This episode addresses the reaction to the tentative agreement and provides further education on 6-day counts, focusing on strategies for challenging management's actions during route inspections. Corey begins with listener shout-outs and promotes several podcasts focused on union issues. He then clarifies that he has not blocked any emails sent to his fromatoarbitration.com address; the issue is a full inbox preventing notification of incoming messages. He announces a new monthly podcast segment dedicated to CCA issues, emphasizing the importance of supporting and empowering CCAs.
Corey expresses his strong disapproval of the tentative agreement, characterizing it as a major setback for letter carriers. He criticizes those who attempt to justify the agreement based on the postal service's financial situation, arguing that the postal service's mismanagement is to blame and that letter carriers should not bear the burden of those failures. He points out several concerning aspects of the agreement, such as the retention of the CCA position, the inadequate pay increases, and the lack of meaningful improvements to the grievance process and the lack of attention paid to the issue of non-compliance with existing agreements and settlements. He emphasizes that the agreement is a direct result of the current union leadership's cowardice and inaction and predicts that the members will overwhelmingly reject it.
He then shifts to providing detailed instructions on how to effectively respond to management's attempts to manipulate data and impose arbitrary time limits during 6-day counts. He highlights the importance of understanding the relevant handbook provisions, meticulous record-keeping, and assertive advocacy in challenging management actions. He discusses several arbitration cases, emphasizing the recurring themes of management's disregard for established procedures, the significance of carrier input in route adjustments, and the need to actively challenge management's time deductions and their use of averages to evaluate routes.
Corey addresses the issue of management's use of the scanner data to monitor and discipline carriers, emphasizing that this constitutes a violation of the M-39 handbook, section 134, and that GPS data cannot be the sole determinant for disciplinary actions. He provides specific examples of how management uses this data to harass and intimidate carriers and emphasizes the need for strong, proactive responses, and he provides detailed instructions on how to complete the necessary forms, emphasizing the importance of accurately recording all time entries, challenging management's time deductions, and maintaining consistency in daily work practices during the inspection week. He highlights the importance of documenting any instances of management misconduct and using that documentation to file grievances.
Corey then provides advice on how to deal with chronic liars and those exhibiting narcissistic tendencies, drawing on his experience in arbitration. He emphasizes the importance of gathering irrefutable evidence to counter their claims, using that evidence to effectively challenge their statements, expose their contradictions, and discredit their testimony. Corey concludes by urging members to remain engaged, to actively participate in the upcoming “Vote No” campaign, and to prepare for a more assertive and militant approach to contract negotiations under the new CLC leadership. He promises to continue providing educational resources and support to members and emphasizes the importance of prioritizing the needs and rights of the city letter carriers above all else.
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