Destiney Carrillo

This episode features Destiney Carrillo, Vice President of Branch 111, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:21

Welcome to the History of Female Leadership in the NALC podcast. I'm Craig Schaefer. I'm a city carrier in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, branch 1015. Today I'm honored to have a sister from out in Utah. If you don't mind, go ahead and introduce yourself.

SPEAKER_00 0:36

Hi, I'm Destiny Carrillo. I'm from Salt Lake City, Utah, branch 111. Um, I'm currently the vice president of branch 111, and I've been at the post office since 2016. I started as a CCA.

SPEAKER_01 0:53

All right. So you started in 2016. What brought you to the postal service in the first place?

SPEAKER_00 1:00

So um prior to USPS, I worked fast food. Um, I started working at Carl's Jr. in 2009 when I was 18 and graduated. Um, I worked my way up to uh general manager. Um, but around 2014, it just wasn't enough. So I started looking for different jobs. And one thing my mom always said was working at USPS was really good jobs. So I applied. And in 2016, I was hired. I started as a CCA downtown in that station in the 84103 zone.

SPEAKER_01 1:42

All right. Well, so you started in 2016, and you've already mentioned that you're the vice president of your branch. What in the world drove you from 2016 in 10 years to go from starting as a CCA to the vice president of your branch? What was there something that sparked that interest in uh pursuing a leadership role in the NALC?

SPEAKER_00 2:08

So I would say that my biggest inspiration was my dad. Um, his name was Lee Hall. He um sorry, I'm getting emotional. I didn't think this would make me emotional. Um so he was actually really involved at an SCIU Service Employees International Union, local 1877 in California. Um he was really passionate, he was a steward, um, he worked his way up to different positions, vice president, president of retirees and stuff. Um, and I say I get emotional because my dad passed away in 2019, but he was really proud. And he he was somebody who wanted me to work my way up and he wanted me to be passionate about the carriers that I represented. So one of the things he always told me when I was a teenager was if you ever get a job and it's a union job, you better pay your dues. So the first thing I did when I got that 1187, I filled it out and turned it in right away at orientation. Um but I decided I wanted to be a steward just because at first we kind of just had uh it was hostile work environment. We had horrible management coming through, and I just wanted to help my fellow carriers. Um I became passionate about it because I really like to argue. And I just didn't like how the other carriers were being treated and the rampant non-compliance, it hasn't stopped, but uh I feel like in our branch we've made a difference, um just little by little. I mean, we have cease and desist language from the B team arbitrations, we have compensatory remedies for carriers and to the branch because of it. Like management is still not doing basic things like getting us information, but we're still fighting the good fight.

SPEAKER_01 4:31

Apparently, that is everywhere, at least where I'm at as well. So we're dealing with that as well. So I'm I'm with you on that. I understand. So uh, well, that's awesome. I mean, that is uh I've had a lot of different reasons for going into um leadership roles, and you're the first one that I've heard that specifically said your father was the driving force. That he must have been an amazing man. That that this is quite a tribute what you're what you're doing right now, and you're so young, you've got so far to go. So you you're uh representing your father very, very well. That's that's really, really impressive. Um so you have been a steward, and you've told us now that you are the uh current vice president of your branch. Is that what have you held any other positions along the way?

SPEAKER_00 5:30

Um, so I've been a steward and it's multiple offices. Um I was also uh trustee for the branch um as well. And actually, uh I started doing LPO work in the region. I've only done um well, I did two assignments, one with John Beaumont and one solo. So that was really fun. Um I was our uh formal A for a year. Um, we generally have multiple formal A's, but our branch president wanted to go down to one for a while. Um I didn't like it because I mean it was a lot, uh, and we have a lot of grievances. So I think it works out better when we spread it out. Um but it was a very good experience. Um, but I still do formal A work because we're back to having multiple formal A's.

SPEAKER_01 6:48

Good deal. Good deal. All right, so in your current position as vice president of your branch, um, what are what are your duties?

