Binding the Nation Together
Over 16 million Americans served in uniform during World War II and it is estimated that 11 million of those service successfully cast absentee ballots by mail in the 1944 national elections.
Library of Congress
Democratic Rights & The Public Postal Service
The public Postal Service and its guarantee of universal service and uniform reasonable rates for all people – no matter who we are or where we live – is a democratic right of the people.
A prime example is access to the ballot box through “Vote by Mail.” The roots of election mail date back to the Civil War, when Union troops were able to cast votes in the election of 1864.
Election mail is an important method for overcoming voter suppression tactics like the long lines at polling places, limited voting and early voting locations in certain areas, and elections being held on a workday.
The APWU is a leading force in enhancing life in the U.S. – encouraging clean energy with electric vehicle charging stations, delivering fresh food, promoting Vote by Mail, helping bridge the digital divide, and expanding public services.
APWU joined a rally led by the UAW, Sierra Club, BlueGreen Alliance and others in 2022 to encourage USPS to invest in union-made, electric delivery vehicles.
The APWU created the Campaign for Postal Banking in 2015 to expand and enhance postal financial services as a key offering at post offices nationwide.
From 1911-1967, the Post Office operated a Postal Savings Bank, which allowed small depositors to securely save their money in postal accounts.
Expanded Services
For almost 250 years, postal workers have proudly provided vital services in “binding the nation together.”
In recent years, the APWU has been at the forefront of a movement to reimagine the U.S. Postal Service of the 21st Century, especially with the expansion of postal financial and other services.
Postal Savings Bank
Household Postal Savings banks allowed patrons to save their pennies, nickles, and dimes between post office visits. The Postal Savings System existed from 1911-1967.
Postal Savings System
At a time when commercial banks were failing, deposits in Postal Savings accounts were guaranteed by the U.S. Government.
Postal Saving Stamp Albums were used during World War II to save Defense Postal Savings Stamps.
