MAy 2021 Newsletter

Greater East Bay Branch 1111 News Volume 41 Number 465

May 2021

Heroic Carrier Saves Injured Customer

Quick Action from Pleasanton CCA Paula Lee Saves a Life Story on page 5

Branch 1111 News

May 2021

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, Mary Phelps, Terrence Super, Keith Massey, Jacob Morgan, Jimmie Braden Jr. 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

May 2021

Branch 1111 News

VIRTUAL BRANCH MEETINGS During the foreseeable future virtual Branch meetings will be considered official and members who sign in will be recorded. Attending 80 percent of official Branch meetings is a prerequisite to becoming eligible to be a compensated delegate to any upcoming NALC Convention The next Branch meeting is Tuesday, May 25th at 7:00pm.

Berkeley carrier Chin Ling on his last day

HAPPY TRAILS TO YOU! The following carriers retired recently: Michael Balolong and May Zhang of Oakland, Rosie Brozoski of Fremont, Chin Ling of Berkeley, Daniel Johnson of Danville, Wilfredo Santos of Benicia and Alexander Cosas Jr., Donnie Cabaluna, Ramon Gajeton, and Mark Horsley of Concord. We wish many years of leisure to all.

BRANCH SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS Three Branch 1111 Katherine Ellis Memorial Scholarships were awarded last month. They go to graduating high school students whose parents work for the Postal Service and who are members in good standing of Branch 1111. This year’s winners were: Caitlin Rillo, daughter of Walnut Creek member Concepcion Rillo; Hanbin Kim son of Pleasanton carrier Young Jin Kim; and Brandon Lee, son of Alameda carrier Tony Lee. We wish them success in their scholastic careers.

Fremont’s Aida Arevolo gets her retiree plaque from Terrence Super

BACK PAY TO BE CALCULATED Back pay will be calculated from November 23, 2019 through April 9, 2021. The Postal Service has indicated that it will take some time to calculate the back pay for more than 210,000 letter carriers but expects the process to be completed and payments made sometime in July 2021.

The new pay rates can be seen in the new letter carrier pay schedule available at the web site: www.nalc.org

IN SYMPATHY We are saddened to report the death of Jonathan Tanner, Sr., who worked for the Post Office 43 years before his retirement. His son is Eastmont Oakland Steward Jonathan Tanner, Jr. Our condolences go out to his family, friends and co-workers.

Last punch for Lafayette’s App Browning

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May 2021

What You Need to Know About EFEL

By Edward P. Fletcher, President

We have known since March 11, 2021 when President Biden signed into law the “American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)” of 2021, that it also included “Emergency Federal Employees Leave (EFEL).” The Act established a fund of $570 million to be administer by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). What was missing for six weeks that wasn’t issued until April 30, 2021, was OPM’s Guidelines for the use of EFEL. Between March 11, 2021 and April 29, 2021, the USPS issued several interim agreements, which are now succeeded by OPM’s Guidelines.

What is Required for EFEL? In his letter dated April 30, 2021, USPS Chief Human Resource Officer Doug Tolino outlined the “Required OPM Documentation for Emergency Federal Employee Leave,” which is effective immediately for employees requesting EFEL must provide the following: 1) A completed PS Form 3971, Request for or Notification of Absence.

2) COVID-19/EFEL Employee Notification and Leave Request Form and all documentation required by the specific qualifying circumstance (Items 1-8) as indicated on the request form itself.

3) A signed Employee Agreement in Connection with EFEL provided under the ARPA of 2021.

What You Are Actually Agreeing Too Under EFEL The agreement itself is required for only the first use of EFEL. Thus, Management should not require any employee to sign a second EFEL Agreement Form. The Agreement notifies employees that the “Agency” is granting EFEL on a “conditional basis” subject to the availability of EFEL funds.

And, once the EFEL fund is exhausted and before the Agency receives reimbursement (not when you requested EFEL), any EFEL used by the employee will be cancelled.

Then the employee will be responsible for eliminating the resulting leave debt by one or both of the following actions: Requesting other paid leave under normal leave rules; and/or voluntarily providing monetary reimbursement to the agency to satisfy the overpayment debt resulting from receiving payments for a period of time when I should have been in LWOP status.

