As required by Article XIV, Section 3 of the National Constitution and Article VIII, Section 2 of the Uniform Local Union Constitution, Mail Handlers will see two automatic dues increase, in the total amount of one dollar ($1.00) per pay period, effective in pay period 13 of 2002. Both of these fifty cents ($.50) per pay period increases are being implemented simultaneously with the first two general wage increases negotiated under the 2000 National Agreement. The two wage increases, of 1.3% and 1 .9% appeared in Mail Handlers paychecks issued on June 21,2002.

As negotiated in the new National Agreement, the two wage increases are fully retroactive to November of 2000 and November of 2001. All retroactive wage amounts for Mail Handlers are scheduled to be paid during pay period 17 of 2002, in paychecks issued on August 16, 2002. For a Level 4 Mail Handler at top step, these general wage increases will total ($1,238.00). Additionally, each will receive ($580.00) effective in November 2002 and ($503.00) effective November 2003. These general wage increases will total ($2,321.00) over the four-year life of the contract. For a Level 5 Mail Handler at top step, the first two general wage increases will total ($1,266.00). Additional, each will receive ($593.00) effective November 2002 and ($514.00) effective in November 2003. These general wage increases will total ($2,373.00) over the four-year life of the Contract,

All retroactive dues amounts are scheduled to be withheld during pay period 17, 2002. In accordance with the constitutional language which was amended at the 2000 NPMHU National Convention, each Local Union will receive forty cents ($.40) of each fifty cents ($.50) per pay period increase, and the National Union will retain ten cents ($.10) per pay period in the form of increased per capita tax. This allows the Local Union to keep the lions share, eighty percent (80%) of the dues increase.

As a result of these dues increases, Local 311 will receive an additional sixty-five thousand dollars ($65,000.00) annually.