (732) 363-1273 (O)[email protected]

4—Capitol-Atlantic Area (DC/MD/NC/SC/VA)Troy Griffin1122 Rosanda Ct., Middle River, MD21220-3025(443) 506-6999 (C)(410) 892-6491 (H)[email protected]

5—Pioneer Area (KY/OH/WV/Evansville, IN, Branch 55)Timothy NeedhamPO Box 21, Niles, OH 44446-0021(330) 550-9960 (C)[email protected]

NAPS Executive Board Directory

Northeast Region (Areas 1 and 2, including all NJ,except Branch 74)Thomas Roma385 Colon Ave., Staten Island, NY10308-1417; (718) 605-0357 (H)(917) 685-8282 (C)[email protected]

Eastern Region (Areas 3—DE, PA and NJ Branch 74—4and 5)Richard L. Green Jr.7734 Leyland Cypress Lane,Quinton, VA 23141-1377(804) 928-8261 (C)[email protected]

1—New England Area (CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT)Lisa Douglas60 Rockwood Rd., Hamden, CT 06514(475) 355-0575 (C)

2—New York Area (NY/PR/VI)James “Jimmy”Warden137 Evergreen Court, Freehold, NJ07728-4122(917) 226-8768 (C) [email protected]

Area Vice Presidents

Regional Vice Presidents


Bob LeviDirector of Legislative &Political Affairs

ast month in Gobbler’sKnob, Punxsutawney Phil awoke

from winter hibernation and did notsee his shadow. As a result, he didnot retreat to his burrow; spring will

be early. Only four days later, his dis-tant cousin, Postal Pete, emergedthrough the rooftop doors of L’En-fant Plaza, gazed at the U.S. Capitoland skipped for joy. Small miracleshappen.

The House of Representativespassed H.R. 2382, legislation to re-peal the onerous requirement thatthe Postal Service prefund future re-tiree health benefits. However, Pete’scelebration was restrained. He knewthe Senate still had to pass its ver-sion of the bill, S. 2965, andthe legislation, even if signedinto law by President Trump,still leaves the Postal Servicein desperate need of majorlegislative reform.

So, about a month afterthe two groundhogs awokefrom their winter slumberprojecting muted optimism,NAPS Legislative TrainingSeminar (LTS) delegates andtheir compatriots who couldnot make the journey willunsheathe and put into ac-tion NAPS’ legislative advoca-cy agenda for 2020. The prepwork for the 2020 legislativecrusade began months ago

with a number of crucialdecisions.

First, NAPS will pro-mote EAS employee equity.It will prioritize NAPS’ de-sire to clarify and put real

teeth into the decades-old and dys-functional consultative pay processfor EAS-level postal employees.

It is unjustifiable that EAS paytalks are heldhostage to theconclusion of ne-gotiations be-tween the USPSand its largest

union. It also is inexcusable that theUSPS can choose to ignore the con-clusions of an independent FederalMediation and Conciliation Servicefact-finding panel. Legislation to im-plement consultative equity is onthe horizon.

To cultivate support, we intendto educate members of Congress onthe problems prevalent in the waypay consultations are conducted. Inaddition, we will renew our efforts toexpand support for H.R. 597, legisla-

tion to provide Merit Systems Protec-tion Board appeal rights to those EASemployees currently denied such re-dress.

Moreover, we will seek to securefor USPS employees the same statu-tory rights for paid family and med-ical leave as was recently provided toother federal employees, includingthose federal employees who occupymanagerial positions.

Second, NAPS will encouragemembers of Congress to provide theUSPS with the necessary tools to besuccessful in its core mission of pro-viding accessible, universal and af-fordable postal services to our coun-try. Foremost, NAPS will fightattempts to privatize the U.S. PostalService.

Regrettably, the White House,through an explicit privatizationshoutout in the June 2018 Office ofManagement and Budget report ongovernment reorganization and aprivatization allusion in the Decem-ber 2018 President’s Task Force onthe Postal System report, still has pri-vatization on the table. Redefining

the historic “universal ser-vice obligation” and carvingout postal functions for theprivate sector are part of thelong-term goal to make agovernment-run postal sys-tem go away.

The revenue needs ofthe Postal Service cannot beoverstated. As part of our ef-fort to enhance USPS rev-enue, NAPS last month filedcomments with the PostalRegulatory Commission(PRC) recommending thatthe current formula for cal-culating postage adjust-ments be replaced with anew, more appropriate in-

Consultative Equity IsA Legislative Priority

LegislativeUpdate

L

House Passes Bill to Repeal Prefunding Requirement

Early evening on Feb. 5, the House of Represen-

tatives passed H.R. 2382, the “USPS Fairness

Act,” with a 309-106 majority. The legislation

would repeal the onerous requirement that the

USPS prefund future retiree health benefits.

On Feb. 5, NAPS sent a letter to all House

members, asking for a “yes” vote on the bill.

H.R. 2382 was introduced by Rep. Peter De-

Fazio (D-OR) and attracted 301 co-sponsors.

Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) introduced S.

2965, the Senate’s version of the House bill. S.

2965 has yet to be scheduled for any action in

the Senate. NAPS members should contact their

senators to urge them to co-sponsor the bill.


flation index—one that reflects actu-al price changes in the delivery ser-vices industry. (NAPS’ comments areon page 19.)

This submission was in responseto the PRC’s proposal to provide theUSPS with a bit more rate flexibilityin market-dominant products. Atthe time this column went to press,our congressional allies were review-ing a draft version of a bill thatmakes a number of changes to pre-viously introduced bills, includingchanges that could make Medicarecoverage for current Medicare-eligi-ble retirees voluntary and without alate-enrollment penalty.

Third, NAPS will battle any at-tempt to use the FY21 budget as afiscal chisel to chip away at earnedhealth and retirement benefits. Thepast three White House budgetshave proposed outrageous cuts to re-tiree pensions. Last year, the Presi-dent’s budget targeted postal andfederal employees and retirees for a$5 billion budget hit.

Those cuts included reductionsto cost-of-living adjustments forCSRS retirees and their eliminationfor FERS retirees, increased employ-ee contributions to retirement forFERS employees, changing the for-mula for calculating federal annu-ities, the elimination of supplemen-tal retirement for FERS retirees tooyoung for Social Security and sub-stantial decreases to the interest rateon the Thrift Savings Plan’s G Fund.

Election-year battles to promotethe NAPS agenda will be linked toSPAC support for incumbent mem-bers of Congress or, if warranted,their challengers. So, please engagein this year’s mission to advocate onbehalf of your colleagues, fellow ac-tive and retired EAS employees.

Please awaken from the winterrespite and advance those issues im-portant to you and NAPS.

[email protected]

This is a reference for the order of events; all times are tentative.

