Hello StarCity!
This is Ray, Nick, Bryan, Gaila, Oscar, and Ron. Welcome to our campaign site for the upcoming Local 2293 election! This site is not just a campaign site though, it is being built to be an ongoing resource for members of our union. Expect regular updates in the coming weeks, with additional pages added, such as resources for CCAs, as many financial summaries as our current union board will give us (any at all?), and a page devoted to the records of what has been done and accomplished at each union meeting.
Our mission for our union before, during, and after this year’s election is dedicated to transparency, inclusion, and accountability.
All letter carrier members of Local NALC 2293, including those currently serving in elected positions, are welcome to help us foster an environment of inclusion and collaboration, instead of exclusion and division. Even after election day, this site will remain active, evolving as necessary for the members.
Feel free to have a look around! Below you will find our goals as a slate, our goals as individuals, and the things we are working on outside of the election.
Thank you!
Ray, Nick, Bryan, Gaila, Oscar, and Ron
Transparency
We believe in open communication, where members have full access to information about decisions, finances, and policies that affect them. Transparency ensures that trust is built and maintained between union leadership and members, empowering everyone to stay informed and engaged.
When union operations, from financial reports to decision-making processes, are readily accessible and understandable, members gain confidence in the leadership’s integrity and commitment to fairness. Transparency allows members to see exactly how dues are spent, what decisions are being made, and how priorities are set, creating a sense of collective ownership over the union’s direction. This openness also reduces the potential for mismanagement or misuse of resources, as members can easily hold leadership accountable. Moreover, when information flows freely, members feel more connected to the union’s goals and are more likely to participate actively in initiatives, knowing that their union operates with honesty and respect for their rights. Through transparency, we will create a union culture that values and includes everyone, fostering a collaborative environment where members feel empowered and welcome.
Inclusion
Inclusion in our union is about creating a space where every member feels seen, heard, and valued, regardless of their role, background, or experience level. By welcoming different perspectives, we ensure that our union reflects the true makeup of our membership, which will allow us to address a broader range of concerns and needs. Inclusion isn’t just a policy; it’s a commitment to actively listening, understanding, and adapting to the voices of all members, whether they’re seasoned workers or new recruits. When everyone feels represented, members are more likely to engage, collaborate, and advocate for one another. Inclusion also helps to dismantle barriers that might otherwise marginalize certain groups, creating a more equitable environment where every member has access to resources, opportunities, and leadership. By embracing inclusion, we cultivate a culture of respect, where each person’s voice contributes to the union’s goals. Ultimately, an inclusive union is a strong union, prepared to stand up for fair treatment and equality for all its members.
Accountability
Accountability in our union means that leadership and members alike hold themselves and each other to the highest standards of responsibility and integrity. It ensures that every action taken by the union, from financial decisions to policy advocacy, aligns with the best interests of its members. When accountability is a core principle, members know that leaders will follow through on their promises, uphold fair practices, and be transparent about outcomes—both successes and setbacks. This builds a foundation of trust, as members can see that leaders are not only representing them but are also answerable to them. Accountability also creates a culture where feedback is valued, giving members the power to voice concerns or make suggestions for improvement without fear of reprisal. Leaders who act with accountability set a positive example, inspiring confidence and encouraging active participation from all members. By prioritizing accountability, we strengthen the union’s credibility and ensure that it remains focused on advocating for members’ rights in a fair, honest, and ethical manner. Ultimately, accountability keeps the union grounded in its mission and responsive to the people it serves.
Putting City Letter Carriers First, Always
-
Ray Edison Jr
for PRESIDENT
[IMPORTANT: this candidate was blocked by the current President, Henry Cordero, from running for elected office. This nominee still has yet to received a written response from the President as to why he was denied the right to run against him. Although he will not be on the ballot, he is currently appealing the violation of his rights to be a nominee. The appeals process can take anywhere from a few weeks to a year. His views and his profile will remain on our site in solidarity with his desire to run on our ticket. He will not be silenced.]
Good morning!
I joined the post office in 2021 after moving back to Los Angeles from Washington D.C. I was excited about it. I knew it was going to be a lot of work, but I was ready. As a union advocate I was also looking forward to getting involved in my local, 2293. I was genuinely looking forward to being involved in a local union that looked after its carriers with heartfelt concern and rigorous commitment. Oh boy, was I in for a big surprise!
