September-October Issue 2025

Greater East Bay Branch 1111 News Volume 44 Number 501

September/October 2025

Branch 1111 Delegates attending the 57th California State Association of Letter Carriers Convention held August 21-23 in Burlingame. We heard some great speakers, watched our own Ron Jones be re-elected to State Vice President and learned a lot of new information to help protect and serve our brothers and sisters better.

2026 Scheduled Day Off Calendar Inside!

Branch 1111 News

September/October 2025

NALC HEALTH BENEFIT PLAN SERVICE LINES General Claims Inquiries Hospital Precertification (Required) Prerecorded Benefits Information Prescription Customer Service Line

1-888- 636-NALC 1-800-622-6252 1-888-636-NALC 1-800-933-NALC

BRANCH PAPER DEADLINE The deadline for copy for Branch 1111 News is the 5th of each month. News stories, articles, letters, drawings, or cartoons, as well as photographs -- either recent or historical -should be submitted to the Branch office. Short notices of personal or shop floor interest are especially welcome. The Editor and Assistant Editor retain the right to edit, delete, or reject articles and artwork for the good of the Branch.

BRANCH 1111 OFFICERS Edward P. Fletcher, President Narciso Paderanga, Executive Vice President Mary Abante, First Vice President Open, Second Vice President Eddie Murphy, Third Vice President April Patrick, Fourth Vice President Mary Phelps, Secretary-Treasurer John Ferreira, Asst. Sec-Treasurer Lumus Russell IV, Sgt-at-Arms Jacob Morgan, Insurance Officer Rickie Cox, Trustee Ron Jones, Trustee Jeffrey Valentine, Trustee

Greater East Bay Branch 1111 News Branch 1111 News is the official bimonthly publication of the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), Greater East Bay Branch 1111. Circulation 3,000 Offices Served:

Alameda, Alamo, Antioch, Benicia, Berkeley, Brentwood, Clayton, Concord, Crockett, Danville, El Cerrito, Fairfield, Fremont, Lafayette, Livermore, Martinez, Moraga, Oakland, Orinda, Pinole, Pittsburg, Pleasanton, Richmond, Rodeo-Hercules, San Lorenzo, San Ramon, Suisun City, Union City, Vallejo, Walnut Creek

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EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS

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

FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/nalcbranch1111 WEBSITE: www.Branch1111.org Meetings are held every fourth Tuesday of the month except in December

BRANCH 1111 NEWS STAFF Editor - Joshua Pearl: joshpbranch1111@gmail.com

Assistant Editor – John Jekabson: jjbranch1111@gmail.com

Contributors -- Ed Fletcher, Eddie Murphy, John Ferreira, Narciso Paderanga, Mary Abante, Liz Corriea, Ron Jones, Shana Lum, Mary Phelps, Ariel Uribe, Jacob Morgan, April Patrick, Elizabete Tavares 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

September/October 2025

Branch 1111 News

BRANCH 1111 ELECTION The Election of Branch 1111 President for the 20252027 term is set to begin on or about September 18, 2025, and end by the close of business on October 16, 2025. The election will be conducted by secret mail ballot. The results will be announced at the General Membership meeting on October 28, 2025. The candidates for President are Edward P. Fletcher and Francisco Cabrera. All other Branch Officers and compensated convention delegates were elected by acclamation at the August Branch meeting.

HAPPY TRAILS TO YOU The following letter carriers have recently retired: John Ferreira of Antioch; Juanita Dorsey, Loisa Hui and Rodolfo Limbo of Oakland; Elizabeth Cruz of Pittsburg; Vinh Phun of Berkeley; Bonifacio Hilario of San Ramon; Chita Machacon of Benicia; Mary Phelps of El Cerrito; Floyd Simons of Vallejo; and Maria Villanueva of Walnut Creek. We wish them all many years of rewarding leisure.

Newly retired San Ramon carrier Bonifacio Hilario being presented with his retirement plaque from President Ed Fletcher

IN MEMORIUM We are saddened to announce the passing of Branch 1111 member, Benedict Anicente (July 16, 1982 – July 18, 2025) of San Ramon. Our sympathies and condolences go out to his family, friends and co-workers. He will be missed by all.

The San Ramon and Dublin stewards wished to add the following. "Benedict is the ideal employee and coworker. He was excited to come to work, to be efficient, service his customers and took pride in working for USPS. He was dedicated and committed to providing for his family and kids.

