Volume 99

Postmaster Online

Volume 99

December 15, 2000

Contents:

Editorial: On the Postmaster Organizations, On the Post Office

1) How is It Possible?

Freedom to Chose

3) Rural Carriers Have Lives to Live

4) Grains of Common Sense

5) Just Pro Postmaster

6) He who has ears to Hear

7) Words or Actions?

8) No Great Memories

9) Thrift Savings Plan Expands

10) Postal Link at Home?

11) Leadership Matters Most

Lets Chat!

EDITOR: Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to all my fellow postmasters. We have much ahead of us these next few days but we will rise to the occasion. Remember to stay positive - if you wanted Christmas time off, you would have been a schoolteacher!

ON ONE POSTMASTER ORGANIZATION

The Two-Postmaster organization issue spilled out into the pages of Federal Times, running side by side articles from League President Cinadr and NAPUS president Moser. The Moser article was the same one that first ran in these pages. The two have apparently agreed to form a mutual workgroup, as recommended in this newsletter some weeks back.

I believe the workgroup should start slow. "What do we agree upon" and then let the wind carry the kite from there. But first it must be launched. For those anxious for a "merger", realize that this would be no easy task. The complexity is astounding. Consider millions of dollars of assets that each organization has. Each would have to be sold, debts and assets liquidated, staff consolidated, contracts for national conventions years away bought out.

SO let us start this journey with a singleness of purpose, then we can unite in other ways.

ON THE POST OFFICE

Well, it looks it may take more than Jim Carrey and his repentant Grinch character to save our service. Even with a billion-dollar rate hike in January, it looks as if we will lose a billion dollars by year's end. In other words, the rate hike was half what it will take just to keep us afloat. These figures do not take into account the fact that all three major unions have reached an impasse in the contact talks and are going to arbitrators. These arbitrators are traditionally anti company and pro worker. So big pay raises could spell doom for the future.

Estimates for our yearly loss stood at 480 million on November 1, then were raised to 960 million on November 14, then by December 5 were raised to 1.2 billion. At this rate, by Jan 30 we will be 200 billion in debt!

What will it take? A rider on a white horse who will cut, cut, cut and make us lean again. Perhaps 5-day delivery is the answer. Perhaps (gasp) the consolidation of some smaller offices might be in order. If we want to survive, the sacrifice of some holy cows will have to occur.

What is your opinion? What will save us?

Send your comments on this issue or any other to rupzip@cs.com

New subscriptions, cancellations and other questions can be directed to the same address

Check us out on the Web: this issue, along with archives, links and other goodies can be found at

http://ourworld.cs.com/rupzip

David Rupert

Editor

Wilson WY 83014

(PS we are still taking contributions to help buy a domain name and better our service. Send a dollar, two, five or 20 to POB 3 Wilson WY 83014. Thanks to all of you who have already helped.

1) How is It Possible?

Hi, I'm a level 13 postmaster on an OIC assignment in a 15 office. I have one career employee. I've been a postmaster for 2 years and before that a clerk for 4 years so I haven't moved very far up the pay chart. My question is, I make 18.00$ per hour while my clerk makes 18.83, when he is on higher level he makes 19.85. Can this be right, can the employees we supervise make more per hour than their boss. I would also include this employee has been in the postal service the same time as I (6 years). I recall reading info in a postal bulletin a year or so ago that supervisors are to be paid 5 % more than the people they supervise but now that I fall in this situation I can't locate it. Was I dreaming or is this a fact. Thanks for your help.

Thanks

Chuck from WV

(Chuck, both PM Organizations have this high on their lists - it is a shame that keeps good smart people from seeking promotions. So if the good smart people are not being lured, what does that make me?)

2) Freedom to Chose

Dave,

All along, Postmasters have held the power to have only one Postmaster organization. We do not need either National President to tell us how to think or what course of action to take. Quite simply, if all NAPUS members would join the LEAGUE, they could quite literally take over and run the organization as they see fit. They could then dissolve NAPUS, call for a special convention and rename the organization. Conversely, all LEAGUE members could do the same.

I also have my doubts as to the actual results shown by the survey. OF course, the overwhelming majority of NAPUS members would want the LEAGUE to dissolve, but the real results would be better shown if the overwhelming majority of ALL League members wanted their organization to dissolve.

