This episode features a three-hour interview (Part 1) with David Noble, a candidate for NALC president. Noble provides a lengthy personal history, highlighting his long career as a letter carrier and union activist, including his close relationship with former NALC President Vince Sombrotto. He emphasizes his extensive experience handling grievances and his role in past contract negotiations.

Noble discusses his lawsuit against the NALC, aiming to increase transparency and candidate access to communication channels with the membership. He criticizes the current NALC leadership, particularly Brian Renfroe, for failing to address contract violations and for the creation of the CCA classification, which he advocates eliminating. He proposes several key policy changes, including increasing arbitration access, enhancing member education through training and resources like podcasts, and reforming the grievance process to increase efficiency and accountability.

He advocates for merging the NALC and the rural carriers' union and for open bargaining. He expresses a preference for adversarial grievance procedures and criticizes management's use of scanner data for disciplinary actions. Noble also clarifies past allegations against him and defends his long-term pursuit of legal actions against NALC officers, detailing specific instances of malfeasance. The interview ends with plans to continue in a future episode.

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This episode of From A to Arbitration covers several issues facing city letter carriers. Corey criticizes business agents for failing to educate members on issues like the 22-minute load time and 60-minute office time, arguing that management is exploiting these poorly communicated policies. He highlights one exemplary business agent who aggressively challenged management's tactics, contrasting him with another who blamed members for the grievance backlog.

Corey discusses the dangers of wire cages being implemented, referencing handbook P0-502, which he argues doesn't apply to city carriers. He dissects a management document outlining a 60-minute office time plan, highlighting its flaws and urging carriers to request stewards during performance conversations. He also addresses management's use of PET and DOIS tools to manipulate office times, and criticizes locally generated forms used to document carrier inactivity.

The podcast then features a lengthy critique of a bizarre article written by National's chief of staff, a non-union employee, which addresses workplace sexism and harassment but fails to mention the president's own misogynistic behavior. Corey expresses strong disagreement with the article's tone and message, emphasizing that only those who have worked as city carriers have the right to define the union's problems and advocate for its members. Finally, Corey announces upcoming interviews with several union officials.

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This episode of From A to Arbitration is a passionate call to action and a detailed discussion of ongoing issues within the union, focusing on the need for a new leadership ticket and financial support for the "Concerned Letter Carriers" (CLC) initiative.

The episode opens with announcements of upcoming guests (David Noble, Nicholas Vafiades, and others) and previews a series of episodes focused on crucial issues. Corey immediately praises a shop steward, Joshua, for successfully obtaining financial compensation for his branch.

He highlights several upcoming meetings (including a Zoom meeting on June 2nd with Tyler Vasseur) and urges members to get involved in the CLC movement and support it financially, stating the necessity of financial resources for the election effort. He likens the current union leadership to cicadas – making noise but ultimately being fleeting – and stresses that the CLC ticket is vital for change.

Corey then addresses concerns that he's soliciting funds for himself. He clarifies that all donations will be directed toward the CLC ticket. He discusses a personal anecdote about his initial efforts, including a near-coop from the National union to support his efforts, and how the union thwarted his efforts. He uses this to emphasize the importance of members' support for the new CLC ticket.

The episode then pivots to a detailed discussion of various ongoing problems, including the implementation of "one-hour office time," "22-minute load times," and "stationary events," arguing that these policies, implemented through memos, are unsafe and damaging to carriers, citing Corey's concern about worker safety. Corey asserts that these actions represent an abuse of power and a disregard for worker safety. He urges members to grieve such policies and to seek support from their business agents, and emphasizes the need for education regarding these issues. He directly blames the current union leadership for these issues, stating they are cowards and not doing their jobs. Corey encourages letter carriers to learn how to document these abuses for grievances and to file them. He stresses that carriers' safety is paramount.

The episode ends with Corey providing specific financial information and details for members to donate to the CLC ticket, as well as information on an upcoming MDA car show. Corey expresses his deep commitment to the city letter carriers and his belief in a new, unified, and aggressive direction for the NALC.

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https://concernedlettercarriers.com/

This podcast episode discusses a challenge issued by Nicholas Vafiades, a business agent, to debate positions live and unedited. Corey accepts and calls for other challengers. Corey expresses strong disapproval of the current union president, citing incompetence and a failure to address critical workplace issues. Specific criticisms include the president's refusal to take responsibility, inability to tell the truth, lack of remorse, and penchant for blaming others. Corey uses the case of Susie Miller, a shop steward whose son was unfairly treated by management and whose union failed to assist, as an example of the president's failures.

