Branch Items
St. Paul, Minnesota T hings are going to be quite busy here at Branch 28 for the next few months. Aside from the national convention, our branch pic- nic is also in August. We’re going to be trying a few different things this year, including adding a couple of new food items to the menu, hav- ing live music and bringing back the MDA dunk tank. The picnic is always a great time, and we hope to see a lot of members come out to join in the fun. Fast forwarding to September, we’re holding the nominations for the vacated executive vice president position. Nominations will take place on Sept. 19 at the general membership meeting. If there are multiple nominations, the election will be held at the following general member- ship meeting on Oct. 17. The executive vice president is an extremely important position in the branch, so we hope as many members as possible make their voices heard by attending the nominations and possible election. In other news, management still can’t quite figure out any kind of reliability when it comes to the Formal A grievance procedure. After de- ciding the way it had been done for decades was not good enough, they instead figured it would be better to reinvent the wheel. Due to their constant breaking of the contract and in- ability or unwillingness to settle anything in station, we’re on pace to have even more griev- ances this year than we did last year. It’s shap- ing up to be a very busy year for our hardwork- ing Formal A team. Solidarity forever! Kaylee Valerius, Branch 28 Seattle, Washington A s my buddy Mickey Simila used to say, “Shakin’ the bush, Boss.” It’s only natural. What’s not natural is dragging someone onto the hot seat for “stationary events” and then grilling them in the worst way, for what? Please keep your cool. Ask if this could result in dis- cipline. If yes, then keep calm until you talk with your steward. If this is just a mandatory ass-chewing, then sit back and enjoy the show. It’s just theater. Not very entertaining theater, but it’s just blowhards on parade. Too bad they don’t offer popcorn; that would be nice. Oh, and if you really want to pop their cork, if they ask you what you intend to do about your performance, your “stationary events”? Sim- ply say, “I’ll do my best.” Honestly you can’t do any more, or any less—just do your best. If they want to rail at you about your numbers, pick a random address off your route and repeat the address to them—“2215 44th Ave., those are the numbers that concern me.” We’re not meant to be perpetual-motion machines. And you don’t have to die in the saddle either. Sta- tionary events be damned. Hydrate! So, if the MMD machine is dinging you for stationary events, there can be any number of reasons. (FYI: a stationary event, in and of itself, is not a violation of any handbook or manual. It would be difficult to discipline you for something that’s not even on the books.) The absence of movement of the MDD does not mean the carrier is not working. There are plenty of reasons for “stationary events”—the comfort stop, picking up parcels, refueling, lunch or break, connectivity issues can hap- pen, etc. The machine does not tell the whole story—and neither should you! Don Nokes, Branch 79
Southeast Pennsylvania Merged T hank you! You began the month by endur- ing extreme heat challenges. That has al- ways been taken for granted by management, but now it’s more challenging to get people to come to work, let alone work through heat ex- haustion. Last year, management was found to have lied about giving the required heat relat- ed training (HIPP). I hope every office received this vital training. It should not take the death of a carrier for management to do what is right. The tougher the situation becomes, the more we must stay united. It’s so easy to turn on one another when management fails to do their job. In fact, it’s hard to resist the temp- tation to succumb to “Stockholm Syndrome”- type activity. We should not be in the business of instructing other carriers what to do or chas- tising carriers for calling out sick. Manage- ment chose these carriers, but fails to provide proper guidance when necessary. The M-39, Section 115 provides basic rules management must follow before resorting to discipline. Management typically says, “I am not a babysitter.” Well, WTF do you think you are? You are a combination of secretary/babysitter. Many of our carriers need real supervision in- stead of “stupervison.” NALC has negotiated many processes that protect the rights of our brethren. Don’t ever fall for the okiedoke that makes us feel bad for exercising our rights while attempting to hold us accountable for our responsibilities (except for the people who need it). As more of our carriers retire, the more mindful we must be to our ever-changing work- force. The day we give