On April 17, 2025, the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) and the United States Postal Service (USPS) resolved a class action grievance about the use of “blue hampers” at a Sorting and Delivery Center. This matter, considered a possible interpretive issue, was initially referred for review under Article 15 of the National Agreement on May 10, 2024.
The large capacity hampers, used since 2015, serve as a replacement or equivalent for the 1046p hamper. The resolution follows the Job Safety Analysis (JSA), dated July 18, 2024, for carriers using large capacity hampers. One ergonomic issue addressed involves bending and lifting mail. The agreement allows for the use of spring-loaded elevator platforms or inserts to elevate trays and tubs of mail, reducing lift height for loading and unloading. Where spring-loaded platforms are unavailable, an alternative is to place inverted plastic trays at the hamper’s bottom, among other solutions, to address local bending and lifting concerns if needed.
For further details, this agreement is documented in NALC’s Materials Reference System on their website.
