Dear Members, 

I would like to thank Vice President Kelley Bennett and Secretary Richard Sargent for accompanying me at our Tri-State Convention in Evansville Indiana, June 12 through June 15, 2025.

The 2027 Tri-State Convention will be held in Canton Ohio, date to be announced as planning progresses.

Election of Ohio State Branch was conducted; the successful candidates are:

President: Tim Kopcash

Vice President: Richard Sargent

Secretary/Treasurer: Jackie Caffey

The US House of Representatives passed HR 1 by a one vote margin and sent the bill to the Senate for consideration. As of this writing, the bill is undergoing “Reconciliation”, merging Senate and House ideas and ideals into one final bill to be voted on by both chambers.

The bill, in its current state, has many elements that would negatively impact the Postal Service, its employees and other Federal employees. These elements include a potential change of employee classification when initially appointed or promoted. A newly appointed or promoted employee, not covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement, must choose whether to be an “At Will” employee. An At Will employee may be discharged (fired) for any, all or for no reason at all, without recourse. An employee choosing to be an at will employee will also see an increase in their FERS contribution of 5%, employees choosing not to be at will, the increase in FERS contribution would be 10%. Please use the enclosed QR code to send a message to your Senators expressing your opposition to the contents of this bill. Have your family and friends send messages also.

If you have an Investigate Interview scheduled, it is your responsibility to contact NAPS ASAP for representation if the interview could lead to discipline.

Working FERS employees should make the most of their Thrift Savings Plan by collecting all available matching funds. Also, ensure your TSP beneficiary lists are current.

  Leslie Saunders

  President