Episodes
I'll read and discuss a selection of M Documents from M-00001 to M-00150. Topics include the fact that there is no set pace for street delivery, how to qualify for a special route inspection on an overburdened route, and the circumstances under which you may be required to provide medical documentation for your sick leave.
Published 02/23/24
These articles cover employee uniforms, tort and financial claims against USPS and employees, and the suspension and reinstatement of driving privileges.
Published 02/19/24
In this episode, I tell a brief story about how I came to find the results of the various committees and task forces ensconced in the JCAM. The results are published, often, in the Materials Reference System, also known as the M-Documents. I will read a series of summaries for these M-Documents, to give you an idea what's in there.
Published 02/15/24
These articles cover health benefits, leave for union duties, the right of the union to enter facilities, rules concerning bulletin boards, and higher level assignments like Carrier Technician.
Published 02/05/24
How long should it take you to hit the street in the morning? Management can claim one hour all they want, but the real answers are in the M-41. Same for PM office time. Five minutes? Not hardly. We'll go over the actual provisions in the M-41 that detail all of our AM and PM office duties.
Published 01/30/24
The Articles are getting smaller, so I decided to power through four of them. We cover the rights of stewards (17), we learn that we aren't allowed to strike (18), we learn that handbooks and manuals are contractually enforceable (19), and we talk about parking (20). Enjoy! Turns out I don't miss doing the accents.
Published 01/26/24
We're 2/3 of the way through the contract! This episode covers discipline procedures, and is a must-listen for all stewards.
Published 01/22/24
In this episode, I will get to learn how to merge two audio files. YOU will get to learn about a bunch of little things that longtime carriers probably take for granted, but new carriers struggle with. Guaranteed you'll learn something new. Also, I feel like this episode has more mouth noises. I tried to get closer to the microphone so I'd have richer sound quality, but it may have led to more unwanted noises. If you noticed it, drop me a line.
Published 01/16/24
This Article covers the grievance and arbitration procedures. It is a must-listen for any stewards or prospective stewards out there.
Published 01/11/24
I'll give you three guesses what this episode is about.
Published 01/07/24
It turns out there is information available on what sorts of things the union is negotiating for on our behalf. It's a list of resolutions that were voted on at the national convention, and that list is printed in the Postal Record. I'm going to read that list to you, and talk about it.
Published 01/03/24
Just as the episode title implies, I'm going to read Article 13. In the beginning of the episode, I talk about some changes to my recording setup and my episode schedule. To skip that, fast forward about two minutes.
Published 12/31/23
This is the second half of Article 12 of the JCAM. There is still a little bit of chattering at the beginning of the episode, but it clears up fairly quickly. This part of the JCAM continues to cover excessing, and consolidation of offices. It also covers transfers and mutual exchanges.
Published 12/21/23
In this episode, I'm going to tell the story of how I came to be the carrier I am today. It's not particularly educational, and you should probably skip it. But if you want to listen, here it is. Also, the sound is a little jittery in the beginning because of an app I had running in the background. Lesson learned on that one. Luckily, it's still basically understandable, and I wasn't saying anything important, anyway.
Published 12/14/23
In this episode, we will read the first half of Article 12 of the JCAM. It's long.1
Published 12/07/23
Today I'm going to share an email that was sent to me, and I"m going to talk about the value of your statements in protecting yourself from discipline, and in protecting your and your fellow carriers from mistreatment.
Published 11/30/23
A long reading of JCAM Articles 10 and 11. This time... accent free.
Published 11/23/23
This topic is by request. I will go over the items that the M-41 lists as accountable, as well as some extra services that can be added to the mail. I'll also give some advice on how to safely deliver items to the door.
Published 11/16/23
In this episode, we'll read the entirety of Article 9.
Published 11/09/23
In this episode, I'll talk about the many ways management abuses carriers, and I'll give strategies and advice on how to deal with it. (This episode contains substantial profanity.)
Published 11/02/23
We finish up our reading of Article 8, and I try out a new accent.
Published 10/26/23
Yes, you have to do what management tells you. Even if it's dumb. We'll go over your requirements, and the exceptions; and we'll talk about management's obligation to make decisions.
Published 10/19/23
This week I'll read the first half of Article 8. Look for the second half in two weeks.
Published 10/12/23
In this episode, I'll read a letter I wrote to my local postmaster, outlining the primary reasons we are losing our new employees. I also offer solutions that are easy to implement and cost essentially nothing. The letter is read as written, without commentary.
Published 10/05/23
Settle in, this is a long one. We'll read all of Article 7, and I'll try out a new accent.
Published 09/28/23