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The second cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for letter carriers under the 2011-2016 National Agreement is $541 annually. This COLA is based on the increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) between January 2013 and July 2013. That translates into 26 cents per hour, $20.80 per pay period and $541 annually for City Carriers paid under Table 1 of the Pay Schedule, in both Grades 1 and 2.

Under the terms of the 2011-2016 contract, payment of this second COLA will be deferred for one year and will take effect in the second full pay period after the release of the July 2014 CPI.

The first COLA, $146 annually, was announced previously. Under the terms of our agreement, payment of this first COLA will be deferred for one year and will take effect in the second full pay period after the release of the January 2014 CPI.

Note that next year, both of the deferred 2013 COLAs, $146 annually and $541 annually, will be added to the Step O pay rates in Table 2 of the Pay Schedule, which applies to City Carriers hired in career positions on or after January 13, 2013.The pay rates of Steps A through N of Table 2 will be increased proportionally, as provided by the contract. For example, Step A is set at 61.5 percent of Step O, so the COLA for Grade 1, Step A is $333 annually.