Guffey: ‘Real Efforts’ to Reach Agreement Begin

“Real efforts” to reach an agreement with the Postal Service on the terms of a new contract began Monday afternoon when the union’s top negotiators held a closed-door meeting with high-ranking postal officials, APWU President Cliff Guffey said. Meeting with management’s representatives along with Guffey were: Executive Vice President Greg Bell, Director of Industrial Relations Mike Morris, Clerk Craft Director Rob Strunk, Maintenance Craft Director Steve Raymer, and Motor Vehicle Services Craft Director Bob Pritchard.

“We had a good meeting,” Guffey told the union’s Rank and File Bargaining Advisory Committee Tuesday morning. “We discussed returning jobs to our bargaining unit.”

Restoring work that has been subcontracted or assigned to managerial personnel will bring stability to APWU members who have suffered extensive excessing and reassignments, Guffey has repeatedly pointed out. It also will benefit the Postal Service, since APWU members can perform the work less expensively, he noted.

The union and management are scheduled to meet again on Tuesday, Nov. 16. The Collective Bargaining Agreement expires Nov. 20.

For updates on negotiations and the latest developments from the bargaining table, please visit www.apwu.org frequently. Members are also encouraged to follow the union on Twitter and Facebook to receive up-to-the-minute alerts by e-mail or text message. Click here to learn how.