APWU Enters Mediation

04/09/2019 – In our continuing efforts to get the contract the members deserve, the APWU invoked mediation on April 3, 2019 – sending a letter to the Acting Director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service and to the Postal Service. The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) is a federal agency that provides public and private-sector labor-management mediation, and by law it is responsible for facilitating the APWU’s demand for mediation with the Postal Service.

In mediation a neutral expert with the experience and training to develop information about the parties, their industry, and their issues will help them look for common ground towards reaching agreement. A mediator may offer suggestions and recommendations to either or both sides, but does not have the authority to impose a settlement, set contract terms, or require that the parties end mediation with any kind of agreement. The process is expected to take approximately forty-five (45) days.

Even when mediation fails to get a total resolution, this step may help narrow and focus disputes. Such narrowing of some disputes could make interest arbitration more successful for the members.

As the mediation process moves forward, the APWU national officers, members from the field, legal counsel, and staff members are working daily in preparation for interest arbitration. Internal meetings are occurring and will continue on a regularly scheduled basis. Craft officers, the core committee, the Industrial Relations Department, and the President are developing persuasive evidence and arguments, concerning your work and the appropriate compensation for your service, to present to the Postal Service and to an arbitrator.

“Mediation is just another one of the APWU’s efforts to ensure that no stone is left unturned in our continuing battle to get the members what they deserve in their next contract,” said Industrial Relations Director Vance Zimmerman.

“Management’s recent final proposal showed their disrespect for the hard work of the postal workers by demanding a new 4th tier of employees with lower pay, fewer benefits, less leave, no cost-of-living increases, limited lump sum pay increases for current employees, and the threat of layoffs,” President Mark Dimondstein said. “This next step in the process is one more tool we can utilize to help get the workers of today—and tomorrow—the wages, benefits, and work environment they deserve. We truly are fighting today for a better tomorrow.”

Source: APWU

3 thoughts on “APWU Enters Mediation

  1. Union and NAME of Local/Branch
    Frederick Ashley Jr
    Office held, if any
    President
    The damage is done. Management will now argue at interests arbitration that the Union is arguing against proposals they accepted at the bargaining table. Negotiations 101, ONCE YOU ACCEPT CERTAIN CONDITIONS YOU OWN THEM!

  2. Union and NAME of Local/Branch
    APWU Oakland, Ca.
    Office held, if any
    Legislative Director Retirees
    Neither APWU President Mark Dimondstein or any other officers accepted management’s take away proposals that were presented in negotiations. I’ve been around for quite a few contracts and have never seen management bring proposals that show they value our work or improve working conditions. Now they want a fourth tier-it never ceases.

  3. Union and NAME of Local/Branch
    NALC - Dayton Branch
    it is amazing that you talk of how poor management is treating employees with their offer yet you as president accepted this offer and brought it back for a vote. If it is that horrible why would you accept this …

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