11/02/2018 - (This article first appeared in the November/December 2018 issue of the American Postal Worker magazine) 

By Support Services Division Director Steve Brooks 

I hope everyone had a good time at the 24th Annual National Convention in Pittsburgh, PA. I think it was a very good convention. As usual, the delegates came prepared to demonstrate why they felt their resolutions had merit, and articulated their arguments appropriately. Our conventions and the process of passing resolutions is a true illustration of how the democratic process should work. As is probably true for most of the delegates to the National Convention, you hit the ground running when returning home.

The same can be said for your national officers. The convention took place smack dab in the middle of contract negotiations. With the contract expiring on Sept. 20, 2018, we went into a lock-down period with the Postal Service from Sept. 14-20, where the parties met around-the-clock in attempts to come to an agreement. In the end, we did come closer together on many issues, but were unable to complete the agreement. Because the parties were making headway and still talking, they agreed to extend the negotiation period by 30 days. 

11/02/2018 - (This article first appeared in the November/December 2018 issue of the American Postal Worker magazine) 

By MVS Division Director Michael O. Foster 

As the parties reached the Sept. 20th contract deadline, the USPS proposals submitted at the Motor Vehicle Service (MVS) table were by far the most regressive demands in negotiations.

MVS Craft Officers expected the postal proposals would attempt to extract years of our bargaining history, achievements, and protections, but the Article 39 and 32 USPS demands went far beyond those expectations.

11/02/2018 - (This article first appeared in the November/December 2018 issue of the American Postal Worker magazine) 

By Maintenance Division Director Idowu Balogun

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

My name is Idowu Balogun, your New National Maintenance Division Director. I would like to thank each and every one of you for your letters, cards and emails of congratulations and condolences. Brother Raymer’s untimely departure left all of us stunned and without adequate words to describe our feelings.I am writing this open letter to you to share with you the state of the Maintenance Division within a 60-day time frame of the unexpected passing of our beloved Director Steven G. Raymer.

11/02/2018 - (This article first appeared in the November/December 2018 issue of the American Postal Worker magazine) 

By Clerk Division Director Clint Burelson 

The single most effective bang for the buck method to significantly reduce inequality at the Postal Service is to convert a Postal Support Employee (PSE) to career. The increase in pay and benefits is estimated at $26,000 a year or about $2,000 a month.

11/02/2018 - (This article first appeared in the November/December 2018 issue of the American Postal Worker magazine) 

By Legislative & Political Department Director Judy Beard

With a new congressional session coming up, our fight is not over. We must continue to be aware of postal issues and have discussions with coworkers, community leaders, family and friends to support a progressive, working class agenda during the lame duck session. 

11/02/2018 - (This article first appeared in the November/December 2018 issue of the American Postal Worker magazine) 

By Secretary-Treasurer Liz Powell

One of the overwhelming responsibilities of all officers, shop stewards and representatives of the union is to ensure it holds its money and property solely for the benefit of the union and its members. When union officials express an interest in leadership positions, they inherit the responsibilities entrusted to them, which includes maintaining a financially sound local...Make sure you mark your calendar for any of the 2019 national training seminars the Secretary-Treasurer's department will be scheduling. In addition to the scheduled training opportunities, local unions can also schedule training webinars. Please contact Annette August-Taylor, Executive Assistant to the Secretary-Treasurer, at 202-842-4215 or via email to aaugust@apwu.org.

11/02/2018 - (This article first appeared in the November/December 2018 issue of the American Postal Worker magazine) 

By Vice President  Debby Szeredy

Going forward there are more battles ahead: the fight against privatizing the Postal Service, against consolidations and closures of plants and post offices, and the fight to expand services like postal banking and community services that help take care of our neighbors across this country.

Our battles need mobilized members from all our locals to participate in building alliances with congressional members and local politicians, as well as community organizations and our sister unions. We must mobilize. 

11/01/2018 - (This article first appeared in the November/December 2018 issue of the American Postal Worker magazine) 

By President Mark Dimondstein 

“We won’t let the postal eagle be replaced by the vulture.” What a great response by Legislative Grassroots Coordinator Janice Kelble to the White House of Office Management and Budget (OMB) proposal to sell-off the Postal Service to corporations for private profit. The eagle symbolizes that the public Postal Service belongs to, and serves, all the people. The vulture represents those who want to pick the public good apart and devour it for private Wall Street greed.