Summer Break Time—Not for NAPS!

Summer Break Time—Not for NAPS!
By Brian J. Wagner
Past NAPS President

Yes, its summer! School’s out, kids are playing, families are on vacation. Swimming pools are overflowing. Hot dogs are roasting, burgers are burning and Kool-Aid and adult refreshments are overflowing.

I truly hope all our NAPS members can enjoy the summer with a long—or even short break— to rest, relax and recharge. However, if summer isn’t the best time for you to take a break from work, make sure you take one soon. Here’s the scoop!

NAPS is here to assist our active members with their ability to take well-earned annual leave so they may enjoy the 3Rs—relaxation, recreation and recharge. Plus, NAPS is here to help active members avoid losing annual leave if their leave balance is over the maximum carryover.

As a reminder to all active members, there is a USPS policy letter dated June 24, 2002, by DeWitt O. Harris, USPS vice president, Employee Resource Management, that can be found on NAPS’ website under “Forms and Documents.”

This policy letter states that a PS Form 3971, Request for or Notification of Absence, submitted by EAS employees should be approved or disapproved in three business days. Do not let your annual leave requests linger. Get an answer—approved or disapproved—as soon as reasonably possible. This will help you plan for your well-earned annual leave, as well as give your manager time to plan for your approved absence.

As active NAPS members, make sure you submit all annual leave requests with a properly completed Form 3971; do not rely on an email to your manager, requesting annual leave. Put all annual leave requests in writing so it is properly documented in the event you run the risk of being in a “use or lose” annual leave status at the end of the leave year. Also, continue to remind your manager via email, in writing, of your need to use your annual leave or risk losing such leave due to the maximum carryover limit.

Just know that NAPS’ representation of its members is unlimited. With shared responsibility, NAPS is equipped with local, state and national officers who don’t need a break—summer or otherwise—to ensure members are fully represented throughout the year.

To educate our members on their EAS and representation rights, NAPS does not take a break from providing necessary training to it members. A good example is my annual leave reference in this column.

To better the livelihoods of our members, NAPS never takes a break from our legislative efforts on Capitol Hill. Witness this year’s passage of H.R. 82 (WEP/GPO) and ongoing efforts to save active members’ FERS pensions and retirement.

Additionally, there is no NAPS break when it comes to recruiting new NAPS members. NAPS’ strength—political and financial—comes from increased membership. As Jimmy Warden always says, “Increasing membership demonstrates leadership.”

Today’s takeaway: Even when all the cows come home—winter, spring, summer or fall—NAPS is never on break for a member’s call.

There is no taking a break in shar-ing my ice-cream-flavor-of-the-month recommendation: caramel cow tracks. Be safe and eat more ice cream.