Podcast Summary: Behind the Bastards - "It Could Happen Here" (Weekly 167)

Release Date: February 1, 2025
Host/Author: Cool Zone Media and iHeartPodcasts
Episode Title: It Could Happen Here
Format: Compilation Episode

Introduction

In this compelling episode of Behind the Bastards, host Bea Wong delves deep into the tumultuous state of the United States Postal Service (USPS). Joined by current letter carrier Bad Mouth and former letter carrier and union steward Tommy Espinoza, the discussion unpacks the systemic issues plaguing postal workers, the faltering union leadership, and the dire implications of the latest tentative agreement.

Historical Context: The 1970s and Wildcat Strikes

Bad Mouth begins by setting the stage with a historical overview of the USPS in the 1970s:

Bad Mouth (00:10): "Back to the 1970s, the working conditions for letter carriers were so bad that most couldn't afford the cost of living. They were working quasi-federal positions, often reliant on welfare and forced into second jobs just to make ends meet."

Tommy Espinoza adds:

Tommy Espinoza (05:30): "In the 70s, the environment was toxic with rampant abuse. Supervisors held people's livelihoods over their heads, pushing them to the brink and even inciting violence on the work floor."

The duo highlights the illegal nature of postal strikes then—a situation strikingly similar to today's constraints on postal workers' ability to unionize effectively.

Current Issues: Tentative Agreement and Its Flaws

The conversation shifts to the present, focusing on the recently proposed tentative agreement:

Bea Wong (15:45): "Our specific contract has been under negotiation since before I was in the post office. The amount of back pay they're going to have to pay on some of these races is insane, and many won't see it for a long time."

Tommy criticizes the offer:

Tommy Espinoza (20:10): "Starbucks offered a tentative agreement with a 1.3% raise. That's honestly an insult. It feels like we're just getting handed deals that absolutely suck."

Key Points Discussed:

• Minimal Raises: The proposed 1.3% raise falls drastically short of expectations, especially when considering inflation rates.

  Tommy Espinoza (22:50): "If you are in a union and hear your leadership say it's a historic contract, you are screwed. That agreement is going to suck."

• Retention of Non-Career Workforce: The agreement maintains the non-career City Carrier Assistant (CCA) positions, perpetuating a tiered wage system that undermines worker solidarity.

  Bad Mouth (30:00): "The CCA position creates a whole third tier in our wage system, driving a wedge between workers and crushes solidarity."

• Removal of Union Protections: Important safeguards like the 1260-hour rule, which limits daily and weekly working hours, are being stripped away, leaving workers vulnerable to exploitation.

  Bea Wong (35:25): "They are removing some of our union protections. Meaning, our day-to-day safety nets are being dismantled."

• Issues with Uniform Allowances: Exorbitant prices for uniforms and inadequate allowances are highlighted as another form of wage theft.

  Tommy Espinoza (40:45): "A rain trench coat costs $465, and your allowance is up to $499. That's ridiculous, especially for places with extreme weather like Minnesota."

Union Leadership Problems

A significant portion of the discussion critiques the current union leadership under Brian Renfro:

Bad Mouth (45:30): "Renfro has iced out everyone from the union. He negotiated this entire contract solo with outside contractors, sidelining actual union members."

Concerns Raised:

• Lack of Representation: Renfro is accused of not involving union members in the negotiation process, leading to agreements that favor management over workers.

  Tommy Espinoza (50:10): "He had no one from the union with him—only outside contractors. It's like he's disconnected from the very people he represents."

• Personal Struggles: Renfro's struggles with alcoholism and his prolonged absence for rehabilitation have left the union leadership in disarray.

  Bad Mouth (55:00): "He disappeared for 50 days, put a bunch of people in charge while he was gone, then came back and blackballed them. It's unacceptable."

• Finalizing the Tentative Agreement: Renfro’s attempt to present the 1.3% raise as a victory undermines worker morale and trust in the union leadership.

  Tommy Espinoza (58:30): "It's supposed to be a historic agreement, but it's nothing more than a huge concession that benefits management."

Strategies for Protest: The "Vote No" Campaign

In response to the inadequate tentative agreement, the episode discusses grassroots strategies to counteract the union leadership's decisions:

Bad Mouth (60:15): "We've been running 'vote no' campaigns across the country to reject this terrible contract and push it into arbitration, where we'll fight for fairer terms."

Key Strategies:

• Vote No Rallies: Organized demonstrations urging union members to vote against the tentative agreement, seeking to invalidate the deal and return to negotiations or arbitration.

  Bea Wong (62:50): "Vote no rallies are about telling our bargaining reps that we can't accept a deal this bad. It's time to stand up and demand better."

• Building a Fighting NALC: A movement aimed at reforming the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) from within, ensuring future contracts better serve the workers' interests.

  Bad Mouth (65:30): "We're building a better union from the ground up. Our leadership must reflect our needs, not management's."

Call to Action: Supporting Postal Workers and Union Reform

The episode concludes with a strong call to action, encouraging listeners to support the movement for better labor conditions and union accountability:

Tommy Espinoza (70:00): "Help your co-workers. Whether it's organizing, signing petitions, or raising awareness, your support can make a difference."

Resources Mentioned:

• Concerns Letter Carriers: For electoral reform and removing corrupt union leaders (concernedlettercarriers.com)

• Building Fighting NALC: For radical bottom-up union reform (fightingnalc.com)

• NALC Legislative Action Center: For contacting Congress members (nalc.org)

Students are encouraged to visit these websites to engage with the movement, support ongoing protests, and join in efforts to hold union leadership accountable.

Notable Quotes

• Bad Mouth (30:00): "The CCA position creates a whole third tier in our wage system, driving a wedge between workers and crushes solidarity."

• Tommy Espinoza (50:10): "He had no one from the union with him—only outside contractors. It's like he's disconnected from the very people he represents."

• Bea Wong (62:50): "Vote no rallies are about telling our bargaining reps that we can't accept a deal this bad. It's time to stand up and demand better."

• Tommy Espinoza (70:00): "Help your co-workers. Whether it's organizing, signing petitions, or raising awareness, your support can make a difference."

Conclusion

Behind the Bastards' episode "It Could Happen Here" serves as a sobering examination of the ongoing struggles within the USPS. By highlighting both historical context and current challenges, the episode underscores the urgent need for effective union reform and worker solidarity. Through the voices of Bad Mouth and Tommy Espinoza, listeners gain an insider's perspective on the dire state of postal workers' rights and the actionable steps necessary to combat systemic exploitation.

Note: This summary intentionally omits advertisement segments, intros, outros, and non-content sections to maintain focus on the substantive discussions of the episode.