2019 nys upma convention - events in america
TRANSCRIPT
2019NYS UPMA
ConventionMay 29th - June 2nd
Lake George, NYSee You There!
Agenda Pages 13-14Registration Form Page 15
From the PresidentPages 4 - 5
Empire State UPMA Executive Board Elected Officers
PresidentDaniel Leonard
PM Bath, NY 14810W: 607-776-7151C: 607-398-8200
Secretary-TreasurerGerald GeddisHQ Field Sales
PO Box 500Cambridge, NY 12816
W: 518-677-3585C: 518-391-9251
Executive VPAmy Dalrymple
PM Falconer 147333377 Rte 958
Bear Lake, PA 16402W: 716-665-2403C: 814-706-1984
VP / Adverse ActionCatherine WinniePM Accord 12404467 Mill Hook RdAccord, NY 12404W: 845-626-5881C: 845-742-7774
VP / Education ChairRachel Norton-Rowland
HQ Sales Generalist2979 State Route 29
Greenwich, NY 12834W: 518 -695-9221H: 518-531-4247C: 518-708-1005
https://www.facebook.com/groups/NYUPMA/
VP / LegislativeTammy Hurd
PM Painted Post 14870135 N. Hamilton StreetPainted Post, NY 14870
W: 607-936-6521C: 607-661-8053
VP / PACDonna Jenness
PM Clayton NY 13624727 Beecher St.
Clayton, NY 13624W: 315-232-2312 C: 315-408-5165
Retiree PresidentMichael Silvestri
7 Queens StHuntington NY 11743-3724
H: 631-271-3980C: 631-241-1430
Chapter Member Representatives
Kristine A. Lion PM Suffern 10901
301 Sierra Vista LaneValley Cottage, NY 10989
(914) [email protected]
Dave JalonackPM RetiredUtica 13501
(315) [email protected]
Dan LeonardPM Bath 14810(607) 398-8200
Dawn PorterPM Slate Hill 10973
(845) [email protected]
Kimberly BrucePM Cross River NY 10518
PO Box 1Cross River NY 10518
W: 914-763-3798C: 845-807-8743
Charlie BessettePM Belmont 14813WC: 585-307-5381C: 716-307-6025
Lisa TripodoPM Lake Katrine 12449
78 Hapeman RdElizaville, NY 12523
W: 845-382-2086C: 518-929-2320
Amy DalrymplePM Falconer 14733
3377 Rte 958Bear Lake, PA 16402
W: 716-665-2403C: 814-706-1984
Geoffrey RandallPM DelmarPO Box 502
Delmar, NY 12054W: 518-439-1933C: 518-729-9767
Scott StreebelPM Medina 14103
157 Wagner StCheektowaga, NY 14206
W: 585-798-2440WC: 585-798-3215C: 716-573-3305
Elected Officers
1st District CoordinatorFrank Kouba
PM Selden 1178485 Columbus Ave.
Farmingville, NY 11783W: 631-732-8627C: 631-806-6766
2nd District CoordinatorCharlie Bessette
PM Belmont 14813W: 585-268-7344
WC: 585-307-5381C: 716-307-6025
3rd District CoordinatorMary Dillon
PM Alexandria Bay 13607W: 315-482-9521C: 315-771-5073
4th District CoordinatorJill Gresens
PM Cropseyville NY 12052PO Box 104
Poestenkill NY 12140W: 518-279-1220H: 518-283-2510
5th District CoordinatorDawn Porter
PM Slate Hill, NY 10973485 Liberty Corners
Pine Island, NY 10969W: 845-355-4741C: 845-206-6061
Empire State Publication EditorHeidi Freeman
PM Brewerton 13029167 Dutch Road
West Monroe, NY 13167W: 315-676-7790C: 315-506-2691
Convention ChairJill Gresens
PM Cropseyville, NY 12052PO Box 104
Poestenkill NY 12140W: 518-279-1220H: 518-283-2510
State Convention RegistrationDeana WoodPM Retired
Co-Scholarship ChairDaniel O’Neil
PM Canajoharie 133178 Ridge Terrace East
Canajoharie, NY 13317W: 518-673-5811H: 518-673-1033C: 518-894-8696
Co-Scholarship ChairLisa Tripodo
PM Lake Katrine 1244978 Hapeman Rd
Elizaville, NY 12523W: 845-382-2086C: 518-929-2320
WebmasterBob Holterman
PM Wutsboro 12790W: 845 888 4447H:845 239 1002
Eastern Area Postal CoordinatorMari Beth Kirkland
Middlefield, Ohio 44099W: 440-632-0192C: 440-821-4667
NE Area Postal CoordinatorPaul Bianca
PM Sherman, CT W:860-524-6163C:860-671-0791
[email protected] Area 2 Representative-
RetireesDavid Cook
PM Retired Westbury29 Glenwood Rd
Glen Head NY 11545-1313H: 516-676-2843C: 516-572-7804
[email protected] Board
Retiree PresidentMichael Silvestri
7 Queens StHuntington NY 11743-3724
H: 631-271-3980C: 631-241-1430
Retiree Secretary-TreasurerMartha Miller
PM Retired Panama NY37 South St
Panama NY 14767H: 716-782-3509C: 716-450-2864
Retiree Executive VP Keith Miner
101 Highwoods Rd.Saugerties, NY 12477-3420
H: 845-246-3489 C: 845-706-9894
Retiree Vice-PresidentMary Converse
PM Retired West BloomfieldPO Box 51
West Bloomfield, NY 14585H: 585-624-1907C: 585-455-0511
Past-PresidentDavid Cook
29 Glenwood RdGlen Head, NY 11545-1313
H: 516-676-2843C: 516-322-1328
NEW YORK CHAPTER The (ESP) Empire State Publication UPMA (United Postmasters and Managers Association), [USPS 175-740] is published bimonthly with special editions in February and April by the New York State Chapter of United Postmasters and Managers Association of America (UPMA), 167 Dutch Road, W. Monroe, NY 13167. The subscription rate is paid for from the membership dues. Periodical postage paid at Salamanca, NY and additional mailing offices. Publication content and opinions expressed herein are those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect the views of UPMA. The Editor reserves the right to edit articles for length and to conform to the publication’s editorial style. Deadline for the ESP is the closest Sunday to the10th of each month prior to the date of issue. No ESP is printed in June, August, October or December. Notice to Postmasters: Please send all address labels clipped from undeliverable copies, along with USPS Form 3579, to (ESP) Empire State Publication UPMA, 167 Dutch Road, W. Monroe, NY 13167.
Appointed Officers
National Representatives
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Dan Leonard NYS Chapter PresidentPM Bath 14810 W: 607-776-7151 C: 607-398-8200 [email protected]
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State ConventionWe will be holding training on mitigating circumstances
with how to calculate, understanding NPA indicators and what drives them, how to resolve concerns locally and then through a Resolution Log, SSRD, Time keeping do’s and don’ts, F4 codes, SOV/CSV/Flash/Budgets/WSC/150/18/18B, Retirement information from Federal Prep, Chapter Member Representation, Mediation and Investigative Interview how to represent and FEHB (Medicare part A & B) information.
Candidates for Vice President positions of the National office (two), Vice Presidents for the State of Executive VP, Educational VP and PAC VP as well as the President of the State are up for election. The State positions are all two-year terms.
Nationally, I’m sure that there will be Amendments to be voted on, as this is the first year any changes to them are allowed. All members concerned should attend not only to have a say in how we operate but to experience how it is done. How we vote at the State Convention will be taken to the National Convention to cast those votes. If you have ever wanted to feel that your vote matters, this is where it indeed does. Participate in the process as it does give purpose to why you are a member. Remember, this is your organization working for you. What do you need, want or wish for?
We will be voting on Time and Place for next year’s venue to hold our convention. Your vote could be the one that changes where we meet. These will be discussed on Friday and voted on Saturday. Places to go as of right now are being worked on and dwindled down to a few. The areas to go to range all over the State. We will see what the final selections to choose from will be. Taken in to consideration are costs, night life, what the area has to offer, weeks offered, customer feedback, parking on site and cost or no cost, shuttle service or not, breakfast or not, etc.
All 18B’s (Auto 150 2076 WSC-Workload Service Credits or more) should have received their 2% increase by now. I want to know if you haven’t and also if you haven’t received back pay to September 29th 2018. Send me an email, but before you do please check all your pay stubs, check your Auto 150 to insure you are an 18B and then I will request a copy from you of all pay stubs from
January 5th on. Back pay is staggering in one person at a time so please be vigilant with your pay.
Level 20 Postmasters that do not earn a Supervisor - are you having any concerns with getting approval for hours over 8.50 a day or having to work 6-days a week? If so, I need to know immediately in order to correct this since you are entitled to be paid accordingly if you are required to be there. Please insure you are time managing your tasks to the best of your ability as that will be the first question that is asked when I’m looking to resolve. Remember to document everything from the situations that happened, emails back and forth with your MPOO, even if they are one way with no answer to back up your case as that will be the next question. Resolution to move the ball goes quicker when you have a solid case
Last but not least, did you receive and fill out an return the survey the National office mailed to you. If no recollection of a survey, contact Dave Ravenelle asap at the National office.
