Greater East Bay Branch 1111 News Volume 43 Number 491
January/February 2024
Your 2023-2025 Branch Officers!
(From L-R) Terrence Super, Narciso Paderanga, Eddie Murphy, Mary Phelps,
Mary Abante, Edward Fletcher and John Ferreira
Branch Meetings are held on the 4th Tuesday of each month 7:00pm at the Branch Office The next Branch Meetings will be held on Tuesday, January 23rd and February 27th
Branch 1111 News
January/February 2024
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 5th 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 Narciso Paderanga, Executive Vice President Mary Abante, First Vice President Terrence Super, Second Vice President Eddie Murphy, Third Vice President Chris Calica, Fourth Vice President Mary Phelps, Secretary-Treasurer John Ferreira, Asst. Sec-Treasurer Lumus Russell IV, Sgt-at-Arms Jacob Morgan, Insurance Officer Rickie Cox, Trustee Ron Jones, Trustee Jeffrey Valentine, Trustee
Greater East Bay Branch 1111 News Branch 1111 News is the official bimonthly 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-Hercules, San Lorenzo, San Ramon, Suisun City, Union City, Vallejo, Walnut Creek
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EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS
Elizabeth Corriea, Marisela Fletcher, Ruben Ramirez Stephen Robinson, Joshua Pearl, Ché Perez, Frances 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, Eddie Murphy, John Ferreira, Narciso Paderanga, Mary Abante, Liz Corriea, Ron Jones, Shana Lum, Mary Phelps, Terrence Super, 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
January/February 2024
Branch 1111 News
OFFICER INSTALLATION Branch officers serving the upcoming 2023-2025 term were sworn-in at the November 28, 2023, Branch Meeting. National Director of City Delivery Christopher Jackson and Region 1 NBA Keisha Lewis was on hand to do the honors. Tasty food and drink were enjoyed by all.
HAPPY TRAILS TO YOU The following letter carriers retired recently: Arthur Garibay Jr. and Pascual Pixcar of Antioch; Shubh Sharma of Fremont; Jose Arevalo of Concord; Max Cheng of Oakland; Leslie Young of Union City; Michael McNeil of Berkeley; Luis Gonzalez of Richmond; Charles Torio of Benicia; and Ross Tandowsky of Pleasanton. We wish all many years of leisure.
FTO Eddie Murphy congratulates retirees Ricky Fleming and Vimal Khem of El Cerrito
CONDOLENCES FOR FREMONT STEWARD NATHANIEL VELASCO We are saddened to learn of the death of Fremont carrier Nathaniel Matthew Velasco this past November while delivering on his route. He had just been certified as Shop Steward four months earlier. Our condolences to his family, friends, and co-workers. Branch members took up donations for funeral expenses at the November meeting and a check for $876 was mailed to his family.
Branch 1111 Vacancy Notice: Fourth Vice-President Position: As per Article 4, Section 4 of our By-Laws, Branch 1111 is accepting applications to fill the remaining portion of the 2023-25 term of office of the 4th Vice-President. Duties: He / she shall perform all duties as outlined in Our Branch 1111 By-Laws Article 6, “Duties of Officers,” Section 6 and any other duties assigned by the Branch President. Such duties shall consist of, but not limited to: assisting the President and Chief Steward-at-Large in the performances of their duties as outlined in the National Constitution, particularly in the representation of the members in the cities and stations of Branch 1111. Deadline: Please signify in writing your willingness and qualifications to serve as our “Fourth Vice President” and apply no later than February 16, 2024 Send to: Edward P. Fletcher President Branch 1111 402 37th Street, Richmond, CA 94805
PTF Miles Russell of Benicia with first uniform
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Branch 1111 News
2024 and Beyond By Edward P. Fletcher, President
Each new year brings new hope that things will get better. But hope alone is not enough. What will the New Year of 2024 bring for us letter carriers? When will FullTime Regulars get their annual leave advanced in 2024? Will we get a new Collective Bargaining Agreement this year?
