Branch 1111 Newsletter

NALC HEALTH BENEFIT PLAN SERVICE LINES

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

Jeff Valentine, Sgt-at-Arms

Jacob Morgan, Insurance Officer

Rickie Cox, Trustee

Ray Garcia, 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

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS

Chris Calica, Elizabeth Corriea, Marisela Fletcher, 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, Francisco Cabrera, 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

CONDOLENCES

Our condolences go out to the families and friends of two long time members of Branch 1111 who passed away. Fremont retiree Frank Swezey died late in 2022. He was a 60year member of the NALC. Pat Cole of Oakland died last month. She was an active Gold Card member and frequent attendee of our retiree functions.

Our sympathies also go out to Oakland carrier Susanlyn Coleman who lost her mother recently.

HAPPY TRAILS TO YOU

The following letter carriers retired recently: Benjamin Delgado and Johnny Vasquez of Concord; Oscar Diaz and Darron Long of Oakland; Francisco Guiam Jr. of Walnut Creek; Vincent Chan of Fremont; Romeo Llose and Chomthai Inprasueth of Richmond; Florante Marquez of Lafayette; and Martin Gonzalez of Alameda

We wish many years of leisure to all.

FOOD DRIVE NEWS

There will be no NALC Food Drive this year in Branch stations located in Alameda County. However, those who want to contribute can still do so virtually at the following sites: https://www.accfb.org/get-involved/volunteer/ https://donate.accfb.org/vfd

BRANCH PICNIC

The Branch Picnic is on again! It will be held on Sunday, June 25th at Kennedy Grove in El Sobrante. BBQ will be catered by Back Forty Texas BBQ. Volunteers are needed to help set and clean up, bring coolers and canopies, pick up pony kegs, ice as well as help coordinate events. Make your plans now to attend.

MDA RAFFLE SET FOR JUNE 27

The Branch 1111 MDA Raffle drawing will be held at the June 27 meeting. Tickets will be available starting in May at the Branch office or from your local stewards. Last year $7,000 was raised for MDA. Let’s do more this year. (see page 11)

50/50 RAFFLE WINNERS

The MDA 50/50 winners at the March Branch meeting were as follows: Oakland As tickets went to Marisela Fletcher, Rickie Cox, and Jose Solis. The cash prize of $72.50 was won by Paul Peterson Come try your luck at the next meeting.

Che Perez and Shana Lum with National Vice President James Henry in Washington DC at their Formal A Training graduation

Antioch Steward Jose Solis won A’s tickets at the March meeting

Berkeley DDU carrier Angel Pagan with his retrement plaque

Cowardly Crimes Against Our Letter Carriers and the USPS

By Edward P. Fletcher, President

This article is a follow up of my last month’s article titled, “The New Postal Wild, Wild West.” And it is written in a continuing effort to bring awareness and shine light on these dark and cowardly crimes against our brothers and sisters of Branch 1111 in the Greater East Bay Area. So, here are some of the questions that are frequently asked of all leaders: How do we stop crimes against our Letter Carriers and the USPS? What is the Postal Service and the Inspection Service doing? What is the Union doing? “What can Letter Carriers do to protect themselves?

Oakland Press Conference

On March 20, 2023, the Postal Service held a press conference to address recent surges in crimes against our Letter Carriers in the City of Oakland. Given the severity and frequency of these crimes and the parties joint commitment to protect the safety and health of all letter carriers, I was invited to speak as your local Branch President. A few of the points I made were:

“No letter carrier should have to come to work wondering if today is the day that he or she will be robbed just for doing their job.”

“To our Bay Area Community, we need your help to stop these cowardly crimes against our letter carriers and the Postal Service.”

I also stated that a lot of our letter carriers work and live in the same communities they serve. The Postal Inspection Service announced a reward of $ 50,000 and stated that, “There will be no stone left unturned in our efforts to identify, find and arrest anyone who would sink so low to rob a letter carrier on their route.”

