October 2025 Update
It has now been more than 30 days since the 2022 National Agreement expired. At that time, we were informed that the Union and the Postal Service had agreed to extend the bargaining process. Since that last announcement we’ve heard nothing.
So, when should we expect to hear something? That’s a tough question to answer. Let’s look at the situation.
Contract negotiations began on June 15th and ran through the expiration of the contract on September 20th. During that time all proposals and counter proposals were placed on the table. Proposals to change the contract fall into two categories: work rules, which are the provisions of the contract under which things operate (overtime scheduling, holiday scheduling, job bidding, etc.) and economic issues (wage rates, COLA, Sunday premium, night shift differential, etc.). It is likely that the Postal Service introduced several extreme proposals to change work rules (subcontracting of Mail Handler work, MHAs scheduled for overtime before OTDL, MHAs scheduled before volunteers on a holiday, etc.). The Postal Service has put extreme proposals on the table during many previous rounds of bargaining. It’s hard to say whether this is done because the Postal Service truly wants these changes, or whether the Postal Service is merely posturing due to the possibility of going to arbitration. In any case, no one should be shocked to hear that the Union said no to management’s extreme proposals.
Turning to the economic package, the proposals of the Union to increase wages, eliminate the proportional COLA, and provide a fair wage package, are likely at the center of the dispute. I’ve seen posts on social media from Mail Handlers who say they’ll get out of the Union if the Union doesn’t fix the pay issues. What I haven’t seen is Mail Handlers saying that they will quit the Postal Service unless management provides a fair wage package. There are two parties at the bargaining table, and it isn’t the Union who’s refusing to provide a fair wage package.
We’ll see where it goes from here. It is prudent to make sure that all possible avenues of resolution are exhausted prior to placing the dispute before an arbitrator. Arbitrators can be notorious for issuing final and binding decisions that neither side is happy with. For what it’s worth, my preference would be a tentative agreement where the Members are to decide whether it should be accepted. Time will tell which direction we will go.
On another note, there is nothing more concerning than the current increase in the cost of health insurance. The Postal Service Health Benefits program is not immune, and everyone should ensure that they’re receiving the best value for their health care dollars. Open Season runs from November 10th through December 8th and that’s your chance to make a change. An Open Season Health Fair will soon be held in your facility. Do yourself a favor and look at the Mail Handlers Benefit Plan. You’ll be impressed by the rates and benefits. And, as I’ve heard someone say recently, “The savings are amazing!”
JL