New National Agreement Ratified – What is Next and What to Expect
As most of you know, the USPS and NALC have reach an agreement for a new tentative contract. We are happy to report that the new contract has been ratified by an overwhelming 96% of “yes” votes. Now that the National Agreement is in effect, there are several processes to set in motion for the implementation of collective bargaining.
Local Negotiations
Now that the national agreement is finalized, our local team is continuing preparations to examine and, if need be, negotiate changes to Branch 258’s local agreements for the zones in the Reading installation, as well as for all of the Associate Offices in the Branch. The negotiation window for Local Memorandums of Understanding (LMOU’s or “Locals” or “Local Agreements”) is from April 29 to May 28.
Rollout of Administration
While the vast majority of the new contract is (as always), the same, changes will always go through a process of practical application on the workroom floor. Some of these will occur quickly (such as adjusting what our salaries should be now), while others will take some time (such as calculating each employee’s lump sum payment for retroactive pay increases). Still other issues will spark some disagreements which will need to be clarified by national MOU’s or adjudicated through the grievance process. This process is a normal part of the ongoing labor/management relationship, and we encourage curious members to be involved, get their questions answered, and stay informed.
Local Negotiations
Now that the national agreement is finalized, our local team is continuing preparations to examine and, if need be, negotiate changes to Branch 258’s local agreements for the zones in the Reading installation, as well as for all of the Associate Offices in the Branch. The negotiation window for Local Memorandums of Understanding (LMOU’s or “Locals” or “Local Agreements”) is from April 29 to May 28.
Rollout of Administration
While the vast majority of the new contract is (as always), the same, changes will always go through a process of practical application on the workroom floor. Some of these will occur quickly (such as adjusting what our salaries should be now), while others will take some time (such as calculating each employee’s lump sum payment for retroactive pay increases). Still other issues will spark some disagreements which will need to be clarified by national MOU’s or adjudicated through the grievance process. This process is a normal part of the ongoing labor/management relationship, and we encourage curious members to be involved, get their questions answered, and stay informed.
Didn’t Receive a Ratification Ballot?
Beginning on Jan. 11, every active letter carrier eligible to vote in the contract ratification election was mailed a copy of the proposed 2019-2023 National Agreement between NALC and USPS. Mailing of ballots was completed on Jan. 20.
Included in the mailing is a letter from NALC President Fredric Rolando, a summary of the contract’s provisions, a ballot and secrecy envelope, a return envelope and instructions for casting a vote. For a ballot to be counted, it must be received by noon on Feb. 16.
If you are eligible to vote on the proposed agreement and have not received a ballot by Jan. 25, call NALC Headquarters at 202-393-4836 (9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Eastern Time) to request a replacement ballot. A replacement ballot will be mailed after your eligibility is verified.
(copied from www.NALC.org)
Included in the mailing is a letter from NALC President Fredric Rolando, a summary of the contract’s provisions, a ballot and secrecy envelope, a return envelope and instructions for casting a vote. For a ballot to be counted, it must be received by noon on Feb. 16.
If you are eligible to vote on the proposed agreement and have not received a ballot by Jan. 25, call NALC Headquarters at 202-393-4836 (9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Eastern Time) to request a replacement ballot. A replacement ballot will be mailed after your eligibility is verified.
(copied from www.NALC.org)
2019-2022 Tentative National Agreement in Process for Ratification
As most of you know, the USPS and NALC have reach an agreement for a new tentative contract. The next step in making this contract official (or going back to the negotiating table) is the ratification process. The following is a summary of what happens next.
The Ratification Process
A copy of the proposed agreement has been sent to every active member of the NALC (sorry retirees, you are not included). A ballot has also been sent – this mailing began on January 11, and was completed on January 20. All ballots must be received by NALC headquarters by February 16. We strongly encourage all members in the branch to return their ballots and have your voice heard, as we take great pride in being a democratic Union that belongs to its members.
