Fighting Today for A Better Tomorrow

The current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), also known as a union contract, between the APWU and the USPS expired on Sept. 20, 2018. The contract determines wages, benefits and conditions of employment. On December 21, 2018 the APWU and USPS announced negotiations were at an impasse. nnArbitrator Stephen B. Goldberg was appointed as the impartial chair of the tri-partite interest arbitration panel and scheduled the opening day of the hearings for September 4, 2019. The hearings are now completed and a biding contract award was issued on 3/11/20.

Here are some ways you can show your solidarity and keep up-to-date on our contract online:

• Add the ‘Good Contract Now’ Facebook frame to your profile picture here
• Text ? CONTRACT to 91990
• Sign up for contract email updates using the form below

Use #APWUnited to post your union selfies and happening at your local on social media

Check out our Flickr for more!

In June 2018, the APWU opened formal negotiations with management. Some of the APWU’s major goals for negotiations include: 

• Ensuring job security, including protecting no lay-off provisions and limiting sub-contracting; 
• Providing fair pay raises that reward postal workers for their hard work and contributions; 
• Bridging the gaps between the divisive “three tier” wage and benefit structure; 
• Protecting and expanding career jobs;
• Uplifting the Postal Support Employee (PSE) workforce;
• Holding abusive managers accountable; 
• Expanding and enhancing postal services.

Negotiations are never easy. They are especially challenging in the current political environment. The APWU’s success will depend on how much power and leverage can be mustered with member involvement and public support.

By successfully doing this in 2015, the union made real progress in the last contract. 

Over the next year, the APWU will be building momentum, utilizing contract action teams, wearing union gear and educating postal customers. There will be many opportunities – and much need – for members to get involved as the fight continues into interst arbitration. 

The American Postal Workers Union has embarked on a campaign to involve union members in the fight for a good contract. This means sharing information on the workroom floor and winning community support for the struggle to secure better service and good jobs.

Contract Action Teams (CATs) are designed to fulfill this mission. CATs will be the principal method of informing and mobilizing members.  The more members that get involved, the better!

CATs can:

• Share flyers with updates about negotiations and upcoming activities;
• Establish a text messaging group, email list or newsletter;
• Conduct outreach to potential allies beyond the Postal Service to explain why their support is needed;
• Organize activities, such as T-shirt days, button days, sticker days, etc., to publicize the issues, and
• Develop new ideas for building support for our goals.

Local leaders interested in participating should complete a CAT sign-up form. Click here for a downloadable CAT form!