We are truly missing a piece of brotherhood here in San Ramon and Dublin." Over $800.00 was raised at the August Branch meeting to give to his family.

Benedict Anicente

VERLE CRAVEN CELEBRATION OF LIFE The celebration will be held at: Kennedy Grove/ FernCottage 6530 San Pablo Dam Road El Sobrante, CA September 29, 2025 1:00pm, hoping to start by 1:30pm

Lucy Sanchez of Oakland and Gerald Robinson of Vallejo at the retiree’s dinner

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Branch 1111 News

Article 8 of the National Agreement

By Edward P. Fletcher, President

It appears that there has been some confusion about the new and existing provisions of Article 8 of the National Agreement, which covers the overtime provisions. Simply put, the provisions of Article 8 of the contract were drafted to “protect the rights of those who want to work overtime, and those who do not want to work overtime.” Since I started in the USPS over 40 years ago, management has consistently violated the overtime rules.

Modifications to Overtime Desired List What has not changed is that if you want to join the list, and or switch from OTDL to the WAL (Work Assignment List) or vise a versa, you must sign the list(s) 14-days prior to the beginning of the Quarter. The WAL list did not change. In short, you are available to work overtime on your regularly scheduled workdays, not SDO’s. WAL T-6’s are available within their swing. The only true volunteers are those who signed the Overtime Desired Lists. If you sign up for the WAL, you cannot sign up for either of the two OTDL’s. You can sign both bifurcated OTDL’s (see below) Article 8, Section 5.1. Full-time Letter carriers, including those on limited or light duty, may sign up for either one or both of the following regular Overtime Desired Lists: • Employees desiring to work up to twelve hours per day on their regularly scheduled day(s). Employees signing only this list are not on the Overtime Desired List on their nonscheduled day(s). However, employees signing both regular Overtime Desired Lists are eligible to work up to twelve hours on their regularly scheduled day(s) and their non-scheduled day(s).

• Employees desiring to work eight hours per day on their nonscheduled days. Employees signing only this list are not on the Overtime Desired List on their regularly scheduled days or beyond eight hours on their non-scheduled days. However, employees signing both regular Overtime Desired Lists are eligible to work up to twelve hours per day on their regularly scheduled day(s) and their non-scheduled day(s).

If you signed up for both OTDL’s, it is the same as before.

You are available for up to 12 hours a day and 60 hours a week, including up to 12 hours on your SDO. If you signed up for the regularly scheduled days OTDL, you are not on the OTDL for your SDO. If you only sign up for the 8 hours list on your SDO, you are not on the OTDL on your regularly scheduled workdays.

And management is only required to use you 8 hours on your SDO. Mandatory Overtime When overtime is needed to get the mail delivered and you are not on the OTDL, management is required to utilize all available auxiliary assistance, which includes CCA’s, PTF’s and OTDL’s. This provision is referred to as the “Letter Carrier Paragraph.” This provision is found on pages 8-14 to 8-15 of the J-CAM. In short and prior to mandating overtime for nonOTDL’s on their own assignments, they must use all available CCA’s, PTF’s and OTDL’s at the regular overtime rate up to 10 hours a day / 56 hours a week.

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September/October 2025 When management mandates a non-OTDL and or WAL carriers off their bid assignments to carry overtime, they must utilize the carriers that signed both OTDL’s up the 12 hours a day and 60 hours a week prior to mandating them off their bid assignments. We often refer to this type of Article 8.5.G violation, as a bypass violation because management bypassed maximizing the OTDL’s. In some cases, management bypasses WAL’s carriers who are available to work up to 12 hours/day and 60 hours/week, and mandates non-OTDL carriers on the WAL’s assignments. Please be advised that there is no provision that allows management to solicit non-OTDL’s and or WAL only carrier volunteers to work off their assignments in lieu of maximizing the OTDL’s.

Article 8.5.G Maximum Work hours One of the new provisions in the contract is, Article 8, Section 4.G., Overtime Work which states, “For any hours worked beyond twelve hours in a service day or sixty hours in a service week the employee is to be paid at the rate of two and one-half times the base hourly straight rate.”

As of the writing if this article and to my knowledge, the USPS has not fully updated its payroll systems to automatically pay all employees an additional 50% for working beyond the maximum work hours. In short, they are behind in processing pay adjustments using Code 38 (additional 50% pay). Please be advised that the Union will continue to investigate and file grievances on all Article 8 violations. Do not be fooled by anyone who tells you that there are no more Article 8 violations.

