Attend a Pre-Convention Workshop

The Research & Education Department will sponsor the APWU’s 17th Educational Conference, a National Convention event that provides union members with a wealth of information to take home to their locals and state organizations. Twenty Pre-Convention Workshops will be offered on Friday, August 12, 2022, prior to the start of the craft conferences and national convention, at the Gaylord National Harbor Hotel, 201 Waterfront Street, National Harbor, MD 20745. Full day workshops will be offered from (10 am- 5:30 pm) and half- day workshops will be offered from (10 am-1 pm) and from (2:30 pm-5:30 pm). 

All APWU members are welcome and encouraged to sign-up online. The deadline to register online is Friday, July 29, 2022. Participants are encouraged to register early, as classroom space is limited. Other participants may try to sign- up for workshops after they arrive in Maryland. However, late registrants will have a limited choice of workshops, as many workshops will already be filled to capacity.  

Special Note: If you need a sign interpreter, you must register by Friday, July 29. The registration process will be conducted online ONLY. Click here to Register. Below is a list of workshops and times. 

APWU SEARCH Training: APWU SEARCH is a web-based database designed to be used by arbitration advocates to simplify searches for arbitration awards and decisions that will be used in support of cases presented before an arbitrator.  Training includes: how the interface works, the proper way to login and set-up your web browser to return search results, conduct searches using the multiple-tab feature, and the best methods to use to narrow searches. Arbitration Advocates who have not previously attended, or those advocates whose skills needs refreshing should attend this training. (Participants must bring a fully charged laptop to the training). (10 am-1 pm) 

Article 37.3.A.1 and MDAT Training: Outlines how to use these tools to create and preserve jobs in the Clerk Craft, assist in converting PSEs to career status, create desirable duty assignments, maximize PTFs in small offices, reduce disputes on reversions and abolishments, and reduce excessing when the USPS is utilizing PSEs. (Participants must bring a fully charged laptop to the training). (2:30 pm-5:30 pm) 

Basic Shop Steward’s Training: Guidelines for new shop stewards, with a focus on proper documentation of grievances, and the duties, rights, and guidelines for shop stewards. Participants must attend this workshop the entire day and cannot select another workshop. (10 am-5:30 pm) 

Communicating at the Local Level Workshop: Examines the importance of information sharing using various mediums with special emphasis on the process of producing a member-oriented, high quality union publication. (10 am-1 pm) 

Fiduciary Responsibility Training: Reviews the fiduciary and legal responsibilities of union officers, the LMRDA, and the National Constitution and basic financial principles. New presidents, treasurers, trustees, and executive board members are urged to attend. (2:30 pm-5:30 pm) 

Fighting Discipline Workshop: An in-depth discussion of how to protect APWU members from unwarranted discipline.  Proper investigation techniques will be explained in detail, along with common arguments for defending employees against unwarranted discipline. (2:30 pm-5:30 pm) 

Innovative Organizing Training: Focuses on real-life organizing challenges. Participants will learn the techniques and strategies needed to expand membership and strengthen our union. Explores ways to encourage new members to join the union and addresses what to say to convince those members, who are considering dropping their membership, to stay involved. (2:30 pm-5:30 pm)  

Labor Law Fundamentals Workshop: A look at the National Labor Relations Act, with a focus on the rights of APWU members, the Duty of Fair Representation, and how to identify unfair labor practices. (10 am-1 pm) 

Large Office Issues (Function 1) Workshop: Covers current issues in large mail processing facilities. Topics include RI-399 jurisdictions & crossing craft violations, machine safety and staffing, and general expeditor and lead clerk duties. (2:30 pm-5:30 pm) 

Leadership Development Training: Helps newly elected union leaders understand the responsibilities, challenges, and qualities of leadership; examines goal setting; outlines the steps to developing effective listening skills; discusses the necessity of coalition building; gives tips on how to get along with difficult people, resolving conflict, and stress reduction. Also, it offers a basic knowledge of how to run a union meeting.  Participants must attend this workshop the entire day and cannot select another workshop. (10 am-5:30 pm) 

Legal Issues and Union Communications Workshop: A review of editorial policies, union regulations, libel, copyright and federal election laws that apply to hardcopy and electronic forms of communication. (2:30 pm-5:30 pm) 

Maintenance Article 12 Excessing Guide Workshop: Addresses how to challenge Maintenance Article 12 Excessing Notifications; Understanding Article 12.5.C.4 and 12.5.C.5, which outlines reassignment within and outside of the Installation, and the applicable RFIs. (2:30 pm-5:30 pm)  

Maintenance New MS 1 Handbook TL 6 Training: Gives an overview of the Implementation of Arbitrator Goldberg’s Award regarding transition of Maintenance work from Station and Branches to the Field Maintenance Operation (FMO) within the guidelines of the New TL 6 Handbook and applicable Maintenance Manager Orders (MMOs). (10 am-1 pm)  

Motor Vehicle Service Division (MVS) Issues Workshop: An update on MVS issues and information on the Articles 39, 32, and other articles of the CBA that apply to the Motor Vehicle Craft. Participants must attend this workshop the entire day and cannot select another workshop. (10 am-5:30 pm)  

Protecting Clerk Work in Smaller Offices Workshop: An overview of issues such as crossing crafts, maximization, supervisors performing bargaining-unit work, lead clerk duties, “lobby sweeps/lobby director,” and Function 4 staffing. (10 am-1 pm)  

PSEs Issues Training: Focuses on enforcing contractual rights of Clerk Craft PSEs. Topics include protecting PSEs’ rights, holding management accountable for exceeding the use of non-career employees, increasing the career workforce, and seniority issues. (10 am-1 pm) 

Retirement Planning Workshop: Provides information for Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) employees and Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) employees on annuity calculations, best date to retire, benefit choices, important records to keep, and tips on successfully completing the application. (10 am-1 pm) 

Social Justice & Racial Equality Workshop: Explains the definitions of Social Justice & Racial Equality, examines Individual Racism vs. Systemic Racism, explores ways to achieve equity in our communities and in our union, and provides an in-depth understanding of the labor movement’s role in the pursuit of social and economic justice for all working people. (10 am-1 pm) 

Stand Up for Safe Jobs Training:  Designed to build active and strong safety campaigns at the “grassroots” level.  Participants will learn how to complete PS Form 1767 (Report of Hazard, Unsafe Condition or Practice), the role of local safety committees, how to seek assistance from OHSA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and how to help employees understand the importance of reporting safety violations on the job. (10 am-1 pm) 

The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) from A-to-Z Workshop: Covers every aspect of TSP including: The benefits of savings; Traditional vs Roth Contributions; Investments; Loans, and Post-Separation Withdrawals. (2:30 pm-5:30 pm) 

Click Here to register for the  

Pre-Convention Workshops! 

If you have problems registering online, please email PRECONREGISTRATION@APWU.ORG with your name, a cell phone number, and a brief description of your problem.