On June 13, 2023, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released the May Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) which established the Private Transportation Index at 271.037, an increase from the February 2023 Index of 261.223. Therefore, based on the May 2023 CPI-W release, the Equipment Maintenance Allowance (EMA) for rural carriers will increase 3.5¢ to 95.0¢ per mile. This EMA rate will be effective July 1, 2023 (Pay Period 15-2023).
Rural Carriers
In accordance with the provisions of Article 9, Section 2.J.3 of the USPS/NRLCA National Agreement, effective July 1, 2023 (Pay Period 15-2023), the Equipment Maintenance Allowance (EMA) will increase to 95.0¢ per mile, or a minimum of $38.00 per day, whichever is greater.
Auxiliary Rural Carriers, Rural Carrier Reliefs, Rural Carrier Associates, Rural Carrier Part Time Flexibles, and Auxiliary Assistance
Employees providing auxiliary assistance or serving auxiliary routes under the provisions of Article 9, Section 2.J.5, will receive EMA of 95.0¢ per mile or $10.10 per hour, whichever is greater. This EMA should not exceed the amount provided in the special EMA chart for route stops and miles.
This was the fifth opportunity for an EMA adjustment under the terms of the 2021-2024 USPS/NRLCA National Agreement. The next quarterly adjustment will occur after the release of the August 2023 Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) and will be effective the second full pay period after release of that index.