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National Postal Mail Handlers Union A Division of LIUNA (AFL-CIO)

Media Center / Mail Handler Update

NPMHU-USPS Bargaining Continues

NPMHU-USPS BARGAINING CONTINUES

Negotiations between the NPMHU and the Postal Service over the terms of the 2022 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 over 30 proposals thus far for amending the terms of the National Agreement.

In addition to the traditional proposals for increasing base pay and continuing the semi-annual cost-of-living adjustments, many of NPMHU proposals are aimed at changing several other 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.  Furthermore, the NPMHU has made proposals aimed at curtailing the use of temporary supervisors and frivolous work details, as well as limit or restrict 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 is 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 Memoranda of Understanding and Letters of Intent (MOUs and LOIs), on Article 11 holidays, and on Mail Handler Assistants (MHAs). Several of the committees have already met and are making slow but steady progress.

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.

Please watch your bulletin boards for the latest information.

NPMHU CONVENTION IN DENVER DRAWS NEAR

After two years of delay due to the global Covid-19 pandemic, the NPMHU will finally be holding its National Convention in Denver, Colorado. The Convention will feature four days in the Mile High City from August 8 through August 11. Throughout the months of June and July, various committees comprised of delegates elected to the 2020 NPMHU National Convention have gathered in Washington D.C. to make preparations.  Though the role of each committee has been different, all of their members have been working diligently to ensure that the Convention’s proceedings are organized and give the NPMHU the tools to set its course for the future.

The Constitution Committee, chaired by David Wilkin (NPMHU Local 309 and the Northeastern Regional Vice President), was the first committee to meet and reviewed all the proposed changes to the NPMHU National and Local Union Constitutions that were timely submitted by the Local Unions and the membership.  With nearly 100 submissions, the committee spent three days reviewing and discussing the proposed amendments.  After several sessions and healthy debate, the Constitution Committee is ready to present its recommended changes to the general body on the Convention floor.

The Legislative Committee, chaired by June Harris (NPMHU Local 306 and Central Region Vice President), was the second to meet.  Although not specifically required by the National Constitution, the Legislative Committee was appointed by President Hogrogian, pursuant to his authority under Article XII, Section 9 of the National Constitution to create relevant committees.  The 2020 Legislative Committee, working with Katie Maddocks, Director of the NPMHU’s Legislative and Political Office, will help to guide the political priorities and direction of the NPMHU.  After meeting for two days at NPMHU HQ, the Legislative Committee passed its recommended resolutions on to the Resolutions Committee.

The Resolutions Committee, chaired by Lawrence Sapp (Southern Region Vice President), was tasked with reviewing and recommending resolutions to be discussed and voted on at the Convention.  After three days of meetings, the Resolutions Committee endorsed all of the resolutions passed to them by the Legislative Committee and approved many of its own.  If passed by the delegates at the Convention, these resolutions will provide important statements of NPMHU policy and activity.

Soon, the Credentials Committee will certify and issue credentials for all the delegates attending the Convention, with all changes that reflect the withdrawal of delegates over the past two years.  Because of the passage of time, there are more changes than usual heading into this year’s Convention.

All Mail Handlers serving on the separate committees are very proud of the work that they have accomplished and look forward to finally being able to gather for the National Convention.  Final written reports from each of these Committees will be distributed, upon registration, to the delegates attending the Convention.  After nearly two years of delay, and six years since the last 2016 National Convention, it is certain that all officers, committee members, and delegates are looking forward to a productive and enjoyable week at the 2020 National Convention to be held in Denver, Colorado in August 2022.

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