Postal Service Health Benefits Program (PSHB) will replace FEHB coverage for postal employees, annuitants and eligible family members

  Postal Service Health Benefits Program (PSHB) will replace FEHB coverage for postal employees, annuitants and eligible family members

"...PSHB would make the same plans available and on the same coverage terms as in the FEHB but with their premiums determined separately. ..."

Reference: www.fedweek.com
 

USPS Lists Hundreds of Post Offices and Other Facilities Where It Will Consolidate Operations

  USPS Lists Hundreds of Post Offices and Other Facilities Where It Will Consolidate Operations

"...The changes will take place as soon as next month. More than 200 post offices and other U.S. Postal Service facilities are set to shed some of their operations as soon as this year as the mailing agency seeks to consolidate those functions at larger buildings, according to documents shared by management. ..."

Reference: www.govexec.com
 

2022 NPMHU Contract Update #6

  2022 NPMHU Contract Update #6

2022 No. 6 – August 23, 2022

You are reading the sixth Contract Update produced and distributed by the NPMHU during the course of 2022 negotiations. These updates, along with the Union’s magazine and monthly bulletins, will keep mail handlers throughout the country informed and involved in the issues raised during this round of bargaining.

As the NPMHU National Office returns to Washington, DC after a productive National Convention, our bargainers are eager to return to the negotiations table. Throughout the Convention, members of the Negotiations Team had been working behind the scenes to continue bargaining. The end of the Convention created an opportunity to resume bargaining at the Main Table.

On August 17, the NPMHU Negotiations Team returned to Postal Service HQ to resume Main Table Negotiations, where it delivered Article 32 proposals to USPS representatives. The next day, the NPMHU hosted USPS at its HQ in the AFL-CIO building, where both parties further discussed the NPMHU’s proposals and their finer details.

To date, the NPMHU has given representatives of USPS management over 75 proposals, totaling nearly 100 pages of written text. Conversely, USPS representatives have issued the NPMHU less than 10 proposals. In addition to their lack of genuine proposals, USPS representatives have displayed a much less cooperative atmosphere and stalled progress in genuine negotiations.

As the NPMHU Negotiations Team attempts to reach agreements on contract language governing work rules and operational matters in Main Table discussions, USPS representatives are calling for the referral of these proposals to the much lengthier and bureaucratic process for approving economic proposals. Trying to delay bargaining by pushing these proposals all the way up to highest ranking officials in the Postal Service has stalled negotiations at the Main Table.

When the Postal Service is not looking to delay issues to the final economic bargaining, it shows a poignant lack of urgency in coming to tentative agreements on simple issues. This delay occurs even when a proposed change in the contract is — by the admission of members of the USPS negotiating team — already a practice employed by management.

Subcommittees also seem to be stalled, as management shows a fundamental lack of understanding of NPMHU proposals, often belaboring the same point even after a contrary understanding has been reached. Combined with stagnation at the Main Table, it suggests that the USPS fundamentally misunderstands the NPMHU proposals and positions.

On numerous occasions, President Hogrogian has asked the USPS representatives to come to prompt tentative agreements on any issues that would not have an adverse impact on postal operations, or would save USPS money, or which have routinely been granted to other crafts. In these instances, USPS representatives to this point have displayed a noted resistance and lack of transparency as to why.

Perhaps even more problematic, when the NPMHU comes to the Main Table sessions or to numerous subcommittee meetings, it is unsure who has the authority to reach agreements on some of the issues being discussed. As the USPS tries to refer proposals to the economic table, its negotiation team seems less and less able — or willing — to reach any tentative agreements.

As the contract deadline approaches, with 30 days remaining until September 20, 2022, the NPMHU hopes that USPS will be open to discussing more options at the Main Table and agreed upon subcommittees, as well as being more forthcoming and transparent as the parties strive to reach agreements on subsidiary issues. As always, the NPMHU Negotiations Team will strive to do what is best for the NPMHU, the Postal Service, and the American mailing public.

2022 No. 6 – August 23, 2022 (pdf)

Reference: www.npmhu.org via NPMHU Local 317
 

Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) set at $2,455

  Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) set at $2,455

Effective August 27, 2022, all career Mail Handler craft employees are scheduled to receive a cost-of-living (COLA) adjustment as outlined in Article 9.3 of the 2019 National Agreement. This is the last of six possible COLA increases under the terms of the current agreement. This COLA increase is based on the upward change in the relevant Consumer Price Index (CPI) following release of the July 2022 Index, using the July 2019 CPI index as a base. The increase will appear in paychecks dated September 16, 2022 (Pay Period 19-2022).The resulting calculation provides an annual increase of $2,455 or $1.18 per hour for all Steps in Table 1 and for Step P of Table 2. The remaining Steps in Table 2 will receive the proportional COLA increase percentages as outlined in Article 9.3 of the National Agreement.

