When a regular route gets posted to the public

[FFS]

I have some questions on behalf of the probationary RCAs in my office.

When a route has gone through all the steps of bidding and no one has bid on it and it is posted for the public to apply, what is the order of consideration for who gets hired?

If the RCAs in the office apply will they have any advantage over people who apply who are not usps employees or will the usps hire the person with the highest test score wether they are current usps employees or not?

Does seniority of hire date determine anything if all probationary RCAs apply or does it go by their test scores?

If a probationary RCA gets hired will they have to resign first and start their probation period again from the beginning?

I mistakenly thought that if a route was posted district wide and had no bidders it would go back to the office for probationary RCAs to bid but that was incorrect. The area steward stated no RCA are eligible to bid at any time until their one year of service is completed. They can however apply for the position once it’s open to the public.

Thanks in advance for an answers.

 

[EthelAnne]

Article 12.3.E:
In making selections from the hiring list, RCAs and rural carrier relief (RCR) employees will be given preference in the selection procedure, provided such employees are among the top three (3) on the hiring list and all performance evaluations have been satisfactory or higher. If there is more than one (1) such employee in the top three (3), the vacancy shall be awarded to the RCA employee with the longest period of continuous, satisfactory service in the rural carrier craft, except that preference shall always be given to an RCA employee at the office where the vacancy exists. Such preference does not supersede the Employer’s obligations with respect to veteran preference eligibles or affirmative action considerations.

 

[FFS]

Article 12.3.E:
In making selections from the hiring list, RCAs and rural carrier relief (RCR) employees will be given preference in the selection procedure, provided such employees are among the top three (3) on the hiring list and all performance evaluations have been satisfactory or higher. If there is more than one (1) such employee in the top three (3), the vacancy shall be awarded to the RCA employee with the longest period of continuous, satisfactory service in the rural carrier craft, except that preference shall always be given to an RCA employee at the office where the vacancy exists. Such preference does not supersede the Employer’s obligations with respect to veteran preference eligibles or affirmative action considerations.

Thanks.

Regarding this part: provided such employees are among the top three (3) on the hiring list.

What determines the “top 3”? Is it test score?

This would mean if there are 3 non-employees from the hiring pool that have higher test scores than any RCA currently employed that they would be considered before the RCAs correct?

the RCAs would have to be among the top 3 in test scores first before gaining the advantage.

 

[EthelAnne]

Thanks.

Regarding this part: provided such employees are among the top three (3) on the hiring list.

What determines the “top 3”? Is it test score?

This would mean if there are 3 non-employees from the hiring pool that have higher test scores than any RCA currently employed that they would be considered before the RCAs correct?

the RCAs would have to be among the top 3 in test scores first before gaining the advantage.

I believe it is test scores. The test that is currently administered is not the same one as when this provision in the contract was written, FWIW.

I've never dealt with a rural route being posted to the public, so really can't provide any other answers other than what I can read in the contract. Maybe others here have experienced this and can provide their wisdom.

I would advise the RCAs in your office to be in constant contact with the union rep during this process, though.

 

[gotstamps]

Article 12.E.2 covers re-posting after a failed District Bid. That’s where non-probationary RCAs can bid the route without the 1-yr requirement.
Art. 12.E.3 then goes to a hiring list if not filled from non-probationary RCAs.

 

[Shannonboy]

I believe it is test scores. The test that is currently administered is not the same one as when this provision in the contract was written, FWIW.

I've never dealt with a rural route being posted to the public, so really can't provide any other answers other than what I can read in the contract. Maybe others here have experienced this and can provide their wisdom.

I would advise the RCAs in your office to be in constant contact with the union rep during this process, though.

It is based on test scores. Vets get a 10 point advantage because of their service.

 

[psd181]

as usual, stewards don't have a clue about the contract.

 

[gotstamps]

as usual, stewards don't have a clue about the contract.

Some do. They all received a “cheat sheet” in the mail to assist with seniority in bidding. Article 12 is clear on how bidding works.