The national parties reached agreement on several outstanding issues and provided clarification regarding the MOU for filling residual duty assignments. Perhaps the best news is the agreement that PSE’s who have completed two successive appointments won’t be required to complete a new probationary period upon conversion to career.

Questions and Answers

Officers of the local met with district management to begin the process to fill residual duty assignment in accordance with the recently signed memorandum of understanding. We have been provided a list of residuals in the district and are currently reviewing it for accuracy. We have also been provided seniority rosters for Portland and Mt. Hood postal support employees. We have posted the information in the PSE/PTF page here on the website. Please ensure that your seniority dates are correct.

There is still some uncertainty regarding when the one-time posting will occur for the part-time flexibles to exercise their right to transfer to a full-time position. We have sent inquires to the national organization and are waiting for a response. Part-time flexibles will receive notice by mail from the postal service regarding the opportunity and don’t hesitate to ask any questions regarding this event. You do not want to miss this opportunity if you have a desire to become full-time and there is an assignment that fits your needs.

After the one time posting for part-time flexibles and any transfers from clerks who are impacted by reassignment, remaining residuals will go to the postal support employees. July is the earliest we expect to see this happen. We will keep everyone up to date as the process moves forward.

Sunday March 16 Membership Meeting
& Special Election Notice

Special Election to fill Maintenance Craft Director Vacancy to be held at 7 p.m.

Delegate elections will also be held for:

OPWU State Convention in Boise, Idaho April 24-26
APWU National Convention in Chicago, Illinois July 21-25

Executive council meeting 5 pm

General Membership meeting 6:30 pm

Portland Oregon Area Local
American Postal Workers Union, AFL-CIO
2360 SE Morrison ST
Portland, OR 97214

The February 9th executive council and general membership meeting are cancelled due to the hazardous conditions.

The entire area has accumulated a covering of ice over the foot of snow that has fallen. The City of Portland has issued an urgent request to all citizens to remain off the roads under these conditions.

On December 16th, 2014 community activist, union members, and political allies gathered in front of the Eugene Processing Plant to protest the planned 2014 closure of the facility. The closure of the Eugene plant would result in further delays of first class mail throughout the state and further degrade our service. A contingent of Portland members and officers joined in the protest to show Solidarity with our Union brothers and sisters in Eugene. We were also joined by a group known as the “Raging Grannies”. They are a group of community activist from Eugene and the surrounding area. One of the Grannies along with 6 other activist were arrested by the Postal Inspection Service for standing up and demanding that the Eugene Plant remain open.

Standing up for what’s right

Eugene Processing Plant slated for closure 2014

Eugene Executive Vice President Braden Pelky

Darrell Strobel and Steve Metz

Brian Dunn and Darrell Strobel

Western Region Coordinator Omar Gonzalez fires up the crowd

Daniel Cortez and Cheryl Walton inform the public

Notice the poster. Just another signal of the degradation of service occurring throughout the nation.

US Postal Inspectors arrest 7 peaceful protestors

Omar Gonzalez

Brian Dunn, Clerk Craft NBA gives instruction on uncommon grievance situations

On a sunny Sunday afternoon, stewards from throughout the Local gathered to hear National Business Agent Brian Dunn. The class covered everything from recent problems Brian has been noticing in grievances to the more difficult and uncommon situations that arise.

It was a well attended seminar and the instruction was top-notch. We continue to strive to sharpen our skills in all aspects of representation. Class arrangements by Luana Manalo, Director of Education.

Local President Brian Dunsmore standing with newly elected national officer Anna Smith

Anna Smith was elected to be our next national organization director in Washington D.C.. Anna has been a proud member of the Portland Local for over 18 years. Currently serving as the associate office director she also has served on the executive board as editor. In addition to all her local service she serves as the President of the Oregon Postal Workers Union.

Anna ran an excellent campaign that stayed positive throughout the effort. We are extremely proud of her and wish her the best in her next endeavors.

The membership also selected several new national officers and we wish both the incoming and outgoing officers all our best.

The Oregon AFL-CIO convention convened this year in Bend, Oregon. Held every two years the convention gathers unions from all over the state to act on resolutions and strengthen the solidarity amongst the diverse groups that make up the AFL-CIO.

The APWU was represented by Brian Dunsmore from Portland, Wendy NesSmith from Eugene, and Linda O’Donnell from Bend. We were also joined by leaders from the carrier and mailhandler crafts.

The convention was outstanding. We heard from several state and national leaders including Governor Kitzhaber, Senator Jeff Merkley, American Federation of Teachers national president Randi Weingarten, and the National AFL-CIO Secretary/Treasurer Liz Shuler who happens to be from Gladstone, Oregon. Almost every speaker spoke about issues affecting us as postal workers and many expressed their support for our causes. It was surprising to hear the postal service come up so often but that is a result of the hard work and efforts of so many to make the public aware of our plight.

The Coalition of Black Trade Unionists put forward a resolution titled the “Postal Service Protection Act”. The CBTU previously passed this resolution at their 2013 convention and now the Oregon AFL-CIO and its affiliates have pledged their support. The resolve reads “that the Oregon AFL-CIO will lobby and urge its affiliates and members to lobby their local congressional House and Senate legislators for the passage of Senate Bill 316/House Bill 630.” I know I speak for the entire Oregon APWU delegation when I express my sincere gratitude to the CBTU and the AFL-CIO for their support.

Oregon AFL-CIO rallies

Oregon AFL-CIO President Tom Chamberlain with Barbara Byrd and Brian Dunsmore

AFL-CIO Secretary/Treasurer Barbara Byrd-One of the greatest Unionist I know

Linda O’Donnell, Bend Local President

The 2013 Golf For Diabetes was a hole in one! Chairperson Cheryl Crosley outdid herself once again. The final numbers aren’t in, but I’m sure that we set a new record for funds raised, in support of the American Diabetes Association.

We had a full group of golfers and at least 35 sponsors. I want to thank all our golfers, sponsors, and those who donated gifts for the raffles. It is your participation that makes a difference! Thanks to everyone who volunteered your time and efforts to ensure that everyone had a good time!

In Solidarity,
Brian Dunsmore, President
Portland Oregon Area Local

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