This is a "CCA Corner" mailbag episode featuring Leo, a newly elected CCA steward from Philadelphia. Badmouth and Mallory begin by apologizing for the infrequent uploads, citing personal life events such as moves. Leo, the guest, shares their background as a practicing attorney before transitioning to a career as a letter carrier. They describe their current work environment as overwhelmingly busy due to handling all Amazon deliveries at their station and frequent changes in management. They exp...
Mar 25, 2025•33 min
In this emergency edition of From A to Arbitration, Corey expresses strong disapproval of the recent stipulated arbitration award, which he believes was a predetermined outcome orchestrated by the union president (Brian Renfroe) and postal management (Doug Tulino). Corey, joined by NALC Vice President James Henry, analyzes the award, highlighting its unusual features, such as a remarkably short timeframe for mediation (only two days) and the arbitrator's apparent acceptance of the union's origin...
Mar 25, 2025•1 hr 30 min
In this episode, Corey discusses several critical issues facing city letter carriers, including management's increasing scrutiny regarding seat belt usage and the use of telematics. He emphasizes that the use of telematics for seat belt monitoring is a new tactic employed by management, and he argues it's a violation of the contract and a breach of procedural due process. Corey highlights multiple points in the National Agreement that he believes management is skirting to justify disciplinary ac...
Mar 24, 2025•1 hr 14 min
This is a profanity-free podcast episode focusing on six-day route count procedures. Corey begins by thanking Mallory and encouraging donations to her. He then updates listeners on the Concerned Letter Carriers (CLC) campaign, highlighting fundraising efforts and emphasizing the need for a completely new slate of officers within the NALC, rejecting those who have not actively supported the city letter carrier craft. He promotes CCA Corner and encourages stewards to inform their CCAs about the po...
Mar 18, 2025•1 hr 7 min
Corey begins by stating that he will use profanity in this episode but will not in the following one. He starts by thanking Mallory and encouraging listeners to donate to her through the podcast's website. He then promotes the Concerned Letter Carriers (CLC) campaign, emphasizing the need for fundraising to support the upcoming election and reclaim the union from what he describes as corrupt leadership. Corey discusses the success of the “Dogs of War” initiative, emphasizing its focus on address...
Mar 17, 2025•1 hr 56 min
The episode begins with Corey giving shout-outs to various individuals and branches of the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) for their activism and contributions to the union. He then highlights upcoming rallies against the privatization of the United States Postal Service (USPS), providing details on dates, times, locations, and purposes. A significant portion is dedicated to promoting and explaining "Dogs of War," a new initiative to improve the union's success rate in arbitration...
Mar 09, 2025•1 hr 50 min
This episode is a fiery and lengthy discussion, focused on Corey's intense frustration with the union's leadership and management's ongoing violations of the contract. Corey begins by thanking a previous guest and highlighting Mallory's crucial role in maintaining the website and her community engagement. He encourages listeners to support her efforts by utilizing a provided "tip jar" on the website. The episode then delves into Corey's personal experiences with union leadership, particularly a ...
Mar 03, 2025•1 hr 46 min
This episode focuses on the concept of "opting" for hold-down assignments for CCA's. Badmouth and Mallory begin by explaining the Joint Contract Administration Manual (JCAM) and its role in interpreting the national agreement. The central topic is the rights and procedures associated with opting, including eligibility requirements (full-time reserves, full-time flexibles, unassigned regulars, and predominantly CCAs). They clarify that opting is for the duration of the assignment, with certain ex...
Feb 27, 2025•35 min
This episode is an extended discussion, featuring multiple guests, on the upcoming arbitration proceedings and the broader context of the potential threat to the USPS. James Henry emphasizes unity and solidarity among NALC members, regardless of branch or political affiliation, in response to perceived threats to the postal service, particularly the potential for privatization and the removal of the Postal Board of Governors. He stresses the need for collective action and cautions against intern...
Feb 24, 2025•2 hr 45 min
This episode features a discussion about expedited arbitration, focusing on concerns raised by members regarding the process. Charlie Miller, a seasoned union representative, addresses these concerns, explaining the expedited arbitration process and emphasizing the importance of understanding the potential risks and benefits. He highlights the lack of transparency in expedited proceedings, contrasting them with traditional arbitration. Charlie also discusses the larger context of the USPS's pote...