Sunday, March 8

9 a.m. – 6 p.m.Registration

9 – 10:15 a.m.Non-DenominationalWorship Service

9 a.m. – 11 a.m.Secretary/TreasurersTraining

12:15 p.m.*Wreath-laying ceremo-ny at Arlington Nation-al Cemetery

2:30 – 3:30 p.m.First-Timers’ Orienta-tion

4 – 5:30 p.m.Town Hall with the Executive Board

6:30 – 8:30 p.m.State Legislative ChairsDinner

Monday, March 9

6:30 a.m.Continental Breakfast

6:30 – 7:50 a.m.Registration continues

8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.SPAC Café

7:45 a.m.Opening Session andLegislative Training

noonLuncheon

1:30 p.m.Legislative Trainingcontinues

4:45 p.m.State Caucus Meetings

4:45 – 5:15 p.m.SPAC Photos

6:30 – 8:30 p.m.SPAC Reception

Tuesday, March 10

6:30 – 8:30 a.m.Continental Breakfast

morning/afternoonDelegate meetings onCapitol Hill

2 – 5 p.m.Capitol Hill Debriefingswith NAPS LegislativeTeam

Wednesday, March 11

8 a.m. – 4 p.m.Debriefings with NAPSlegislative team contin-ue

he 2020 LTS will focus on advancing a NAPS agenda designed tostrengthen EAS employee rights and the Postal Service, enhance our pres-ence on Capitol Hill and cultivate loyal legislative champions. As LTS

delegates, whether first-timers or veteran advocates, we will prepare to promoteour issues to elected policymakers with intensive orientation on the status ofpostal issues that impact NAPS and the USPS.

We also will sharpen our skills essential to conducting successful meetingswith members of Congress and their staffs. These LTS activities will culminatein us heading to Capitol Hill to educate Congress about the dynamic role thePostal Service continues to play in our nation’s economy and legislative propos-als that will improve the Postal Service. We also will caution legislators aboutproposals that would harm the agency and erode our earned benefits.

T

*Arlington National Cemetery has updated security measures. In addition to ran-dom identification checks and other measures already in place, all visitors mustgo through additional physical screening. The cemetery recommends bringingminimal to no bags to expedite the screening process; personnel strive to keepwait times to under 20 minutes. Please allow additional time in order to attendthe NAPS wreath-laying ceremony.

Persons with handicap placards can get cemetery shuttle bus tickets at nocost to the right of the entrance.

LTS Registration Fee—$225The 2020 LTS online registration fee is $225 if registration is submitted on or

before Feb. 14. After Feb. 14, the fee is $300. No LTS registrations or payments will be accepted after Feb. 28.

No on-site registrations will be accepted.

Each official LTS registrant will receive an LTS confirmation receipt from NAPSHeadquarters via email immediately after completing registration. If you registered forLTS and did not receive your confirmation, contact NAPS Headquarters immediately.

Refund RequestsAll refund requests must be submitted in writing and received at NAPS Head-

quarters on or before March 1. All approved refunds will be paid on approval.

SubstitutionsIf you need to make a substitution of

an LTS registrant, call NAPS Headquartersat 703-836-9660. All requests for LTS del-egate substitutions must be received nolater than March 1. No substitutions willbe honored after March 1. On-site LTSsubstitutions will not be allowed.

2020 Legislative Training Seminar

Registration InformationHotel room block expires on Feb.13, 2020 • LTS registration closes on Feb. 28, 2020

Register for LTS online only at www.naps.org Delegates and guests attendingthe 2020 LTS are responsiblefor making their own lodgingreservations directly with theMarriott Crystal Gateway Hotel.

To make a reservation, pleasecall the Marriott at 703-920-3230 or toll-free at 877-212-5752. Reference the group’sname: National Association ofPostal Supervisors. To reserve a room online, go to www.naps.org.

The LTS single/double roomrate is $275, plus applicablestate and local taxes. Check-intime is 3 p.m.; check-out, noon.

The room block expires on Feb.13, 2020. Reservations madeafter that date may be at ahigher room rate, if available atall.

To guarantee reservations, thehotel must receive a deposit ofone night’s room rate and taxby major credit card at the timeof the reservation.

Cancellations must be receivedat least 24 hours before arrivalor the deposit will be applied toyour credit card. The hotel con-firmation is your responsibility.

NAPS Headquarters does notconfirm lodging reservations.

Marriott Crystal Gateway 1700 Jefferson Davis Hwy Arlington, VA 22208

Hotel Rates andReservations


2019 SPAC Contributors

President’s Ultimate SPAC ($1,000 - $5,000)

Bruffett, Shawn AZ Branch 376Salmon, James AZ Branch 246Boisvert, Michael CA Branch 159Campbell, Stephnia CA Branch 159Meana, Frances CA Branch 159Walton, Marilyn CA Branch 77Wong, John CA Branch 497Douglas, Lisa CT Branch 5Bock Jr., Robert FL Branch 406Franz, Kenneth FL Branch 146Gilbert, Belinda FL Branch 425LeCounte, Michael FL Branch 146Lynn, Patti FL Branch 296McHugh, James FL Branch 386Mullins, Kym FL Branch 81Quinlan, Robert FL Branch 154Sebastian, Gerald FL Branch 386Strickland, Ann FL Branch 146Van Horn, Gail FL Branch 154Williams, Carolyn FL Branch 146Lum, Chuck HI Branch 214Maxwell, Sherry IL Branch 255Moreno, Luz IL Branch 489Wagner, Brian IL Branch 255Winters, Michael IL Branch 255Rowel, Cornel LA Branch 73Foley, Paul MA Branch 120Murphy, Gregory MA Branch 102Griffin, Troy MD Branch 42Randall, C. Michele MD Branch 531Shawn, Steve MD Branch 403Wileman, Dotty MD Branch 923Amergian, Raymond ME Branch 96Hafford, Darrell ME Branch 96Rosario Jr., Arnold ME Branch 96Trayer, Kevin MI Branch 142Mooney, Dan MN Branch 16Johnson, Craig MO Branch 36Geter, John NC Branch 183Amash, Joseph NY Branch 83Barone, Thomas NY Branch 202Gawron, Dennis NY Branch 27Gawron, Steven NY Branch 27Roma, Thomas NY Branch 68

Warden, James NY Branch 100Needham, Timothy OH Branch 133Yut, Rachelle OR Branch 66Adams, Jeanine PA Branch 20Butts, Ivan PA Branch 355Croswell, Darnel SC Branch 225Mulidore, Chuck SC Branch 225Tolman, Robert SD Branch 946Aaron, Donna TN Branch 947Green, Shri TN Branch 41Austin, Jessie TX Branch 122Cooper, Karen TX Branch 124Elizondo Jr., Jaime TX Branch 122Foster, Debra TX Branch 9Butler, Phillip VA Branch 98Cox, Lloyd VA Branch 526Green Jr., Richard VA Branch 98Jacobs, Charles VA Branch 132Mott III, George VA Branch 132Johnson, Stanley WA Branch 60

VP Elite ($750 - $999.99)

