On September 13, 2023, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released the August Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) which established the Private Transportation Index at 279.590, an increase from the May 2023 Index of 271.037. Therefore, based on the August 2023 CPI-W release, the Equipment Maintenance Allowance (EMA) for rural carriers will increase 3.0¢ to 98.0¢ per mile. This EMA rate will be effective October 7, 2023 (Pay Period 22-2023).
Rural Carriers
In accordance with the provisions of Article 9, Section 2.J.3 of the USPS/NRLCA National Agreement, effective October 7, 2023 (Pay Period 22-2023), the Equipment Maintenance Allowance (EMA) will increase to 98.0¢ per mile, or a minimum of $39.20 per day, whichever is greater.
Auxiliary Rural Carriers, Rural Carrier Reliefs, Rural Carrier Associates, Rural Carrier Part Time Flexibles, and Auxiliary Assistance
Employees providing auxiliary assistance or serving auxiliary routes under the provisions of Article 9, Section 2.J.5, will receive EMA of 98.0¢ per mile or $10.40 per hour, whichever is greater. This EMA should not exceed the amount provided in the special EMA chart for route stops and miles.
This was the sixth opportunity for an EMA adjustment under the terms of the 2021-2024 USPS/NRLCA National Agreement. The next quarterly adjustment will occur after the release of the November 2023 Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) and will be effective the second full pay period after release of that index.
