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The National Association of Letter Carriers held their 65th Biennial convention. It was my first time attending a convention. I knew it would be large but you couldn’t know how large until that first day. I had attended an early seminar on publications and websites and when I entered the General Session for the first time it was just a sea of carriers, adorned in vests and shirts proudly displaying their branch colors. And the state banners give it the look of the Democratic National convention.
Everyday when the session is called to order, the day starts with the national anthem, the pledge of allegiance and an invocation. Some quotes from President Young’s opening address he said:
“Our routes are at the heart of our day-to-day jobs. The members know that. You all know that. Be assured that we will spare no effort in our continuing struggle to deal with route adjustments fairly—by agreement if possible, by battle if necessary,”
Still, he said, “Negotiating contracts is the single most important thing we do as a union.” In the talks beginning August 28, the NALC will seek “pay increases that reward lettercarriers for their contributions to the success of theUSPS,” and the union will “keep the pressure on postal management to resolve the workplace issues” between the parties.
The days agenda is busy and fast paced at the convention, speeches by congressional leaders, mayors and heads of other unions. Resolutions and amendments are voted on, including a resolution on an initiative to promote “Vote by mail” as they do in
Oregon
. Another vote re-elected President Young and his slate for a second term. Awards were presented and Branch 36 received one for the highest dollar amount of COLCPE given by a branch. Motion are made and voted on, one that passed was to rename the national headquarters in
Washington
to the
Vincent
R.
Sombrotto
Building
. Still one of the more exciting parts is meeting people who do the same job as you in different part of our great country and some from very interesting places. By the end of it all you really have a feeling of participation and belonging. This might have been my first convention but it won’t be my last.
Each day proceeding are recapped here in the NALC Chronicles, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
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