




Volume 44 Number 499
Volume 44 Number 499
May/June 2025
Katherine Ellis Scholarship Winner Lydia Dang with her Father Oakland Civic Center carrier Loi Dang and Mother Lien Dang receiving her award at the April Branch Meeting. Lydia will be attending UC Davis in the fall
Branch 1111 Picnic is on June 22nd
See Page 8 for more information
General Claims Inquiries
1-888- 636-NALC
Hospital Precertification (Required) 1-800-622-6252
Prerecorded Benefits Information 1-888-636-NALC
Prescription Customer Service Line 1-800-933-NALC
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.
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
Elizabeth Corriea, Marisela Fletcher, Irene Hernandez, Joshua Pearl, Ché Perez, Frances Swint, Ka Moon Yi
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
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
FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/nalcbranch1111
WEBSITE: www.Branch1111.org
Meetings are held every fourth Tuesday of the month except in December
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
The following letter carriers have recently retired: Daniel San Miguel of Concord; Jose Luevano, Vincent Berry, Rodrigo Fernandez, Wei Wen Kuan, Jing Tan, Melinda Jones of Oakland; Anzhong Zhao of Fremont; Ignatius Wong of Lafayette; Yolanda Maceren of El Cerrito; Joel Yu, William Ventura of Benicia; Morris Chen of Berkeley; Steve Lopez of Alameda; Ajit Singh of San Ramon; and Michelle Williams of Pittsburg. We wish them all many years of rewarding leisure.
Winners of Branch 1111 Katherine Ellis Scholarship were announced at the April Branch meeting. The winners received $1,000 for their education. They are; Lydia Dang, daughter of Oakland Civic Center carrier Loi Dang; Nicholas Tamayo son of Concord carrier Julia Tamayo; and Sarah Joo daughter of Danville carrier Hyun Joo Congratulations to all our young scholars!
We are saddened to announce the passing of the following Branch 1111 members in the recent past. They are Mel Larry Banagan Sr. of Oakland Civic Center; Cecilia Pacheco of Concord; Alfredo Almeron of Pinole; Willie Jackson of El Cerrito; Charles Liang of Oakland; Nicanor Putong of Vallejo; Jesus Ramirez of Suisun City; and Donna Scott of Alameda.
All will be missed by their families, friends and coworkers.
A new Postmaster General has been selected. He is Davis Steiner who was appointed by the USPS Board of Governors earlier this month. Steiner previously served on the Board of Directors of FedEx, one of our main competitors, so his selection seems surprising, Unless, as many suspect, his goal is to initiate the process of privatizing the Postal Service. Time will tell.
The March winner of $32.50 was Trustee Jeff Valentine, and in April, Benicia member Gary Gomez won $40.00. Try your luck at the next meeting.
By Edward P. Fletcher, President
What happened to the American Dream? What happened to "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness," which is a well-known phrase from the United States Declaration of Independence? The United States Declaration of Independence was drafted by Thomas Jefferson, and then edited by the Committee of Five, which consisted of Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston. It was then further edited and adopted by the Committee of the Whole of the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776.
When the American dream was drafted in 1776, it was not done by a King or Queen, but rather a collection of intelligent and selfless individuals for all Americans to prosper. What about today? Unfortunately, many American workers rights and benefits are being attacked, sacrificed, reduced and or eliminated under false pretenses. Where are the intelligent and selfless leaders today? Where is the separation of powers? Where is U.S. Congress’ integrity?
If you did not hear the news, the Postal Board of Governors selected Davis Steiner as the next Postmaster General. He served on the FedEx Board of Directors. Yes, that is our competitor. What about conflict of interest? How can someone who has been working against the United States Postal Service serve all Americans by protecting its business and universals service and at universal rates? He cannot!
On the Nationals website, the NALC responded to the appointment of Davis Steiner as follows,
“His selection isn’t just a conflict of interest it’s an aggressive step toward handing America’s mail system over to corporate interests. Private shippers have been waiting to get USPS out of parcel delivery for years. Steiner’s selection is an open invitation to do just that.” And “This isn’t just bad policy it’s a direct assault on the workers who keep the mail moving and the public connected. The damage will hit rural communities hardest, where the Postal Service isn’t just a convenience, it’s a lifeline. And make no mistake: if this appointment stands, it threatens 7.9 million jobs tied to the postal industry and service to over 300 million Americans.”
All American’s must unite to save our Post Office.
Why are Postal and Federal employee’s defined retirement benefits being attacked? Is it because we do not deserve to retire on a decent pension that we earned over many years? No! It is
because of false and misleading claims against Federal and Postal workers. It is the sheer greed of those who are in power and want to dismantle the USPS for profit and take money out of the pockets of Federal and Postal workers.
