Postmaster Pay Talks Continue

Discussions on pay policies, schedules and fringe benefit programs for Postmasters  continued this week between top Postal Service officials and leaders of both Postmaster organizations (NAPUS and the League.)  The talks were re-opened at the suggestion of Postmaster General  Patrick Donahoe, during a meeting with NAPUS President Bob Rapoza and League President Mark Strong on December 6, 2011. 
On November 17, 2011, the two Postmaster organization presidents requested that the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) convene a factfinding panel to review the Postmaster Pay Package for Fiscal Years 2011-2015.  The request came as a result of the Postal Service’s final decision announcement on November 9, 2011, concerning pay policies, schedules, and fringe benefits for Postmasters.
The key discussion items continue to focus on minimum and maximum salary range improvements, health benefits contribution rates and changes to the Performance Evaluation System (PES.)  
The pay talks will continue next  week in an effort to reach a resolution on Postmaster pay and benefits for FY’s 2011-2015 by January 27, 2012.  If the no agreement is reached by the deadline, the factfinding process through the FMCS will resume.  Please check the NAPUS website for updates as information is received.
Charlie Moser
January 13, 2012

Postal Service Announces a 5 Month Moratorium on Post Office Closings

Moratorium Agreement Reached Between USPS and Senate Members
Today, at 3:00 PM Senators Richard Durbin (D-IL), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Jon Tester (D-MT), Mark Begich (D-AK), Claire McCaskill (D-MO) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced an agreement with the U.S Postal Service to impose a 5-month moratorium on the closing of postal facilities, including post offices. This suspension of closings and consolidations will extend through May 15, 2012. You may view the Senate press release announcing the moratorium by clicking on Senate Press Release. The USPS also issued a press release, which you may view by clicking on USPS Press Release.
The announcement comes in the wake of a letter authored by 22 Members of the Senate calling for the closing moratorium, pending the enactment of postal relief legislation. Yesterday, the Postmaster General and the Chairman of the Postal Board of Governors were summoned to Capitol Hill by Senator Durbin to meet with the signers of the letter, in part, regarding the impact of postal closings on service.
NAPUS applauds the efforts of the Senators.
Charlie Moser December 13, 2011