Organizing at the End of the Year

(This article appeared in the November/December 2025 issue of The American Postal Worker magazine)

As we approach the end of the year, it’s the perfect time to reflect on our organizing efforts and set our sights on 2026 goals that will carry us into the new year stronger than ever. We often hear that “union organizing is the lifeblood of our strength,” but what does that really mean to you and me? Organizing is how we grow our union, and as we grow, we become a stronger force to be reckoned with. It’s through organizing that we protect our rights, expand our collective voice, and ensure that every postal worker is part of the fight for fair wages, safe workplaces, and dignity on the job.

Over the past year, many locals have worked hard to grow their membership and strengthen participation within their locals. But our organizing work never ends. Right now, during the peak hiring season, we can’t afford to miss the opportunity to bring every new employee into our union.

Every year, thousands of Postal Support Employees (PSEs) are hired during our peak holiday season. With over 150,000 PSEs converted to career positions already, these new workers are our future career employees. Statistically, about 80% of the PSEs hired during peak season will continue their employment at some point after their break in service. For a PSE’s APWU membership to be automatically reinstated once rehired within 180-days after the conclusion of their current term of employment, the original application must have been submitted and entered. Since we only get one opportunity for new hire orientation, and PSEs may be brought back to different facilities, holding onto membership applications at the local level can result in applications never being submitted.

And if your local is skipping orientations altogether, that is a disservice not only to the new hires coming into the APWU, but to all of us. In short, during our peak season, do not delay sending in membership applications (Form 1187s).

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

The Columbus Area Local (OH) has made impressive strides in member engagement and organizing through the innovative use of their website. Maintenance Craft Director and Local Editor Cameron Taylor shared how the local has transformed its website into a valuable tool for both current members and new recruits.

This year, the local launched “Members Only” and “Stewards Only” sections that require users to create an account where membership is reviewed before approval. In just a few short months, nearly 200 of their more than 1,100 members have already registered. The site includes seniority rosters for all crafts, postings, and results for the Clerk Craft in their Processing and Distribution Center (P&DC) and City Stations, and convenient tools such as contact forms that automatically send messages to the appropriate people and Delivery Bar Code Sorter (DBCS) staffing statement submissions. These updates have made the website more functional and engaging, so much so that some nonmembers have joined the APWU just to gain access.

The local also created an email newsletter that now reaches over 800 members, with more than half regularly opening each issue. Website traffic has increased from 2,214 visits in 2023 to over 16,000 in 2025.

This is a great example of how locals can use technology and consistent communication to build engagement, strengthen organizing efforts, and add value for members. Excellent work, Columbus Area Local!

As we close out the year, I want to thank each of you for your dedication and the hard work you’ve put into strengthening our union. Congratulations to our newly elected leaders, to those who were reelected, and to those retiring after years of service. I look forward to working together as we build on our organizing successes. Wishing everyone a joyful holiday season and a strong start to 2026! In Union Solidarity. ■