Claim OwnershipClasses of Mail
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© Alan Gegax, 2023
Description
Make yourself discipline proof! This podcast is dedicated to educating City Letter Carriers on all the things you forgot from Carrier Academy. We'll go over basic procedures and regulations, and dive deeper into how the mail system actually works. I do not speak for the USPS or NALC (or anybody else, for that matter!), this is not an official USPS or NALC podcast, and all opinions and advice are my own or my guests'. Submit feedback, questions, or topic suggestions to classesofmail@gmail.com .
118 Episodes
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It's time to move on from season 4 of Classes of Mail. I'll give another update on my local branch election, talk a bit about union accountability and ethics, and reiterate my position against the tentative agreement. Finally, I'll talk about what's to come in season 5.
My running mate Michael, and our campaign advisor Leslie, sit down in my back yard to talk about EEO complaints. Equal Employment Opportunity is a set of laws that cover mistreatment of certain protected classes of people. Michael and Leslie go over some of the basics of putting these laws to use.
In this episode, Michael talks about a grievance settlement he won, concerning "deems desirable." We'll read some chunks from the settlement, and talk about the process. It's educational. FYI, this episode was recorded in my back yard, before I got my new audio set up. Please bear with the sound quality.
The results are in! For now... Our election is essentially guaranteed to be rerun. For now, we've lost. The incumbent ticket won across the board, which is no surprise, given their inherent advantages, and the additional advantages conferred by the election's improprieties. This episode also features a brand new computer that will be dedicated to podcasting. I recorded on Audacity for the first time. It sounds really compressed and muffled to me. Let me know what you think.
Amazingly, there are still more improprieties in our branch election. Michael is in studio to talk about the latest developments. It's a doozy!
John Murphy is back to talk about the Tentative Agreement, and more importantly, about the labor movement in general. We talk about our plans to vote no, and we talk about the importance of staying in the union and transforming it into a true rank-and-file movement.
The election in my branch is a mess. We're closing in on election day, and Michael and I are getting positive feedback from carriers, in spite of all the improprieties. We know that carriers in our branch are being disenfranchised, and we're fighting back against it.
Wednesday, October 30, 2024, will be a National Day of Action for letter carriers. C Moline is on the program to talk about the contract, to urge all of us to VOTE NO, and to tell us what WE can do to help win back our rights and improve our conditions within the NALC. As always, C is a fantastic guest who brings great energy and enthusiasm, as well as a ton of information. Help us Build a Fighting NALC!
Leslie ran for president of Branch 2502 in 2016 and lost by a razor thin margin. Before and after, she has been a tireless supporter of her carriers, and she has been a mentor for Michael and me in our run for office, and as stewards. In this episode, she'll share her insights into the process, the role of branch officers, and a handful of other topics.This episode was recorded in my back yard, so there's no echo. We had to crank the microphone up so we could hear Leslie, and it worked. She sounds great. But there's also aircraft noise, and distractions from Annie. Listen and enjoy.
Shenanigans are afoot in the Branch 2502 elections. And wouldn't you know it... they all seem to favor the incumbents. We have still more errors in the election process. We also have a new development: Michael and I have been on the receiving end of a smear campaign. Good times. Michael and I talk about what's been going on as the day of the election draws near.
Correction: the 1.3% raises are not cumulative. They are each 1.3% of the original base salary. They do not compound.I am joined by special guest Michael Brasaemle, my running mate for office of Branch 2502. We talk about our opinion of the tentative agreement. Spoiler alert: it's unfavorable. We'll also talk about a possible path forward, using the referendum process, to end Renfroe's role as our chief negotiator.This episode was recorded in my back yard, so we don't have any annoying echo. On the downside, we have to compete with aircraft noise. On the upside, Annie loved it!
I have another update for you about how my campaign is going. It's been interesting, exciting, and stressful.
We'll read the election rules, and I'll talk a bit more about the process of campaigning.
It's official! I have been nominated for Vice President of Branch 2502. In this episode, you'll hear the follow-up to the issue with our election notification requirements. I'll also talk about how the meeting went, and give you some thoughts on strategy, and the future of our branch. Also at the meeting, there was a resolution to hold an informational picket on October 14, 2024, along with many other branches across the country. The debate was fascinating.
This episode is DOOZY! You have to hear about Section 5! (And so do my branch officers, who apparently have never read it!) I am running for office in my branch, so these rules are of great importance at the moment. It's a lively read, and I think you'll enjoy listening.
We finish up reading about the rules from the NALC Constitution governing federal and subordinate branches. These sections features your APPEAL RIGHTS if you are wronged by the branch, or by a branch officer. We also learn about the process for bringing charges against branch officers. I wish I'd have had this information when my local president fired me from the Carrier Academy, but what's done is done. I'm glad I have it now, and I'm glad to be able to share it with you. Knowledge is Power.
C Moline really impressed me at the convention. She spoke powerfully on the convention floor, and captured the room at the Build a Fighting NALC rally. In this conversation, we talk about the role of the union, what she's doing for her branch in Seattle, and we even get around to talking about delivering mail in the rain.
This episode will cover the duties and responsibilities of your local branch. I have been anxious to get to this content, and to see how well my branch is living up to its obligations. Listen in and find out! And see how well your own branch measures up.
We made it to 100 episodes! To properly honor this special occasion, we are graced with a special guest: James Henry! Join me as we get to know the next president of the NALC. Mr. Henry and I talk about his upbringing, his time in the Marine Corps, and how those experiences shaped the values he has today. We'll also talk about some of the changes Mr. Henry wants to bring to the office of president, and to the NALC in general.
This episode finishes off the first portion of the NALC Constitution. In this episode we'll learn about how amendments and resolutions get put before the members, and we'll learn about the special category of members who are in the NALC only for the health benefits. It's noteworthy this this is episode 99 of Classes of Mail. If things go according to plan, I will have a VERY special guest for episode 100. Time will tell.
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