The General Officers – President, Vice President, and Secretary Treasurer and your three craft directors – Clerk, Maintenance, and Motor Vehicle will be at the National Conference Monday through Thursday August 8-11, 2005. This is the annual conference for each craft to meet.

This is the first conference in which all three crafts are meeting as one group. The National Convention adopted this in 2004 National Convention.

Personally I did not support this concept. The reason I did not support this new concept is due to the fact General Officers cannot attend all crafts function therefore must choose between the crafts.

This does not allow general officers the opportunity to obtain detail information about each craft. I personally believe general officers should have as much information about every craft we represent. The APWU was formed from a merger of crafts. Crafts are important to our union and the work we perform at the Postal Service.

Our local has some advantage because our general officers come from two of the three crafts we represent. In addition, President James Chiang, Secretary Treasure Mike Stinson and I regularly communicate with the three craft directors and stewards. This allows us to ensure we represent all members of our local.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Bobby Donelson,