A Union Representative's in-depth Guide to the Dispute Resolution Process
The From A to Arbitration podcast is an invaluable resource for NALC members and stewards alike. Hosted by Corey, a knowledgeable and passionate steward, this podcast provides listeners with a wealth of information on the postal contract, labor rights, and arbitration.
One of the best aspects of this podcast is the depth of knowledge shared by Corey. He does a fantastic job of breaking down complex contract language and explaining it in a way that is easy to understand. Listeners can learn about their contractual rights, how to navigate grievances, and gain insights into the arbitration process. The episodes are concise and focused, delivering key points without unnecessary fluff.
Another great aspect of this podcast is Corey's dedication to his fellow carriers. It is evident throughout each episode that he genuinely cares about their well-being and fights passionately on their behalf. His compassion and love for his carriers shine through as he discusses their challenges and victories.
Unfortunately, one potential drawback of this podcast is its limited availability. As of now, there are only a handful of episodes available. While each episode provides valuable information, it would be beneficial to have a larger library to delve further into various aspects of the contract or explore different scenarios that may arise in the workplace.
In conclusion, The From A to Arbitration podcast is an exceptional resource for NALC members looking to deepen their understanding of their labor rights and contract language. Corey's passion and expertise make each episode engaging and informative. Although more episodes would be welcome, the existing content is highly valuable for anyone interested in learning more about arbitration in the postal service industry.
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Corey begins "The Lion's Den" by informing listeners that he will be pre-recording the upcoming "From A to Arbitration" episode due to his attendance at the Texas State Convention. He then emphasizes his desire to keep "The Lion's Den" episodes focused and relatively short, though he anticipates today's will be longer due to reading arbitration sites. He references last week's episode where he played a teleconference recording, highlighting the "disdain" and "incompetence" of upper management towards city letter carriers, and reiterating his long-held belief that they need to be more aggressive in their approach. Corey stresses the importance of education within the union and mentions that the incoming CLC leadership will bring a more militant and offensive approach. Corey then dedicates the majority of the episode to reading and analyzing three arbitration sites. He explains that reading arbitration decisions is a crucial self-education tool, allowing one to understand management's arguments, the union's positions, and the arbitrators' decisions. The first case, from February 2009, deals with the Postal Service's use of DOIS (Delivery Operations Information System) projections to set carriers' daily office and street times, and whether this created a hostile work environment. Corey notes how management's arguments then are remarkably similar to current ones, particularly regarding PET and DOIS. He meticulously breaks down the union's and management's arguments, as well as the arbitrator's findings, highlighting how the misuse of DOIS primarily as a basis for setting leave and return times and the resulting stressful environment violated the M-39 handbook and related settlements. The second case, from 2015, addresses similar issues of management using DOIS projections as the sole determinant of carriers' leaving times and the practice of announcing all mail is up before it's actually distributed, leading to undue stress. Corey reads the facts, the parties' positions, and the arbitrator's discussion and findings, emphasizing how these practices created an impossible situation for carriers. He draws parallels to the current use of PET and the denial of 3996s. The third arbitration site, from 2019, focuses on the removal of a CCA for "unsatisfactory performance," specifically for exceeding projected times. Corey highlights how management failed to provide evidence of actual misconduct or time-wasting habits, instead relying solely on DOIS/PET projections. He points out that management did not conduct proper street observations or gather evidence like 4584s or 1838-Cs to support their claims. Corey concludes by reiterating the importance of these arbitration sites for understanding arguments, contractual language, and management's tactics, and promises to continue educating the membership on these critical issues. concernedlettercarriers.com
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This episode begins with Corey's expression of gratitude to listeners and acknowledges the shift in his podcast format, now under the banner "The Lions' Den," a new name. Before moving on to his discussion of cases, Corey introduces two special guests: Jenna and Stephanie, who are actively involved in efforts to instigate a special convention within the NALC. He then gives a brief rundown on what it means to prepare and when, with a good overview of Robert's Rules of Order. During their interview, Jenna and Stephanie highlight the importance of the upcoming meetings for a special meeting, calling for all branches to send a letter requesting the meeting. The two women's main focus is ensuring that the voices of the membership are heard. Then, the episode proceeds to discuss two particularly valuable arbitration decisions and provides examples of when the union has gone and gotten the city letter carriers back pay. The First Case tackled a "new argument at Step B" situation, where management had introduced a new argument at Step B, and shows the importance of thorough preparation and a strong argument. The Second Case: The second decision focuses on the issue of "hour office time." Corey details the specific circumstances of the case, where management tried to implement a policy of a one-hour office time limit, leading to increased pressure and disciplinary actions against the carriers. The arbitrator ruled in favor of the union, emphasizing that the enforcement of such a policy without proper adherence to the contract violated the agreement and proper time practices. In addition, he discusses the remedy ordered and its impact. He then discussed a few key points from a grievance that could be helpful in any instance. He reviews article one as a base foundation, and violations of section 131 and 41 of the M-41, showing how to request to use the 3996 and how it can be violated. Memos and letters from management are all key for winning in this type of grievance. A main theme is that the union's goal should be a high level of integrity, as well as the importance of, especially in the case of new carriers, knowing what their rights are and not taking what management says at face value. http://www.fromatoarbitration.com/
