2022 NPMHU Contract Update #9

  2022 NPMHU Contract Update #9

2022 No. 9 – September 19, 2022

You are reading the ninth 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.

For nearly a week, the NPMHU Negotiations Team has been sequestered in the Mayflower Hotel with USPS representatives in an attempt to come to a tentative agreement on a new contract for the Mail Handler bargaining unit. The three months of contract negotiations have coalesced into these final days of bargaining. Regardless of the long and arduous road that led to this point, the NPMHU Negotiations Team remains determined to fight hard for its proposals.

Even though USPS representatives have had NPMHU proposals for months, only recently have they submitted counterproposals or proposed tentative agreements. With less than forty-eight hours to go until the expiration of the contract, the Postal Service is responding to a fraction of all NPMHU proposals. In many cases, these proposals could have been the subject of tentative agreements back in July or August, if it weren’t for unexplained USPS delays.

The good news is, as evidenced by their proposed tentative agreements and counter proposals, Postal Service officials now seem willing to negotiate. Though this comes at a late hour, the NPMHU Negotiations Team is cautiously optimistic that this change in pace will result in greater progress toward a tentative agreement on a full contract.

While the start of negotiation meetings at the Mayflower proved to be difficult, bargaining sessions have improved. Both parties are meeting with greater frequency at Main Table sessions. During these meetings, USPS officials seem much more willing and able to reach tentative agreements with the NPMHU. Though a National Agreement is far from being signed, things are looking much brighter than they did just a week ago.

Outside of Main Table negotiations, small groups and subcommittees continue to meet to discuss the finer details of each proposal. These meetings, while not as official as the Main Table sessions, are key to the bargaining process. During these sessions, both parties settle their differences and draw closer to a tentative agreement on a particular issue.

In regard to economic issues, National President Hogrogian and National Secretary-Treasurer Mike Hora continue to meet with Deputy Postmaster General Douglas Tulino in smaller sessions. While those negotiations have not yet resulted in any concrete agreements, President Hogrogian maintains that these talks have been productive and have led to an exchange of ideas.

As the deadline for the contract grows closer and closer, it is imperative that both parties remain open to an earnest and thorough negotiations process. NPMHU representatives insist that their Postal Service counterparts return to the bargaining table committed to reaching an agreement. This includes continuing to respond to NPMHU proposals in pursuit of a tentative agreement, demonstrating a genuine effort to address proposals, and showing a willingness to discuss more difficult and nuanced proposals.

Though the final days of bargaining are never easy, the NPMHU Negotiations Team remains resolute and determined to fight hard for all of its proposed changes to the National Agreement.

Above all, the NPMHU Negotiations Team wants to ensure that any agreement that it reaches with the Postal Service will be favorable for the National Postal Mail Handlers Union, the Mail Handler craft, the Postal Service, and the American mailing public.

2022 No. 9 – September 19, 2022 (pdf)

Reference: NPMHU via NPMHU Local 317 - Alabama
 

Mail Handler (NPMHU) 2022 Contract Update #8

  Mail Handler (NPMHU) 2022 Contract Update #8

2022 No. 8 – September 16, 2022

You are reading the eighth 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.

In accordance with mutually agreed upon ground rules, on September 6, 2022, the NPMHU Negotiations Team and USPS representatives turned in their last non-economic proposed changes to the National Agreement. After nearly three months of exchanging proposals, and some counterproposals, both parties are discussing the minute details of their proposals.

Taken in combination, the USPS and the NPMHU have submitted more than one hundred proposed changes to the contract. Most of the proposals have been submitted by the NPMHU. With this many proposals, both parties are sure to be busy for the coming days.

What’s Happening Now?

Though the non-economic proposal deadline has passed, negotiations on this new contract are far from over. Both parties are spending the coming days negotiating the finer points of the new contract round-the-clock. Taking up residence in a local Washington, DC hotel, both parties will spend countless hours at the bargaining table and in small-group meetings hoping to reach tentative agreements on key issues.

Beyond the negotiations of the Main Table and continuing subcommittees, the small groups continue vital work in making sure that all the intricate details of each proposal are well understood and acknowledged. While they are certainly the less visible portion of bargaining, the subcommittees oversee a multitude of important topics and issues including: 204Bs, Article 16, Article 11, and MHAs.

During intense bargaining, the NPMHU Negotiations Team continues to advocate for the changes that have already been proposed. Of most importance, the union negotiators are insisting that their counterparts from the USPS come to the table prepared to bargain in good faith. Such bargaining should include agreement on reasonable proposals beneficial to both parties. President Hogrogian, as chief spokesperson for the NPMHU, continuously pushes for tentative agreements.

