William Mathes

09/02/2025

There is a popular saying nowadays… “you play stupid games, you win stupid prizes!”

The three people here are the team of Steward leaders at the Brooklyn Center Station. They are Ken Jambois, Chris Hough and Crystal Spiel. Recently, they delivered a prize to Management with a neatly tied bow on top!

Our story starts with some unnamed Management savant coming up with the brilliant idea that every station in the Minneapolis Installation post individual data showing all the time that the Carrier’s scanner stopped moving. This (of course) is ridiculous because the movement of the scanner doesn’t measure whether the Carrier is working. We all know that, but this is a story about stupid games, so just go with me here.

After local Management posted the report, Ken took the lead by informing Management that they couldn’t publicly post individual data. Management didn’t care. They believed that posting the data would decrease the total amount of stationary events. They were wrong.

These Steward leaders have worked tirelessly serving the Carriers, earning their respect. So, when Ken urged everyone to study the report and make sure that the reporting was accurate, everyone listened. The entire Station of Carriers gathered around the report and began discussing the information. After a few minutes, The Morning Supervisor realized that this plan to reduce stationary events had just backfired. Every minute that was spent by Carriers looking at this report was a lost hour of productive street time. Management’s plan had failed. Eventually, they compromised and hung the report in the Manager’s office. Not another word was said about the (stupid game) stationary events report.

The moral of our story: Next time Management reveals a new stupid game, these three leaders will be prepared to deliver ALL the appropriate prizes.

Together, we’re unstoppable!

08/14/2025

Preparing for your upcoming Route Counts and Inspections (RCI) starts here.

The Lion’s Den Episode 1: Saving Minutes for our 6-day countsLions Den / In this episode, the first of a new Wednesday series focused on CLC training, Corey lays out crucial information for letter carriers regarding six-day counts and the proper procedures for handling mail and packages, based on ...

08/01/2025

I have a question: Are we on the same team? Brothers? Sisters? I believe the word is union... am I right?

As carriers, we come from different walks of life with different life experiences. We have different perspectives and goals. We all decided to come together to form this group called NALC. Our goal should be to stand together and stand up for each other.

Lately, we have gone through some division.

It's really been exhausting...hasn't it? I just want to tell you that it's OK for us to have different ideas, to disagree and to have spirited debate. Just remember, though: When that's all over, we need to come back together. We need to understand that we can achieve more when we act together.
Back in the day, I decided to become more involved in the union in much the same way that you probably did-someone from management really set me off. I was comfortable standing up for my rights, but I realized that some of us don't feel comfortable standing up. Some of us need the rest of us to stand in strength and solidarity. Much like you, I decided that I wanted to stand up for and stand alongside my fellow city carriers as a steward at my station.

That's how I do my part.
How do you serve? Or... how will you serve?

Years ago, a popular author named Jim Col-lins wrote a book titled Good to Great. In this book, I was affected by his analogy of the bus. The bus is both Branch 9 and the NALC.

We have all the right people on the bus-good people, like you and me. We just need everyone in the right seats. Once that happens, I believe that...

Together, we are unstoppable!

William Mathes, Branch 9

07/04/2025

There’s a new message on your scanner…

07/01/2025

On , we honor all who keep our nation connected. More than 640,000 postal employees—including the dedicated letter carriers of NALC—work hard every day to serve every home and business, no matter the zip code, without taxpayer dollars. Thanks for all you do!

06/25/2025

"I do not choose to be a common man. It is my right to be uncommon. I seek to develop whatever talents God gave me—not security. I do not wish to be a kept citizen, humbled and dulled by having the state look after me. I want to take the calculated risk; to dream and to build, to fail and to succeed. I refuse to barter incentive for a dole. I prefer the challenges of life to the guaranteed existence; the thrill of fulfillment to the stale calm of utopia. I will not trade freedom for beneficence nor my dignity for a handout. I will never cower before any earthly master nor bend to any threat. It is my heritage to stand erect, proud and unafraid; to think and act myself, enjoy the benefit of my creations and to face the world boldly and say – 'This, with God's help, I have done.' All this is what it means to be an American."

Written in 1952 by Dean Alfange

06/08/2025

I noticed that you are new here. Welcome! I'm so happy that you chose to work at the USPS. We need you more than ever. Staffing is so difficult lately. It's harder and harder to find talented and hardworking individuals like yourself. Anyway, I thought that I should introduce myself.
My name is Will. I've been a mail carrier here at the USPS for 10 years. When I started, I was extremely lucky. I worked at a station that was packed with old timers! I learned how to do my job from the very best carriers that the Post Office has ever had.
If it's cool with you, l'd like to share what I've learned. We could take a few minutes from time to time. I believe that I'm standing on the shoulders of giants. I would be so happy if you could feel the same someday.
For now, let me share this little nugget with you. The most important thing that you can do as a new employee:
Show up.
No matter what happens, you need to keep showing up every day. Your beginning days here are going be very challenging, but please don't give up. If the supervisor says something disrespectful to you, brush that dirt off your shoulder. They don't even realize that they are preventing you from showing up every day with their negativity. Please don't give them any power.
Keep your head up. Turn up your smile and believe that you are the next great carrier that the USPS was lucky enough to hire.
Together, we could be unstoppable!
Until we meet again, listen and learn. Apply what you learn to your daily work. If you want to talk more about your new job, send me an email: [email protected].
Will Mathes, Branch 9

06/07/2025

It’s Mail Carrier… right!? It shouldn’t be… but it is.

06/04/2025

Education Podcast · Updated Weekly · On the Workroom Floor is a podcast where 2 NALC Shop Stewards discuss various topics and share our thoughts, experiences, and helpful information to aid all shop stewards and grow their knowledge base…

06/03/2025

Government Podcast · A podcast for federal employees who are FedUp with non compliance and an unjust system, and who are FedUp with being constantly mistreated, misinformed, and or misrepresented. Hosted by a retired fede…

06/03/2025

Education Podcast · The CCA Corner is a resource for CCA Letter Carriers who want to learn, be involved, and have their voice heard, as well as to promote unity and solidarity within the ranks of City Carrier Assistants.…

06/03/2025

Hey! Great to run into you again. I didn't see you at the last GMM. If you have a minute, I'd love to tell you a quick story. Once you hear this, I believe that you will want to join us at the next meeting. This GMM had one of the finest moments for Branch 9 in the last five years!
Peter Joseph, a professional mail carrier serving at the Elmwood Station, visited the meeting. Peter gets beat up every day by management. Despite this, he perseveres... like we all persevere. Management spent the better part of 2023 conjuring up ways to deny Peter the opportunity to work overtime. In the face of daily contract violations, Peter wore a smile.
Well...guess what!?
Karma kicked management in the keister this month, thanks to the diligence of Peter's steward, Formal Step A and the B Team! Peter was awarded a settlement of more than $10K. He was so happy to hear of this victory!
It wasn't about the money. It was the fact the management was found to be liable for how it treated him during 2023. He was so excited that he called Formal Step A Rep Chris Pennick and asked for the specific dollar amount of the settlement. Peter resolved to immediately go to the mall and have the exact amount printed on a T-shirt so that he could proudly wear it during the morning office time at his station.
That will be Peter's way of holding management accountable.
Peter came to our general membership meeting to show off his T-shirt and sincerely thank everyone at Branch 9. He spoke encouragement and gratitude to all the members. I couldn't be more proud of Peter for his positive attitude and perseverance.
Together, we're unstoppable!
William Mathes, Branch 9