All received votes will be counted according to NALC constitutional guidelines, and the results will be announced as they are known. If the contract is ratified, the period for negotiating local agreements will be from April 29 to May 28.
The Highlights
As stated above, every member will receive a copy of the entire proposed National Agreement. Some highlights of provisions/changes from the previous contract are listed below:
Our Opinion
The NALC national officers have unanimously approved the proposed agreement and recommend ratification. Branch 258 vice-president Rich McDonough attended a virtual conference discussing the details of the contract, and has reported to the officers at our monthly board meeting. After discussion, the officers of Branch 258 support the ratification of the new National Agreement, and encourage a “yes” vote from our members.
The Last Word
Regardless of the opinion of our board, we are a democratic union and you, the members, have the final say. If you, the members, vote yes, we will have a new contact. If you, the members, vote no, the NALC will return to negotiations, which left off with an arbitration scheduled to proceed. Either way, the result is, in the end, your individual decision, along with every other eligible voter in this union.
The Ratification Process
A copy of the proposed agreement has been sent to every active member of the NALC (sorry retirees, you are not included). A ballot has also been sent – this mailing began on January 11, and was completed on January 20. All ballots must be received by NALC headquarters by February 16. We strongly encourage all members in the branch to return their ballots and have your voice heard, as we take great pride in being a democratic Union that belongs to its members.
All received votes will be counted according to NALC constitutional guidelines, and the results will be announced as they are known. If the contract is ratified, the period for negotiating local agreements will be from April 29 to May 28.
The Highlights
As stated above, every member will receive a copy of the entire proposed National Agreement. Some highlights of provisions/changes from the previous contract are listed below:
- 44 month (nearly four year) length, retroactive to September 20, 2019 and in effect until November 19, 2022
- 4 general wage increases, totaling %4.8, and 7 cost of living adjustments
- Retroactive wage increases and COLAs will be calculated and paid in a lump sum as soon as practicable after contract ratification
- 4 CCA wage increases in addition to the general wage increases
- Automatic CCA conversion to career status (PTF) after two years of service, if they have not made regular by that time
- Decrease of %1 in USPS contributions to health care coverage
- Increase in uniform allowance
- Carriers who work on the holiday schedule instead of taking their holiday will have the option of adding 8 hours of AL to their total instead of collecting their holiday pay
- Street MSP points will be eliminated
- A new top step (step P) will be created for the top rate of pay
Our Opinion
The NALC national officers have unanimously approved the proposed agreement and recommend ratification. Branch 258 vice-president Rich McDonough attended a virtual conference discussing the details of the contract, and has reported to the officers at our monthly board meeting. After discussion, the officers of Branch 258 support the ratification of the new National Agreement, and encourage a “yes” vote from our members.
The Last Word
Regardless of the opinion of our board, we are a democratic union and you, the members, have the final say. If you, the members, vote yes, we will have a new contact. If you, the members, vote no, the NALC will return to negotiations, which left off with an arbitration scheduled to proceed. Either way, the result is, in the end, your individual decision, along with every other eligible voter in this union.
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National Agreement Available on PDFThe 2016-2019 National agreement between the NALC and the USPS has been finalized, and is available now for download on PDF. To view and/or download the document, click the image, or click here. The PDF includes bookmarks and hyperlinks to make navigating the document easier. Printed copies will be available in the coming weeks.
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Arbitration Completed, New Contract Established
On January 11, a national arbitration panel completed a long bargaining process by issuing a decision finalizing a contract between the USPS and NALC. The new contract, effective through May of 2016, contains 10 wage increases (3 general and 7 COLA's), establishes a new category for entry level employees, and converts all current PTF's to regular status. For more detailed information from the national website, click here. As the complete effects of the new contract (interpretive issues and MOU's) will continue to shape the face of employee-management relations, there will be contiuned updates as time passes. To read and/or download the complete text of the arbitration award, click here.
