President George W. Bush has made Friday, December 26, a day off for federal employees. However, the Executive Order excuses most Executive Branch employees from duty on December 26.  “The day off does not affect Postal Service workers, nor does it include Executive Branch employees whose agencies determine they cannot be excused for reasons of national security, defense or other essential public need.” Bush Executive Order for December 26, 2008

APWU President William Burrus last year said:

Employee schedules are governed by the Collective Bargaining Agreement, and the 2006-2010 agreement, which was ratified by APWU members early in 2007, does not include provisions granting APWU-represented employees holidays simply because they have been granted to federal employees. Even though the postal holidays are also days that the federal government recognizes for federal employees, the source of holiday recognition for postal workers is the negotiated agreement.

The union will address this issue in future rounds of bargaining. Because the cost of closing the Postal Service for a day is estimated by management to be nearly $175 million, we can expect resistance during negotiations.

Update from USPS News Link:

DEC. 26 EXECUTIVE ORDER EXCLUDES USPS

The Executive Order President Bush issued today excusing executive branch employees from duty Friday, Dec. 26, 2008, the day after Christmas Day, does not include postal employees. The day is to be treated as a normal business day for USPS.

All postal facilities will be open as usual and delivery service will be provided.