Attend a Pre-Convention Workshop!

The Research & Education Department will sponsor 24 Pre-Convention Workshops on Friday, July 12, 2024, prior to the start of the craft conferences and national convention, at the Huntington Place Convention Center, Detroit, Michigan.

Click to register for a pre-convention workshop

All APWU members are welcome and must register online by the Monday, July 1, 2024 deadline. Participants are encouraged to register early, as classroom space is limited. Participants may sign-up for workshops after arriving in Detroit, but will have limited choices of workshops, as many will already be filled.

Below is a list of workshops and times.

APWU SEARCH: Simplifies searches for arbitration awards and decisions. Includes: how the interface works, the proper way to login and set-up the web browser, conducting searches using the multiple-tab feature, and methods to narrow searches. New arbitration advocates or those whose skills needs refreshing, should attend this training. (10 a.m.-1 p.m.)

Article 37.3.A.1 and MDAT: Outlines using MDAT to create and preserve jobs in the Clerk Craft. Assists in converting PSEs to career status; creating desirable duty assignments; maximizing PTFs in small offices; reducing disputes on reversions and abolishments; and reducing excessing when the USPS utilizes PSEs. Participants must bring a fully charged laptop to the training. (2:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.)

Basic Shop Steward’s Training: Guidelines for new shop stewards. Focuses on proper documentation of grievances, and the duties, rights, and guidelines for shop stewards. Participants must attend this workshop the entire day and cannot select another workshop. (10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.)

Building Union Power Through Organizing: Teaches techniques and strategies to expand membership and build union power. An overview of the APWU’s electronic membership sign-up process, tools available, free materials to assist local/state unions in its organizing efforts, and techniques to use to encourage coworkers to join the APWU’s fight to preserve postal jobs and benefits. (2:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.)

Communicating at the Grassroots Level: Includes aspects of creating, enhancing, and publishing a local/ state newsletter from ground zero. Gives tips on using writing tools including Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Publisher, Excel, and Canva Design Platform. (2:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.)

Dealing with a Hostile Work Environment and Handling Postal “Monsters”: Utilization of the CBA and Postal Handbooks and Manuals to help combat abusive supervisors/managers, and deal with hostile work environment issues. (10 a.m.-1 p.m.)

Fiduciary Responsibility Training: Reviews the fiduciary and legal responsibilities of union officers, the LMRDA, the National Constitution, and basic financial principles. New presidents, treasurers, trustees, and executive board members are urged to attend. (2:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.)

Fighting to Save Jobs Due to Closures and Consolidations: Teaches how to take important steps to build a case against closures and consolations of Post Offices, Stations, and Branches. Discusses public involvement at town hall meetings to build community action, solidarity, and support. (2:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.)

Labor Law Fundamentals (A Union Leader’s Duty of Fair Representation): Reviews the National Labor Relations Act, with a focus on the rights of APWU members, the Duty of Fair Representation, and how to identify unfair labor practices. (10 a.m.-1 p.m.)

Large Office Issues (Function 1): Covers current issues in large mail processing facilities. Topics include RI-399 jurisdictions, crossing craft violations, machine safety and staffing, and general expeditor and lead clerk duties. (2:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.)

Leadership Development: Helps newly elected union leaders understand the responsibilities, challenges, and qualities of leadership. Gives tips on how to run a union meeting; goal setting; effective listening skills; coalition building; handling difficult people; resolving conflict, and stress reduction. Participants must attend this workshop the entire day and cannot select another workshop. (10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.)

Legal Issues and Union Communications: Reviews editorial policies, union regulations, libel, copyright, and federal election laws that apply to hardcopy and electronic forms of communication. (10 a.m.-1 p.m.)

Maintenance Article 12 Excessing Guide: Addresses how to challenge Maintenance Article 12 Excessing Notifications. Instructions on understanding Article 12.5.C.4 and 12.5.C.5, which outlines reassignment within and outside of the installation, and the applicable RFIs. (2:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.)

Motor Vehicle Service Division (MVS) Issues: An update on MVS issues and information on the Articles 39, 32, and other articles of the CBA that apply to the motor vehicle craft. Participants must attend this workshop the entire day and cannot select another workshop. (10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.)

Organizing and Maintaining Retiree Chapters: Gives information on starting a new chapter; rebooting your current chapter; maximizing membership attendance; increasing volunteer participation; taking on leadership roles in the chapter and community, and supporting the APWU’s legislative agenda. (2:30 p.m.- 5:30 p.m.)

Preserving Maintenance Jobs: Focuses on the Postal Service reverting maintenance jobs, and the failure to fill vacant duty assignments. Provides a comprehensive look at fighting job reversions, what information to request, and the proper remedy needed to resolve the grievance. Discusses the subcontracting of custodial MOU guidelines and the Two-hour Memo. (10 a.m.-1 p.m.)

Promoting COPA at the Local/State Levels: Provides instructions to representatives on effective strategies to help promote and solicit voluntary contributions for COPA to help APWU fight for pro-postal and pro-worker policies in Congress. Explores different fundraising opportunities, and best practices for receiving and reporting COPA donations. COPA Captains and those interested in becoming a COPA Captain are welcome and encouraged to attend. (2:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.)

Protecting Clerk Work in Smaller Offices: An overview of issues such as crossing crafts, maximization, supervisors performing bargaining-unit work, lead clerk duties, “lobby sweeps/lobby director,” and Function 4 staffing. (10 a.m.-1 p.m.)

PSEs Issues: Training on enforcing and protecting contractual rights of Clerk Craft PSEs, exceeding the use of non-career employees, increasing the career workforce, and seniority issues. (10 a.m.-1 p.m.)

Retirement Planning: Provides information for Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) employees and Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) employees on annuity calculations, best date to retire, bene t choices, important records to keep, and tips on successfully completing the application. (10 a.m.-1 p.m.)

Social Justice & Racial Equality: Explains the definitions of Social Justice and Racial Equality. Examines: Individual Racism vs. Systemic Racism, discusses ways to achieve equity in our communities and our union, and provides an understanding of the labor movement’s role in the pursuit of social and economic justice for working people. (10 a.m.-1 p.m.)

Stand Up for Safe Jobs: Outlines the role of local safety committees and the importance of encouraging employees to report safety violations on the job. Provides instructions on completing PS Form 1767 (Report of Hazard, Unsafe Condition or Practice), and seeking assistance from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). (10 a.m.-1 p.m.)

The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) Overview: Covers every aspect of TSP including the benefits of savings, Traditional vs Roth Contributions, Investments, Loans, and Post-Separation Withdrawals. (2:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.)

Workers Compensation Guidance for Members Injured at Work: Focuses on ling a claim through OWCP, enforcement and employer compliance to facilitate claim processing, and handling employer violations. Discusses what to do if your claim is approved or denied, you have a traumatic injury, a COVID claim, or an occupational disease or injury. Participants must attend this workshop the entire day and cannot select another workshop. (10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.)

If you have problems registering online, please email workshopregistration@apwu.org with your name, a cell phone number, and a brief description of your problem. ■