APWU Negotiations Begin June 25: How YOU Can Get Involved!

APWU Secretary-Treasurer Liz Powell joins President Mark (or Prez as she calls him!) to talk about the upcoming rally for a new contract, and opening day livestream. Listen in to learn about our speakers and how you can get involved in our campaign for a strong new contract.

Episode Transcript

(00:10):
Welcome APWU family to our new podcast,Communicating with You, the Member.
I'm president Mark Dimenstein.
I hope everybody's well.
And I hope you continue to listenin and enjoy these podcasts.
Let me remind you to subscribe tothe podcast, you can go to Apple
podcast, Spotify, YouTube, orwherever you listen to your podcast.

(00:34):
You can also listen on our website, apwu.
org backslash podcast.
So we have an exciting show today.
Cause we're getting ready.
To open contract negotiations and with metoday is our dynamic secretary treasurer
and hardworking secretary treasurer andeffective secretary treasurer, Elizabeth

(00:57):
Liz Powell, and she'll be coming intothe show to share some of the details of
how we're building and energizing to theopening, of our negotiations process.
As many of you know, already,our contract expires.
On September 20th of this year, 2024.

(01:17):
And our contract negotiations actuallyopen this coming June 25th, just
three weeks or so from the recordingof this podcast, just as a reminder,
our contract covers our wages, ourconditions of employment, our benefits.
So nothing could be moreimportant this year, than working

(01:40):
together and working hard.
to achieve a good, fair, well earnedcontract, that respects and honors
everything you do as postal workers.
And by the way, this is the largestcontract of any bargaining unit, any group
of workers, in the country this year.
We're covering approximately200, 000 workers.

(02:02):
Now listen, negotiationshave never been easy.
They never will be easy.
Even when management comes in goodfaith, and we believe they did
last round of bargaining in 2021.
It's still a tough fight.
And we know we're going to have toprotect the many gains of generations
of struggle, such as our COLA, our50 mile limit on accessing, our no

(02:24):
layoff protection for career employees.
And we have a lot of work to do.
Still before us.
We want to bridge the divisivetwo tier wage systems.
We want everybody to get fair andgood wage increases and so on.
So the battle is going to unfoldand part of that battle is to

(02:45):
build our leverage and power.
So I want to give you a quick updateon our building union power campaign,
which is our organizing drive tohave signed up 5, 000 new members
between April 1st and the openingday of negotiations on June 25th.
And we got great news for you.
Thanks to all of your hard work out there.
We have not only surpassed our goalof 5, 000 new members, we have now

(03:09):
surpassed 6, 000 new members, and we'reon our way to 7, 000 new members if
everybody who's listening in gets outthere and signs up one new member, two
new members between now and opening day.
Our locals are working hard on this.
your local officers and stateofficers are working hard on this.
Anna Smith, our terrific organizingdirector, and some folks working

(03:33):
with her have been very effectivein working hard on this.
And it shows in the results.
Believe me, management will notice.
They're gonna know that peoplejoin the union around the
fight for a fair contract.
And we're stronger thanwe were a few months ago.
They're gonna notice when you put onstickers or wear union gear around

(03:53):
the fight for a fair contract.
That's a pretty decent contract,and so again, this is all
about building our power.
So keep those, keep the firesburning on the organizing campaign.
It 25th, but we would really love tosurpass the 7000 new goal right now.
And I believe the last figures were about6200 new members . So that is, great news.

(04:19):
And by the way.
We've also, uh, had a, contest for aslogan for this year's, campaign or a
series of slogans for, this year campaign.
and the winner is union proud.
Say it loud.
So here we are good contractnow, union proud, say it loud.
And I think you will all agree.

(04:39):
And when, Liz jumps in, we'll talk alittle more about some of the other.
slogans that came in on the,second and, and, third place.
So that's a good segue to bring inthe secretary treasurer, Elizabeth,
as you know her as Liz Powell.
and, uh, Liz, why don't we talk alittle bit about what we planned

(04:59):
the night before June 25th.
June 25th, as I said, is the openingday, but I know that, you've been
leading us in, planning a great event.
leading up to June 25th, for June,24th on the eve of negotiation.
So, welcome, Liz.
Good to have you on the podcast.
And, uh, why don't you share with the goodlisteners out there some of the plans and

(05:19):
some of the excitement that's building.
Thanks, Prez.
I don't know about you and, and all of ourlisteners, but anybody who knows me knows
that I'm always fired up and ready to go.
We are sincerely hoping you're goingto get fired up and ready to go with
us on Monday, June the 24th, 7 p.
m.
We're having our virtual contractrally and it will be live streamed

(05:43):
for anyone who wants to listen.
I wish I could say and see us.
Can do so, but at least ifyou want to listen, and you
may be able to see some of us.
We're looking forward to having you.
President D mentioned, and that'swhat I call him, D for short.
We know him as President Demestein.
But he's mentioned some of theslogans we're going to have.