up on our less experi- enced carriers is the day we lose our way! I’m not saying it’s not hard, I’m saying our mem- bers are always worth fighting for. But carriers deserve our tough love as well. #StayUnited,ThatsTheUltimateChallenge Eric Jackson, Branch 725 Springfield, Ohio R emember the Buggles, “Video Killed the Radio Star?” It was the first video aired on MTV. They could do a version now called, “In- ternet Killed the Mailman Star.” Don’t get me wrong here. I am grateful for the increased parcel volume that has resulted from the rise of the internet. Whether it’s dropping off or picking up, scanning parcels seems to be all I do. However, I am truly amazed at the drop in mail volume, especially flat volume. We’ve lost so many stores and their accompanying mail- ers. We used to get mailers from “TV Guide,” Elder Beerman, Lazarus, Target, Claire’s, Victo- ria’s Secret, Sears, JCPenney, Old Navy, Hills, Service Merchandise, Bed Bath and Beyond, RadioShack, Kmart, Kay Jewelers, and so many more. Some were at least once a week. There were also all the mail-order catalogs that showed up much more often than they do now. We used to walk in and have 2 to 4 feet of flats in the flat rack and another four to five tubs on the floor. Most days now, you’re lucky to get 1 to 2 feet a day, including tub flats, and that’s being generous. Though we still needed them at the time, we lost our flat racks years ago. Though there is less mail to deliver now, we still have to be cautious out on the street. Look at where you are walking. Are there holes in the yard or other obstacles? Take notice of your surroundings before you get to the next house. Is the gate open at the next house? Is there a
76 The Postal Record August 2024 Bottom line: Protect yourself. Slow down your work pace. Take as many breaks as you see fit and seek medical attention immediately should you find yourselves in trouble. You know your body better than anyone. Tom Schulte, Branch 343 Take every precaution to prepare yourself to acclimate to the heat. Stay hydrated, and drink plenty of fluids. Take a drink break every 20 to 30 minutes, regardless of your activity, and do not wait until you are thirsty. Water or hydrat- ing sports drinks are best. Avoid sugary, caf- feinated beverages, which act as diuretics and cause you to lose body fluids. Try to wear sun- screen when possible. Sunburn affects your body’s ability to cool down and can cause you to become dehydrated. riers were beaten so badly they were hospital- ized. This has all happened in the last couple of years. And, to make matters worse, this is happening all over this country. Nearly every day, a carrier is robbed, attacked, beaten, shot, stabbed or even killed! Whether the criminal is trying to steal our purse, wallet or the Arrow Key, these assaults against us must end now. Enough is enough! Since 2020, there have been more than 2,000 crimes against car- riers nationwide. Unfortunately, our job is get- ting more dangerous. Last year alone, 643 car- riers were attacked or robbed while on the job, a 30 percent increase from the previous year. And, most of these attacks involved a gun or another weapon, leaving our members totally stressed out. This is completely unacceptable! The great Chicago branch has won some incredible arbitrations over the last several years. One in particular pays their branch an automatic $2,500 for every non-compliance. This has led to $8 million paid to their branch, and they are winning even more money for their members. We are using many of their ar- bitration wins to bolster our cases. We are very appreciative of their impressive work. Kenneth Lerch, Branch 3825 St. Louis, Missouri S taying healthy and safe in the current envi- ronment is essential. Deny climate change all you want, the fact of the matter is that we have witnessed progressive and prolonged periods of excessive heat over the last several years. To that end, it is all our responsibility to take whatever measures are necessary to guard against heat-related illnesses while per- forming our duties. We should all know the signs and symptoms of heat-related illness. What you should do matters, depending on the type of illness oc- curring. Signs of heat exhaustion may include heavy sweating; cold ,pale and clammy skin; tiredness or weakness; nausea or vomiting; or fainting (passing out). If you think you are experiencing heat exhaustion, you should stop delivery and move to a cool place that is air conditioned, loosen clothing and sip cool water. Seek medical attention immediately if you are throwing up and your symptoms progress. Heat stroke is life-threatening and occurs when your body is unable to control its temperature or cool down. You should call 911 immediately, as heat stroke is a medical emergency.
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