OJI and new relief carriers...

[kingu]

I'm in my 5th pay period and even though the last couple paychecks have been messed up in giving me evaluated instead of hourly pay on my assigned route, I know that will be corrected. But coming out of that period, it's more than slightly frustrating to have it made so clear during orientation and academy that here's your folder with your OJI checklist in it, there's an envelope in it which is pre-addressed for the station to send back when OJI is completed, make sure they do that...

And then get to the station and my regular is my OJI instructor and...none of those checklists have ever been used. I don't see my regular, aside from a couple tips when I was starting to case. The station is run by a former city carrier, the supervisors are extremely (maybe even overly) supportive, but I'm unsure how to express 'hey, that OJI folder I gave you when I walked in my first day? That's training I should have received.'

I've completed my assigned relief route every time without assistance, though typically 9-10 hours on a 8.65 evaluated route. Which means next pay period, I get to work for free for an hour or more. I feel that my biggest stumbling block right now is dealing with NBUs (65 NBUs, 156 rural boxes) - parcel volume is right now holding at two pumpkins and GMPC and the route is about as city as it gets (no apartments.)

I guess my question is, are there any MOU's about extending out training pay until training is completed? And if there isn't, is there a way to start that process? I get not having any OJI would be effective in fighting discipline, but honestly, I'd LIKE to be trained. Maybe I'm doing something stupid that's keeping me on the street three hours longer than the regular (alright, 2 1/2 hours longer, half an hour of it is that it's trash day.)

Also, any way to find out if my signing up for the union actually happened or not? Nothing's coming from my paycheck and I've received nothing at home. Heck, have no idea if our station has a steward or that type of thing.

 

[Sprocket]

I'm in my 5th pay period and even though the last couple paychecks have been messed up in giving me evaluated instead of hourly pay on my assigned route, I know that will be corrected. But coming out of that period, it's more than slightly frustrating to have it made so clear during orientation and academy that here's your folder with your OJI checklist in it, there's an envelope in it which is pre-addressed for the station to send back when OJI is completed, make sure they do that...

And then get to the station and my regular is my OJI instructor and...none of those checklists have ever been used. I don't see my regular, aside from a couple tips when I was starting to case. The station is run by a former city carrier, the supervisors are extremely (maybe even overly) supportive, but I'm unsure how to express 'hey, that OJI folder I gave you when I walked in my first day? That's training I should have received.'

I've completed my assigned relief route every time without assistance, though typically 9-10 hours on a 8.65 evaluated route. Which means next pay period, I get to work for free for an hour or more. I feel that my biggest stumbling block right now is dealing with NBUs (65 NBUs, 156 rural boxes) - parcel volume is right now holding at two pumpkins and GMPC and the route is about as city as it gets (no apartments.)

I guess my question is, are there any MOU's about extending out training pay until training is completed? And if there isn't, is there a way to start that process? I get not having any OJI would be effective in fighting discipline, but honestly, I'd LIKE to be trained. Maybe I'm doing something stupid that's keeping me on the street three hours longer than the regular (alright, 2 1/2 hours longer, half an hour of it is that it's trash day.)

Also, any way to find out if my signing up for the union actually happened or not? Nothing's coming from my paycheck and I've received nothing at home. Heck, have no idea if our station has a steward or that type of thing.

even though the last couple paychecks have been messed up in giving me evaluated instead of hourly pay on my assigned route, I know that will be corrected.


Keep on this, don't be so sure it ill be corrected without you documenting and staying on them.

rca's are cheated out of millions of $$$ every pay period. It's up to you to watch your pay like a hawk.

 

[Sprocket]

I'm in my 5th pay period and even though the last couple paychecks have been messed up in giving me evaluated instead of hourly pay on my assigned route, I know that will be corrected. But coming out of that period, it's more than slightly frustrating to have it made so clear during orientation and academy that here's your folder with your OJI checklist in it, there's an envelope in it which is pre-addressed for the station to send back when OJI is completed, make sure they do that...

And then get to the station and my regular is my OJI instructor and...none of those checklists have ever been used. I don't see my regular, aside from a couple tips when I was starting to case. The station is run by a former city carrier, the supervisors are extremely (maybe even overly) supportive, but I'm unsure how to express 'hey, that OJI folder I gave you when I walked in my first day? That's training I should have received.'

