APW You with Eric Chornoby: Your Union. Your Contract. Your APWU.
by Eric Chornoby
A podcast created to answer the burning questions APWU Members have about their Union. Questions about the Contract, about the Grievance Procedure, and questions about the USPS and APWU are answered. Hosted by Eric Chornoby, creator of APWUSteward.com, Steward and Officer in the APWU. The views expressed in this podcast are not that of the APWU, the MPWU or the 480-481 Area Local. All opinions expressed are exclusively of Eric Chornoby and his guests. All stories, examples and situations described are for entertainment purposes only and examples given are fictional in nature.
Episodes
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Episode 41 - Step 1 Meeting + Negotiation
Episode 41 is a deep dive into meeting at Step 1, forming an an argument at Step 1, and a brief primer on Negotiation at Step 1. This episode acts an introduction for multiple trainings I have conducted and created. The philosophy covered here is to work towards winning grievances regardless of…
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Episode 40 - The Contract and Applicable Law
Episode 40 is a quick episode covering what laws apply to the USPS and what does not. We cover the JCIM language, Handbooks & Manuals, some Federal Laws, and what does not apply. Members of the APWU commonly use Google or ChatGPT to figure out what laws apply, and many State Laws give conflicting...
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Episode 39 - A Tribute + Propensity Evidence, How to Read Arbitrations, Interviews and More!
Episode 39 is a LONG one. We start with a tribute to Elisabeth "Betty" Littsey. We follow up with Propensity Evidence, Hearsay Evidence, How to Read Arbitration Awards, and more. This episode is packed with useful information on how to build better grievances and casefiles to win your next...
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Episode 38 - Passing Resolutions at Convention with Skylar Beaton
Episode 38 is a very special episode featuring my friend, Skylar Beaton. We discuss the National Convention. The Young Member resolution, how to pass a resolution, convention floor gamesmanship and so on. If you want to pass a resolution at the National Convention or you want to to know all the...
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Episode 37 - Collective Action
Episode 37 is all about Collective Action. Collective Action is a social movement and organizing tool used to stand up against Management outside the Grievance Procedure. Find me on Facebook here. Find the new APW You...
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Episode 36 - The 2026 National Convention
Episode 36 contains my thoughts on the 2026 National Convention. What could improve, what the future holds, and my experience. The take away from this episode is we are diving back into educating members of the APWU! Find me on Facebook here. Find the…
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Episode 35 - Management's Rights
Episode 35 is a deep dive into Article 3 - Management's Rights. We go into the history, the Union advice, and the general idea on how to file a Grievance! Find me on Facebook here. Find the new APW You Reddit.…
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Episode 34 - How the APWU Works
Episode 34 is a surface level dive into how the APWU is structured. Your Local vs the National. Who handles what. What Grievances go to which person. And most importantly, why. Feel free to reach out with ideas for the show! Find me on Facebook here. Find…
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Episode 33 - Dont Fall For Management BS
Episode 33 is a rant about Management lying. They have more resouces and structure than the Postal Unions will ever have, but for some reason we are the experts. Or are they lying? We shed light on what resources Management has so you can be prepared next time someone acts (or is) dumb! Find me…
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Episode 32 - Being an Executive Board Member
Episode 32 was a long time coming! We cover being a Board Member. From differing constitutions, the role of the President, and the Legal Obligations or duties of care. This episode should shine a light on how a Board Member should, or should not, make decisions! Find me on Facebook...
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Episode 31: POVs, Reversions and the Union (Featuring President Jeremy Schilling and Vice President Roscoe Woods)
Episode 31 is a special episode. We do a round table with Medford President Jeremy Schilling, and 480-481 Area Local Vice President (and former President) Roscoe Woods. We cover two of the most important issues to small offices: Using your personal vehicle and reversions. We wrap up the episode...
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Episode 30: Winning Through (Hard) Work
Episode 30 starts by discussing several historic Pre-Arbitration Settlements in my facility. We transition to powerful Interviews to combat bad Management and we wrap up with putting the pieces together to improve a bad work environment! Find me on Facebook here....
