LAWRENCE SAPP AND KEVIN FLETCHER ELECTED
AS NEW REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENTS

OTHER NATIONAL OFFICERS RE-ELECTED
WITHOUT OPPOSITION

          The NPMHU’s 2012 election of National Officers is now complete:  National President John Hegarty and National Secretary-Treasurer Mark Gardner, as well as Regional Vice Presidents Paul Hogrogian (Northeastern), Jefferson C. Peppers III (Central), and Rudy Santos (Western), were all re-elected without opposition, while Kevin Fletcher (Eastern) and Lawrence Sapp (Southern) were victorious in contested mail ballot elections that were certified on October 22, 2012.  All seven National Officers were installed into their respective offices on Tuesday, October 23, 2012.

                                      LAWRENCE SAPP                                                                       KEVIN FLETCHER
                     VICE PRESIDENT SOUTHERN REGION                                   VICE PRESIDENT EASTERN REGION                              

          As noted, Kevin Fletcher prevailed in the contested election for Eastern Regional Vice President over James Bell of Local 304, by a final vote tally of 838 to 436.  Fletcher has been a mail handler since 1988, and currently serves as the President of NPMHU Local 305, which represents more than 2,700 mail handlers in Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia.  He previously has served as his Local’s manager for contract administration, as Local Vice President, as Branch President and steward, and as a member of the National Union’s RI-399 SWAT Team.  In these capacities, Fletcher has arbitrated scores of cases for mail handlers on virtually all contractual issues.

          The Union’s new Southern Regional Vice President is Lawrence Sapp, who prevailed in a close election against Local 310 President Pervous “Andy B” Badilishamwalimu by a vote of 588 to 481.  Sapp currently serves as a dual officer for Local 318, both Branch President of the Jacksonville, FL Network Distribution Center (formerly Bulk Mail Center) and State Executive Board Member.  He has extensive experience in representing Mail Handlers in arbitration, in EEO, before the MSPB, and on matters involving OWCP, OSHA, and the FMLA.

          At the 2012 National Convention, there also was a contested race for Western Regional Vice President.  Since then, however, current Vice President (and Local 320 President) Rudy Santos was declared the winner by the Election Committee, without the need for an election, when the other candidate, Kimberly Rojas of Local 302, decided to retire from the Postal Service at the end of August.

          On behalf of the entire National Executive Board (NEB), Hegarty and Gardner expressed their deep appreciation for the continuing confidence of the membership.  “The entire NEB,” said Hegarty, “is extremely grateful to all mail handers, who once again have placed their trust and confidence in the continuing work of the National Officers.”  Added Gardner:  “The overwhelming support from the membership will strengthen our resolve to do battle against the NPMHU’s adversaries, as we enter crucial interest arbitration proceedings against the Postal Service and important legislative battles on Capitol Hill.”

          The voting for the two contested offices was supervised by the 2012 Election Committee, whose members were Kevin Tabarus (chair) of Local 300 in New York, NY; Susanna Paniagua of Local 320 in Phoenix, AZ; and Mike Rembelinsky of Local 308 in Philadelphia, PA.  Detailed results of these elections – including the votes cast for the candidates in each Region and in each Local Union – have been circulated to all Local Unions by the Election Committee.