CONVENTION REPORT

I have just returned from our 66th National Convention at Mohegan Sun Resorts in Uncasville, CT and can honestly say it was one of the best Conventions ever. I am also elated that the Northeast Area unanimously voted to return me as the Northeast Region V.P. for another term. This is a position I was made for and truly cherish. THANK YOU.

Our Executive Board voted to go to the fact finding process when we could not reach a new agreement with U.S.P.S. Everyone should remain professional and let the process take its course. I am proud to say that NAPS will always fight for its members to receive a fair and equitable pay package.

I was asked time and again at the convention what are officers from the other Management association doing at our convention for the entire time, they should attend the opening ceremonies, be acknowledged, make their speech and leave. This has always been past practice and should be adhered to. The same goes for our officers attending their convention.

President Trump releases Government reorganization plan which calls for privatizing USPS, NARFE reports. In fact, it calls for short term steps to put USPS on sustainable financial footing only to sell it to the highest bidder. This proposal came out before the President’s task force on the USPS issued any recommendations. The Postal Service is a National Treasure and should never be sold to private industry. NAPS opposes any efforts to privatize the Postal Service. The latest is the President will not release the findings of his committee until after the midterm elections, hoping for a Republican Congress who will favor his agenda. We must get out the vote to protect our interests.

The biggest question asked of me is will the other managements association acceptance of this pay package hurt us in fact finding. This question was asked at the convention only to have the chair rule the question was out of order. Why? My guess is the 2 presidents from the other association were sitting in on our business session. In my opinion the question was not out of order and the 2 presidents should have been asked to leave. Having gone through this process in the past you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to know the USPS lawyers will ask, if the pay package was good for this management association (UPMA) why is it not good enough for NAPS? Our lawyers will have their work cut out for them.

On a more favorable note we are going back to Puerto Rico, the dates are March 29th thru April 1, 2019 at the Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino. The brochure will be out soon, if you have any intention of attending please book your room early as this seminar always sells out fast. Stay tuned.

The SWC’S process was moving along nicely. Please know that this process is time consuming and can’t be rushed. We are now in the process of trying out what we came up with in the Northeast, in all other area’s around the country. I was asked if the fact finding process with the USPS on pay could hurt the SWC’S process to which I answered, it should not but anything is possible. Jimmy & I, along with Ed Phelan, Doug Tulino, Carissa Surprise, and others have spent a lot of time and energy on this project and we hope to see it completed.

In closing I would like to wish the resident officers and executive board of NAPS all the luck in the world in the next 2 years and hope that dealing with the Trump agenda to privatize the Postal Service does not come to pass. Hope to see you all in Puerto Rico.

Stay Strong,
Tommy