Staffing Woes and Late Start Times Lead to Dark and Dangerous Deliveries

Greater East Bay Branch 1111 News Volume 42 Number 473

January 2022

STAFFING WOES AND LATE START TIMES LEAD TO DARK AND DANGEROUS DELIVERIES See page 9

Branch Meetings Will Be Virtual Only Until Further Notice

Branch 1111 News

January 2022

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 Jose Ochoa, Executive Vice President Narciso Paderanga, First Vice President Francisco Cabrera, Second Vice President Mary Abante, 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 Rickie Cox, 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-Hercules, San Lorenzo, San Ramon, Suisun City, Union City, Vallejo, Walnut Creek

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EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS

Elizabeth Corriea, Marisela Fletcher, Ray Garcia, Irene Liljedahl, Shana Lum, 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, Mary Abante, Liz Corriea, Ron Jones, Jerry DePoe, Francisco Cabrera, 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

January 2022

Branch 1111 News

BACK TO VIRTUAL MEETINGS The Tuesday, January 25th Branch meeting will be virtual only. The same goes for the February 22nd meeting. We will be monitoring the Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations and open up to in-person meetings as soon as they are deemed safe.

HAPPY TRAILS TO YOU

Krista Beals, Vallejo steward fills in at the Branch office

The following carriers retired recently: Elva Vye of Fremont; Maria Magallan, Diosdado Kempis, and Teresita Nicolas, of Oakland; Roberta Wilson of Fairfield; and Gary Figueroa of Livermore. We wish many years of leisure to all.

GOLD CARD MEMBERS Branch 1111 is honored to announce that we have four new Gold Card members. These cards are given to carriers who have been members of the NALC for over fifty years. The awards go to Eugene Raines Jr., of Oakland, Raymond Sherman of Fairfield, Jesus Ramirez of Suisun, and Donna Scott of Alameda. Congratulations to all!

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS Now is the time to plan ahead and investigate available scholarships for family members for the upcoming college year.

The Branch 1111 Katherine Ellis Memorial Scholarship form was printed in last month’s Branch paper and is also available by calling the Branch Office. The deadline for submission is February 28th. The Saxsenmeier Scholarship application is also available through the California State web site: csalc.org. Make sure you look at the deadlines and apply in time.

John A. Tomson Jr. of Richmond on his last day

PENALTY EXCLUSION ENDS The Penalty exclusion period has finally ended. At least now we again receive double time for excessive time worked

NEW PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT The White House and the Postal Service are finalizing plans to begin shipping coronavirus test kits to U.S. households.

The Biden Administration will launch a website allowing individuals to request the rapid tests. Officials aim to begin shipping the kits by mid-January. (More on Page 5)

Lisa Abenoja of Lafayette receives her 35-year pin and plaque. Congrats!

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January 2022

New Year, New District, Same Old Issues

By Edward P. Fletcher, President

When the clock strikes midnight on December 31st of every year, we promise to do better than last year. We make numerous New Year’s Eve resolutions. We laugh. We cheer. We lift up our glasses and make a toast as the New Year’s ball from Times Square in NYC rings in 2022. My point is that each year brings new hope, which is good. But hope alone, is not enough.

New Year, New Variant Unfortunately, a virus by any definition is still a virus no matter what name you call it. As we toss out our old 2021 calendars, another COVID-19 variant called “Omicron” has raised its ugly head. It appears that as we cut off one head of the snake by increasing vaccinations and reducing infections, another one grows. As of this date, and unlike 2020 which had the Family First Corona Response Act (FFCRA) which ended on December 31, 2020, and the Emergency Federal Employees Leave (EFEL) which ended on September 30, 2021, there is no federal emergency COVID-19 paid leave for career Postal Workers (Full-time Regulars, Part-time Regulars and Part-time Flexibles). Even with safety, hoping it will get better is not enough. We must act to protect our own safety. Please remain vigilant in following all Center for Disease Control, State and Local Safety and Health recommendations to keep all of us safe.

We must still wear our masks even if we are vaccinated. There should be no politics in protecting our safety. If you are sick with COVID-19 like symptoms, please seek medical advice and get tested.

