Fight Like Hell!

Happy Holidays + Branch 36's Better Angels of Our Human Nature toy drive

Happy Holidays from NALC! In this week's episode, learn more about New York, NY Branch 36's Better Angels of Our Human Nature toy drive. Hear from Branch 36 members Ernie Twomley and Tayry Vega about the program's history and where it is today. 
Links:https://www.nalc.org/jcamhttps://betterangelsforkids.org/00:01:55 Joint Contract Administration Manual (JCAM)00:03:56 Leave year00:05:46 Christmas holiday00:07:27 New Year's holiday00:08:08 Article 1100:11:39 Holiday leave credit00:15:01 LMOU cases00:17:16 What's ahead in 202600:23:42 Better Angels of Our Human Nature

Route adjustments: Part 2

We’re back with Part 2 of our conversation with Ron Osborne, Assistant to the President for Administrative Affairs, to continue our discussion on route adjustments. Tune in for a comprehensive overview of the process so you’ll know what to expect and how to prepare. Plus, don’t miss updates on the newly released December 2025 JCAM, Shut Down Hunger, Advocate Continuing Education (ACE) training, and more.
Watch full episodes of the Fight Like Hell Podcast at nalc.org/podcast
More info about route adjustments can be found here: https://www.nalc.org/workplace-issues/city-delivery/route-adjustments
ICYMI - Highlights from the 2025 national rap session are now available at nalc.org/2025rap.
Have questions you'd like answered on the podcast? Email social@nalc.org.

Route adjustments

The latest episode of the Fight Like Hell podcast includes an important reminder to check out the NALC Health Benefit Plan before Open Season ends on Monday! Then, stick around for our discussion with Assistant to the President for Administrative Affairs Ron Osborne about route adjustments—what they are, how to prepare, and more.
The 2024 Convention presentation on Route Adjustments is available in the Members Only portal under "2024 National Convention." Click here to log in.
More info about route adjustments can be found here.
ICYMI - Highlights from the 2025 national rap session are now available at nalc.org/2025rap.
Have questions you'd like answered on the podcast? Email social@nalc.org.
Go to nalc.org/podcasts to watch this episode and more from the Fight Like Hell podcast.
00:00:39 - Route inspection intro
00:02:16 - Executive Council and collective bargaining subcommittees prepare for post-rap session meeting
00:04:45 - Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) representation
00:09:50 - Open Season ends on Monday, 12/8! Go to nalchbp.org to check out the NALC Health Benefit Plan
00:12:30 - Introducing Ron Osborne
00:15:17 - Route adjustments discussion
 

Emergency Response Team member roundtable

NALC's Emergency Response Team (ERT) deploys specially trained letter carriers to assist other members following traumatic events. In this episode, hear directly from four of our ERT members: Brooke Bollom, Bismarck, ND Branch 957; Rei Santiago, Elizabeth, NJ Branch 67; John Collins, Zanesville, OH Branch 63; Wayne Green, Winston-Salem, NC Branch 461Links:https://fsafeds.gov/https://nalchbp.org/ 00:01:00 - Peak season00:04:00 - National Rap Session recap00:06:30 - Open Season00:09:22 - Flexible Spending Account (FSA)00:13:58 - Roundtable with ERT members

Post-Rap Session roundtable with Branch Presidents

The 2025 National Rap Session provided a valuable opportunity for leaders from across the country to exchange ideas, discuss critical issues facing letter carriers, and take part in an important part of our union’s ongoing collective bargaining preparation. On this Special Edition National Rap Session episode, we hear from several more Branch Presidents about their experience and participation in this year’s Rap Session. Thank you to Amy Lee-Cole, East St. Louis, IL Branch 319; Kelli Robles, Centennial Branch 5996, Aurora, CO; Troy Vaughn, Oriole Branch 176; and Chuck Walls, Omaha, NE Branch 5 for joining us on the pod!
ICYMI - Check out Saturday’s Special Edition episode from Day 1 in Cleveland, OH and other highlights from Cleveland, OH: nalc.org/2025rap Have questions you'd like answered on the podcast? Email social@nalc.org.
Full video episodes of the Fight Like Hell podcast are available to watch at nalc.org/podcast. Keep up with NALC on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Bluesky and Threads!

