From A to Arbitration

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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/

This episode of The Lions' Den focuses on six-day route counts. Corey starts by discussing the importance of documenting any street-waiting time on the form 1838-C and emphasizes that management is likely to try and manipulate street time. He provides a detailed explanation of various aspects of the M-41 and M-39 handbooks related to package delivery, focusing on the correct procedures to ensure accurate time recording. He stresses the significance of using the 3996 when requesting additional time and highlights the importance of being familiar with the relevant regulations. Corey stresses how to prepare and document the 3996 for the day of a grievance. Corey reads from a decision from arbitration of what the law is and tells the letter carriers the 3996 is what you do for your hours. He says the carriers have to remember who is going to provide an audit trail for management of their DOIS system and what must be entered. The episode emphasizes again that management can not dictate what you do; you have the right to be a part of the process. The episode concludes with a reminder about the ongoing importance of accurate record-keeping in the context of six-day counts and that they should be documenting. www.concernedlettercarriers.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/

In this "Lion's Den" episode, Corey delves into the specifics of six-day mail count inspections, focusing on how to combat potential management manipulation of route adjustments. He details how management might strategically remove routes before a six-day count to reduce their labor costs, and encourages carriers to document every step of this process. Corey emphasizes the importance of meticulous record-keeping, citing specific sections of the USPS handbooks (M39 and M41) as well as past arbitration decisions. He urges listeners to gather evidence showing that management has not conducted the required annual route and unit reviews, as outlined in the handbooks, to demonstrate the potential for unfair adjustments and reduced carrier workload. He lays out the precise steps carriers should take to document instances of alleged mismanagement and overreach during route count inspections, including the careful examination of forms like 1838C, 3999, and 1840 to challenge potentially improper time deductions. Corey's central theme in this episode is the need for detailed documentation and the aggressive pursuit of grievances against management, particularly in cases of improper or incomplete route evaluations, which are critical to the process of a six-day count. He emphasizes the importance of building a collective defense by gathering evidence, and the need for meticulous attention to detail in every step of the six-day count process to ensure management adherence to contract provisions. Corey also discusses the case from Sherry Rose Talmage and its relevance to red line policies. He emphasizes again that letter carriers must be diligent and proactive during route inspections and challenges. http://www.concernedlettercarriers.com/

In this episode, Corey dives deep into the "autopivot" program, a new management tool impacting six-day counts. He details how this program, based on existing USPS systems (DOIS, 3996), potentially violates several articles of the collective bargaining agreement, specifically Article 1, procedural fairness, by pre-populating forms that should be requested by the carrier and filled out on the spot. He argues that management is using this tool to circumvent existing procedures and potentially manipulate carrier workload data. He provides a detailed breakdown of the program's mechanics, highlighting the sections of the M39 and M41 handbooks that he believes are being violated. He emphasizes that the tool, in its present form, allows management to make unilateral decisions concerning workloads and assignments, thus potentially undermining the carrier's rights. The episode further highlights the pervasive pattern of alleged management dishonesty and the union's need to counter these tactics through careful documentation, detailed grievances, and assertive advocacy. Finally, the episode features several shout-outs and announcements about upcoming events and the ongoing campaign by the Concerned Letter Carriers (CLC) slate, reiterating a call for membership unity and active engagement in the 2026 election, emphasizing that the city letter carriers are not going to be subjugated to management tyranny. fromatoarbitration.com

In this episode, the first of a new Wednesday series focused on CLC training, Corey lays out crucial information for letter carriers regarding six-day counts and the proper procedures for handling mail and packages, based on existing union contracts and past arbitration decisions. He emphasizes the importance of understanding and utilizing the specific sections of the USPS handbooks (M39 and M41) and other related documents (EL801, EL804, and M00994) as crucial tools in defending against management attempts to unfairly reduce carrier working time. He details specific procedures for handling various types of mail, including parcels, and the necessity of challenging management's attempts to impose arbitrary time limits or alter established practices, particularly those relating to street time, delivery procedures, and office processing. He highlights the importance of meticulous record-keeping (specifically reviewing forms 1838C, 3999, and 1840, along with carrier time records), challenging time deductions or modifications imposed by management, and utilizing past arbitration precedents to defend against unfair practices. A primary theme is the importance of carriers understanding their rights and how to document instances of management overreach, and the proactive utilization of existing contractual protections for grievance filing. Corey concludes by soliciting suggestions for a more fitting name for the new Wednesday training series. http://www.fromatoarbitration.com/

