CherokeeRHD
New member
RCA with over a year of service looking to transfer. If the new office has more than one vacant RCA position does the RCA have route choice or the PM?
RCA Transfer
- Thread starter CherokeeRHD
- Start date
Voglio-il mio
Well-known member
I would tend to believe that the PM would have all rights to which route assignment would be given to a new RCA. After all he/she is hiring to fill a vacant position or one that may have contractual rights (120 letter) to the next RCA.
CherokeeRHD -- "RCA with over a year of service looking to transfer. If the new office has more than one vacant RCA position does the RCA have route choice or the PM? "
-- Go with the PM, as the USPS "owns" the RCA and the PM is the USPS's local representative.
-- However, which route had the 120-Day letter submitted first?
-- The post offices I worked in "usually" went with the route which had gone the longest without a sub.
-- Go with the PM, as the USPS "owns" the RCA and the PM is the USPS's local representative.
-- However, which route had the 120-Day letter submitted first?
-- The post offices I worked in "usually" went with the route which had gone the longest without a sub.
CherokeeRHD
New member
There are 5 routes total... 3 vacant routes, one H with an Rca and one aux with an Rca. The aux Rca has an agreement to only have to work the aux route. The vacant routes are 2 J's and an H. PM wants to fill one of the J's but the H has been vacant for about 3 years. The J in questions Rca quit in October (J1). The other J they want to fill had an Rca train and then quit back in September (J2). I worked in this office a year and a half ago on J1. When I started I was assigned to the H route that is still vacant but learned J1 first and was the sub of record for the entire duration. The transfer has already been accepted and a date set. Can a PM deny an Rca going from J2 to J1 after they are transferred? J2's regular takes no AL so J1 would be the route with the most hours. Trying to make the most sense and easiest transition by going to J1 right off the bat but getting push back!
Voglio-il mio
Well-known member
Being a RCA on an H route guarantees you no hours per week, Why does this interest you? You do know that H route have no scheduled days off per week? And as for J routes they have only a day off every other week. Are you saying that the routes are vacant as in they have no Regular Carriers? If all regular routes all have Carriers and there is An RCA working an AUX route that only leaves the two RCA's the guarantee of working 1 day every other week, I'm confused as to why it matters which route you are assigned to, and why you would want to transfer!
CherokeeRHD -- From an outsiders's view, appears the PM is the source of the RCA problem.
-- I should have first asked: Where do you fit in this scenario?
-- "vacant" usually refers to a route without a regular carrier.
-- Granted, "H" routes can have a sub, but if not utilized elsewhere, is a waste of person-power.
-- Even if the AUX is 6/0, the AUX RCA can be utilized elsewhere. If the PM made some kind of deal, that is on the PM.
-- Any particular reason the "J" route RCA's quit, such as a lack of work?
-- Does your office have a Matrix? Is it used?
-- Who is pushing back and why?
-- I should have first asked: Where do you fit in this scenario?
-- "vacant" usually refers to a route without a regular carrier.
-- Granted, "H" routes can have a sub, but if not utilized elsewhere, is a waste of person-power.
-- Even if the AUX is 6/0, the AUX RCA can be utilized elsewhere. If the PM made some kind of deal, that is on the PM.
-- Any particular reason the "J" route RCA's quit, such as a lack of work?
-- Does your office have a Matrix? Is it used?
-- Who is pushing back and why?
Voglio-il mio
Well-known member
To add to my previous comment if routes are Vacant (as in no Regular Carrier assigned) there is a process for this, they should go up for bid. If you are not currently in that office you would only be able to bid once the bid has gone up to the district level. You should not be allowed to transfer in so that you can bid (in office) for any vacant route.
In re-reading the OP's post #5, it appears that the word "vacant" is being used to indicate no sub.
The PM controls which route gets a sub, but it should be the person who has been without the longest. Hopefully for the OP it is J1...but if I am reading correctly, it will be the H.
@CherokeeRHD - check the matrix. If you're lucky, all the blanks on J1 are blank and you can put yourself on it as primary, J2 as secondary and the other H as secondary (or tertiary on J2 and H).
The PM controls which route gets a sub, but it should be the person who has been without the longest. Hopefully for the OP it is J1...but if I am reading correctly, it will be the H.
@CherokeeRHD - check the matrix. If you're lucky, all the blanks on J1 are blank and you can put yourself on it as primary, J2 as secondary and the other H as secondary (or tertiary on J2 and H).
