Apwu133

Charleston WV Area Local Members Register on this webiste with your First and Last name and a current Email address and be entered in to a drawing to win up to $1000.00 You may be contacted to verify identity. You cannot use a usps email address.

In accordance with the 2021-2024 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), career employees represented by the APWU will receive a $0.10 per hour cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), effective March 11, 2023. The increase is the result of a rise in the January Consumer Price Index (CPI-W). It will appear in paychecks dated March 31, 2023 (Pay Period 07-2023). The value of the COLA for full-time employees in each step and grade will increase by $208.00 annually for full time, career employees. The COLAs are in addition to general wage increases. This is the third cost-of-living increase under the 2021 CBA. The first increase, effective in February 2022, amounted to $0.63 per hour or $1,310.00 annually. The second, effective in August 2022 was $1.18 per hour, or $2,455.00 annually. The COLAs received so far during the 2021-2024 CBA total $3,973.00. In light of the fact that Postal Support Employees (PSEs) do not receive cost-of-living increases, they have received several additional increases beyond the general wage increases for all employees in the APWU bargaining unit under the 2021 contract. Rising inflation underscores just how important the continuation of our negotiated COLA is in our outstanding new CBA. The COLA is our best protection against inflation. Postal Workers are some of the few U.S. workers who receive these increases. Even in the postal world, we are the only postal union that has maintained full COLA in our CBA.

Department of Labor Announces New FECA Procedures for COVID-19 Cases The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) expired on January 27. The APWU has opposed the expiration of those provisions of the act that protected federal workers who contracted COVID-19 (COVID). We are providing the following as information to members on the new procedures for COVID-related workers’ compensation (OWCP) claims through the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA). The ARPA included presumptions for federal workers who were exposed to COVID in the course of their employment. Postal workers who tested positive for COVID and had been working in the Postal Service were presumed to have contracted their illness while at work. Workers’ compensation claims were to be processed through the Department of Labor (DOL) by submission of form CA-1, Notice of Traumatic Injury. Traumatic Injury claims allow for the benefit of Continuation of Pay (COP). The ARPA expired on Jan. 27, 2023. For workers who test positive for COVID after Jan. 27, 2023, the DOL has announced their procedures for processing workers’ compensation claims in FECA Bulletin 23-02, available online. In most instances, workers’ compensation claims for COVID should now be filed on form CA-2 Notice of Occupational Disease (unless the injured worker is capable of positively identifying their exposure to a single event or a single work shift). There is no entitlement to COP in an occupational disease claim. Any claim for wage loss benefits will need to be pursued through filing a CA-7 through the DOL. Any claims for COVID benefits based on testing after Jan. 27, 2023 and filed on a CA-1 will be administratively converted to a CA-2 by the DOL, and COP will be denied. The injured worker will receive written notice of any such change. There is also a three-day waiting period and the employee will initially need to use their own leave until the claim is approved. For claims based on positive testing after Jan. 27, 2023, the injured worker will have the burden of establishing all five (5) essential elements to workers’ compensation entitlement to include a causal relationship (there will be no more presumptions). A causal relationship is established by providing a physician’s reasoned medical opinion as to why he or she believes that a positively tested COVID diagnosis was attributable to work place exposure. The claims examiner will issue a developmental letter explaining in more detail the evidence needed to establish the claim. All COVID claims based on positive testing through Jan. 27, 2023 were assigned case number with a prefix of 19. COVID claims based on testing after Jan. 27, 2023 will be assigned a prefix 55, like most other claims received by the DOL.

The Debt Ceiling & Postal Workers No postal worker or federal retiree will see a gap or reduction in pension payments or healthcare coverage. January 20, 2023 The Treasury Department announced on Thursday that the United States government has hit its statutory “debt limit.” The next several months will be full of political drama, with serious risks at hand for working people and working-class retirees. While the debt limit was technically reached this week, the Treasury Department has begun certain accounting measures to extend its ability to pay the government’s bills. Among the “extraordinary measures” announced by Treasury are some that are of serious concern to postal workers. The Treasury Department has announced it will begin a “debt issuance suspension period” which will affect the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund (CSRDF), the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefit Fund (PSRHBF), and the G Fund of the Thrift Savings Plan These funds are normally invested in U.S. Treasury bonds. By suspending the debt issuance, Treasury temporarily saves the interest that would normally be paid into the funds. While the political brinksmanship around the debt ceiling is a shameful reflection of Congress’s disregard for working peoples’ interests, postal workers and other federal employees should rest assured that their retirement benefits are secure at this time. No postal worker or federal retiree will see a gap or reduction in pension payments or healthcare coverage. The law further requires that the Treasury Department make whole the effected funds once the debt ceiling has been either raised or suspended. Treasury has previously taken similar actions, and in each instance, benefits continued to be paid and the CSRDF, the PSRHBF and the G Funds were fully reimbursed for the temporary losses incurred by the funds. Today, the law makes that reimbursement automatic once the debt ceiling issue is resolved. The debt limit showdown is a manufactured crisis, the product of decades of tax cuts for the wealthy led by a political elite that is more comfortable debating cuts to already-starved social programs and hard-earned benefits than ensuring the federal government works for working people. The new Republican majority in the House is demanding the Biden Administration agree to steep cuts in federal spending in exchange for raising the debt ceiling. It’s projected that the Treasury Department will be unable to pay bills in a few months, putting the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. government in question and risking an unnecessary recession that would surely hit working people hardest. “Make no mistake working people and our unions won’t stand for benefit cuts in exchange for what should be a routine act of Congress,” said APWU President Mark Dimondstein. “The debt limit has been increased on a bipartisan basis dozens of times before, including three times during the Trump presidency. The cynical hostage-taking is unnecessary and dangerous.” The APWU leadership is following the developments closely and will continue to demand our political leaders don’t sacrifice working people’s benefits in exchange for a debt limit increase and will keep members informed of any new developments.

