A Man of Candor

A Man of Candor
By Dee Perez
NAPS New York Area Vice President

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy came in under a cloud of controversy. Now, he’s leaving under a cloud of speculation as to why. This, from a man who, many times, said he would see his “Delivering for America” 10-year plan through.

After 36 years in the Postal Service, I’ve indirectly worked for seven PMGs. Of the seven, I’ve seen and heard five speak at NAPS functions. In my opinion, DeJoy had the most engaging, lively personality I’ve ever seen from a PMG.

He started a little rough with a lack of knowledge of the USPS. However, he quickly learned many of the inherited problems that handcuffed and hurt the agency. His aim was to remove those business restrictions/ handcuffs and bring a business attitude to running the USPS, despite the fact we are a “service.” I’m not sure a service can function successfully as a business. Time will tell.

He designed a business model (S&DCs) for the Postal Service for the next 10 years. DeJoy’s transition from the private sector to working with the USPS was not easy. In his private business, DeJoy answered to no one, unlike the Postal Service where he has had to listen to and work with associations, unions and federal regulatory agencies.

DeJoy’s disdain for this was obvious. He offers expressive, animated looks (hands over his ears); you have heard or read his replies to congressional inquiries. Yes, he thought USPS partners were hurting the agency, particularly the Postal Regulatory Commission. But when you listen to what he had to say, from a business perspective, he was right and newsworthy.

You have to say one thing about our PMG—a man from Brooklyn—he gave it to you straight. Regardless whether the news was good or bad, he didn’t beat around the bush. As a New Yorker, I love and appreciate that. Plus, he’s a Yankees fan, which I respect.

Anyone on the NAPS Executive Board, regardless whether they liked him or not, have to admit he worked a lot better with us than past PMGs who didn’t give us the time of day. He was instrumental in the following:

  • The supervisor differential adjustment is 5% above the highest craft step (NALC). Remember when a supervisor, Customer Service, was promoted and letter carriers at the top of their pay grade made more than the promoted supervisor?
  • The annual leave carryover for EAS employees was 560 hours; now, it’s 640 hours.
  • SWCs were given more credits, something NAPS Headquarters was denied many years.
  • Approving a higher NPA payout in boxes last 2024; he wasn’t obligated to do this.
  • In 2021, DeJoy provided EAS employees an extra 3% due to the economy and high cost of living; he didn’t have to.
  • Changed the service standard for Express Mail from noon to 6 p.m. so we stopped losing millions.
  • At our Legislative Training Seminars, national conventions and Executive Board meetings, DeJoy was willing to take questions; he didn’t want to leave.
  • He asked the Republicans to pass Postal Reform legislation to help the USPS. Without DeJoy’s help, this would not have happened.
  • The man always looked sharp, presentable and engaging, unlike a previous PMG who looked like they rolled out of bed and was scornful toward NAPS members asking questions.
  • Ended the USPS contract with FedEx and changed to UPS air cargo, while reducing overall air cargo by 90% and saving $1 billion in costs.
  • Eliminated most ground private transportation contracts and shifted to USPS employees to move the mail.
  • At every LTS, national convention or board meeting he attended, DeJoy asked Northeast Region Vice President Tommy Roma to escort him to and from the stage—two Brooklyn boys recalling their past.
  • A first time $144 million profit in FY25 quarter one.

DeJoy has been a charismatic leader, the likes of whom we may never see again. He honestly wanted to turn the Postal Service around. He often spoke about the difficulties of change and the culture he inherited, which needed to be fixed.

I have no idea if the Board of Governors will nominate the obvious choice—Deputy PMG Doug Tulino. Let’s hope they do.

With dignity and respect…