NALC: OPM Approves Early Outs For Letter Carriers
From the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC)
The Office of Personnel Management has informed the Postal Service that it may offer voluntary early retirement to members of the city letter carrier craft. NALC President William H. Young said details of an early retirement agreement are being worked out and will be released once finalized.
VERA Approved For All EAS and Postmasters Field Positions
From Charley Mapa, President National League of Postmasters:
As you know, in response to requests by a significant number of you, several weeks ago, the League sent a letter jointly with Napus to Postal Headquarters requesting a VERA or early out for Postmasters. Just moments ago I received the attached letter from Postal Headquarters stating that the Postal Service has received approval from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to offer a Voluntary Early Retirement to Postmasters. Judging from the tone of the attached letter, the Postal Service has set itself to the task of formulating the plan to offer the VER to Postmasters.
If you have any inclination that you may participate by accepting an early retirement, start planning today by contacting your financial advisor to help you make your decision.
Respectfully,
Charley Mapa
President
National League of Postmasters
USPS VERA Initial Approval Notice (Click to view letter)
Postal Employee’s Disability Retirement Annuity Properly Terminated Federal Circuit Rules
An employee’s disability retirement annuity was properly terminated when his income exceeded 80 percent of his previous salary, the Federal Circuit ruled last week.
In this case, a City Carrier retired from his position in April 1986 and received monthly disability retirement payments. On May 11, 2006, after learning from the City Carrier that his income was more than $37,000 in 2005, which exceeded 80 percent of the base salary of his position pay at retirement, OPM gave notice that his disability annuity would end on June 30, 2006. The City Carrier requested reconsideration, stating that the annuity was an unofficial settlement of a racial discrimination claim and therefore that the payment should be continued. OPM did not accept this reason. The City Carrier then appealed to the MSPB, but the MSPB found that the City Carrier’s earned income for 2005 was undisputed, and that he had himself provided the amount of income. He then appealed to the Federal Circuit.
The Federal Circuit began its decision by explaining that an annuitant receiving disability retirement payments before age 60 is considered restored to earning capacity upon re-employment by the government or upon receiving income that exceeds 80 percent of the current pay rate of the position he occupied immediately before retiring. When an annuitant is restored to earning capacity, his entitlement to annuity payments terminates. Brogdon vs OPM (PDF)
source: FEDmanager
USPS Human Resources Report On Calculating VER Annuity
USPS National Retirement Counseling system
Date 08/05/2008
HRlS Annuity Estimate as of Pay Period 16 of 2008
note: Retirement Type: Early Out
1.Estimate based on retirement effective date shown, assuming Retirement Computation Date (RCD) is correct and you have at least 5 years civilian service in addition to any military service. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) will compute exact amount of annuity.
2. Estimate computed as if all required retirement contributions are in retirement fund. Necessary deposits for non-career service, redeposits for prior civilian service, and post-1956 military deposits not in the fund may affect estimate accuracy.
3. Retirement contributions reflect total withheld from salary during present USPS career appointment, and does not include contributions made at another agency, during a prior USPS appointment, deposits or redeposits, or voluntary contributions.
4. High 3 average salary reflects average of past three years basic salary. Does not include higher level (HL), leave without pay hours (LWOP), overtime, night differential, awards, etc. OPM will include HL and LWOP and compute on the consecutive 3 year period providing the highest average if other than this period.
5. If total service exceeds 41 years, 11 months, annuity is 80% of high3 average salary. Additional annuity allowed for unused sick leave.
6. OPM’s annuity computation prorates part-time service performed after April 6, 1986. Estimate does not include proration, which may affect estimate accuracy.
7. Military service after 1956 included in RCD without “post-1956″ deposit to the fund will cause annuity to be reduced at age 62 if eligible for a Social Security benefit. Employees whose first career hire began 09130182 or later must complete deposit before service credit allowed.
