NAPS Call To Action: Postal Improvement Bills Introduced in House

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Two House lawmakers — Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-MA) and Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) have introduced key measures to keep the Postal Service financially solvent and improve its long-term future. NAPS supports both proposals.

NAPS members should get in touch with their House lawmakers to ask for cosponsorship of these two bills: HR 1262 and HR 1351.

Lynch Bill Will Realign USPS Overpayments into CSRS

Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-MA) has introduced a bill (H.R. 1351) to fix the billion-dollar pension mistakes made by OPM that have driven the Postal Service into the red. It would correct the calculation system used by OPM to determine how much USPS should pay into the civil service pension fund. The bill is H.R. 1351, the “USPS Pension Obligation Recalculation and Restoration Act of 2011.”

The bill orders OPM to recalculate USPS’ past, present and future CSRS pension obligations using an updated method of calculation. If the recalculation finds that USPS overpaid its CSRS obligations in the past, any overpayment will be transferred to the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund, to satisfy the Postal Service’s future retiree health benefit payments.

The bill also requires OPM to immediately repay USPS for its FERS overpayment of $6.9 billion to allow the USPS to use those funds to make this year’s required $5.5 billion retiree health benefit payment. That payment is due in late September.

If Congress fails to act in time, USPS has warned Congress that it will default on its $5.5 billion payment.

Connolly Introduces Postal Modernization Measure

Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) also has introduced legislation to modernize the Postal Service and reinvent its business model. The bill is “The Reform the Postal Service for the 21st Century Act (H.R. 1262).”

In endorsing the legislation, NAPS President Louis Atkins said “Postal supervisors, postmasters and managers are especially appreciative of the bill’s establishment as federal postal policy the assurance of reasonable and sustainable workloads and schedules for supervisory and management employees. The bill also assures the continuity of pay consultation agreements between the Postal Service and supervisory and postmaster management organizations. These provisions are especially necessary and appropriate as Postal Service downsizing continues.”

Be sure to get in touch with your House lawmaker to urge cosponsorship of these two key bills: HR 1262 and HR 1351.

Bruce Moyer
NAPS Legislative Counsel

4 thoughts on “NAPS Call To Action: Postal Improvement Bills Introduced in House”

  1. HR 1262 – Do I read this correctly? is this more management featherbedding or what? Just what the USPS needs! Legislation to lock in positions that make work for managers who don’t move the mail. Ya! Makes sense to me! Are you kidding?

  2. Already made my millions now we need to cut NAPS workers by 20% till we get back in the black,Then and only then we should use pay for performance for ALL Postmasters and supervisors.If you fail your gone,POINT BLANK!

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