August 2020 Branch 1111 Newsletter

Greater East Bay Branch 1111 News Volume 40 Number 456

August 2020

Taking DeJoy out of DeLivery

Is the new PMG out to destroy the Postal Service?

Branch 1111 News

August 2020

NALC HEALTH BENEFIT PLAN SERVICE LINES General Claims Inquiries Hospital Precertification (Required) Prerecorded Benefits Information Prescription Customer Service Line

1-888- 636-NALC 1-800-622-6252 1-888-636-NALC 1-800-933-NALC

BRANCH PAPER DEADLINE The deadline for copy for Branch 1111 News is the 3rd of each month. News stories, articles, letters, drawings, or cartoons, as well as photographs -- either recent or historical -should be submitted to the Branch office. Short notices of personal or shop floor interest are especially welcome. The Editor and Assistant Editor retain the right to edit, delete, or reject articles and artwork for the good of the Branch.

BRANCH 1111 OFFICERS Edward P. Fletcher, President Jose Ochoa, Executive Vice President Narciso Paderanga, First Vice President Francisco Cabrera , Second Vice President Julie McCormick, Third Vice President Terrence Super, Fourth Vice President John Ferreira, Secretary-Treasurer Mary Phelps, Asst. Sec-Treasurer Keith Massey, Sgt-at-Arms Jacob Morgan, Insurance Officer Jose Corral, Trustee Jerry DePoe, Trustee Ron Jones, Trustee

Greater East Bay Branch 1111 News Branch 1111 News is the official monthly publication of the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), Greater East Bay Branch 1111. Circulation 3,000 Offices Served:

Alameda, Alamo, Antioch, Benicia, Berkeley, Brentwood, Clayton, Concord, Crockett, Danville, El Cerrito, Fairfield, Fremont, Lafayette, Livermore, Martinez, Moraga, Oakland, Orinda, Pinole, Pittsburg, Pleasanton, Richmond, Rodeo, San Lorenzo, San Ramon, Suisun City, Union City, Vallejo, Walnut Creek

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EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS

Christina Aviles, Elizabeth Corriea, Rickie Cox, Marisela Fletcher, Ray Garcia, Joshua Pearl, Frances Rodriguez-Swint

BRANCH 1111 OFFICE HOURS Monday-Friday: 8 am to 5 pm 402 – 37th Street Richmond, Ca. 94805- 2134 510-237-5111, Fax 510-237-5181

FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/nalcbranch1111 WEBSITE: www.Branch1111.org Meetings are held every fourth Tuesday of the month except in December

BRANCH 1111 NEWS STAFF Editor - Joshua Pearl: joshpbranch1111@gmail.com Assistant Editor – John Jekabson: jjbranch1111@gmail.com Contributors -- Ed Fletcher, Jose Ochoa, John Ferreira, Narciso Paderanga, Julie McCormick, Liz Corriea, Ron Jones, Jerry DePoe, Francisco Cabrera, Julie McCormick, Mary Phelps, Terrence Super, Keith Massey, Jacob Morgan Views expressed in Branch 1111 News do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editor, Assistant Editor, Branch Officers, or members of National Association of Letter Carriers, Branch 1111

August 2020

Branch 1111 News

Virtual August Branch Meeting

The Branch is hosting a virtual informational meeting on Tuesday, August 25, with updates on any official developments locally or in Washington DC. Please contact the Branch office at 510-237-5111 for more details on how to join.

You can help save the Branch money

Tired of receiving your paper copy of the Branch newspaper? Two copies coming to your house? Prefer viewing it on our website? Good news! You can now opt out of a paper delivery and we’ll email you when the new electronic edition has been uploaded.

Please email joshpbranch1111@gmail.com or call the Branch to make the switch and save some $ in printing costs for Branch 1111.

Retirement Seminar via WebEx

On August 30, 2020, from 10am-1pm, Region 1 will be presenting a Retirement Seminar conducted via Web Ex, computer with internet connection required. Please respond to frazee@nalc.org with an email listing the person(s) attending the seminar their email address(es) so the Web Ex invitation can be sent.

