APWU Constitution and Bylaws

The APWU Constitution and Bylaws [PDF] govern the union. Adopted by delegates to the union’s national conventions, the Constitution outlines the union's structure, rules, and dues. It lists the APWU’s national officers and establishes the scope of their responsibility. The Constitution sets forth the rights enjoyed by all members of the American Postal Workers Union.

[APWU Constitution - two-page layout for printing as booklet (PDF)]

Union to Keep Unoccupied Officer Positions Vacant

(04/01/13) In accordance with a vote of the National Executive Council at the end of March, four soon-to-be unoccupied national officer positions that are listed in the APWU Constitution will be kept vacant. As a result of the council’s actions, elections will not be held for the vacant positions when voting for national union officers takes place later this year. [Read more]

Updated APWU Constitution Posted

(03/18/13) The updated APWU Constitution & Bylaws has been posted. The new constitution includes changes adopted by delegates to the union’s National Convention in August 2012. It also includes minor grammatical and other changes that were recommended by a review committee. In addition to the corrections, some language was moved from one section to another. The meaning of all sections of the constitution remains unchanged. [read more]

National Executive Board
Amends Constitution
To Comply with Federal Law

(07/24/12) The National Executive Board (NEB) has amended the APWU Constitution and the APWU Health Plan Constitution to comply with provisions of the Affordable Care Act. In making the change, the NEB exercised its authority under Article 22.2 of the union’s constitution, which permits the board to act between conventions to remove conflicts between the union’s bylaws and applicable federal or state law. [read more]

National Executive Board Removes
Provision in Conflict with Law

(04/04/12) The National Executive Board (NEB) has removed from the APWU Constitution & Bylaws a provision that was in conflict with federal law. In response to a local election challenge, the Department of Labor ruled on Jan. 11, 2011, that a portion of Article 3.1 could not be fairly enforced, and, therefore, implementing its provisions would violate the Labor Management Reporting and Disclosure Act.

The language in question was intended to prevent union members who are receiving pay from the OWCP (Office of Workers Compensation) from maintaining “good-standing” status if they fail to pay union dues. Only union members in “good standing” are eligible to vote in union elections.

The Department of Labor (DOL) concluded that the local had no way of knowing whether members were receiving pay from the OWCP. The local “does not, nor can it, collect information as to whether a member is being paid through OWCP,” the DOL wrote. “The employer is under no obligation to make such a report to the union, and, due to privacy law restrictions, OWCP will not release information concerning individual payments to the union.”

As a result of the DOL ruling, the NEB deleted the following phrase from Article 3.1 of the APWU Constitution:

(except for members on the automatic rolls or receiving pay for an approved on-the-job-injury from the Department of Labor – Office of Worker’s Compensation Programs)

In making the change, the NEB exercised its authority under Article 22.2 of the union’s constitution, which permits the board to act between conventions to remove conflicts between the union’s bylaws and applicable federal or state law.

Locals are advised that they should not enforce the deleted provision.

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