The Scribe's Corner

Eric Jackson

Branch Vice-President

April 2021

New year, new district manager, same old bull! I have come to the realization that postal management will never appreciate its workforce. But thank God for NALC.

Hopefully, when you read this article, the membership will have ratified another hard fought-for contract. These contracts only come about through a lot of hard work and preparation. What we must all remember is that gains through negotiations take generations. In the last contract, a workroom floor task force was established. Now watch as the NALC builds on this. While it takes two sides to “tango,” a mechanism must be in place for our workroom floor issues to be addressed contractually.

NALC has provided us with language and binding agreements at every turn (COVID-19). But without our stewards, without our experienced carriers, without all of you, this can be minimized. We need the next generation of leaders to step up before things become critical. When someone complains to me about their office, after trying to help, I always ask, “Why don’t you become a shop steward? We will train you.” Unfortunately, they act as if it is our job. But it is everyone’s job! We are only as good as our collective efforts. The current stewards are doing their best. And some offices do not have stewards. One the best characteristics of leadership is preparing the next leaders. President Les Dillman speaks on this daily.

So, when the weather gets a little better, and management drives around trying to catch you doing something wrong, remember a few things. Their lazy asses are only there when it is convenient for them. Remember us, the people risking our lives diligently and literally daily? Remember the insane hours we were forced to work? Thank you, letter carriers

. #PleaseLookAfterOneAnother #AttendanceIsTheHotIssue #LetterCarriersAreEssential

March 2021

New year new district manager same old bull! I have come to the realization that postal management will never appreciate its workforce. But thank God for NALC!

Hopefully when you read this article the membership will have ratified another hard fought-for contract. These contracts only come about through a lot of hard work and preparation. What we must all remember is that gains through negotiations take generations. In the last contract, a workroom floor task force was established. Now watch as NALC builds on this. While it takes two sides to “tango,” a mechanism must be in place for our workroom floor issues to be addressed contractually. NALC has provided us with language and binding agreements at every turn (COVID-19). But without our stewards, without our experienced carriers, without all of you, this can be minimized.

We need the next generation of leaders to step up before things become critical. When someone complains to me about their office, after trying to help, I always ask, “Why don’t you become shop steward? We will train you.” Unfortunately, they act as if it is our job. But it is everyone’s job! We are only as good as our collective efforts. The current stewards are doing their best. And some offices do not have stewards. One the best characteristics of leadership is preparing the next leaders. President Les Dillman speaks on this daily. So, when the weather gets a little better, and management drives around trying to catch you doing some thing wrong, remember a few things. Their lazy asses are only there when it is convenient for them. Remember us, the people risking our lives diligently and literally daily? Remember the insane hours we were forced to work? Thank you, letter carriers!

#PleaseLookAfterOneAnother

#AttendanceIsTheHotIssue

#LetterCarriersAreEssential

January 2021
Happy New Year! 2020, haul A$$! 2020 was a challenge to everyone. But if we are reading this, we are here, dammit! I am so proud of how we all handled this unprecedented challenge. Branch 725 moves on to the next great challenges that will undoubtedly present themselves. And President Les Dillman and his executive board will do their best to meet those challenges.

But COVID-19 is still rearing its ugly head. So, let us finish strongly to protect the health and welfare of our membership. You are and will always be heroes! No one can take that away from you. So, let’s use this strength as body amour for the things that we know the company will throw at us.

A long journey led to us having a proposed new contract. Let us move forward in unity to strengthen our resolve for future challenges. So now when management does their driver observations, etc., they should seem so minor compared to COVID-19. When management tries to take advantage of us during a walk, let’ s think about COVID-19. Whatever they will try to bring to us, we are armored in knowing that we were there when the country needed us. And now, do not play with us. But you know they will.
Thanks to Les Dillman and his leadership along the way. And to all of the thankless work that your shop stewards put in. We love you, shop stewards! And to the members. The executive board could not be prouder to serve such deserving people! You are why we are here. And we will never lose focus of that. But keep this in mind: We have a new district manager. POOMs have been moving around. So, you know what that means....

#Let’sStayTogether #TogetherWeCanMoveMountains
#AMountainWithoutFissuresWon’tBreak
Let’s just love!