The deadline for signing up is August 27, 2020 by 5:00pm

Jeannie Harris of Concord receiving some love on her last day

HAPPY TRAILS TO YOU!

The following carriers retired recently: Villamor Ebuen and Mitchell Akina of Faifield, Jose Chavez Jr. of Fremont, Anthony Lowe and Bao Pham of Oakland, Joseph Rozul of Rodeo-Hercules, Elaine Everett of Vallejo, Nancy Glenn and Terence Madden of Walnut Creek We wish many years of leisure to all!

The USPS mail delays have been all over the various news outlets lately Oakland Piedmont carrier, Marco Gomez, clocking out for the final time

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August 2020

Taking the Service out of the Postal Service

By Edward P. Fletcher, President

For the 35 plus years that I have worked for the USPS and NALC, they would tell all Letter Carriers, “don’t curtail any mail without authorization” and “make sure that you deliver every piece every day!” All Letter Carriers care about our customers and take pride in the services that we provide. I never thought I would see the day where the U.S. Postal Service would abandon its core service obligations and implement any plan or alleged strategy, to willfully curtail and/or delay mail.

Any such ill-conceived thought or plan to provide “less service,” and/or “no service,” to our customers is not only a “bad business model,” but it also could be disastrous! The media has reported that our customers are complaining about delayed mail everywhere.

I am also a customer of the USPS. I have noticed that there are days where I get no mail. We signed up for informed delivery, and it tells us when “you got mail.” There are evenings where I went to our mailbox after 8:00 pm, only to find it empty. Yet, the next morning it magically appeared.

Providing less service is not the answer, unless you are seeking to dismantle the USPS from within.

Executive Summary on Universal Service What does the USPS say about universal service? The USPS states, “The mission of the U.S. Postal Service is to provide the American public with trusted, affordable, universal service. Congress and the President set forth this mission by recognizing the Postal Service’s critical role in commerce and in binding the nation together. While not explicitly defined, the Postal Service’s universal service obligation (USO) is broadly outlined in multiple statutes and encompasses multiple dimensions: geographic scope, range of products, access to services and facilities, delivery frequency, affordable and uniform pricing, service quality, and security of the mail. While other carriers might offer delivery on a universal basis, the Postal Service is the only carrier obligated to provide all aspects of universal service at affordable prices.

To ensure funding of the USO, Congress and the President established the Private Express Statutes (PES) and the mailbox access rule, which together comprise the postal monopoly.”

Reference:https://about.usps.com/universal-postalservice/usps-uso-executive-summary.txt Postal Reorganization Act of 1970 Notably, the first paragraph of the Postal Reorganization Act of 1970 reads: “The United States Postal Service shall be operated as a basic and fundamental service provided to the people by the Government of the United States, authorized by the Constitution, created by Act of Congress, and supported by the people. The Postal Service shall have as its basic function the obligation to provide postal services to bind the Nation together through the personal, educational, literary, and business correspondence of the people. It shall provide prompt, 4

Branch 1111 News reliable, and efficient services to patrons in all areas and shall render services to all communities. The costs of establishing and maintaining the Postal Service shall not be apportioned to impair the overall value of such service to the people.”

Statement from NALC on Service Issues It is no secret that the new Postmaster General, Louis DeJoy does not come from within the Postal Service. And so far, he has not even attempted to maintain our universal service obligations to our customers. Since he was installed in June of 2020, he has unilaterally implemented his own “plan of destruction.” He did not seek the advice of the NALC nor did he share it with us. Nevertheless, his radical and short sighted plan was posted all over the Internet. The following statement was posted on August 3, 2020 by the NALC, “The National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) thanks the American people for their long-term support and appreciation of the service our members provide to homes and businesses throughout the country. Letter carriers value their relationship with the public, and take great pride in serving their customers.