The Postmaster of Oakland read the letter he drafted on March 3, 2023, and sent out to the residents of the City of Oakland. In short, the USPS asked for the community to help by calling the police and/or the Postal Inspection Service immediately to report all suspicious activity around mailboxes, if Letter Carriers are being followed and to report stolen or missing mail. Towards the end of the Press Conference, a member of the media from Channel 4 News asked to speak to the Union. At that point, the media wanted to know more details, how bad it was for our carriers and how it has affected them. I informed our Bay Area communities that:

“The crime in the City of Oakland is the worst that I have ever seen” in my 38 years of service and the 22-years that I have represented letter carriers in the City of Oakland ”

The full Press Conference on “Mail Carrier Threats & Attacks” was posted on NBC’s Channel 4’s website on March 20, 2023. https://www.kron4.com/news/bay-area/postmasterdescribes-disturbing-rise-in-crimes-against-oakland-postalworkers/

Observe, Abate and Report all Safety Hazards

How do we letter carriers protect ourselves? The first thing we can all do is be “hyper aware of our surroundings at all times.” We must observe everything moving around us at all

times. Including approaching cars that stop nearby or cars parked near your vehicles with individuals that look suspicious.

We should also be scanning and observing the area before getting in and out of our vehicles, before and after delivering the mail as well as moving from one park point to another. Notably, some, if not all, of the vehicles used in these crimes did not have license plates and/or used stolen vehicles.

The next thing you can do, if you observe an unsafe condition or hazard (being followed and or other suspicious activities), is to immediately abate it by removing yourself from the immediate area. Once you are in a safe place, report it to local management and/or the authorities so they can immediately investigate it to protect your safety and health. If you are being robbed, do not hesitate to give the criminals what they want. You and your safety are more important than any material object. Once the criminals have departed, go to a safe place, and immediately call the Police (911) and the Postal Inspection Service at 877-876-2455 to report the crime. If you made mental notes of what the perpetrators look like, the vehicles involved, license plate numbers or any identifying tattoos or marks, please give that information to the police and or the Postal Inspectors.

National Help and Further Actions are Needed

Given that we Letter Carriers work for the United States Postal Service (USPS), we are members of the National Association of Letters Carrier (NALC) and crimes and robberies against us have occurred with a greater frequency across our Country, this is also National issue. In short, we need the National Parties to “pull out all stops” to make “joint agreements” or new MOU’s that not only provide safer working conditions, but also provide more resources to fight these crimes.

It is my understanding that these issues are being discussed nationally, in conjunction with contract negotiations. I know that our Union at all levels will fight to protect your safety and health. It is my hope that USPS Headquarters will do more than just provide lip service. We the Letter Carriers of the United States of America deserve a safe and healthy work environment!

FTOs Narciso Padarenga and Ed Fletcher flanking new Region 1 National Business Agent, Keisha Lewis

The Answer to The Many Questions About The 7:01 Rule

By Jose Ochoa, Executive Vice President

A city Letter Carrier who actually works more than 7 hours but less than 8 hours of a regular scheduled day will, upon his/her request, be officially excused from the completion of the 8-hour tour and still credited with 8 hours of work time for pay purposes, Any hours not worked between the seventh and eighth hour of a regular scheduled day pursuant to ELM 432.53 are included in an employee's regular rate of pay pursuant to ELM 443.212.g.

All delivery service supervisors are reminded that city letter carriers should not be excused under the 7:01 rule unless they have completed their routes and cannot be assigned to any available work at the same wage level.

Local management at all delivery units must reemphasize to all city letter carriers that they must apprise their supervisor of their desire to clock out prior to completion of a full 8-hour workday, minus time covered by the 5-minute leeway rule. M-01913

The only time the 7:01 rule will come into play is if you are a full-time regular that gets done in less than eight hours and they have no other work for you to do to fill up that time. Generally speaking, they will find something for you to do rather than pay you to go home.

The other thing you need to watch out for is that if you are running through your route and/or skipping breaks to get done in less than eight hours just so you can go home early, they can and will use those times against you next time they readjust your route.

About The New Scanners:

You must always carry it with you, except for lunch and personal breaks. Remember your routes will be adjusted based on the data from the scanners.

