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Discussions on the Extension of the APWU National Agreement

Update #18-02, Nov. 1, 2002

As announced at the APWU National Presidents Conference in Seattle on Oct. 28, 2002, discussions with management are underway on the subject of extending the 2000-2003 National Agreement.

Over the past month, I have been engaged in discussions with postal management over ways to alleviate the dislocation of APWU-represented employees resulting from reduced mail volume and USPS financial difficulties.

In addition, the union expects management to recommend changes to the mail processing network early in 2003 that could lead to the closing of mail processing plants. The makeup of the Postal Service Board of Governors will change as well.

These changes would be factors in any 2003 contract bargaining. As a result, informal discussions began on the concept of a contract extension. Recently, the discussions expanded to the exchange of specific proposals.

Based upon my presentation at the Presidents' Conference, local reports are now being circulated about the discussions.

To clarify the discussions that are underway, a limited agenda is being considered, including:

• The amount of wage increases during the extension;
• Continuation of COLA (cost-of-living allowance) increases. (A contract extension would enable our members to enjoy the full benefit of COLA increases that accrue between September 2003 and the implementation of a new contract. These increases would otherwise be lost.);
• Special retirement opportunities, if approved by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM);
• Limited additional salary adjustments;
• A moratorium on excessing, until after the effects of any approved "special retirement opportunities" could be evaluated;
• Instructions on excessing procedures;
• Developmental training to provide APWU members with opportunities to become qualified for skilled positions.

No agreements have been reached at this time; we are discussing concepts and exchanging proposals. It is not assured that final agreement will be reached: Important issues are at stake and it will be extremely difficult to find common ground to resolve them.

If a tentative agreement is reached, the Rank and File Bargaining Committee will be impaneled to decide whether or not to submit the agreement to the membership for a ratification vote, as required by the APWU Constitution and Bylaws.

We will make every effort to achieve agreements that are beneficial to the membership. If agreement is not reached, we will continue preparation for 2003 negotiations that are set to begin in August.

Further information will be made available as the discussions progress.

William Burrus
President

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