From A to Arbitration

Latest Episodes:

Episode 131: Assorted goodies and getting back inside the arbitration room via an emergency placement. Dec 18, 2023

Show notes

This episode of From A to Arbitration is a closing argument and year-end review, covering both recent arbitration cases and broader union issues. Corey begins by thanking listeners and Discord members for their support, then previews upcoming topics (Act of God grievances and hour office time).

The core of the episode centers on Corey's critical analysis of the union's handling of recent cases and a broader critique of union leadership. Corey emphasizes the importance of a proactive and militant approach to dealing with management, arguing that the current leadership has been too passive and has allowed management to successfully circumvent union processes.

He presents detailed accounts of specific arbitration cases, including one where management tried to dismiss a grievance because it was not filed in accordance with a time frame, and another where a shop steward's purse was stolen and the union didn't adequately support her, emphasizing the need for better grievance procedures and protection of letter carriers. Crucially, he points out instances where management tried to manipulate the process and the union leadership either failed to act or acted in ways that didn't protect the workers.

A significant portion is dedicated to criticizing the union's current approach to non-compliance with grievance settlements. Corey stresses the union's failure to enforce cease-and-desist orders as a major point of weakness.

He critiques the lack of transparency within the union's leadership, particularly in negotiations. He notes the union's financial strength while advocating for the prioritization of the letter carriers' needs. He calls out the current leadership for perceived cowardice, poor handling of cases and a lack of support for their members. He links this critique to the notion of a "ground-roots uprising" as a means of driving change.

Corey concludes with a passionate and militant call for a strong union and a change in leadership. He previews future episodes on additional grievances and emphasizes his commitment to continuing the podcast's focus on educating and empowering letter carriers to stand up to management.

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Episode 130: Is it better to out-monster the monster or to be quietly devoured? Making sure we all have a seat at the NALC table! Dec 11, 2023

Show notes

This episode of From A to Arbitration is a passionate discussion on the state of the NALC, focusing on the need for change and accountability within its leadership. Corey begins by acknowledging listener feedback and announcing plans for future episodes, notably on Act of God and hour office time grievances.

The episode's central theme is a critique of the current union leadership, particularly their perceived lack of support for rank-and-file members, and potentially a lack of transparency in negotiations. Corey uses the metaphor of being "quietly devoured" by a powerful adversary to describe the union's position, arguing that the current leadership is not adequately representing the city letter carriers' needs. He accuses union leaders of enabling, or at least failing to address, abusive management behaviors and argues that this stems from a lack of sufficient understanding of the realities faced by letter carriers on the front lines.

The episode includes a reading of a letter from a member expressing deep disappointment in the lack of representation for women in the union, and specifically black women, in positions of authority and decision-making. Corey uses the letter to underscore a larger issue of inclusivity and fairness within the union, highlighting potential discrimination.

The discussion also delves into Corey's frustrations with the union's perceived inaction on various issues, including a specific case concerning the falsification of employee records, highlighting the perceived lack of action against bad management practices and the union's potentially complicit role in enabling these behaviors. A call for a more militant and transparent approach is repeated throughout, emphasizing the need for a new leadership regime committed to the interests of the city letter carriers.

The episode concludes with additional previews of future episodes, including Corey's closing argument in a previous arbitration case and a deeper dive into other grievances, showcasing Corey's resolute advocacy for the letter carriers. Corey's criticism of the union is rooted in his desire for a more militant and transparent union, one that truly represents the needs of the rank and file rather than the interests of its leaders or those of postal management.

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Episode 129: Let's Talk Dec 04, 2023

Show notes

This episode of From A to Arbitration is a passionate and critical review of the current state of the NALC, focusing on Corey's frustration with union leadership and management. Corey apologizes for the lack of intro music due to a recent move and technical difficulties.

The episode begins with a discussion of a recent article in the postal record, and a cease and desist argument that was raised by the B team. Corey challenges the union's leadership for allowing this watered-down language (instead of a strong cease and desist), which he argues places the union at a disadvantage. He critiques the union's leadership for being too passive and compliant with management, arguing that this is a direct detriment to the letter carriers.

The episode further dissects the problems with the current grievance processes, including cases of alleged noncompliance with arbitration decisions and Corey's dissatisfaction with the lack of consistent support from union leadership. He expresses deep concern about the ongoing harm to letter carriers, who he feels are being neglected and abused by the union's current leadership.