Evans, Bridget CA Branch 159Grayson, Yolanda CA Branch 39Rominger, Jackie CA Branch 77Sutton, Catherine CA Branch 373Swygert, Vontina CA Branch 127Goldstein, Diane FL Branch 156Herzog, Rosemarie FL Branch 154Hoerner, Thomas FL Branch 420Murray, Donald FL Branch 93Ruckart, Kenneth FL Branch 386Moore, Kevin GA Branch 281Moreno, Richard MA Branch 498Anderson, Shareen MI Branch 23Bunch, Kenneth MI Branch 23Krzycki Jr., Kenneth MI Branch 508Bollinger, Kathreen MO Branch 36Carmody, Russell NJ Branch 74Dallojacono, Anthony NJ Branch 568Kofsky, Jonathan NJ Branch 568McKiernan, Michael NJ Branch 74Englerth, Scott NY Branch 11Evans, Darius NY Branch 85Cabrera, Antonio PR Branch 216


Holt, Brian RI Branch 105Mitchell, Annie TX Branch 124Trevino, Barbara TX Branch 124

Secretary’s Roundtable ($500 - $749.99)

Melchert, Pamela AK Branch 435Kiszczak, Sharon AZ Branch 246Blythe, Stephanie CA Branch 127Cherry, Hayes CA Branch 466Grayson, Yolanda CA Branch 39Jones, Marilyn CA Branch 39Trevena, April CA Branch 94Kerns, John CO Branch 141Pashinski, Myrna CO Branch 65Wright, Marcellus DC Branch 135Garland, Angela DE Branch 909Ford, Timothy FL Branch 353Vorreyer, Leslie FL Branch 353Wommack, April FL Branch 386Wooley, Josephine GA Branch 82Lum, Laurie HI Branch 214Hilliard, Ricky IL Branch 489Pierce, Annette IL Branch 255Randle, Kay IL Branch 369Krempa, Keith IN Branch 169Norton, Paul IN Branch 8Harmon, Rosemary KY Branch 920Mason Jr., Garland MD Branch 592Bodary, Joseph MI Branch 268Hommerson Jr., David MI Branch 130Marriott, Beverly NC Branch 177Phillips, Austin NJ Branch 224Santiago, Jose NJ Branch 538Timothy, Pat NJ Branch 548Walton, Irma NJ Branch 75Arroyo, Victor NY Branch 85Burke, Terriann NY Branch 11Jessmer, Spencer NY Branch 11Burgasser, Ted OH Branch 29Mayes, Sean OH Branch 29Paige, Lillie OH Branch 46Simpson, Pamela OR Branch 66Bartko, Susan PA Branch 20Benford, Debra PA Branch 50Kolecki, Michele PA Branch 941Erickson, David SD Branch 946Weber, Camron SD Branch 946Bowen, Randy TN Branch 97Brooks, Lamarcus TN Branch 41Clark Jr., Bobby TX Branch 124Davis, Pamela TX Branch 122

Lomba, John TX Branch 103Longoria, Richard TX Branch 229Trevino, Manuel TX Branch 124Garrett, Donald VA Branch 98Hubbard, Jim VA Branch 22Navarre, Arnold VA Branch 98Edwards, Calvin WA Branch 31Gruetzmacher, Bjoern WA Branch 61McCracken, Cindy WA Branch 61Taylor, Georgia WA Branch 31Joers, Julie WI Branch 72Simmons, Brandi WI Branch 213McComas, Christina WV Branch 212

Chairman’s Club ($250 - 499.99)

Carson, John AL Branch 901Mannings, Judy AL Branch 45Norton, Charles AL Branch 208Studdard, Dwight AL Branch 45Hernandez, George AZ Branch 246Luna, Juan AZ Branch 246Booth, Samuel CA Branch 39Brown, Carl CA Branch 94Cruz, Cheryl CA Branch 497Danzy, Marsha CA Branch 197Dominguez, Jesse CA Branch 373Florentin, Diana CA Branch 244Gavin, Angela CA Branch 159Jackson-Kelley, Patricia CA Branch 39Murillo, Mariel CA Branch 466Prevulsky, Stephen CA Branch 244Randle, Carol CA Branch 39Stiles, Sarah CA Branch 244Thomas, Linda CA Branch 88Thompson, Carolyn CA Branch 88Annon, Cynthia CO Branch 141Love, Valerie CO Branch 65Roll, Gary CO Branch 65Collen, Helen CT Branch 3Donegan, Margie CT Branch 5Moss, Donalda DC Branch 135Brady, Catherine FL Branch 420Cox, Jacqueline FL Branch 93Franco, Cheryl Ann FL Branch 296Greene, Lisa FL Branch 406Gucmeris, Algimantas FL Branch 420Jones, Sammie FL Branch 405Long, Pamela FL Branch 577Lopez, Ellen FL Branch 146McPhee-Johnson, Tayloria FL Branch 146Moorgen, Michael FL Branch 406


Suarez, Eduardo FL Branch 146Tucker, Johanna FL Branch 425Wittic, Eileen FL Branch 231Finley, Roger GA Branch 595Sims, Reginald GA Branch 82Alos, Kanani HI Branch 214Parker, Laroma HI Branch 214Cook, Carol IL Branch 14Crowe, Brian IL Branch 14Dittmann, David IL Branch 489Harris, Gregory IL Branch 369Perteet, Cynthia IL Branch 541Pitts, La Neda IL Branch 14Wesley, Nancy IL Branch 493Malone, Tammy IN Branch 8Webb, Marcel IN Branch 8Macias, Juan KS Branch 205Neece, Dawn KS Branch 205Carter, Tonious LA Branch 421Ignoto, Vincent MA Branch 43Berger, Ricky MD Branch 531Brownfield, Patricia MD Branch 531Gramblin, Reginald MD Branch 531Jones, Marcia MD Branch 42Bartlett, Bruce ME Branch 96Rosario, Tamara ME Branch 96Bradley, Anthony MI Branch 142Burcar, Robert MI Branch 508Byrum, Jimmy MI Branch 508Hardin, Donald MI Branch 142Hurless-Byrum, Ruth MI Branch 508Perkins, Ethel MI Branch 140Schneider, Irene MI Branch 508Baker, Neil MN Branch 104Kuiper, Bruce MN Branch 16Moore, Olin MN Branch 16Moore, Robert MN Branch 104Moudy, John MN Branch 16Newcomb-Evans, Theresa MN Branch 926O’Donnell, Curt MN Branch 16Vail-Rimer, Tamera MN Branch 16Davis, Lisa MO Branch 131Edwards, Marilyn MO Branch 928Green, Bart MO Branch 36Price-Booker, Virginia MO Branch 131Shumate, Melisande MO Branch 131Kindsvatter, Leo MT Branch 929Perman, Kally MT Branch 929Weiand, Heather MT Branch 929Belger, Michael NC Branch 183Jackson, Abner NC Branch 299

