Branch 1111 News

G Grre e a atte err E E a asst t B B a a y y

B Brra a n n c c h h 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 N N e e w wss

Marisela Fletcher with daughter Ariel Uribe and President Ed Fletcher receiving her plaque and cake Branch 1111 Members thank you for your 37 and a half years of service

NALC HEALTH BENEFIT PLAN SERVICE

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

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

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

BI-MONTHLY BRANCH NEWSPAPER

Starting next year Branch 1111 News will be printed bi monthly. After 42 years of monthly publication, the decision to cut back was made for budgetary considerations. Our award winning publication will come out six times a year and also continue to be available online at: www.Branch1111.org

NALC ELECTION RESULTS

The NALC election results are in, and there are no surprises, except that the turnout was extremely low (15.64%) Here are the results for the main contested offices:

President

Brian Renfroe, Hattiesburg, Miss, Branch 938 31,415

David Noble, Washington DC, Branch 142 11, 293 Executive VP

Paul Barner, Rosewell, Ga, Branch 4862 --21,206

Maureen Valadie, Central Florida, Br. 1091 12,269

Kenneth Gibbs Jr. S. Florida, Branch 1071 8,846

Region 1 NBA

Markeisha Lewis, CA Branch 1100 --2,911

Calvin Brookins, CA Branch 2462 2011 Director of Life Insurance

James Yates, NY Branch 6000 29,019

William Boone, CA Branch 1111 13,017

National Trustees (three positions)

Charles Heege, NY Branch 36 --24,124

Lawrence Brown Jr., CA Branch 24 24,367

Dorothy Hall, WA Branch 1350 17,503

Francisco Cabrera, CA Branch 1111 11,116

HAPPY TRAILS TO YOU

The following letter carriers retired recently: Richard Moreno of Concord; Marisela Fletcher, Gan Ou and Sebiha Rekic of Oakland; Sandra Romo of Fairfield; Arnel Sacatropez of Fremont; and Wei Liang of Livermore. We wish many years of leisure to all.

CARL J. SAXSENMEIER SCHOLARSHIP

The California State Association of Letter Carriers is now accepting applications for 2023 at www.csalc.org

Applications must be received by January 7, 2023

50/50 MDA RAFFLE WINNERS

At the last meeting the 50/50 pot of $45 went to Ka Moon Yi. Come try your luck at the next Branch meeting.

Veteran Florante Marquez Jr. of Lafayette holds up a note and thank you gift from one of his appreciative customers

Last punch fot Viet Tran of Irvington, Fremont

Thanking Those Who Have Served Us

By Edward P. Fletcher, President

The month of November has always been a special time for me. A time to enjoy good company. A time to see distance relatives. A time to enjoy good food, and friends. A time to make a delicious oven roasted turkey, and enjoy turkey sandwiches for days. A time to recognize our Veteran family members and co workers who have bravely served our Country thank you! And, a time to give thanks for all of our blessings even in a topsy turvy world where peace is fleeting.

What About Our Past Leaders?

From the beginning of my time at Branch 1111, I recognized as a new Officer that I must learn from those leaders who came before me. The primary individuals/icons that I watched day in and day out, were Jerry DePoe, Robert Rutter and Charles Thompson. Although they all worked tirelessly for Branch 1111, they each had their own unique sets of talents. And when forged together like iron, they formed the foundation of Branch 1111.

They were all fighters, well versed in the Contract, dedicated, and master negotiators. Jerry could multitask like no other. He would be writing an appeal, while taking on the phone and/or to another Officer all at the same time. He was “Mr. Clutch.” Robert was “Mr. Contract,” and could quote it on demand. He also was the best at presenting oral arguments in any meeting, place or time. Charles was very knowledgeable, always in your corner and a true peace keeper. He was “Mr. Kool” and was a very patient teacher with everyone he helped. We thank all of you and your families for the time that all of you put in to form the very beginning of Branch 1111. Your work will not be forgotten.

