Where Do We Go From Here?
By Steve Moreau
Legislative Rep for Springfield, MA, Branch 102 and Postmaster of South Deerfield
The Postal Service Reform Act of 2022 was signed into law by President Joe Biden.
Many thanks are owed to the NAPS Legislative Team and local branch legislative representatives. How does this law directly affect Postmasters?
For the most part, it does not. However, two sections of the law will. One is the ability of the Postal Service to provide non-postal services. As of this writing, I am not aware of any changes to any post offices.
The second section is operational transparency. This information will be posted to an online website broken down by ZIP code. This is something in our direct control.
The Sampling Performance Metric (SPM) is nothing new. It is how the Postal Service tracks letter and flats delivery performance. It requires your carriers and clerks to scan all mail pieces being delivered to the requested addresses on delivery.
In order for the system to work properly, make sure your employees sample all the mail being delivered on that day—nothing from previous days. Also ensure that all requests are performed. The system is not perfect, but there is the ability to determine when and where requests were made. When a sample is missed, you will have to question your employees as to why. This is an essential function of their jobs; hold them accountable.
Scanning integrity is more important now than ever. Customers have the ability to not only know what day they should receive a package, but what time, as well. It is up to us to make sure all packages receive a stop-the-clock scan.
We also have the ability to determine where a package was scanned. With the exception of PO box deliveries, no package should be scanned “delivered at the office.” Again, hold your carriers accountable: proper scans at the correct place and time.
Due to the decline of COVID-19 cases, in-person meetings are beginning to take place. It is a welcome change to meet with my fellow postmasters again. Please remember that some offices were affected more than others during the pandemic. Try to take care of each other as best you can.
We are our greatest resource. If you have something another office needs—equipment, personnel or just good advice—share it!
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