Burrus: Little Progress Made on Union’s Priorities

APWU President William Burrus updated union members about the status of contract negotiations in a recorded telephone message Nov. 13, telling them little progress has been made on the union’s priorities. The union is fully prepared for any eventuality he said, either by negotiating a new Collective Bargaining Agreement or proceeding to arbitration. The current agreement expires Nov. 20, 2006.

The full text of Burrus’ message is below:

This is Bill Burrus, president of the American Postal Workers Union, reporting to you on the progress of the 2006 contract negotiations. 

There are now seven days remaining before expiration of the negotiation period, and negotiations are continuing at an unacceptable pace. Executive Vice President Cliff Guffey, Industrial Relations Director Bell, and Craft Directors McCarthy, Raymer, and Pritchard continue bargaining in subcommittees, but little progress has been made on the union’s priorities. 

As expected, the payment of health benefit premiums has taken center stage in these negotiations, and resolution of this issue is key to any final agreement. APWU has offered a creative counter-proposal that addresses this important subject and we think it is fair and should be agreed to. The ball is in management’s court, and we await their response. 

The APWU National Executive Board and the Rank-and-File Bargaining Advisory Committee have relocated to the hotel where negotiations are being conducted, so that they can be consulted during the final days. 

We are prepared for any eventuality — a negotiated contract that we can submit to the membership for ratification or arbitration, if that is the decision of postal management. We are determined to achieve a contract that our members deserve. 

This message will be updated on Wednesday, Nov. 15; Friday, Nov. 17, and Monday, Nov. 20. 

Thank you for dialing in and stay tuned!

The toll-free number for the APWU Contract Negotiations Hotline is 800-992-APWU (or 800-992-2798).