As they risk their health each day along with other front-line essential workers, letter carriers have become angry, frustrated and embarrassed by various USPS management initiatives that are now resulting in delayed mail and undelivered routes in many areas of the country. The Postal Service must provide reliable service to postal customers, particularly during the pandemic when our role is more essential than ever. We will continue our engagement with Postal Service management and Congress as we work through a transition in USPS governance, the effects of COVID-19 and the consequent need for financial relief. We appreciate the patience, support and continued confidence of the American people.”

Congress Must Investigate the Postal Service’s Actions In fact, on August 06, 2020, the following article was in the Postal Reporter, WASHINGTON, DC – “U.S. Senator Gary Peters, Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, is launching an investigation into reported delays at the U.S. Postal Service that are preventing Americans from receiving critical mail on-time, including prescription drugs, business mail, and mail-in ballots. Despite repeated queries from Peters (and in conjunction with colleagues), Postmaster General Louis DeJoy has failed to provide answers when pressed for details on reported service delays following recent changes directed by Postal Service leadership that could undermine delivery service during a pandemic and ahead of the general election.”

The NALC has been fighting back and asking its members as well as their families for serval months now to “Support USPS in next Emergency Stimulus Bill.” Hopefully you have already done it several times. If not, you can go on the NALC.org website and click the “action needed” link which will guide you through the process of contacting your congressional representatives. The way to change something that is wrong, is to fight back the right way. We can affect change though legislative actions to protect the Postal Service, our jobs and our customers who deserve their universal service at a universal rate. We must push congress for change. Let your voices be heard. After all, they should and will listen to their voting constituents.

August 2020

Now More Than Ever

By Jose Ochoa Executive Vice President

Now more than ever, you must do everything by the book, don’t rob yourself of office time and some other short cuts that work against you.

With the pandemic and the current insanity within the USPS we need to follow specific procedures, rules and regulations.

Begin your workday by following regulations: If it doesn’t take you at least 4 to 5 minutes to do an inspection you are not conducting a complete and proper examination of your vehicle. (Your vehicle must be equipped with a vehicle inspection check list USPS form 4546-B) Per M-41 Follow your flow chart in the Black Route Book at your case. You must sign for all accountables and upon return in office time be cleared by a clerk, do not do it yourself. It is foolish!

A letter may be reversed in the letter separation for a customer receiving a parcel or odd-sized article that cannot be routed in the flat separations. This will serve as a reminder when on the route that there is a large or odd-sized piece for the customer. M-41 section 225.16 When you are delivering parcels that read “leave if no response” it doesn’t mean just leave it at the front door, you can leave it after you ring the door bell and there is no response.

You have the right to “reasonable time to wash up” before you clock out, some LMOU’s have a negotiated time, check with your Steward or call the Branch.

Do not unload your vehicle off the clock!

Check you virtual timecard daily. We are finding out management is clocking carriers out to lunch while they are out on the street delivering mail. They are stealing from you.

You should only have 4 rings.

If you return from the street, your timecard is missing. and the supervisor tells you “don’t clock out, I’ll take care of you,” this is a big red flag. Call your union officer. Pronto!

Branch 1111 News

IT’S A DIFFERENT WORLD WE’RE LIVING IN

By Berkeley Shop Steward, Liz Corriea

The Postal Service is definitely going through some changes as we carriers are experiencing some of these changes. For example, the parcel posts have increased so much that it can be hard to determine exactly how much time is needed for our routes.

Can you imagine that the election is right around the corner and Christmas is not too far away either. What do you expect will happen? Some offices may be short of carriers like what Berkeley currently is experiencing. Unfortunately, a lot of our carriers are having to perform clerk work as well as their usual excessive carrier work.

In addition, let’s not let our guards down that we still need to protect ourselves from COVID-19. Each day remember to take all necessary steps to ensure your safety, by cleaning and sterilizing your vehicle. All carriers should keep washing their hands as often as they can, keeping their masks on, and of course, social distancing of 6 feet. You need to put yourself first, because the Postal Service will not.

