Feb. 11, 2010

NAPUS Postmasters: Although I have been your national president for just six weeks, I fully understand the frustrations you face on a day-to-day basis. Those challenges were tough when I left my post office in Hawaii six weeks ago—I know they have not gotten any better.

Specifically, I recognize that your 2009 core requirement ratings may not substantively reflect a fair assessment of your contributions to your work unit. The decision to file for recourse is yours. If you decide to exercise this right, the National Executive Board and I urge you to avail yourself of the tools to which you are entitled. NAPUS secured these tools on your behalf in order for you to be able to appeal your evaluation in situations such as this.

The recourse process requires you to document your concerns and rationale in the Performance Evaluation System (PES) within 45 days of the date the rating was published to employees (Feb. 5, 2010). The deadline for filing is March 21, 2010.

We have provided updated information on the steps to take to appeal your ratings using the eRecourse process. Go to the NAPUS web site, www.napus.org, and click on the “NPA, PFP Link” icon on the home page. A copy of the appeal form also may be downloaded and filled out should you not have access to a computer in your office.

Once you complete your appeal through eRecourse, please print a copy of your request and send it to your chapter president. He or she will send it to the National Office for analysis and further action. This documentation is extremely important to help determine how we proceed and may very well determine the future of NPA.

The National Office staff, National Executive Board and your chapter leaders stand ready to provide you any additional support you may need to fulfill your appeal rights.

On another note, the NAPUS Leadership & Legislative Conference is fast approaching, March 20 – 25. As we visit our congressional leaders, we do not want to overshadow the most important issue confronting Postmasters and all postal employees: the sustainability of the U.S. Postal Service.

We all know too well that, without a viable Postal Service, there will be no universal mail service, which would lead to fewer post offices and Postmasters. NAPUS is committed to pushing forward legislation that will ensure an economically viable and universal postal service to help protect Postmasters’ jobs and continue serving the American public.

In past congresses, NAPUS won provisions that the USPS must consult with local management over staffing levels. We also have secured postal responses at congressional hearings establishing timetables for filling Postmaster vacancies. The effect the Postal Service’s fiscal position is having on our nation’s Postmasters now requires us to rededicate our efforts to reducing the challenges Postmasters face every day.

Recently, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) concluded the Postal Service will overfund its pension obligations by $75 billion. Also, the OIG and the Postal Regulatory Commission estimate the Postal Service is overpaying its retiree health obligations by $2.1 to $3.8 billion. These are among the root causes of the increased challenges Postmasters are facing.

We should not make the mistake of focusing just on the symptoms to achieve short-term fixes. NAPUS is prepared to deal with the symptoms as we work on rectifying the root causes. To achieve this, we continue to gather factual data and supporting documents, such as those we anticipate receiving from eRecourse appeals.

Since taking office on Jan. 1, I have visited Capitol Hill to urge members of Congress to accurately calculate Postal Service pension and retiree payments. I also urged them to disengage postal relief legislation from the budget process.

During this same period, my meetings with senior management at Postal Service Headquarters were used to establish a working relationship conducive to finding solutions to the challenges Postmasters face every day. I assure you I am just as focused on the need for improved working relationships as I am focused on the need to protect the rights, benefits and working conditions of our members.

I am committed to ensuring that NAPUS is vocal, visible and proactive by presenting the facts with proper documentation in a professional manner to Congress and the Postal Service. I can’t do it without your help, though.

Now, more than ever, is the time for NAPUS Postmasters to unite and live up to our motto, “Let us do together what we cannot do alone.” What can you do to help? If one or more of your core requirement ratings do not substantively reflect a fair assessment of your contributions, immediately file an appeal through eRecourse. I am counting on you to follow the process and prove our employer wrong.

Sincerely,

Robert J. Rapoza, President

National Association of Postmasters of the United States