If you work in an office that requires you to cross crafts by working in the clerk craft you must submit a 1260 for the time working in the clerk craft, the scanners don’t have that option available to move. Maybe because we are carriers?

If you are in code 721 street delivery, you don’t have to clock out to lunch, it’s automatically deducted, see your Shop Steward for any issues.

About Black Outs:

If the electricity goes out in your office, you must evacuate the building. This clause is in most LMOUs. Emergency lights are not appropriate to continue working. Head lights are also inappropriate. Get out of the building until the electricity returns.

Thank you all, these excessive rains and the cold spell made your jobs more demanding and as usual you hang in there and deliver, great work!

The Changes They are a Coming to Time

By Narciso Paderanga, IV, First Vice President

Whether or not we realize it, one of the invariable realities in life is that we are always in a state of change. As we live our lives, on a day-to-day basis, our bodies change. We also know that change is sometimes good and necessary. Some people may not like change because we get accustomed to our routine and get comfortable in our safe zone. However, no progress can be made without change.

Similarly, the Postal Service is constantly changing. Some of the changes I have experienced through my career as a City Letter Carrier are DPS, Vertical Flat sorting, FSS, first generation scanner, filing DOL claims online, and now the MDD – TR City Carrier Timekeeping.

Change is not always bad, but in order for it to be good, we need to make it good. So far, I’ve not heard bad things about using the scanner for timekeeping. Although there were some concerns about using the scanner “off-the-clock” prior to clocking in, that is not case. For example, when we used to clock in with our badges, were we working off the clock when we grabbed our timecards prior to clocking in and when we returned it after clocking out?

One issue that may occur is if there was a problem with the scanner at the time we are supposed to clock in and it takes us longer than necessary. In this situation, we would have to complete a PS Form 1260. In addition, in installations where they violate Article 7.2 by mandating carriers to work outside of the carrier craft, there is no option for the letter carrier to properly clock into that function because the only selection are the ones applicable to the letter carriers. Again, we would have to complete PS Form 1260 to accurately reflect the duties performed on any given day.

It has been explained that once we begin tour (BT) on one scanner, and use a different scanner for whatever reason, we would have to scan our badge and BT again on the new scanner being used. This is because the scanner communicates to TACS, but TACS does not communicate back to the scanners. This situation would create errors in TACS that management would have to fix whenever it occurs.

Carriers forgetting to “Move 721” to the appropriate routes while doing sections, swings, or pivots at the actual time they start delivering will likely be happening at first due to the change. But as we get used to the new process, we should be just fine.

If management requires you to clock into lunch and from lunch while you are on 721, we should immediately grieve such instructions. There is no requirement that carrier’s clock in and out to lunch while the carriers are already on function 721.

Management should have conducted training on all carriers prior to implementing this process. If not, we must be vigilant on requiring management to train those who received no such training.

Joint Statement on Violence and Behavior in the Workplace (Part

1)

By Francisco Cabrera, Second Vice President

The JSOVBW is a document created by the Postal Service and the NALC. All 4 major postal unions as well as the Postmaster General are also signatories to it. It was created after a very sad period in our history when a cluster of shootings left employees dead, injured and traumatized.

Workplace violence is violence or the threat of violence against workers. It can occur at or outside the workplace and can range from threats and verbal abuse to physical assaults and homicide, one of the leading causes of job-related deaths.

This document represented a new policy, pledge and contractual commitment from the Postal Service, management, labor organizations and management unions of a zero tolerance for violence, the threat of violence. It reaffirmed the basic right of all employees to a safe and humane working environment.

It was an acknowledgement that in many units/stations there was an is an unacceptable level of stress; that there is no excuse for and will be no tolerance of violence or any threats of violence by anyone at any level of the Postal Service; and that there is no excuse for and will be no tolerance of harassment, intimidation, threats, or bullying by anyone.

It stated in part:

"Making the numbers" is not an excuse for the abuse of anyone. Those who do not treat others with dignity and respect will not be rewarded or promoted. Those whose unacceptable behavior continues will be removed from their positions.”

