APWU and USPS Agree to an Additional 30 Days of Negotiations

APWU President Mark Dimondstein has announced that the union and the Postal Service again agreed to extend negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement for an additional 30 days until November 20, 2018.

The union contract between the American Postal Workers Union and the United States Postal Service covers the wages, hours, and working conditions of 193,000 postal workers and expired September 20, 2018. At that time, the parties agreed to an initial 30 day extension on negotiations until October 20, 2018.

The APWU and postal management have been negotiating for a new contract since June 26, 2018.  After four months of frequent negotiations, the parties believe that additional time to discuss and explore the issues is appropriate and useful before declaring an impasse.

“We are still working towards our goal of reaching a negotiated settlement that can be voted on by the members. Multiple meetings have already been scheduled with the Postal Service in the upcoming weeks,” declared President and lead negotiator Mark Dimondstein. “Our goals remain consistent and we are still demanding fair wage increases, COLA, job security, bridging the gaps of the divisive three-tier wage structure, addressing concerns of hostile work environments, seeking better career and full-time opportunities for both PSEs and PTFs, and expanded postal services.”

“The battle continues for a decent union contract you deserve,” shared chief spokesperson and Industrial Relations Director Vance Zimmerman. “Your negotiating team thanks you, the members, for all that you have done to support the contract campaign. Keep it going and show management that we remain united in demanding a good union contract.”

All the rights, benefits and provisions of our existing union contract remain in place, and are fully enforceable during the new 30-day extension of negotiations.