A Pair of Victories for Largest Postal Union

The largest labor union for U.S. Postal Service Employees announced some good news Friday, including a $937 raise beginning in September.

The pay hike will apply to all career employees in the American Postal Workers Union as part of a scheduled cost of living adjustment negotiated in 2010. Just two months after the COLA goes into effect on Sept. 7, APWU employees will receive an across-the-board 1.5 percent pay increase.

“Cost-of-living increases are an important part of our pay package,” APWU president Cliff Guffey said in a statement announcing the precise amount. “Combined with percentage pay raises, they help our members achieve financial security.”

In another positive development for the union, an arbitrator has ruled that any time USPS hires a subcontractor, it must first notify the relevant APWU field office of the decision. This will allow the union to challenge the decision to use contractors.

“The ruling gives locals a tool to fight for the creation of additional duty assignments by ensuring they are aware of subcontracting decisions,” Guffey said.

“This is a major victory in our battle to protect jobs,” he added. “That is a fight we are determined to win.”