In this episode of "The CCA Corner," Mallory and Badmouth are joined by James Henry to discuss current issues and provide education for CCAs. The discussion begins with an update on recent events within the NALC, including the contentious tentative agreement (TA), and James Henry's perspective on leadership's handling of the membership's wishes. The focus then shifts to the rights of CCAs during disciplinary investigations (PDIs or IIs), emphasizing the crucial role of union representation. James Henry stresses the importance of CCAs understanding their rights, particularly their right to union representation throughout the entire process, and that management's questions can be seen as attempts to manipulate or trap carriers into incriminating statements. He emphasizes the importance of honesty and direct answers during such procedures. The episode covers the differences in disciplinary rights between CCAs and regular carriers. James Henry details the CLC's efforts to advocate for CCAs and the importance of member solidarity, highlighting recent additions to the team. The discussion touches on the political climate's influence on the Postal Service and the importance of collective action. A significant portion of the episode focuses on the vital role of union representation in defending CCAs, whether they're perceived as innocent or guilty. James Henry emphasizes the importance of upholding due process rights and citing the contract, and how management's attempts to pressure carriers into admitting guilt can be legally challenged. The episode concludes with a discussion of upcoming events and initiatives within the CLC, urging CCAs to be proactive in advocating for their rights. http://www.fromatoarbitration.com/
This episode features a passionate and critical discussion of the state of the NALC, with a primary focus on a recent executive council meeting. Corey begins by emphasizing that he is now speaking as the CLC's Director of Education, a deliberate shift to focus exclusively on educational topics, and then dives into the core subject of the episode which is a candid discussion about what he perceives as a constitutional crisis within the union. He criticizes Renfroe for his arrogance, which is damaging and divisive. He highlights an audio recording from a business agent, discussing why they dismissed charges against Renfroe and Barner. Corey then reads the text of the actual charges filed against President Renfroe and Executive Vice President Barner, which included allegations of failing to report official acts, neglecting convention resolutions, failing to initiate arbitration timely, bypassing required membership ratification, and failing to provide a complete report of acts. Corey argues that this was a violation of the constitution, and he has strong criticism for the Executive Council, accusing them of putting themselves before the best interests of the members. Corey ends by reiterating his call for the city letter carriers and the union to make changes and support those advocating for reforms. http://www.fromatoarbitration.com/
Corey focuses on the future of the NALC, particularly with the upcoming change in leadership. He welcomes Rob Kosier, the next director of city delivery for the Concerned Letter Carriers slate, to discuss his priorities and vision for the role. Corey shares his admiration for Kosier's passion, his ability to connect with other letter carriers, and his strong work ethic. Corey highlights what he believes is essential for a director of city delivery: a love for the city letter carrier, a strong backbone, and a no-nonsense attitude. Corey and Rob discuss the value of experience, specifically that experience on the workroom floor, and how, as a director of city delivery, he will use that experience to combat the issues impacting carriers, such as the implementation of autopivot tools and ensuring the accuracy of work time. Corey also addresses the challenges of maintaining and defending the current provisions within the union. Corey also discussed issues of respect and what is needed to address the issues of the postal service. http://www.fromatoarbitration.com/
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In this episode of From A to Arbitration, Cole and Mallory, stepping in for Corey, provide a detailed summary of the Nolan arbitration decision. They begin by clarifying that the effective dates for LMOU implementation is from May 27th to June 26th. They then proceed to summarize key changes across various articles, including non-discrimination (adding pregnancy), no layoff provisions (retained), salaries and wages (with increases of 1.3%, 1.4%, and 1.5% and a $1,000 one-time increase for Step P employees), COLAs (retroactive), back pay details, CCA pay adjustments, and modifications to carrier pay tables (eliminating certain steps in Table 2). A significant portion of the discussion focuses on Article 8, detailing changes to work schedules, the right to refuse overtime beyond twelve hours or sixty hours per week without disciplinary action, and the establishment of new overtime designation lists. They also cover the new employee retention and mentoring program (NERP), including provisions for training, initial assignments, and limitations on new employee work locations. The discussion emphasizes practical implementation strategies for members and emphasizes the need for shop stewards and branch presidents to ensure compliance with the new provisions. Cole and Mallory also explain crucial language changes and detail specific considerations for grievances and potential conflicts, emphasizing proactive measures for members to take advantage of new rights and avoid potential abuse of power by management. They also address various questions raised in advance and provide clarifications on important dates and details. A significant theme throughout the episode is the importance of education and proactive strategies for handling the new contract provisions, and the need for vigilance from union members to prevent potential abuses of power from management. https://fromatoarbitration.com/fatas-2023-2026-nalc-national-agreement-guide/ https://www.fromatoarbitration.com/
The CCA Corner sits down with Leo, a newly elected steward and CCA. They discuss their experience and share what made them want to become a steward.
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