Classes of Mail

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 forgot to add the outro music after the episode. Sorry about that.]

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.