An
Important Message About Your Convention Leave
You
have probably heard by now that the Postal Service is suspending convention
leave for the remainder of 2009 and 2010. You can read the actual memo by clicking this link.
We will have time to take this new
reality into account as we plan our future conventions. But with just two weeks
before we go to Gettysburg, the timing could not have been worse. We have a
contract with the Gettysburg Wyndham and our convention will go on as planned.
What
does this mean for those attending the 2009 NAPUS Convention in Gettysburg?
It
means that when you submit your request for convention leave to your manager it
will be denied. If it was previously approved, you will be told to change it to
annual leave or leave without pay. We are hopeful that on appeal, we can
retroactively convert the AL or LWOP to convention leave. It is important for
you to document that you requested convention leave and that it was denied.
In
the meantime, it is crucial that we have a good turnout for the convention. For
one thing, if we don't have the minimum number of guests staying at the hotel
we stand to lose thousands of dollars. But the larger issue here is that we
must show Headquarters that Postmasters still stand strong and united despite
this most recent insult.
Any Postmaster whose convention leave was denied can get a refund of their registration fee.
We have added several other benefits for those attending
the convention:
- Instead of a continental breakfast we will serve a full
breakfast buffet Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
- Tuesday we will
serve a luncheon buffet to all those not attending the retiree's
luncheon.
- Wednesday's Grand Banquet will feature prime rib of beef.
- If you already paid, you will get a cash refund when you arrive in
Gettysburg.
All of these meals are included with your registration, and if you are
a Postmaster whose convention leave was denied, your registration is FREE!
If you did not pre-register but still wish to attend the convention you
can register on-site at the Gettysburg Wyndham, June 14 through 17.
We have cancelled Thursday's events so that you won't need to use another day of leave. If
at all possible, please
support your organization by attending the convention. I realize that
using your annual leave to attend the convention is a sacrifice, but it
is a small sacrifice and it could make the difference between a
successful convention and a financial disaster.
If you already registered but are unable to attend due to the loss of convention leave, you can recieve a refund by contacting Lisa Ryan. We will mail them out after the convention has ended.
You
can be assured that we are pursuing all avenues to redress this unjust and
arbitrary action.
You can read President Dale Goff's statement by clicking this link.
Barb Hawk, Pennsylvania NAPUS President
Sharon Whitman & Steve
Kochersperger, 2009 Convention Co-chairs
(updated 6/3/09 13:00)