December 2020
Happy holidays! During this season more than most, we appreciate it this year because of all that this year has entailed. The pandemic remains a great challenge for us. Because of this, our MOUs most likely will be extended for another period. These MOUs have protected our members through this challenging time.

Through this storm, we have endured again. NALC has made the case for us in arbitration for our new contract. While most members take this process for granted, I must tell you that it is the culmination of all the time since our last contract. This is what the NALC excels at. So, rest assured that we will prevail.

The big news since our last “talk” is that this country elected the NALC-endorsed 46th president of the United States of America. The impact is great for us. We went from an anti-union administration to a pro-union administration. So, we will be able to play offense instead of being on the defense.

As carriers, we often do not understand the big picture. The importance of our legislative efforts, our Letter Carrier Political Fund (LCPF), and its impact. These things become evident when we win a presidential election. But all elections are important. NALC has always taught us that our relationships (established through lobbying efforts) over the years always pay off.

During the pandemic, most of our customers have recognized our value. They really relied on us with regard to the ballots. I could not have been more proud of our members and how we as a union (and company) handled the political football that was the ballots. There is no way that anyone can blame theworking men and women of the Postal Service. Instead, I salute all of you!

#PleaseStaySafe #TheBestIsYetToCome
#LoveOnOurCCAs #YouAreThePostalService


November 2020

During this month of Thanksgiving, President Les Dillman and the executive board would like to thank each member of this branch. This has been a most challenging year for us all. But we cannot gloss over one of the most obvious acknowledgments. And that is to give thanks to one another. Yes, we have been pulled in all directions by the ramifications of this pandemic. We are tired, overworked and under-appreciated by postal management. But let us not be like them!

We have done our best to get every member the service provided to each carrier through the various memorandums agreed to by NALC/USPS. Many members have had to stay home for various reasons. Instead of judging them, let us understand them. For that could very well be you told to quarantine or left without childcare because of the pandemic. And praise to all the other members forced to work extraordinary hours. I have noticed the short tempers and frustration that this has caused. Let us just be mindful that our unity and resilience are some of our most valued characteristics.

Many of our offices were so short-handed that managers had to carry mail. I wasted no time in trying to organize a “carry off” with my postmaster and another. I could not resist the opportunity to let them know that we are working 12 hours a day. If they took 10 hours to work what it takes for us to work five hours, then do not act like you have street credibility with us (LOL). But through it all, I would like to share with you what was asked of me by my postmaster: “What does your check look like?” “It looks like I have been working harder than you!”

#WeAreBranch725AndProudOfIt!#WeThankYouBecauseWithoutYouThereIsNoUs!


October 2020

Southeast Pennsylvania Merged We are enduring unprecedented times in the Post Office. NALC has spent millions of dollars and so many hours trying to bring awareness to our issues. Then we get a new postmaster general (and all the political ramifications), and voilà, we are the news. Our plight was the No. 1 story nightly. But all of our hard work did not fall on deaf ears. When the politicians talked, they knew our issues from all of our lobbying efforts. Every customer wants to know our story and blame anything that happens to us on the current administration in the White House.

NALC has asked us to not say negative things about the company online and on camera like our sister unions. We are still in negotiations for a new contract. NALC chooses to keep those words in-house. And with our union set to go to arbitration for our next contract, we must be strategic. So please be careful to not get roped into an uncomfortable interview. Our problem has been staffing. Once the pandemic hit, we were not able to fill positions lost through resignations, removals and retirements. All the while, we started our prime-time vacation period. When we “opened” the country back up, we had to start training in a social distancing setting (16 CCAs). But the training teams fell victim to retirements and COVID-19 as well. That left only a few teams to train the new classes. Now, more teams have been trained. We should slowly get our staffing back. In the meantime, we have been challenged by 12-hour days (or more). And routes not going out for days. But we will get past this. What doesn’t kill us will make us stronger that is if we don’t kill each other first (LOL).

