Kentucky Rural Letter Carriers' Association
Updates From National
Rural Route Evaluated Compensation System (RRECS) Update
NEW: NRLCA Release Comprehensive Guide to the Rural Route Evaluated Compensation System RRECS
NEW: NRLCA Release Comprehensive Guide to the Rural Route Evaluated Compensation System RRECS
The guide includes an overview and history of RRECS, a mapping overview, an explanation of the drive speed matrix, a comparison of the new RRECS standards to the 4241-M worksheet, a comparison of the Evaluated Compensation System (ECS) to RRECS, a guide to determining rural route evaluations under RRECS, and more.
See www.NRLCA.org for details.
General Wage Increase Effective November 18, 2023
Effective November 18, 2023, Tables One and Two shall be increased by an amount equal to 1.3% and Tables Three and Four will receive a similar wage adjustment of 1.3% and a 1.0% wage adjustment for a total of 2.3%. These increases will be reflected in the December 8, 2023 paychecks.
Effective November 18, 2023, Tables One and Two shall be increased by an amount equal to 1.3% and Tables Three and Four will receive a similar wage adjustment of 1.3% and a 1.0% wage adjustment for a total of 2.3%. These increases will be reflected in the December 8, 2023 paychecks.
EMA to Increase 1.5 Cents Effective April 5, 2025
On March 12, 2025, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released the February 2025 Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) which established the Private Transportation Index at 274.854, an increase from the November 2024 Index of 271.14. Therefore, based on the February 2025 CPI-W release, the Equipment Maintenance Allowance (EMA) for rural carriers will increase 1.5¢ to 96.5¢ per mile. This EMA rate will be effective April 5, 2025 (Pay Period 2025-09).
Rural Carriers
In accordance with the provisions of Article 9, Section 2.G.3 of the USPS/NRLCA National Agreement, effective April 5, 2025 (Pay Period 2025-09), the Equipment Maintenance Allowance (EMA) will increase to 96.5¢ per mile, or a minimum of $38.60 per day, whichever is greater.
Auxiliary Rural Carriers, Rural Carrier Reliefs, Rural Carrier Associates, Rural Carrier Part Time Flexibles, and Auxiliary Assistance
Employees providing auxiliary assistance or serving auxiliary routes under the provisions of Article 9, Section 2.G.5, will receive EMA of 96.5¢ per mile or $10.25 per hour, whichever is greater. This EMA should not exceed the amount provided in the special EMA chart for route stops and miles.
This was the twelfth opportunity for an EMA adjustment under the terms of the 2021-2024 USPS/NRLCA National Agreement. The next quarterly adjustment will occur after the release of the April 2025 Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) and will be effective the second full pay period after release of that index.
The full EMA schedules will be posted on the Rural Carrier EMA Rate Schedule page when available.
EMA to Increase 1.5 Cents Effective April 5, 2025
On March 12, 2025, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released the February 2025 Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) which established the Private Transportation Index at 274.854, an increase from the November 2024 Index of 271.14. Therefore, based on the February 2025 CPI-W release, the Equipment Maintenance Allowance (EMA) for rural carriers will increase 1.5¢ to 96.5¢ per mile. This EMA rate will be effective April 5, 2025 (Pay Period 2025-09).
Rural Carriers
In accordance with the provisions of Article 9, Section 2.G.3 of the USPS/NRLCA National Agreement, effective April 5, 2025 (Pay Period 2025-09), the Equipment Maintenance Allowance (EMA) will increase to 96.5¢ per mile, or a minimum of $38.60 per day, whichever is greater.
Auxiliary Rural Carriers, Rural Carrier Reliefs, Rural Carrier Associates, Rural Carrier Part Time Flexibles, and Auxiliary Assistance
Employees providing auxiliary assistance or serving auxiliary routes under the provisions of Article 9, Section 2.G.5, will receive EMA of 96.5¢ per mile or $10.25 per hour, whichever is greater. This EMA should not exceed the amount provided in the special EMA chart for route stops and miles.
This was the twelfth opportunity for an EMA adjustment under the terms of the 2021-2024 USPS/NRLCA National Agreement. The next quarterly adjustment will occur after the release of the April 2025 Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) and will be effective the second full pay period after release of that index.
The full EMA schedules will be posted on the Rural Carrier EMA Rate Schedule page when available.
Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Effective March 9, 2024
Pursuant to the release of the January 2024 Consumer Price Index - Urban Wage and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), and in accordance with Article 9.1.E, the sixth and final COLA adjustment of the 2021-2024 National Agreement will result in a $353.00 increase for eligible rural carriers. This COLA adjustment will be effective March 9, 2024 (PP 2024-07). All COLA adjustments are based on a 40-hour evaluation with proportional application to those route evaluations over 40 hours. The increase should appear in paychecks dated March 29, 2024.
UPDATE: NRLCA and USPS Sign MOU Allowing Regular Rural Carriers to Volunteer to Work on Sundays and Provide Assistance on other Rural Routes
Due to continued staffing challenges in rural delivery operations, the Postal Service and the NRLCA have signed the attached MOU regarding two temporary modifications to the USPS-NRLCA National Agreement. Beginning Saturday, February 22, 2025 and continuing through Friday, August 22, 2025, regular rural carriers may volunteer to work on Sunday to deliver packages and may also volunteer to provide service on rural routes other than their assigned routes in the office. Regular rural carriers will be compensated at the overtime rate for hours worked on Sunday and for hours performing service on routes other than their assigned routes.
Please understand—we are doing this for the benefit of our RCAs and the overwhelming number of you that have requested we extend the MOU.
Regular rural carriers will not be required to work on Sunday or serve part of any other rural route. Regular rural carriers must volunteer to perform these additional services.
Prior to working volunteer regular rural carriers on Sundays or on other rural routes, management must comply with the scheduling provisions of the National Agreement, to include use of the Sunday/Holiday Parcel Delivery Work List.
We want to emphasize that this must be voluntary and if anyone is forced to work, you should immediately contact your District Representative.
2024-2025 National Board
Elected at 2024 National Convention
Held in Reno, Nevada
President Don Maston
Vice President Patrick Pitts
Secretary-Treasurer Tommy Turner
Director of Labor Relations John Adams
Director of Steward Operations Nicky Phillips
Executive Committee Chair Jeanette Dwyer
Executive Committeeman Michael Merola
Executive Committeeman Kirby Ricketts
Executive Committeeman Bethany Small
Statement from NRLCA President Don Maston on the Announced Resignation of Postmaster General Louis DeJoy
National Rural Letter Carriers’ Association
February 18, 2025
For Immediate Release
Statement from Don Maston, President of the National Rural Letter Carriers’ Association, on the announced resignation of USPS Postmaster General Louis DeJoy.
The National Rural Letter Carriers’ Association (NRLCA) is disappointed to learn that Louis DeJoy has announced his decision to resign as the 75th Postmaster General of the United States. While we did not always agree with Postmaster General DeJoy on every issue, no one can question his commitment to ensuring the Postal Service remains a vital institution capable of serving the American public for generations to come.
During his tenure, Postmaster General DeJoy played a significant role in the passage of the Postal Service Reform Act of 2022, a landmark bipartisan achievement to help address congressionally-created financial burdens on the Postal Service like retiree health benefit pre-funding requirements. His advocacy for the legislation helped secure a sustainable path forward for Postal Service operations while reinforcing the Postal Service’s commitment to delivering mail six days a week to every address in America—an essential lifeline for rural communities.
Postmaster General DeJoy also confronted immense challenges as he sought to modernize Postal Service operations amid evolving mail volumes, financial pressures, and the changing demands of a digital economy. His efforts to implement the Delivering for America plan, with its focus on infrastructure investment and long-term financial stability, reflected a genuine desire to strengthen the Postal Service’s core mission: providing universal service to every American household, regardless of geography.
The NRLCA remained steadfast in advocating for the needs and concerns of rural carriers throughout these changes. We appreciated Postmaster General DeJoy’s willingness to engage in dialogue and his recognition of the critical role rural carriers play in delivering essential services to millions of Americans.
As the Postal Service begins the search for its next leader, the NRLCA remains committed to working with postal leadership, policymakers, and stakeholders to protect and enhance the Postal Service. We will advocate for a Postmaster General that prioritizes investments in rural delivery, supports fair working conditions for all postal employees, and champions the critical role of the Postal Service in connecting communities across the nation.
On behalf of the 130,000 Rural Letter Carriers, we thank Postmaster General DeJoy for his service and wish him well in his future endeavors.