I've completed my assigned relief route every time without assistance, though typically 9-10 hours on a 8.65 evaluated route. Which means next pay period, I get to work for free for an hour or more. I feel that my biggest stumbling block right now is dealing with NBUs (65 NBUs, 156 rural boxes) - parcel volume is right now holding at two pumpkins and GMPC and the route is about as city as it gets (no apartments.)

I guess my question is, are there any MOU's about extending out training pay until training is completed? And if there isn't, is there a way to start that process? I get not having any OJI would be effective in fighting discipline, but honestly, I'd LIKE to be trained. Maybe I'm doing something stupid that's keeping me on the street three hours longer than the regular (alright, 2 1/2 hours longer, half an hour of it is that it's trash day.)

Also, any way to find out if my signing up for the union actually happened or not? Nothing's coming from my paycheck and I've received nothing at home. Heck, have no idea if our station has a steward or that type of thing.

You're doing really well. I work mostly 8.4 hr routes and haven't made evaluation in 3 months. 62 months in as an rca.

 

[Gotrope]

Please go to NRLCA.org and lower down on the homepage is a find my steward by assigned office zip code search. Type in your zip code and it will tell you who to contact to speed up your pay corrections. If you are doing the route without assistance with our current parcel volume- you're a rockstar.

 

[ctrural2]

I'm in my 5th pay period and even though the last couple paychecks have been messed up in giving me evaluated instead of hourly pay on my assigned route, I know that will be corrected. But coming out of that period, it's more than slightly frustrating to have it made so clear during orientation and academy that here's your folder with your OJI checklist in it, there's an envelope in it which is pre-addressed for the station to send back when OJI is completed, make sure they do that...

And then get to the station and my regular is my OJI instructor and...none of those checklists have ever been used. I don't see my regular, aside from a couple tips when I was starting to case. The station is run by a former city carrier, the supervisors are extremely (maybe even overly) supportive, but I'm unsure how to express 'hey, that OJI folder I gave you when I walked in my first day? That's training I should have received.'

I've completed my assigned relief route every time without assistance, though typically 9-10 hours on a 8.65 evaluated route. Which means next pay period, I get to work for free for an hour or more. I feel that my biggest stumbling block right now is dealing with NBUs (65 NBUs, 156 rural boxes) - parcel volume is right now holding at two pumpkins and GMPC and the route is about as city as it gets (no apartments.)

I guess my question is, are there any MOU's about extending out training pay until training is completed? And if there isn't, is there a way to start that process? I get not having any OJI would be effective in fighting discipline, but honestly, I'd LIKE to be trained. Maybe I'm doing something stupid that's keeping me on the street three hours longer than the regular (alright, 2 1/2 hours longer, half an hour of it is that it's trash day.)

Also, any way to find out if my signing up for the union actually happened or not? Nothing's coming from my paycheck and I've received nothing at home. Heck, have no idea if our station has a steward or that type of thing.

I think you're doing great! Most rural training is "flying by the seat of your pants". Hang in there, it will get much better every time you do your route----that is the thing about rural "training"---you just keep doing it "til you don't", or it "clicks", then you're golden

 

[ctrural2]

I'm in my 5th pay period and even though the last couple paychecks have been messed up in giving me evaluated instead of hourly pay on my assigned route, I know that will be corrected. But coming out of that period, it's more than slightly frustrating to have it made so clear during orientation and academy that here's your folder with your OJI checklist in it, there's an envelope in it which is pre-addressed for the station to send back when OJI is completed, make sure they do that...

And then get to the station and my regular is my OJI instructor and...none of those checklists have ever been used. I don't see my regular, aside from a couple tips when I was starting to case. The station is run by a former city carrier, the supervisors are extremely (maybe even overly) supportive, but I'm unsure how to express 'hey, that OJI folder I gave you when I walked in my first day? That's training I should have received.'

I've completed my assigned relief route every time without assistance, though typically 9-10 hours on a 8.65 evaluated route. Which means next pay period, I get to work for free for an hour or more. I feel that my biggest stumbling block right now is dealing with NBUs (65 NBUs, 156 rural boxes) - parcel volume is right now holding at two pumpkins and GMPC and the route is about as city as it gets (no apartments.)

