| Effective date | Contract change | Who it affects |
|---|---|---|
| September 5, 2026 PP 20-2026 | $1,414 annual COLA, equal to 68 cents per hour for full-time career employees | APWU career employees; applied to the appropriate schedules |
| September 19, 2026 PP 21-2026 | New top steps for Grades 4, 5, 6 and 7 | Employees who progress to the added steps under the normal waiting rules |
| September 19, 2026 PP 21-2026 | Fixed 2.0% night-differential adjustment | APWU employees working qualifying night hours |
Grades 4–7 gain new top steps
The contract adds the following top steps to the post-2010 pay scales:
- Grade 4: Step J
- Grade 5: Step L
- Grade 6: Step M
- Grade 7: Step M
Night differential changes again
The agreement provides a fixed 2.0% adjustment to APWU night-shift differential effective September 19. APWU night differential is paid from published flat-dollar hourly schedules that vary by grade, step and rate schedule. It should not be described as an extra two percentage points of base pay.
Use the official 2024–2027 APWU night-differential tables to find the actual cents-per-hour amount for your row. The table includes separate rates for full-time and part-time regular employees, PTFs, Step GG and PSEs.
When will it appear on the paycheck?
September 19 is the first day of Pay Period 21-2026. The changes apply to eligible work performed in that pay period; September 19 is not itself a universal paycheck date. Review the earnings statement that covers PP 21 and allow for any USPS processing instructions governing Form 50 changes.
On that statement, check:
- The grade and step shown for the employee’s base rate.
- The effective date on any new PS Form 50.
- The hourly night-differential amount and number of eligible hours.
- Whether the September 5 COLA is already included in the underlying salary schedule.
Why the changes matter beyond straight-time pay
A higher base salary can increase overtime, holiday and Sunday-premium calculations and can ultimately help the employee’s FERS high-3. Night differential is separate premium pay and should be estimated from the published hourly schedule rather than folded into base salary.
For employees who eventually move into one of the newly added top steps, the higher base rate can increase the same pay components. The normal waiting periods still govern that movement.
Estimate the combined effect. Enter the new base rate, overtime and your exact published night-differential rate.
Open the take-home pay calculator