It’s important for YOU to keep doing everything right.

Sure, the Postal Service has given notices about what’s been going on with the Coronavirus. However, I am not so sure USPS management is putting in practice all the information that is given to us in those stand-ups. I remember that there was a discussion about carriers trying to keep the same vehicle as much as possible, in order to keep down the spread of the virus. But I found that on many occasions I had to use other vehicles even when my vehicle was available. No matter what, make sure you see to it that your vehicles for each day get sanitized before you use it.

BERKELEY BLUES Not much good new in our neck of the woods. Our carriers are overworked and still being mandated daily. They are still being disrespected by certain supervisors. If you work in Berkeley, you know who I am talking about. If you hear or witness abuse by Postal Management, report it to your Shop Steward. We need to stop the abuse. We should all be helping one another to work in harmony. After all we are together for long hours every day.

I hear many carriers complaining that they are tired because of not getting enough sleep. You may want to see your doctor to help you. Make sure that you get the necessary sleep needed, so that you can be safe on your job. I have been extremely busy, so I am hoping to write more next month.

Be safe.

Knowledge is Power!

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Branch 1111 News

August 2020

“Bright Ideas”

By Narciso Paderanga, IV, First Vice President

A lot has happened since the last issue of our newsletter. As if dealing with the pandemic wasn’t enough, management officials have come up with new “bright ideas” (in their minds). From temporary starting time changes, to not casing SPRs in office time or not casing any mail at all in the morning, eliminating overtime, sending CCAs to PTF offices.

These “bright ideas” have historically resulted in Contract violations and grievances being filed. Who remembers the National Reassessment Process or NRP? That process, in particular, cost the Postal Service hundreds of thousands of dollars in payment to carriers who were harmed.

The idea of “eliminating overtime” will only cost the Service additional unnecessary financial burden because of the fact they will have to pay Overtime Desired List (ODL) carriers for sitting at home on their scheduled days off and for mandating non-ODL carriers to work overtime instead of working the available ODL carriers. Unless you have enough carriers to cover the entire office, overtime can never be eliminated.

Temporary starting time change is also a clear violation of the collective bargaining agreement. Throughout the District, many offices and stations are currently dealing with this issue. What benefit does the Service obtain starting carriers at a later time when carriers are working beyond 10 or 12 hours in a single day? Especially in offices where the complement of carriers is horrendous; with not enough bodies to cover and deliver all the routes.

I don’t quite understand the concept of not casing SPRs in office time. It does not save enough office time to compensate the amount of time it would take to sort them on the street. The Contract specifically states SPRs are cased, management knows it and it still knowingly violates the agreement.

Then there are “copycat” offices which decided to implement Expedited Street/Afternoon Sortation (ESAS) although they were not part of the official test sites. It leaves many of us wondering and shaking our heads. Not only does this process violate many of USPS Handbooks and Manuals, it creates frustration from most, if not all, the carriers who have to deal with these changes. I’ve heard from those 6

affected that it doesn’t work. We will see what the results of these test sites will be.

Rather than coming up with these bright ideas, management should concentrate more on how to protect all of its employees from this pandemic, concentrate on convincing Congress to support the USPS, and more importantly concentrate on hiring enough employees to deliver the mail. This is election year and it’s only going to get worse until after the election.

It is not hard to see that these “bright ideas” were put in place to possibly make the Postal Service FAIL from within!

Prior to these changes, the company we work for has already been in desperate need of support from Congress due to the crisis or pandemic we are facing. If you have not taken part already in the “fight of our lives”, to fight for our livelihood, I beg you to TAKE ACTION by contacting your government representatives to support the Postal Service. It can easily be done through this link: https://heroesdelivering.com/ Big, tall buildings are demolished from within their structural foundation. I urge you Brothers and Sisters to not let anybody take our house down!

In solidarity!