APWU Position on Employees Who Have Had Direct Deposits Stolen in LiteBlue Fraud January 20, 2023 APWU national officers have filed a national dispute with postal management on behalf of members who have had their pay stolen by cyber-criminals and are unable to recover the money. Several hundred postal workers have had pay stolen by cyber-criminals who used fraudulent websites to obtain sensitive personal data that was used to divert and steal direct deposit payments. The thefts mainly occurred during Pay Period 26 of 2022 but continued into Pay Period 1 of 2023. The thefts led the Postal Service to shut down employee apps on LiteBlue and through PostalEase on any computer or device not connected to an internal Postal Service Intranet network. While many workers have been able to recover money that has been recovered from banks, Postal Service management has taken the position that any unrecovered loss of pay as a result of the fraud is the fault of postal workers. However, management was aware of the risk of cyber fraud but did not send warnings to employees. It is also known that the Postal Service was aware of security threats to the LiteBlue application because they had been working on the creation and implementation of a Multifactor Authentication (MFA) process since mid-2022, but did not inform the APWU of this until the last week of November 2022. The banking industry and secure websites have been utilizing MFA processes for years because of the everyday security threats on the internet. Yet the Postal Service chose not to implement these processes until just this week, when a Stand-Up Talk was issued on December 17. Although not every APWU represented employee has had their pay stolen, we understand that anyone who has lost money has been affected deeply, and these issues must be addressed by the Postal Service immediately. APWU President, Mark Dimondstein, said: “It appears that the number of affected people is not huge, but a paycheck is a family’s lifeline and not one single worker should be left without money as a result of this attack.” “The criminals behind this attack are to blame, but postal management must also take its share of the responsibility,” said Charlie Cash, APWU Industrial Relations Director. “It is clear that Postal management knew for a long time that LiteBlue had this security risk by they made no serious attempt to warn workers or upgrade security until it was too late for hundreds of workers.” TAKE THE FOLLOWING STEPS IF YOUR DIRECT DEPOSIT HAS BEEN STOLEN: Call the Accounting Service Center to report the fraud at 1-866-974-2733 Report the loss to the USPS Cybersafe unit at cybersafe@usps.gov Call the Human Resources Shared Service Center (HRSSC) at 1-877-477-3273 and either change the direct deposit information or cancel it entirely Request a pay advance, but note the advance will more than likely be denied as the Postal Service takes the position that due to employee negligence, no advance is owed. A grievance can be filed on the denial of the advance at this point The employee can file a PS Form 2146. The PS form 2146 is a claim for employees lost personal property while on duty or while on postal premises. An employee’s pay is personal property and is connected to employment. Once the claim has been submitted, the Postal Service must act on it. The Supervisor must complete their portion, send to the Area, and a decision must be rendered within 30-days of receipt at the Area Level. Employee and local officers and stewards need to make sure the form is submitted to Area ASAP. If a negative decision is rendered, the denial should be appealed directly to arbitration. There is no guarantee this will lead to the Postal Service paying the lost funds to the employee--this is only one possible action an employee can take on the issue and it is up to each employee whether or not to make such a claim. If the Postal Service recovers the funds lost and returns them to the employee, each employee and union official must then evaluate any grievances or claims currently active and make a determination on the continued processing of such grievances or claims.

Protecting LiteBlue from Cyber Criminals: Multifactor Authentication Required After January 15 January 20, 2023 APWU national officers are continuing to advocate for members who have had had their wages stolen in the recent online fraud attack on USPS systems. Below is an update on management’s introduction of multifactor authentication (MFA) for LiteBlue log ins. MFA is a tool that banks and other institutions use when dealing with sensitive personal information to prevent cyber-attacks. It is an identity verification method where users have to use two or more methods to gain access to an online account. Entering a password and then a text message confirmation code is an example of MFA. Management has provided an update about the implementation of MFA to log into LiteBlue after cyber criminals gained access to sensitive employee data using fake websites that closely resembled LiteBlue. The fraudsters used this information to make changes to net-to-bank and allotment accounts to divert and steal direct deposit funds. A Stand-Up Talk issued on January 17 announced that the Postal Service began requiring MFA in order to access LiteBlue on Jan. 15, 2023 as an additional layer of protection to strengthen online security measures for postal workers personal data. When employees log into LiteBlue, they will be required to set up their MFA preferences. Once an employee’s MFA setup is enabled, these ID confirmation factors will be required each time they log in. WHAT YOU NEED TO DO After Jan. 15, 2023, when you log in to LiteBlue: Reset your Self-Service Profile (SSP) Password. Verify the last four digits of you Social Security Number (SSN. Set up your multifactor authentication preferences. After set up, you will be required to confirm your credentials each time you log in. For more information or to view support materials, go to the LiteBlue login page and select “Multifactor Authentication.” Resource materials, including an Instructions to Enroll and Sign in to LiteBlue with Multifactor Authentications (MFA) user guide, are also available below. LiteBlue MFA Documents & Materials Stand-Up Talk: Multifactor Authentication Now Required for LiteBlue LiteBlue with MultiFactor Authentication Instructions (Jan 15 2023) LiteBlue MFA - Manager HERO Email (1-17-23) LiteBlue MFA - Employee HERO email (1-15-23) Manager Talking Points - LiteBlue MFA Multifactor Authentication for LiteBlue - LINK Article Multifactor Authentication Posters D4 USPS Officers Letter - Multifactor Authentication for LiteBlue

Direct Deposit Theft suggestion with 2146 example (2).pdf PS2146 fillable (2).pdf

JCIM is Available: Order Yours Today! January 5, 2023 The 2023 Joint Contract Interpretation Manual (JCIM), a resource for the administration of the 2021-2024 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), is now available for members! Members can order their JCIM for $10 from the APWU Store on the APWU website, or you can click here for an electronic copy. The JCIM is an APWU and USPS jointly prepared manual for interpreting issues related to the union contract and serves to address and resolve disputes as well as ensure contract compliance. The JCIM is a collection of agreed-upon interpretations that have been made over decades of collective bargaining. Whether those interpretations have been made by simple discussion and agreement, interpreted by a national arbitrator in arbitration proceedings, agreed upon in memoranda of understanding, or through dispute settlements, the JCIM is the final word on issues printed in the booklet for all levels of the grievance process. The purpose of the JCIM is also stated at the beginning of the manual: “When a dispute arises, the parties should first go to the JCIM to determine if the issue in disputes is addressed. If it is, the parties are required to resolve the dispute in accordance with this manual. If the parties effectively use and consult the JCIM, many disputes can be settled early on in the grievance/arbitration process.”