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Episode 29: APWU Conventions and Conferences
Episode 29 is an exploration on what APWU Conventions and Conferences are. We also discuss what happens, what the Union gains, and what you can gain from attending. Many Stewards view these events as a lot of work. Many members view these events as a free vacation. The truth is somewhere in the...
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Episode 28: FERS Retirement Planning
Episode 28 is an exploration into how to prepare for retirement, geared towards newer employees. We do the math to set realistic expectations. Understand the trifecta (Pension, Social Security, and TSP), plan out a 30-year investment strategy, and the most important part - learn how to do so...
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Episode 27: Procedural Errors in the Grievance Procedure
Episode 27 is an exploration of Procedural Errors in the Grievance Procedure. Ranging from when Management makes a mistake when issuing Discipline to mistakes when the Union files a Grievance. We also analyze the impact these errors have on the Grievance Procedure! All Members, Stewards and...
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Episode 26 - Obedience to Orders
Episode 26 is a hot off the press episode made because I am fed up. Management LOVES to give unsafe orders and the membership simply does not know how to respond. Contractually we can disobey some orders, but to prevent discipline we must know which orders you can and cannot disobey. Find me on...
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Episode 25 - TMG: Proving a Violation
Episode 25 is our second episode of TMG - Proving a Violation. This episode is designed to explain the evidence standards for winning a Grievance. From Preponderance of Evidence to Credibility, you will have a better understanding of what the Union needs to win your Grievance! All Members…
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Episode 24: NALC & APWU Joint Episode (with the Roseville Wreckingball)
Episode 24 is the another fantastic episode with the Roseville Wreckingball, my friend, Joshua. We discuss the differences between our Unions and our experience at the USPS. This is a fantastic opportunity to see how two Stewards in the same District have different views on Unions and the USPS!…
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Episode 23: TMG - The Grievance Procedure
Episode 23 is the first episode in a sub-series called TMG - The Members Guide. This new series is designed to break down topics that all members can easily follow! The first episode goes over the Grievance Procedure. Pre - Step 1 all the Way to Arbitration. All Members, Stewards and Officers can...
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Episode 22: Orientation
Episode 22 goes over what I cover in Orientation. From the material you need to cover, all the way to connecting to the Orientation group. If you are struggling to convert new employees to members, or you had a bad orientation yourself, this episode is for you. All Members, Stewards and Officers...
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Episode 21: A Little About Overtime
Episode 21 sets out to answer some of the more common questions I receive about Overtime. We go over the history of Overtime Rules dating back to 1938, the Federal Law (FLSA), and the evolution of Overtime Rules at the USPS. All Members, Stewards and Officers can learn something with this…
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Episode 20: What Language Prevails?
It is a peak season miracle! Episode 20 is a quick episode addressing the heigharchy of Handbooks, Manuals, Arbitrations, and the Contract. A common question Stewards and Members have is what language is prevailing. This episode will be useful if you are struggling to know what to cite in your...
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Episode 19: Steward Release Time
This is a doozy! Episode 19 is all about Steward Release Time. We take an extreme amount of time to discuss the language in the CBA, the JCIM and how to properly request Steward Release Time. We formulate a strategy, we discuss a sample Step 2 Appeal, and wrap up by discussing the overall goal…
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Episode 18: Just Cause
Today we take a deep dive into Just Cause. This is not a basic understanding of Just Cause, this is a deep dive! We dig into the ancient origin of Just Cause in Rome, the issues with Modern Just Cause dating back to Arbitrator Daugherty, and we provide advice on how to use Just Cause in a Modern...
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Grievance Theory - Probationary Separation + PSE Grievances
You are a PSE and the first thing you hear is you cannot file a Grievance until you get out of Probation. Not only is it wrong, this bad advice harms the APWU and all Postal Employees. Today we discuss Grieving a Probationary Separation, dive into what Grievances PSE's can file and wrap up with a...
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Episode 16: Maximization, Desirable Assignments and Contractual Analysis
Today's episode is a journey through the Maximization (Article 7) and Desirable Duty Assignments (Article 37). We focus on the interplay between Contractual Provisions, Step 4s, and Q and A's. Even if you are not dealing with Maximization, this episode can help you interpret and understand...