The episode focuses on two major workplace issues: excessive "hour office time" and "stationary events," which management is using to discipline letter carriers based on scanner data. Corey argues these actions are violations of the contract and result from weak leadership and complicit business agents. Corey details instances of management's tactics, including measuring mail volume with tape measures, taking pictures and videos of carriers, and questioning them on the street. They provide guidance to letter carriers on how to respond to these actions, emphasizing the importance of requesting a shop steward and consistently responding "I was working" to any questions about time spent on tasks. Corey further explains how to file grievances based on violations of the M-39 handbook, specifically section 134 concerning street management and the requirement for supervisors to accompany carriers on their routes. The episode concludes with a call to action, urging letter carriers to educate themselves on their rights and prepare to fight back against management's actions. Corey also mentions plans for a new union ticket focused on representing the letter carriers' interests.

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This episode of From A to Arbitration focuses on the recent vote on charges against the union president and Corey's frustration with the union's leadership. Corey criticizes the current leadership for incompetence and a lack of transparency, arguing that they have not adequately represented the city letter carriers.

The episode delves into the specifics of the vote, highlighting Corey's belief that the executive council's actions protect the president and diminish the letter carriers' concerns. He contends that the vote was a clear demonstration of a dismissive attitude toward the city letter carriers' issues. Corey notes that only one of the substantial charges against the president was upheld. He also calls out the executive council's decision not to allow the appeal of the "not guilty" vote to be heard at the convention, citing this as further evidence of their disregard for the letter carriers' concerns.

He advocates for a new union leadership, emphasizing the importance of integrity, a history of fighting for the letter carriers' rights in the workplace, and the ability to delegate. Corey then discusses various workplace issues, including the use of memos containing unreasonable time limits for various tasks, the increasing frequency of "stationary events" and management's methods for monitoring carriers, and the inadequate support and education given to the letter carriers by their union leadership.

Corey highlights the contrast between management's actions and the union's response, arguing that the union leadership's inaction has created a hostile and demoralizing work environment. He advocates for a more assertive and proactive approach to addressing these issues. He predicts future difficulties in contract negotiations based on the current leadership's approach and calls for a higher starting pay for letter carriers. He criticizes the current union leadership for being excessively compliant with management's demands and advocates for a more aggressive approach to contract negotiations, emphasizing the importance of understanding the current leadership's motives.

The episode concludes with Corey reiterating his belief in the city letter carriers' strength and potential for positive change, and encouraging listeners to support a new leadership ticket that prioritizes the letter carriers' interests.

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This episode of From A to Arbitration focuses on Publication 552, the Postal Service's policy on workplace harassment, and the Initial Management Inquiry Process (IMIP). Corey argues that management frequently fails to follow this policy, highlighting numerous cases where complaints were made but no IMIP was initiated.

He emphasizes that Publication 552 outlines management's responsibility in responding to complaints of harassment and that failing to follow this policy is a violation. Corey explains how to use this policy to the letter carriers' advantage in arbitration by highlighting specific sections and phrases like "must" and "all," underscoring the breadth of management's responsibility.

The episode offers practical advice on how to utilize this policy in formal and informal grievance procedures, emphasizing the importance of documenting all interactions and complaints to demonstrate repeated violations. Corey stresses that management rarely self-polices and that the union must take the lead in addressing these issues, arguing that if an IMIP is conducted, the union should still scrutinize its outcome and ask for all related documentation.

The episode also touches on Corey's personal experiences and responses to criticism, emphasizing his commitment to the letter carriers and his stance against retribution. He concludes by reiterating his commitment to fighting for the letter carriers and encouraging them to fight for their rights, advocating for a change in leadership within the union that prioritizes their interests.

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This episode of From A to Arbitration covers a variety of topics, including fan mail, personal experiences, and a detailed analysis of a specific arbitration case. Corey initially apologizes for a technical issue that caused an earlier episode to be deleted.

The main theme of the episode is Corey's frustration with the current union leadership and management's actions, focusing on the aggressive tactics used to pressure and control letter carriers. Corey specifically discusses the lack of accountability within the union and the disregard for letter carriers' rights. He highlights the need for education and advocacy to counter management's initiatives.

He dedicates time to fan mail, including a response to a critical listener who accused him of making a homophobic remark. He uses the occasion to explain his personal experience with the difficulties of discussing his son's sexual orientation. His message emphasizes unconditional love and understanding.

The episode then delves into the detailed analysis of an arbitration case where Corey highlights serious due process violations by management, including a concurring official who was heavily involved in the investigation and later acted as the formal step-a designee. Corey points out inconsistencies and inaccuracies in the manager's statements and actions as significant flaws in the arbitration process. He argues that the arbitrator's decision in this case is problematic due to these violations and the fact that the charges were not properly investigated or related to letter carrier duties.

Corey further criticizes the union leadership for not adequately addressing these issues and for allegedly hiding information from the membership. He concludes by emphasizing the importance of Publication 552 (the Postal Service's policy on workplace harassment) in future arbitration efforts and previews the next episode dedicated to a detailed analysis of Publication 552.

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This episode of From A to Arbitration features a lengthy discussion on the "one-hour office time" policy and how letter carriers can fight back, delivered primarily by guest JB. The episode also touches upon personal matters (a baseball season and regional training) and upcoming guests (David Noble).