McLaughlin, Deborah NC Branch 183Robinson, Theresa NC Branch 299Winters, Joseph NC Branch 177Olson, Chad ND Branch 946Michaud, Russell NH Branch 932Dennis Jr., Edward NJ Branch 53D’Martino, Pasquale NJ Branch 548Pixley, George NV Branch 249Blakney, Robert NY Branch 336Hughes, Thomas NY Branch 100Morrissey, Phyllis NY Branch 164Muhammad, Jamaal NY Branch 68Wiggins, Derrick NY Branch 85Kopcash, Timothy OH Branch 133Laster, Edward OH Branch 46Lewis, Gillian OH Branch 2Paige, William OH Branch 46Smith, Ronald OH Branch 46Lahmann, Joseph OR Branch 276Skjelstad, Aric OR Branch 276Keefe, Laura PA Branch 112Lehman, Jason PA Branch 554Rodriguez, Jose PR Branch 216Dumas, Cyril RI Branch 105Nation, Linda SD Branch 946Barbee, Johnny TN Branch 41Bell, Andrew TN Branch 32Blakely, Kathy TN Branch 41Mitchell, Denise TN Branch 41Proctor, Kevin TN Branch 32Shelburne, Sarah TN Branch 32Austin, Beverly TX Branch 122Garcia, Mario TX Branch 288Hill, Earnest TX Branch 122Lyons, Lisa TX Branch 428Nettles, Mark TX Branch 9Tresner, Kristen UT Branch 139Brown, Lorraine VA Branch 98Johnson, Sarah VA Branch 98Howe, Steven WA Branch 61Krogh, Charlie WA Branch 31Ware, Michael WA Branch 61Williams, Arthur WA Branch 61Sederholm Marti, Susan WI Branch 72Baldwin, Craig WV Branch 212

Supporter ($100 - 249.99)

Sisco, Bret AK Branch 435Ashanti, Regina AL Branch 399Frazier, Rickey AL Branch 399Nash, Leon AL Branch 45

To authorize your allotment online, you will need yourUSPS employee ID number and PIN; if you do not knowyour PIN, you will be able to obtain it at Step 3 below.

Go to https://liteblue.usps.gov to access PostalEASE.

Under Employee App-Quick Links, choose PostalEASE.

Click on “I agree.”

Enter your employee ID number and password.

Click on “Allotments/Payroll NTB.”

Click on “Continue.”

Click on “Allotments.”

Enter Bank Routing Number (from worksheet below),enter account number (see worksheet), enter accountfrom drop-down menu as “checking” and enter theamount of your contribution.

Click “Validate,” then “Submit.” Print a copy for yourrecords.

To authorize your allotment by phone, call PostalEASE,toll-free, at 1-877-477-3273 (1-877-4PS-EASE). You willneed your USPS employee ID number and PIN.

When prompted, select one for PostalEASE.

When prompted, enter your employee ID number.

When prompted, please enter your USPS PIN.

When prompted, press “2” for payroll options.

When prompted, press “1” for allotments.

When prompted, press “2” to continue.

Follow prompts to add a new allotment.

Use the worksheet to give the appropriate information to set up an allotment for SPAC.

Contributions via USPS Payroll Deduction

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

1

2

3

4

5

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7

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Make Contributing to SPAC a Habit:

PostalEASE Allotments/Net to Bank Worksheet

On your next available allotment (you have three):

• Routing Number (nine digits): 121000248

• Financial Institution Name: Wells Fargo (this willappear after you enter the routing number).

• Account Number (this is a 17-digit number that starts with “772255555” and ends with your eight-digit employee ID number):

__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

(Example: 77225555512345678).

• Type of Account (drop-down menu): Checking

• Amount per Pay Period (please use the 0.00 format; the “$” is already included): __________.

7 7 2 2 5 5 5 5 5


Aceves, John AZ Branch 376Rosenberry, Dawn AZ Branch 376Allis, Harold CA Branch 373Amador, Leonard CA Branch 197Bognot, Clarissa CA Branch 244Bradley, Roxanne CA Branch 127Donnelly, Linda CA Branch 497Francisco, Daryel CA Branch 159Gibson, Lelton CA Branch 88Gishi, Sharon CA Branch 94Graham, Mardina CA Branch 88Gray, Edna CA Branch 127Gray, Glenn CA Branch 127Hodges, Leticeia CA Branch 39Ingalls, Dianne CA Branch 77Johnson, Deborah CA Branch 88Knox, Jacqueline CA Branch 127Martin, Mary CA Branch 159McClinton, Velma CA Branch 39McCombs, James CA Branch 466Merrill, Robin CA Branch 497Moore Tucker, Carolyn CA Branch 301Moore, Edward CA Branch 244Odell, Heather CA Branch 159Patterson, Charles CA Branch 497Petty, Ralph CA Branch 77Profit, Youvet CA Branch 39Rahming, Karyn CA Branch 77Rascati, Wayne CA Branch 244Robinson, Jackie CA Branch 39Simpao, Sally CA Branch 88Walker, Robin CA Branch 39Warren, Cherie CA Branch 466Williams, Alma CA Branch 266Rudolph, Lorraine CO Branch 65Summerfield, John CO Branch 65McKeon, William CT Branch 3Viola, Joseph CT Branch 47Batastini, Kenneth FL Branch 478Best, Jeffrey FL Branch 146Calhoun, Clothelia FL Branch 354Caruso, Karen FL Branch 154Chiocchi, Lynne FL Branch 420Foreman, Charles FL Branch 146Fulcher, Sandra FL Branch 146Gonzalez-Marino, Ilia FL Branch 146Guyton, Patricia FL Branch 146Hill, Otis FL Branch 146James, Suzette FL Branch 154Jimenez, Edilia FL Branch 146Johnson, Debra FL Branch 354

King, David FL Branch 420Lalone, Teri FL Branch 156Lawrence, Karen FL Branch 146Lopez, Victor FL Branch 146Lowrey, Robert FL Branch 154Meadors, Joan FL Branch 146Metcalfe, Thomas FL Branch 146Morrison, Marcella FL Branch 577Munoz, Barbar FL Branch 146Rose, Nancy FL Branch 420Roundtree, Edith FL Branch 154Scherle, Sonya FL Branch 154Scott, Linda FL Branch 146Scriven, Bernice FL Branch 146Springer, Theresa FL Branch 146Strasser, Brian FL Branch 386Kindle, Delloria GA Branch 82Smyly, Jose GA Branch 82Iyoki, Wendy HI Branch 214Barkley, Bradley IA Branch 172Coy, Daniel IA Branch 172Eue, Loretta IA Branch 172Beal, Anita IL Branch 255Behrens, Elizabeth IL Branch 270Billups, Juanita IL Branch 17Brady, Derrick IL Branch 17Levernier, Catherine IL Branch 270Matuszak, Kevin IL Branch 489Rendleman, Daniel IL Branch 255Small, Felicia IL Branch 14Sneed, Rheda IL Branch 493Toles, Francee IL Branch 14Walsh, John IL Branch 289Warren, Susan IL Branch 255Coleman-Scruggs, Toni IN Branch 171Derby, Karen IN Branch 169Helfrich, Robert IN Branch 8Mosley, Monique IN Branch 8McCartney, Kelly KS Branch 919Rogers, Katherine KS Branch 205Waddell, Corey KS Branch 52Smiley, David KY Branch 390Chambliss, Brenda LA Branch 170Clarke, Shirley LA Branch 73Hamilton, Larry LA Branch 209Hampton, Annette LA Branch 73Lastrapes, Ebony LA Branch 209Laurendine, Kyle LA Branch 73Minor, Saundra LA Branch 209Sevalia, Rosalind LA Branch 73Anderson, Paul MA Branch 498