#StayUnified


September 2020

Southeast Pennsylvania Merged Challenge given challenge met! 2020 has been one obstacle after another. And the persistence, perseverance and patience of the letter carriers prevailed once again. Yes, it was tough, but we adjusted and stand at this point ready for the next “thing.” At the beginning of the year, many rumors of the demise of the Postal Service came to the surface. Then the pandemic hit and shook the whole nation. Projections were that without financial assistance, the company would be bankrupt by the end of this month. But we went right out and delivered for America. We were hailed as heroes. Ironically, we are still heroes. But you would never know it, because, as if a switch was flicked, us carriers were vilified again by management. But the new challenge became survival because staffing issues caught up to us, because of the halt to training new carriers due to COVID-19. So, when training started back up, the stuff already had hit the fan. Offices were starting days with more than 20 routes down. Parcels built up and routes did not go out. Mail was brought back daily and became a regular occurrence. And then they brilliantly pushed our start times up. But we pushed through 12-hour days (even on Sundays). Then the 60-hour became relevant. And through all this hard work, we were suddenly not told by management that we were valuable (at the most apparent time). So, when postmasters and supervisors were forced to carry mail, we knew we had reached an apex. Now, the heat, the soreness of our bodies, and general discuss with management became secondary to our lack of days off and that thing called an eight-hour day. And through it all, carriers were fired, quit, retired, and now we are here.

#WeAreReadyForTheNextChallenge#WeWillAlwaysEndure


August 2020

Imagine this: A pandemic hits the world suddenly and the whole country goes into lock-down mode with only essential-service employees going to and from work with a paper verifying that they are indeed allowed to be on the streets coming to and from work.

The employees are lauded as heroes because they are putting their lives and their families' lives at risk. As time goes by, more and more of these dedicated workers still come to work and most work more to make up for those who are not at work. Then suddenly (as if overnight the virus went away), management goes back to their same old tactics. The only thing is, people are still testing positive for the virus weekly. President Les Dillman will tell you that most of his calls are still COVID-19 related. That is, until these management fools turn up their discipline on us. Please stay focused and vigilant. Your health is more important than any games that these weak-minded supervisors may play.

With all that is going on, let us keep our eye on the prize. Please continue to write/email your members of Congress. Through these challenging times, NALC has come through with flying colors, and we all owe a debt of gratitude to President Dillman. He has exhibited patient leadership with a steady hand. And kudos also go out to the executive board and the shop stewards. But what I am most proud of is our membership. Together we have endured. But we are all smart enough to know what comes next. They will bring the noise, but we will bring the funk! We are the ones out there pounding these streets! And without us, this company is nothing.


July 2020

Happy Fourth of July to all of our proud members. We are enduring a most trying time in our country. And letter carriers, along with this great country, are strong. First, we adjust, then we excel. And that's what you've done.

During the pandemic, the greatest threat to our livelihood has been the financial hit taken by the company. This made the USPS seek funding in the first round of stimulus funding. While most private industry received billions, our company was only offered a $10 billion loan. NALC, along with all your help, went on to lobby Congress for monies that we deserve be granted, not loaned. There has been an email / letter-writing campaign daily. The death scenario was / is that without additional funding, the P.O. would run out of money by the end of September. And therefore, all your hard work with political activism is so vital. Whether you are active or retired, there are scenarios out there that can have a grave impact on your future. So, please keep up your good work of writing your representatives when asked by NALC through the NALC Member App. If you have not downloaded it to your phone or computer, please do so. It allows you to stay aware of all things pertaining to your job.

The saving grace has been parcels. They are up more than 50 percent. But parcels alone will not sustain our futures. You will! Your work ethic, integrity and political activism to lobby on our behalf will be key.

So, please understand very clearly, you are the company's most valuable resource. You are the engine. You have been our saving grace. And while "hero" is thrown around loosely now, your resiliency exemplifies what it means. Through rain, sleet, snow and the bull*^t management decisions, you endure!


June 2020

I take my hat off to the most loyal, dependable and prideful employees in the world. Yes, you letter carriers. What you displayed this past to the world and your customers is truly admirable!

Thanks to Branch 725 President Les Dillman, this branch has steadied the ship in the most trying time. Les answered your questions and endured both day/night telecons. And if you think those rules were confusing, then ask Les. He might say yes, but he worked through the initial stages of the pandemic seamlessly.

Also, the stewards did a fantastic job through this trying time. You exhibited leadership that is to be applauded. It's not easy to relay the unpleasant that we had to disseminate. When we talk about heroes, you are among the elite.