A Lioness with a Scorpion’s Tail

Well, many of you probably don’t know that I never asked Marisela Fletcher, who just retired from the Oakland, Piedmont Post Office on October 31, 2022, to become a Shop Steward. She stepped up all on her own. She would tirelessly question me on every aspect of our Contract. At times, it felt like she was giving me a “just cause” on my knowledge of the National Agreement. But, for those of you that have worked with Marisela, you already know that she has always been her “own woman.” She served her customers in the City of Oakland for 37.5 years. She proudly and relentlessly served as Shop Steward in the Oakland, Airport and Piedmont Offices for 18 years. She was also assigned the extra duties of monitoring Oakland’s Annual leave program. When her brothers’ and sisters’ contractual rights were violated, she became a “Lioness with a Scorpion’s Tail” to protect her pride and sting management for each and every violation of our Contact. She won hundreds of thousands of dollars alone in Article 8 violations.

She served on Branch 1111’s Executive Council for many years and will continue to do so. Marisela also served as the

Branch 1111’s MDA Coordinator where she conducted yearly raffles and raised over $25,000, just in the last three years that we held a raffle. Thank you for all of your hard work and dedication to the members of Branch 1111! Happy Trails Marisela! You deserve it!

Our Present Staff of Officers

I would be remiss if I did not thank my brother and sister Full time Officers (FTO’s) who I work with every day in our collective efforts to bring contractual justice to a tainted Postal Service. And that is, EVP, Jose Ochoa, 1st V.P. Narciso Paderanga, 2nd V.P. Francisco Cabrera, 3rd V.P. Mary Abante, 4th V.P. Terrence Super, Treasurer John Ferriera and AST Mary Phelps. I would also like to thank all of our Branch 1111 Chief Stewards and Shop Stewards for standing up to become NALC Sheriffs. If you didn’t know, it takes a tribe of Officers and Stewards to enforce our rights and protect the last frontier known as Branch 1111! Always wear your badges with pride!

The Next Generation Up

What about the future, which is now? Where will the next generation of Full time NALC Officers and Shop Stewards come from? If you don’t know, you should know. They will come from the same place they have always come from. Our members in each and every Post Office in the 29 Cities represented by Branch 1111

We are strong, and fearless. We will fight for what we believe in. Which is each other, our rights, pay, benefits and protecting our jobs as American Letter Carriers. If not us, who will? No one. We must stand and deliver as we have always done. It’s time for the next Generation to stand up! And most of all, thanks to all of our Branch 1111 brother and sister letter carriers who are the real Heroes of the USPS! Happy Thanksgiving!

Marisela Fletcher’s farewell swipe at the time cock

What to do to Stay Safer During the Holidays and Darkness

By Jose Ochoa, Executive Vice President

As you probably have heard, several of our brothers and sisters have been mugged while delivering their routes It will probably get worse during the Holidays, so please do not try to be a hero.

If you are approached by a burglar, remain calm, give them what they are asking for; do not stare and walk away; do not stay near the vehicle, call 911 and your supervisor.

Do not carry personal valuables/jewelry or extra money. Be always on the lookout for individuals or cars following you.

Do not leave mail in the service tray. Make sure all your doors are properly locked and windows all the way up!

For the issue of darkness, delivering mail when it’s dark is not unsafe. What is unsafe is delivering mail when it’s so dark that you can’t see where you are walking or stepping. We know there are some streets with very poor lighting Remember, you make the decision if safety is an issue not management!

You know that if you fall down and get injured, management is going to place the fault on you and discipline you for committing an unsafe act. All you have to do is stop working, call your supervisor and ask him/her to come and review the work condition

If there is no answer, drive back to the office, look for a supervisor and explain the situation. Nobody has the authority to instruct you to commit an unsafe act.

You don’t have to spend your money buying headlights or batteries. Per the JCAM page 41 26 “when the employer requires the use of certain supply items for the proper performance of a carrier’s functions, such items will be supplied by the employer”

I also want to take this opportunity to wish a Happy Thanksgiving and Holidays to you and your family and to thank you for your never ending friendship and support.

Union Quotes: “Too few Americans know labor history and how they have benefited from the efforts of unions. We have a 40 hour work week, defined benefits, higher wages, paid vacations and sick leave, largely as the result of union activity in the 20th century. We built a middle class society in the period after World War II, also a period when the work force was, compared with today, heavily unionized.”

KEN BERNSTEIN

THE IMPORTANCE OF A COPY

By Liz Corriea, Berkeley Chief Steward

It has been brought to my attention that there are problems that involve carriers not getting their copies of documents from management, like opt cards, PS form 3971s, PS form 1767, PS form 3996, PS form 1571, just to name of few. You may be in for a big surprise if you should be in a situation in which you need to prove your case.