Feb 22, 2025•56 min
This episode discusses the upcoming arbitration proceedings between the NALC and the USPS. Corey expresses deep dissatisfaction with the NALC president's handling of negotiations, criticizing the low offer (1.3%) received after over six hundred days of talks. Corey believes Renfroe failed to negotiate effectively and believes the offer was intentionally timed to force arbitration. He recounts the history of the dispute, emphasizing past arbitration failures, and the union's decision to proceed t...
Feb 19, 2025•27 min
This episode of the CCA Corner podcast features an interview with Emily, a newly converted PTF (previously CCA) from Cincinnati. The discussion focuses on union involvement and the importance of CCAs attending branch meetings. Emily shares her experience successfully passing a resolution for a "no" vote on the recent tentative agreement (TA) at her branch. She emphasizes that despite personally benefiting from the TA, she voted no due to its inadequate address of CCA issues, particularly the low...
Feb 19, 2025•37 min
This episode focuses on the detrimental actions of current NALC leadership, specifically President Brian Renfroe and Executive Vice President Paul Barner, and contrasts their behavior with the proactive, carrier-focused approach of the Concerned Letter Carriers (CLC). Corey details the CLC's recent training efforts, emphasizing their commitment to educating members and preparing them for future leadership roles. He criticizes Renfroe and Barner for their opposition to grievances and arbitrations...
Feb 18, 2025•1 hr 43 min
This episode delves into the intricacies of the six-day count process, focusing on management's review requirements after route adjustments and the importance of meticulous form review to prevent manipulation of carrier time. Corey emphasizes the necessity of filing grievances if management fails to review routes or make necessary adjustments after an initial adjustment. He advises waiting 60-75 days post-adjustment to file, allowing carriers time to acclimate to the route and gather strong evid...
Feb 10, 2025•1 hr
This episode features an interview with Tyler Vasseur, a leader of the Build a Fighting NALC (BFN) movement. The discussion focuses on the successful "Vote No" campaign against the recent tentative agreement, the NALC leadership's response, and BFN's plans for the future. Corey begins by praising BFN's efforts and highlighting Mallory's call for members to submit educational resources to the From A to Arbitration website. He then introduces Tyler, commending his courage and leadership. Tyler dis...
Feb 06, 2025•46 min
This episode of the CCA Corner features an interview with James Henry, the current NALC Vice President and presidential nominee for the CLC ticket in the 2026 election. The discussion centers around Henry's background, the CLC's platform, and their plans to address concerns relevant to City Carrier Assistants (CCAs). Henry details his extensive union experience, starting as a shop steward and rising through the ranks to National Vice President, emphasizing his commitment to member education and ...
Feb 05, 2025•1 hr 29 min
This episode focuses on the current state of the NALC, criticizing President Brian Renfroe's leadership and the recently rejected tentative agreement. Corey argues that Renfroe's statements about getting every possible penny from negotiations undermined the union's position and led to a poor agreement. He expresses anger over the low pay raise, the continued existence of CCAs, and other unfavorable terms, accusing Renfreo, Tulino, and DeJoy of "stealing" from letter carriers. He praises the memb...
Feb 04, 2025•1 hr 16 min
Two episodes are previewed: one with James Henry discussing the rejected NALC/USPS tentative agreement (TA), and another covering various topics like a retirement dinner and grievance payouts. Corey thanks his helpers for fixing his tech issues, enabling him to address a message backlog. He praises Henry's integrity and anticipates a strong discussion about the TA rejection, which Henry interprets as a clear message for better terms regarding workforce, hours, and pay. Henry argues letter carrie...
Feb 03, 2025•1 hr 9 min
Corey celebrates the city letter carriers' overwhelming rejection of the proposed tentative agreement with the United States Postal Service. He frames this as a historic moment, a declaration of war against both the Postal Service and their own union leadership, particularly President Brian Renfroe. Corey accuses Renfroe of being a "failed leader," "reckless," "clueless," and a "danger" to the union. He criticizes Renfroe for initially praising the TA as "historic" and the "best offer" while lat...
Feb 01, 2025•22 min
This episode of the CCA Corner podcast features an interview with Gus, an OJI trainer and academy instructor in Boston. Gus emphasizes that new CCAs often overstress about memorizing the case at the academy. Instead, he recommends focusing on learning the process of casing mail efficiently, such as starting with bundled flats, then larger flats, and finally letters. He also highlights the regional variations in postal terminology and encourages new hires to ask questions and not compare themselv...