Let's be honest, at any time were you scared? I was. But we show the way, not show fear. I saw no fear in my brethren. What people showed were intellectual choices. So many of us support people and family members who have compromising health issues that we had to make choices that place us out of work. I salute you! This issue is no joke. Death is final.

But through it all, stewards (including myself) had to endure more discipline that was place on carriers. Some offices had less awareness for the pandemic. They still practiced their bu@*$^it!

So, among enduring the travails of life, carriers had to endure the travails of the Postal Service. For that, you are to be applauded. Because we all know what that means.

That's why this executive board serves you. We have been and will be there for you until the end.

Let's use this as a steppingstone rather than a boulder!

You held this country together!

#UnityPrevailsThroughChallenges


May 2020

Thank you! I can’t express that strong enough to you. This past month has been one of the most challenging times in the history of this country. And the letter carriers took heroic steps daily to keep this country going. This scenario has been talked about for years and you passed with flying colors! You not only have diligently come to work, but you have bravely done it while adjusting to the most unforeseen of circumstances. The NALC led the way and quickly pressured the USPS to provide supplies for our safety and that measures were taken to help contribute to your safety at the same time.

But it is your patience, understanding, and pride that allowed us to push through the current challenge. You did it through the anthrax scares. You do it every day in the most severe of situations. So, just know your value. You are heroes! You are the bridge that allows our country to get through this trying time.

A huge challenge has been managing rumors. They often are the enemy of progress. The NALC/USPS put out a series of MOUs that set policy in how we were to move forward in this demanding time. They were all geared toward the protection of the letter carriers (their safety, benefits, and welfare). Your President Les Dillman worked tirelessly (taking calls from NALC leadership well into the night). The result was that our branch was well prepared to handle the daily barrage of information.

Unfortunately, this still didn’t deter some managers/supervisors from acting like fools. But they know not what they do. Let’s forgive them for their ignorance where perpetrated. Because if you can’t be understanding and unified in purpose at this time then when? In the end, It’s you! Thank you!!!!!

#LetterCarriersAreUniquelyStrong#TheWholeCountryIsCountingOnUs!



April 2020

Safety! It’s a major priority in the district. The NALC will never disagree with an emphasis being placed on safety. After all, article 14 of the National Agreement addresses safety. Simply put, we want our members to have a lasting and safe experience while at work and beyond. The problem comes with management. They always go too far to make their point. This is when discipline comes into the picture. Many members are being taken off the clock (placed in a non-pay status) when found by management to not be following safety rules. The #1 issue is earbuds and seatbelts. It sounds simple but our members seem to be cutting corners. But in doing so, we can be cutting our lives. The seatbelts work. But until it happens to someone close to us, we seem to think “not us”. Let’s change this way of thinking.

Elsewhere, our greatest challenge has been attendance. But it directly ties to staffing. Many of our members have been so worn out due to so much work that they break down or wear down. The challenge has been unscheduled absences. Please be careful when calling out sick to stay away from social media. Believe it or not, that has been a major problem. We have been battling every attendance discipline but eventually they are removed. So, when a carrier talks about calling out for not the “right” reasons, we must give them tough love and good advice. It sounds hokey, but when a member is removed, it seems to take away a piece of that shop steward that worked harder to save the carrier’s job than they seemed to have.

I would like to thank every member who appeared in the February Postal Record for their contributions to the LCPF!

#LetsNotBeAprilFools



March 2020

Hot Issues! These are the things that management places their laser focus on at the time. Please stop by our branch meetings the 1st Wednesday of every month to hear in more detail. I’ve placed an emphasis on this in the reports to the membership at our meetings because it may help you understand why your offices feel like they are under attack. But please understand one thing every office in the country is “under attack”. Its just the new approach at the higher levels that management has been taking.

Attendance. The focus is for obvious reasons. But the union disagrees with management’s discipline 1st policy on every issue. They are having weekly attendance reviews at the district level. On the telecons, they are ordered to discipline carriers for absences. The problem is that any discipline must be for just cause. And while we are doing great in defending our brethren, we have lost some carriers due to exceptionally bad attendance records. Now, they are trying to write people up for only a few occurrences. Please be careful.

