The Industrial Relations Department plays a major role in our organization's ongoing struggle for better wages and improved working conditions and benefits.
Resources from the Industrial Relations Department
Coronavirus disease 2019 Resources
Previously Adopted Labor Management Resolutions 2012-2018
The previously adopted labor management resolutions passed the delegates to the national conventions up through 2018 has been posted. This resource should be used by state and local organizations when preparing convention resolutions for submission.
APWU Members Deserve a Good Contract That Rewards Your Sacrifices
(This article first appeared in the July/August 2021 issue of the American Postal Worker magazine)
On September 20, 2021, the current collective bargaining agreement expires. The APWU contract is one of the largest collective bargaining agreements for workers in America today. In fact, it is the largest collective bargaining agreement that is being negotiated in the United States this year. Over the last 50 years the APWU contract has helped millions of hard-working Americans and their families of all races, colors, and genders become and stay part of the working class. Over the decades APWU members have proudly served the American people and kept the People’s Post Office functioning through their tireless service. This is especially true today.
Latest News from the Industrial Relations Department
July 28, 2021
APWU Statement on Mandatory Vaccination for Federal Employees
Various media outlets have reported that the White House is considering mandatory COVID-19 vaccination as a condition...
July 9, 2021
APWU Members Deserve a Good Contract That Rewards Your Sacrifices
(This article first appeared in the July/August 2021 issue of the American Postal Worker magazine) On September 20,...
June 29, 2021
Supporters at Virtual Rally Join the Fight for APWU – Our Contract, Our Union, Our Future as Negotiations Begin
On June 21, APWU members, allies, and postal supporters from around the country tuned in to a Virtual Kickoff Rally...
June 22, 2021
President Dimondstein's Opening Comments – National Negotiations 2021 (June 22, 2021)
On June 22, 2021, APWU entered into negotiations with USPS management on a new collective bargaining agreement. The...
About the Industrial Relations Department
The Director of Industrial Relations is charged with responsibility for labor management, national negotiations, mechanization, safety and health for all divisions of the union, and the administration of the collective bargaining agreement.
The Industrial Relations Department's responsibilities and duties include the following activities:
- Administration of the contract negotiation process
- Interpretation and application of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (specifically Articles 1 through 36)
- Appointment and payment of arbitrators
- National-level grievances and disputes
- Compliance with arbitration awards
- Safety and Health
- Appeals to the "Administrative Dispute Resolution Process" (e.g., Step Promotion, Lump Sum, National Level Settlement)
- Family Medical Leave Act appeals and related issues
- Unfair Labor Practice charges
- Legal issues such as Privacy Act, Merit System Protection Board (MSPB) law and procedure, Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and Veterans Preference Act
- Collective Bargaining Reports (CBRs)
- Administration of computerized systems concerning the grievance-arbitration process and other provisions of the National Agreement through APWU Search, the Arbitration Payment and Scheduling System (APSS), the Step 3 Case Administration System (Step 3 CAS) and the Step 4 Case Administration System (Step 4 CAS)
- Tracking and reporting on the Consumer Price Index
- Research of arbitration, court and administrative decisions