U.S. Postal Service Reaches Tentative Agreement with Mail Carriers
The U.S. Postal Service and approximately 200,000 mail carriers have reached a tentative contract agreement, marking a significant development in labor relations within the postal sector. The proposed deal, which runs through November 2026, includes backdated pay raises and a commitment to provide air-conditioned trucks for carriers.
The agreement comes after months of negotiations, with mail carriers working under the terms of their previous contract since May 2023. Both parties expressed satisfaction with the outcome, highlighting the spirit of cooperation that led to the deal.
Brian Renfroe, president of the National Association of Letter Carriers, emphasized the good faith bargaining that characterized the negotiations. The Postal Service, in turn, acknowledged the vital contributions of its members to both its operations and the public at large.
Key provisions of the agreement include increases in top pay and a reduction in the time it takes for new workers to reach top pay levels. The deal also outlines three annual pay increases of 1.3% each by 2025, with some retroactive from November 2023. Additionally, mail carriers will receive both retroactive and future cost-of-living adjustments.
One of the most notable aspects of the agreement is the Postal Service’s commitment to provide air-conditioned mail trucks. This aligns with the agency’s 10-year “Delivering for America” modernization plan, which includes the introduction of new electric delivery vehicles equipped with air-conditioning. The Postal Service plans to expand its new fleet to 60,000 vehicles, primarily consisting of electric models.
The agreement also stipulates that the Postal Service must discuss any plans for non-air-conditioned mail trucks with the union, ensuring ongoing dialogue on this crucial issue.
The ratification process for the contract is expected to take several weeks as union members review and vote on the agreement. It’s worth noting that rural mail carriers, who are represented by a different union, are not included in this particular contract.
This tentative agreement represents a significant step forward in modernizing the U.S. Postal Service and improving working conditions for mail carriers across the nation. As the ratification process unfolds, both the Postal Service and its employees look forward to a more efficient and comfortable future in mail delivery.