NALC Greater East Bay Branch 1111 General Meeting August 27, 2024,
General Meeting called to order at 7:00 PM by President Edward Fletcher
Pledge of Allegiance: Led by sergeant of arms Lumus Russell Moment of Silence: May we please have a moment of silence for our departed brothers and sisters, as well as family members who have passed since our last branch meeting.
Announcements: Tonight, will have charges filed against one of our shop stewards to be read tonight and still no word on contract negotiations.
Minutes of the previous Branch Meeting 07/23/24 read by E.V.P. Narciso Paderanga with a motion to accept the minutes made by Neil Zarchin/2nd by Jacob Morgan/Motion passed.
Communications: New hires since last branch meeting (54) Financial Report for the month of August/2024 read by Secretary Treasurer Mary Phelps New Members present - None
A motion to “Welcome the New Members” made by Paul Petersen/ 2nd Joe McHale/Motion passed. Roll Call: All present and accounted for except for those excused as noted within - John Ferreria, Leticia Sanchez, Irene Hernandez and John Jekabson.
A Motion to accept the requests for excused absences made by Terrence Super 2nd by Mary Phelps/Motion passed Executive Council Minutes from August 20,2024 read by Trustee Ron Jones.
A motion made by Marisela Fletcher to approve August 20,2024 minutes 2nd by Steve Robinson/Motion passed Special Guest(s) – None
Reports of Officers:
o 4th VP – April Patrick – No report
o 3rd VP – Eddie Murphy – Currently management is placing carriers out on 16.7’s. In Pleasanton a carrier was placed on a 16.7 for his door open and no seat belt. At Richmond Hilltop a supervisor was removed for 6 months due to conduct issues. At Richmond McVittie I received a pre-arb citing a manager in violation of the JSOB and I’ve been told management is in the process of removing him.
o 2nd VP – Terrence Super - Carriers in Vallejo received $325,000.00 for a grievance filed for not posting bid assignments, hopefully there will be no more issues dealing with type of grievance. Lots of 16.7 being issued, keep eyes on our clock rings management is doing hocus pocus with clock rings.
1st VP – Mary Abante - In Pittsburg carriers are receiving discipline for not scanning ADVO and attendance related issues. If you are having issues with your scanner, please let management know. We have a new MPOO by the name of Niles Trolstrep. EVP - Narciso Paderanga – I’m currently working on a NOR and met at the formal step A from labor relations. Also have a 16.7 grievance in one office where a carrier is charged with alleging filing a false report dealing with a robbery. I’m currently asking for 200% compensatory remedy in Oakland, but they only want to pay for 12/60 violations. I have a NOR scheduled for arbitration originally filed in the City of Livermore.
President - Ed Fletcher - Our contract expired 15 months ago on May 20, 2023, and there are no updates or progress to report on. National reported that the USPS is making more arbitrability arguments because they do not want to comply with the National Agreement. Our issue statements must be supported by the case file and the merits of the case. On Monday, August 5, 2024, at the National Convention the members at the 2024 National Convention in Boston, voted to hear the appeals & charges lodged against President Brian Renfroe. Prior to that vote, President Renfroe wrote a letter dated July 29, 2024, to the charging parties unilaterally denying them their right to appeal the decision(s) of the Executive Council to the National Convention. In the June 2024 NALC Postal Record on Page # 25, the Executive Council’s decisions on the charges were published. In addition, the Executive Council clearly stated that, “This decision of the Executive Council is subject to appeal to the National Convention in accordance with Article10 of the NALC Constitution.” President Renfroe’s July 29, 2024, letter was obviously in conflict with the National Constitution. Given that, why did he write it? In short, regardless of where you stand on the charges against President Renfroe, any denial of a member’s constitutional rights would be anti-democratic, authoritarian and injustice. President Renfroe’s July 29, 2024, letter was a clear violation of our Constitution, and the members overturned his unprecedented attempt to deny the charging parties their appeal rights I believe any attempt to deny any member their right’s is wrong, and self-serving. To get a full understanding of all charges filed against President Renfroe, one should read the “Weir Report.” His conduct, omissions and or deceptions to the members was well documented in the report and in short shocking.
On a separate note, and in accordance with Article 10 Section 3 of the National Constitution, I do hereby appoint Steve Robinson, Narcisco Paderanga and Ron Jones to the Committee for the August 16, 2024, charges filed by Anton Thompson against San Ramon steward Shanna Lum.
Other Reports:
o Insurance Officer’s Report - Jacob Morgan No report
o Editor’s Report: Joshua Pearl – The next Branch newsletter will be published on September 10 & 11
California State Vice President Ron Jones – Congresswoman Barbara Lee has co-signed on HR 7629 $ S.4356l. She is retiring this year and the person we believe will win this race is a person name Lateefah Simon.
Ed Fletcher, Ricky Cox, Harold Kelso CSALC president and I had a Zoom meeting set for last week, it was canceled but will be reschedule sometime in September. The purpose of the meeting is to drive home the issues letter carriers are having with these vehicle break-ins and robberies. We are also working on getting John Garamendi and Mark DeSaulnier to Cosign, as well as our 2 U.S. Senators. Alex Padilla and Laphonza Butler.
A lobby trip is planned for the week of February 23 -27, 2025. We will be on Capitol Hill pushing all the NALC legislation.
Alameda County CLC & Legislative rep – Ron Jones – The Executive Committee has approved a special one-item Delegates Meeting to be held via Zoom at 7:00 PM on Thursday, August 29th. The purpose of this meeting is to take action on endorsements in the City of Oakland
o Contra Costa CLC & Legislative rep – Vacant
o Napa-Solano CLC & Legislative Rep – Sam Green – Discussed Labor Day breakfast to be held on September 2, 2024. Sam Green made a motion that Branch 1111 buy 5 tickets for the Labor Day breakfast event 2nd by Mike Chavez/Motion passed. At the convention we made a motion to support Kamala Harris for president of United States
o MDA Coordinator: Marisela Fletcher – We collected $6,805.67 to donate to MDA and a big thanks goes out to everyone that participated.
o Food Drive Coordinators: Che’ Perez & Irene Liljedahl – No Report
o EAP Committee rep Liz Corriea – No Report
o LCPF Committee reps – Mary Phelps, Narcisco Paderanga & Ron Jones- Get people to donate.
o Old Business: - none
New Business: The charges filed by Anton Thompson of the San Ramon Post Office was read by Secretary Treasurer Mary Phelps
A Motion to pay the bills for September 2024 by Terrence Super / 2nd by Maria Tavares/Motion passed. Good of the Association: Joe McHale said he had problems with O.W.C.P and I talked to congress, and the problems got resolved. Neil Zarchin stated the Social security benefits he is receiving from his wife were cut 40%.
o The Sep. 2, 2024, game against the Mariners won by Gary Gomez Ticket #2024
The Sep. 7, 2024, game against the Tigers won by Ezekial Bradley Ticket #1990
The Sep. 20, 2024, game against the Yankees won by Ricky Cox Ticket #2051
The Sep. 21, 2024, game against the Yankees won by Paul Petersen Ticket #2066
And finally, the Sep. 22, 2024, game against the Yankees won by Mike Chavez Ticket #1969
o The 50/50 drawing / $125 won by Mike Chavez Ticket #2083
Motion to Adjourn by Jeff Valentine/ 2nd Kamoon Yi/ Motion passed. meeting adjourned 8:30 PM.
Respectfully submitted.
Mary E. Phelps Secretary Treasurer