An Adverse Action is a disciplinary action that effects your level or pay for more than 14 days. One of the ten National Adverse Action Counselors in consult with the UPMA Legal team handles these cases. To be eligible for the Adverse Action Legal Defense Plan (AALDP) benefits, you must be an active EAS member of UPMA for at least one year prior to the initial proposed adverse action. The date the UPMA National
Office processes a Form 1187 determines the Member’s effective date.

Now having more than 13,000 active members, we are very lucky that adverse actions are less than 1% each year. Follow the rules. Ask for written instructions on verbal directives that do not seem to comply with USPS regulations. If you are going to follow the verbal instructions, respond with that directive in an email that asks if you are correct, that these were the verbal instructions that you were given?

As an Adverse Action Counselor, my first advice is to always remember that “Integrity” is doing what is right, even when no one is watching. Don’t let circumstances, intimidation or threats, rob you of your personal integrity. Under pressure it may seem like the “easy way” out to “just take care of it” but when those instructions come, unless you ask for and receive them in writing, it’s going to be your career discipline that is on the line. If this is a position that you find yourself in, immediately contact your Chapter CMR, or Chapter President.

                       borrowed from Jackie Deter, The Californian Newsletter

We just had our Chapter Member Representative training 201 class in Denver                                         10/18/2025
Colorado on October 18, 2025, at the Embassy Suite Denver International Airport.
We had 2 from the Ohio Chapter attended the training

Retired Postmaster Paul Joseph, and Active Postmaster Alan Metzcar, both from our Ohio Chapter, recently competed the Chapter Member Representative training 201 class, in Denver Colorado . This training examines what we
should look for in the more advanced cases we represent.

The class was led by our National President Mr. Tony Leonardi, Mr. John Sertich, and Mr. Jim Maher. We began the day with a

review of the CMR 101 course. Then proceeded into the 201 course, involving increased fact finding. Our efforts concentrate on "Fact Finding",  disciplinary actions, text messages, emails and anything else that might help with the investigation. The goal is a resolution of the incident. 

If a resolution cannot be not reached after the discipline has been given, the case may have to go to mediation and to the National Member Representative for further investigation and fact finding. When it does go to the next level you, as the
representative, must help the National Member Rep with the investigation and get the information they are asking for. This helps our members’ case .

Overview of the CMR Program
The Legal Defense Plan; Must be a member for a year to qualify for this
OIG interview Module
Investigative Interview Module
ELM 650 Overview
Appeals and Request for Information Module
Mediation
Douglas Factors
Consultative Log

As you can see, this is a lot of information that is covered in an 8-hour day. If you have attended the CMR 101 class, then you need to attend the CMR 201class. Next year we are planning 2 classes for the 201 courses, one on the East coast
and 1 on the west coast. The 101 courses will be covered in the Officers courses in each area next year.
If you are interested in learning something new and helping your fellow members in their time of need, please step up and learn something new with UPMA.

Alan T. Metzcar
Executive Vice President
Ohio UPMA Chapter

The United Postmasters and Managers of America (UPMA) is committed to representing the membership in all areas, including adverse actions. The Adverse Action Legal Defense Fund (AALDF) and the Adverse Action Legal Defense Plan (AALDP) were established for the membership to provide representation to active UPMA members in appealing adverse actions taken against them. Postmasters and Managers receiving notice of an adverse action (defined in ELM Section 651.71) should immediately contact a UPMA National Adverse Action Member Representative (see a list at Unitedpma.org). The Postmaster or Manager will sign a “Designation-of-Representation-form” and transmit it to the UPMA National Member Representative. The Member Representative will assist the Member in making a verbal reply to the charges, pursuant to ELM 651.74, and will begin coordination of the defense with the UPMA Legal Defense attorney. Generally, the UPMA legal defense attorney does not become actively involved until a decision letter is issued pursuant to ELM 651.75.