PEN – 12/17/21 – There is no question that our nation is in deep trouble both economically and politically.
Gasoline prices are through the roof (we all know why). Food prices are way up and, in many areas, there are shortages of food and household items. Also, guess what…most workers paychecks are not keeping up with the pace of rising prices (COLA to many). In the vast majority of instances this IS NOT the fault of your employer – look no further than your elected representatives in Washington.
Postal employees are not exempt from these problems. Just ask many of the APWU and NALC members. Most of these union workers believe that their union did not negotiate a fair raise under their new contracts. I agree – the recent contract between USPS and the APWU provides employees with annual wage increases of only 1.3% per year. I totally agree that this small pay increase yearly will not keep up with the current rate of inflation.
The current annual inflation rate for the 12 months ending in November 2021 is whopping 6.81%. Whose fault is this? I believe you know the answer to that – it certainly is not the fault of USPS.
Compare the inflation rate for previous years:
- U.S. inflation rate for 2020 was 1.23%, a 0.58% decline from 2019.
- U.S. inflation rate for 2019 was 1.81%, a 0.63% decline from 2018.
- U.S. inflation rate for 2018 was 2.44%, a 0.31% increase from 2017.
- U.S. inflation rate for 2017 was 2.13%, a 0.87% increase from 2016.
Source: macrotrends
Various news articles would like for you to believe that your union didn’t fight for a fair wage. It is my opinion that your union did TRY to fight for a fair wage…they just could not win a wage that would keep up with the wasteful spending going on at the White House. Have no doubt about it, the wasteful spending going on there reflects our current rate of inflation.
Maybe when the next national election gets here, we’ll remember these terrible costly times and cast our vote for politicians that have our family’s best interest in mind. I know I will.
Rick Owens
Postal Employee Network