May 2025
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF POSTAL SUPERVISORS
JAMES E. PARKS, JR. BRANCH #526, VIRGINIA May 2025 NEWSLETTER
Lloyd B. Cox, President, James E. Parks, Jr. Branch 526
Welcome members of Branch 526,
Greetings to my fellow NAPS members. Welcome to May 2025. I hope that all is well with you and your families. I had the opportunity on May 3rd and 4th to meet several members and potential members at the USPS Career Conference, in Leesburg, VA. The NAPS Virginia State Branch, #951, sponsored two tables, gave out gifts and spoke with several members from throughout the state. We talked about the mission of NAPS and how it can help you navigate your career. We had the opportunity to meet several USPS District leaders. Those attending had the opportunity to ask questions on postal processes, the development of KSAs, Labor Relations, and information on current job postings. There were several vendors from higher education, financial planning, and several USPS departments. They were there to inform you on how to improve you knowledge of how the Postal Service office works for you.
On the operational side, the field has provided office and street tools to supervisors to perform office and street inspections and other useful tools. A long way from when supervisors had to create and write everything down. It is my understanding that most level EAS-18 and EAS-17 must use the scanner to enter a BT and ET. Use them as it is now the new operational tool.
This month only, we will hold our local branch meeting at 3111 Fairview Park Dr., Falls Church, Va. 2042. Starting time is 7pm on Friday May 16, 2025.
Take time to visit our new 526 branch website at https://www.napsbranch526.org. New information is continually being added and there is a link to the NAPS national website. We are always looking for more ideas and suggestions.
A reminder that we are no longer mailing our Branch newsletter. The newsletter will be posted on the website and e-mailed to those members who have provided NAPS with their email address. Update your personal email address with me at Lloyd.b.cox@gmail.com or one of our branch officers.
Our Branch Meetings are normally held on the 3rd Thursday of every other month (the odd months). We have returned to in-person meetings. Unless otherwise announced, meetings will be held at the Merrifield Post Office, located at 8409 Lee Highway, room 108, at 7 pm.
This month’s meeting is a special meeting on Friday, May 16, 2025. At the Marriott Hotel, located at 3111 Fairview Park Dr., Falls Church, Va. 22042.
NAPS will continue to work for you! Come to the Branch meeting and get involved.
If you sign up a new EAS, NAPS Headquarters will give you $25. New members help NAPS to stay strong and provides the new members with the benefits of membership. NAPS now have over 29,000 plus members.
Lloyd B. Cox, President, James E. Parks Jr. Branch 526
Branch 526 members providing information about NAPS at the recent USPS Career Conference
CONTACT CONGRESS & ASK THEM TO PROTECT USPS, ITS EMPLOYEES, & RETIREES
Anyone who has spent a number of years with USPS knows that there has been wave after wave of changes and reforms. But this time it is different. Those who have always scoffed and said that Congress and the President “can’t touch us” should take note of the other semi-governmental agencies that have been defunded or eliminated. Despite the strength of the USPS craft unions, contracts have been voided and unions decertified at other agencies. It is no longer a matter of auditing, reviewing and making cuts, it is slash and burn reductions without concern for the consequences. Add into the mix a new Postmaster General with strong ties to a private competitor and we need to fight back to
As you may be aware, the House Committee on Oversight & Accountability approved legislation to decrease take-home pay for postal employees hired prior to 2014, change the annuity formula for employee retiring in 2027 and thereafter to a high 5 calculation from a high 3, and eliminate the FERS Supplemental Retirement Annuity for FERS-covered employees retiring prior to age 62.
It is critical that you communicate to NAPS members within your states and branches the urgent need to contact their members of Congress and ask them to oppose these punitive benefit cuts that target the postal and federal workforce.
Branch 526 Member Advocates
Customer Service--Alice Jackson (703) 763-9317, Mail Processing--Deborah Farmer (301) 356-6955, Headquarters--June Brandt (412) 600-6206. If unable to reach and advocate, contact Branch President Lloyd Cox at (571) 422-8749.
Contact a NAPS advocate ASAP if you are asked to participate in an investigative interview or are issued corrective action.
Proposed Constitutional Change Dues Assessment
Article XIII Dues and Assessments - Current
Section 1 Membership dues of District Branch 526 shall be $17.00 per pay period and shall be increased by a like amount when National or State per capita tax is increased.
Section 2 Associate membership dues of the District Branch 526 shall be $150.00 annually and shall be increased by a like amount when National per capita tax is increased.
Article XIII Dues and Assessments - Proposed Change
Proposed:
Section 1 Membership dues of District Branch 526 shall be $20.00 per pay period and shall be increased by like amount when National or State per capita tax is increased.
Reason: National has increased the Per capita by a total of $4.00 per pay period.
Section 2 Associate membership dues of the District Branch 526 shall be $200.00 annually and shall be increased by a like amount when National per capita tax is increased.
Reason: National has increased the Per capita by a total of $4.00 per pay period.
Branch 526 members met with Congressman Eugene Vindman (VA-7) during the recent NAPS Legislative Training Seminar
Branch 526 member Darcy Driscoll (second from left) joined other NAPS members in briefing first term Congressman John McQuire (VA-5) on postal issues.
Branch 526 President Lloyd Cox thanked Congressman Don Beyer (VA-8) for his support of postal employees.
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF POSTAL SUPERVISORS JAMES E. PARKS, JR. BRANCH #526
NAPS BRANCH 526 MEMBERSHIP MEETING
The May meeting of NAPS Branch 526 will be held on Friday, May 16, 2025, at 6:00 PM at the Marriott Fairview Park, 3111 Fairview Park Dr., Falls Church, VA.
A proposed change to the Branch 526 Constitution will be introduced.
PLEASE NOTE THE DATE AND LOCATION CHANGE FOR MAY’S MEETING.