2023 Bulk Mail Centers (BMC) Conference, Kansas

The Bulk Mail Center (BMC) Conference convened on Monday, April 17, 2023, at the Argosy Casino Hotel & Spa in Riverside, MO. The conference was chaired by Terry B. Martinez, BMC Coordinator, and hosted by Michelle Fitzpatrick, Kansas Kaw Valley Area Local. Twenty of the 21 BMCs were present, and 120 delegates attended. All national officers and delegates were recognized.

On Sunday, April 16, there was a Welcome Reception Dinner. Music was provided by local talent DJ Donald Bayliss, BMC Clerk Craft Director. On the first day, National President Mark Dimondstein, Vice President Debby Szeredy, Secretary-Treasurer Liz Powell, and Legislative and Political Director Judy Beard addressed the delegates.

We received a total of 62 agenda items: eight Clerk, four Maintenance, 17 Motor Vehicle, and 33 General/All-Craft items. Division Directors, Lamont Brooks (Clerk), Idowu Balogun (Maintenance), and Michael Foster (Motor Vehicle), participated and represented their respective crafts. We recessed the day one session at 2 p.m. to take a trip to the local BMC. We spent about an hour at the BMC.

On day two, hospitality was provided by the local, offering several types of Kanas City BBQ. Industrial Relations Director Charlie Cash discussed Network Modernization and Regional Processing and Distribution Centers (RPDCs). We continued addressing the BMC agenda items and were finished by late afternoon. In the morning, we announced that we were able to collect $3,200 in COPA contributions. Thank you for all your contributions.

BACKGROUND

Established in 1974 to process large parcels, BMCs require mechanized equipment that created working conditions unlike those at other postal facilities. BMC employees faced other unusual circumstances: when the parcel sorting operations were moved from other facilities, a large percentage of the original BMC employees were involuntarily transferred, or excessed, into their assignments.

In 1980, BMC locals submitted a resolution to the APWU biennial convention. Passed unanimously, the resolution established regular national BMC meetings to address the unusual problems faced by members. For 25 years, representatives have met each year to discuss issues of special concern.

We represent Clerk, Maintenance and Motor Vehicles craft employees at 21 Bulk Mail Centers in metropolitan areas around the country.

BMCs' Uncertain Future

Under the Postal Service Modernization plan, the BMCs, also known as National Distribution Centers (NDCs), will undergo a massive restructuring. The Postal Service is planning to create 60-65 potential RPDCs, and plan to convert all but one of the BMCs into an RPDC, with the ability to process letters, flats, and parcels under one roof. They also plan to eliminate origin processing of BMC products at NDCs; merge marketing, periodicals and package service into FC Mail stream; eliminate NDC-to-NDC Network; and use NDCs for Priority and FC Package processing. This will require the deployment of several plants with automated equipment, the likes of the Matrix Regional Sorter (MaRS), Parcel Sorters, and Flat Sorting Machines (DBCS, DIOSS, and conveyor System). The APWU is battle-ready to protect our members as we face this assault on our jobs. We would love to hear what is going on at your BMC. ■