Temporary Additional Paid Leave for CCAs On December 21, 2021, the National Parties reinstated the several COVID-19 MOUs through M-01969, including “Temporary Additional Paid Leave for CCAs” through February 11, 2022. In short, the original 80 hours of CCA additional paid leave that was signed on March 18, 2020 (M-01911) has been continued. What does that mean? If you are a CCA and you did not previous use it in conjunction with the COVID-19 pandemic and now qualify (exposed, quarantined or experiencing COVID19 symptoms), the 80 hours is still available until 02/11/22. Why am I telling you this? Because on January 3, 2022, I got a call from a CCA that had unfortunately contracted COVID-19 for the first time and was told to use his own annual leave - wrong! In this case, the CCA should have been put in for TACS Code 086, which is other paid leave. This is a good example of why hope alone is not enough. But sprinkled with knowledge, it equals justice. The parties also continued M-01914, which deals with liberal schedules changes due to COVID-19 childcare issues. If you have any issues or questions, please request to see your shop steward.

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Branch 1111 News Regifting is Not the Answer?

One of the most disappointing things with the new CA-2 District is that there is nothing new under the sun. Same old unresolved issues. Same old non-compliance with grievance resolves. Same old “I’ll get back to you,” but they don’t always do. In short, it is the same old USPS song and dance without any music playing. The good news is that the Union has seen this sideshow before. It amazes me that these new leaders don’t even blink when they try to “re-gift the same old failing USPS ideas and antiquated business models.” When have empty words to try to pacify anyone or any issue ever been worth anything? They’re not. For example, for many years one of our friends or family members, would hold “White Elephant Gift Exchanges.” It was fun until someone who got the “Ove Glove” one year kept regifting it. No one wanted it. Everyone felt that the gag gift didn’t have any real value. So, what did we do? We changed the game. No more regifting. No more pulling old/unwanted presents out of the back of the closet. The same is true when dealing with the USPS, and no matter which district it is. They are all ordered to blindly march forward toward the cliffs hoping not to trip or fall. The NALC will not allow them to attempt to change the contract through non-compliance hoping it will just go away. It won’t. We will continue to enforce it and get good decisions for our members to protect their rights and benefitsperiod!

Virtual Branch 1111 Meetings Right after writing my December 2021 Article, the CDC reported that the Omicron COVID-19 variant was moving like a wildfire across our nation. Given that report and for at least the January 25, 2022, and February 22, 2022 Branch 1111 meetings, they will be virtual only. We will keep monitoring the CDC guidelines. If it doesn’t get better, virtual meetings will continue.

(From L-R) Emeryville Million Mile Club members Josea Noel Andola, Denise Thompson and Ruben Ramirez receiving their award

January 2022

2021, Oh what a Year!

By Jose Ochoa, Executive Vice President

We all made it, survived Covid-19, incredibly long hours and canceled days off. It was obvious that all Management was concerned about was getting the mail delivered without regard to the physical exhaustion imposed on you and disruption to your life.

I am sure that your supervisors and postmasters, at the very least by now, have had a stand up thanking you for all your hard work, right?

Your stewards did a fantastic job and with the assistance of their officers and RAA James Henry. An unprecedented amount of grievances totaling 5,793 (five thousand seven hundred and ninety three) were filed and many resolved awarding monetary remedies of hundreds and/or thousands of dollars; kudos to all stewards, you rock!

Please, think before you “volunteer” to go help/work in another post office. What are you doing? Do you think you are really helping? At the same time, the brothers and sisters in your office are mandated daily, with SDOs cancelled?

Obviously your “help” is needed in your own office.

These excessive mandated work hours, specifically in the month of December, are so predictable each year. They demonstrate two things: Either District and local Management are inept or the parties at the national level must do a better job to minimize and prevent this reccurring situation. A situation that disrupts your daily lives and impacts your families.

Famous quotes “Ignorance and obscurantism have never produced anything other than flocks of slaves for tyranny."

“I forgive those who steal because maybe they did it out of necessity, but a traitor never.” ― Emiliano Zapata

White House/USPS Partnership

By Jacob Bogage Washington Post

The White House is finalizing details with the U.S. Postal Service to deliver 500 million coronavirus test kits to households across the country, according to four people familiar with the plans, kick-starting a key part of President Biden’s response to the raging omicron variant.

