Members of the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) have voted overwhelmingly to reject a tentative contract agreement with the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). In results announced January 31, 63,680 members voted against the proposed deal, while 26,304 supported it.
NALC President Brian L. Renfroe responded to the vote, emphasizing the union’s commitment to securing better terms. “The will of NALC’s membership has been made clear through this democratic process,” Renfroe said. “The tentative agreement, though the best offer presented by the Postal Service, falls short of what America’s city letter carriers have earned and deserve.”
Negotiations to Resume Soon
Following the vote, the NALC announced plans on January 31 to reopen negotiations within five days. The USPS confirmed Monday that both parties will return to the bargaining table for an additional 15-day negotiation period.
Until a new agreement is reached, either through continued talks or through interest arbitration, the current contract will remain in effect. The NALC represents more than 200,000 city letter carriers across the country.
The tentative agreement in question was initially reached on October 17, 2023, covering the period through November 7, 2026. Voting began in December, with ballots due back by January 13, 2024.
What Was in the Tentative Agreement?
The rejected proposal included several key changes:
- Wage Increases: All city letter carriers would have received general wage increases of 1.3% annually, slightly higher than the previously proposed 1.1%. The increases were scheduled as follows:
- November 18, 2023: 1.3%, retroactive pay
- November 16, 2024: 1.3%, retroactive pay
- November 15, 2025: 1.3% increase
- Anti-Discrimination Protections: The agreement explicitly added pregnancy as a protected category under anti-discrimination policies.
- Holiday Expansion: Juneteenth, recognized as a federal holiday in 2021, would have been added to the list of observed holidays for both full-time and part-time regular USPS employees.
- Safety Committees: A new District Joint Labor-Management Safety Committee would have been created to meet quarterly, supporting district-wide safety initiatives and improving communication with local safety committees.
- Uniform Allowances: The proposed contract included increases in annual uniform allowances, rising to $536 in May 2025 (with an extra $125 for newly eligible carriers) and $549 in May 2026 (with an additional $128 for new carriers). Unused uniform allowances would have been eligible to carry over.
Union Leadership Signals Stronger Push Ahead
Renfroe has made it clear that the union is prepared to escalate its efforts to secure a more favorable contract. “The NALC is well prepared to fight like hell for a better contract,” he said, reflecting the union’s resolve following the vote.
As negotiations resume, both sides face mounting pressure to reach an agreement that satisfies the demands of the workforce while addressing the operational needs of the Postal Service.
