Classes of Mail

What does Michael rant about? I don't remember! Let's find out together. This was one of four episodes we recorded that day, and Michael was on a roll. (OK, I listened. The episode is mostly about route inspections.)

Three quick topics on this one. First, an apology to a CCA, for forgetting what it's like to be new. Second, please come and say hello to Michael and me at the Region 1 Rap Session happening April 30 through May 1, 2026, in Las Vegas. Third, I am looking for people to help me do research for upcoming episodes of Classes of Mail.

When the grievance process is delayed, carriers can be irreparably harmed. David Grosskopf joined me to talk about how we can best make carriers whole for the damage caused by management's violations of the contract. We also discuss the importance of filing grievances BEFORE the carrier gets harmed.

Michael and I answer your questions.

Inspired by the events surrounding Michael Rivera and Branch 70, Michaele Brasaemle talks about our LMRDA protected rights, and NALC policy. (NOTE: This episode was recorded BEFORE Michael Rivera was convicted by Branch 70)

My branch (2502) invited Mike Caref to come speak. I don't have a recording of his speech, but I did take a lot of notes. In this episode, Michael Brasaemle and I give our impressions, and we related what was said. As an added bonus, I drove Caref to a campaign event the next morning, then went out to breakfast with him. We talk about that, too.

C Moline, one of my favorite guests, comes on to give us some education about union activism, and to tell us what Build a Fighting NALC is up to.

Management's office times are total fiction. When they tell you that you're supposed to be out of the office in 30 or 45 or 60 minutes, they're trying to invalidate what's in the M-41. Michael and I go over what's actually in our handbook, and what all is supposed to be done on office time.

This one is a slog, but it's really important. This section of the JCAM goes into how overtime is supposed to be distributed, and it's probably the single biggest source of grievances. If you really want to know your rights as it relates to overtime, this is the episode for you.

I am not a political expert. I'm a teacher. And my opinions on candidates and slates and movements should be weighted accordingly. In this episode, Michael and I dig into our feelings about the CLC. What makes us confident they'll be an improvement over Renfroe and company? What gives us pause for concern? And what actual evidence is there to support any of these positions?

Michael talks about retirees. I tried to stop him. He also talks about the recent testimony of PMG Steiner before Congress.

Sometimes I think about what it would have been like if I would have realized earlier in my career that I don't have to run, that if I just do the job the right way, it can be low stress. It took me fourteen years to come to those realizations. Ryan Akers figured it out MUCH faster. He joins me on this episode to talk about what it's like being a newer carrier who actually knows his rights. [I for...

These are key provisions. We cover the fact that you are NOT an on-call employee! We also go over the rules governing overtime, out-of-schedule pay, and more.

Howard Komine came to Vegas to campaign with the CLC at my branch meeting. I was fortunate enough to meet up with him at his hotel for an in-person interview. This is Howard's first podcast interview, and he did GREAT! In this episode, he talks about his role as a trustee, how he runs his own branch, and why the oversight a trustee provides is so vital to our union.

Well, well, well... the shoe is on the other foot! Michael Rivera is a reformer from Branch 70 in San Diego who found himself in the national spotlight (at least among reform-minded podcasters) when he brought charges against NALC President Brian Renfroe; and then brought charges against the entire Executive Council. Michael recently ran for office in his own branch, and found what he believes to...

James Henry visited my branch last week, and he brought the energy! I found his speech to be heartfelt, enthusiastic, and indicative of where his mindset is. If you've only heard James Henry on podcasts, you owe it to yourself to give this a listen. I have the audio from his speech, and I also talk a bit in the beginning and end about what it was like to have him there in person, along with Howard...

There were some articles in the December 2025 Postal Record that are relevant to issues important to Michael and me. We discuss them.

Sometimes when you fight, you lose. Michael and I discuss what happened with our appeal, and why it's important to fight, even if you sometimes lose.

My surgery is now behind me, and things appear to be going well. I have my first follow-up in a few days, so this is everything I know as of the date of recording.

This episode is by request, from our friends in New York City. Michael bring the hits with some of his favorite grievance wins. It's a fun list, and the last grievance is a banger.

Mike Caref joins me to talk about the enormous grievance settlements that featured in the Office of the Inspector General report that was released earlier this year. We discuss some of the specific grievances, and the specific payouts. More generally, we go over what it takes to get management to actually comply with the contract.

This one's a little dry. But it does contain some gems that shed light on the fact that Brian Renfroe has no intention of getting rid of the CCA classification.

We drop the educational portion of the podcast, to bring you this very special episode of Classes of Mail. We get to hear Michael Brasaemle's story: how he came to the United States from Korea, his time in the Air Force, and his path through the USPS. It's an amazing story.6

Michael came up with a route inspection checklist that's aimed at CARRIERS (not stewards). It's filled with a ton of useful advice on how to make the most of your route inspection, and how to give your steward as much ammunition as possible for any grievances after the fact.

Michael and I talk news! A final kidney update before my surgery, and the two topics mentioned in the title. For the attendance interview, we go through all the questions in an investigative interview template that has been circulating on social media, to be used against carriers who use their earned benefit of sick leave. We have suggestions on how to answer these awful questions.