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This episode is a repost of the Next Generation Carriers podcast featuring Corey, along with other letter carriers, in a lengthy discussion about various issues within the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), specifically the recent arbitration and the perceived failings of the current leadership. The carriers discuss the low turnout at recent "fight like hell" rallies, attributing this to a perceived lack of effective mobilization strategies from NALC leadership. They criticize the union's handling of the recent contract negotiations, particularly the union president's (Renfroe's) involvement in a stipulated arbitration award that, according to the hosts, was predetermined and didn't reflect the membership's will. Concerns are raised about the potential for Renfroe's actions to negatively impact the union's bargaining position going forward, and calls for his resignation are discussed. The hosts also lament the lack of transparency and communication within the NALC and express the need for a more proactive and aggressive approach to organizing and communication. They discuss the possible implementation of a more extensive education platform to empower and support union members in smaller branches. Further concerns are raised about the use of telematics for disciplinary actions and other workplace issues, with the hosts proposing that these should be grieved at the national level. The conversation also touches on political alliances, emphasizing the need to educate the public about the postal service's role and functions. The carriers encourage their fellow members to remain engaged and unified in the fight for better working conditions and against potential privatization efforts. Several members express frustrations with internal union politics and practices, and a call for systemic changes within the NALC is made. The episode also features the hosts' individual experiences and perspectives within their respective branches.

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https://www.nextgenerationcarriers.com/

This is a "CCA Corner" mailbag episode featuring Leo, a newly elected CCA steward from Philadelphia. Badmouth and Mallory begin by apologizing for the infrequent uploads, citing personal life events such as moves. Leo, the guest, shares their background as a practicing attorney before transitioning to a career as a letter carrier. They describe their current work environment as overwhelmingly busy due to handling all Amazon deliveries at their station and frequent changes in management. They explain how their legal background proves advantageous as a steward, drawing parallels between legal practice and handling grievances. Leo recounts how their first day at the academy inspired them to become a steward, discussing the importance of proactive advocacy. They note that they were unexpectedly elected as steward. They then discuss how management's disposition shifted from initially supportive to adversarial after they began actively defending carriers' rights, recounting instances where interviews were abruptly terminated due to disagreements over Weingarten rights. They reflect on the challenges of maintaining composure when facing management resistance and shares their system for managing the large amount of data involved in their steward duties. Leo acknowledges the initial apprehension some carriers felt towards him as a CCA steward but emphasizes that they aimed to gain trust by proactively educating and supporting coworkers.

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In this emergency edition of From A to Arbitration, Corey expresses strong disapproval of the recent stipulated arbitration award, which he believes was a predetermined outcome orchestrated by the union president (Brian Renfroe) and postal management (Doug Tulino). Corey, joined by NALC Vice President James Henry, analyzes the award, highlighting its unusual features, such as a remarkably short timeframe for mediation (only two days) and the arbitrator's apparent acceptance of the union's original rejected tentative agreement (TA). He asserts that the process was a circumvention of the intended arbitration procedure, effectively dismissing the membership's clear rejection of the TA. Corey accuses Renfroe of lying to members and calls for his resignation within 60 days, threatening further action if Renfroe does not comply. He also criticizes the lack of transparency and communication regarding the decision-making process, particularly the lack of involvement of the executive council. Corey and Henry discuss the potential for a future challenge to the award based on procedural irregularities and express their commitment to continuing the fight for better working conditions for letter carriers. They encourage listeners to stay engaged with the union and participate in upcoming events, especially the CLC's national Zoom meeting scheduled for Saturday. The conversation highlights deep disappointment and anger among the membership at the outcome of the negotiations, and the hosts emphasize their continued support for the letter carriers.

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In this episode, Corey discusses several critical issues facing city letter carriers, including management's increasing scrutiny regarding seat belt usage and the use of telematics. He emphasizes that the use of telematics for seat belt monitoring is a new tactic employed by management, and he argues it's a violation of the contract and a breach of procedural due process. Corey highlights multiple points in the National Agreement that he believes management is skirting to justify disciplinary actions against letter carriers, citing arbitrator case studies as precedent for his assertions. He outlines several arguments shop stewards can use to counter these actions, focusing heavily on the principle of corrective, rather than punitive, discipline. Key issues raised include the lack of local management access to telematics data, the perceived weaponization of seat belt policies, and the unilateral imposition of discipline without proper grievance procedures. Corey also addresses the CLC's upcoming campaign activities, including day of action rallies and Congressional outreach, calling for increased union support and engagement. He concludes by promoting a more aggressive and educated approach to responding to management tactics, suggesting the union should be proactive in countering these initiatives. A recurring theme throughout the episode is Corey's belief that current union leadership isn't adequately addressing the issues, and he plans to take a more forceful stance in the future. He also promotes various podcasts and encourages listeners to support the CLC and its efforts.

