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Welcome
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.
News and Feature Highlights
May 16, 2012
Postal Service has released the First Set of Frequently asked Questions (FAQS) for HR Related POStPlan and POStPlan Questions.
May 09, 2012
PMG Announces POStPlan
This morning, Postmaster General Pat Donahoe and Chief Operating Officer Megan Brennan held a press conference regarding the Postal Service’s plan to keep rural post offices open while addressing the declining mail volumes and declining revenue. This new program is called the POStPlan which stands for Post Office Structure Plan. For details visit The LEAGUE's POStPlan site POStPlan
May 09, 2012
Postmaster Pay Package Announced
After months of trying to get a pay packaged that was agreeable, the Postal Service released the pay package that all parties have found common ground on. LEAGUE and NAPUS had decided to take the pay package to third party mediation at one point in the consultative process. All parties felt that an agreement could be reached without outside intervention. In December of 2011 we went back to the table. Although far from the perfect pay package, we believe it is fair to all parties and in line with the financial difficulties facing the Postal Service while recognizing the hard work of Postmasters. View Details
April 25, 2012
S. 1789 Passes Out of Senate
Mark Strong, President of the LEAGUE, wishes to thank Senators Lieberman, Collins, Brown, Carper and all the other senators for the hard work that went into S. 1789. I want to congratulate the senators on their effort and the fact that they showed that legislation can still work, especially with this very difficult bill. The LEAGUE is pleased with the amendments that strengthened S. 1789 that gave extra protection to rural post offices and dealt with some of the overpayment issues, specifically the FERS overpayment. Click to view the text for s.1789. (PDF)
April 25, 2012
Washington, D.C., April 25, 2012 - Senate Passes Postal Bill - Rural Post Offices Get Support, New Restrictions on Closing Added
Today, the United States Senate passed S. 1789, the 21st Century Postal Act of 2012, in a bi-partisan fashion 62 to 37. The bill gives rural post offices more support and adds on a number of restrictions to the Postal Service’s ability to close them. Clearly, the Senate was not at all pleased with the behavior of the Postal Service in attempting to close thousands of small post offices over the last year or two. The bill contained a moratorium on closing small post offices in rural areas for one year, as well a moratorium of going to five-day delivery for two years.
From a broader perspective, the bill returns some $11 billion of overpaid FERS money back to the Postal Service, allowing some to be used for buyouts, and the remainder to be used to pay down its debt and to cover other employee benefits, such as workers’ compensation, pensions and health care. Further, the bill also begins a 40-year amortized payment schedule for the Postal Service to fund the rest of its retirees’ health benefits and would calculate those payments using the same discount rate that is used for the major federal government retirement funds. Open For More Information...
April 24, 2012
Senate Consideration of S. 1789 Continues. Final Vote on Passage Set for Wednesday.
Washington - Tuesday April 24 2012. Today the Senate actually started voting on amendments to S. 1789. The first vote was a critical vote on waiving a budgetary point of order. It passed and the budgetary point of order was waived. This was necessary because of the quirky way CBO calculates a score and its failure to adjust for the Postal Service’s unique on/off budget situation which gives S 1789 a positive score. Thus, it appears that passage of the bill would cost the government money, even though that is not the case.
Among the amendments adopted were ones by Senators Tester, McCaskil, Bennett, and Blunt that give further protections to communities to avoid post office closings, and set a one year moratorium, although it would let the Postal Service reduce hours if appropriate.
Among those amendments that failed was one extending the moratorium from going from 6 day to 5 day delivery beyond two years. There were several negative amendments, notably ones by Senator Corker (R TN), McCain (R AZ) and Paul (R KY) that would have destroyed the Postal Service which also failed.
About half the amendments have been considered. The other half should be considered tomorrow as should a vote on final passage. So far, things look pretty good for passage. The vote on the budget waive was a very good sign.
April 23, 2012
Postal Legislation: The Deals Continue
The National League of Postmasters is continuing to monitor the deal making and political maneuvering of all sorts continued over the weekend. The postal bill and amendments are scheduled to go to a vote tomorrow, Tuesday around 2:15 p.m., although that time could easily change. It will be cablecast on CSPAN 2. I would not be surprised to see some postal speeches on the floor today, although the votes will be tomorrow.
At this point, the number of amendments have decreased to 39 and rewriting is ongoing in order to make amendments more palatable to a broader group. Indeed, several amendments might be combined and offered up by unanimous consent. We also we expect some senators to back off of some of the other amendments. Don’t be surprised, then, when Tuesday rolls around, to see a narrower field of amendments. More Information...