(06:04):
We're looking forward to you all gettingin front of your post office or wearing
stickers or doing whatever it is thatwe're going to have, ready for you to do.
on June the 24th while we'redoing our rally and that's at 7 p.
m.
7 to 10.
Lots and lots of time.
If you can't watch us, you can hear us.
Make sure you take those earplugs.

(06:26):
Do not take away from doing yourwork at work because we don't want
to have to rush in there and tryto defend you to save your job.
But as you're doing that great workthat you do by making that mail move the
way it we want you to listen to what'sgoing on with this great union of yours.
And that's about it, Chris.
We'll be ready on the 24th.
So, Liz, do people haveto RSVP or sign up?

(06:49):
How is that process, taking placefor people to join the virtual
rally on the evening of the 24th?
Yeah, they must respond.
they can do so by going to our website.
There's a link on there that they willget to join us on that, on that evening.
And, I think they can also text tothat magic number that they always
getting those good old messagesfrom us at 91990 and they'll get

(07:13):
a response if they get hung up andnot quite sure exactly what to do.
But yes, they have to register andin order to be a part of the evening.
Great.
And so let me also justemphasize what Liz just said.
So if you text contract to919, that's not the number two.
It's the letter T.
O.
The word to contract to 91990.

(07:37):
You get all the latest news onnegotiations and the immediate news is
the virtual rally in the opening day.
Liz, if you can, what's going tohappen at the, virtual, rally?
What can people expect?
We're going to have someguest speakers or, or what?
Yeah, we're going tohave some guest speakers.
We're going to have some music videos.
We're going to have some chats.
So we're going to play thatfamous, famous song that, C.

(07:59):
W.
A.
Always let us use and that's Mr Dolan.
We want a contract and we want a contractnow and we the speakers we have a dynamic.
We have, lo and behold, that haveagreed to be with us to show the support
for the American Postal Workers Unionduring their contract negotiations.
We have Madam Presidentherself, Liz Shuler of the A.

(08:21):
F.
L.
C.
I.
O.
Along with her, we have theSecretary Treasurer, Fred Redman.
We're looking forward to the two ofthem also representing the AFL CIO.
Reverend Everett Kelly, my brother fromthe American Federation of Government
Employees, will also be on there.
As will President and CEO ofthe National Association of

(08:42):
Advancement of Colored People.
N double A.
C.
P.
Derrick Johnson.
You all will remember President Johnson,who read a statement for us doing
last contract negotiations and wasalso instrumental in the lawsuit that
doing the vote by mail and worked veryhard and still supports vote by mail.

(09:02):
As do we.
We have Cesar Roberts.
United Mine Workers, a dynamic speakerwho always takes us to church whenever
he speaks, and we'll probably goto church on that evening as well.
We have Brian Renfro,president of the NAACP.
all right, Brian, I just promoted you,but you're the president of the NALC,
National Association of Letter Carriers.

(09:24):
And if I'm not mistaken, I thinkthey're still in, in arbitration for
their very own contract, but he willbe on the call with us that evening.
Melanie Camba.
Who's president and CEO of the Women'sBlack Roundtable, and who also happens
to be one of the spokespersons during theGrand Alliance whenever we need, need her.
She's always there with usin front of La Enfant Plaza.

(09:47):
Larry Cohen, and you all may rememberLarry, very good friend of the APWU.
He's been with us through rallies,he's been with us through, contract
negotiations, he's been with usduring our national convention.
Not only do we have all of those, wehave Dave Ward coming to us from, I think
it's England, Mark, if I'm not mistaken.
Great Britain.
Great Britain.
Great Britain.

(10:08):
He will be on the call withus and has agreed, to support
us as well on that evening.
That young lady who tells youvery quickly, I've got your back,
none other than Sarah Nelson.
President of the flight attendants.
She will also be there with us.
So we've got an exciting evening to plan.
We have President Mark Devin Singh.

(10:29):
We have Director of IndustrialRelations Charlie Cash.
They will all be addressing you andyou know, ain't no stopping us now.
And as I said, I'm fired up andready to go and I want you all to
get fired up and ready to go with us.
Well, that is that's a terrific lineup.
It's very important for managementto know we're not alone.
it's also very and that we haveall this community and labor

(10:51):
support, and the post office belongsto the people of the country.
So that's a very important line up.
And of course, it's also good for allour members to know that we're not alone.
So please join us.
Tell your co workers,family members are welcome.
You can have get togethers at theunion office or whatever you gather.

(11:11):
and join us on the, Zoom live stream.
You can go to apw.
org.
You can watch it on YouTube.
You can attend in person through inperson, in quotes, virtually on Zoom.
But you must RSVP to get the Zoom link.
So you can text RALLY to RSVP.
91990.

(11:32):
Again, I don't mean the number two.
I mean the word two.
so that's 91990 and itwill give you a RSVP link.
You can come right in and beatit ready to rock and roll.
So that's what's happeningto kick off the night before.
Now, Liz, what's happening on opening day?
What do we expect there when weopen negotiations for our contract?

