Fellow Postmasters,
The last 24+ hours have been difficult ones, waiting to hear some of the details of the newest plan, POStPlan, wondering how it would affect our or our friend’s offices, and not least of all, ourselves.
The message I want to get out to you at the moment is one of encouragement, especially to those on the list of potentially impacted offices. I encourage you to think about your course of action. Carefully, thoughtfully. There are still details that need to come out that will help clarify your decision-making process for you, but the outline is already there. If you don’t have the necessary answers that will help you to decide what course of action you will take, please ask your MPOO or send your questions to me so I can find the answer for you if I don’t already know. NAPUS is here to assist you, have no doubt in that.
There has been speculation that this newest initiative is a political ploy. I have little doubt it is not. This is a move by the Postmaster General that appeases even those on “our” side in Congress; some of the strongest post office supporters in Congress are pleased to have saved our post offices. Our customers are pleased that they are not going to lose their post offices, though they will be sad to lose some of their friends, the Postmasters. Of course we aren’t pleased, and it will be very difficult for many, wondering how this will be a meaningful savings for the USPS, but unfortunately our numbers are small in the scheme of things.
It would be an even more difficult situation than it is without our organization consulting with HQ (remember, we do not have collective bargaining power): We are not outright relieved of our duties, an incentive is offered, the postings for the Postmaster vacancies will be amongst Postmasters only, and there is an adjustment period for us to, individually, get our affairs in order~ whether that means positioning ourselves to move to another office or to get our personal affairs in order.
Would we prefer that none of us had to make any difficult choices? Certainly. Would we prefer that the title Postmaster would continue to carry the dignity and honor that it carried for so many years in our communities? As a Postmaster for 26 years I can say it makes me profoundly sad to see what is happening to our proud heritage. My heart goes out to all affected and to those that will watch their friends have to adjust to a new reality. It will be a difficult period for all.
(And then…there are those already posting their retirement date on Facebook. Congratulations!)
To those of you on the list: I encourage you to seek the answers, figure out how flexible you can be (Will you be mobile? Will you find a job outside the post office?), get yourself details and training opportunities, and do what is best for you and your family.
To the rest of you I encourage you to help your fellow Postmasters through this difficult time, show them that there truly is a NAPUS family that cares about them.
Note-
Coming in to post today's message, I found I hadn't published this posting I wrote on April 29. My apologies for the delay.What a fast and furious last couple of weeks it has been with the flurry of activity surrounding S 1789. Of course, there is still much work to be done. I have to say I’ve never watched any legislation quite as closely as this one and I am fascinated by the process. I’m also skeptical that HR 2309 can be transformed into anything resembling a diamond, but we do have to hope for the best. And by “hope”, I mean work. It has been encouraging listening to the Senators in DC and on the Tele-Town Hall meetings held with NAPUS, the backers have full belief in their bill. Will they be able negotiate a workable bill with the House? Bob Levi has held weekly telecoms with the NAPUS Legislative Reps, including Osa, of course. She has done a wonderful job keeping us informed of the Congressional activities and what role we can and should play. If you are not on her extensive email list, please ask her to do so, your help is needed in this important fight. We know that the PMG is on the side of House Bill, we need to actively combat this potentially devastating bill with our phone calls and emails to our representatives. Email Osa at osasiegner@comcast.net to get yourself added to her list. The second Tele-Town Hall meeting was held Friday at 1pm. It was lunchtime so I was able to listen to most of the call (my call dropped for a bit). The Senators and Congressman leading the discussion celebrated the passing of the bill but understand that it will be a tough job to merge it with HR 2309. Postmasters on the call questioned why S 1789 didn’t go further in assuring offices under discontinuances studies would stay full-time as opposed to part-time and why the PRC only had the obligation to review whether the USPS followed all regulations in discontinuance studies, not the obligation to ensure the integrity of the information. The response from DC was that with S 1789 the USPS and its stakeholders are much better protected than with HR 2309 and that the reality is we will not get everything we want. There is quite a bit of conversation in the field about the “every piece, every day” edict. If you see that it is the main contributor in negatively impacting customer service (complaints from either the mailers or customers at delivery points), causing your carriers to be out after, incurring POT, etc., please let me hear from you. I would like to have it mean something when