Do you get it? If not, let me help you. EFEL is not guaranteed and is like taking LWOP. You will be (not might be) responsible for paying back the Postal Service for, any and all leave, that the USPS was not reimbursed from OPM 4

Branch 1111 News when the well runs dry. You will have to use your own leave or pay for it. By signing the agreement, you have already agreed to salary off set payments. However, you would have the right to challenge the agency’s decision via the grievance procedure if any monies collected were in error. Please note that the depletions of the EFEL fund, is not an error. Please keep copies of all EFEL paperwork submitted and PS Forms 3971’s for your records.

The EFEL Notification and Leave Request Form The EFEL Notification Leave Form requires employees to identify 1-8 of the qualifying circumstances (see form) that render an employee unable to work, the dates of EFEL usage, and the additional documentation requirements for each qualifying circumstance. There are also four employee certifications/boxes that he/she must initial. In addition to signing and dating the Employee Notification and Leave Request Form, the employee must attach it to the EFEL Agreement Form and provide all required forms to his/her supervisor.

Also noteworthy in the USPS letter dated April 30, 2021 was a statement regarding all employees who were “conditionally approved” EFEL under the “USPS Interim Policy,” which started on March 11, 2021, must complete the required EFEL Request Form, sign the EFEL Agreement and provide all related documentation within 10-days of receiving these forms from management. If not done, it could result in the denial of previously paid EFEL and the conversion of EFEL leave changed to LWOP, as well as the employee being liable for repayment to the USPS. If you read the fine print at the top of the COVID-19 EFEL Employee Notification and Leave Request Form, it states “Supplying information is voluntary, but if not provided, we may not be able to process your leave request.”

So, it is very important to understand that all employees who request EFEL (past, present or future) must follow OPM’s Guidelines for all EFEL usage.

Don’t Get Snake Bitten Brothers and Sisters, it has been said that, “not all money, is good money.” Yes, the EFEL was signed into law on the backdrop of the worst pandemic in 100 years. It was drafted to provide emergency resources to certain federal employees in dire need and that have been affected by COVID-19, which has ravaged our communities, businesses and risks our safety and health.

It is not annual leave, nor is it free money without stipulations. So, if you need it, it is there for you to use. If you do use it, please ensure that you timely process, sign, initial and provide all necessary EFEL paperwork to ensure that you don’t end up seeing all of your previously and “conditionally approved” EFEL vanish into thin air, and you get “snake bitten” by a huge debt after the fact.

May 2021

Paula Lee -Another Addition To our Beloved Heroes!

By Terrence Lee Super, Fourth Vice President

This issue of our newspaper I am honored and thankful to be able to pay homage to a new CCA out of the Pleasanton Installation. Paula Lee who showed great courage and quick thinking when it came to one of her customers.

Paula was delivering her route and one of her customers was out watering his lawn that afternoon. While Paula was approaching her next delivery, she heard a scream coming from the direction where she just delivered. She paused for a second to process the noise, then looked around and noticed she did not see the man watering the lawn. She walked back towards her vehicle and saw the man that was just a moment ago watering his grass laying in front of his doorstep covered with blood. The customer had slipped and busted his head open.

Her quick first reaction was to take off her satchel and stop the bleeding. She noticed there was a lot of blood lost already. She had a dry cloth and held it against his wound on his head. She called 911 immediately. The 911 dispatcher was giving her instructions on what to do and keeping the customer alert while waiting for the ambulance to arrive.

Due to Paula’s heroic act, she literally saved this man’s life. Paula was the only person around that could have saved him. His family (who I will attempt to interview for possibly next month’s issue) is forever grateful to her.

We as a Branch love to hear stories like this because it shows how important our jobs are as Letter Carriers.

Carriers deliver to EVERYONE EVERYDAY. We are the most trusted Federal entity in the USA and this is a perfect example as to why our community trusts us. When we see something that’s not right, like mail piling up in a customer’s mailbox, we say something or ask a neighbor if they have seen anything out of the ordinary. Sometimes, we even call the police to do a welfare check to see if that customer may have passed out or had fallen and couldn’t get up to reach the

Branch 1111 News phone. We have read many stories in the NALC Postal Record monthly of similar situations.

Our Letter Carriers not only deliver the mail, but they look out for their customers and in this situation Paula did just that! Even after making sure her customer was ok, she went on to deliver the rest of her route.