What did the committee propose? 1) Increasing the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) contribution rate for existing employees up to 4.4 percent. 2) Cutting retirement benefits by eliminating the FERS special annuity supplement. 3) Reducing annuity payments by calculating a retiree's annuity based on their high-five salary average (instead of three). These underhanded actions to change FERS is a reduction in our wages; and it is an unfair tax for the rest of our retired lives! It is wrong and immoral! Please go the NALC website at nalc.org and follow the prompts to “taken action.” Our National President statement is also on the website. He stated in parts, "Cutting retirement benefits and increasing what we have to pay for them is unconscionable, and let's call it what it is a pay cut." These proposals are pay and benefit cuts for postal employees that won't make a dent in the deficit ” It's an attack. plain and simple," he said. Please contact your congressional representatives. We must fight!
The 57th Convention of the California State Association of Letter Carriers (CSALC) will convene at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport Hotel, 1333 Bayshore Hwy, Burlingame, CA 94010. The convention will be held on Friday, August 22, 2025, and Saturday, August 23, 2025.
By Narciso Paderanga, IV Executive Vice President
As a Letter Carrier, the following are the most important information you should be aware of right now: Nalc.org/action and (202) 224 3121.
Believe me when I tell you that all our jobs and benefits are at risk because of the current administration. According to the National President of the NALC,
"Our members are public servants who provide an essential service for every single American household and business,"
"Our members go into public service because it's a good, stable job with reliable benefits.
"Cutting retirement benefits and increasing what we have to pay for them is unconscionable, and let's call it what it is a pay cut."
With the above information, I encourage you, your friends and family members to contact your representative to oppose cuts to Letter Carrier retirement benefits.
“On April 30, 2025 as part of the budget reconciliation process, the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability advanced a measure that would reduce benefits for federal employees, including letter carriers, which includes increasing the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) contribution rate for existing employees up to 4.4 percent; Cutting retirement benefits by eliminating the FERS special annuity supplement; and reducing annuity payments by calculating a retiree's annuity based on their high-five salary average (instead of three)”
We all know we, the letter carriers, are the backbone of the Postal Service and these benefits were earned through hard work and contributions for decades. Let us not allow the government to take them away from our brothers and sisters.
Another very important issue we face is the administration’s attempt to privatize the Postal Service. Therefore, we encourage you to contact your representative and tell them to oppose postal privatization and to co-sponsor H. Res.70/S. Res. 147
Privatizing the Postal Service would have far-reaching negative consequences nationwide, including:
• Jeopardizing the jobs of 640,000 postal employees, over 73,000 of whom are military veterans, and impacting the 7.9 million Americans in the mailing industry.
• Endangering the security of the nation’s mail system, threatening the safe delivery of prescription drugs, money, and election mail.
• Slashing service quality and hiking prices beyond affordability.
• Potentially ceasing delivery for America’s rural and low-income communities, negatively impacting nearly
all 50 states in some form, but especially large, lesspopulous regions.
To support our newer co-workers, I encourage you to tell your representative to co-sponsor the Federal Retirement Fairness Act (H.R.1522)
This bipartisan Federal Retirement Fairness Act (H.R.1522) would provide greater retirement security for federal employees, including Postal Service employees, who begin their service in non-career positions.
Over 65 percent of current letter carriers began their USPS careers as casuals, transitional employees (TEs) or city carrier assistants (CCAs), all of which are non-career positions. More than 132,000 letter carriers who started in non-career positions, in most cases doing the exact same work as career employees, have time currently not credible towards their retirement. H.R. 1522 would allow these affected letter carriers the opportunity to purchase retirement credit for the time they spent in these noncareer positions, providing greater retirement security.
Additionally, I encourage you to contact your representative to co-sponsor the USPS Shipping Equity Act (H.R.3011)
This bill would allow the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to ship alcohol directly from licensed producers and retailers to legal customers, overturning a current ban. This change would open up access to more Americans, particularly in rural areas, and is projected to bring in $190 million annually in revenue for USPS. If passed, USPS would have two years to create regulations for safe delivery and age verification.
Currently, only private carriers like FedEx and UPS can ship alcoholic beverages.
As members of the NALC, it will take no more than a minute or two to contact your representative by using the link from nalc.org/action. Everything is pre-written, and it will automatically be sent to your representative based on your region.
Lastly, I encourage you to donate to the Letter Carrier Political Fund (LCPF). The LCPF identifies and contributes to candidates who support issues important to us letter carriers. Joining the LCPF provides letter carriers with the opportunity to build electoral and legislative power required to ensure decisions that impact their lives are made with their best interests in mind. Union dues cannot be used for political contributions, and these are voluntary and can stop at any time. There is no open season. I started contributing to this cause back when this first started and have increased my contribution to more than twice because I believe and support this cause.
