On January 25th the three management organizations met with PMG Pat Donahoe, COO Megan Brennan, and VP Labor Relations Doug Tulino. This is the second time we have met with the PMG and, as mentioned in my Advocate article, we have very open discussions. This is a welcomed relief at a time that it is so important. This was our first meeting with the new COO Megan Brennan, and she too is committed to working with the organizations. This meeting was especially well-timed with the articles that had just been released in the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal.
First and foremost, Mr. Donahoe wanted to apologize for the comments in the Washington Post about the 5,000 Postmasters having the loneliest job in the world, and likened them to the Maytag Repairman. He was very clear that he meant no disrespect to Postmasters. The PMG expressed his deep regret for the comment. It was not meant in the manner it was taken and he will be issuing a statement of his own.
We then had a very long discussion about news articles regarding the upcoming consolidations, changes and possible closures. It was agreed by all that a meeting in the very near future will take place with Megan Brennan and Dean Granholm, VP of Delivery and Postal Operations, about the specifics on those offices to be reviewed and other consolidations.
As soon as there is solid, verifiable information on consolidations, RIF or VER we will share it with you. Until it comes from one of these officers, in my opinion it is a rumor. We have asked to be kept in the loop so there are no surprises and so we can share this information with you as soon as we are sure of its validity.
We also spoke about DUO and it once again was made clear that this is a National initiative and that all Areas and Districts will follow the National guidelines. We have a large group of LEAGUE leaders with access to the CSDC program.