Fremont Irvington Carrier Fabio Diaz receives his farewell packet from FTO Narcisio Padarenga on his last day

August 2020

Branch 1111 News

You are Free to Choose, but You are not Free from the Consequence of your Choice

By Second Vice President Francisco Cabrera

“F – You! F - You! Are you F - ing Crazy?!” Sound like motivational speech to you? Sound like something your manager or mentor would say to help you reach your potential?

This is exactly what a supervisor was heard saying to a letter carrier out on her route by two customers. Afterward this supervisor opened the NDCBU boxes of the apartment complex the carrier had just finished delivering at and left them open without the carrier's knowledge.

Currently this case is scheduled for an upcoming arbitration hearing. The customer and her sister have expressed their eager willingness to testify. Hopefully this supervisor will get her just desserts.

You can't make this stuff up. All the while, the USPS according to the Code of Federal Regulations, states the Postal Service is to be a “model employer.”

We can make it better brothers and sisters. Just like this sister who did not sweep management abuses “under the rug,” we can all stand up to the barbarity that seems to motivate most, (not all) but I do dare say most, of those in authority over us.

On a more positive note recently, it was in the news that USPS is no longer forecasts to run out of cash this year and will withstand the financial impact of the Coronavirus.

In addition, at least the new Postmaster General has implemented one sound cost saving initiative, a management hiring freeze. Which sounds very good to me considering the return on management investment, at least in our local area. It could be that the only purpose of this move is to serve as a warning to others.

So brothers and sisters the USPS is still hiring letter carriers, and we will lift up the Postal Service for our futures, our retirement and hopefully our overall success. I have long recognized that we can only be successful, if you brother and sister letter carriers, are successful.

This is evident because your postmaster or manager could be off for a lengthy period of time and somehow business still gets done and the mail gets delivered as you have probably noticed.

Who is the lifeblood of the postal service?

You are!

Who does 90% of the work?

You do!

Who deserves the raises, the benefits and the rewards of their hard work and dedication?

You do!

Richmond Hilltop carriers enjoying some calm before the storm

Richmond Hilltop carriers taking a break

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Branch 1111 News

Mail in Popular Culture

August 2020

By Julie McCormick, Third Vice President

Garfield’s nemesis throughout the show. Garfield is jealous of Nermal since he is a “good” cat, and Garfield is a bit of a pain. As seen in the above strip, Garfield’s owner, Jon, was always stuck paying the price for Garfield’s shenanigans; including owing the postage due since Garfield didn’t pay for the postage trying to send It is always a great feeling to be represented on the work Nermal to Abu Dhabi. room floor as a Letter Carrier. Representation of the Postal Service and its employees goes far beyond work and trickles into popular culture. There are also many well-known people who have worked for the Postal Service at one point in time during their lives. This article dives into how the Postal Service has been represented in popular culture.

In 1916 when Walt Disney was just 16, he applied for a job as a substitute carrier in his native Chicago. Disney was originally rejected for the job because he was too young, but this did not discourage him. He went back home, put on a disguise and makeup to appear older and was hired with the Postal Service as a letter carrier when he returned! While he was working as a Letter Carrier, he often worked two shifts, a carrier during the day and a route collector at night. As we all know he did not stay as a Letter Carrier for long, ultimately creating the animation of Mickey Mouse and the iconic Disney characters we all know and love today.

Arguably one of the most iconic mail persons in history was from the legendary show Mister Rogers with his mailman named Mr. McFeely. He was frequently seen throughout the series, and famously coined the catchphrase “Speedy Delivery”.

The world’s most famous animated cat, Garfield, frequently tried to use the Postal Service to send his cat friend Nermal as far away from himself as possible. Nermal is 8

We all know the Postal Service is the only service allowed to deliver letter and flat mail to mailboxes across the United States. The Postal Service is also the only carrier which delivers mail to the North Pole. This fact played an important role in the “Christmas Special; A Muppets Christmas; Letters to Santa” where the Muppets had to make sure the letters to Santa were delivered to the North Pole, due to a local Post Office being closed. The song “Delivering Christmas” honors postal workers, especially all of their hard work during the Christmas Season.

