Today on the CCA Corner Badmouth sits down with Gus, an academy instructor and OJI out of Boston to talk about the first couple of days as a new CCA

Corey provides a link to his recent in-depth interview with Ron Speakman. He emphasizes the importance of honesty and transparency in his own commentary and discusses the ongoing challenges facing letter carriers.

The episode features:

Shoutouts: Recognition for dedicated union stewards, educators, and organizers.

Fundraising Announcements: Information on upcoming fundraisers, including a bowl-a-thon for MDA and a scholarship fundraiser.

James Henry's Response to California Wildfires: Corey praises James Henry's proactive response to the California wildfires, highlighting his on-the-ground support for affected carriers and his advocacy for improved working conditions.

Discipline Analysis: A deep dive into a sample disciplinary notice, focusing on identifying potential weaknesses in the investigation and challenging the validity of the charges.

Addressing Recent Controversy: Corey clarifies his stance on a recent disagreement with Mike Carref, emphasizing the importance of focusing on the issues and avoiding unnecessary conflict.

In this episode, we sit down with Alan Gegax, from Classes of Mail. The interview discusses the treatment of City Carrier Assistants (CCAs), and the perception of CCA treatment from the East Coast. Gegax argues that CCAs are often mistreated by management and that the union does not do enough to protect them. He also discusses the importance of education and empowerment for CCAs. This comprehensive discussion gives a unique perspective toward perception of the CCA position, the union itself, and handbook provisions that receive little attention.

https://fromatoarbitration.com/cca-corner/

https://fromatoarbitration.com/postal-podcasts/

This episode of CCA Corner provides a comprehensive guide for new City Carrier Assistants (CCAs) navigating their first 90 days at the post office. It covers both office and street procedures, emphasizing safety, accuracy, and the importance of union membership, and includes a guest feature from Richie Ray, host of Hot House with Richie Ray.

Office Procedures: We discuss the initial stress of the office environment, dealing with management, and the varying helpfulness of colleagues. It highlights the importance of On-the-Job Instructors (OJIs) as resources.

Street Procedures: We cover details of the three main types of mail delivery:

• Park and Loops: Parking the truck and walking a street. Emphasizing proper parking procedures ("curb it, park it, break it, take it"), carrying the satchel correctly, and using dog spray.

• Dismounts: Short stops at individual addresses, with similar safety precautions.

• Mounted Boxes: Delivering mail from the vehicle, stressing the importance of placing the vehicle in neutral or park at each box.
  
  

Some additional tidbits we cover include:

• Safety First: Checking the vehicle for safety issues and reporting them is paramount. Carriers have the right to refuse unsafe work.

• No Mistake Pace: Prioritize accuracy and safety over speed. Speed will develop with experience.

• Forming Good Habits: Establishing proper procedures from day one is crucial for long-term success.

• Union Importance: Joining the union is strongly recommended, for protection and advocacy. Stewards are available to answer questions and help with issues.

• Schedule Awareness: CCAs should check their schedule daily, as it can change. They are entitled to a minimum number of work hours if scheduled.

https://fromatoarbitration.com/cca-corner/

https://fromatoarbitration.com/postal-podcasts/

This episode discusses the ongoing conflict between city letter carriers and postal service management, focusing on management's manipulation of clock rings to falsely reduce recorded office time. Corey criticizes Renfroe for his inaction and perceived complicity with management, endorsing James Henry as the next president. Corey details a specific arbitration case where management falsified over 480 hours of clock ring data, highlighting management's dishonesty and the union's struggle to hold them accountable. He emphasizes the need for stronger union leadership under the Concerned Letter Carriers (CLC) to combat management abuses, particularly concerning the joint statement on harassment and the falsification of time records, advocating for escalated monetary awards and holding upper management accountable. Corey also promotes upcoming CLC educational initiatives, including a new podcast and YouTube channel, and encourages listeners to support the CLC and MDA through merchandise sales. Finally, he recounts instances of management attempting to influence arbitration decisions, emphasizing their unethical tactics and reinforcing the need for a more assertive union.

http://www.fromatoarbitration.com/

This episode of From A to Arbitration is a "hodgepodge" of information: Corey provides updates on the upcoming release of his episode of Fed Up, and the increasingly popular CCA Corner. He then covers several topics: shout-outs to union leaders Ivan Butts (NAPS) and Chris Kelly (former NALC Branch 459); an email from management emphasizing safety and outlining disciplinary actions for distracted driving, which Corey criticizes as punitive rather than corrective, which violates contract language; a disciplinary action against a carrier for taking excessive breaks, which Corey argues is flawed due to reliance on GPS data alone and the inclusion of an official discussion, thus violating article 16.2; and finally, a closing argument from an arbitration case (C-35201) focusing on a violation of article 10.19 (sick leave) and article 15 (noncompliance). Corey highlights management's consistent failure to provide requested information, emphasizing the intentional nature of this noncompliance and its impact on grievance resolutions.

http://www.fromatoarbitration.com/

In this episode of the CCA Corner, Badmouth and Mallory discuss the recent increase in "safety blitzes" conducted by management. We break down common violations, delve into the M-41 handbook for safe driving procedures, and provide essential tips for staying safe and avoiding disciplinary action.

In this episode:

• Understanding Safety Blitzes: Learn how management is observing carriers and what they're looking for.

• M-41 Mastery: We explore key sections of the M-41 manual, including safe driving practices, vehicle operation, and handling mail.

• Building Good Habits: Develop essential habits for safe and efficient route delivery.

• Weingarten Rights: Understand your rights to union representation during any investigatory interview.

• Staying Safe: Learn how to respond if you feel you're being followed or if you're questioned by management.

Join us as we equip you with the knowledge and confidence to navigate the challenges of being a CCA and thrive on your route.

https://fromatoarbitration.com/cca-corner/

Guest David Noble discusses the flaws in the recently negotiated tentative agreement (TA), arguing that President Renfroe's use of statistics is misleading and that he failed to account for the $3,369 loss in purchasing power since the last contract. Noble explains the three ways letter carriers receive pay increases (general wage increases, cost of living allowances, and step increases), highlighting how the TA fails to adequately address inflation, particularly for CCAs who receive no step increases. He criticizes the delayed release of the TA's language and the inclusion of a ballot identification number violating federal law. Noble details the significant changes to overtime rules in the TA, which were not disclosed in the summary provided by Renfroe, and expresses concern about the significant ballot mailing issues preventing many members from voting. He also emphasizes the critical need to address the crippling backlog of grievances pending arbitration, advocating for the addition of more arbitrators to expedite the process and ensure fair contract enforcement, contrasting the current union's focus on finances over addressing carrier issues. He concludes by suggesting that Renfroe's actions indicate a bias towards management rather than letter carriers.

http://www.fromatoarbitration.com/