Delivering for America—Isn't That What We've Always Done?

Delivering for America—Isn’t That What We’ve Always Done?
By Richard Green
NAPS Eastern Region Vice President

As a 34-year postal employee with over 25 years as a management official and over 20 years as a NAPS local and national officer, I think back over the years of the different terminology we have used as slogans for providing mail processing and delivery services to the American people. There have been so many, I can’t recall them all.

I just know that, as a frontline manager/supervisor, our daily objective was the efficient processing and delivery of every piece of committed mail each and every day. As I watch the transformation of the agency I loved working for and the people I loved working with, I am concerned the senior leaders of this great American treasure have forgotten those objectives. In the midst of trying to transform the Postal Service, I am sad to say it looks like senior leaders have lost their way to the detriment of this great institution.

I am not against change. Change is a good thing when everyone is brought to the table, the vision is shared so everyone knows their roles and feels equipped and ready to bring forth their best efforts to enact the changes required for success. What I am against is not bringing all stakeholders to the table to have input in the “Delivering for America” (DFA) plan and having open and honest discussions on how to implement the changes being made.

NAPS represents over 40,000 managerial and supervisory employees who are expected to implement the DFA. As of yet, we have not been engaged or asked to be at the table with senior postal officials to have a voice in the changes we are expected to manage on a day-to-day basis. Our members across the country are confused and frustrated; every day, they

Their pay raises are tied to ambiguous and ever-changing goals. They are not provided the tools they need to be successful. And they continually are degraded, sometimes even abused by some managers. I can’t call these managers leaders because leaders, of which there are many in the USPS, uplift their teams and bosses; well, you get the point.

I would like to encourage our senior postal leaders that it’s not too late to engage with NAPS. It’s not too late to bring all stakeholders to the table to enact the vision for the future. It’s not too late to communicate the vision to the managers and supervisory staff who will bring your vision of the new USPS to fruition.

And it’s not too late to change how some managers and supervisors are treated. Our members are ready and willing to be the change agents needed for the success of this great institution.

I want to let all the EAS managers and supervisors across the country know we are with you! The American public appreciates the service you provide every day. The work you do managing the day-to-day operations of the Postal Service is recognized and respected.

You are the backbone of this great agency. Keep delivering for America as you have for over 240 years!

Fighting for membership…