NRLCA is corrupt to the core

[Forcedout]

So after 10 months of fighting for my backpay for my misposted route, the NRLCA denied my appeal for arbitration. They are really trying their best to cover up this RRECS mistake. They continued to deny any wrongdoing, but are finally agreeing to pay me the wages they owe me. Funny, I'm being paid all the way back to the day I started, so somehow my route is now officially rated at a 48K overburdened. It wasn't misposted though, the day I started it just happened to change from a 43K to 48K overburdened.

Even though they agreed to pay me and split the route in their unilateral settlement, they still refuse to split the route, saying they simply don't have the workers. Nope, instead of splitting my route, they are now forcing me and some others to work one of our days off every other week. So not only do they ignore unilateral settlements, but they double down and punish us more. The day I came back from using vacation time to fight this, they had left a weeks worth of mail at my station that somehow didn't get delivered. I refused to deliver it, don't know who did, but really?? That's just petty.

Well, gee how about instead of stealing money from us through RRECS, overworking us, lying about all the issues and mistakes, manipulating mail count to take even more and increase our workloads, you actually follow contract, agreements, stop treating us as disposable and pay a living wage? These changes may actually get people to want to work here.

USPS and NRLCA still deny any wrongdoing, but unilaterally made all decisions without informing me and denying my information requests while they conspired together to cover up this mistake. I have 3 signatures from the same supervisor that are completely different during this process, one using her nickname.....? I also have proof of the grievance being backdated. Funny, how the supervisor that dealt with this grievance just retired from the union, the same time they sent me my arbitration appeal denial. Also the supervisor with forged signatures that dealt with this NRLCA steward on my grievance was transferred to another office, no idea why, but she didn't see it coming. Very interesting indeed.

NRLCA finally sent me the only copy of my initial grievance I have ever seen. I requested this for 10 months and now this NRLCA rep (that told me they don't do arbitration and to hire a lawyer) sends this mystery grievance form, along with citing only part of article 15.1 stating they can do whatever they want completely using it out of context. They can't unilaterally make these decisions, no matter how much they think they can. Narcissism is a common trait with this union. The cherry on top is the fact that line 3b has no initial, making it null and void. It also HIGHLY suggests the grievance was backdated, which is why I was never allowed to see it until now.

The reason the NRLCA is all over you the minute you hire on, is because you are already represented by them and grievances (worthless btw). They want your money for nothing! The ONLY benefits you receive from them by paying them $70+ a month is: Insurance benefits (can find much better deals), monthly magazine, now this is exciting! and stewards to represent you (in my case this is a detriment). Why do you think they make it so hard to leave? You can only resign from the union once per year no more than 20 days and no less than 10 days from your anniversary date.....It's all a con, like most things these days.

Oh and they did the same thing to another carrier in my office. He had a misposted route worse than mine and they conned him into signing a document stating his route became overburdened after the fact and they would give him his overtime pay in vacation time. I couldn't believe he agreed to it, as he'll probably get straight time converted to vacation and lose his overtime pay. Sneaky they are. My sub also has to fight for her correct 10 months of backpay now that mine is documented, so she got totally shafted as well.

After all this it's hilarious that the NRLCA have filed their own Step 4 grievance against USPS, when they knew what they were doing agreeing to RRECS. It's simply smoke and mirrors to make us think they actually care. What they did to me in this grievance process shows they are corrupt to the core and do what they want.

 

[justacarrier]

No offense here but it's pretty hard to follow what you posted here and when I read that 3b. didn't have a signature(date & signature), that tells me that you did not initiate the grievance. Like I said, I don't know what all went on here but it sounds like you did receive the compensation and I don't know what more you expected to get. Maybe more clarity would help.

 

[Forcedout]

I may just now be receiving compensation.... still hasn't happened yet. I worked 10 months though for 43K PAY, while working a 48K overburdened rated at 60.61 hours. I find a pretty big issue with that. How many carriers are willing to put up with that? How many companies out there expect their employees to wait 10+ months for compensation for all the extra work?

After 10 years, I finally get a chance to bid on a 43K, moving from my 45K. Need more personal time. The route awarded turned out to be an overburdened 48K - 60.61 hours. The route was posted as a 43K, so my supervisor had it re-evaluated and within 2 weeks. The route should have been split immediately.
No, instead they stopped all communication and denied me any and all information about the evaluation. The grievance took months to even reach step 2, union first said they would arbitrate and then denied it, trying to cover up this mistake.