If you were a growing up in the 90s and early 2000s then this song is most likely deeply rooted in your subconscious: “Here’s the mail, it never fails. It makes me want to wag my tail. When it comes I want to wail, …MAAAAIIIIILLLLLLLL!!!”

If your guess is Blues Clues, you are correct! In every episode there was a segment where Steve and Blue anxiously awaited their mail to be delivered where they sang that famous song. I know this is a song I will never forget.

August 2020

Seinfeld’s nemesis on his TV show was Newman, a Letter Carrier played by Wayne Knight. He bungled his way through many episodes, always antagonizing Jerry at every opportunity.

The Postmaster General was played by Wilford Brimley who just recently passed away.

Cliff Clavin was the well-loved letter carrier in the tv series Cheers, played by John Ratzenberger. Cliff was considered a know-it-all, and even appears on a “Jeopardy” episode where he lost all his money on the final jeopardy question. (I guess all that knowledge didn’t pay off). He is frequently found in the bar drinking beer while in his postal uniform (please do not do this yourself lol). There is no understating the impact Cliff the mailman had on the show “Cheers,” appearing in the very first episode and continuing on in the spin off series “Frasier. “

Sherman Hemsley worked for the postal service as a clerk during the 1960s. He worked as a clerk during the day and at night attended the Academy of Dramatic Arts until making his break-though first performing on Broadway and eventually becoming the main character, George Jefferson in the tv series of “All in the Family” and “The Jeffersons.”

The 1997 film “The Postman” is a post-apocalyptic action film starring Kevin Costner who is a drifter that happens to stumble upon a USPS Mail Carrier uniform. He puts on the uniform and travels across the United States in an attempt to spread and deliver hope to those who had survived the apocalyptic events

Branch 1111 News For you true crime nerds out there, here is something for you. The site/land where the infamous Dr. H. H. Holmes “Murder Castle” was built in Chicago is now occupied by the Englewood Branch of the United States Postal Service.

Some other notable mentions of the Postal Service in popular culture include; Actor and comedian Steve Carell worked for the post office as a rural carrier in Massachusetts. In an interview he did with Ellen DeGeneres, Carell stated being a carrier was the hardest job he ever had.

Charles Lindbergh was an airmail pilot almost immediately after completing the Army Flight School in 1925.

Lindbergh worked as an airmail pilot for the St. Louis - Chicago airmail route from 1925 to 1926. Airplanes during these times were not very safe and the dangers of delivering airmail was high. The routes took pilots through rapidly changing weather, and on two occasions, Lindbergh was forced to jump from his plane, only being saved by his parachute. Despite the dangers of the job, Lindbergh and his team completed more than 98 percent of their flights. This was during a time where one out of every six airmail pilots were killed on the job.

I hope you had as much fun reading this article as I did writing it. What we do as Letter Carriers, and as employees of the Postal Service, transcends our normal day to day duties. I appreciate you all and hope you are staying safe out there.

All Set to Enjoy her Leisure Time

Alameda’s Elizabeth Chavez gets a rousing farewell on her last day

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Branch 1111 News

August 2020

Saying goodbye to an exemplary Letter Carrier and Member!

By Terrence Lee Super, Fourth Vice President

On August 8, 2020 Letter Carrier Ken Wright swiped out for the last time in the Fairfield Installation. This farewell was an especially hard day for me.

Way back in 2007, I was sent to the Travis Air Force Base which had two routes, 10 and 12. I had never delivered mail on these two routes and I was extremely intimidated by how many letter and flat mail they had.

Also, I had absolutely no clue where I was going, which is normal when you carry a new route, but delivering on the Base was an entirely different monster! Ken sensed my frustration and came over to me, calmed me down and gave me step-by-step instruction on how to deliver the route and where to go. I was immediately relieved, because Ken showed me where to start and where I should be at a particular time. This made me a lot more confident about carrying the route.

