Kara Foote

This episode features Kara Foote, branch steward of Branch 137, New Windsor, New York.

Transcript

unknown 0:02

Is it two?

SPEAKER_00 0:22

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 excited to have a sister from New York. If you don't mind, go ahead and introduce yourself.

SPEAKER_02 0:38

My name is Kara Foote. I am from Branch 137, which is located in New Windsor. I am a shop steward in Poughkeepsie, New York.

SPEAKER_00 0:47

All right. And how long have you been with NALC?

SPEAKER_02 0:50

I have been a city carrier for 17 years, and I have been an NALC member for 13 years.

SPEAKER_00 1:00

All right. So uh you have been here for a while. Um, what brought you to the Postal Service in the first place?

SPEAKER_02 1:08

So uh in 2008, I graduated from college. I had gotten a degree in graphic design, and the job market was absolutely horrendous. Um the uh a lot of the employers that would were hiring graphic designers wanted people with experience, and they were looking for people with experience and to give them entry-level pay. And when you're in a rough job market, they can certainly do that. I also had experience volunteer work working with wild animals. So I would apply for some sort of uh animal-related jobs as well. And while they were impressed with my hands-on experience, they were not happy I did not have a degree in something like biology or zoology or you know, some sort of science. So the the field I had my degree in uh didn't care about my degree, and the field I had experience in didn't care about my experience. And I had student loans, I needed a paycheck, and eventually it got to a point to where I was like, okay, I'm gonna have to look around and see what else there is. So I applied for the TE position, and it was gonna pay $22 an hour, which in 2009 dollars as like your first adult job sounded pretty good. Um, it was presented as as temporary, not necessarily something as a long-lasting career. I remember being told um as soon as the automated flats show up, you're gonna be gone. And uh so seeing as there wasn't a lot of prospects, I didn't really feel like I had anything to lose. So uh 17 years later, I'm still here.

SPEAKER_00 3:24

There you go. All right, and um so you know, we you mentioned you're a uh the shop steward there, and you know, was there something that uh led you to decide that you wanted to pursue a role in the NALC, a leadership role like that as a steward?

SPEAKER_02 3:44

So when I when I talked about being a letter carrier for 17 years and a union member for 13, there's there's there's a little gap there. And when I went to my orientation, there was no union representative there to talk about the union, so I never signed up, and I didn't understand what the benefit was, why I should do it.

SPEAKER_01 4:11

Um so I kind of fell through the cracks. So I didn't really know what I didn't know.

SPEAKER_02 4:22

And as a te I got shuffled around a lot from office to office. Sometimes it would be uh you know, a few months at a time. Uh one place I did spend a like a year and a half, and before uh before I got on with you here today, I actually had to kind of write down every office I worked in at least once because I I'd kind of forgotten some of them. And I think I made it up to 13.

unknown 4:58

Wow.

SPEAKER_00 5:00

You're bouncing all over the place.

SPEAKER_02 5:02

Yep. So for a while I never really felt rooted anywhere. Um before before my current office, I I did end up somewhere where I spent a good amount of time in, and it was a small town office, and I spent I think like a year and a half or two years there, and I really enjoyed it. It was a nice small town, you know, we were quite kind of almost like a family atmosphere in a way.

SPEAKER_01 5:32

Um and uh I I saw I I pictured myself staying there.

SPEAKER_02 5:44

Um but then the DASA war happen award happened, and here I was working about an hour away from my home, getting told that I'm gonna make six dollars less an hour than what I was making. So I had to kind of get creative, and I was like, you know, as much as I like working here, uh I'm gonna have to go closer to home. And going closer to home was gonna be uh it it put back about a hundred dollars a paycheck into my pocket and obviously less swear and tear on my car. And I kind of had to get creative into how I was gonna make this work. So um the the office I transferred to, which is where I work now in Poughkeepsie, um, it it's a much, much larger office than where I was coming from. So I also saw it as okay, it'll probably be more overtime. And uh they ever decide to make us regulars, which that was part of the DOS award, was they were gonna this the the CCA position was gonna make us career employees. We were never promised that as a TE. I have a much better chance of making regular in this larger office than in this three and a half route office I was working in. Um so I I came to my current office and I actually kind of saw what a union presence looked like, and I saw the other tees that were ahead of me, the former TEs that were ahead of me, start to make regular. And I was like, okay, this this is something, this is this is nice. So that's when I decided to join the union. And six months later, I made regular. And had I stayed where I was, that probably would have taken eight, nine, or ten years, because none of the other guys in that office were gonna be going anywhere anytime soon. Uh so I think the first sort of quasi-union responsibility that was given to me, I I don't I don't know that you know what exactly I would call it, is I call him one of the dads in the office. He's retired now. He he came to me and he said, uh, you're gonna help me do the vacation calendar. Wasn't really like a question, like, hey, you want to do this? It was like he was looking for a younger carrier or somebody earlier in their career, I should say, to kind of do do something because he was getting ready to retire. So now let's pass it to somebody else.