This is why they denied me arbitration and my appeal, NRLCA knew the truth would come out with an unbiased mediator.

I never once saw the grievance and line 3b is supposed to be signed by a supervisor to validate it. That's another issue in our office, grievances were never done right. The narcissist supervisor that conveniently retired when I was denied arbitration always filled them out, submitted them herself without showing us what they even said or if they even get submitted.

RRECS mistakes are covered up and no one is allowed to know how our routes are evaluated. Any RRECS mistakes are covered up. Ask for RRECS info and see how far you get.

3 people in our office were burned due to this, NRLCA covered it up and denied me Fair Representation.

I really think if you read the entire thing, it's pretty clear that they both committed fraud to cover all this up.

Section 211.2 of Handbook M-38 and the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) state that if a route is misposted or significantly larger than posted, it should have been split off to other nearby carriers immediately.

 

[justacarrier]

After 10 years, I finally get a chance to bid on a 43K, moving from my 45K. Need more personal time. The route awarded turned out to be an overburdened 48K - 60.61 hours. The route was posted as a 43K, so my supervisor had it re-evaluated and within 2 weeks. Then they stopped all communication and denied me any and all information about the evaluation. The grievance took months to even reach step 2, union first said they would arbitrate and then denied it, trying to cover up this mistake.

This is why they denied me arbitration and my appeal, NRLCA knew the truth would come out with an unbiased mediator.

I never once saw the grievance and line 3b is supposed to be signed by a supervisor to validate it. That's another issue in our office, grievances were never done right. The narcissist supervisor that conveniently retired when I was denied arbitration always filled them out, submitted them herself without showing us what they even said or if they even get submitted.

RRECS mistakes are covered up and no one is allowed to know how our routes are evaluated. Ask for RRECS info and see how far you get.

3 people in our office were burned due to this, NRLCA covered it up and denied me Fair Representation.

I really think if you read the entire thing, it's pretty clear that they both committed fraud to cover all this up.

Section 211.2 of Handbook M-39 and the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) state that if a route is misposted or significantly larger than posted, it should have been split off to other nearby carriers immediately.

Not sure on the MOU you are stating but the reference to the M39 is for city carriers not rural carriers. And I guess I don't understand the "arbitration" aspect. It appears the grievance was settled at Step 2? So it wouldn't go beyond that and arbitration is when there a disciplinary grievance that is denied at Step 3 and they determine that there is sufficient evidence to go further not for a posting grievance.

 

[Forcedout]

The same applies to rural carriers, my bad I'll correct it M38.

The grievance was settled at step 2 after 10 months without my knowledge or consent!!

I'm not explaining this any further, if you can't figure out what happened from all this information then I simply cannot help you.

 

[justacarrier]

Ok, I will leave it to you. You come on here and seem to ask for help and when someone tries to give you accurate info you bristle up. It clearly appears you do not understand the grievance process since your grievance was settled at step 2. No they don't confer with you on the process or settlement most of the time and that is 100% normal and do not need your consent. It sounds as if you were compensated for the time and monies owed to you and I don't understand what more you are looking for. As far as "relief" on the route for being overburdened, you should ready Article 9.2.C.8 for your answer. It is clearly spelled out in the contract how you should receive assistance on an overburdened route.

 

[justacarrier]

The same applies to rural carriers, my bad I'll correct it M38.

The grievance was settled at step 2 after 10 months without my knowledge or consent!!

I'm not explaining this any further, if you can't figure out what happened from all this information then I simply cannot help you.

And no it does not apply to rural carriers!

 

[neciat]

One issue with receiving ANY amount of back pay , let alone a 5 hour amount PER WEEK at an overtime rate for 10 months , is all of the deductions that ensue. Especially that one deduction classified as "misc" which will be by far the largest of all of the deductions and , yet , not discernible. I would anticipate 4 digits to the LEFT of the decimal point. There are other issues associated with this as well. I hope that you were able to secure a timeline for the receiving of the back pay other than "as soon as administratively possible."

 

[Forcedout]

What position do you hold at NRLCA justacarrier?

