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
April Patrick, 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
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS
Elizabeth Corriea, Marisela Fletcher, 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, April Patrick
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
CONTRACT VOTE EXTENDED
The ratification balloting process for the new contract between the NACC and the Postal Service has been extended to January 27, 2025. If you haven’t voted yet be sure to do so. More details can be found at www.nalc.org.
TWO EXECUTUVE COUNCIL VACANCIES
With the recent resignation of Council Members Ruben Ramirez and Steve Robinson there are two vacancies on the Branch 1111 Executive Council. For those interested in the positions please see the application information on page 9. The deadline is February 18, 2025.
SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE
Our Katherine Ellis Scholarships are available until February 28, 2025 for students with parents who are members of NALC Branch 1111. The application form is on page 9,
HAPPY TRAILS TO YOU
The following letter carrier have recently retired: Hermelinda Esparza and Lillie Smith of Richmond; Danilo Solis of Fremont; Reylando Rocillo and Benedicto Monsalud of Union City; Oi Ma of Walnut Creek; Jerry McCoy of Concord; Christina Chuong and Tonya Jackson of Livermore; David Yarbrough of Alamo; Armida Lysaght of Oakland; and Guy Resultan of Pleasanton. We wish them all many years of rewarding leisure
SOCIAL SECURITY FAIRNESS ACT SIGNED
On January 5, 2025, President Biden signed the Social Security Fairness Act (H.R. 82) into law, delivering a hardfought victory for letter carriers and public servants across the nation. The legislation, which was overwhelmingly passed by the Senate on December 20 and the House on November 12, 2024 will ensure that affected Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) retirees no longer face unfair reductions in their Social Security benefits.
CONDOLENCES
We are saddened to announce the death of Oakland, retired Piedmont carrier Kevin Costello. He will be missed by his family, friends and co-workers.
Oakland, Piedmont’s Kevin Costello holds up his younger self at his retirement in 1993. He passed away this January at age 86.
Festive retirement for Concord’s Gloria Sonico
The Gladiator
By Edward P. Fletcher, President
Who among you will stand up and fight for our rights? Who among you has the spirit and heart of a Gladiator? Who among you is willing to learn and enforce our contractual rights in the workplace? Who among you thinks management will comply with the National Agreement on their own accord? It has not happened in my lifetime. Who among you will carry the Steward’s badge of honor into battle?
A True Gladiator
For the last 20 years, I have had the pleasure of working with Oakland, Emeryville Shop Steward/Formal-A Designee Ruben Ramirez. For years he would refer to me as Mr. Fletcher, even though I asked him to call me Ed. He was a fearless Gladiator for the NALC. He was extremely knowledgeable, dedicated and committed to enforcing the contractual rights of all letter carriers in Emeryville and beyond. In the beginning of his stewardship, he asked a lot of questions. But once I explained any part of the contact to him, he got it. Ruben quickly mastered the Formal-A level of the grievance procedure. His writing skills were impeccable and his arguments always on point, like a professor of the contract.
Management wrongfully despised him for his talents. He did not care what management thought, nor should any steward. As a steward, he knew if they were complaining, it was because he was doing his job! He wore his Shop Steward’s badge with honor. Ruben never wavered or relented in his efforts to protect the rights of all letter carriers. In fact, and due to his relentless
efforts to bring justice for repetitive violations of Articles 8, 15 and 19 of the CBA, Arbitrator Steinburg’s Oakland decision awarded an additional remedy of 150% on top of the 50% for management’s continued non-compliance!
Mr. Ruben Ramirez, we cannot thank you enough for your years of dedication and hard work as a Shop Steward and a brother Letter Carrier for the City of Oakland! Congratulations on your retirement!
The Rise of the Gladiator
As I look across Branch 1111, now is the time for new Gladiators to come forward. Now is the time to learn the ways of the force, for all you Star Wars fans. The contract is a light saber that we need to wave around to protect our rights.
Do not wait around for someone else to step up in the hope that management will treat carriers better, or finally comply with the contract. That is not going to happen. For those of you who feel a fire in your soul to fight for what is right, that is your calling. I believe that there is a flame that flickers inside all of us to fight against injustices. You are the future leaders of the Branch. It is time step forward!
