NAPUS Executive Director Dave Ravenelle told members Tuesday morning at the convention there is a tendency to look back at past successes and challenges, but the need to look forward leaves little time for reflection. The National Office has looked at everything closely and made significant cuts to expenses, as well as increasing revenue. He commended staff members for their dedication and role in these endeavors.

Ravenelle said he was encouraged by USPS Chief Human Resources Officer Jeffrey Williamson’s recognition of the challenges faced in hiring and retention, as well as his commitment to fixing the problem. He pointed out that a majority of Postmasters will not be getting increases this year. “We must work with the Postal Service to address these injustices,” he declared.

POStPlan continues to change the landscape of small offices; there has been a mass exodus of dedicated Postmasters who either have retired or taken other positions. “It’s the end of an era,” he observed. “Small offices and their Postmasters will be gone. It is a testament to the digital age.”

Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe asked NAPUS President Tony Leonardi to dispense with his intro and simply introduce him as a 40-year postal employee. Donahoe thanked Postmasters for their excellent work and their patience as the agency works through POStPlan. He pledged to continue working with Postmasters who need to find landing spots.

He also has made a commitment to deal with the problem of lengthy telecons. When Donahoe attended the NAPS national convention in August, he heard the same complaints. He has instructed his chief information officer to devise a way to cut telecons off after one hour. “As Postmasters, you need to be talking to employees and customers, bringing them up to speed and selling things—not sitting and listening to people talk about how much mail was cased,” he said.

Donahoe said the agency is making good progress with its package business. He stressed the importance of competitive pricing. The Postal Service is delivering groceries for Amazon in San Francisco; it wants to expand the service. “Our people do a great job delivering,” he said. “We’ll be doing a lot of different things in the package world, but that’s what the market demands. We want to be ahead of it. We’ve got the network, people, product, visibility—everything to be the dominant player in that area. That will be our future.”

Single-piece First-Class Mail continues to struggle; it drops about 8 percent a year. Online is free, easy and convenient; it’s the way of the world. The PMG said the key is to move into areas that have been growing: packages and Standard and direct mail.

He explained the plan to close and consolidate plants next year is in response to what’s happening in the mailing business. Cell phone companies—Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobil—mail from just two or three locations; it’s all about consolidation.

Looking ahead at next year, the Postal Service is projecting a 9 to 10 percent increase in the package business. And it will work on growing the international package business.

Donahoe said the agency has to make decisions and think about options: How do we keep this organization healthy, viable and self-sustaining? Not just pay bills, but invest in the organization, as well.

He reiterated the Postal Service still is a good employer. “Look at the impact this economy has had on others,” he said. “The Postal Service still provides good salaries, health care and retirement. It’s all our responsibilities to do everything we can to keep this organization vitally strong. If it weren’t for us, it wouldn’t happen.”

He said he is very frustrated from the legislative standpoint. “At some point,” he declared, “people have to realize the world is changing and we to have the flexibility we need to stay in good shape in the future.”

NAPS President Louis Atkins told NAPUS members it was a pleasure to be among friends. Atkins was re-elected president at the NAPS convention in August. “We want to be partners with members of NAPUS; we have many things in common,” he said. “We are working together to ensure the long-term viability of the Postal Service as a whole.”

He told Postmasters that NAPUS President Leonardi has made a difference since coming to Washington, DC, in January. “He brings passion and energy to the position,” he declared. “He brings positive choice that will serve you quite well now and into the future.”

Atkins referenced the remark a NAPUS member made to the PMG, saying Postmasters need to be able to manage their offices. “We can manage!” he declared. “If I’m doing something wrong, correct me. But give me the opportunity to do the right thing. Let us do our jobs!”

He said the agency’s growing revenue is evidence it is emerging from the sharp economic downturn. “Everyone in this room is responsible for the Postal Service finally turning the corner, with a continued commitment to serve the American people,” he said.

With POStPlan and plant closings and consolidations, the collective beliefs of the organization will be tested as never before. When it comes to reducing workplace costs, the price in terms of workplace morale was more costly than ever before. “It’s imperative to make sure we get what we deserve with the next NPA,” he said.

The positive momentum is beginning to build; the Postal Service is developing footprints in the business world. Despite this, the agency continues to reduce the infrastructure to the point where its ability to serve customers will be compromised. “NAPS will draw a line in the sand,” he promised, “in order to keep our commitment to serve the American people and defend the livelihoods of all EAS employees. We hope our friends at NAPUS will stand with us in solidarity!”

NAPUS Secretary-Treasurer Mike Quinn told members the organization is fiscally strong. POStPlan makes the budget process a lot more challenging. He credited the National Office with doing a fantastic job of reducing expenses.

“Less than one hour from now, we will vote on changes to our Constitution that will shape our organization for the future,” he said. “These are some of the most important decisions we will ever make for our organization. The future of NAPUS is in our hands.”

He referenced the terrible Boston Marathon bombing; despite the tragedy, people rallied together. Good things can come out of challenges. POStPlan has had a very negative impact on many Postmasters. Despite it, NAPUS came together as family—with one voice. “We became the NAPUS organization,” he declared. “It is smaller, but stronger.”

Quinn’s term ends at the end of this year. He thanked members for the opportunity to serve them as secretary-treasurer. “I am indebted to all of you; you gave me wisdom, humor. You taught me to be an honorable Postmaster.”

NAPUS