Episode 191: My discussion with Mr. Mike Caref and the gang talking about the tentative agreement

From A to Arbitration

This episode features Mike Caref and several other branch presidents discussing the recently released tentative NALC contract agreement. Caref begins by describing the events leading up to the announcement of the tentative agreement, including the canceled meeting of national business agents in Houston and the subsequent meeting in Washington D.C. He emphasizes the lack of transparency and member input in the negotiation process.

The group expresses their disappointment and anger with the tentative agreement, which they view as inadequate and disrespectful to letter carriers, particularly given the long duration of negotiations and the impact of inflation on their wages. They point out that the agreement offers little in terms of concrete gains for letter carriers and in some areas, even represents a step backward. They then highlight several key concerns: the insufficient pay increases (particularly for those in the middle of the pay scale), the continued existence of the CCA classification, the lack of meaningful improvements to the grievance process, and the absence of progress on issues like mandatory overtime and toxic work environments. The group discusses the implications of the agreement, such as the potential for a "no" vote and the need to go to arbitration if the tentative agreement is rejected. They specifically address the issue of management's attempts to impose an unrealistic one-hour office time limit and the utilization of GPS data to monitor and discipline carriers.

The discussion shifts to the planned October 14th contract rallies, emphasizing the importance of member mobilization and public awareness campaigns to pressure the USPS into negotiating a fair contract. The group members share their strategies for organizing the rallies in their respective regions and emphasize the need for coordinated action to maximize their impact. They note how the lack of transparency around the tentative agreement has already led to increased frustration among the members and are using that to generate momentum for the rallies.

The group members highlight the lack of leadership and accountability within the current NALC administration and express their support for the CLC's efforts to bring about change. They detail the ongoing efforts to mobilize support for the CLC's candidate, James Henry. They discuss the need for a more assertive and member-focused approach to bargaining, emphasizing the importance of utilizing all available tools and resources, including arbitration and public pressure, to achieve a fair contract. They close by urging members to remain engaged, informed, and prepared to vote against the tentative agreement if necessary and to participate in the upcoming rallies.

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