During the 2024 contract negotiations, the APWU submitted a proposal to make per diem rights permanent for APWU-represented employees. The Postal Service balked at this proposal but ultimately agreed to extend the Per Diem Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) through the life of the agreement (2024-2027).
However, on Nov. 6, the Postal Service notified the APWU that they intend to cease per diem payments for students attending off-site training effective Jan. 1, 2026, and return to simply providing three meals a day at the Three Squares Eatery. This is the very definition of bad faith bargaining and is indicative of the obstructionist management officials that the APWU deals with on a daily basis.
“This notice from the USPS is deeply troubling and unexpected,” said Maintenance Division Director Idowu Balogun. The Per Diem MOU was jointly negotiated, mutually agreed upon, and has governed travel reimbursement practices for years. It cannot be—nor has it ever been—subject to termination by one party acting alone.
The Postal Service’s attempt to retract this MOU outside of traditional bargaining procedures represents a step backward in labor-management relations. If allowed, it could jeopardize the financial stability of employees who rely on standardized per diem provisions while performing required travel assignments.
Let us be clear:
- The APWU does not recognize any unilateral attempt to terminate a joint agreement.
- The Per Diem MOU remains in effect, intact, and enforceable.
- Any effort by the USPS to disregard this agreement violates established contractual principles and undermines the rights we have fought hard to secure.
The APWU has already met with and will continue to meet with the Postal Service and has initiated a comprehensive review. We will take every necessary action—contractual, administrative, and legal—to challenge this improper action. We are fully prepared to defend the negotiated protections that ensure our members are not forced to incur out-of-pocket travel costs while performing essential duties for the Postal Service.
We encourage Local and State organizations to remain vigilant and file individual grievances for every single instance where management refuses to provide per diem for students. We will continue to advocate that students be reimbursed for any money spent on food out of their own pocket (up to the maximum allowable per diem) while attending off-site training.
The APWU stands united in protecting the rights and benefits that our members deserve. We will not allow the erosion of jointly negotiated agreements, nor will we stand by while management attempts to bypass the bargaining process. Email us at maintwebinar@apwu.org with comments.
I’m now retired after spending 32 years with the outfit. The last 27 was in Maintenance. In the late 1980’s, when a lot of automation was coming on line, I spent about 6 years, on and off site, going to Norman. The training facility went up during that time.
The Postal Service refused to pay us for our travel time. I filed every time and had a pile of grievances ready to go when the arbitrator finally forced the Postal Service to settle in the Union’s favor. Those that didn’t file, still got paid something but a flat rate payment. I got paid the full amount because I filed.
Because our Manager didn’t want us staying another night, he had our return flight, back to California, scheduled right after we spent the day in the class room. Guess who got 8 hour of overtime to fly? At first he refused to pay but an arbitrator said otherwise. Then I want back 4 months later and he tried the same thing. The arbitrator was pissed when it landed on his desk the second time and the manager got his ass chewed over that one. I got paid overtime again.