Local Memorandum of Understanding Negotiations

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

The APWU and USPS reached a Tentative Agreement (TA) on our Collective Bargaining Agreement on June 2, 2025, covering the period from Sept. 21, 2024, through Sept. 20, 2027. The Rank and File Bargaining Advisory Committee received and approved the TA to go out to our APWU members for a ratification vote on June 4. APWU members ratified the contract, which became effective by signing on July 11.

Next up is the opportunity to open local negotiations. Both the local union and management have an equal right to open negotiations, so don’t get caught off guard! Remember to think carefully before you decide if you really want to open negotiations, putting items you have previously secured at risk.

The timeline for local implementation for the 2024-2027 contract term has been agreed upon. Negotiations will take place for 30 consecutive days within a 60-day period. That 60-day period will begin on Oct. 6, and end on Dec. 5. Each party that wishes to open negotiations must provide written notice of intent to negotiate no later than Oct. 20.

Hopefully, you have been preparing for this opportunity by reviewing your Local Memorandum of Understanding (LMOU), making notations of items that present issues and giving the members an opportunity to provide input for proposals by engaging them in the process. Use this as an opportunity to get your members involved and even as a tool for organizing.

The Pillars of a Union

The pillars of a union include collective bargaining, securing worker benefits, and nurturing solidarity. These are just a few; let’s talk about some more.

Members – Unions build strength and unity by engaging their members from the front line and collaborating with them to encourage them to activate in the labor movement. Members want to be valued, participate, and have a voice in their union. They must always be a priority, and their input considered.

Representation – Unions represent members in so many ways. The grievance procedure is just one example of representation, along with negotiating a contract, securing wages, hours, and working conditions to include safety in the workplace. Fighting back on issues that negatively impact the Postal Service, its workers, and the union’s mission is what it’s about..

Community – We must involve our communities in our collective effort to protect the People’s Post Office and stop privatization, which in turn will help with our efforts related to job security. Family, friends, neighbors, places of worship, stores, store clerks, transportation workers, such as taxis and rideshares are all examples of how our communities can be a part and play a role. We must share our story with as many as we can, and often.

Legislative – Unions are important for building relationships with all representatives, whether federal, state, or local governments, regardless of which side of the aisle they stand. We must teach and encourage our front-line members to be active and establish allies, which is critical to our survival.

Article 12.5.C.4

I am informed that locals are receiving Article 12.5.C.4 notifications, “Implementing Excess Events within an Installation of Employees Excess to the Needs of a Section.” Article 12.5.A.4, in conjunction with 12.5.B.3, provides for advanced notification of six months, whenever possible, at the local level. In addition, Article 30 Item # 18 in your LMOU will be crucial in identifying your sections in an installation. Article 37.3.B.2 is also important language, identifying all positions junior to the senior employee who had their job abolished to be reposted for bid, allowing seniority to rule.

Remember to be kind to one another; you never know what a person may be going through. I, along with my colleague coordinators: Amy Puhalski, Central Region Coordinator, Tiffany Foster, Northeast Region Coordinator, Omar Gonzalez, Western Region Coordinator, and Yared Wonde, Southern Region Coordinator, are here to help in any way we can.