All Sections ------------------------------- News & Events Pay & Benefits Departments & Divisions Members Only

Advanced Search

---

---

Ask President Burrus

Question:

I remember many years ago (possibly in the ’80s) the APWU seemed close to a merger with the Mail Handlers Union. Since that time, it appears that the likelihood of a merger is more and more remote, and there does not appear to be any more talk about mergers with any other postal unions. I believe it would be good for all postal workers if we increase our total membership and negotiate our contracts together.

What do you think about the possibility of mergers with our sister unions? If you think the possibility is slim, what do you think the major impediments are?

Jeff, Nation’s Capital Southern MD Area Local

President Burrus:

Thank you for inquiring about the efforts of APWU to combine postal unions into one union for all postal employees. Article 1.2 of the APWU Constitution clearly states, “The APWU affirms its belief in a single union of all postal workers in non-supervisory levels.” Despite this goal, in the history of APWU and the Mail Handlers Union, there have never been serious discussions about merger.

The delegates to the 1980 APWU National Convention passed a resolution instructing the national union to attempt to decertify the Mail Handlers Union, which would have made it possible for Mail Handlers to select the APWU as their union. This effort was unsuccessful, and in the ensuing years there were no additional efforts to combine the unions.

At the 2006 National Convention, delegates adopted a resolution to study “efforts and procedures and processes” that would help bring the National Postal Mail Handlers Union into the APWU. Later that year, I initiated a conversation with Mail Handlers, seeking to engage them in discussions about the future of unions in the Postal Service. That effort is ongoing.

Unfortunately, there is a misconception within the APWU about the make-up of the postal unions. Many believe that, if asked, Mail Handlers will renounce their union and voluntarily join the APWU. I think it is naïve to believe that Mail Handlers will view the APWU as the union better suited to address their workplace concerns. They have a union and a pride associated with their own organization.

Many of our members also fail to realize that the Mail Handlers Union is a part of the Laborers International Union and not an independent body. This fact alone makes merger problematic, but it is irrelevant to the question of joining APWU.

I have heard comments such as, “we will make them a craft like Maintenance and Motor Vehicle.” This is the height of arrogance — believing that we can “make” them anything. It is Mail Handlers who will determine their future. Outside groups, no matter their intent, will play little role in determining the future for Mail Handlers.

I have engaged progressive Mail Handlers in a dialogue over the future, with no misconceptions and no assumptions. I simply ask the following questions: “Is it in our long-term interest to have separate unions representing postal employees who work side-by-side? If not, what vehicle would best serve postal workers 20 years from now?”

In this discussion I do not assume that the future union will be the American Postal Workers Union. It is my hope that if I can engage enlightened minds in a process of looking ahead, they will arrive at solutions that address the needs of the future.

In summary, there are no short-term prospects for merger with the Mail Handlers Union, and little interest at this time among their ranks to decertify their union in order to join ours.

Sept. 5, 2007

[more questions]

[back to top]