Still ‘Fighting for Justice’
July 8, 2016
(This article first appeared in the July-August issue of The American Postal Worker Magazine)
It is an honor and privilege to serve as the new director of the APWU Retirees Department. I look forward to working together to continue the fight on issues of importance to retiree members and future retirees – active members. We are all part of the “Fight for Justice.” Lest anyone forget, retirees are part of the history and the fabric of APWU.
Since I took office, the Retirees Department has made every effort to ensure a smooth transition. I would be remiss if I did not take this time to thank Sister Judy Beard for her hard work and dedication to the APWU and for the assistance she provided me during the transition. Thank you, Judy.
We have important business to conduct during our Retiree Conference on Aug. 20 and 21, 2016, which will take place immediately before 23rd Biennial National Convention. Due to the resignation of Central Region APWU Retiree National Convention Delegate Al LaBrecque, Brother Paul Browning was appointed by President Dimondstein to fill the position as of June 1, 2016. Brother Browning and Brother LaBrecque worked together for years in the labor movement and in the Michigan State Retiree Chapter. We will miss Brother LaBrecque at our meetings and on the convention floor.
Election 2016
Sisters and brothers, we must do our part to ensure that elected officials will support issues of importance and concern to us as retirees and postal workers. To ensure that this is done, we must all get out to vote as well as impress upon family and friends the urgency of this upcoming election, which will be held on Nov. 8, 2016. We will follow the direction of Judy Beard, who is now APWU Legislative/Political Director, to ensure that we get out the vote this fall. Remember, we have come a long way, but we still have a ways to go.