As you know, the Postal Service (USPS) and National Rural Letter Carriers’ Association (NRLCA) ratified and signed a new collective bargaining agreement on March 23, 2022, approximately 6 months ago. The new ratified agreement covers the period May 21, 2021 through May 20, 2024, and provides much-deserved general wage increases and cost-of-living (COLA) adjustments for rural letter carriers, including retroactive general wage increases dating back to August 2021 and COLA adjustments for July 2021 and January 2022.
We were advised by USPS officials that due to antiquated USPS software issues, the retro payments due and owing to rural carriers would not be made until May of 2023.
Upon learning this new information, I called Postmaster General Louis DeJoy and he was able to move up the retro pay date to January 31, 2023. While I appreciate the efforts of the PMG, a 10-month delay demonstrates a total lack of respect for rural carriers and is outrageous and completely unacceptable! While we are glad to have a date to look forward to, we are continuing to demand an appropriate remedy for all affected rural carriers. We filed a national-level grievance in August and if a suitable remedy is not agreed to by the parties, we will immediately move the issue to National Arbitration. The reality is the USPS has known for years that its software is outdated and that it must make retro payments every contract cycle. Enough is enough. We will not be party to giving management interest-free loans on the backs of our carriers!
Where is our HAZARD PAY from the pandemic?
Members pay over $800 a year now in dues. Between RRECS and this back pay issue the NRLCA has done nothing but add stress to the lives of rural carriers. Nothing more, simply stress and financial hardship. Representation in the grievance process requires NO membership. Anyone with an IQ of 100 or more has already left the NRLCA. The only ones left are RCAs recruited in the academies before they realize the NRLCA is a joke and those that are to stupid to understand how to manipulate a quick exit from the union. I figured it out in like 30 seconds. Simply call your DR and light their ass on fire with abusive rhetoric. The NRLCA will do the paperwork for ya lol.
Seems like an answer to make the question go away. Jan 31 is neither a payday nor the end of a pay period – just a normal Tuesday with a nice ring to it.
I’ve been in the union for thirty nine years, I can remember when the union had teeth now all they want to do is gum a problem. I tell new hires not to waste their money on union dues.
How is it that City Carriers got their back pay in 6 weeks and Clerks theirs in under 6 months? The system didn’t seem so antiquated then. We are treated poorly by the USPS again and again. It is disappointing and demoralizing. We have no one to blame but our own union. What are we getting in return for our lost wages? No interest or penalty? Our union just took this bad news like anything else, they shrugged their shoulders. Stand up for us!
Without the union we really get screwed so careful what we wish for. They could probably do better but for me, I’m thankful they are here. They stopped the scanner count which I’m sure was mngmnt going to screw us. Without the union we get privatized and treated like Amazon employee with shitty benefits and below middle class standards.
A union is supposed to have a seat at the table. The rural union sits at the kids table.
Will this be with interest?
In my office Clerks got 10K grievance for working during covid .
Years ago, we had a vote to merge the rural and city unions, and make a stronger union. It was voted down. We need to readdress the issue
And still we wait…
We all know that we are not going to receive any back pay or even hazard pay for COVID. But they still want us to work like robots and be happy. I did love working here now I can’t wait to retire I’m even looking at going early just to get out. The way it is going I could stand on a corner with a sign and have people treat me better.
My question is why am I paying union dues when all of this is absolutely absurd and unacceptable. I have never had a single employer tell me I’m going to get a raise, earn back pay and earn leave and not receive any of it within a month. I’m thankful that I’m getting hours since we all know a rca can’t make a living off of 2 or 3 days a week but no one is getting what they are worth right now or for the last 2 years.
Emailed my State Senator , He was very interested in this . I have since received an email that they are going to investigate as to why !!!