Classes of Mail

UPDATE: I am running for vice president, instead of secretary. Ballots for the election in Branch 2502 are out NOW!It's been about a year since my lifelong friend Rich Vala has joined me on the podcast. It's also been about a year since my branch had its tainted election. On September 3, 2025, I accepted the nomination for Vice President for Branch 2502. Now, we need you to vote.

This episode has two topics, which wind up being related. In the first half of the episode, I get on my soap box and talk about why we, as workers, need to unite across class. We are wrongly villainizing other poor and struggling people, when the real enemy are those hoarding ludicrous amounts of wealth at the top of the class structure. (To skip this part, go to around the 12:00 mark.)The second half of the episode talks about what our diet COLAs really are. Spoiler alert: we ALL only get about 55% of the actual cost of living. The rest is supposed to be covered by our general wage increases. Obviously that hasn't been happening, and that's why we've been falling further and further behind.

Just when you thought it was safe to go to the union hall... In this episode, Michael and I talk about what happens when you have a Presidential Ruling (actually, TWO presidential rulings!) from the national president, and then your branch president decides to defy those rulings. Shenanigans ensue, people are disenfranchised, and the Goodest Oldest Boy becomes an unlikely ally. For real, hold onto your hat for this one.

Joshua Shrum joins me via Zoom for an interview. We discuss the ever-more-crowded field of postal podcasting. More importantly, we discuss Joshua's upcoming run for vice president in Branch 4374.

Please note that Article 8 is MUCH more complicated and nuanced than what Michael and I have room to describe in this episode, especially what constitutes an "opportunity." There is a fair amount of contractual ambiguity, and local custom, that all serve to muddy the waters.

David Grosskopf joins me again. He's always a great guest, and this time he's here to discuss his run for national trustee. We talk about what trustees actually do, and what his role would be on the executive council. We also discuss his recent victory at arbitration regarding scanner data.I have come up with a reference guide for Robert's Rules of Order that people can use at branch meetings. Send me an email, or reach out to me on social media, if you want a copy.

I got a letter in the mail yesterday from NALC Headquarters. It was unsolicited. As far as I knew, I had no outstanding issues pending at National. But I was wrong. it turns out my branch president tried one more hail Mary to disenfranchise the carriers in Branch 2502 by denying their right to run for office. The letter in my mailbox was an answer to that hail Mary. Guess how it went.

I ask Mike about the positions he takes in his platform. We talk about training, the grievance process, and much more.

On this episode, I read the entirety of Mike Caref's platform. This is in preparation for my interview with him, which will air the following day.

This is one of the most informative episode's I've ever done. Ron Speakman is an absolute treasure. He shares his knowledge about the worker's compensation system, and talks about what to do if you're injured on the job. Don't miss this one.

We get a few updates from Michael and from me. We announce our candidacy in the upcoming rerun of our tainted branch election, and we talk about some of the problems of mandating.

I received a letter from Brian Renfroe today, answering my question of whether it's permissible for me to be nominated for a branch officer position in our upcoming re-run election, AND to be nominated to serve as a steward. Turns out, yes. Yes it is. This ruling will strengthen involvement and democracy in my branch, which is a good thing.

I'm back from vacation! I'll probably talk about Peru at some point, but right now it's time to talk about my other big passion: education.

Michael and I answer questions from listeners.

Michael joins me in studio to talk about the importance of filing preventative grievances. Most of our grievances are reactionary, responding AFTER the damage has been done. Michael makes the argument that there is a role for grievances before the harms to carriers become great.

Carlton and Brian lost their bid to overturn the status quo in their branch election, but that doesn't mean they're giving up. I talked to them about their effort to update their branch's bylaws, the underhanded methods the good ol' boys use to thwart their efforts, and what the future looks like for their reform movement. Despite the discouraging subject matter, this episode serves as an inspiration for anyone who is dedicated to reforming their union.

This was a BANGER of a Zoom meeting! Michael and I took part in a national Zoom meeting with a bunch of other podcasters, and special guest Manny Peralta (Director of Safety). John Murphy did a great job of collecting questions about safety issues that affect all letter carriers. I know it's a long episode, but it is very much worth a listen.Sorry about the sound levels. It was recorded off Zoom, and people were at different volumes. I did what I could to balance things out on the fly. This is my recording of the Zoom feed, and includes a little bit of prep in the beginning, and a little bit of post-Zoom conversation at the end.

It's been a while since we've looked at the platform for the Concerned Letter Carriers. In this episode, I will read the platform as published on the CLC website, and comment on it. There have been some updates, and some other planks are out of date. I'll go over the things I agree with, and some parts of the platform that I think are lacking.

David Grosskopf, president of Branch 3 in Buffalo, joins me to talk about investigations being conducted against carriers by the Office of the Inspector General (OIG). Carriers have been tampering with their scanners in an attempt to disable the tracking and communication features. This is getting carriers is MUCH deeper trouble than any initial infraction they were trying to cover up. David gives advice to these carriers, and advice for the rest of us if we ever wind up on the wrong end of an interview with the OIG or the Postal Inspectors.

Two of the smartest and most insightful union members I know, have finally gotten together to talk shop. Don't miss this one! Also, we recorded a second episode, which will be released by Delivering Solidarity.

Michael and I have received a certified letter from the National Committee on Appeals, and once again, they have ruled in our favor. If you're keeping score at home, that's ANOTHER sweet victory for our branch's reform movement, and another loss for the good ol' boys who have been running our branch into the ground.