Clearly, that was not shown. As to non-members voting. Excuse me, I don't believe they actually have a

say in this issue, since they have chosen to belong to neither organization. These are the ones whom, I believe, have the most to be wary of. Both organizations offer basically the same excellent benefits. Non-members receive the benefits of all dues-paying members when it comes to better pay, working conditions, etc. However, the one thing that I and other dues-paying members have that they do not, is the qualified, knowledgeable protection against Adverse Action provided by the League and NAPUS. And if they believe they will never need this protection, I would like to sell them some ocean front property in Arizona.

I really do not believe Mr. Moser really wants one organization, for if it actually happened, what would be their his and slogan then?

Come on, fellow Postmasters do not allow yourselves to be caught up in this! Remember that we live in a country where freedom of choice is one of our greatest luxuries. I, for one, enjoy this luxury and I am tired of the wrangling. Perhaps, if NAPUS directed the same energy and effort in dealing with Headquarters concerning the issues that affect our everyday lives, Postmasters would, indeed, feel that NAPUS was the best organization and all of us would join them. Until, then please leave me out of your fight!

Postmaster

And Dual member

3) Rural Carriers Have Lives

I have been a rural carrier for 26 years. I do not understand why PM's or Supervisors do not understand how hard we work. A day after a holiday, we work at least 11 hours without any breaks. Most of us just

bear down and do it. We see city carriers with aux help on what we call a normal heavy day. We are told to do it, no matter what the situation is. We are salaried, based on the count that we get in September, which

we all know is a laugh. We are the least of the problem in the P.O., but have the least amount of respect. Now we are in alot of offices without enough sub carriers for our earned day off. Many offices have regulars carrying 6 days a week and alot of x days coming without a chance in the near future to use them. How can we make our managers understand that we have real lives and families?

Sharon (EDITOR: While I sympathize with you on the lack of RCA's, a problem that also is echoed in our lack of PMRs nationwide, I do not agree that you should get help on the heavy days. On the light days your manager does not ask you to pick up the slack elsewhere. You run your route, go home early and still collect the same check. I think it's a great system, but you have to take the bad along with the good.)

4) Grains of Common Sense

Attorney Difalco's lengthy missive proves conclusively that, if you pay a lawyer enough money, he'll try to convince a jury that black is white or vice versa. Unfortunately, in this case, his arguments are so weak and

Contrived that no clear-thinking person can buy into them.

The facts are clear--NAPUS has been trying for YEARS to get the two organizations to merge into one. No attempt is being made to crush the League. The plan is now (as it has been all along) to dissolve BOTH organizations and to form a new one, with a new name, new constitution, ETC. that would have real clout. Anybody with a grain of common sense can see that the present system of two organizations exists to the detriment of Postmasters.

The fast that 75% of League members recognize the folly of dual organizations is testimony to the fact that the leadership chooses to ignore the will of its own membership. League members should DEMAND that a meaningful dialog be initiated between the leadership of both organizations

And the sooner the better.

I applaud the efforts of Charlie Moser in testing the waters with his survey. This step would not have been necessary if the leadership of the League had not stubbornly refused to consider what 75% of its members want. Isn't it time to cast aside juvenile loyalties and embrace change that would benefit all?

Mary Nadeau, VT editor

5) Just Pro Postmaster

David Thanks for reprinting my article on Dual Membership. The article is not intended to be pro or con on the issue of one Postmaster Organization. That's something that only Postmasters can decide. I do point out that the two organizations represent quite simply an historical development that will not easily morph into a single entity. Frankly the surest way to have a single Postmaster Organization would be to promote 100% dual membership. I suspect if that were close to being achieved the two entities would merge by default. I am convinced the worst way to merge would be for either organization to attempt to weaken and absorb the other through negative attacks and membership raids. I'll bet you and virtually all postmasters agree with that sentiment. I'm pro Postmaster be they NAPUS,LEAGUE,neither or dual members. Whatever comes in the future, if it benefits Postmasters I'm for it. May you and the family-indeed may all Postmasters and their families have a happy holiday season. Best wishes John DiFalco Fort Collins,Colorado ``````difalcolaw@aol.com

6) He who has ears to Hear

This is in response to Mr. DiFalco's comments regarding one organization. Did you not see the survey results? 75% of League members and 98% of NAPUS members responding would like to see one organization. I don't care what we call it or who is in power, but PLEASE listen to both memberships. One organization will benefit us all. I am the NAPUS Oregon President. We have always maintained a membership above 90%, but I am dismayed at some of the younger Postmasters who are now saying, "I'll join when there is only one organization."