the PMG tells management groups that we should have the flexibility to curtail the mail flow “especially on Mondays”. If “every piece…” isn’t working, we need to show it. I read today that the PMG stated the USPS had never used the word “closure” in relation to the discontinuance studies. Huh??? You can probably see the quizzical look on my face! We had a very productive Executive Meeting in Ferndale last weekend. Almost the entire board was there which was imperative to be able to make binding decisions. Thanks guys! It was the first time I’d had the opportunity to personally visit the Silver Reef Hotel Spa Casino; it’s a very nice facility and the rooms, especially the bathrooms, were generous. Despite my penchant for Vegas I don’t gamble, but I can recognize a nice casino and this is a good sized one. The spa beaconed to me, but that will have to wait until June. At the meeting we voted as an Executive Board to endorse Mike Quinn for Nat’l Secretary-Treasurer 2013-14. He edged out Mike McCullough who is also well-liked and respected by WA. I had a little fun when I called Mike Q. to tell him: “We voted for Mike”. My connection wasn’t great, but I know there was quite the pause until I clarified which Mike. We also are going to start offering a credit card payment option for registration, scholarship auction purchases, etc, we just need to set it up. I’m sure some of you already have heard of the Square, it’s a nifty little device that can be plugged into smart phones and the iPad. I just took a look at the website and it cannot accommodate online registration. (and I just saw your comment Karen, thank you for the kind words) As I cross my fingers, I will say my future is looking up. On Thursday I started training a PSE clerk. I can’t imagine the thrill of that first Saturday I don’t have to go to work… or two (or more!) 8 hour days in a row. We’ll see how it goes; I don’t want to get too excited, having been disappointed so many times in the past. My best to you.
There is quite a bit of content in this book….I mean, blog. I’ve titled the segments March Portland Meeting, April Seattle Meeting, and More Comments from Leadership. Upcoming this week are the next Portland meeting on Friday and the Executive Board Meeting in Ferndale on Sunday the 22nd.
March Portland meeting
On March 23rd I was able to make my first Portland management meeting since November~ since then two of the months there wasn't one and one I couldn't make, so it felt good to re-connect.
The day before the meeting Kim was a part of a conference call that the PMG holds at least quarterly with the District Managers, so there was some fresh information from that. Though not as pretty as narrative, I'll bullet point some of it to spend more time informing and less time playing creative writer:
We're losing 24.5 million a day
12% of the advertising market is USPS
Permit imprints may go the route of "pretty pictures" since better looking mail is more likely to be attended to (I recall last year the PMG talked about elimination of permits, but this was before we had EDDM and perhaps he was speaking of that specific mail product, though I could swear he meant all permits)
A Click-n-Ship specific to businesses is on its way
A top-secret digital/physical hybrid is under development for potential release this fall, this will "make us a lot of money"
"HQ is not keeping secrets" about the way the studies of customer impact from service reductions were conducted, but that there were not done well~ i.e. the questions should have not been so leading and there were not follow up questions (you can read online that the billions we would supposedly lose due to service reductions were supposedly also due to poor survey questioning...they made it sound like all the reductions would happen at once whereas they would be over a period of time. Why this makes a difference, I'm not sure)
Plant closures could begin as early as June, with the balance that don't get done before fall elections to be completed early next year. There is the possibility that the moves would take place in graduated fashion, not an all-at-once move for any particular plant.
Mr. Donahue has said that his desire for breaking free from the FEHBP is "going nowhere"
The question of a VER did come up in the meeting and the response was that if there was one it would most likely be targeted to impacted employees. (Plant supervisors, clerks, and mail handlers were specified, but I'm thinking there are several thousand more employees whose positions are also potential impacts)
In mid-April HQ will most liking create another proposed rule, this one regarding the increase in delivery time the plant closings would necessitate; the required 30-day
time frame for comments would be ending in the middle of May, in time for the end of the moratorium.
In Helena MT last week PMG Donahoe said communities on the final closure list will be notified in July and there will be a comment period afterward.
April Seattle Meeting
On the 10th NAPS, League, and I met with DM Yul. Topics of discussion included:
Curtailed mail~ Every piece Every Day is an HQ mandate, not District. Interestingly, when NAPS was in DC a few weeks ago, President Cindy asked the PMG directly about not curtailing mail and he gave the same response to her as he did to us in DC~ this is unacceptable. As Yul said, there is a disconnect somewhere. I am sending up District information on the subject to NAPUS Nat’l who is making efforts to turn this around.
