The third day of the APWU All Craft Conference ended on a strong note. While Maintenance, Motor Vehicle Service, and Support Services all held conferences and workshops, the Clerk Division and Retirees held general sessions to wrap up their official business.
Clerk Division Conference Wraps All-Craft 2025
The Clerk Division gathered in Las Vegas at the 2025 All-Craft Conference to honor its leaders, celebrate enforcement gains, and prepare for the challenges ahead.
The session opened on the third day with a prayer led by National Business Agent (NBA) Pete Coradi, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Clerk Craft Director Lamont Brooks welcomed delegates and introduced the agenda. Director Brooks then went on to thank all those who ran for office, and congratulated the newly elected national officers, including new Assistant Director Ashley Cargill and President-Elect Jonathan Smith. “The Clerk Division intends on working wholeheartedly with the new president,” Brooks noted.
Director Brooks then introduced Assistant Director Lynn Pallas-Barber for the roll call, recognizing her decades of service as she prepares for retirement, remarking that her unique tenacity “will never be replaced.” Pallas-Barber was honored by all in attendance with cheers and a standing ovation. In her remarks, she reflected on 11 years at APWU Headquarters and 56 years with the Postal Service. “I didn’t get here because I’m a sweetheart,” she said, thanking Brooks for his leadership and urging delegates to continue the fight to protect clerk work.
National President Mark Dimondstein addressed the division, commending Clerk Craft members for their role in recent contractual progress and warning of threats still ahead. “Go out and continue those good fights,” he said, calling the clerk division “the most affected by the changes” under the Postal Service’s restructuring plans, while detailing the victories the Craft has seen in during his tenure. He concluded with a call for unity following the recent officer election: “Leaders will always come and go, but the workers remain.” Dimondstein’s remarks received a standing ovation.
Afterwards, Pallas-Barber delivered her final address, recounting ongoing battles over the implementation of management’s Delivering for America (DFA) plan, the RI-399 process, and continuing disputes over the filling of residual vacancies. She also discussed some of her other focuses, such as compliance issues with wounded warrior leave and PSE violations. Rounding out her remarks, she expressed confidence in Assistant Directors Cargill and Romanowski in carrying out the work of the Division.
Director Lamont Brooks then delivered his Director’s Report, beginning by thanking local officers for empowering national enforcement. Noting the significance of the recent TACS settlement, he emphasized that the victory was “a damn good settlement—and it’s not about money, it’s about jobs,” Delegates also received updates on pilot programs for TSA PreCheck, the role expanded services will play for the future of Clerk Craft jobs, and pressed for stronger leadership on the floor. “Lead clerks need to lead,” he said, urging for stronger teamwork to improve the work environment and service quality.
After breaking for a brief lunch, Assistant Director Bob Romanowski then took the podium for a detailed Reversions and Abolishments grievance training, detailing powerful strategies to empower locals to win awards that preserve jobs and can cascade via ripple-effect remedies.
Secretary-Treasurer Liz Powell congratulated delegates on their strong showing and enthusiasm and said, “The elections are over, the contract ratification is over. […] We’ve got some work to do.” She was followed shortly thereafter by comments from Executive Vice President Debby Szeredy, who expressed enthusiasm for continued collaboration and growth under new leadership.
A single resolution—introduced by the Washington State APWU to support upgrading scanners from MDD to MDD-TR models—passed unanimously by voice vote
The session ended with an open Q&A, allowing delegates to connect directly with national officers and each other. The day’s discussions—spanning enforcement victories, new service opportunities, and leadership transition—reinforced a single theme voiced repeatedly from the stage: the strength of the Clerk Division lies in its unity, vigilance, and commitment to defending the work that keeps the Postal Service running.
The Retirees Conference hosted by Retirees Director Nancy Olumekor resumed Tuesday morning, in person and on Zoom.
Cynthia Nesmith, Eastern Region Retiree Delegate, delivered an opening prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Southern Region Retiree Delegate Patricia McGriff.
