New Workshops Reflect New Spirit

The APWU Research and Education Department offered 22 pre-convention workshops on a range of informative topics, from legislative and political action to issues facing Postal SupportEmployees (PSEs) on Friday, July 18.

Delegates were excited about the workshop topics and were pleased with the opportunity to learn about important issues affecting postal workers.

The Building Worker-Community Coalitions to Fight Post Office Consolidations workshop was among the most popular. Rob Preston, president of the Colorado Springs Area Local said, “My plant is on the list to be consolidated. I want to learn everything I can. Anything helps. I want all the ammunition I need to fight unjust actions taken by the Postal Service.”

This year’s workshops included several that reflect the union’s new activist spirit. A prime example was How to Win a Grievance Without Filing (Using Our Power at Work). Led by Ajamu Dillahunt, the former president of the Raleigh Cosmopolitan Area Local APWU, the session focused on using our members’ collective strength and creativity to address workroom floor problems.

“The sheer number of grievances makes it clear that the system is broken and that it is unreasonable to expect all or even the majority to be resolved in the immediate future,” the workshop handout said.

Many PSEs hoped to learn more about their rights and ways to strengthen them. Sara Hall, a PSE steward from the Montpelier [VT] Local was ready to take what she learned back to the workplace. “As a steward, I’m learning how to protect these jobs and to turn them into careers,” she said. “I took lots of notes and I’m ready to face management!”