President’s Update February 14, 2011

All three management organization presidents and the Postal Service worked diligently to protect the integrity of the DUO consultations. As you may recall on January 28^th NAPUS received a letter from Labor Relations notifying us of proposed revisions to the ELM Section 415, Rate Retention and Change to Lower EAS Grade. These proposals if incorporated would continue the two year “saved grade” protection but eliminates the “indefinite saved salary” protection. This proposed change seriously jeopardized the integrity of the intent of the consultative process in which DUO affected Postmasters and Station Managers would receive an “indefinite saved salary” following two years of “saved grade”.  We immediately requested a meeting with Mr. Donahoe, which was scheduled within 24 hours. From that point a chain of events happened that led us to this final result:

Postmasters and station managers whose EAS grade levels are reduced as a result of implementation of Delivery Unit Optimization (DUO) will receive saved grade for two years and indefinite saved salary thereafter provided they adhere to the following:

Ÿ During the two-year saved grade period affected Postmasters and station managers downgraded as a result of DUO should apply for lateral reassignment to vacant duty assignments at their saved grade/level within their commuting areas.

Ÿ During the two-year saved grade period Postmasters and station managers downgraded as a result of DUO may be reassigned involuntarily to vacant assignments at their saved grade/level within their commuting areas.  Salary protection for affected Postmasters and station managers who decline such involuntary reassignment will terminate at the beginning of the pay period following such refusal.

Ÿ If no lateral opportunity becomes available during the two-year saved grade period, affected Postmasters and station managers receive indefinite saved salary.

Ÿ These provisions apply only to Postmasters and station managers impacted by DUO.

It is important to note that preserving the integrity of the consultation process by retaining “indefinite saved salary” for Postmasters affected by DUO was our top priority and we prevailed. The provisions that apply to “saved grade” remain basically as they were during our DUO consultations. The language above also provides protection for DUO affected Postmasters and Station Managers should the Postal Service decide to eliminate the “saved grade” benefit from the ELM at a later date.  Charlie has posted information on our website and will elaborate more in the next issue of the Gazette.

Have a wonderful and happy valentines day.

Robert J. Rapoza, National President

National Association of Postmasters of the United States