Dynamic Debate Dominates Day Three of APWU’s 28th Biennial Convention

Democracy in Action

Members of the Virginia delegation raise red “AGAINST” cards during a vote on the convention floor, day three of the APWU’s 28th Biennial National Convention in Los Angeles.

Members of the Virginia delegation raise red “AGAINST” cards during a vote on the convention floor, day three of the APWU’s 28th Biennial National Convention in Los Angeles.

Delegates continued their work on the important union business before the convention body, considering, debating, amending, and voting on several resolutions throughout the day.

The APWU Constitution Committee co-chairs, Miami Area Local President Wanda Harris and San Diego Area Local President Bob Waterhouse, returned to present resolutions. Four resolutions to amend Article 21 for each craft passed, amending the line of succession for each of the craft directors. Delegates also passed a resolution to add a national business agent position for the Western Region of the Motor Vehicle Service Division following a similar resolution passed for the Maintenance Division on Tuesday. These positions will be filled by appointment until the next election taking place in 2028.

Debate dominated much of the day on the question of adding retiree delegates to the convention by giving retiree chapter and state chapters a delegate at national conventions. Proponents said retirees are major COPA contributors, rally volunteers, and have institutional knowledge of the organization and deserve more of a vote in the union. Opponents were concerned about losing full dues-paying member votes and monitoring compliance. The resolution ultimately failed.

The body also turned down a resolution to add the Legislative and Political Director position to the National Executive Board and the ability of full dues paying members to vote for the position of Retiree Director.

The National Executive Board Committee, chaired by Western Region Coordinator Omar Gonzalez, presented their report in the afternoon. The body voted for the APWU National chapter to help with expenses for delegates under 35 to attend the National Convention and All Craft Conferences.

AFL-CIO President Shuler: Postal Workers’ Power Begins With Public Trust

AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler raises a fist alongside APWU President Jonathan Smith after being invited back onstage to be recognized for creating the young workers initiative, day three of the APWU’s 28th Biennial National Convention in Los Angeles.

AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler raises a fist alongside APWU President Jonathan Smith after being invited back onstage to be recognized for creating the young workers initiative, day three of the APWU’s 28th Biennial National Convention in Los Angeles.

AFL-CIO President Elizabeth “Liz” Shuler addressed delegates on Wednesday with words of hope about the future of the working class and labor movement. She said meetings like our Biennial National Convention are important moments to come together and chart the future of our union’s work.

Postal Workers and the Public Trust

Shuler said that postal workers have built public trust over the decades by providing reliable and affordable services to every single address. She praised every craft for moving not only the mail but also ballots, medications, and paychecks, serving as the backbone of one of America’s most trusted public institutions.

But she reminded us that people are chipping away at that trust, like attacking the integrity of Vote-by-Mail, and that there is a presidential administration in office that wants to give billionaires tax cuts while Americans struggle to pay for gas and groceries. She called on workers to stand up and fight to win an economy that works for us!

The Road Ahead: Union Growth, Electoral Power, and AI

Shuler spoke about the road ahead and the important priorities working people must address, including union growth, electoral power, and the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on work. Shuler mentioned that the AFL-CIO reached its goal of organizing one million new workers in just three years and has now committed to bringing in two million more over the next five years. She also congratulated APWU on our Building Union Power organizing drive, which brought in 3,000 new union members last fall.

On technology, Shuler said labor is not opposed to innovation but insists workers must have a say in how AI is introduced. She called for protections against surveillance, guarantees of training, and a worker-centered approach to the future of automation.

Recognized for the Young Workers Initiative

After Shuler’s speech, she was invited back up onto the stage to be recognized for creating the young workers initiative that many unions have implemented, including the APWU with our Young Members’ Committee.

Scholarship Winners Honored

Secretary-Treasurer Liz Powell, addresses delegates, from the stage podium on day three of the APWU’s 28th Biennial National Convention in Los Angeles.

Secretary-Treasurer Liz Powell, addresses delegates, from the stage podium on day three of the APWU’s 28th Biennial National Convention in Los Angeles.

the winners with their sponsors. Applicants must be a parent, grandparent, step-parent, or legally adoptive parent of a current retired or deceased APWU member. When the five predecessor craft unions merged to form the APWU in 1971, the new union decided to maintain an academic scholarship program created in 1969 as a tribute to UFPC president E.C. “Roy” Hallbeck.

The Hallbeck Memorial Scholarship

The APWU Hallbeck Memorial Scholarship program provides financial assistance to children of APWU union members. It awards $2,000 per year for four consecutive years of college to one male and one female high school student from each of the five postal regions.

Vocational Scholarship and Best Essay Award

The APWU National Executive Board established a Vocational Scholarship to help students interested in study programs leading to trade, technical, industrial, or vocational occupations. Five recipients, one from each of the five postal regions, will receive up to $3,000 to use for up to three years of study in a specific trade, technical, industrial, or vocational school.

The Best Essay winner receives an additional one-time award of $2,000.

COPA Captains Build Support on the Floor

COPA Captains took to the convention floor this week to build support for the APWU’s non-partisan Committee on Political Action (COPA) fund. This fund allows the union to support candidates who support postal workers and the public Postal Service. The captains, who represent every state, have worked hard to increase COPAmatic contributions by educating members on the importance of joining COPA, so that the APWU can have its voice heard on Capitol Hill. Thanks to their work, a number of states captains have achieved 100% COPAmatic status among their delegations. Not only have we seen a surge of new signups, we have seen a number of delegates increase their contribution amounts. For those of you who have not yet signed up, there is still time! See your COPA Captain today!