The administration will launch a website allowing individuals to request the rapid tests, the people said, who spoke

Branch 1111 News on the condition of anonymity to discuss private planning sessions. Officials aim to begin shipping the kits by mid-January.

Test manufacturers and distributors seeking to provide a share of the 500 million tests have submitted proposals to the government, and the Biden administration on Thursday evening awarded its first contract toward the purchase, said a person with knowledge of the testing plan. A formal announcement on the effort could come as soon as next week.

The Postal Service is currently negotiating with its four labor unions to extend the seasonal workforce — the roughly 40,000 people brought in each year to help the agency work through a glut of holiday packages. The agency moved 13.2 billion pieces of mail and parcels between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve. A representative from the White House declined to comment. Representatives from the Postal Service did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The demand for testing has far outstripped supply in recent weeks as millions of Americans traveled for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays while the highly contagious omicron variant began to spread. Biden announced Dec. 21 that his administration would purchase and distribute 500 million rapid tests — as scenes played out across the country of lines forming outside pharmacies to purchase tests, or at community centers where some local governments distributed them to residents.

Earlier that month as shortages began, White House press secretary Jen Psaki played down the idea of mailing federally procured tests around the country.

“Should we just send one to every American?” Psaki asked sarcastically at a Dec. 6 news briefing. “Then what happens if every American has one test? How much does that cost, and then what happens after that?”

Jeffrey Zients, the White House coronavirus response coordinator, told reporters Wednesday that manufacturers’ test deliveries to the federal government would begin “over the next week or so.” He said those kits would “not disrupt or in any way cannibalize the tests that are on pharmacy shelves and on websites and used in other settings.”

New confirmed infections in the United States have roughly quadrupled since Biden first announced his plan to send rapid tests to Americans, rising from about 155,467 cases on Dec. 21 to nearly 611,000 cases on Tuesday, the highest total of the pandemic, according to The Washington Post’s rolling seven-day average.

The Postal Service has been floated before as a potential mechanism in the nation’s pandemic response. The Trump administration had plans to ship 650 million reusable cloth face masks to every U.S. household as early as April 2020, when the country was recording fewer than 30,000 new cases per day. The Postal Service had gone as far as to draft a news release about the program, and even selected the communities where the first shipments would arrive.

Then-President Donald Trump nixed the plan over a running feud with postal leadership and a concern that sending the masks “might create concern or panic,” according to a Trump administration official.

Talks between the Biden administration and postal leaders began in late December and accelerated after Christmas, said the four people involved in the planning.

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Branch 1111 News

January 2022

Do Not Let Your Guard Down

Happy New Years

By Narciso Paderanga, IV, First Vice President

Happy New Years! To my union brothers and sisters, I hope you all had a good and safe time, during this Holiday season. So many of you worked endless hours to get those packages out to your customers. I was shocked to see how many carriers worked over 80 hours in a week.

You are all amazing carriers, keep up the good work. These conditions of not having enough carriers in many of our cities puts so much burden on us. Not to mention the challenges we are facing with COVID. We need to continue practicing being safe at all times, by wearing your masks, washing your hands as often as needed, etc.… Let’s practice safety so that we not only protect ourselves, but also our union brothers and sisters. We need each other to help one another to get through this difficult time to come so that we can serve our customers safely.

By Berkeley Chief Shop Steward Liz Correia

Towards the mid and latter part of 2021, restrictions in certain areas of our state have been loosened or lifted. Normalcy seemed to have been within our grasp. Schools reopened as well as business establishments. The Branch opened its doors to its members for the monthly meetings. Then it started to hit hard again. Cases are back on the rise as I write this month’s article.

In fact, it didn’t just hit close to home, it hit home just as we ended last year and welcomed the new year.

Although we have been fully vaccinated and have received our booster shots, the COVID-19 virus still was able to be transmitted. We’ve heard on the news that it was possible to be transmitted to people who were fully vaccinated. We just didn’t fully expect it would happen to us because we thought we were cautious and followed all guidelines and protocols.

We know of other family members and friends that we spent time with during our special gatherings through the holidays who also were infected. We thought we were safe or were practicing safety at all times, but we were wrong. What we have dreaded would happen, actually happened.