April 19, 2012
Postal Legislation: Behind-the-Scenes Maneuvers Continue as Senate Considers Postal Legislation
There are some 79 amendments that have been officially noticed for S. 1789 and the Senate is in the process of trying to narrow down those that will simply be accepted by the managers of the bill, those that will have a vote, and those that will have neither a vote nor be accepted. The idea is to eliminate all (or as many as they can) of the non-germane amendments to the bill, and get senators with very similar amendments to combine their amendments.
Among them is a McCaskill/Merkley amendment that the League supports that will further improve small rural post offices position in the legislation, and other amendments to better the bill. There is also an amendment by Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) to eliminate the postal monopoly, and another Rand amendment to drive up the premiums of the Federal Employee Health Benefits system.
Negotiations are intense and senators are pushing hard for their positions. A very strong contingent is insisting on yet better protections for small rural post offices--a position we strongly support.
April 18, 2012
Postal Legislation: Senate Continues with Consideration of S. 1789 Attempts to limit Amendments Only to Those Relevant to the Postal Bill
Today, the Senate continues its intermittent consideration of S. 1789 as Senators are giving speeches on the Postal Service, small post offices, and the current state of postal affairs. Democratic and Republican leaders are working on an agreement to limit amendments only to those relevant to postal matters. They have called for all Senators to submit to them any amendment they wish to offer to the bill. The deadline for the submissions was 1:00 pm today.
April 17, 2012
Postal Legislation: Senate Cloture Vote on Motion to Proceed Passes S. 1789 Goes to Senate Floor
The Senate Motion for Cloture on the Motion to Proceed passed this time around, 74 to 22.. The brings S. 1789 to the floor of the Senate for debate. The first item of business will to be substitute the managers’ amendment, see section by section analysis here, and then debate will occur and other possible amendments will be possible. It is not clear how long the Senate bill will remain on the floor. Some have suggested that the Republicans could keep it on the floor for up to two weeks in order to eat up Senate legislative time during an election time. We will see. Both Maryland Senators, liberal democrats both, voted against the Motion, thus probably indicating that some bad feelings between them and Senator Carper remain.
April 16, 2012
Postal Legislation: S. 1789 to proceed to Senate Floor for Debate, Consideration, and a Eventually a Vote.
Both parties in the Senate have reached an agreement to reconsider the cloture vote tomorrow, April 17, on the motion to proceed to S.1789 that failed a little less than a month ago. Following routine morning business tomorrow, the motion to proceed to the motion to reconsider the vote by which cloture was not invoked on the motion to proceed to S.1789 will be taken up, and the agreement is that the motion to reconsider will be agreed to.
This will start around 11 a.m. tomorrow, with the vote around 11:10. It will be cable and web cast on CSPAN 2. That means that S. 1789 will go to the Senate floor tomorrow for debate and ultimately for a vote on passage. Debate will surely last several days, or more.
Initially, there will be a managers amendment in the nature of a substitute bill. This will strike all the language of S. 1789 and replace it with the language of the managers amendment. That amendment includes most of the text of S. 1789 but adds some measures, deletes others, and changes still others. You can see the managers amendment in the nature of a substitute here. Once the managers amendment passes, the amended bill will be the subject of the debate. Many amendments are expected.
The League is analyzing the managers amendment and will release a statement after careful and deliberate analysis of the measure.
March 27, 2012 4:15 pm
Postal Legislation: First Cloture Vote Fails.
This afternoon, the Senate voted against invoking cloture on S. 1789. Sixty votes are required to pass a cloture amendment, and thus the Republicans control the outcome. The final vote was 51-46.
The primary reason for the “no” vote is that the Senate wants to keep its focus on the oil and gas bill that is before them now, and there is a concern that not all the issues in the postal bill managers’ amendment have been satisfactorily dealt with.
Senator Reid and several others ended up voting against cloture so they can move to reconsider the vote in the future, probably after the Senate returns from its Easter recess on April 16. By then, the Republicans will either vote with the Democrats to invoke cloture or allow the bill to proceed to debate.