The NPMHU hopes that USPS will come to the final sessions of bargaining with an open mind and a genuine will to sign a complete contract. Notwithstanding this expectation, to this point USPS representatives are maintaining their air of resistance and lack of transparency. Even when proposals would have no adverse impact on the Postal Service, or would be beneficial to all parties, USPS negotiators refuse to come to tentative agreements.

This entire week, negotiators have gathered daily to discuss contract language. With the added attendance of Acting VP of Labor Relations Thomas J. Blum of the USPS negotiations team, bargaining has ramped up to full speed, and the NPMHU Negotiations Team has spent countless hours over the past week to ensure that all proposals are duly considered and discussed.

Beyond the Main Table, President Hogrogian and other NPMHU representatives are meeting with Deputy PMG and Chief Human Resources Officer Doug Tulino to discuss the various economic proposals that the NPMHU has submitted. While no agreements have yet been reached, President Hogrogian has noted that these meetings have been encouraging.

As the contract deadline approaches, the NPMHU remains more prepared than ever to settle the new contract. It hopes that USPS will come back to the bargaining table genuinely prepared to reach an agreement. At all times, the NPMHU Negotiations Team remains committed to do what is best for mail handlers, the NPMHU, the Postal Service, and the American mailing public.

2022 No. 8 – September 16, 2022 (pdf)

Reference: NPMHU via NPMHU Local 317 - Alabama
 

2022 Mail Handler (NPMHU) Contract Update #7

  2022 Mail Handler (NPMHU) Contract Update #7

2022 No. 7 – September 1, 2022

You are reading the seventh 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.

With less than one month until the expiration of the 2019 contract between the NPMHU and USPS, bargaining between both of the parties continues in full force. As both sides prepare for their round-the-clock bargaining sessions in a few weeks, the NPMHU continues to submit proposals.

As of now, the NPMHU has submitted nearly 100 proposals for Main Table discussion. The Postal Service Negotiations team has still to submit any more proposals than its original few. With one more Main Table session before the September 6 deadline for noneconomic proposals, both sides are planning to submit their final proposals during the next few days.

Outside the Main Table sessions, members of the NPMHU Negotiations Team continue to assess and bargain issues in the critical subcommittee meetings. Most recently, the subcommittees focusing on 204B/Group Leaders and MHAs met to discuss the logistics of the NPMHU proposals. Postal Negotiators and CAD Representatives have used these meetings to discuss how proposed changes might be implemented and executed.

Supplementary to the usual bargaining activity, NPMHU and Postal officials heard presentations from Postal management about USPS finances and logistics. On August 23, NPMHU representatives traveled to Postal HQ to listen to a presentation given by VP of Network Operation Robert Cintron, and VP of Processing and

Maintenance Operations Mike L. Barber. The presentation discussed changes in USPS logistics and operations that have occurred over the last few years, and how they will be affected by Postmaster General DeJoy’s “Delivering for America” plan.

The Negotiations Team also was privy to another presentation on August 31 concerning the financial health of the Postal Service and its plans in the coming fiscal period. Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President Joseph Corbett explained the changing dynamics of USPS finances over the last three years, especially regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and the Postmaster General’s “Delivering for America” plan.

During both meetings, National President Paul Hogrogian made sure to ask each presenter important questions about the impact of USPS logistical and financial decisions on Mail Handlers and other USPS employees.

On September 1, NPMHU and Postal Negotiations team met for their penultimate Main Table session before the last week of round-the-clock bargaining. During this meeting, the NPMHU Negotiations Team submitted what is likely to be its final set of non-economic proposals for Main Table consideration. Like with the other proposals, these proposals will be assigned to the appropriate subcommittee and discussed in-depth.

As the proposal deadline of September 6 draws closer, the NPMHU team expects to receive additional proposals from the Postal Service, as well as some counterproposals to the changes that the Union hopes to make to the National Agreement. On September 12, NPMHU and USPS negotiators will check into the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C. For the next week, both parties will continue to negotiate, around-the-clock if necessary, with the sincere hope of reaching an agreement by the midnight deadline on September 20.

Despite being occupied by the 2020 National Convention and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, the NPMHU remains optimistic that this round of negotiations will yield a contract that is good for the NPMHU, the Mail Handler Craft, the USPS, and the American mailing public. Please continue to check your bulletin boards for continuing updates on negotiations for the 2022 National Agreement.

