POSTMASTER REPRESENTATIVE

J. Michael Honold

14325 Hilltop Dr

Desoto MO 63020-5106

Cell – 636-232-4346

pmrep@monapus.com

 

REPRESENTATION

One of the benefits of being a NAPUS member is that you have representation for all administrative actions.

Who needs representation?

• Every Postmaster or OIC who is being asked questions that may lead directly to disciplinary action.
• Every Postmaster or OIC who is issued any form of disciplinary action.
• Every Postmaster who is filing an appeal under the guidelines in ELM 652.

Who may be asking these questions?

• MPOO
• OIG Special Agents – They may be in your office for a routine audit.  If so, let them do the audit and give them any documents they request.
• Postal Inspectors

When to ask for representation?

• When your MPOO says this meeting is a pre-disciplinary interview.
• When your MPOO asks for you to come to his/her office for a meeting to discuss some deficiency.

When the Postal Inspectors or OIG special Agents schedule a meeting, or arrive in your office, and show you a “warning” document.

• Miranda – you are under arrest.
• Garrity – what you say may be used against you in administrative action AND in criminal proceedings.
• Kalkines – for administrative action only and NOT for criminal action.

What to say when you are presented a “warning” document?

• “I will cooperate in this investigation, but I will NOT answer any questions until my NAPUS Postmaster Representative is present!”
• Then contact a PM Rep., or a NAPUS Officer.
• AND stop talking – do not answer any questions until you have a PM Rep present!
• You are responsible for understanding and exercising your right to representation!
• You can still cooperate immediately by providing any requested Postal documents.

Will you have to eventually answer the questions that are being asked?

Yes, (if administrative action only); the ELM requires you to cooperate in investigations.

“665.3 Cooperation in Investigations

Employees must cooperate in any postal investigation, including Office of Inspector General investigations. “

But, you do not have to answer questions until you have a NAPUS PM Rep present.

Why then, is it important to have your PM Rep present?

• To meet with your Rep prior to any meeting.
• To make sure you understand the implications of the warning document.
• To advise you on the correct way to answer questions (truthfully, but with no speculation).
• To help expand on your answers if necessary.
• To possibly ask you questions during the interview that adds information that is in your best interest into the investigation.

So the Rep is fully informed if a disciplinary action is eventually issued and an appeal is necessary.

In what level office could you possibly need a PM Rep?

ALL!  EPM to EAS 26