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Classes of Mail

Alan Gegax

This podcast is intended to empower city letter carriers. Through education, we'll make ourselves better carriers who are immune to discipline and mistreatment by management, and are forces for positive change and reform within our own union. I do not speak for the USPS or NALC (or anybody else, for that matter!), this is not an official USPS or NALC podcast, and all opinions and advice are my own or my guests'. Submit feedback, questions, or topic suggestions to classesofmail@gmail.com .

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  • 20 episodes
  • Updated Today
  • Explicit

Episodes20

Newest first
  • Today · 34 min

    Final Recap of the Convention

    Hear our final thoughts, as well as a recap of what went down on the last day. Plus, two SHOCKING bits of praise from Michael and me.

  • Saturday · 53 min

    Corey Walton - CLC Candidate for NALC Vice President

    Corey Walton joined Michael and me for a discussion about the convention, his candidacy, and (thanks to Michael Brasaemle's courage) Michael Rivera. You should listen to this episode, if for no other reason, to hear Corey's voice in full, high-quality audio.

  • Tuesday · 42 min

    Day One of the NALC Convention

    Michael and I are joined in Hotel Room Studios by C Moline, Greg Donaldson, and Sam Adams to discuss all the goings-on from today's convention. It was quite a day. Listen in to hear about Renfroe's big announcement, and another Michael Rivera victory.

  • August 3 · 7 min

    We Have Arrived at the Convention!

    We got to meet so many wonderful people today! Thank you for saying hello! We don't have much news to report, but we can report on the vibe.

  • August 2 · 40 min

    Our Plans for the 2026 NALC Convention

    Michael and I discuss the classes we're planning to take, and how you can find us during the convention. We also talk about a recent memo from postal management that limits supervisors' ability to settle grievances, and I go on a little rant about delayed mail at my station.

  • July 31 · 28 min

    Cristal Czajkoski from Beyond the Satchel

    Cristal Czajkoski joins me via Zoom to talk about a variety of subjects including her podcast Beyond the Satchel, her run for AFL-CIO Delegate, bylaw changes she's proposed for her branch, and her role as a political organizer. Specials guests: her two wonderful dogs.

  • July 29 · 31 min

    C Moline Is the Best Candidate for AFL-CIO Delegate

    C Moline comes on to discuss her run for AFL-CIO delegate. It doesn't get any better than this. She is phenomenally qualified, and she has the hearty endorsement of Classes of Mail. Listen and be impressed, and then vote for her in Los Angeles.

  • July 27 · 37 min

    John Murphy Talks Labor Issues and the Stand Up Slate

    It's always a pleasure to have John Murphy on the podcast. On this episode, he talks about what our AFL-CIO delegates should be doing, and what he plans to do to revitalize the labor movement when he's elected.

  • July 24 · 1 hr 5 min

    Michael Rivera Takes His Victory Lap

    Michael Rivera received his decision from the Committee on Appeals, and they overturned the Branch's conviction and suspension. He will now be a delegate to the upcoming national convention. In the second half of the episode, we talk about charges Rivera had previously brought against Brian Renfroe. Those charges will be appealed at the convention.

  • July 15 · 1 hr 11 min

    Branch 70 in Their Own Words (Part 2) - The Response to Michael Rivera

    "If the law is on your side, pound the law. If the facts are on your side, pound the facts. If neither are on your side, pound the table." You're going to hear a lot of table pounding in this episode out of Branch 70. I want you to think about something as you listen to this episode. What are the damages? The Branch 70 president compared Rivera's sharing of an election appeal to "yelling 'fire' in a crowded theater." The reason such speech is not protected is because of the obvious harm: loss of revenue, people get trampled, people can get killed. Compare that to the harm Branch 70 has suffered because people who read the appeal might have thought there was only supposed to be one microphone for nominations. 4.5 years of suspensions, for a harm that Branch 70 doesn't even articulate.

  • July 11 · 29 min

    What You Can Learn from My One-Day Inspection

    I was followed all day recently, and it went well. I want it to go well for you, too. I have the 4584 that management used for my street delivery observation, and I'll go over it with you so you know how to keep yourself out of trouble.

  • July 7 · 1 hr

    Branch 70 in Their Own Words - The Response to Michael Rivera's Conviction Appeal (Part 1 of 2)

    This is the other side of the story. Branch 70 prepared a reply to Michael Rivera, and I am going to read every word of it and discuss it with Michael Brasaemle. This is part one of two. While listening, bear in mind the two statements, written within an election appeal and shown to be false, that have caused all this trouble. To summarize, one is that the Branch President didn't relinquish his microphone to accept his nomination. The other is that there was going to be one microphone for nominations, but there wound up being three. Again, both of those allegations wound up being false. Think about the harm those statements caused to the branch in general, and specifically to the members of the election committee. Financial harm? Emotional distress? Loss of work? Or did nobody care, because they're insignificant accusations. The Branch makes its case for why Michael Rivera deserves an 18 month suspension for those two statements. Listen and decide for yourself.

  • June 29 · 35 min

    The Investigative Interview Is Your Day in Court

    Michael and I talk about HOW you can make the most of your investigative interview. We read two actual interviews, and discuss the way the carrier's answers helped to defend against any impending discipline.

  • June 23 · 36 min

    JCAM Article 9

    Today we continue our reading of the JCAM with Article 9. This article covers our salaries and our COLAs. We'll go over what a "diet COLA" is, and how we're all actually getting screwed by our COLA system. We also go into the wage provisions for carrier technicians.

  • June 19 · 24 min

    The 3999, and Other Forms of Harassment

    Michael and I discuss management's improper use of the 3999 (one day inspection) for harassment, and other ways they harass carriers. Even more important, we talk about how to push back.