USPS Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President Megan Brennan told NAPUS members Wednesday morning she welcomes the opportunity to engage with them. She thanked retirees for their continued advocacy on behalf of the Postal Service.
She also thanked Postmasters for another successful year. “I need to acknowledge your yearlong effort—the winter that never ended. Thanks for managing through that. As the operations manager and part of the team, our responsibility is to drive continuous service for our customers.”
Brennan explained the Postal Service will continue to rightsize and leverage the infrastructure, which, after employees, is the agency’s most valuable asset. She commended managers for their ability during the change and overall decline in the mail mix to consolidate operations, optimize the transportation network and adjust workhours based on customer use. “We’ve kept service at predictable levels and the industry has applauded us for this,” she said. 
She talked about POStPlan, describing it as a compromise solution. There were 13,000 candidate offices that, given the workload, potentially were going to close. There were many meetings with the Postmaster organizations to identify how to maintain that identity in communities—the touch point for consumers—and adjust hours based on customer use.
Over the past two years, working with NAPUS and the League, they have offered the RIF avoidance, two years’ saved salary and grade, the upgrade of more than 4,500 positions, limited rounds of LACs for Postmasters only, establishment of the zone of tolerance and, ultimately, expansion of the RIF timeline—all efforts to ensure affected Postmasters had opportunities to find spots.
“Over the course of the two years,” she said, “we ‘ve had many career conferences. This is not failing to acknowledge Postmasters in Level-6s will be impacted. You will be, but you have an opportunity to stay in your office.”
There still are some 700 impacted Postmasters. Some are eligible to retire, but, at a minimum, there are 319 Postmasters to work with in terms of placement. She asked that impacted Postmasters be flexible and let them know of their interests so they can help. Area and district HR teams will have one-on-one discussions with these Postmasters; they will continue to work to place every Postmaster.
“These are challenging times,” she said. “I recognize that; it’s not been easy. We don’t take it lightly; we know it’s unsettling. But you know we have to change.”
Brennan discussed many aspects of operations; complete coverage will be in the October/November issue of the Postmasters Gazette.
She touched on the use of personal vehicles, assuring that the Postal Service won’t force it, but has resolved to provide insurance for when Postmasters use their personal vehicles. Some processes need to be ironed out and then it will be in place. Also, Postmasters in Level-6 offices if, in two years, they are promoted into EAS positions, will revert back to their former salaries. Again, they still are working on the details.
“The organization is going to survive,” she declared, “and, despite all these challenges, is doing a tremendous job of putting us on firmer financial footing with what we can control. Thanks for being part of the sales effort and engaging your employees and giving them time and encouraging them to be part of the sales effort.”
During the question-and-answer period, a member asked Brennan where she sees Postmasters in five years and beyond—will there still be Postmasters? Brennan replied that, with POStPlan and administrative post offices and plant consolidations, the agency is asking, “What is in the best interests of the organization?” It is evolving.
“We’re always going to have Postmasters,” she said. “POStPlan is not an assault on Postmasters; you’re the leaders and chief marketing officers. In the coming years, I see Postmaster roles expanding.”
Based on the many activities in which retirees participated and the success of their dance Tuesday evening, PM Retired President Ann McDorman told convention attendees, “Retired Postmasters rock!”
She talked about traveling—one of the fun things retirees do. “I enjoy new experiences,” she said. “I enjoy seeing old friends, old places and sharing our past experiences and memories precious to us. Being a NAPUS member as an active Postmaster, as well as a retiree, has allowed me to travel from coast to coast, border to border. NAPUS has allowed me to meet wonderful people all over and have fun and learn. That alone is a reason to be a NAPUS member.”
When you travel, she explained, you have to make preparations; you make arrangements and reservations and make sure someone will take care of what you leave behind—you can’t take all your “baggage” with you.
And, once you arrive at your destination, you need a new purpose and strategy to accomplish goals. “A journey requires a change of mind and attitude,” she said, “the courage to change and start over.” Things change—we can’t live in the past or in the glory days of yesterday.
“NAPUS is on a journey, a transition,” she went on. “NAPUS must change because it never will be the same again once POStPlan is fully implemented. Small-town Postmasters will be no more.” Despite this, NAPUS will continue to fight for the rights of Postmasters.
She stressed the need to build more bridges and fewer walls—reach out to others and seek solutions. “Sometimes the longest journey is from our head to our hands,” she said. “We think about it, but it takes our hands and feet to actually put it into practice. Prepare your head, heart and hands to make sure NAPUS remains strong.”
McDorman assured everyone the retirees are ready to fill in the gaps and mentor those who are new. “Get on board for the journey of your life!” she invited.