Jan 24, 2025•24 min
Corey provides a link to his recent in-depth interview with Ron Speakman. He emphasizes the importance of honesty and transparency in his own commentary and discusses the ongoing challenges facing letter carriers. The episode features: Shoutouts: Recognition for dedicated union stewards, educators, and organizers. Fundraising Announcements: Information on upcoming fundraisers, including a bowl-a-thon for MDA and a scholarship fundraiser. James Henry's Response to California Wildfires: Corey prai...
Jan 20, 2025•59 min
In this episode, we sit down with Alan Gegax, from Classes of Mail. The interview discusses the treatment of City Carrier Assistants (CCAs), and the perception of CCA treatment from the East Coast. Gegax argues that CCAs are often mistreated by management and that the union does not do enough to protect them. He also discusses the importance of education and empowerment for CCAs. This comprehensive discussion gives a unique perspective toward perception of the CCA position, the union itself, and...
Jan 15, 2025•58 min
This episode of CCA Corner provides a comprehensive guide for new City Carrier Assistants (CCAs) navigating their first 90 days at the post office. It covers both office and street procedures, emphasizing safety, accuracy, and the importance of union membership, and includes a guest feature from Richie Ray, host of Hot House with Richie Ray. Office Procedures: We discuss the initial stress of the office environment, dealing with management, and the varying helpfulness of colleagues. It highlight...
Jan 15, 2025•54 min
This episode discusses the ongoing conflict between city letter carriers and postal service management, focusing on management's manipulation of clock rings to falsely reduce recorded office time. Corey criticizes Renfroe for his inaction and perceived complicity with management, endorsing James Henry as the next president. Corey details a specific arbitration case where management falsified over 480 hours of clock ring data, highlighting management's dishonesty and the union's struggle to hold ...
Jan 13, 2025•1 hr 38 min
This episode of From A to Arbitration is a "hodgepodge" of information: Corey provides updates on the upcoming release of his episode of Fed Up, and the increasingly popular CCA Corner. He then covers several topics: shout-outs to union leaders Ivan Butts (NAPS) and Chris Kelly (former NALC Branch 459); an email from management emphasizing safety and outlining disciplinary actions for distracted driving, which Corey criticizes as punitive rather than corrective, which violates contract language;...
Jan 07, 2025•1 hr 6 min
In this episode of the CCA Corner, Badmouth and Mallory discuss the recent increase in "safety blitzes" conducted by management. We break down common violations, delve into the M-41 handbook for safe driving procedures, and provide essential tips for staying safe and avoiding disciplinary action. In this episode: • Understanding Safety Blitzes: Learn how management is observing carriers and what they're looking for. • M-41 Mastery: We explore key sections of the M-41 manual, including safe drivi...
Jan 01, 2025•49 min
Guest David Noble discusses the flaws in the recently negotiated tentative agreement (TA), arguing that President Renfroe's use of statistics is misleading and that he failed to account for the $3,369 loss in purchasing power since the last contract. Noble explains the three ways letter carriers receive pay increases (general wage increases, cost of living allowances, and step increases), highlighting how the TA fails to adequately address inflation, particularly for CCAs who receive no step inc...
Dec 31, 2024•1 hr 5 min
This episode of "From A to Arbitration" is a shorter episode due to a scheduling conflict, featuring updates on upcoming appearances on other podcasts and a tribute to retiring NALC member AJ Breaux. Corey discusses the ongoing vote on the tentative agreement, expressing strong disapproval and criticizing the current NALC leadership's dishonesty. He encourages a "no" vote, emphasizing the importance of fighting for better conditions despite the risks of arbitration. The episode includes shout-ou...
Dec 30, 2024•1 hr 8 min
This episode of "From A to Arbitration" features James Henry and various members of the Concerned Letter Carriers (CLC) slate advocating for a "no" vote on the proposed tentative agreement, citing its inadequacy in addressing letter carriers' needs. CLC members detail their backgrounds and reasons for supporting Henry's candidacy in the 2026 NALC election, emphasizing his integrity, arbitration expertise, and commitment to fighting for better wages, working conditions, and union reform. The disc...
Dec 16, 2024•1 hr 52 min
This episode of "From A to Arbitration" discusses the ongoing issue of 16.7 violations, emphasizing the need for business agents to provide guidance to their members and highlighting management's tactics for targeting letter carriers. Corey analyzes a document outlining management's safety initiative, which he criticizes for its potential to be weaponized against carriers and for its failure to address the inherent problems of a toxic work environment created by management. He strongly advises c...
Dec 16, 2024•1 hr 18 min
