We Always Are There

We Always Are There
By Ivan D. Butts
NAPS National President

Hello, my NAPS brothers and sisters. In a shift signaling a new era of engagement, NAPS has found what many are calling its “comfort zone” in publicly addressing concerns over recent government actions impacting our members, as well as others across various federal agencies.

For years, NAPS has maintained a relatively neutral stance, focusing on the rights of our EAS members, fair and equitable pay, professionalism in leadership and workforce management best practices (staffing). But as government scrutiny and policy changes are increasingly affecting the continuity of America’s Postal Service, we have begun to lean into a more vocal and visible advocacy role.

Staying silent no longer serves America. More than ever before, we see those who would love to see America’s Postal Service go away, closing the doors of this great America institution. We are hearing about mandated cuts to critical infrastructure support units that, no doubt, will have a devastating impact on the functional abilities to maintain the system relied on to operate the USPS.

Our association’s pivot follows the acknowledgement of the arrival of the DOGE team looking at agency operational structures at USPS Headquarters. However, this really is not a pivot at all.

NAPS has been at the forefront of the protection and growth of EAS employees the past three years. We have seen average EAS pay increase by close to 18% over this period. We worked closely with the federal-postal community on passage of the Postal Reform Act of 2022.

During our recent Legislative Training Seminar, we were cited by Sen. Susan Collins (R-MA) for NAPS’ standout work to get passage of the Social Security Fairness Act (H.R. 82). This bill was introduced last year by Rep. Garret Graves (R-LA).

The House passed the legislation in November 2024; the Senate passed the bill about one month later in December. The resident officers and I were proud to receive from Collins the President Biden-signed “redline” version of the bill, which now hangs proudly at NAPS Headquarters. This token of appreciation from Collins recognizes the work of all NAPS members in making this 40-year dream and effort a reality.

Now we look toward the sustainability of America’s Postal Service. Not from the financial points of view we have battled in previous years, but to ensure we are engaging with the American people to keep their Postal Service delivering—from the heights of Alma, CO, to the bottom of Oatman, AZ.

Americans understand the true value we deliver to them six days a week and now on Sundays with packages. For over 250 years, which is longer than we have been the United States, we were delivering for America. Whether it be earthquakes and hurricanes, we were there. Wildfires and tornadoes, we were there.

Elderly citizens injured in their homes, predators in our streets—our employees are out there, taking actions to help save lives. And when a once-in-a-century, worldwide pandemic hit America’s shores and citizens were locked in, wondering how they would get they medicines and essential supplies—we were there.

Now we call on America to stand with the employees of this agency, who, year after year, make the USPS one of the most-trusted government agencies. This new advocacy stance has not come without its challenges. NAPS leadership is careful to balance our role as a professional management association with our emerging voice in policy discourse.

NAPS will stop short of political endorsements or legal defense, but we will work to provide public comments, issue policy statements and engage directly with congressional committees for the sustainable continuation of America’s Postal Service. It’s not about politics; it’s about principles.

Let’s all continue to be “Postal Proud!”

In solidarity …