In this special episode of Mike Drop Monday, Mike takes the mic at a live town hall, ask anything hosted by the Next Generation Carriers Podcast. This open forum event brings together voices from across the postal community for an unfiltered, honest conversation.

No scripts. No fluff. Just real questions from the audience and real answers.

From navigating challenges in today’s postal landscape to sharing hard earned insights and lessons learned, Mike dives into the topics that matter most to letter carriers and the next generation stepping into the role. Whether it is workplace experiences, career growth, or the future of the craft, nothing is off the table.

If you have ever wanted to ask Mike a question directly, this is the next best thing.

Tune in for a raw, engaging, and thought provoking discussion that captures the power of community, conversation, and showing up ready to learn.

In Episode 41 of Mike Drop Monday, we dive into some of the most pressing issues facing the Postal Service today.

Yesterday, Region 2 members sit down with an NBA candidate for a candid interview asking the tough questions that matter most to carriers.

We also break down the recent congressional testimony featuring PMG Steiner, highlighting serious concerns about the financial stability of the United States Postal Service. With projections suggesting USPS could run out of money within 12 months, we discuss:

Declining mail volume and its long-term impact

Unfair pension obligations weighing down the system

Rising workers’ compensation claims

An USPS Office of Inspector General report citing over $800 million spent on grievances

The ongoing failure to properly comply with the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)

We also tackle critical workforce and operational issues, including:

Continued reliance on CCAs instead of hiring directly to career (PTF) positions

Plans to expand the non-career workforce

The need for a national-level grievance due to Step B backup teams not being activated

Why comparing USPS to foreign postal systems doesn’t tell the full story

The impact of reducing delivery days—fewer routes, fewer jobs, and declining service quality

On top of that, we address growing concerns from carriers about workplace culture:

Excessive management and micromanagement

Hostile work environments

Ignoring the M-41 handbook that already outlines how carriers should perform their duties

This episode is a must-watch for anyone concerned about the future of the Postal Service and the rights of its workforce.

Whether you're an engaged member, a voter, or just looking to stay informed, this episode offers valuable insight into the candidate behind the campaign. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear directly from Nick Vafiades and learn more about his plans for Region 2. All questions featured in this interview are submitted and asked exclusively by Region 2 members, making this a truly member-driven conversation.

Greetings, NALC family and fellow letter carriers. This week, we recognize the 56th anniversary of the historic 1970 strike, eight powerful days from March 17th to March 25th that forever changed our profession. That moment in history led to the Postal Reorganization Act, transforming the Post Office and securing the right to wages and benefits comparable to the private sector.

In this mini episode clip, you will hear reflections and interviews from those who lived it, including voices like Brother Kamara, painting a vivid picture of the fight that reshaped our future.

But here is the question we are asking today. Have we come full circle? While progress has been made, especially at the top of the pay scale, what about those still climbing? For the many carriers working through the lower steps, does it feel like history is repeating itself?

This midweek drop is about reflection, perspective, and your story. Where do you stand?

We are looking for your story. Send us an email with your name, your branch, and any details you would like to share. We will follow up, set it up, and your voice may be featured in a future episode.

This campaign is about taking back our union for all members and building a union that fights for a true standard of living, dignity, and respect.

In this episode, we talk about Mike’s 1.3-mile walk in Washington, DC, where he recorded five quick videos while on the move. We also discuss the Supervisor/Postmaster Academy happening in our area, including some of the topics being covered like FMLA provisions.

We also touch on how demanding the job of a letter carrier can be, and Mike shares a preview of some upcoming locations where he’ll be “kicking the tires.”

This week on Mike Drop Monday, we’re having the conversation a lot of carriers are thinking about but, not everyone is saying it out loud.

We break down the real differences between PTFs and CCAs; the pay, the benefits, the schedules, and the way each position is treated on the workroom floor. Why do so many CCAs feel like they’re carrying the weight of the operation while being paid the least and offered the fewest protections?

From unpredictable hours and limited benefits to the long road to career status, we dig into why CCAs often feel severely undervalued  and why that conversation matters now more than ever.

John Murphy (a Full-Time Regular carrier), set the tone immediately in his introduction:

“I’m currently at Step D… as in dog sh*t.”

That raw honesty opened the door to a deeper discussion about the pay scale, morale, and how even career employees can feel stuck or underappreciated.

We also had a powerful moment with a non-union member who shared her frustrations openly  where the union fell short for her, why she stepped away, and what made her skeptical. Instead of shutting it down, we leaned in. Through real conversation and accountability, she ultimately agreed to give the union another shot.

This episode isn’t about complaining, it’s about transparency. It’s about respect. And it’s about recognizing the value of the carriers who keep everything moving.

There is also discussion about continuing rallies and  30 for 30 movement

$30 an hour starting pay. 30 carriers to 1 manager.

