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.
Contract Negotiations Update
(This article first appeared in the September-October issue of the American Postal Worker magazine)
The APWU and postal management have now been engaged in negotiations for more than two months. The APWU National Negotiations Committee (NNC) consists of President Mark Dimondstein, Executive Vice President Debby Szeredy, Secretary/Treasurer Liz Powell, Industrial Relations Director Vance Zimmerman, Clerk Craft Director Lamont Brooks, Maintenance Craft Director Idowu Balogun, Motor Vehicle Service Director Michael Foster, and Support Services Craft Director Stephen Brooks. The Negotiations Committee meets weekly, at minimum, to plan, refine proposals and develop strategy. In addition, the Craft Directors met individually with Lead Negotiator President Dimondstein and Chief Spokesperson Director Zimmerman to coordinate efforts. Many other officers and staff are also working diligently with research and planning.
Latest News from the Industrial Relations Department
September 21, 2021
Negotiations Update: APWU and USPS “Stop the Clock” to Continue Bargaining for a New Contract
The collective bargaining agreement (union contract) between the American Postal Workers Union and the United States...
September 10, 2021
Vaccination Mandates by President Biden
Until this emergency rule is developed, the APWU will not know if it applies to Postal Service employees. Once the...
September 1, 2021
Contract Update: Union & Management “Locking Down” Ahead of September 20 Expiration
Beginning September 7, the National Negotiations Committee (NNC) will lock down with postal management for a week of...
August 27, 2021
September 2 is ‘National Gear Day’!
With our contract expiring September 20, negotiations are in full swing! Show your support for APWU – Our Union, Our...
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