Ciccone, Alexander MA Branch 43Dematteo, Michael MA Branch 43Duffy, John MA Branch 43Lewin, Kim MA Branch 118Misserville, James MA Branch 498Paz, John MA Branch 43Russell, John MA Branch 43Saccoccio, Michaela MA Branch 6Campbell, Maxine MD Branch 42Jones, Anthony MD Branch 531Sadler, Amanda ME Branch 96Sequeira, Jean ME Branch 96Balch, Karen MI Branch 142Cogar, Laurie MI Branch 268Glenn, Sandra MI Branch 140Hughes, Carmen MI Branch 925Hunsanger, Laurianne MI Branch 508Ice, Marilyn MI Branch 23McCarthy, Bernard MI Branch 23Orloski, Rose MI Branch 508Roundtree, Wanda MI Branch 140Secord, Denise MI Branch 152Smith, Theresa MI Branch 130Spurlin, William MI Branch 268Yancy, Frederick MI Branch 508Junek, John MN Branch 104Lincoln, Lonnie MN Branch 16Nelson, Matthew MN Branch 104Soukey, Louis MN Branch 104Tate, Gregory MN Branch 104Brown, Latasha MO Branch 131Bye, Angie MO Branch 119Bye, Kevin MO Branch 119Marley, Carol MO Branch 131Petersen, Lisa MO Branch 36Warren, Anitra MO Branch 36Washington, Robert MO Branch 131Charles, Rodney NC Branch 157Douglas, Karen NC Branch 183Edwards, Brenda NC Branch 183Gilbert, Jevonda NC Branch 183Pennix, Melinda NC Branch 157Holland, Dana ND Branch 937Leingang, Michael ND Branch 937Lichtsinn, Cynthia ND Branch 937Caruso, Richard NE Branch 10Fuller, Tamyra NE Branch 64Gorans, Carrie NE Branch 10Newman, Edward NE Branch 10Ruggiero, Joseph NH Branch 932Sarnie, Deborah NH Branch 932

Barrett, George NJ Branch 74Busciglio, Michael NJ Branch 287Henkel, Tammy NJ Branch 287Walker, Veronica NJ Branch 237Schnepple, Kathleen NM Branch 295Wadsworth, Joel NM Branch 295Andersen, Karen NV Branch 463James, David NV Branch 463Patterson, Sherry NV Branch 463Cusyk, Kathleen NY Branch 7Parson, Corina NY Branch 164Russell, Donna NY Branch 68Schirching, Christy NY Branch 27Solomon, David NY Branch 100Tu, Tu NY Branch 100Vincenzi, John NY Branch 459Wilensky, Jeffrey NY Branch 100Yuen, John NY Branch 100Bennett, Kelley OH Branch 33Fleck, Darren OH Branch 33Laster, Jacshica OH Branch 46Saunders, Leslie OH Branch 33Sudberry, Norris OH Branch 46Baldwin, Terry OR Branch 66Ellis, David OR Branch 66McNulty, Linda OR Branch 66McVicker, Nancy OR Branch 66Bednar, Margaret PA Branch 20Keen, Kevin PA Branch 35O’Donnell, Joseph PA Branch 20Robinson, Andrea PA Branch 35Smith, Diane PA Branch 20Uber, Casei PA Branch 554Giorgio, Victor RI Branch 105Kendrick, Beverly SC Branch 215Quinton, William SC Branch 228Blanck Lovelace, Deborah SD Branch 946Butterfield, Linda SD Branch 946Magnuson, Sonny SD Branch 946Cattron, Patricia TN Branch 555McMurry, Robert TN Branch 165Barnes, Marilyn TX Branch 86Conley, Robert TX Branch 9Flaherty, Daniel TX Branch 9Hammock, Alessandra TX Branch 86Hensley, Sheila TX Branch 124High, Gwendolyn TX Branch 86Howard, Marsha TX Branch 9McPherson, Scott TX Branch 124Quintero, A. Reggie TX Branch 103

Continued on page 33


2020 SPAC Contributors

President’s Ultimate SPAC ($1,000+)

Wileman, Dotty MD Branch 923Barone, Thomas NY Branch 202Butts, Ivan PA Branch 355

Chairman’s Club ($250)

Rowel, Cornel LA Branch 73Randall, C. Michele MD Branch 531Shawn, Steve MD Branch 403

Supporter ($100)

Bruffett, Shawn AZ Branch 376Salmon, James AZ Branch 246Wong, John CA Branch 497Moss, Donalda DC Branch 135Watabu, Iris HI Branch 214Maxwell, Sherry IL Branch 255Moreno, Luz IL Branch 489

Wagner, Brian IL Branch 255Walsh, John IL Branch 289Winters, Michael IL Branch 255Duffy, John MA Branch 43Murphy, Gregory MA Branch 102Mooney, Dan MN Branch 16Butler, Prescott NJ Branch 327Needham, Timothy OH Branch 133Paige, Lillie OH Branch 46Saunders, Leslie OH Branch 33Adams, Jeanine PA Branch 20Kendrick, Beverly SC Branch 215Aaron, Donna TN Branch 947Benjamin, Laquita TN Branch 41Cooper, Karen TX Branch 124Butler, Phillip VA Branch 98Johnson, Stanley WA Branch 60

SPACContribution

FormAggregate contributions made in acalendar year correspond with thesedonor levels:

$1,000—President’s Ultimate SPAC

$750—VP Elite

$500—Secretary’s Roundtable

$250—Chairman’s Club

$100—Supporter

Current as of February 2019

Federal regulations prohibit SPACcontributions by branch check orbranch credit card.

Mail to:SPAC1727 KING ST STE 400ALEXANDRIA VA 22314-2753

Contribution Amount $___________ Branch #___________

Name________________________________________________________

Home Address/PO Box ___________________________________________

City__________________________________________ State__________

ZIP+4__________________________________ Date _________________

Employee ID Number (EIN) or Civil Service Annuitant (CSA) Number ________________________________

Enclosed is my voluntary contribution to SPAC by one of the following methods:

❏ Check or money order made payable to SPAC; do not send cash

❏ Credit card (circle one): Visa American Express MasterCard Discover

Card number ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___

Security code (three- or four- digit number on back of card) _______________

Card expiration date: ______ /______

Signature (required for credit card charges) ____________________________________________

❏ In-Kind Donation (e.g., gift card, baseball tickets):

Describe gift _________________________________________ Value ______________

All contributions to the Supervisors’ Political Action Committee (SPAC) are voluntary, have no bear-ing on NAPS membership status and are unrelated to NAPS membership dues. There is no obliga-tion to contribute to SPAC and no penalty for choosing not to contribute. Only NAPS members andfamily members living in their households may contribute to SPAC. Contributions to SPAC are limit-ed to $5,000 per individual in a calendar year. Contributions to SPAC are not tax-deductible.


