Kansas NAPUS

Kansas and Nebraska Postmasters:
Last Friday, acting on behalf of Kansas and Nebraska Postmasters, I participated in a telecon with NAPUS National President Bob Rapoza, past National President Dale Goff, National Secretary-Treasurer Wayne Orshak, National Executive Director Ken Engstrom, and most of the Executive Board. The purpose of the telecon was the ratings recourse process, which is part of the Pay for Performance program.
On February 5, Postmasters will be able to access their final ratings on PES. This year, many Postmasters nation-wide will be considered non-contributors. Some Districts will see NONE of their Postmasters reaching contributor status on their PFP. In Central Plains and in the KS portion of Mid-America many of our Postmasters will at least be considered contributors. We were lucky. After the end of the fiscal year, Central Plains decided to budget 3.5% sick leave usage to all of the offices in their District. This adjustment enabled many Postmasters to achieve contributor status. In the KS portion of Mid-America District, a large customer moved their operations into their MPOO area, enabling them to reach their revenue goal. Yet many Postmasters in Kansas and Nebraska will still receive a score that will rate them as non-contributors. What is just as upsetting is the core requirement portion of the pay for performance process. For many Postmasters, the core requirement rating given to them by their MPOO is not indicative of their actual performance. This is where the ratings recourse process comes in.
During the core requirement portion of the PFP process, MPOO’s give each Postmaster a rating of 0 through 15 based on year end discussions and a review of Postmasters accomplishments narrated on PES. Many MPOOs are reluctant to give a core requirement rating that exceeds the unit PFP score by 5 points because it requires District Manager approval. Note that I said they are reluctant. That is a nice way of saying in most if not all cases, they won’t! All Postmasters who feel the core requirement rating given to them by their MPOO does not represent their actual performance in the past year, should utilize the rating recourse process. This formal process allows Postmasters to appeal the core requirement ratings given to them by their MPOO no matter what their overall PFP rating is.
This year, National President Bob Rapoza has asked Area Vice Presidents to ensure Postmasters are aware of this process and the importance of using the ratings recourse process to appeal an unfair or unjustified core requirement rating. If thousands of Postmasters nation-wide use this process it will send a loud message to Postal Headquarters on the unfairness of the Pay for Performance process and could in fact bring about positive changes in the pay for performance process. But if thousands of Postmasters choose to complain in private and then do nothing to help themselves, NAPUS Headquarters will not have the ammunition it needs to get the PFP process changed to be more fair to Postmasters.
Many times I have heard Postmasters ask, “what has NAPUS done for me lately?” This is an opportunity to give NAPUS the tools it needs to bring an issue to the table with Postal Headquarters. This is an opportunity for Postmasters to step up and fight for a wrong that needs to be righted. If thousands of Postmasters receive an unfair rating from their MPOO, and only a few take the time or effort to take advantage of the opportunity to provide input, we will be speaking loud and clear to Postal Headquarters. Do we want them to hear us say, “this is unfair and needs to be changed”?, or do we want them to hear, “nothing”?
In the end, the process will only give back what is put into it. Take advantage of the opportunity. Educate yourselves. Go to the meeting that will be scheduled in your District. Enjoy the fellowship and learn more about protecting your future pay through the ratings recourse process. Also, information on the ratings recourse process can be found on the NAPUS web page: http://www.napus.org/npa_pfp.htm. The information found at the website helps guide you through the ratings recourse process.  Remember the scores are available on February 5 and the process must be completed within 45 days. 
If large numbers of Postmasters appeal their core requirements score, NAPUS will use the issue of unfair ratings during upcoming pay consultations which could begin as early as next year. If Postmasters choose to not take the time or effort to use the opportunity to challenge their scores, the Postal Service will deem the PFP process to be fair to all Postmasters. Therefore, the National office has requested that any Postmaster utilizing the ratings recourse process print out a copy and send it to their State President when the process ends. The state Presidents will consolidate all requests from their state and send them to NAPUS HQ.
I have asked Glenda Young, NE Chapter State President and Karol Pykiet, KS Chapter State President to set up a focus group in each of their states. These focus groups will attempt to ensure all Postmasters are aware of the ratings recourse process and assist them in completing the process if needed. I have also asked them to task all of the District Directors to set up an informal meeting in their respective Districts so Postmasters can get together and discuss the ratings recourse process. We will provide as much expertise and information as possible to assist Postmasters who want to appeal their core requirements rating.
Sincerely,
Marty Wright

NAPUS Area 16 Vice President