2025 No. 5 – August 28, 2025 (pdf)

You are reading the fifth Contract Update produced and distributed by the NPMHU during the course of 2025 negotiations. These updates, along with the Union’s magazine and monthly bulletins, will keep mail handlers throughout the country informed and involved in the issues raised during this round of bargaining. 

With less than one month until the expiration of the 2022 contract between the NPMHU and USPS, bargaining between both of the parties continues in full force. As both sides prepare for their round-the-clock bargaining sessions in a few weeks, the USPS and NPMHU continue to submit and revise proposals. 

The Postal Service Negotiations Team submitted their first official proposals during Main Table Bargaining this week, addressing issues in holiday scheduling and the grievance process. The NPMHU Negotiations team continue to revise their proposals to increase the odds of their acceptance while still ensuring maximum benefit to the bargaining unit.

Outside the Main Tables sessions, the parties continue to meet in subcommittees. These off-the-record sessions allow the parties to explore the proposals and to address any issues or concerns.

Most recently, the subcommittees focusing on 204B/Group Leaders, MHAs, Article 12, and Article 8 met to discuss the NPMHU proposals. The NPMHU Negotiations Team has been explaining why our proposals are important and necessary changes that should be adopted. At the heart of these discussions have been proposals to reduce involuntary overtime and overscheduling on holidays, as well as to curb the overuse of 204Bs.  

In preparation for the more intense focus on economic issues, the Postal Service provided the NPMHU Negotiations Team with a presentation both on Postal operations, which included an in-depth discussion of the Delivering for America Plan, and a presentation on the current and anticipated future state of Postal finances. 

During both meetings, members of the NPMHU Negotiating Team asked detailed questions to better understand the impact the operational plans and financial condition of the Postal Service will have on the Mail Handler craft.

As the proposal deadline of September 8 draws closer, and with additional main table sessions scheduled for next week, the NPMHU team expects to receive more proposals and counterproposals from USPS. On September 13, NPMHU and Postal negotiators will check into the Madison Hotel in Washington, D.C. to begin round-the-clock negotiations with the goal of reaching an agreement by September 20.

The NPMHU remains confident that this round of negotiations will yield a contract that is good for the NPMHU, the Mail Handler Craft, the USPS, and the American mailing public. Please continue to check your board for continuing updates on negotiations for the 2025 contract.