Kansas NAPUS

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Musician Kris Kristopherson once remarked that music legend Johnny Cash was “a walking contradiction, part truth and part fiction”. The 2010 NAPUS Leadership Conference was in many ways a contradiction but only time will tell what was truth and what was fiction.
Postmaster General Jack Potter told the nearly 1,000 Postmasters in attendance that 5 day delivery, closing of post offices that don’t make a profit, and less oversight from Congress and the Postal Regulatory Commission were imperative to the future success of the Postal Service. Personally I found it amusing that he made his case for closing small post offices by comparing the number of customers that come into a post office with the number of customers who go into a grocery store or a pharmacy. He neglected to mention just how many customers go in and out of Postal Headquarters as well as District and Area offices.
Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson-R of Missouri spoke at the grand banquet and said the Postal Service will not get 5 day delivery, will not get the authority to close small and rural post offices for economic reasons, and will not see less oversight from Congress.
Ruth Goldway, Chairman of the Postal Rate Commission did not take a specific stance on 5 day delivery, however she did say the PRC would review the proposal made by the Postal Service through public input meetings. She stated that it would be approximately nine months before the PRC would make a recommendation. She also informed Postmasters the PRC would be opposed to any closing of Post Offices based on financial reasons, and would not be in favor of a Postal Service that did not have the oversight process now in place.
NAPUS members from all 50 states shared their positions on these issues during meetings with Congressmen and Senators while attending the Leadership conference. On the issue of five day delivery NAPUS feels it should be a “last resort”. Current federal law makes it clear that all citizens are entitled to postal services and NAPUS is adamantly opposed to closing of small offices. Postmasters reminded their representatives that closing small offices would be discriminatory against customers who live in rural areas and only $549 million would be saved if all small offices were closed. The overpayment into the CSRS trust fund and the overly aggressive requirement to pre-fund the retiree health care trust fund were also discussed. Of all the options laid out by PMG Potter during his 10 year plan, only the portion pertaining to the CSRS and retiree health care trust funds were warmly received in Congress.
One thing is obvious. Those who are saying that 5 day delivery is a “done deal” are not fully informed. While Congress is well aware of the financial difficulties the Postal Service is facing, they are not sold on the concept of five day delivery. They also appear to be adamantly opposed to closing post offices, and they are not willing to give up the ability to oversee decisions that affect postal customers. The Postal Service definitely has their work cut out for them on each of these issues. Congress and the PRC would both have to approve the move, and at this point neither appear to have been convinced to support the Postal Service’s request.
Everyone involved does agree the Postal Service cannot continue on the present path. The combination of billions of dollars in losses per year, declining mail volume, increased delivery points, and classes of mail that don’t cover costs, are not conducive to the long term health of the USPS. All postal stakeholders seem to agree the requirement to fully fund the employee retirement health care fund by 2015 and the overpayment into the CSRS trust fund by $75 Billion has contributed greatly to the dire financial circumstances the Postal Service faces. However, the huge federal deficit makes it difficult for Congress to grant financial relief on either issue even though they understand it would be beneficial to the Postal Service, its employees, and its customers.
My predictions for the future:

• Five day delivery is at best a 50/50 proposition and even if it becomes law it will not occur before FY 2011 and more likely in FY 2012.

• Post offices will continue to be closed using the current law. The PRC will become more aggressive on challenging the Postal Service on offices that are suspended in communities where a facility is warranted.

• Congress will become more involved in the financial affairs of the Postal Service despite PMG Potter’s request. This could be positive or negative depending upon the direction Congress takes. They could free up money from our overpayment into the CSRS retirement trust fund and recalculate a longer payment schedule into the retiree health care trust fund. I believe this scenario is more likely to occur than PMG Potter’s proposals to move to five day delivery and close post offices.

