(This article appeared in the March/April 2026 issue of The American Postal Worker magazine)
Here we are, a few months into 2026, and a new calendar has not brought new challenges. In fact, the issues that we face today are the same ones we were working through last year and the year before. What has changed is our opportunity to respond together, more intentionally and more united than ever.
APWU membership is not just about filing grievances and having a contract. While both are critically important, so are the connections that we build with each other. Talking with coworkers, listening to their experiences, and sharing knowledge about rights and protections strengthen our workroom fl oors and our communities. Knowledge is power, and it gives people the confi dence to stand up for themselves and each other. Every conversation you have reminds others that the union is made up of real people looking out for one another. That is organizing.
No action is too small in organizing. A steward who takes time to explain a provision. A member who invites a nonmember to a meeting. A coworker who asks a nonmember to stand with them. These moments build trust. Trust builds participation. Participation builds power. If we want a stronger contract, stronger enforcement, and more respect on the workroom fl oor, we need more of our coworkers to be dues-paying members and not just standing on the sidelines.
Your Call to Action
In 2026, our strength is not just in our numbers. It is in our willingness to reach out and have conversations with our coworkers. Do not assume someone else will do it. Each of us has a responsibility and a role in growing this union. Commit to talk to one nonmember this week. Share why you joined. Ask them to stand with you.
Organizing also means visibility. Wear your union gear, attend meetings, and participate in events. When our coworkers see active members, it sends a message that APWU members are not some outside group. We are right there on the workroom fl oor. The more visible and united we are, the harder it is for management to ignore concerns or divide us.
Gearing Up for the 2026 Organizing Drive
The 2026 APWU organizing drive is tentatively scheduled to run from June 1 through to the National Convention. While we are still working out the fi nal details, locals can begin preparing now. That includes developing a plan of action, identifying a lead organizer, reviewing budgets, confi rming resources, and making sure that access to nonmember lists is ready and available. Strong local leadership and early planning set the stage for a smooth, coordinated effort to help strengthen our union nationwide. ■
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