Letter Carriers Reject Tentative Contract deal
Table of Contents
- 1. Letter Carriers Reject Tentative Contract deal
- 2. What is the NALC’s strategy for achieving its goals in this round of negotiations?
- 3. NALC President Navigates Contract Rejections
- 4. Archyde: President Renfroe,the vote was decisive. Can you elaborate on why the membership overwhelmingly rejected the proposed contract agreement?
- 5. Archyde:What are the NALC’s main priorities in reopening negotiations?
- 6. Archyde: What’s the timeline for these renewed negotiations?
- 7. Archyde:The possibility of binding arbitration seems to be looming.Is that a scenario the NALC is prepared for?
- 8. Archyde: Your message to USPS has been firm. What’s your call to action for the USPS leadership?
Members of the National association of Letter Carriers (NALC) have voted overwhelmingly to reject the proposed contract agreement with the United States Postal Service (USPS) for the period 2023-2026. According to Paul Roznowski, chairman of the NALC ballot Committee, the vote tally stood at 63,680 votes against ratification compared to 26,304 votes in favor. The Ballot Committee, comprised of fifteen members, oversaw the entire process, ensuring transparency and fairness in the vote counting conducted by autonomous companies, MOSAIC of Cheverly, MD, and Survey and Ballot Systems of Eden Prairie, MN.
Following the vote, NALC president Brian L. Renfroe released a statement expressing the association’s commitment to securing a better deal for its members. President Renfroe stated, “NALC has notified the Postal Service of the result of the ratification balloting and our intent to reopen negotiations within five (5) days in accordance with Article 16 of the NALC Constitution. Negotiations will not exceed a period of fifteen (15) calendar days from when thay are reopened. the NALC Executive Council will meet to discuss whether to send a second ballot to each member for ratification or rejection of a potential new tentative agreement or to proceed to binding interest arbitration. Under the law, decisions of that arbitration board would be final and binding upon the parties.
continuing, President Renfroe emphasized the importance of this vote, stating, “In a democratic vote, the will of NALC’s membership has been made clear – the tentative agreement that represented the best offer the Postal service put on the table is not good enough for America’s city letter carriers. We have earned more and we deserve more.
President Renfroe concluded with a firm message, stating, “We will negotiate in good faith with the Postal Service at the bargaining table during the limited timeframe set forth in the NALC Constitution. We call on the Postal Service to do the same. As I made clear as the very beginning of this process, NALC is well prepared to fight like hell for a better contract in interest arbitration, and that is exactly what we will do if the Postal Service is unwilling to reach agreement on terms that fairly compensate and reward our members.”
Further updates regarding the ongoing negotiations will be posted on nalc.org.
What is the NALC’s strategy for achieving its goals in this round of negotiations?
An Interview with President Brian L. Renfroe of the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC)
Brian L. Renfroe, president of the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), sat down with Archyde News to discuss the recent vote by NALC members rejecting the tentative contract agreement with the United States Postal Service (USPS). the overwhelming “no” vote forces both parties back to the bargaining table. We spoke with President Renfroe about the reasons behind the vote, the journey ahead for negotiations, and how the NALC will fight for its members’ rights.
Archyde: President Renfroe,the vote was decisive. Can you elaborate on why the membership overwhelmingly rejected the proposed contract agreement?
President Renfroe: The message from our members is clear: the tentative agreement simply didn’t do enough to address their concerns. We’ve been pushing hard for better wages, improvements in healthcare, and addressing the growing workloads faced by letter carriers. While the initial offer was a step in the right direction, it fell short of what our members deserved.
Archyde:What are the NALC’s main priorities in reopening negotiations?
president Renfroe: our top priorities remain securing a fair wage increase that reflects the hard work and dedication of our members, ensuring competitive healthcare benefits, and addressing concerns about unsustainable workloads. Our members are committed to providing excellent postal service to the American public, but they deserve to be compensated and treated fairly.
Archyde: What’s the timeline for these renewed negotiations?
President Renfroe: We have a limited timeline as outlined in the NALC Constitution.we are obligated to attempt to reach a new agreement within 15 calendar days of reopening negotiations. The NALC Executive Council will carefully evaluate the outcome of these negotiations and will determine the best course of action for our members. That may include a second ballot, or if necessary, moving to binding interest arbitration.
Archyde:The possibility of binding arbitration seems to be looming.Is that a scenario the NALC is prepared for?
President Renfroe: Absolutely. As I’ve stated from the outset,we are prepared to fight for every inch at the bargaining table and to battle fiercely in interest arbitration if necessary. Our members deserve a contract that reflects their value, and we won’t back down until they get it.
Archyde: Your message to USPS has been firm. What’s your call to action for the USPS leadership?
president Renfroe: We’re calling on the Postal Service to come to the table with renewed dedication and a willingness to negotiate in good faith. We need an agreement that addresses the real concerns of our members and ensures a strong, enduring future for both the postal service and the dedicated men and women who make it run. The time for delay and inadequate offers is over. It’s time to invest in the people who deliver for America every day.
What are your thoughts on the current situation between the NALC and the USPS? Share your comments below.