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This is a profanity-free podcast episode focusing on six-day route count procedures. Corey begins by thanking Mallory and encouraging donations to her. He then updates listeners on the Concerned Letter Carriers (CLC) campaign, highlighting fundraising efforts and emphasizing the need for a completely new slate of officers within the NALC, rejecting those who have not actively supported the city letter carrier craft. He promotes CCA Corner and encourages stewards to inform their CCAs about the podcast. Corey then shares several shout-outs to union members and branches for their activism, announcing upcoming rallies against USPS privatization. He mentions the announcement of Kimetra Simpson-Lewis as the CLC's vice-presidential candidate, praising her leadership and integrity, contrasting her actions with the current NALC president, Brian Renfroe. He expresses excitement about the CLC's upcoming election, describing it as the most aggressive slate ever assembled. Corey then addresses the recent photo of Renfroe with arbitrator Nolan and his attorneys, assuring listeners that resident officers will monitor the arbitration process to ensure Renfroe does not interfere with the legal proceedings. He humorously suggests paying for Renfroe to go on a cruise during the negotiations. He also promotes Brookfield Uniforms, highlighting a special offer for union members. The majority of the episode is dedicated to a detailed explanation of six-day route count procedures, outlining management's obligations regarding consultations with carriers and emphasizing the importance of carrier participation to protect their rights. Corey provides step-by-step guidance on identifying potential issues and filing grievances related to route adjustments, specifically focusing on waiting time, auxiliary assistance credit, and the appropriate use of data from various forms. He concludes by expressing excitement for the future of the NALC under the CLC leadership and reiterates his commitment to supporting city letter carriers.

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Corey begins by stating that he will use profanity in this episode but will not in the following one. He starts by thanking Mallory and encouraging listeners to donate to her through the podcast's website. He then promotes the Concerned Letter Carriers (CLC) campaign, emphasizing the need for fundraising to support the upcoming election and reclaim the union from what he describes as corrupt leadership. Corey discusses the success of the “Dogs of War” initiative, emphasizing its focus on addressing toxic work environments and providing unparalleled training to union members to become more effective in addressing management issues. He then shares numerous shout-outs sent by listeners, recognizing various individuals and branches for their activism and dedication. He reads messages praising specific union members and announces upcoming rallies. A significant portion focuses on the perceived incompetence and dishonesty of the current NALC president, Brian Renfroe, and the lack of support shown to him at a recent regional training event. Corey describes Renfroe's actions as selling out the members and encourages listeners to provide examples of any actions Renfroe has taken to earn their respect. He then addresses concerns about telematics devices in postal vehicles, explaining how shop stewards can effectively handle disciplinary actions related to seatbelt usage by citing relevant regulations. He also analyses a memorandum from the Cleveland Postmaster regarding tour deviations, outlining multiple potential grievances based on contract violations. He discusses several memos detailing performance metrics and argues that these are meant to create a hostile working environment. Corey provides strategies for filing grievances based on these memos, pointing out that the parameters set within them violate the existing collective bargaining agreement. The final section delves into the arrival of Doge representatives, invited by the Postmaster General to identify areas of inefficiency within the USPS. Corey emphasizes that the areas of concern listed by the Postmaster General do not include labor costs, suggesting that the union should focus on these other issues when advocating for improvements. He concludes by reiterating the need to engage with Congress and the public to protect the USPS from privatization and ensure fair treatment of letter carriers.