I guess my question is, are there any MOU's about extending out training pay until training is completed? And if there isn't, is there a way to start that process? I get not having any OJI would be effective in fighting discipline, but honestly, I'd LIKE to be trained. Maybe I'm doing something stupid that's keeping me on the street three hours longer than the regular (alright, 2 1/2 hours longer, half an hour of it is that it's trash day.)

Also, any way to find out if my signing up for the union actually happened or not? Nothing's coming from my paycheck and I've received nothing at home. Heck, have no idea if our station has a steward or that type of thing.

If you are new, I believe you should be paid hourly??? Anyone?? I've been reg for about 20 yrs

 

[callofthewild]

I agree with Gotrope, you are doing fantastic!! We have had a RCA that tried to do a 46K for almost two years and still has only done it a couple of times without assistance. This RCA finally went to a 3 hour Auxie route and found a home. There is work at the Postal Service for all types and speeds, sometimes you just need to find your home; having said that it sounds like you are going to work out great. I think any Post Office would be lucky to have you. Welcome to the dark side.

 

[Morty]

NBUs, carry a satchel. PM must give you one if you ask. Rubberband each nbu when pulling down from your case. Load your satchel and get it done fast.

 

[Twingrlie]

If you are new, I believe you should be paid hourly??? Anyone?? I've been reg for about 20 yrs

You’re paid hourly for the first five paychecks but if you come under eval each day, you will get whatever is higher.

 

[kingu]

Keep on this, don't be so sure it ill be corrected without you documenting and staying on them.

Taking in paystubs tomorrow to go through them with the rural sup who was ticked off when she found out about it. (I had honestly let it slip to the 'I'll get to it' thing, but she wants it fixed tomorrow.) First day I met her, she made it clear, take pictures of time cards, record times, make sure those times get in.

 

[kingu]

NBUs, carry a satchel. PM must give you one if you ask. Rubberband each nbu when pulling down from your case. Load your satchel and get it done fast.

THIS, OMG, I didn't think about how much time I'm blowing juggling the stack and parcels and the satchel is a golden idea to get through NBUs faster. Though isn't there now a MOU that the satchel is an integral part of a city carrier's uniform and that other crafts weren't supposed to use it? They said that at the academy, never went any further with it, but absolutely going to ask about it tomorrow.

 

[kingu]

Please go to NRLCA.org and lower down on the homepage is a find my steward by assigned office zip code search. Type in your zip code and it will tell you who to contact to speed up your pay corrections. If you are doing the route without assistance with our current parcel volume- you're a rockstar.

Ahh, cool, one of the rural carriers I don't know by name, but I suspect I know exactly who she is. (I hadn't scrolled far enough down the screen and assumed that I had to have a login to find the steward.)

I feel satisfied with my job performance, most especially doing it accurately and safely. I keep thinking I'm going to be even faster, and measure performance along the route to see how I'm doing week to week, but this last time with all those bloody catalogs (four bins of flats) combined with our version of the redplum threw my goal of reaching eval out the window.

I am (cough) skipping breaks and lunch which I know I should never do, but, yeah, I'm a stubborn old coot who wants to get back by the time the truck rolls. Though those last 20 NBUs beat the crud out of me, especially when it's over a hundred. Started using a half gallon thermal bottle and that's massively helped comfort (but man, I need to figure out where my cool towels are.) Keep having the city carriers trying to convert me to the true dark side, the never ending treadmill of being a CCA.

Honestly, I really enjoy the job. I mean, my most satisfying moment was figuring out someone put down the wrong address for someone on an envelope and got it to the right person. They had the right street, just a few hundred off on the number. It really helps that the regular does a good job keeping up the route; my Amazon Sundays routes includes two where pretty much nothing is marked, no house numbers, no box numbers, no names, nothing. I always carry a couple spare markers and after figuring out where their house is and which is their box, I have them write their number on the outside and inside of the box with their names and encourage their neighbors to do so as well. That's helped, gotten about 18 boxes marked that way.

Fun part was telling someone about the cast iron building numbers on Amazon, delivered the numbers the following Sunday, they were up on the house and on the mailbox post the following Sunday.