Happy Thanksgiving + a look into Flushing, NY Branch 294's blood drive

This week’s Thanksgiving episode highlights how letter carriers give back to their communities. President of Flushing, NY Branch 294 Phil Kahn and letter carrier Andy Fontanetta join the pod to discuss the history and success of their branch’s blood drive and offer tips for any branch interested in holding a similar event.
00:01:55 - Peak season00:06:08 - Overtime exclusion period00:08:35 - Open Season and the NALC Health Benefit Plan00:12:30 - Postal Service Fiscal Year 2025 financial results00:20:29 - National Rap Session00:25:03 - Phil Kahn and Andy Fontantetta on Branch 294's blood drives
 

National Rap Session roundtable with branch presidents

Tonight we're delivering a special episode of the Fight Like Hell podcast—direct from the 2025 National Rap Session in Cleveland, OH! Hear from Rich McLehose, Long Island Merged Branch 6000; Jenilee Jackson, Fort Collins, CO Branch 849; and Jose Romero, Albuquerque, NM Branch 504 as we review some highlights from today's workshops featuring collective-bargaining subcommittees.
Watch the full episode at nalc.org/podcast.
Have questions you'd like answered on the podcast? Email social@nalc.org. Keep up with NALC on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Bluesky and Threads!

Retirement Basics

There’s a lot to consider when planning for retirement, and the best time to start preparing is right now! This week, we’re joined by Director of Retired Members Dan Toth to break down the ins and outs of navigating retirement preparation at any stage of your letter carrier career. Watch now or tune in wherever you get your podcasts: nalc.org/podcast
00:01:24 Region 2 Rap Session
00:02:54 Cincinnati Branch 43 Veterans Day & Retirees Breakfast
00:04:34 Executive Council and bargaining subcommittees prepare for the 2025 National Rap Session
00:05:50 Interpretive disputes update
00:07:16 Memorial for former Manchester, NH Branch 44 President Yankee
00:09:08 Open Season
00:11:28 Ask the Mailbag: Penalty overtime exclusion period
00:14:50 Retirement basics with Director of Retired Members Dan Toth

November 2025 Postal Record

Listen to the November 2025 edition of The Postal Record. Browse the digital issue here.

Veterans Day 2025

This week, we’re proud to feature NALC members who have served in our nation’s military or are currently on active duty in honor of Veterans Day! Tune in to hear overviews of essential topics and resources for our fellow veteran letter carriers. Our sincere thanks go out to our special guests and to all our veteran members for their service to our nation. Watch or listen wherever you get your podcasts! Info about NALC Veterans Group and the Veterans Group Guide are both available at nalc.org/veterans.
00:00:50 – Committee of Presidents
00:03:56 — NALC Health Benefit Plan Seminar and Open Season
00:09:17 — Bargaining Subcommittee Updates 00:10:50 — 2025 National Rap Session 00:13:50 — "Shut Down Hunger" Food Drive 00:20:20 — Introduction to Veterans Day Episode
00:25:01 — Nora Stamper | Seattle, WA Branch 79 | Marines | Veterans’ Preference—Discipline Process and the Merit Systems Protection Board
00:39:12 — Troy Saunders | Baltimore, MD Branch 176 | Marines | Buying Back Your Military Time, the Defense Finance and Accounting Service Website, the Buy Back Estimator, and Annual Leave Accrual
00:47:27 — Artegus Felder | Montgomery, AL Branch 106 | Army | The Hoover Executive Order 5396, MOU 00165, and Wounded Warrior Leave
00:55:56 — Carman Montgomery | Mobile, AL Branch 469 | Active Duty Air Force | Military Leave and Uniformed Services Employment & Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA)
01:07:02 — Charles Bundy | Chicago, IL Branch 11 | Navy | ID.me Virtual ID, Veteran License, State and County Benefits, DMV Plates and Stickers, and the NALC Veterans Group
01:14:04 — Shane Davis | Jonesboro, AR Branch 1138 | Navy | On-the-Job Injuries—OWCP/DVA Dual Coverage, Veterans and Mental Health
01:27:53 — (In English and Spanish) Christopher Cotto-Sanchez | San Juan, PR Branch 869 | Army | DD 214 Requests and the Veterans Affairs App