For example, you requested some time off, and you submit a PS form 3971 to your supervisor, who approves your leave. However, you were never given a copy. Let’s say the supervisor loses your form and on top of that can’t remember ever approving any leave for you. Now what? If you have a screwed up supervisor, there’s no proof of any approved leave. So do yourself a favor, always get a copy

Each PS form 3971, has a section which says (Signature of Supervisor and Date Notified). Management needs to sign and date it and give you a copy. Management may give you an answer right then or perhaps not. This is not an approval, just notification. To be on the safe side, I would make sure I don’t walk away without my copy. Don’t let your supervisor say I’ll get back to you later, at least get your copy of the notification.

Most recently I had a situation in which a carrier who was on an opt, was moved off the opt, because this person had been assigned a residual route. No one had a copy of the opt card, not the carrier, nor management. How do you prove your case. This becomes a difficult situation.

Again, always request a hard copy of your opt card in the event this should happen to you, so you will be prepared to prove your case.

These are just a couple of examples and you may have experienced something similar. So you can see the importance for having a copy.

BERKELEY BLUES NEWS

There are some cities that are lacking carriers, and I’m not sure what’s going on there. Berkeley has been losing carriers, we barely have maybe 7 PTFs. We have some vacancies as well, due to retirement, finding other jobs etc etc Nevertheless, the workload is being passed on to other carriers, who sometimes have double duties, carrying two routes. Most of the carriers have no days off. We’re constantly being mandated every day. I know we’re not alone. It’s an unfortunate situation going on all over the place. Hopefully a good solution will happen sometime soon, before we end up with no carriers at all

I would like to thank those carriers who work so hard endlessly. It amazes me how so many carriers work more than 12 hours in a day and more than sixty hours in a week. There are so many grievances in Berkeley for those carriers working beyond the 12/60 rule Not to mention the amount of money being paid out for those violations.

Knowledge is Power.

Fix what is now, and Tomorrow will be Better!

By Narciso Paderanga, IV, First Vice President

As we approach the Holiday Season, the mail and parcel volumes increase. I truly commend our brothers and sisters for all of the hard work they put in day in day out. In addition, on November 6th, “daylight savings” ends and it will get dark earlier in the day.

While most of the disciplinary actions given to the carriers in my area are attendance related, there are other issues for which management is disciplining carriers. First, management is issuing carriers for delaying of mail. To me, it’s very ironic. Just recently, management has been reported on the local news for delaying mail. What discipline has been issued to local and/or District managers? None that I am aware of. In fact, I have heard that it was the District’s instructions to delay the regular mail.

It seems that issuing carriers disciplinary actions is management’s attempt to place blame on our brothers and sisters for management’s inability to perform its duties to get the mail delivered. In order for the mail to be delivered, it must have sufficient staffing to cover all of the routes. An issue that the Union continuously brings to management’s attention throughout the year for the past several years.

Some of the most important managerial duties are hiring or recruiting sufficient employees to fill these vacancies which are found in the EL 312 in relevant parts:

“As required, District managers assist managers within their jurisdictions to develop specialized recruitment and selection methods… District managers ensure that special emphasis employment programs are administered appropriately.”

The Manager, Human Resources (District), is responsible for planning and conducting appropriate ongoing recruitment efforts to meet local needs and planning, opening, announcing, and publicizing examinations for recruitment to meet staffing needs of the district.

Furthermore, the installation head is responsible for forecasting the recruitment requirements in the installation in sufficient time to assure that there are qualified persons available for appointment. In so doing, consideration must be given to the number of anticipated vacancies and projected loss of current employees.

While the installation head is responsible for forecasting recruitment needs, local management from all organizational functions must work together in assessing how changing operational needs will affect recruitment needs. Proper use of the installation hiring plan is essential to quality decisions about bringing new employees into the workforce.

Postal hiring officials must play an aggressive and strategic role in successfully attracting qualified applicants for employment consideration in a competitive and ever changing labor market. This role includes leveraging the Postal Service’s competitiveness in the labor market, evaluating demographics, determining the best recruitment approaches, and showcasing the Postal Service as A Great Place to Work!

Section 232.2 of the EL 312 states, “Forecasting short term and long term recruitment requirements is one of management’s most important responsibilities.”