Budgets every year are always under cut a certain percentage to enable the Districts to make their goal in every category. With that in mind can you under cut your budget to reach your NPA goal without sacrificing service, safety, employee dissatisfaction and sanity? I’m not asking anyone to arbitrarily make unsound decisions but look at your operations from a different stand point and look outside the box to see if there is something that you can do to help your NPA TOE. We are tasked as Postmasters, Supervisors and Managers to not remain as the status quo and try different things to attain our unit goals as well as the District goals. My point is, how can you help yourself on a daily basis to get ahead one way or another. I’ll give you an example: You have a window with two people, one is main window and other is backup. Do you need the backup every hour of the day or is there time you can live without the second person? Reducing your scheduled hours by even 30 minutes a day equates to 151 hours for the year. If there is one clerk and one Postmaster this is harder to do but maybe the tasks being done during the day can be realigned while still making your 1260 and maintenance hour obligations. If you have city carriers, take a few more chances of a few
April 2019www.nyunitedpma.org4
Amy Dalrymple NYS Executive Vice PresidentPM Falconer 14733 W: 716-665-24033377 Rte 958 C: 814-706-1984Bear Lake, PA 16402 [email protected]
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minutes a day. If you have rural carriers, there are also options for you to try to achieve. Call me on this one to discuss as every office and evaluation makeup will or will not give you an opportunity. Send me your makeup first so I can take a look at it. It all adds up. We are managing to cut costs where we can and the result is in your NPA. Scanning daily from arrival to ADE can add up to huge NPA cell increase if you are monitoring it properly. If you are below or at the District goal, you may want to look into your procedures done daily.
NPA - Do you know how to manipulate the numbers to show how to raise your score in each category to see where you need to focus to raise your NPA? All categories are weighted. Focus on the heavily weighted items first for the most benefit but don’t forget the lighter weighted items. Each weighted factor will help the Unit and the District to some degree so it helps both corporate and unit scores.
There are some misconceptions out there where some believe they should always make more than the
level lower than them. This is far from the truth. Each level has a pay band and depending on how fast you climbed the ladder and the percentage achieved at each level moving up determines where you are within the pay band. If you thought it was great to go up the ladder fast and at your current level of responsibility is higher but your pay is lower than a grade or two below you, this is why. If two people going up the ladder at equal promotion levels have different salary levels it is because of the percentage of raise you got or your office performance for a year was lower than the next. If you find yourself in a situation that doesn’t seem right, this is most likely the case. An office change down and then a promotion up in a year may benefit you if the reason is right for it. These decisions are yours only to make as sometimes you don’t get where you may want to go and either are stuck in the downgrade or the upgrade isn’t what you wanted. I will not and no one should advise you on these decisions as they are made for your own personal gain as in monetary, lifestyle or sanity.
HAS YOUR OFFICE BEENUN-DUO’D???
Currently, there are several Level 18 Post Offices that are on the list to be Un-Duo’d. If you are one of the “chosen” ones, please make sure you are keeping detailed notes of what is/will be required. Equipment needs, Facility needs, Distribution hours, Custodial hours, F4 hours, etc. Make sure you have the parking space available for your employees, as well as your customers. Make sure your trip schedule has not changed – and if it has, update your FDB. Last, but not least, when all is said
and done, make sure you do the 150 for your office. No one else will do it for you.
Hopefully you have put in your leave slip for State Convention (5/29 – 6/2, 2019). Location is Lake George NY – Ft. William Henry Hotel and Conference Center.
As always, any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call, text or email me.
See you soon!
April 2019 www.unitedpma.org 5
WELCOMEUPMA NYS CHAPTER NEW MEMBERS
SHELLEY CASTOR-POSTMASTER, LEE CENTER
CHRISTINE A. SITARZ - POSTMASTER, POUGHQUAG
LAURA ANN SLOAN - POSTMASTER, BOLIVAR
JOSHUA T. STEWART - ASSOCIATE MEMBER
ANDREW J. TEABONA - ASSOCIATE MEMBER
Is It Spring Yet?
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Tammy Hurd Legislative VPPM W: 607-936-6521135 N. Hamilton Street C: 607-661-8053Painted Post, NY 14870
I don’t know about you but I hope by the time you read this we will have warmer weather and sunshine! I hope you all attended your swing meetings. With the recent news of un-duo reviews starting I am sure there are a lot of questions. On to legislative......HR 141 and S 521 Social Security Fairness Act are two bills very important to our future. Please reach out to your Congressman and ask for their support. Send an email or make a phone call; it only takes a few minutes and could make a difference. They are there to work for us. We shouldn’t feel bad asking for their support. Also, don’t forget to give to PAC at our upcoming events. I hope to see everyone soon.
$$$$$ 2019 NY State Incentives $$$$$New York State Convention---Fort William Henry in Lake George- May29th -June 2nd, 2019—Up to 2 nights room
reimbursement--so if you grab a roommate, you will have no Hotel room costs—other than incidentals.
National Convention—Mohegan Sun, CT---July 27th-Aug.2nd,2019---$600.00 Active member, $350.00 Retiree member—This year’s Convention is within
driving distance so no Airfare needed.
*Retiree member reimbursement for National Convention was incorrectly stated as $300.00 in last months’ issue. $350.00 is correct amount.
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Dan O’Neil Scholarship ChairpersonPM Canajoharie 13317 W: 518-673-58118 Ridge Terrace East H: 518-673-1033Canajoharie, NY 13317 C: 518-894-8696 [email protected]
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Donna Jenness PAC Chair NYPM Clayton 13624 W: 315-232-2312727 Beecher St. C: 315-408-5165Clayton, NY 13624 [email protected]
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Convention Time! Get Ready!Do you remember your first convention? Do you remember being nervous, excited, curious about who was there
and what it was all about? Can you imagine bringing someone new into that atmosphere and giving them the experience you had years ago, that has evolved into life-long friendships and networking?
This could be the year you make a difference in someone’s work life, and give them the tools and resources that will get them through their career especially with all the changes that will be facing them.
I challenge you all to reach out to new members and encourage them to register, and take them under your wing for these few days to help them build a foundation of UPMA values, learning, and networking that is invaluable.
Let’s break our first timer record this year and show them what a UPMA State Convention is all about!See you there with bells on!!
Scholarships to be Handed Outat State Convention!
The application deadline for the 2019 Frank and Helen Burger and the Edwin D Jennison NYS UPMA Scholarships has come and gone. The Executive Board of the New York Chapter of UPMA has approved three $1000.00 and three $500.00 scholarships this year.
This year’s state convention will be in Lake George NY on May 29th through June 2nd. The banquet will be on Saturday June 1, 2019. We will be asking all the winners to be present at the banquet to receive their award. It is nice to see all of the recipients and to be able to personally congratulate them on their accomplishments.
This year’s convention looks to be outstanding, I encourage everyone to try and attend. Fort William Henry in Lake George is a fantastic venue that should not be missed. It should be a very informative, productive and fun convention. Hope to see everyone there!
I will be putting all of the winner’s names, picture and thank you letters in one of the summer ESP issues.
Thank you to everyone for their support of this important fund. In today’s economy, helping a student get a higher education is a very worthwhile endeavor.