Finally, it closes with a flourish stating: “let there be no mistake that we mean what we say and we will enforce our commitment to a workplace where dignity, respect, and fairness are basic human rights, and where those who do not respect those rights are not tolerated”

Unfortunately, that commitment didn’t last too long as less than 4 years later the Union was grieving the fact management did not consider the JSOV an enforceable contract or agreement, visa vis, one that could be enforced via the grievance procedure and that actually means what it says.

Guess what management was and will cite in discipline when an employee is involved in violence and or threatening behavior? That’s right, the JSOV. So, Arbitrator Snow saw right through that ruse in his 1996 National Level decision in which he decisioned “the Joint Statement on Violence and Behavior in the Workplace constitutes a contractually enforceable agreement between the parties. Accordingly, the Union shall have access to the negotiated grievance procedure set forth in the parties' collective bargaining agreement to resolve disputes arising under the Joint Statement.”

Meaning we can and will file grievances to enforce it and we can and will get the remedy of removing supervisors from their positions if a violation of the Joint statement is found. That is empowering.

The beauty of it is the Joint statement itself contains the remedy for violations of this zero-tolerance policy: Those who

do not treat others with dignity and respect will not be rewarded or promoted. Those whose unacceptable behavior continues will be removed from their positions.

So, you are not asking for anything new under the sun, you’re asking for exactly what the National parties including the Postmaster Union as well as the supervisor’s Unions have already agreed to as the appropriate remedy - as they are signatories to the Joint Statement on Violence and Behavior

What are the main points you are going to argue when filing a grievance involving a violation of the Joint Statement by Management?

Let’s start with the issue statement. You are going to include Article 14.1, 2, 15, 19 via the M-39 section 115.3 and 4; ELM section 662 and 665, Code of Conduct, and the Joint Statement on Violence and Behavior in the workplace.

It has been observed some arbitrators prefer to fashion decisions from ELM 660 code of conduct due to the unique position the Joint Statement puts management in. It really did modify the collective bargaining agreement. If a violation of the Joint Statement is found, that manager, supervisor or postmaster is to be removed from his or her position, without any due process, without a just cause interview, without the opportunity of their union to fully defend them. This is a good thing for us letter carriers. It is a terrifying thing for managers. And that’s what we want. All we want is to be treated with dignity and respect.

So quote ELM Section 666.3, Behavior and Personal Habits which states:

Employees are expected to conduct themselves during and outside of work hours in a manner which reflects favorably upon the Postal Service. Although it is not the policy of the Postal Service to interfere with the private lives of employees, it does require that postal personnel be honest, reliable, trustworthy, courteous, and of good character and reputation. Employees are expected to maintain satisfactory personal habits so as not to be obnoxious or offensive to other persons or to create unpleasant working conditions.

What other arguments are you going to make? Quote JCAM page 15-1 which states:

Arbitrator Snow found that the Joint Statement constitutes a contractually enforceable agreement between the parties and that the union has access to the grievance procedure to resolve disputes arising under it. Additionally, in his discussion of the case, Snow writes that arbitrators have the flexibility in formulating remedies to consider removing a supervisor from his or her “administrative duties,” if a violation is found.

You're going to give an objective narrative of what happened, nothing but the facts. You’re going to follow this up with a vivid description of how the manager’s conduct, words or actions affected the letter carriers. How it made them feel.

Use descriptive words and phrases such as grievant felt belittled, spoken to as if she was a child, bullied, intimidated, fearful, apprehensive, was assaulted, verbally accosted, felt like crying...if there are witnesses of course you are going interview them or even take dictation of their verbal statement and HAVE THEM SIGN AND DATE these interviews/statements.

Mention every refusal to provide information or interviews by management, for example if they fail to make the offending supervisor or witnesses available for interview. Most times the supervisor will not be allowed to testify at the arbitration.

Next mention the history in the file. A prior I especially love is a so and so will cease and desist from violating the Joint Statement on Violence and Behavior in the Workplace. You’ll find you can easily get a resolution like this.

If you have this on any supervisor, manager, postmaster you're holding the wildcard. So, if it’s a first time occurrence, perhaps the supervisor just raised his voice, got aggressive, try to get this even at the informal A. Remember play the long game. You can use this indiscriminately in future violations by this supervisor, that’s where it’s really going to put the nail in the coffin and tilt the scales when it’s he said/she said.

