EMPLOYEES

At September 30, 2009, we had 623,128 career employees and 88,954 non-career employees, substantially all of whom reside in the U.S.

The labor force is primarily represented by the American Postal Workers Union (APWU), National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), National Postal Mail Handlers Union (NPMHU) and National Rural Letter Carriers’ Association (NRLCA). The APWU and the NRLCA contracts expire in November 2010, while the NPMHU and NALC contracts expire in November 2011. More than 85% of career employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements. By law, we consult with management organizations representing most of the employees not covered by collective bargaining agreements. These consultations provide nonbargaining unit employees in the field an opportunity to participate directly in the planning, development and implementation of programs and policies that affect them. Management organizations include the National Association of Postal Supervisors, the National League of Postmasters and the National Association of Postmasters of the United States. We participate in federal employee benefit programs as required by statute, for retirement, health and workers’ compensation benefits.