President Tony Leonardi addressed NAPUS members at the close of the national convention, Sept. 2, in Mobile, AL. He commended the Alabama Chapter for organizing and presenting an outstanding convention.
He reiterated Postmaster General Megan Brennan’s commitment that there will be no post office evaluations until FY 2016—using FY 2016 data—and implementation of any changes will not take effect until mid-FY 2017.
Leonardi told Postmasters NAPUS will continue to pursue its legislative agenda in order to protect Postmasters. He said Postmasters have paid a steep price and must be assured of protection in any postal reform legislation. 
In regard to NPA, he pledged to continue to push Postal Service Headquarters to look at the budget and methodology. “The system has very little integrity,” he stressed. “Postmasters deserve to have a system that is fair and based on performance. We want to be rewarded for our efforts, have the goals be fair and have a chance to get a raise.”
He also pledged to continue pushing to get staffing at the right levels. “Hire the people!” he exclaimed.
Leonardi commended NAPUS members for making constitutional changes critical to the organization. Active membership now is open to all EAS employees; anyone else employed by the Postal Service can join as associate members.
“I would venture to say everyone in this room started out as a clerk or carrier,” he said. “This will help build the membership base, but, more importantly, we have a succession plan so we can develop and promote peopleand remain viable and effective going forward.”
“How did we get here?” he asked. “We got here because of four men—John Olson, Jack Jameson, Dan Heins and John Galera—and a NAPUS Executive Board with the insight, hindsight and foresight to try again and change We opened our minds to the possibility of doing new things.”
He advised the newly elected members of the Executive Board—Area 1 Vice President Kristin Luther, Area 2 Vice President Jeff Schoch, Area 3 Vice President Drew Martin, Area 4 Vice President Greg Nors and PM RetiredPresident Clara McCullar—to rest up. “Jan 1. will come faster than you think,” he advised, “and I promise we will be working very hard to help form and get this organization ready for its Nov. 1 birthdate.”
Leonardi said he was very proud to see NAPUS members all stand together during the vote to dissolve the organization and consolidate with the League of Postmasters. He urged NAPUS Postmasters to make everyone feel welcome. “As we move forward with the new United Postmasters and Managers of America, let’s make sure we treat everyone with dignity and respect,” he urged.
He told Postmasters it has been an honor serving them this pastyear and a half. “The moment yesterday during the vote to dissolve NAPUS hit me harder than I expected,” he said, “but I thank you for doing that; it was a special moment.
Leonardi ended with aquote from Henry Ford: “Coming together is a beginning; keeping it together is progress; working together is success.”
“We did the easy part,” he declared. “Now, we have to keep it going and work together and form an organization we all can be proud of—a blending of two groups and two families. And we will be better in the future.”
Complete coverage of the 111th National Convention will be in the October/November issue of the Postmasters Gazette.