What an example of a great and loving human being.

Paula is the definition of a kind heart that looks out for customers and people in general. We can all take a lesson form Paula in that we need to be kind to one another and treat people with respect. There is too much hate in the world, and Paula is an example how we should treat our fellow neighbor, whether it’s on the job or at home.

Thank you Paula for your quick thinking, your selfless act, and overall love for your fellow neighbor.

Pleasanton CCA Paula Lee

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Branch 1111 News

Please Help Me!

By Narciso Paderanga, IV, First Vice President

How many of us or how many people you know are crying for help (inside) but no one can hear it. We all have different backgrounds and have different lives. We also had different childhood and we had lived our lives with different obstacles or struggles growing up or as an adult.

For some who have had a very rough experience with life, they may have become dependent on alcohol or an illegal substance in order to alleviate some of the “pain” or hardship they were facing.

“Substance abuse differs from addiction. Many people with substance abuse problems are able to quit or can change their unhealthy behavior. Addiction, on the other hand, is a disease. It means you can’t stop using even when your condition causes you harm”. (webmd.com) If you are or you know someone who may want and need help, the USPS has a program, the Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a formal, voluntary, non-disciplinary program designed to assist employees and their immediate families in their efforts to resolve personal issues that may impact adversely on work performance, personal well-being, or both. Issues may include, but are not limited to: (a) substance abuse; (b) mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and stress; and (c) issues that involve family, marital, financial, and legal concerns.

Assistance is provided through consultation, evaluation, counseling, and referral to community resources and treatment facilities. (ELM 871.11)

May 2021 disciplinary action for failure to meet acceptable standards of work performance, attendance, or conduct. Participation in EAP does not shield an employee from discipline or from prosecution for criminal activities. (ELM 871.32) Inquiries regarding participation in EAP counseling are confidential, pursuant to the provisions of 874.4. EAP records may not be placed in an employee’s official personnel folder (OPF). (ELM 871.33) USPS will not tolerate the sale, possession, or use of illegal drugs or the abuse of legal drugs while on duty or on Postal premises. If you are found engaging in such activities, you are subjecting yourself to discipline or removal and criminal charges. In addition, employees are prohibited from drinking intoxicating beverages when they begin work, while on duty or return to duty intoxicated. In fact, you are not allowed to bring any intoxicating beverages into any Postal facility.

Some say the hardest part is accepting the fact that they have a problem. Some say the hardest part is the recovery process itself.

Don’t wait until it’s too late. Don’t wait until Management discovers it in a negative manner. Don’t wait until someone gets seriously hurt or killed. Once Management knows, it’s highly likely it will do what it has to do. Do not put yourself in a situation where you are facing removal or criminal charges against you.

Take the first step in getting better, your brothers and sisters will be here for you. Help is also available locally and nationally.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357 or findtreatment.gov

Break Time in Lafayette!

Substance abuse, dependence, and other addictions are serious health problems that can adversely affect an employee’s job performance and personal life. The EAP continues the Postal Service’s obligation under its collective bargaining agreements to provide a program for employees with these problems. EAP is not intended to alter or amend any of the rights or responsibilities of the Postal Service or its employees.

(ELM 871.12) Participation in EAP is voluntary and will not jeopardize the employee’s job security or promotional opportunities.

(ELM 871.31) Although an employee’s voluntary participation in EAP counseling should be given favorable consideration in disciplinary action, participation in EAP does not limit management’s right to proceed with any contemplated 6

Steward Manny Nunez (L) with fellow carriers Anthony Alfaro, Mekena Ramos, Drew Bishop-Tsai, and Lisa Abenoja enjoy a welcome snack

May 2021

THE HI-TECH SCANNER

By Berkeley Chief Steward Liz Corriea

We now have the Hi-Tech Scanners, and to me they are horrible.

So far, I have experienced where I am standing in front of the correct address and the scanner is telling me that I am 100 yards away. Twice my scanner had confirmation numbers appear out of nowhere. How weird is that? On several occasions, my scanner actually processed a parcel after scanning it, without me physically pushing any numbers. Again how weird is that?

The scanner is constantly making noises that are annoying. As you are walking with the scanner, it’s making these sounds and acting as if you had just made some kind of movement with it. But it does its own thing.

