President Bob Rapoza was pleased to let conference attendees know at the start of Monday morning’s general business session that he had received nothing but positive comments from Sunday’s training. He encouraged Postmasters to go to Capitol Hill and “educate lawmakers on the issues important to NAPUS and the American public we serve.” President Rapoza promised that NAPUS will never shy away from supporting Postmasters.
Postal Regulatory Commission Chairman Ruth Goldway told NAPUS members the PRC shares the belief the USPS is a pillar of American democracy. She said that issues keep coming up, but the Postal Service has to be there, It will continue to have problems (business and personal needs) and the PRC is part of that balancing act.
The PRC is part of an extensive hearing process and intends to accurately estimate the financial savings that would be realized by going to five-day delivery. It also will consider the impact on volume and customer service and present a fair opinion.
Chairman Goldway closed by assuring everyone that the role of post offices and Postmasters is essential.
Postmaster General Jack Potter thanked NAPUS members for coming to Washington, DC, to visit Capitol Hill and talk about the Postal Service. In discussing the challenges facing the Postal Service today, he said, “The world has changed and we have been challenged by Capitol Hill to change with it.”
The Postal Service needs to have a flexible work force. And, most importantly, the greater good is the financial health of the institution. “Things have to change,” he urged, “the status quo is not acceptable.”
Deputy Postmaster General and Chief Financial Officer Pat Donahoe addressed NAPUS members Monday afternoon. One of the positive things happening, he said, is the USPS is working to make its packaging business the best ever. He asked Postmasters to please keep their employees in the loop. “Share updates with them,” he urged, “because the more information they have, the more they feel part of the team and are a part of moving the organization in the right direction.”
Dean Granholm, vice president, Delivery and Post Office Operations, was, perhaps, the most popular speaker of the day. He was tasked with looking at the many forms Postmasters are required to fill out each day, which, NAPUS contends, are unnecessary and redundant.
He did a random sampling of 42 different daily forms required in the field (there are more than 42 forms in use). Of those 42, there were 18 different categories. And he discovered:
- most were redundant
- this information already was gathered electronically and
- these forms did nothing for service.
Granholm pledged to Postmasters that, by June 1, they would start to get rid of some of these forms. He received a rousing standing ovation.
Quotes from the day:
“Postal Headquarters knows Postmasters will move heaven and earth to get their jobs done.”—Secretary-Treasurer Wayne Orshak
“In these critical times, it is essential for active and retired NAPUS members to unite and work together to achieve the things we want. United, we are a strong voice.”—PM Retired President Paul Edd Butler
“We are committed to defending Postmasters to the best of our ability; we are willing to go anywhere and do anything.” –National PM Rep Committee Chair Larry Jones
“Things are worse today than they ever have been. It’s crazy out there, but that’s what NAPUS is here for.”—Legal Defense Plan Attorney Phil Jones
“Diversity is accepting we are different on the outside, but the same on the inside.”—Diversity Committee Chair Sandra Pugh
“Americans do not want to see post offices closed.”—Director of Government Relations Bob Levi