SPEAKER_00 9:07

That's called being voluntold.

SPEAKER_02 9:09

Yes, yes, I was voluntold, which you know what? I I had a good rapport with this guy, so it was like, okay, I'll do it.

SPEAKER_00 9:19

Old guys are good at doing that.

SPEAKER_02 9:25

Um so this was something I didn't really want to mess up, even though it didn't seem like a huge task. My my thought behind it is, you know, people's vacations are like the second most important thing to them after they take home their paycheck. Um and in in some ways, it gave me a very, very watered down experience of something that a steward has to do all the time. And that's telling people something that they don't necessarily want to hear. So I would sit there and I would call somebody and be like, Listen, um, I know you wanted Thanksgiving week, but you didn't get it because there's 88 carriers and your number 87. So I need to know what you would like instead. And sometimes you know, people don't like I said, you you you tell people things that that they don't necessarily want to hear, but um it's it's one of those it's it's nothing personal, but there's there's still disappointment from the person on the receiving end. Um so when I would be sitting there doing the calendar, there's a huge stack of papers with everybody's picks on it, and you have a seniority list and um copy of the LMOU. And obviously, I thought it'd be a good idea to know at least what Article 10 says at the bare minimum, because that that was related to the to the task at hand. And I didn't really stop at reading article 10 though. I kept reading through it and I'm like, this is kind of interesting. Like there's something about music being played on the floor, there's the temperature of the building, all these little tiny things, and there was separate leave provisions for the CCAs, and I thought I there were so many times in other places I had worked where if I had asked for a day off, it was like, well, there's all these regulars off that day, so you can't have it. And so here I was seeing a problem addressed to something I had personally experienced, and I think the thought that stuck me, stuck with me was somebody somewhere negotiated this, and that didn't necessarily make me go, hmm, I want to be a steward, but it definitely channeled my inner nerd, like you know, I found it interesting. So I I did have a moment where representation kind of became personal to me. I I had never gotten written up for anything, it was never, hey, I got a letter of warning. Um, but in 2020, I broke my ankle at work, and I was kind of panicking because you don't usually hear good things about people experiencing job injury. And my biggest fear was obvious what's gonna happen with my paycheck. Am I gonna get paid? I'm not coming back to work tomorrow. This isn't scratch. Uh, so I was directed to call the executive vice president of my branch. His name was Greg Chippendale, and he had actually been a steward in my office. So I knew who he was. And he he helped me navigate the process, but he didn't really just do that because I was on the other end of that line crying and and hitting the panic button. So that that to me was the first time I I really like had like a one-on-one experience of what my union membership was doing for me. I know there's all sorts of broad things that people don't really think about that are affecting them, but this was my my my direct thing that was personal to me. And he he basically told me don't panic, everything's gonna be okay, and it was so somewhere along the way uh I was listening to a podcaster talk about the just cause principles, and I don't know why, but I listened to that and I was like, this is really cool stuff. I didn't know there was like you know, somebody gets handed a piece of discipline and there's there's things that have to be followed, not just hey, uh Craig, um you know, you were late for work. End of story. We're writing you up. I mean they they can do that, but there's the the whether it's gonna stick part is is gonna be completely different story. And I never knew anything about the what what determined the is it gonna stick part? And I I talk about having an inner nerd, and this was really channeling the inner nerd real hard. Um, so I had listened to that, and then the next morning I'm in my office standing the shop steward's case, and I'm telling him about this. And finally he looks at me and says, Looks like I found my replacement. And I shook my head, no, no, no, no, no. And I think he basically said something like, Well, if not you, then who? And I think that's that's what a lot of this the stuff is. So I I thought about it, and he he talked to my branch president, and then next thing I know, I was appointed a shop steward. That's awesome, and that is how I got here.

SPEAKER_00 16:39

That is excuse me. That is uh I mean, that's an awesome story. Um the the way it all just kind of transpired, just from one little thing all the way to that. I mean, that's that's awesome. Um I think you, you know, I I it was there uh it sounds like you went straight from just doing you know, helping out on the vacation board straight into being a steward. And uh I think you pretty much covered in that steward role what you do because you you experienced it yourself and you're now going to do what you you had help with when you had your problem. You do that for your uh your brothers and sisters there in your office, so that is awesome. Um I do have a uh uh another question that's a little bit it's always kind of a little darker, and uh, but I think it's an important thing. You know, have you been around for 17 years and you're in a very male-dominated workplace? I mean, that's pretty evident. It's it's the the ratio is getting better, but it's still male-dominated. Have um you experienced any issues with any kind of discrimination or harassment, and it you know, either by management or by you know our union siblings?