I am stoked to have Rob Kosier on the podcast. As candidate for Director of City Delivery, Rob's focus is on education. Not just for stewards, for ALL carriers! Rob and I talk about some of the reforms we'd like to see within our union's education system, improvements to the Carrier Academy, and changes to our current culture of "good ol' boys" and gatekeeping.

Michael and I answer some questions that were submitted to [email protected]

Things get a lot more lively in this episode. Eric and I share some of our experiences, which helps to enrich the class. At the end of the episode (around the 45:00 mark), Eric gives some legislative updates.

Following up on a topic from last episode, Michael is in studio to talk about the process of writing contentions. We discuss what "contentions" actually are, how to create them, and why they're vitally important to your grievance.

Michael joins us in studio to talk about the goings-on at our last branch meeting. Of greatest importance, our branch passed the motion for the special meeting... OVER THE OBJECTION of our branch officers! Once again, our branch officers have stood against the will of the folks who put the mail in the box. And once again, we carriers won the day.

We're joined by Fred Woodley, host of Delivering Solidarity and president of Branch 385 in Youngstown, Ohio. Fred and I did back-to-back interviews on each other's podcasts, so you should head over to Delivering Solidarity and download that one, too.

This is the module that was the impetus for the very existence of this podcast. We'll learn about the different classes of mail. They fall broadly into two categories: preferential and non-preferential. Today we learn the difference between the two, and what that means to us as carriers.

Michael is back in studio to set the record straight on the timeliness of the request for information. He's fired up!

Michael Rivera joins us from San Diego to talk about the charges he filed against Renfroe and Barner, the dismissal of those charges, and his follow-up charges against the entire Executive Council. We go over the constitutional process, the duties and obligations of our national officers, and the express will of the members of the NALC.

Credit where credit is due: the branch officers are making more of an effort to abide by our bylaws. It's highly satisfying. This episode also includes a few corrections, and an important announcement right at the beginning.

My branch has proposed some bylaw changes. Turns out they're a lot more interesting than I initially thought. TO BE CLEAR, I am fine with the proposed changes. But the way it was presented... Well... Give it a listen.

Michael talks to us about the process of filing a grievance at the Informal A level. I ask lots of questions. (Let's assume I'm asking the questions as a courtesy to our listeners, rather than because of my boundless ignorance.)

The Goodest Oldest Boy wrote an article about us in the state newsletter! We're famous! Michael and I read the article, and respond to it.

Eric Ellis is back with an important message about pending legislation in Congress that will affect our retirement age and our pensions amounts. Eric describes the legislation, and offers concrete steps letter carriers can take to protect ourselves. (Donate to LCPF!) We also talk about those solicitors who claim to be "retirement consultants," or whatever, and are trying to get their hands on your TSP.

Michael joins me to talk about the abuses of power we endure, at the local level all the way up to national. And we offer solutions for how to deal with those abuses.

We answer your questions.

We're joined by Jenna Morin and Stephanie Lagreca to talk about their push for a special meeting to address the NALC's bargaining positions heading into the next contract. This is an important movement that aims to put the power of the NALC back where it belongs: with the membership.Here is the link to their upcoming Zoom meeting for branch presidents. The meeting will be on Tuesday, April 23, 2025, at 8 PM Eastern.https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83269687443?pwd=qbJm7fYeqFo8Ff8mVopuG3QzUESF2q.1

There are steps that everyday, regular letter carriers can take in order to affect positive change. Virgilio and I talk about what the actual process is for proposing resolutions for the National Convention, and for proposing bylaw changes in your branch.

In this episode, I wrap up Module 1 from the Carrier Academy. We talk about the scanners, and about using the time clock properly.

It's more good news for the good guys. While I was out on a date with my wife, Michael held down the fort at the general membership meeting. At that meeting, the defamation charges put forth by our branch's election chair were withdrawn.

Michael is in studio to talk about our successful decision regarding our branch elections.

Michael joins me to talk about some of the core dysfunctions of our union, and how we think they can be fixed.

Michael and I go over some victories we've achieved lately, and talk about what our future holds.

In today's episode, I read the actual decision of Arbitrator Nolan. He goes over the arguments that were made on both sides, which is pretty enlightening, and then details his decision.

Arbitrator Nolan issued his decision today, and it's binding, so that means we have a new contract. I'll read the NALC's article on the agreement, and share my thoughts along the way.

We're getting back to education here, and continuing on with the Carrier Academy. In today's episode, we go over the basics of using your scanner as a time clock. We also cover some principles of safety, with an emphasis on safe lifting. Finally, we read the Joint Statement on Violence and Behavior in the Workplace, and we discuss its principles.

This is the conclusion to Michaels and my efforts to bring our branch officers into compliance with our Bylaws, the Constitution, and the election rules. Did the rule of law prevail... Listen to find out. (Spoiler: it prevailed in the sense that the Branch voted, and we will respect the expressed will of the Branch.)

I am again joined by Carlton Pinto and Brian Gutierrez of Branch 36 in New York City. They talk about what it takes to run for office, and why it's so important to be guided by a deep passion to help your fellow carriers and reform your branch. We get into some of the issues that their branch has in common with mine, and we offer guidance for those who are ready to get involved.Note: There was some confusion over the way election appeals work with the Department of Labor. Bottom line: seek your own counsel.

The NALC gives great deference to the will of the Branch, and ensures that its members have the final word at the Branch level. Further, any appeals to decisions made by the Branch must have a representative from the Branch to rebut such an appeal, and to represent in writing the will of the Branch. My Branch president decided that he was in the best position to be such a representative. "I'm the president. I speak for the Branch." But did he?... Listen in and find out.