This podcast episode discusses a challenge issued by Nicholas Vafiades, a business agent, to debate positions live and unedited. Corey accepts and calls for other challengers. Corey expresses strong disapproval of the current union president, citing incompetence and a failure to address critical workplace issues. Specific criticisms include the president’s refusal to take responsibility, inability to tell the truth, lack of remorse, and penchant for blaming others. Corey uses the case of Susie Miller, a shop steward whose son was unfairly treated by management and whose union failed to assist, as an example of the president’s failures.
The episode focuses on two major workplace issues: excessive “hour office time” and “stationary events,” which management is using to discipline letter carriers based on scanner data. Corey argues these actions are violations of the contract and result from weak leadership and complicit business agents. Corey details instances of management’s tactics, including measuring mail volume with tape measures, taking pictures and videos of carriers, and questioning them on the street. They provide guidance to letter carriers on how to respond to these actions, emphasizing the importance of requesting a shop steward and consistently responding “I was working” to any questions about time spent on tasks. Corey further explains how to file grievances based on violations of the M-39 handbook, specifically section 134 concerning street management and the requirement for supervisors to accompany carriers on their routes. The episode concludes with a call to action, urging letter carriers to educate themselves on their rights and prepare to fight back against management’s actions. Corey also mentions plans for a new union ticket focused on representing the letter carriers’ interests.