The National Association of Postal Supervisors (NAPS) has filed a federal lawsuit against the United State Postal Service (USPS). The issue: NAPS claims the USPS has failed to properly administer the pay system for approximately 50,000 managers and supervisors.
What are the pay requirements for managers and supervisors within the USPS?
Federal law requires the USPS pay managers and supervisors at a rate that is comparable to their peers in the private sector. The issue arose after NAPS put together a panel to review and offer guidance on the USPS’ pay system.
How are USPS managers and supervisors currently compensated?
The current pay system utilizes a “pay for performance” system. Under this system, the USPS has failed to provide pay raises for thousands of personnel in 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017 and 2018. In comparison, union-covered postal workers have at least received annual cost-of-living pay adjustments while their managerial counterparts often received nothing.
Is the system working?
Upon review, the panel found “serious flaws” in the system. The panel provided recommendations to help better ensure the payment system meet the requirements of the law. NAPS states the USPS failed to implement many of the recommendations. As a result, the group filed a federal lawsuit against the agency.
We will provide updates on the case as they become available.
The case provides an example of the unique hurdles federal employees often must jump when filing a claim against their employer. Those in a similar situation are wise to seek the counsel of an attorney experienced in federal labor laws to discuss their options.