SPEAKER_00 6:58

So my main duties is to train our stewards. Um, so I hold a steward training every third Wednesday of the month. Uh we do it in person and on Zoom. Uh, if for some reason I'm away, like we just did a steward college last month and I was away, so I did it solely on Zoom. Uh other than that, like I outside of that, I still spend time with the stewards, either on the phone, in person, if they need me. And I help them uh go through grievances. And you know, we're always giving out advice throughout the day. Um we have a full-time president when he's on vacation. I cover him. If our executive vice president president isn't available, when I cover the hall, uh I'm giving out grievance numbers, doing appointment letters for our formal A's, or if we're appointing other people to informals. Um, also keeping up our electronic grievance log and scanning in grievances, which is something that we started last year. Um, it's been amazing because it's so much easier now that you don't have to actually go into the hall to pull a file or to get a B team decision. We don't have everything in yet, but we are working towards it very, very hard.

SPEAKER_01 8:34

That sounds like a lot, but that's awesome. That really is. And and the trainings that you're putting on, that that's really amazing. That I'm sure that's just building the next generation of killers out there, so that's really, really good. Um the next question, uh kind of the ugly side of everything. Um I wanted to ask you if you um as a as a lady, you know, working in a very male-dominated career, it's getting better. I mean, the the it's the scale's evening, but it's not there yet. You're still in a heavily male-dominated position here. Um, have you had any issues with any kind of discrimination, whether it be from the Postal Service or within the NALC? And if so, do you feel like uh you were able to deal with it and was it resolved?

SPEAKER_00 9:30

So I've never had any really big discrimination issues personally, but I do want to share something positive that I that I found special. So I had my son December 22nd of 2020, and when I came back, I was really nervous because I was breastfeeding, and so I was gonna need to pump at work. Uh, so I actually bought portable pumps and that made it a lot easier. Um, I was able to take them out on the route with me. That made it a lot more convenient, so I didn't have to go back and forth to the office. Uh, I was really surprised because I got zero hassle from management about it. Um even out on the route. If I took a little bit longer, there was no hassle. Um, and they also provided uh office space like already. There was no you need to go to the bathroom or anything like that. And uh according to the law, they only have to accommodate us up to a year after our child is born. I actually went for two years and still no problem. That was something that I really appreciated because it was something very special to me with my son.

SPEAKER_01 10:55

That's awesome. I'm I'm really glad to hear that because I know that a lot of ladies do not have that. And they I right off the top of my head, I can't think who I was talking to, but they dealt with that and did not have that kind of reaction or response from management. And so, I mean, I know that we go back and forth and we kind of sometimes look at management as the enemy, but there are good ones there. Sometimes there are a few good ones that are willing to work with us, and so thank you for sharing that because I think it's important for people to hear, you know, people to hear that it's not always they're not all bad. Majority, I'm oh yeah, we'll just leave that alone. Uh, but no, uh that thank you for sharing that. That was a good one. I that made that question a lot more positive. Thank you. Um, another one that's kind of tough, and especially you're just mentioning you got little ones. Um, you know, being from a branch your size, being in a high-ranking position in your branch, I'm sure it's very time consuming. Has this the time that you've had to put in to your position taken away any it caused you any issues with your family or friends as far as time taken away from them?

SPEAKER_00 12:12

I wouldn't say that it's caused any issues as far as like with my children. Um they are really awesome about it. I can bring them to the union meetings if I have to. Uh, my son is a little ham. He loves the attention and he goes and talks to everybody. Um, I will say it did kind of cause issues with my ex-partner. Um he was not very accepting of when I would go away sometimes steward college or rap session. It would be the question of, uh, well, is that gonna get you paid more? And I'm like, no, but I want to go to the training, I want to participate, but I have a much more positive partner now who actually also works at the post office and understands what I'm doing, and that is a relief.

SPEAKER_01 13:09

That's I think that is a big difference maker, simply because, like you said, if you're not involved in the the post office and you know, your partner's name, your your current partner's name, Jay, Jay Rukenna. Okay, Jay, shout out to Jay for uh understanding and letting you uh spread your wings and fly without giving you any uh trouble. That's awesome. Uh, but I'm sure you know he sees that what you're dealing with, he knows what you deal with, and so it's understand, you know. I I can see where if you know if you aren't associated with post office and don't understand what you're doing, and you know, understand that you're doing it out of you're wanting to take care of your your your your union siblings, you know, you're wanting to help out, it can be difficult, but hey, that's awesome. I'm so glad you found someone that is uh understanding and letting you, you know, you guys working together and getting the business done. So that's awesome. Um well I'm sure that Jay may be involved in this next question. Um what do you like to do when you close the laptop, when you uh turn off the phone, you're at home? What do you like to do to unwind, relax? Do you have hobbies? What do you like to do?

