Build a Fighting NALC Success at the 74th Biennial 2026 National Convention of the NALC

The 2026 National Convention in Los Angeles, California was a very different vibe than the 2024 convention in Boston. 2024 was in many ways, the debut of a modern national reform movement and Build a Fighting NALC at the national level. The grinding lack of a letter carrier contract, the simmering anger at President Brian Renfroe’s absence from contract negotiations, and, once he returned, a total lack of transparency in how the negotiations were being conducted, led to 2024 being a year where the reform movement was unsolidified but unified. “We don’t know what we want to do next, but we want something different.”

2024 was a year of building excitement for something, anything, different, as multiple presidential campaigns were launched and there was an attempt to oust President Renfroe through Article 10 Charges (which, although unsuccessful, did reiterate the principle that *any* Executive Board decision could be appealed to the Supreme Body–the membership in Convention). Build a Fighting NALC focused on a push for a national contract campaign and Open Bargaining to be won through Resolutions at the National Convention. BFN had been marshalling 28 Local NALC branches and State Associations to endorse an Open Bargaining Resolution and Contract Campaign. The Executive Council would not sign off on approval for reasons related to transparency– the BFN-backed measure had resolved to “Post frequent side-by-side bargaining updates of contract negotiations on the website and in NALC bulletins.” However, a resolution which watered down this language, stating “... side-by-side comparisons could be detrimental to our objective. It is resolved only that which will not harm our position will be shared, but the members will be updated frequently as to where we are in the process of negotiation and that information that can be shared will be.”

While the watered-down language won the day, Open Bargaining was still a victory for the membership and an example of what successful BFN organizing looks like. It showed that NALC membership was not afraid of rallies and public demonstrations to fight for our rights to fair wages. In recent years, National NALC had been only having “Enough is Enough” rallies, which were focused on passing legislation to give more money to the Department of Justice to investigate violence against letter carriers. National NALC was only okay with us in the streets fighting for OTHERS to get more resources. The success of passing a resolution for a National contract campaign directly led to the “Fight Like Hell” rallies organized by National. Unfortunately, those rallies have not fulfilled the promise of holding rallies at every branch highlighting our demands for negotiations, but it was a hugely important step in the direction of a fighting NALC.

In 2026, as the supreme body of the NALC convened at the Los Angeles Convention Center, under the hulking abandoned edifice of Oceanwide Plaza– a stark reminder of how unfettered greed can blight the landscape– the reform movement faced a very different reality than 2024. With the arrival of Trump’s second term, labor was actively under attack. The USPS and NALC had fended off an existential and illegal reorganizing under the Commerce Department, ICE was terrorizing the communities we serve, and within the NALC, the factions and political parties vying for the NALC Presidency left a very tribalized membership. Within Build a Fighting NALC itself, factions had split off among different ideas about how to organize the reform movement. Those splits were a reminder that this is a big union, with a lot of workers who have different approaches, different goals and different sensibilities. The 2026 Convention was an opportunity to refocus the reform movement, and remind each other our strength is not us being lockstep, but giving space for members to fight for the issues that they believe in and standing behind them when they do so. There is no single “correct” approach to reform, and the reform movement must have the agility to fit the shape of the current moment.

Build a Fighting NALC attempted to live this approach by partnering with Carriers for a Better Union, the 30 for 30 Campaign and the Rank-and-File Postal Organizers and throwing a Kick-off “Reformers Rum Party” at the Caña Rum Bar on the Sunday of the Convention. The event was packed with reformers from all over the country, and it was a way to make sure we all saw each other’s faces, in person, and remind each other that we are all real human beings and not just social media accounts.

On Monday, BFN held a Resolution Meeting in front of the LA Convention Center after classes ended. BFN had been attempting to find a room for the meeting, but we remembered, hey this is California, it’s nice out! With bullhorn in hand, reformers organized into smaller working groups to develop floor strategies for passing Resolutions.

2026, in contrast to 2024, saw BFN endorsing at least 17 resolutions officially, and many more unofficially that hadn’t been brought up at General Membership Meetings, as opposed to focusing on one. This was a testament to the maturing reform movement, where individuals could use the tools of BFN to connect with like-minded carriers across the country and allow there to be more opportunity to use those tools to fight for the reform they identified.

2026 also saw an Executive Council that was much more willing to endorse resolutions before they even reached the floor and much more willing to bargain with the makers of the resolutions to find commons ground. We hope the Executive Council keeps this spirit of making the passage of member resolutions a priority in years to come.

BFN-Endorsed Resolutions:

Sanctuary Union

This resolution was “approved” by the Executive Council and approved by the Supreme Body. It resolved, among other issues, that the NALC would “not voluntarily cooperate with federal agents in the arrest, prosecution or attempted deportation of our members, their families, or our community members, to the extent allowed by law.” This was a very important resolution that reminded us all that at the heart of our fight is human dignity and compassion.

