Happy Holidays!

As we enter the holiday season and begin closing out the year, we can certainly say 2012 was one of the busiest and most important years in our union's history.  I am also positive that 2013 will bring us new challenges which we will address with the same vigor and dedication shown this year.

It was through the tireless efforts of the labor movement, our member locals, state officers and volunteers that made us successful in our fight to reelect President Obama and Senator Sherrod Brown.  We can rightfully claim that Ohio put the President over the top and brought home a victory for Sherrod despite the most intense battle of any senate race in the United States.  We ceertainly proved that money alone does not win all elections.

The APWU biennial convention in August was one of the more productive ones in many years.  A resolution was adopted that will allow the beginning of the restructuring of our union, something that was long overdue.   

We continue to struggle with the Postal Service's plans to consolidate mail processing facilities and the closings of many post offices, mainly due to management's failure to consider the ramifications of such actions.  They care little about the affect these changes will have on service.  Through it all our locals have maintained the highest standards of representation and keep fighting for every members rights.

Everyone involved in the fight to save the Postal Service needs to be thanked for their efforts.  All of us should be proud to be part of the labor movement and having the opportunity to represent working people.

May you and your family have a most joyous and safe holiday season.

Terry Grant, President OPWU AFL-CIO