Communicating Change
By Bobby Bock
NAPS Southeast Area Vice President
As I travel throughout the Southeast Area visiting local branches and postal facilities, I am happy to see branch officers who are effective in managing their local branches and providing outstanding representation to our members while we are experiencing the most sweeping changes in the history of the Postal Service. The agency is implementing Sorting & Delivery Centers in all areas of the country as part of its 10-year plan.
As these centers come online, NAPS is making certain supervisors still have viable positions. We hope these new centers reach the potential the USPS expects, but it remains to be seen how the additional travel time for carriers will impact the new centers’ overall performance.
In processing and distribution, the Postal Service is investing millions of dollars revamping P&DCs to adapt to the changing mail base and increasing emphasis on parcels. These changes also have an impact on EAS staffing; NAPS is keeping a watchful eye on the Postal Service’s plans.
In my opinion, the Postal Service could do a better job communicating these changes. While someone in my position may get briefings and correspondence about changes, rank-and-file supervisors on the workroom floor are not receiving enough information about the changes that ultimately will affect them.
Our members are concerned about the changes impacting them if a RIF was to occur and their job affected. I have been involved in several RIFs during my career. It is sobering when you receive a RIF letter; you wonder what will happen to you.
Fortunately, I and others found landing spots due to the diligent efforts of the NAPS resident officers and fellow Executive Board members who identified every RIF-impacted employee in the country. NAPS—your management association—stands ready to make sure you always will have a position available should your current job be impacted by organizational change. I hope to see you at a future Southeast Area branch meeting!
Categories: The Postal Supervisor