2022 No. 7 – September 1, 2022 (pdf)

Reference: www.npmhu.org via NPMHU Local 317
 

2022 NPMHU Contract Update #3

  2022 Contract Update #3

2022 No. 3 – July 6, 2022 You are reading the third 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. On June 29, 2022, representatives from the NPMHU Negotiations Team and the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) met for the second session of main table bargaining at NPMHU Headquarters in the AFL-CIO building (Washington, DC). Both groups returned to the bargaining table hoping to continue the spirit of positive cooperation that had been established in the first session. During this second substantive meeting, the NPMHU Negotiations Team presented their first set of proposed changes to the current contractual language in the 2019 National Agreement. Representatives of the USPS were given the opportunity to ask questions and to clarify any points of the NPMHU proposals that they might not have understood. President Hogrogian, acting as chief spokesperson and with the occasional assistance of CAD Representatives and NPMHU Counsel, provided USPS with details about the nature of each proposal. The proposals presented by the NPMHU were extensive and aimed to improve the quality of work for every Mail Handler. Submitted amendments included: A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Dignity and Respect Updating the non-discrimination policy Updating the MOU regarding deaf and hard of hearing Mail Handlers Greater protections and privileges for Mail Handler Assistants (MHAs) A more efficient and effective overtime policy Better regulation of management’s use of 204Bs During the coming weeks, both the NPMHU Negotiations Team and USPS representatives, acting through various subcommittees, will address these issues and further discuss these new proposals. Who’s at the Table? Members of the NPMHU Negotiations Team include President Hogrogian; National Secretary-Treasurer Michael Hora; National CAD Manager Teresa Harmon; National CAD Representatives Neil Ryan, Thomas Ruther, and Eugene Horton; and our legal team from the NPMHU General Counsel’s office. USPS management is represented by chief spokesperson Patrick M. Devine, as well as a dozen other representatives and legal counsel. What’s Next? Main table negotiations will continue this coming week, with other full sessions scheduled through July 29, when representatives of the USPS and the NPMHU will return to USPS Headquarters to receive the Postal Service’s proposals. At that time, members of the NPMHU Negotiations team will ask their own clarifying questions. Both on-the-record bargaining sessions and off-the-record subcommittee meetings will be routinely scheduled throughout the summer. Behind the scenes, the NPMHU Negotiations Team will be caucusing constantly to ensure that all the issues and proposals being prioritized in this round are carefully considered. As talks continue, the NPMHU’s bargaining team will strive to ensure that the next National Agreement is good for the membership, consistent with the continued health and prosperity of the Postal Service, and beneficial to the American mailing public. Future editions of this Contract Update will outline some of what is being discussed this year, highlighting developments in negotiations as they occur. Please check your bulletin boards for more bargaining information throughout the coming weeks and months. 2022 No. 3 – July 6, 2022 (pdf)

Reference: NPMHU.org via NPMHU Local 317
 

2022 NPMHU Contract Update #2

  2022 NPMHU Contract Update #2

2022 No. 2 – June 23, 2022

You are reading the second 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.

On June 22, 2022, representatives from the NPMHU Negotiations Team and the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) met for the first session of main table bargaining at Postal Service Headquarters in Washington, DC. Both groups entered into the meeting with sincere optimism for positive and productive negotiations in the coming sessions. The purpose of these meetings at this early stage of the proceedings is to introduce and explain all of the parties’ official bargaining proposals.

During this first substantive meeting, each side discussed their objectives and priorities. The NPMHU and the Postal Service finalized the written ground rules governing this round of collective bargaining, the nature of the subcommittees and their respective leadership, and the best ways to facilitate an efficient and fruitful round of contract negotiations.

Both parties are eager to present their proposed changes to the current contract. Acting in his capacity as chief spokesperson for the NPMHU, National President Paul Hogrogian reiterated some of the changes that the union will seek in the new contract:

Fixing the broken wage scale for new career employees that worsens with every Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA)
Addressing the issues surrounding Mail Handler Assistants, including conversion, pay, and insurance Curtailing subcontracting, outsourcing, and privatization
Minimizing the use of temporary supervisors and other unnecessary details
Who’s at the Table?

Members of the NPMHU Negotiations Team include President Hogrogian; Secretary-Treasurer Michael Hora; National CAD Manager Teresa Harmon; National CAD Representatives Neil Ryan, Thomas Ruther and Eugene Horton; and our legal team from the NPMHU General Counsel’s office. USPS management was represented by chief spokesperson Patrick M. Devine, as well as a dozen other representatives and legal counsel.