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The episode begins with Corey giving shout-outs to various individuals and branches of the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) for their activism and contributions to the union. He then highlights upcoming rallies against the privatization of the United States Postal Service (USPS), providing details on dates, times, locations, and purposes. A significant portion is dedicated to promoting and explaining "Dogs of War," a new initiative to improve the union's success rate in arbitration cases, citing concerning statistics showing a high loss rate for the union in joint statement cases. David Noble joins the podcast to discuss his ongoing legal battle with the Department of Labor (DOL) regarding the 2022 NALC election. He details four key issues in his appeal, focusing on violations of federal law during the election process, such as inadequate advertising, lack of voter verification, restrictions on observer access, and ballot secrecy violations. He expects a court ruling in May, which could lead to a rerun of the election. Noble also shares his plans for the NALC if elected president, encompassing improvements to the grievance procedure, addressing the CCA issue, enhancing the IT department's analysis of postal service finances, and proposing substantial pay increases for members. The discussion concludes with Corey and Noble agreeing on the failings of the current NALC president, Brian Renfroe, highlighting Renfroe's perceived incompetence and dishonesty in negotiations, and the urgent need for change within the union.

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This episode is a fiery and lengthy discussion, focused on Corey's intense frustration with the union's leadership and management's ongoing violations of the contract. Corey begins by thanking a previous guest and highlighting Mallory's crucial role in maintaining the website and her community engagement. He encourages listeners to support her efforts by utilizing a provided "tip jar" on the website.

The episode then delves into Corey's personal experiences with union leadership, particularly a recent instance where his request to conduct training was blocked by a union official. He expresses skepticism about the union's overall strategy and commitment to carrier rights, characterizing their approach as inadequate and reactive.

Central to the discussion is Corey's critique of management's practices, particularly the implementation of new metrics and policies that he views as detrimental to carrier safety and well-being, including issues with mandatory overtime, restrictive working conditions, and the alleged falsification of training records (e.g., heat training). He argues that management often circumvents the contract, particularly by using scanner data to enforce non-existent standards. He advocates for challenging these practices through a strategic approach based on past arbitration precedents, demanding clear documentation and evidence to counter management claims.

Corey highlights several arbitration cases where management's actions were deemed problematic or dishonest. He emphasizes the importance of understanding how arbitrators interpret issues, particularly regarding the falsification of documents and the concept of "willful misconduct" which can lead to a dismissal or serious punishment.

Crucially, Corey emphasizes the need for carriers to be prepared to fight these issues directly, demanding to see documentation and evidence of any alleged violations of the contract. He presents examples of how to phrase such requests to management, even when confronted with attempts to intimidate them, advocating for a robust and detailed strategy for grievances.

Corey promotes the "Dogs of War" initiative, a group of individuals who will aggressively challenge management's actions and create a hostile work environment for management on the workroom floor, while also creating a supportive environment for carriers to support each other. He repeatedly emphasizes the importance of unity and proactive engagement from all members of the union to combat these issues. The episode ends with a renewed call for collective action and solidarity, urging listeners to be prepared for ongoing battles and to defend their rights.

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This episode focuses on the concept of "opting" for hold-down assignments for CCA's. Badmouth and Mallory begin by explaining the Joint Contract Administration Manual (JCAM) and its role in interpreting the national agreement. The central topic is the rights and procedures associated with opting, including eligibility requirements (full-time reserves, full-time flexibles, unassigned regulars, and predominantly CCAs). They clarify that opting is for the duration of the assignment, with certain exceptions and stipulations. The discussion includes the limitations on who can opt and specific circumstances when management may interfere with a hold-down assignment. Badmouth and Mallory also emphasize the importance of the correct use of the grievance procedure in these cases.

The episode stresses the value of "holding down" a route for CCAs in terms of gaining valuable experience, building a clearer understanding of the route and procedures, and establishing a more predictable schedule. This is presented as a tool to reduce the unpredictable on-call status often faced by CCAs.

The conversation includes the distinction between "clean bumps" (contractually permissible) and "dirty bumps" (grievable). Badmouth and Mallory provide examples of each type of bump, emphasizing that CCAs should be aware of their rights and should quickly engage their union steward to file grievances in the event of an unfair bump. They strongly advocate for the use of "malicious compliance" in a strategic, petty way to challenge management actions in these situations while still maintaining proper procedure within the contractual framework.

Badmouth and Mallory advocate for active union involvement and encourage listeners to join orgs and movements working for improved working conditions, including open bargaining, fair compensation, and a safer work environment for all carriers. They provide links to relevant organizations. Finally, the episode stresses solidarity and support within the carrier community, encouraging listeners to reach out and support each other during challenging times. The episode ends on a note of hope and solidarity, reminding listeners that the union will fight to protect their rights.

https://fromatoarbitration.com/cca-corner/

https://www.fightingnalc.com/

https://concernedlettercarriers.com/