Update to APWU Members on LiteBlue Fraud January 5, 2023 APWU National Officers continue to warn postal workers to be on the lookout for a fraudulent online scheme that has resulted in stolen direct deposit payments from USPS employees. The scam involves either a phone call from someone claiming to be a Postal Inspector or a fraudulent website that looks like LiteBlue, but sends workers’ log in details to the fraudsters. Once workers have provided the scammers with their security information, such as passwords and EINs, the scammers can log into their victims’ LiteBlue accounts and change their net-to-bank payroll information. USPS management warned workers about the fake LiteBlue sites in a Stand-up Talk on Dec. 23. On Dec. 29 the USPS disabled access to change PostalEase on external sites. Employees can still login through external computers, but can only view their direct deposit and other information. Employees who need to change their information will have to either login to PostalEase through an ACE computer at a postal facility or call the Human Resource Shared Service Center (HRSSC) directly at 1-877-477-3273 to make any necessary direct deposit or benefit changes at this time. An updated Stand-up Talk was posted on the subject on Dec. 30. However, it has been reported from the field that the Stand-up Talks are not being done in many locations and that managers are denying workers access to postal devices in order to log into their accounts. If you have not received the Stand-up talks regarding LiteBlue fraud, or are denied access to PostalEase through a USPS issued device, please contact your steward or other local/state officer for resolution. If local management refuses to resolve the problems, local and state leaders can inform the Industrial Relations Department to address the problem with Postal HQ management. APWU national officers are monitoring the situation and demanding that the Postal Service provide full updates on what has happened, what is still happening, and what is being done to remedy the situation, including the reimbursement of stolen funds Postal Service management will implement a Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) system, which will add an extra layer of security by requiring a code sent via email or text to log in. It is recommended that everyone ensure the Postal Service has a good email or phone number that can receive a text on file. The email or phone number provided to the Postal Service for MFA will only be used for this purpose. It is important that you should never share your LiteBlue/PostalEase login information with anyone. The Postal Inspectors will not call or ask for this information over the phone. If you are concerned that you might have entered your LiteBlue information on a fraudulent website or have provided that information from a phone call, please attempt to log in and check your LiteBlue/PostalEase account immediately. If you can’t log in, see unauthorized changes, or if anything seems suspicious, contact HRSSC immediately at 1-877-477-3273. FRAUD ALERT STAND UP TALKS Fraud Alert - Fake LiteBlue Websites - Stand Up Talk Fraud Alert - Net to Bank and Allotment Disabled in Postal Ease - Stand Up Talk

Subject: Continual Issues with LiteBlue/PostalEase All, I just received the message below from the Postal Service which you may share with the field informing us the external link to PostalEase/Liteblue will be taken down today. This will require employees to make changes Postal Service devices within postal facilities. Colleagues, We continue to receive reports of employees clicking on fake LiteBlue websites, allowing cyber criminals to steal their usernames and passwords. A limited number of employees have reported changes to their net to bank or allotment changes due to this activity. The USPS has taken multiple steps to combat this activity through enhanced communications, stand-up talks, working with internet providers to identify the sites as fraudulent, and proactively identifying potential victims. Unfortunately, some employees continue to access the fake websites. The VP, CISO has recommended disabling the external link to PostalEase today, December 29, 2022. Taking this action will prevent any net to bank or allotment changes to occur unless employees log-in from a USPS issued device in a USPS facility to further protect employees against fraudulent websites. The Chief Information Office is working to expedite the deployment of a multi-factor solution which will prompt employees for a second identification factor, such as a one-time passcode through text or email or through an authenticator application that will be in addition to their usernames and passwords. In the interim, please inform employees to call the helpdesk at 877-477-3273 for assistance with their urgent LiteBlue needs. Headquarters is working diligently to resolve these security issues and enable LiteBlue to be available ASAP. Thank you! Tom  I have also made inquiries on what the Postal Service is doing to ensure all employees have access to a “postal device” in a postal facility. Thank you and remember—stay safe, wear your mask! Charlie Cash Industrial Relations Director American Postal Workers Union, AFL-CIO

REPORTS OF DIRECT DEPOSIT CHANGES: UPDATE Subject: Update on employee's Direct Deposit Union Family, I received an update on the issue with employee’s direct deposit. See below. However, I reiterate that everyone should go change their password and make sure they are using the appropriate website which is: LiteBlue (usps.gov) Do not share your information with anyone! Including members of your family, friends, etc. Here is the message received from Vice-President of Labor Relations Tom Blum: Colleagues, VP Heather Dyer and the Inspection Service have confirmed Postal Service employees are often unknowingly providing their usernames and passwords to criminal websites, while attempting to access PostalEase. Employees are using Google and attempting to access PostalEase; however, Google in-turn has been redirecting them to criminally run websites that mirror the look and access of PostalEase. VP Dyer and the Corporate Information Security Office (CISO) are working with the Postal Inspection Service and drafting letters to the impacted group of approximately 119 employees, while also preparing a second letter addressed to all postal employees. Both drafts are currently under review by the Privacy Office and Law Department. We have received reports representations have been made at the district level confirming Postal Inspectors are contacting impacted employees, as well as employees who may have unknowingly been compromised, and requesting their EINs and passwords. Please note . . . Postal Inspectors have not contacted postal employees and requested their EINs and/or passwords. (Emphasis added by Charlie Cash) If you know of any financially impacted employees, please have them immediately contact the Eagan ASC Helpdesk at 866-974-2733. Staff members are available to assist. If you become aware of any employee experiencing access issues to PostalEase, please recommend they immediately contact 877-477-3273 to request assistance. VP Dyer, the CISCO Team and the Postal Inspection Service continue working around-the-clock to enhance the security of PostalEase. We will provide you with any additional information ASAP. Tom Thank you and remember—stay safe, wear your mask! Charlie Cash Industrial Relations Director American Postal Workers Union, AFL-CIO

2023 Leave Calendar and Leave Chart Available November 9, 2022 The 2023 APWU Leave Calendar and Leave Chart are now available on the APWU website under Frequently Requested Resources. The Leave Calendar is a great resource identifying pay periods, pay days, and holidays. The Leave Chart can be used to track current balances of advanced annual, earned annual and sick leave, as well as what leave has been used. The files are in PDF for easy downloading and printing.