The following is a helpful excerpt from a 2011 Congressional Research Report, explaining the procedure:
“In relation to the Senate’s initial consideration of a bill or resolution, there usually can be at least two filibusters: first, a filibuster on the motion to proceed to the measure’s consideration; and second, after the Senate agrees to this motion, a filibuster on the measure itself. If the Senate cannot agree to take up a measure by unanimous consent, the majority leader’s recourse is to make a motion that the Senate proceed to its consideration. This motion to proceed, as it is called, usually is debatable and, consequently, subject to a filibuster.14 Therefore, the Senate may have to invoke cloture on this motion before being able to vote on it. Once the Senate adopts the motion to proceed and begins consideration of the measure itself, a filibuster on the measure then may begin, so that cloture must be sought anew on the measure itself. Except by unanimous consent, cloture cannot be sought on the measure during consideration of the motion to proceed, because cloture may be moved only on a question that is pending before the Senate.
March 26, 2012
Postal Legislation: Senate Consideration Likely To Be Delayed
Late last week it seemed that the final stages of the process to pass postal legislation through the Senate would start today, Monday, March 26. However, developments late this morning have changed that and indicate that consideration might be put off until after the upcoming Senate Easter recess, which is scheduled for the first two weeks of April. A procedural vote on cloture could occur later this week. Watch our website for updates. View More Details
March 22, 2012
Postmasters Advocate Featured Article
February 29, 2012
Postmaster Organizations Agree that Pay Talks Should Continue
On February 28 League President Mark Strong and NAPUS President Bob Rapoza met with Postal Headquarters regarding the 2011-2015 pay package. Today an agreement was reached with the Postal Service to extend the talks. The pay talks were set to expire today February 29, 2012. We have made progress with our last few meetings and believe it to be in the best interest of everyone to remain at the table.
The Postmaster organizations began these pay talks in July of 2011 and could not reach an agreement with the final offer coming from the Postal Service on November 11, 2011. The LEAGUE and NAPUS entered third part mediation on November 17, 2011. In early December after a meeting with Postmaster General Pat Donahoe both organizations agreed to extend the talks and get back to the table.
The pay talks were extended again in January and most recently today. If we did not feel that progress was being made we would have stopped the talks long ago. It is in the best interest of all parties to find common ground, make needed compromises on both sides and reach agreement if possible without third party intervention.
February 27, 2012
Ratings Recourse Requests can be submitted from February 21, 2012 through March 21, 2012 only.
Final ratings for individual PFP are now posted for 2011. Even though there is no pay associated with PFP for 2011 you need to review your scores.
We are concerned that some rating managers may have taken shortcuts in FY 2011 when rating their employees due to the fact that there are no raises associated with PFP. Be sure that this did not happen to you by logging into PES and reviewing your core requirement ratings NOW.
Recourse is still valid and it is incumbent upon YOU to file Recourse if you do not agree with the score. Keep in mind that these scores can have lasting impacts. RIF procedures as well as some hiring procedures for the Inspection Service and OIG look at these ratings. You never know when these ratings are going to be reviewed and taken into consideration for upward mobility and hiring. You are responsible for any Recourse action.
Part of the RIF scoring process when decisions are made on who stays and who leaves uses the ratings for the last three years. Non-contributor ratings can have a very large impact on the RIF process. Although we have not received the 2011 recourse guide and overview we have not been made aware of any changes. Utilize the 2010 eRecourse process with this flow chart, the eRecourse overview and the quick-start guide for employees.
February 17, 2012
Things are heating up on the Hill in the usual jump ahead, pause, jump ahead, pause, soar ahead fashion. S. 1789, which those pushing it said was to be cued up and ready to go to the floor, is slowing down just a bit as Sen. Bernie Sanders, with whom we have worked closely, has sent a letter to Senators Lieberman, Collins, Carper and Brown with 26 other Senators congratulating the four of them on their work to date, and asking for further changes to S. 1789 to further protect small post offices and the quality of service. You can see a copy of the letter and for more information on this week in Washington click here for the Presidents message.
January 20, 2012
Presidents Message - The LEAGUE is preparing for its 42nd Legislative Forum January 29-31. Timing could not be better as the House returned to the Hill this week from its holiday break and the Senate returns next week. Depending on who you talk to, there are over 20 bills having to do with post office legislation pending and many feel that postal legislation will take a front seat during this session of Congress. View Details and More Information
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.”
Mark Strong
December 13, 2011
USPS Delays Closings and Consolidations
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.
December 8, 2011
Updated - 42nd League Legislative Forum Program Summary. The League Forum is approaching fast, January 29 -31, 2012. It has never been more important than now to have your voice heard. Make your plans to attend and Register now!.
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.
