I will start out with a shout out for a management type doing the right thing, by a craft employee. Sadly it is so rare.
Let’s get started, in a recent conversation I had with someone, integrity was talked about. We were talking about management willfully and knowingly violating that National Agreement, and not holding themselves to the same standards as they hold craft employees. Lack of integrity is the reason, as we all witness on a daily basis.
Integrity is why once management has violated the National Agreement, a grievance must be filed by the steward. Integrity is also why if a steward, or any craft employee for that matter, sees a management type is about to unknowingly violate the National Agreement, we should let the management type know. If one lacks integrity the violation of the National Agreement will continue. If one lacks integrity, a grievance to hold that management type accountable will not be filed. Once a person gives away their integrity, it is very difficult to get it back, if it is even possible at all.
2024 is upon us, it’s taken a few days, but I think I am finally writing 2024 on everything instead of 2023. We’ve had a few days of rain, and the streets and sidewalks are slippery, so make sure you’re being safe. Now we are getting freezing temperatures to make things even more unsafe. Allow for additional time by filling out a 3996, remember the time you put is an estimate, but if you will be going over your estimated time you should use the MDD to text management to inform them as soon as you know you’re running behind your estimate. This will give the management type time to either approve you to continuing delivering, or send you help. http://mseries.nalc.org/M00326.pdf establishes that once a management type tells you to finish your route, or not to bring back mail that management type is authorizing your OT. Management may start pushing “unauthorized OT”, so make sure you take a picture of the management type MDD text authorizing your OT incase the steward needs it down the road.
Management types have seemingly been improperly mandating carriers as of late. This will help you understand what can and can’t be done. http://mseries.nalc.org/M00833.pdf Knowledge is power, M-00833 is more of a summarization of certain parts of Article 8, but it should allow you to determine if a management type is violating Article 8, or not.
As a RLC, UAR, or CCA you are allowed to opt on routes under Article 41. If management moves you off your assignment immediately ask for steward time, or call the branch so that a steward may be assigned to you, if you don’t have a steward. Notice how we looped back around to integrity and management types knowingly violating the National Agreement? Have a good and safe week.
Don’t forget Tuesday 1-9-2024 is the Branch 231 meeting at 7pm. We hope to see you there. You are the Union.
National Association of Letter Carriers
Branch 231
4466 W. Spaatz #101
Fresno, CA 93722-3400
(559) 449-8058
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
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.
Go Go Chiefs!