Extended MOU Now Includes Job Audits to Increase Clerk Craft Work November 7, 2022 On November 4, 2022, the parties agreed to extend the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), Re: Bulk Mail Tech and Mailing Requirements Clerk Position Qualification. This MOU originated during the COVID-19 pandemic and has been extended on several occasions, leading to the latest agreement to continue it for one year from the signing of the agreement. The MOU establishes the required training for employees bidding to Bulk Mail Tech and Mailing Requirements Clerk duty assignments, including the number of hours for classroom training and on-the-job training. For the first time, this MOU adds an agreement to jointly review the following positions for the purpose of identifying the work performed by each position and if work currently being performed by Executive and Administrative Schedule (EAS) employees should instead be performed by clerk bargaining unit employees: Bulk Mail Technician Mailing Requirements Clerk Supervisor, Mail & Shipping Solutions Center Mailing Standards Specialist Supervisor, Mail Entry The joint review will be conducted by six (6) Bulk Mail Techs and six (6) Mailing Requirements Clerks, as chosen by the APWU, and EAS employees as determined by the Postal Service. The Bulk Mail Techs and Mailing Requirements Clerks who are selected will be released from their regular duties as necessary to “fully participate in the activities associated with the joint position review process”. In addition, any training and/or travel expenses will be paid if needed for the joint review. “The addition of the position review to this MOU is yet another reflection of the Clerk Craft’s commitment to capture as much work for our craft as possible,” explained APWU Clerk Craft Director Lamont Brooks. “We believe that many of the duties currently performed by EAS employees belong to the bargaining unit” Brooks added, “and the review will also hopefully help to more clearly identify the dividing line between Bulk Mail Tech duties and Mailing Requirements Clerk duties.” The position review will begin no later than January 27, 2023 and conclude no later than May 5, 2023. A copy of the MOU is linked to this article.

APWU-Represented Postal Workers Get Retro-Pay October 28, 2022 APWU-represented employees who fall under the 2021-2024 National Agreement received the retro-active payments owed on them in their paychecks dated October 28, 2022. Employees will see the retro-active payments listed on their paychecks as multiple “adjustments”. In order to fully understand the retro-active payments, each person should download their full paystub that is available to them through the USPS employee website. Pay stubs could be over 10 pages long. An explanation on how to read the pay stubs and understand the adjustment is found here (Retropay Explanation and Example Paystub). Each employee’s retro-active payment is based on the individual hours they were paid (work and/or paid leave). Thus, no retroactive payment will be the same. APWU-represented bargaining unit employees will receive retro-active pay adjustments as follows: Pay Period 21-2021 through Pay Period 12-2022 New rates for Grade 11 Employees Pay Period 25-2021 through Pay Period 12-2022 1.3% General Increase for all employees 1.0% additional increase for Postal Support Employees (PSEs) Pay Period 06-2022 through Pay Period 12-2022 $0.63 per hour COLA for Career Employees Pay Period 09-2022 through Pay Period 16-2022 Extra $0.50 per hour for PSEs The pay rates that required a retro-active payment (with the exception of the extra $0.50 per hour for PSEs) went into effect on June 4, 2022, the start of Pay Period 13-2022. If questions arise in regards to the retroactive payments, employees must take their full pay stub to their state or local union officials for review and discussion. If there are still questions or concerns after this review, State and Local Presidents may submit these questions to the Industrial Relations Department. These retro-active payments are another example of the importance of having a strong collective bargaining agreement. Under the 2021-2024 employees have received the following increases: 1.3% General Increase effective November 20, 2021 1.0% additional increase for PSEs effective November 20, 2021 $0.63 per hour Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) effective February 26, 2022, for career employees $0.50 per hour extra for PSEs effective April 9, 2022 $1.18 per hour COLA effective August 27, 2022 Employees will also receive two more general pay increases of 1.3% on November 19, 2022 and November 18, 2023, respectively, with PSEs receiving an additional 1.0% increase at the same time. Career employees will also receive four more COLA increases based on the movement of the Consumer Price Index (CPI-W (1967=100)) during the remaining term of the national agreement. Additionally, employees who have not reached top step of their respective pay grade, will continue to receive step increases. View Retro Pay Explanation & Example Paystub Retroactive PayPay Information

2022 Convention Transcript Now Available October 26, 2022 An official transcript of the proceedings from the APWU’s 26th Biennial National Convention is now available to union members on www.apwu.org. The convention is the highest governing body of the APWU. The 1,798-page document provides a full transcript of the business undertaken during the assembly, which took place Aug. 15-18 in National Harbor, MD. Union members can click here to log in and view or download the convention proceedings. The convention was attended by 2,047 delegates representing 297 locals from 43 states, Saipan, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands; and by 69 national officers and four Retirees convention delegates.

PER DIEM UPDATE – EFFECTIVE DATE NOVEMBER 7, 2022 October 18, 2022 After meeting with the Postal Service again and scheduling an NCED site visit, we can announce that the implementation date of the per diem MOU is November 7, 2022 and will be piloted for three years for all Crafts. The current GSA rates control the per diem amount, currently at $59.00 per day. Students whose training starts prior to Nov. 7 and ends after Nov. 7 will receive per diem for all days beginning November 7, 2022 and beyond. If you have any related questions, please contact Maintenance Division Director Balogun; (202) 842 4213 or email maintwebinar@apwu.org.

And the Winners Are... October 17, 2022 Three locals and one retiree chapter will be rewarded for generating participation in the recent election of national union officers, Secretary-Treasurer Liz Powell has announced. To be eligible for rewards, locals and chapters must have achieved participation of at least 50 percent. The winnings are to be used at the discretion of the locals and retiree chapters on behalf of the membership. Three locals will receive $200.00 each for achieving at least 50 percent participation: Vincennes (IN) Local Lewistown (MT) Local Chatsworth (CA) Local No other locals qualified in any of the other categories. Retiree Chapters The Philadelphia BMC Local Retiree Chapter will receive $50. No other chapters qualified in any of the other categories. “Congratulations to the locals and retiree chapters that achieved a high level of participation,” Powell said. “Unfortunately, voter turnout overall was extremely low, so we must redouble our efforts to encourage members to participate in union activities.” The official results [PDF – Members Only] of the APWU Election of National Officers were certified by the American Arbitration Association on Oct. 7.