And I keep mentioning to my wife that our town (and the neighboring one) are stuffed with people who work either at the plant or at various post offices, met a CCA from a station north of here who was finally having their first day off in 18 days (which is unusual in the district, they are very strict about the 7 day rule, at least one day off every 7 days, even if it is on the next pay period.)

 

[Morty]

THIS, OMG, I didn't think about how much time I'm blowing juggling the stack and parcels and the satchel is a golden idea to get through NBUs faster. Though isn't there now a MOU that the satchel is an integral part of a city carrier's uniform and that other crafts weren't supposed to use it? They said that at the academy, never went any further with it, but absolutely going to ask about it tomorrow.

I'm too lazy to look right now lol, but the satchel(i do believe) is mentioned in the po603...our handbook.

Regardless, we should be given one if you ask. File a grievance if you aren't issued one. My district, they are mandatory for dog bite prevention. Every new hire is issued one here.

 

[flash]

Ahh, cool, one of the rural carriers I don't know by name, but I suspect I know exactly who she is. (I hadn't scrolled far enough down the screen and assumed that I had to have a login to find the steward.)

I feel satisfied with my job performance, most especially doing it accurately and safely. I keep thinking I'm going to be even faster, and measure performance along the route to see how I'm doing week to week, but this last time with all those bloody catalogs (four bins of flats) combined with our version of the redplum threw my goal of reaching eval out the window.

I am (cough) skipping breaks and lunch which I know I should never do, but, yeah, I'm a stubborn old coot who wants to get back by the time the truck rolls. Though those last 20 NBUs beat the crud out of me, especially when it's over a hundred. Started using a half gallon thermal bottle and that's massively helped comfort (but man, I need to figure out where my cool towels are.) Keep having the city carriers trying to convert me to the true dark side, the never ending treadmill of being a CCA.

Honestly, I really enjoy the job. I mean, my most satisfying moment was figuring out someone put down the wrong address for someone on an envelope and got it to the right person. They had the right street, just a few hundred off on the number. It really helps that the regular does a good job keeping up the route; my Amazon Sundays routes includes two where pretty much nothing is marked, no house numbers, no box numbers, no names, nothing. I always carry a couple spare markers and after figuring out where their house is and which is their box, I have them write their number on the outside and inside of the box with their names and encourage their neighbors to do so as well. That's helped, gotten about 18 boxes marked that way.

Fun part was telling someone about the cast iron building numbers on Amazon, delivered the numbers the following Sunday, they were up on the house and on the mailbox post the following Sunday.

And I keep mentioning to my wife that our town (and the neighboring one) are stuffed with people who work either at the plant or at various post offices, met a CCA from a station north of here who was finally having their first day off in 18 days (which is unusual in the district, they are very strict about the 7 day rule, at least one day off every 7 days, even if it is on the next pay period.)

Sounds like you’re a rockstar. And you care about what you’re doing...
my opinion tips.... always ask the reg about leaving notes as the reg may already be battling something with that customer.
As time goes on, try to evaluate your efficiency vs trying to just be “faster”
Or missing lunch...
It takes time to learn so don’t expect to be an expert in 10 weeks...
Read the 603. It’s located in black book in slot under case....
Ask this forum questions! Lots of good peeps on here

 

[btdtret]

kingu -- Welcome to the big time!

" I've completed my assigned relief route every time without assistance, though typically 9-10 hours on a 8.65 evaluated route. Which means next pay period, I get to work for free for an hour or more. "

-- Even with or without Amazon, your are doing very well.

-- Don't even think about trying to match the times the route's regular puts on the 4240. You are new and have a lot to learn so your times will be longer than the regular's. If you are only working the relief day, it will take longer for things to finally "click".

-- When you have the opportunity, observe what your fellow workers do. It will take a while to develop a system for yourself. Ask questions. If you see another carrier doing something that may reduce your work time - adopt it to your system.

-- When carriers learn they are working for free, that is a good sign the carrier is aware of their situation. Also it manglement's way of "encouraging" carriers to work faster so they aren't working for free. Usually working faster means cutting corners, DON'T fall for it. Do your job as if manglement is looking over you shoulder all the time ( they probably are via the scanner data anyways! )

[ pay problems ]

-- getting the office steward or Assistant District Representative involve usually gets such problems solved faster.