Remember that the Union is not just our current Stewards, it is all of us standing in unity for the better welfare of all Letter Carriers.
I became a Shop Steward not because of the way management treated me, but rather the shameful way they bullied and mistreated other letter carriers going back to my time in Union City from 1988, until today. It is and has always been my greatest honor to serve the NALC.
I also believe there are basically two ways of dealing with issues. One is to just complain about it and do nothing, and so nothing will change.
The other is to actively participate to affect change.
(left) Ruben Ramirez and fellow Emeryville carrier Yashimitu Kamioka at last November’s Retirement seminar
(above) Laurel Alternate Steward Justin Keys with veterans Robin Lewis and Alex Aguilar. Alex is still an active reservist
The 2025 Tactics of Management
By Narciso Paderanga, IV Executive Vice President
With the year 2025 upon us, I was hoping to start this year on a positive note. However, I am coming across something new. I have recently been informed that some offices out there are placing employees in an Emergency Placement for “poor performance”. While it is laughable, it must be taken seriously because our brothers and sisters are being placed in an off-duty status without pay for a period of time. That means no source of income because of management’s inappropriate action. I am appalled that our brothers and sisters suffer the harm for management’s stupidity. Where do they come up with this?
Article 16.7 of the National Agreement is very clear. Within this provision, it specifies the reasons or criteria for which an employee can be placed in an Emergency Placement. “Poor Performance” or that retaining an employee “may result in another catastrophe of unsatisfactory performance” surely is not one that is specified in Article 16.7.
Additionally, management is now arguing (in Article 8 grievances) that the carriers who go over their maximum daily and weekly limits are doing so without prior authorization in order to avoid having to pay for the violation and for additional monetary remedies which are citable and precedent setting for their non-compliance of their egregious and repetitive violations. Even in arbitration, they will make every effort to introduce threshold (or arbitrability) arguments in order to avoid having the merits heard by an arbitrator because they know that the case file will mostly prove a violation.
While it may seem like a tactic, this argument can certainly persuade the Step B Team or an arbitrator to rule in their favor. We must anticipate and counter by interviewing all carriers involved in the grievance to say that they informed management and requested overtime on the days in question and management still required them to work overtime causing them to go beyond their maximum limits. Keep in mind that in all violation cases, we the Union have the burden of proof by providing sufficient evidence to support our arguments.
Lastly, as you all know by now, those scanners have GPS tracking. Management has a tool that they use to see how long you have been “inactive” or not moving for a period of time. Once they determine that you have been “inactive” for an excessive amount of time, they will conduct an investigative interview. They will ask you what you were doing at specific locations for a specific amount of time. In other words, they are looking for information and they are hoping that you incriminate yourself during their investigation. Keep in mind that management has the burden of proof in all disciplinary action cases. Unless they observe you, they have no proof to support their claim that you were not working. Therefore, if in fact you were working, simply answer, “I was working”. On the other
hand, if you weren’t working and they have proof of such, I don’t advise you to say that.
I wish all of you a safe and prosperous Happy New Year!
PS 1571…. a Job Saver
By Mary Abante, First Vice President
PS 1571 … a job saver.
This form will save your job.
Management has been known to instruct carriers to stop delivering letters and flats and finish the parcels to be back at the Post Office by a certain time.
Although these instructions can be frustrating, they must be followed.
There are times where it’s appropriate to bring back undeliverable mail due to unsafe circumstances, such as animal interference, police actions, or perhaps a missing mailbox. These are a few examples.
When mail is brought back carriers should document the reason on PS Form 1571, an Undelivered Mail Report.
Section 442 handbook M-41, City Delivery Carriers Duties and Responsibilities addresses this as follows: 44 Undelivered Mail: 442 Completing Form 1571
442.1- After return from trip, obtain Form1571, Undelivered Mail Report, from unit manager.
442.2- Add any mail which was not delivered but was returned to the office.
442.3- Sign the form and give it to a unit manager.
