NAPS (National Association of Postal Supervisors) Branch 73 President Charles Turner believes "cloaked racism" is behind a USPS Louisiana District memo concerning employees who have unscheduled absences on the day Obama is sworn into office. Normally, employees in good standing are not required to submit documentation for absences of three days or less (if they have properly notified the USPS). However, Louisiana postal employees have been warned that failure to provide documentation (for an unscheduled absence on this one day) may result in an absence without leave charge and appropriate disciplinary action up to and including removal. Below is a statement by Turner and the Louisiana District memo.

Once again I must ask, what have the people of New Orleans and Louisiana done to deserve the ill-treatment we are receiving from the PEOPLE from TEXAS? Why are we treated like worthless slaves? How much more are we to endure?

Before I am again mistaken as a rambling muckraker, please read the attached Louisiana Newsbreak (below).

The Louisiana District must hate the First African American President of The United States also. Maybe the Louisiana District is afraid the people will stay home, or just maybe, travel to Washington DC. Are they afraid there is something in President Elect Barack Obama’s Inauguration Speech on Tuesday, January 20, 2009 that the poor African American People in New Orleans might hear that will change their lives? Will they finally hear that they are not slaves? How about, they should be treated like human beings? Will they be inspired to accomplish something and start to rebel against their oppressors?

Oh! Another thought; it’s the day after Martin Luther King Holiday. Lets see, African American Holiday, followed by the Inauguration of The First African American President of These Here United States of America. We need to dampen their spirits.

The Postmaster of New Orleans said that the News Break was an error and he would rescind it. That has not happened. His reason was that he could not get in touch with Lynn Western, Manager Human Resources or Carolyn Weisiger, Louisiana District Manager. Do you believe that the Postmaster of New Orleans cannot contact the DM or HR Manager 24/7? A thought just came to me; perhaps the African American Postmaster was played this time. Maybe this may be an eye opener for him. Possibly, he had a notion that he was somebody.

NAPS Branch 73 will watch this new episode very closely. If the Louisiana EAS Employees are singled out and treated differently, we will use all necessary means to right the wrong.