|
Courtesy of Postal Employee Network
* Indicates contracts that
were decided in arbitration
Source: APWU
|
|
Date |
Salary |
Increase |
|
1969 |
$8,442 |
|
|
(Prior to the enactment of the Postal Reorganization Act) |
|
www.postalemployeenetwork.com |
|
|
|
1970 |
$9,657 |
14.39% |
|
Following the March 1970 strike by postal employees, the enactment
of the Postal Reorganization Act mandated salary increases of no
less than 6 percent effective Dec. 27, 1969, and 8 percent effective
July 18, 1970, as well as a continuation of federal benefits. |
| |
|
|
|
1971 – 1973 |
$11,073 |
14.66% |
|
The 1971 negotiations resulted in a contract that continued postal
work rules and working conditions; provided for salary increases,
and included a “capped” cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). All the
major postal unions were part of a single bargaining committee, and
the two-year agreement was ratified by the members of the unions. |
|
www.postalemployeenetwork.com |
|
|
|
1973 – 1975 |
$13,483 |
21.76% |
|
Agreement was reached prior to the expiration of the statutory
negotiations period (90 days). The COLA cap was lifted. The two year
agreement was ratified by the membership. All major postal unions
were included in a single bargaining committee. |
| |
|
|
|
1975 – 1978 |
$16,501 |
22.38% |
|
A negotiated agreement was reached within the statutory period, with
flat dollar salary increases in each year of the contract. The
three-year agreement was ratified by union members. All major postal
unions participated in the bargaining committee. |
| |
|
|
|
1978 – 1981* |
$21,630 |
31.08% |
|
Negotiations resulted in a tentative agreement that included a
capped COLA. The APWU Rank-and-File Bargaining Advisory Committee
rejected the agreement, as did union members. Binding arbitration –
provided for under the Postal Reorganization Act – was invoked to
resolve the impasse. Arbitrator James J. Healy was retained to
decide the COLA and no-layoff provisions. Locals threatened to
strike. The bargaining committee included the APWU, National
Association of Letter Carriers, and National Postal Mail Handlers
Union. The National Rural Letters Carriers Association negotiated
separately. The arbitrator’s ruling uncapped the COLA and required
six years of continuous service to achieve protection against
layoff. The contract term was three years. |
| |
|
|
|
1981 – 1984 |
$24,173 |
11.76% |
|
Negotiations resulted in a tentative agreement within the statutory
period. The bargaining committee included the APWU and NALC. The
three-year agreement was ratified by the membership of the two
unions. The National Postal Mail Handlers Union and National Rural
Letter Carriers Association negotiated separately. |
|
www.postalemployeenetwork.com |
|
|
|
1984 – 1987* |
$27,401 |
13.35% |
|
Negotiations resulted in arbitration. Arbitrator Clark Kerr
interpreted the standard of “wage comparability” required by the
Postal Reorganization Act, and issued an award covering a 42-month
period. The bargaining committee included the APWU and NALC. |
| |
|
|
|
1987 – 1990 |
$31,766 |
15.93% |
|
Negotiations resulted in a three-year tentative agreement, which was
ratified by the membership. The bargaining committee included the
APWU and NALC. |
| |
|
|
|
1990 – 1994* |
$35,604 |
12.08% |
|
Negotiations resulted in referral to arbitration. Arbitrator Richard
Mittenthal imposed a four-year agreement, which included
Transitional Employees. He referred the issue of the employer’s
contribution to health benefit premiums to a separate process.
Arbitrator Rolph Valtin decided the issue of health benefits premium
payment in 1993, which resulted in a 4 percent increase in
employees’ share of healthcare costs. The APWU and NALC bargained
together. |
| |
|
|
|
1994 – 1998* |
$37,831 |
6.25% |
|
Negotiations resulted in referral to arbitration. Arbitrator Jack
Clarke imposed a four-year agreement. Each of the postal unions
bargained separately. |
|
www.postalemployeenetwork.com |
|
|
|
1998 – 2000 |
$40,472 |
6.98% |
|
Negotiations resulted in a two-year agreement, which was ratified by
the membership. Each of the postal unions bargained separately. |
| |
|
|
|
2000 – 2003* |
$43,099 |
6.49% |
|
Negotiations resulted in referral to arbitration. Arbitrator Stephen
B. Goldberg imposed a three-year agreement. Each postal union
negotiated separately. |
| |
|
|
|
2003 – 2005 |
$45,997 |
6.72% |
|
APWU and USPS agreed to a two-year extension of the 2000- 2003
contract. The extension was ratified by the membership. |
| |
|
|
|
2005 – 2006 |
$47,996 |
4.35% |
|
APWU and USPS agreed to a one-year contract extension, which was
ratified by the membership. |
| |
|
|
|
2006 – 2010 |
(Estimated at) $52,747 |
9.90% |
|
APWU and USPS agreed to a four-year contract, which was ratified by
the membership. |
|
www.postalemployeenetwork.com |
|
|
|
The chart above reflects the contracts between the USPS and the
major postal unions. Other postal employees represented by labor
unions also have engaged in bargaining with the Postal Service. In
total there have been 88 agreements – with 64 agreed to voluntarily,
20 referred to impasse arbitration, three involving fact finding,
and one referred to mediation.
At the conclusion of the 2006-2010 contract, postal workers’
salaries will have increased – from $8,442 in 1969 – to an estimated
$52,747.
* Indicates contracts that were decided in
arbitration |
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Courtesy of Postal Employee Network
Source APWU -
Download This Chart |
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