There was discussion about the integrity of an offices CSDRS reporting. Yul pointed out that accurate reporting is the law and subject to audits and penalties, much like SOX requirements. I have to urge anyone that has a legitimate business reason to curtail mail~ report it. Report it to your MPOO and report it to Yul, and record it accurately in CSDRS. As I said in a previous article, often the consequences of falsification are worse than the initial infraction.
The District has become much more proactive in offering career development opportunities, or shall I say career retention, opportunities. We were offered the OIC/MIC and Leadership Development participant lists. I was surprised to see that the OIC/MIC list had only about 120 employees listed. I was surprised to see that many OICs I’m personally aware of do are not on that list. Though the intent is to limit details to 90 days, it may not be feasible in some cases where there is no one else interested. But… if you want an OIC position it appears as though you won’t have huge competition since the list is relatively small (there is a good cross section of PMs, clerks, supervisors, and other positions on the list). Submit your profile.
Speaking of disconnects, though at Leadership we were told that HQ doesn’t have plans for significant consolidations (converting post offices into stations and branches) this doesn’t appear to be what the Districts are being told. Moving Lead SSAs into vacant post offices is part of the overall plan and there is no plan to fill vacant post offices 16 and below. This latter information makes more sense given the USPS’ new ability to consolidate at will.
DUO’s should begin soon after the May 15 moratorium ends. The Kingston on the DUO list is Kingston ID, not WA.
Slogging on…
More notes from Leadership
The PMG says:
· His goals are fairness to customers and employees
· We need products that compliment what we already do; we are neither bankers nor insurance agents. There are 4 categories he’s emphasizing.
· #1 - We need to preserve FCM as much as possible; it’s ½ the volume, but 2/3 the revenue. He brought up the permit imprint as an advertising tool for the customer as well as a 2nd oz free of postage for business customers.
· #2 – Advertising. EDDM is easy. It is the gateway to bulk mailings.
· #3 – Shipping. You’ve probably seen by now the Go Post units. Parcel lockers that are, at this point, primarily set up in post offices, but destined for subways, etc. If/when we go to 5 day delivery there would still be Saturday package delivery for a surcharge.
· #4 – Cash in on our trust with the public with a digital hybrid “mail” that would be sealed against inspection.
· We need the flexibility to curtail mail on Mondays
· As I noted last week, he wants to reduce hours of smaller offices
· One of the cuts customers are most adamant against is moving mailboxes from the door to the curb.
The PRC (Ruth Goldway) says:
· Ruth does not believe the RAOI is in any way an optimization; it is “arbitrary”, not taking the communities into account.
· Currently there are 4 board members, with a 5th position to be filled (I’m not sure when). When a vote is taken and there is a tie, the USPS “wins” the position. When reviewing the guidelines the USPS has purportedly followed in taking action in something such as a discontinuance study, 2 of the commissioners tend to just make sure the “boxes have been checked”, without respect to the integrity of the answers. She feels they could be a bit more assertive. The incoming Commissioner leans with Republicans.
· The USPS is trusted because we are “’there” and they like us.
· The PRC has approved all products and NSAs (Negotiated Service Agreements) presented to them.
· The USPS has not used the flexibility it has to adjust rates on individual products.
· The PRC aims to maintain service for ALL across the nation; it is a universal service, not just for the large or small communities.
I think that should keep you going for another few minutes (if you made it this far!)
I'm posting my Evergreen article that I just completed as today's blog. I'll post part 2 next week to add information.
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Once again it was a nail-biting venture getting myself out of my office to the Leadership Conference in DC~ three days before my flight I fitted the final piece of the coverage puzzle that would allow me to attend each of the crucial days. One Postmaster who helped me out very reasonably joked that I would “owe him”, then we both laughed when I said I have nothing to give! I was able to tack on the Portland District meeting to the front of my trip to Leadership. There was a wealth of information from the two, much of it overlapping and illuminating each other.
Each of we State Officers at Leadership attend training sessions. There were four main themes in the President’s breakout:
1) Don’t believe rumors. There is speculation and rumors about everything from a VER to extreme consolidation of Post Offices. We will not truly know the facts until they are in print and go into effect, everything else is speculation.