Fair pay. Fair staffing. Real respect for the work carriers do every single day.

As contract negotiations continue, carriers across the country are organizing rallies to raise awareness and bring real visibility to these priorities. This isn’t just a slogan, it's a call for sustainable staffing, equitable compensation, and a stronger future for the workforce.

Now is the time to show up, stand together, and make sure our voices are heard at the bargaining table. If you’re a CCA feeling overlooked, a PTF navigating the middle ground, or a regular wondering why morale feels low, this one’s for you.

What if Mike was the one sitting across the table from USPS?

In Episode 36 of Mike Drop Monday, Mike opens the show as if he is leading contract negotiations as NALC President and he does not hold back.

We break down:

• What bargaining with USPS should look like
  

• The power and reality of contract rallies
  

• NEERMP, what it is and why it matters
  

• The question people keep asking. Is Mike being selfish?
  

And in true Mike Drop Monday fashion, we mix in some real life moments too. Renee shares that her son just lost his first tooth, reminding us that behind the negotiations, rallies, and big conversations, we are all balancing family and real life along the way.

This episode pulls no punches. If you care about the future of the contract, union leadership, and where things are headed, this one is for you.

Drop your thoughts in the comments. Would you negotiate differently? Are rallies effective? Is Mike out of line or just saying what others will not?

March Madness Link:

https://bit.ly/4kNcA3P

USPS NALC Article 15 grievances and a newly declared interpretive issue are raising concerns among letter carriers about delays, steward pay, and how grievances are being handled during contract negotiations.

Mike Drop Monday Midweek Update

In this episode, Mike covers what the interpretive issue means for the grievance process, why some issues are being pushed toward impasse, and why many carriers worry about repeating problems seen during the HIPP process.

Mike covers:

• What an interpretive issue means inside the USPS grievance process
• How Article 15 timelines and grievance resolutions may be affected
• Steward pay and escalating remedy concerns
• The risk of grievances sitting unresolved or being delayed
• Why union leadership is expected to address this during upcoming meetings

This update focuses on protecting the grievance process and making sure issues affecting letter carriers do not disappear during procedural delays.

Subscribe for weekly USPS updates, labor news, and real conversations about contract negotiations and workplace issues.

USPS NALC contract rallies are growing across the country as letter carriers organize to build visibility and put public pressure on contract negotiations. In this episode of Mike Drop Monday, we explore the successes, challenges, and real-world experiences behind the movement.

Episode 35 features conversations with organizers and carriers from across the country, including Chris Persampieri of Next Generation Carriers, Johnathon “Badmouth” Morris, Xavier Gonzalez, Dustin Saville, Ken Grigsby, and Cesar Medina. We talk about what’s working, what isn’t, and why organizing infrastructure and community support matter more than ever.

Topics include:• Rally successes and challenges nationwide• Public pressure and contract negotiations• Planning stand-outs and rallies with limited time• Building stronger organizing teams inside the union• Family-friendly events and community visibility• Why local leadership and member involvement matter

Find a rally near you:https://www.nalc.org/news/fight-like-hell#CA

Rally flyer:https://www.nalc.org/news/body/FLH-contract-rally-flyer-2.pdf

Next Generation Carriers:https://www.nextgenerationcarriers.com/https://www.youtube.com/@NextGenerationCarriershttps://open.spotify.com/show/0BAN1x0LVmdpJD5NwffY2yhttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/next-generation-carriers/id1786141834

Rally chant list:https://docs.google.com/document/d/1A4zeb-2ZT9FF-AdJZ0vO2tLivEzlrQfKqi7LB0xfFhA/edit?tab=t.0

See Johnathon “Badmouth” Morris’s work here:https://youtu.be/B-AKujZYBsg?si=PzmYlkeAw_gPhOfPCut

NALC Region 10 YouTube page:http://www.youtube.com/@NALCRegion10

USPS geo tracking, contract negotiations, and social media use on the clock are becoming major flashpoints for letter carriers across the Postal Service.

In this episode of Mike Drop Monday, we break down what USPS geo tracking really means for employees, where letter carrier contract negotiations currently stand, and why social media activity on the clock has become such a heated issue.

We’re joined by Jay H, a USPS-focused content creator and commentator, to separate fact from fiction and talk through what letter carriers should actually be concerned about right now.

Topics include:
• USPS geo tracking and employee monitoring
• Letter carrier contract negotiations and labor impacts
• Social media use on the clock and discipline concerns
• Union reactions and perspectives, including APWU leadership
• How workplace technology is changing postal culture

Mike Drop Monday delivers weekly conversations on USPS issues, labor news, workplace policy, and real-world impacts on postal employees.

Catch Jay H here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC42yFmssPztcKgowV14IDqA