2022 APWU National Officer Election Results Certified October 11, 2022 The official results [PDF – Members Only] of the APWU Election of National Officers have been tabulated and were certified by the American Arbitration Association on Oct. 7. A summary will be published in the November-December issue of The American Postal Worker. The results will also be separated by local. These will be posted to the Members Only section in the coming days. Uncontested offices are not shown in the web posting, but will be listed in the magazine.

Mark Dimondstein overwhelmingly reelected APWU President Entire APWU Solidarity Team prevails October 6, 2022 APWU President Mark Dimondstein was elected to a fourth term as votes in the APWU National Officer Elections were tallied on Oct. 6. Also re-elected were Legislative and Political Director Judy Beard, and Retirees Department Director Nancy Olumekor. Human Relations Department Director Daleo Freeman was elected to a first full-term. Yared Wonde will become the new Southern Region Coordinator and Arrion Brown will become the new Support Services Division Director. Election results are not official until verified by the American Arbitration Association (AAA). Unofficial results for all races are printed below. Certified results are expected in the next several days and will be posted on apwu.org and in the next issue of The American Postal Worker. "I am honored by the strong vote of confidence from APWU members for my re-election and the election of every APWU Solidarity Team member,” said APWU President Mark Dimondstein. “As candidates, we proudly ran a campaign focused on our collective accomplishments and our vision for the future of our great union.” “I congratulate all those officers who were re-elected and welcome those who are newly-elected,” Dimondstein added. “Now that the election is behind us, let us all unite in APWU solidarity to continue building union power as we face the many opportunities and challenges to come.” GENERAL AND DEPARTMENTS President Mark Dimondstein* 17,768 John L. Marcotte 8,258 Legislative/Political Director Judy Beard* 17,723 Thomas Benson 8,172 Human Relations Director Daleo Freeman* 17,942 Doris Simmons 7,824 REGIONAL COORDINATOR Southern Regional Coordinator Sam Wood 1,833 Yared Wonde* 2,081 CLERK CRAFT National Business Agents, Southern Region, Atlanta Region, (C) Keenan D. Anthony, Sr. 309 Sandra Munoz Hernandez* 773 William G. Flanagan, Jr. 310 National Business Agents, Southern Region, Dallas Region, (C) Diann Scurlark* 362 Alex Aleman 255 Ben Martinez 272 National Business Agents, Central Region, Cincinnati Region, (A) Michael D. Schmid* 479 Mark E. Graham 273 National Business Agents, Central Region, Minneapolis Region, (B) Gregory Becker* 346 Christopher Mark Hendrickson 223 National Business Agents, Northeast Region, New England Region, (A) Bill Mazurowski* 663 Thomas S. Smith 102 Scott Adams 334 National Business Agents, Western Region, San Francisco Region, (A) Sonia E. Canchola* 834 Charquita Rainey 490 National Business Agents, Western Region, San Francisco Region, (C) Eric A. Van Dyke 563 Fabiola Dominguez* 584 Terry L. Hood 173 MOTOR VEHICLE SERVICES DIVISION National Business Agents, Central Region Mark Krueger 202 Dave Cook* 212 National Business Agents, Eastern Region Garrett C. Langley* 193 Brian R. McLaurin 56 Raymond J. Scanlon 84 National Business Agents, Northeast Region Stephen D. Mohan 176 Rick White* 295 SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION Support Services Director Robin “Robbie” Robertson 74 Arrion Brown* 142 Aaron T. Young 43 RETIREES DEPARTMENT Retirees Department Director Nancy E. Olumekor* 6663 Robert L. Jeffrey, Jr. 2194 Southern Region RNC Delegate Patricia A. McGriff* 1139 Kim H. Guy 788 UNCONTESTED NATIONAL OFFICERS General and Administrative Officers Executive Vice President Debby Szeredy (I), Mid-Hudson New York Area Local (NY) Secretary-Treasurer Elizabeth “Liz” Powell (I), Western Nassau New York Area Local (NY) Industrial Relations Director Charles “Charlie” Cash (I), Buffalo Local (NY) Organization Director Anna Smith (I), Portland Oregon Area Local (OR) Research and Education Director Joyce B. Robinson (I), Richmond Area Local (VA) Health Plan Director Sarah Jane Rodriguez (I), Phoenix Metro Area Local (AZ) Regional Coordinators Central Region Sharyn M. Stone (I), Indianapolis Area Local (IN) Eastern Region AJ Jones (I), Eastern Montgomery County PA Area Local (PA) Northeast Region Tiffany Foster (I), New York Metro Area Postal Union (NY) Western Region Omar M. Gonzalez (I), Greater Los Angeles Area Local (CA) Clerk Division Director Lamont A. Brooks (I), The Northern Virginia Area Local (VA) Assistant Director (A) Sam Lisenbe (I), Fort Worth Area Local (TX) Assistant Director, (B) Lynn Pallas-Barber (I), 498-499 Area Local (MI) National Business Agents, Central Region Chicago Region, (A) Linda Turney (I), Schaumburg Local (IL) Chicago Region, (B) Devendra Rathore “D” (I), Fox Valley Local (IL) Chicago Region, (C) James Stevenson (I), Detroit District Area Local (MI) Cincinnati Region, (B) Michael W. Funk, Jr. (I), Greater Cincinnati Ohio Area Local (OH) Minneapolis Region, (A) Todd M. Elkerton (I), Saint Paul Area Local (MN) St. Louis Region, (A) Robert D. Kessler (I), Greater Kansas City Metro Area Local (MO) St. Louis Region, (B) Daniel F. Skemp (I), Rapid Area Local (IA) Wichita Region, (A) Ashley D. Cargill (I), Norman Local (OK) National Business Agents, Eastern Region Philadelphia Region, (A) Robert Romanowski (I), New Jersey Shore Area Local (NJ) Philadelphia Region, (B) John Louis Jackson, Jr. (I), Philadelphia BMC Local (PA) Philadelphia Region, (C) Vincent A. Tarducci (I), Philadelphia BMC Local (PA) Washington DC Region, (A) Rachel A. Walthall (I), Baltimore Francis "Stu" Filbey Area Local (MD) Washington DC Region, (B) Pamela R. Richardson (I), Lynchburg Area Local (VA) National Business Agents, Northeast Region New England Region, (B) Scott M. Hoffman, Boston Metro Area Local (MA) New England Region, (C) Thomas “Tom” O'Brien (I), South Shore Area Local (MA) New York Region, (A) Peter “Pete” Coradi (I), Brooklyn Local (NY) New York Region, (B) Elizabeth “Liz” Swigert (I), Queens Area Local (NY) New York Region, (C) Bernard “Bernie” C. Timmerman (I), Central New York Area Local (NY) National Business Agents, Southern Region Atlanta Region, (A) James “Jim” DeMauro (I), Tampa Area Local (FL) Atlanta Region, (B) Doris Orr-Richardson, Northeast Florida Area Local (FL) Dallas Region, (A) Jack Crawford (I), Houston Area Local (TX) Dallas Region, (B) Charles Tillman (I), Dallas Area Local (TX) Memphis Region, (A) Joe H. Jolley, Jr. (I), Nashville Area Local (TN) Memphis Region, (B) Pamela Smith (I), Birmingham Area Local (AL) National Business Agents, Western Region Denver Region, (A) Lamont Green, Phoenix Metro Area Local (AZ) Denver Region, (B) Joseph M. Zamenick, Phoenix Metro Area Local (AZ) Northwest Region, (A) Brian Dunsmore (I), Portland Oregon Area Local (OR) Northwest Region, (B) Brian Dunn (I), Portland Oregon Area Local (OR) San Francisco Region, (B) Mike Hetticher, Eureka Local (CA) San Francisco Region, (D) Chuck Locke (I), Sacramento Area Local (CA) Maintenance Division Director Idowu Balogun (I), Greater Los Angeles Area Local (CA) Assistant Director, (A) Terry B. Martinez (I), Dallas Area Local (TX) Assistant Director, (B) Jason Treier (I), Lancaster Area Local (PA) National Business Agents, Maintenance Division Central Region, (A) Craig Fisher (I), Tri-County Ohio Area Local (OH) Central Region, (B) Jeffrey Scott Beaton (I), Greater Kansas City Area Local (MO) Central Region, (C) Curtis Walker (I), Flint Michigan Area Local (MI) Eastern Region Kenneth Lester (I), Philadelphia PA Local (PA) Northeast Region Dave Sarnacki (I), Springfield Mass Area Local (MA) Southern Region, (A) John Gearhard (I), Jacksonville BMC Local (FL) Southern Region, (B) Carlos Paz (I), Dallas Area Local (TX) Western Region, (A) Hector Baez (I), San Diego Area Local (CA) Western Region, (B) Louis M. Kingsley (I), California Area Local (CA) Motor Vehicle Service Division Director Michael O. Foster (I), Detroit District Area Local (MI) Assistant Director Kenneth (Ken) Prinz (I), Philadelphia PA Area Local (PA) National Business Agents, Motor Vehicle Service Division Southern Region, Southeast Sub-Region Bruce E. Amey (I), Atlanta Metro Area Local (GA) Southern Region, Southwest Sub-Region Dyrike Shaw (I), Dallas Area Local (TX) Western Region Jerome A. Pittman (I), San Francisco Local (CA) All-Craft National Business Agents Alaskan Area James M. Patarini (I), Midnight Sun Area Local (AK) Caribbean Area Samuel A. Hernandez Algarin, Puerto Rico Area Local (PR) Pacific Area Rufina J. Pagaduan (I), Honolulu Local (HI) Support Services Division Support Services Division, National Business Agent Orlando L. Anderson, St. Louis Gateway District Area Local (MO) Retiree National Convention Delegates Central Region Paul Browning (I), Michigan Postal Workers Union Retiree Chapter (MI) Eastern Region Cynthia Nesmith, Philadelphia Area Local Retiree Chapter (PA) Northeast Region Leona Draper (I), Moe Biller/Eleanor Bailey Retiree Chapter (NY) Western Region Patricia Ann Williams (I), Greater Los Angeles Area Local 64 Retiree Chapter (CA)