2) There is a need to re-align NAPUS and its finances as USPS downsizing will inevitably reduce membership . In DC the National Executive Board made several recommendations to reduce future expenses, most of which will take national votes to change our Constitution and By-Laws. The Constitution and By-Laws Committee will be crafting resolutions to be published in the June Gazette. These proposals should include the following changes: National Convention would be held in conjunction with Leadership every other year and remain free-standing the opposite years; The Executive Board would be downsized by reducing the number of National VPs from the current 22 down to 12 and eliminating from the Board the Past President, Past Secretary-Treasurer, and Editor. If these changes were to go through they would have the possible side benefit of reducing State Chapters budgets since there would be less funding necessary for officers to attend the national meetings (as well as loosen up a little annual leave!). A resolution to re-define a quorum is also in the works.
3) Ensure your SOV information is as accurate as possible. Though this was an important subject in Puerto Rico, it was highlighted once again with additional information. The data in the SOV is key to determining the earned time, or “value”, of a Post Office and therefore should be as accurate as possible. If you give me a call at my office, I will be happy to help you decipher your SOV; as well, there will be training on the subject at State Convention.
4) What value does NAPUS membership have? To some the answer to this question is obvious, to others, not so much. While it is true that we Postmasters are not allowed to be in charge of the USPS as we would like, we are much further ahead, now and historically, by banding together. There are 4 aspects of our organization that give USPS pause and provide us weight in our consultations: the NAPUS National office, our retirees, our attorney, and the Gazette. Additionally, the point was made that Congress is able to save the USPS, but only through consultation with NAPUS, etc, can the position of Postmaster be saved.
I know the hope for a VER offer is on the minds of many, but there is not yet anything definite. If one does come, you will have a very short period of time to decide and implement that decision. Your suggested course of action is to be prepared- do some homework as to what you would need from a VER in order to meet your retirement goals. Know that monetary incentives can be implemented by the OPM, but an incentive that adds years of service would take legislative action. In the last week I have heard several different views and one glaring silence on the matter: From 2 of the District Managers that attended the same meeting with the PMG in mid-March, one shared that there would be no VER, the other said there would be a targeted VER for plant-affected employees; at Leadership the PMG made no reference to the possibility; NAPUS HQ has received a 4-disc set explaining a VER (you should be able to get a set through HR), though no mention was made of any specifics. Conclusion, there will be a VER if and when we see it.
There was an interesting juxtaposition of speakers at the conference, PMG Donahoe and PRC Chairman Ruth Goldway. Mr. Donahoe’s focus was in sharing with us our financial dilemma and the retail aspect in attempting to resolve it (mostly by tinkering with the products we already provide and through a digital mail product that he did not expand on). He also alluded to attempting to keep open small Post Offices through reduction of hours.
Chairman Goldway, who took the stage after the PMG, was, to put mildly, not optimistic with USPS plans to push through plant and post offices, seeing the irregularities and difficulties those plans present. The sheer volume of post office closure appeals sure to come will be almost impossible for the PRC to review in a timely manner. More time is needed to fully assess the true savings of a switch from 6 to 5 day delivery. Goldway was particularly critical of the Retail Optimization Initiative, bitterly remarking that there is no optimization that she can see. She understands the dilemma and frustrations in the PRC providing advisory-only opinions. (the manager’s amendment to S.1789 seeks to render the PRC’s decisions binding).
I look at my notes from the last week and feel as though I have hardly scratched the surface with this article, but there’s only so much room in the Evergreen and you only have so much eyesight at any given time~ the plan is to put the balance in the blog. I do though want to share a couple of other tidbits here, both having to do with the OIG. The OIG should be publishing a report in April or May showing that the USPS can’t support its DUO cost-savings claims and, interestingly, if an OIG agent has been in your eOPF there will be documentation in there to that affect.
My best to you all.
I’m starting to get psyched with less than 2 weeks to go until we head to DC for Leadership Conference. It’s a compact session this year, but there will still be plenty of opportunity to get business done and to see some sights. .
I believe there is still one Scholarship available if you are on the fence about attending.
