BARGAINING UPDATE: Listen to Pres. Dimondstein's update for APWU contract negotiations (9/10)

Take a few minutes to listen to this quick bargaining update from APWU President Mark Dimondstein

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
Greetings APWU family.
With our main collective bargainingagreement expiring on September 20th,
I wanted to give you a status report.
Simply put, the work ofnegotiations is proceeding.
Over the summer, your negotiatingcommittee and many of your officers
and national staff have beenlaser focused on negotiating the

(00:22):
strong new contract you deserve.
Under the solid leadership ofIndustrial Relations Director
Charlie Cash, who serves as our chiefspokesperson, we've worked tirelessly
to strategize and formulate proposals.
We've had main table meetings withpostal management about once a week.
And so far, the union has presentedsome 80 proposals to management.

(00:45):
These include, but certainly notlimited to vital issues for our members,
including an all career workforce,bridging the divisive multi tier weight
structure, improving workplace safety,better staffing and job security.
At this point, management has presented.
11 proposals.
Once proposals are made and placedinto the record, they're often sent to

(01:06):
subcommittees for deeper discussion,including craft subcommittees, which
are headed up by each of our four craftdirectors this Saturday, September 14th.
The A PW in Management will bequotes locking down for seven
days of intense negotiations.
While it is not uncommon for a negotiationto go beyond the expiration date.

(01:29):
We do hope to make real progressin the weeks ahead in 2021.
For instance, we reached a tentativeagreement in early December, but it's
very important for you to know thatif a new agreement is not reached by
September 20th, our union contractwill continue in full force and effect
with all of your rights intact, thisis a great time to declare union proud,

(01:53):
say aloud by wearing your union gearand sending management, the message.
That we are united in securing a goodcontract that respects and rewards postal
workers for our dedication and hard work.
We will continue to keep youposted with messages like this
on our toll free hotline at apw.
org and on our social media channels.

(02:16):
Solidarity forever.