The American Postal Workers Union (APWU) recently inked a new contract with the United States Postal Service (USPS), bringing relief to its members after months of negotiations. The new contract is expected to impact over 200,000 postal workers across the country.

The APWU represents a wide range of postal workers, including clerks, mail handlers, motor vehicle operators, and maintenance employees. As such, the new contract covers a broad range of issues, including wages, benefits, and job security.

One of the key changes in the new contract is a two-part wage increase. Postal workers will receive a 1.3% increase in their base wage in the first year of the contract, followed by a 1.0% increase in the second year. This increase is designed to help offset the rising cost of living and provide a much-needed boost to workers’ paychecks.

The new contract also includes a number of benefits improvements, including better retirement benefits and an increase in the employer contribution to employee health care. These enhancements help to ensure that postal workers have access to the resources they need to lead healthy and secure lives.

Another notable change in the contract is an increase in job security for APWU members. The new agreement stipulates that postal workers will only be subject to layoffs in the event of a “workforce excess situation.” This means that workers can rest assured that their jobs are more secure than ever before.

While the new contract is a major victory for APWU members, it is important to note that the negotiations were not without their challenges. The union had to overcome a number of obstacles to secure the best possible agreement for its members, including tough bargaining sessions with USPS management.

Overall, the new APWU contract is a win for postal workers across the country. By providing better wages, benefits, and job security, the agreement helps to ensure that these essential workers can continue to provide vital services to communities across the United States.