Classes of Mail

In this episode, we finally finish the contractual language of Article 41. However, there are SOOOO MANY memos at the end, I couldn't power through all of them. I'm going to need one more episode after this one to finally finish it off.

This is the fun section of Article 41, where we get to read a bunch of rules that cover how we deliver the mail.

Today I will read from my own LMOU. It's only effective for the Las Vegas area, but it has provisions in it that are similar to LMOU's around the country. This episode will give you an idea of the kind of things that are covered, and it may give you ideas for changes you can make in your own LMOU when the new contract is ratified.

One more section down, only a few more to go. This section talks about seniority and relative standing, and gives more details on the opt hold-down process

In this episode, we'll discuss all the things you have to do when you have your own route. I go over how to make changes in your edit book, how to manage your 3982's (pink cards) for forwards, and much more.

This episode is shorter than usual, because it turns out I was a sleepy head, and I didn't do a great job of reading. I'm going to publish it anyway, because we're so close to the finish line with the JCAM. This section spells out the rules concerning bidding on routes.

SIX big articles! We read about union and management cooperation, credit unions, local agreements, and a bunch of stuff in between. Enjoy!

I'll read and discuss a selection of M Documents from M-00001 to M-00150. Topics include the fact that there is no set pace for street delivery, how to qualify for a special route inspection on an overburdened route, and the circumstances under which you may be required to provide medical documentation for your sick leave.

These articles cover employee uniforms, tort and financial claims against USPS and employees, and the suspension and reinstatement of driving privileges.

In this episode, I tell a brief story about how I came to find the results of the various committees and task forces ensconced in the JCAM. The results are published, often, in the Materials Reference System, also known as the M-Documents. I will read a series of summaries for these M-Documents, to give you an idea what's in there.

These articles cover health benefits, leave for union duties, the right of the union to enter facilities, rules concerning bulletin boards, and higher level assignments like Carrier Technician.

How long should it take you to hit the street in the morning? Management can claim one hour all they want, but the real answers are in the M-41. Same for PM office time. Five minutes? Not hardly. We'll go over the actual provisions in the M-41 that detail all of our AM and PM office duties.

The Articles are getting smaller, so I decided to power through four of them. We cover the rights of stewards (17), we learn that we aren't allowed to strike (18), we learn that handbooks and manuals are contractually enforceable (19), and we talk about parking (20). Enjoy! Turns out I don't miss doing the accents.

We're 2/3 of the way through the contract! This episode covers discipline procedures, and is a must-listen for all stewards.

In this episode, I will get to learn how to merge two audio files. YOU will get to learn about a bunch of little things that longtime carriers probably take for granted, but new carriers struggle with. Guaranteed you'll learn something new. Also, I feel like this episode has more mouth noises. I tried to get closer to the microphone so I'd have richer sound quality, but it may have led to more unwanted noises. If you noticed it, drop me a line.

This Article covers the grievance and arbitration procedures. It is a must-listen for any stewards or prospective stewards out there.

I'll give you three guesses what this episode is about.

It turns out there is information available on what sorts of things the union is negotiating for on our behalf. It's a list of resolutions that were voted on at the national convention, and that list is printed in the Postal Record. I'm going to read that list to you, and talk about it.

Just as the episode title implies, I'm going to read Article 13. In the beginning of the episode, I talk about some changes to my recording setup and my episode schedule. To skip that, fast forward about two minutes.

This is the second half of Article 12 of the JCAM. There is still a little bit of chattering at the beginning of the episode, but it clears up fairly quickly. This part of the JCAM continues to cover excessing, and consolidation of offices. It also covers transfers and mutual exchanges.

In this episode, I'm going to tell the story of how I came to be the carrier I am today. It's not particularly educational, and you should probably skip it. But if you want to listen, here it is. Also, the sound is a little jittery in the beginning because of an app I had running in the background. Lesson learned on that one. Luckily, it's still basically understandable, and I wasn't saying anything important, anyway.

