Branch 526 members at the recent NAPS Eastern Region Cabinet Meeting

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF POSTAL SUPERVISORS

JAMES E. PARKS JR. DISTRICT BRANCH #526, NORTHERN VIRGINIA

President’s Corner

Hello fellow NAPS members! By the time you receive this newsletter, time will have already sprung forward into Daylight Saving Time. Every year there is a lot of talk about leaving clock settings constant all year and eliminating Daylight Saving Time. Some people love it, and others don’t care for it. And change is difficult even if it only twice a year. USPS continues to change monthly or even weekly. The changes are frustrating and confusing, even when the change is long overdue. As a management employee, it can be very difficult to adjust to constant revisions in procedures and policies. However, change is something that you can always count on, and we can expect more adjustments as the Postmaster General’s Delivering For America plan is implemented. NAPS keeps an eye on all actions that affect all EAS employees. NAPS works to improve the lives of EAS employees through legislation and in consultations with USPS.

Recently, members of Branch 526 attended the Eastern Region Conference Meeting in Atlantic City, New Jersey, my hometown. The conference included valuable training on new Postal policies and new leadership. Presentations were held on the 650 Mediation process and methods of increasing membership. 

Branch 526 delegates will visit Capitol Hill at the end of March as part of the NAPS Legislative Training Seminar. The yearly seminar gives NAPS delegates an opportunity to speak with Virginia’s two Senators and the state’s House of Representatives members. LTS delegates will be presenting the issues EAS are facing and ask for their support of Bills that improve would improve the lives of all EAS employees.

The Virginia District will be hosting a Career Conference on Sunday April 23, 2023. Any Branch 526 member who attends will be given a refund from the branch for their registration fee after presenting their conference payment receipt. NAPS will have a table for all Virginia State members to visit. Stop by with a non-member and get information about who we represent and what NAPS does for all EAS employees. Acting supervisors and OICs are welcome to stop by and learn the facts about NAPS so they can join as soon as they are promoted.

As you know there are no written agreements between the USPS and management associations. As a USPS employee you should become familiar with the ELM, POM,

Management Instructions, and policies and procedures. You need to be able to reference these when needed. Know your area of concern and read any applicable handbooks or publications. This is especially important for Supervisors of Customer Service and Distribution Operations. I want to reiterate that if you work in the field, you should study at a minimum, the M39, M41, Handbook 801, additional applicable Handbooks, and all the craft contract agreements (APWU, NALC, Mail Handlers, and Rural Carriers. The safety handbook is a must to help prevent accidents and to know what to do if one does occur.

NAPS has always represented managers and supervisors in pay consultations with USPS. Recently a court decision gave NAPS the right to represent postmasters in their pay talks. In cases of corrective action NAPS can represent any EAS employee who is a member.

If you know of any new EAS Supervisor(s) in your unit, ask them to join us. If you would like material explaining the benefits of NAPS membership, just contact any of the Branch officers. If you sign up new members you will receive $25 for each new member you sponsor. Remember that there is a 60 day window for newly promoted EAS to join NAPS and receive full and immediate representation. If you wait until you need assistance to join NAPS you will have to wait 60 days before you are eligible to have full representation. NAPS is a nonprofit management association, and unlike the craft unions we only assist members. There is strength in numbers. Increasing membership helps all of us.

If you are receiving this local newsletter and not receiving national magazine, The Postal Supervisor, please update your mailing address with us.

Stay Safe and hope to hear from you. 

Lloyd B Cox

President

James E. Parks Jr. Branch 526

NAPS BRANCH 526 MEMBERSHIP MEETING VIA ZOOM

THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2023--7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85690287946?pwd=SmM4TzMvY2wzNG1yR0swUUg0SnM5dz09

Meeting ID: 856 9028 7946 Passcode: 631494

If you do not have Zoom capability on your computer or mobile device, you can dial 301-715-8592 and join using the meeting ID and password. 

If you are having difficulties connecting to the meeting, please text Deborah Holley at 757-377-5679.

If dialing in use the same meeting ID and password                               

Meeting ID: 856 9028 7946 Passcode: 631494

Branch 526 Member Advocates

Customer Service--Alice Jackson (703) 763-9317, Mail Processing--Deborah Farmer (301) 356-6955, Headquarters--June Brandt (412) 600-6206

Contact a NAPS advocate ASAP if you are asked to participate in an investigative interview or are issued corrective action. ____________________________________________________________________________

PROPOSED CHANGES TO CONSTITUTION

Article VI Section 4

Section 4 (current)      Benefits will be provided for all members of Branch 526 and their families for long term illness, the birth of a new baby, adoptions, and death.  It shall be the responsibility of Recreation and Welfare Chair to send flowers and/or contribution as designated by the family of the deceased; the amount not to exceed $85.00.  This benefit shall be limited to spouse, children, mother, father, sister and brother.  A card (only) will be sent to all other family members including mother-in-law, father-inlaw, step mother, step father, step sister, step brother, etc.

Section 4 (proposed) Benefits will be provided for all members of Branch 526 and their families for long term illness, the birth of a new baby, adoptions, and death.  It shall be the responsibility of the Recreation and Welfare Chair to send a Visa Gift card in the amount of not to exceed $85.00.  This benefit shall be limited to spouse, children, mother, father, sister and brother.  A card (only) will be sent to all other family members including mother-in-law, father-in-law, step mother, step father, step sister, step brother, etc

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF POSTAL SUPERVISORS--BRANCH 526

NAPS BRANCH 526 MARCH 2023 MEMBERSHIP MEETING

The March meeting of NAPS Branch 526 will be held on Thursday, March 16, 2023, at 7:00 PM. 

THE MEETING WILL BE HELD VIA ZOOM, PLEASE SEE DETAILS INSIDE THIS NEWSLETTER

A change to the Branch constitution will be discussed and voted on during the March meeting.