5/1 Aux route questions

bazkitcase5 · Jun 27, 2018

I have a few questions about a new Aux route in our office that I am taking. Hoping any kind of documentation can be provided, as I have a sneaky suspicion that I may need it on my side.

First, what are the rules for earning leave as an RCA on an Aux route? My understanding from everything I have read on here is that I would earn leave for actual hours worked while only on the Aux route and then when I am working my primary or any other route (small office, so this is highly likely), then I would not earn leave. This sounds logical to me, but my clerk told me in a friendly conversation that she asked about this question to the time keeper via e-mail and was told that I can't both be a primary behind 1 route, while also being an RCA in leave earning status while working my Aux route.

My 2nd question is about my rights as the primary. At some point, my PM has claimed he wants to hire more subs to fill all the routes. I am correct in thinking that he can not hire another sub to replace me as the primary, due to me taking the 5/1 designation? One of the other regulars seems to think that if I start earning leave on the Aux route, then I lose my rights to always be the primary on the full route, but this goes against my understanding of what I have read on these forums over time. It is a small Aux route and I need the extra hours, so I do not want to get stuck working only the Aux route if the PM is ever able to hire more subs.

Any extra info will always be appreciated, as I am want to know as much about my rights as the Aux carrier as possible, so that I don't get taken advantage of...

btdtret · Jun 27, 2018

Clayton -- Always remember "trust, but verify!"

-- Search for "aux" in RI's KNOWLEDGEBASE Section at the top of the page.

"what are the rules for earning leave as an RCA on an Aux route? "

-- You earn leave only while working the AUX.

-- You don't earn leave while working the primary route as a 5/1 AUX carrier nor when working any other assistance manglement may assign you to.

" time keeper via e-mail and was told that I can't both be a primary behind 1 route, while also being an RCA in leave earning status while working my Aux route."

-- Ask the clerk to have the time-keeper email that reference.

" One of the other regulars seems to think that if I start earning leave on the Aux route, then I lose my rights to always be the primary on the full route.

-- Politely ask the regular to provide a reference.

-- Does your office have a Matrix? Is the Matrix used?

-- After serving the AUX route for 90 CALENDAR days, you will get a new Form 50, changing your designation to "79".

-- As far as leave earning. It is based upon earning 1 hour of leave for every 20 hours worked on the AUX.

oi veh. · Jun 27, 2018

I used to be an aux carrier, Clayton and can tell you with every assurance that the people in your office are full of kaka. ? Bt has already extensively outlined, but I would add:as long as you choose 5/1, you will have 2 primaries: the aux and the regular. You will not be on the matrix, however management can use you after you are done on your route but only after all other RCAs are utilized. make sure that you keep track of your 90 days and make sure that management submits your paperwork. make sure that you sign the paper designating you as 5/1. Keep your copy. I will go find the form and post it, just so you have a heads up.

bazkitcase5 · Jun 27, 2018

ok thanks, when do I need to sign the paperwork? I started the route this past Saturday, but nothing has been really said to me or even done at this point... certainly no paperwork signed

it is a really small office with a PM of less than 2 years, who has a tendency to procrastinate a bit

it is just really hard to find legit information on this and after hearing so many different things, it is hard to know what is the truth

oi veh. · Jun 27, 2018

Obviously you have no in-office stew. Contact your ADR to help light a fire under your PM's behind. You should have already signed the paperwork! Oi, these managers.I am having difficulty locating the form...used to have it saved, but must have jettisoned it and cannot find it on the knowledgebase nor on USPS. It's out there somewhere, just haven't entered the correct query. lol

vajoker · Jun 28, 2018

Oi veh, can you direct me to where this is written " You will not be on the matrix, however management can use you after you are done on your route but only after all other RCAs are utilized."I just had a big run in with Supervisor regarding this matter.

dumbolehickfromms · Jun 28, 2018

Article 30.2.g

btdtret · Jun 28, 2018

vajoker -- " You will not be on the matrix.."

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

-- Click on "matrix quick reference checklist".

-- Scroll down ( a long ways ) to Question 22: If the auxiliary carrier has accepted the auxiliary route as a 5 day assignment, must they continue on the matrix.

A -- No. the employee will only serve on the assigned auxiliary route and as the primary leave replacement on the assigned regular route. ( Article 30.2.G.4 -- that reference may be outdated )

" management can use you after you are done on your route but only after all other RCAs are utilized."

-- The 2015-2018 contract added this for Auxiliary carriers. Page 49 of the 88-page contract ( Article 30.2.J.5 ):

After completion of the assigned auxiliary route or the primary route assignment, a leave replacement assigned to serve the auxiliary route may be utilized on any other auxiliary route, or serve as a leave replacement or provide auxiliary assistance on any regular route.

-- Don't see any reference regarding "but only after all other RCAs are utilized."

-- The might be some thing in the NEW Order of Consideration.

-- Hopefully you will be able to use your avatar here. It is/was one of the better ones.

oi veh. · Jun 28, 2018

Thanks for stepping up, dumbolehickfromms and bt!

gmail28 · Jul 7, 2018

I realize it’s an hour earned for every 20 worked, but my pm is continuously telling me that I don’t have to work my entire evaluation. He’s saying that I can work as fast as I want, then still earn leave for the evaluation versus actual 20 hours worked. I disagree and read it to mean that I have to have 20 actual hours worked in order to earn leave my full leave. Therefore i I try to work my evaluation every day. HR even told me it’s actual hours worked. PM is constantly rushing me to finish early but I feel like I’d be cheating myself Just wanting clarification.

oi veh. · Jul 8, 2018

You are correct, gmail. Print out Article 10, section 5.B from our contract and hand it to your PM. https://knowledgebase.ruralinfo.net/mdocs-posts/2015-2018-national-agreement/