Ken is one of those carriers that came to work and didn’t complain about ANYTHING. If management mandated him, he would do it no questions asked. He didn’t give you any attitude and never talked back to the supervisor for ANY reason.

In the later years as his steward, if he did have an issue, he would bring it to my attention, and I would take care of it. I would never let management mess with Ken because he would always do what was asked of him. Ken ended his career with absolutely no discipline in his file! In fact, I don’t even remember him having a Just Cause Interview. Of course, he started before me, so I don’t know if he had one earlier in his career, but knowing Ken, I would NEVER believe him being in trouble for ANYTHING! He is just not that type of person. He did what he was supposed to do and never had a problem with anyone. That really says a lot about a person, someone who was even respected by the Supervisors because he never gave them any problems. What an exemplary employee.

First off, Ken, I would like to say thank you for your kindness by helping me that day, even though you may not remember it. Your 33 years with the Postal Service shows your dedication and longevity, which again tells a lot about a person.

We at Branch 1111 thank you for your service as a Letter Carrier and as a valued member of the NALC. We wish you the best. Enjoy your retirement. You will most definitely be missed.

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Retiree Ken Wright of Walnut Creek alongside Full-Time Officer Terrance Lee Super honoring his last day

August 2020

Branch 1111 News

CONGRATULATIONS to our GOLD CARD MEMBERS The following Branch 1111 members are all eligible to receive their Gold Cards for belonging to the NALC for 50 years. If you are on this list and have not yet received your card, please contact the Branch office so we can order one for you. If you know any of these honored members and their current status, please inform the Branch office: 510-237-5111 Curtis W. Adams Daniel Anderson Terence Ashton James Blickenstaff Pauline Bonilla Michael Browne Martha Bustamante Thomas R. Carlson Fanchon Carrigan Vincent Chritianson Darlene Commiskey Charles R. Cooper D.W. Curry Jr., James Daley (65 years) Douglas Dalton, P.J. Del Chiaro, James Demery Jr. Manuel Dias W.L. Dillard Jr. Martin Duehring Robert Dusell Duane Edwards Dana Ellingson Annie L. Ellison Richard Fieldsoe Stanley Fletcher Don Gaskins John C. Gill Jr. Barbara L. Gilles Richard Glaeser Leonard Guitelli Herbert Hahn (55 years) Mamoru Hanamoto David M. Harris Dorothy R. Harris Edward Harrison Joseph Hart Virginia G. Herrera Jim R. Hill Robert S. Hoes Laura E. Hogan George Hughes Mathew P. Hurley (55 years) Susan Jacques David Jeter Jr. John E. Johnson Donald R. Keith

David R. Kidd James D. Kirk Mary Laudel Daniel C. Loey William E. Mack Steven Magenheimer Idefonzo Madamoros Dale McCormick Hugh McNamara (55 years) Eddie L. Moore Efren S. Morabe Marie Ofom Francis O’Leary Richard Palacios T. W. Pendelton Lynnea J. Quinlin Eugene Raines Jr. Jesus Ramirez Freddie Robertson C.C. Robinson Vernon Roemmich, Leon Rualo, Robert B. Rutter John Rybicki John Sanderson Donna J. Scott Dorothy Scott Loretta J. Scott Warren Sedgwick Richard Segraves Raymond Sherman Lydia Sosa Don Spalding John St John Anthony Stasuik Richard Stone Carole J. Terry Lester A. Utley (55 years) Louis V. Washington Jr. Stanley Waters (55 years) Gordon H. Wind Evalene Woodfill Howard Yang

Concord’s Lynnea Quinlin at a post 9-11 Commemorative

Oakland’s Freddie Robertson visits a Branch 1111 function 11

Branch 1111 News

August 2020

Letter to the Editor I feel compelled to write my second article for our Branch Paper. I retired in August, 2011 after almost 38 years of service. I recently found out I have Basal Cell skin cancer on my face. Unfortunately, this is not my first case as I had some taken out of my left sideburn many years ago. My doctor at the time joked with me and said I was getting a free face lift thanks to Mother Nature and the sun.