Safety. The district manager has made a new year’s resolution to reduce accidents in the district by 50%. This is a VERY lofty goal. The union would be first in line to reduce accidents of any type by 100%. We would only differ in the tactics used negatively against us and any discipline used to meet their goals.

While these hot issues are very valid and need to be addressed, the NALC prefers a more broad-based approach to reduction of employee absences and safety accidents. Neither of these issues are necessarily the fault of the carrier. Let’s work together!

#IfYouWorkLongExhaustingHoursYouWillBreakDown!

#WorkHarderToGetCarriersToBuyIntoSafety-NotDisciplineOrEmbarassment

We have started our annual Letter Carrier Political Fund Drive. In an election year, it’s most impactful.


January 2020

Happy New Year! The Executive Board and I wish you and your families good health and prosperity in the coming year.

For those of you that have not heard, Rhonda Massari retired as Branch President effective December 31, 2019. So, it gives me great pleasure to address the membership in this first scribe article for the year.

I would like to thank Rhonda for all that she has not only done for the branch but what she has done for me personally. She has served this branch as President for the last four years but also served the NALC for over 30 years. While I’ll be sad to see her go, life must go on for the branch. Fortunately, we planned for this day. We have trained our next generation of leaders well. And now it’s time for them to step up. But again, thank you Rhonda! I always said, “you are the big sister I never had” and you said “you are the little brother I never wanted (LOL). Thanks again for making this transition somewhat seamless for the branch. I also would like to thank two other board members who retired during this past year. Bill Mellon and Gerry Gallagher. Your many years of dedication to this branch will be missed.

I have appointed Eric Jackson as my Vice President. Colleen Haynes will be moving into Eric’s former position as Branch Treasurer. Also, Ed Donahue will be filling Colleen’ s former position as Branch Trustee. With this newly formed executive board, I’m confident we will move into the future with the strength and stability that the membership deserves.

I am aware of all the challenges that we face as a branch. But together we move without fear!
​
Great things happen when people work together.

Les Dillman, President Branch 725

December 2019
Happy holidays from the Executive Board of Branch 725. While this month is a busy one for all of us, let’s focus on the most important thing… our families. From Thanksgiving through the new year, these times reenergize us for all the challenges that we face. But none of this means anything if you don’t have anyone to share it with.

Our Union family continues to grow and prosper. There are always members retiring just as the new CCA is hired. Visiting different offices, I am noticing the ever-changing landscape. But I look at it as growth and opportunity. These new members represent a chance to be taught the traditions and integrity that it takes to be a letter carrier.

And for all that the future will bring, we have so many to thank. Thanks to all our valued stewards. They do the thankless job daily. To our President Rhonda Massari, Thank you! You have given us so much. To our executive board, you do so much to make this branch function. And you provide the framework from which our success springboards. The members give us inspiration. Without you, there is no purpose for existence. But mostly, I am thankful for the NALC. The all-encompassing organization that brilliantly guides us. Their tireless work should never go unnoticed! They do so many things concurrently that we tend to take them for granted. Let us not forget that we are still in negotiation for a new contract. Those very negotiations are well planned and strategized to set the union up for years to come. And through them we have benefitted immensely. But let us not forget our beloved retirees. You have done it. You have shown us the way.

But our greatest asset is our unity!
#NoIOnlyWe #Let’sLeadWithLove


November 2019

Thanks to everyone who voted in this round of elections! Your concern and intellectual investment in not only your community but also your branch sets you apart from the others. Our next action is to “convince” others to get involved in the process. I believe every vote counts, and that those very individuals can count tenfold when we realize that they talk to their family and friends about issues important to them. For the NALC, the issues are those that relate to our jobs. The NALC does not support any party but instead supports individuals who best serve our interests.

Congratulations to those elected by our branch to serve on the executive board for the 2019-2021 term. And now, as we organize for the business of the branch, we refocus on our mission to serve the membership and uphold the contract between the NALC-USPS. For those not elected we say, “there are no losers in a Branch 725 election”. By running, you have shown that you CARE enough to get involved. And THANK YOU for your participation.

