EFEL - Emergency Federal Employee Leave and USPS District Consolidation

Congress just recently passed the American Rescue Plan Act that included the Emergency Federal Employee Leave (EFEL) benefit. The law will provide for the payment of up to 600 hours of leave (15 weeks) when an employee is unable to work because of the COVID-19 virus.

This benefit is available for both career and non-career (CCA) employees. There is a cap of $2800 per pay period and wages can be capped and paid proportionally for those employees without fixed schedules.

The use of the EFEL leave will also not count for creditable service for retirement purposes and monies paid under these provisions cannot be used to contribute to your Thrift Savings Plan. These benefits became available for letter carriers effective March 12, 2021 and are payable up until September 30, 2021.

NOTE: The exact language of the EFEL provisions and the benefits payable will be listed in the COVID-19 page.

Currently, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has not issued guidance on how to administer the EFEL. **SEE NEW UPDATED OPM GUIDELINES on our COVID-19 page** The Postal Service has taken the position that because OPM has not provided “guidance” they could withhold payments after March 31, 2021 until the guidance is provided. (check COVID-19 page for ALL updates on EFEL leave including recent UPDATED OPM GUIDELINES)

Basically, there are 8 qualifying reasons for granting leave under EFEL. (See EFEL guidelines). When requesting “leave” under EFEL, a letter carrier should complete Form 3971 (in duplicate) and indicate the reason in the “remarks” section why they are taking leave citing one or more of the 8 qualifying reasons. If you have additional questions or concerns regarding the EFEL provisions, please call the Branch office (631-789-1616).

In addition, to the above information, the Postal Service has announced they it will be implementing a plan to consolidate and eliminate Districts throughout the country. Presently, there are 67 Districts. The goal is to reduce them to 50 Districts. Obviously, this means that many jobs in management will need to be reduced (reduction-in-force) because of the duplication of work. It looks like the Triboro District is being eliminated and parts of it will be absorbed into Long island and other parts into New York City. As a result, these non-bargaining employees who work in these administrative positions will be offered a Voluntary Early Retirement (VER). These jobs will be at Headquarters, Area and District offices. Unlike past VERs there is presently no “separation incentive” provision to entice employees to leave early.

Many craft employees ask when such an offer will be made to them. Unfortunately, the Postal Service has difficulty retaining many “new” craft employees. Thus, besides not having a financial incentive the loss of senior “craft” employees could be especially detrimental to the Postal Service in meeting its goals.

Our contract is behind us but the challenges because of COVID-19 and the possible future realignment of many businesses that allow employees to work at home could be a prelude to the deterioration of services and jobs. It is obvious to many carriers that the volume of mail is less than in the past and parcel/package delivery may be the way of the future. Stay Safe! Be Healthy and Well!