In Solidarity Podcast

Branch 38
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Business

Brought to you by the proud members of NJ Merged Branch 38, NALC, co-hosted by Armando Pedreira and Clifford Dodd, a podcast dedicated to engaging, informing, and empowering Letter Carriers. In the principles of common cause and solidarity, it is our aim that conversations and short trainings on the many topics that aid our members can be shared and pushed forward to the letter carriers, shop stewards, workplace organizers, and activists who need it the most. We found our strength through merger, strength through solidarity, and we strive to share some of that strength with you.

  1. 11h ago

    Episode 27: From the Mailbox to Capitol Hill! The LCPF & NALC's Legislative Fight with Mike Hedglin

    In Episode 27 of the In Solidarity Podcast, Armando and Cliff welcome special guest Mike Hedglin, NJ Merged Branch 38 Area Representative, for an important conversation about the Letter Carrier Political Fund (LCPF) and the NALC's ongoing fight to protect letter carriers on Capitol Hill. From the workroom floor to the halls of Congress, we explore why political and legislative involvement is essential to protecting our jobs, benefits, retirement security, and the future of the Postal Service. We take a closer look at the NALC's legislative priorities and the battles that directly affect every letter carrier, including the current legislative efforts including our Protect Our Letter Carriers Act (H.R. 1065/S. 463), Oppose postal privatization (H.Res. 70/S.Res. 147), Federal Retirement Fairness Act (H.R. 1522), Improving Access to Workers' Compensation for Injured Federal Workers Act (H.R. 3170), Equal COLA Act (H.R. 491/S. 624), and USPS Shipping Equity Act (H.R. 3011). Mike helps explain how the LCPF supports the union's ability to advocate further for letter carriers in Washington and why decisions made by elected officials can have lasting consequences for our working lives. We also tackle an important subject that every federal employee should understand: the Hatch Act. What political activities can letter carriers participate in? What restrictions apply while on duty or in the workplace? And how can members become politically active while respecting the law? We discuss the distinction between voluntary political participation and prohibited political activity, along with how the LCPF provides a lawful, voluntary way for eligible NALC members to support the union's political advocacy. Most importantly, this episode is a call for education, engagement, and participation. You don't have to have a degree in political science to make a difference. Whether it's learning and sharing the issues, contacting your representatives, participating in legislative activities, voluntarily contributing to the LCPF, or casting your vote in local and national elections every member has an opportunity to help shape our collective future. Please do not stand on the sidelines while history is being made, get involved today! For assistance learning more or signing up for the LCPF, please contact the NJ Merged Branch 38 office at 973-564-7244. Our strength has always come from common cause and solidarity—and that strength must extend from the mailbox all the way to Capitol Hill. In Solidarity — Engage. Inform. Empower.

  2. Oct 23

    Episode 26: Hands Off Our Craftwork! Articles 1.6, 41.1.A.2 & 204Bs

    Episode 26: Hands Off Our Craftwork! | Articles 1.6, 41.1.A.2 & 204Bs Protect the Letter Carrier craft and their work. In this episode of the In Solidarity Podcast, Armando and Cliff tackle the important issue of management performing letter carrier craftwork. We break down Article 1.6 of the National Agreement, explain the contractual restrictions on supervisors performing bargaining-unit work, and discuss why protecting craftwork is essential to preserving letter carrier jobs, assignments, overtime opportunities, and the integrity of our routes. We also dive into Article 41.1.A.2 and PS Form 1723, examining the rules governing 204Bs—letter carriers temporarily assigned to higher-level supervisory duties. Learn why properly documenting higher-level assignments matters, how stewards can monitor 204B activity, and what to look for when management or acting supervisors cross the line by performing letter carrier duties. We also discuss how management performing craftwork can distort workload projections and create the appearance of undertime. Finally, we give shop stewards practical guidance on investigating, documenting, and grieving craftwork violations. From gathering witness statements and requesting PS Forms 1723 to identifying improperly performed duties and developing appropriate remedies, this episode is about enforcing the contract and protecting the work that belongs to letter carriers. Know your rights, protect your craft, and stay In Solidarity!

  3. Oct 20

    Episode 19: Understanding Article 16.7 Emergency Placement

    Episode 19: Understanding Article 16.7 Emergency Placement takes a detailed look at one of management’s most severe and immediate actions—removing a letter carrier from duty without pay under the emergency procedures of Article 16.7 of the National Agreement. Cliff and Armando break down the contractual circumstances that can justify an Emergency Placement, the requirement that the situation truly warrant immediate action, and the important distinction between Emergency Placement and ordinary corrective discipline. We also discuss why Article 16.7 cannot simply become a shortcut for management to send an employee home whenever allegations are serious, emotions are high, or a supervisor is angry. For shop stewards, the episode focuses on how to investigate, challenge, and grieve an improper Emergency Placement, including the questions to ask, documents and evidence to request, management’s burden for invoking the emergency procedure, and the importance of examining what actually existed at the moment the carrier was removed from duty. Most importantly, we discuss the ultimate objective when Article 16.7 has been improperly applied: get the carrier back to work, recover all lost wages and benefits, and make the employee whole. Emergency Placement is an extraordinary contractual procedure—and understanding its limits is essential to protecting letter carriers from being unnecessarily and improperly deprived of their livelihood.

