The PPA was established as an educational organization dedicated to assisting postal union editors with their duties and responsibilities as labor communicators. Over the past 44 years the PPA has proudly fulfilled this mission by providing its members with a variety of programs and services. Following is an overview of current programs and services:

• A nationwide communications network. The PPA has a well-established network consisting of nearly 300 local, state, auxiliary and retiree publications. Via an exchange of newsletters, PPA members are kept up-to-date on news from around the country. This service has proven to be a valuable resource to editors and other union officers for dealing with a wide range of postal worker issues.

• PPA Newsletter. This bimonthly publication provides assistance to PPA members with the performance of their duties as communicators and promotes the goals and objectives of the American Postal Workers Union. All aspects of newsletter publishing from writing and layout to legal issues and suggestions for content are addressed along with other forms of communication. 

• Reference material. Available in a Ready Reference Guide and the PPA website (Members Only section) is material especially prepared for APWU communicators that explains and offers guidance on the subjects of responsible journalism, editorial policies, editorial policy committees, internal union elections, libel, invasion of privacy, copyright and reprints. 

• Federal Elections, Union Publications and Websites. Updated and published each federal election cycle and available in booklet form and the Members Only section of the PPA website. Covered are federal regulations regarding the inclusion of material in a union publication or union website pertaining to the election for president of the United States and members of Congress, plus the proper procedure for publishing APWU COPA solicitations. Also included are suggestions for educating members and their families about the candidates and issues in the campaign and techniques for increasing member/family turnout at the polls on Election Day.

   

• PPA Graphics and Resource Book. Featuring 17 individual sections, this 223-page book (also available on CD-ROM) is designed to help editors improve their efforts to deliver the message of unionism and promote the goals and objectives of the union through the use of graphic images and labor historical information. 

• Confidential review of articles. When an editor receives material for the paper that he or she feels may be inappropriate or could be libelous, the PPA president (upon request and before the material is published) will provide a confidential review and offer possible solutions. Because of this service, the union and individual PPA members have avoided many costly lawsuits. 

• Assistance with establishing a communications program. Information and individual assistance is available to APWU affiliates that desire to establish a publication or other forms of communication with their members.

   

• Publication critique. Upon request, the PPA provides an editor with a critique of his or her publication. The findings are prepared in a detailed written report with constructive suggestions for possible improvement of the publication.

   

• Individual assistance. A widely used service that helps PPA members resolve problems or answer questions that arise regarding their responsibilities as communicators.

   

• State and regional workshops. As part of a continuing educational program, workshops are conducted to help members improve the quality of their publications and keep current on the latest changes and trends in the world of communication, labor journalism and legal responsibilities involved with publishing. (To request a workshop contact the PPA.)

   

• Biennial PPA Conference. This three-day event instituted in 1966 features a variety of labor journalism workshops to help APWU communicators improve communication with the membership.

   

• Awards program. Established in 1967, the awards program recognizes outstanding work in newsletter production, writing, editing and website content and design.

   

• Building the Local Union. Co-developed by the PPA and Ohio Postal Workers Union, this workshop program provides information needed to build a stronger and more vibrant local union through the use of various communication methods. (Contact the PPA for information about scheduling a Building the Local Union workshop.)

   

• PPA website. With general information about the PPA and the many services it provides, the site features a Members Only section that includes downloadable information for use in publications, resource material, links and a variety of other items of help to APWU communicators.  

• Periodic Mailings/PPA Listserv. Along with periodic mailings, PPA members are also kept informed via email about PPA activities and information of relevance to their duties as communicators.

   

• Huck/Konopacki Labor Cartoons. Monthly packet of cartoons dealing with worker and social issues for use in PPA member publications.