Ballots for the 2022 Election of APWU National Officers will be mailed to members’ homes, along with the election magazine, on Wednesday, Sept. 14. All members in good standing as of June 17, 2022, will receive a ballot. To be counted, ballots must be returned to and received in the designated post office box in Washington, DC, by 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 5. Union members are encouraged to follow the balloting instructions carefully. To protect the privacy of your vote, place your ballot in the secret ballot envelope, and insert it into the mailing envelope. Information on the mailing envelope must be completed to identify legitimate voters, but mailing envelopes will be separated from secret ballot envelopes before votes are counted. Members in good standing who have not received their ballots by Monday, Sept. 19, should notify their local or contact the American Arbitration Association between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m (Eastern Time) at 800-529-5218 to request a duplicate. Ballots may also be requested by visiting: www.electionsaaa.org/ballotrequest/apwu All requests for duplicate ballots must include the member’s name, address, email address, employee ID number (or retiree ID number), the last four digits of the Social Security number, division (craft), local, and the reasons for the request. The APWU National Election Committee will take custody of the ballots from the designated post office box at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 5. Votes will be tallied at the Hyatt Regency Washington, 400 New Jersey Avenue NW, Washington DC 20001. Unofficial election results will be posted on the union’s website, www.apwu.org, as soon as they are available, and will be updated frequently. Official results will be posted as soon as they are available, as well. For more information, visit www.apwu.org.

Attend a virtual health fair As we get ready for Postal Service Employee conversions, APWU Health Plan is here to help. Becoming a career employee is a life-changing and exciting time for a PSE. We want to educate new career employees on Health Plan benefits. As you know, we have two great plans that offer strong benefits for APWU members and their families. Thursday, September 8, 1 pm–3 pm ET, Register Now Thursday, September 22, 1 pm–3 pm ET, Register Now Once registered, you will get an email confirmation with a GoToWebinar link and dial-in information. On the day before the virtual health fair date you selected, we will email you a reminder and include the dial-in information with instructions.

