Apwu Collective Bargaining Agreement

The APWU Collective Bargaining Agreement: Explained for USPS Employees

The American Postal Workers Union (APWU) represents over 220,000 employees in the United States Postal Service (USPS). As part of their role, they negotiate the APWU Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) every few years. This agreement outlines the terms and conditions of employment for USPS employees, including salaries, benefits, and working conditions.

The current APWU CBA, which took effect in 2019, will be in effect until 2023. Here`s what you need to know about it.

Pay and Benefits

Under the APWU CBA, USPS employees receive a variety of pay and benefits. These include:

– Annual pay raises: USPS employees receive annual pay raises based on years of service and cost of living adjustments (COLA). The 2019-2023 CBA includes raises of 1.3% in 2020, 1.1% in 2021, and 1.0% in 2022.

– Health insurance: USPS employees are eligible for health insurance through the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program. The APWU CBA requires the USPS to contribute to the cost of employee and retiree health benefits.

– Retirement benefits: USPS employees are eligible for retirement benefits through the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) or the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) depending on their hire date. The APWU CBA includes provisions for retirement benefits, including increased employer contributions to the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP).

Working Conditions

The APWU CBA also outlines working conditions for USPS employees. These include:

– Work schedules: The APWU CBA requires that USPS employees receive at least one day off per week, and limits the number of consecutive days an employee may work.

– Safety: The APWU CBA includes provisions for employee safety, including training and equipment to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses.

– Job security: The APWU CBA includes provisions for job security, including protections against layoffs and provisions for retraining and job placement if an employee`s position is eliminated.

Grievance Procedure

The APWU CBA includes a grievance procedure for resolving disputes between employees and management. The procedure includes several steps, including informal discussions between the employee and their supervisor, and formal arbitration if necessary.

In conclusion, the APWU Collective Bargaining Agreement is an important document that outlines the terms and conditions of employment for USPS employees. It covers pay and benefits, working conditions, and provides a grievance procedure for resolving disputes. If you are a USPS employee, it is important to understand your rights and protections under the APWU CBA.