Mallory and Badmouth host a roundtable discussion focused on the Building and Fighting NALC (BFN) initiative, CCA Summer, and organizing CCAs. They begin by acknowledging the loss of fellow carriers Jacob JT Taylor and Dan Workman, stressing the dangers of the job and the importance of looking out for one another.
The core of the episode centers on the BFN’s “CCA Summer” program, aimed at providing support and education to CCAs, particularly on Amazon Sundays, where they often face demoralizing conditions, lack of information, and limited union presence. Chris Persampieri from Branch 34 Boston, along with Ryan Miller and Dennis Carson, details how they initiated their outreach by showing up at Amazon Sunday locations with coffee and donuts, educating CCAs about their rights, pay, and the importance of union involvement. They discovered a significant knowledge gap among new CCAs regarding basic union functions and contractual benefits.
Ernest Gonzales from Branch 421 San Antonio and Cesar Hernandez from the same branch discuss their efforts in Texas. Ernest highlights the BFN’s national platform, fightingnalc.com, and the available resources like informational flyers and scripts for organizers. Cesar emphasizes the importance of reaching out to CCAs and RCAs, especially in underserved areas of Texas, and the need for a union presence that understands their specific struggles. He speaks about the necessity of having representatives who share similar backgrounds and languages, like himself, to effectively organize and advocate for members.
The roundtable highlights the challenges of organizing due to the demanding nature of the CCA job, the lack of consistent union support in some areas, and the deliberate tactics used by management to divide employees. They stress that even small gestures, like offering water or simply being present and available, can make a significant difference. The need for CCAs to know their rights regarding breaks and scheduling, and to utilize union representation for any issues, is reiterated.
The conversation also touches on the importance of state associations and congressional advocacy, with a call to action to support HR 1065, the Postal Police Reform Act, which aims to provide better protection for letter carriers. There’s a discussion about the ongoing fight for better wages and working conditions for CCAs, with BFN advocating for an all-career workforce and a $30 per hour wage. The episode concludes with plugs for various podcasts, upcoming events, and resources for those interested in getting involved in organizing and union activism.