"Let us do together what we cannot do alone."

Debbie Hill

Gresham OR

Words or Action?

A fellow postmaster once said the reason for not "joining together as one organization" was because the League came first! The conversation continued with "NAPUS should join in with the League, since the League was the first postmasters' organization". That makes no more sense than "The League should

join in with NAPUS because NAPUS has more members".

Charlie Moser has not suggested that the two become one, he has proposed that there be ONE

Postmaster organization (group, club, clan, etc.) and on several occasions he has indicated that this should be one NEW group representing all postmasters. Another postmaster suggested that we could begin our efforts of having one postmasters' organization by holding a POSTMASTERS' CONVENTION (it would be a joint convention between the League and NAPUS) where we would JOINTLY elect our new board. Of course the termination of the two existing organizations would have to be done using the proper LEGAL means. So many comments in the past have been geared to how to begin this whole process.

Someone has taken it upon his shoulders (along with the members of his board) to put some ACTION behind his words. Beginning that process did not need approval from any other organization or individual as the movement was made to gather information to be tabulated by a third party. No where did the survey ask: Would you prefer to have NAPUS as the only organization for postmasters? Postmasters all over the country can tell you why they believe that ONE organization for postmasters would be best. Those postmasters could be strong League members, strong NAPUS members, or neither. They could also

be dues paying members who have never become active in either group. I don't believe that all postmasters would become members of the new POSTMASTERS ORGANIZATION, but I think that making a choice whether to join this-one-or-that is more difficult than just deciding whether to join.

Dawn Burger

Postmaster

Irwin OH 43029

No Great Memories

Hi Dave, I am writing to you as a Retired Postal employee for the first time. As I look back on my 25 years, I will tell you with only a couple of years as an exception, I hated every bit of it. I left as a HR level 11, overworked and underpaid. Hindsight shows me that the company is the least humanistic that I could ever dream of, and will fail because of it. The pain and suffering I have seen over the years from both management and craft leads me to know that getting out was the smartest thing I did and I know I am happy now. When your supervisors don't care what your problems are, when the plant manager will not rearrange your schedule because you have child care problems, when they can't make accommodations for people with real illnesses, or family problems, how in the name of what is holy can you expect the employee to care about what you want, like getting the mail out. Who cares? My kid is sick! Why would I care? The company will never "get it" and will sink just like the Titanic. They deserve to. It is just a shame it will take some good people with it. A happy camper in NJ

9) Thrift Savings Plan Expands

Two new funds are set to be added to the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) on May 1, 2001. These are the 'S' Fund, a small cap fund which tracks the Wilshire 4500 Index and the 'I' Fund, an international stock fund composed of European, Australian companies listed on the EAFE Index. It was hoped that the Funds could be offered sooner, but recording system difficulties prevented the rollout. In the meantime, the TSP has provided improved access for tracking these funds and allows for reporting name changes to the TSP

Service office. In the past nine years, the Wilshire index had a 16.2 percent return and the EAFE index yielded a 7.0 percent return. For the same period, the C Fund, which matches the S&P 500, earned 18.2 percent

Postal Link at Home?

Great newsletter as always Dave! Keep it up.

Can someone help me? Through the New York Metro area magazine, they announced that you could subscribe to postal link at home. I have sent three emails to date with no response. What am I doing wrong? Can I do something differently?

Ruslsdad@aol.com

FRED

11) Leadership Matters Most

As a Postmaster I do read all the emails from your news letter. The latest is about one combined organization. To make it short and sweet it doesn't matter if we have one or two Postmaster organizations. What matters is leadership to have the courage to stand up to the intimidation and harassment of all postmasters. There is so much wrong with management in the postal service I could write volumes. Next issue I will give more details

12) Lets Chat!

I really enjoyed visiting your site and saw under some comments made in

your guestbook that Postmasters are looking to chat with other Postmasters.

We, also, wanted to chat with Postmasters but could never find anyone in

the NAPUS Chat Room so we started planning to meet there. On Monday

evenings at 8 (PA time) I will be there with a number of Postmasters from

all over and we talk about your site, conventions, EVA, one organization,

and whatever is happening at the time. So please join us and add your two

cents to the conversation. Hope you will visit with us soon.

Teri Thomas

Associate Editor of the PA Register