Gerald Geddis HQ Field SalesPM Cambridge 12816 W: 518-677-3585PO Box 500 C: 518-391-9251Cambridge, NY 12816 [email protected]
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UPMA NY BUDGET TOTAL GENERAL FUND JAN 1 2019 INCOME TOTAL EXPENSE TOTAL DEC 31 2019 BEGINNING SAVINGS 51793.25 0.00 51793.25 BEGINNING CHECKING 21562.04 0.00 21562.04CD 100731 100731.00LEGISLATIVE BALANCE 1780.12 0.00 1780.12 OUTSTANDING CHECKS 2950.01 2950.01 OUTSTANDING CHARGES VISA 3118.63 3118.63XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
169797.77 0.00 0.00 169797.77
TOTAL SPECIFIED ACCOUNTS JAN 1 2019 INCOME TOTAL EXPENSE TOTAL DEC 31 2019 SCHOLARSHIP BURGER $45K Base 0.00 SCHOLARSHIP JENNISON $4K Base 0.00XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Budget Actual Budget Actual INCOME SAVINGS/CHECKING/VISA 2018 2018 2019 2019 DUES WITHHOLDING 100,000 100000.00 DUES CASH 1600 1600.00 INTEREST SAVINGS 1100 1100.00 INTEREST CHECKINGSTATE CONVENTION INCOME 5625.00 VISA REWARD REBATES 650.00XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 102700.00 0.00 108975.00 0.00EXPENSE CHECKING Budget Actual Budget Actual
2018 2018 2019 2019 OUTSTANDING CHECKS 2950.01 NEW CHECKS ORDERED 2950.01 0.00 0.00 0.00EXPENSES GENERAL FUNDS Budget Actual Budget Actual OFFICER EXPENSE BREAK DOWN 2018 2018 2019 2019PRESIDENT - Travel/Meals 500.00 POSTAGE 200.00 SUPPLIES 500.00SECRETARY-TREASURER - Bond CONTRACT 1200.00 TRAVEL/MEALS 200.00 POSTAGE 500.00 SUPPLIES 200.00EDITOR PRINTING 500.00
POSTAGE 100.00 SUPPLIES 100.00WEBMASTER - OFFICE EXPENSES 500.00VICE PRESIDENTS TRAVEL/MEALS 500.00 POSTAGE 100.00 SUPPLIES 100.00DISTRICT COORDINATORS TRAVEL/MEALS 500.00 POSTAGE SUPPLIESCHAPTER MEMBER REPS TRAVEL/MEALS 1000.00 POSTAGE 100.00 SUPPLIES 100.00SCHOLARSHIPS TRAVEL/MEALS 100.00 POSTAGE 50.00 SUPPLIES 50.00CONVENTION CHAIR TRAVEL/MEALS 200.00 POSTAGE SUPPLIES 50.00BANQUET CHAIR TRAVEL/MEALS 200.00 SUPPLIES 50.00XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 0.00 0.00 7600.00 0.00EVENTS & MISCELLANEOUS Budget Actual Budget Actual FALL / WINTER CONFERENCE 2018 2018 2019 2019 MEETING ROOM 0.00SUPPLIED FOOD 1000 1000REIMBURSEMENTS 9000.00 9000.00XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 10000.00 0.00 10000.00 0.00 LEGISLATIVE/LEADERSHIP CONF. MEETING ROOM 0REIMBURSEMENTS 7200 7200XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 7200.00 0.00 7200.00 0.00 SWINGS - FALL & SPRINGDISTRICT ANNUAL DISPURSEMENT 11000 11000DISTRICT SPECIFIC EVENT DISPURSE-MENT
4000 4000
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 15000.00 0.00 15000.00 0.00STATE CONVENTIONSPECIFIC EVENT 6000 6000MEETING ROOMS 300.00 300.00FOOD SUPPLIED MEETINGS / WELCOMING 4700 4700TRAINING AND GIFTS FOR PRESENTERS 200
GUESTS COMP AND GIFTS NATIONAL REPS
600 600
DECORATIONS 500 500REGISTRATIONDJ 400 400HOSPITALITY 500.00 500.00LARGE PRIZES 450 450DOOR PRIZES 250 250PRESIDENT’S GIFTS 0 0AWARDS 450 450FLOWERS OFFICERS 200 200RAFFLE TICKETS PURCHASE 0 0PRINTING 100 100BANQUET FOOD 4500 4500OFFICER & APPOINTEE REIMBURSE-MENTS
5400 5400
INCENTIVES FOR MEMBERS 8000 8000SPECIFIC EVENT INCENTIVEOFFICER COMPED ROOMS 16150 16150INCOME 7500 7500XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 41000.00 0.00 41200.00 0.00NATIONAL CONVENTION Budget Actual Budget Actual
2018 2018 2019 2019INCENTIVES FOR MEMBERS 9200 9200SPECIFIC EVENT INCENTIVE 50 50OFFICER & APPOINTEE REIMBURSE-MENTS
19650 19650
MEETING ROOMS 0 0STATE DINNER 1100 1100HOSPITALITY 0 0FY20 REGISTRATION 1400 1400XX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 31400.00 0.00 31400.00 0.00MEMBERSHIP TRAVEL/MEALS 500.00 POSTAGE 800.00 SUPPLIES 500.00 INCENTIVES MEMBERS 1500.00 CAREER DEVELOPMENT EVENTS 625INCENTIVES NEW MEMBERS 1000.00XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 0.00 0.00 4925.00 0.00MISCELLANEOUSRETIREES APPROPRIATION `FLOWERS & CARDS & AWARDS 500PROFESSIONAL FEES (AUDIT) 200XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 0.00 0.00 700.00 0.00
118025.00 0.009050.00 0.00
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Rachel Norton-Rowland VP / HQ Sales GeneralistPM Schuylerville 12871 W: 518-695-92212979 State Route 29 C: 518-708-1005Greenwich, NY 12834 [email protected] www.facebook.com/groups/NYUPMA
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Please Postmasters know what your responsibilities are as an exempt Postmaster. Make sure you have a 3971 completed for leave of any kind. It is you job to Dot the I’s and cross the T’s.
Go to TACS and under reports go to employee all and put in your EIN then look at your FLSA classification to see if you are exempt or non-exempt.
313.1 FLSA exempt EAS employees are subject to special procedures regarding how leave can be charged as they are paid on a salary basis. That is, they receive a fixed salary for the week, regardless of the number of hours worked or the quality of the work performed. However, the following stipulations apply:
a. They may be charged with annual leave, sick leave, LWOP, or AWOL, or any combination thereof, when they are absent from work for 1 or more full days.
b. They cannot be charged with annual leave, sick leave, LWOP, or AWOL on any service day in which they have work hours, court leave, military leave, holiday leave, administrative leave, continuation of pay, or injury–on–duty leave.
313.2 Non bargaining exempt employees may be granted a personal absence during a service day of up to, but not to exceed, 4 hours without charging such absence to official leave. Exempt employees desiring time off from work for more than 4 hours must not report for work on that day and must take a full day of official leave. 313.3 When an exempt employee is directed to work a full day on a holiday or other full day in addition to normal workdays, the supervisor may grant a full day of personal absence without charging it to official leave. 313.4 When an emergency occurs after an employee's arrival at work, personal absence of greater than 4 hours may be granted. 313.5 Full-time exempt employees are expected to work a full day, and part-time exempt employees are expected to work the full or partial day specified when they were hired. Except for postmasters and installation heads, exempt employees must obtain the approval of their supervisor for all absences, whether or not such absences are to be charged to the employee's leave account. Postmasters and installation heads must (1) promptly report emergency or planned absences exceeding 5 working days to their managers and (2) maintain accurate recordings of leave taken. At the discretion of the installation head, PS Form 3971, Request for or Notification of Absence, may be used for requests of personal absences not charged to leave. When used for personal absence, the PS Form 3971 must indicate in Remarks: “Do not charge to Leave.” 313.6 Each full day of approved absence is to be charged to official leave. However, absences on court leave, military leave, holiday leave, injury on duty, continuation of pay, and all kinds of administrative leave are to be approved and recorded on exempt employees' timecards in hours and hundredths of hours.
Rachel Norton-Rowland – NYS VP Educational Chair
FLSA EXEMPT The letter used to indicate an employee’s Fair Labor Status (FLSA) classification for overtime purposes. N - Non-Exempt, Y - Exempt, S - Special Exempt
Please read the below and understand your responsibilities regarding time keeping.
April 2019 www.unitedpma.org 11
Charlie Bissette 2nd District CoordinatorPM Belmont 14813 W: 585-268-7344 C: 716-307-6025 [email protected]
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UN-DUO:The Shot Heard Around Western New York
The Western New York District is finally taking a serious look at the travesty of DUO. Thankfully our District Manager has seen the ill events that the DUO process has left many Postmasters to deal with the last 6 plus years.
We all understand that savings had to be made during the PostPlan era and the DUO process could be beneficial in some aspects. In my 31 years in the Post Office, this has been by far the worst implementation of a plan that anyone could have envisioned in WNY. HQ and the Eastern Area had grand plans of eliminating many Postmaster jobs by reducing the hours of a Post Office and then having a remaining office pick up 2-5 RMPO’s. Great in theory, but terrible in execution. Kind of reminds me of Common Core or APPR in the education world. The top rolls it out with very little or no input from the local players, and then it flops! It costs extra money, it has a ton of safety issues, and those offices they planned on downgrading? Guess what, Congress said wait a minute...
So, what did that leave us with? Some Level 18’s with city, rural, HCR and 4 RMPO’s and others with no city, no rural and wait for it, no RMPO’s! But that isn’t the only injustice to the whole plan. All of the Postmasters will be paid on the same salary structure. I can’t fully explain how unfair I have felt this Postplan travesty has been without using a few adjectives. At least the recent agreement to create the Level 18b has helped a bit with the pay injustice.
Another great part of the plan has a Level 20 absorb city and rurals from two neighboring Level 18’s and then the Level 18’s do not get downgraded. The Level 20 also picked up a couple RMPO’s just to fill out their day (insert sarcasm). The best part is the Level 20 has to drive past the losing Level 18 to get to the RMPO. Now add Amazon packages to the mix and packages are literally flowing out of the building creating a major safety issue.
Is the sun setting on some of the worst parts of the DUO process in WNY? I am an optimist and I believe the District Manager can get some results for the offices with safety issues and where it is financially beneficial to the Post Office.
What does this mean for you if you have received
an email saying they are studying your office? I guess it depends on if you are the gaining office or losing office.
If you are the losing office: calm down and try to hold your enthusiasm in. Then make sure you are fair to the process and document any safety issues or possible financial pitfalls DUO has created so a proper evaluation can take place.
If you are a gaining office: Get prepared for the possible work you might receive. Can you clean up any clutter to make room for the carriers? Is your office bare and you are going to need extra sorting equipment? Will you need an extra PTF Clerk? Will you need training on how to manage city or rural carriers? I am 100% sure any losing office would be more than happy to help train you.
