Burrus: Contract Agreement ‘Possible’
APWU Web News Article #73-06, Nov. 19, 2006
(11/19/06) In a telephone message on the eve of the expiration of the contract, APWU President William Burrus told union members that although final agreement is beyond reach at this time, “I am convinced that agreement is possible.” Negotiations are continuing, he said, with health benefits and wages dominating the discussions.
The full text of President Burrus’ message is below:
This is Bill Burrus, reporting to you on the eve of the expiration of the contract. Tomorrow is Nov. 20, and the contract expires at midnight . The APWU negotiating team continues to advance the issues of postal employees and some progress is being made. Several tentative agreements have been reached, but there will be no final agreement unless there is an entire agreement.
Health benefits and wages continue as the priority issues under consideration. While discussions have been positive, final agreement is beyond our reach at this time.
I have been meeting daily with the Vice President of Labor Relations to identify issues and discuss possibilities. These meetings will continue through tomorrow, and I am convinced that agreement is possible.
These final 24 hours will be crucial, and I look forward to the challenge of closing the deal.
If a tentative agreement is reached, I will notify you immediately via the hotline. If we fail, you can be assured that we gave it our best shot.
Thank you for your interest and your commitment to the APWU.
Bill Burrus, signing off until tomorrow.
The toll-free number for the APWU Contract Negotiations Hotline is 800-992-APWU (or 800-992-2798).
November 19th, 2006 at 7:13 pm
Burrus is fortunate that the PO fears that their winning streak in arbitration may end at 7 straight as the release of the record revenue report came at a bad time for them.
November 19th, 2006 at 8:59 pm
Quite true, but given Mgt’s past record with arbitrators, why would they be eager to get slapped around by them….I would not be surprised to see at least the APWU and NALC go to arbitration, but both end up with a deal before a final decision is made. Whether the members vote to approve it, is another matter.
November 19th, 2006 at 9:09 pm
I should have added to my previous post though, that IMO, it is odd that this can be a winning streak in their minds, as the crafts have at least been able to maintain annual raises, at least partial COLA {full COLA would be nice} unlike a lot of unions that are forced to give back big time to stay afloat {auto industry/airlines}. I would think Potter and the L’Enfant Plaza crowd would have enough sense to act in a realistic manner and show some acknowlegement to the folks who keep the mail moving, but….
November 19th, 2006 at 11:10 pm
It’s great that apwu is working on making things better, just wish usps was a lot better organization, usps wants more for less, squeezing all they can out of employees. I wonder if working for state, county or city would be better, for retirement benefits, health, insurance, etcetera.