You sure are missing the point here about the forged signatures, backdated grievance I never even saw, step 2 taking 10 months, NRLCA delaying and denying arbitration, grievances filed without carrier approval, UNILATERAL decisions, denial of misposting, not correcting route immediately after evaluation and on and on.

You should brush up on the grievance process and how it SHOULD actually work according to contract.

I didn't post this for advice, but as information for others on what to expect when this happens to them.

The ONLY reason I'm getting my backpay finally is because I filed an EEO.

 

[neciat]

The ONLY reason I'm getting my backpay finally is because I filed an EEO

Not at all defending the union but this could / would explain the "waiting time" for the grievance. From Article 15.4.E.1 in part ;

E. EEO Complaints

1. The processing of any grievance regarding an issue or
fact situation which is also the subject of a formal EEO
complaint shall be deferred until a final agency (USPS)
decision or decision on appeal there from is rendered on
the EEO complaint.

So, the grievance is "held" pending the outcome of the EEO Complaint or any process thereof which would include mediation.

Further on in the same Article details that issues that are separate from the original EEO complaint may be resurrected in the grievance process.

 

[justacarrier]

What position do you hold at NRLCA justacarrier?

You sure are missing the point here about the forged signatures, backdated grievance I never even saw, step 2 taking 10 months, NRLCA delaying and denying arbitration, grievances filed without carrier approval, UNILATERAL decisions, denial of misposting, not correcting route immediately after evaluation and on and on.

You should brush up on the grievance process and how it SHOULD actually work according to contract.

I didn't post this for advice, but as information for others on what to expect when this happens to them.

The ONLY reason I'm getting my backpay finally is because I filed an EEO.

 

[justacarrier]

What position do you hold at NRLCA justacarrier?

You sure are missing the point here about the forged signatures, backdated grievance I never even saw, step 2 taking 10 months, NRLCA delaying and denying arbitration, grievances filed without carrier approval, UNILATERAL decisions, denial of misposting, not correcting route immediately after evaluation and on and on.

You should brush up on the grievance process and how it SHOULD actually work according to contract.

I didn't post this for advice, but as information for others on what to expect when this happens to them.

The ONLY reason I'm getting my backpay finally is because I filed an EEO.

I am retired now but was a higher level steward and VERY much know the grievance process. I don't understand the "backdated grievance" because you filed the grievance not the steward, how was anything backdated? And the denying arbitration, that clearly shows you have no understanding of how things work. Sometime it does take a while at step 2 but it is usually in order to get all the correct info so a proper settlement can be obtained. And you stated that the grievance was filed without carrier approval!!!! I would like to see just what happened there! In the end, it seems to be you that does not actually understand how the grievance process works.

 

[justacarrier]

One issue with receiving ANY amount of back pay , let alone a 5 hour amount PER WEEK at an overtime rate for 10 months , is all of the deductions that ensue. Especially that one deduction classified as "misc" which will be by far the largest of all of the deductions and , yet , not discernible. I would anticipate 4 digits to the LEFT of the decimal point. There are other issues associated with this as well. I hope that you were able to secure a timeline for the receiving of the back pay other than "as soon as administratively possible."

Actually if you are looking on lite blue at the online payroll info, it's all there. The "miscellaneous" is only on the printed payroll records, the online version breaks it all down so you can see what they did. Now if it goes back into a different tax year you may need the actuall payroll journals but usually not the case. And it all depends on how the settlement it written, it is to correct the actual PP by PP or a lump sum amount. Lots of variables that would have to be known to give a correct answer.

 

[Gotrope]

This sounds like someone who never read the contract or the conditions of employment for rural carriers. From what I read, all are grievances against mgmt for misrepresentation of route, failing to pay correctly or expeditiously and dragging their feet on labor negotiations. The union has zero control over mgmt. They simply negotiate contract corrections at their discretion per article 15. Once a grievance is filed the union owns the grievance and the sole right to negotiate and resolve the issues. They don't have to inform you of anything beyond the step the grievance is at before a resolution or remedy is reached.

If the 3b portion of 8191 wasn't filled out by the carrier, unless it was a class action, the grievance was actually technically flawed without an initiating discussion date.

If you are a union member please take the time to either look up the correct way to file a grievance through each step required by carrier before passing it to union. Or attend a local state mtg to enquire of the correct steps to protect your issue.

