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New PTF with a silly question.

NHPilot

Member
Just got official confirmation that I won my PTF bid in another office. My question (among others) is can I work in my current office if they need help like an RCA can? If so, at what pay rate, cause the PTF position comes with a pay bump.
I tried to search for different PTF related topics, but apparently "PTF" is to short of a "word" to search for.
And as an aside....what a bloody stupid way to handle jobs. No official word from the post office...just a printout from my PM. No call, email or letter or anything about change in status, benefits or anything. Thank God for this site and you guys and gals!
 
Officially, no you cannot borrow out.

BUT, the post office never follows the rules. So if they let you borrow out, you still get paid PTF pay and accumulate hours towards service ect.

The PTF in my office could work 7 days a week if he wanted too, opportunity is out there $$$.
 
NHPilot -- "I tried to search for different PTF related topics, but apparently "PTF" is to short of a "word" to search for. "

-- Search for "pft" in RI's KNOWLEDGEBASE Section.

-- Do a word search for "part-time flexible" in the contract. Plenty of work possibilities in your new office.

" My question (among others) is can I work in my current office if they need help like an RCA can? "

-- APO / RMPO situation?

-- Officially -- probably not. Being a "career" carrier, you are probably "locked" pay wise to your new office. No doubt problems would arise if you were to work at your former office and manglement tried to put that pay info into the system. JHMO - Anyone??

-- Article 7.1.B: Part-time flexible rural carriers are those substitutes or rural carrier associates appointed following on assignment posting. These employees provide service on regular and auxiliary routes as directed by management. ( however, if your new manglement says go help at your former office, go and let them figure out the pay details -- ( and have an 8191 ready in case they discover they can not officially pay you )

-- A new Step 4 seems to limit PTF's to 40 hours per week.

-- What is the total evaluated hours of your string?

" No official word from the post office...just a printout from my PM. No call, email or letter or anything about change in status, benefits or anything."

-- Like the bidding on a regular route, the assignment will be awarded within 10 days of the posting ending and the awardee [ you ] shall be placed in the new assignment within 21 days. New assignments usually start on the 1st day of a new pay period, so placement should be less than 21 days.

-- Way back when, new regular carriers used to have an indoctrination session over a few days to explain benefits, etc. But now, apparently everything comes by mail in a big binder. No idea if PTF's get such info that way these days. Anyone??

-- PTF's have their own pay scale and step increases listed at the bottom of the pay schedules.

-- Your hire date will dictate Table ONE or Table TWO when you make regular. Appendix A of Arbitrator Clarke's award provides details.

-- Good luck.
 
-- Way back when, new regular carriers used to have an indoctrination session over a few days to explain benefits, etc. But now, apparently everything comes by mail in a big binder. No idea if PTF's get such info that way these days. Anyone??
Yes, PTF's will get the same big Blue Book as regulars as this is a career position.
 
I’m new...what’s a PTF? What are their duties compared to an RCA and regular carrier? And how kind does it take to win a bid for a PTF? Thanks just trying to learn!
 
cards502 -- "I’m new...what’s a PTF?"

-- Part-Time Flexible carrier has is a 76 Designation.

-- The position was created to help resolve the RCA shortage.

-- It is considered a career position. As such a PTF earns annual and sick leave. And time served counts toward retirement.

-- A PTF is assigned as the primary relief carrier on a minimum of 2 K-routes up to a maximum of 5. Each K-route has to have a different relief day. That may require the office going "Formula". ( search for "formula" in RI's KNOWLEDGEBASE Section at the top of the page )

-- A recent Step 4 seems to limit a PTF to 40 hours a week, which will depend on the total evaluated hours of their route. That may make having 5 K-routes difficult. ( IMHO )

-- To bid on a PTF route, an RCA has to have competed the probationary period of 90-work days or 1 calendar year, which ever occurs first.

-- A PTF can not refuse to convert to regular when a route vacancy occurs.

" What are their duties compared to an RCA and regular carrier?

-- Think of the PTF position as an RCA on steroids. The PTF is the primary sub on the assigned routes ( often referred to as a "string", but can be assigned to assist nearly anywhere. Do a work search for "PTF" and "part-time flexible" in the contract, to see what other assigned duties may be, including filling in for Sunday Delivery, filling in on AUX routes, or other regular routes if the primary sub in not available.

"And [ what ] does it take to win a bid for a PTF?"

-- Be the RCA who bids on the PTF position. In the past, more senior RCA's have not bid, so a junior RCA gets the position. As a result, the lucky RCA sort of goes to the head of the line as far making regular as a PTF can not refuse to be converted to a regular carrier.

"Thanks just trying to learn!"

-- Just continue to ask questions.
 
I just became PTF also. I have not been assigned a string yet and have put in almost 60 hours every week so far. I can go to other sub offices within my city. Depends on how short they are. Also if there is an rca available in those other offices outside of your own, the rca will work before you. That is my understanding.
 
I just became PTF also. I have not been assigned a string yet and have put in almost 60 hours every week so far. I can go to other sub offices within my city. Depends on how short they are. Also if there is an rca available in those other offices outside of your own, the rca will work before you. That is my understanding.

Mgmt is supposed to have the PTF String set prior to starting the position. You need to know your GUARANTEED hours which is the combination of the evaluations of the String-route Relief Days.
 
Ya. We just got a new PM here. I guess place was a mess. Trying to get things straightened out. I would like my string....but don't mind getting oodles of hours. Eventually all will be fixed.
 
In our 42-route office, with only 19 subs (and several of those VERY green), they just FINALLY decided to create PTF positions. Suspiciously, after a visit from the NPOO (whatever that is). They created 8 positions, which seems like too many. I'm number 5 on the totem pole, so will be happy to become career. But concerned that they only plan to give us each 2 K routes (the minimum) and then just use us wherever after that. I'm sick of working 6 days a week, so would be pleased as punch to be limited to 40 hours. They dangled the carrot of no Amazon Sundays in front of us, but concerned will also get forced in to do that....
 
In our 42-route office, with only 19 subs (and several of those VERY green), they just FINALLY decided to create PTF positions. Suspiciously, after a visit from the NPOO (whatever that is). They created 8 positions, which seems like too many. I'm number 5 on the totem pole, so will be happy to become career. But concerned that they only plan to give us each 2 K routes (the minimum) and then just use us wherever after that. I'm sick of working 6 days a week, so would be pleased as punch to be limited to 40 hours. They dangled the carrot of no Amazon Sundays in front of us, but concerned will also get forced in to do that....

Your concern is warranted. PTFs are on the list for Sunday Amazons. PTFs still have to choose Yea or Nay to volunteering during the twice-a-year sign-up. Mgmt in my office doesn’t tend to work our PTFs due they both have 4 routes on their String but as the position is a career position, mgmt should have PTFs work if it doesn’t put them over 40.
Thing is that if you choose NOT to bid on a PTF position, that will only put you behind the PTFs for becoming a Regular Carrier. Good luck in whichever choice you make.
 
I did put in my bid... At almost 47, I can't afford to move down the totem pole..... I'd go elsewhere, if I could figure out another job I could do where people would largely leave me alone all day....
 
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