CherokeeRHD
New member
I understand that an H has no guaranteed hours. I transferred from this office on a J to a J (at the time) in an office with one route. The count completed and it dropped to an H. I have been waiting to get back to the route I left as an Rca. The regular is going to retire soon. I will more than likely not get it since I will be at the bottom of the seniority list but ya never know. I should be guaranteed atleast 2 months on that route when they have the bidding process. Working in 3 different districts/12 routes has been keeping the boat afloat. The biggest routes in this office are the 2 J's. Routes are vacant of Rca's... One Rca on an H and one on the Aux. Does this make it a little more clear on why I would want to transfer to the J I am being told I cannot transfer to?
CherokeeRHD
New member
Yes, PM is saying that I cannot transfer to that route and need to transfer to the other J. They were refusing to take me as a transfer but were told otherwise from higher ups. You would think they would grab someone wanting to go to their office that has worked all of the rural routes and the aux in the office with no issues. The J they want me to go to has a regular that takes off NO TIME. They are happy they don't have a sub so they can get OT when no sub available. The other J that I want to go to would let me get alot more time.
There is a Matrix that was implemented before I left because of me. PM is pushing back... I started in this office and was assigned to an H. Was the sub of record on file (timesheet) for 1.5 years but worked the J as my primary. I learned the J as my first route and eventually learned the H but they never changed the paperwork after multiple reminders. The PM does not care for me so didn't want to take me as a transfer. From what I heard was told they had to take me. Now I am being forced to go to a route that I don't want to be on.
CherokeeRHD
New member
No sub is correct... It will be the H that has not had a sub for the longest.
I will have to check the matrix and get back to the forum. Thanks for that information!
CherokeeRHD -- " The PM does not care for me so didn't want to take me as a transfer. " "They were refusing to take me as a transfer but were told otherwise from higher ups. "
-- Must be the PM messed up by letting District know about the transfer request!
" Now I am being forced to go to a route that I don't want to be on. "
-- Put in another transfer request.
-- Must be the PM messed up by letting District know about the transfer request!
" Now I am being forced to go to a route that I don't want to be on. "
-- Put in another transfer request.
LostinDakota
Well-known member
Are you really sure you want to transfer to this office? Reading between the lines it looks like the postmaster does not like you and the other carriers in the office aren't thrilled to have you get in line to become regular in their office. The carrier on the J route is probably taking DACA 5 by working their J day and if they are at the top end of the pay scale, that is some serious money being paid out. District may have told the PM to assign you to that route specificly to force the carrier to take their J day off so the post office can save that money. District does look hard at trying to cut the use of DACA 5 codes.
CherokeeRHD
New member
Not usually a good idea to read between the lines... The PM and myself do not see eye to eye all of the time but has come fwd and said multiple times that I am a great carrier and have no problems with any of the routes. Actually all of the carriers are thrilled to have me there for multiple reasons. The J I am being forced to also wants me on their route. The H Rca has been covering their J days if available.
Voglio-il mio
Well-known member
I thought that transfers can't be refused if a vacancy exists for an RCA and that they can only be delayed for 30 days.
muttleycrue
Well-known member
If I remember correctly, the receiving PM can accept or reject a transfer. The RCA sends a request, if the receiving PM accepts it then the RCA's current PM cannot refuse, and has 30 days to release the RCA. It's the RCA's current PM who cannot delay a transfer once requested and accepted by the new PM.
CherokeeRHD
New member
This is the same information that I was given... The PM said they don't have a choice and have to take me per a phone call they made. They have never had anyone transfer so not sure on the process. I have a call in for clarification but have not received any answers yet.
CherokeeRHD
New member
I was able to verify the matrix and J1 is blank across the board. I don't understand why I cannot switch routes once I am in the office. That is what happened when I hired in there and have paperwork to prove it.
Voglio-il mio
Well-known member
CherokeeRHD - Print this, have them sign off on it & its a done deal!
Last edited:
gotstamps
Well-known member
RCAs can only switch Primary routes when a vacancy occurs. Those routes that already have no Primary are not available to change to. They are considered “Unassigned” Primary’s. Newbies coming in get assigned to them. They can qualify for bidding if the Regular Carrier is or expects to be absent for 30 days or more.
A Primary position will also come up for bid if an RCA goes Regular, quits, or changes their Primary.
