This time, they were looking to deliver a message well beyond the confines of a mail receptacle.
Around 8 a.m. Monday, roughly a dozen postal workers took to the sidewalk outside the downtown Fredericksburg post office on Princess Anne Street for an informational picket in opposition to the tentative agreement reached last week between the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) and the United States Postal Service.
As a speaker boomed defiant anthems from the likes of Eminem and Taylor Swift, they held up signs bearing phrases like “1st class mail, 1st class service, 1st class pay” (in a much larger font) and “Vote no to 1.3%,” a reference to the annual pay raise included as part of the tentative agreement.
All who assembled wore coats and jackets — partly because of the morning chill but also due to a federal law that prohibits USPS employees from protesting in uniform.
Shaun Armstrong, who will assume duties as president of NALC Chapter 685 in January, said the announced tentative contract pales in comparison to recent gains achieved by the United Auto Workers and International Longshoreman Association.
“We just want to make the public aware of what’s going on,” he said.
Postal workers hold up signs spelling “Vote no to TA,” referring to the tentative agreement full union membership could vote on as early as next month. (Photo by Joey LoMonaco)
Armstrong noted that a similar demonstration took place recently in Evansville, Ind., and that he expects more mobilization nationally ahead of the union’s full vote this winter. Approximately 80 current and retired Fredericksburg postal employees belong to the local NALC chapter, he said.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s 100 degrees, or if there’s two feet of snow,” Armstrong said. “We’re out here. We deliver their checks, their ballots — even things like cremated remains.
“These people entrust us with all of their personal, sensitive things. We deliver that with professionalism and dignity. We should get a professional contract and professional pay.”
Vincent Aref spent much of Monday’s rally addressing passersby with a bullhorn. When Aref started with the post office as a substitute carrier eight years ago, he was told that by paying his dues — working on off days and delivering Amazon packages — he’d eventually attain better benefits as a career employee.
“That’s not been the case so far,” he said. “It’s been stagnant. We demand better. We’ve delivered through the pandemic. We’ve delivered through the elections. All we’re asking for is a better contract.”
Despite achieving full-time status, Aref said he and his colleagues are commonly forced to work additional jobs to make ends meet. He drives for Uber and delivers meals for DoorDash.
“All I’m asking for is to give us enough money where carriers are going home and not going to another job,” he said.
A 42-year veteran of the postal service, Bryan Shatzer has attained many of the benefits for which the younger generation of workers is currently fighting. Despite nearing retirement, he wanted to be part of Monday’s rally in a show of solidarity.
“I don’t think the public knows how hard this job is: physically, mentally. That’s all,” he said.
Case in point: no sooner had Monday’s rally ended than the workers stowed their signs, uncovered their uniforms and clocked in before 9 a.m.
“Later,” said Armstrong, “we’re going to work.”