The Conference schedule on the website seems to be a little out of date. Besides the PMG, scheduled to appear are PRC Chair Ruth Goldway; on Tuesday a.m. several hundred of us should be able to attend a special event (for NAPUS only) at the Capitol’s visitor center where Legislators will address us directly.
NAPUS national candidates are reaching out to either try to set up meetings in DC or to make an announcement of their candidacy; John Sertich is once again in the running for National President.
I think I mentioned that Bob Levi is holding weekly telecoms with the Legislative Reps (Osa) to keep them up-to-date on the situation in DC as well as to help prepare them for Leadership. It appears to be a hurry up and wait situation; Bob wants to keep all on-the-ready to make calls should appear there will be legislation on the floor. The Transportation bill, S 1813, sees quite a bit of non-transportation related activity; it now includes a provision for phased in retirements for federal employees.
With Congress not moving as quickly as we hoped/feared they would, we will have the opportunity in DC to address these live issues with our representatives. NAPS is back there this week.
Those in DC Saturday morning of the 24th would have the opportunity to attend the First Day of Issue for the Cherry Festival stamp; alas, I will get in too late.
Here is a link to 180 of the plant studies that were submitted to the PRC: http://www.postalmag.com/news/network-studies.htmSome information appears to be blacked out, but there is still a significant amount of material related to proposed cost savings, number of craft and management positions before/after, as well as the number of retirement eligible employees.
I hadn’t realized the State Convention registration form wasn’t on our website… now it is. The web host upgraded certain features, including the ability to now download and print full page forms; we didn’t have this capability when we started using the site.
Once again, I found another nugget while rooting around the online…At postalmag.com, a website for postal employees~ the prominent advertisement was for UPS franchise opportunities. Make of it what you will.
Be Well
It has surfaced that there was an issue of transfer of hours for many who helped with September’s rural count in other offices~ the hours did not get transferred until October, meaning that NPA hours were over-inflated and did not match hours in Flash. Should this be the case for you, you will want to challenge your final NPA rating. Though there is no monetary benefit to increasing your rating this year (!) it still may be of value to accurately reflect your performance for the year: First there’s there are the matters of principal and pride, and second, there is the distinct possibility that if not now, perhaps at a time in the future, your evaluations and ratings could be used in your favor….or against you in matters of promotions or career stability.
If you believe your core rating does not accurately reflect your work contribution, either for the above reason or any other, a ratings recourse request needs to be submitted to your evaluator within 30 days of the date the ratings were published. The Ratings Recourse guide can be accessed on the Blue Page (do a search). If your evaluator denies the request, you must request a review of the next higher-level evaluator within 10 days of that disapproval.
Constitution and By-Laws Committee Chair Gordon Williams (there’s another title for you Gordo) is hot on the trail of providing a resolution to amend our Constitution so that we’re able to actually get some business done at our Convention. The anomaly is that at Convention the 2/3 majority of those in attendance can vote to change the Constitution and By-Laws as long as the requisite 2 readings have taken place, but no other business can be done that requires a vote unless the quorum of 10% of the voting membership is in attendance and voting.
The announcement this week regarding Network Rationalization was a far cry from the retirement incentive that many were hoping for and that was suggested would take place. Though we knew these plants were most certainly on the chopping block, it still was stunning in its sweep. It brings to reality’s forefront once more that our postal world is changing at an unprecedented rate and you know that much more will be happening in the near future. There’s a rock and a hard spot with the plant employee issue~ there aren’t the vacant positions for them, the contracts won’t allow layoffs, and there’s not yet incentives to reduce the workforce. This coming week the Districts should start to be trained in Workforce Optimization. Yes, just like Retail Access Optimization and Network Optimization, it means the opposite of what it sounds like~ how to reduce the workforce. It does seem an odd time to start the training, after the proposals to eliminate thousands of positions…around 40,000 between the discontinuance studies and plant studies…so far.
Last week’s blog promised you the webpage for the VPO contract information, it’s on the CPAC page, Contract Postal Access Channels.
What in the heck did we do before the days of the info highway on the internet? As I research postal information, invariably I find much more information than I ever expect to, and delightfully, I generally stumble across a few funnies. On the PRC website is a log of contacts from the public. It has, as expected, comments on USPS finance, appeals on final decisions of post office closures, but also such gems as misdelivery complaints and complaints about receiving too much bulk mail. Talk about overkill…I wonder if they got Chairman Ruth Goldway on the phone? It reminds me of the guy who was threatening to call the Postmaster General to complain about me because he wasn’t authorized to access to his deceased father’s mailbox. I was scared.