New Year, New Annual Leave
Every year we are asked the same question regarding annual leave for full-time regulars, which is “When will I get my annual leave?” The answer is found in the J-CAM 2022 Page 10-3 & the Employee Labor & Labor Relations Manual (ELM) Section 512.311.b., which states: Credit at Beginning of leave Year: • “Full-time employees are credited at the beginning of the year with the total number of annual leave hours that they will earn for that leave year.” The J-CAM 2022 Page 10-4 states, “A leave year is defined as the year beginning with the first day of the first complete pay period in a calendar year and ending on the day before the first day of the first complete pay period in the following calendar year.” In reviewing the 2024 Calendar, Saturday January 13, 2024, is the 1st Day of the 1st Full Pay Period (2024-03) where Full/Part-time regular employees annual leave is credited. Note: The carriers will actually see their 2024 annual leave on their February 02, 2024, paycheck.
Where is Our New Contract?
Our 2019-2023 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) ended on May 20, 2023. We have been working under our old contract for seven months now. Our last Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) was in February of 2023, nearly a year ago. So, the million-dollar question that everyone wants to know is, “what is going on with our contract?” At the November 2023 National RAP session in New Orleans, we were told that the parties are still pursuing a double fisted approach. In short, continuing to negotiate while preparing for arbitration at the same time. We were reminded that the 2019-2023 contract was negotiated/settled under this same approach. If there is a proposed negotiated agreement, the members will have the opportunity to vote it up or down. If it is via arbitration, then that decision will be our new contract. 4
January/February 2024
What our members want is a strong contract with higher pay and benefits for the hard work we do. The good news is that if/when we get a raise, it is usually applied retroactively to the end of our last contract, which was May, 2023. As in the past, the retroactive pay may include COLAs from July 2023 and January of 2024, as well as a possible General Wage increase for November of 2023.
Safety and Health – Best Practices
With COVID-19, Influenza, the Flu and Respiratory Syncytial Viris (RSV) still floating around and getting people very sick, it is important to continue the best safety prevention practices such as: frequently washing your hands; avoid shaking hands; cover your mouth when you cough; wear a mask; if you are sick with an infectious illness or have a fever, stay home; if your illness does not get better with normal remedies and time, see your doctor; get your flu and/or updated COVID-19 shots. It is important that we do these things to protect ourselves, coworkers, and family members.
President Ed Fletcher conversing with Region 1 National Business Agent Keisha Lewis
Narciso and Ed receive a visit from long-time former Branch officer Charles Thompson
January/February 2024
Branch 1111 News
New Year, New Journey Narciso Paderanga, IV Executive Vice President
This would be my first term serving as Branch 1111’s Executive Vice President. Serving as a full-time officer for the past ten years, I’ve come across many different challenges and obstacles. This time, it’s time to put more time in developing new “soldiers” of the Branch. Which means more training and more development for the future of our great Branch. I am excited and looking forward to training the new stewards who signed up and were selected either by virtue of steward elections or by acclamation. I am confident they will be successful with proper training. If you are thinking about becoming a shop steward in the future but you don’t feel you are ready, sign up to be an alternate steward for now and get as much information as you can. As an alternate steward, you may attend the monthly Steward classes on zoom, where your FTOs present a topic or topics and stewards are encouraged to participate and discuss issues. As members of our Branch, do not hesitate to ask for any information you may need from the shop stewards in your stations, as well as your full-time officers at the Branch office or when you see us in the stations. We are here to support you collectively as a team. If you receive any notices, letters, disciplines or any other types of communication from management, please inform your stewards and give a copy to your Union immediately. Whenever necessary, we will file a grievance on your behalf. If you work in a place that you feel lacks dignity and respect, please inform us. We would need everyone’s combined participation in proving management’s inappropriate actions. Do not be afraid of retaliation! Your fear would only lead to management’s continuance of its improper actions. Keep in mind that in all contract violation cases, the burden of proof lies with the Union. I hope everyone has a great year this year!
Narciso Paderanga IV shaking hands with NALC Vice President James Henry after being installed as Branch 1111. Executive Vice President. Paderanga was away attending Arbitration Advocacy Training in Linthicum Heights, Maryland
In solidarity!
National Director of City Delivery Chris Jackson speaking to the members of Branch 1111 at the November Meeting. Brother Jackson was here to install our officers.
