Former Region 5 National Business Agent Mike Birkett dies

April 27, 2026

NALC is deeply saddened to learn of the death of Mike Birkett, former national business agent (NBA) for Region 5, on April 25, 2026, at the age of 69.

An Army veteran, Brother Birkett served from 1974 to 1977 as a military police investigator. Prior to joining the Postal Service, he was a Teamster from 1980 to 1984, during which time he attended Central Texas College, the University of Iowa and the University of Dubuque. Iowa Gov. Chet Culver honored him as an honorary colonel in the Iowa National Guard.

Birkett began his postal career in July 1984, joining the Postal Service as a clerk represented by the American Postal Workers Union, before transferring to the letter carrier craft just two months later and immediately joining NALC as a member of Dubuque, IA Branch 257.

Soon after becoming a letter carrier, Birkett became a steward for Branch 257. In 1986, he was elected branch president, serving in that role until 1996. He also served as a local business agent from 1991 to 1995 and again from 1999 to 2009. From 1992 to 1996, he served as the district representative for the Iowa State Association of Letter Carriers. He became an arbitration advocate in 1995 and worked as a part-time regional administrative assistant (RAA) from 1995 to 1999. Birkett served Branch 257 as health benefits representative for more than 15 years, as Muscular Dystrophy Association coordinator from 1986 to 2009, and as food drive coordinator for 11 years.

From 2003 to 2009, he served as president of the Iowa State Association. He was inducted into the Iowa State Association's Hall of Fame in 2011 and the Dubuque Area Labor Hall of Fame in 2023. He was also an active member of the Dubuque County Democrats' Central Committee, a delegate to multiple county, district and state Democratic conventions, and district coordinator for all of labor in 2008.

In 2009, NALC President Fredric V. Rolando appointed Birkett as RAA for Region 5, a position in which he conducted training classes on a wide range of subjects throughout the region. He was elected NBA for Region 5 by acclamation at the 69th Biennial NALC Convention in Philadelphia in 2014, and was subsequently re-elected by consent at the 2018 Biennial Convention in Detroit. He retired from the position in 2022.

Birkett will be lovingly remembered and greatly missed by his wife of 46 years, Cheryl; his children, Nicole, Brett and Blair; cherished grandchildren; and many other family members and loved ones.

"NALC mourns the loss of Brother Birkett," NALC President Brian L. Renfroe said. "He spent decades in dedicated service to the letter carriers of Region 5, and his contributions to our union will not be forgotten. On behalf of the NALC, I extend our deepest sympathies to his family and all who had the privilege of working alongside him. He will be greatly missed."