Richardson, Elizabeth TX Branch 86Scott, Michael TX Branch 589Slaughter, Donna TX Branch 229Strickland, Dennis TX Branch 124Walker, Regina TX Branch 122Washington, A.J. TX Branch 589Fratto, Jeff UT Branch 139Gerber, Stevan UT Branch 139Jensen, Jill UT Branch 139Archer, Eddie VA Branch 98Archer, Sylvia VA Branch 98Brandt, Junemarie VA Branch 526Farmer, Joanne VA Branch 526Hartsel Jr., Robert VA Branch 22Holley, Deborah VA Branch 526Ramsdall, Robert VA Branch 526Wade, Harold VA Branch 526White Jr., William VA Branch 526Zamudio, Juan VA Branch 526Haslett, James WA Branch 31Patterson, La Tanya WA Branch 61Reedy, James WA Branch 61Roberts, Charles WA Branch 31Abrams, Darlene WI Branch 72Burdick, James WI Branch 213Canada, Pamela WI Branch 72Helleckson, Randy WI Branch 213Knepfel, Kim WI Branch 549Maggioncalda, Sharon WI Branch 213Serdynski, Joanne WI Branch 72Sprewer, Victoria WI Branch 72Strobl, Roy WI Branch 442

Region Aggregate:1. Eastern...................$6,600.502. Southern ................$2,652.003. Northeast ...............$2,584.004. Western ..................$2,359.006. Central ...................$2,255.50

Area Aggregate:1. Capitol-Atlantic.......$3,559.102. Mideast ..................$2,770.003. New York ................$1,262.004. Pacific ....................$1,239.505. Texas......................$1,006.006. Illini ...........................$896.007. New England .............$851.008. Pioneer......................$742.409. Northwest..................$649.5010. Southeast ................$579.0011. Central Gulf .............$567.0012. Michiana .................$565.5013. Cotton Belt ..............$500.0014. North Central ...........$490.0015. Rocky Mountain.......$470.0016.MINK ........................$304.00

State Aggregate:1. Maryland ................$2,079.002. Pennsylvania ..........$2,059.003. New York ................$1,252.004. California................$1,094.505. Texas......................$1,006.00

Members by Region:1. Central................................612. Eastern ...............................513. Southern.............................514. Western ..............................485. Northeast............................35

Region Per Capita:1. Eastern..........................$1.112. Northeast.......................$0.523. Central...........................$0.484. Southern........................$0.455. Western .........................$0.41

Area Per Capita:1. Capitol-Atlantic..............$1.202. Mideast .........................$1.163. Central Gulf ...................$0.714. Illini ...............................$0.665. Northwest......................$0.576. Texas.............................$0.557. New England .................$0.528. New York .......................$0.529. North Central .................$0.5210. Cotton Belt...................$0.5111. Pioneer........................$0.5012. Michiana .....................$0.4813. Pacific .........................$0.3914. Rocky Mountain...........$0.3115. MINK ...........................$0.2516.Southeast .....................$0.25

State Per Capita:1. Maryland ......................$ 3.302. Maine ............................$2.013. Pennsylvania .................$1.694. Louisiana.......................$1.265. South Carolina ...............$1.14

Aggregate by Region:1. Western ..................$5,516.002. Eastern...................$1,475.003. Southern ................$1,440.754. Central ...................$1,421.005. Northeast...................$927.00

National Aggregate: National Per Capita:$16,451 $0.60

Statistics reflect monies collected from Jan. 1 to Jan. 31, 2020

SPAC Scoreboard

• • • • •

• • • • •

Drive for 5

2019 SPAC ContributorsContinued from page 31

OPM Contributions to SPAC(for Retired Postal Supervisors)

Make Contributing to SPAC a Habit:

B elow are step-by-step instruc-tions for making an allot-

ment to SPAC through your OPMretirement allotment, using eitherOPM’s telephone-based accountmanagement system or the on-line “Services Online” portal.

Please note: The amount youkey in will be your monthly allot-ment to SPAC. The start of yourallotment will depend on thetime of the month it was re-quested. If you make your re-quest during the first two weeks

of the month, expect the with-holding to take place the first ofthe following month. If the al-lotment is requested after thefirst two weeks of the month,the change will take place thesecond month after the request.

By internet:

To sign up online, go to the OPM website at www.servicesonline.opm.gov, then:

• Enter your CSA number and PIN, and log in.

• Click on “Allotments to Organizations,” and then select“Start” to begin a new allotment.

• Click on “Choose an Organization.”

• Select “National Association of Postal Supervisors (SPAC).”

• Enter the amount of your monthly contribution and then click “Save.”

By telephone:

• Dial 1-888-767-6738, the toll-freenumber for the Office of PersonnelManagement (OPM)’s Interactive VoiceResponse (IVR) telephone system.

• Have your CSA number and PersonalIdentification Number (PIN) on handwhen you call. You may speak to anOPM customer service representative oryou may use the automated system.

• Simply follow the prompts provided inthe telephone system.


The NAPS Postmaster

By Rick Kindsvatter

ave you heard the comment“If I want it done right, I do itmyself?” That is one of the re-

sponses I would receive when reply-ing to postmasters concerning theplethora of tasks that haveto be completed on a daily—even hourly—basis. Del-egating tasks allows you tomake the best use of yourtime, skills and abilities.

As postmasters, weshould be mentoring anddeveloping our subordi-nates to learn and grow in the intri-cate working environment of theUSPS. Delegating tasks, if done prop-erly, has a long and lasting positiveimpact on our customers, employeesand the USPS. When delegatingwork to others, remember to:

• Clearly define the task andwhat outcome you expect.

• Establish controls and timelines.• Not assume the employee

knows exactly what has to be done.Ask them if they have any questionsand if they understand what has tobe completed.

• Provide the necessary resourcesto the employee for a favorable out-come.

• Be willing to accept mistakesthat might be made as the employeeis learning.

• Be supportive along the way.• Keep in mind how the employ-

ee arrives at the final product doesnot have to be done the same wayyou would have done it.

• Follow up with the employeeon the results.

• Focus on results instead of pro-

cedures.• Give recognition when it is de-

served.Delegating is not a short-term vi-

sion—the employee probably is de-veloping new skills and abilities—but it is the right thing to do in

order for others to reachtheir full potential in thePostal Service. Delegatingtasks is not ceding controlof your operation; rather,it’s expanding theamount of your ownwork on which you candeliver. Most subordinates

want to add value and be a biggercontributor to their organization.

I cannot emphasize how impor-tant it is for a person to clearly de-fine the task that needs to be com-pleted. In the 1990s, there was anarticle about a manager who wantedmail in a specific collection box tobe collected. So, the manager asked afairly new employee to “pick up thecollection box” at a specific location.

When the employee returned fromthe street, they contacted the man-ager and asked what they should dowith the collection box.

The manager was puzzled by thecomment and asked the employee toshow him what they were talkingabout. The employee took the man-ager out to a truck and pointed to acollection box in the cargo area.When the manager asked why theybrought back the actual collectionbox, the employee responded, “Youtold me to pick up the collectionbox, so I did.” Defining tasks withclear and explicable terms can elimi-nate unexpected results.

