American Postal Workers Union

American Postal Workers Union is a labor union in the United States that represents over 200,000 employees of the United States Postal Service (USPS), including clerks, mail handlers, and other postal workers. The union is affiliated with the AFL-CIO and UNI Global Union, and has a long history of advocating for the rights of postal workers, including John L. Lewis, Cesar Chavez, and Martin Luther King Jr.. The union's current president, Mark Dimondstein, has been a vocal advocate for postal reform and has worked closely with other labor leaders, including Richard Trumka and Mary Kay Henry.

History

The American Postal Workers Union was founded in 1971, following a merger between five smaller postal unions, including the National Postal Union and the United Federation of Postal Clerks. The union's early years were marked by significant labor actions, including a 1970 postal strike that involved over 200,000 postal workers and was supported by Jimmy Hoffa and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. The strike led to significant improvements in wages and working conditions for postal workers, and helped establish the union as a major force in the labor movement. The union has also been involved in various social movements, including the Civil Rights Movement and the Anti-War Movement, and has worked closely with other organizations, such as the NAACP and the American Civil Liberties Union.

Organization and structure

The American Postal Workers Union is headquartered in Washington, D.C. and has a complex organizational structure, with over 200 local unions and numerous regional and national offices. The union is led by a president, who is elected by the membership, and a executive board, which includes representatives from each of the union's major departments, including clerks, mail handlers, and maintenance workers. The union also has a number of committees and councils, including a National Executive Council and a Collective Bargaining Committee, which are responsible for developing union policy and negotiating contracts with the USPS. The union works closely with other organizations, such as the National Labor Relations Board and the Federal Labor Relations Authority, to protect the rights of postal workers.

Political activities and lobbying

The American Postal Workers Union is actively involved in politics and lobbying, and has a strong presence in Washington, D.C.. The union has a Political Action Committee (PAC) that supports candidates who are friendly to labor and postal workers, including Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. The union also lobbies on a range of issues, including postal reform, health care, and workers' rights, and has worked closely with other organizations, such as the AFL-CIO and the SEIU, to advance its goals. The union has also been involved in various protests and demonstrations, including the Occupy Wall Street movement and the Women's March on Washington.

Major strikes and labor actions

The American Postal Workers Union has been involved in a number of significant strikes and labor actions over the years, including the 1970 postal strike and a 1978 postal strike that involved over 100,000 postal workers. The union has also been involved in various lockouts and work stoppages, including a 2010 lockout that affected over 200,000 postal workers. The union's most recent major labor action was a 2018 contract dispute that resulted in a new contract with the USPS, which included significant improvements in wages and benefits for postal workers. The union has worked closely with other organizations, such as the National Labor Relations Board and the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, to resolve labor disputes.

Contract negotiations and collective bargaining

The American Postal Workers Union engages in regular contract negotiations and collective bargaining with the USPS, and has a strong track record of securing improvements in wages, benefits, and working conditions for postal workers. The union's current contract with the USPS includes provisions on issues such as wages, health care, and job security, and the union is currently negotiating a new contract that will expire in 2023. The union works closely with other organizations, such as the Federal Labor Relations Authority and the National Mediation Board, to resolve contract disputes and negotiate new agreements.

Related postal unions and affiliations

The American Postal Workers Union is one of several postal unions in the United States, and has a number of affiliations with other labor unions and organizations. The union is affiliated with the AFL-CIO and UNI Global Union, and has worked closely with other postal unions, including the National Association of Letter Carriers and the National Rural Letter Carriers' Association. The union has also been involved in various international labor organizations, including the International Transport Workers' Federation and the Public Services International, and has worked closely with other organizations, such as the International Labor Organization and the World Federation of Trade Unions. The union's international affiliations include the Canadian Union of Postal Workers and the United Kingdom's Communication Workers Union.