Aux route question

[bazkitcase5]

 I am in a really small, 3 route office.  It appears that we are about to open an Aux route, which I should get as the senior sub.  My question is, if I choose the 5 and 1 option, that makes me the primary behind 1 of the other routes, correct?  If that is correct and I am the primary behind that 1 route, is management ever allowed to hire a new sub to overtake me as primary on that route?

Basically, I am expecting a smallish Aux route, so I am trying to maximize my weekly hours.  So the 5 and 1 option sounds ideal, but the last thing I would want is for management to hire enough subs, which would restrict me to only working the Aux route.

 

[oi veh.]

If you choose 5 and 1, you will work your aux 5 days a week and your primary 1 day a week (the regular's relief day).

You cannot be bumped off your primary.

 

[bazkitcase5]

thanks for the info.. will I also be able to work my primary whenever my carrier takes a vacation or sick day?

I know in a small office like this, there is a good chance that I will end up working both routes in the same day, but I am just trying to understand all the rules in case something comes up

 

[offx1degree]

Clayton,

Though you are running an aux route, you are still number one on the matrix for relief of your primary route. If you are not given the opportunity to work that route on the regular's vacation or a sick day, you file a grievance. If you are on the aux six days, you will be used to cover the regular routes as needed. On the regular rural carriers relief day, you may very will carry your aux route or split it with another relief carriers with the stipulation that the evaluated hours of the two combined not exceed twelve hours. But even then, if there is no one else to run it, you will be pressed into service. 

When I was a younger rca, I ran a two k routes (44k and 46k) and a large aux route one Saturday...a very long day, indeed.