Corey highlights several examples of grievances and arbitration cases. He critiques the handling of a case of falsified clock rings, emphasizing that management's failure to take responsibility and the union's acquiescence to this. This is a critical theme of Corey's discussion – Corey points to examples where he believes management violated the union contract but the union failed to adequately address the issue.

Further, he addresses the issue of understaffing and overwork, noting that the union leadership hasn't addressed these problems effectively. He then shares a story and critiques management's actions, stating that management is likely intentionally obstructing carriers from successfully completing their tasks, which undermines the overall work structure.

Corey concludes with a passionate call for change, highlighting the need for a militant and actively engaged union leadership. He emphasizes the need for a union that protects its members' rights and fights for better working conditions. The episode closes with Corey presenting several specific grievances and the need for organized and thorough documentation.

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Episode 128: Salted Peanuts Nov 20, 2023

Show notes

This episode of From A to Arbitration is a passionate discussion on the state of the NALC, focusing on the need for change, particularly within the union's leadership. Corey begins by acknowledging technical difficulties with the audio and previews upcoming episodes focused on specific arbitration cases.

The episode centers on Corey's frustration with the union's current leadership and their handling of various issues, notably the lack of support for letter carriers. He criticizes the union for allowing management to dictate terms and for not adequately representing members' concerns, notably those relating to grievances that Corey feels have been handled poorly.

Corey utilizes specific examples of recent arbitration cases and grievance settlements to highlight the issues with the union's current leadership, particularly the perceived cowardice and a lack of proactive action against management's tactics. He argues that the union's current approach to negotiations, which he frames as overly cautious, is ultimately detrimental to letter carriers.

He advocates for a more militant and aggressive approach, calling on union leaders and members to prioritize the needs of city letter carriers. This includes demands for more proactive, educated stewards and business agents who understand the issues facing their members. He critiques a perceived prioritization of money-saving measures above the rights and needs of the carriers, arguing that a strong union would aggressively pursue all reasonable grievances.

Corey presents a series of examples, like a pre-arbitration settlement that doesn't include cease and desist language, to support his claim that the union has allowed itself to be manipulated into less favorable terms. He uses the "art of war" metaphor to illustrate the current leadership's failure to understand and confront the enemy (management) effectively. He also highlights instances where union leadership has not adequately investigated or supported members facing harassment or abuse, claiming these are further indicators of a weak and ineffectual union.

The episode concludes with a call for a new, militant union, urging the audience to vote for leaders who will fight for the letter carriers' rights, and previews the upcoming episode on Act of God grievances. A key theme throughout is Corey's deep dissatisfaction with the current state of the union and his advocacy for a fundamental change in leadership and strategy.

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Episode 127: Salted peanuts...kinda Nov 13, 2023

Show notes

This episode of From A to Arbitration is a highly critical and passionate discussion of Corey's frustrations with the current state of the NALC, particularly its leadership and handling of grievances. Corey begins by acknowledging technical difficulties and previews upcoming episodes on emergency placement cases and clock ring falsification.

The episode's core theme is Corey's profound dissatisfaction with the union's leadership, which he characterizes as cowardly and lacking in proactive measures against management's increasingly aggressive tactics. He uses a metaphor from the movie "300" to describe the current situation. He asserts that the union is being quietly devoured by management, highlighting instances of the union leadership allowing management to violate contracts with impunity. He criticizes this as a double standard, where management is protected and letter carriers are not.

The episode features a significant critique of the union's B-team decisions. Corey dissects several B-team decisions and pre-arbitration settlements that, in his opinion, significantly favor management, accusing the union leadership of acquiescing to management's demands to avoid costly arbitrations. He calls this out as a direct violation of the interests of the letter carriers. He accuses the leadership of being overly concerned with preserving the union's financial well-being instead of actively defending its members.

He offers numerous examples from recent arbitration cases to illustrate his points, emphasizing instances of management lying or obfuscating information, and the lack of a unified or militant stance from the union's leadership.

Corey's frustration is palpable throughout, and he repeatedly urges a shift in the union's approach to become more aggressive and protective of its members' rights. He concludes by announcing future episodes dedicated to specific topics and expressing his strong desire for a militant union, one that is actively fighting for its members' interests.

