USPS, Union Reach Tentative Contract After 20 Months of Negotiations

USPS letter carriers get a new contract with retroactive raises. But already, some members are not happy and are threatening to sink the deal.

Letter carriers are in line for pay raise and more air-conditioned trucks.

This after the United States Postal Service (USPS) reached a tentative contract with

National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) and the AFL-CIO.  

The contract will cover about 200,000 letter carriers and covers the years 2023-2026. 

“After almost 20 months of tireless negotiations, we are pleased to reach a fair agreement that rewards our members for their contributions to the Postal Service and their service to the American people,” said NALC President Brian L. Renfroe.  

“This is a fair and responsible agreement that serves the best interest of our employees, our customers and the future of the Postal Service,” said U.S. Deputy Postmaster General and Chief Human Resources Officer Doug Tulino, who noted that the contract is in line with the postal service’s ten year modernization plan.

Pay Raises

The contract includes three general wage increases of 1.3 percent. Two of those will be paid retroactively. It also includes three Cost of Living Adjustments (COLAs) paid retroactively that amount to a total of $2,300.  Four additional COLAs would be paid out later.

In addition, the contract allows workers to ascend to the top of the pay scale more quickly.

Under the tentative agreement, career carriers would make about $25 to $40 an hour, while noncareer city carrier assistants would receive starting pay closer to $20 an hour.

The contract also includes a commitment from USPS to "make every effort" to provide mail trucks with air-conditioning.

Ratification Needed

The contract must be ratified by union members and the union is holding informational sessions over the coming weeks.

Still, some letter carriers are voicing their opposition to the agreement.  One group, Build a Fighting NALC, wants $30 an hour pay and is planning a national day of action to oppose the deal.

 “If inflation is 8%, that should mean an 8% raise for letter carriers,” said Tyler Vassuer, shop steward for NALC Branch 9 in Minneapolis. “That would be a real cost of living adjustment, as it currently stands.”