If you carry a mail bag for a living, you know the vibe. It’s 100 degrees out, your knees feel like they’re filled with crushed glass, and your supervisor just told you that your "stationary event" at a red light was three minutes too long. You're frustrated. You feel like the contract is just a stack of paper that management ignores whenever it’s convenient. This is exactly where Corey Walton comes in.
The From A to Arbitration podcast isn't some corporate HR training video with elevator music and forced smiles. Not even close. It's raw. It's loud. Honestly, it’s often pretty angry, but it’s the kind of anger that comes from caring too much about the people doing the actual work.
What is From A to Arbitration anyway?
Corey Walton is a veteran letter carrier and a former NALC (National Association of Letter Carriers) Branch President from Nashville, Tennessee. He didn't start this podcast because he wanted to be "famous" in the labor world. He started it because he saw city carriers getting steamrolled by management because they didn't know their own rights.
The name itself is a nod to the grievance process. In the postal world, a grievance starts at Formal Step A. If it isn't resolved there, it moves up the ladder, potentially all the way to a national-level Arbitration. The podcast is basically a masterclass in how to fight those battles.
Walton’s approach is unique. He doesn't just read the JCAM (Joint Contract Administration Manual) to you; he weaponizes it. He breaks down the language so that a brand-new CCA (City Carrier Assistant) can walk into an office and tell a supervisor exactly why they can't be forced to work sixteen hours straight.
Why this podcast blew up in the postal community
Let's be real. The postal service is a massive bureaucracy. Sometimes, the union leadership at the very top can feel a bit disconnected from the person walking twelve miles a day in a rainstorm.
From A to Arbitration filled a massive void.
It’s local. It’s grassroots. People listen to it while they’re on their routes, often with one earbud in (safety first, right?), learning about Article 8, Article 15, and the intricacies of the M-39 and M-41 handbooks. It’s training that people actually want to consume.
The podcast covers things that used to be gatekept by "old school" union reps who didn't want to share their secrets. Walton is the opposite. He wants every carrier to be a shop steward in their own right. He believes that a knowledgeable workforce is a protected workforce.
Breaking down the big issues: Article 8 and beyond
If you listen to the show, you'll hear a lot about Article 8. For those not in the USPS world, Article 8 is the section of the contract that deals with hours of work. It’s the most violated part of the agreement. Management loves to push people past the 12-hour or 60-hour limits.
Walton spends hours—literally hours—explaining how to document these violations.
He talks about "cease and desist" orders. He explains why just getting paid "penalty pay" isn't enough; you have to file the grievance to stop the behavior from happening again. It's about more than money. It's about quality of life.
Then there’s the issue of "stationary events." In the modern post office, scanners track every move. If you stop to talk to a customer or use the restroom, a little dot on a computer screen in the office turns red. Managers use this to harass carriers.
The From A to Arbitration podcast gives carriers the specific language to use when they’re called into the office for an "I&I" (Investigative Interview).
- You tell them: "The scanner is not a tool for discipline."
- You remind them: "I was performing my duties safely."
- You cite the specific handbooks that say management cannot use covert street supervision as the sole basis for discipline.
It’s powerful stuff. It turns a vulnerable employee into someone who knows exactly where the lines are drawn.
The controversy and the "Corey Walton Style"
Walton is polarizing. He’s been known to call out union leadership by name. He doesn't pull punches if he thinks the national business agents or the national president aren't doing enough for the rank and file.
Some people find him too aggressive. Others think he’s exactly what the NALC needs—a firebrand who isn't afraid to ruffle feathers.
But here’s the thing: his technical knowledge is almost impossible to argue with. He cites the M-39 Section 242.332 with the same ease that a sports fan cites batting averages. He isn't just yelling into a microphone; he’s providing a legal roadmap for labor disputes.
He often brings on guests like JB, who provides a more analytical, calm counterpoint to Corey’s high-energy delivery. Together, they cover everything from route adjustments (the dreaded TIAREAP process) to how to handle a dog bite incident without getting fired for "unsatisfactory performance."
How to use the podcast to win your grievances
Listening is great, but applying the knowledge is where the magic happens. Many shop stewards now use the From A to Arbitration website as a resource library.
They have templates. They have "packets" for specific grievances.
Imagine you have a manager who is constantly shouting at carriers on the workroom floor. That’s a violation of the Joint Statement on Violence and Behavior in the Workplace (JSOV). Walton has dedicated multiple episodes to how to file a JSOV grievance, what evidence you need, and how to testify if it goes to a hearing.
He stresses the importance of the Information Request. You can’t win a fight if you don't have the data. He teaches carriers how to ask for TACS reports, supervisor notes, and GPS data to prove that management is lying or violating the contract.
Practical steps for the modern letter carrier
If you’re just starting out or if you’ve been carrying for twenty years and you’re tired of being pushed around, here is how you actually use this information to change your workday.
First, stop being afraid. Management relies on your fear and your desire to "just get the job done." They know that if they pressure you, you’ll skip your lunch or run your route. Don't do it.
Second, get a copy of the JCAM. You can find it on the NALC website or through the links on the From A to Arbitration site. When something feels wrong, look it up.
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Third, start documenting everything. If a supervisor gives you an instruction that violates the contract, follow it (unless it’s unsafe or illegal), but say the magic words: "I am following this under protest and I will be filing a grievance."
Fourth, find the episode of the podcast that deals with your specific problem. Are they cutting your route? Listen to the episodes on route inspections. Are they denying your leave? Listen to the Article 10 breakdown.
Fifth, get involved with your local branch. A union is only as strong as its members. If your local leadership is "too cozy" with management, use the tools Walton provides to hold them accountable.
The post office is a tough place to work right now. Staffing is low, mail volume is weird, and the pressure to perform is higher than ever. But you have a contract. That contract is a legally binding document that protects your paycheck, your safety, and your dignity.
From A to Arbitration isn't just a podcast; it's a survival guide for the American letter carrier. It reminds you that you aren't just a number on a spreadsheet. You're a professional, and you deserve to be treated like one. If management won't give you that respect voluntarily, Corey Walton will show you how to take it through the grievance process.
Start by downloading the "Grievance Starters" from the podcast's website. These are pre-written templates that help you frame your arguments. Instead of writing a vague complaint, you'll be able to cite specific articles and previous arbitration awards. This makes it much harder for management to dismiss your claim.
Keep your notes daily. A simple notebook in your truck can be the difference between winning and losing a grievance. Record times, names, and specific instructions. When you combine your personal records with the technical knowledge from the show, you become a formidable opponent for any supervisor.
Ultimately, the goal is to create a workplace where the contract is respected and carriers can do their jobs without harassment. It's a long road from Formal Step A to a final decision, but with the right tools, it’s a journey you can win.
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Actionable Insights for Carriers:
- Request Information Early: Use the Standardized Information Request forms to get the data you need before the clock runs out on your grievance.
- Know Your 14-Day Limit: You generally have 14 days from the date of the incident to file a grievance. Don't wait.
- Cite the JCAM: Whenever you speak to management about a dispute, have the Joint Contract Administration Manual open to the relevant page.
- Use the "Grievance Starters": Visit the From A to Arbitration website to download the specific templates for Article 8, Article 15, and JSOV violations.
- Stay "On the Clock": Ensure all grievance processing time is done on "Union Time" (Operation Code 613), as management is required to provide this.