SPEAKER_00 14:31

I'd say the biggest thing is reading. I like reading books or listening to podcasts. I'm happy I found your podcast to add to it. Um actually, Jay did bring me a new hobby. Uh, he actually taught me how to ride a motorcycle. So we actually will go on rides and stuff together.

SPEAKER_01 14:54

Nice. Well, that sounds good. All right. Well, so between motorcycles, books, and and the family, that sounds like you your time's pretty well spent there. Um, so you know, the the goal of the podcast not only is to get your story out, but it's also for you who has you know you've been around here for 10 years now, you've seen a lot of stuff, you've done a lot of stuff, you're obviously what deep involved. Um, if someone is listening to this podcast, someone that is like thinking, you know what, I might want to do something in the union, what would a piece of advice that you would give that person as they're just starting their journey in the NALC?

SPEAKER_00 15:39

I would tell them to be patient, especially with themselves. There's many uh frustrating things that we're gonna come up with. I mean, maybe we're not getting the exact position that we want at first, or uh it's not time to be a steward yet. Uh a lot of times, like that what I like to do is when I see people are wanting to be a steward, I start asking for them to be assigned a grievance here or there. If they're um not totally a steward yet, just to get them some practice, see if they really want to do it. Um, and then when they do become a steward, be patient because there's times when we're gonna get flack from others, but hold on to those really positive cases. The case where you got somebody's job back or you stopped discrimination for somebody. Hold those and remember those because that's how you get through it.

SPEAKER_01 16:44

Great advice. I uh I love it. Um well, you have uh you've got through all of my hard questions. So now um I'm just gonna turn the floor over to you if you have anything you want to add, anybody you want to shout out, anything at all. The floor is yours.

SPEAKER_00 17:03

Thank you so much. Well, I want to give you a shout out. Like I think your podcast is awesome. Like I we haven't had one uh generated for to recognize our ladies in the NALC. And I've heard uh I've heard I haven't had any horror stories, but I've heard other people's horror stories or other people's like uh expect women's fights to get recognized and to move up.

SPEAKER_01 17:35

And I think we got a whiny dog, just a little puppy that's just wanting a little attention. It's okay.

SPEAKER_00 17:52

Sorry about that.

SPEAKER_01 17:53

That's no problem. My puppy just needs a little attention. That's okay.

SPEAKER_00 17:59

Um but I I just I I thank you for for what you're doing. I mean, I really appreciate it, and I'm sure all the other women they will appreciate what you're doing as well.

SPEAKER_01 18:15

Well, thank you. I appreciate that.

SPEAKER_00 18:19

I I do want to give a shout out to Amy Gallo, actually. She is one of my mentors. Um, she has helped me give me all of the pep talks and stuff throughout the years, and she's taken time for me, and she's somebody that I greatly appreciate.

SPEAKER_01 18:43

Well, apparently you have made an impression on her because she's the one that got us hooked up. So um that's and and I was the first time I met Amy, I actually in passing, saw her at uh week two leadership at the uh speech night. She was there, and um so I just said hi to her, that was it. And then I another one where I just kind of cold messaged on the on Facebook and it worked out well because uh I had a great interview with her, and then she brought me to you and another awesome interview with you. So uh thank you again. Um, did you have anything else?

SPEAKER_00 19:26

Or um, no, that's all, but thank you so much.

SPEAKER_01 19:31

Oh, you're very welcome. No, thank you. Uh I I appreciate you taking time. I know you got little ones, you got a puppy there that's really wanting some attention as well. And you were willing to put some time to the side for me. And so thank you so much. Um, I really appreciate you, and thank you everyone else for listening to the podcast. Be safe and be kind.