Part 2 will be in the June Issue

Just Some Reminders

By Terrence Lee Super, Fourth Vice President

Hello everyone, I hope you all are doing well. Just what the title says, this article is about giving you all some reminders about things that we may forget sometimes as Letter Carriers. Mind you, this is just to help all of you to appreciate that we as Letter Carriers have a responsibility as well as management.

When it comes to management, we are all over them when they violate your contractual rights, or they fail to treat you all with Dignity and Respect. But what we as Officers of the Branch MUST inform you of is your responsibilities as Letter Carriers so that we can protect you. Example: What if a Carrier didn’t know that they were supposed to fill out a PS-Form 3996 if they felt like they were going to go over 8 hours on their own? Our job as your Union Representatives is to inform you of your responsibility to turn in a PS-Form 3996 so you don’t get written

up for unauthorized overtime which is a serious offense. Not informing you of this responsibility, means we would not be doing our job which our members pay us to do. Imagine if we never told you your rights or responsibilities, management would run all over our carriers.

It may not be something you want to hear, but we say these things to protect you and to have the leverage to get your discipline thrown if management messes with you, and unauthorized overtime which I mentioned above, management wouldn’t be able to charge you with if you had filled out a PSForm 3996. Carriers can sometimes get upset with us because they may not understand why we tell them certain things, but it is only to protect you and your job. We all have responsibilities that we have to be reminded of and it is our job to do it, even if it seems like we are nagging you, it’s all love. We just want to protect you.

Another reminder that may be hard to hear is our responsibility to do our best to come to work as much as we can within our circumstances. We as your Representatives totally understand what’s going on in your offices. You’re working so much that the only way you can get a day off is to call in sick and believe me, we understand. What I’m talking about is when carriers call in when they just don’t feel like coming to work, or when carriers just up and abandon their route and go home when management makes them mad. Situations like this happen a lot more often than you think, and all we are saying is that you have to be careful what you do and how you react to things. Let us fight the battle for you and don’t give management a way they can use your actions against you.

Route abandonment is a very serious charge and management can discipline you for it. Plus, what this does is force one of your fellow carriers to do your work that you just left for them. I understand management can make you so mad that you want to cry but just remember, you don’t hurt management when you abandon your route, you hurt your fellow carriers. Just please remember that before you make a drastic decision, think of how it’s going to hurt your co-worker. Same goes for sick calls, I’m not talking about FMLA, Covid-19, or other things that would deem you incapacitated to come to work. We all know that these kinds of sick calls are protected as long as your paperwork and doctors’ notes are in order. But carriers who constantly call in sick on a regular basis really hurt your coworkers and your customers as well.

Again, all of you please don’t take this article the wrong way. We all have an obligation to represent and protect you from management and we are proud to do it, and we do so very well. But we also have a responsibility to remind you of your responsibility as Letter Carriers. This is how we protect you, and even though it may not seem that way when we tell you something that you may not want to hear at the time, please trust and know that we have your best interest at heart.

We have to stay united and the more we work together the better we will be because it is the Letter Carrier that is the backbone of the United States Postal Service. It is my proud duty to protect you so please help me, help you.

You all have a beautiful day and be safe.

Branch

Vallejo retiree Daniel Hsieh receives his plaque from FTOs. Jose Ochoa and Francisco Cabrera. He's also joined by Shop Stewards Steve Teding and Krista Beals

BRANCH 1111 SALUTES ITS RECENT RETIREES

Clockwise from top left: Rolando Quibol of Fremont celebrates with co-workers after receiving his plaque from Branch 1111 Full Time Officers

David Torres of Pleasanton joining the Last Punch Bunch

Florante Marquez Jr. of Lafayette receiving his plaque upon retiring

Antonio Abogado of Fremont smiling as he makes his last swipe before retirement.

Freddie Morrissette of Walnut Creek showing off his retirement plaque flanked by all Branch 1111’s officers.

Ben Delgado delivering on his last day of active duty before retirement.

