Find Your Branch

NAPS Responds to USPS Affidavits Targeting Local Supervisors, Managers for Mail Delays

NAPS is disappointed that top leaders at the U.S. Postal Service, in affidavits filed in federal court on Sept. 11, 2020, collectively referred to local USPS supervisors and managers as a reason for the unsuccessful implementation of operational changes that resulted in the delay of mail across the country.

In the affidavits, USPS officials referred to pandemic-related decisions being made by less-experienced supervisors and inexperienced acting supervisors, “ineffective” management in transportation services and local management occasionally exercising “poor judgment” regarding the dispatch of mail as factors contributing to delays in mail delivery. Such references give the general public and media the inaccurate perception that postal supervisors and managers caused the recent delays in mail service. This is not true.

Blaming hard-working, front-line postal supervisors and managers does nothing to improve postal operations or service to the American public. Rather, it hurts the morale of managerial personnel who deserve clear communication of postal policies and instructions by top USPS officials, together with proper training, coaching, mentoring and staffing.

In response to media reports interpreting the affidavits as blaming local supervisors and managers for delivery delays, NAPS Headquarters considers any attempt to blame Postal Service supervisory and managerial employees without addressing the root causes of recent mail delays as not a sign of responsible leadership. Supervisors, managers and postmasters have followed USPS policies and directives.

The recent challenges of moving and delivering America’s mail during the COVID-19 pandemic have been daunting. Postal employees deserve a “thank you” from the Postmaster General, nothing less.