NAPUS members elected eight national vice presidents: Area 1—Edmund Carley, IL (two-year term); and Jim Maher, MO (three-year term); Area 2—Barbara Swiderski, ME (two-year term); and Richard Hui, MA (three-year term); Area 3—Susan Rice, AL (two-year term); and Tammy Powell, SC (three-year term); Area 4—Joan Mallon, CO (two-year term); and Brent Cofield, OK (three-year term). Postmasters Retired members elected Rodney Boland, FL, secretary-treasurer.
Dan Heins, Postmaster of Stewartville, MN, newly elected NAPUS secretary-treasurer, 2015-2017, addressed convention attendees. He thanked members for their hospitality during his campaign travels to the many state conventions. “We truly have a tremendous organization,” he said. “And that is because of all the tremendous Postmasters.”
He told members it is impossible to know what the future holds, but he believes in NAPUS’ future. “I believe there is a vital role for NAPUS to play in the lives of our members and the Postal Service. That is why I’m standing before you today.
“I will work to make it as strong as it can possibly be,” he pledged. “With each of us moving forward together to tackle the issues before us, we can and will find solutions that are best for our membership and our future.”
President Tony Leonardi addressed the convention. He thanked the New Jersey Chapter for putting on a first-class show. And he thanked everyone who participated in the Ice Bucket Challenge and the ALS Association’s involvement during the convention. “I appreciate anybody who works to help knock out this disease. I am truly thankful your support.”
He recapped the information provided by Postal Service executives this week, including some new initiatives. The new Postmaster training Chief Human Resources Officer Jeffrey Williamson plans to roll out will include an off-site segment that will be broken into separate sections for Levels-18-20, 21-22 and 24 and above.
The Postmaster organizations had stressed the importance of dividing it between the levels. Leonardi thanked Williamson for taking this information to heart.
The Postmaster General assured Executive Board members at their breakfast Tuesday morning the agency is working to purchase new vehicles. They realize there are different needs for different parts of the country and are taking that into consideration. And probably the most important issue he said he will address is out-of-control telecons. Donahoe has pledged to put a stop to the problem. “We’re going to follow up,” Leonardi said. “We’re going to make sure they free you up to do the job you need to do.”
He told Postmasters that Megan Brennan is the person with whom he deals the most. “She is fair,” he stressed. “She has a job to do and understands the economic challenges, but she listens and tries to come up with fair solutions.” Overall, staffing is getting better; they are trying to get the mix right. He pledged to continue to work with Postal Headquarters to make sure Postmasters have the staff they need.
Leonardi said they are going to sit down and discuss the Postmasters still impacted by POStPlan and their options—Postmasters in locations where there may be no options. Regardless, he will continue to underscore the agency’s commitment to find everyone positions.
He said the Postal Service’s announcement that Level-6 Postmasters, if they are able to go back into the EAS ranks within two years, will be slotted into their previous salaries is a fair gesture. “I appreciate them doing it,” he said.
He explained further the initiative soon to come out to provide insurance if you have to use your personal vehicle. The Postal Service looked at providing a blanket policy, but that was not possible due to variations in state laws. Coverage will be through eBuy. You will provide what you pay for coverage for your vehicle versus what the additional cost would be to purchase coverage for using your personal vehicle for work; the difference will be paid through eBuy. “That doesn’t mandate you have to use your personal vehicle,” he explained. “What it means is sometimes you have to use your personal vehicle and this ensures you will have the necessary coverage.”
Leonardi turned to organizational matters, commending the retirees for voting for constitutional changes that will help stabilize many chapters. “They care about the organization,” he said. “They want to work with us and we thank them for that.” He thanked PM Retired President Ann McDorman for her leadership and friendship.
“As we continue to change, we will continue to put a plan together,” he said. “We may be different, we may have to change again, but we still will be here to represent everyone in this room and anyone who wants to be a member. We will find the answer.” The Executive Board has directed Leonardi to start discussions with the League about merging. “We need to find out if they’re ready to come up with an agreement that will truly make us one Postmaster organization.”
He also pledged to find ways to grow the organization; membership will be the focus. The Executive Board is fully engaged and will work with state presidents, membership chairs and secretary-treasurers to find out what’s working, what’s not. The tools will be provided to let Postmasters know NAPUS is working for and making it better for them.
“As proud as I am of all the changes we have addressed, I know there will be more to come,” he predicted. “But the key is to deal with the changes respectfully, inclusively and transparently. When you give Postmasters all the information and facts—tell them what they’re up against—they will stand up, take on the task and do the right thing.”
He referred to the quote he used Monday morning: “It’s not how many times you get knocked down that counts; it’s how many times you get back up.” Leonardi pledged to work with everyone in the room to make sure NAPUS continues to be something they are proud of and want to belong to—and continues to be viable to represent Postmasters.