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Episode 15: Corrective, Not Punitive
All Discipline must be Corrective in Nature. A problematic trend is Management uses Discipline as an alternative to properly Managing. We explore Corrective vs Progressive Discipline, Define Corrective Discipline, and give real examples Stewards can use to defend against Discipline that is...
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Episode 14: The Missing Link - Procedural Due Process
The US Constitution provides ALL United States Postal Workers Procedural Fairness through the 5th and 14th Amendments. In today's episode we explore Constitutional Law, Supreme Court Cases, and Legal Standards to identify the elements of Procedural Due Process that can be used to defend us…
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Episode 13: Why are Locals "Different" from one another?
Have you ever transfered or bid from one local to another and discovered that your new facility runs completely different than your old facility? The reason isn't a bad Union. The reason often boils down to three things. In this episode we explore those differences and why you should give your...
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Episode 12: Article 16.2 / Documented Discussions
We dive into Article 16.2 Discussions. What they are, how Management uses them, and how the Union fights against improper Discussions. Beneficial to Stewards and Members, this episode will help arm anyone to use Discussions to the members benefit. As always, we are a stronger Union if every…
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Episode 11: Emergency Placement
What do you do when Management tells you to leave the building and not to come back? We dig into Emergency Placements. What they are, how they are misused, and tips for fighting against the misuse of Emergency Placements.
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NALC vs APWU with the Roseville Wreckingball
Today is a special episode as I talk shop with the Roseville Wreckingball, Joshua Shrum. Joshua is a NALC Steward and Host of the fantastic Podcast Parcels of Knowledge. We compare our Unions and discuss a time not that long ago we negotiated together!
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What is a Grievance?
We take a look at the OG definition of a Grievance, a dictionary definition, and the Contractual Definition to get a better understanding of what it means to have a Grievance. This episode will help members and Stewards gain mutual understanding.
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Compliance & Enforcement
We dive into the looming issue of making Management abide by our Settlements. This includes a deep analysis of the Grievance Procedure, or AUGER, and the Multiple Grievance Strategy. More for Stewards and Officers, but helpful to anyone who wants to understand the Grievance Procedure better!
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Article 5 & Past Practice
In today's fantastic episode we dive into one of, if not the most complicated Articles of our Contract. Members, Stewards and entire Local's get this one wrong. We fumble through an entire hour of digging into Past Practice with a heavy lean on successful Past Practice Grievances!
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LMOU Negotiations
It is that time of the year - LMOU Negotiations! We explain what an LMOU is, what happens if you don't have a (L)ocal, discuss the rules of the game and we wrap up with negotiation tips and tricks!
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Deems Desirable (Or Restricted Sick Leave?)
An extremely common misconception is Managements use of Deems Desirable. We discuss how Management 'Deems Desirable' for the protection of the USPS to require medical documentation, how this bypassing Restricted Sick Leave, ELM Provisions, the JCIM, what Arbitrators say, and finally what to file…
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FMLA 2 - Electric Boogaloo
We jump back into FMLA by wrapping up some clauses not covered in the last episode, address some unique situations, and dive into FMLA for Military Members and their families!
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Hostile Work Environments
We dive into the differences between Harassment and a Hostile Work Environment, the Contact, what Handbooks & Manuals state, and we wrap up with Grievance Strategy!
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Episode 2 - FMLA
This episode covers FMLA. The act itself, unique situations, filling out your paperwork, and the requirements to get approved. If you or your coworker needs FMLA this is the place to start!
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Introduction: Schedule Posting + 5 Minute Leeway
Our first episode kicks off this podcast with a brief introduction and a double header! We briefly cover when Management must post your schedule as well as a breakdown of the 5 Minute / 8 Digit Leeway Rule. Join us in finding the answers to the most common issues Postal Workers experience who are...
About this show
A podcast created to answer the burning questions APWU Members have about their Union. Questions about the Contract, about the Grievance Procedure, and questions about the USPS and APWU are answered. Hosted by Eric Chornoby, creator of APWUSteward.com, Steward and Officer in the APWU. The views expressed in this podcast are not that of the APWU, the MPWU or the 480-481 Area Local. All opinions expressed are exclusively of Eric Chornoby and his guests. All stories, examples and situations described are for entertainment purposes only and examples given are fictional in nature.
Hosted by
Eric Chornoby
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