NAPS seeks sponsors for veterans reassignment bill
NAPS posted the following on its Legislative News web site. In recent reorganizations, the Postal Service has characterized the actions as the complete elimination of an administrative unit, rather than as the merger of two or more units. In a ‘merger’, preference eligible veterans would have ‘bumping’ and other rights. When a unit is discontinued, those rights do not apply. Presumably NAPS would like to insure that members (and other veterans) affected by proposed plant consolidations would keep their preference:
An URGENT Message to NAPS Legislative Leaders and Members –
NAPS needs your help today in contacting your members of the House of Representatives to urge them to cosponsor the Veterans Reassignment Protection Act, HR 5894. NAPS endorses this important bill, introduced by Rep. Stephanie Herseth (D-SD).
The legislation assures that military veterans employed by the Postal Service and throughout the federal government receive veterans preference job protections during downsizing actions. As we know, USPS “repositioning rules” attempt to circumvent the spirit of veterans preference laws. The legislation will bar USPS from using repositioning to avoid veterans preference protections.
At this point, only three House members have cosponsored HR 5894. WE CAN DO BETTER THAN THIS!!! As a veterans’ protection measure, we know — from the reaction of lawmakers and staff during the LTS meetings — that many Members of Congress will cosponsor this legislation — if they are asked.
Little time remains for this legislation to be passed, but gaining cosponsors now is important. Why? Because this session of Congress is not over. Lawmakers are especially receptive to these kinds of requests during the election season. And House Members will return to Washington on November 17 for a lame duck session of Congress.
And securing cosponsors of HR 5894 now will help to build a base for next year, when the legislation is reintroduced at the start of the 110th Congress. Cosponsors simply reinstate their cosponsorship, an easy task.Â
The best way to contact your House Member is by writing a letter — and doing that is EASY. Simply use the “model letter” on the NAPS website as the basis for your letter to your House Member. AND WRITE THEM TODAY!
Thanks for your help!
Bruce Moyer
NAPS Legislative Counsel
Your message says that legislators will cosponsor if asked. My question is, what are you getting paid for? What don’t you ask?