How about this one, the scanner gives you a message that is so long that it doesn’t give you enough time to read it before it disappears. You’re not sure what the message was about, it may or may not have anything to do with a certain parcel.

Twice I had a vehicle break down. I was able to report these incidents on my scanner, but nothing happened. No one showed up. No one picked up the phone at the office. I was stuck out there for a couple of hours each time. Both times having to call my daughter to come pick me up. Why didn’t the scanner capture the fact I was stationary for so long?

Perhaps I am just an old folky, I am having a hard time understanding when carriers are being charged with stationary time, and how does this scanner really capture the correct real time? When it doesn’t always give the correct address on parcel delivery.

The one thing I do appreciate is the fact that the scanner is smaller and lighter to carry as opposed to the old scanners.

BERKELEY BLUES

There’s always something going on, in this crazy city of Berkeley, the latest event is that there are now rats and mice running around inside our building -- pretty disgusting. We finally got our outside grass, that was as tall as I am, cut down.

Unfortunately, the homeless encampment which is parked right outside our building is still here. These might be contributing factors to all the crazy stuff happening here in Berkeley.

A clerk shared with me that while she was sorting parcel post, she felt something nibbling at her ankle. She looked down, -- it was a rat. She couldn’t shake it off, as it wouldn’t stop right away. I informed her that she should report the incident and fill out PS Form 1767. She said the rat didn’t break her skin, so she felt safe. It’s pretty bizarre behavior by a rat. Who wants to be working in such an unhealthy environment?

We have yet to see if Berkeley management has done anything about this mess with the rats and mice. I haven’t heard any stand-ups pertaining to this issue. Perhaps we need to notify OSHA to get the answers that we need.

Berkeley managers are more concerned with whether or not you’re wearing the proper uniforms. They have been

Branch 1111 News sending some of our carriers home, as if they have enough carriers to do the job. This is creating a hostile work environment, because all those routes now have to be covered by their co-workers.

For the new PTFs, -- don’t let Berkeley management fool you into paying out of your own pocket for your uniforms. If Berkeley management wants you to wear uniforms then they better be prepared to pay for them themselves. Otherwise, they can wait until you pass probation. Berkeley management is responsible for processing your uniform cards.

It’s pretty obvious that Berkeley management doesn’t have their priorities straight. Who’s running who or what? To me it starts at the top and trickles down. It pretty embarrassing that this place does not have great leaders.

I can remember there was a time when carriers really enjoyed coming to work, and it was very rewarding. The Postmaster acknowledged your work and let you know what a fine job you were doing. Awards were given out and there were social gatherings nearly every month. Employees were much closer than they are now.

Sadly those days are long gone. But what if they came back? It would take a miracle for that to happen in Berkeley.

Knowledge is Power!

The Importance of Providing Your Post Office With an Updated/ Current Address

By Jose Ochoa, Executive Vice President

If you have been absent from work due to whatever reason. I would like to remind you that you must have a current/updated address with the USPS and to check your mail daily….Why? Management may mail you a disciplinary action. From the date management can prove the mail was left/delivered at your address of record, you only have 14 days to file a grievance. If that happened to be a notice of removal and you missed your time limits, there is really not a whole lot we can argue to save your job. Postal regulations mandate that you provide a current/updated address.

Additionally, if you happen to work in a messed up office like Berkeley, beware, look for discipline mail to be sent to your address of record even when you are at work, in hope that you ignore and don’t respond/file a timely grievance within 14 days.

Why is management doing this? Because that’s the only way they can successfully discipline you, that’s some shady mess!

We are finding ways to re-start our Branch monthly meetings in the near future and we are really looking forward to seeing you all again in person.

I DON’T WANT TO PAY UNION DUES, SO I’LL FORFEIT ALL OF MY CONTRACTUAL, BENEFITS, VACATION, JOB PROTECTION, DUE PROCESS AND WAGE INCREASES……

SAID NO SCAB, EVER!

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Branch 1111 News

Brace Yourself, Summer is Coming

By Julie McCormick, Third Vice President

As Letter Carriers, we work outdoors the majority of the day. Most of the time, this is one of the best parts of being a carrier. However, summer is just around the corner and that means exposure to the dangers of heat and the sun. So, being the seasoned, well prepared Letter Carriers you all are, what can we do to be proactive and protect against the sun and heat?

