From the National Postal Mail Handler Union:

Representatives of the NPMHU and the Postal Service continue to meet in an all-out effort to reach a negotiated settlement for a new 2006 National Agreement.  As this week comes to an end, the bargainers have moved into a downtown hotel in Washington, D.C. so that meetings and discussions can continue, as needed, around-the-clock, right up until the current contract’s expiration at midnight on Monday, November 20, 2006.

        To frame the negotiations during the final days, the NPMHU has set forth its on-the-record economic demands.  These proposals include:

  • A new National Agreement to cover six years, from November 21, 2006 through November 20, 2012.
  • The continuation of general wage increases during each and every year of the contract.
  • The continuation of cost-of-living adjustments during each and every year of the contract.
  • The maintenance of all current benefits and benefit programs, including the current formula for determining employee contributions for health insurance.
  • The implementation of one-level pay upgrades for all Level 4 and Level 5 mail handlers, and other adjustments to the current pay scales.
  • The implementation of increases in night shift differential and Sunday premium pay as previously outlined and circulated.
  • The implementation of improvements in the clothing program and increases in the dollar amounts provided as clothing allowances.

  Taken together, the economic package submitted by the NPMHU contains substantial wage improvements for all members of the mail handler bargaining unit.

  As bargaining continues, the parties are expected to focus on these economic proposals, as well as management demands for reducing the employer’s costs for health insurance and increasing management flexibility in the operations of the Postal Service.  In addition, bargaining also continues over non-economic items that have been reviewed and recommended by the various subcommittees meeting during the past few months.

  All mail handlers should watch their bulletin boards for the latest available information.

National Postal Mail Handler Union 2006 CONTRACT UPDATE ARCHIVES