This all contrasts with Postal Management refocusing their energy on letter carriers because of their financial situation. In a recent meeting at the area level, management stated that they can save money by “going after letter carriers”. Please be aware that they will engage you with more demands and tactics to intimidate you into skipping breaks, lunches, and using “pivots” as a vehicle to do this. Nothing new right? Please use your form 3996 and phone calls to meet our obligation to notify them when we are unable to complete our assignments. Our fight never ends.

Congratulations to Les Dillman and Joe Pease on completing the NALC Advanced OWCP training.

Stay safe, stay vigilante, and most importantly, stay #725STRONG.


October 2019

Sometimes we must look in the mirror. That time is now! The NALC is in negotiations for your next contract. That fight looks to be a long and arduous one. But at the same time, Postal Management has made their intentions very clear (discipline).

Some of our offices are up for inspection. Les Dillman is running training for EVERY office that will be inspected. He invites any carrier to attend (even if your office is not inspected). This training has resulted in great benefit to our branch. The numbers bare out that people who attend these trainings do better during the actual inspections. Attendance and safety have been our Achilles heel lately. While most of you do such a great job with these issues, we are in a “crisis” mode! And we are asking our family to look out for one another. One of the best forms of love is touch love! We must put out the word that we are not holding up our end of the bargain. The result has been our brethren losing their jobs for attendance, and so many more being “taken off the clock’ (yes that means fired until we can hopefully get them back) for safety (i.e. earbuds, no seatbelts, etc.).

The district has been out and pulling people off the clock for being out of uniform, wrong footwear, etc. Yes, they are sending a message! But being a proud letter carrier encompasses all those things. We should look professional, act professional, and work safely. And we damn sure never condone carriers doing embarrassing things like throwing away mail! We are proud, professionals who are the best at what we do. Let’s keep OUR standards high. And while management sucks, we can’t let their inferiority permeate our family.

#TakeControlOfOurDestiny #EachOneTeachOne


September 2019

Bye bye summer! Your dedication is applauded. This summer recorded two of the hottest months recorded in history. But letter carriers always endure. That is why our branch is working harder than ever for the membership. Imagine this during the aforementioned heat of the summer postal management has quietly declared war against us. The numbers don’t lie. Everyone sees all the driver observations, write ups for expansion of street time, etc.

Imagine this you give us floor talks about hydration and the negative effects of heat exhaustion/stroke. But then when we work safely, you write us up knowing very well that the discipline is not for merit. We obviously will need more comfort stops from drinking fluids. Ironically, comfort stops are also meant to serve us to get our body temperature down in the event of heat issues. I personally know of many carriers who had to go to the hospital and miss days of work because we ignored our heat related symptoms. But the crime by management is that they talk out both sides of their mouth when they tell us to be safe, but carriers hear that others are being disciplined. And don’t forget, they only “care” when a carrier dies on the job. This latest “concern” is a result of another letter carrier’s death.

We must do better regarding attendance. The district is very hot on this issue. And frankly speaking, we have not done well. We are losing jobs due to our unscheduled absences. There is a point where us calling out sick (be it for a legitimate reason or not) will result in removal. So please be careful. Attendance, and those damn earbuds will be the death of us if we don’t be more careful. We are proud letter carriers!

#LetsMakeOurForfathersProud


August 2019

Thank you! Thanks for being the best at what you do. Our district has been very aggressive towards us (especially considering our recent bad financial quarter). But they always act as if it’s us. The truth is we are better than we’ve ever been. But our workforce is changing at the same pace as the management staff.

But the new carriers face unprecedented challenges. With DPS, FSS, low mail volume, and a lack of guidance from management our CCAs take longer to catch on to this very challenging job. That’s where I’m asking all of us to continue to nurture them into professional carriers. One of the most important things we can stress to them is the importance of coming to work. Our job requires staffing. And the district has put an emphasis on attendance. They are now trying to make lateness an occurrence equal to missing the whole day.

They are also focusing on “stationary time”. Please be careful. They are always watching us. But we are resilient. We will endure. But we don’t want to give them the satisfaction of disciplining us and ultimately having us lose our precious jobs. Let’s pay special attention to the earbuds too. If we make these adjustments, maybe management can focus on something other than us!