SPEAKER_02 18:04

Definitely early on as a carrier, there are things I can think of that seem a little or maybe maybe that was just the person's personality. I don't I don't know, but um the longer I've been here though, like it's kind of changed my personality in a way where like if I experience that as a steward, and I can't say I really have experienced it that much, I I don't really let it get to me, or it doesn't even really register half the time because I think at the end of the day I know I have tools at my disposal.

SPEAKER_00 18:50

Yeah, well, um, you know, it I I just personally I think it's ridiculous that anyone has any issues at work when at the end of the day, you and I, no matter what gender we are, we're there for one reason. That's to get a paycheck and you know be able to afford to to live. And it's ridiculous to me that you know, especially if you're being you know somewhat discriminated against because of something like you know, that like a gender issue or any other reason, race, whatever, it's absolutely insane to me.

SPEAKER_02 19:29

The the other thing I will add is um on the union side of it, I have not experienced any sort of issue or anything where I feel like my gender is even part of the equation. Um, if anything, I mean all the men I've worked with are very respectful and helpful and like 150 supportive and and treat me like a peer.

SPEAKER_00 20:04

Awesome. That's great. That is really good, and and that's that's the way it should be, and and I'm glad to hear that. And and I think that that's that kind of attitude towards I don't I don't care if it's like I said, if it's a lady, if it's uh uh a young person, whoever it is, the the the older crew that might be the executive board of your branch, we have to realize, and I'm lumping myself in there because I am kind of on the tail end of my career, um, we have to welcome everybody because you guys are the future for us, you know. You you know I I'm I'm going to depend on the future carriers to make sure that the union that I love stays running, you know, and so yeah, it's it's awesome. And it's also just the right thing to do. So that's awesome. Okay. Um, another question, and uh, you know, I know that you say that you you're a steward, and that in itself is an extremely time-consuming position. You'll find yourself working before work, after work, during work, you know, at home, things like that. Has that, you know, your your time that you've put in to being a steward in your branch, has that caused you any issues at all with your family or friends as far as uh time away from them?

SPEAKER_02 21:33

Um, I would say no. Um I I think actually being a letter carrier in of itself is is presents a challenge for family time. Um, we've all been that C C A T E PTF, whatever you were starting out, where you're working holidays, you're working long hours. You're not you you didn't get the days off that you wanted. Um and I think every single one of us can can can point to some things or a lot of things where it was yeah, I missed out on that or I missed out on this other thing.

SPEAKER_01 22:20

Uh so has has the union stuff that I do really like been a large like factor in that?

SPEAKER_02 22:34

No, not really. Um yeah, I've been guilty of bringing some things home here and there, but usually not not big things. Um so and and I I'm not like some traveling officer or anything like that. So it it really hasn't um had a large effect on on the rest of my life.

SPEAKER_00 22:58

Well, good deal, good deal. Um, well, um I do know that you know, like you said, just working at the post office takes you away from your family a lot and you know, friends and activities and stuff, just the crazy hours that we seem to work. Um, but on top of that, then with the steward position, you're also, you know, you are doing extra work. Um when when you you know finally close your laptop and you know, turn your phone off, stop answering calls or whatever it is, uh, on your day off or whatever, what do you like to do to unwind and relax? Do you have hobbies?

SPEAKER_02 23:36

I do. I um I I like to sew. Um, I do mostly quilts. Sometimes I'll make a bag or something like that. But I do not do garments. That's that's a whole different a whole different thing that that is beyond my my abilities. Um but that's what I do. I'll um I'll usually like pop a movie on to listen to while I'm doing that, and and then just go. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 24:06

