The Clerk Division 2023 All-Craft Conference

The Clerk Division held its general session and workshops at the 2023 All-Craft Conference in Las Vegas, NV. We taught classes on steward training, local leadership, RI-399 Craft Jurisdiction, Articles 12 and 16, gaining clerk craft work, and POStPlan.

Prior to our officer reports, NBA Linda Turney recognized and honored recently retired Central Regional Coordinator Sharyn Stone, followed by former Clerk Division Assistant Director Dr. Pat Williams honoring the life and work of recently departed former Clerk Division Director James P. McCarthy.

Maui Area Local President Ofaloto Satoafaiga and Vice President Robert Robinson addressed the delegates regarding the devastating wildfires in Lahaina on the island of Maui, HI.

A motion passed that allowed for a collection of donations. A staggering $30,000 was collected, which included a match from APWU Headquarters.

Clerk Division Assistant Director Sam Lisenbe, began his officer report, and spoke about recent Memorandums of Understandings (MOUs) signed by the craft, such as the Jobs Audit MOU and the Clerk Craft Jobs MOU Remedy rollout. He also spoke about the Retail Training Taskforce, the expansion of the Smart Lockers program, the Enterprise Payment System, as well as the ongoing Letter of Demand and Letter of Indebtedness issues where the Postal Service has allowed the Department of Treasury to force deductions from retirees checks when they have valid and timely grievances.

Lisenbe provided updates on recent Step 4 activity. We have worked diligently to close out older disputes to minimize the backlog and have encouraged NBAs to prearbitrate and settle disputes. Current Step 4 discussions with management include Dispatch Coordinator and New Employee Orientation. The Division leadership has also sent a notification on Arrow Key Accountability.

President Mark Dimondstein spoke about the issues members are facing today. From voter rights to worker rights, Dimondstein urged members to forge ahead with the hard work and difficult issues facing workers.

Assistant Director Lynn Pallas-Barber began her officer report with updates on recent national disputes and other ongoing issues such as the Alternative Dispute Resolution Process (ADRP), the MOU on Filling Residual Vacancies, PSE Compliance, Small Office Complement Report, Human Resources Shared Service Center contract officer, Wounded Warrior Leave, RI-399 Committee meetings, as well as preparing for the 2024 contract negotiations.

During my director report, I spoke about the young members and my optimism about their futures in our union. I have been planning and organizing a mentorship program for almost two years. I urged delegates to return to their locals to find and mentor young members, create relationships, and prepare them for the future of the APWU, and the continued struggle to protect the craft’s work.

We updated members on the ongoing initiative to protect current clerk work and to create new work and jobs for the craft. We can expand craft work by providing notary services, issuing fishing licenses, property permits, and transportation passes, and registering the public to vote. We concluded the session with the resolutions, which included subjects such as PSE opting on scheduled absences of five or more days, and rules on reassignment and excessing.

On behalf of the Clerk Division, I hope participants enjoyed the 2023 All-Craft and returned home safely. I want to thank you for all you do, because you’re the ones that make it all possible. ■