On June 19th, Branch 725 participated in the Variety Club Camp for MDA. This camp is provided for kids with Muscular Dystrophy. It’s a chance for them to participate in fun times with other kids like them. At the urging of President Massari, our branch participated for the second year in a row. Les Dillman, Barbara Kearney, Beth Lloyd, Joseph Pease, and I gave of our time to volunteer for these kids. But I think WE all benefitted more!

#LookOutForYourBrother/Sister#KnowYourWorth#RespectYourselfAndOthers


July 2019

Happy July! A month that signifies heat, fireworks, and independence. The temperature is real this time of year. We must do our best to stay hydrated through these “dog days”. The threat of heat exhaustion and heat stroke are real. Have you noticed the PO’s emphasis on hydration lately? Yes, because it has had a negative affect on their bottom line. But that makes it more offensive that they would turn up the “heat” on the carriers at this time of the year. Carriers are being harassed on the street as well as the office this summer to make numbers that are unrealistic. In fact, these numbers are so unrealistic that they have to be shoved down our throats. Now does this aggressive approach make sense when the heat is at record highs? How are we to drink more to stay hydrated and not have to have more comfort stops. And how about the comfort stop to cool down your body temperature when you face symptoms of heat related illness? The PO’s actions never match their words.

With the new aggressive approach by management (couched as cost saving measures), their actions are consistent with fireworks because they are causing people’s lives to explode (metaphorically). We should not have to put up with this.

The independence that this month represents is apropos. We still have control of our actions. They can try and pick at us with their tactics, etc., but the overriding notion is that if we do the right thing, they will be working hard only to get an empty result. And you know that they don’t like to work. This is our reality, so complaining only serves to make us feel better, but it does not help our existence.

So, stay strong and united.


June 2019

The best days of branch 725 are yet to come. I know that sounds odd but that is the attitude we all must have if we are to get where we need to go as a branch. We must stay hungry and work harder and (more importantly) smarter in order to serve our members in this ever-changing USPS.

Last month, Vice-President Les Dillman held a class at the Coatesville PO for our members for their full inspection. The training was well attended. The subject matter addressed almost every aspect of the process. If you have ever talked to Les, you know he has a passion for route inspection. His knowledge and experience greatly benefit Branch 725. Kudos to the members who attended. Management has made no bones about it that they are coming for routes. And in this environment of reactionary and alarmist management we have to fight for what’s ours. #Fthem!

We had another successful fundraiser for MDA at our annual event. The fellowship and family fun reign second only to the money raised for MDA. Great job by the events committee (chaired by Colleen Haynes. Members are Shirley Hagner, Joseph Pease, Steven Curry, Belinda Tridente, and Joe Benning). The upcoming Phillies outing promises to be another chance to share time together as a family. The Phillies game proceeds benefit the Branch scholarship fund.

We also held an event organized by NALC Leadership Academy class #24 member Beth Lloyd to reach out to our CCAs. It was a big hit and well attended. Our future rests on the backs of our CCAs. We will continue to invest in their growth because the next branch leaders will move forward from the seeds of knowledge that we plant amongst them. But currently, our focus remains on you!


May 2019

Thanks to all who attended the retiree’s luncheon on April 11, 2019. It’s always nice to break bread and have fellowship with our highly valued members.

President Massari always said “our routes are being inspected daily”. The USPS is always looking at the numbers. They instantly try to take out routes when given the opportunity. So, when our routes are “overly pivoted’ daily, these opportunities are created. This ends up costing us routes. And when bad financial numbers come in for the quarter, the super squeeze commences. But we all know that when routes need to be put in offices, they drag their feet. This has always been the approach. So, we must take advantage in those circumstances with our other options (271-g special count inspections) if it benefits us.

The prevailing thought has always been that full-blown inspections were too much of a risk. But our branch has always left it up to the carriers in their offices to decide. But now, the PO is just coming in for the inspection with no pre-walks in some cases. My office just underwent an inspection. In retrospect, I agree with all the retirees who said “years ago we used to do inspections yearly. And it taught us how to walk routes better”. This notion could not be truer. While and inspection is uncomfortable, it’s nothing to FEAR. We provide training (if needed) and guidance from Vice-President Les Dillman. And we have an aggressive disposition. Basically, let’s fight for ourselves, for our routes.

