USPS Union Taks Failed While Price Of Stamps Went Up

Postal labor union talks failed this weekend, as the price of stamps went up. The Postal Service has declared an impasse in the contract talks with the National Association of Letter Carriers and the National Postal Handlers Union. The two unions represent more than $242,000 postal workers. Their contracts expired in November. The deadline for talks has already been extended twice. At issue is how much power the Postal Service will have to alter pay and benefits and issue layoffs. The impasse triggers 60 days of mediation. If that fails, an outside arbitrator will decide a final solution. At the same time, the price of postage was raised Sunday. First class stamps go up a penny to 45-cents — the first hike in 2-1/2 years. It's expected to earn the cash strapped postal service $888 million more in revenue this year.