After damn near 40 years of being a mail handler, I have seen my fair share of negotiated or arbitrated contracts. In that time there have been many achievements for the members of this great Union and of course a few challenges. Unfortunately, history dictates that those challenges usually come in the form of an arbitrator imposing a contract on us. What immediately comes to mind is the 2013 decision from Arbitrator Fishgold. On February 15, 2013, Mr. Fishgold ruled on the 2011 National Agreement. For those doing the math Mr. Fishgold determined the terms of that contract about 15 months after it had expired. And while we all waited for Mr. Fishgold’s ruling no contractual or cost of living increases were going into our paychecks. And that’s not the worst of it. Fishgold finally ruled and wrote
“Based upon a review of all the evidence, the Board awards a two-year wage freeze, no COLA in year one, a deferral of COLA in year two, a revised COLA base and modest general wage increases in FY2014 through FY2016.”
I repeat; “a two-year wage freeze, no COLA in year one…” The revised COLA he also “awards” is the proportional travesty new employees now suffer with. He gave us that...the arbitrator “awarded” a wage freeze. Really. The misguided notion that is peddled by those who claim to know what they’re talking about that we could just saunter into arbitration and tell the arbitrator what we want and get it, is absurd. It didn’t work then and it wouldn’t work now. Also, there is a zero chance that the contract we have already negotiated is the least we would get from an arbitration board. We could get a lot less including “a wage freeze” and god knows what else. Let’s be clear, there will be no automatic “retro” money Brothers and Sisters if we go to arbitration.
The question is; What is in the proposed contract that all eligible members can vote on, and why I think we should vote yes?
Let’s start with the fact that in this proposed agreement, that has already been mailed to you with a ballot, includes only Gains in wages, benefits, and working conditions with No Givebacks. Improvements without concession is a bargaining success and not usually the outcome in arbitration. However, and let me make it absolutely clear, no agreement is perfect. No single round of negotiation results in everything we want. This is a process that sees gains incrementally. I say this to underline the point that there is still work to be done on the inequity in pay rates for those hired after February of 2013. This is understood.
So here are the major elements of our tentative agreement:
The Gains
Here’s one more good reason to Vote Yes! If ratified this contract will pay top step Level 4 and Level 5 Mail Handlers respectively $4,416 and $3,134 more than new scale Level 5 and Level 6 clerks after the first raise. This gap will grow even wider in 2024 and 2025.
In Solidarity -
John Gibson
“Based upon a review of all the evidence, the Board awards a two-year wage freeze, no COLA in year one, a deferral of COLA in year two, a revised COLA base and modest general wage increases in FY2014 through FY2016.”
I repeat; “a two-year wage freeze, no COLA in year one…” The revised COLA he also “awards” is the proportional travesty new employees now suffer with. He gave us that...the arbitrator “awarded” a wage freeze. Really. The misguided notion that is peddled by those who claim to know what they’re talking about that we could just saunter into arbitration and tell the arbitrator what we want and get it, is absurd. It didn’t work then and it wouldn’t work now. Also, there is a zero chance that the contract we have already negotiated is the least we would get from an arbitration board. We could get a lot less including “a wage freeze” and god knows what else. Let’s be clear, there will be no automatic “retro” money Brothers and Sisters if we go to arbitration.
The question is; What is in the proposed contract that all eligible members can vote on, and why I think we should vote yes?
Let’s start with the fact that in this proposed agreement, that has already been mailed to you with a ballot, includes only Gains in wages, benefits, and working conditions with No Givebacks. Improvements without concession is a bargaining success and not usually the outcome in arbitration. However, and let me make it absolutely clear, no agreement is perfect. No single round of negotiation results in everything we want. This is a process that sees gains incrementally. I say this to underline the point that there is still work to be done on the inequity in pay rates for those hired after February of 2013. This is understood.
So here are the major elements of our tentative agreement:
The Gains
- Continuation of COLA payments (6 during the term of the Agreement)
- 3 General Wage Increases of 1.3% each
- Additional 1% increase for Steps BB, AA, and A.