" I guess my question is, are there any MOU's about extending out training pay until training is completed? "

-- The contract only allows for actual time or evaluation ( which ever is greater ) for the first 5 pay periods. Also that applies when running a route for the first time in a year or more.

-- Don't depend on MOU's to provide solutions. Just too many variables to fit every situation. Besides both the NRLCA and the USPS ignore MOU's anyways.

" any way to find out if my signing up for the union actually happened or not? "

-- Check your pay stub for "UN" between "Medicare" and "HPVR2". I'd suspect that is where union dues withholding is found. If you start receiving the NRLCA national magazine that's a good sign your membership is good. When did you sign up for it?

"Though isn't there now a MOU that the satchel is an integral part of a city carrier's uniform and that other crafts weren't supposed to use it? They said that at the academy, never went any further with it, but absolutely going to ask about it tomorrow."

-- Don't mix up city and rural issues even though they basically to the same job.

-- Stachels were a BIG issue until rural carriers requested to be paid for the time to get it, put it on, load it up, deliver to the door, take it off an stow it before going to the next mail box. As soon as "pay for using the satchel" surfaced, the "requirement" to use it went away.

-- However, do ask ( request / demand ) one if in an area where dogs may be encountered. If injured by a dog and not having a satchel, manglement will throw you under the LLV. If manglement gets you a satchel request training on how to effectively use it. Either by professionals or training film / DVD. Don't forget the dog spray when out of the vehicle, even when servicing NBU's. Never know when a dog will get off a leash.

" I feel satisfied with my job performance, most especially doing it accurately and safely. "

-- All well and good, but it is manglement's assessment of your performance that really counts!

-- Academy Refresher: You are fair game for manglement to fire ( with or without a good reason ) during your probationary period of 90-work days or one calendar year, whichever comes first. The bad news is that the union rep can't really do much about it. The good news is the that PMG Brennan issued an edict / order / or whatever that RCA's are to be retained at all costs. ( or words to that effect ). As the USPS does not really have people lined up to join, you are a VALUABLE asset to the USPS - whether they realize it or not.

" bloody catalogs"

-- A British background perhaps?

-- Skipping lunch to make the dispatch truck is not wise, especially if you are dealing with temperatures in the 100's already.

-- Half gallon ( of water )? Take MORE or find places to refill along the way! And find those "cool towels". ( use a cooler and ice to keep water cold ( put in the office freezer ) so they will be partially melted by the time you need them. ) Hydrate in the office. If you are thirsty out on the route, you are behind the curve to stay hydrated. The intake of water usually leads to bathroom breaks before hitting the streets. If manglement mentions it / complains about it -- just remind them of the Stand-Ups regard heat related problems. ( you have gotten them, right? ) Or they can talk to OSHA should you have a heat related issue out on the route. )

"Keep having the city carriers trying to convert me to the true dark side, the never ending treadmill of being a CCA."

-- The early days of being an RCA are not that much different, especially if tagged to work Sunday parcels.

-- For the most part, CCA's will make regular before RCA's. Plus they eventually get an uniform allowance!

" Honestly, I really enjoy the job. "

-- Try to keep that positive outlook, though some days it may be difficult.

-- Some things to remember:

- The only easy day was yesterday.
- The only "dumb" question is the one you don't ask.

-- Some things to remember from the city side:

- Go Fast, Won't Last.
- Go Slow, More Dough.


-- "Satchel" is referenced in Sections 223.43, 313.1, and 535.12.19.(2) of the PO-603.

-- Keep us in the loop as you progress in your postal career.

 

[kingu]

Lots of great information in there, thank you.

Check your pay stub for "UN" between "Medicare" and "HPVR2". I'd suspect that is where union dues withholding is found. If you start receiving the NRLCA national magazine that's a good sign your membership is good. When did you sign up for it?

Nothing has appeared on my pay stubs yet, signed up March 17th, my last day of rural academy. (Union was a no-show during orientation.)

As for stand ups about heat; absolutely have had them, in orientation, in academy and in the office. Only thing I'd change about them is mentioning the floor of a LLV can get to 120-130, my spare water bottles have gotten to over a hundred sitting in my backpack. I do definitely need to improve my cooler situation (father's day is coming...) Going to search for my endurance running pack today, I have a few days before I'm next on a route.