Your Life Depends on It

By Mary Abante, Third Vice President

What is one of the first things you should do after you begin tour (BT)?

Get your keys and inspect your vehicle, it is often overlooked as an office duty but one of the most important. Your life depends on it.

Check your vehicle every day so if something is banged, broken, missing, or mangled it can be repaired before it is put back into service for your safety and the carrier who follows you. Neither do you want to be accused of causing the damage.

These requirements are found in Sections 832 and 842 of Handbook M-41, which states:

• 832.1 Inspect vehicle as described on Notice76, Expanded Vehicle Safety Check for deficiencies, body damage, or inoperable items.

• 842.1 Reporting Defects Driver must (a) report all mechanical defects or failures and major body damage on Form 4565, Vehicle Repair Tag as soon as noted, and (b) immediately turn in the completed form to a dispatcher or manager. Minor body damage can sometimes await repair until the next regular inspection and need not be reported more than once.

Make sure to wait for management to sign the PS 4565 when reporting repairs needed and remember your copy. This is to protect you. A supervisor once told me repairs are now requested electronically and he didn’t have the PS 4565. He couldn’t show me where the language had changed, and a PS 4565 was no longer to be provided. In short, he printed the form for me, signed and dated it, and provided a copy.

Should you be denied a vehicle repair Form PS 4565 complete a PS 1767 which is always to be made available without asking management. The PS 1767 is a Report of Hazard, Unsafe Condition or Practice. Complete it, get it signed, dated, and remember your copy. Please always let your steward or Full Time Officer know if these forms are not available to you.

USPS has written numerous policies on Vehicle Inspections and Maintenance. I quote one written on September 30, 2016. “Ensure all safety defects/failures are reported immediately and corrected before allowing the vehicle to be used by our employees.” We must make management live up to its responsibilities on safety.

Do not use the vehicle until it has been repaired and it’s safe to drive. Do not succumb to management’s rationale that it is good enough, not that bad or my all-time favorite “you’ll be O.K.” Management cannot predict what will happen during your workday. Using an unsafe vehicle could seriously injure or kill you or your customer. Accounts of this happening can be read on NALC.org.

Management has also issued discipline and held responsible those carriers who knowingly used a vehicle in need of repair and then were involved in an accident or injured. Look out for each other to ensure carriers are not using vehicles that have previously been written up as unsafe.

Working safely may get old, but so do those who practice it.

ADAPTING TO NEW CHANGES AT THE POST OFFICE

By Berkeley Chief Steward, Liz Corriea

Hey brothers and sisters of this great union, there are definitely new changes coming our way, can we adapt to them? As of right now, I see no other choice, so get to learning folks. Berkeley carriers recently started using the scanners as their new timecards and are now here to stay.

Some of us may have had some problems with them. I personally am a slow learner It takes me to practice a few times before I get it down, then eventually I will be good at it. Some of the things I don’t like about the scanner is having to constantly scan your I.D. Having to take it in out of my lanyard. I guess what this means, is that it could take me a little longer, I am already a slow carrier.

Another thing I experienced with the scanner is when I had the right zip code in it, and the scanner was constantly changing the zip code numbers on me, without even touching it, how weird is that? Nevertheless I will hopefully get that crazy beast down, it’s a matter of practice.

NALC REGION 1 CSALC TRAINING – RAP SESSION

NALC Region 1 NBA-CSALC Training was conducted this past weekend in the beautiful city of San Diego. The classes I signed up for were Article 8, simply because to me, it’s the biggest violations that management constantly abuse. I also took File Prep-building a successful file, and the last class I signed up for was Discipline, the Basics and Burden You can never learn enough, unfortunately the class was too full So, I sat in another class trying to learn the ins and out of TIAREAP, how it relates to COR, and how this involves route adjustments etc…

It's really nice to get together with other union brothers and sisters from Region 1, which consists of these states, Nevada, Hawaii, and California plus Guam. These individuals are hard at working to protect this great union of ours They are the ones willing to protect you and are educating themselves all the time. Wouldn’t it be cool if we all could educate ourselves as a means of protection against management from wrong doings, how wonderful would that be?

THE BERKELEY BLUES NEWS!

