As the delegates were seated in the Convention Hall this morning, they were greeted with a video message from Rep. Steven Lynch (D-MA), highlighting his personal connection, and unwavering commitment, to seeking viable solutions for a sustainable Postal Service. Rep. Lynch has a deeply personal connection to the mission of postal unions, due to his family’s generations of service the Postal Service. Lynch’s mother, two sisters, and brother-in-law, along with at least 12 extended family members, are current or retired USPS employees. He has recently sponsored legislation, H.R. 1351, which has the bipartisan support of over 230 Members of the House of Representatives. As a result of the anti-worker and anti-union Republican leadership in the House, however, Representative Darrell Issa’s (R-CA) draconian anti-worker bill, H.R. 2309, (which has been co-sponsored by just two Members, including Issa) has been the focal point of the Republican legislative efforts. Congressman Lynch promised the delegates that he would continue to oppose the adoption of H.R. 2309, and further declared that he is “extremely proud to have you, the National Postal Mail Handlers Union, all as true partners in this fight.”
President Hegarty subsequently requested that everyone in the room rise in remembrance of the anthrax victims, and Sister June Harris of Local 306 provided the morning’s Invocation, which was especially spirited, as she asked the delegates to join hands in unity and solidarity.
Sister June Harris of Local 306 provided the morning’s Invocation.
Next, Sister Madelyn Puricelli of Local 320 provided the delegation with the Third Supplemental Report of the Credentials Committee. Sadly, one of the delegates had a death in his family, and his departure from the Convention brought the total number of registered delegates down to 277.
With much anticipation, Brother Kevin Tabarus, Chairman of the Judges of Election and member of Local 300, read the results of the primary elections for Eastern Region Vice President and Southern Region Vice President. For the Eastern Region, the two candidates receiving the largest number of votes were Kevin Fletcher of Local 305 and James Bell of Local 304, and their names will therefore be placed on the mail referendum ballot this September. In the Southern Region, the two candidates receiving the most votes were Pervous “Andy B” Badilishamwalimu of Local 310 and Lawrence Sapp of Local 318, and thus they will appear on the upcoming ballot.
Brother Kevin Tabarus, Chairman of the Judges of Election and member of Local 300
Following the announcement of the election results, the delegation listened attentively to the third part of Dr. Giebel’s four-part lecture series on the history of our great Union and the labor movement. Today, the Convention’s centennial historian covered the period of 1912 to 1952. The lecture included four video clips displaying the archaic – though efficient for the time – procedures that once comprised the mail processing and transportation systems, mostly on the railroads. In addition, Giebel’s lecture emphasized the accomplishments of the labor movement, including the passage of the Railway Labor Act which set the precedent for more comprehensive legislation, such as the National Labor Relations Act of 1935. Giebel also noted several setbacks, many of which were a result of deplorable segregation and anti-labor policies during the period known as The Roaring 1920s.
Dr. Greg Giebel leads the chant:
"HONOR THE PAST -- SHAPE THE FUTURE"
The delegates continued to enjoy some incredible special guest speakers. Leading off the list for today’s proceedings was Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR). President Hegarty introduced this skillful orator, commending him as “an advocate of the principle of bipartisanship, which has allowed him to author more than 150 bipartisan bills on health care, infrastructure, and tax reform.” He went on to recognize Wyden as “a friend of Mail Handlers, and a friend of all working people.” Sen. Wyden, to wild applause, suggested that every American should have the right to vote by mail – he was, in fact, the first U.S. Senator in history to be elected by mail-in ballots. Oregon is the only state in the Union where citizens vote exclusively by mail, a process that has proved efficient, and also effective in raising voter participation. A huge proponent of his home-state’s system, Wyden said, “Everybody in America ought to have the chance to vote by mail and see how all of you, day in and day out, offer quality, efficiency and value to the American people.” The delegates could not have agreed more.
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR)
Following Sen. Wyden at the podium was Rep. Richard Neal (D-MA), who represents President Hegarty’s hometown of Springfield, MA. President Hegarty welcomed him with a warm introduction, particularly thanking him for the work he has accomplished in saving Mail Handler jobs in Springfield. The Congressman touched on the importance of working at the grassroots level to ensure the future viability of the Postal Service, and went on to admonish House Republicans for their partisan political banter that is based on unsubstantiated opinions, rather than fact. He later acknowledged the challenges facing the Postal Service brought about by advancement in email technology, but noted that “We can address these changes in technology, but not retreat from the guarantee of a Postal Service that functions efficiently.”
Rep. Richard Neal (D-MA)
Sam D’Ambrosio, Chairman of the Constitution Committee, then led the delegates to continue the process of debating and voting on the proposed amendments to the National Constitution and the Uniform Local Union Constitution. A variety of proposals were passed, and none of the recommendations was rejected. Several particular amendments are worthy of note.
First, after substantial debate, an amendment to Article XIV, Section 3 of the National Constitution was passed, tying possible dues increases of 1.00 per pay period to any future contractual increases in salary or cost-of-living adjustments totaling over $500 in any calendar year. As part of this amendment, the National Union agreed to provide all Local Unions with an extra 80 cents per member per pay period for the next three years starting this December.
Second, there was substantial debate about a contentious amendment pertaining to Article IV, Section 5 of the ULUC and the authority of each Local President to certify stewards. After that debate, and a failed roll call vote to further amend the proposed amendment, the delegates passed an amendment restricting the appointment of Mail Handlers as stewards if they have served as temporary supervisors (204Bs) at any time during the past two years, with a limited exception provided in unusual circumstances at the discretion of the Local President. The rationale behind the exception clause is that, in some unusual cases, Local Presidents should have the prerogative to make such appointments in order to mitigate the possibility of having no available options for stewards at a particular facility. Though all delegates expressed their distaste for 204Bs and a desire to expunge them from the ranks of Union representation, it was decided that, in the end, Local Presidents need to retain this discretionary power.
Sam D’Ambrosio, Chairman of the Constitution Committee
To conclude Thursday’s proceedings, the delegation welcomed first-year Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), who was elected to office just six months ago. The delegates were excited to have a new ally in Congress, as Bonamici promised to fight for the causes of the NPMHU, for the labor movement and working families, and for sustainable postal reform. “Postal Service reform bills are going to be critical for the long term viability of the Postal Service, and that is something that I am committed to,” she told the crowd. Like the elected officials that spoke before her, she castigated her peers who are seeking to pass legislation that would dismantle the Postal Service, and noted that the challenges that lie ahead are not by any means “insurmountable.” President Hegarty honored her, as he has the other elected officials that have joined us over the past few days, by presenting her with a beautiful Mail Handler jacket, which she proudly wore as she made her way out of the Hall to the cheers and applause of those in attendance.
Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR)
As always, stay tuned for another update on Friday’s proceedings.