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Branch 1111 News
January/February 2024
No Time Like the Present By Mary Abante First Vice President
Recently, a carrier asked me if he could have another route count. His route became so overburdened after the Technology Integrated Alternate Roue Evaluation and Adjustment Process (TIAREAP) he had contemplated quitting his job or bidding on another assignment. After investigation, it was discovered this carrier had been working off the clock, cutting his 30-minute lunch break in half and on some days not taking lunch at all or his two paid 10-minute breaks. He was working for free, and management showed their appreciation by lengthening his route. Often the carrier would return to the office after his duties, clock out and then unload his vehicle, cull his outgoing mail, put up his scanner and clear his accountable mail. He said he just wanted to go home. Article 41.3.k asserts, “Supervisors shall not require, nor permit, employees to work off the clock.” Working off the clock will ultimately create havoc in your life and your fellow carriers. If your route is being pieced out when you’re off or no one wants to OPT on it while you’re gone, it may be more than just the area. It could be the route is a monster route because of working off the clock. When you come back to work not only are you unhappy but also the customer. The carrier in this story was so miserable he almost quit his job. However, after some discussion with his shop steward, he is now putting in a PS 3996 requesting overtime and taking his authorized breaks while performing his duties on-the-clock. He now understands he is to perform his duties safely and accurately and there is no set street standard. Now management wants to know why it is taking him so long to do his route and they have completed many PS 4584s or street observations on this carrier which are satisfactory. Management has also brought the carrier in for an investigative interview accusing him of stationary time and poor work performance. The carrier responded to all questions “I was working” and no discipline has been charged against him. Your lunch break is automatically taken out of your daily time. Do the math, 30 minutes let’s say 5 days a week, 30 days a month at your pay schedule. Wow! That’s some dollars and you didn’t even get a thank you card from management. Don’t get into a bad habit. Work while on the clock. Remember a fair day’s work for a fair day’s pay. 6
Martinez carrier Dylan Porter dressed as Santa Claus and fellow Martinez carrier Michael Hewitsons representing the elves.
San Ramon Chief Steward Shana Lum and carrier Kalona Alberty enjoying the Christmas holiday.
January/February 2024
M-01492 USPS-NALC JOINT STATEMENT OF EXPECTATIONS By Terrence Lee Super, Second Vice President
• We will do our best to understand and respect each other's roles, responsibilities, interests, and challenges. • We will make every effort to establish and maintain a more constructive, and cooperative working relationship between union and management at all levels of the organization by promoting integrity, professionalism, and fairness in our dealings with each other. • We are committed to honoring our labor contract and the specific rights and responsibilities of the parties set forth therein. • We will work together to prevent contract violations through communication, training, and good faith efforts to anticipate workplace problems and resolve disputes in a timely manner. • We are committed to eliminating abuses of our grievance-arbitration procedure, such as the filing of unwarranted grievances to clog the system or a refusal to resolve grievances even where there are no legitimate differences of opinion between the parties. • We are committed to mutual and joint efforts to improve the workplace environment and to improve the overall performance of the Postal Service. We will make every effort to resolve our disputes in a professional manner and to avoid any unnecessary escalation of disputes which may adversely impact adherence to the above principles or adversely influence unionmanagement relationships at other levels of the organization I am committed to getting things done without having to file a grievance clogging the Grievance Arbitration Procedure. This is what both the Union and Management should be trying to do. Let’s have a better year!
HAPPY NEW YEAR! By Berkeley Chief Shop Steward Liz Corriea
Here’s bringing in the New Year’s Cheers! to all the members of this great Union. Hope everyone’s Holidays were pleasurable. Spending time with your family, and friends is very valuable, you cannot make up for lost time with them.
Branch 1111 News
Many of you worked long hours in the dark this December, and still you continue to work in the dark, sometimes without any gratitude for a job well done. Many thanks for those of you who committed to deliver through all those long, long hours no matter what you may have been challenged with on the streets. The month of December usually has high volumes of parcel post due to Christmas. How many of you submitted a PS 3996 during this time? How many of you just put the Letter (J) to justify your overtime? The instructions are on the back of a PS 3996. It states under the letter (J), show the reason assistance is being requested. (Omit during Christmas period). In the future keep that in mind, after all it makes sense to do so. It amazes me how many carriers do not even submit a PS 3996. Supervisors may even give instructions like, be back before 7:45pm. Many carriers may take that to mean you have verbal instructions to be out there until 7:45pm. So many carriers do not know how to fill out a PS 3996; you’re not alone, not all managers do either. You can educate yourself by reading the instructions on the back page of your PS 3996.
