Building Grassroots Strength: Fourth Biennial Legislative Conference Convenes

The APWU Legislative and Political Department held its Legislative Conference on Oct. 1 in Las Vegas, NV. Keeping in line with the theme of the conference, Building Grassroots Strength, conference attendees participated in workshops designed to provide our members with the knowledge and resources to enact positive change at the local, state, and federal level. Workshops were held on the following topics: legislative advocacy and lobbying; understanding Postal Service operations, the Postal Regulatory Commission and Board of Governors; the building blocks of COPA; reshaping democracy at the state and local level; the history of the labor movement; and strategic communication for action.

The conversations continued through lunch, where attendees had the opportunity to engage with other members and leaders in their specific regions to discuss regional politics, the importance of the union vote, and how the APWU can make a difference during elections up and down the ballot.

The conference culminated in a general session that centered on working-class politics and the need to focus on issue-based education over partisan discourse. A panel of representatives from a number of community and national organizations addressed the general session and highlighted the fights and issues they are engaged in, and how to work as a union and community to advance our causes.

We thank all of those who attended our conference and contributed to a meaningful and productive dialogue to build the APWU’s grassroots strength. Those in attendance were asked to take what they learned back to their local and state unions, and continue member, family, and community outreach in preparation for the 2024 elections.

Young Workers’ Conference Parties with a Purpose

The Legislative and Political Department was thrilled to participate in the inaugural Young Workers’ Conference on Sept. 30. APWU young members are both the present and the future of the union movement, and just by being in attendance demonstrated their commitment to building a stronger APWU. After learning about the recent razor-thin margins that decided elections and control of Congress, young members participated in a social gathering themed “Party with a Purpose.” During this party, they texted more than 42,000 fellow members using the peer-to-peer messaging platform Hustle to urge postal workers to register to vote and to check their registration if already registered. ■