I did attend two full day executive board meetings while in DC at the Leadership conference. I was impressed by the financial health of our NAPUS organization. I will share some of the other items we discussed during the board meetings at both the Nebraska and Kansas state conventions and in future articles. I would remind all NAPUS members that the Leadership conference is not just for officers and it is very interesting and informative. I would recommend attendance for anyone who is interested.
Hopefully this issue of your newsletter will arrive prior to your state convention. I have attended the Kansas state convention 19 out of 20 years because I believe in supporting NAPUS, the Postal Service, and my fellow Postmasters. I can not stress enough the value of attending your convention. There will be training and educational seminars. NAPUS officers from the national office will give an update on what is happening in DC and District Managers and MPOOs will discuss what is going on closer to home. Knowledge will be gained and friendships will be made. There is something for every Postmaster so make plans to attend.
Marty Wright
NAPUS Area 16 Vice President

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

Greetings to all to whom this letter reaches:

At the crossroads of US Highways 68 and 69 in Miami County, you will find Louisburg, KS. Here, on February 15^th, will gather NAPUS members from the 660-662 & 667 ZIP Code areas. You, the NAPUS Postmasters, OICs, PMRs, Retirees and Associates, are invited to a meeting of the Eastern District of the Kansas Chapter.

Let us gather in Timbercreek Bar & Grill’s event center, 14 East Amity. Heading east at the crossroads, you’ll travel straight through Louisburg to the east end. The meeting is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Registration begins at 8:00.

What does NAPUS do for you? Come and find out!

What seminars will we have? Pam Richards will address our concerns or maybe open her crystal ball and predict the future. DoJuan Hobson will escort us through eCC and answer our questions. Donna Goza will escort us through the new accident reporting procedures and answer our questions.

What can you do for NAPUS? Attend! Take an active part in your future.

Lunch will be an Italian buffet. Registration is just $30. The companionship is priceless.

Registering by Feb 5^th helps us plan better, and we thank you for that.

NAPUS knows you are important. When you come, bring a friend. Not a member yet? Now is as good as time as ever, maybe even more so!

Charlotte Stout, District Director, & Dennis Gardner, District President

Please send your registration to: NAPUS Eastern District

Attn: Paul Trewett

General Delivery

Louisburg KS 66053-9999

Name:____________________________________________

Office:________________________________ZIP Code____________

Title:_____________________________________________

Please make check payable to NAPUS

Over the weekend, Senate Majority Leaders Harry Reid (D-NV) unveiled his "manager’s amendment" for the the Senate health bill. He has the necessary 60 votes to invoke cloture against a GOP filibuster.

The Majority Leader’s office forwarded NAPUS the language on Saturday morning. This document will serve as the Senate bill, when it is expected to pass on Christmas eve. After passage, the House and Senate will appoint a conference committee to resolve the differences, which will meet in the new year.

For NAPUS, going into the weekend, there were two major concerns: one regarding the relationship between FEHBP and a "public option";  the other regarding the proposed 40% excise tax against plans, including the FEHBP. Both of these items have been discussed in detail in previous eNAPUS Legislative & Political Bulletins.

Last Wednesday, I met in the Capitol with senior Senate Leadership staff, regarding the FEHBP-Public Option matter. I expressed NAPUS’ position that, if the Senate pursued a plan in which OPM administered one or more health plans for the general public, that individuals in such plans would be placed in a separate risk pool. In addition, the program needed to be administered separately from the FEHBP, and that OPM be provided the resources necessary, so as not to supplant FEHBP maintenance of effort.  I am pleased to report that our concerns seem to have been addressed. The manager’s amendment specifies that OPM cannot divert resources from FEHBP administration, and that people covered by the new OPM-administered plans would not be included in the same risk pool as federal employees. NAPUS will continue to monitor this issue, because it is unclear that the Congress has an accurate understanding of how OPM "negotiates" with FEHBP plans.

Moreover, we will still be working to modify/eliminate the excise tax proposal, in order that it does not adversely effect NAPUS members.

Robert M. Levi

Director of Government Relations

National Association of Postmasters of the U.S.

Tel: (703) 683-9027    Fax: (703) 683-0923