As I am writing this article, our Branch President Edward Fletcher and EVP Jose Ochoa are meeting with the USPS District Leaders in Sacramento to address the chronic understaffing issue in the offices or stations Branch 1111 oversees. It’s been anticipated that the USPS leaders at the District level will only defer to the Union leaders for suggestions on how to do their job which they have so far failed to do.

The USPS has to do better in showcasing the Postal Service as a Great Place to Work! The USPS has to start treating all employees better. The USPS has be a place of work where its employees look forward to be working. They say “it’s not a job when you love it” or “when you love something, it’s not a job anymore.” I say, fix what is now and tomorrow will be better!

In solidarity!

Notice of Proposed By-Law Changes

Article 7 and 41 Bid Posting and Conversion Provisions

By Francisco Cabrera, Second Vice President

When I was elected as Full Time Officer for the City of Vallejo, there were two CCAs who were going on their 7th year as TE/CCAs. They had been CCAs for over 2 of those years. They almost cornered me to help them. Within 6 months after I filed the grievances, I am going to teach you about today, they were both Full Time Regular Carriers. The look of gratitude on their faces and their kind words of appreciation will forever be in my memory.

First of all, we need the “Route Base Information Report” for all routes in your installation. It is contained in a system called Delivery Operations Information System (DOIS).

What you are going to find there is a list of all the full time assignments in your installation which have been input in DOIS including auxiliary assignments. Some routes may not exist except in this system. For our purposes this is perfect.

Management has the contractual obligation to staff one full time employee per route.

7.3.A A. The Employer will staff at least one full time regular city letter carrier per one full time regular city letter carrier route, as defined in Article 41.1.A.1, plus each Carrier Technician position.

Simply put our position is if it’s listed on the Route Base Information Report and it’s not showing as being held by any carriers as a bid, we are going to file a grievance on it and ask for the senior CCA to be converted to full time and assigned to this route. (Of course, the residual would go first to Unassigned regular or PTF in your office, if any)

We can only get CCAs converted on full time assignments not auxiliaries or routes that are under 8 hours, which you will be able to identify because the auxiliary says (aux) so the rest are full time assignments. The rest is pretty straightforward. We’re going to argue 4 main points.

1) This route is not under withholding.

2) Management is not allowed to build their case through the grievance procedure beyond Formal Step A.

3) Union contends and maintains Management has far exceeded the contractual time limits imposed by National Memorandum M 01876 which has been incorporated into the 2019 2023 National Agreement

4) In accordance with the National Memorandum found on pages 7 17 through 7 19 of the 2019 2023 National Agreement, management must convert the senior CCA to full time regular.

What remedy should we ask for?

In accordance with page 7 21 of the 2019 2023 JCAM this violation requires a remedy beyond make whole as follows: Remedy for Violation. The appropriate remedy for violations of Article 7.3.A was specified in a national MOU dated April 14, 1989 (M 00920). The parties agreed that the remedy will be the following:

Any installation with 200 or more man years of employment in the regular workforce which fails to maintain the staffing ratio in any accounting period, shall immediately convert and compensate the affected part time employee(s) retroactively to the date which they should have been converted as follows:

A. Paid the straight time rate for any hours less than 40 hours (five 8 hour days) worked in a particular week.

B. Paid the 8 hour guarantee for any day of work beyond five days.

C. If appropriate, based on the aforementioned, paid the applicable overtime rate.

D. Further, the schedule to which the employee is assigned when converted will be applied retroactively to the date the employee should have been converted and the employee will be paid out of schedule pay.

E. Where application of Items A D above shows an employee is entitled to two or more rates of pay for the same work or time, management shall pay the highest of the rates.

Although your office may not be a 200 workyear or above office, we argue the only difference is that the smaller offices get until the first day of the 3rd full pay period from when the route became a residual and will be made whole from that date.

When did it become a residual? When the 10 12 days of posting if your LMOU gives the longer period expired.

There is a ratio to consider management is allowed one transfer per 5 conversions in offices smaller than 100 work years and one transfer per 3 conversions in offices larger than 100 work years.

You can find out how many work years your office is by contacting your national business agent. Maybe your Branch officer might know too. But let management make arguments of where they are on the ratio. We don’t make arguments for them.

Don’t let management give you any sob stories about how their HR is backed up or the paperwork is in the process.

Management already has a built in extension for posting routes which was extended from 5 days to 14 days in 2006.