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Episode 126: Conditioning the frog Nov 06, 2023

Show notes

This episode of From A to Arbitration is a passionate and critical assessment of the current state of the NALC, focusing on Corey's frustration with union leadership and management tactics. Corey begins by thanking Ron Speakman for a recent podcast appearance and previews upcoming episodes on emergency placement cases and the falsification of time records.

The central theme of the episode is a strong critique of the union's leadership for perceived inaction and poor advocacy, particularly regarding management's implementation of policies. Corey argues that management is more effectively communicating and strategizing their positions, while the union leadership is not adequately preparing members to fight back. He specifically criticizes the union's handling of issues like hour office time, stationary events, load times, and the lack of a unified or aggressive stance on those grievances.

Corey highlights several documented instances of management violating the contract and the union's seemingly passive response. He argues that management's actions are not only detrimental to the letter carriers but are also a calculated strategy to undermine the union's position, comparing the current situation to the "frog in the boiling water" analogy. He emphasizes how the union has allowed management to successfully manipulate and condition the workforce into accepting these practices by not fighting back early enough.

The episode concludes with a call for more militant action from the union leadership. Corey implores members to support a new leadership team capable of effectively opposing management and advocating for the city letter carriers. He stresses the need for a proactive approach and for members to educate themselves on their rights and how to challenge management's actions. He highlights recent arbitration decisions that support the union's position and provides specifics on how to structure future grievances to effectively challenge management's tactics and policies, highlighting the importance of education and proactively seeking out ways to stand against management's abuses.

http://www.fromatoarbitration.com/

Episode 125: Salted Peanuts Oct 30, 2023

Show notes

This episode of From A to Arbitration is a passionate and critical analysis of the NALC's current leadership and its handling of grievances. Corey begins by apologizing for the abbreviated format due to a technical issue, and previews upcoming episodes on emergency placement and clock ring falsification.

The episode pivots to a discussion of the perceived double standard between management's treatment of letter carriers and the union's response to documented grievances. Corey argues that the union contract, while intending to protect carriers, inadvertently safeguards management from accountability in many situations. He highlights a lack of proactive measures and education from union leadership, leading to a situation where carriers are being bullied.

He dissects specific examples of grievances, emphasizing how the union's current approach fails to adequately address instances of management misconduct. Corey argues that management often attempts to dismiss grievances by claiming no financial harm occurred, contrasting this with the often significant and lasting harm faced by letter carriers due to unfair practices, intimidation, and harassment.

The episode's core theme is a call for the union to adopt a more aggressive and militant stance against management's abuse of power. He criticizes the union's leaders for complacency and for not adequately educating letter carriers on their rights and how to challenge management's actions. He uses specific examples like the falsification of time records (including heat illness training) and the implementation of new policies (like the "hour office time" rule) to demonstrate how management is gaining the upper hand.

Corey presents several recent B-team decisions as evidence of the union's lack of assertiveness, lamenting the watered-down language that fails to adequately hold management accountable. He contrasts this with how he, as a representative, would approach these situations, advocating for a more militant and assertive strategy. He urges listeners to prepare for future challenges by educating themselves on their rights, using past arbitration decisions as a resource.

The episode concludes with a passionate call to action, urging members to support a new union leadership more committed to the needs of the city letter carriers. He emphasizes the need for a militant union with leaders who will proactively address management's abuses and actively fight for the protection of their members.

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Episode 124: Salted peanuts with an emphasis on Management instructing us to curtail mail forcing us into an undertime status. Oct 23, 2023

Show notes

This episode of From A to Arbitration is a passionate discussion on Corey's frustration with the NALC's leadership and management's tactics, primarily concerning the curtailment of mail to force carriers into undertime status. Corey begins by thanking Ron Speakman and previews upcoming episodes.

The episode's core focus is Corey's criticism of management's tactics and the union's perceived lack of effective response. Corey argues that management is strategically using mail curtailment and route adjustments to create undertime situations for carriers, which is a violation of the contract, and that the union's leadership isn't adequately defending its members. He presents several specific examples from B-team decisions and arbitration cases where carriers were instructed to curtail mail, forcing them into undertime.

