On Dec. 21, NAPS President Ivan D. Butts sent a letter to USPS Headquarters requesting adjustments be made to the EAS salary range in response to inflationary pressures. The Postal Service had proposed to modify the 1.5% increase as directed by the August 2021 pay decision and apply a 4.1% increase to the salary maximums and increase the salary range minimums by the dollar increase of the respective range maximum.
NAPS alternatively proposed that the 4.1% calculated dollar-amount increase at the top end of each pay range be applied to all employees across the range. “This is a fairer approach,” Butts wrote, “and would assure that all EAS employees receive a pay increase, regardless of their position on the pay scale.”
In addition, NAPS requested a higher increase in the maximum where those at the top who just received the 3% increase would also be allowed to have their upcoming NPA increase be fully added to their salary and not receive anything in a lump-sum bonus. In order to achieve this, NAPS said, the percentage increase needed to be a minimum of 7%.
NAPS asked that the increases take effect Jan. 14, 2023, immediately before applying the FY22 PFP awards.
In response, Bruce Nicholson, manager, Labor Relations Policy Administration, wrote:
“The Dec. 20 proposal and modifications to the salary ranges are significantly greater than the planned 1.5% increases. The Sept. 21 memorandum from the Postmaster General awarded 3% salary increases to our nonbargaining employees to recognize efforts during the fiscal year while facing impacts from the global pandemic and record inflation. This increase resulted in individual salaries of nonbargaining employees getting closer to the maximum of each range. This award was in addition to the scheduled fiscal year 2022 Pay-for-Performance award.
“The FY22 PFP award, scheduled to be applied to employee salaries on Jan. 14, 2023, also will contribute toward employee salary increases. In addition, increasing the salary range maximums prior to applying the PFP award allows for a greater increase in employee salaries, as well as greater increases in pay with future promotions.
“The Postal Service has decided, pursuant to Title 39, US Code § 1004, to proceed with implementation of the revisions outlined in our Dec. 20 correspondence. The salary ranges will be effective Jan. 14, 2023, and are enclosed for your convenience (see below).”