When you arrange the workloadso you are working on tasks thathave the highest priority while oth-ers are working on meaningful andchallenging assignments, you are onthe road to success.

[email protected]

Rick Kindsvatter, president of MontanaState Branch 929, retired as manager ofPost Office Operations for the formerBig Sky Customer Service District.

To Delegate or Not

H

Thrift Savings PlanFund G F C S I

Visit the TSP website at www.tsp.gov

Fund L Income L 2020 L 2030 L 2040 L 2050

January 2020 0.01% (0.02%) (0.45%) (0.59%) (0.71%)12-month 5.67% 6.66% 11.58% 13.34% 14.79%These returns are net of the effect of accrued administrative expenses and investment expenses/costs. Theperformance data shown represent past performance, which is not a guarantee of future results. Investmentreturns and principal value will fluctuate, so that investors’ shares, when sold, may be worth more or less thantheir original cost. The L 2010 Fund was retired on Dec. 31, 2010.

January 2020 0.17% 1.91% (0.04%) (0.62%) (2.73%)12-month 2.17% 9.59% 21.65% 13.92% 11.76%The G, F, C, S, and I Fund returns for the last 12 months assume unchanging balances (time-weighting) frommonth to month, and assume that earnings are compounded on a monthly basis.


xtreme or traumatic eventsoccur in a variety of ways andaffect many communities and

businesses. Man-made or natural dis-asters or personal tragedies, such asthe ones listed below, are realities wesee too often in the news media.Having resilience helps strengthenus as we go through life and meetthe challenges we face.

• Natural disasters• Accidents/injuries• Illness• Terrorism• Workplace violence• Loss• Death of a loved one• Mass violence• Threats or harm to self• War• Threats or harm to others• Witness to traumaThese events, whether local or

global, can affect employees’ and or-ganizations’ ability to function. Howdo employees and organizations

continue to function during and fol-lowing such events? One way is touse resilience.

Resilience is defined by theAmerican Psychological Associationas the process of adapting well in theface of adversity, trauma, tragedy,threats or significant sources ofstress. Others have defined resilienceas a stable trajectory of healthy func-tioning after a highly adverse event,a process to harness resources to sus-tain well-being and the ability tobend—but not break—bounce backor even grow in the face of adverselife experiences.

Most researchers agree that re-silience is a common and naturalphenomenon. Resilience does notimply that problems go away; rather,it’s a matter of individuals havingthe ability to see past problems to apositive, future outcome. Resiliencein the workplace can lead to in-creased leadership ability, welcomingchallenges, increased effort, a belief

in being successful and an increasein performance improvement.

Factors that determine resilienceWhy do some individuals cope

better, move forward more readily oreven thrive after adverse events? In-dividuals can possess some or all ofthe factors to varying degrees, at dif-ferent times in their lives and in var-ious settings. Multiple factors deter-mine resilience:

• Positive social supports• Optimism• Hope• Inherent potential• Positive view of self• Problem-solving skills• Ability to regulate emotions• Communication skills• Impulse control• Flexibility• Attention to physical health• Altruism• Commitment to purpose• Making sense of situations

Submitted by the USPS Employee Assistance Program

EE


• Realistic planning• Learning from past experiences• PositivityPositive, supportive relation-

ships, hope and optimism are themost frequently noted factors deter-mining resilience. Repeated exposureto stress that can be managed fostersbetter modulated behavior and emo-tional response to future stressors.Many of these factors can be devel-oped, enhanced and fostered in indi-viduals, as well as in organizations.

Developing resilienceIndividuals react differently to

different traumatic events and adver-sity. How you have responded to ad-verse events in the past can be an in-dicator of how you will respond inthe future. Start with identifyingtypes of events that trigger a strongemotional response and feelings ofuncertainty. What has been yourusual response to these triggers?

Do you stay paralyzed in nega-tive emotions or allow them tomove through you and let positivityand hope emerge? Do you immedi-ately look for ways to fix the situa-tion, with or without acknowledgingthe emotional impact of the situa-tion? Can you recognize when youare able to handle feelings and be-haviors on your own and when youneed to ask for assistance and sup-port from others?

Do you know about resourcesand support available to you? Themore you understand your usual re-actions to adverse events, the betteryou can be at changing or minimiz-ing negative, unhelpful responsesand replace them with thoughts andbehaviors that increase your re-silience.

Building resilience involves tak-ing steps and preparing for adverseevents—practically and emotional-ly—before adversity occurs. Havingsufficient and varied skills or tools

available can help you function bet-ter during and through challenges.Try adding some of these to your re-silience repertoire:

• Develop and maintain positiverelationships. This includes family,friends and co-workers. Surroundingyourself with people who build youup, as well as letting go of negativeinfluences, will serve you well intimes of adversity.

• Practice optimism; look for andspeak of the positive.

• Instill hope; take a deep breathand move forward.

• Reframe your thoughts andwords regarding adversity. Big argu-ments change to loud discussions.

• Practice altruism. The best wayto get out of your head is to helpothers.

• Increase flexibility; try to dothings a different way.

• Focus on self-care; get an annu-al physical, improve diet and exer-cise.

• Learn the resources in yourarea for help during and after trau-matic events

Building a culture of resilienceAll levels of leadership have a re-

sponsibility to develop, enhance andsupport resilience in the workplace.Supervisors are pivotal to the work-place culture due to their positionbetween front-line employees andupper-management. They providepractical, tangible information re-garding available resources, decision-making and action-planning thatsupports resilience.

Competent supervisors under-stand and use social capital—know-ing who to call and where to go toget needed resources. Supervisorsalso have the opportunity to buildpsychological resources, which maybe even more critical during andafter extreme stress or traumaticevents when tangible resources may

not be plentiful.Supervisors are positive commu-

nicators who can increase coopera-tion and problem-solving, while decreasing conflict. Having an opti-mistic style helps employees see set-backs as external and temporary,while successes are seen as internaland long term. Supervisors are lead-ers who frame challenges as oppor-tunities for personal and profession-al growth, empower positivethinking and provide emotional sup-port to foster coping skills.

Role modeling can instill hope,positivity, optimism and emotionalregulation. Demonstrating concernand consideration toward employeesencourages reciprocal behavior andincreased commitment to organiza-tional welfare. Supervisors are teach-ers who allow employees to mastertasks and then build new skills,thereby increasing self-efficacy andconfidence that can be used in timesof adversity.

Re-traumatizationEveryone should be aware that

individuals can be re-traumatizedand experience strong emotions andfeelings of uncertainty related to aprior trauma. These emotions andreactions can be as intense as whenthe initial trauma occurred.

Anniversaries, similar events, thethreat of events, media reports, wit-nessing others’ or hearing about trau-matic events can be triggers. Support-ing resilience is crucial to limiting theeffects of re-traumatization.

The new normalThe USPS and other organiza-

tions often have to resume opera-tions directly after an adverse ortraumatic event or even while theevent still is occurring. There areprinciples that can help guide super-visors when having to manage oper-

Continued on page 38

By Dioenis D. Perez

aco Bell finally has realized pay-ing their managers a worth-while wage is in the best interest

of the company’s success—see https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7869927/Taco-Bell-offers-six-figure-salary-managers-recruit-talent-record-low-unem-ployment.html. Perhapssomeday the USPS willthink the same way.