(11:55):
Well, lo and behold, the Postal Servicehas once again agreed that we can live
stream our opening day, on June the 25th.
That will be done at 10 a.
m.
You will be able to hear your, chiefnegotiator, your chief spokesperson,
coming to you, doing the opening,where you can feel like you're an
actual part of the opening itself.

(12:17):
That is the start of the contractnegotiations, which will take us.
through the next few months.
We got a lot of things got to discuss.
But as you all know, the American PostalWorkers Union is very instrumental
and we're looking very much forward tonegotiating your wages, your benefits,
the right to have a safe workplace, theright for you to have dignity and respect.

(12:40):
And we want you all tobe right there with you.
As I said once before, one of our speakerssaid best, we've got she has our back.
We've got Well, sisters and brothers,we have your back, and we're looking
forward to you having our back on thebeginning of contract negotiations.
Once again, that's June the 25th, 10 a.
m., and it will be live streamed,so you will actually feel like

(13:03):
you're a part to be there.
We're going to unite.
We're going to mobilize.
We're going to organize.
We are union proud.
We're going to say it loud aswe fight for you, for a strong
union and a strong future.
Well, that's great.
And, let's underscore to thatyou're the foundation of the union

(13:24):
and management doesn't come to thetable to sit with us because of us.
They have to come to the table tonegotiate because of you, because
our members, the fact that we'reunion is what forces management to
come to the table and gives us theopportunity as equals to address our
wages, hours and working conditions.
Going forward for 200, 000 postal workers.

(13:46):
So it's very fitting, since you are thefoundation, since you're the reason we
have the ability to negotiate, to joinin, and in that sense be at the bargaining
table on opening day with your electedleaders and your negotiating committee.
So we very much look forward to it.
It's only the beginning.

(14:06):
Later in that day, the maintable will start meeting, we'll
start exchanging proposals.
The opening is more of a, a, a ceremonyin a sense, but it's more than a ceremony.
It's our opportunity to set a tonefor our negotiations with management.
So, Liz, what can a good listenersdo to support some workplace

(14:29):
activity and actions on openingday itself besides listening
in and watching the live stream?
Well, the one thing we really wantedto do is the word or union gear to show
the support of exactly what is going on.
And in wearing that Union gear, make surethat you send those pitches to us at APWU.
org so we can put them wherewe normally put your pitches.

(14:50):
you can have stickers, you can haveposters, you can have signs, but most
of all, be present, be there, Union gearwith the APWU or else, but in your heart.
And be Union proud.
Say it loud.
What are the other slogans,Liz, that we're going to be
using during this campaign?

(15:10):
By the way, I think we had,what, maybe 1, 900 submissions?
More than that, 3, 000.
Wow, so that's great.
We appreciate all the good input.
We're sorry you all couldn't win.
But, it's all part ofbuilding our, Union campaign.
So we got good contract now.
Union proud.
Say it loud.
What are the other
unite, organize and mobilize, which isvery close to the slogan for our national

(15:35):
convention that's upcoming in June.
Our slogan for national convention,believe it or not, is energized,
organized and mobilized.
So that one was very close to home.
We have a strong union, a strong future.
We already have a strong union and we'regoing to continue to have a strong future.
That was one of the slogans as well.
We will more than likely embellish on allthree of them, and we will be getting you

(15:58):
some buttons out there, some flyers outthere, and other, material to go along
with that so you'll be able to moat that.
And, the stickers, of course.
Make sure you be carefulwhere you stick them at.
We don't want you working overtime whileyou're peeling them off the walls, okay?
Well, we'll see about that, right?
So, okay, anything else today,Liz, or we're just done?

(16:20):
Ready to rock and
roll.
I think press that about wraps it up.
Like I say, we're fired up.
We're ready to go.
We are very much lookingforward to everyone joining us.
And I do mean everyone, make sureyou tell your family, you tell your
friends as we kick off the openingday of contract negotiations.
Once again, that's June the 24th,which is a Monday evening from seven

(16:40):
to 10, won't be the same without you.
So please make sure you're there.
Well, that, that is great.
And remember all good members out there.
That you really do make a difference.
You really do.
The message you send from thework room floor comes up the line
through your managers, throughthe areas, right to headquarters.
And we have to make it very clear.

(17:02):
Union Proud say it loud, but veryclear that we demand, we have
earned, we deserve a great contract.
We already have a terrific contract, butwe deserve the improvements that should
come with every round of bargaining.
And every new contract.
We're committed as your nationalleadership to keep you informed over

(17:22):
the next three months as things develop,but we're going to have to stay firm.
We're going to have to stay together.
We're going to have to stay united andsend management that powerful message.
So great to be with you today.
One and all again, as a reminder, youcan listen to these podcasts on the
Apple podcast, Spotify or YouTube oranywhere else that you listen to your.

(17:46):
And of course you can alsolisten on our website, APW.
org backslash podcast.
Be well everybody.
Keep the fighting spirit going.
And as we always say in our cause,solidarity forever, carry on.
Let's go out there and win thebest possible contract we can.

(18:06):
You've earned it.
You deserve it.
We're in it together.
Let's go.
Union strong all day long.
There you go.
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