Pay Agreement Makes Positive Steps
By Jimmy Warden
NAPS Secretary/Treasurer

12/05/25 – There is little more than a month left in this year’s peak mailing season—the period that defines the United States Postal Service. Delivering for America brings joy and happiness to so many people—you make this happen.

Thanks to EAS employees’ dedication, commitment and work ethic, we make the Postal Service the successful company it is. I am sure seeing the smiles on the faces of your customers when delivering their mail and packages makes it all worth the effort.

As I said in my November column—worth saying again—let’s not forget those less fortunate this holiday season. One can say what they wish about their career with the Postal Service, but the reality is the agency provides good jobs. I always believe my glass is half full—not half empty as many are misfortunate to not even have a glass!

As you are aware, on Oct. 28, we received the final pay package from the Postal Service. This process encompassed multiple extensions, meetings and conversations. The pay package will be in effect until May 22, 2026.

I will not go into the details of the agreement as I am sure you already are aware as it was sent to the Executive Board for distribution the same day we received it at NAPS Headquarters. A Zoom meeting was held with the Executive Board one hour after we received it to go through the details.

I feel that, although it is not perfect, the agreement moves us and the Postal Service in the right direction going forward. We addressed numerous issues and concerns in our proposal. Although most of our requests were rejected, some were adopted.

I want to thank the Postal Service—specifically Doug Tulino, Michael Elston, Bruce Nicholson and James Timmons—for listening to our positions and giving our concerns full and fair consideration. Vinny Palladino and Tommy Roma always counseled that, in a negotiation, you have to give a little to get a little; just make sure you get more than you give.

In this current pay package, there absolutely were no give-backs. We did not lose anything we did not already have. We only received!

I would like to address a concern I have heard recently while attending branch meetings and training seminars regarding the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). I am hearing that when EAS employees call in to eRMS for SL/FMLA, their time is being changed to LWOP/FMLA.

If you noticed in the November issue of The Postal Supervisor, the FMLA poster from the Department of Labor Hour and Wage Division was included on page 35. We published the poster to get the message out that what some managers are doing is totally wrong. A superior is not allowed to change your requested leave you want to use when it is FMLA-covered.

I am hearing leave is being changed so the sick leave ratio is lower as they change the leave to LWOP. This is wrong and is against the law! The regulation reads: “FMLA is not paid leave, but you may choose, or be required by your employer, to use any employer-provided paid leave if your employer’s paid leave policy covers the reason for which you need FMLA leave.”

The Postal Service—your employer—has a paid leave policy. Therefore, you are entitled to use paid leave when on FMLA. Should your superior tell you differently, show them a copy of the poster of regulations by the Department of Labor Hour and Wage Division from the November issue. If the situation is not corrected, contact your NAPS local branch president.

When approached with this situation, local branch presidents should contact their respective Human Resources manager. All members should take a few moments and reread page 35 regarding the FMLA Department of Labor Hour and Wage Division rules. These are your rights!

On behalf of my family to yours, I wish everyone a happy and blessed holiday season and a happy and healthy new year! Stay safe and remember, “Increasing membership demonstrates leadership!”