An award has recently been issued by Arbitrator Herbert Fishgold which sets the terms of a new four-year contract between the National Rural Letter Carriers Association and the USPS. The award was announced on Dec. 5, 2007.
A link to the complete arbitration award is listed below, which includes a separate statement from NRLCA Arbitrator Dennis D. Clark.
Major points of the recently announced interest arbitration award are as follows:
The 2006 National Agreement will have a four-year term, beginning Nov. 21, 2006, and expiring at midnight, Nov. 20, 2010. Unless otherwise provided, this Agreement shall be effective with the issuance of this Award.
General wage increases will be awarded as follows, based on the basic annual salary for each step for the grade and step in effect on Sept. 2, 2006:
Effective Nov. 25, 2006 1.2% increase.
Effective Nov. 24, 2007 1.5% increase
Effective Nov. 22, 2008 1.5% increase
Effective Nov. 21, 2009 1.5% increase
Total increase for duration of contract: 5.7%
Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) will continue under the current formula, with a base index of May 2007. COLA roll-in for the RCA/RCRs will occur in February 2011.
One-time cash payment of $686 for all eligible full-time rural carriers, not to be included in basic pay. All other career rural carriers shall receive a one-time cash payment in proportion to the number of paid hours in the year prior to the effective date of payment.
Equipment Maintenance Allowance (EMA) will continue except the base rate of 38.5 cents will be
increased by 7.5 cents as follows:
Effective January 2008 3.0 cents
Effective October 2008 2.0 cents
Effective October 2009 2.5 cents
Health Benefit Premiums will be adjusted to decrease the Employers contribution as follows:
Effective Plan Year 2009 2%
Effective Plan Year 2010 1 %
Effective Plan Year 2011 1%
Temporary Relief Carriers ("TRC") The formula for determining the number of TRCs shall be changed to a cap of 15% of all regular rural routes at the Area level.
Change of Address Credits will be 15 seconds for each 3982 label (yellow label) received during the mail count unless the carrier is required to perform any additional duties of completing Forms 3575, 3546, and/or writing addresses on Form 3982. In such instances, the credit for the 3982 label will be 2 minutes.
A Revenue Generation Memorandum of Understanding which will be tied to the stamp stock weekly credit states rural carriers must engage in revenue generating initiatives with customers, making them aware of services and products available through the USPS.
The USPS will provide 15,000 postal-owned vehicles (3,000 per year) on rural routes from 2009-2013.
Other
provisions of the new agreement shall incorporate the changes set forth in the Tentative
Agreement reached by the parties on Dec. 8,
2006, that was later voted down by the membership.