Wishing you a good week.
Yea, a bonus day off, aka President’s Day. Let’s take a moment to reflect…
Things are heating up in Congress.
“During the Presidents’ Day Recess period (February 18-26), NAPUS members should contact their Members of Congress to express strong OPPOSITION to HR 3813, which would increase FERS and CSRS contributions for current employees, eliminate the FERS Social Security Supplement and reduce future employees’ retirement benefits. HR 3813 may come up immediately after the recess. Keep in mind that postal and federal employees continue to be easy targets for those who want to squeeze the public service dry.” (from the napus.org website). We need to be on our toes and in contact with our Senators and Congressmen, we need our voices heard. There’s one easy access phone number to your representatives through the Capitol Switchboard 1-202-224-3121.
Bob Levi has been very timely in getting information onto the website this past week, but should you like an alert by email and you are not already on Legislative Rep Osa’s list, let her or I know and she will get you on there. She is now on a regularly scheduled weekly conference call with Levi and the other Legislative Reps and gets direct emails from Levi notifying her of congressional activity. Osa has been working on setting up our visits with our representatives while at Leadership in March. It is difficult to get confirmation of an appointment with a Congressman or Senator, or one of their staff, until sometimes right before our trip, but she’s been diligently laying the groundwork.
I’ve heard from a couple of unrelated sources that there will be an “announcement” from the HR Dept this week. Indications are it may be retirement related, but no further hints as to what it may be. I know there’s a lot of speculation, and even more desire, for a VER offering and certainly it’s something HQ is talking about, but when, who, and what seem to be the real questions.
On the discontinuance study front, a self-appointed detective led me to a blue page that has information regarding VPO contracts~ pricing, projected opening dates, etc. The exact page escapes me, but it’s in a CPU page, when I get back to work I’ll insert that information. Initially posted within the last couple of weeks, the odd thing is that many of the projected opening dates are prior to the end of the moratorium, and for communities that still have a functioning Post Office, though the offices are on the study list. The dates were determined by Area, but the people I spoke with assured me these are not hard dates. Apparently VPO contractors sign a contract that declares it is not effective until/if the VPO opens; if it doesn’t open, presumably because the office doesn’t close, then the contract does not go into effect. I was also told that there are instances where a VPO will open where an office does continue to stay open, since the VPO will often be open more hours and days than the PO…in the context of the conversation, closing offices, that seems a little off to me.
Interesting article on the Save the Post Office website regarding the USPS 5 year business plan, pointing out what is presumably spin in the promotion of it. Spin?! Can’t be.
I was also reading about Canada Post; their situation is very similar to ours~ declining volumes, angry unions, restructuring. It will be interesting to see how they go about handling it, for one thing theyare dabbling in ePost and have an eye on banking products. The name of their CEO is Deepak Chopra…nope, not the same one.
Here’s to a good week and making your Box Up time tomorrow!
Thank goodness it’s Super Bowl Sunday. For me it means a reprieve from the initial onslaught of tax season and I have the chance to breath for a moment. Aaahhh. For you football fans, I hope it’s a good party!
We all know where the party is not~ the USPS. It’s difficult to write anything since it is getting harder and harder to see any silver lining in the situation. What sometimes amazes me is that the system itself has not collapsed, there is such a stress on it at the moment; so many programs at so many levels (that presumably are deflecting resources from every day functions) assessing the status of the business, so much lack of staffing, employee stress, the inexperience of much of the support staff. I guess this would be a testament to the workers in the trenches~ WE are what ‘s keeping the system, the mail, moving as well as it is under such adverse conditions. WE are to be commended.
Good news---the Lebam Post Office has been taken off the Discontinuance list. Yea!!! Obviously this is a case-by-case basis. As I’ve said before, the processing of paperwork continues in the discontinuance study process, though I’ve been told that concurrences (w/MPOOs and DMs) at the National level will not take place until the moratorium ends. One of the study coordinators shared that it “feels” as though the detail is coming to an end, meaning no additional studies, but that doesn’t ring quite right. Unless the focus will be put on consolidations instead of closings for the rest of the “small” offices….
