After months of negotiations, the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) has reached a tentative agreement with the United States Postal Service (USPS). The agreement, announced on June 11, 2021, will cover over 213,000 active city letter carriers across the country.
The agreement includes provisions for wage increases, cost-of-living adjustments, and changes to health care benefits. City letter carriers will receive four general wage increases over the life of the contract, with the first increase taking effect on November 20, 2021. The contract also provides for a lump-sum payment to eligible city letter carriers.
In terms of health care, the agreement includes a new health plan option for city letter carriers that will be available beginning in 2023. This option will provide lower premiums and deductibles, and will be funded by USPS contributions.
“This agreement balances our continuing need for operational flexibility with our desire to reward our city letter carriers for their dedication and the important work they perform every day,” said Postmaster General Louis DeJoy.
The tentative agreement will now go to NALC members for ratification. If approved, the agreement will be in effect until September 20, 2023.
This agreement comes at a time when the USPS is facing significant financial challenges. The organization reported a net loss of $82 million in the second quarter of 2021, and has been dealing with increased costs and declining mail volume.
As the USPS continues to navigate these challenges, it is important that the organization is able to work collaboratively with its employees and labor unions to find solutions that meet the needs of both the organization and its workforce. The tentative agreement reached with the NALC is a positive step in this direction.
In conclusion, the tentative agreement reached between the NALC and USPS is a positive development for city letter carriers across the country. The agreement provides for important wage increases and health care benefits, and demonstrates the value of constructive labor-management relations in addressing the challenges facing the USPS. The agreement now awaits ratification by NALC members, and if approved, will provide stability and security for city letter carriers for the next two years.