February 9, 2009
Charles Mapa, President
Dear Leaguers,
The National League of Postmasters’
39th Legislative Forum is over. By most accounts, this was another very successful Forum and we got a lot of business done!
In the week leading up to the Forum, your National Board meets to plan, discuss and implement projects and programs that provide
service to you, our members. We spent some time in consultation with representatives from Postal Headquarters and were able
to discuss a number of Postmaster concerns including Postmaster safety, Mystery Shop, EXFC, supplies and services as part
of TOE, the filling of Postmaster positions, and the questionable value of CSAW in smaller offices. We asked about the status
of small office variance as its deployment seems to have been untracked and were briefed on the usage of the Carrier Optimal
Routing program and its usefulness (or lack, thereof) in adjusting routes. We will share the results of this meeting at a
later date.
On Forum Saturday, John DiFalco, our LEAGUE’s Adverse Action attorney, provided basic training
for current and prospective Adverse Action Counselors. As you know, these counselors respond to help when a member is threatened
with an action, generally from his or her district, that may affect pay. It is essential to the integrity of this premier
program that our counselors are properly trained and mentored and that current counselors are constantly updated on proper
procedure. John likes to compare our counselors to the United States Marine Corps as a “few good men and women…”
How ever we refer to them, thanks to John DiFalco, our counselors are well-prepared to represent our Postmaster, PMR and supervisor
members. Early Sunday was our legislation workshop time (after Sunday morning worship services led by National Chaplain Gallian
Fulton.) This was our chance to get down to the nitty-gritty of the very important legislative issues, which we, as Postmasters
and postal employees, are facing.
Bill Krejci, co-chair of our very fine National Legislative Committee, and Bob
Brinkmann, our Legislative Counsel, took time to review each of the legislative positions held by the National League of Postmasters
as reflected in our position papers. These position papers are a tremendous resource, not only for LEAGUERs visiting congressmen
to explain our positions, but also for the congressmen themselves, who can use them as reminders of what the issues might
be, especially from the viewpoint of Postmasters. First and foremost on our list of issues was one encouraging the passage
of H.R. 22, introduced by New York Rep. John McHugh. Not coincidently, this was the same resolution numbers that Rep. McHugh
had assigned to his postal reform legislation of many years ago.
Point by point, Bob explained that, basically,
the Postal Service pays about $7 billion dollars toward retiree health benefits every year. Just over $5 billion goes to fund
future benefits, while about $2.4 billion goes to fund current retiree health benefits. There is over $30 billion already
funded toward this obligation. We are the only government agency that is saddled with this burden and we Postmasters can see
the effects of this obligation. In 2008, because of this prefunding, the Postal Service, instead of being one of the only
“businesses” running in the black, found itself to be in red ink. In an effort to get some relief, the legislation,
in which Bob played a role in drafting, asks that the Postal Service be allowed to continue funding the future benefits, but
be allowed to pay for the $2.4 billion for current benefits out of the money already funded. This will save the Postal Service
about $2.4 billion. In a year where it is projected—if the economy and trends in the continued drop in mail volumes
persist—that the Postal Service will lose about $6 billion, $2.4 billion will go a long way to helping the Postal Service
cut its losses
Bob then took time to explain to us a little about the vote-by-mail legislation. At the time of
this article, no bill is yet introduced. A national bill would aid those states that do not have extensive or easy to use
vote-by-mail or absentee balloting to introduce them. Of course, the plus sides to the Postal Service would be the increased
revenues for mailing ballots and voter information material and deepening the already essential part that a post office plays
in a community.
The do-not-mail legislation and the potential dangers of its passage to the Postal Service were
also noted. Although this has not reached the status of a national bill, it keeps popping up in state and municipal legislatures.
As recently as several months ago, legislation proponents came close to having a do-not-mail resolution passed in San Francisco
city and county. Fortunately, someone was paying attention and many postal groups, including the LEAGUE, were able provide
testimony and other input, enough so that the resolution was sent to committee.
Bob told attendees about the legislation
that he and the respective legislative counsels are crafting together for Naps, Napus and the LEAGUE. This legislation would
give Postmasters, supervisors and managers a pay for locality and an annual increase similar to a cost of living. The beauty
of this legislation is that it does not require anything to be formulated or invented. This is the identical system already
used by the rest of the federal service. It would also allow the Postal Service to implement a bonus system, similar to NPA,
as a motivational tool. While we will likely be pushing for this big time later in the year, our focus now will be on refinancing
the Postal Service’s obligation for prefunding retirees health benefits.