The episode includes detailed analyses of contractual provisions (like Article 41), arbitration decisions, and the lack of clear guidance and proactive measures from the union. Corey highlights instances where he believes management is deliberately trying to circumvent the contract to avoid overtime pay, and the union has allowed this to happen.

A significant portion is dedicated to dissecting how management's actions violate specific articles and sections of the contract. Corey presents multiple examples from arbitration decisions to support his argument that management has violated their obligations, including the lack of notice for adjustments, the use of inaccurate workload projections, and the failure of local officials to adequately support their members in the face of these situations. Corey argues that the union's inadequate response, relying on general language rather than precise cease-and-desist orders, has left carriers vulnerable.

The episode concludes with a passionate plea for a more militant approach within the union, especially from the business agents' offices. Corey expresses dissatisfaction with a lack of education and proactive measures from the union's leadership and emphasizes his belief in a more aggressive, proactive strategy. Corey foreshadows future episodes by outlining topics like the grievances of the month and the need to hold management accountable, while simultaneously highlighting his belief in the necessity for a stronger and more unified union.

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Episode 123: My opinion, The Observer, Management weaponizing the 1838c Oct 16, 2023

Show notes

This episode of From A to Arbitration is a passionate discussion on Corey's frustration with management tactics and the union's response. Corey begins by acknowledging a recent technical difficulty and previews upcoming episodes on emergency placement and time record falsification grievances.

The episode's core focus is on Corey's critique of the NALC leadership for perceived inaction and insufficient support for letter carriers. He argues that management is strategically using certain processes, like 1838Cs (efficiency counts), to intimidate carriers and unfairly exert control over their work schedules. He also criticizes management for not adequately preparing the union to handle these tactics.

He discusses the importance of carriers understanding their rights concerning 1838Cs and the need for union representatives to proactively educate and support their members against potential abuses of power.

Corey presents several examples from various arbitration cases. He cites instances where management may have violated the contract but that the union didn't adequately respond, highlighting the importance of having clear and specific arguments in grievances and arbitrations. He emphasizes the need for the union to proactively challenge management's actions by citing relevant contract language, precedents, and past arbitration awards as a means of bolstering the union's position.

A central theme of the episode is Corey's dissatisfaction with the union's passive response to management's aggressive tactics. He advocates for a more proactive, educated, and unified response from the union to hold management accountable. Corey stresses the importance of a stronger union stance and highlights the need for immediate action to counteract management's perceived abuses. The episode ends with a preview of future episodes and a call to action, encouraging listeners to educate themselves and prepare for future challenges.

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Episode 122: Additional charges against our President and Executive Vice President. My pound of flesh Oct 10, 2023

Show notes

This episode of From A to Arbitration is a passionate and critical discussion of the NALC's leadership and its handling of recent issues, particularly Corey's grievances regarding the union's current approach. Corey begins by acknowledging a technical difficulty and previews the focus on specific arbitration cases.

The central theme is a critique of the current union leadership for perceived inaction, cronyism, and a failure to adequately represent the interests of letter carriers. Corey argues that the current leadership is failing to protect members from increasingly aggressive management tactics. He presents numerous examples of situations where management is circumventing the contract, including the intentional falsification of records, inconsistent disciplinary actions, and a general lack of transparency in negotiations. He accuses the current leadership of potentially colluding with management to favor their own interests over the membership.

The episode delves into specific grievances, including Corey's own frustration with the way management has handled situations, as well as grievances raised by other members (which Corey relays). The discussion delves into the perceived unfairness of the current system where management can act without facing serious repercussions.

Corey emphasizes that the union's current leadership appears uninterested in addressing these issues, using examples from recent arbitration decisions to highlight the union's apparent failures and what he sees as management's successful use of certain tactics. He criticizes the union's response to these tactics, noting that the union often chooses to avoid direct confrontation with management in order to avoid possible negative consequences. He also discusses how the union's leadership might be losing touch with the realities faced by letter carriers on the ground.

The episode closes with a passionate call for change within the union and a stronger advocate role, urging listeners to consider what they want from their leadership in the upcoming elections. Corey highlights the importance of supporting a more militant union leadership, urging members to be vigilant about the union's actions and advocating for leaders who understand the needs and concerns of city letter carriers. He previews future episodes on additional grievance topics, expressing a commitment to continue educating and empowering the membership.

http://www.fromatoarbitration.com/

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