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Negotiations Update
Negotiations Update: APWU and USPS “Stop the Clock” to Continue Bargaining for a New Contract
September 21, 2021
The collective bargaining agreement (union contract) between the American Postal Workers Union and the United States Postal Service covers the wages, hours and working conditions of 200,000 postal workers. Our current contract was due to expire at midnight, September 20, 2021.
Over the last two weeks, the APWU and postal management have engaged in frequent negotiating sessions at both the “main table,” the “craft tables,” and in other committees. There has been modest progress on a number of issues affecting all our crafts, including on job security. There has also been a narrowing of the differences on important items including the economic package.
However, the union and management have been unable to secure a negotiated agreement by midnight September 20.
The APWU National Negotiating Committee (NNC) had two choices: Either start the process of mediation heading to interest arbitration, or with mutual agreement with postal management, “stop the clock” (meaning the contract does not expire at midnight) and continue negotiations for a period of time.
It is the unanimous decision of the National Negotiating Committee to “stop the clock” and continue bargaining. It is also the position of the NNC that we will reevaluate progress on a regular basis and invoke mediation if further negotiations are not productive.
“The entire APWU negotiating team is working together and working hard to secure the new contract that our members have earned and deserve,” said APWU Chief Spokesperson Vance Zimmerman. “Continued negotiations for a short period of time are in the best interests of the members.”
“The APWU is leaving no stone unturned. Based on progress thus far we have the possibility of reaching a negotiated union contract,” declared President and Lead Negotiator Mark Dimondstein. “It is vital we all stay union strong and union proud in our collective quest for workplace justice.”
The APWU will continue to keep the members updated, including regular messages on the negotiation “hotline” at 866-412-8061.
Vaccination Mandates by President Biden
Subject: Vaccination Mandates by President Biden
On September 9, 2021, the White House released two Executive Orders on vaccinations for COVID-19.
The Executive Orders on Requiring Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination for Federal Employees and on Ensuring Adequate COVID Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors do not expressly apply to Postal Service Employees.
In addition, in his remarks delivered by President Joe Biden, he stated, “…tonight, I’m announcing that the Department of Labor is developing an emergency rule to require all employers with 100 or more employees, that together employ over 80 million workers, to ensure their workforces are fully vaccinated or show a negative test at least once a week.”
Until this emergency rule is developed, the APWU will not know if it applies to Postal Service employees. Once the emergency rule is released it will be reviewed and discussed with our attorneys and additional information on how it applies will be released.
As the APWU has continually stated, all employees are encouraged to wear face coverings at work and are encouraged to voluntarily receive one of the COVID-19 vaccines.
Vance Zimmerman
Industrial Relations Director
American Postal Workers Union, AFL-CIO
1300 L Street, NW
Washington, DC 20005-4128
Contract Update: Union & Management “Locking Down” Ahead of September 20 Expiration. NNC Launches Contract Hotline for Instant Updates
Beginning September 7, the National Negotiations Committee (NNC) will lock down with postal management for a week of intense contract negotiations as the September 20 expiration of the current collective bargaining agreement approaches.
Both the APWU officers and postal management will be in the same hotel, meeting daily at main table negotiations, craft tables, and other subcommittees where they will hash out the various proposals. All meetings will be conducted respecting all COVIDrelated safety protocols including mask-wearing and social distancing.
The NNC has been meeting regularly with postal management, and has submitted over 90 proposals. These proposals include items to protect job security and work opportunities, work rules and working conditions, increase career opportunities and improve conditions of work.
The APWU will submit additional proposals in the coming weeks including ones for “economic provisions” – wage increases, COLA, step increases, etc.
Throughout this process, the NNC is keeping the APWU National Executive Board and the Rank and File Bargaining Advisory Committee updated about the process and developments of negotiations. On August 24, the NNC hosted a second series of APWU Contract Town Hall events to update the members and answer questions. The Town Hall events and previous updates are available here.
APWU Leadership will continue to keep the membership updated on the progress of negotiations.
Updated Mask Policy
SEPTEMBER 2 IS NATIONAL GEAR DAY!
September 2 is ‘National Gear Day!' With our contract expiring Sept. 20, negotiations are in full swing! Let's kick off Labor Day weekend by showing your support for APWU – Our Union, Our Contract, Our Future. Wear your union gear on the work room floor on Thursday, September 2. APWU officers will lock down with management the next week. Let's send a powerful message!
Make sure to take photos! Send us a selfie or group picture with your masked coworkers while wearing the sticker or other union gear and email high resolution photos at their “original” file size to ncc@apwu.org.
Submissions will be entered into a raffle for more union gear!