Marilyn Walton
National Vice President Western Region
Box 980911,
West Sacramento CA 95798-0911
Home: (707) 449-8223, Fax: (916) 373-8249 email

November 2007

Greeting to all I am pleased to serve as your Western Region Vice president and I would like to thank Western Region NAPS members for their support. The Western Region has a great team of officers, Ben Clapp Northwest Area VP, Stevan Gerber, Rocky Mountain Area VP and Hayes Cherry, Pacific Area VP.

This past August we had a great time in Las Vegas hosting the Western Region Training Seminar we appreciate the members support in helping us host this b-annual affair.

As we close out 2007 let me remind all EAS that this is time to complete your year end goals and then input your 2008 PFP requirements. National NAPS submitted the recommended Core requirements to the field and it is our hope that you will be given an opportunity to discuss your core goals with manager as the process is designed to work. National NAPS also provided the recourse instructions to the field earlier this year so that is a member feels they should challenge their NPA rating the information is now available.

There were significant changes in 2007 we continue to deal with consolidations and studies to consolidate Postal Facilities in the Western and Pacific Area. The Route Examination Team Leader, Manager, Emergency Preparedness, Quality Improvement Analyst/Specialist, DAS positions were eliminated. In addition, there have been REC site consolidations and closures, currently one in California and one in Texas . We are working with the areas to ensure that all impacted EAS have an opportunity to secure another position.

The Western Region officers recently returned from the National NAPS fall executive board meeting in Washington , I am including some of the important issue discussed at that meeting:

• We discussed whether we would continue to bring in various board members to the monthly consultative – the final consensus was that there would be an effort to bring board members with certain expertise whenever possible. Reason, because many of the board members have to travel great distances and it is better if they are attending when subject matter they are familiar with is discussed.
• Jay Kallacey National secretary/treasurer is recovering at home where he fell and injured both knees. His recuperation was projected to be about six to eight weeks.
• Financial Report Louis has temporarily assumed Jay's duties so if you have questions regarding your DCO or membership contact me or your regional officer and we will contact Louis.
• 2008 state conventions there will be 4 state convention on the same week California state convention is one the state conventions on the list. It is scheduled for May 15 th at the Sainte Claire Hotel in San Jose .
• The Postal Supervisor magazine is doing well and the editor welcomes comments and articles from branches if they choose to enter them. Also if your branch wants to enter a newsletter at the national NAPS convention in 2008 start sending copies of your newsletter to the national office.
• The Web Page –one comment do not believe everything you read on the web page. It is often used to vent frustrations about working conditions and people issues. If you want real information, please contact your area vice president or branch officers.
• Disciplinary Defense Fund or DDF report – NAPS has receive approximately 140 new cases since the last quarter report. This is significant because all cases to DDF are removals, downgrades or Debt Collections. Most things that local and state reps cannot or don't have the time or expertise to work. The most commend cases: TACS changes moving carriers from the street to office to avoid after 1700 or 1800. Falsification, Debt Collection, miss-use of computers the IG's pull your hard drive first when they start to investigate a member.

Concern: MSPB is now very conservative, judges do not run their own courts they are very conservative – a tip to reps get advice on cases I know people want their day in court but some of the courts now are very conservative!

• SPAC – A big election is coming up and politicians are requesting help from the NAPS SPAC fund which gives a lot of money, but nationwide we have many politicians that want donations. Please consider the payroll deduction through Postal EASE to donate to SPAC. You can also sign up to have a deduction taken from your checking account.
• The LTS will be held again at the Crystal City Marriott March 30-through April 2, 2008. You can now sign up on line.
• National Convention – Louisville, they are finalizing plans, the convention hotel is the Marriot the other hotel is Hyatt if you want to ensure you get in the convention hotel you must book early. If you have to cancel, a room check with other branches because if you cancel a room it goes back to the hotel to rent at the regular rate. There is a 100 th anniversary dinner planned for Sunday night September 7, 2008, prior to opening of the convention the cost to attend this dinner is $35.00 extra; this dinner is not included in the registration. There was a lot of debate about this dinner so the compromise is NAPS national is paying the additional $35.00 per person for those attending there is a separate registration form that will be published in the Postal Supervisor magazine. The convention starts Monday September 8, 2008.

Important*
There will be no Formal Resolutions in the 2008 National Convention book

• No resolutions on upgrades
• No resolutions on pay

That is because we just entered a 4 year pay package

Legislation: objectives:

• Vote by Mail
• Concerns – Do Not Mail Bill – this is a focus of the State Legislative Coalitions and NARFE.
• Veterans Preference Reassignment Protection Rights HR 728 – Please note the Postal Service is realigning and making many changes – NAPS is opposed to the term repositioning – why – because it violates RIF rules.
• Premium Conversion is an issue – may see some movement on this one will allow retires to pay insurances with pre-tax dollars. The cost of this type of legislation is the problem
• REMINDER WE NEED TO COLLECT MORE SPAC FUNDS – you can now have payroll deduction through Postal Ease or you can take a small amount out of your checking account each month.

MEMBERSHIP: Please check your branches Dues Check off List each month to ensure it is accurate and your branch is getting credit for every member. Also be sure to get a copy of your non-members list so that they can be contacted to join NAPS!