Article 21 Benefit Plans NA2022

Article 21 Benefit Plans

§ 21.1 Health Benefits

The method for determining the Employer bi-weekly contributions to the cost of employee health insurance programs under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHB)* will be as follows:

1. The Office of Personnel Management shall calculate the subscription charges under the FEHB* that will be in effect the following January with respect to self only, self plus one, and self and family enrollments.
2. The bi-weekly Employer contribution for self only, self plus one, and self and family plans is adjusted to an amount equal to 72.0% in 2023, 2024 and 2025 of the weighted average biweekly premiums under the FEHB/PSHB Program* as determined by the Office of Personnel Management. The adjustment begins on the effective date determined by the Office of Personnel Management in January 2023, January 2024, and January 2025.
3. The weight to be given to a particular subscription charge for each FEHB/PSHB Program* plan and option will be based on the number of enrollees in each such plan and option for whom contributions have been received from employers covered by the FEHB/PSHB Program* as determined by the Office of Personnel Management.
4. The amount necessary to pay the total charge for enrollment a ter the Employer's contribution is deducted shall be withheld from the pay of each enrolled employee. To the extent permitted by law, the Employer shall permit employees covered by this Agreement to make their premium contributions to the cost of each plan on a pre-tax basis, and shall extend eligibility to such employees for the U.S. Postal Service's flexible spending account plans for unreimbursed health care expenses and work-related child care and elder care expenses as authorized under Section 125 of the Internal Revenue Code.
5. The limitation upon the Employer's contribution towards any individual employee shall be 75% in 2023, 2024 and 2025 of the subscription charge under the FEHB/PSHB Program* in 2023, 2024, and 2025. *As of January 2025, the Postal Service Health Benefits Program (“PSHB Program”)

§ 21.2 Life Insurance

The Employer shall maintain the current life insurance program in effect during the term of this Agreement.

§ 21.3 Retirement

The provisions of Chapters 83 and 84 of Title 5 U.S. Code, and any amendments thereto, shall continue to apply to employees covered by this Agreement.

§ 21.4 Injury Compensation

Employees covered by this Agreement shall be covered by subchapter I of Chapter 81 of Title 5, and any amendments thereto, relating to compensation for work injuries. The Employer will promulgate appropriate regulations which comply with applicable regulations of the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs and any amendments thereto.

§ 21.5 Health Benefit Brochures

When a new employee who is eligible for enrollment in the Federal Employee's Health Benefit Program enters the Postal Service, the employee shall be furnished a copy of the Health Benefit Plan brochure of the Union.

[See Memo, page 211]

MOU Committee on Benefits

It is hereby recognized and acknowledged by the United States Postal Service and the National Postal Mail Handlers Union, A Division of the Laborers’ International Union of North America, AFL-CIO, that the benefits structure in many industries in the private sector is changing and evolving. In keeping with these circumstances, the parties agree to the establishment of a national level committee to study the current benefits structure as set forth in Article 21 of the 1998 Mail Handlers Division National Agreement. As a part of this study, the parties will also consider the feasibility of other benefit plans such as:

1. Child care;
2. Group legal services; and
3. Long term and short term disability insurance.

During the term of the 2022 National Agreement, the Committee on Benefits will meet to study and discuss these subjects and, if mutual agreement is reached by the parties on any changes concerning the current benefit structure, appropriate amendments to Article 21 could be negotiated. It is understood such implementation could take the form of pilot or test sites at mutually agreed upon installations or Districts where a modified benefits structure could be further assessed. The parties understand and agree that benefit plans which are currently mandated by statute will not be discussed by this committee.