‘The Mail Is Not for Sale!'

‘The Mail Is Not for Sale!’
By Chuck Mulidore
NAPS Executive Vice President

Those words echoed across Capitol Hill as NAPS held its highly anticipated 2025 Legislative Training Seminar (LTS), April 6-9, at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, VA. This annual event brings together hundreds of postal supervisors, managers and postmasters from across the United States to engage in legislative training, advocacy and networking. We had a particular emphasis this year on keeping the forces of privatization away from the Postal Service, as well as our NAPS legislative agenda.

The 2025 LTS theme, “Getting the Work Done, One Step at a Time,” reflected NAPS’ commitment to ensuring its members are equipped to serve as leaders and informed advocates on Capitol Hill. The seminar kicked off with a first-timers training session aimed at providing those attending LTS for the first time with the information needed to effectively engage with members of Congress and their staffs on issues critical to the future of the USPS and NAPS’ legislative priorities.

Those key issues and legislative priorities focused on several pressing topics, including:

  • Postal Supervisory Pay and Benefits Reform—NAPS continued its push for more equitable and transparent pay policies for EAS (Executive and Administrative Schedule) employees, urging lawmakers to support H.R. 1560 that would improve the pay consultation process between NAPS and the USPS, providing binding mediation if the parties cannot come to an equitable agreement.
  • USPS Anti-Privatization—While recent reforms such as the 2022 Postal Service Reform Act brought relief, NAPS leaders underscored the need for continued legislative oversight and support to ensure sustainable financial footing for the Postal Service, but maintaining it as an independent agency of the government through legislative support of H.Res. 70 and S.Res. 147.
  • Support for Postal Police—H.R. 2095 would put postal police back on the street, fulfilling the role they traditionally have served—protecting USPS employees.
  • Support for those EAS employees who do not have MSPB rights—H.R. 1559 would grant critical appeal rights to all EAS employees.

The recent LTS featured remarks from several members of Congress who expressed their ongoing support for the Postal Service and its supervisory personnel. Notable speakers included Sen. Andy Kim (D-NJ) and Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA), a longtime advocate for postal issues, as well as Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX), chairman of the House Subcommittee on Government Operations.

NAPS also was honored to hear from Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) who spoke about bipartisan efforts to bolster the USPS infrastructure and services. She presented NAPS a “redline” version of Public Law 118-273, passed as H.R. 82, the Social Security Fairness Act of 2023, that repealed the Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination provisions that reduced or prevented many NAPS retirees from receiving earned Social Security benefits.

The hallmark of LTS continues to be our members marching to Capitol Hill. NAPS delegates visited the offices of senators and representatives to discuss NAPS’ legislative priorities firsthand. Armed with briefing materials and talking points, our members met with congressional staffers and lawmakers to share their experiences and perspectives from the front lines of the USPS.

These conversations helped personalize postal issues and reinforced the importance of strong legislative partnerships between NAPS members and members of Congress.

A highlight of the seminar was the NAPS Legislative Rally held April 8 on the West Front Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. This gathering of hundreds of NAPS members provided the opportunity to directly advocate for the continuation of a self-sustaining Postal Service. Several congressional leaders spoke at the rally, solidifying NAPS’ role as a prominent voice on Capitol Hill for maintaining the independent status of the USPS on behalf of the American people.

As the seminar concluded, NAPS President Ivan D. Butts praised members for their dedication and leadership, stating, “Our strength lies in our unity and our voice. The conversations we’ve had this week will echo throughout the halls of Congress and shape the future of our Postal Service.”

Looking forward, NAPS reaffirmed its mission to continue advocating for improved working conditions, fair compensation and the fight for a strong, autonomous Postal Service against the dark forces of postal privatization. The 2025 LTS, once again, demonstrated the power of NAPS and our willingness to fight for what is good and right for our members.