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Latest Episodes:

We Got Railroaded - Things Went Horribly Wrong at the Branch Meeting Feb 06, 2025

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Just listen. Holy crap. Oh, and be warned, the music come in a bit hot at the end of the episode. I'm still figuring out that part of the podcast.

Chris Pennock of Branch 9 and BFN Talks about the Next Steps after the NO Vote Feb 04, 2025

Show notes

OK, we all voted no. Good job, us! So what happens next? Chris Pennock comes on the podcast to talk about what we can do with the momentum we have.5

Michael Brasaemle Discusses the Tentative Agreement Vote Feb 03, 2025

Show notes

Michael is back in studio to talk about the "Historic" no vote on the Tentative Agreement. We also talk about how the rerun of our branch election is going. (Spoiler: it's NOT going!)

You May Already Have a Rank-and-File Democratic Union Jan 31, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, I'll go over the provisions in the NALC Constitution that put the power in your branch in the hands of its members.

Chris Pennock of Branch 9 Minneapolis and BFN Jan 28, 2025

Show notes

Chris Pennock joins me to talk about building a reform caucus within your branch. We also discuss his journey to branch leadership (he's just been elected Vice President), and his fight against the good ol' boy system.

How I Got Fired As an Alternate Steward Jan 25, 2025

Show notes

It's happened again, folks. I've been poking the bear, trying to get my local branch in compliance with its own bylaws, and with the NALC Constitution. The result is that I have been removed from my position as an alternate steward at my station. The branch president is claiming that alternate steward are AUTOMATICALLY removed from their positions when new officers take their positions, but of course, there's nothing to that effect in our bylaws or in the Constitution. The reality is, the president has exercised his authority to remove me. And, of course, I'm fighting back. My lifelong friend Rich joins me in studio to talk about what happened, and how we plan to handle it.

Michael Brasaemle Talks about the Investigative Interview Jan 23, 2025

Show notes

Michael is back in studio, now with his own microphone! He went with the Rode PodMic. It sounds pretty good. Anyway, this episode is about the importance of the investigative interview. It's the carrier's "day in court," where they can defend their actions, plead their innocence, and lay the foundation for any grievances, should management decide to issue discipline. Michael and I talk about strategy, what NOT to say, and we go over your Weingarten rights.

Mike Caref - caref4prez.org Jan 20, 2025

Show notes

Mike Caref joins me via Zoom to talk about leadership, reform, and education. He explains the job of the National Business Agent, explains what gets carriers fired, and how to avoid getting fired. ( FILL OUT YOUR OWN 3971!) We also talk a bit about the contract and about Brian Renfroe.

Sweet, Sweet Victory at the Branch Meeting Jan 15, 2025

Show notes

Spoiler alert! Things went our way at the branch meeting. Michael returns to help tell the story of what happened at the meeting. Chalk one up for the rule of law. (Rule of bylaws, anyway.) Hopefully after this episode, things will settle down, for a while anyway, and I can get back to educational topics.

A Full Update before our Branch Meeting Jan 13, 2025

Show notes

This is the tell-all episode where Michael comes back to the podcast studio (AKA my spare bedroom) and we go over the full story of the election improprieties and the series of Article 10 charges that have gotten us to this point. If you've been following this saga closely, there will still be some surprises in here, because the Good Ol' Boys have found even more ways to violate our Constitution and avoid answering questions about the election.

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