The best thing we have going is each other. The more that management gets us arguing or disrespecting one another, the more they negatively affect our union. It doesn’t matter what we face. Rest assure, we will face it together and directly.

#NextStopContractNegotiations#EachOneHelpOne#PowerInNumbers


April 2019

While the most apparent fight that our members face is the day-to-day “battles” with management on the workroom floor, the NALC is fighting for you on all fronts. So, as we move through these challenging times let’s be mindful of how each of our letter carriers play a vital role in the future prosperity of the NALC.

The national leaders are gearing up for negotiations for our next contract. So, if you get a survey from the NALC, please give them your feedback as they are gathering information for a possible arbitration (if needed) to settle the next contract.

Many national level grievances are always in the works. In the last contract more attention was payed to the workroom floor issues that may arise. That will continue. Those very issues are also being addressed at the regional level through training that takes place at the regional rap sessions. Your stewards sacrifice their time to get essential training to help you. But none of us are perfect. We need our members to help us help them.

We are always vulnerable to attendance because its finite. We were there or not. We were late or not. Management is seeking removal for almost anything now. So please be careful. And stay the hell off social media if we have called out!

The most IMPORTANT thing right now is our contributions to the Letter Carrier Political Fund (LCPF). The best thing that the NALC has going is its relationships with our elected officials. With the simple stroke of a pen, most of our long fought for rights can be gone! Consequently, most of the ideas that are proposed yearly would cost us so much more than our chosen contributions. I respectfully implore you to contribute.

Branch 725 will always fight!


March 2019

While driving home from jury duty last month, I stumbled onto a short but esoteric conversation with President Rhonda Massari. After having sat through a long trial, I expressed the impact that we have on the USPS as unionists. For three weeks I served while handling a union situation in between breaks, and during lunch because I (obviously) couldn’t have my phone on in court.

But this is what union officials do daily. We are so used to doing five things at once that sometimes we forget how much we matter. You may not think your steward is “great”. But He/she is doing their best. Or you may not get the answer that you would like, but when you compare us to any union in the country, the NALC is the very best. We practically hold this company up just by our pride, determination and love for our members. That same pride is sometimes crushed by management when their lack of foresight and insistence on a management-by-numbers style conflicts with our realities. Let’s keep fighting, scratching, and most of all, staying unified in the face of our daily adversities. But it’s the members who inspire us!

Much of the years long work that culminated in our new contract is working its way to our members. The CCA back-pay was recently paid. While money is usually the focus in a contract. All the “other” provisions that lead us to getting more money and a better quality of life must be enforced. The fool’s brigade (postal management) are always looking for a few sellouts, lazy, and soulless people to do their bidding. But at some point, we must ask ourselves “are they getting dumber or are we getting more educated to their BS?”

Congratulations to Richard Murphy on his completion of the national branch officer's training

#LearnAndApplyYourLearning#TeachAndApplyYourTeachings


January 2019

Best wishes for the upcoming year go out to each member.

Your resiliency has shown it’s face again. Up against the new “aggressive management” you have endured what weak people would crumble from. This new style of management first spoke of by USPS Postmaster General, Megan Brennan has filtered its way down. They are using the route adjustment team to go to “underperforming offices” and do what they are supposed to do per the handbooks and manuals. However, if they say or do things to us that infringes on our dignity and respect (while doing their “aggressive management”) then they are violating the same handbooks, and manuals that are covered under the contract.

The very supervisors and upper managers who prey on some of our members inexperience are the very same ones who internally envy us. How many times have you heard references to the money we are making? How many times have they judged us in saying something so wrong contractually? The level of ignorance is appalling! But they still look down on craft workers. In fact, this whole “crackdown” on letter carriers and references to us the being in ANY way the problem with this company is absurd! They want to make our money, but they don’t want to put in the hard work that we do. Why? Because that’s why they went into management (to sit on their asses and criticize what they couldn’t do).

But YOU must know your worth. You are the backbone of this company. You do amazing things daily better than all your competitors. And the thanks we get can ONLY come from our peers. So, thank you family! You had an amazing year. And your national union is already at work on your next contract.

#TeachTheCcas

#StayUnified

#LetterCarriersRock