KENTUCKY BRANCH OF THE NATIONAL LEAGUE OF POSTMASTERS
Updated: 2/5/2012
Contact us at: kyleaguepm@yahoo.com
The National League of Postmasters is Committed to the welfare of Postmasters, OICs, PMRs and EAS employees, the LEAGUE represents all its members through alliance with officials of the U.S. Postal Service and members of Congress on Capitol Hill.
November 2, 2011
Bipartisan Senate Postal Legislation Introduced
A group of bipartisan Senators introduced legislation that addresses several areas of the financial and service issues facing the Postal Service.
The 21st Century Postal Service Act of 2011 (S 1789), introduced by Senators Joe Lieberman (I-CT), Susan Collins (R-ME), Tom Carper (D-DE), and Scott Brown (R-MA), appears to provide relief for the Postal Service.
The LEAGUE appreciates the efforts of these four Senators and looks forward to a more in depth look at how this legislation impacts the financial difficulties in addition to the impact on our service obligations.
Attached is a short version, as well as a detailed summary that gives an overview of this Legislation. The actual text of the bill will be available shortly. The LEAGUE will be reviewing this legislation and will provide further information after we have had the opportunity to analyze the total contents of the bill.
November 9, 2011
Postmaster Pay Package Released for FY 2011-2015.
During the past four months, The LEAGUE and NAPUS have been engaged in pay talks with the Postal Service. During this time we presented our case and put forth our best arguments to no avail due to the current financial condition of the postal service. Today we received the final pay package delivered to our offices. Below is a joint statement from The LEAGUE and NAPUS. View Details
November 10, 2011
Extensive Grassroots Work Pays Off: Senate Committee Markup Adopts Small Post Office Closing Standards Amendment.
The LEAGUE wants to thank the many Postmasters who helped generate tens of thousands of legislative contacts who were instrumental in making this happen. We are pleased that the committee adopted this amendment for rural post offices that also resulted in an agreement to stop the closings until legislation has a chance to work. This idea of a moratorium was first suggested by President Strong in his direct testimony in front of the PRC on October 18.
November 18, 2011 LEAGUE and NAPUS file request with Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service for Fact Finding Panel. View Details
December 3, 2011
Final Rule on Consolidations and Staffing of Post Offices is Effective December 1, 2011.
On November 30th the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) issued their decision denying a complaint filed by the LEAGUE and NAPUS. On November 7, 2011 the LEAGUE and NAPUS renewed a complaint previously filed on the changes proposed to 39 CFR part 241. The PRC denied our request for an expedited process as well as a request to prevent the Postal Service from implementing the Final Rule on December 1, 2011. The PRC did leave it open for the Postmaster associations to file another complaint against the Postal Service on the issue of consolidation and staffing of Post Offices.
December 26, 2011
PRC Releases Advisory on Postal Service’s Retail Access Optimization Initiative
On Friday December 23rd the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) released this press release on the long awaited advisory for the Postal Services Retail Access Optimization Initiative (RAOI). The LEAGUE had submitted over a hundred pages of rebuttal testimony, briefs and reply briefs, along with actual testimony from LEAGUE President Mark Strong and Mayor Hobbs from Iowa. Our legal counsel cross-examined almost every witness and we were heavily involved in this advisory. Indeed, it was favorable to our position that the RAOI was fundamentally flawed and the PRC had recommendations for the Postal Service about what needed to take place to improve it. You can read the entire advisory to better understand the PRCs recommendations. What they found is that the model they used simply did not take enough into consideration when looking at closing offices, and that managers in the field need to be trained on how to close and properly use the PUB 101.
It is true that it is just an advisory, but the wakeup of Congress with regard to rural post office closure and the impact it has on rural America, gives this Advisory more weight. On page 117, Chairman Goldway gives her opinion. Her last paragraph says it best….
“The Commission's Advisory Opinion advises the Postal Service on the best methods to maintain service comparable to 1983 levels and, in fact, how overall service can be improved while making necessary cuts. We do so by presenting the outlines for developing a bona fide optimization plan. Such a plan would include the comprehensive analysis of hard data and the more careful consideration of each individual community's needs.
The Postal Service, by law, may not be required to follow the recommendations presented in the Commission's decision. If it chooses not to and rather proceeds with the RAOI as originally submitted to the Commission, it risks, I believe, violating the law I cited earlier and the consequences that could follow.”
December 13, 2011
USPS Delays Closings and Consolidation
USPS, in response to a request made by multiple U.S. Senators, has agreed to delay the closing or consolidation of any Post Office or mail processing facility until May 15, 2012.
The Postal Service will continue all necessary steps required for the review of these facilities during the interim period, including public input meetings.
USPS hopes this period will help facilitate the enactment of comprehensive postal legislation. Given the Postal Service’s financial situation and the loss of mail volume, the Postal Service must continue to take all steps necessary to reduce costs and increase revenue.
This is in response to the letter from 22 US Senators calling for a moratorium on post office and mail processing facility closures. This will prevent the Postal Service from proceeding further with any closings or consolidations and allow Congress to work out an appropriate long term solution.
December 9, 2011
LEAGUE and NAPUS Agree to Re-open Pay Talks.
On Tuesday, December 6, 2011, LEAGUE President Mark Strong and NAPUS President Bob Rapoza met with Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe and agreed to re-open Postmaster pay talks. This agreement was reached in the midst of the selection of a fact-finding panel from a list of panelists received from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. If no agreement is reached by the January 27, 2012 deadline, the fact-finding process will resume. All parties are looking to find an agreeable compromise to the pay package without a third party. We look forward to further discussion on our proposals.
At a meeting on Friday December 2, 2011 both Presidents met with Postal Headquarter to discuss RIF- Avoidance procedures. We have a commitment from Labor Relations for RIF Avoidance for impacted Postmasters. This RIF Avoidance link explains RIF Avoidance in 354.23 and specifically RIF Avoidance for Postmasters impacted by discontinuance in 354.3. Part of RIF Avoidance may include Voluntary Early Retirement (VER) and the possible use of incentives. We will continue to meet with Postal headquarters and discuss incentives as well as who should be offered VERs. We hope to get more information and have this resolved before the end of the year.
Late breaking news, today December 9, twenty Senators sent a letter to the leadership of the Senate requesting a 6 month moratorium on post office and mail processing closures to be inserted in the next appropriations bill to pass. This would prevent the Postal Service from proceeding further with any closings or consolidations and allow Congress to work out an appropriate long term solution.
January 30, 2012
LEAGUE Legislative Forum 2012 – US Senator Bernie Sanders was greeted with a standing ovation from League Postmasters who welcomed his effort to block widespread closings of post offices and processing plants. Click to view the video of Senator Sanders addressing the LEAGUE Forum.