8. Survivor annuity amount reflects full survivor annuity.
9. Health insurance premium reflects monthly rate for federal annuitant.
10. Terminal leave payment reflects earned annual leave balance or allowed maximum balance after forfeited hours.
11. Annual leave and sick leave hours represent hours earned as of pay period prior to date of printout issued (date in upper right corner), not retirement effective date.
12. Premium costs for post-retirement life insurance coverage are for no reduction of insurance for each option, except Option A, and based on present age group as of estimated retirement date. Lower levels of insurance coverage will reduce premium costs.
The CSRS Retirement Guide, EL-502, provides detailed information on the various retirement facts noted on this printout. Contact personnel for a copy of the EL-502 or go to HTTP:/BLUE.USPS.GOV/CPIM/FTP/HAND/EL502/WELCOME.HTM on the USPS intranet.
Publications on the following are also available
Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) WWW.TSP.GOV
Social Security Administration (SSA) WWW.SSA.GOV
Federal and state income taxes WWW.IRS.USTREAS.GOVfor federal tax information Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) WWW.OPM.GOV/INSURE/
Federal Employees Health Benefit Program (FEHB) WWW.OPM.GOV/INSURE/HEALTH/
Social Security information and benefit estimates must be obtained from Social Security.
Period covered in this annuity estimate - 9/1/2005 thru 1/1/2009
EEOC Annual Report on U.S. Postal Service Work Force
From EEOC:
This report covers the period from October 1, 2006, through September 30, 2007 and contains selected measures of agencies’ progress toward model EEO programs. The FY 2007 Annual Report on the Federal Work Force, addressed to the President and Congress, presents a summary of selected EEO program activities in the federal government, including a work force profile of 59 federal agencies.
Brief summary of report on U.S. Postal Service
USPS timely processed 98.9% of the 17,277 pre-complaint counselings (without remands) completed in FY 2007. The bases of alleged discrimination most often raised were: (1) Reprisal; (2) Disability (Physical); and (3) Age. Of the 6,090 complaints filed at USPS, 1,431 contained allegations of race (Black) discrimination, 679 contained allegations of race (White) discrimination, 109 contained allegations of race (Asian) discrimination, 31 contained allegations of race (American Indian/Alaska Native) discrimination, 839 contained allegations of color discrimination and 2,664 contained allegations of disability discrimination.
Costs: USPS agreed to pay $498,777 for 5,328 pre-complaint settlements, of which 429 were monetary settlements averaging $1,162. USPS expended a total of $7,175,480 for 4,669 complaint investigations, for an average expenditure of $1,536. USPS agreed to pay a total of $4,550,549 for 626 complaint closures through settlement agreements, final agency decisions, and final agency orders fully implementing AJ decisions. For complaint closures with benefits, the average award was $7,269.
Permanent Workforce: Out of 583,629 employees – 64.32% men and 35.68% women ( last year’s report 61.08% men and 38.92% women)
Major occupations
CITY CARRIER 222,072 - 72.92% men | 27.08% women
CLERK 204,075 - 43.89% men | 56.11% women
RURAL CARRIER 67,560 - 45.49% men | 54.51% women
GS-14 and GS-15* 8,826 - 68.48% men | 31.52% women
Senior Pay Level* 748 - 70.99% men | 29.01% women
See Full EEOC Annual Report on the Postal Service Work Force
Two NY Postal Employees Arrested on Drug Trafficking Via US Mail
The following Press Release from the US Department of Justice:
John P. Gilbride the Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Office of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (”DEA”) and Police Commissioner Thomas R. Sofield, Sr. of the Long Beach Police Department announced the arrest of John Moore 49, of Cambria Heights and Richard Broughton, 34 of Springfield Gardens, two United States Postal employees who worked out of the Long Beach Post Office. They were arrested and charged with Criminal Possession of Marijuana 1st Degree for trafficking marijuana through the U.S. postal system.
