I've been looking forward to reading this one. It's management's playbook for how they're SUPPOSED TO handle grievances. It provides valuable insights into how the grievance process works, and how management is supposed to cooperate with stewards. This is part one of what will probably be three parts.

Both Michael and I have received discipline letters that are active now, for attendance. We read the discipline, and discuss at length how we would pick apart management's claims. We'll go over the relevant sections of the ELM, and we pull from a few additional sources.

Michael joins me to talk about all the extra benefits that veterans have earned through their service. We also talk a bit about Michael's time in the Air Force.

In this episode, my lifelong friend and listener favorite Rich joins me to talk about the appeal I have right now at the National Committee on Appeals. I read the entirety of my appeal, the entirety of the branch reply, and we comment on both. Not surprisingly, we find my arguments to be more compelling. Even so, we present the other side as written, and try to give their positions fair treatment.

I'm joined by Chris Persampieri (Next Generation Carriers), Graig Samoluk (President, Branch 334), and Derek Liemohn (BFN alternate steward, and newly minted full-time regular), to discuss plans for nationwide contract rallies in February of 2026. Now is the time to get the ball rolling if we want to have a better outcome in our next contract negotiations.

There are important safety tips in this section including clarification of some controversial topics like curbing your wheels and wearing your shoulder belt.

I've decided to do a reading of the EL-814, the Employee's Guide to Safety. It's full of interesting and useful information.

Michael talks about the proper use of the route count, the one-day count, and office observations.