Reference: NPMHU.org via NPMHU Local 317
 

USPS board game debuts | The Great American Mail Race

  USPS board game debuts | The Great American Mail Race

"...The Postal Service introduced The Great American Mail Race, a licensed board game, at the Gen Con Indy 2022 gaming conference in Indianapolis on Aug. 4. The game allows players to race around a board that shows a map of the United States, using different methods — including the Pony Express, steamboats, hot air balloons and vehicles — to deliver mail and packages. “The Great American Mail Race is a fun, interactive game that celebrates the Postal Service’s rich history and shows how we continue to deliver for America..."

Reference: usps.com
 

2022 Contract Update #5

  2022 Contract Update #5

2022 No. 5 – August 5, 2022

You are reading the fifth Contract Update produced and distributed by the NPMHU during the course of 2022 negotiations. These updates, along with the Union’s magazine and monthly bulletins, will keep mail handlers throughout the country informed and involved in the issues raised during this round of bargaining.

After almost one month, bargaining between the NPMHU and the Postal Service continues in full force. As of now, the NPMHU and USPS have met for five main table bargaining sessions and numerous subcommittee meetings.

While the main table meetings represent the most important part of contract negotiations, the subcommittee meetings remain an invaluable medium for addressing individual issues and topics. At the commencement of contract negotiations, both parties agreed to subcommittees to handle MHA topics, Article 12, Group Leaders and 204Bs, MOUs, Article 32, and Article 11. Each subcommittee considers relevant proposals and creates a much more productive narrative at the main table.

To date, the NPMHU has presented the Postal Service with over 70 proposed changes to the National Agreement, ranging from Articles 1-17, 24, and 26. These proposals aim to address many of the issues that the NPMHU is determined to address in the new agreement. This includes the use of 204Bs, MHA issues, and subcontracting or outsourcing. The Negotiations Team is confident that these proposed changes address the prevailing issues that affect all Mail Handlers.

The NPMHU Negotiations team has also received a few proposals on behalf of USPS management. While these changes are few in comparison with what the NPMHU Negotiations Team has submitted, they embody the changes that management hopes to implement. The Postal Service’s proposed changes aim to cut the cost of USPS operations at the facility level.

As both parties move deeper into the negotiation process, formal stipulations are being discussed at the main table and in subcommittees. While the Negotiations Team plans to submit more proposals, its attention has turned to fighting hard to ensure that its present proposals are accepted by USPS. The details of each proposal are now taking center stage and proposals are being discussed at length and negotiated by both sides.

Of utmost importance to the Negotiations Team are issues addressing 204Bs. A preponderance of the proposals submitted by the NPMHU hope to curb the use of 204Bs and to prevent inexperienced and newly hired MHAs from attaining 204B status in their first year. Similarly, the Negotiations Team has suggested that the use of Group Leaders within the Mail Handler craft be increased in order to reduce the use of 204Bs

Similarly, the Negotiations Team has prioritized proposals affecting MHAs and recently converted full-time career employees, including better pay and the repair of the wage scales that have adversely affected MHAs and those on the lower end of the wage scale.

As the NPMHU gathers in Denver for its delayed—but not denied—National Convention, main table bargaining has temporarily been suspended. However, even as key National Officers gather in Denver, subcommittee meetings and off-the-record negotiations continue. The Negotiations Team plans on continuing these fruitful discussions while the NPMHU hosts its National Convention.

Although President Hogrogian is simultaneously serving as Chairman of the National Convention and the NPMHUs chief spokesperson in bargaining, he remains intimately involved in the details of contract negotiations. Similarly, the entire Negotiations Team is committed to continuing bargaining at full force.

As the NPMHU and USPS continue negotiations, please watch your bulletin boards for the latest information!

2022 No. 5 – August 5, 2022 (pdf)

..."

Reference: NPMHU.org via NPMHU Local 317
 

NPMHU CONVENTION KICK'S OFF MONDAY AUGUST 8, 2022

  NPMHU CONVENTION KICK'S OFF MONDAY AUGUST 8, 2022

"...Keep up with the NPMHU Convention..."

Reference: convention.npmhu.org