Legislative & Political Director Judy Beard addressed delegates, opening with a video by Bernie Sanders on the federal shutdown. She reiterated the message, stressing the impact that the federal shutdown could have on senior healthcare if not settled by the end of the year. She touched on the Cost-of-Living Adjustment slated for October 15, and alerted members of the Trump Executive Order on March 25, 2025, that ceased the mailing of physical Social Security paychecks.
She shared the history of the passage of the Social Security Fairness Act, thanking retirees for their successful activism in helping it get signed into law. “Everybody knows, when you ask the retirees, they get it done. You get it done.” She urged retirees to continue to be activists in their local and community organizations. “Our retirees are our strength in the labor movement, and we thank you for your work.”
Beard concluded her remarks by having everyone in the room call the Legislative Hotline, connect to their Senators, and tell them to “stop the shutdown”.
Immediately afterward, delegates took part in fundraisers to benefit COPA. A total of $730 was raised by Retiree Delegates through the purchase of fans. The 50/50 raffle amassed $1,480, and the winner, Carole Bouleware, took home $740.
Delegates Get Down to Business
Delegates then got down to business. Bobby Donelson of the Southwest Coastal Area Local introduced his resolution for Article 13, National Executive Board, Executive Council, and Committees to amend the last paragraph to add “the Director Retirees” to the Board of Directors of the Health Plan. “There are so many retirees that are in the APWU Health Plan, and retirees sometimes look at issues slightly differently than non-retirees.” Stated Donelson. “Retirees should have a voice that’s equal to the others at APWU.”
Joe Gordon of the 480-481 Local supported the amendment, adding “everybody can get the APWU High Option, but not everyone can get the APWU High Option Medicare Advantage, that’s exclusive to retirees and therefore we should have a representative on the Board of Director of the Health Plan.”
Ken Prinz, Philadelphia Retiree President, suggested an amendment to include another whereas that reads, “Whereas the APWU Advantage High Option Plan only affects retired APWU and Federal Members.”
Yvonne Tatum, Detroit District Area Local, offered an amendment to switch the order of the last, whereas to say, “the national executive board of the APWU, the Director of the Health Plan, and the Director of the Retirees shall be the Board of Directors of the Health Plan.”
The original makers of the resolution, Bobby Donelson and Frank Townsend, SWCAL, agreed to all the proposed changes, and the resolution, as amended, was passed unanimously, later to be brought tothe National Convention in 2026.
Presentations and Awards Given
After the delegates returned from lunch, Olumekor gave brief announcements and took time to recognize all who supported the Retirees Delegates and helped to make the conference a success.
Dena Briscoe, Postal Press Association (PPA) President, gave a brief overview and history of the PPA. Open to all APWU members, the yearly membership fee for PPA is $20 for non-editors, $30 for editors. Visit apwupostalpress.org for more information.
On behalf of the Retirees Department, Olumekor presented the Retiree National Convention Delegates in attendance (Patricia McGriff, Dr. Patricia Williams, Leona Draper, and Cynthia Nesmith) with awards to commemorate their years of service.
Joe Gordon, 480-481 Retiree Chapter, was awarded a clock for over 25 years of dedicated service to the APWU Retirees Department as a Retirement Counselor Instructor.
Olumekor also acknowledged the newly retired within the past year and every Retiree Chapter President in attendance.
Retiree Chapter Charters
Retiree Chapter Charters were signed and presented by President Mark Dimondstein and Secretary-Treasurer Liz Powell:
- Wichita Kansas Retiree Chapter
- Southwest Florida Retiree Chapter-Ft Meyers
- Sacramento Retiree Chapter
- Magic City Retiree Chapter #2, (Birmingham)
Powell addressed delegates, stating, “You have all been the backbone of APWU.”
Retiree delegates gave Dimondstein a farewell gift and well-wishes on his retirement.
At the conclusion of the conference, the Retiree National Convention Delegates surprised Retirees Director Olumekor with a collection of $715, raised by the retiree delegates. Touched, Olumekor thanked the delegates for their support and donated the proceeds to the charitable organization in the name of Yoggi Riley.
The session closed with a group photo of all in attendance.
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