On the Workroom Floor

It's 2026 and we are discussing some of the things that came out at the DC bargaining conference.

Elliot joined Next Generation Carriers to discuss heat safety at the USPS. Special guest Manny Peralta, NALC Director of Safety and Health.

Elliot and Cole sit down with Dane Tober to go over a mock investigative interview and share our points of view on several topics.

Elliot and Cole talk about Opting and give some encouragement

Our friend Greg is back! This time with a real Informal Step A file where he challenges Elliot in a full mock meeting in real time. Along the way we share some insight and find what was missing from the file and learn what to add to make a stronger case at the first step.

We are joined by our friends Greg, Michelle, Dane, Mallory, and Ryan for a very special Tentative Agreement round table. We talk about what we like, and what we don't like and have some fun along the way

John Poskin joins us and talks in depth about LMOU's. John is available to help at [email protected]

Link to register to the next Build a Fighting NALC Zoom meeting on Sunday, July 21 at Noon Central (10am Pacific, 1pm Eastern): https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUpf-mvrjMoHNUXHDZz_of7e6z-iE6XmirW Subscribe to the Build a Fighting NALC YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@BuildaFightingNALC

In today's bonus episode, Cole and Elliot discuss 4 short topics. CCA Uniforms, Management trying to have a witness in the meetings, T6 overtime, and 3189s.

This week Cole goes into how to grieve late route postings and Elliot gives a taste of monetary escalations. The hosts are talking about how management is attacking the certification of union stewards, and they encourage listeners to get management to acknowledge their certification in writing. They also discuss the use of "cease and desist" agreements and how to get them, as well as the use of monetary escalations. The hosts provide examples from their own experience, including a case where they got an arbitration award for $20 per day for late postings. They conclude by encouraging listeners to join their Discord and stay tuned for future episodes on Step B and OWCp.

This week Elliot takes the lead and discusses the importance of preparation, including having a strong issue statement, facts, and contentions ready to go. They also talk about the importance of not giving management information beforehand and making sure to get your grievance filed on time. The hosts also discuss the importance of negotiating for a cease-and-desist agreement or monetary escalation. The hosts then provide some examples of how to write an issue statement and how to negotiate for a settlement. Finally, they wrap up the episode by encouraging listeners to email them with any questions.

On this episode, our friend Greg comes on and talks about the state of our contract negotiations and he, Elliot, and Cole share their thoughts on the matters and look at things from a steward's perspective. *** Pecks Shoe Clinic | Moscow, ID ***

In this episode, Cole and Elliot simulate an informal grievance meeting between a union steward and a supervisor. They discuss a case where a carrier worked penalty overtime when they were not supposed to, which is a violation of Article 8.5.F of the collective bargaining agreement. The steward challenges the supervisor's understanding of the contract and argues that the carrier should be paid for the time they worked, as this is a slam dunk win. The supervisor is hesitant to settle but eventually agrees to a settlement. Throughout the episode, Cole and Elliot highlight important points for stewards to keep in mind when handling grievances, such as building relationships with management, knowing the contract, and being prepared to present evidence and arguments.

The first episode of On The Workroom Floor, hosted by Cole Billups and Elliot Simmons, who are both union stewards. They discuss the importance of knowing your Weingarten rights, which allows you to request a union representative present during any conversation with management that could lead to discipline. They also discuss the role of a steward in these situations, including what they are entitled to know and do, how to navigate these conversations, and how to prepare for formal grievances. The episode covers various topics related to Weingarten rights, including the different types of rights, how to properly invoke them, and how to handle various scenarios. The hosts share their personal experiences and insights, offering valuable advice and tips for stewards.