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Federal agencies will honor the memory of former President Ford

President George W. Bush has issued an Executive Order directing federal government agencies to close Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2007, as a mark of respect for former President Gerald Ford, who died Tuesday, Dec. 26.

For USPS, this means that Jan. 2 is a “National Day of Observance” and there will be no regular mail delivery or retail service. Express Mail delivery will be available. All postal units, including Headquarters, Area and District administrative offices, will observe this day of mourning. Local postal managers will advise employees regarding staffing levels for Tuesday, Jan. 2, to maintain operations in preparation for resumption of delivery on Wednesday.

Regular retail and delivery service will resume Wednesday, Jan. 3. Flags at all USPS facilities will continue to fly at half-staff through Jan. 25.

Pay and leave administration for the “National Day of Observance” for affected bargaining unit employees is governed by Employee and Labor Relations Manual 519.4 and provisions of May 4, 2000, Memorandums of Agreement between the Postal Service and its unions.

 Update : Full-time and part-time employees will adhere to the following guidelines.

 Those with the national day of observance as a scheduled workday:

 a.      If not directed to report for work, you are granted administrative leave for that day.

b.      If directed to report for work, you are granted a day of administrative leave at a future date, for the number of hours equal to the employee’s regular workday.

 Those will the national day of observance as a nonscheduled (relief) workday:

 a.      If not directed to report for work, you are granted a day of administrative leave at a future date, for the number of hours equal to the employee’s regular workday.

b.      If directed to report for work, you are granted overtime pay, plus a day of administrative leave at a future date, for the number of hours worked, up to the number of hours equal to the employee’s regular workday.