The closing of post offices has
moved more to the forefront in light of some remarks made by postal leaders in sessions at Postal Headquarters. While there
is no legislation regarding this, Postmasters were apprised of the current thought processes so that LEAGUERs could educate
the new Congress of the important role a post office plays in a community.
Bob spoke also about premium conversion,
WEP and GPO. Premium conversion would allow retirees to have health premiums paid out of their paychecks before they are taxed,
leaving a smaller amount to be taxed. This would save retirees about $400 a year and, again, nothing would have to be reinvented;
active employees already enjoy this benefit! Who better to share this benefit than our retirees who are on fixed incomes?
Margaret Baptiste, president of National Association of Active and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE), was a guest
speaker at our session. She reminded us of the importance of legislation we embraced and thanked the LEAGUE for working with
NARFE.
After this workshop, LEAGUERs would be able to speak intelligently about any of the issues discussed; they
were ready to go to the Hill!
Workshops Covered Many Professional Topics During the
rest of our sessions, the LEAGUE lived up to its reputation as “The Education Organization.” Our workshops gave
Postmasters up-to-date information on a variety of subjects that are hot topics. Rich Rudiz, Manager of Retail Ops Support
at Postal Headquarters presented training on growing revenue. Mark Strong, Bob Bittner and Jack Jameson (all Postmasters and
National Board members) teamed up to give tips on understanding Customer Service Variance (CSV) and CSAW. Recognizing that
Postmasters often have difficulty with the myriad of rules and regulations involved with dealing with our unions, Dixie Bentley
(Postmaster and Past National Officer) put on a workshop that addressed many of those issues. Our friends from NARFE guided
workshop attendees through many of the pitfalls that are out there for retirees and taught them what they needed to do before
retiring. Retired Postmaster Bob Zlatec and his team shared investment strategies with attendees. Post Office Continuance
specialist Mario Principe taught Postmasters what they could do to help communities keep their post offices simply by having
community leaders contact the League of Postmasters for advice on making sure District managers follow the rules.
Area Meetings Sunday was also the time for our Area meetings. Postmasters assembled in meeting
rooms designated for their Areas. This was a great opportunity for Area Coordinators to listen to their membership. They were
able to hear about the problems that seem to have infected the Postal Service nationwide, such as severe staffing shortages,
abusive district leadership, continued violation of the ELM regarding the work week of Postmasters, inadequate budgets, etc.
They were able also to identify those Areas where little regard is given for the safety of Postmasters and where Area VPs
have refused to meet with Postmaster and supervisor associations.
Sunday Night Was Fun Time! All work and no play ... that’s not the LEAGUE! Knowing that it would be fruitless to hold any other event on
Super Bowl Sunday, the LEAGUE put on a party night with a big screen TV. This event was sponsored by the Retirees and Auxiliary
and was quite a spirited affair. What a great game as the Pittsburgh Steelers, inspite of the popular vote going to the Cardinals,
prevailed in the last few minutes to win! Charlene Wendt and the Auxiliary did a bang up job making this event a huge success!
Phenomenal Tribute One of the most memorable times of the conference had to be the
opening ceremonies on Monday morning. After our invocation by Gallian Fulton, attendees were treated to a video tribute to
active and retired military created by the multi-talented Bill Krejci and narrated by National Vice President Bob Bittner.
Colors were presented by the Color Guard of the D.C. U.S. Military District followed by the Pledge led by Queen
Creek AZ Postmaster, 1st Lt. Christopher Bisdnack, USAF. Nebraska Postmaster Vicky Ozenbaugh’s strong, clear voice,
accompanied by the Pips (National Board) with Ohio Postmaster Sunny Sunquist on the keyboard, led us through verses of the
National Anthem, America the Beautiful and God Bless America. These songs really sounded better than when hundreds of LEAGUE
Postmasters shared their voices in public expression in love for their country! Bill was not yet done. His final video was
to all of our fallen comrades who have served this nation. Vicki Ozenbaugh’s narration faded into Bill’s baritone
chanting the haunting theme made famous by Mel Gibson’s movie, We Were Soldiers. Tears respected no gender and flowed
freely in our chamber as each heart and mind considered the stark reality that the freedoms that we hold so dear come at a
very dear price.
