Dear Member, UPMA

,

As we embark on a new fiscal year, a question I have been repeatedly asked is…any idea what the NPA payout will be for last year?  

Sadly, I have been unable to answer that, as we went through the entire fiscal year without having a decision on what the payouts would be. That in and of itself, is unacceptable. However, on September 30th I did receive notification from the Postal Service regarding this and other issues.

Since we are in ongoing “pay talks,” I cannot discuss specifically what the offer is at this point. What I will say is that the overall pay package was disappointing and inadequate.  

After my initial reaction, on October 1st the Service has asked to keep pay talks open. I have agreed to an extension in hopes that a reasonable pay package will be offered. Rest assured, I want you to know I understand how much you sacrifice, and I am hopeful, even with the climate on Capitol Hill, we will be able to get a fair pay package that reflects your dedication and hard work.


Tony Leonardi
UPMA National President

OPEN SEASON FEHB: from Dave Cook, UPMAR Legislative Chairman

Open Season for 2026 Federal Employees Health Benefits is November 10 - December 8, 2025. 

Open Season is the only period in which federal employees can change their health insurance coverage without having a qualifying life event, such as the birth of a child or marriage. During Open Season, employees can change their Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan, Federal Flexible Spending Accounts Program, or Federal Employees Dental & Vision Insurance Program. Employees who are satisfied with their current benefits should still review any applicable plan changes and explore coverage options.

Please note: The Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance Program and the Federal Long-Term Care Insurance Program do not participate in the annual open season.

August 17, 2025.  The National Convention of our UPMA Chapters and members has concluded. Our Ohio Chapter was in attendance. The opportunities for personal development in their UPMA positions is well recognized at these conventions. The emphasis on education geared toward our Postal responsibilities is also noted, with many topice presented that are useful to each of us.

Attendees heard presentations from several Postal Headquarters Representatives including Doug Tolino, Deputy Postmaster General and Chief Human Resources Officer, and our newly appointed 76th Postmaster General, David Steiner.

As a reminder, the 2026 National convention will be in Puerto Rico, the 2027 convention was awarded to Park City Utah.

Newly Promoted Supervisors, Managers, and Postmasters
We have had a lot of promotions since this past February. We need to reach out and
welcome all of our newly promoted into the Management field and make them feel
welcome.
These individuals will be our replacements and the future of the Post Office, we need to
coach and mentor them and lead by example and respect all of them.

OHIO 1 OFFICE POSITION
EFFECTIVE
Joshua Jaeger Akron-Five Points Supervisor Cust Service 4-19-2025
Connor Mellinger Canton S&DC Supervisor Cust Service 4-19-2025
Tricia Rivera Defiance PO Supervisor Cust Service 4-19-2025
Kashey Sadler Elyria PO Supervisor Cust Serv Appr 4-19-2025
Nigeria Hamilton Cleveland PO Supervisor Cust Serv Relief 4-5-2025
Shauntel Tate Cleveland PO Supervisor Cust Serv Relief 4-5-2025
Luis Rosado Dalton PO Postmaster 18(B) 3-8-2025
Erica Smith Fayette PO Postmaster 2-22-2025
Andrea Yeager Grafton PO Postmaster 2-22-2025
Ashley William Pioneer PO Postmaster 2-22-2025
Jessica Meqlich West Unity PO Postmaster 2-8-2025

Ohio 2 OFFICE POSTION
EFFECTIVE
Ashley Rone Cincinnati PO Supervisor Cust Service 4-19-2025
Drequann Crenshaw Columbus PO Supervisor Cust Service 4-5-2025
Cameron Cure West Chester PO Supervisor Cust Service 4-5-2025
Jessica Hayes McArthur PO Postmaster 18(B) 2-8-2025

Joseph Bailey Jackson PO Postmaster 2-22-2025
Marie Schaefer Racine PO Postmaster 18(B) 2-22-2025
Serina Leistritz Russel’s Point PO Postmaster 2-22-2025
Kimberly Walker Springfield PO Postmaster 2-22-2025
Samuel Miller West Milton PO Postmaster 2-22-2025

President's executive order                                                                    March 26, 2025
Good Afternoon,

Here is the statement from the UPMA President on Executive Order FMCS.

UPMA National Office has been advised that the sweeping executive order that was signed by President Trump today, March 26,2025 basically dissolved several agencies, one that affects us. The Federal Mediation and Conciliatory Service provided mediation as part of our Alternative Dispute Resolution described in Employee and Labor Relations Manual (ELM) 652.5 . While we are assured that this will not eliminate Mediation as part of the process of appeals, it may delay some ADR mediations in the near term. As details come out, I will share them with you.  

Sincerely,

Tony Leonardi

National President

THANKS AND FAREWELL TO PMG:                                                                       02/28/2025

National President Tony has put out a statement of thanks and appreciation to retiring PMG Louis Dejoy. A copy of that letter can be found under current events on our website www.unitedpma.org. Or just to read a copy of the statement, please click here.

LEGISLATIVE ALERT: from President Tony Leonardi:                                                          02/28/2025

The House passed a budget resolution on Tuesday, February 26 by a margin of 217-215. UPMA is aware and actively working to assess the impact of this bill and other rumored budget and governance changes impacting USPS and UPMA members. 

Both chambers of Congress must pass identical budget proposals before they can begin to make policy changes that impact pay or benefits. The Senate passed their own budget resolution last week. Congress must pass a law to change governance at USPS. 

UPMA is in daily conversation with the members of Congress to discuss the financial health of USPS, the needs of UPMA members and the heroic efforts UPMA members are undertaking to keep mail moving to all of our customers across the country. 

We know there are conversations happening in Congress that would adversely affect pay and benefits. The budget passed by the House calls for $50 billion in budget savings to be found by the agencies overseen by the House Oversight Committee. Our priority is to aggressively counter any false narratives and assumptions regarding the value Postmasters, Managers, and Supervisors provide to their community and negate any negative policies impacting pay and benefits. 

We know people are concerned about their pay and benefits. We encourage you to attend the UPMA legislative telecon next Tuesday March 4 and 8:00 PM and the legislative summit on March 17 -18 where these issues will be a top priority for discussion with your representatives.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: Dave Cook, UPMAR Legislative Chairman

Call to Action H.Con. Res.14-

The House of Representatives are planning to vote on H.Con.Res. 14, legislation, which, in part, would cut postal and federal employee pay by 3.6%, increase Postal Service Health Benefits Program premiums, and reduce postal annuities. H.Con.Res 14 directs the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability to slash $50 billion from programs focusing on cuts to federal and postal earned pay and benefits. The House Budget Committee approved the bill on a party-line 21-16 vote. Please contact your Representatives. Dave Cook