How does an RCA smoothly transition to a new office?

BigGreenie · Apr 24, 2019

Having been an RCA for a good number of years in the same office, my husband and I are looking to retire to another state. He is actually the one doing the retiring though. I still have a number of years til I can join him. I have looked all over the place, but can't seem to find an answer to my question. If I have to quit my current office first, and no position is readily available in my "new" permanent location area, can I apply for an RCA position that may come available down the road, without having to retest and retrain? In other words, can I carry-over my experience so that I can get rehired in a "new" office within say a year's time??? Anyone know...

JFT · Apr 25, 2019

I’m very new here but I have read nearly every post on here and this screenshot came from a post from 2016.

BigGreenie · Apr 25, 2019

Thanks JFT! I had seen that information but appreciate the refresher. My question is, if I move without having a vacancy to go to, can I remain on a employment roster in USPS or be re-employed later on in another office based on my past employment, without having to go through the whole initial testing/training process? Because I am an RCA, nothing is written in stone for transitioning office-to-office, with a lapse in time, as far as I know. Hopefully, when I decide to move, I will have an office to go to....but with the turnover of RCAs in recent times, that might not even be an issue.

stillfirstclass · Apr 25, 2019

BigGreenie said:
Thanks JFT! I had seen that information but appreciate the refresher. My question is, if I move without having a vacancy to go to, can I remain on a employment roster in USPS or be re-employed later on in another office based on my past employment, without having to go through the whole initial testing/training process? Because I am an RCA, nothing is written in stone for transitioning office-to-office, with a lapse in time, as far as I know. Hopefully, when I decide to move, I will have an office to go to....but with the turnover of RCAs in recent times, that might not even be an issue.

we are so desperate for subs, don't worry.. you might have to work a little farther from home for a while waiting, then transfer when your dream office has an opening. you do know seniority won't go with you? unless a district wide posting?

btdtret · Apr 25, 2019

BigGreenie -- [ RCA moving to a new area ].

-- The NRLCA hasn't really addressed this issue -- IMHO -- aside from Article 30.2.F.1. and Step 4 ( P-115 ).

-- If you are really sure of where you will be moving to, time to do your due diligence by checking where all the post offices are in the new area. Get on the phone with the PM's. Let them know you are an EXPERIENCE RCA and will be looking for a job when you get to the new area.

-- Hopefully one of them might just happen to find an RCA vacancy ( or create one by getting rid of a no-load RCA currently in the office ).

-- Let your current PM know. Just maybe he / she knows another PM in the area your are headed to and could put in a good word for you.

-- Or worst case, take the test for RCA ( or other crafts ) and get on a hiring list. From a lot of postings, not that many folks beating on post office doors to get hired.

-- In the mean time, get with your Assistant District Representative about a "leave of absence" from the USPS until you get to your new area.

-- As expected, nothing in the contract, aside from MOU #10, but that applies to regular carrier, who must resign in any case.

-- The ELM's Chapter 5 is not much help in Sections 562.252, 562.254, and 562.3.

-- Probably you will have to resign. By doing so, in writing, it will establish why you have to resign and will be doing it on good terms from the current post office. And you will be ( sadly ) leaving your seniority in your current office.

-- Good luck.