[Psml] Restructuring

[Uspsd3ronf at aol.com]

Fist of all, I want to say that I have the utmost respect for the Chief and  
what he is trying to accomplish with the restructuring of USPS. BUT, I don't  
know how many of you have had a chance to look at the restructuring document - 
 it makes very interesting reading. To download it, go to the ComRules page  
(_http://www.usps.org/national/rules/_ (http://www.usps.org/national/rules/) ) 
 and click on the link on the right of the page (Restructuring Draft). What  
especially caught my eye was Section 5.3 which discusses the Board of 
Directors.  I think this goes far beyond what I understood to be its function - sign 
MOU's,  contract for things like roof repairs and other pressing matters. Check 
this  out:
 
5.3.3       Make and  execute contracts and make expenditures provided the 
liability of USPS  thereunder does not exceed reasonably anticipated uncommitted 
 funds;
 
There is no limitation on the amount of the contract beyond that  available 
in uncommitted funds - I would like to see a dollar limit, say $20,000  or so.
 
Even more glaring is this (emphasis mine):
 
5.3.4   Adopt an annual  budget, authorize budget reductions and transfers 
between budget  accounts, and approve supplemental appropriations of not more 
than $10,000 after  receiving a report from the Finance Committee (see section  
5.8.2a).
 
I think that the adoption of a budget should remain with the  Governing 
Board. 
 
There are several more objections, but since I am a "has been", I no  longer 
have a GB vote - I can just grouse from the sidelines. I do suggest that  
everyone read this thoroughly and use this forum to voice your opinions. Most of  
us will not have a District Council meeting prior to Norfolk, so I would 
suggest  that you speak to your GB delegates and/or get this thing tabled until the 
 annual meeting so that a more thorough discussion can take place. I am  
absolutely in favor of some type of restructuring in order to streamline USPS  
operations and decision making, but I don't think that the GB should  abdicate 
it's fiscal responsibilities. 
 
P/D/C Ron Friedmann, AP
D3
 



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