On the final day of 2012 NPMHU National Convention, delegates met for a morning session only.

Invocation by Beverly Henderson, President of Local 297 

               Following an invocation by Beverly Henderson, President of Local 297, Dr. Giebel delivered the final lecture in his four-part series on the history of the NPMHU.  Giebel discussed the rise of both private-sector and public-sector unions in the middle of the 20^th century, the expansion of the Postal Service and growing presence of female postal workers during the post-World War II economic boom, and the gradual demise of segregation policies following the Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision in 1954.  As he progressed through his lecture, Giebel also touched on the latter part of the 20^th century, highlighting the Union’s historic merger with LIUNA in 1968, the 1970 strike by postal employees, and the beginning of full-scale contract negotiations, also in 1970.  National Secretary-Treasurer Mark Gardner gave a personal thanks to Giebel for inspiring him to develop a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of the history of the NPMHU, and the Convention’s centennial historian was sent off with a warm round of applause. 

Dr. Greg Giebel delivered the final lecture in his four-part series on the history of the NPMHU.

               Next, President Hegarty made a brief announcement, informing the delegates Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney had chosen Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) as his running mate for Vice President.  “He couldn’t have gone any further to the right than that,” Hegarty said, as he urged delegates to mobilize and prepare for the coming November election.

               The much anticipated site selection for the 2016 National Convention was next on the agenda.  The vote came down to a difficult choice between San Juan, PR and Chicago, IL.  Delegates presented arguments for or against each destination.  Ultimately, delegates elected by a roll call vote to make Chicago, IL the location of the next NPMHU National Convention in 2016.

Next national convention site "Chicago" accepts current host city "Portland's" best wishes.

               President Hegarty then wished all retiring delegates a fond farewell, recognizing each of them by name and thanking them for their many years of service.

               The last item of business for the day was the presentation of the Report of the Resolutions Committee.  All resolutions timely submitted to the Committee for consideration were recommended by the Committee for adoption, and all but one were approved by the delegates on the floor of the Convention Hall.  After considerable debate by the delegates, a resolution encouraging a boycott of Coca-Cola to protest their alleged union-busting activities throughout the world was tabled for further study by the National Executive Board or a special committee selected by the National President.  The matter will be reconsidered at the next Semi-Annual Meeting of the Local Unions in December 2012.

Chair, Resolutions Committee, Central Region Vice President Jefferson C. Peppers III

               In hindsight, the 2012 NPMHU National Convention proved to be an incredibly productive one.  Delegates worked hard throughout the week to ensure that the future of our great Union is secure, and without a doubt, it was a job well done.  A final celebration of the Union’s 100^th anniversary was held on the evening of Saturday, August 11, 2012 at the Portland Art Museum.

As the 2012 Convention concludes, National President John Hegarty
exhorts local union delegates to Honor the Past and Shape the Future.

               As the delegates return to their respective Locals, Mail Handlers across the nation are encouraged to join with their elected representatives to help honor the past, and shape the future.

               For further details about the 2012 National Convention of the NPMHU, be sure to read the next issue of The Mail Handler magazine.