Corey is joined by Melissa Rakestraw, David J Grosskopf Jr, Paul Boulanger, Christopher Reed, James Henry, Elliot Simmons, Charlie Miller, Richie Ray, and Mallory Sutton to discuss the recent controversial actions of the NALC leadership, specifically the dismissal of charges against President Renfroe and Executive Vice President Barner without proper investigation. Corey criticizes this decision as a blatant violation of the union's constitution and a dangerous precedent for future grievances. The episode features a panel discussion where several guests provide firsthand accounts of events at the Committee of Presidents (COP) meetings. Melissa Rakestraw recounts being challenged and interrupted by Renfroe when she sought to correct his misrepresentations of the arbitration process, highlighting the lack of respect and accountability demonstrated by Renfroe. Other guests corroborate this account, adding additional details about the disrespectful and inappropriate behavior exhibited by Renfroe during these meetings. The discussion highlights the pervasive pattern of Renfroe's actions, including apparent attempts to suppress dissenting voices and circumvent the constitution's processes. The panel underscores the importance of the constitution as the fundamental guideline for the union, emphasizing the need for investigations and due process in all cases, especially those involving charges against leadership. Corey emphasizes the need for members to actively participate in the upcoming 2026 election, and the importance of selecting leaders who prioritize the membership's will and uphold the NALC constitution. Cites: https://fromatoarbitration.com/episode-233-regulators-mount-up-we-have-a-constitutional-crisis/ http://www.fromatoarbitration.com/

Corey discusses the charges filed against President Renfroe and Executive Vice President Barner. He criticizes the actions of the executive council in dismissing these charges without proper investigation, highlighting this as a blatant violation of the union's constitution. Corey argues this represents a dangerous and unprecedented circumvention of the constitution's checks and balances. He foreshadows a detailed analysis of the constitutional crisis facing the NALC in the following day's episode, featuring a panel discussion with various prominent union figures. Corey also provides several shout-outs, including the recognition of a recent arbitration win for a branch president in Kentucky and praise for stewards actively challenging management. He announces a major CLC event, a family outing at the Cleveland Zoo on June 19th, featuring national leadership candidates, and discusses his future podcast schedule, which will alternate between "Salted Peanuts" episodes on Sundays and in-depth educational discussions on Wednesdays. The episode emphasizes the growing concerns within the NALC membership over the leadership's conduct, and their growing distrust of the current administration. http://www.fromatoarbitration.com/

Corey delivers a farewell message to arbitration, reflecting on his decade-long career as an advocate. He begins by thanking Mallory and Cole for their guest hosting duties and reiterates his commitment to educational content, promising a six-day count training session in the following week's episode. Corey announces a Concerned Letter Carriers (CLC) fundraiser winner's drawing, scheduled for the following day, encouraging listeners to support the CLC. He offers several shout-outs, including specific praise for union members actively supporting their colleagues and addressing issues in smaller branches. A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to a review of a recent arbitration loss, highlighting the importance of honesty and thorough preparation in the process. Corey shares insights into his strategy as an advocate, emphasizing the need for thorough research and preparation, complete memorization of case files, and a relentless pursuit of truth. He reflects on specific cases he's handled, analyzing both wins and losses, and underscores the significance of preparing and presenting compelling arguments, even when faced with management resistance and dishonest or evasive tactics. He stresses the importance of ethical conduct and integrity in arbitration, drawing comparisons between successful and unsuccessful strategies in advocating for members. The episode concludes with a look ahead to the future, outlining his plans as executive vice president to reform the grievance process and address toxic work environments, emphasizing transparency, education, and support for letter carriers nationwide. A recurring theme is the need for a more proactive and forceful approach to unionism, advocating for the needs of city letter carriers and contrasting this with current union leadership failures. Corey ends the episode by reiterating his love for the city letter carriers and his commitment to their well-being. http://www.fromatoarbitration.com/

In this episode, Mallory and Badmouth welcome Thomas McDonald, Vice President of Branch 1642 in Yuma, Arizona. Thomas discusses the challenges and improvements he's seen in his office, particularly the significant CCA turnover during the COVID-19 pandemic. He highlights efforts to improve communication and address concerns within the CCA workforce, leading to a more positive and productive atmosphere. The discussion transitions to CCA benefits, focusing on health insurance, with a detailed breakdown of the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program and the newly negotiated USPS non-career health benefit plan. This plan, available to CCAs regardless of their appointment year, allows for postal service contributions towards premium costs. The podcast covers eligibility requirements for various benefits, including dental and vision (FEDVIP), flexible spending accounts (FSA), life insurance (through the NALC Mutual Benefit Association—MBA), and death benefits (through the MBA). Specific costs, eligibility requirements, and contact information are provided. Important details regarding uniform allowances, leave policies (annual, sick, bereavement, FMLA, LWOP), and holiday pay are also presented, including details on how to claim uniform allowances and leave benefits. The episode concludes with a call to action for CCAs to get involved in their local union, emphasizing the importance of collective action in advocating for better working conditions and benefits, featuring outreach events in Texas. https://fromatoarbitration.com/cca-corner/

