Paul V. Hogrogian of Local 300 has taken the oath of office to serve as the next National President of the National Postal Mail Handlers Union.  His installation took effect at 12:01 a.m. on May 1, 2015, when Hogrogian officially began his service as National President.

President Hogrogian is well known to the NPMHU’s National Office and to thousands of Mail Handlers across the country.  For the past twelve years, Hogrogian has served as President of Local 300 in New York, the largest Local Union affiliated with the NPMHU.  In addition, since 2005, he also has served on the National Executive Board as the Northeast Regional Vice President.  Prior to becoming Local President, Hogrogian served as Vice President for thirteen years and as Recording Secretary for Local 300.

Hogrogian’s involvement with the National Union also has been extensive.  He has served as a member of the National Training Committee since 1996, and has been a member of the Field Negotiating Committee during contract negotiations in 1998, 2000, 2006 and 2011.

Hogrogian was an elected delegate to the last seven NPMHU National Conventions.  He has served on an array of convention committees during that time, and was Chairman of the Rules Committee at the 2004, 2008, and 2012 National Conventions.  Paul has sat on the Article 12 Task Force, and served as the National Shop Steward Trainer.  In this latter capacity, Hogrogian has helped to train hundreds of Local Union officers and representatives on a host of crucial topics, including limitations on the hiring and use of casual employees, occupational safety and health, family and medical leave, and arbitration advocacy. He also has been a member of the Committee on the Future and a key leader on various contractual and legislative matters. Paul was employed as a Mail Handler in New Jersey (NJI BMC) beginning in 1976.

          “I am deeply honored to serve as the National President of this great Union,” said Hogrogian after his installation.  “I am excited about my new job, and looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead.” 

With Hogrogian’s installation as National President, his position as Northeast Regional Vice President has been filled by David E. Wilkin, who also serves as the President of Local 309 in Buffalo, NY.

David E. Wilkin began his career as a Mail handler in 1981. In November of 1987, Brother Wilkin was elected to the position of Administrative Vice President in the Rochester P & DC in Henrietta, New York. David held this position for two terms.  In 1993, Brother Wilkin was elected to the position of New York State Executive Board Member for Local 309, a position he held until assuming the Local presidency in 2005. Brother Wilkin has held the position of Local President continuously ever since.  

David is a seasoned and skilled Arbitration and MSPB advocate, and has participated in all LMOU negotiations in Local 309 since 1987.  David serves as a member of the RI-399 Arbitration Team, and has attended a plethora of training opportunities over his 33 years. Wilkin was elected to represent Local 309 as a Delegate at both LIUNA and NPMHU Conventions, serving on the Constitutional Committee during the 2008 and 2012 conventions.

Wilkin’s new position places him on the National Executive Board, which also is comprised of President Paul V. Hogrogian, Secretary-Treasurer Mark A. Gardner, and Regional Vice Presidents Kevin L. Fletcher (Eastern), Jefferson C. Peppers III (Central), Lawrence B. Sapp (Southern), and Rudy Santos (Western).