JB's segment covers the importance of letter carriers' reporting requirements (M41) and how to document situations where more than eight hours are needed for route completion (using PS Form 3996 and 1571). He emphasizes the importance of maintaining accurate records (e.g., carrier daily performance reports, PS Form 1838c, route information card, and Doist reports) to prove to arbitrators that management's one-hour policy is unrealistic and unsupported by the current contract and handbooks.

JB argues that the policy, if implemented, represents a violation of the contract and is a form of intimidation and harassment. He provides specific examples of how letter carriers' time is being violated and the need to collect documentation, including interviews and questionnaires, to demonstrate the issues. He advises that carriers request a detailed response from management, including the basis for the denial and instructions on how to proceed if mail volumes exceed the one-hour time frame. Key points include the documentation needed (e.g., PS Form 3996, curtailment slip) and that the projected time is not a contractual commitment but an estimation. Corey then discusses a recent arbitration case in Billings, Montana (Arbitrator Zane Lumley, case number C-36429), showcasing a precedent for fighting this type of policy, where the arbitrator sided with the union and ordered management to cease the practice, highlighting violations of the agreement in the process. The episode concludes with Corey re-emphasizing the importance of documentation, preparation, and union solidarity in challenging management's unreasonable expectations. Corey also announces a planned future episode dedicated to Publication 552 and the IMIP process.

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This episode of From A to Arbitration previews a forthcoming episode with guest JB, focusing on the "one-hour office time" policy. Corey discusses a recent Zoom meeting on "Building a Fighting NALC," highlighting the importance of unity and collective action within the union.

Corey emphasizes the current precarious position of the NALC, critiquing the union leadership's perceived lack of leadership and engagement with the issues facing letter carriers on the workroom floor. He contrasts this with the need for a strong, proactive leadership that actively represents and mobilizes members. He connects this to the theme of love and unity within the union, suggesting that members must support each other despite disagreements.

Corey discusses the importance of social media and existing podcasts like Fed Up as tools for members to engage in discussions about union issues. He critiques the current leadership, comparing them to a leader in a battlefield scene who refuses to fight. He suggests that the current leadership lacks the necessary understanding and experience with the practical day-to-day issues faced by letter carriers, resulting in management's aggressive and unsupported implementation of the one-hour office time policy.

Corey also criticizes the union for not having a contract, and implies this weakness is contributing to the problems faced by letter carriers. He discusses the importance of proactive responses to management's actions, citing the need to collect and use evidence (like documented work hours, interviews, and questionnaires) to demonstrate the unreasonableness of management's one-hour policy. He encourages members to be vigilant and united in their approach. He also announces the upcoming episode's focus on Publication 552 and the IMIP process, as well as a planned episode analyzing a recent arbitration case Corey lost. He concludes by reiterating his love for the letter carriers and his commitment to fighting for their rights, advocating for a more unified and aggressive stance by the union.

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https://www.fightingnalc.com/

This episode of From A to Arbitration is a passionate critique of the current union leadership, specifically targeting the perceived inaction and lack of accountability of the union president and executive vice president. Corey expresses frustration with the union's handling of recent issues and the lack of support for letter carriers on the workroom floor.

The episode opens with a quote from Lord Acton about the corrupting influence of power, directly referencing Corey's concerns about the union's leadership. Corey reviews the Weir Report, criticizing the lack of transparency surrounding the report's findings and the union's failure to inform members about these issues. He criticizes union leaders who knew about the report's content but did not act, arguing that they should be held accountable for dereliction of duty.

He uses the example of shop steward Susie Miller, whose case highlighted the union's failure to support members. Corey further critiques the union's handling of issues regarding the implementation of the one-hour office time policy and the conflict this creates with carriers' contractual rights, their perceived lack of response to issues involving carrier harassment.

Corey calls out the union's leadership for their perceived lack of resolve, cowardice, and inaction, stating that this environment empowers management to further exploit letter carriers. He decries the lack of support for letter carriers and the lack of protection against what he sees as management's harassment tactics.

The episode continues with a discussion of the sorting and delivery centers (S&DCs) consolidation plans, where Corey supports a resolution from NALC Branch 3 to oppose the implementation. He advocates for a united front and calls for the mobilization of letter carriers to support the opposition.

The episode further discusses a recent arbitration case win, highlighting the importance of thorough documentation in grievance cases, using Jason Crosby's work as an example of effective case preparation. He emphasizes the need for stewards to effectively investigate and document employee grievances. Corey also features a special guest, arbitrator Troy Swallow, who discusses the circumstances surrounding his removal from arbitration duties. The special guest is critical of the process and the actions of union leadership.

Corey concludes with a call to action, reiterating his commitment to letter carriers and advocating for a unified, assertive stance against management's actions, emphasizing the need for a new leadership team that prioritizes the letter carriers' needs. He also previews future episodes on Publication 552 and the outcome of the recent arbitration case. A central theme is the importance of actively fighting against management's unreasonable practices through well-documented grievances and a unified front among the letter carriers.

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