Taco Bell is the fourth-most-successful fast-foodcompany in the nation.The USPS is number 1 inwhat we do. However, we reallydon’t have any competition becausewe are a service, despite what USPSHeadquarters wants us to believe.We can charge only so much for ourstamps, packages, Express Service,Priority 2-3-day service and we can’tcompete with our competitors forvolume discounts for companiesthat seek our business.

Taco Bell decided to raise man-agement salaries to six figures be-cause the U.S. is experiencing a 50-year-low unemployment rate. This isputting pressure on employers tooffer higher wages. The mediansalary for general and operationsmanagers in the restaurant industrywas $59,670 in 2018, according tothe Bureau of Labor Statistics figures;$50,000 to $80,000 at Taco Bell. Arecent Bankrate survey found thatabout half of Americans (49%) saidthey got a pay raise in 2019—an11% increase over the previous year.

It can take an EAS employee five

years, on average, to receive an 11%increase through NPA. EAS top-levelpay ceilings in the field and districtsare much higher in comparison, butwhat good is top level when it’snearly impossible to reach? In truth,EAS employees cannot be comparedto private-sector managers based on

the amount of their re-sponsibilities. USPS Head-quarters knows our chal-lenges are far greater thanthose in private industry.

Therefore, the privateindustry managementworkforce is looking at bet-ter opportunities else-

where, hence the increase in pay.The private-sector nonmanagementworkforce earns between $12 and$17 an hour not sorting or deliver-ing mail.

Does the private-sector nonman-agement pay scale look familiar toyou concerning our workforce? It’s acomparable pay-scale issue when hir-ing CCAs, PSEs, mail handlers andRCAs to fill our staffing levels. Ourtemporary workforce is underpaid inhigh-cost-of-living areas, whichhelps explain the higher USPS attri-tion rate.

We have offices so desperate forhelp, they may keep an underachiev-ing new employee because it’s abody they need desperately. Is thisthe right thing to do? Walk a mile intheir prime-time, vacation-periodshoes and tell me what you woulddo.

I personally wouldn’t keep suchan employee on the rolls—eventhough I’d be paying out a higher

percentage of overtime while affect-ing my salary and benefits scorecard,which adversely affects my TOE andreduces my NPA. I still say no be-cause I’d possibly be hiring a 30-yearproblem that would affect my NPAfor 30 years. I’d rather take the hitthis one time.

With dignity and respect, [email protected]

Dioenis D. Perez is Long Island, NY,Branch 202 vice president and postmas-ter of Syosset.


Thoughtsfrom the NAPS Branches

Taco Bell Manager Wages Versus EAS Employee Wages

T

ations under such conditions. Theyinclude promoting a sense of safety,being calm, having a sense of selfand being mindful of tangible andpsychological resources.

Supervisors and employeesshould understand that re-traumati-zation is possible when new adversi-ties arise. Resilience—inherent, ac-quired and supported—is crucial fororganizations to complete their mis-sions during and after adverse ortraumatic events.

If you would like to learn moreabout increasing your resilience orthat of your team or work unit, theUSPS Employee Assistance Programhas counselors and coaching servic-es available. For more information,please contact your EAP at 1-800-EAP4YOU (1-800-327-4968) 877-492-7341 (TTY).

Being Resilient in the Face of AdversityContinued from page 37

from the National AuxiliaryNotes

By Rick HallEastern Region Vice President

s members of the National Aux-iliary, we have pledged our alle-

giance and support to NAPS. Indoing so, we acknowledge a world-class group of men and women whoare responsible for manag-ing one of the largestcommunications con-glomerates in the world:the U.S. Postal Service.

The agency has beenin existence for nearly250 years. It was estab-lished in 1775 and explic-itly authorized by the U.S. Constitu-tion. In 1792, the Department of thePost Office was created. BenjaminFranklin, one of the nation’s Found-ing Fathers, was appointed the firstpostmaster general.

The U.S. Mail has become a partof the fundamental infrastructure ofAmerica and aided in our country’scontinued growth. Mail delivery hasevolved into a sophisticated systemwith strategies that have proven to

be successful globally.Since the days of the famous

“Pony Express,” the Postal Servicetoday provides mail service to morethan 250 million Americans dailyand establishes basic connectionsbetween people and their institu-tions. Over 47% of the world’s mail

is handled by the PostalService. If it were a private-sector company, the USPSwould rank 40th in the2018 Fortune 500. The or-ganization generates over$60 billion in revenue an-nually—all without receiv-ing or relying on any fed-

eral tax dollars.The agency is the second largest

civilian employer in America andone of the largest employers of mili-tary veterans. The USPS’ no-layoffpolicy has ensured job security forits vast workforce. And its dedica-tion to duty and mission has earnedthe trust of American citizens.

Providing secure, reliable and af-fordable delivery of mail and pack-ages has been a prime goal and guid-ing principle. With a proven trackrecord for more than two centuries,the Postal Service still is a majorcompetitor of any communicationsorganization.

We salute the U.S. Postal Ser-vice—a monumental and historicalbeacon of light. Thank you for yourservice!

[email protected]

A

A Tribute to the U.S. PostalService


Submit Auxiliary DuesNational Auxiliary dues will be delin-

quent as of July 31, 2020. Because thisis a national convention year, dues mustbe current for 2019 and 2020. Pleasesubmit your dues as soon as possible.

Make checks or money orderspayable to “National Auxiliary to NAPS”and mail to:

Bonita R. AtkinsNational Auxiliary Secretary/TreasurerPO Box 80181Baton Rouge, LA 70898-0181

National AuxiliaryExecutive BoardNational Officers

Patricia Jackson-KelleyPresident(323) 752-6252; [email protected]

Laurie D. ButtsExecutive Vice President(484) 988-0933; [email protected]

Bonita R. Atkins Secretary/Treasurer(225) 933-9190; [email protected]

Regional Vice Presidents

Rick HallEastern Region (804) 621-3843; [email protected]

Elly SoukeyCentral Region(612) 715-3559; [email protected]

Beverly AustinSouthern Region(832) 326-1330; [email protected]

May NazarenoWestern Region(415) 312-5813; [email protected]

Area Vice Presidents

Elsie Vazquez New York Area(718) 727-8652; [email protected]

Cathy Towns Mideast Area(732) 247-8811

Skip CorleyCapitol-Atlantic Area(336) 908-1859; [email protected]

Linda RendlemanIllini Area(618) 893-4349; [email protected]

Mary CarusoMINK Area(402) 891-1310; [email protected]

Jane FinleySoutheast Area (404) 403-3969; [email protected]

Willie CarterCentral Gulf Area(205) 919-5645; [email protected]

Felecia HillTexas Area(281) 880-9856; [email protected]

Rebecca TurnerPacific Area(323) 997-5651; [email protected]

Region vacant: NortheastAreas vacant: New England, Pioneer, Michi-ana, North Central, Cotton Belt, Northwest,Rocky Mountain.

Documents

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