The LCPF is a non-partisan political action committee for the purpose of electing qualified candidates who support letter carriers. I believe it is important to have a fighting chance by electing the right representatives in Congress, who will support the best interest of the Letter Carriers. What does it take to elect the right people? Votes and money.
I am not asking for you to donate five or ten dollars, unless you are able to, I am asking for you to donate at the least one dollar per pay check. If more of us donate, the better chance we have. Whether you can donate or not, please contact your representatives!
By Second Vice President Terrence Lee Super
I know the title of my article is a little cliché, but for those who have been with the Postal Service for a while, would agree that no matter how cliché these words are, abiding by them will help you through these stressful times. Chronic understaffing is really taking a toll on our Letter Carriers. It seems like we keep talking about the same issues We have to get more people hired, period! We will continue to push that on the district.
Anyway, an example of what I’m talking about as it pertains to working smarter and not harder is when management gives you too much mail to deliver I know the initial response is to complain about all the extra mail. But instead of possibly going off and/or getting loud on the workroom floor, just take the mail and tell them that you will do the best you can, but most likely bring mail back because it will put you over the prohibited 12hrs max in a service day (if you get a route and a half). Let me tell you why it is important to say exactly the way I have it here.
First of all, you are telling management AHEAD of time that you’re not going to make it (don’t forget to turn in your PS Form 3996), and that you most likely will be bringing mail back. That’s going to help you towards the end of the day when you actually have to bring the mail back. Let me clarify though. We are not saying that you SHOULD bring the mail back, what we’re saying is that there are going to be times when you simply can’t do it that day. Especially if you’re on your 6th day in a row working and have already put in 60 plus hours. Working these crazy hours on a weekly and/or monthly basis ends up becoming a safety issue, because you are not getting efficient rest which can easily put you in a situation where you WILL get injured or get into an accident because you’re not as alert due to lack of reasonable rest. Work smarter, not harder!
Second of all, our fellow carriers are NOT robots! Management can’t expect you to work these ridiculous hours, it’s extremely unreasonable. So, what you have to be able to do is not only know your rights but not be afraid to respectfully enforce them. By doing this, you are getting into the practice of working smarter not harder. Why would you stress yourself out by angerly going back and forth with your supervisor? That within itself can drain the energy out of you. Now you’re going out to your route already tired, frustrated, and angry! The energy you spend going at it with management can leave you discouraged and wanting to go home, so why put yourself through all of that. Work smarter, not harder!
Third of all, one of the reasons carriers get stressed out is because they don’t want to get in trouble with management for not doing what they are instructed to do. Here’s the thing though,
you are a human being that has family and other household responsibilities. I strongly doubt an Arbitrator would sustain discipline that management issued because you reasonably refused to work these insane hours. I would be more than confident to fight that discipline if issued. Work smarter, not harder! We at Branch 1111 have your back when it comes to these issues, so please call us when these issues come up. Love you all, be safe out there!
By Liz Correia Berkeley Shop Steward
When you’re a PTF, you are usually overwhelmed with learning the daily routine involved in being a Letter Carrier. There is so much to learn. Postal forms are usually introduced during your training, and you can easily forget some of these forms right away
There are some forms that you probably need to deal with on a daily basis, like a PS Form 3996 and PS Form 1571. You should get very familiar with the PS Form 3996. This is used for authorization for all overtime that you might need. It is essential that you learn how to properly fill it out and use it.
If you feel that you might need overtime, you need to ask a supervisor for this form. The instructions on how to fill out the PS Form 3996 are located on the back page. So many of these forms are improperly filled out by both management and carriers. Carriers are the ones who should mostly fill out the form. You are never to be refused this form, however your request for overtime may be denied.
If you are approved overtime, then you know that you are protected by the PS Form 3996 and have permission to go into overtime when management authorizes the approved time. There is much to learn about the PS Forn 3996. To protect yourself, you should educate yourself about how to properly use this form when needed.
Berkeley DDU has been under construction for some time now and the construction will continue for the foreseeable future. We recently had our restrooms remodeled, and now we are able to use them. Unfortunately, our union office was demolished. We are expected to be provided with another office somewhere within the DDU. If this doesn’t happen, then we will be using the grievance procedure. In the meantime, we are exposed in the open with our union furniture out on the workroom floor for all to see. Absolutely no privacy whatsoever. Hopefully, this is only temporary, and we will be gaining our privacy again once we have our new office.