MAKE SURE MANAGEMENT SIGNS and DATES THE FORM
This form creates a record. You were authorized and instructed to bring mail back.
Letter carriers should always request a copy of this form for their own records in case they are asked later about the undelivered mail. Article 41.3G of the national Agreement gives letter carriers the right to a copy. It states:
Upon request, a duplicate copy of the completed Form 3996 and Form 1571, Report of Undelivered Mail, (etc.), will be provided to the carrier.
If management refuses to provide this copy, carriers should ask to speak with their shop steward.
Don’t be caught without a PS 1571 signed and dated by management when mail is left at your case or brought back from the street.
Don’t let management accuse you of bringing mail back without authorization.
Taking it upon yourself to delay the mail can lead to discipline.
Complete the PS 1571.
What will the Post Office look like in the next 5 years?
By Terrence Lee Super, Second Vice President
This has been a question on a lot of carriers’ minds lately, and I wish I can say that I have an answer for it, but I actually think the Postal Service will be ok. The reason I say that is because we see opportunities the Postal Service can take advantage of and as long as they make the right decisions, the Postal Service will be around for a very long time. For example, the Postal Service’s contract with UPS is expiring and it is time to renegotiate. This is a ridiculously huge thing because the Postal Service knows that UPS has historically dropped off packages for us to deliver. If the Service is smart, they will charge a lot more to deliver their packages and that will be more revenue for us, which in turn could lead to higher wages as well.
Some carriers may think that because the mail volume has gone down that they won’t get their full 8 hours. Let me put all of you at ease by saying that ALL regulars are entitled to 8 hours a day, 40 hours a week. The reason why I’m mentioning that is because, yes, the mail has dropped, but that doesn’t mean carriers would lose their jobs. So please cast those fears aside, because there will always be enough mail to keep you working, but I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t tell you that we have to stop living off of our overtime. I used to tell the carriers that I was responsible for at the time, to budget yourself based on your base yearly salary because overtime will not always be available. Now look at where we are now I’ve gone into offices as of late and I see absolutely no mail in the cases. Packages are still okay but what I’m saying is we must be very careful about how much time we request on the 3996 If you are asking for two or three hours on your own route, and you don’t have the mail to justify it, management will walk with you to see if your route is really that overburdened.
Management is looking for a way to add more to your routes, don’t paint a bullseye on your own back by requesting an unreasonable amount of time on your PS-Form 3996. Now with that being said, the Union will always fight for you no matter what, but we have to be smart by not giving management ANY reason to look your way. Will the mail pick up again, yes, but again keep management off of your back by just doing everything you’re supposed to do contractually and there will be nothing that they can do. Knowing your rights is half the battle.
Back to my earlier question, yes, I think the Postal Service will be in good shape in the next 5 years, but they have to be smart in their next negotiations with Amazon, UPS, and FedEx. If they don’t, the Postal Service will have a hard time thriving. But as for all of our dear members, please don’t worry. Keep doing what you are doing and remember that the Letter Carrier is the face of the Postal Service, and you deserve to be honored and commended for the great work that you do. Be safe everyone and let’s have a good year 2025!
Suisun City’s Heidi Brosas ready to spread Holiday cheer in her LLV
(left) New Walnut Creek
Shop Steward
Connie Rillo going over grievances with her FTO Terrence Super
(right) Pleasanton carriers enjoying their Christmas Holiday Party. Quite the spread!
Lunch Corner
by Elizabete Tavares, Piedmont Shop Steward
This ground beef casserole recipe is super easy to throw together and feeds a crowd!
It’s comforting and uses simple ingredients
Very versatile swap proteins to your choice and add veggies if you want
Simple Ground Beef Casserole
Prep and cook time 35 minutes 6 servings
• 1 pound uncooked penne
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1/2 medium onion chopped
• 1 clove garlic minced
• 1.5 cups marinara sauce
• Salt & pepper to taste
• 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 400F and move the rack to the middle position. Grease a 9×13 baking dish (I use Pam spray).
2. Boil a large, salted pot of water for the penne. Cook it for 10 minutes (it should be slightly underdone so it doesn't get mushy).
