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/jcam https://betterangelsforkids.org/ 00:01:55 Joint Contract Administration Manual (JCAM) 00:03:56 Leave year 00:05:46 Christmas holiday 00:07:27 New Year's holiday 00:08:08 Article 11 00:11:39 Holiday leave credit 00:15:01 LMOU cases 00:17:16 What's ahead in 2026 00:23:42 Better Angels of Our Human Nature

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.

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

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 461 Links: https://fsafeds.gov/ https://nalchbp.org/ 00:01:00 - Peak season 00:04:00 - National Rap Session recap 00:06:30 - Open Season 00:09:22 - Flexible Spending Account (FSA) 00:13:58 - Roundtable with ERT members

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!

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 season 00:06:08 - Overtime exclusion period 00:08:35 - Open Season and the NALC Health Benefit Plan 00:12:30 - Postal Service Fiscal Year 2025 financial results 00:20:29 - National Rap Session 00:25:03 - Phil Kahn and Andy Fontantetta on Branch 294's blood drives

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!

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