In this episode, we will read the first half of Article 12 of the JCAM. It's long.1

Today I'm going to share an email that was sent to me, and I"m going to talk about the value of your statements in protecting yourself from discipline, and in protecting your and your fellow carriers from mistreatment.

A long reading of JCAM Articles 10 and 11. This time... accent free.

This topic is by request. I will go over the items that the M-41 lists as accountable, as well as some extra services that can be added to the mail. I'll also give some advice on how to safely deliver items to the door.

In this episode, we'll read the entirety of Article 9.

In this episode, I'll talk about the many ways management abuses carriers, and I'll give strategies and advice on how to deal with it. (This episode contains substantial profanity.)

We finish up our reading of Article 8, and I try out a new accent.

Yes, you have to do what management tells you. Even if it's dumb. We'll go over your requirements, and the exceptions; and we'll talk about management's obligation to make decisions.

This week I'll read the first half of Article 8. Look for the second half in two weeks.

In this episode, I'll read a letter I wrote to my local postmaster, outlining the primary reasons we are losing our new employees. I also offer solutions that are easy to implement and cost essentially nothing. The letter is read as written, without commentary.

Settle in, this is a long one. We'll read all of Article 7, and I'll try out a new accent.

Staying organized is critical to your success as a letter carrier. It makes the day go smoother, and it helps to cut down on mistakes. I'll talk about some strategies for getting yourself organized, and I'll go over my own personal methods.

Today I'll read Articles 5 and 6 of the Joint Contract Administration Manual.

The M-41 is the manual that describes the proper way for letter carriers to do their work. In this episode, I'll talk about some of the highlights from the M-41. Surely you've read it from cover to cover, but just in case it's been a while, allow me to refresh your memory on a few finer points.

This week's episode features another reading from the JCAM. We'll tackle Articles 2, 3, and 4. As with the first episode, I will read the quotes from the contract in a poorly done accent. Enjoy!

This week's episode is a general guide for staying off of management's radar. I'll go over the things carriers do that land then in hot water, and I'll talk about ways you can avoid being subject to discipline from management.

Every two weeks, I will read a section (or more, or less, depending on length) of the JCAM, until we make our way through the entire thing. Is it boring? YOU BET! But I will try to read it in a lively manner, and, when reading language from the actual contract, I will attempt to read in an accent. Is it a poorly executed accent? YOU BET!

In this episode, I will go over some of the newer features in the MDD scanner. There are some useful tools that make the job easier, especially route maintenance. There is one error in the episode (that I know of). I mention that the time clock function is accessible from the sub menu, but I don't know why that's useful. Well, now I know why it's useful. From the Scan Barcodes screen, you can go into Time Clock using the sub menu, do your clock ring, and then it automatically returns you to the Scan Barcodes screen, which saves a few steps.

This is a very special episode that just couldn't wait. There was a meeting at my station today where CCAs were treated badly by management, and I think a response is needed. In this episode, I go over some of the rules that are in place to protect CCAs, and I give some general advice for how to handle it when management treats you badly. The episode is directed at the CCAs in my own station, but it's also generally applicable. Also, I was fired up, so there are naughty words in this episode. Listen at your peril.

In this episode, we'll go over PS Form 1571, the Undelivered Mail Report. You are not authorized to delay the mail! This form is used to indicate that management instructed you to delay the mail.

This episode is a broad discussion of the benefits of following the rules and delivering your route the right way. I give some specific advice and examples from my own experience. Side note: There is some sort of clicking in the audio. I don't know what it is, or how to fix it. Hopefully you don't find it too distracting.

In this episode, I'll talk about how the PARS and CFS systems work, and how we should use the MLNA system as carriers.

I'll discuss all the different reasons we return mail to sender, how to endorse the mail, and what all the carrier endorsements mean.

In this episode, I'll go over the proper way to fill out form 3996. I'll discuss acceptable reasons for overtime, and how to handle it if there is a conflict between you and your supervisor over your estimated time.

In this episode, I'll cover the classes of mail that can go into UBBM, along with additional notes about what should and should not be sent off to the shredder.