Forced to run other routes

[BubbaGump1964]

I know someone said the other day to just say no. But what if your given a direct order to take some of another route because management sits around all day and won’t hire? Can you refuse that? I don’t know these routes or areas. Also how do you go about filing a grievance if you don’t have a shop steward?

 

[gerl2]

Go the thread Poor Management in it will explain ghost riders on rolls and why, that should shed some light on that issue. I was always told you have to follow direct orders unless its unsafe then grieve later, this is why I don't like the union doing these MOU's because they know it opens the door to just this problem.

 

[HardearnedTan]

Look in the RI files for form 8191. (Or google USPS form 8191.) This is the grievance form. You only have to fill out the first 4 boxes, then you contact your steward to do the rest. If you don't have a local in-office steward, you will have an assigned area steward, or you get in touch with an assistant district rep or district rep. You can find who that is by searching on the NRLCA site by zip code: "Find your steward". Or by looking at a state newsletter/magazine of your union. You can ask your questions to that person as well.

 

[hockey94]

If you are not a member of the union, can you use NRLCA site to find your steward??

You can find it through the knowledgbase on here !

 

[btdtret]

BubbaGump196 -- "I know someone said the other day to just say no. But what if your given a direct order to take some of another route because management sits around all day and won’t hire? Can you refuse that?"

-- You could refuse, but stand by for a LOW -- or worse.

-- NRLCA's mantra is to obey a direct order from manglement -- unless it is illegal - or considered dangerous. Carry out the order and then follow up with a grievance. The USPS gets the work done and you have to wait for the grievance procedure to proceed - usually slowly.

-- Not knowing routes is no excuse as rural carriers can be thrown on any route. If never having run the route or it has been a year since the last time, the carrier is "rewarded" by getting actual time or the evaluation, whichever is greater. Article 9.2.M.3. ( and afterwards, you are considered "trained" on that route )

" Also how do you go about filing a grievance if you don’t have a shop steward?"

-- As the grievance procedure is having the issue settled at the lowest level, you will have to discuss the issue with manglement. If the issue is not settled, fill out sections 1-4 on an 8191 and give it to manglement - make and keep a copy. If no office steward, contact you Assistant District Representative, following "HardearnedTan's" posting.

-- Good luck.

 

[BubbaGump1964]

Thanks for the replies. Just thought after getting regular id be able to put my sub days behind me. Nope once you go regular your still treated as a sub. Forced in on Sunday and holidays. Scolded when my vehicle breaks down because I’m working 7 days a week. No time to fix it. Told me to rent a car. Nope! Usps is going downhill. There has to be someone at the top of the food chain that we can contact to stop this treatment immediately. Nobody should have to work like this.

 

[gotstamps]

Thanks for the replies. Just thought after getting regular id be able to put my sub days behind me. Nope once you go regular your still treated as a sub. Forced in on Sunday and holidays. Scolded when my vehicle breaks down because I’m working 7 days a week. No time to fix it. Told me to rent a car. Nope! Usps is going downhill. There has to be someone at the top of the food chain that we can contact to stop this treatment immediately. Nobody should have to work like this.

You should be filing a grievance every time mgmt forces you in on a Sunday, Holiday, or forces you to assist/run routes other than your own. Those are all VOLUNTARY per the MOUs that have been extended. I’d ask for a penalty for the Contract violation. You’re already being paid a special OT rate so ask for more.

 

[Dumbassclerksyndrome]

When “commanded” to do something, ask for it in writing, with it signed and round dated. If management will not comply it is hardly a direct order because they will have nothing to back up their”command”. Rtes are to be run in their entirety( no that’s not written anywhere) but trust me management doesn’t know this. so when you get back from your assigned rte, cough cough cough. I’m sick have to go home. You’ll not be using any leave because you’ve accomplished your assigned rte for the day.

this is for Reg. Now if rca you can be scheduled up to 12 hrs, sorry ?

 

[btdtret]

BubbaGump1964 -- " Just thought after getting regular id be able to put my sub days behind me. Nope once you go regular you are still treated as a sub. Forced in on Sunday and holidays. "

-- As a regular when asked / told to run another route, like "D-A-C-S" posted, respectfully ask for the order in writing ( with a signature would be a bonus ).

