The second day of the APWU All Craft Conference started early with a presentation about Private Sector Organizing, including a presentation from Amazon worker Laurie Masterson, who is currently organizing a union in a Bellingham, MA, Amazon facility. The Maintenance Division held regional breakouts for delegates to address issues specific to their region and strategize on how to best fight back. The Clerk Division held workshops about Article 30 and LMOU Gold, Residual MOU and eReassign, Article 16 and Discipline, Retail Window/Lead Clerks/Gaining Work in Function 4/SDC, Gaining Work in Function 5, 6 & 7 (Calls Centers, CRT, MRC & HR Clerks), and PSE Issues. The Motor Vehicle Service Division and Retirees Department held general sessions.
Motor Vehicle Service Conference Convenes at All-Craft 2025
The Motor Vehicle Service (MVS) Division gathered on Tuesday, October 7, at the All-Craft Conference to take stock of recent gains, sharpen enforcement, and map the next phase of the fight to protect work and jobs across the craft.
President Dimondstein’s final address to the MVS Craft
APWU President Mark Dimondstein opened with an address that looked back on his 12-year tenure and looked ahead to continued progress for the craft as well as challenges that lie ahead for all of APWU. He traced how member power has driven contract wins and job growth, commending the craft on more than 40% growth in size over 12 years. He urged delegates to keep the focus where it belongs, reminding attendees that continuing to protect and expand union work remains the path to lasting gains. He concluded by cautioning that privatization remains “the biggest threat the USPS has faced in modern times,” describing it as a contest of “Wall Street vs. Main Street,” and called on members to continue to make inroads with the public through the 250th Anniversary Proclamation Campaign.
Several officers followed Dimondstein in addressing the Division. Executive Vice President Debby Szeredy underscored the urgency of solidarity in a volatile moment for public services. Western Region Coordinator Omar Gonzalez spoke to MVS’s long track record of resisting management efforts to undercut the craft. Organization Director Anna Smith highlighted that MVS is APWU’s most organized craft while encouraging locals to grow even stronger during this year’s organizing drive.
Director Foster’s Report
MVS Director Michael Foster delivered his report, built around recent cases, settlements, and tools for local enforcement. He reviewed management initiatives that, if left unchecked, would make contracting-out easier, and emphasized that supervisors may not perform bargaining-unit work in Vehicle Maintenance Facilities (VMFs) or in Postal Vehicle Service (PVS) operations, and urged stewards to keep filing when lines are crossed.
Foster recapped outcomes that have returned work to the craft and pointed to pilot programs that, properly enforced, can translate into new union jobs. He noted ongoing efforts tied to major awards and Step-4 matters, and he reminded locals to continue to hold management accountable by keeping records of what is happening on the ground.
Assistant Director Langley’s Report
Assistant Director Garrett Langley’s report included discussions about expanded driver training, increasing the number of driver safety instructors, and aligning training with what’s happening in the field. He briefed delegates on specific pilot programs affecting driver operations and how the rollout of Next Generation Delivery Vehicles (NGDVs) is affecting the division. Langley encouraged locals to track requests and opportunities as new equipment arrives, so members get the training they need to do the work safely and keep it in the craft.
The session closed with a clear message: MVS members are stronger when they stand together. From enforcing the contract to organizing new members to protecting union work and bringing more jobs into the craft, the division reaffirmed that its progress rests on unity, vigilance, and action.
Retirees Convene to Celebrate and Prepare for the Future.
Retirees Director Nancy Olumekor welcomed delegates to the 2025 Retirees Conference. She thanked them for their patience on the delayed start as she worked to accommodate those joining virtually via Zoom.
Leona Draper, Northeast Region Retiree Delegate, brought greetings and an opening prayer. After the Pledge of Allegiance, delivered by Western Region Retiree Delegate Dr. Patricia Williams, delegates were welcomed by Judy Lewis, President of the Las Vegas Retiree Chapter.