I would like to personally thank the WNY District Manager for making this a priority and attaching it to a Black belt project so the past can hopefully be corrected and a fair and safe work day can be enjoyed by all of our Postmasters.
At State Convention, the attendees will be electing the following positions:
PresidentExecutive VP
VP – PACVP - Education
Please consider stepping up and helping this organization get better. We need your help. If you don’t like what’s going on, here’s your chance to change things. Let Dan Leonard know if you are considering running for any of these positions.
April 2019www.nyunitedpma.org12
Jill Gresens Convention ChairPM Cropseyville 12052 W: 518-279-1220PO Box 104 H: 518-283-2510Poestenkill, NY 12140 [email protected]
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Mary Dillon 3rd District CoordinatorPM Alexandria Bay 13607 315-771-5073 [email protected]
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3rd District NewsSince we are in the midst of a never-ending winter,
wouldn’t it be fun to think of Lake George, early summer, poolside patio, an evening boat ride, charming downtown walks and fabulous food eateries?
That’s what is in store for you if you come to State Convention!
Plus, reconnecting with old friends and making new ones. Friends that can help you with your job and the
stress or joys that come with it.UPMA has lined up a great agenda, terrific speakers
and very interesting training.Do yourself and your family a favor, plan to attend the
State Convention. Become involved, stay active.I can assure you that you will leave refreshed and
revived!
The Fourth District is again looking forward to welcoming you to the Lake George Region by hosting our third New York State UPMA Convention. I hope everyone will send in your registration today and make your hotel reservations at the Fort William Henry Hotel and Conference Center from Wednesday, May 29 - Sunday, June 2, 2019. What a great incentive the State has given us for attending this year--two hotel nights free. Included in your $75 registration fee is a dinner cruise on Lake George on the Saint Sacrament Thursday night, entertainment by Winchester & Young with a Welcome Reception on Wednesday evening, and an opportunity to win many wonderful doors prizes (tv, luggage, fit bit, ceramic cookware and instant pot). We will again have games and prizes throughout the convention sessions and hospitality room in the evenings. We might be able to convince Liz Forsell to host the ever popular trivia competition in the hospitality room. We will have a Paint and Sip class put on by one of our very talented Postmasters, Beth Knapp and an auction and Western theme night sponsored by our retirees. There will be multiple opportunities to explore Lake George and the
surrounding region. What a nice break from work! We will have with time for learning and socializing with our peers from around the great State of New York. Dan Leonard and Rachel Norton-Rowland have training sessions lined up for us. There are a lot of things to do and see in the Lake George region. We will be there for “Elvis” weekend again this year and many opportunities to bump into the “King” himself. If your family is planning on coming with you, there are amusement parks, miniature golf, outlet shopping, wine tasting, riding stables, historical museums all within a short drive or walk. For additional information on the Lake George Region please check out LakeGeorgeChamber.com. Put in your leave slips now. Experience a convention. I can guarantee you will not be disappointed.
Attention all District Coordinators: Get your winning teams together for another District Game Challenge this year at the convention. This year’s game will be based upon the very popular game show “Wheel of Fortune”. Each day during the morning session designated District teams and the Retiree’s team will compete against each other to see who can master solving the puzzles!
!!!!Convention News!!!!
April 2019 www.unitedpma.org 13
2019 NY UPMA STATE CONVENTION AGENDAWednesday May 29th 20195:00 - 7:00pm Registration: Warrensburg Room 5:00 - 7:30 pm Executive Pre-Convention Board Meeting: Glens Falls Room 7:30 - 9:00 pm Welcome Cocktail Reception - Tankard Tavern - Wine/Beer/Cheese Tray or Hors D’oeuvres Entertainment - Winchester and Young Duo9:00 - 11:00pm Hospitality Room Open - Room 165
Thursday, May 306-7:30am Breakfast on our own in the White Lion Room or Hospitality Room7:30 am - 4 pm Registration7:45 am- Noon General Business Session Lake George room7:45 am Door Prizes Main Session8:00 am Call to Order 8:02 am Invocation 8:05 am Posting of the Colors 8:10 am Pledge of Allegiance8:15 am Convention Announcements Jill Gresens8:20am Welcoming Remarks & Recognition of special guests and past Presidents - Dan Leonard8:30am Recognition of Retirees + Associate Members, Mike Silvestri, NYS Retirees President8:35pm National Retiree Area 2 Representative - Dave Cook PM Retired Westbury8:40am Welcoming Speaker - /Roberts singers8:50am Convention Rules, 8:55am Roll Call, Gerald Geddis, NYS Sec/Treas.9:00am KEYNOTE SPEAKER - National Rep10:30am Break10:40am Introduction of First Timers 10:45am Wheel of Fortune (District 1 versus Retirees)11:00am HB Video FEHB (Medicare part A & B / Health ins) 11:30am-11:55pm Vendors11:55am Announcement of Dinner Cruise - Break for free afternoon1:00pm - 3:00 Painting class - pre-register TBA - notateonregistrationyourinterestin5:30pm Board for dinner cruise6:30-8:45pm Dinner Cruise9:00pm - 11:00pm Hospitality Room 165
Friday May 316-7:30am Breakfast on our own in the White Lion Room or Hospitality Room7:30 am 10:00am - Registration7:55am-12:00 pm General Session Lake George room7:45 am Door Prizes Main Session7:55am Call to Order8:00am Secretary-Treasurer, Gerald Geddis, (Budget & incentives for year)8:15am Time & Place, Any proposed (TobevotedonSaturday) Dan Leonard8:30am Bylaw proposed changes read (tobevotedonSaturday) Kristine Lion8:35am Elected positions announced for National and State (tobevotedonSaturday) 8:40am Announcements, Convention Chair, Jill Gresens8:45am Speaker - Federal Prep9:45am Wheel of Fortune (District 2 and District 3)10:00am Break10:10am Chapter Member Representation VP Cathy Winnie11:10 am Candidates National Vice President East (5min.ea.)11:25am Candidate for State President (5min.ea.)11:35am Candidates for State Executive VP (5min.ea.)11:45am Candidates for Education VP11:55am Candidates for PAC VP12:05pm Lunch provided - Fort Edward room1:30pm -3:00pm Training SOV/CSV/FLASH/BUDGET/ WSC/150/18/18B (Jay Russell)3:00pm-4:30pm Training TIMEKEEPING/F4 USAGE OF CODES/TRANSFERS/SSRD- TBA4:30-6:30pm Hospitality Room 1657:00pm Auction (all alcohol has to be purchasedatbar,can’tbringinto auction)9pm-11pm Hospitality Room 165
Saturday June 1st6-7:30am Breakfast on our own in the White Lion Room or Hospitality Room7:30 am 12:00pm - Registration7:55am-12 pm General Session Lake George room7:45 am Door Prizes Main Session7:55am Call to Order
April 2019www.nyunitedpma.org14
7:55am Memorial Service9:00am Time & Place vote, 9:15am Wheel of Fortune District 4 versus District 59:35am Break9:45am Retiree members meeting (heldseparately)Officer Reports9:45am Executive Vice President Amy Dalrymple9:50am Vice President Education & Development, Rachel Norton-Rowland9:55am Vice President Legislative, Tammy Hurd10:00am Vice President PAC, Donna Jenness10:05am Vice President Chapter Member Representative, Cathy Winnie10:10am Webmaster Robert Holterman10:15am Editor, Heidi Freeman10:20am Budget, Audit Gerry Geddis 10:30am Registration, Deana Wood10:35am Scholarship, Daniel O’Neil10:40am By-Laws vote Kristine Lion10:45am ELECTION OF OFFICERS -National Vice Presidents east - State President - State Vice Presidents (Executive, Education and PAC )11:15 am Unfinished Business New Business Benediction, Retiring of the Colors – Veterans
11:30 am Chapter Member Training - National Investigative Interviews and Mediation, Rich Hui12:00 pm Lunch Provided - Fort Edward room1:00pm - 2:15pm - Training Mitigations how to file and how to figure, understanding NPA indicators and what drives them, Wayne Francis and Dan2:15pm - 3:30pm Training Resolution log and documentation needed with process leading up to filing (Dan)4:00 – 5:00pm Hospitality Open – Room 1655:00 – 5:45 pm Cash Bar Open – Ballroom5:45 pm Pictures6:00 BANQUET Lake George Room - Dan Leonard opening remarks6:05pm Dinner Speaker: Senior UPMA member6:10pm Recognition & Scholarship awards 8:30-12:00pm Followed by dancing with DJ - One Smooth DJ Will Moffitt
Sunday, June 2, 2019Check – Out Travel Home Safely!8:00 – 1:00pm Executive Board Meeting (Post Convention and moving forward agenda)This agenda is subject to change.
Make a Lap Blanket for a Veteran (no sewing required) at State Convention!!!
If you can, please bring 2 pieces of fleece – 1 and 1/3 yards each
and some sharp scissors to cut the fabric. We will be making these blankets at State Convention. We will give you step by step
instructions. They are very easy and require no sewing.
If you can’t bring any fleece we will have extra so you can make one.
See Keith Miner’s article on page 25.