-- While manglement is ( hopefully ) writing the order, you could remind them of Step 4 ( P-29 ), in part:

- The postmaster SHALL NOT unilaterally require a regular rural carrier to carry a portion of another rural route. ( stand your ground if you get: "I'm the supervisor, not the postmaster." Or: "I want you to do the ENTIRE route, not a portion!"

-- IF P-29 does not impress manglement, try the EL-902's Article 30.1.P. A regular carrier SHALL NOT be required to serve all or part of any rural route other than his or her assigned route, except as provided in ELM, Section 546 ( on-the-job-injury )

-- Keep a stack of 8191's at the case. Or better yet, ask manglement for one. If the reply is: "None in the office." Congratulations, that is another grievance! Per Section 142.3 of the PO-603.

-- The latest string of MOU's "allowing" a regular to work on other rural routes are "voluntarily".

 

[neciat]

Yeah, that's got disaster written ALL over it. Not necessarily for you but your management. Firmly but politely ask what will happen if there is a vehicle incident out on a route that I'm NOT really suppose to be serving ? Also, same issue(s) with an on the job injury. Both of these scenarios are bad enough when you are serving your assigned route let alone ANOTHER route.

 

[gotstamps]

“Rtes are to be run in their entirety( no that’s not written anywhere)”

Actually, it is. It is in the MOU that allows Regular Carriers to assist/run other routes on a volunteer basis. Regs are not to touch another route until their assigned route is complete.

 

[Rt2mailman]

If nothing else works, as mentioned above, (which it should) you could ignore the order due to believing it to be "unsafe". File a form 1767 form stating you believe it to be an unsafe requirement to work 6 or 7 days/week with such long hours, epecially after you've already worked your own route on the same day. By the way managers are not allowed to schedule employees for more than 12 hours on any give day.

 

[mwellis32]

You can not be forced to carry another rt period! Stand your ground. File a grievance. This will be an easy win if you get fired. You will get your job back plus any lost wages!

 

[Tammy]

BubbaGump196 -- "I know someone said the other day to just say no. But what if your given a direct order to take some of another route because management sits around all day and won’t hire? Can you refuse that?"

-- You could refuse, but stand by for a LOW -- or worse.

-- NRLCA's mantra is to obey a direct order from manglement -- unless it is illegal - or considered dangerous. Carry out the order and then follow up with a grievance. The USPS gets the work done and you have to wait for the grievance procedure to proceed - usually slowly.

-- Not knowing routes is no excuse as rural carriers can be thrown on any route. If never having run the route or it has been a year since the last time, the carrier is "rewarded" by getting actual time or the evaluation, whichever is greater. Article 9.2.M.3. ( and afterwards, you are considered "trained" on that route )

" Also how do you go about filing a grievance if you don’t have a shop steward?"

-- As the grievance procedure is having the issue settled at the lowest level, you will have to discuss the issue with manglement. If the issue is not settled, fill out sections 1-4 on an 8191 and give it to manglement - make and keep a copy. If no office steward, contact you Assistant District Representative, following "HardearnedTan's" posting.

-- Good luck.

If you are a regular you are not required to learn any route but your own. I believe the article you are referring to does not apply here. Always obey a direct order or face insubordination Issues because management won't admit they broke the contract mandating a regular. They will only focus on the fact that you didn't follow orders, even though their actions caused your actions. You are always at fault in management's eyes!

 

[timetogo]

Thanks for the replies. Just thought after getting regular id be able to put my sub days behind me. Nope once you go regular your still treated as a sub. Forced in on Sunday and holidays. Scolded when my vehicle breaks down because I’m working 7 days a week. No time to fix it. Told me to rent a car. Nope! Usps is going downhill. There has to be someone at the top of the food chain that we can contact to stop this treatment immediately. Nobody should have to work like this.

Call National office. That’s what I did a few Xmas’s ago when forced in on Sundays. National talked to the district head and I was not forced in ever again. I would get to know your District Representative. In case management tries to harass you, and file a hostile work grievance. You have to stand up for your rights. Eventually the bully supervisors find someone easier to pick on.