Delivering Without A Contract Carriers Want Pay Increase For Heavier Loads, Longer Hours

In the same way the moniker “mailman” is outdated, the current “letter carrier” may sound quaint to the men and women who lug packages and heavy catalogs on their routes.

That’s 41.5 tons of mail a year, per carrier.

The heavier load is one reason the National Association of Letter Carriers is seeking a pay raise.

Spokane members participated in an informational picket on Wednesday at the downtown post office to let the public know why they’re seeking more money.

“We’re working longer hours, with heavier loads - the type of mail has changed,” said Terry Culp, president of Local 442. “On-the-job injuries have increased 33 percent.”

The union attributes the heavier workload to the growth of online and catalog shopping, and mass-mailing solicitations.

NALC members have been working without a contract since November, and negotiations on a new labor agreement have broken down.

In February, the union and the Postal Service agreed to mediation, which also failed. Negotiations are now headed for arbitration. Both sides hope to have a contract by August.

Culp said letter carriers earn between $27,000 and $37,000 a year, depending on experience. The union is seeking a four-year contract with a 3 percent pay raise. He said the Postal Service is offering a 1.6 percent raise and a two-year contract.

Al DeSarro, regional spokesman for the Postal Service in Denver, said he couldn’t discuss specifics of the contract negotiations.

“They want more money. We all do,” he said. “We’re optimistic there will be a contract soon.”

DeSarro said the average carrier earns $48,000, when medical, life insurance and vacation benefits are included.

“The Postal Service has been most successful in the past four years, and the carriers are a big part of that,” he said. “We want to have the best relationship.”

The 241,303-member union cites the Postal Services’ $5 billion profit over the past four years as a reason they should share in the prosperity.

The picket on Wednesday was one of many demonstrations across the country. The carriers picketed on their own time, as required by law. All Spokane post offices were represented, Culp said. The carriers got support from Teamsters, Kaiser Steelworkers and retirees. An occasional shout of “union power” could be heard. Cars going by offered up honks of support.

One letter carrier, age 51, who asked not to be identified, said he hoped people in Spokane would understand the pay increase request.

“Even though people think carriers here are paid well, they’re negotiating for the whole country.”

He said he was concerned about how the increased hours and heavier workload was affecting older workers.

“Those with job injuries, the problems just get worse as you get older. Some of the older guys, they just can’t do the job anymore.”

Bob Hammerstad, customer relations for the Postal Service in Spokane, said the service supports the carriers’ right to picket.

“There’s no hard feelings between us and those on the sidewalk. They’re just expressing that right.”

This sidebar appeared with the story: FAST FACTS Carrier stats The average carrier spends 5.5 hours of every work day on the street, compared with 4 hours before post offices were automated. The Postal Service delivers up to 650 million pieces of mail every working day. The Postal Service estimates volume will surpass 200 billion pieces this year. The average carrier lugs 41.5 tons of mail a year. The Postal Service delivers 41 percent of the world’s mail. (Japan is second, delivering 6 percent). The Postal Service reported revenue of $60 billion, its highest ever, in 1998. Source: National Association of Letter Carriers