[Washington, DC] The American Postal Workers Union (APWU) National President Mark Dimondstein issued the following statement today to recognize the founding of the APWU 50 years ago today:

“On July 1, 1971, five postal unions – the United Federation of Postal Clerks, National Postal Union, National Association of Post Office and General Service Maintenance Employees and the Special Delivery Messengers – came together to form the American Postal Workers Union. The union shares its ‘birthday’ with the United States Postal Service. 

“The creation of our union was a direct result of the 1970 Great Postal Strike, when thousands of fearless postal workers took destiny in their own hands and hit the streets. The successful strike won postal workers the right to collective bargaining, leading to improved standards of living for postal workers, the creation of our union and the creation of the modern United States Postal Service. 

 “We honor the legacy of our brave strikers who continue to inspire us and of our union’s founders who worked together to form one powerful union. Their courage and action changed lives for generations of postal workers to come.

“Still the struggle continues to protect and expand on the gains of the past, and to ensure the Postal Service remains a vibrant public national treasure.”