Fight Like Hell!

Listen to the October 2025 edition of The Postal Record. Browse the digital issue here.

NALC's Emergency Response Team (ERT) deploys specially-trained letter carriers to assist other members following traumatic events. Director of Safety and Health Manny Peralta joins the podcast to discuss the ERT. Then, we hear from four branch presidents who have used the ERT to help their members: Sandy Laemmel, President, Detroit, MI Branch 1; Monique Mate, President, Rochester, NY Branch 210; Corey Grotte, President, Eau Claire, WI Branch 728; Ted Lee, President, Pittsburgh, PA Branch 84.

This week's episode discusses a national-level interpretive dispute recently filed by NALC regarding S&DCs (Sorting & Delivery Centers), followed by a look at the Protect Our Letter Carriers Act. Then, we hear from four members of the Branch Leaders group: Kelsey Crosbie, Columbus, OH Branch 78; Linda Johnson, Duluth, MN Branch 114; Veronica Ramirez, Arlington Heights, IL Branch 2810; and Vincent Smith, Worcester, MA Branch 12.

This episode is also available to watch on YouTube.

Hear more from Rank-and-File Bargaining Committee members here.

Have questions you'd like answered on the podcast? Email [email protected]. Keep up with NALC on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Bluesky and Threads!

00:06:51 - What is an S&DC?

00:15:15 - Route adjustments and evaluations

00:16:38  - What is an MOU?

00:18:43 - TIAREAP expiration and M-02006/02007

00:21:27 - Route adjustment process

00:24:12 - The interpretive dispute

00:27:52 - Protect Our Letter Carriers Act

00:44:47 - Q&A

00:52:10 - Roundtable with Newer Member Rank-and-File committee members

This week dives into two national-level interpretive disputes recently filed by NALC. Then, we hear from four members of the Rank-and-File Bargaining Committee Contract Enforcers group: Yvette Kinard, New York, NY Branch 36; Juan Munoz, Corpus Christi, TX Branch 1259; Eric Porter, Sheboygan, WI Branch 102; Michael Ridgely, Silver Spring, MD Branch 2611

00:06:40 - Interpretive Step

00:15:40 - Article 15

00:19:31 - Two recent national-level interpretive disputes

00:53:26 - Roundtable with members of the Contract Enforcers Rank-and-File Bargaining Committee

01:31:14 - Ask the Mailbag

Special Assistant to the President Doug Lape joins the podcast to go in-depth on the structure and goals of the Rank-And-File Bargaining Committees. Then, we hear from four members of the Branch Leaders group: Valerie Castillo, Salem, OR Branch 347; James Collins, Knoxville, TN Branch 419; Elise Foster, Chicago, IL Branch 11; Leigh Smith, Decatur, GA Branch 2225

Watch the full episode here.

Hear more from Rank-and-File Bargaining Committee members here.

Have questions you'd like answered on the podcast? Email [email protected]. Keep up with NALC on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Bluesky and Threads!

00:09:22 - Interview with Special Assistant to the President Doug Lape

00:13:21 - Developing the Rank-and-File Bargaining Committees

00:18:18 - How were committee members selected?

00:23:30 - Goals

00:27:18 - Reports and meeting minutes

00:33:00 - What info and materials did the committees review?

00:35:30 - Structure and schedule / Economic proposals

00:45:00 - What's next?

00:47:10 - Feedback

00:49:40 - Roundtable with members of the Branch Leaders Rank-and-File Bargaining Committee

This episode breaks down the New Employee Experience, Retention and Mentoring Program (NEERMP)—from its origins to the positive changes it’s brought, to what new carriers can expect as they settle into the job. Watch here.

Check out M-02010, a jointly-developed document released by NALC and the Postal Service to answer commonly asked questions about NEERMP: nalc.org/m02010

00:09:36 – New Employee Experience, Retention and Mentoring Program

In this week's episode of Fight Like Hell, we deep dive into Article 8. Then, we review some scenarios and decide: Is it a gripe? Or is it a grievance? Watch the episode here. 

Click here for the special edition of The Activist. 

00:00:00 – Intro

The latest episode of Fight Like Hell tackles a range of topics submitted by NALC members and includes an update on the ongoing prep for collective bargaining. Watch the episode here. 

In this episode of Fight Like Hell!, we take a look at the arbitration process and discuss the upcoming rallies being organized by branches across the country on Sunday, March 23.

Our jobs, our service and the entire Postal Service are on the line. We need everyone’s help as we fight like hell against these attacks. Together, we will send a loud, clear message: HELL NO to dismantling the Postal Service. 

Reach out to your National Business Agent by Thursday, March 6 to organize a rally in your area. More information at nalc.org/March23.

Have questions you'd like answered on the podcast? Email [email protected].

Keep up with NALC on Facebook, Twitter/X, Bluesky and Instagram!

In this episode of You Are the Current Resident, we dive into NALC's pivotal collective bargaining history with former Chief of Staff Jim Sauber.

More information about the Tentative Agreement is available at NALC.org/contract.

Have questions you'd like answered on the podcast? Email [email protected].

Keep up with NALC on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!