The National Association of Letter Carriers, or NALC, is a labor union that represents over 200,000 postal workers in the United States. In May 2017, the NALC reached a tentative national agreement with the United States Postal Service (USPS) that outlined various changes to wages, benefits, and working conditions for its members.
One of the key aspects of the agreement was a general wage increase for letter carriers. Starting in November 2017, letter carriers received a 1.3% pay raise, followed by another 1.3% raise in November 2018. Additionally, the agreement included a new top step in the letter carrier pay scale, which increased the maximum salary for veteran carriers.
The agreement also addressed concerns around health care benefits. Under the new agreement, the USPS agreed to continue offering the current health care plan for letter carriers, without making any changes to the benefits or premiums. The USPS also agreed to increase its contribution to the health care plan, which helps to offset some of the costs for letter carriers.
Another significant change included in the agreement was the expansion of the use of assistant rural carriers (ARCs). ARCs are part-time employees who deliver mail on rural routes. Under the new agreement, ARCs can be used to provide service on regular city routes, as well as rural routes. This change helps to provide more flexibility in staffing and scheduling for the USPS.
In addition to these key changes, the agreement also included provisions related to overtime, holiday scheduling, and training for new employees. These changes are designed to improve working conditions for letter carriers, while also ensuring that the USPS can continue to provide high-quality service to its customers.
Overall, the NALC national agreement for 2017 represents an important step forward for postal workers in the United States. By addressing key concerns around wages, benefits, and working conditions, the agreement helps to support the hardworking men and women who deliver the mail every day. As the USPS continues to evolve in the digital age, it is essential that workers are supported and valued in their roles as letter carriers.