Older Americans Month Contest

(This article first appeared in the March-April 2016 issue of The American Postal Worker magazine.) 

May is Older Americans Month. In keeping with our union’s tradition of observance, the APWU National Executive Board passed a resolution encouraging all our locals, state organizations and retiree and auxiliary chapters to hold events in honor of retirees. This is our way of thanking the retirees for their contributions.

The theme for 2016’s Older Americans Month is, “Blaze a Trail.” Forty-six years ago, postal retirees blazed a trail that helped raise the annual wages of full-time postal employees from $6,200 in 1970 to the living wages of today. This achievement is credited to those sisters and brothers who risked their jobs by participating in the Great Postal Strike.

The strike resulted in the passage of the Postal Reorganization Act, which was signed into law on Aug. 12, 1970. Postal unions won the right to negotiate over wages, benefits, and working conditions.

The rights postal workers and retirees enjoy today, from safety and health rules, to overtime pay, and pensions, would not be possible without our retirees’ ongoing fight for workers’ justice.

President Dimondstein extends his thanks to all our retirees, with a promise that, “In the 21st century, the officers and members will continue to blaze new trails to protect and improve workers’ rights and retiree benefits.”

Photo Contest, Essay Contest

The Retirees Department will mark this special occasion with two projects: a photo contest and essay contest.

The photo contest will honor positive images of APWU retirees. Photos should feature high-resolution images, with good clarity. Entries should depict one of the following categories:

(a) Mentoring Youth – Sharing skills and knowledge with a person 18 years old or younger.

(b) Political Activism – Encouraging voter registration; attending a rally; or visiting an elected official.

(c) Making a positive impact on the lives of others – Engaging in volunteer or charitable activities.

For the essay contest, submissions should be 150 to 200 words, and should discuss what you are doing to increase voter participation and why you are motivated to be involved in the Nov. 8 presidential election. Include a photo of yourself with your essay.

All entries must include (1) your name, (2) the name(s) of your subject(s), (3) your address, (4) phone number(s) or email address, (5) the year you retired, (6) the craft you worked in before you retired from the USPS, (7) for the photo contest only, a one-sentence description.

Entries may be mailed to the APWU Retirees Department, 1300 L Street NW, Washington DC 20005, or emailed to retiree@apwu.org with the subject, “Blazing the Trail Contest.” Entries must be received no later than March 31.

Photos and essays published in The American Postal Worker magazine will receive a $100 prize. Those posted on the website only will receive a $50 prize. By entering the contest(s), participants grant the APWU the right to publish, post, and use the photos and/or essays in whole or in part. Photos and/or essays will not be returned.