Classes of Mail

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.

Howard Komine came to Vegas to campaign with the CLC at my branch meeting. I was fortunate enough to meet up with him at his hotel for an in-person interview. This is Howard's first podcast interview, and he did GREAT! In this episode, he talks about his role as a trustee, how he runs his own branch, and why the oversight a trustee provides is so vital to our union.

Well, well, well... the shoe is on the other foot! Michael Rivera is a reformer from Branch 70 in San Diego who found himself in the national spotlight (at least among reform-minded podcasters) when he brought charges against NALC President Brian Renfroe; and then brought charges against the entire Executive Council. Michael recently ran for office in his own branch, and found what he believes to be significant deviations from the NALC's published election rules. He brought those issues to light with an election appeal, and published that appeal on social media, along with the appeals of two other members of his branch.Now, the members of the branch's election committee have brought charges against Michael for that publication. In this episode, we talk about the charges, and how the charges mirror similar charges that Michael Brasaemle and I faced stemming from our own branch election.

James Henry visited my branch last week, and he brought the energy! I found his speech to be heartfelt, enthusiastic, and indicative of where his mindset is. If you've only heard James Henry on podcasts, you owe it to yourself to give this a listen. I have the audio from his speech, and I also talk a bit in the beginning and end about what it was like to have him there in person, along with Howard Komine and Corey Walton.

There were some articles in the December 2025 Postal Record that are relevant to issues important to Michael and me. We discuss them.