PMG Leads Off Our Forum Speakers Soon after our tributes, Postmaster
General Jack Potter was escorted to the podium. His approach was accompanied by thundering applause from us LEAGUERs. There
is no doubt that the leader of the largest postal system in the world was uplifted by the support shown by LEAGUE Postmasters.
Jack thanked Postmasters for all of their hard work and acknowledged the fact that the successes of the Postal
Service were their successes. He told us of the tough times ahead, of the continuing challenges presented by the economy and
the Postal Service’s need for relief from Congress on how we finance our retirees’ health benefits. He remarked
at how the timing of our Forum could not have been better as support for our legislation was needed now while Congress considered
H.R. 22. LEAGUE Postmasters would be the first large group to visit Congress.
Marie Therese Dominguez, vice president
of government relations for the Postal Servivce, was swept to the podium by proud Postmasters from her home state of New Mexico.
She thanked the LEAGUE, Bob Brinkmann and Bill Krejci for the close working relationship that we have formed. She reiterated
Mr. Potter’s remarks stressing the importance of H.R. 22.
Deputy PMG Pat Donahoe took the stage to give
a down-to-brass-tacks presentation of the record-setting performance of the Postal Service. He too, thanked Postmasters for
the being the moving force behind our great performance. He spoke a little about the value he placed on the monthly meetings
between him and the presidents of the management associations. He was open to the possibility of forming a sort of advisory
council to help keep him abreast of things happening in the field and he received tremendous applause with his commitment
that many time-wasting superfluous reports and logs would be going away! He left plenty for us to work on together.
John Kensington, an aide to Sen. Tom Carper of Delaware, filled us in on the progress of the postal legislation in the Senate.
He told us of some the challenges as well as how some senators thought the legislation should look.
Dan Blair,
chair of the Postal Regulatory Commission, spoke about the transitioning of the Postal Service under PAEA. He told us how
the transition was performed, especially in the area of pricing and rate increases, well ahead of the schedule provided in
the law itself. He thanked the LEAGUE for its participation in hearings regarding the definition of the universal service
obligation.
His remarks regarding easing the rules for the closing of post offices elicited not a few raised eyebrows
and plenty of murmurings from LEAGUE Postmasters.
David Williams, Inspector General for the Postal Service, sympathized
with the long work weeks and short staffing for Postmasters and thanked the LEAGUE for it working closely with the OIG to
help Postmasters stay out of trouble. He went on to present a video that showed how fraudulent workman’s compensation
claims cost the Postal Service tremendous sums of money. Pictures of supposedly incapacitated postal employees engaging in
the vigorous activities of the fit and trim really drove home the point that there are indeed fakers out there.
Adam Smith, executive director of the Vote by Mail Project went to great lengths to educate us on the importance of this
initiative. He detailed its movement from complete vote-by-mail in Oregon to acceptance in many states across the country.
Sam Pulcano, vice president for sustainability for the Postal Service, gave real life to the subject of recycling
and energy conservation in the Postal Service. His presentation showed us how much the Postal Service had reduced its waste
and was able to make millions of dollars from its recycling efforts. Sam showed us how the Postal Service was on the cutting
edge with very fuel-efficient delivery vehicles as well increasing downhome “technology” like walking and bicycling
on routes.
The morning included the always entertaining and thought-provoking LEAGUE Adverse Action attorney,
John DiFalco.
One afternoon highlight was the presentation of the much coveted M.B. Morrison Award to those LEAGUERs
who reached a signing goal of 100 members. Joining the prestigious group of Morrison jacket wearers were Retired Postmasters
Earl Carey and Carol Slocum and soon to be retired Postmaster Mike Sheely. Congratulations to the deserving award winners!
The LEAGUE Goes to the Hill Tuesday morning found hundreds of LEAGUERs rising from
the night’s sleep and full of determination. They were off to Congress. Sure, they had other issues that had to be addressed,
issues such as long work weeks, will-sapping micromanaging from their Districts, a crippled NPA/PFP system, mentally and verbally
abusive MPOOs and District managers and critical understaffing, but for this day, all of that was put in the back of their
minds. This was the day that they would go to bat for Jack Potter and the Postal Service, their Postal Service. They knew
that without the Postal Service, the rest of it was elementary anyway.
