Letter Carriers reach T.A., ratification up in the air

Negotiators with the National Association of Letter Carriers, representing almost 200,000 city mail carriers, have come to a Tentative Agreement on a new contract with the U.S. Postal Service.

However, the proposed deal must be ratified by union members, and though a deadline for the vote-by-mail process wasn’t announced, the settlement has provoked some criticism from the rank and file.

The tentative pact includes 1.3% annual general raises from May of last year through Nov. 7, 2026, plus semi-annual Cost of Living increases. According to NALC President Brian Renfroe, if ratified, the proposal would be the largest general wage increase since 2006,

“After almost 20 months of tireless negotiations, we are pleased to reach a fair agreement that rewards our members for their contributions to the Postal Service and their service to the American people," Renfroe said.

Some letter carriers disagree, apparently expecting more.

Representatives from the union’s bargaining team have met in regional town halls for members in Houston (Oct. 27) San Francisco (Oct. 29), Minneapolis-St. Paul (Oct. 31), and Washington D.C. (Nov. 2), and faced opposition.

“We’re going to be aggressive and pro-active” in campaigning against the small hike, said Twin Cities carrier Aaron Hutchison. “Once everyone saw the numbers, the anger and the upset were almost instantaneous. It’s not hard to organize people when they’re already mad.”

In West Central Illinois, Peoria Letter carrier Vic Murrie, a longtime NALC legislative liaison, said he’s optimistic the Tentative Agreement will be approved.

“I think it will be ratified, “said Murrie, who’s also a delegate to the executive board of the Illinois Association of Letter Carriers.

“There’s been some dissension in the ranks, comparing this to UPS [where the Teamsters last year reached a contract providing an average total wage increase of 48% over the next five years]. But that’s apples and dates.

“Looking objectively, going to arbitration, anything could happen. The next contract will be in two years. It’ll get better.”

But in Chicago, Illinois Association of Letter Carriers National Business Agent Mike Caref said the workers could do better if the pact went to arbitration. The law making USPS independent, rather than a federal department, mandates such neutral arbitration when unions and bosses can’t agree.

Caref, an NALC board member, also may challenge Renfroe for the union leadership next year.