Classes of Mail

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**Classes of Mail**

This podcast is intended to empower city letter carriers. Through education, we’ll make ourselves better carriers who are immune to discipline and mistreatment by management, and are forces for positive change and reform within our own union. I do not speak for the USPS or NALC (or anybody else, for that matter!), this is not an official USPS or NALC podcast, and all opinions and advice are my own or my guests’. Submit feedback, questions, or topic suggestions to classesofmail@gmail.com .

Latest Episodes:

The Stand Up Slate for AFL-CIO Delegate - Sarah Cuello and Joshua Towne Jul 21, 2026

Show notes

Here what the Stand Up Slate is all about, and why I support their candidacy.

Branch 70 in Their Own Words (Part 2) - The Response to Michael Rivera Jul 15, 2026

Show notes

"If the law is on your side, pound the law. If the facts are on your side, pound the facts. If neither are on your side, pound the table." You're going to hear a lot of table pounding in this episode out of Branch 70.

I want you to think about something as you listen to this episode. What are the damages? The Branch 70 president compared Rivera's sharing of an election appeal to "yelling 'fire' in a crowded theater." The reason such speech is not protected is because of the obvious harm: loss of revenue, people get trampled, people can get killed. Compare that to the harm Branch 70 has suffered because people who read the appeal might have thought there was only supposed to be one microphone for nominations.

4.5 years of suspensions, for a harm that Branch 70 doesn't even articulate.

What You Can Learn from My One-Day Inspection Jul 11, 2026

Show notes

I was followed all day recently, and it went well. I want it to go well for you, too. I have the 4584 that management used for my street delivery observation, and I'll go over it with you so you know how to keep yourself out of trouble.

Branch 70 in Their Own Words - The Response to Michael Rivera's Conviction Appeal (Part 1 of 2) Jul 07, 2026

Show notes

This is the other side of the story. Branch 70 prepared a reply to Michael Rivera, and I am going to read every word of it and discuss it with Michael Brasaemle. This is part one of two.

While listening, bear in mind the two statements, written within an election appeal and shown to be false, that have caused all this trouble. To summarize, one is that the Branch President didn't relinquish his microphone to accept his nomination. The other is that there was going to be one microphone for nominations, but there wound up being three.

Again, both of those allegations wound up being false.

Think about the harm those statements caused to the branch in general, and specifically to the members of the election committee. Financial harm? Emotional distress? Loss of work?

Or did nobody care, because they're insignificant accusations.

The Branch makes its case for why Michael Rivera deserves an 18 month suspension for those two statements. Listen and decide for yourself.

The Investigative Interview Is Your Day in Court Jun 29, 2026

Show notes

Michael and I talk about HOW you can make the most of your investigative interview. We read two actual interviews, and discuss the way the carrier's answers helped to defend against any impending discipline.

JCAM Article 9 Jun 23, 2026

Show notes

Today we continue our reading of the JCAM with Article 9. This article covers our salaries and our COLAs. We'll go over what a "diet COLA" is, and how we're all actually getting screwed by our COLA system. We also go into the wage provisions for carrier technicians.

The 3999, and Other Forms of Harassment Jun 19, 2026

Show notes

Michael and I discuss management's improper use of the 3999 (one day inspection) for harassment, and other ways they harass carriers. Even more important, we talk about how to push back.

A Selection of Convention Resolutions Jun 12, 2026

Show notes

Michael and I talk about some convention resolutions, and give our thoughts and recommendations.

Thoughts on the CLC in Light of Branch 70 Jun 05, 2026

Show notes

Michael and I revisit our endorsement of the CLC, in light of their closing ranks around what Michael and I perceive as the wrongdoing in Branch 70.

The Railroading of Michael Rivera and Mari Thompson in Branch 70 Jun 02, 2026

Show notes

Michael Brasaemle and I go in depth with the story out of Branch 70. We'll go over the charges, national level decisions, federal laws, and more.

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