LOS ANGELES—When the Post Office opened in the 18th century, it became clear that public control of mail delivery was a key to developing democracy in the new United States of America. More than two centuries later, the fight to save mail delivery from privatization and to save the United States Postal Service itself is no less important in the fight to save democracy—this time from a fascist tyrant in the White House and his billionaire backers.
Appropriately then, the American Postal Workers Union convention, which opened in Los Angeles on Aug.18, was like no other labor conclave. It was part revival meeting, featuring a visiting preacher, Everett Kelley, who also happens to be the president of the American Federation of Government Employees.
It was part walk-and-talk among the crowd by new APWU President Jonathan Smith, a Brooklyn rank-and-file member wielding a hand-held microphone, asking individual delegates what brought them to L.A. and encouraging chants and songs.
Think of the sidewalk interviews outside NBC headquarters in Manhattan, 30 Rock, for leading talk shows and you get the idea.
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