Luckily for us, the results have been severe but have not been fatal. However, once it enters your life, it is very frightening to know what this virus is capable of and what it had already done to many others in the world. This recent experience has really changed my views on life as we know it. Some say this virus is here to stay for a very long period of time and I have no argument against that. All I want to be certain about is what else I can do to avoid it? Is everyone bound to contract this virus sooner or later? I really hope not. They say the new strain is more transmissible and we are all susceptible. So please do not let your guard down.

In solidarity!

Full-Time Officers Ed Fletcher and Narciso Paderanga conduct Shop Steward elections at the Fremont Main Station.

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Berkeley Blues New! I am happy to say that currently things in Berkeley are improving a lot with our current Officer in Charge (OIC), much better than previously with our Postmaster. However, it’s a tough place to take over or to even try to clean up in order to make those necessary changes to improve Berkeley. The carrier morale has definitely improved, and safety talks are being conducted like they should. Much work is still needed, especially in the area of not having enough carriers.

One thing I would like to share with the Berkeley carriers is that many of you, especially PTFs, are being taken into the office without union representation and being questioned. When you’re being questioned you should always request a Shop Steward. Never ask if you need a Shop Steward because Management will likely tell you no.

If Management is taking you to the office for an official discussion, that’s when no answer is required. However, if Management starts asking you a question, then you can request to have a Shop Steward present, and that you are willing to cooperate as soon as you are provided with a Steward.

When there are more than one Supervisor present, you should request a Shop Steward to be present. This could be a tactic in which Management tries to have a witness for their issues, and it is also a form of intimidation. It’s not a comfortable position to be in, so do your best to those situations.

Knowledge is Power!

January 2022

New Year, New Attitude

By Terrence Lee Super, Fourth Vice President

What a year! We are almost two years in now, and we are still dealing with the different variations of Covid-19. It seems that there is no end from what we’ve been seeing lately in the news. We had an uptick in the new Omicron variant. Many people have caught this variation for reasons that are the same as when this virus first started back in 2020.

It appears that the numbers of cases were starting to go down. Then, once everything opened back up, some people started to let their guard down thinking that everything was getting back to normal. More and more people stopped wearing masks, not social distancing and then ultimately, the numbers went way back up. Even though we now have the vaccine, we still have to remember that just because you are vaccinated doesn’t mean you don’t need to wear a mask. You can still spread the virus to others, even if you don’t have symptoms. When are we going to learn everyone?

If we don’t start taking this thing seriously, we will NEVER get ahead of it! I say all of that to say this; we must have a different attitude about this pandemic. In order for us to get in front of this, we have to do our part! I know you all are tired of wearing masks, and want to be out and about with your friends and family. Many people are tired of feeling locked up in the house all day. It’s definitely understandable. But our ATTITUDE must change!

I’m sorry if it sounds like I’m ranting, I am just so passionate about not just the safety and health of all of you, but to everyone in general. Infection rates wouldn’t be so high if people would just take others health more seriously, and not think of themselves all the time. Some people don’t want to wear a mask because they feel it’s their right to be able to choose whether to wear one. The problem with that kind of thinking is that it’s selfish and one-sided. For example, if I had Covid and didn’t know it and I had the attitude of not wanting to wear a mask because it was my right. I go into a restaurant or a gathering and I’m talking to people, my respiratory particles are all in the air spreading to everyone. Guess what I just did? Let say I talked to 10 people that day, then those 10 people I exposed could turn into 60 people especially if each one had three or four family members living with them, and so on and so forth. I think you all know where I’m going with this! I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if that actually happened to me.

Again, if I unknowingly had Covid and spread it to multiple people, all because I didn’t want to wear a mask because it was

Branch 1111 News my right. Later I found out that I gave it to someone, and they died, that would crush me. I wouldn’t want that for anyone. Even though this never actually happened to me, it has happened to others in the world.

Please everyone, let’s have a different attitude this year about how we PERSONALLY feel about wearing masks and follow simple protocols. Then maybe, this could be the very last year we have to still be in a pandemic. At least at this level of a worldwide health crisis. We can do it, if we all do our part.

Be safe everyone.