That is not true!

Article 8 Section 5.G.3 (new section) states in relevant part, “Those who do not volunteer shall not be subject to disciplinary action for terminating their tour of duty when the limits on hours of work in paragraph 2, above are met.” In regard to the OTDL and or WAL carriers who volunteer to work beyond their maximum work hours (12 daily/60 weekly), management is not required to use them, and or pay them beyond the max hours.

Brothers and Sisters, if you have any further questions, please see your local Shop Steward and or call your FTO.

Happy Trails: -- Raul Adonay of Richmond McVittie is congratulated by FTO Eddie Murphy on his last day

September/October 2025

Branch 1111 News

It’s About Time!

By Narciso Paderanga, IV, Executive Vice President

As of the day I wrote this article, all of our brothers and sisters who were supposed to get their back pay, should have received it. I am only aware of one carrier so far who did not receive it and is currently under investigation. Rather than telling you what already has been written in other articles by National through their website or through social media and the Postal Record, I will tell you what carriers in our Branch have asked.

The amount deducted by the USPS is approximately fifty percent of the total sum of the back pay and is indicated under “Misc” (or Miscellaneous) without any further explanations.

This is because there is a limit of how much information can be listed on the check stub and/or ePayroll. According to National, “Since ePayroll does not list enough adjustments to cover the entire back pay period, one adjustment will cover multiple pay periods which are not covered in one of the other adjustments.

You can determine which pay periods were included in this adjustment by looking at the inclusive dates.”

Other carriers who were on limited duty have also asked why their back pay was different from others. This is because the back pay consists of the difference in how much you were paid and how much you should have been paid (based on the six increases) of your worked hours and paid leave such as Annual and Sick Leave. It does not include Leave without Pay or LWOP hours. In fact, the Department of Labor determines your compensation rate based on your rate from date of injury. In other words, if you are on extended LWOP-OWCP or Code 049, your compensation rate will stay the same even if the present or future contract consists of higher wages for the letter carriers.

If you believe you did not receive an accurate amount, request to see your shop steward and/or let your full-time officer or the Branch office know. We will immediately investigate, request proper documentation, and file a grievance on your behalf.

For more information about the retroactive payment or back pay, visit nalc.org, Branch1111.org or your Postal Record.

On another note, I would like to thank the membership of Branch 1111 for electing me for another 2-year term as the Executive Vice President of this great Branch. It’s been an honor and a privilege serving as the EVP. I will continue to make every effort and do my best in enforcing all letter carriers’ rights and benefits in accordance with the National Agreement.

I would like to congratulate all of the other officers, the Trustees, and the entire Executive Council members, who were elected by acclamation. I am confident that this team of leaders will work greatly together in the upcoming term.

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?” – MLK Jr.

Former Branch officer Colleen Bartlett teaches a class on the New Contract during the CSALC Convention

TRAINING DAY

By Berkeley Chief Shop Steward, Liz Corriea

I would like to thank my brothers and sisters of this great union, for sending me to the State Convention, which was held across the Bay in Burlingame.

I took two courses, one was Article 8, dealing with the new changes with our new contract on the overtime of Article 8 issues, and the second course I took was a Legislative class. Both were very informative.

At some point in the near future, I or someone else in our Branch will be in touch with you about giving money to our political fund. You may want to look at it as job insurance. The fund is used in many ways to support our issues with keeping the Postal Service alive. I give a donation that is set up that it is automatically taken out of my paycheck every two weeks. The amount depends on what you want to give anywhere from $2.00 on up, it’s up to you.

This money goes towards many things, and because of the Hatch Act, unfortunately, these discussion on politics cannot be held on the workroom floor, or while we are working. There are many restrictions, and that is why many of you do not know about giving money on a continuous basis so that our union can fight to help save our jobs.

Just so you know, we support those representatives who support us, which could be either Democrat or Republican. As you may know we are in a constant fight to not have the Postal Service privatized. So please my brothers and sister consider donating a couple of dollars out of your paycheck every payday to help save the Postal Service. You can contact the union hall to get more information to join with us on how to participate in giving, as I would call job insurance, or security. I need to keep this short as we have elections information to get out.

“Knowledge is Power.”