There is always something happening in Berkeley. Lately the hours have been reduced, due to the fact, that we have more PTF’s than ever before. I notice that the ODL carriers are not working as much as they were. However, this is mostly due to improper violations of article 8. Article 8 violations are the biggest violations in Berkeley, and because even though we have more PTF’s it’s still not enough carriers in Berkeley. I know that other cities are worse off and still lacking carriers such as Oakland So, Berkeley is getter better with staffing, but far from perfect.

“Knowledge is Power”

Brother Neil Zarchin The Man of Many Hats

Interview by Shana Lum, Chief Shop Steward, San Ramon

On February 28, 2023, my great friend Neil Zarchin celebrated his well-deserved retirement and I wanted to pick his brain about what makes him tick. He survived 33 years with the Postal Service, 10 years with the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano counties, and somehow, he keeps smiling. He’s an amazing and valuable person that has shown me what a true friendship and a common goal can do for the greater good. On behalf of NALC, I thank you for your service, Brother Neil, and a lifelong friendship I hold dear to me.

Congratulations on your newfound retirement Neil, tell me about where you started as a mail carrier and your overall career.

I started in San Francisco on April 22, 1979 and my first assignment was a PTF at Station M on 6th and Clement and they were all walk-out routes. After 6 months I took a position as a Part Time Regular so I could go back to school. Back in 1982 I transferred to Full Time but I couldn’t buy a home in SF, even in the 80’s, so I moved to Richmond and transferred to El Cerrito. I retired from the El Cerrito Post Office on Oct 3, 2012 after 33 and a half years.

What was your favorite part about being a mail carrier?

I was a T6 and regular on the same route for 25 years and I loved being part of the neighborhood. I loved 90% of the dogs on my route. I thought to myself, “I’ve never been bitten by a dog in the 33 years I’ve been here.” Then I got bit by a dog 3 months before my retirement! I loved the outdoors and the mild climate in El Cerrito. It only hit 100 degrees 3 times in my career, so I’m thankful for nice weather. I also loved my coworkers and the diversity, plus the seniors and their kids on my route who trusted me every day. Being a mail carrier is a really cool job…if they let you.

Quote: “Being a mail carrier is a really cool job…if they let you.”

How did you become involved with the Food Bank and when did you get started?

I was involved in EI, (Employee Involvement), with the union and a few Post Offices did Food Drives as projects. When the NALC food drive started, I had a big crush on the food drive coordinator so of course I got involved! Unfortunately, she went into management, and I applied for her position. I did it for 17 years in Contra Costa County and 1 year in Alameda. I knew very early on that I wanted to work at the food bank as a second career and I was fortunate enough for that to happen.

What is something you’d like people to know about the situation we’re facing with food insecurity and hunger throughout Solano and Contra Costa counties?

The Food Bank is feeding a lot more people now than at the peak of the pandemic. People are really struggling.

Neil Zarchin early in his career on the left with a giant letter and later on while carrying a dog in his satchel.

What made you become a Steward and how long did you do that for? What other positions did you hold?

When I transferred to El Cerrito, management was evil compared to San Francisco, and I became a Shop Steward within months. I remained a Shop Steward until 2010, except for 7 years when I was out of the office working full time in Employee Involvement. I was on the Executive Board for about 15 years, an Assistant Secretary Treasurer for 2 terms, a Step 2 in other cities, an Assistant Editor for 10 years and I was on the State Board for 8 years. I’ve worn many hats.

The skills I learned as a Union Steward transferred to me being a grant writer for the Food Bank. I learned persuasive writing,

discerning facts from contentions, Word and Excel and speaking truth to power. I didn’t realize those valuable skills could transfer over.

What advice do you have for Union Stewards? Any wisdom would be appreciated.

Brother Joe Hart gave me advice that stuck with me through the years. He said, “You’ll win battles, but the war will never end. Don’t expect to win the war…you’ll never be happy. You have to be happy in being part of the struggle.”

