Postal Contract Dispute Goes to Arbitration
U.S. Postal Service and leaders of 660,000 unionized workers accused each other Wednesday of intentionally botching contract talks so wage and job security disputes would go to arbitration.
“The Postal Service never had any intention of entering into collective bargaining with the unions . . . . Never once did they get down to the crux of the issues,” said Vincent R. Sombrotto, president of the 234,000-member National Letter Carriers Assn.
But Postmaster General Anthony M. Frank said it appeared that union leaders were the ones who wanted a third party involved because they waited until three days before Tuesday’s midnight deadline to propose a $50-billion pay package.
The dispute now goes through a series of legal steps in the next few months to reach a settlement through binding arbitration.
The stalemate is not expected to create any disruption in mail service because it is illegal for postal workers to strike.
Key disputes involve pay increases and how many part-time workers may be hired.
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