APWU Convention, Day 4: Completing Resolutions, Union History and International Solidarity August 18, 2022 DELEGATES COMPLETE THEIR WORK ON RESOLUTIONS On the fourth and final day of convention, delegates resumed voting on the remaining committees’ resolutions, beginning with the Formal Resolutions Committee. Issues such as supporting the Green New Deal, calling for the resignation or firing of Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, and backing postal banking, statehood for Washington, DC, and the APWU’s recognition of November 27 as “Public Post Office Day” were brought forth and supported by the body. The National Executive Board (NEB) Committee continued the day, where delegates voted on matters relating to negotiated service contracts, addressing sexual harassment in the USPS, membership rights for full dues paying members, and re-establishing a full-time, trained, Safety and Health position at APWU Headquarters. Several additional resolutions were introduced throughout the day. The Labor Management Committee recommended improvements to the holiday pecking order, while the Legislative Committee sought to make election day a paid holiday. Both resolutions were supported and passed by the convention body. Resolutions were finalized with reports from the Clerk, Maintenance, Motor Vehicle Services, and Support Services Division’s committees reporting to the body. Motions were made in each instance to pass the resolutions “in toto” according to the will of the respective craft and division conference bodies, and as reflected in the respective committee recommendations. The motion to accept “in toto” passed for each of the committees. INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY UNITES THE CONTINENTS International solidarity was the order of the day, as the Convention received fraternal greetings from British and Spanish trade union leaders Pepe Sayagués (Unión General del Trabajadores - UGT) and Dave Ward (Communication Workers Union – CWU). General Secretary Ward offered delegates his “solidarity and fraternal greetings” in a video address. Ward was unable to attend in person, due to his ongoing involvement in a wave of industrial strikes and disputes involving postal workers, telecommunications workers, railway workers, and bus workers, who are all at the center of what the overseas media is calling the “summer of discontent.” However, Ward said that “I think people have finally realized, from across the whole of the world… that if trade unions don’t come together, then it’s always going to be working people that pay the price…people are actually saying ‘enough is enough.’” Ward then referenced a new “Enough is Enough” organizing campaign which, in just two days, had more than 250,000 people signed up in support of trade unions, building collectivism, fighting for members inside and outside the workplace to “deliver a new deal for working people.” “We shape the change,” Ward continued. “There is a future for our postal services. We and our members make a great contribution to local and national economies, and we also add tremendous social value.” He finished by telling delegates, “Keep on rocking in the free world!” DELEGATES CELEBRATE THE GREAT POSTAL STRIKE The last day of convention also included a video tribute to the 50th anniversary of Great Postal Strike of 1970. The video was originally slated to be shown at the 25th biennial convention, which was cancelled due to the COVID pandemic. It honored the workers and legacy of the historic wildcat strike and the formation of the American Postal Workers Union. It described the events that led up to the strike, which, within days of the first walk-outs in New York City, had spread to 200,000 postal workers in over 30 states. When an anchor for CBS News challenged Chicago postal worker Greg Boyles for breaking the law, he said “I don’t care. I know it is against the law…if they want to put me in jail, put me in jail, but they haven’t got a big enough jail to put all of us in.” President Nixon activated the National Guard, which proved inept at delivering for the people. TIME magazine reported that “after just a few days of stoppage, the effects of the shutdown appeared to be little short of devastating,” as the movement of letters, business mail, financial transactions, and government documents ground to a halt. When the Postmaster finally agreed to return to the bargaining table, postal workers won a retroactive 6 percent wage increase, and combined with Congressional action, on August 12, 1970 the Postal Reorganization Act was signed into law, giving workers an additional 8 percent wage increase and the right to bargain collectively over wages, benefits, working conditions and instituted a binding arbitration process. Millions of workers have since reaped the benefits from the historic actions of the postal workers who joined in solidarity to fight for their collective rights.