NALC Branch 1111 MDA RAFFLE

GRAND PRIZE: 65-inch 4K HDR TV

2nd Prize:18-Person OAKLAND A’s Suite, Sunday July 23rd vs Houston Astros @ 1:07 pm

3rd, 4th, 5th Prizes: $100 Cash

Tickets: See your Shop Steward or Full Time Officer.

Deadline: Checks, Cash & Tickets due June 20, 2023

Drawing: Tuesday, June 27, 2023 at the Branch Meeting

(Winners need not be present to win)

DONATION $10 PER TICKET

(Ticket stub can be used as your proof of donation)

2019 Contra Costa Food Drive Coordinators with Neil Zarchin (center middle)

Grand Canyon mail delivery – Mules are still used to reach the Havasupai Post Office at the bottom of the vast ravine. It’s the last official mail-by-mule in the country. Branch member Ryan Wong, of San Ramon sent this photo after a recent backpacking trip in Arizona.

NALC Branch 1111

Balance Sheet

Victoria Jackson of Clayton makes regular

Emeryville carrier Paul Lee (left) loaded up and ready-to-go

Concord carrier Jenair Cabral (right) Working hard and still smiling.

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LETTER CARRIERS

GREATER EAST BAY BRANCH 1111

402 –37TH STREET

RICHMOND, CALIFORNIA 94805- 2134

(510) 237-5111

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

Mikai Dewitt Alameda

Amin Zarif Alameda

Charles Cheeks Alameda

Khalih Almousa Alameda

Ryan Owyang Alameda

Michael Templeton Alamo

Nathanael Matthew Quesada Antioch

Emma Davis Antioch

Holli Demello Antioch

Ashwin Kumar

Aronn Ortiz

Lynnise Cannady

Antioch

Antioch

Berkeley

Manish Karkee Berkeley

Griffin Lee Berkeley

Joseph Walker Berkeley

Garrett Dodds Clayton

Terry Lowe Jr. Concord

Magdalena Molina Danville

Anna Vierra Danville

Tsering Lhamo El Cerrito

Arsalan Khan Fairfield

Tami Silva Fairfield

James Link Fremont

Justin Guerra Lafayette

Jordan John Cisneros

Lafayette

John Benton Livermore

Robert Burke Livermore

Dawn Wesnidge Martinez

Tonieh Chenoweth

Ronald Coats Jr.

Lonnie Cola

Lisa Concepcion

Jeremiah Teal

Lonnie Turner III

Marisela Zamora

Albert Rodriguez Gonzalez

Eranae Johnson

Jeffrey Palma

Oakland

Oakland

Oakland

Oakland

Oakland

Oakland

Oakland

Oakland

Oakland

Orinda

Ira Terrell Reyes Tano Orinda

Mauro Gidinho Pinole

Vincent Sullivan Pinole

Sabrina McGee Pinole

Francisco Juarez Pinole

Thishecia Hearns Pittsburg

Bhandri Shamvrit Pittsburg

Marlowe Echavia Pittsburg

Qiaolin Yang Pleasanton

Erik Moll Pleasanton

Julie Fugazi San Ramon

Robert Thomas Hatch San Ramon

Chelsey Hilderbrand Suisun City

Elizabeth Butler Suisun City

Marjorie Albano Union City

Vincent Chang Union City

Lorraine Hargrave Vallejo

Topaz Allure Lewis Vallejo

Willian Mariano Vallejo

Price Moore Vallejo

Sidney Wise Vallejo

Malinda Anderson Vallejo

Veronica Alvarado Walnut Creek

Khaldoon Hijazeen Walnut Creek

Byram L Williams Walnut Creek

Sergiy Smyrnov Walnut Creek

Carlos Bousted Walnut Creek

Joselito Aguilar Walnut Creek

Important Update for the 2023 Food Drive

After several attempts by Branch President Ed Fletcher and Alameda County Food Drive Coordinator Irene Liljedahl, to arrange our 2023 Letter Carriers Food Drive, we were informed by the Alameda County Food Bank that due to “staffing capacity challenges” the ACFB is unable to participate in large food drive campaigns such as ours, thus the Alameda County Food drive is cancelled.

The Contra Costa/Solano County Letter Carrier Food Drive and City of Alameda Food Drive WILL take place this year.