The National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) has overwhelmingly rejected a tentative labor agreement with the United States Postal Service (USPS), sending a strong message that its members expect more. The union, which represents over 99,000 letter carriers, formally notified USPS of the results and invoked Article 16 of its constitution, requiring negotiations to resume within five days.
The proposed deal, which covered the 2023-2026 period, aimed to address wage increases, cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs), and other key benefits. However, many members expressed dissatisfaction with the terms, arguing that they did not go far enough to meet their financial and workplace demands.
Key concerns driving the rejection include rising inflation, increased workloads, and overall working conditions. Some members argued that wage adjustments and COLAs were inadequate, particularly in light of the physically demanding nature of their jobs and economic challenges they face.
NALC President Brian L. Renfroe acknowledged the outcome and reassured members that the union remains committed to securing better terms. “We will return to negotiations with a renewed focus on achieving a fair and just contract,” he stated.
The rejection raises uncertainty about the future of labor relations at USPS, but management is prepared to return to discussions in hopes of avoiding arbitration. As negotiations resume, both sides will be under pressure to find common ground and ensure that letter carriers receive a contract that meets their expectations while maintaining operational stability for the Postal Service. This story is developing, and further updates will follow as negotiations progress.
Source: https://theafricalogistics.com/usps-letter-carriers-reject-tentative-agreement-prompting-return-to-negotiations