APWU
In March, the Consumer Price Index (CPI-W) rose to 617.239, still well below the July 2008 index of 644.303 (upon which our last COLA increase was based). The CPI-W must rise above 644.303 before another COLA is due. After the second month of the six-month measuring period, and assuming the adjustment were based on the March index, the sixth COLA under the 2006 National Agreement and the Operating Services Agreement would be zero. However, the next COLA will be based on the July 2009 index point and will be effective Aug. 29, 2009 (pay period 19-09, pay date Sept. 18, 2009)
The fifth COLA, which would have been effective March 14, 2009, was zero.
There was no projected accumulation toward the fifth regular cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for letter carriers under the 2006-2011 National Agreement in April following the release of the March Consumer Price Index (CPI).
The next COLA will reflect the increase in the CPI between January and July 2009.