- Over $2,700 in wage increases for Mail Handlers at top step (not including COLA)
- Elimination of Step BB; new career employees start at Step AA
- Shorten waiting period between all steps from 52 to 48 weeks
- Overall reduction in more than 2 years to reach top step
- No Layoff clause for career Mail Handlers employed as of September 20, 2022
- Annual clothing allowance increases of 2.5% with new carry-over provisions
- Additional 1% wage increase each year
- Additional $0.50 increase retroactive to November 2022
- Creation of MHA Step B (additional $0.50 after 6 months)
- Automatic conversion to career position after 24 months
Here’s one more good reason to Vote Yes! If ratified this contract will pay top step Level 4 and Level 5 Mail Handlers respectively $4,416 and $3,134 more than new scale Level 5 and Level 6 clerks after the first raise. This gap will grow even wider in 2024 and 2025.
In Solidarity -
John Gibson
USPS Issues Additional Guidance re: PostalEase and LiteBlueNet to Bank Allotment Scams Occurring!The Bargaining Process As many of you know, the National parties have reached a tentative agreement on the terms of the next contract. As we have previously reported the process for this tentative agreement began internally well before the expiration of the 2019-2022 National Agreement on September 21st, 2022. As you might recall, National President Hogrogian called on all members to submit proposals to modify the contract more than a year ago and many mail handlers responded to that call. More than 800 suggestions were submitted from the rank and file covering a wide variety of contractual topics. In February of this year, the Field Negotiating Committee met in the Nation’s capital for a week-long brain storming session with local representatives from across the country. Discussions and the occasional vigorous debate regarding the terms of our relationship with the employer ensued as we reviewed each and every proposal. Borne from this intense process was a list of “asks” and an overall strategy on getting the best successor agreement possible for all mail handlers.
Let me begin by making it absolutely clear that no agreement is perfect. No single round of negotiation results in everything we want or need. This is a process that sees gains in wages, benefits, and working conditions occurring incrementally. I say this to underline the point that there is still work to be done on the inequity in pay rates for those hired after February of 2013. But I am proud to state unequivocally, that this is an agreement that enjoys significant gains in wages, benefits, and working conditions with zero concession. Wage increases across the board for both career and career-path mail handlers over the three-year term of the next contract leads the charge along with the continuation of a no-layoff clause. Elimination of the first step and a reduction in step waiting periods for those hired after 2013 has also been achieved in this round. Although not the full reduction in waiting periods the Union desired, certainly an important gain without any concession. Clearly, “Gains Without Givebacks” should be the refrain for this round of bargaining as it has been for this National leadership. Under current wage scales when it is all said and done the wages for top step mail handlers both level 4 and level 5, by far, surpass top step level 6 clerks hired after 2011. Opinions on this tentative agreement in a healthy and robust democratic environment will vary for sure. However, we recognize that as some of the fortunate few in the world to enjoy the benefits of a unionized and democratic environment, we will all get to vote on its ratification. Shortly, all eligible members of this great Union will receive a secret ballot with an informational package describing the terms of the tentative National Agreement and we encourage all to engage in this process and make sure your voice is heard. Please take the time to read these terms and vote. In solidarity - John Gibson Urgent Message Concerning Fraudulent PostalEase Access
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New Stewards Workshop Over a two-day workshop in Local Union Headquarters new stewards representing mail handlers across the local were provided information and guidance in defending the rights we have earned over decades of struggle. The fight continues Brothers and Sisters and we thank our new stewards and all representatives for standing up and taking on this challenge.
Fatima Lewis, Tim Casey , John Gibson, Robert Bossert, Angela Gomez-Curet, Stephen Cole, Charlie Johnson
Local Election News Ballots for all eligible Local 308 voters have been delivered to the USPS and should start arriving in the mail in the coming days and weeks. Please review the instructions carefully to ensure that your voice is heard. If you do not receive a ballot by January 20th please contact Union Headquarters at 215 788 5308.
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