ServIng
South Central
Texas
San Antonio Alamo Area Local
Volume 11, Number 28
Alex Aleman – President
SAN ANTONIO ALAMO AREA LOCAL
May 14, 2015
Sterling Ricks– Vice President
APWU Sisters and Brothers,
It’s been several weeks since my last update. I am certainly not ignoring my commitment to communicate with all of you on
a regular basis. It’s just that there has been very little progress in negotiations.
The two sides continue to meet on a regular basis at the “main table.” The four “craft tables” and a number of subcommittees
have also been meeting regularly. While there have been some open and productive discussions at all levels of the negotiation
process, there is not yet agreement on any major issue.
Over the next two weeks, negotiations will intensify. More meetings are scheduled and more proposals will be exchanged.
We plan to present the APWU’s financial package, which includes wages and benefits, next week.
I’m frequently asked what management is going after in bargaining. Postal Service
negotiators have already indicated that they want to eliminate the 50-mile limit on
excessing, which expires at the end of the current contract. Renegotiating it is a
high priority for the APWU.
We also expect management negotiators to seek a new, additional lower-tier
(lower-paid) workforce.
Starting on May 14, the union’s Negotiating Committee will be in a hotel prepared
to work “around the clock.” The Rank and File Bargaining Advisory Committee
will arrive in Washington, DC, on May 17 to carry out their constitutional duties.
The APWU is leaving no stone unturned in our attempts to reach a new collective
bargaining agreement with the USPS.
But we have made it clear that the APWU will not voluntarily accept a union contract with concessions and givebacks. $4
billion in wages and benefits were given back in 2010. Enough is enough!
In the meantime, what you do to stand together and with the people of the country will make an important and positive
difference.
The May 14 National Day of Action is organized around the theme “I Stand with Postal Workers!” It is intended to mobilize
support for our goals: Good Postal Service! Good Jobs! Good Contract - Mark Dimondstein