In this episode, Corey discusses the recent Nolan arbitration decision and the ongoing challenges within the NALC, focusing on the actions of the current president, Brian Renfroe. He criticizes Renfroe's handling of contract negotiations, particularly the stipulated arbitration agreement, arguing Renfroe knowingly circumvented the membership's will by agreeing to a predetermined outcome. Corey accuses Renfroe of dishonesty and a lack of concern for members' interests, contrasting this with recent rallies and demonstrations of support by rank-and-file carriers. He advocates for organized resistance to management and a continued push for Renfroe's resignation, detailing how he plans to use this time to further organize and educate, including the establishment of "dogs of war" teams and a more accessible education platform through regular online and in-person training sessions. The episode includes an extended interview with Tyler Vasseur, a prominent member of the Build a Fighting NALC (BFN) group. Vasseur critiques the recent rallies, arguing they were poorly organized and potentially used by Renfroe as a "bait-and-switch" tactic to divert attention from the failing contract negotiations. He emphasizes the need to connect the fight against privatization with demands for a stronger contract and criticizes Renfroe's leadership for failing to effectively represent members' interests. Vasseur outlines BFN's plans for future organizing, including a campaign to win the right to strike and bolster the union's negotiating position. He stresses the importance of grassroots organizing and member involvement to affect meaningful change within the NALC. Corey echoes Vasseur's concerns, highlighting Renfroe's alleged dishonesty and the perceived circumvention of members' will in the arbitration process. He further criticizes the current NALC leadership's apparent disengagement from members' concerns, and details his plans for a more assertive and transparent approach as executive vice president, including grievance procedure reform, educational initiatives, and combating toxic work environments. The episode concludes with a call to action, urging membership engagement and support for a renewed union movement, and the establishment of a strike fund to support potential future action. http://www.fromatoarbitration.com http://www.fightingnalc.com

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/

This episode is a repost of the Next Generation Carriers podcast featuring Corey, along with other letter carriers, in a lengthy discussion about various issues within the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), specifically the recent arbitration and the perceived failings of the current leadership. The carriers discuss the low turnout at recent "fight like hell" rallies, attributing this to a perceived lack of effective mobilization strategies from NALC leadership. They criticize the union's handling of the recent contract negotiations, particularly the union president's (Renfroe's) involvement in a stipulated arbitration award that, according to the hosts, was predetermined and didn't reflect the membership's will. Concerns are raised about the potential for Renfroe's actions to negatively impact the union's bargaining position going forward, and calls for his resignation are discussed. The hosts also lament the lack of transparency and communication within the NALC and express the need for a more proactive and aggressive approach to organizing and communication. They discuss the possible implementation of a more extensive education platform to empower and support union members in smaller branches. Further concerns are raised about the use of telematics for disciplinary actions and other workplace issues, with the hosts proposing that these should be grieved at the national level. The conversation also touches on political alliances, emphasizing the need to educate the public about the postal service's role and functions. The carriers encourage their fellow members to remain engaged and unified in the fight for better working conditions and against potential privatization efforts. Several members express frustrations with internal union politics and practices, and a call for systemic changes within the NALC is made. The episode also features the hosts' individual experiences and perspectives within their respective branches. https://www.fromatoarbitration.com/ https://www.nextgenerationcarriers.com/

This is a "CCA Corner" mailbag episode featuring Leo, a newly elected CCA steward from Philadelphia. Badmouth and Mallory begin by apologizing for the infrequent uploads, citing personal life events such as moves. Leo, the guest, shares their background as a practicing attorney before transitioning to a career as a letter carrier. They describe their current work environment as overwhelmingly busy due to handling all Amazon deliveries at their station and frequent changes in management. They explain how their legal background proves advantageous as a steward, drawing parallels between legal practice and handling grievances. Leo recounts how their first day at the academy inspired them to become a steward, discussing the importance of proactive advocacy. They note that they were unexpectedly elected as steward. They then discuss how management's disposition shifted from initially supportive to adversarial after they began actively defending carriers' rights, recounting instances where interviews were abruptly terminated due to disagreements over Weingarten rights. They reflect on the challenges of maintaining composure when facing management resistance and shares their system for managing the large amount of data involved in their steward duties. Leo acknowledges the initial apprehension some carriers felt towards him as a CCA steward but emphasizes that they aimed to gain trust by proactively educating and supporting coworkers. https://fromatoarbitration.com/cca-corner/

In this emergency edition of From A to Arbitration, Corey expresses strong disapproval of the recent stipulated arbitration award, which he believes was a predetermined outcome orchestrated by the union president (Brian Renfroe) and postal management (Doug Tulino). Corey, joined by NALC Vice President James Henry, analyzes the award, highlighting its unusual features, such as a remarkably short timeframe for mediation (only two days) and the arbitrator's apparent acceptance of the union's original rejected tentative agreement (TA). He asserts that the process was a circumvention of the intended arbitration procedure, effectively dismissing the membership's clear rejection of the TA. Corey accuses Renfroe of lying to members and calls for his resignation within 60 days, threatening further action if Renfroe does not comply. He also criticizes the lack of transparency and communication regarding the decision-making process, particularly the lack of involvement of the executive council. Corey and Henry discuss the potential for a future challenge to the award based on procedural irregularities and express their commitment to continuing the fight for better working conditions for letter carriers. They encourage listeners to stay engaged with the union and participate in upcoming events, especially the CLC's national Zoom meeting scheduled for Saturday. The conversation highlights deep disappointment and anger among the membership at the outcome of the negotiations, and the hosts emphasize their continued support for the letter carriers. fromatoarbitration.com