The ongoing investigation began about a month ago when the Long Beach Police Department’s Narcotic Task Force was notified by the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General of suspicious activity that was occurring at the Long Beach Post Office. A joint narcotics investigation between the Long Beach Detective Divisions’ Narcotic Task Force and the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General was initiated. The investigation uncovered that large quantities of Marijuana were being transported from California via the US Postal system to Long Beach. The marijuana was shipped in boxes that contained approximately 50 lbs. of Marijuana addressed to fictitious Long Beach addressees.
This investigation was assisted by the DEA Long Island Resident Office.
Deputy PMG: All Field Non-Bargaining Position Postings Frozen
US Postal Service Deputy Postmaster and Chief Operating Officer Pat R. Donahoe sent the following letter dated August 18, 2008:
Vice Presidents, Area Operations
SUBJECT: Field Non-Bargaining Job Postings
The July financial results were as follows: Volume was 5.4 percent under plan, revenue was 3.5 percent under plan, and expenses were 2.8 percent under plan, resulting in a net loss of $216 million. Year-to-date, volume is 3.5 percent under plan, revenue is 3.5 percent under plan, and expenses are 1.4 percent under plan, resulting in a net year-to-date loss of $1.4 billion.
The net income loss and decreasing workload require a thorough review of all administrative positions. Headquarters is working with Area representatives to determine the appropriate field administrative staffing. As a result, effective immediately, all field non-bargaining position postings are frozen. Any exceptions must be approved by the Area Vice President.
USPS Gets OPM Approval To Offer More VERs
ANOTHER VERA APPROVAL
USPS authorized to offer more voluntary early retirements
The Postal Service has received approval from the Office of Personnel Management to offer voluntary early retirement to all Headquarters and Headquarters-related employees — that includes service centers, organizational units and Area offices — in EAS and PCES positions.
Details of the program are still being developed and will be announced soon. Once they are announced, they will be posted to the VERA website on Blue and LiteBlue.
No incentive package will be offered for employees who choose early retirement.
source: USPS News Link
Postal Manager Demoted Over Violation of NALC Contract?
Here are excerpts from the MSPB decision:
The appellant served as the EAS-20 Manager, Customer Services, at the Glenridge Post Office in Atlanta, Georgia. On April 26, 2007, Charles Gracek, Manager, Customer Service Operations, Atlanta, Georgia Post Office, proposed to reduce her in grade and pay to the EAS-17 position of Supervisor, Customer Services, based on a charge of
failure to perform her duties in an effective manner. Gracek specified as follows:
The appellant failed to provide information to the [NALC]union steward or to schedule “Formal A meetings” in the grievance process, which caused the steward to forward the grievances without management documentation and responses. The appellant’s failure to support management’s position at the Formal A step resulted in the “Step B Team” rendering decisions and awards totaling nearly $28,000 in the union’s favor. The appellant’s error cast doubt on her ability to manage her unit in a satisfactory and effective manner, and her inability to delegate duties to her supervisors and to timely complete tasks resulted in substantial financial liability for her unit.
On December 20, 2007, Kevin Helmer, Postmaster, Atlanta, Georgia, issued a revised letter of decision sustaining the proposal and reducing the appellant in grade and pay for failing to perform her duties in a satisfactory manner. He informed her that she would be reassigned to the position of EAS-17 Supervisor, Customer Services, Martech Station, Atlanta, Georgia, effective December 22, 2007. The appellant filed an appeal with the Board’s Atlanta Regional Office.
MSPB ruled that ” The penalty was within the bounds of reasonableness.”
click here to read entire decision
USPS To Request VER Authorization For Additional Positions
In a letter to Ted Keating, President of the National Association of Postal Supervisors USPS wrote:
This is in response to your recent request for consideration to include all additional EAS field positions as part of a Voluntary Early Retirement (VER) request to Office of Personnel Management (OPM). As you are aware, we currently have received approval to offer a VER option to eligible Supervisors, Customer Service and Supervisor, Distribution Operations. No additional approval has been provided at this time. As part of a broader strategic plan, we have made a decision to request authorization for additional positions, including those that you are recommending. It is important to reiterate however that there is no approval from OPM regarding additional EAS positions at this time. I will notify you once we have additional information. see letter