It's amazing with all the construction that’s going on, how difficult it is to organize this place. In my opinion, it’s not organized but somehow, it’s managing to keep running throughout this crazy time. I want to believe that this place can be organized in the future, maybe it will and maybe it won’t. To be safe, everyone here should be careful with the construction going on currently. This place can be hazardous and if any serious hazards need to be reported, use the PS Form 1767. “Knowledge is Power”
by Elizabete Tavares, Piedmont Shop Steward
MEXICAN EVERYDAY SALAD INGREDIENTS:
5 ounces mixed spring greens (or whatever greens you prefer)
1 ripe avocado (peeled pitted and sliced)
half a small red onion (peeled and thinly sliced)
1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
2/3 cup roughly-chopped fresh cilantro
1/3 cup pepitas
optional: 1/2 cup crumbled queso fresco or cotija cheese add any proteins of your choice
CUMIN-LIME DRESSING INGREDIENTS:
3 tablespoons avocado oil or olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice (or red wine vinegar)
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon freshly-cracked black pepper
1 small clove garlic (pressed or minced (or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder)
INSTRUCTIONS
To Make The Dressing: Whisk all ingredients together in a bowl (or shake together in a mason jar) until combined. Use immediately or refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 3 days.
To Make The Salad: Combine all ingredients in a large salad bowl, drizzle evenly with the salad dressing, and toss until evenly combined. and top with the chicken, cabbage, carrots, cucumber, scallions, cilantro and chopped peanuts. If serving later, you can either refrigerate the noodles separately from the other ingredients, or toss it all together, cover and refrigerate. Either way, drizzle with the reserved dressing just before eating.
You do not give a “Dog” treats for bad behavior!
Why are extensions given to management when steward time is not granted? Why do we drive LLVs that are filthy dirty and covered with graffiti? Why do we allow management to talk down to, intimidate, harass and bully our fellow co-workers and do nothing about it? Why do we allow management to call us on our personal cell phones and tell us what to do, on and off the clock? Why do we allow management to work us outside of our medical restrictions? It is time to draw the line in the sand dig in and just say, “NO BAD DOG!”
Article 17 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) requires management to grant properly requested steward time to investigate and process grievances ON THE CLOCK. So, when management is not granting you steward time file a grievance and a companion grievance as well citing Articles 17 and 19 of the CBA (talk to your FTO how to manage that )
Steward Rights. Article 17, Sections 3 and 4 establish several steward rights. More specifically management cannot unreasonably deny requests for paid grievance-handling time.
The Postal Operations Manual (POM) section 712.4 states. The clean and uniform appearance of postal vehicles is essential to projecting a positive image of the Postal Service. Postal vehicles must be washed as needed, but not less than once each month. Vehicles must be constantly scrutinized by managers at all levels for paint deterioration; missing, torn, or faded markings; and corrosion or damage to the body. Managers should schedule immediate repairs, as needed.
Incorporated into the CBA is the statement on violence and behavior in the workplace. The JSOV was jointly developed by the parties in response to a fatal shooting at the Royal Oaks Facility and other acts of extreme violence by postal employees and former employees who rightly or not, felt themselves recipients of injustice and harassment at the hands of Postal Management or fellow employees. The JSOV was signed by the parties m February 1992 and consists of two paragraphs setting forth their intent in the treatment of all postal employees. The first paragraph refers to "Violence and Treatment" in the workplace. The second paragraph refers to "Dignity and Respect" in the workplace for all employees.
They are more of us than them and inappropriate behavior can and should be addressed. If not, you might be next so speak up and write statements about what you witnessed, saw, heard and how it made you feel.
No rule or regulation exists in the CBA that requires you to provide YOUR cell phone number to management and answer questions or receive instructions from them on YOUR phone while at work. You should have been given clear instructions on what to do and how to do it prior to going to the street. When they attempt to question you, and you believe it can lead to discipline, ask for a steward. It is not your problem if no one (a steward) is available. Just say, “I will be more than happy to answer all your questions once you provide me a steward.” Repeat this as many times as necessary.
Medical restrictions are just that – restrictions. Most problems occur when the restrictions are too vague and unclear. Management cannot MAKE YOU work outside of the medical restrictions given to you by your physician. If they attempt to do so just tell them, “I won’t be able to do that it is against my medical restrictions. Before leaving the doctor’s office make sure the doctor understands what you do and how long you do it. Have him/her clarify any restrictions that are too vague. Do not assume they know what you do and how long you do it.
Knowledge of the CBA increases self-confidence, clarity and promotes simplicity. So, educate yourself and others, learn by your mistakes and put management on notice They will follow the Contract willingly or reluctantly. Their choice, when rabid dogs run loose you confine them, isolate them, take them out of the population. Either they get better or “survival of the fittest” pervades. Be the stronger individual (mentally and physically) Get involved with your union, read the contract and apply it when needed. Work with and alongside your union brothers and sisters and together we will prevail. Stay strong, educate yourself and the time spent working at the Post Office will get better.
Fraternally yours,John
Ferreira,Assistant Secretary Treasurer
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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, May 27th and Tuesday, June 24th