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Inclusive Representation for All EAS Employees

Inclusive Representation for All EAS Employees
By Brian J. Wagner
NAPS President

Since the early 1970s, the Postal Service has recognized NAPS as the “supervisors’ organization” for pay and non-pay consultation purposes within the meaning of 39 U.S.C. § 1004 (Title 39). NAPS has over 27,000 members, both active and associate. To most members, NAPS is viewed as an association whose primary role is to consult with the Postal Service on EAS pay and benefits. However, NAPS is more than just an organization that represents EAS employees in pay. Here’s the scoop:

Article III, Membership, of the NAPS Constitution and Bylaws, classifies who is an active, associate or honorary member. NAPS members who are current EAS postal employees are classified as active.

Specifically, Article III, Section 2, Active Members, subsections (a) and (b), read:

“(a) Included are all supervisory/managerial and postmaster personnel who are not subject to collective bargaining agreements under Chapter 12 of Title 39, U.S. Code, and who are employed in processing and distribution centers and facilities, including but not limited to, Headquarters, area and district offices; post offices; network distribution centers; and other installation personnel.

“(b) NAPS is not the representative of personnel employed as PCES installation heads, postal inspectors or other PCES positions in USPS field facilities or at USPS Headquarters.”

Per 39 U.S.C. § 1004, the Postal Service officially recognizes NAPS as the only postal management organization entitled to represent all non-postmaster EAS personnel over pay and benefits. Furthermore, although the USPS may want to divide EAS employees by reporting structure, Title 39 does not differentiate EAS employees as field, area and Headquarters reporting employees. The law is straightforward; there is no division of EAS employees reporting in Title 39.

First, no matter an employee’s EAS title—postmaster, manager, supervisor, specialist, coordinator or any other EAS managerial position—the USPS continues to recognize that an EAS employee who is a NAPS member may be represented by NAPS under ELM 650, ELM 450 debt collection and the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB).

Yes, NAPS may represent our postmaster members in matters related to any USPS personnel action. And NAPS’ efforts to gain official USPS recognition to represent postmasters regarding pay and non-pay consultation under Title 39 is ongoing. In addition, the benefits of NAPS membership are not limited to representing active members, but our retired associate members, as well.

Second, if you are a NAPS member—whether your EAS title is postmaster, manager, supervisor, specialist, coordinator or any other EAS managerial position—you have access to the NAPS Disciplinary Defense Fund (DDF). This is the best adverse action and debt collection representation of any postal management association. Just know that NAPS’ MSPB and debt collection win rates are exceptional. Furthermore, our associate members also are entitled to the DDF. This is good news if the USPS makes a post-retirement debt collection claim against an associate member.

Third, when NAPS lobbies Capitol Hill on postal matters, we do not differentiate our members by EAS or retirement title. Whether a NAPS member is a USPS Headquarters or area reporting EAS employee, postmaster, manager, supervisor, other managerial personnel employee or associate member, our legislative efforts support all members.

Fourth, no matter your current or former EAS title, members may attend NAPS training, state and national conventions and be elected to a branch, state or national NAPS officer position. Most importantly, all members have the same voting rights.

Fifth, the children and grandchildren of NAPS members—active and associate—have an opportunity to apply for annual NAPS scholarships.

Sixth, active and associate members receive $25 for each new active member they sign. Consider this a NAPS PFP: pay-for-promoting NAPS membership.

Finally, all members are encouraged to visit the NAPS website at www.naps.org to learn more about the benefits of NAPS membership. There you will find breaking NAPS news, correspondence received from USPS Headquarters, officer training information, NAPS’ legislative efforts and the opportunity to apply for a NAPS Visa credit card, administered by Signature Federal Credit Union, to name just a few.

NAPS is not about dividing, but joining together all current and former EAS employees. To become a stronger, more influential postal management association, NAPS must remain persistent in our efforts to represent all EAS titles during pay talks and at the consultative table.

Let’s continue pushing forward by signing EAS employees. No matter an employee’s EAS title or to whom they report—USPS Headquarters or area—all are eligible for active NAPS membership per Article III of our Constitution and Bylaws. NAPS wants all EAS employees to receive the best NAPS representation and association benefits possible.

Furthermore, keep your NAPS representation going into postal retirement by becoming an associate member. No law or EAS title can change your right to be part of the NAPS family and be represented as an active or associate member in our association.

I must say my August ice-cream-flavor-of-the-month recommendation should be against the law: triple caramel chunk!