204b questions.

KSruralChiefs · Feb 7, 2018

I am RCA in a city of about 300,000 people. We have two stations that have rural carriers however they are counted as one office for seniority. First time posting. Long time listener....yada yada.

My questions are in our situation would it be possible for one station to have more than one Regular as a 204b? Are there any limitations of how many Regulars can be promoted to higher level in one office or "station" in our case? We had a RCA from the 2nd station win first regular bid with route at my office. She worked one day and the 2nd station automatically made her 204b and never came to run the route. She then bid on route at the station that she was 204b at. Then a month later a person at our office was "coincidently" promoted to 204b at our station. So I have been suspicious of back room deals between stations, but maybe it is just coincidence.

My other question is that the 204b that is at our station has had some previous problems with dealing some of the coworkers there. In my opinion, this person has also gotten preferential treatment in the past from one manager. And that manager tends to bend over backwards to make sure this person doesn't get in trouble. I have real issues with this person being "promoted". I don't see how she can be fair and impartial especially in regards to any discipline given for things this person had previously gotten away with. Is there any avenue of protesting the higher level assignment? I have raised some issues but get tired of being that "a##hole RCA" who talks about the contract and rules. What do you do in an office where the norm seems to be who is the best ass kisser or backstabber to be on good terms with the manager? I am checking into to transfer to other station because I have no trust in our management team to be fair and honest. I realize and accept that a lot of BS goes on in the post office, but my tolerance is wearing thin. I did keep this as general as I could. Just trying to see what my options are or what others have done with similar situations. Thanks

btdtret · Feb 7, 2018

Rcaskeptic2015 -- " We have two stations that have rural carriers however they are counted as one office for seniority. "

-- Must be an APO / RMPO situation.

"would it be possible for one station to have more than one Regular as a 204b? "

-- Yes. My last office had two regular carriers that due to health issues became 204b's.

"We had a RCA from the 2nd station win first regular bid with route at my office. She worked one day and the 2nd station automatically made her 204b and never came to run the route."

-- Contact your Assistant District Representative -- ASAP!! -- RCA's can not become 204b's!!

1. F-21 ( Time and Attendance handbook ), Section 585 - Higher Level Assignments -- Only regular rural carriers ( Designation 71 ) may work a higher level assignment.

2. Step 4 ( H-34 ): The Postal Service has an understanding with the NRLCA that we [ USPS ] do not use RCA's or RCR's in higher level assignments.

3. Step 4 ( E10R-4E-C 16006681 ) in accordance with Article 25 [ Higher Level Assignments ], only regular rural carriers may be detailed to higher level assignments. The parties agree that an RCA is not eligible to perform duties or responsibilities that are included in the job description of a Supervisor, Customer Services.

" Is there any avenue of protesting the higher level assignment? "

-- Inform your Assistant District Representative and let him / her to the "heavy lifting".

-- The ADR's grievance needs to include such phrases as "cease and desist" and "monetary penalty for further violations".

-- Mention the continued promotions as 204b's in your office(s).

Deer Smearer · Feb 7, 2018

<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote">btdtret said 
Rcaskeptic2015 -- " We have two stations that have rural carriers however they are counted as one office for seniority. "

-- Must be an APO / RMPO situation.

"would it be possible for one station to have more than one Regular as a 204b? "

-- Yes. My last office had two regular carriers that due to health issues became 204b's.

"We had a RCA from the 2nd station win</blockquote>
<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote">first regular bid</blockquote>
<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote">with route at my office. She worked one day and the 2nd station automatically made her 204b and never came to run the route."

-- Contact your Assistant District Representative -- ASAP!! -- RCA's can not become 204b's!!

1. F-21 ( Time and Attendance handbook ), Section 585 - Higher Level Assignments -- Only regular rural carriers ( Designation 71 ) may work a higher level assignment.

2. Step 4 ( H-34 ): The Postal Service has an understanding with the NRLCA that we [ USPS ] do not use RCA's or RCR's in higher level assignments.

3. Step 4 ( E10R-4E-C 16006681 ) in accordance with Article 25 [ Higher Level Assignments ], only regular rural carriers may be detailed to higher level assignments. The parties agree that an RCA is not eligible to perform duties or responsibilities that are included in the job description of a Supervisor, Customer Services.

" Is there any avenue of protesting the higher level assignment? "

-- Inform your Assistant District Representative and let him / her to the "heavy lifting".

-- The ADR's grievance needs to include such phrases as "cease and desist" and "monetary penalty for further violations".

-- Mention the continued promotions as 204b's in your office(s). </blockquote>
I'm guessing the RCA from office 2 bid on, and was awarded a regular route in office 2. Then after 1 day as regular became a 204b.

Regular carriers crossing over should have to relinquish the route. JMHO.

btdtret · Feb 7, 2018

Deer Smearer -- My bad - - I didn't thoroughly read the posting.

-- In any case, unlike the NALC, the NRCLA has no wording how long a regular can keep a route while serving as a 204b.

-- Well, on the plus side, others now know RCA's can not become 204b's!

UnknownUser · Feb 7, 2018

I think he means the RCA became a regular at his office, but also became promoted as soon as being converted to regular. So they never came to their route that they were awarded.

I transferred offices about a year ago due to manglement issues. Haven't looked back, haven't had to assist at that office either. There are 3 offices in my town. Each office has its issues but I'm much happier. If there's no RCA on that route then you may consider making it your primary route though, which will keep you at your current office but may be beneficial for you.

KSruralChiefs · Feb 7, 2018

Yes thank you to be clear the RCA was awarded a regular route, worked one day as a "regular" and then went to higher level assignment. And I agree that supervisors should relinquish their routes. I was on that route that I talked about and it was great for 6 months...got 40+ hours...kept up the edit book...basically did everything a regular is required to do. Then she called me the last days of a bidding period to let me know she was going to bid on a different route. Nothing I can do but complain about it because it was all by the book supposedly. I didn't have enough seniority to win the bid, although I did bid. It is extremely stressful situation to go through from the RCA perspective so I wish the Union would change how that is handled.

2nd person was also regular carrier before doing the higher level assignment as well.

Rt2mailman · Feb 7, 2018

As there are rules about doing most things before you are regular for 90 days,(like using annual leave) I would find it hard to believe that there is not one about a regular under 90 days working as a regular becoming a 204-b. If there were any other applicants for the 204-b position that had worked over 90 days, I would think they should have been considered first. I would still bring this to the steward's attention as a possibility of Quid-pro-Quo, often found in sexual favor situations.