APW You with Eric Chornoby

Grievance Theory - Probationary Separation + PSE Grievances

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 18:20:00 +0000

You are a PSE and the first thing you hear is you cannot file a Grievance until you get out of Probation. Not only is it wrong, this bad advice harms the APWU and all Postal Employees. Today we discuss Grieving a Probationary Separation, dive into what Grievances PSE's can file and wrap up with a tidbit on how to research and reference the Contract. This one has something for everyone!

Find me on Facebook ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠.

Find the new APW You ⁠⁠⁠Reddit⁠⁠⁠.

Find my training website, including Strategy Guides, a Grievance Guide, and PowerPoints at ⁠⁠⁠APWUSteward.com⁠⁠⁠.

*Disclaimer: This Podcast is made 'off the top.' Please excuse any misspeaking.

Episode 16: Maximization, Desirable Assignments and Contractual Analysis

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 00:30:07 +0000

Today's episode is a journey through the Maximization (Article 7) and Desirable Duty Assignments (Article 37). We focus on the interplay between Contractual Provisions, Step 4s, and Q and A's. Even if you are not dealing with Maximization, this episode can help you interpret and understand Contractual Language.

Find me on Facebook ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.

Find the new APW You ⁠⁠Reddit⁠⁠.

Find my training website, including Strategy Guides, a Grievance Guide, and PowerPoints at ⁠⁠APWUSteward.com⁠⁠.

*Disclaimer: This Podcast is made 'off the top.' Please excuse any misspeaking.

Episode 15: Corrective, Not Punitive

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 09:05:36 +0000

All Discipline must be Corrective in Nature. A problematic trend is Management uses Discipline as an alternative to properly Managing. We explore Corrective vs Progressive Discipline, Define Corrective Discipline, and give real examples Stewards can use to defend against Discipline that is Punitive.

Find me on Facebook ⁠here⁠.

Find the new APW You ⁠Reddit⁠.

Find my training website, including Strategy Guides, a Grievance Guide, and PowerPoints at ⁠APWUSteward.com⁠.

*Disclaimer: This Podcast is made 'off the top.' Please excuse any misspeaking.

Episode 14: The Missing Link - Procedural Due Process

Sat, 22 Nov 2025 00:27:58 +0000

The US Constitution provides ALL United States Postal Workers Procedural Fairness through the 5th and 14th Amendments. In today's episode we explore Constitutional Law, Supreme Court Cases, and Legal Standards to identify the elements of Procedural Due Process that can be used to defend us against Management and Disciplinary Action during Investigative Interviews. This is new, cutting edge information to best represent APWU Members.

Find me on Facebook here.

Find the new APW You Reddit.

Find my training website, including Strategy Guides, a Grievance Guide, and PowerPoints at APWUSteward.com.

*Disclaimer: This Podcast is made 'off the top.' Please excuse any misspeaking over Supreme Court vs Court of Appeals Decisions. Misinformation is not intentional, nor do I believe any is evident.

Episode 13: Why are Locals ”Different” from one another?

Thu, 20 Nov 2025 18:24:00 +0000

Have you ever transfered or bid from one local to another and discovered that your new facility runs completely different than your old facility? The reason isn't a bad Union. The reason often boils down to three things. In this episode we explore those differences and why you should give your Steward the benefit of the doubt!

Episode 12: Article 16.2 / Documented Discussions

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 23:47:56 +0000

We dive into Article 16.2 Discussions. What they are, how Management uses them, and how the Union fights against improper Discussions. Beneficial to Stewards and Members, this episode will help arm anyone to use Discussions to the members benefit.

As always, we are a stronger Union if every member knows their rights. This podcast is one of many ways I try to help Stewards and Members. Consider checking out the following:

Learn more by visiting my training website: apwusteward.com.

You can also find me on Facebook here.

Finally, you can join our new Reddit Community.

Episode 11: Emergency Placement

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 00:43:14 +0000

What do you do when Management tells you to leave the building and not to come back? We dig into Emergency Placements. What they are, how they are misused, and tips for fighting against the misuse of Emergency Placements.

NALC vs APWU with the Roseville Wreckingball

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 22:39:53 +0000

Today is a special episode as I talk shop with the Roseville Wreckingball, Joshua Shrum. Joshua is a NALC Steward and Host of the fantastic Podcast Parcels of Knowledge. We compare our Unions and discuss a time not that long ago we negotiated together!

What is a Grievance?

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 00:28:54 +0000

We take a look at the OG definition of a Grievance, a dictionary definition, and the Contractual Definition to get a better understanding of what it means to have a Grievance. This episode will help members and Stewards gain mutual understanding.

Compliance & Enforcement

Thu, 06 Nov 2025 18:41:00 +0000

We dive into the looming issue of making Management abide by our Settlements. This includes a deep analysis of the Grievance Procedure, or AUGER, and the Multiple Grievance Strategy. More for Stewards and Officers, but helpful to anyone who wants to understand the Grievance Procedure better!

Article 5 & Past Practice

Thu, 06 Nov 2025 00:23:47 +0000

In today's fantastic episode we dive into one of, if not the most complicated Articles of our Contract. Members, Stewards and entire Local's get this one wrong. We fumble through an entire hour of digging into Past Practice with a heavy lean on successful Past Practice Grievances!

LMOU Negotiations

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 01:36:40 +0000

It is that time of the year - LMOU Negotiations! We explain what an LMOU is, what happens if you don't have a (L)ocal, discuss the rules of the game and we wrap up with negotiation tips and tricks!

Deems Desirable (Or Restricted Sick Leave?)

Thu, 30 Oct 2025 10:31:00 +0000

An extremely common misconception is Managements use of Deems Desirable. We discuss how Management 'Deems Desirable' for the protection of the USPS to require medical documentation, how this bypassing Restricted Sick Leave, ELM Provisions, the JCIM, what Arbitrators say, and finally what to file a Grievance under.

FMLA 2 - Electric Boogaloo

Sat, 25 Oct 2025 00:30:23 +0000

We jump back into FMLA by wrapping up some clauses not covered in the last episode, address some unique situations, and dive into FMLA for Military Members and their families!

Hostile Work Environments

Thu, 23 Oct 2025 12:05:00 +0000

We dive into the differences between Harassment and a Hostile Work Environment, the Contact, what Handbooks & Manuals state, and we wrap up with Grievance Strategy!

Episode 2 - FMLA

Sat, 18 Oct 2025 01:48:53 +0000

This episode covers FMLA. The act itself, unique situations, filling out your paperwork, and the requirements to get approved. If you or your coworker needs FMLA this is the place to start!

Introduction: Schedule Posting + 5 Minute Leeway

Thu, 16 Oct 2025 22:20:02 +0000

Our first episode kicks off this podcast with a brief introduction and a double header! We briefly cover when Management must post your schedule as well as a breakdown of the 5 Minute / 8 Digit Leeway Rule. Join us in finding the answers to the most common issues Postal Workers experience who are represented by the APWU (American Postal Workers Union)!