Yeah, it's uh pretty much everybody I talk to, it's like they they have something that is a very calming, something that's like a a peaceful activity though, like they like to enjoy when they're away from this, because you know, union work is pretty it it can get kind of stressful and everything. And I think it's uh I've noticed that that seems to be the trend that it's like, oh, I like to garden or I like to read books or sew or crochet or whatever it might be, something that's just kind of you can escape from all that for a little bit, and that that's really cool. And plus, I mean, you're also making stuff, so that's always fun too. So that's awesome. Um, so you uh, you know, you've been around for 17 years, 13 of them in the NALC, and it sounds like it wasn't that you just didn't want to join the NALC, you just didn't know about it, really. You were in a small office and they didn't even present it to you at the academy. So, you know, it it wasn't that you refused, you just weren't even you didn't know about it, um, which is in itself something that I think that we need to focus on because that if we have you know new carriers that are kind of slipping through the cracks, we need to get in there and explain to them the importance of the union. So that I'm gonna take that back and make sure that we're definitely doing that at every academy that everyone that comes through there knows. Um, but anyway, you know, over the course of your career, uh, I'm sure everybody, you know, you you've seen a lot of things and you've done a lot of things. What is a piece of advice that you would give to someone that is, you know, just starting out at the Postal Service and maybe you know, starting out in the NALC and has is listening to this thinking, hey, I might, you know, listen to her. That sounds like something I would like to, you know, maybe get into. What would that what would a piece of advice that you would give to that person?

SPEAKER_02 25:59

Uh there's nothing wrong with starting small. Um or you know, if you're somebody that's just like, you know what, I don't I don't really want to have to uh deal with the managers more than I have to as a letter carrier. You know, if if if you're just somebody that takes pride in doing their route and loving their customers and enjoying their route, then there's nothing wrong with being an on-the-job instructor because you're that smiling, enthusiastic face that's that's gonna kind of set the tone for this job. Um if if you know somebody's contemplating like steward work, I would say just read everything you can absolutely get your hands on. Uh there's there's just no nothing that's you know uh many hands make light work, I guess is what I'm trying to say.

SPEAKER_00 27:20

That is that's another thing that I hear over and over, and that is so important that we make sure that everyone understands that you don't have to immediately want to be a steward or immediately want to be the branch president. There's so many other parts that put it all together, and there's a position for every single person if they're interested. There's something that we can find for you that you will like and you will you'll thrive in. So, you know, that that's awesome. Your advice is spot on.

SPEAKER_02 27:54

Um and you you and I have even kind of talked about that a little bit where you said, Well, I I love the political stuff. And I'm like, uh I don't love the political stuff. So you know what? It different people are gonna have different things that they love and that that draw them. So yes, if if you're the guy that loves the political stuff, then then you're you're the political guy.

SPEAKER_00 28:22

And and I feel the same way. Um if you enjoy doing the steward stuff, have at it. I appreciate you guys. I I love my stewards. I I know that they're there fighting for me every day, but I'll I'll let them do that because it's just not my thing. I'll do when I have to, but I much prefer to not. So I appreciate you.

SPEAKER_02 28:44

I I put money in the political funds, I understand why it's important, but I am not the best person to to to sell it.

SPEAKER_00 28:55

Hey, we all have our things, and uh, I don't know that I'm the best person to sell it, but I sure do try. Um, so I'm I'm out of my questions. Um, I'll just throw it back to you. Is there anything else? Anything I missed, anything you want to add? The floor is yours.

SPEAKER_02 29:11

No, I don't I don't think I have anything else.

SPEAKER_00 29:14

All right. Well, I mean you you summed it up pretty clearly on everything. I I really appreciate your time. And just as a side note, I feel like it's necessary for me to explain how this episode transpired because it's a very interesting story. So um the other day I'm on my route and I get a message on my phone on my 10-minute break, by the way. Um, I get a message on my phone through the podcast app, and um it, you know, it's uh an anonymous um message, but it was just like, hey, no criticism, but I would like to hear more people that are interested in uh advocacy or step B because I'm interested in doing something like that. And I was like, well, you know, I don't really, you know, screen anybody. If I get someone that is willing to hop on here, I just go with what they have to say and you know, and appreciate anything they do, but I will, you know, see what I can do and try to find more people. Well, um we kind of back and forth a little bit more. Um and I just threw it out. Hey, what do you do you do anything for your branch? Well, I've been a steward for a couple years. I was like, oh, well, here's my number. Give me a call. And I get a call, and uh we talk for probably about 30, 45 minutes, I believe. And it took some convincing, but it this went from, hey, please have somebody else on here that you know just discuss the advocacy of step B stuff, um, to now here is Kara. She got roped into this, and she has been a good sport. Um, she she did not she did not want to do this. She told me, I'm not a leader, I don't belong on here, and I had I had to explain to her. I I don't know, she just wasn't buying it, but uh we we talked it out, and here she is, and I can't thank you enough for jumping on here with me. Um I know that you weren't really thrilled about doing this, but you've been a good sport, and your episode, you what your inf your information that you provided today and your story is awesome, and I appreciate you jumping on here with me. Um and I I just can't thank you enough. And thank thanks to everybody else for listening to the podcast. Everybody out there, be safe and be kind of a good thing.