As a CCA, the number of hours I was working was preventing me from being involved in my local as much as I would like. My longest day was 17 hours and my union meetings were inaccessible and mysterious. When I was eventually able to attend meetings regularly, I asked to be an alternate shop steward so we could start getting more grievances filed. No one followed up to mentor me on that. I also apparently started asking too many questions and requesting too many documents... “Why do you need that?” was always the initial response. “Because I pay dues and I want to know where the money is going,” I’d say. And then there’s the asinine “If the members want a bigger place to meet, then they can show up!” Oh wow. Show up where? Our “meeting hall” is smaller than my bedroom. And then there’s my personal favorite belligerent refusal: “Members don’t get access to meeting minutes [notes].” What? It’s a members’ meeting, why can’t we have the notes for the meeting? We pay for the paper the notes are written on. And it’s our own meeting. Are the notes being changed behind the scenes? When did the union vote to send everyone to Vegas? We’d love to know, but still after six months of trying we are still be prevented from reading about any of the decisions that are made with our own money.
On the workroom floor I saw things happening to carriers, particularly to the CCAs, that they didn’t have to tolerate. I knew there was something that could be done about it, but nothing was being done. Carriers that I trusted told me that in the past shop stewards who valued transparency and accountability were inevitably booted from their positions under false pretenses. They got pushed out, lied about, and had their name dragged through the mud by sworn officers of the union. It became pretty clear to me fairly quickly that I would not be able to file the grievances I wanted to file if I only chose to be a shop steward (and even that didn’t seem like it was going to be permitted) and that I would instead have to be President to prevent any further shenanigans. I wasn’t thrilled about it. I didn’t want to be President. I didn’t want to sit in an office for 40 hours a week, with overtime apparently, doing paperwork. Turns out, though, the position of President does not require 40 hours of office work every single week for 6 years, and that I would not have to do that! Thank you Jesus.
All things considered, running for President seemed the only option if I wanted to give members back the power to make their own decisions.
So here we are. It’s 2024. I’m starting my fourth year at the post office and running for a position that I had anticipated would be out of my league of responsibilities, but it turns out any old schmuck can do it.
I’d like to be your President so that I can promote transparency, inclusion, and accountability. These are basic principles that should have always been followed. Let’s make them happen now so that we are a better, stronger, and kinder union in the upcoming years.
-
Nick Molina
for VICE PRESIDENT
I’ve been here at Beverly Hills since 2009. I started out as a Transitional Employee TE and after about 4 years I became a CCA. Shortly after that I was converted to regular in 2014.
I’ve always been asked to run for a position in the union and after many years here I go.
I’m running to help my office in any which way that I can to boost moral, promote transparency and fairness across the board for my fellow letter carriers.
-
Bryan Guzman
for RECORDING SECRETARY
Hello! My name is Bryan Guzman, and I am thrilled to introduce myself as a candidate for Recording Secretary. I’m a father to a lively two-year-old daughter, and I’ve been proud to work at the post office for a year and a half. Outside of work, I’m a video game enthusiast who’s passionate about the potential of new technology to shape a better future. With a fresh perspective and a commitment to detail, I’m excited to contribute to our union and support our collective goals.
I am running for Recording Secretary of our local union branch because I believe in fostering transparency and inclusion within our organization. As union members, we deserve to have clear, accessible records and open channels of communication that allow everyone’s voice to be heard. My goal is to make information more readily available to all members and to ensure that everyone feels informed and valued in the decision-making process. By prioritizing transparency and creating an inclusive environment, I am committed to helping our union grow stronger and more united.
-
Gaila Littleton
for FINANCIAL SECRETARY TREASURER
-
Oscar Villalobos
for SERGEANT-AT-ARMS
Hello my fellow Letter Carriers. I'd like to thank you for taking the time to visit our website and learn of our teams purpose. We aim to Unite and Strengthen our local community of Beverly Hills Local 2293 and that starts by getting more people to be active and vocal.
Help me by helping you keep our union in order and in check by voting for me as Sargent at Arms, I will be there to make sure everyone is heard and treated as a equal during these passionate times.
Your vote matters, your station matters, and YOU matter! Make your voice heard!
VOTE FOR OSCAR! 🫡
-
Ronald Sandoval
for TRUSTEE
As a trustee in this union, my goal is to ensure that our finances are managed responsibly and openly. I want to create a transparent financial process that all members can understand and trust. I will work to enhance communication among members, encouraging feedback and collaboration.