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Branch 1111 News

September/October 2025

2025 California State Convention; August 21-23

Ron Jones is pleased to be re-elected as CSALC Vice President

Delegates Mary Phelps, Liz Corriea, John Jekabson, and Che Perez are eager for the session to start

April Patrick and Jacob Morgan take a short break 6

Eddie Murphy has questions for NALC President Brian Renfroe

John Ferreira makes a point from the floor

Executive VP Narciso Paderanga and delegate Che Perez applauding an honoree

September/October 2025

RETURN TO WORK CHECKLIST

By Ariel Uribe, Oakland Shop Steward

As if being sick or having a sick child/dependent is not enough, management has decided to cook up a new “form” called the Return-to-Work Checklist. That states, on (today’s date) the following attendance review-related issues were reviewed with (employee’s full name). For any infraction where a carrier is unable to attend work on a regularly scheduled day.

ELM 513.11 sick leave for employee incapacitation, sick leave insures employees against loss of pay if they are incapacitated and cannot perform their duties because of illness, injury, pregnancy, and confinement, or medical (including dental or optical) examination or treatment. 513.12 sick leave for dependent care, a limited amount of sick leave may also be used to provide for the medical needs of a family member. Now both those provisions sound like a reasonable outline as to when an employee should be unable to attend work. Don’t they? Yet carriers are still being brought these return-to-work checklists daily regardless of the number of days, 1, 2, or 3…etc.

Regardless of whether they have outstanding attendance prior in the year. Regardless of if they have appropriate documentation.

Regardless of if they have FMLA approved cases. It is not right.

Furthermore, in the Return-to-Work Checklist, its states on # 4 sick leave & LWOP: “When unscheduled sick leave and LWOP are considered to be irregular attendance. All employees are required to be regular in attendance. Regular attendance is reporting as scheduled and on time.” So, my question to management is who determines whether your unscheduled sick leave and LWOP are irregular? Wouldn't that be your first question? The USPS Employee and Labor Relations manual states employees are required to be “regular in attendance” but does not define any specific amounts of days. Sounds pretty vague to me. It is 100% determined by what your management team in each office decides. What they feel like considering “regular in attendance” to be. Is it a day or week or even month.

It is not right.

In addition, # 6 from this checklist states pattern setting: “Call-ins in conjunction with scheduled days off, scheduled annual leave, holidays, and/ or specific times of the week-review of 3972.” For the most part, except in some special circumstances, all regular carriers are off Sundays. My question to management is, cannot I ever be sick on a Monday or Saturday? Is that how illness, emergencies, and unforeseen circumstances work?

Again, regular carriers have a color or letter days off assigned to their assignment that has a rotating day off. If that day off just happens to fall on Thursday with my other day off of course Sunday, I cannot get sick or have an unforeseen circumstance on Saturday, Monday, Wednesday, or Friday. I Can not get sick or have any unforeseen circumstances happen that whole week! Now people, you must be shaking your head at this point with these vague rules and unrealistic expectations management sets forth in this Return-to-Work Checklist.

Branch 1111 News In conclusion do not fall for the return-to-work checklist (wish list) that management hands you. You are not required to sign any form that does not have a PS Form number at the bottom, and you can always request a Shop Steward if need be or you see fit.

BRANCH 1111 VACANCY NOTICE Second Vice President

Position: As per Article 4, Section 4 of our By-Laws, Branch 1111 is accepting applications to fill the remaining portion of the 2023-25 term of office of the 2nd Vice-President.

Duties: He / she shall perform all duties as outlined in Our Branch 1111 By-Laws Article 6, “Duties of Officers,” Section 6 and any other duties assigned by the Branch President. Such duties shall consist of but not limited to: assisting the President and Chief Steward-at-Large in the performances of their duties as outlined in the National Constitution, particularly in the representation of the members in the cities and stations of Branch 1111.

Deadline: Please signify in writing your willingness and qualifications to serve as our “Second Vice President,” and apply no later than October 9, 2025. The committee will contact you for an interview.

Send Applications / Resumes to: Edward P. Fletcher, President NALC Branch 1111 402 37th Street, Richmond, CA 94805

STATE CONVENTION REPORT

The following compensated Branch 1111 delegates attended the California State Association of Letter Carriers (CSALC) Convention last month: Elizabeth Corriea, Joshua Pearl, Sullivan Smothers, Rickie Cox, Edward Fletcher, Marisela Fletcher, Samuel Green, Mary Abante, Lynn Miller, Petra Ortega, Mary Phelps, Francisco Cabrera, John Ferreira, John Jekabson, Jacob Morgan, Narcisco Paderanga, Ray Garcia, Shana Lum, and Irene Hernandez.

