Parcels of Knowledge

Parcels of Knowledge

by Rosevillewreckingball

Self-Improvement

Episode 184: Interview With Stephanie Stewart

In this episode we interview Stephanie Stewart for her candidacy for Health Benefits Plan Representative. Does she have what it takes to get your vote? You Decide.

Episode 183: The Nixie - Backstamps & Nixies

The Nixie is here! In the first episode of this new Parcels of Knowledge series, I dig into the smaller, stranger, and sometimes forgotten pieces of postal history. We start with two topics that fit together perfectly: what a "nixie" actually is, where the old postal term came from, and why we chose it as the name of the series; then we turn the envelope over and take a deep dive into the backstamp. We look at how backstamps documented a letter's journey through the postal system, the handstamps and markings used to create them, why the Post Office once required them, some of the surprisingly odd ways the backs of envelopes were used, and why routine backstamping eventually disappeared. The Backstamp is about the big picture; the journey of the Post Office, the NALC, and the people who shaped them. The Nixie is about the small stuff. Old postal objects, equipment, markings, words, forms, and practices that have disappeared, mostly disappeared, or survive in some weird little corner of the Postal Service. We pull one out of the historical mailstream, give it a closer look, and ask, "What the hell is this, and why did we have it?" Have an idea for a future Nixie, something weird sitting around your office that you have always wondered about, or an old postal term nobody seems to use anymore? Reach out to me at jamiegregorynalc2819@gmail.com. Have a question for Stephanie Stewart? Send those in to Joshua Shrum at rosevillewreckingball@yahoo.com. Here is also the companion research report for anyone interested in the sources, history, and additional information behind this episode: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1aA5Y5gL8ew5bphIN3AeL58ZH1QYBuWaIBedqVydzHEo/edit?usp=sharing

Episode 182: The Last Loop with Jamie Gregory

The Last Loop is back! Jamie runs through the biggest postal stories from Sept. 5–11, including the OIG’s new assessment of USPS network changes, five new NALC national memorandums and settlements covering annual leave, HIPP and PS Form 1767, the latest fight over grievance remedies, and what this week’s developments could mean when national policy finally reaches the workroom floor. We also check in on ballot-mail litigation, carrier safety and crime news, the Postal Record and Postal Bulletin, labor news, and a very crowded postal podcast roundup featuring arbitration, training, small-branch leadership, union elections, health benefits and plenty of contract talk. Plus, a look at the week ahead and a Local Loop from Brookdale, California, where residents are weighing the future of their local Post Office. Postal news, contract talk, union issues, and everything carriers may have missed while they were out making their Last Loop. Interested in submitting a local news story, have a question, or have a recommendation for something we should cover? Reach out to me at jamiegregorynalc2819@gmail.com. Here is the companion report for anyone interested in finding the sources and additional information behind the stories mentioned in this episode: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Dp10n4ZHAgV67siiiKF51y3XwTQCAYEmWqJto7dbL2M/edit?usp=sharing

Episode 181: Larrissa Parde Investigative Interview

Today we investigated Larrissa Parde and her candidacy for NALC Assistant Secretary Treasurer. Does she have what it takes to have your vote? You decide.

Episode 180: What To Do When Management Steals Your Time

In this episode we talk about management stealing time and very specific things regarding the PS Form 1017a. We will be having Larrissa Parde on the podcast for their candidacy for Assistant Secretary Treasurer. Please send any questions you have for her to Rosevillewreckingball@yahoo.com If you would like to become a member of the Wrecking Crew please click this link https://patreon.com/ParcelsOfKnowledge Here is the link to get a voicemail in to be featured in the theme song https://rss.com/podcasts/parcels-of-knowledge/voicemail/ Here is the companion report for those interested in where to find any of the information mentioned in this episode: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YW2kFdMxGfh2GuYRJMySPdMTA2oCt4q4HgQ5k_OFqVg/edit?usp=sharing

Episode 179: The Backstamp - Labor Day with Jamie Gregory

The Backstamp makes its debut! Jamie turns the envelope over and follows the marks history left behind, digging into the origins of Labor Day, the early labor movement, the fight for the eight-hour day, the founding of the NALC, and the 1970 postal strike. From carriers organizing above a Milwaukee saloon to the battles that won collective bargaining and political rights, this episode looks at why Labor Day matters far beyond cookouts, sales, and football. Plus, a little Patriots and Raiders suffering, some sailor humor, and a discussion about why voting still matters even when democracy has to be much bigger than a ballot box. The Backstamp is where Parcels of Knowledge looks backward to understand how the hell we got here. Interested in submitting an idea, have questions, or a recommendation? Reach out to me at jamiegregorynalc2819@gmail.com. For all the fellow nerds out there, here is the companion report for where to find any of the information mentioned in this episode: https://docs.google.com/document/d/10CmshW4ec7qdaQTF_3g2ZfKx4Yp-LeLw2DFEW5Dqfic/edit?usp=sharing.

Episode 178: Two Titans of Escalating Remedies Give Advice

In this episode we let two titans of escalating remedies give advice about how they got to where they are today. Mike Caref and Clarence Blaze both give us some much needed advice.

Episode 177: The Last Loop with Jamie Gregory

The Last Loop is back! Jamie runs through the biggest postal stories from Aug. 29–Sept. 4, including the USPS ballot-mail fight, a new arbitration win involving undelivered mail and penalty overtime, highlights from the latest Postal Record, and what NALC President Brian Renfroe and PMG David Steiner were up to. Plus, a packed postal podcast roundup, the week ahead after Labor Day, and a Local Loop from Lahaina, Hawaii. Postal news, contract talk, and everything carriers may have missed while out making the delivering their Last Loop. Interested in submitting a local news story, have questions or a recommendation? Reach out to me at jamiegregorynalc2819@gmail.com. Here is the companion report for those interested in where to find any of the information mentioned in this episode: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IqRven8wMx1xU8KEu7xRPFoOSqV9ofXPSwwkB8TJUz0/edit?usp=sharing.

Episode 176: New Undelivered Mail Win!

In todays episode we read another win for undelivered mail grievances.

Episode 175: The Wreckingcrew Weighs In On The Election

Today we have the wreckingcrew weigh in on the election, the good the bad and the ugly.

3 of 22