PSE Conversions Top 25,000!

The APWU reached a major milestone in November: More than 25,000 Postal Support Employees (PSEs) – including some from every craft – have been converted to career over the last two years.

“This is a life-changing event for the workers who were converted and their families,” said APWU President Mark Dimondstein. “It means more stability and greater financial security. It’s an outstanding example of the union at work.

“It’s also a great example of what we can accomplish when we work together,” he said. “Local and state leaders, National Business Agents, Regional Coordinators and Craft Directors and Assistant Directors all persevered to win these conversions.

“Of course, the PSEs themselves – and the former PSEs – played an important role,” Dimondstein added.

“Many spoke out about the need for conversions and got active in the union to make sure they happened.”

The involvement of a new generation of workers in union affairs is a great benefit to the APWU, and will be for years to come.

The majority of the conversions were the result of the Memorandum of Understanding on Filling of Residual Vacancies, which the APWU and the Postal Service signed in March 2014. A July 2014 Maintenance Craft settlement on custodial staffing, a September 2014 arbitration win on staffing “POStPlan” offices, and the “global settlement” that enforced limits on postmasters performing clerk craft work in small offices, were also essential to the PSE conversions.

Were you converted recently? Tell us what it has meant to you. Write to Communications@apwu.org.