It appears from the OP's posts they made assumptions or were given incorrect info from heresay on how nrlca process works. That is so unfortunate when something like this happens and carriers blame the union for something that was a poor assumption by carrier. Then the dissatisfaction of union result unfairly tarnishes the image of the process. I'm not saying the union is perfect. It's absolutely not. But, blaming them for things not covered through the grievance process is not serving anyone well.

As for arbitration, are you wanting to arbitrate against mgmt or the union? If you feel aggrieved on your union member rights...you have adequate time to apply for an appeal of union actions against your rights to your state board. If that fails, you can appeal your denial by State to national convention. Things you can appeal are strictly limited to actions the union has sole authority over( removal of elected union positions, denial of union member benefits).
You can't appeal a mgmt decision through the appeal process of the nrlca constitution.

In general, the term arbitration by contract refers to usps and nrlca grievances at a stalemate( step 3 and above) being mediated by an agreed upon neutral third party from the federal arbitration list.

 

[Gotrope]

What position do you hold at NRLCA justacarrier?

You sure are missing the point here about the forged signatures, backdated grievance I never even saw, step 2 taking 10 months, NRLCA delaying and denying arbitration, grievances filed without carrier approval, UNILATERAL decisions, denial of misposting, not correcting route immediately after evaluation and on and on.

You should brush up on the grievance process and how it SHOULD actually work according to contract.

I didn't post this for advice, but as information for others on what to expect when this happens to them.

The ONLY reason I'm getting my backpay finally is because I filed an EEO.

If you are receiving money from an eeoc, it's because mgmt failed. Not the union. The union doesn't pay you for USPS employment.

If mgmt backdated forms or other material, as they often do, it doesn't mean nrlca was complicit. The union has no power to update or change material in the USPS electronic database. I really think you need to understand the process and whom controls what material.

 

[Shannonboy]

So after 10 months of fighting for my backpay for my misposted route, the NRLCA denied my appeal for arbitration. They are really trying their best to cover up this RRECS mistake. They continued to deny any wrongdoing, but are finally agreeing to pay me the wages they owe me. Funny, I'm being paid all the way back to the day I started, so somehow my route is now officially rated at a 48K overburdened. It wasn't misposted though, the day I started it just happened to change from a 43K to 48K overburdened.

Even though they agreed to pay me and split the route in their unilateral settlement, they still refuse to split the route, saying they simply don't have the workers. Nope, instead of splitting my route, they are now forcing me and some others to work one of our days off every other week. So not only do they ignore unilateral settlements, but they double down and punish us more. The day I came back from using vacation time to fight this, they had left a weeks worth of mail at my station that somehow didn't get delivered. I refused to deliver it, don't know who did, but really?? That's just petty.

Well, gee how about instead of stealing money from us through RRECS, overworking us, lying about all the issues and mistakes, manipulating mail count to take even more and increase our workloads, you actually follow contract, agreements, stop treating us as disposable and pay a living wage? These changes may actually get people to want to work here.

USPS and NRLCA still deny any wrongdoing, but unilaterally made all decisions without informing me and denying my information requests while they conspired together to cover up this mistake. I have 3 signatures from the same supervisor that are completely different during this process, one using her nickname.....? I also have proof of the grievance being backdated. Funny, how the supervisor that dealt with this grievance just retired from the union, the same time they sent me my arbitration appeal denial. Also the supervisor with forged signatures that dealt with this NRLCA steward on my grievance was transferred to another office, no idea why, but she didn't see it coming. Very interesting indeed.

NRLCA finally sent me the only copy of my initial grievance I have ever seen. I requested this for 10 months and now this NRLCA rep (that told me they don't do arbitration and to hire a lawyer) sends this mystery grievance form, along with citing only part of article 15.1 stating they can do whatever they want completely using it out of context. They can't unilaterally make these decisions, no matter how much they think they can. Narcissism is a common trait with this union. The cherry on top is the fact that line 3b has no initial, making it null and void. It also HIGHLY suggests the grievance was backdated, which is why I was never allowed to see it until now.

The reason the NRLCA is all over you the minute you hire on, is because you are already represented by them and grievances (worthless btw). They want your money for nothing! The ONLY benefits you receive from them by paying them $70+ a month is: Insurance benefits (can find much better deals), monthly magazine, now this is exciting! and stewards to represent you (in my case this is a detriment). Why do you think they make it so hard to leave? You can only resign from the union once per year no more than 20 days and no less than 10 days from your anniversary date.....It's all a con, like most things these days.

