A local union for letter carriers will hold a rally on Sunday, Feb. 22, at the Keizer Post Office as part of a nationwide effort to advocate for pay increases and improved working conditions.

The rally will be held from noon to 2 p.m. and is one of three occurring in Oregon as part of the “National Day of Action” by the National Association of Letter Carriers. 

Rallies are being held ahead of letter carrier contract negotiations, starting soon. 

Keizer’s rally is being organized by the Willamette Valley branch of the union. Union member Valerie Castillo said the Keizer location was chosen due to its visibility and ease of access for participants. The post office is at 5454 River Road North.

The union held a rally in Keizer last year, against President Donald Trump’s threats of job cuts and privatization.  

Castillo said workers feel micromanaged in their roles. A union document provided by Castillo cites the physical demands of the job, safety concerns from physical threats on the job and long hours spent working in “all elements and conditions” as reasons for better pay.

The document also cited staffing shortages and high turnover. It stated that most letter carriers begin on a non-career track, and over half of non-career carriers leave the role within the first year. 

NEWS TIP? Contact reporter Krista Kroiss at [email protected].

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