Burrus: Submit Names by April 16

The union’s offer to help defray costs for young activists to attend the National Convention has received an enthusiastic response, prompting APWU President William Burrus to set an April 16 deadline for the submission of names.

Burrus announced in March that the national union would help pay expenses associated with sending union members age 35 and under to the convention to encourage union participation among a new generation of workers.

“I am pleased by the enthusiastic response to our offer,” Burrus said, noting that 78 members had expressed interest. “Unfortunately, however, we must limit our expenditure for this undertaking.”

In announcing the plan, the union president noted that the Postal Service’s financial challenges, along with productivity increases, have virtually halted hiring, and, as a result, the postal workforce has aged significantly.

But the union “depends upon a steady influx of activists to continue first-class representation far into the future.” The APWU must make a concentrated effort to encourage a high percentage of young employees to get involved, he said.

Toward that end, the national union will assume the cost of transportation and lodging (in double-occupancy rooms) for members 35 or younger to attend. In addition, the national union will pay 50 percent of lost time for 35-or-younger attendees from locals that compensate delegates for their lost time when they participate in the convention. The convention will be held in Detroit, Aug. 23 to 27.

To qualify, locals must submit the names and Employee I.D. numbers of participants with certification that they will be 35 years old or younger at the time of the convention. Selections should be sent to sduyck@apwu.org as soon as possible, and no later than April 16.

If the young participants have not been officially elected as delegates they cannot be granted voice or vote at the convention. However, Burrus will request the consent of the delegates to allow the special participants access to the convention floor. The young attendees will be provided with special credentials.