Another Round of Bargaining Completed

(This article appeared in the July/August 2025 issue of The American Postal Worker magazine)

The APWU and the Postal Service have concluded contract negotiations for a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). The APWU and Motor Vehicle Service (MVS) fought very hard to protect the gains made in the previous contracts, along with our demands to improve employee pay and benefits. Our commitment to the MVS craft was unwavering – we made no concessions in our attempt to improve the contract.

Negotiations are always challenging, and each side strives to secure gains that will benefit their interests. Both parties submitted numerous proposals that were not agreed upon. During these negotiations, we proposed and bargained unsuccessfully for upgrades for all MVS positions. While we always seek to move the craft forward during negotiations, the Postal Service submitted only concessionary proposals during these negotiations. Despite their efforts, none of our previous gains were lost. We thank Atlanta Metro Area Local MVS Director Darryl Gause and the MVS Council for their participation. Highlights of the changes to the MVS craft are below.

Retention of the Highway Contract Limitation Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)

This MOU continues the moratorium on any new subcontracting on mail transportation by Highway Contracted Routes (HCRs) in offices where PVS drivers are currently employed. The retention of this MOU continues the parties’ commitment to finding efficiencies in PVS. The fight to stop the subcontracting of highway movement of mail and grow the MVS craft continues.

Article 39.2.A.11

These changes give MVS Part-Time Flexible employees the opportunity to apply for a residual Full-Time Regular duty assignment outside of their current occupational group when the duty assignment is posted to the MVS craft, before the position is offered to non-MVS employees. This is a significant change for those employees who are looking for promotion opportunities in different occupational groups.

Preventing 204B Conversions

We negotiated language that prevents employees in a 204B (acting supervisors) from being converted to Career or Full-Time Regular status during the non-bargaining unit detail. The previous language only prevented 204B employees from bidding or exercising retreat rights.

Maintaining MVS Training Initiatives Committee MOU

We made changes that are intended to increase training opportunities and require headquarters-level involvement of both parties.

Transfer Seniority

We negotiated language concerning the seniority of employees when management, at the employee’s current facility, fails to timely release the employee to the new installation. The new language gives that employee seniority in the new installation at the time the transfer was approved.

Threshold Cost Figures

The Postal Service proposed raising the threshold cost figures for HCRs in Article 32.2 G. The current language requires the USPS to provide the APWU with notification of those HCRs of a fixed annual rate of no more than $100,000 per annum, but not over 350 miles in roundtrip length, spotting, shuttle or drayage of a cost more than $45,000 per annum. We negotiated additional language to be notified of HCRs that are 400 miles in round-trip length and agreed to raise the threshold notification amount to $150,000. This amount had not been raised in over 30 years. The goal is that the additional mileage provides opportunities to capture additional HCRs.

Article 39.3.K

The parties agreed to add language to Article 39.3.K. This change adds VMRA, “Vehicle Maintenance Repair Agreement,” in reference to vehicle maintenance agreements (VMAs) with a subcontractor. This change reaffirms that there should be an agreement in effect when the USPS contracts out Vehicle Maintenance Facility (VMF) repairs. The Postal Service’s proposal included several other documents that could be used instead of a VMA. Negotiations will always be intense, in spite of the current political climate, the craft made modest improvements.

The Struggle Continues. ■