Mail Carriers Secure Landmark Deal with USPS: Pay Hikes and Air-Conditioned Trucks on the Horizon!

WASHINGTON — A tentative contract agreement has been reached between the U.S. Postal Service and approximately 200,000 mail carriers, promising backdated pay raises and a significant improvement in working conditions with the promotion of air-conditioned trucks. The agreement, which requires ratification from union members, remains in effect until November 2026.

This new deal arrives after mail carriers have been operating without a contract since May 2023. Both parties expressed optimism about the agreement announced on Friday.

“While both sides made compromises, we achieved a satisfactory resolution that honors our workforce,” Brian Renfroe, president of the National Association of Letter Carriers, stated. He acknowledged the importance of recognizing the contributions of postal workers to the organization and the American public.

As one of the primary enhancements, the agreement includes an increase in top pay for employees and accelerates the time frame for new workers to reach that pay level. Renfroe commended Postmaster General Louis DeJoy and his leadership team for their commitment to genuine negotiations.

The Postal Service noted that this agreement aligns with its “Delivering for America” initiative, aimed at modernizing its operations in response to evolving customer demands. Doug Tulino, the deputy postmaster general, described the contract as both fair and responsible, prioritizing the interests of employees, customers, and the Postal Service’s future.

Under the terms of the agreement, city carriers will benefit from three annual pay increases of 1.3% each, expected to be implemented by 2025, with some being retroactively applied from November 2023. Additionally, workers will receive both retroactive and future cost-of-living adjustments.

A notable element of the agreement includes a commitment that the Postal Service will make every effort to equip mail trucks with air-conditioning. This commitment comes as the Postal Service has begun integrating new electric delivery vehicles that feature air-conditioning, a significant improvement over older models.

The upcoming fleet expansion will consist of 60,000 vehicles, with a majority being electric, providing service from Maine to Hawaii. Furthermore, the Postal Service is mandated to consult with the union about any future purchases of mail trucks lacking air-conditioning.

This new agreement marks the second contract negotiated under DeJoy since his appointment in 2020. The ratification process is anticipated to take several weeks. Notably, rural mail carriers are not included in this contract, as they are represented by a distinct union.