From A to Arbitration

The episode highlights various grievances and concerns raised by members of a union regarding the lack of representation and support from their leadership. Members express frustration over the unavailability and inaction of their union president and shop steward, leading to a sense of abandonment and vulnerability in dealing with management. Grievances include delayed merger processes, lack of res...

In this episode, Corey talks about contract negotiations with a guest, Mike Caref. Corey then goes over the 2023 contract negotiations, talking about the changes that have been made since the 2019 contract negotiations. They discuss pay, full-time assignments, mandatory overtime, transfers, work schedules, and contract compliance. Mike gives his perspective on these issues, and they discuss his ow...

Corey discusses a grievance filed in 2014 regarding the placement of hard plastic trays used for mail delivery. Management instructed carriers to store the trays away from their cases, contradicting past practice and the M-39 handbook. The grievance, supported by the union, argues that management is violating Articles 3, 5, 15, and 19 of the national agreement by unilaterally changing procedures....

Corey discusses relevancy letters, removals, and formal step A meetings. He emphasizes the importance of the formal step A process as a critical juncture for building a strong case. Corey recounts a recent conversation with a carrier facing a removal, highlighting the importance of thoroughly understanding the controlling documents and asking clarifying questions to ensure a strong position. He em...

The episode is about residual mail and the DPS process. Corey discusses several arbitration cases related to this issue, highlighting the disagreement between the union and management about how residual mail should be handled. He emphasizes that management is often incorrect in their interpretation of the rules and that the union has successfully argued against them in several cases. Corey encoura...

This episode is a discussion about how to identify and grieve violations of the union contract when a 204-B supervisor is performing bargaining unit work. Corey emphasizes the importance of keeping detailed records and using resources like the JCAM and DOIS reports to build a strong case. They also encourage viewers to get involved in their local union and to be mindful of the need for strong lead...

A discussion between Corey and Brian Renfroe, executive vice president for the National Association of Letter Carriers. They discuss several topics, including: The new "TIAREAP" process: This new process uses GPS data to track and evaluate carriers' routes, which has led to some conflict with carriers feeling watched. The upcoming contract negotiations: They discuss the importance of pushing for a...

This episode features Mike Caref, Business Agent Region 3. Caref discusses remedies for non-compliance grievances and disciplinary actions for failure to follow instructions, particularly regarding mandatory overtime and NS days. He highlights a recent arbitration win (case #35858) in Chicago which established a $2,500 automatic penalty for future non-compliance with grievance settlements, cease a...

This episode discusses two prevalent issues among postal workers: management's imposition of a 5-minute PM office time limit and the prohibition of casing Special Handling Parcels (SPRs). Corey emphasizes the importance of diligently filing grievances against these directives, citing examples of both successful and unsuccessful cases. He advocates for a strong union stance, arguing that every grie...

This episode focuses on the grievance process regarding management's practice of changing start times. Corey emphasizes the importance of a "searing, zealous, torrid love affair" for letter carriers among union representatives to effectively represent their needs. He laments the perceived failure of some union representatives to adequately address workers' concerns, citing instances where grievanc...

In this episode, Corey discusses TIAREAP and redline policy, two policies that affect mail carriers and their routes. He gives a detailed explanation of TIAREAP and reads a document from a friend about it, outlining the process, the use of digital street review (DSR), and the various events that are automatically deducted or flagged. He then addresses the redline policy, sharing how a manager told...

Corey starts by acknowledging that he messed up the audio for last week's episode, which was very long, and apologizes for the inconvenience. He then moves on to discuss a few things he wants to address. He talks about the importance of union stewards and how they can help protect carriers' rights, especially during investigations and grievances. He encourages listeners to be informed about the gr...

This podcast episode focuses on the importance of union stewards and their role in protecting the rights of city letter carriers. JB discusses the grievance procedure, highlighting the different steps involved, from informal meetings to arbitration. This episode also addresses the issue of CCA's (City Carrier Assistants) being assigned to perform rural carrier work, emphasizing that this is a viol...

Corey discusses the importance of union stewards, the difficulties of dealing with management, and the ongoing battle between city and rural carriers. He emphasizes the need for education among city letter carriers and encourages them to stand up for their rights. Corey also talks about his personal experience with blood clots and how this led to his temporary removal from the National Convention....

This episode is a midweek edition focusing on urgent safety concerns. Corey addresses a nationwide scanner message stating "When possible, take approved rest breaks to beat the heat." He strongly urges listeners to grieve this message every time they see it, calling it "deadly" because it implies carriers are limited to scheduled breaks, which is dangerous in extreme heat, especially for new hires...

This episode delves into a lengthy discussion of the M-01983 memo, which outlines the Technology Integrated Alternate Route Evaluation and Adjustment Process (TIEREAP). Corey begins by addressing listener feedback on his previous episode, emphasizing his dedication to the NALC and his desire for fair representation of letter carriers. He then transitions to the memo, detailing its extensive conten...

This episode delves into Corey's response to new USPS memos (M-01982 and M-01984) concerning route adjustments, connecting it to a past grievance experience. Corey recounts a previous grievance where he possessed damning evidence of management using covert surveillance techniques, but the case was inexplicably dropped by the union, which he believes was due to internal collusion. This experience f...

Corey is discussing the 12 and 60-hour rule and how management is attempting to abuse it using new memos and the PET (Performance Engagement Tool) system. He stresses that the rule is absolute and that management cannot require carriers to work beyond those limits. Corey also discusses the importance of filing grievances when management tries to force carriers to accept these new standards, highli...

Corey celebrates the one-year anniversary of their podcast, "From A to Arbitration," which focuses on educating letter carriers about their rights. They express gratitude to their guests and those who have supported them. The main topic of this episode is PET, a performance engagement tool used by management to estimate carriers' daily workload and potentially discipline them if they don't meet th...

This episode focuses on route protection for letter carriers, specifically regarding the new scanners and the time standards associated with them. Corey discusses a PowerPoint presentation created by a fellow carrier, Steve Hedgecock, highlighting the problems with the new scanners and how they can be used to unfairly penalize carriers. He emphasizes that management is trying to cut time and that...

This episode focuses on protecting routes, addressing concerns about a new scanner's performance and potential issues with timekeeping and delivery accuracy. Corey emphasizes the importance of shop stewards in filing grievances to counter management's attempts to cut worker time and resources. Examples of recent scanner problems and managerial directives, such as a mandate against taking breaks du...

This episode focuses on the issue of being charged with AWOL (Absent Without Leave) on a non-scheduled day. Corey explains that this is an impossible situation because you cannot be charged with AWOL if you are not scheduled to work that day. He also discusses the importance of documenting any interactions with management, especially when it comes to requests for leave or when being accused of AWO...

This episode focuses on the challenging topic of dealing with toxic coworkers in the workplace. Corey emphasizes that while addressing such issues is ideally management's responsibility, shop stewards sometimes need to intervene to protect their "flock." Corey highlights the Postal Service's Policy on Workplace Harassment, specifically Publication 552, as a resource for understanding management's...

This episode discusses ergonomics in the workplace, focusing on a 2014 grievance filed by Corey against management. Corey highlights the union's efforts to implement ergonomic policies, contrasting them with management's perceived disregard for worker safety, prioritizing cost-cutting over safety measures. The episode details numerous instances where management, despite agreements, failed to prior...

This episode focuses on the importance of carrier safety, particularly in relation to heat-related illnesses. Corey starts by wishing a happy retirement to his mentor, Lou Drass, whom he considers a juggernaut in the union world. He emphasizes the importance of mentorship and the need for strong leadership within the union. Corey then dives into the topic of heat safety, using a recent grievance f...