One of the keys of combating heat related illness is hydration! This means drinking an abundance of water. You want to start drinking water before you leave the office for the day. Dehydration occurs when more water and fluids are leaving the body than enter it. The human body is about 75% water, so it is no surprise water is crucial for our bodies to function. That means no sugary sports drinks, coffee, energy drinks, etc as these will often perpetuate dehydration. Start drinking water early into your day and continue to drink water while on your route and even after work so you are making sure you are replacing vital body fluids. For carriers who may be covering on your route, you may want to leave them a note of where they can refill on water and where to find shady areas on your route.

You also want to make sure you dress appropriately for the weather by wearing light colored, loose fitting, breathable clothing. Light colors reflect more sun and loosefitting clothing let heat escape the skin faster. Luckily, our letter carrier shirts are a light blue color, and the uniform vendors offer “relaxed fit” pants and shorts for letter carriers.

Even if you feel cool, the sun can have damaging effects on your skin. Short term effects can be a sun burn, however long-term effects can be as server as skin cancer.

To combat this, letter carriers should use a strong sunscreen with a high sun protection factor (SPF). The sun protection factor is a multiplier of how much solar energy (UV radiation) is required to produce sunburn on protected skins (i.e. in the presence of sunscreen) relative to the amount of solar energy required to produce sunburn on unprotected skin. So as SPF increases, sunburn protection increases. Fair skinned people are likely to absorb more solar energy than dark-skinned people under the exact same conditions. Be sure to pick a sunscreen that meets your needs and continually apply it throughout the day.

There are two kinds of sever heat stress, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Heat exhaustion symptoms include headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness, thirst, and heavy sweating. It can turn into heat stroke quickly if no action is taken. Heat stroke is the most serious heat related illness and requires IMMEDIATE MEDICAL 8

May 2021 ATTENTION. Symptoms of heat stroke include confusion, fainting, seizures, very high blood temperature, hot and dry skin and profuse sweating.

Do not wait to take action if you see the signs of heat stress in yourself or a co-worker. Find some shade or a cool place indoors, drink water and notify your supervisor or call 911 if necessary.

We all have smartphones nowadays and there is a useful tool found in your application store. You can download the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSHA) Heat Safety Tool app. Once this app is installed on your phone, it can detect your location and provide you with current temperature, humidity, and heat index. It can also provide you the expected heat index for the balance of the workday.

As Letter Carriers we have the right and duty to protect our own safety so let’s be proactive during the upcoming warm months ahead and ensure we are doing whatever we can do protect ourselves against heat related illnesses and exposures.

You can find information about the heat safety app here: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/heatstress/heatapp.html More information about heat exposure can be found here: https://www.osha.gov/heat-exposure https://www.nalc.org/workplace-issues/safety-andhealth/enforcing-heat-safety-rules

Branch 1111 News

May 2021

THE LONG WAIT IS OVER

Clayton Steward Greg Umanskiy and CCA Jim Mahan celebrate their conversion to career status after more than 24 months on the job, thanks to the new National Agreement

The 2021 Food Drive has been indefinitely postponed, but we Letter Carriers can still make a difference to those in need in our community.

Encourage your fellow carriers to donate online or take up a collection. Branch 1111 voted to give $1000 to each of the local food banks, but more help is always needed!

Alameda County

To Donate:

https://donate.accfb.org/

Contra Costa/Solano County

https://www.foodbankccs.org/give-help/donate.html 9

Branch 1111 News

Just (Unjust) Cause Interview

By Francisco Cabrera, Third Vice President

What’s all this?

Mail.

Why didn't you come back by 6 pm?

Supervisor told me to finish it.

Why didn't you scan at 4430 Whipple or scan such-and-such parcel?

I did.

Why did you file a claim?

Because I am covered under the FECA for on the job injuries.

After this charming prelude conversation, usually a just cause (just cuz) interview is scheduled. Are you afraid of just cause interviews? Hopefully the following example of questions and answers will help you answer without incriminating yourself which is usually the interrogators sole purpose. (Ideas on how you can answer without incriminating yourself are in bold) And please never talk to Management or OIG or Postal Inspectors without a Union representative!!!!

It is not your job to arrange the meeting with your Union representative, it is Management's!!!