3. Add the oil, beef, and onion to a skillet. Sauté over medium-high heat, breaking the meat up as you go along, for 10 minutes. Once it gets going, stir in the garlic. Spoon out excess fat if needed.
4. Stir in the marinara sauce and warm through. Give it a taste and season with salt & pepper as needed.
5. Drain the pasta and pour it into the baking dish. Pour the beef mixture over top and then toss until it's combined with the pasta. Top with an even layer of the cheese. If you want it extra cheesy, you can stir in an additional half cup of cheese prior to topping it with the rest of the cheese.
6. Bake for 10 minutes, uncovered, until the cheese is nicely melted. I then broil it for a few minutes (optional) to brown the cheese up a bit. Serve immediately.
A NEWS YEARS TO ALL!
By Berkeley Chief Steward Liz Corriea
Here’s wishing all my brothers and sisters of this great union a Happy New Year! We’ve managed to get over the year 2024 so quickly, and most likely this year will go by just as fast, so let's make the best of it.
By the time this article is put out, most likely the results of this Tentative Agreement will have reached a decision. Personally, I am hoping the decision goes the way of benefiting this union.
The Berkeley Blues News
So many changes are currently happening at the Berkeley Post Office, specifically at the DDU station. Lots of renovations are taking place. We’ve been told our station is being prepared to have electric vehicles, therefore having to tear up sections of our parking lot. Not to mention the indoor changes, like painting and doing away with certain walls to enlarge certain areas of the building.
Even our restrooms are being renovated. In fact a large trailer has been brought in place until the restrooms are completed. So far this is the best looking out house I've ever been in, almost better than what we previously had.
Changes
Fortunately, our Postmaster and Manager have been moved from our office, and we don’t know why and for how long. In the meantime, it’s been peaceful.
However, there are still ongoing issues that continue, like not having enough carriers, and the constant calling in sick, which has created a lot of mandating to come to work on your SDO. This of course may also be happening at your Post Office. We still have our carriers delivering in the dark, and I don't understand how the Postal Service cares about the safety of the carriers, when robberies are still a continuing problem, with no real solutions.
I will try to write more later, until then, be safe.
“Knowledge is Power.”
Benicia carriers honored for their longevity of service: Carlton McCullumn 35 years, Joel Yu 35 years, William Ventura 25 years
BRANCH 1111 SALUTES ITS VETERANS
Jose F. Anguiano
Neill M. Baldomero
Jeffrey A. Beason
Lary J. Bechtel
Romeo P. Belmes
James P. Blickenstaff
Joseph Bologna
Rickey L. Bonds
Greg M. Bourne
Michael B. Boyce
Martha Bustamante
Cyril A. Butler
Glenn T. Byrd
Thomas R. Carlson
Michael A. Chavez
Rickie D. Cox
Jonathan D. Cuff
Don B. Davis
Jerry C. Depoe
Dan D. Dorman
Martin H. Duehring
Joselito Z. Eugenio
Thomas B. Fentress
Edgardo C. Fernando
Curtis L. Flores
Ray A. Garcia
Frank J. Gartner
Samuel Green
Richard A. Grimes
Joseph F. Hart
Adrienne N. Hawk
Robert G. Kemme
Frank Krakowski
Jack C. Lee
Keith Massey
Ocie McNair
Philip L. Means
Edgardo S. Mistica
Larry M. Neal
Sonia Ortega-Mosqueda
Celso Pacheco
Wesley Parker
Paul D. Petersen
Armando Prado
Hanson H. Rahman
Michael H. Richmond
James C. Riker
Paulo E. Rivera
Gerald W. Robinson
Stephen E. Robinson
Thomas L. Robinson
Gilbert Rodrigues
Gilbert Ruiz
Allan D. Sanchez
Richard A. Segraves
Robert J. Sheridan
Raymond C. Sherman
Floyd L. Simons
Anthony J. Singleton
Sullivan L. Smothers
Brian S. Tan
Michael Tolentino
Malcolm J. Watson
The following list is taken from the Postal Record
Concord Veterans honored for their service
(from left to right) John Hahn, Charles Schmidgall
Gerard Magwili
Troy Carlson
Joresito Hitosis
Luis Hiquiana
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 28, 2025
Eligibility requirements:
1) The applicant must be a member of the graduating class of 2024-2025
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
(Please print clearly)
Date______________
Please send instructions as to how I can compete for the Scholarship Award. I will be a senior in the year 2024-2025 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______________
Executive Council Vacancies
Position: As per Article 4.1 of our By-Laws, Branch 1111 is now accepting applicants for two vacant Executive Council positions. The position receives a monthly stipend from the Branch.
