NALC Branch 38  has posted an ‘unofficial’ transcript of the Rap Session held by NALC on January 28, 2007. According to NALC Branch 38: “WE DO NOT YET HAVE PERMISSION TO IDENTIFY THE TRANSCRIBER.”

 Below are excerpts from the ‘unofficial’ RAP SESSION TRANSCRIPT 

The threat of contracting out
Not a new threat. Sombrotto called rural carriers in house contracting out. Contract Delivery Services. Most new delivery points designated as rural even if they are city delivery because of the lower cost. Rural carrier union has made concessions over the years to make rural delivery cheaper.Deliveries increased over 50%. 80% to 69% new city deliveries fell.

Agreement on jurisdictional disputes between city and rural. Joined together to battle contract delivery. Rural carriers took pay cut to be more competitive with contract deliveries. suggested that the NALC should do the same.

Happening in Florida. New developments right next to city delivery are being contracted out. Claiming to save more than 50% on these deliveries. Workers subject to minimal screening and have little training.

November 29, 2006 had the makings of historic agreement which included all of these elements with a five year contract. included colas and general wage increases higher than those negotiated by the other unions. $1900 - $2200 per year more than what other unions got. had to include no contracting out clauses to protect the difference between carriers and other crafts.

Next steps. new postal reform law calls for mediation with parties discussing grounds for arbitration. if mediation fails tri-party arbitration interest panel . once chosen arbitration will occur.

propose major restructuring of city carriers by 2011.

Q - What will happen to those carriers living on overtime. Some carriers made over $100,000 last year.
A- Those people are worrying more about themselves than the whole because they are saying that it is more important for me to work two jobs than for someone else to have a job. Thinks that there will be more than enough vacancies on Saturdays for ODL to work every Saturday if they want to.

Q - Any plans for a permanent step increase since APWU moved up to level 6.
A - If we get this contract we would be making wages equivalent to Level 8.Must be balance against the impact of the economic situation of the USPS.That’s why Customer Connect is so important. APWU agreed that they can
contract out simply by notifying the local president.
Q - APWU claims they are going to take over letter carrier work.
A - The future of the Postal Service according to every expert is as a delivery service. In fifteen years there will be no APWU.

Q - Wouldn’t this be a prelude to a five day work week?
A - That isn’t going to happen. We do not want to eliminate Saturday delivery but have a supplemental workforce for Saturday. Bill got the idea from UPS. Just wants an agreement that all infill and all city delivery cannot be
contracted out.