APWU Convention Day 3: Democracy in Action: Spirited Debate and Successful Resolutions August 18, 2022 APWU 26TH BIENNIAL CONVENTION. DAY 3 After a productive second day of convention, delegates continued on Wednesday to make significant progress on union business. Delegates continued to make progress on the important union business before the convention, considering, debating, amending and voting on several resolutions throughout the day. The Constitution Committee work led off the day’s debate, followed by the conclusion of the Labor-Management Committee report, with delegates beginning to hear from the Formal Resolutions Committee as the day’s proceedings came to a close. Resolutions before the Constitution Committee, co-chaired by Keith Combs, Detroit District Area Local, and Kim Miller, Keystone Area Local, addressed issues pertaining to retired members, the work locations of national officers, and the procedures governing the election of officers, among other issues. Changes to the APWU Constitution require a two-thirds vote to pass. Perhaps the most spirited discussion of the convention thus far was on the matter of retired members’ representation at convention. Delegates presented impassioned arguments on all sides of the issue before the final vote was called. With the support and encouragement of President Dimondstein, Retirees Director Nancy Olumekor, and other national officers, delegates settled upon a compromise resolution that both addressed the desire of retired members to be better represented at the convention, while recognizing the equity concerns raised by other delegates. Ultimately, the convention passed an amendment to Article 6 of the APWU Constitution, which entitles each local retirees chapter and each state retirees chapter one credentialed delegate to convention. Olumekor thanked the convention for the spirited debate and the recognition of retired members’ contributions to the union. “This year, the APWU Retirees Department celebrates its 30th anniversary,” she said. “We thank you for your love and support.” Another robust debate during the Constitutional Committee’s work was on the matter of restoring the second Clerk Craft National Business Agent position in the Wichita Region. The convention supported the resolution submitted by the Nebraska Postal Workers Union. Convention also made a change to the Constitution regarding the succession of the Support Services Director in the event the position falls vacant. The resolution provides that the Division’s National Business Agent shall assume the Director’s position in the case of a vacancy. The Labor-Management Committee concluded its report in the early afternoon, after delegates acted on resolutions addressing hazard pay, the USPS mystery shopper program, wage increase demands and other bargaining matters. After guest speakers from organizing Amazon and Starbucks workers addressed the convention, the Formal Resolutions Committee came to the podium and began its report in the final half hour of the day’s session. The Formal Resolutions Committee, co-chaired by David Yao, Greater Seattle Area Local, and Teresa Oller, Portland Oregon Area Local, will continue its report early Thursday morning. As they did on Tuesday, delegates engaged seriously with the resolutions before them, debated with a shared passion for improving the union and the lives of APWU members, and filled the hall with energy throughout the day’s proceedings. It was, once again, a tremendous display of trade union democracy in action! YOUNG WORKERS, UNION POWER & CLIMATE JUSTICE Young workers gathered Wednesday for a discussion on climate justice. APWU Portland Area Local and Young Worker Committee members Teresa Oller and Travis Epes sat on a panel with Labor Network for Sustainability (LNS) President Joe Uehlein and Maria Brescia-Weiler, LNS Project Manager for the Just Transition Listening Project. They discussed how to organize young workers on union power and climate justice. Teresa Oller welcomed everyone and introduced the speakers. LNS President Uehlein, former Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO’s Industrial Union Department, explained how his experience in representing mine workers, steel workers and chemical plant workers inspired him to form LNS to protect the planet and secure a sustainable future. He urged members to “take our core bedrock principle of worker solidarity, and elevate that into a principle of human solidarity.” In the townhall format, Maria Brescia-Weiler explained the concept of Just Transition, a labor plan for climate protection that moves away from fossil fuels to cleaner renewable energy, while also protecting the wellbeing of workers whose jobs may be affected. In her research, she realized that young workers’ voices weren’t being heard. Teresa Oller expressed exasperation towards politicians who blamed labor for their lack of progress on addressing climate change. “Stop talking for us,” she exclaimed. “We want to work towards something that ensures, for the rest of our lives, we have work that allows us to live and feed our families.” After providing tips on how to engage coworkers on these issues, Travis Epes opened the floor. When asked about pushback from rural areas, Oller stated, “sustainability is still a dirty word. But the young people, they want to organize.” While some older workers may feel their livelihood is threatened, younger workers want to break the stigma and provide a sustainable future for their families. Panelists passed out a climate survey for locals to identify the union’s needs on climate change. STARBUCKS ORGANIZERS DESCRIBE RUNAWAY SUCCESS TO DELEGATES On Wednesday afternoon, President Dimondstein introduced Starbucks Workers United organizers Jasmine Leli and Jaz Brisack, who spoke to delegates about their hard-fought organizing campaign, which is spreading like wildfire across the country. Since March of this year, more than 400 Starbucks locations have either petitioned for or won union elections. In what Dimondstein said has led to “one of the fastest organizing campaigns in the country right now,” workers are seeking better safety provisions, pay, and health benefits. While it hasn’t been an easy campaign, Brisack said, “We’d been going through four months of unbelievable union-busting from Starbucks corporate. The day after we filed our union petitions at the first three stores, all of Starbucks corporate got on a plane to Buffalo and stayed there for four months.” Additionally, Brisack said that “Starbucks hired countless people that they thought were going to break the union that they sent into our stores, hoping that they would vote no, that they would, you know, fall victim to the support manager’s lies.” In the case of Jasmine Leli, then a newly-hired worker at the soon-to-be second unionized Starbucks, this took the form of multiple managers descending on her store from corporate headquarters to constantly watch over partners. They offered a stream of criticism but no actual help on the work floor. “They would just sit and they would just watch us ... short-staffed, trying to keep everything together,” she said. Brisack reiterated one of the major themes of the week – the importance of solidarity among working people: “It’s going to take pickets and a lot of community support to bring Starbucks to the bargaining table. We’re counting on you all,” she said. STRIKING COAL MINERS “ONE DAY LONGER, ONE DAY STRONGER!” Dedrick Gardner, a member of the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) and striking Warrior Met Coal worker, addressed delegates on Wednesday morning. Warrior Met operates two mines in Central Alabama. When the mines’ previous owners were facing bankruptcy, Gardner and his fellow workers made numerous sacrifices to their pay and working conditions. Gardner, whose father was a member of the APWU, is one of approximately 850 UMWA-represented employees who have been on strike in protest at the long hours, hostile environments, and deteriorating working conditions endured during the company’s financial woes. The now-profitable company has refused to repay the workers’ sacrifice, refusing to pay a livable, dignified wage or address the numerous threats to the miners’ safety. Gardner signaled the Warrior Met miners’ determination to hold the line until an agreement and dignified working conditions are met. “You must fight and you must stand strong,” he said. Gardner and his UMWA union family are in the 503rd day of their strike. “One day longer, one day stronger!” AMAZON WORKERS FIRE UP DELEGATES AS APWU COMMITS TO MULTI-UNION ORGANIZING CAMPAIGN The fight to organize a union at Amazon made a splash at the APWU convention, as workers from the retail giant’s plants in New York and Bessemer, AL joined the proceedings to tell their stories. Jennifer Bates, who spearheaded the organizing drive at her facility in Alabama, spoke first, flanked by her co-workers Isaiah Thomas and Ken Carter. She described her motivation for organizing as being for more than her, but for her co-workers and those beyond the walls of Amazon. “This is not just for me, we are paving the way for the ones coming behind us and we will not stop until we get it done.” Amazon workers have faced a brutal union-busting campaign from management. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) threw out the first, tainted election, after the company went so far as to have the USPS install a mailbox in front of the facility to allow bosses to conduct surveillance as people cast their mail-in union ballots. Despite similar high-pressure tactics from management in the re-run election, the outcome is so close that, five months on, the result has still not been certified. The second Amazon story came from New York’s Christian Smalls, whose upstart Amazon Labor Union in the JFK8 plant on Staten Island, NY defied the odds to organize the plant’s approximately 7,500 workers into a union, the first Amazon organizing win in the U.S. Smalls described how he worked day-by-day on the organizing campaign, flyering at the bus stop outside the plant while his fellow workers ignored him at first. “I got cursed out a couple of times,” he said, but the campaign built on the fiAPWU Convention Delegates Step into the Fightrst days of one or two signatures a day until he was gathering 200 signature a day. Workers at the plant won their fight to form a union on April 1st of this year. He recounted that the compassion that the organizing Amazon workers showed each other was what brought about a famous victory. “People want to know how we defeated Amazon. It’s simple - we loved each other, and we showed our workers.” APWU Convention Delegates Step into the Fight APWU members, local and national officers have already provided support for the Amazon organizing efforts in Alabama, New York and beyond. On concluding the Amazon worker speeches, David Yao, Greater Seattle Area Local, Formal Resolutions Committee Co-Chair, moved formal resolution 141 to commit the APWU to a “multi-union” campaign to spread the organizing efforts and victories at Amazon facilities and help provide support to the new ALU to win a first contract. Solidarity forever! Credentials Commitee As presented by Co-Chairs Cindy Foster of the Charlotte Area Local and Lorraine Sawyer of the Massachusetts Postal Workers Union, the preliminary report for the APWU Credentials Committee for Wednesday, Aug. 17, is as follows: The 26th Biennial Convention’s 2,030 delegates represent 297 locals, 33 states, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Also in attendance were 69 national officers and four Retiree National Convention Delegates.