Locality Pay

A huge win! The Supreme Body overturned the Executive Council’s disapproval by a vote of 1,909 to 1,781. Props to C. Moline for a tremendous floor speech. This has been brought to the convention for DECADES. It found success when it was submitted as a “Legislative Resolution” and not a “General Resolution” as the argument was made to get Congress to fund the locality pay, verses it being funded by the USPS. An important lesson in never giving up, there are BFN members who weren’t even alive yet when this first was brought to Convention.

Live stream the national convention

Amended and approved! This is a big victory for transparency, the livestreaming of the convention let our local branch members  who didn’t have the means to get to the convention participate in real time. Important to note: parts of the convention in “executive session” were not streamed. This should be noted for future conventions as to what will and won’t be seen in the video.

In Support of Not Crossing Picket Lines

Approved by the Executive Council and adopted by the Supreme Body! An excellent step in right direction towards Right to Strike.

Right to Strike Resolution

Disapproved with a teller vote, 2,583 to 694. This was a disappointing outcome, especially with the effort put behind this and that the Right to Strike is a bedrock right that we must reclaim. Workers have the right to withhold their labor, and that right is what leads to a better work room floor and better wages. The argument against it was that there are “other priorities” NALC should be focusing on verses using “all available means” to fight for the right to strike. We took this to be a red herring of an argument, but nevertheless, we will continue to fight for this right, perhaps next time approaching this as a “Legislative” resolution rather than a general resolution. Also, the sentiment is growing to build up other parts of the Right to Strike, such as approving a Strike Fund, or something with a different name but similar purpose, first.

Direct Vote at National Convention Resolution and Amendments

This resolution was not in the book and ended up not being discussed because the Convention ran out of time. It is a very necessary rules change to make sure that the Supreme Body is always voting directly on the resolutions and not merely on Executive Council Recommendations. The confusing chaos of voting on EC recommendations was just as confusing and chaotic in 2026, so we shall try again in 2028.

NALC Supporting Gender Affirming Care

This was a watered-down success. A resolution declaring “Trans Rights are worker’s rights,” was approved by the EC and adopted by the Supreme Body as well as a resolution “Opposing the cancellation of gender-affirming care benefits in PSHB plans.” That is a win on both counts! However, it was a watered-down win, as the PSHB plan resolution supported by the Oregon State Association which actually had teeth and committed to NALC to research and develop a plan for carriers who were kicked off their own healthcare, did not pass unfortunately and lost by a “division” (which is a vote where members stand and the visual of if there are more Ayes or Nays standing is taken as the vote). We will keep fighting.

Constitutional Amendment to Articles 9 and 16

While these particular amendments did not pass, there was success in enshrining that the President must keep notes of the contract negotiations in the event that they are unable to fulfill their obligations.

Fund Services, Not War

This was unfortunately not adopted by the body. By the time it was considered, there was a lot of tired Convention-goers. It is an example of why more time needs to be devoted earlier to resolutions. Once we lose the membership’s attention it gets harder and harder to pass resolutions. Unfortunately the War on Iran drags on, with the human an economic toll ever rising. Our Union should stand up to War and demand a world where our collective resources are used to build a better society and we will keep fighting.

Workroom Floor Democracy (Lead carrier)

This Resolution was not in the book and we did not get to it being considered before the Convention adjourned. However, the Executive Council was in touch with the maker of it and had discussed amendments for approval. Next time.

Fair Wage Resolutions

Several fair wage resolutions passed with EC approval, including $30 an hour starting wage, full COLA and all-career workforce. It is clear that the membership is demanding fairness.

Ranked Choice Voting

Unfortunately we did not pass this it was disapproved by a teller vote 3,250 to 1,403. However, it is important to remember that the Convention can represent a real status quo force, and to get 1403 members who include officers of every branch to vote FOR ranked-choice show that victory is over the horizon if we keep moving towards it. It’s imperative that we pass ranked-choice at local branches before 2028.

Opposition to Four Ten-Hour Workdays

This was not in the book and we have no doubt that it would have overwhelmingly passed if the Convention had not adjourned before its consideration.

Michael Rivera's Convention Appeal of his charges against President Renfroe and in particular the charges relating to the unconstitutional-mediated collective bargaining agreement with no ratification vote and the subsequent improper dismissal of charges by the Executive Committee with no investigation.

These did not pass but all things considered it was close! Disapproved by 2,637 to 1,376 and 2,616 to 1,317. The reform movement scored an early victory to have these be heard at all, a special vote was won to have EC board appeals heard earlier than the rest of the branch appeals on Monday.

Special Thanks to Jamie Gregory who documented the vote totals and outcomes, check out his convention report here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YXtA6nz0x39UfL2_ubdu62_q7Bd7-x6nZKQ-5EbzEv0/edit?usp=sharing