Since early April, more than 4,500 Mail Handler Assistants have been hired by the Postal Service into the NPMHU bargaining unit. Early reports indicate that an extremely large percentage of these new postal employees have joined the NPMHU, and the NPMHU welcomes each and every MHA to the Postal Service and to the Union.

Under the 2011 National Agreement, the terms of which were determined by the Fishgold Arbitration Award, newly hired MHAs will be the only source for future career hiring within the mail handler craft. MHAs are hired for terms of 360 calendar days, at wage rates that are set by contract and will be increased each year, in November 2013 (by 2%), in November 2014 (by 2.5%), and in November 2015 (by 2.5%). MHAs also earn night shift differential; time and one-half for all overtime work; annual leave; and relative standing based on their date of hire. MHAs also have access to the grievance and arbitration procedure, so if an MHA is having a dispute with management, is called into a meeting with supervisors or management that may lead to discipline, or actually is the subject of discipline, it is imperative that the MHA contact his or her shop steward immediately. And, of course, shop stewards and other NPMHU representatives always are available to answer questions or discuss other work-related matters.

Thank you for your service, and welcome to the NPMHU.