Oh and they did the same thing to another carrier in my office. He had a misposted route worse than mine and they conned him into signing a document stating his route became overburdened after the fact and they would give him his overtime pay in vacation time. I couldn't believe he agreed to it, as he'll probably get straight time converted to vacation and lose his overtime pay. Sneaky they are. My sub also has to fight for her correct 10 months of backpay now that mine is documented, so she got totally shafted as well.

After all this it's hilarious that the NRLCA have filed their own Step 4 grievance against USPS, when they knew what they were doing agreeing to RRECS. It's simply smoke and mirrors to make us think they actually care. What they did to me in this grievance process shows they are corrupt to the core and do what they want.

I AGREE 10,000% and suffered a very similar fate albeit in different circumstances. I REALLY, REALLY DO UNDERSTAND.....they should ALL be FIRED, and FEDERALLY PROSECUTED. Both po mgmt, and all union employees...and locked up for the rest of their miserable lives....

 

[Augsburg]

Not at all defending the union but this could / would explain the "waiting time" for the grievance. From Article 15.4.E.1 in part ;

E. EEO Complaints

1. The processing of any grievance regarding an issue or
fact situation which is also the subject of a formal EEO
complaint shall be deferred until a final agency (USPS)
decision or decision on appeal there from is rendered on
the EEO complaint.

So, the grievance is "held" pending the outcome of the EEO Complaint or any process thereof which would include mediation.

Further on in the same Article details that issues that are separate from the original EEO complaint may be resurrected in the grievance process.

Happens every time. People don't like it when step one is denied, they file an EEO that delays the step 2.
Most management has no clue or training. They often kick it up grievances to step 2 because they're afraid to settle.
In this case the steward probably did a bad job of explaining the process. If any stewards are on here that should be the take away.

 

[Augsburg]

I AGREE 10,000% and suffered a very similar fate albeit in different circumstances. I REALLY, REALLY DO UNDERSTAND.....they should ALL be FIRED, and FEDERALLY PROSECUTED. Both po mgmt, and all union employees...and locked up for the rest of their miserable lives....

U ok?

 

[neciat]

Happens every time. People don't like it when step one is denied, they file an EEO that delays the step 2.
Most management has no clue or training. They often kick it up grievances to step 2 because they're afraid to settle.
In this case the steward probably did a bad job of explaining the process. If any stewards are on here that should be the take away.

I know. Most "stuff" CAN be resolved at Step 1. The problem is that local management is instructed to NOT settle. That's when you amend the grievance to include an Article 15 violation which , in part, states ;

Section 1. General Policy

Grievances which are filed pursuant to this Article are to be pro-
cessed and adjudicated based on the principle of resolving such
grievances at the lowest possible level in an expeditious manner,
insuring that all facts and issues are identified and considered by
both parties.

An arbitrary verbal directive from District to local management to NOT settle / resolve ANY grievance(s) is just willful and wanton disregard for The Nat'l Agreement. Not to mention all of the extra costs involved as this "policy" is applied to ALL crafts.

 

[Augsburg]

[This has worked for me, may not work for you, sometimes management is so clueless, Labor Will tell them to kick everything up because they are either loosing easily justified grievances (on technicalities), or settling bad grievances that are costing way more than the ~$600 it takes to settle at step 2, or they have discipline from the Poom and are not allowed to settle..but they'll never tell you that]

During your step1 managment interviews, do you ask (assuming you are a steward if not, get them to) something in the relm of: "¿are you capable of settling this grievance"? "If so, how?" Followed by "¿are you aware of article xx section xxx of the contract...?" (Sections for the violation and article 15)
Followed by "¿is it important for you to follow guidence from your superiors?" ... "¿is the postmaster general your superior?"... "¿are you aware that the Postmaster General personally approves and signs the national agreement aka the national contract for rural carriers?"

[The management interviews should feel like the steward is reprimanding and issuing discipline]

You have to establish that management is willingly (intent) not settling for personal reasons (not operational) to win an article 15 case, and that they are mentally capable of settling (they know the rules/contract they are accused of violating).

Continuous/frivolous kicking things to step 2 cost both parties a lot of money, so escalating monetary penalties are a concise and proportional deterrent.