Individually and in groups of two, three
and six they went off to the Rayburn, Longworth and Cannon buildings. The hallways echoed with the clicking of their hundreds
of heels. Like missionaries spreading the word, through the Capitol and on to the Dirksen and Russell buildings they went
undeterred. Congressmen’s offices hummed with the voices of LEAGUERs teaching, explaining and conversing. By early afternoon,
practically every congressman or aide had heard the message on postal issues. There would be follow-up visits and more time
for convincing, but for this day, LEAGUERs had thrown themselves into the gap; they could rest secure in knowing that they
had accomplished the goals for which they had traveled from every corner of the country.
Paying Respects
at Arlington Yes, LEAGUERs had had a successful day, but this day just would not seem quite complete
without what has become a LEAGUE tradition. On this afternoon, after our trips to Capitol Hill, LEAGUERs travel to another
hill. This hill is located within the confines of Arlington National Military Cemetery and is the home of the Tomb of the
Unknown Soldier. It is probably more correctly called the Tombs of the Unknowns as the remains of soldiers from many wars,
known only to their maker, lie here. On this cold and windy afternoon I joined with three other veterans to lay a wreath at
this hallowed site.
We four, Retired Maryland Postmaster Jessie Shanks, U.S. Army; Ohio Postmaster Denise Serensky
USN (replete in her naval dress uniform); New Mexico Postmaster Art Martinez, U.S. Army and I, are solemn. Together we represent
all Postmasters; together we breath a collective sigh as we proceed step by step down to the foot of the tomb. A thousand
memories, the memories of fallen comrades, swirl through our minds and the minds of all who have accompanied us to this place.
We lay our wreath. We honor all who have fallen, all who sacrificed to give us this day to march on Congress. We depart that
place in silence.
Reflections on Forum Our Forum was a success; sure we had some
mix-ups at the banquet, some folks had problems with rooms, and while those things certainly aren’t unimportant, by
and large, the Forum was hugely successful! We carried the message we needed to carry to Congress. Beyond that, we also had
great training and we had some fun. We got to see old friends and we made new ones. We were like any big family; we enjoyed
spending time together!
Comments made by PRC Chairman Dan Blair resounded with Postmasters. Mr. Blair said that
closing post offices should be made easier. I disagree. I believe that closing post offices should be difficult.
A post office does not belong to the Postal Service; it belongs to a community. How can 700 people stand up to the hulking
bureaucracy of the Postal Service? You give them a fighting chance by making it difficult to close their post office. To an
agency, like the Postal Service, that has lost sight of the importance of a post office to a community, a Postal Service that
views the post office as nothing more than a “retail outlet,” another Starbucks that is below quota on the number
of lattes that it has sold this month, a community needs a fighting chance.
How does closing 9200 post offices
(as suggested on page 137 of the PRCs “Report on Universal Service and the Postal Monopoly as a possible way to save
money) serve America’s communities? If we close 9,200 post offices and move delivery to contract stations and rural
delivery, what are the next logical steps? Do we make all new deliveries contract deliveries and replace city and rural routes
with contractors as employees retire?
Do we begin to hire Kelly Girl employees to take over tasks in post offices
as our clerks retire? How about down at the District and at the Areas? There are few jobs there that can’t be contracted
out; in fact, in recent history we’ve had plenty of contractors at Postal Headquarters—why pick on a few small
post offices when, if your goal is to save money, you’ve got some really big fish to fry?
Fact is, we can
talk about going after small post offices because, of all of the different types of delivery, they are the least able to defend
themselves.
Maybe it’s time for the Small Office Protection Act that will fund the Postal Service a half
billion dollars for the 10,000 smallest offices that provide real tangible service to America’s communities and then
put the control of their closing and opening under Congress. That done, we could go after some serious savings.
Pat Donahoe’s comments regarding drastic reduction of reports and logs are something that we will definitely follow-up
on. Sounds hopeful, but so many Districts have become addicted to the redundancy, they might find it hard to micromanage without
them. An advisory committee sounds hopeful, too. Nothing like listening to the folk out on the frontlines to get a feel of
what’s happening in the real world and to see how effective the programs you’ve pushed out might be.
Just in case you didn’t notice it with all the hubbub going on, PMRs got close to a 3 percent raise on January 17.
They certainly deserve it!
Start making your plans for our National Convention in Buffalo; it promises to be phenomenal.
Postmasters working for Postmasters! •
Respectfully,
Charley Mapa
President,
National League of Postmasters