And management can’t discipline you or fire you for exercising the right (Weingarten rights) to Union representation at any/all investigative interview!

Here are the Examples Are you aware of (Postal Rule or regulation)?

I haven't been trained on that.

Is it true you received such-and-such corrective action on suchand-such date?

I don't think that was issued for just cause.

Are you aware of your responsibility to be regular in attendance?

I don't know what regular in attendance means. I can't come to work if I am incapacitated due to illness or injury or need to care for my family member or COVID related reasons including childcare.

(FYI Sick leave dependent care only covers spouse; parents; parents-in-law; children; brothers; sisters; grandparents; grandchildren; step parents; step children; foster parents; foster children; guardianship relationships; same sex and 10

May 2021 opposite sex domestic partners; and spouses or domestic partners of the aforementioned) How much overtime did you request in the morning?

I requested a PS form 3996 but none was provided to me.

Who authorized you to work such-and-such hours of time?

I was told to finish but it would be unauthorized. I follow instruction and delivered all mail without accident or injury.

Do you have anything else to add that I may not be aware of?

NO! Please write me a statement about how the accident/injury happened.

NO! Please explain how the injury/accident happened on such-and such date?

Please review the CA1 (for injuries)/Form 9 (for vehicle accidents) it explains what happened.

Get the Guidance Hopefully the above gives you some guidance on how to answer at “Just Cuz” interviews.

The other day I had the privilege of speaking with Richmond Police Officers because Management called the police on me, again!

Although we don’t have Weingarten rights with the regular police, I found the two gentlemen to be very pleasant and savvy.

In fact after asking the manager what the problem was, they quickly realized they were simply being “weaponized”, against my force majeure to “unionize” as I have been authorized. So, after speaking to me, they sympathized and left.

Shortly after, that manager was semi-civilized by his superior, and was apprised that his actions were unauthorized.

Until the next time, I have the privilege to help you cognize.

“Be Careful when you follow the masses, sometimes the M is silent”

May 2021

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NALC Branch 1111 Balance Sheet As of April 30, 2021 ASSETS Current Assets Bank Accounts 100 - Petty Cash 213.96 126 PPCU-50 166,270.04 Mechanics Bank Accounts 253,149.51 PPCU-Acct 70 25,626.02 United Bank Accounts 253,359.71 Total Bank Accounts $698,619.24 Other Current Assets Total Current Other Assets $42,198.99 Total Current Assets $740,818.23 Fixed Assets 189 - Accumulated Depreciation -142,194.57 190 - 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 $ 404,014.56 TOTAL ASSETS $1,144,832.79

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May 2021 LIABILITIES & EQUITY Total Liabilities Net Revenue 3900 Unrestricted Net Assets Equity

8,276.46 -1,759.47 1,138,315.80 $1,136,556.33

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

$1,144,832.79

Fremont carrier Frances Rodriguez Swint receives her Carrier Connect award from USPS

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

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

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

Emma Duran Samantha Machado Michael Ryder Francis Viduya Homer Stephens Alicia Fleming Daniel Ryan Michael Dimalanta Kiyanna Jackson Justice Henderson Steven Ngov Kwan Ma Kahdaro Roberts-Dugar.

Clarence Yow Jake Holochwost Marlon Suber Argel Lustina Taylor Bevans Ricardo Acevedo Corro Katherine Brown Manique Elliott Jason Terry Harry Wang Angel Wolf David Adams Katona Atkinson Ryan Louie Gabriel Aguilar Od-Erdene Purevjal Danny Thompson Uriel Garcia Dominique Mares Zachary Coker

Antioch Berkeley Berkeley Berkeley Berkeley Crockett Danville Fairfield Fairfield Fairfield Fairfield Fremont Fremont Fremont Livermore Livermore Livermore Martinez Oakland Oakland Oakland Oakland Oakland Oakland Oakland Oakland Richmond San Ramon Suisun City Union City Union City Vallejo Vallejo

Delfonzo Hodges Jonell Boklivar James Atwater

Vallejo Walnut Creek Walnut Creek

Lafayette carriers Scott Mason and Rey Azeda ready to start the day.

On May25 the Branch will hold a virtual Informational Meeting Call the Branch Office at 510-237-5111 if you’re interested in taking part Meetings will now be counted as official