Qualifications: You must be a regular member as defined by Article 5, Section 2 of our National Constitution.
Duties: The duties of an Executive Council Member are outlined in Article 6, Sections 12 & 13 of our By-Laws. The Executive Council meets once a month and oversees and acts on the activities, affairs, finances and the overall functions of the Branch.
Deadline: Please signify in writing your willingness to serve as an “Executive Council Member” for the remainder of the 2023-2025 term of office. All applications must be received by the close of business on February 18, 2025.
Send Applications to:
President Edward P. Fletcher
402 37th Street, Richmond, CA 94805
JOHN ZAMORA
NALC Branch 1111 Balance Sheet
Alameda carriers Edgar Ramos, Nathaniel Ramos and Joe Johnson jot down valuable information at the November
Retirement Seminar held at the Branch
Figure 1Jack Roy out of Clayton receives award for saving UPS driver
2Martinez carriers Dylan Porter, Dan Imam, Coles Harper, Michael Hewiston and Jin Li
3Rodeo Hercules, Baljinder Dhaliw Concord’s Jerry McCoy congratulated by Ed Fletcher, Ray Garcia, Mary Abante and RGA Chris Calica on his retirement day
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LETTER CARRIERS
GREATER EAST BAY BRANCH 1111
402 –37TH STREET
RICHMOND, CALIFORNIA 94805- 2134
(510) 237-5111
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
Natasha Burks Alameda
Daud Littleton Alameda
Miguel Curiel Antioch
Shae Kish-Walters Antioch
Scott Reid Benicia
Dave Pasion Benicia
Wallace Wong Benicia
Clemmie Cooksey Berkeley
Justin Keobounheung Berkeley
Evonne Derby Lewis Berkeley
Carol Cabiling Fairfield
Nathan Rios Fremont
Manmeet Sandhu Fremont
Aaliyah Ingram Fremont
Marlena McHenry Fremont
Parmenio Suarez Fremont
Eric Simpson Lafayette
Anthony Pongol Moraga
Donald Seuss Moraga
Reilly Gelb Oakland
Jacob Leeds Oakland
Daniel Martinez Oakland
Johnathan Ten Eyck Oakland
Guoshi Gong Oakland
Stefan Sittler Oakland
Nailah Wyatt Oakland
Russel Arelis Oakland
Ty Bates Oakland
Freddy Bonilla Oakland
Maxwell Dunn Oakland
Minghui Kong Oakland
Antoine Katina Oakland
Hoa Ly Oakland
Alberto Rivera Oakland
Mario Rosales Oakland
Donna Vanhook Oakland
Makaila Walker Oakland
NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE PAID CONCORD CA Permit 1
Travis Foster Oakland
Tyler Frazier Oakland
Tanya Lowe Oakland
Jeremiah Quinn Oakland
Elvio Romero Orinda
Christopher Lucchesi Pittsburg
Scott Stewart Pittsburg
Michael Rasmussen Pleasanton
Lisa Blansett Richmond
Denise Quiros Richmond
Soufeui Saechao Richmond
Escamilla Cortes Union City
John Manville Vallejo
Mark Verzosa Vallejo
Rovone Leggett Vallejo
Patrick Newman Vallejo
Janay Sappho Vallejo
Yacine Guechtouli Walnut Creek
Jungwoo Choo Walnut Creek
Juana Menjivar Walnut Creek
Dylan Porter Letter Carrier from Martinez getting into the Holiday Spirit
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 28th and Tuesday, February 25th