As you well know, our job as Postal Carriers require that we’re outside in the elements most of the day. Here in California, that usually means working in the sun and getting our fair share of it along with all of its UV rays.

The Post Office does provide us with a uniform allowance, but I’ve never seen any sunscreen offered. Since many of you are just starting your postal careers, let me tell you firsthand you need to protect yourself from the sun. As I’ve found out, it can catch up with you. Luckily, Basal Cell is not as life threatening as other skin cancers but it still leaves you with scars.

Remember, only you can protect yourself so wear a hat and use a good sunscreen of SPF30 or higher. Be safe and protected outside.

Ken Moore Retiree, Concord P.O 12

August 2020

Branch 1111 News

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Branch 1111 News

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August 2020

Branch 1111 News

NALC Branch 1111 Balance Sheet As of July 31, 2020 ASSETS Current Assets Bank Accounts 100 - Petty Cash 213.96 126 PPCU-50 116,220.73 Mechanics Bank Accounts 146,088.42 PPCU-Acct 70 25,616.40 United Bank Accounts 246,625.14 Total Bank Accounts $534,764.65 Other Current Assets Total Current Other Assets $893,361.06 Total Current Assets $1,428,125.71 Fixed Assets 189 - Accumulated Depreciation -127,446.57 190 - Accum Deprec - Furn./Eq. -68,743.00 191 - Accum Deprec - Computer Eq. -11,561.00 192 - Accum Deprec - Copier -6,896.60 193 - Accum Deprec - Building/Improv-153,573.66 197 - Accum Deprec - Storage Shed -430.00 198 - Accum Deprec – Prior -61,391.17 Total Fixed Assets $- 430,042.00 TOTAL ASSETS $998,083.71

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August 2020 LIABILITIES & EQUITY Total Liabilities Net Revenue 3900 Unrestricted Net Assets Equity

10,905.33 10,095.13 977,083.25 $987,178.38

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

$998,083.71

Richmond Hilltop carriers Amandeep Arora and Vanessa Leca getting ready to hit the street

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LETTER CARRIERS GREATER EAST BAY BRANCH 1111 402 –37TH STREET RICHMOND, CALIFORNIA 94805- 2134 (510) 237-5111

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID CONCORD CA Permit 1

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS Steven Chinnavaso Brendon Mills Douglas Matabang Vlademir Prado Marilyn Ceja Desiri Moret Patricia Peacock Annisah Brown Ryan Valencia Yoon Har Saechao John Salazar Jeffrey Pepin Chuanpig Ellis Sarah James Shagufta Ahmed Joseph Cooper Kuldeep Singh Michael Bravo Jr. Francisco Hernandez Ringo Buffin Griselda Guzman Kierra Hodge Willy Mugabi Mark Nicole Juan Perez-Lopez Eric Sandoval Raymundo Tinoco Cheyenne Underwood-Corpis Tiffany Wilson Julia Waters Juan Agustin Guohui Huang Guntur Tanod Randy Martin-Dauz Jerome Mendoza Chelsea Aikman

Alameda Alameda Benicia Berkeley Berkeley Berkeley Berkeley Concord Concord Concord Danville Concord Fremont Fremont Fremont Livermore Livermore Martinez Oakland Oakland Oakland Oakland Oakland Oakland Oakland Oakland Oakland Oakland Oakland Pinole San Ramon San Ramon San Ramon San Ramon San Ramon San Ramon

Fairfield carrier Ken Wright happily punching out for the last time. Good luck Ken!

On August 25 the Branch will hold a virtual Informational Meeting. Call the Branch Office at 510-237-5111 if you’re interested in taking part.