FedUp with Ron Speakman

In this episode, Ron Speakman breaks down his personal thoughts, opinions, and concerns surrounding NALC National Presidential Candidate Mike Caref, his campaign, his decision-making, and whether he is truly fit to lead.  From broken promises and split votes, to Branch 11 in Chicago, campaigning inside USPS facilities, leadership standards, and what Ron views as a lack of integrity and accountabil...

In this episode, Ron delivers a direct and reflective message on truth, accountability, and transition. He addresses the realities of advocacy, the personal weight of speaking honestly, and the need to realign when purpose and sustainability are at stake. The episode also features an original, NAS-inspired rap track written and produced by Ron as a creative expression centered on integrity, docume...

Today’s episode spotlights Alex Sherman of Millennium Rehabilitation Physical Therapy, a trusted provider serving federal employees in the Bronx, NY, and surrounding areas. Millennium sets itself apart with its multilingual support and cultural and religious awareness, ensuring every patient is treated with dignity and respect. They also provide immediate treatment before a claim is accepted, cust...

Today, I sit down with Geoffrey and Zachary Shapiro from Shapiro Federal, a fourth-generation, family run law firm that has been standing with and fighting for injured federal employees since 1933. With over 90 years of experience, and more than 17,500 cases nationwide, Shapiro Federal is now the official legal resource within the FedUp Network of Resources, representing federal workers in OWCP cl...

In this episode, retired city letter carrier Tina Schmerbach shares her four-year battle through corruption, cover-ups, harassment, and betrayal inside the USPS and NALC. From local branch failures to national leadership neglect, from Postal Inspectors ignoring threats, to law enforcement, a district attorney, and politicians looking the other way, Tina’s story reveals how broken the system truly...

Attention All NALC Members & City Letter Carriers: In this episode of FedUp, we’re joined by James Henry and Corey Walton, two CLC candidates in the upcoming 2026 NALC election. This short but powerful conversation delivers a game-changing moment as James Henry makes a groundbreaking announcement—heard here first—that is sure to send shockwaves through the NALC. This is one of those rare momen...

Today, we sit down with Kimetra Simpson-Lewis, a powerhouse in the labor movement and a relentless advocate for letter carriers. As President of Dallas Lone Star NALC Local Branch 132, Kim has spent three decades fighting for workers' rights, ensuring fair treatment, safe conditions, and a strong union that truly represents its members. From her early days as a steward in 1994 to her roles as an A...

Attention All NALC Members & USPS City Letter Carriers:   Today’s guest is Corey Walton, a 32-year letter carrier, host of the acclaimed From A to Arbitration Podcast, and a relentless advocate for the members of the NALC (National Association of Letter Carriers). Corey has spent decades standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the rank and file, fighting for justice, accountability, and respect. He...

Today, we’re joined by John Cruz, the powerhouse President of the Brooklyn-Staten Island NALC Merged Branch 41. Known for his unwavering advocacy for City Letter Carriers, John’s dedication sends shockwaves through management and commands respect across the NALC. Listen to us as we dive deep into his journey as a relentless champion for his members, his role in the Concerned Letter Carriers (CLC)...

In this episode, we sit down with Bill Kriebel, a dedicated candidate for NALC Region 12 National Business Agent (NBA). Through his background as a Marine Corps veteran, a working branch president, and a steadfast advocate for letter carriers, Bill brings a unique blend of experience and passion to his campaign. Join us as Bill shares his seven key agenda points and actionable plan to revitalize R...

In this episode, Ernest Gonzales, a passionate advocate, Chief Shop Steward, and BFN Coordinating Committee member from San Antonio, TX, joins us to discuss his work with the Build a Fighting NALC (BFN) Movement. We explore the struggles of toxic work environments, BFN’s agenda and key points (including an in-depth discussion about if USPS workers should have the right to strike), the recent tenta...

This episode features an in-depth conversation with David Grosskopf Jr., who shares his journey through the USPS and the NALC, his unwavering dedication to union activism, and the many battles fought for the rights of his members. From stopping check-washing schemes and stopping the closure of a mail processing facility to strengthening branch finances and engaging in community actions, Dave’s sto...

