Postal workers nationwide rallied Sunday, demanding fair contracts and safer working conditions as negotiations are set to begin this week in Washington, D.C.
Dozens gathered at the National Association of Letter Carriers branch on Chicago’s South Side, while similar demonstrations took place across the country as part of a National Day of Action.
Workers said rising living costs, staffing shortages and increasing safety concerns are straining the Postal Service.
“Being a letter carrier is hard work, being a letter carrier in a big city is tough work,” said Bob Reiter, president of the Chicago Federation of Labor.
Among their key demands are wages that keep pace with inflation, stronger safety protections amid a rise in crimes targeting carriers and improved job stability for the future.
“You didn’t sign up for a job where you gotta worry about your safety, where you gotta wonder if someone is going to attack you and threaten your life,” Rep. Sean Casten (D-Illinois) said.
Lawmakers from across Illinois joined workers at the rally, including Gov. JB Pritzker.
“This fight for a fair contract is all of our fight. It’s not just your fight. Your leadership has made sure that all of us know if you don’t get a fair contract, none of us are being treated fairly,” he said.
Negotiations are scheduled to begin Wednesday. The current contract will expire in three months.