The 3rd Annual NY Chapter of United Postmasters & Managers of America Convention May 29th - June 2nd, 2019 Fort William Henry Hotel and Conference Center
48 Canada St Lake George NY 12845 Contact hotel directly for reservations, (518) 668-3081.
Room rates each night: $129 Premium/ $159 Grand Hotel. Guest code for reservation under UPMA is: UPMA MEMBER, Reservation deadline for Hotel is May 10th.
REGISTRATION - PLEASE PRINT IN BLOCK LETTERS EVERYONE MUST REGISTER: Fill out one application per person. State officers and appointees covered by the organization in the Fiscal Policy do not include a check for registration, just your registration form. Indicate office held.
Name________________________________________________________________________________
E-Mail Address _______________________________________Phone:____________________________
Office _____________________________________________________________________ Zip________
State or National Office you hold: _________________________________________________________
First Time attending a State Convention: Yes __ No__. If yes, member payment will be reimbursed. REGISTRATION FEES:
Full convention (value over $150.00), includes: coffee breaks, 2 lunches, 1 banquet, 1 dinner cruise, entertainment. More than one day is considered full convention prices. Registration fees will not be refunded after May 15th.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ACTIVE MEMBER: Guest & Non-Member use this area also. Full Convention $75 ____ After May 10th $100 ____ Banquet meal choice (circle one): Roasted Prime Rib, Garlic Herb Roasted Chicken, Grilled Atlantic Salmon 1 day Convention $50____ After May 10th $75 ____ Circle day attending: Thur., Fri., Sat. Includes all functions for day registered. For example: Cruise, Banquet, etc.
If 1 day Convention is Saturday (circle Banquet meal choice above): -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- RETIRED MEMBER: Full Convention $55 ____ After May 10th $75 _____ Banquet meal choice (circle one): Roasted Prime Rib, Garlic Herb Roasted Chicken, Grilled Atlantic Salmon 1 day Convention $50____ After May 10th $75 ____ Circle day attending: Thur., Fri., Sat. Includes all functions for day registered. For example: Cruise, Banquet etc.
If 1 day Convention is Saturday (circle Banquet meal choice above): -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Guests cruise only: Adult (age 12+) _____ $40; (3-11) _______ $20; under 3 free ______ Guests banquet only: Adult___ $35; Children (3-11) ___ $20; under 3 free ___. Banquet meal choice (circle one): Roasted Prime Rib, Garlic Herb Roasted Chicken, Grilled Atlantic Salmon. Chicken Fingers (children only). --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Enclosed: $________________. Please, remember one form per person including children. You may send one check for all of the forms. Send registration form/s with check or money order made payable to NY UPMA to: Deana Wood, 15 East Holcomb St., North Creek, NY 12853
Questions, special needs, or changes (by May 15th): call (518) 251-5271 or email [email protected].
April 2019www.nyunitedpma.org16
UPMA LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD NOMINATION
NEW YORK UPMA 2019
The Life=me Achievement Award is awarded to recognize UPMA Re=red Members for their dis=nguished service to this management organiza=on. The selec=on of the awardee is completed when the past winners review all nominees submiPed for considera=on.
Nominee Name: Street Address: City: State: Zip Code: Phone Number: E-mail: Name of office re=red from: Years with USPS: Years with Management Organiza=on:
Career Path and USPS accomplishments: (If more space is needed, please aPach)
Narra=ve of Accomplishments with Management Associa=on: (If more space is needed, please aPach)
Nominees will be considered based on their par=cipa=on currently or in the past with their Management Associa=on. Nominate by:
Mail applica=ons to:David Cook, 29 Glenwood Rd Glen Head NY 11545
E-mail applica=ons to:[email protected]
The 3rd Annual NY Chapter of United Postmasters & Managers of America Convention May 29th - June 2nd, 2019
Vendor Registration Form
Fort William Henry Hotel and Conference Center 48 Canada St Lake George NY 12845
Contact hotel directly for reservations, (518) 668-3081. Room rates each night: $129 Premium/ $159 Grand Hotel.
Guest code for reservation under UPMA is: UPMA Member. Reservation deadline for Hotel is May 10th.
The cost for one table (8’ wide) size area is $25.00. Exhibitors/vendors may set up starting Wednesday afternoon and remain set up through Saturday, 3pm.
UPMA members who are registered for convention and participating as a vendor will be reimbursed at convention for the vendor fee.
Company: _____________________________________________________________________
Contact Name: _________________________________________________________________
Product: ______________________________________________________________________
Address: ______________________________________________________________________
Post Office: _____________________________________________________ST___ Zip______
8’
Vendor: If you are not registered for convention but would like to join us for the banquet, dinner cruise, or lunches, please fill out a separate vendor registration form for each individual who will be joining us and add the appropriate amount to your remittance and attach to your initial registration form.
Dinner cruise (Thursday): $57 adults (age 12+), $21 age 3-11, under 3 free but need to be counted. Banquet (Saturday): $35 Banquet meal choices (circle one):
Roasted Prime Rib, Garlic Herb Roasted Chicken, or Grilled Atlantic Salmon Friday lunch: $20.00 per person Saturday lunch: $20.00 per person
Send the vendor registration form/s with check or money order made payable to NY UPMA to: Deana Wood, 15 East Holcomb St., North Creek, NY 12853
Questions, special needs, or changes (by May 15th): call (518) 251-5271 or email [email protected]
April 2019www.nyunitedpma.org18
Candidate for Education VPGeoffrey RandallNY State Education VPNY UPMA NOV. 1st, 2019
Whereas: Geoffrey Randall has been a loyal, dedicated postal Employee since July 1990, working as a PTF Carrier, PTF Clerk, Supervisor and A/MCS in the Newburgh, NY PO. In 2000 I was awarded Postmaster of Accord, NY EAS 15. Since then I have been promoted to Postmaster of Ellenville, NY EAS 18 in 2004 and transferred to Postmaster of Cornwall on Hudson EAS18 in 2006. From 1998 to 2007 I had details as OIC in Patterson, NY EAS 18, Stormville, NY EAS 18, Cornwall, NY EAS 18 and WINBATS coordinator 124-127. In 2007 I accepted a detail in Austin MN which led to a transfer to Postmaster Kasson, MN. EAS18. In 2008, I relocated to EAS 17 supervisor Lake Wales, FL and then was promoted in 2009 to MCS Southside Station, Fort Lauderdale, FL EAS20. In 2011 I came back to NY and was awarded Postmaster Castleton on Hudson, NY EAS 18. A year later, in 2012 I was promoted to Postmaster Delmar, NY EAS 20.
Whereas: Geoffrey Randall has been a member of NAPUS since 2000 serving as 5th District Director, Legislative Co-Chair, Secretary-Treasurer, State Editor, State President,
National VP 2007 and again 2012-2013.
Whereas: Geoffrey Randall has also served the members of NAPUS and now NY UPMA as a national PM rep and currently state PM rep.
Whereas: Geoffrey Randall is committed to serving his fellow members of UPMA in all endeavors. Having served as a national PM development co-chair for national convention in Albuquerque, NM 2007 and as an ASP trainer for the postal service 1996-2000.
Therefore be it resolved that: Geoffrey Randall is a candidate for NY UPMA Education VP 2019-2020 to further the education and development of its members in order for them to be more effective leaders.
PHOTOS FOR2020 UPMA CALENDAR:
Attention Shutterbugs: This is your opportunity to have your photo chosen for the 2020 UPMA Calendar! The deadline for receipt of hi-resolution, horizontal jpgs is June 15. No more than two entries are allowed per person. Send photos to [email protected]. Be sure to include your name, post office or post office from which you retired and contact information.
April 2019 www.unitedpma.org 19
Dan Leonard NYS Chapter PresidentPM Bath 14810 W: 607-776-7151 C: 607-398-8200 [email protected]
UnitedPostmasters
and Managersof America
Let me hear your thoughts on the current status quo and pay structure. They will again be talking to HQ in pay talks this year. What do you want? What is wrong that needs fixing. Everything is not specific, voice your opinion. Some information below is for your understanding of our current system.
The NPA is designed to ensure that only those with ideal conditions (strong economy, full work force, proper budget, and other conditions are present). It does not truly measure or reward the true accomplishments of all managers. It is also now at a reduced percentage. This disparity leads to huge variances in pay and lifetime earnings.
The NPA discriminates against Postmasters and managers who work in economically depressed areas where revenue is difficult to hold and even harder to grow. Numerous cities and towns are shrinking in population, number of businesses, and opportunities. As people leave an area, businesses suffer. If you’re outside of a larger metropolitan area, there are unlikely to be other customers and businesses to replace those lost and the local market shrinks. Ultimately, businesses close and the community continues its economic decline.
Many post offices lose revenue annually and always have. Should Postmasters within those facilities be held individually accountable for the decline they had no control over? The NPA punishes them financially for this exact situation. On the other hand, Postmasters that work in more prosperous areas are rewarded for conditions they had no individual responsibility for creating.
The NPA makeup makes employees doubt there was ever really an intention to pay a bonus. The motivation of the USPS seems to be to minimize the number of managers that earn a respectable NPA, rather than giving all the equal opportunity. In its failure to promote performance in fairness and backed by measurable results, the NPA is not a merit system and leads to disparate impact discrimination.
