Yvette Kinard was elected to Editor of the Outlook in 2022. Yvette Began her career as a letter carrier and a member of Branch 36 in 2001. She was elected by her fellow carriers as a Shop Steward and appointed to Safety Captain in 2017. Her roles expanded as she became an On-the -Job instructor, and Formal Step A Designee in 2019. In 2020, Yvette was appointed to the position of Director of Education and her roles continued to broaden as she volunteered and was appointed to become a Employee Assistance Program Liaison (EAP). She continued to volunteer for work, and in 2022 was appointed as Food Drive Co-chair. Ultimately in 2022 Yvette was elected as Editor of the Outlook publication. In that same year Yvette was asked to train in the Dispute Resolution Process and was picked to serve on the Dispute Resolution Team, where she continues to defend the rights of all Letter Carriers.

UNITY

Summer is upon us and I must admit it feels great to be outside again. The last few years have been tough, but we proved we are tougher. This year started off fairly mild until Management rolled out a new plan to disrupt our postal lives. Over the last few months, we have heard a lot about TIAREAP and all the issues that go along with it. Now Management has developed a new plan to kill customer service and take away our ability to deliver efficiently. The postal service began conducting Count and Inspection (C&I) on driving assignments. Let’s face it, when Management decides to do a C&I it is never to benefit the carrier craft.
The truck C&I’s started a few months ago, but it has increased tremendously at this point. Management has gone into multiple stations in the Bronx and Manhattan and completely disrupted the operation. Stations with already overburdened assignments saw assignments abolished and more work added on. There is nothing good for the service happening as a result of these C&Is. One of the worst things happening is the wedge being driven between carriers. I completely understand the feeling to lash out at someone when an assignment is lost, but it’s important to remember who made that decision. The postal service likes to point fingers or attempt to cut deals to coverup their wrongdoings. The truck C&I’s started a few months ago, but it has increased tremendously at this point. Management has gone into multiple stations in the Bronx and Manhattan and completely disrupted the operation. Stations with already overburdened assignments saw assignments abolished and more work added on. There is nothing good for the service happening as a result of these C&Is. One of the worst things happening is the wedge being driven between carriers. I completely understand the feeling to lash out at someone when an assignment is lost, but it’s important to remember who made that decision. The postal service likes to point fingers or attempt to cut deals to coverup their wrongdoings.
Ask yourself this question, “When has Management ever tried to help the carriers?” If we work together, we can get through it. There are steps that must be followed for Management to adjust assignments. When those steps are not followed, then the consequences are grievances. I know the grievance process is not quick, but it does get results. If we allow the outside voices to have us working against each other, rather than together, we will not win this fight. Your stewards have been given the tools necessary to fight for our rights and defend the contract. Do not listen to anyone trying to feed you misinformation. Ask yourself what they have to gain by what they are telling you. It is not your fellow carrier, the shop steward or the Union’s fault some assignments were abolished. The carriers, shop stewards and Union would benefit from having a fully staffed station with all routes intact. Management does not like carriers who are unified they prefer us to be distracted and not paying attention to what they are doing.
On a brighter note, let’s talk about Branch 36’s Food Drive. What an awesome job our coordinators did this year. Shirtedra Thomas and Charles Kinard did such a great job. They put together our first kickoff event since COVID. I had the pleasure of being present at the event and listened to all the wonderful speeches from the various representatives, but I am a little biased so I would have to say Pasky and Sonny stole the show. Charles made everyone proud when he read the Mayor’s Proclamation recognizing our kickoff/ food drive. Shirtedra worked tirelessly to make sure the entire event was perfect and went off without a hitch. I do not have the final numbers yet, but I am sure we reached our goal of putting nutritious meals on the tables of our deserving customers.
In closing, I ask that you take care of yourself and each other. Unity is what we need to get through anything that may come our way. If we stick together, there is nothing we cannot achieve. A special thank you to all that helped make this year’s food drive a success. See you at the next meeting.