Women’s Organizing Campaign Takes Shape

The APWU Women’s Organizing Campaign is taking shape, with organizing kits mailed to 58 locals across the country. The packets include buttons, stickers, balloons, flyers, brochures, T-shirts, and, of course, the most important items of all — union sign-up forms.

The campaign’s theme is straightforward: Juggling the responsibilities of work and home often seems impossible — especially for women, who frequently bear a disproportionate share of family burdens. Somehow, working women manage to get it all done.

The tools that help working women — and men — cope are all union-made: Family & Medical Leave, which enables us to take time off to care for sick family members; the right to bid on the jobs that best suit our hectic schedules; the opportunity to use sick leave for dependent care; job security; and decent wages.

“The APWU campaign focuses on the special needs of women postal workers,” said Liz Powell, who serves on the union’s National Executive Board. “Women play an important role in the APWU, advancing the cause of women while fighting to make life better for all postal workers. We want women to reach out to female non-members, ‘woman-to-woman,’ and ask them to join.”

The campaign is being coordinated by a committee composed of the women national officers of the APWU, in conjunction with the Organization Department and APWU President William Burrus.

“Non-members fail to realize that the APWU is their union, whether or not they join,” Burrus said. “The decisions union members make determine their pay and benefits. The actions we take affect their lives and their livelihood in a fundamental way.

“How can they sit on the sidelines and not get involved?” he asked. “There is simply no valid reason for refusing to join.”

If your local hasn’t yet signed on to participate in the campaign, call 202-842-4227.