JCAM Article 41 3:

The time limit for posting was changed in the 2006 National Agreement. Note that the number of days was only part of the change. The time limit that was once 5 working days is now 14 calendar days. Notwithstanding negotiated language in the local parties’ Local Memorandum of Understanding (LMOU), the intent of this change is to accommodate those offices with an automated bidding process that requires 14 days for posting. In such situations, the controlling language would be the 14 days in Article 41.1.A.1.

This is just one of the ways to get CCAs converted, the other is the automatic 2 year conversion per pages 7 19 7 20 of the JCAM. There’s also the 6 month maximization memo for PTF conversions.

In all cases you have nothing to lose by filing and a lot to gain.

Until next time in Solidarity

As a Steward…

By Eli Eave, Chief Shop Steward Martinez

Most carriers have the notion that management understands and knows the Contract and will follow it.

As a Shop Steward, I haven’t always known this to be true. On more than one occasion management has improperly made requests of carriers outside the guidelines of the Contract. When this happens, it causes harm to the carrier, and I step in.

As a Steward, I am required to attend classes so I can recognize when the Contract is being violated so I can defend the carriers’ rights.

In our Contract in Article 17 it speaks of Stewards Rights and some of the activities. (In part) …

“A steward may conduct a broad range of activities related to the investigation and adjustment of grievances and of problems that may become grievances. These activities include the right to review relevant documents, files, and records, as well as interviewing a potential grievant, supervisors, and witnesses.”

The National Association of Letter Carriers or NALC ensures Stewards are trained and must be certified to be Stewards. We are constantly attending classes and training to represent you and your rights and enforce the Contract which was signed. When management violates the Contract, they violate the carriers’ rights which harms the carriers.

A time ago, a former Postmaster improperly completed and posted a Holiday Schedule which included mandating carriers the day before the Holiday and the day after the Holiday, including carriers who were on approved annual leave (vacation) the following week.

Justifiably when carriers saw the posted schedule they were in an uproar and concerned about their vacation plans.

Management didn’t know or ignored the Contract.

As a Steward, I spoke with the Postmaster regarding her errors, and she told me I was wrong on both accounts because “that’s how she’d always done it” in her pervious office.

I went back to the Postmaster with the Joint Contract Agreement Manual (JCAM) and showed her word for word what I had previously said in the JCAM about mandating carriers for the Holiday. I informed her as a Steward it is my responsibility to follow the Contract and look out for the carriers. I will send it up to the Dispute Resolution Team (DRT) who will definitely let you know I am correct.

The Postmaster reconsidered and said, “we will follow the Contract.”

I let the carriers know the Holiday Schedule would be corrected and reposted for which they were relieved and happy to hear.

Management is busy looking at numbers. As a Steward, we are looking out for you.

Enjoy Your Thanksgiving

By Mary Abante, Third Vice President

Global pandemic. Universal lockdowns. Toilet paper shortages. Running out of meat. Coins growing scarcer. Soaring gas prices.

Ugh, now murmurs of recession.

Americans have gotten used to a lot of scary headlines over the last two plus years.

Should you worry about your job?

Despite all the scary stories, look around on your way to work.

Do you see what I see?

Apartment buildings rise floor by floor. Commercial properties built in no time at all and new housing developments around the corner.

These works in progress will all receive mail and parcels at one time or another and by you!

Think of all the wanted and unwanted overtime you’re working through these last few years.

One less thing to worry about is your job.

Article 6 in the Joint Contract Agreement Manual discusses layoffs.

Good news!

Article 6 is untested and “as of this writing Postal management has never used layoff or reduction in force procedures to separate a letter carrier. So, these provisions have not been interpreted in the grievance procedure or in arbitration.”

In fact, as you know we need more workers. Better to have one job than two or three to pay the bills As well as one with good benefits.

Being a Letter Carrier is a hard job. Ask any new employee. The old timers just make it look easy. We count on you, and we thank you for your service.