What’s Next?

Main table negotiations will continue on June 29, 2022, when representatives of the USPS and the NPMHU will meet at NPMHU Headquarters for a full day of presenting and explaining proposals to amend the National Agreement. At that time, both parties hope to begin their discussions on a host of topics with a full exchange of ideas. The parties also have formed several subcommittees, which will meet in their own sessions. These meetings are off the record and focus on particular portions of the National Agreement, considering any related proposals as a group. Several subcommittees have so far been formed, including subcommittees on Articles 11, (Holidays), 12 (Principles of Seniority, Posting, and Reassignments), 32 (Subcontracting), Mail Handler Assistants, and Memoranda of Understanding and Letters of Intent (MOUs and LOIs).

On-the-record bargaining sessions will be routinely scheduled throughout the summer. Behind the scenes, the NPMHU Negotiations Team will be caucusing constantly to ensure that all the issues and proposals being prioritized in this round are carefully considered.

Future editions of this Contract Update will outline some of what’s being discussed this year, highlighting developments in negotiations as they occur. Please check your bulletin boards, the mobile app and npmhu.org for more bargaining information throughout the coming weeks and months.

2022 No. 2 – June 23, 2022 (pdf)

Reference: NPMHU via NPMHU Local 317
 

2022 Contract Negotiations Update for the National Postal Mail Handlers Union (NPMHU)

  2022 Contract Negotiations Update for the National Postal Mail Handlers Union (NPMHU)

2022 NPMHU Contract Update #1

You are reading the first 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.

Bargaining has officially begun! By the time this is posted, representatives from the NPMHU Negotiations Team and the Postal Service will have met for the Opening Session of this round of bargaining taking place on Friday, June 10, 2022.

The Field Negotiating Committee meetings in February and this month’s meetings of the National Executive Board have produced a final package of proposals—the majority of which were submitted by members from across the country—to amend or create new provisions throughout the NPMHU National Agreement. It is our hope that these improvements will be considered, understood, accepted, and implemented by the USPS for the betterment of all mail handlers. Over the course of the next three months, our bargaining team will present each of these proposed changes during negotiations.

During Friday’s session to officially open 2022 bargaining, NPMHU National President Paul Hogrogian and Postmaster General Louis DeJoy gave opening statements setting the foundation for this year’s bargaining process. Excerpts from these statements will be available on the NPMHU website, npmhu.org, in the coming days.

Who’s at the Table?

This year’s Negotiations Team for the union will consist of President Hogrogian; Secretary-Treasurer Michael Hora; Manager of the Contract Administration Department Teresa Harmon; National CAD Representatives Neil Ryan, Thomas Ruther and Eugene Horton; and our legal team from the NPMHU General Counsel’s office. USPS management will be represented by Vice President of Labor Relations Thomas J. Blum and chief spokesperson Patrick M. Devine, as well as a host of other representatives and and legal counsel.

BARGAINING OVERVIEW

Our current National Agreement is set to expire on September 20, 2022. The goal is to obtain a tentative National Agreement, subject to membership ratification, by that date, but previous rounds of bargaining have often been extended to allow the parties to continue meeting to finalize their collaboration. However, if no final agreement is reached, and the parties reach impasse, there are alternative dispute resolution procedures to determine the changes to the National Agreement through final and binding interest arbitration.

Looking back on prior rounds of negotiations, the Union has presented its non-economic proposals first, followed by the Postal Service’s non-economic proposals. That often leads to a series of reactions and counter-proposals that will be drafted during the bargaining process.

While those subjects are being fully discussed, the Union will then develop and present its economic proposals: those which directly impact wages, benefits, premiums, and differentials. More specifically, the parties will treat Articles 9 and 21 as the key economic provisions, but will also include parts of Article 26 (clothing allowance) and Article 8 (night differential and Sunday premium pay) in the focused economic discussion.

On-the-record bargaining sessions will be routinely scheduled throughout the summer. Behind the scenes, the NPMHU Negotiations Team will be caucusing constantly to ensure that all of the issues and proposals being prioritized in this round are carefully considered. Future editions of this Contract Update will outline some of what’s being discussed this year, highlighting developments of negotiations as they occur. Please check your bulletin boards for more bargaining information throughout the coming weeks and months.

2022 Contract Update #1 (pdf)

Reference: www.npmhu.org via NPMHU 317