USPS, Major Union Reach Tentative Deal
WASHINGTON, DC—The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) and the American Postal Workers Union AFL-CIO (APWU) have reached agreement on a tentative four-and-a-half-year contract, the USPS reported. Upon ratification by union membership, which is expected to take place within two months, the agreement will run through May 20, 2015, and affect approximately 205,000 employees.
“This is a responsible agreement that is in the best interest of our employees, our customers and the future of the Postal Service,” said Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe. “The contract will help lay a foundation that is fair to our employees and stakeholders.”
The USPS feels that terms of the new APWU contract set the stage for “a more flexible and cost-effective workforce to accommodate America’s changing mailing trends.” Some of the pact's key provisions include economic provisions that address critical USPS needs to control labor costs, and enhanced flexibility to match its workforce with workload.