The NPA is called a merit system by the USPS, but it fails to meet the qualifications of a performance system. Whereas the positions require equal skill and equal effort in performance, the NPA is derived via chance and circumstance. Levels have long been determined
by Workload Service Credits (WSCs) which measure the same criteria for each office. Moreover, the WSCs neglect to weigh in the numerous computer actions that are similarly taken by postmasters and managers each day.
Prior to any merit program, such as Economic Value Added (EVA) or the NPA, the USPS has historically had EAS pay schedules by level for all managers. These schedules were based on the determination of the USPS itself that the jobs were best categorized by level of responsibility and workload. Furthermore, the USPS substantiates the identical duties of each position by EAS level in its job postings. The scheduled pay structure recognized the only variance in positions by EAS level was experience and knowledge gained through time.
If the merit system fails to measure individual performance as the NPA does, it must fall under the requirements of the Equal Pay Act (EPA). The EPA defines equal skill (§ 1620.15) and equal performance (§ 1620.16). The job duties and expected performance are identical. The job allows virtually no way to influence revenue or hours.
The NPA itself is outside of an individual’s ability to affect. The delivery standards (Priority Mail Composite, First-Class Composite, Parcel Select, and Standard Composite) are not measured by unit. Similarly, other factors (Composite Scan Performance, OSHA I&I Avg., Controllable Income, Deliveries Per Hour, Total Deliveries Per Hour, Total Revenue FPR % Plan, Customer Insights, Total Accidents Avg.) are all broad measurements. The only items the actual unit is measured by are Employee Availability Avg., Retail Revenue % Plan, and TWH % Plan and these measurements are greatly flawed and out of the unit’s control.
Out of all the variables, the unit is only responsible for two or three and they, like the others, are largely out of their control.
The NPA Fails the Required Time Standards of a Merit System
A true performance system would set forth the objectives prior to the measurement period, not months into the new fiscal year as has always been the case with the NPA. The USPS, on its web page for Performance
NPA System
April 2019www.nyunitedpma.org20
Evaluation System (PES), includes “…Objectives and goals are established at the beginning of the evaluation period…At the beginning of the evaluation period, an evaluator holds an interactive discussion with an employee about the employee’s goals for the year. This meeting ensures that the employee is aware of the performance objectives that he or she will be evaluated against for the upcoming year.” This is the most essential part of the program as it lays the foundation for the evaluation period. Introducing the evaluation variables after Christmas and nearly four months into the measured period invalidates any true performance program.
Indicators that need addressing that are virtually out of the units control are:
Employee Availability AverageThe Employee Availability Avg. includes scheduled
SL and LWOP. There is no accounting for absences that have been scheduled and approved in advance. If an individual needs surgery or has health issues that extend beyond FMLA coverage, the EAS employee is punished by a lower Employee Availability Average.
Retail Revenue % PlanThe Retail Revenue % Plan is seriously flawed as
it only accounts for walk-in revenue (WIR). Although Postmasters are encouraged to move customers to click-n-ship, when they do, the PM is punished by a lower WIR and a lower NPA.
TWH % PlanThe TWH % Plan is equally an impossible goal. EAS-18
PMs are now limited to 15 hours of clerk work, clerks now get cleaning hours, and there are literally no backups. You are now penalized for scheduled LWOP even when it is beneficial to total work hours.
RMPO’s have no backups so they have to be covered generally by the clerk from the APO.
Add in the training and mandatory ride-along annually with carriers, and you lose several days.
New employees often add significant hours to the rolls as they are trained while regulars still maintain operations (such as new RCAs). New PSEs require large amounts of time as they become accustomed to the numerous duties and knowledge. All training hours now go to the bottom line.
Total Operating Expenses (TOE) All eBuy2 purchases are already screened by secondary
approvers for smaller purchases and several for more expensive purchases. A responsible, true performer will make the necessary purchases to run the most efficient operation possible. The TOE measurement makes many managers hold off on purchases, even those desperately needed, in hopes of earning a decent NPA.
The Intended Purpose of a Pay-for-performance Plan
While Pay-for-performance plans may work for private industries where individual contributions can be properly assessed, the NPA does not offer USPS employees the same opportunity. As such, the NPA should be abolished, managers returned to a structure pay schedule, and awards given by reviewers where deserved (over and above the structured pay increases).
The NPA Fails the Required Time Standards of a Merit System
At the beginning of the evaluation period, an evaluator holds an interactive discussion with an employee about the employee’s goals for the year. This meeting ensures that the employee is aware of the performance objectives that he or she will be evaluated against for the upcoming year.” This is the most essential part of the program as it lays the foundation for the evaluation period. Introducing the evaluation variables after Christmas and nearly four months into the measured period invalidates any true performance program.
A regulatory requirement of a Performance Appraisal System is “Providing performance plans to employees at the beginning of the rating period (normally within 30 days).” [5 CFR 430.206(b)(2)] This federal requirement has never been met.
In fact, the GAO reported that “At the beginning of the fiscal year, the rater is required to discuss PFP indicators and targets with the participant, including goals for corporate and unit indicators and individual performance elements.” [Source: GAO-08-996 USPS Pay for Performance Program, p.9] As this has never occurred, the NPA program, being defunct, is wrongly used in determining salaries.
OPM’s regulations require that each employee’s performance plan include at least one critical element, which, by definition, measures individual performance and establishes individual accountability. Even if the NPA included a critical factor, its late introduction into the new year negates its significance.
The GAO acknowledged the challenge the USPS faced in raising revenue in its September 2008 Report to Congressional Requesters, U.S. Postal Services, New Delivery Performance Measures Could Enhance Managers’ Pay for Performance Program. “The projected decline of First-Class Mail impacts the Postal Service’s ability to continue to finance the growing universal service network. This is the single greatest challenge facing the Postal Service.” [USPS, Strategic Transformation Plan 2006-2010, p. 7] OPM regulations: Chapter 8, Section 7: Alternative Personnel Practices, Title 5 of the U.S. Code, Performance Management.
NPA Deficiencies• Rolled out about four months into the new year
April 2019 www.unitedpma.org 21
being measured.• Variables often change in type (TWH, Revenue % to
Plan, TOE, etc.) as well as scope (national, area, district, MPOO, Cluster, Finance Number, Lead Finance Number, Unit, etc.)
• Errors outside of your office leading to missed goals results in a lower NPA
• Variables that damage the long-term success of the USPS, such as TOE
• Variables that are impossible to affect, such as revenue
• USPS is not committed to the NPA as witnessed by its dropping in 2012 and no payments in 2013. The NPA fails to convince the majority of EAS employees that their pay and/or recognition rewards them for high performance. In large part, this is due to variables that are outside
of their control to affect. Most managers don’t believe they can earn a decent NPA because the variables are flawed. After the suspension of the NPA for two years, no manager believes the USPS is committed to recognizing and rewarding their performance—even worse, the goals are almost completely outside the control of the manager.
Further, not receiving a reward one had expected to receive is also indistinguishable from being punished. Whether the incentive is withheld or withdrawn deliberately, or simply not received by someone who had hoped to get it, the effect is identical. And the more desirable the reward, the more demoralizing it is to miss out. Herzberg, “One More Time: How Do You Motivate Employees?” January–February 1968.
State Convention ChecklistSave the dates –Wednesday, May 29, 2019 – Sunday, June 2, 2019
Fill out and send in the convention registration form in this issue. Make sureyou fill it out completely and we have a way of contacting you. Each person attending (members and guests) need to fill out a separate registration form. Call the Ft. William Henry Hotel at (518) 668-3081 to book your room. Room rates are $129. /Premium and $159. /Grand Hotel per night. Use guest code UPMA MEMBER. Rooms will be held at this price until May 10th.
If you have a UPMA lanyard from previous years, please remember to bring it with you.
Bring auction items – please bring new or gently used items (store bought or homemade) for the retirees to auction off on Friday night. Proceeds benefit our scholarship funds.
Optional: Bring some cash (small bills) to buy 50/50 tickets and gift basket raffles, and auction items.
See you at the registration table!!!! Wednesday from 5pm-7pm, Thursday from 7:30am-4pm, Friday from 7:30am-10am and Saturday from 7:30-12pm.
We also have a great hospitality room for you to enjoy throughout the convention.If you are registered the following fun events are included:Lunch Friday and Saturday, Welcome reception, Dinner cruise, Grand Banquet, Sip and Paint, hospitality room, Auction and a whole lot of time to relax, unwind and have some fun!!!
April 2019www.nyunitedpma.org22
This was an article from a couple of years ago, but thought it was suitable for now, since not much has changed and you need to realize how important
it is to enter everything correctly to receive proper credit for your office.
Question:How do I know I am receiving proper credit for what
my office is doing every day? Answer:You must look at the data sources and make sure your
offices information is input correctly. A portion of this information is from the 2014 Function
4 guideI have highlighted in italics some of the data sources
that you should be proactive in checking to make sure you are getting correct credit for your office.
Most of the programs you can enter the information in yourself, such as FDB. Others you must contact your District OPS department to make sure they make the necessary changes.
