The National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) has been gearing up for contract negotiations in 2020. The current contract between the NALC and the United States Postal Service (USPS) expires on September 20, 2020, and negotiations for the next contract are expected to begin shortly.
The NALC represents over 200,000 letter carriers employed by the USPS, making it one of the largest unions in the country. With such a large membership, the outcome of the contract talks will have a significant impact on the daily operations of the USPS and the job security of its employees.
One of the biggest issues on the table is the potential for changes to the current delivery model. The USPS has been struggling financially in recent years, and some have suggested that changes to the delivery model – such as cutting Saturday delivery or consolidating routes – could help to save money.
The NALC has been vocal in its opposition to these proposals, arguing that they would have a negative impact on both letter carriers and the communities they serve. They have also pushed for improvements to working conditions, including better safety equipment and increased staffing to reduce the workload on individual carriers.
Another issue that is likely to come up during the negotiations is pay and benefits. The current contract includes annual pay increases and cost-of-living adjustments, as well as health and retirement benefits for letter carriers. The NALC will be fighting to ensure that these benefits are maintained and improved in the next contract.
With negotiations set to begin soon, both the NALC and the USPS will be preparing their bargaining positions and hoping to come to an agreement that is satisfactory for all parties involved. In the meantime, letter carriers and their communities will be watching closely to see how the talks unfold and what changes – if any – will be made to the delivery model and working conditions.
In conclusion, the NALC contract talk in 2020 is a crucial event that will impact the lives of many letter carriers and the communities they serve. As negotiations begin, it will be important to keep a close eye on the issues being discussed and the proposals being put forward by both sides. Ultimately, the goal will be to reach an agreement that balances the financial needs of the USPS with the job security and well-being of its employees.