The LEAGUE and NAPUS Presidents will be meeting with legal counsel next week to review our options. Read further for the events leading up to the Final Rule going into effect.
November 18, 2011
LEAGUE and NAPUS file request with Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service for Fact Finding Panel. 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 10, 2011
National League of Postmaster Files Final Reply Brief on RAOI with PRC
Yesterday the LEAGUE filed their reply brief with the PRC regarding the advisory request by the Postal Service for their Retail Access Optimization Initiative (RAOI). Months of interrogatories, testimony, cross examinations, the initial brief and reply brief finalized the efforts of the LEAGUE to present the case for the importance of rural post offices to America and the fundamental flaws of this initiative. The case is now in the hands of the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC). It is our hope that the LEAGUE along with a number of intervenors have provided them with enough information so they have the knowledge to make the right decision. Both the initial brief and the reply brief are available for you to read.
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 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.
October 13, 2011
Statement of the National League of Postmasters on Markup of the H.R. 2309, the Issa Bill
Finally, We Are Beginning to Win the Post Office Closing Battle. The rural Congressional Giant is finally awake. Thanks to all the grassroots efforts of the members of the National League of Postmasters... Click for details (PDF)
October 7, 2011
Legislative Updates and Closing News
There are a number of activities going on with regard to legislation and new Bills on the hill. You received my message on H.R. 2309 and what a disaster it is. The good news is that it was suppose to get marked up in full committee this past Wednesday and did not. Click for details and other information
October 7, 2011
Legislative Picture Diversifies In Senate. A number of bills have been recently in introduced to oppose the current attempts to close small post offices. Read More.. (PDF)
September 29, 2011
News Release - LEAGUE President Mark Strong Tells Commission That Closing Rural Post Offices Will Harm Economy of Rural America and not Help Postal Service.
For Immediate Release (PDF)
September 22, 2011
The National League of Postmasters Oppose H.R. 2309
Yesterday the House Government Reform Committee’s Subcommittee on Federal Workforce & U.S. Postal Service favorably passed out of Subcommittee H.R. 2309, the Issa bill, with an amendment by Subcommittee Chairman Dennis Ross (R FL).
The League very strongly believes that H.R. 2309 would destroy the Postal Service if it were to pass. More details (PDF)
September 19, 2011
News Release - National League of Postmasters: Should the Postal Service Be Closing Small Post Offices In America’s Rural Communities?
For Immediate Release (Word)
September 6, 2011
LEAGUE President Mark Strong submitted a Statement today to the Senate hearing on the Postal Service Crisis. View the press release addressing the League statement. Click to read the entire statement submitted to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the United States Senate.
August 31, 2011
The website "Save the Post Office" is administered by Steve Hutkins, who lives in a small town in New York's Hudson Valley. He has no affiliation with the U.S. Postal Service—he doesn’t work for it, nor does anyone in his family. Like millions of Americans, he just likes his local post office, and he doesn’t want to see post offices being closed. Click for more information
August 24, 2011
The League acknowledges and greatly appreciates the PAC and EMP supporters, listed are the attendees who received awards during the National Convention.
August 15, 2011
League of Postmasters Releases Statement on USPS Newsbreak Regarding Retirement and Health Benefit Proposal.Click for details
August 14, 2011
OIG Gives Final Response to Requested 2009 NPA Investigation Click for details
August 12, 2011
PRC Responds to CFR 39 Complaint.
On Thursday the PRC issued an order dismissing the complaint filed by the LEAGUE and NAPUS. The complaint was filed on March 31 because of the USPS proposed changes to CFR 39.... Click for details
August 12, 2011
The 108th National Convention, Albuquerque New Mexico
It started with a welcome party for the first timers and ended with a Mexican Fiesta that put an exclamation point on a great week. Sunday, after our committee meetings, a full house waited for my arrival to talk about our plan to address the recent announcement regarding the 3,600 possible office closures. With the plan we rolled out... Click for details
August 11, 2011
Postmasters Receive Second RIF Notice
On August 2nd Areas sent another RIF notice to Postmasters impacted by DUO. Many Postmasters had received a RIF notice when their office was going through the DUO process. Click for details
July 27, 2011
Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe Meets with Management Organizations
On Wednesday July 27 The LEAGUE along with NAPUS and NAPS met with Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe regarding the financial situation the Post Office is facing. Volume continues to decline in most categories with First Class Mail causing the greatest concern. Although standard mail stayed fairly flat the revenue from FCM continues to erode the bottom line with the other mail classes not able to fill the gap. Click For More
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