Berkeley DDU carriers Arturo Perez (top) and Vinh Phun (bottom) working hard and demonstrating commitment to safety by wearing their masks

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Branch 1111 News

January 2022

January Postal Snapshots

Scores of seagulls play “supervisor” watching over Berkeley DDU loading zone

Crockett Christmas party; Alicia Fleming, Jennifer Albon, Joel Sandoval

Million Mile award for Oakland Eastmont’s Josie Gray

Oakland Eastmont’s Katrina Outland Vallejo retiree Michael Wilkinson sent off by FTOs Mary Abante and Francisco Cabrera

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January 2022

Cheers to the New Year and the Future

By Mary Abante, Third Vice President

Is saving money a part of your New Year’s Resolution?

There’s good news for you as a union member.

NALC has partnered with Union Plus to provide exclusive discounts and programs to hardworking union families. When you join the NALC, you are automatically eligible to enjoy the benefits and start saving.

How many ways can you save money?

Cash back shopping with Be Frugal and you can get paid every time you shop.

Sell your vehicle, shop for new or used vehicle and get exclusive benefits when you buy union made.

Don’t forget auto insurance. Get personalized offers in minutes. Compare multiple quotes from highly rated carriers.

What about looking to buy or refinance a home?

Choose from Wells Fargo Home Mortgage or Union Plus Mortgage Company. There are competitive rates, hardship assistance in case of disability, layoff, lock out or strike. You can also receive exclusive gift rewards after you close.

What about travel plans after all those Holiday hours you’ve worked?

Look into entertainment discounts on theme parks, movies, theater tickets, sporting events, dining and more. Vegas baby!

Get to your destination in the lap of comfort. You are able to compare car rental discounts at six companies saving up to 25%. So, you get the car you want at a great rate.

Where do you want to stay while on vacation? Choices, choices, choices you can save up to 60% on your favorite hotels.

Committed to your New Year Resolution, sticking to a budget?

Get a prepaid debit card, an all-in-one card you can use to purchase goods, get cash back and so much more.

Can’t decide? There, are also three more card options.

Keeping things in order, Union Plus offers credit counseling, legal services, and personal loans.

Your health is important. Look into their dental discount plans, hearing aid discounts, medical bill negotiating, prescription discount, vision insurance, and discount plans.

The more information you have the better your choices.

Let’s talk education.

Union members and their families can complete a bachelor’s degree online, for FREE! Get an Associate Degree with NO out-of-pocket costs. Scholarships, up to $150,000 are awarded annually.

Because you are worth it, take the time to smell the roses with 20% off your flowers and visit www.unionplus.org.

“The magic in new beginnings is truly the most powerful of them all.” Josiyah Martin

Benicia carriers celebrating New Year’s Eve together with a table full of goodies

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NALC Branch 1111 Balance Sheet As of December 31, 2021 ASSETS Current Assets Bank Accounts 100 - Petty Cash 213.96 126 PPCU-50 166,299.01 Mechanics Bank Accounts 202,338.65 PPCU-Acct 70 25,632.44 United Bank Accounts 299,386.43 Total Bank Accounts $693,870.49 Other Current Assets Total Current Other Assets 0.00 Total Current Assets $693,870.49 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 $1,097,885.05

Branch 1111 News LIABILITIES & EQUITY Total Liabilities Net Revenue 3900 Unrestricted Net Assets Equity

-1,512.26 -38,918.49 1,138,315.90 $1,099.397.31

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

$1,097,885.05

Benicia carriers Jeffery Esplana and Paul Espanol having some fun on the workroom floor

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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 Nora Esparza Marty Thomas Weixuan Guo Analeo Montalbo Steve Nguyen Darrel Thomas Corena Tsing Rupak Thapa Jenel DeMarse Nonilo DeJesus Suzana Boaventura Bill Thiessen

Concord Fairfield Fremont Livermore Livermore Livermore Richmond Richmond Richmond Union City Walnut Creek Walnut Creek

This is where if the District was doing its job and truly cared about the welfare of Letter Carriers, we would have many more new member’s names to list.

Emeryville carrier Jose Andola punching the clock for the last time after 35 years of service. We wish him all the best!

On January 25, 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