Before I start with where I would like to see your(the members) branch go in the future, let me make a few non-related comments. The first one should sadden you as much as it does me.
October 1, 2024 is the start of the new quarter, so make sure you sign up if you want that Christmas money. I recently was talking with a carrier and they were telling me that while they don’t miss the CCA hours, they do miss the CCA checks. I told them to sign up for ODL it should be posted at every station, if it isn’t ask for steward time and file under Article 8. The carrier responded they would but they are to “slow”, this saddened me greatly. You see this carrier may be struggling with bills, struggling to put food on the table, struggling to figure out how to buy little Jonny/Jane a Christmas present, or maybe even a winter jacket. I don’t know, and it isn’t my job to pry. My job (until October 8, 2024 and I am removed via the bogus Article X charges) is to advocate for my brothers and sisters. It is sad that this carrier has been abused by management so much without anyone advocating for them that they are afraid to jump on the ODL. They could be struggling pay check to pay check. Feeling no one is there for them. I let this carrier know to sign up if they wish, and that I am there for them if they need me.
A shout-out to the GOAT of Hughes, who delivered 6 loops without a headlamp. ROFL
Go Go Chiefs and being three peat SB Champions!!!!!
Now lets get on to the subject at hand:
- Membership participation in your branch. Some may view you as nothing more than a pay check via your dues. This is not true, without you the rank and file we would be nothing. We tried to move the monthly meeting to Wednesday or Thursday a year or two ago, and it failed miserably. I believe it was something like 65% vs. 35%. The way we change this is the rank and file coming to every meeting and letting their voice and vote be heard. We may need to vote every meeting to keep the meeting on Wednesday or Thursday, if so we need the numbers to win that vote.
- Change the bylaws to ensure every member is automatically mailed a ballot to vote in each and every election. The branch may need updated signatures to verify your ballot, but at this point not having elections by mail is anti-democracy.
- Elevate the elected position of Office of Worker’s Compensation Officer to a chair officer. This position is probably the third most important elected office behind the President and Secretary/Treasure. It’s time consuming, demanding, and the amount of sheer knowledge of the ever evolving worker comp laws is staggering. The person elected to this position needs to be given the blanket authority to initiate informal grievances throughout the branch.
- I recently was talking with a member, and they told me we use to have branch events. It would be nice to get this started again. I think having branch events could help unify all of us, and would greatly help in our fight for better working conditions on the floor.
- Streamline the elected positions of the branch. Do we have too many or not enough?
- Get 2-3 branch members at least into positions at the NALC Region 1 NBA office. We are sorely lacking representation there and national for that matter.
- More stewards and assistant stewards. Each zone needs at least 1 steward and 1 assistant steward.
These are just some of the things that I would like to see. I will continue to advocate for them, but I really haven’t pushed them at the monthly meetings. I do not believe there are the votes to get them passed with the current attendees at the meetings. If you like even just 1 of these ideas, have an idea to improve on any of them, or a completely different idea let me know. Sounding like a broken record we need 50% +1 votes at every meeting to make positive changes, and move the branch forward in the turbulent waters we are moving into between now and the 2026 NALC national elections.
Even if you need to uber to the October 8, 2024 meeting to crush the Article X charges brought solely to prevent me from running as your Vice President, please do so.
Know your rights:
https://www.nlrb.gov/about-nlrb/rights-we-protect/your-rights/weingarten-rights
http://mseries.nalc.org/M01242.pdf
http://mseries.nalc.org/M00341.pdf
http://mseries.nalc.org/M00972.pdf
http://mseries.nalc.org/M00994.pdf
http://mseries.nalc.org/M00458.pdf
http://mseries.nalc.org/M00111.pdf
http://mseries.nalc.org/M00833.pdf
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/29/158
NLRB link to file
https://www.nalc.org/workplace-issues/resources/body/MI-EL-670-2021-4.pdf
https://www.nalc.org/workplace-issues/contract-administration-unit/fmla
https://www.osha.com/blog/general-duty-clause
https://fromatoarbitration.com/episodes/
Here in Fresno, management types seem to like to complain that some stewards are being “difficult”. To this I say we are the least “difficult” bunch around, if you treat the City Letter Carrier humanely.
Remember that nlrb.gov, osha.gov, dol.gov are some of the many agencies that are there to help you with the abuse you receive from management type and management type witnesses.
Go Go Chiefs the Super Bowl Champions, isn’t Chiefs red so beautiful. Winning the Super Bowl 3 times in a row will be a great achievement.