Negotiations between the NPMHU and the Postal Service over the terms of the 2025 National Agreement are in full swing in Washington, D.C. The NPMHU Negotiations Team has already met with USPS officials for several Main Table bargaining sessions. National President Paul Hogrogian, with assistance from the Contract Administration Department (CAD) and the General Counsel’s Office, has presented USPS with sixty-nine non-economic proposals thus far for amending the terms of the National Agreement.

The NPMHU proposals are aimed at changing several aspects of the current contract to help promote the welfare of the Mail Handler craft and the Postal Service. These changes include addressing the pay, benefits, and conversion rates of Mail Handler Assistants (MHAs) and recently converted career employees. The NPMHU has made proposals aimed at curtailing the use of temporary supervisors, as well as restricting the amount of outsourcing, subcontracting, and privatization of work that falls under the Mail Handler craft.

Beyond the Main Table bargaining, the NPMHU negotiations team will be working hard to resolve and clarify issues in various Subcommittee meetings. These smaller sessions focus on individual topics or discuss proposed changes to a particular article in the National Agreement. Thus far, the NPMHU and USPS have agreed to subcommittees that will focus on issues like Article 8 Hours of Work, Article 11 Holidays, Article 12 Principles of Seniority Posting and Reassignment, Article 32 Subcontracting, Mail Handlers Assistants, 204B Acting Supervisors, and Memoranda of Understanding and Letters of Intent (MOUs and LOIs).

While Main Table bargaining is the on-the-record portion of contract negotiations where full provisions are agreed to, the behind-the-scenes subcommittee meetings are an invaluable part of the negotiations process and facilitate a much more efficient and effective bargaining process.

The NPMHU Negotiations Team remains optimistic that bargaining will produce a fair and fruitful contract that is good for the mail handlers, the United States Postal Service, and the American mailing public.

NPMHU MOURNS PASSING OF TERRY DONAHUE
FORMER DIRECTOR OF THE NORTHEAST REGIONAL OFFICE

It is with regret and sorrow that the National Office announces the passing of Brother Terry Donahue, retired Northeast Regional Director.

Terry retired on August 31, 2012. Terry started his career as a Mail Handler in 1976 at the Springfield, MA Bulk Mail Center. After serving as a Shop Steward and Step 2 designee, Terry was appointed to the Northeast Regional Office as the Regional Representative in 1993 and was subsequently promoted to Director of the Northeast Regional Office in 2011.

He will be missed, but certainly not forgotten. Please keep the Donahue Family in your thoughts and prayers.