Fight Like Hell!

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

NALC Health Benefit Plan

NALC Health Benefit Plan Director Stephanie Stewart joins the podcast to discuss the Plan, Open Season, and what's new in 2026. Reminder: Open Season dates are Nov. 10 - Dec. 8.
Questions about the Plan? Visit nalchbp.org, call 888-636-NALC (6252), or contact your branch's health benefit representative. 
00:15:00 - Interview with NALC Health Benefit Plan Director Stephanie Stewart 00:17:19 - History of the Plan 00:20:00 - What is Open Season? 00:23:00 - Current structure of the Plan 00:27:07 - Decision to for the Plan to only serve postal employees 00:33:00 - Plan's provider network 00:36:50 - Plan's prescription drug coverage 00:39:18 - Plan's 2026 premiums 00:43:24 - What's new in 2026? 00:48:44 - Current health and wellness programs 00:55:00 - Plan's customer service and extended phone hours 01:00:00 - Branch health benefit representatives

October 2025 Postal Record

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

Emergency Response Team

NALC's Emergency Response Team (ERT) deploys specially-trained letter carriers to assist other members following traumatic events. Director of Safety and Health Manny Peralta joins the podcast to discuss the ERT. Then, we hear from four branch presidents who have used the ERT to help their members: Sandy Laemmel, President, Detroit, MI Branch 1; Monique Mate, President, Rochester, NY Branch 210; Corey Grotte, President, Eau Claire, WI Branch 728; Ted Lee, President, Pittsburgh, PA Branch 84. PLEASE NOTE: This episode discusses sensitive topics, including suicide. Please listen with care. If you're struggling, help is available by calling 988. 00:22:16 - Director of Safety and Health Manny Peralta 00:53:35 - Branch president roundtable discusses ERT

Interpretive Dispute–S&DCs, Protect Our Letter Carriers Act and a roundtable with Rank-and-File Bargaining Committee Newer Members

This week's episode discusses a national-level interpretive dispute recently filed by NALC regarding S&DCs (Sorting & Delivery Centers), followed by a look at the Protect Our Letter Carriers Act. Then, we hear from four members of the Branch Leaders group: Kelsey Crosbie, Columbus, OH Branch 78; Linda Johnson, Duluth, MN Branch 114; Veronica Ramirez, Arlington Heights, IL Branch 2810; and Vincent Smith, Worcester, MA Branch 12.
This episode is also available to watch on YouTube.
Hear more from Rank-and-File Bargaining Committee members here.
Have questions you'd like answered on the podcast? Email social@nalc.org. Keep up with NALC on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Bluesky and Threads!
 
00:06:51 - What is an S&DC?
00:15:15 - Route adjustments and evaluations
00:16:38  - What is an MOU?
00:18:43 - TIAREAP expiration and M-02006/02007
00:21:27 - Route adjustment process
00:24:12 - The interpretive dispute
00:27:52 - Protect Our Letter Carriers Act
00:44:47 - Q&A
00:52:10 - Roundtable with Newer Member Rank-and-File committee members