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It's Everyone's Responsibility To Be a NAPS Member

It’s Everyone’s Responsibility To Be a NAPS Member
By Dioenis D. Perez
New York Area Vice President

I’d like to thank everyone in the New York Area, which includes Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, for voting for me as New York Area vice president. My predecessor, James Warden, still is going to be mentoring me, along with Northeast Region Vice President Tommy Roma. I couldn’t ask for two better mentors.

I want to wish everyone a safe, wonderful and festive holiday and Christmas this year. We all remember what it was like last year in the throes of COVID-19. Let’s pray this year isn’t a repeat.

The time has come for all of us to roll up our sleeves and get to work by starting a movement to sign anyone as a NAPS member you know or suspect is a nonmember. The reward is a $25 check from NAPS Headquarters per each member signed. I personally have signed members in the past and received this reward. It’s not going to make you rich, but it’s going to help the association to which we all belong become stronger.

I’m certain everyone has heard the phrase, “Strength in numbers.” This is important because when NAPS sits across the table from the USPS to discuss pay, benefits and working conditions for our 26,190 dues-paying members, there’s another 8,569 nonpaying-dues members who reap this benefit, as well.

The USPS is fully aware of NAPS’ percentage of EAS employees it represents as members. If you don’t think this plays a calculated role in their minds in every negotiation, you are mistaken. Currently NAPS represents about only 74% of total active EAS members. I don’t see how any of us can allow this to happen any longer.

We need to sign those 8,569 nonmembers. Having this many nonmembers reap the benefits of those of us who pay dues is not right and can’t continue any longer. Everyone needs to pay their dues to reap the benefits of this association—period.

We all know EAS employees who are not NAPS members. The excuse they often use is, “What has NAPS done for me lately?” Here’s what you say: The other management association copies what NAPS receives all the time. NAPS does all the heavy lifting; they get the free ride. There’s no extra benefit you get from them. Craft union dues are almost double compared to what you pay your local NAPS branch and we have a much better pay package.

On Aug. 23, NAPS secured a pay package for every EAS employees’ benefit. When you read the accomplishments of the pay package, both the Postal Service and NAPS should be commended for working together to make this happen. NAPS accomplished many good things; now it’s time to reward them with increased membership!

• SDA—EAS employees will receive 5% higher base pay than the highest craft employee as of Nov. 20, 2021.
• FY22 top increases by 2%
• FY23 top increases by 1%
• No increases in your health benefits contributions.
• In FY 22, you can carry over 640 hours.
• In FY22 and 23, you can exchange up to 168 hours’ annual leave.
• Modification to promotional increases are awarded depending where you fall in your pay band to get you closer to the top.
• NPA—2.5 to 3% in FY21; everyone receives a raise.

Each NAPS member needs to make it their personal goal to sign four nonmembers so NAPS can send you a $100 check for your efforts in making this association stronger.

With dignity, integrity and respect always!