How the Pieces Fit TogetherBackgroundDependent upon the Cost Ascertainment Grouping
(CAG) code of the customer services office, two major applications, the CSV and the SOV Models, establish standardized workload credits for customer services units. Each of the applications utilizes national performance standards to determine earned workhours derived from the actual workload. Earned workhours are compared to the actual workhours used as a measurement of actual performance compared to the expected performance. The Variance models are a footprint to provide guidance and daily expectations for clerk performance. CSV/SOV is updated each week from various postal data systems. For more information regarding CSV/SOV and CSAW, go to the following link. Variance Models - http://variance.usps.gov
CSVCustomer Service Variance, (CSV) is the Function 4
model in the suite of OperationalVariance Programs for CAG A-G offices. CSV is
a management model that provides complement, workhour, productivity, workload and route/delivery analysis. CSV calculates actual versus earned workhour performance against standardized target productivity
expectations and trends performance from national results to the unit level. CSVutilizesintegrateddatafromEFlash, Complement Information System (WebCOINS),Retail Datamart (RDM), Address Management System(AMS),EndofRun(EOR),TimeandAttendanceCollectionSystem(TACS)(BoxActivityTrackingSystem)(WebBATS),and Facilities Database (FDB) to identify savings opportunity in a relevant and actionable performance management platform. CSV is the parent application to additional F4 applications including Customer Service Staffing Opportunity Model (CSSOM), F4 Lean Matrix, and Customer Service Adjusted Workload (CSAW). The sum of these tools enhances the field’s ability to proactively manage a dynamic workload environment in a standardized format.
SOVSmall Office Variance, (SOV) is the Function 4 model
in the suite of Operational Variance Programs for Cost Ascertainment Grouping (CAG) H-L offices. SOV is a management model that provides complement, workhour, productivity, workload and route/delivery analysis. SOV calculates actual versus earned workhour performance against standardized target productivity expectations and trends performance from national results to the unit level. SOVutilizesintegrateddatafromEFlash, Complement information System (WebCOINS),Retail Datamart (RDM), Accounting Datamart (ADM),Address Management System (AMS) (Box ActivityTracking System) (WebBATS), and Facilities Database(FDB) to identify savings opportunity in a relevant and actionable performance management platform. SOV enhances the field’s ability to proactively manage a dynamic workload environment in a standardized format.
Variance ModelsVariance Programs are management models that
provide complement, workhour,productivity, workload, and route and delivery
analysis. Variance models calculate actual versus earned performance against standardized target productivity expectations and trends performance from national results to the unit level. Variance models utilize integrated data to identify savings opportunity in a relevant and actionable performance management platform.
CSV Data Sources• TheCSVdatasourcesinclude:• •EndofRun–Automated/MechanizedVolumes
Rachel Norton-Rowland VP / HQ Sales GeneralistPM Schuylerville 12871 W: 518-695-92212979 State Route 29 C: 518-708-1005Greenwich, NY 12834 [email protected] www.facebook.com/groups/NYUPMA
UnitedPostmasters
and Managersof America
April 2019 www.unitedpma.org 23
• eFlash – Manual Distribution Volumes, PO BoxVolumesandWorkhours
• Window Operations Survey or (WOS) – EarnedHoursandWorkload
• WebBATS–NumberofCallers• AddressManagementSystemor(AMS)–Numbers
ofRoutesandDeliveries• WebCOINS – On Rolls Complement and MPOO
Designation• FacilitiesDatabase–OfficeLevelCSV is the engine that drives the data for all the otherVariance programs.Small Office Variance (SOV)IntroductionThe Function 4 Variance Programs provide
standardized performance assessment and automated staffing and scheduling tools at an operations level.
The Small Office Variance, or SOV model provides earned workhours using the same
Nationally established factors as Customer Service Variance, also called CSV.
SOV is a Postmaster/MPOO level performance management tool used to assess
complement levels and identify workhour opportunities down to the unit level.
SOV Data ElementsTheSOVDataElementsinclude:
• FacilitiesDatabase• Officehours• Officelevels• eFlash for Distribution, Box Volumes and
Workhours• WebBATSfortheNumberofCallers• Address Management System or (AMS) for
NumbersofRoutesandDeliveries• WebCOINS forOn Rolls Complement andMPOO
Designation• AccountingDataMartwalk-inrevenue• Retail Data Mart• WindowOperations Survey or (WOS) for Earned
HoursandWorkload• SOVLDCAnalysis• LDC47–CAGH-LClerk• LDC80–PostmasterI could go on and on, but as a Postmaster summed it
up “Garbage in Garbage out”. So please just don’t click through fields in the programs, but instead make sure you look at the data sources that go into the Variance programs and that all of the information is CORRECT. If not, correct it and if you cannot do it yourself contact those who can and if they are not willing to then escalate it until it is corrected.
Convention Highlights:Wednesday night is our Wine and Cheese Welcome Reception with Winchester and Dan
(no, not our state President) entertaining us.
Thursday – Opening sessions, games and door prizes, Sip and Paint and Dinner Cruise on Lake George on the Saint Sacrament, Hospitality room. All this is included in your registration fee if you are a member.
Friday - Main session with a speaker from the National office, games and door prizes, proposed By-law changes, Time and place for next year’s convention, candidates for State and National offices, training, Hospitality room, and our wild and fun Auction sponsored by the Retirees. Come dressed in Western attire for the auction.
Saturday – Main session including the Memorial Service; games and door prizes; voting on by-law changes, time and place, and State and National officers; training; Hospitality room; and our Grand Banquet (attire is semi-formal).
April 2019www.nyunitedpma.org24
Michael Silvestri Retiree President7 Queens Street H: 631-271-3980Huntington, NY 11743-3724 C: 631-241-1430 [email protected]
UnitedPostmasters
and Managersof America
The Downstate PerspectiveBy the time you receive this issue of NYS ESP it is my
hope that the thaw has begun. The upstate portion of New York did experience a healthy amount of snow and very cold temperatures. Here on Long Island we have been very fortunate this winter. It was very mild until the end of February and the beginning of March. I had snow caps bloom just before the snow arrived in late February.
I received the UPMA membership report for the first of 2019. The report showed that we have achieved less 59% enrollment of Postmasters in the State. Out of 846 possible members we have 495 Postmasters. There are many more managers that we need to reach out to and sign up. There is a nationwide contest that started at the beginning of the year. The contest is an incentive to increase membership. (Please check the national website for details on the contest). It is the responsibility of each of us to do our best to continue to grow the membership. United we can accomplish so much more for ourselves and for all Postal employees. Divided and not strong, our pay, benefits, and the respect we deserve is jeopardized. Let us try to remember the three R’s of membership. Recruit, Regain, and Retain. We have great opportunity coming up to help grow membership. That is the UPMA NYS Convention that will commence Wednesday May 29th and end on June 2nd. So, it is time to spread the word. I promise you that this year’s convention will not disappoint. Check out the incentive be offered by President Dan to all members who attend this year’s state convention. Encourage a non-member to attend and they will be members before the convention is over. Remember the first six months is free. Two more things on the State Convention. First the theme of this year’s convention is Western. Second the guest speaker for the retirees is Charley Peters our National Treasurer.
There were two bills introduced this year that are very important to all members. In the House the bill is H R 141, The Social Security Fairness Act. In the Senate, the bill is S 521. I have sent out several emails requesting that you ask your representative to show their support for the two bills by co-sponsoring them. If passed this will correct the injustice that was done to all federal employees in 1984 during the Reagan administration.
Our Social Security benefits were severely impacted when the administration alleged that we were double dipping as federal employees. I was double paying for many years and I lost 50% of my earned Social Security for which I was entitled. As of the writing of this article there were 128 co-sponsors in the House and 8 co-sponsors in the Senate. The NYS representatives that have signed on are as follows: Lee Zeldin, Peter King, Thomas Suozzi, Kathleen Rice, Gregory Meeks, Grace Ming, Eliot Engel, and Elise Stefanik. If your representative is listed above take the time to email them and thank them for their support. If your representative is not listed please email them and request them to sign on to the bills that are so important to so many of us.
Hope to see all my friends at the State Convention. I hope to make many new friends at the convention. Thank you for being members, thank you for the service you provide the American public and thank you for all you do for your community. Best wishes to all and God Bless
Update: Five more co-sponsors have given their support for the Social Security Fairness Act. Paul Tonka from the NY 20 congressional district was one congressman who is now a co-sponsor. We still have twenty NY congressional district to convince to support this bill. That is not to mention senators Gillibrand & Schumer support for S 521.
Going Once, Going Twice, Sold to the highest bidder!
Auction – Friday, May 31st, 7 pm.Western theme – come dressed in
Western attire.Bring your new, gently used or
homemade items todonate. (No junk, please)
Proceeds benefit the Scholarship funds.
April 2019 www.unitedpma.org 25
Keith Miner Executive VPRetired PM Hurley 12443 NY UPMA Retired101 Highwoods Rd H: 845-246-3489Saugerties, 12477-3420 C: 845-706-9894 [email protected]
UnitedPostmasters
and Managersof America
Greetings again one and all. As I just came in from shoveling and snowblowing, I recalled that spring will begin shortly. “Spring ahead” time is
already here and before we know it, birds, flowers, and green grass will replace the snow.
