**Postal Service and Mail Carriers Reach Tentative Contract Agreement**

A tentative contract agreement has been reached between approximately 200,000 mail carriers and the U.S. Postal Service, promising retroactive pay raises and the introduction of air-conditioned trucks. The new deal, set to extend through November 2026, still requires ratification by union members. Mail carriers had been working without a contract since May 2023.

Brian Renfroe, president of the National Association of Letter Carriers, mentioned that while negotiations involved compromises, the resulting agreement aligns with the goals of both parties and honors the contributions of postal workers. He acknowledged Postmaster General Louis DeJoy and Deputy Postmaster Doug Tulino for their genuine efforts throughout the negotiations.

The U.S. Postal Service commended the agreement for supporting its "Delivering for America" mission, a 10-year plan aimed at modernizing operations and adapting to changing customer demands. Tulino emphasized that the agreement is prudent and in the best interest of employees, customers, and the future viability of the Postal Service.

Key benefits of the agreement include three annual pay increases of 1.3% for city carriers by 2025, with some backdated to November 2023. Additionally, workers will receive both retroactive and future cost-of-living adjustments. There is also a strong commitment from the Postal Service to ensure mail trucks are equipped with air-conditioning.

This development follows the deployment of new electric delivery vehicles by the Postal Service, which feature air-conditioning and modern safety standards. The new fleet, expected to grow to 60,000 mostly electric vehicles, will enhance delivery services across the U.S., from Maine to Hawaii.

The tentative agreement mandates that any future purchases of mail trucks without air-conditioning must be discussed with the union. The ratification process for the contract is expected to take several weeks, and it is important to note that rural mail deliverers, represented by a different union, are not included in this agreement.