In this episode, we sit down with James Henry, the National Vice President of the NALC, to discuss his incredible life journey of service and leadership, from his early days in Compton, CA, to his 26-year-career with the Marine Corps, and his 36 years as a union advocate. We also dive into his campaign for NALC President, where he outlines plans for key reforms—like creating a Main Table Bargainin...

In this episode, we sit down with Kristin Wakeman, a dedicated advocate and candidate for Vice President of the NRLCA to discuss her campaign and plans for a more transparent and effective union. From updating the NRLCA Magazine to improving training for RCAs, Kristin is dedicated to ensuring that every member is equipped for success. Listen in to hear her strategy for building a union where trust...

In today's episode, we sit down with Bill Mea, a dedicated 26-year Rural Carrier with the USPS and a longstanding NRLCA union dues-paying member, who is now running for the position of President of the NRLCA. With over two decades as a local officer, Bill has dedicated his career to advocating for union members. In this candid campaign conversation, we dive into Bill's mission as a presidential ca...

In today's episode, hear Tyler give us an update on his “Build a Fighting NALC” movement, including how many branches and state associations have passed open bargaining resolutions. In addition, Tyler and I talk about the lack of leadership and representation within the NALC, his mission statement, the interim coordinating committee that is being formed, how a rank and file movement approach is es...

In today's episode, we welcome Rich Ray to the show as we delve into a wide range of topics crucial to every city letter carrier. From the Concerned Letter Carriers and Build a Fighting NALC movements, to unity, division, and the passion and anger driving change, we cover it all. We discuss critical issues such as heat and safety, the value of employee witness statements, and why training, educati...

Today's guest, James Brennan, is an NRLCA dues-paying member and USPS Rural Carrier from the state of Michigan. Starting as a Rural Carrier Associate in April 2017, he became a regular Rural Carrier in November of 2020 and was elected as a steward in 2021. Since then, he has filed numerous grievances on contractual and disciplinary issues, successfully settling all but one with monetary compensati...

In today’s episode, we have a conversation regarding OPM Federal Disability Retirement with Erik Blowers (owner and managing attorney) and Rachel Klink (associate attorney) of IFW Law Group, a national law firm committed to providing the highest quality legal services for injured federal employees across the United States. With offices in both Charlotte, NC and Boston, MA, IFW Law Group is a solid...

In today’s episode, City Letter Carrier and NALC activist, Tyler Vasseur, gives us an update regarding the “Build a Fighting NALC” movement (which revolves around open bargaining resolutions) including how much it has grown, and how many branches across the country are getting involved since our interview last month. We also have a thought-provoking conversation about a topic that is bound to make...

Our guest today is a City Letter Carrier and active member of the NALC who is starting a movement revolving around open bargaining resolutions, open communication, transparency, and accountability with regards to our leadership within the NALC. Their main objective is to organize the membership and build a much stronger NALC, and one that will fight for better working conditions, better wages, and...

My guest today, Dr. Robert Kustin, is the CEO of Fed-Hurt, which treats the injuries of all Federal Employees, and whose sole mission is to create the largest provider network to help and treat all federal employees, from hurt to help. In this important and informational episode, Dr. Kustin discusses his journey to helping injured federal employees, why he created Fed-Hurt, and what makes his comp...

In this short, but necessary episode, I talk about what I consider to be an obstacle for all of us, that being the federal employee (ourselves), and I give a simple three-step process we can use to overcome that obstacle. We are all in this fight together, and we need to continue to not only support one another, but also light a fire under each other’s asses from time to time. So consider this you...

In this informational episode, we talk about our rights under OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health Administration) from code of federal regulations and the OSHA 300 log, to the OSHA fact sheet regarding whistleblower complaints under section 11(c) and even some of the ELM, (Employee & Labor Relations Manual), which applies to all postal employees, and how all this can be used to fight back a...

Our guest today is a 19-year-veteran City Letter Carrier and an NALC union dues paying member, and has held many positions within the NALC, from both a local branch and state level, and is currently an arbitration advocate. Hear our guest and I talk about the collusion and cronyism that takes place within our local branches, including the lack of transparency and communication, what to do when the...