Lafayette carriers and veterans Anthony Singleton, and Parrish Wells loading up for the day

Patti A. Anderson

Jose F. Anguiano

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

Michael A. Chavez

Rickie D. Cox

Jonathan D. Cuff

Don B. Davis

Jerry C. Depoe

Dan D. Dorman

Martin H. Duehring

Alner C. Egenias

Joselito Z. Eugenio

Thomas B. Fentress

Curtis L. Flores

Ray A. Garcia

Frank J. Gartner

Samuel Green

Richard A. Grimes

Joseph F. Hart

Adrienne N. Hawk

Amanda P. Jones

Ronald C. Jones

Robert G. Kemme

Frank Krakowski

Jack C. Lee

Terence P. Madden

Santiago F. Manalili

Florante A. Marquez

Keith Massey

Ocie McNair

Edgardo S. Mistica

Richard Moreno

Freddie L. Morrissette

Larry M. Neal

Sonia R. Ortega Mosqueda

Celso Pacheco

Isagani L. Padojino

Paul D. Petersen

Armando G. Prado

Hanson H. Rahman

Michael H. Richmond

James C. Riker

Paulo E. Rivera

BRANCH 1111 SALUTES ITS VETERANS

Gerald W. Robinson

Stephen E. Robinson

Gilbert O. Rodrigues

Richard A. Segraves

Robert J. Sheridan

Raymond C. Sherman

Floyd L. Simons

Sullivan L. Smothers

Brian S. Tan

Michael Tolentino Malcolm J. Watson

(From top left):

Gary Dale Berkeley DDU, Civic Center carriers from left to right Santiago Manalili, Tatia Brown, Alex San Juan, Sonia Ortega Mosqueda, Sullivan Smothers,

Edwin Salvatin Fremont Irvington, Acob Eduardo Fremont,Irvington Branch 1111 Trustees and veterans Ray Garcia, Rickie Cox and Ron Jones

The list of veterans was taken from the Postal Record. If you’re not listed, contact the National Office.

Congratulations to our New Dispute Resolution Team (DRT) Representative Latateana Roberson!

By Terrence Lee Super, Fourth Vice President

I’m excited to write this week’s article on one of my Stewards that I am extremely proud of Latateana Roberson She is not only the Chief Shop Steward in the Walnut Creek installation, but now she is an official Dispute Resolution Team (DRT) Representative.

Currently, Latateana aka Tot, is the backup for Joseph Lujan who is doing an excellent job as our current full time DRT Representative. Although that is the case, even Joseph needs to take vacation sometimes, so Tot would be the one to cover for him from time to time. But the National Business Agents Office (NBA) can activate Tot on one of the other DRTs around the area So basically, I can lose her to any of these DRTs which is bittersweet but OK.

Latateana is a person who has been inspired to do bigger and better things, which is what I want for my Stewards, a chance to grow.

Tot became a Steward 8/26/2016, then became a Formal A Designee 8/30/2019, then certified as the Chief Steward for Walnut Creek on 12/16/2021. One of the things I take pride in is the training of my Stewards. I do my best to teach them everything thing I know and have been taught by the Branch leaders who have come before me; Ed Fletcher, Jose Ochoa, Narciso Paderanga, Francisco Cabrera, John Ferreira, and Chris Celica have all given me knowledge that I gladly pass along to not just Tot, but to all of my Stewards. Even things that I have learned from National Vice President James Henry, RAA Allan Rios, and RAAs Jeff Frazee, Colleen Karnthong and many others.

Even though I don’t want to lose ANY of my Stewards, I will NEVER hold them back from wanting to do bigger and better things within the NALC. Our job as leaders is to teach and to train upcoming Union Representatives and to help them learn how to do their job better. I know sometimes I’m spread really thin and can’t give everyone equal attention, but I will work on this so I can give ALL of my Stewards personal attention and teach them everything I know. Now that I have taught Latateana all that I know and have been taught, there are others that need this same attention. My Stewards and Chief Stewards, I make you this promise that I will teach you like I taught Latateana All I know and have been taught, so that if you are inspired to do bigger and better things for the NALC (in whatever capacity ) You will be ready to make that leap.

Again, Tot congratulations, we’re all so very proud of you. I can’t wait to see what you accomplish next. Sky is the limit on your role with the NALC and we are happy to help you in whatever you need.

That goes the same for all of you up and coming Stewards. We need you and appreciate what you do for the membership, and we will be forever in your debt. Keep up the good work, and for any member in good standing that wants to be a Steward,

please contact the Branch, and get a hold of your Full Time Officer. We will help you in that endeavor.

Remember though, a Steward is held to a higher standard and MUST act as such. Attendance, integrity, and respect is what your fellow carriers should see in you. Thank you and be safe out there.

