Resolution Log (click here)

Hello North Carolina

March Article National VP Area 7

Having just returned from the Leadership Conference I have quite a bit of
information to share with everyone. The executive board meeting was held on
March 15 and 16 at the Crystal City Marriott in Alexandria, Virginia.

Postmaster General Jack Potter spoke at the convention and many of his
comments focused on the new law that was passed on Postal Reform. He stated
that the new law "is the most important thing going on inside the beltway".
He said that now that the law is passed that the regulations that will
define implementation will determine how successful the law will be. What is
needed is a strong viable Postal System for the American Public and this
would require that a strong viable pricing system be created that influences
growth, pricing flexibility, and reduce administrative burden. This requires
the Postal Service to have the right tools to protect universal service at a
reasonable price.

In the new law the business plan is the same but there is a rate cap. The
old business model was broken and it is yet to be seen if the new law will
correct the deficiencies. The Postal Service will have to be innovative to
make the new law work. Next year $800 million in additional monies will have
to be paid to pre pay health benefits.

Some new ideas to reduce expenses include the Flat sequencing System (FSS)
which enable the Postal Service to DPS flats. The FSS will be tested at four
locations throughout the country this year. The FSS will make 85% of the
manual flats go away. The second idea is the implementation of the
intelligent barcode which will enable the Postal Service to record valuable
information by spraying a barcode on the mail piece.

Pat Donahoe, Deputy PMG stated that we have a responsibility to do the right
thing to create a very viable Postal Service. The key goals will be
excellent service, cost reduction, good employees and generation of new
revenue. He spoke about six areas that will have focus this year.

1. Mail history tracking- the goal is to make it go away.

2. Business Connect- help customers with alternate access because
customers expect convenience.

3. The goal for DPS is to move it to 95% by next year.

4. Alternative access allows us to control costs.

5. Complement- more career carriers are going to be hired.

6. Flat Sequencing- will focus on areas of the country with large flat
volumes first. One of these test areas will be Atlanta.

The Postmaster selection process will change shortly going to an online
application utilizing e-recruitment through shared services.

Voice of the Employee, the design will be changed in 2008 and implemented in
2009.

Mid years will begin April 2nd and must be completed by May 14th, 2007.

NAPUS will be offering some new services to our members; the first will be
an auto protection plan similar to AAA and is offered by Pinnacle Motor
Club. The benefits are better than AAA and the cost is less. A new program
through Liberty Mutual that will provide auto and homeowners insurance at
reasonable rates.

The first meeting for Postmaster pay talks was held on March 22, 2007 and
NAPUS, the League and NAPS went together to represent all the managers of
the USPS.

There are two candidates for National President for the term 2008-2009 our
current President Dale Goff and the past National Secretary-Treasurer Bob
Rapoza. Both candidates gave speeches during the leadership conference
sharing their platforms with the attendees. The election will be held at
Albuquerque in September.

Eight cities in the northeast quadrant gave presentation to the executive
board, each wanting to host the 2010 National Convention. They are: Valley
Forge, PA., Pittsburgh, PA., Columbus, OH., Chicago, IL., Hartford, CT.,
Grand Rapids, MI., Madison, WI., and Cincinnati, OH. The executive board
will select four cities to give presentations at the national convention for
the membership to select the final site.

I realize that your daily work lives are very stressful with the current
micromanagement we are experiencing. It is important for you to focus on the
positive and try to be a leader for your employees for without you they
would be lost. Do the right thing each day by keeping your finances
straight and the mail delivered on time.

If I can be of any assistance please do not hesitate to call.

Linda Shall

National VP Area 7

My contact information is as follows:

Linda K. Shall
38 Tillinghast Circle
Bluffton, SC 29910

Home telephone: 843-836-2069
Cell phone: 843-422-7277
Email address: idream2bee@hargray.com

Sincerely,

Linda