Funny part is that I anticipated out the window to be more of an issue for me than NBUs, but my shadow day was such a completely different world than this parcel volume. I subbed on a all out the window route and the biggest issues I had was so much of the turn by turns were missing. Being the longest route in the office (turn by turn lists 93 miles, easily 10 miles longer), well, that and the massive tire divots at the boxes. Enjoyed that route the most.

One customer met me at the box to get their mail and I mentioned it to him (it was a good foot down) and they said that was the first anyone's mentioned it to them; the following Sunday had an Amazon for them and it was filled in as well as the bushes trimmed back and the tree cut back.

 

[callofthewild]

I think you are correct kingu, The customers never think about making our job easier, trees trimmed, numbers on boxes, approaches to mail boxes clear and smooth, etc etc and to be honest a carrier that has done the same route for years doesn't pay attention either. It takes someone new to the route to see the changes that need to be made to make it safer and easier...........good job!!

 

[btdtret]

kingu -- " I subbed on a all out the window route and the biggest issues I had was so much of the turn by turns were missing."

-- If you believe the 4003 is not up to snuff, see if the regular really cares. POV or LLV route?

-- After all, anyone ( even manglement ) should be able to run the route with a copy of the route map and the turn by turn directions of the 4003.

" Being the longest route in the office (turn by turn lists 93 miles, easily 10 miles longer), "

-- What is the date on the 4003? A copy should be in the Route Book in the case drawer along with the route map.

-- The pay for the route ( and you ) is tied to the accuracy of the 4003.

-- Quietly approach the regular with your concern that the route may be missing miles - hence $$ - if the mileage is off. 1 mile = 12 minutes. ( if really off by that much could, it lead to the route getting cut - JMHO )

-- A carrier can request a route be remeasured. Chapter 6 of the M-38 ( Management of Rural Delivery Services ) ( just don't let manglement do it with a "certified" scanner. Most carriers have reported losing miles when a scanner was used in the route's measurement. )

-- One of the problems with using a digital odometer is that it only displays whole tenths of a mile. The 4003 calls for mileage to 2 decimal points.

-- Could be the regular is happy with the status quo and not willing to risk change(s).

-- In my past post offices, some regulars did not want RCA's to made Edit Book entries, make Pink Card entries, etc. So tread lightly when mentioning things that could lead to changes in the route.

-- In this it is probably better to ask permission first than to ask forgiveness later.

-- Your defense could be that RCA's are expected to to EVERYTHING a regular would do regarding the route -- including paperwork.

" One customer met me at the box to get their mail and I mentioned it to him (it was a good foot down) and they said that was the first anyone's mentioned it to them; the following Sunday had an Amazon for them and it was filled in as well as the bushes trimmed back and the tree cut back. "

-- That is one way to establish relations with a customer!

 

[psd181]

Is it the first 5 paychecks or 1st 5 payperiods? This was a question I always had when this was put in the contract. For example, Jan 1 is first of a PP. Hired on 1/1, goes for shadow day on 1/2. That's all the work during 1st PP Then goes to academy on 1/29 which is start of 3rd PP. Then finally trains on the route on 2/4 which is last week of PP 3. Now start of PP4 they work complete route by themselves for the 2 relief days. And then work the 2 relief days of the 5th PP. So if PP then only get actual pay for the 4 days of 4th and 5th PP's. If paychecks, then they would get the days work in the "6th PP" since didn't get a check for PP2??

 

[Deer Smearer]

Is it the first 5 paychecks or 1st 5 payperiods? This was a question I always had when this was put in the contract. For example, Jan 1 is first of a PP. Hired on 1/1, goes for shadow day on 1/2. That's all the work during 1st PP Then goes to academy on 1/29 which is start of 3rd PP. Then finally trains on the route on 2/4 which is last week of PP 3. Now start of PP4 they work complete route by themselves for the 2 relief days. And then work the 2 relief days of the 5th PP. So if PP then only get actual pay for the 4 days of 4th and 5th PP's. If paychecks, then they would get the days work in the "6th PP" since didn't get a check for PP2??

First 5 pay periods. You could work 70 days, or 1. Stupid. What else would you expect from the USPS?