Latateana is hard at work in her office in the Walnut Creek Post Office

Latateana Roberson and 4th Vice President Terrence Super

Open Season is Open Again

By Jacob Morgan, Insurance Officer

Open season for health benefits is already upon us. Whether you’re looking to change your vision, dental, or health insurance, this is the time.

The official dates for open season are from Monday, November 14th through Monday, December 12th. I would highly recommend not waiting until the final day of open season to try and make changes as we all know health benefits can be a little complicated. A significant consideration to have is if your life is going to change in the coming year. Are you planning on having a child, starting your much deserved retirement or getting married? Maybe you’re just fed up with the continuously increasing premium from insurance providers. While you are able to alter your insurance coverage due to a life changing circumstance, Open Season is always a good time to review your benefits.

The NALC Health Benefits Plan has a variety of coverages suited for Letter Carriers. My personal favorite aspect of the NALC Health Benefits Plan is that it is non profit by nature. There are plenty of health insurance companies out there that really don’t have their customers’ best interest in mind and mostly are just striving for monetary gain.

The NALC Health Benefits Plan is a health insurance program created by Letter Carriers for Letter Carriers. There are plenty of unique health care needs that letter carriers face that many other professions don’t even consider on a regular basis.

There are many different programs available to members of the Health Benefits Plan ranging from telehealth (virtual visits), to smoking cessation, to weight management, to Hinge Health, one of the newest programs offered free of charge to address and relieve back and joint pain without drugs or surgery.

I’ll be writing a few articles in the coming months providing an overview of various programs offered by the Health Benefits Plan, many of which are free of charge. While you can always go to www.nalchbp.org to look at all the programs and rates of coverage, feel free to contact me through the Branch if you would like any assistance with switching to the NALC Health Benefits Plan or just have a few questions you would like answered.

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, 2023

Eligibility requirements: 1) The applicant must be a member of the graduating class of 2022 2023 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______________

send instructions as to how I can compete for the Scholarship Award.

will be a senior in the year 2022 2023

am the child of (active) (retired) or (deceased)

Veteran Jeffrey Gostomski of Lafayette

Newly converted Lafayette carrier Mekena Ramos and she already has a fan at Halloween!

NALC Branch 1111 Balance Sheet

Run date as of September 30, 2022

ASSETS

Current Assets

Bank Accounts

100 Petty Cash 213.96 126 PPCU 50 166,394.91

Mechanics Bank Accounts 204,116.76

PPCU Acct 70 25,645 26

United Bank Accounts 256,214.78

Total Bank Accounts $652,585.67

Other Current Assets

Total Current Other Assets 40,091.05

Total Current Assets $692,676.72

Fixed Assets

189 Accumulated Depreciation 156,914.57

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 $ 389,294.56

TOTAL ASSETS $1,081,971.28

LIABILITIES & EQUITY

Total Liabilities

$12,841.19

Net Revenue 43,754.03

3900 Unrestricted Net Assets 1,112,884.12

Total Equity $1,069,130.09

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY $1,081,971.28

Suisun City Carriers, from left to right… Sukhwinder Bahia, Heidi Brosas and Mina De La Cruz.

GREATER EAST BAY BRANCH 1111

402 37TH STREET

RICHMOND, CALIFORNIA 94805- 2134

(510) 237-5111

Joshua Thompson

Alameda

Jessica Schappell Alameda

Angela Millington Brentwood

Robert Bickham Concord

Robert Maneclang Concord

Frank Doan Fremont

Rajwinder Kaur Livermore

Cameron Archom Livermore

Alondra Sierra Calixto Livermore

Ray Mercado Livermore

Joseph Bayle Martinez

Gina Davis Oakland

Keilah Banks Oakland

Shanice Ferguson Oakland

Asem Kinchen Oakland

Jeanné Semper Pinole

Amritpal Nijjar Pleasanton

Kacey Ward Richmond Hannah Gurule Suisun City

Kathleen Hanks Suisun City

Dinky Angeles Walnut Creek

Pankaj Bagga Walnut Creek

Phong Le Walnut Creek

Rinat Suleimanov Walnut Creek

Anna Tang Walnut Creek

Concord retiree Meredith Longshore all smiles as she receives her plaque from Executive Vice President Jose Ochoa