Olumekor then recognized all the APWU Retiree National Convention Delegates and Retired APWU National Officers in attendance:
Retiree Delegates:
- Cynthia Nesmith, Eastern Region
- Leona Draper, Northeast Region
- Patricia McGriff, Southern Region
- Dr. Patricia Williams, Western Region
- Paul Browning, Central Region
Retired APWU National Officers:
- Teddie Days, former MVS Assistant Director (Missouri Postal Workers Union Retiree Chapter)
- Bobby Donelson, former Assistant Maintenance Director-B (Southwest Coastal Area Local)
- Larry Crawford, former NBA Dallas Region (Dallas area Local Retiree Chapter)
- Ken Prinz, former MVS Assistant Director (Philadelphia Retiree Chapter)
- Shirley Taylor, former Clerk NBA, Sacramento (East Bay Area Local)
- Martha Shunn King, former Organizing Director (APWU of Florida)
- Christine Pruitt, former Clerk Craft NBA, Wichita (Wichita Area Local)
- David Renshaw, former Western Region Maintenance NBA (California State Retiree)
- Dr. Patricia Williams, former Clerk Assistant Director-A (Greater Los Angeles Area Local)
In Memoriam Service Held for Departed Retirees
An In Memoriam service was held to honor the lives of those who passed away between conferences (2024-2025). A special ceremony was held in remembrance of union activist Yolanda “Yoggi” Riley, San Fernando Valley Oldies Retirees Chapter, who passed away in 2025. Several APWU members and national officers, including President Mark Dimondstein, Executive Vice President Debby Szeredy, Maintenance Director Idowu Balogun, Assistant Maintenance Craft Director Terry B. Martinez, Organizing Director Anna Smith, and Western Region Coordinator Omar Gonzalez, expressed condolences and shared fond memories.
“Yoggi is one of the few people in this union, and I say it every time, who has touched more people in this union than any other national officer,” expressed Retirees Director Olumekor. “She wasn’t a national officer, she wasn’t a regional officer, she was an instructor, she was a trainer. She was a compassionate unionist. And she didn’t hesitate.”
In attendance were Riley’s daughter, Tiffany, and her local APWU chapter. At the conclusion of the ceremony, Tiffany was presented with gifts on behalf of APWU Retirees Director Nancy Olumekor and the Retiree Delegates: jewelry, a keepsake bag, a commemorative plaque, and an engraved pillow.
Dimondstein Addresses Retiree Delegates
After lunch, President Dimondstein addressed retiree delegates. He spoke on the state of the country, the labor movement, the federal workforce, and APWU initiatives. He also discussed what he wanted his legacy to be as an outgoing officer.
“I’d certainly like to be recognized as a man of the people, but who also recognizes that good leadership is as good,” Dimondstein remarked. He praised the retirees for their successful activism, stating, “Nothing happens without all of you. We can look to the Stop Staples fight that the retirees helped lead […] all our legislative efforts, […] our contract campaigns, […] all the protection that we’ve mustered in defense of the public post office. All of that has happened with all of you. The union belongs to you. Keep it strong.”
At the conclusion of his speech, Dimondstein acknowledged the APWU Resident Officers in the room: Executive Vice President Debby Szeredy, Industrial Relations Director Charlie Cash, Legislative & Political Director Judy Beard, Organizing Director Anna Smith, Human Relations Director Daleo Freeman, Health Plan Director Sarah Jane Rodriguez, Northeast Region Coordinator Tiffany Foster, Eastern Region Coordinator AJ Jones and Central Region Coordinator Amy Puhalski.
Presentations
Delegates were then given a presentation by Richard Fiesta, Executive Director of Alliance for Retired Americans (ARA), followed by another by the APWU Health Plan, presented by Health Plan Director Sarah Jane Rodriguez and Michelle Hatmaker.
A stretch break was led by William Cobert, Letitia Rish, and Joanne Romero before the next part of the day.
A special presentation was held to award retiree chapters that have been chartered for 30 years. Retirees Director Nancy Olumekor presented plaques to the local retiree chapter presidents who achieved this honor.
The day’s session concluded with the delegation singing Happy Birthday to retirees in attendance with October birthdays.
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