First, the Social Security Fairness Act 2019 & Social Security Act to Repeal the Government Pension Offset are two bills that we desperately need to support, active and retired alike. Failure to get support could mean a critical loss of retirement revenue and other benefits for all. Neither of our NY Senators have co-sponsored S 521. Only the following congressman/woman have co-sponsored HR 141. They are Lee Zeldin, Peter King, Thomas Suozzi, Grace Ming, Eliot Engel and Elisa Stefanik. Please, I urge you to email our representatives today and request that they support these two important pieces of legislation. Thank you Pres. Mike Silvestri for alerting us to this call to arms. Everybody, please take the time to familiarize yourselves with HR141 and S521 then contact our senators and your congressional legislators to support these bills.
Next, spring swings are upon us once again. By the time this newsletter goes to press I believe that most of the swings will have already happened. I hope everyone had a chance to make it to at least one of the swings, even if it wasn’t in your home district. Thanks to all of the district coordinators who put these swings
together. It is still not too late to register for the State Convention. Once again, we will be in Lake George for 4 days of meetings, elections, great food, networking, and some sightseeing as well.
Finally, lets also look forward to our National Convention to be held in our neighboring state of Connecticut at the Mohegan Sun Resort. We will be doing a really nice veteran’s recognition ceremony at National. Eva Finley, our national retiree editor, has also started organizing a veteran’s lap blanket project. It is our goal to make at least two blankets for every state and then to bring these blankets to veterans who are in local military and civilian nursing homes. NO SEWING REQUIRED!!! Simply put, the instructions are get two pieces of fleece 1 1/3 yd each (I think simple plain or patriotic themes would be best but anything will do.) Cut a 4”x4” square out of each corner. Cut the remaining edge into a fringe of about 1/2”x4” (obviously still attached to the large pieces.) Lay the two pieces on top of each other ant tie the top fringe to the bottom fringe and VOILA a no sew lap blanket. I got fleece at the local fabric store for about $20. If you can purchase fleece and have about 1-2 hours to donate, please consider making one of these blankets for our precious veterans. Please send me your name if you can commit to making one or getting a group to make a few. I would love for New York to bring the most! See you all at State Convention!!!
More than 1,300 UPMA members are not receiving their copy of the Leader each month due to a faulty mailing address. If you are not receiving the Leader, please let us know. i.e., many folks have changed post offices during their career and the magazine is still being mailed to the old post office address. For this reason, it is best to use your home mailing address, not your post office address.
If you have changed your mailing address, your title, your chapter, work/cell phone numbers, or any other pertinent information, please let us know this also so we can have the most up to date information in our membership files.
Updating this information can be done on our website, www.unitedpma.org, sending an email ([email protected]), change of address form to our national office, 8 Herbert Street, Alexandria VA 22305
Please complete one form per registrant. Photocopy the form for additional registrations.
First Name:________________________________ Last Name:______________________________________
Title: ❏ Postmaster
❏ Supervisor
❏ Manager
❏ OIC
❏ Associate
❏ UPMA Retired
❏ Spouse
❏ Guest
July 27-Aug. 2, 2019Official Registration Form
Hotel ReservationUPMA has a special rate at the con-vention hotel beginning Aug. 1,2018. You must call the hotel directly to make a reservation. TheNational Office will not handle roomreservations. To make a reserva-tion, you must make a deposit tothe hotel in the amount of yourfirst night’s lodging; this depositis non-refundable after May 15,2019. All room cancellations mustbe made directly with the hotel. Tosecure the special UPMA rate, youmust identify yourself as part of theUPMA convention. The rate is avail-able only until July1, 2019, or allrooms in the block are sold,whichever comes first.
Mohegan Sun1-866-708-1340$139—single/double/triple/quad
Be sure to request the UPMMA19 group rate.
Convention Registration (only one person per form):
Please circle the 7/27/18- 1/1/19- 3/1/19- Afterappropriate fee: 12/31/18 2/28/19 6/15/19 6/15/19
Postmaster/Manager/Supervisor/OIC/Associate $190 $215 $240 $265
UPMA Retired or Guest* $167.50 $186.25 $205 $223.75
(PM Retired Luncheon included)
Auxiliary/Spouse/ Postmaster Guest $142.50 $161.25 $180 198.75
(Does NOT include UPMA Retired Luncheon)
Children (17 and under) $75; includes child’s meal at the Grand Banquet.
*UPMA Retired member may have one guest (not an active member) regis-ter for the same price.
Grand Banquet: Aug. 1, 2019
Payment InformationConvention Fee: $________________
_____ Additional tickets for UPMA
Retired Luncheon @ $25 each $________________
Total Payment: $________________
❏ Check payable to UPMA
❏ Visa/MasterCard
Card number_____________________________________________
Card security code:_____________ Expiration date:______________(3- or 4-digit code imprinted on card)
Signature:_______________________________________________
Mail with full payment to UPMA National Convention Registration, 8 Herbert St., Alexandria, VA 22305-2600.
Questions? Call 703-683-9027
Registration Cancellation Refund PolicyRequests for cancellation refunds mustbe made in writing to the UPMA NationalOffice. Requests must be postmarked byMay 1, 2019; no refunds after that date.All refunds are subject to a $25 handlingfee.
Registrations are non-transferable.
First Name (for your badge):_________________________________
Post Office You Represent City: ___________________________________ State:__________
Your Mailing Address:__________________________________________________________
City:_________________________________ State:______ ZIP+4_____________________
Cell Phone:_____________________________________________
E-mail:_________________________________________________
3rd UPMA National Convention3rd UPMA National Convention
First-Timer/UPMA Retired First-Timer?❏ Yes ❏ No
Registration also available at www.unitedpma.org
18/08 Leader 7/20/18 7:00 PM Page 27
Form 1187Request and Authorization for Voluntary Allotment
of Compensation for Payment of Employee Organization DuesFill Out Form On-line, Print it out, and Return to
UPMA National Office at the Address Below for Processing
Section C: For Use by the Employee Organization
Section D: Authorization by Employee
Section E
Section A: All New Members Complete
USPS Employee Identification Number (EIN) Social Security Number Date of Birth Gender
Name (PRINT Last Name, First, MI) Contact Telephone
Home Address (Street and Number/Box) City State ZIP+4
Personal E-mail Address
Male n Female n
P Mail completed form to: United Postmasters and Managers of America (UPMA) 8 Herbert Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22305-2600
I hereby authorize the above-named agency to deduct from my pay each pay period the amount certified above as the regular dues the (UN-P)
United Postmasters and Managers of America (UPMA) and to remit such amounts to that employee organization in accordance with its arrangements
with my employing agency. I further authorize any change in the amount to be deducted that is certified by the above-named employee organization
as a uniform change in its dues structure.
I understand that this authorization is a pay periods deduction. It will become effective the first pay period, following its receipt in the employee
organization’s headquarters office: UPMA, 8 Herbert Street, Alexandria, VA 22305-2600.
I further understand that revocation forms Standard Form No. 1188, “Revocation of Voluntary Authorization for Allotment of Compensation for
Payment of Employee Organization Dues” are available from my employing agency and that I may revoke this authorization at any time by filling such
a revocation form or other written revocation request by “Certified Mail” directly to the employee organization’s headquarters office: UPMA, 8 Herbert
Street, Alexandria, VA 22305-2600. Such revocation will not be effective, however, until the first full pay period following March 1 or Sept. 1 of any
calendar year, whichever date first occurs after the revocation is received in the employee organization’s headquarters office.
Signature of Employee Date
n Check this box to signify you’ve read and understood the terms in Section D of this form.
Who/what most influenced your decision to join UPMA?
Person’s Name
n Career Awareness Conference n USPS Provided Training n Other
UPMA NATIONAL OFFICE FOR PROCESSING
Position PO/City/State/ZIP
Post Office/Work Telephone Number Pay Schedule Level
Post Office/Home Payroll Office Finance Number Designation Code
Section B (Check One): n Postmaster n Manager/Supervisor n Associate n PMR
UnitedPostmasters
and Managersof America
Revised 12/2017 INT
Visit the UPMA website unitedpma.org for membership benefit information.
New York Chapterof UPMA
Calendar 2019PERIODICALS
POSTAGEPAID
Attention All Members
Spring Meetings2nd District
Thursday, April 4, 20198:30 AM
Central Restaurant, 104 Village Square,Painted Post, NY 14870
3rd DistrictTuesday, April 2, 201910:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Comfort Suites, 5875 Carmencia Dr.,Cicero, NY 13039
State ConventionMay 29 - June 2, 2019
Ft. William Henry Hotel & Conference Center, Lake George, NY
3rd UPMA National ConventionMohegan Sun, Uncasville, CT
July 27 – August 2, 2019
United Postmasters and Managers of America
www.NYUnitedPMA.orgwww.facebook.com/groups/NYUPMA
Deadlines for 2019 NYS ESP issuesDue by 5:00 pm
May/June issue April 6thJuly/August issue June 8thSeptember issue August 3rdOct/Nov issue September 7thDecember issue November 9th