Classes of Mail

In today's episode, I read the actual decision of Arbitrator Nolan. He goes over the arguments that were made on both sides, which is pretty enlightening, and then details his decision.

Arbitrator Nolan issued his decision today, and it's binding, so that means we have a new contract. I'll read the NALC's article on the agreement, and share my thoughts along the way.

We're getting back to education here, and continuing on with the Carrier Academy. In today's episode, we go over the basics of using your scanner as a time clock. We also cover some principles of safety, with an emphasis on safe lifting. Finally, we read the Joint Statement on Violence and Behavior in the Workplace, and we discuss its principles.

This is the conclusion to Michaels and my efforts to bring our branch officers into compliance with our Bylaws, the Constitution, and the election rules. Did the rule of law prevail... Listen to find out. (Spoiler: it prevailed in the sense that the Branch voted, and we will respect the expressed will of the Branch.)

I am again joined by Carlton Pinto and Brian Gutierrez of Branch 36 in New York City. They talk about what it takes to run for office, and why it's so important to be guided by a deep passion to help your fellow carriers and reform your branch. We get into some of the issues that their branch has in common with mine, and we offer guidance for those who are ready to get involved. Note: There was so...

The NALC gives great deference to the will of the Branch, and ensures that its members have the final word at the Branch level. Further, any appeals to decisions made by the Branch must have a representative from the Branch to rebut such an appeal, and to represent in writing the will of the Branch. My Branch president decided that he was in the best position to be such a representative. "I'm the...

A contract is only as good as its enforcement mechanisms. Abiding by the contract needs to be easier than breaking the contract. Michael joins me to talk about our own contract, and why it is that management finds it so easy to violate its terms.

On this episode, Michael and I give our reaction to Renfroe's Zoom meeting with Next Generation Carriers. We highly recommend you download it. Here's the link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0ZJPDJrE9wLdlSPjiiwlIL?si=KnyewvNNQl-Bsi5BASwyXg We also talk a bit about the threat of privatization.

Michael stopped in for a chat. This episode was recorded BEFORE the big news about expedited arbitration.

Today's guests are Carlton Pinto (candidate for president), Brian Gutierrez (candidate for executive vice president), and Tayry Vega (candidate for financial secretary), from Branch 36 in New York City. They are challenging an incumbent president who has been a branch officer for 30 years. We talk about some of the changes they want to make to the way the branch runs, and the way the branch respon...

Today's guest is David Grosskopf, president of Branch 3 in Buffalo. He talks to us about what it means to be a leader.

Failure to be regular in attendance is the number one reason carriers get disciplined at the Post Office. Michael joins me to talk about how you can avoid getting fired for calling in sick.

My letter to Renfroe, pleading for his help in restoring order to our branch, has been answered. A team of investigators appointed by the National Business Agent has been appointed to step in and take over ALL of our outstanding Article 10 charges, including the already-adjudicated charges against Michael and me.

Just listen. Holy crap. Oh, and be warned, the music come in a bit hot at the end of the episode. I'm still figuring out that part of the podcast.

OK, we all voted no. Good job, us! So what happens next? Chris Pennock comes on the podcast to talk about what we can do with the momentum we have.5

Michael is back in studio to talk about the "Historic" no vote on the Tentative Agreement. We also talk about how the rerun of our branch election is going. (Spoiler: it's NOT going!)

In this episode, I'll go over the provisions in the NALC Constitution that put the power in your branch in the hands of its members.

Chris Pennock joins me to talk about building a reform caucus within your branch. We also discuss his journey to branch leadership (he's just been elected Vice President), and his fight against the good ol' boy system.

It's happened again, folks. I've been poking the bear, trying to get my local branch in compliance with its own bylaws, and with the NALC Constitution. The result is that I have been removed from my position as an alternate steward at my station. The branch president is claiming that alternate steward are AUTOMATICALLY removed from their positions when new officers take their positions, but of cou...

Michael is back in studio, now with his own microphone! He went with the Rode PodMic. It sounds pretty good. Anyway, this episode is about the importance of the investigative interview. It's the carrier's "day in court," where they can defend their actions, plead their innocence, and lay the foundation for any grievances, should management decide to issue discipline. Michael and I talk about strat...

Mike Caref joins me via Zoom to talk about leadership, reform, and education. He explains the job of the National Business Agent, explains what gets carriers fired, and how to avoid getting fired. ( FILL OUT YOUR OWN 3971!) We also talk a bit about the contract and about Brian Renfroe.

Spoiler alert! Things went our way at the branch meeting. Michael returns to help tell the story of what happened at the meeting. Chalk one up for the rule of law. (Rule of bylaws, anyway.) Hopefully after this episode, things will settle down, for a while anyway, and I can get back to educational topics.

This is the tell-all episode where Michael comes back to the podcast studio (AKA my spare bedroom) and we go over the full story of the election improprieties and the series of Article 10 charges that have gotten us to this point. If you've been following this saga closely, there will still be some surprises in here, because the Good Ol' Boys have found even more ways to violate our Constitution a...

We address some accusations put forward by our union officers, saying that what we're doing on this podcast is divisive and counterproductive. Obviously we disagree.

Just a short pep talk. Keep up the fight!