Craft Division, Retiree Conferences Get to Work at APWU's 27th Biennial Pre-Convention

As delegates arrived in Detroit, Michigan for the 27th Biennial APWU National Convention, the Clerk, Maintenance, Motor Vehicle Service, and Support Services Divisions held their respective conferences, alongside the APWU Retirees Department.

APWU President Mark Dimondstein and other national officers addressed each conference and offered their support.

At the Clerk Division General Session, Director Lamont Brooks presented current national and jurisdictional disputes, stressed the need to return clerk work to the craft, and discussed the importance of protecting and expanding work in the craft. Director Brooks thanked delegates for their activism and participation in the union and urged members to remain proactive against workplace harassment and safety issues. Following the Clerk Division Officer Reports, the membership discussed and debated on 47 resolutions presented by the craft resolution committee.

At the Maintenance Division General Session, Director Idowu Balogun provided remarks before delivering his officer’s report, which informed delegates about the progress of the craft since the 2022 National Convention. Maintenance national officers also discussed the updated General Services Administration (GSA) per diem allowance, pending national disputes, a Step 4 settlement, and Maintenance Craft pilot programs. Delegates discussed and debated a total of 24 resolutions.

Motor Vehicle Service (MVS) Division Director Michael Foster led the MVS General Session. Delegates participated in Article 32 Sub-contracting and Article 39 Basic Training sessions, as well as a course titled “Conversions, Residuals and Maximizations.”

Director Foster spoke about past victories obtained by the craft in the outgoing union contract, ongoing Step 4 disputes, updates on the Postal Vehicle Operator (PVO) pilot program, and the historic 110 award from arbitrator Das, which retained PVS work for APWU-represented employees. Delegates discussed resolution proposals addressing driver safety, job training, security, and seniority.

The Support Services Division General Session, led by Director Arrion Brown, began with updates about Information Technology and Accounting Services (IT/ AS) and 10 Roads Express contract negotiations. Director Brown held a “Taking Action to Protect Our Union” workshop, which discussed the differences between an organizing union and a service union, and how to build worker power through organized actions. The afternoon concluded with training on the grievance procedure to assist members in understanding the process.

Focusing on issues of relevance to retirees and active members alike, the Retirees Department General Session, led by Director Nancy Olumekor, included presentations about the 2024 Election – Getting Out the Vote (GOTV) and voting rights, Medicare Integration, pending legislation, such as the Social Security Fairness Act and The Federal Retiree Fairness Act, Medicare Advantage Plans, and the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025.

Retiree members were recognized for having the most donations contributed to APWU’s Committee on Political Action (COPA) by any group in the union with the presentation of an APWU COPA Award by APWU Legislative & Political Director Judy Beard. Retiree Conference attendees were lauded by various speakers for their many contributions to the union; especially for laying the groundwork for the formation of the APWU.

“You paved the way for those who came after you,” said APWU Secretary-Treasurer Elizabeth Powell. “Your hard work is appreciated.”

APWU Members Participate in Pre-Convention Workshops

APWU members took part in 24 educational workshops and training courses on Friday, July 12. The workshops were organized by the Research and Education Department and its director, Joyce Robinson.

The workshops and trainings covered a wide range of issues, including contract enforcement, innovative new ways to organize nonmembers, the fundamentals of labor law, communications for locals from the Postal Press Association, as well as social justice and racial equality. Members left the trainings with new tools and information to stand up for our members on the shop floor and in the streets.

APWU Auxiliary:  Valuable Asset of Our Union

The APWU Auxiliary continues working tirelessly to fulfill its mission of providing assistance to the APWU in many ways and helping the less fortunate.

Promoting many of the APWU’s legislative initiatives, the Auxiliary works for the interests of APWU members and their families.

Auxiliary members volunteer their time at senior centers, blood drives, homeless shelters and food banks, and select human relations projects, such as “Sleep in Heavenly Peace – No Child Sleeps on the Floor in our Town,” which is an organization that builds and provides beds for children ages three to 17 years of age. So far, more than $50,000 has been raised for beds and bedding materials.

Two of the previous human relations projects included raising $125,000 for Fisher House for Veterans and $75,000 for the Wounded Warriors Amputee Softball Team.

Without the efforts of the Auxiliary, the APWU would be unable to carry out many of the time consuming, behind the scenes work that is essential to the success of our union. Membership of the Auxiliary is comprised of relatives of APWU members. Through the efforts of the APWU Auxiliary, the important work of the union gets completed and is a valuable tool for building unity and a sense of purpose for APWU members and their families. Reflecting on this important characteristic, Auxiliary President Trisa Mannion said, “Unions are good for families and families are good for the union.”

For more information about the Auxiliary, please visit its booth in the convention exhibit area or its website at apwuauxiliary.org.

APWU Young Members:  Confidence is the Key to the APWU's Future!

Over 80 of the union’s young members (age 35 and under) attended a breakfast hosted by the Young Members Committee (YMC) to come together for fellowship and discuss what can be done to serve young members’ needs.

The meeting was planned by the YMC Chairs Skylar Beaton and Jeremy Allen from the Central Region, Courtney Agee and Angela McDonald from the Southern Region, Jada Anderson and Kisandrea Molter from the Western Region, Tracy Mullennex and Rictarsha Westmoreland from the Southern Region, and Che Magwood and Shanice Edwards from the Northeastern Region.

The committee invited delegates under the age of 35, President APWU Young Members: Confidence is the Key to the APWU’s Future! APWU President Mark Dimondstein and Secretary-Treasurer Elizabeth "Liz" Powell, Industrial Relations Director Charlie Cash, YMC liaisons Anna Smith and Omar Gonzalez, and Regional Coordinators Tiffany Foster, A.J. Jones, and Amy Puhalski to attend the meeting of young union activists.

The breakfast, cosponsored by the Voluntary Benefits Plan, began with introductions from representatives of the Accident Benefit Association, Voluntary Benefits Plan, Aflac, APWU Health Plan, and Union Plus. Next, Skylar Beaton and Kisandrea Molter shared “Labor History through the Eyes of Young Members,” a presentation of their experiences with our labor history. President Dimondstein then shared some remarks about the importance of young workers in the labor movement.

The event also featured a lively game of trivia about APWU History with member Sam Wood of the Albuquerque Local winning the prize. Courtney Agee wrapped up the breakfast with a special presentation thanking Liz Powell for her work to build and grow the YMC.