The following non-compensated delegates: Shanon Perez, Paul Petersen, Colleen Karnthong, Ron Jones, Edward Murphy, April Patrick, and Ariel Uribe were also in attendance.

Ron Jones was re-elected by acclamation as Vice President of CSALC. The convention was held August 21 - 23 at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco Hotel in Burlingame.

ELECTION FREE ADS Submitted by Francisco Cabrera

Please Vote Steward Francisco Cabrera For President of Branch 1111 Submitted by Edward Fletcher

Vote Edward Fletcher for President!

There is "No Substitute for Experienced Leadership!"

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Branch 1111 News

September/October 2025

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JOHN ZAMORA

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NALC Branch 1111 Balance Sheet

Branch 1111 News LIABILITIES & EQUITY Total Liabilities Total Equity TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

$3,959.41 $1,182,236.93 $1,186,196.34

As of August 31, 2025 ASSETS Current Assets Bank Accounts 100 - Petty Cash 142.28 126 PPCU-50 189,009.22 Mechanics Bank Accounts 182,397.50 PPCU-Acct 50 35,736.46 United Bank Accounts 295,924.71 Total Bank Accounts 703,210.17 Total Current Other Assets 146,246.78 Total Current Assets $849,456.56 189 - Accumulated Depreciation -171,634.57 190 - 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 $ 336,739.56 TOTAL ASSETS $1,186,196.34 Branch 1111 Retiree Night volunteers Irene Hernandez, Ariel Uribe, Romeo Uribe and Liz Correia serving food to the attendees

Figure 2Rodeo-Hercules, 1Martinez carriersBaljinder Dylan Porter, Dhaliw Dan Imam, Coles Harper, Michael Hewiston and Jin Li Fremont Irvington coworkers celebrate the retirement of 37-year Letter Carrier Joseph Wu. (holding plaque in center) We at the Branch wish you all the best!

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NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID CONCORD CA Permit 1

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LETTER CARRIERS GREATER EAST BAY BRANCH 1111 402 –37TH STREET RICHMOND, CALIFORNIA 94805- 2134 (510) 237-5111

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

James Lamsa Jin Rimando Cherrelle Skillman Alfredo Mejia Spencer Lapid Ilan Defermin Anthony Napur Jiankang Ye Grant Travers Jesus Cordero Alisha Coty Wilford Leonard Olivia Waters Christina Hales ` Shefqet Vani Eric Care Cheong Vincent Cleo Coutinho Katelyn Schwartz Brandon Trieu Melvin Dabu Ryan Reyes Cory Harris Kevin Hicks Delores Gonzales Edward Johnson Kimiko King Duk Lee Alfredo Dagun Ramon Malone Harkeerat Dhaliwal Shardae Morris Ma Socorro Perez-Ramirez Charles Hannon Lance Erkard Jonathan Lawson Cameron Klein

Alamo Antioch Antioch Benicia Berkeley Berkeley Brentwood Concord Concord Concord Concord Concord El Cerrito El Cerrito Emeryville Fremont Fremont Moraga Oakland Oakland Oakland Oakland Oakland Oakland Oakland Orinda Orinda Pleasanton Pleasanton Pleasanton Richmond Richmond Richmond Richmond Rodeo Rodeo San Ramon

Colin Hanks Phuoc Tran Antonio Carbon Tyrone Binongcal Daniel Wilde Tod Fuller Javani Jones Teresa Gjertsen Rachel Allen Robert Patocchi Sheila Taylor Yama Nemati Matthew Reed Rachel Lindorfer Derek Roberts Rattiyagorn Ives Jeff Lay Kinnedy Sawyer William Walburg

San Ramon San Ramon San Ramon San Ramon San Ramon Vallejo Vallejo Vallejo Vallejo Vallejo Walnut Creek Walnut Creek Walnut Creek Walnut Creek Walnut Creek Walnut Creek Walnut Creek Walnut Creek Walnut Creek

Upcoming Dates: • September 28th Steward’s Brunch th • September 28 MDA Raffle th • October 5 NBA Retirement Seminar Branch 1111 Office 402 37th St. Richmond From 9:00am -12:00pm th Branch voting closes • October 16 th • October 28 Election Results Announced at the Branch Meeting

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, September 23rd and October 28th.