October 10, 2025

Two national-level interpretive disputes filed by NALC

Pursuant to Article 15, Section 3.F of the National Agreement, NALC has initiated two national-level interpretive disputes.

The first dispute arises from a position recently taken by management representatives on Step B teams regarding the arbitrability of grievances. The interpretive issue to be decided is whether a grievance appealed to Step B ceases to be arbitrable if the Step B team fails to issue a decision on the grievance within 14 days, absent an extension agreement.

The second interpretive dispute is over the Postal Service’s refusal to comply with the June 30, 2025, national-level award by Arbitrator Margo Newman, commonly referred to as the “NACI Award.”

Arbitrator Newman’s award held, in relevant part, that a grievance challenging the removal of an employee terminated because of an unfavorable National Agency Check with Inquiries report is arbitrable so long as the employee completed probation prior to the removal. Since the award was issued, USPS has failed to comply with it. USPS recently sued to vacate Arbitrator Newman’s award in federal court. The interpretive issue to be decided is whether USPS violates the National Agreement by refusing to comply with the national-level award.

NALC has requested to meet with USPS to discuss these issues pursuant to the process in Article 15.3.F of the National Agreement. Further updates will be provided as they become available.