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 One Beltway Center |
President's MessageSeptembert 15, 2008 Leaguers, I just got off the phone with my good friend and Postmaster Barbara Dillard. Barbara is the Postmaster of Port Arthur Texas ( just east of Galveston and Houston) and a long-time leader in the League of Postmasters. Most of us are somewhat familiar with some of the devastation caused by Hurricane Ike as it entered and passed through Texas. Barbara related that the eye of the storm passed very close to her Post Office in Port Arthur. According to Barbara, most areas in her vicinity are without running water and electricity. Many areas are still under water to some extent. Barbara has not been to her post office as Port Arthur still has much standing water; she speculates about 6 inches in her post office. Barbara, good Leaguer that she is, has been in contact with as many area Postmasters as she can, and all seem to be doing well. In fact, Barbara told me that today the weather there was wonderful! It is a little cooler, the sun is out, and we know the wind has calmed considerably. I know that Barbara and her part of Texas were devastated just a few years ago by Hurricane Rita. Barbara told that Ike was worse than Rita, but it seemed like folks were weathering Ike a little better. Barbara also contrasted Port Arthur during Ike with New Orleans during Katrina. Barbara was happy to report that, "Our levees held". That was good to hear as the levee in Port Arthur is right across the street from the post office. When I spoke to Barbara, she was getting ready to go to work at the plant in Houston though, she wasn't sure what she would be doing there and she'd also have to comply with the curfew that is currently in effect. She's got to be home by 6 pm and can't be out on the streets before 9 am. Most large office Postmaster would take those workhours any day! Our best to Barbara and all of our League and Postal Service friends there as they try to return to normal lives. Earlier I spoke to Brenda Locke, President of the Louisiana Branch and Postmaster of Swartz Louisiana. Brenda told me that Hurricane Gustav was tough but everyone seemed to have weathered it well. There are so many changes happening as we speak and many of you are anxiously awaiting word on any number of issues that are being acted upon from Postal Headquarters. Districts are already issuing budgets. Some districts are using CSV and SOV to establish budgets. Other districts seem to be using other methods. President Reagan might have called them Voodoo Economics. Whatever the source, your budgets are coming out soon. Now is the time to start pushing back on areas where your budgets don't fit your needs. We had instances for FY 2008 where post offices weren't budgeted enough rent money to pay the rent on their post offices. It would be hard to make that budget! Timelines for the early outs (VER) for craft employees and many EAS employees have been issues and employees are deciding whether or not they will avail themselves of this opportunity. In response to requests from Postmasters from around the country, who have 'had it' with the lack of support from their districts and want to move on with their lives away from the Postal Service, the Postmaster Organizations requested VERA for Postmasters. Many of you have received Computer-Generated Annuity Estimates from the Postal Service. Although this is not an offer for an early out (VER), the offer will almost certainly be made soon, so, as I have said in the past, if you are considering accepting the offer, you need to start planning now. Get some good advice on what you can expect when and if you leave the Postal Service. I have attached a letter received from Postal Headquarters regarding some issues that we addressed in a recent meeting with them. According to Postal Headquarters personnel, there is nothing preventing a Postmaster from hiring more than one PMR for his or her office. If you are denied by HRSS, please contact me so that I can follow up with the Postal Service. The hiring freeze is still on, however, some districts have seen hiring as their Area Vice Presidents are exercising their authority on this by allowing hiring where they see a need. Click to view letter As soon as we hear that the VER is actually offered to Postmasters, we will get the word out. Take some time off to enjoy what remains of our summer! Respectfully, Charley Mapa President, National League of Postmasters 703-329-4550 |
League EventsJuly 18 - July 22, 2010 National League of Postmasters Convention Town and Country |
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