THE BERKELEY BLUES NEWS So, what’s really going on in Berkeley, well I’ve seen a lot more PTF’s. YEAH! It’s about time, however, that could change very rapidly if the PTFs leave the Postal Service. Keeping them is one of the biggest problems we have. For the moment’ it’s looking like a lot of additional carriers, but we’ll have to wait and see. I believe how we treat those PTF’s is a leading problem for our shortage of carriers. Treat them with respect and perhaps they will stay. We still need a lot more PTF’s as I am witnessing Berkeley borrowing Letter Carriers from other cities. This may be happening in your city, so be aware of your own Letter Carriers being detailed to my crazy city. Still waiting for Berkeley to show some improvement on how to be organized. It has yet to been seen. As you may be experiencing, most of the management are made up of people that have only been in the Postal Service for a few years. In fact, they may be learning as they go. In Berkeley you don’t have to be smart to be in management. In Berkeley there’s a rumor going around that a supervisor of less than two months has been promoted to being a manager. How about that! So far, this individual scheduled an investigative interview (Just Cause) on a Sunday. Who does that? Well folks, you see what kind of leadership we’re dealing with here in Berkeley. Stay strong,
Knowledge is Power!
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Branch 1111 News
January/February 2024
RETIREMENT CELEBRATONS!
Concord carriers gather in full force for a fete to celebrate the retirement of Jenny Pawlowicz (39 years) and James Mares (30 years)
Oakland Civic Center carriers Mel Banagan (37.5 years) and Greg Ellington (38 years) on their last day are acknowledged for their service by FTOs Ed Fletcher and Narciso Paderanga
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Concord carrier Jose Arevalo loads up for the last time this past November. May you never see another hamper again!
January/February 2024
Branch 1111 News
Branch 1111 Winter Snapshots
Branch Officers for the 2023-2025 term sworn in at the November Branch Meeting
Berkeley DDU Christmas Trees Sepideh Yazdi and Samantha Machado
HAPPY WINNERS! Jeff Valentine, Mary Abante, Narciso Paderanga, and Chris Calica all smiles after hearing the election results
Joyful Holiday celebration and spirit in Suisun City 9
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Branch 1111 News
NALC BRANCH 1111 SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION Applications are being accepted for the Branch 1111 Katherine Ellis Memorial Scholarship. Applicants must submit the form provided below no later than February 29, 2024 Eligibility requirements: 1) The applicant must be a member of the graduating class of 2023-2024 2) The applicant must be son or daughter or legally adopted child/ stepchild of a member in good standing with Branch 1111. Any questions about the scholarship should be referred to John Ferreira of the Scholarship Committee at: 510-237-5111 Date______________
(Please print clearly)
Please send instructions as to how I can compete for the Scholarship Award. I will be a senior in the year 2023-2024 I am the child of (active) (retired) or (deceased) member ___________________________________ (name) My Name is ____________________________________________ My Home Address is _____________________________________________________________________ My Social Security Number is ______-____-______ Signature of NALC Parent______________________ Office/Station of Parent Member _______________________ Branch Official _______________________ NALC Parent’s Social Security Number______-____-______ Title______________ Date______________
Branch 1111 Needs You Want to make a difference in 2024? Here are some ways that you can be an agent of change: 1. Become a Shop Steward Contact your FTO or call the Branch office
2. Attend your Branch Meetings 3. Join the Letter Carrier Political Fund
call the Branch office for details on how to sign up
4. Participate in the Food Drive and MDA Raffle 5. Read your Branch Newspaper and the Postal Record 6. Download the NALC app 7. Help out our new hires. Only by retaining more of them can we solve the staffing issues 13
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Branch 1111 News
NALC Branch 1111 Balance Sheet
LIABILITIES & EQUITY Total Liabilities Net Revenue 3900 Unrestricted Net Assets Total Equity TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
As of December 31, 2023
16,172.08 -92,853.72 1,118,496.08 $1,025,642.36 $1,041,814.44
ASSETS Current Assets Bank Accounts 100 - Petty Cash 50.05 126 PPCU-50 188,561.59 Mechanics Bank Accounts 112,325.93 PPCU-Acct 70 25,670.94 United Bank Accounts 294,757.79 Total Bank Accounts $622,154.54 Other Current Assets Total Current Other Assets 45,085.34 Total Current Assets $667,239.88 Fixed Assets 189 - Accumulated Depreciation -171,634.57 190 - 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 $ 374,574.56 TOTAL ASSETS $1,041,814.44 Suisun City carrier Heidi Brosas with the Christmas spirit
Figure 2Rodeo-Hercules, 1Martinez carriersBaljinder Dylan Porter, Dhaliwal Dan Imam, Coles Harper, Michael Hewiston and Jin Li
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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
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