  4. Oct 20

    EPISODE 18: Understanding Article 16's Just Cause Principles

    In Episode 18 of the In Solidarity Podcast, “Understanding Article 16’s Just Cause Principles,” Cliff and Armando take a detailed look at one of the most important protections contained in the National Agreement: management may not discipline or discharge a letter carrier except for just cause. We discuss Article 16’s fundamental requirement that discipline should be corrective rather than punitive and explain why management bears the burden of establishing a fair and provable justification for disciplinary action. We break down the six Just Cause principles used by labor arbitrators and incorporated into the Joint Contract Administration Manual and USPS disciplinary guidance. Is there a rule? Is the rule a reasonable rule? Is the rule consistently and equitably enforced? Was a thorough and investigation completed? Was the severity of the discipline reasonably related to the infraction itself and in line with that usually administered, as well as the seriousness of the employee's past record? Was the disciplinary action taken in a timely manner? We also briefly explore the history of Just Cause including the influence of labor arbitrator Carroll R. Daugherty, whose well-known approach to Just Cause helped give generations of union representatives a practical framework for examining whether discipline can withstand scrutiny. Most importantly, this episode approaches Just Cause from the perspective of the shop steward defending a letter carrier as well as the carrier understanding what arguments may be used in their defense. We discuss how to evaluate management’s Letter of Charges for Just Cause , taking it apart piece by piece, investigate the facts, identify weaknesses in management’s case, develop the grievance record, and connect the evidence to Article 16’s contractual protections. Whether you are an experienced steward, a new representative learning the grievance procedure, or simply a letter carrier who wants to better understand your rights, Just Cause is the foundation of defending members against unjust discipline and understanding it makes us all stronger in the grievance arbitration procedure.

  5. Oct 20

    Episode 17: Do I Need a Doctor’s Note? Understanding ELM 513, and Acceptable Medical Documentation

    Episode 17: Do I Need a Doctor’s Note? Understanding ELM 513 Sick Leave Requirements & What Is Acceptable Medical Documentation tackles one of the most common—and often misunderstood—issues facing letter carriers: when can management require medical documentation for sick leave, and what does that documentation actually need to say? Cliff and Armando break down ELM 513, including the rules surrounding absences of three days or less, absences exceeding three days, restricted sick leave, and circumstances where management may request documentation when it believes the interests of the Postal Service require it. Most importantly, we discuss the difference between simply proving that you visited a doctor and providing documentation that actually supports an employee's incapacity to perform their duties. The episode also gives letter carriers and shop stewards practical guidance for avoiding preventable problems. We discuss what may constitute acceptable medical documentation, communicating clearly with medical providers about documentation needs, protecting confidential medical information, and what stewards should investigate when management improperly demands documentation or denies sick leave. The goal isn't to encourage unnecessary doctor's visits—it's to help carriers understand exactly what the rules require, what management may legitimately request, and how to protect their contractual rights when they're sick. Know the language, document appropriately, and enforce the contract.

  6. Oct 20

    EPISODE 16: Understanding TACS Carrier Everything Reports

    In Episode 16 of the In Solidarity Podcast, Armando and Cliff break down one of the most valuable tools available to shop stewards when investigating grievances, the TACS Carrier Everything Report. We explain what these reports contain, how to read and understand the various information they provide, and why TACS records can be critical evidence when investigating overtime, clock rings, work-hour disputes, pay issues, and potential contractual violations. Whether you're a new steward learning the grievance process or an experienced representative looking to sharpen your investigative skills, understanding TACS can help you turn raw timekeeping data into meaningful evidence that tells the story. Better information builds better grievances and knowing how to read the records is where it starts.

  7. Oct 20

    Episode 15: Article 8 Continued, Letter Carrier Paragraph, Rule and Reason, and Document Requests

    Episode 15: Article 8 Continued takes a deeper dive into one of the most misunderstood provisions of the National Agreement by exploring the Letter Carrier Paragraph, the Rule of Reason, and the critical role of auxiliary assistance under Article 8. Cliff and Armando explain why not every overtime issue automatically becomes a grievance and why understanding the precise language of the contract is essential before concluding that a violation has occurred. Using the 2025 JCAM and the language of Article 8, this episode breaks down what auxiliary assistance actually means, when management is obligated to seek it, and how those concepts apply in real-world situations. The discussion also focuses on the investigative role of shop stewards, including the document requests, records, and evidence that should be obtained before determining whether management violated the National Agreement. Whether you're a letter carrier trying to understand your rights or a steward learning how to properly investigate overtime disputes, this episode emphasizes that the key to winning Article 8 cases begins with understanding the language of the contract and conducting a thorough investigation before reaching a conclusion.

  8. Oct 20

    Episode 14: Article 8 Basics, History, Posting, and M-02011

    Episode 14: Article 8 Basics, History, Posting, and M-02011 explores one of the most important provisions of the National Agreement governing letter carrier work hours and overtime. Join Cliff and Armando as they trace the evolution of Article 8, explain its fundamental principles, discuss route posting and scheduling, and break down the significance of National Settlement M-02011. Whether you're a new letter carrier, experienced steward, or union activist, this episode provides a strong foundation for understanding your contractual rights and the protections that have been built through decades of collective bargaining and solidarity.

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Brought to you by the proud members of NJ Merged Branch 38, NALC, co-hosted by Armando Pedreira and Clifford Dodd, a podcast dedicated to engaging, informing, and empowering Letter Carriers. In the principles of common cause and solidarity, it is our aim that conversations and short trainings on the many topics that aid our members can be shared and pushed forward to the letter carriers, shop stewards, workplace organizers, and activists who need it the most. We found our strength through merger, strength through solidarity, and we strive to share some of that strength with you.

Information

  • Creator
    Branch 38
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    26
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Branch 38
  • Show Website
    In Solidarity Podcast

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