Mail Handler COLA Increase: A Boost for Employees and the USPS
Wednesday, Feb 26, 2025 7:56 pm ET
3min read As of February 26, 2025, the Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for Mail Handler craft employees has been set at $416. Effective March 8, 2025 (Pay Period 07-2025), this adjustment will be implemented as outlined in Article 9.3 of the 2022 National Agreement. This is the fifth of six possible cola increases under the current agreement, based on the upward change in the relevant Consumer Price Index (CPI) following the release of the January 2025 Index, using the July 2022 CPI index as a base.
The resulting calculation provides an annual increase of $416 for all Steps in Table 1 and for Step P of Table 2. The remaining Steps in Table 2 will receive the proportional COLA increase percentages as outlined in Article 9.3 of the National Agreement. This means that Mail Handler craft employees at different steps will see varying increases in their annual compensation, with those at Steps in Table 1 and Step P of Table 2 receiving a fixed $416 increase.
This COLA increase is a positive development for Mail Handler craft employees, as it helps to maintain their purchasing power in the face of inflation. By tying compensation to changes in the CPI, the USPS ensures that employees' standard of living is protected, even as prices rise. This approach is similar to those used in other industries, such as the U.S. Social Security Administration, which adjusts benefits based on the CPI-W.
For the USPS, the COLA increase may require adjustments to its budget and pricing strategies to accommodate the increased labor costs. This could involve reallocating funds from other areas of the budget, increasing postal rates, or engaging in negotiations with stakeholders to find a balance between labor costs and the affordability of postal services for customers. These adjustments could have potential impacts on postal services and customers, including reduced services, increased costs, and changes in the National Agreement.
In conclusion, the COLA increase for Mail Handler craft employees is a welcome development that helps to protect their purchasing power in the face of inflation. While the USPS may need to make adjustments to its budget and pricing strategies to accommodate the increased labor costs, this approach is similar to those used in other industries and helps to ensure fairness and predictability for employees. By maintaining a focus on the needs of both employees and customers, the USPS can continue to provide essential postal services while managing the impacts of inflation on its workforce.
Word count: 598
The resulting calculation provides an annual increase of $416 for all Steps in Table 1 and for Step P of Table 2. The remaining Steps in Table 2 will receive the proportional COLA increase percentages as outlined in Article 9.3 of the National Agreement. This means that Mail Handler craft employees at different steps will see varying increases in their annual compensation, with those at Steps in Table 1 and Step P of Table 2 receiving a fixed $416 increase.
This COLA increase is a positive development for Mail Handler craft employees, as it helps to maintain their purchasing power in the face of inflation. By tying compensation to changes in the CPI, the USPS ensures that employees' standard of living is protected, even as prices rise. This approach is similar to those used in other industries, such as the U.S. Social Security Administration, which adjusts benefits based on the CPI-W.
For the USPS, the COLA increase may require adjustments to its budget and pricing strategies to accommodate the increased labor costs. This could involve reallocating funds from other areas of the budget, increasing postal rates, or engaging in negotiations with stakeholders to find a balance between labor costs and the affordability of postal services for customers. These adjustments could have potential impacts on postal services and customers, including reduced services, increased costs, and changes in the National Agreement.
In conclusion, the COLA increase for Mail Handler craft employees is a welcome development that helps to protect their purchasing power in the face of inflation. While the USPS may need to make adjustments to its budget and pricing strategies to accommodate the increased labor costs, this approach is similar to those used in other industries and helps to ensure fairness and predictability for employees. By maintaining a focus on the needs of both employees and customers, the USPS can continue to provide essential postal services while managing the impacts of inflation on its workforce.
Word count: 598