Just what IS the definition of a “small office” anyway? Is there a quantitative number somewhere? Or is it just smaller than yours?
The rough number for vacant offices nationwide is 5000.
A very reliable source has suggested that HQ’s intent is to reduce the number of hours and levels of offices on the Discontinuance list, thereby keeping them open and looking like the Good Guy. Nice for the communities, though it creates difficulties for these career employee Postmasters. This same source suggested that Level 16 and below should be looking at their alternatives, intimating that these positions are in danger of elimination/ consolidation.
No hint yet as to exactly when retirement incentives will be offered, though the comment has been made that the lack of pay increase in the initial pay talks was effectively an incentive.
Speaking of consolidations, why in the heck do we have 2 Postmaster organizations? It’s never made sense to me and as our numbers (not necessarily members, but the position itself) will likely dwindle, it makes more sense than ever to consolidate the organizations. The idea is probably just a naïve pipedream, but I vote Yes. At the very least, I am happy to say that on the national front we appear to be toeing the same lines on the important issues.
Oh, before I go, I have to share something amusing. About a week ago the blog started getting attacked by spam. Nothing abusive, most of it was rather complimentary (“good job, bro”, etc) but the submissions came from names increasingly difficult to pronounce, it was a global spamming. I always find it interesting that so much spam presumes the internet user is a guy, I don’t know how many ads I’ve received for male enhancement products, and now I’m “bro”. Maybe we should call me Michael instead of Michelle.
My best to you this week
It’s not yet 9 am, yet I’m enjoying today immensely. It’s not snowing, I don’t have to go anywhere, Mid-Winter is over and tax season is kicking in. Aaahhh.
By all reports, Mid-Winter was a success~ attendees enjoyed the speakers, enjoyed each other, and generally had a fun and informative time. Mid-Winter takes a tremendous amount of effort to put on by many people and I express great gratitude to all of them. The biggest damper would have been the concern over the weather, but all travelers are safe (as far as I know!).
(It’s starting to snow…ugh)
This past Friday should have been the Portland District meeting, but it was canceled due to weather-related issues. District Manager Kim Anderson did attend the conference, though, much to the pleasure of WA. Being a good DM, he is in line with what HQ has in mind regarding changes to the USPS, but he clearly understands the human element of it all and emphasizes that though change is difficult, that ultimately it has something positive to offer.
The snow will go away, hopefully with not too much damage in its wake. I feel especially sorry for you West Side folks; though we may not like it over here, we are at least a little more experienced and prepared for it. Stay warm and safe!
If you would like a preview of my Evergreen article, click here.
Can you tell what is on my mind? Do you hear the loud hum of activity as Postmasters, active and retired, across the state are readying a 2+ day event for your benefit?
It's not to late to make plans to attend~ registrations at the door are welcome, one day registrations are available as well. Later in the day I will be posting the pretty solid schedule. www.napuswa.com I say pretty solid because Labor has not yet committed their speaker (!) and there are always things that get switched around at the last minute for one reason or another... Gumby-like qualities are useful.
Note that both candidates for National Secretary-Treasurer will be in attendance: Mike Quinn from MA and Mike McCullough from FL (note to self: if ever running for national office make sure there is not another Michelle on the ticket).
Treasurer Kristen sent me the completed budget for 2011. Even though income was below projection by about $1600, expenses were approximately $10,000 under budget, so we are about $8400 richer than projected for the year. Wow!
Tell me, what the heck "does full range of services" mean"? This is the term the USPS uses to sell VPOs to the public. Hmm, I didn't know stamps and flat rate boxes were our full range of services. And we are learning the monetary value of our POST OFFICE (of which, a VPO is not); I recently heard of a business being offered $800 for providing the "full range of services" if the POST OFFICE is discontinued in that community. Can you tell this rankles me?
HQ is missing their own deadlines for determing the fate of those offices on the closure study list. I'm not interpreting this to mean that they are having a change of heart. I've no doubt that the wheels are turning, but perhaps a little more slowly since we just had the holidays and the moratorium on closings is in effect.
Gotta go finish what I can for next weekend. I'll have the summer registration up on the website soon; those at Mid-Winter will have the opportunity to register at a discounted price. Next week's blog will be pre-empted for obvious reasons.
Have a good week,
Michelle
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