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Calling it Quits

K

Kludain

Member
I moved to a smaller office after the crap in December where the other office stopped working me and failed to inform me I was scheduled for the RCA Academy.

Trained at the new office -
Day 1 Followed the Regular around for the day - watching him finger his mail and weave into the oncoming lane more times than I could count in attempt to try to be speedy.
Day 1-3 Did a tier at a time each day for 3 days - Found out that 50% of the addresses where changed 3 months prior and where getting mail on both old and new numbers and almost none had updated their box numbers and the Pre-sorted mail came in whatever order the number was old or new it was completely random.
Day 4 Did 4 Tiers to find out how much it sucked to have to literally stop and open every box weather they had mail or not 500plus times hunting for numbers that didn't exist only to find it deeper in the stack a mile down the road.

I have not been to the RCA Academy - Not sure if I was even supposed to be handling the mail but I wasn't going to refuse and be let go before giving it a chance.

The route has 604 stops and 100-150 have address changes. Of those 604 stops 400 have the wrong address on the box/post or Nothing at all All that has to be done in basically 6 hours after showing up early and casing clocking after casing half the route. The math is just insane!

The Math:
6 hours x 60 = 360 minutes x 60 = 21600 seconds / 604 stops = 35 seconds to service a box and get to the next. This is the country where some or most of the boxes are 500-700 feet apart and/or 1/4 mile apart. I don't know what the USPA allows for time but that's just crazy.

I was just hoping it was going to be better at a smaller office but it is all the same.
 
Kludain said:
I’m sorry you were treated that way

……..basically 6 hours after showing up early and casing clocking after casing half the route. The math is just insane!
Click to expand...
Are you saying you are casing off the clock in the morning, not being paid for that work?
If so, this is illegal and immoral, management can be fired for requiring free work, or turning a blind eye to this practice.
Kludain said:
The Math:
6 hours x 60 = 360 minutes x 60 = 21600 seconds / 604 stops = 35 seconds to service a box and get to the next. This is the country where some or most of the boxes are 500-700 feet apart and/or 1/4 mile apart. I don't know what the USPA allows for time but that's just crazy.
Click to expand...
You’re right, it is crazy.
When you’re new, you’re paid hourly for a few pay periods. (Don’t know if that starts over at the new office.)
After that, you’re paid the evaluation unless you go over 40 hours for the week. Once you hit 40, everything above that is time and a half, you are paid for your actual time.
Kludain said:
I was just hoping it was going to be better at a smaller office but it is all the same.
Click to expand...
I’m disappointed that the regular didn’t make sure the boxes were correctly numbered, especially knowing the mess with 2 sets of addresses and that they had someone new coming to their route.
You deserve better.
 
RDruckus said:
Are you saying you are casing off the clock in the morning, not being paid for that work?
If so, this is illegal and immoral, management can be fired for requiring free work, or turning a blind eye to this practice.

You’re right, it is crazy.
When you’re new, you’re paid hourly for a few pay periods. (Don’t know if that starts over at the new office.)
After that, you’re paid the evaluation unless you go over 40 hours for the week. Once you hit 40, everything above that is time and a half, you are paid for your actual time.

I’m disappointed that the regular didn’t make sure the boxes were correctly numbered, especially knowing the mess with 2 sets of addresses and that they had someone new coming to their route.
You deserve better.
Click to expand...
40 years, sos, encouraged,suggested,threatened to drive around the route case some standard make cheat sheets the rural craft always works off the clock even when we start... thats how we got 87 ppm for letters
 
They should not be having you work prior to academy, that is first priority though you can shadow a carrier prior to academy. Many regulars do not care about their subs and routes but there are also many that do. Every office is different and I might suggest you look again for another office or a different route in the office since there is a lot of variation in the way employees do the job even in the same dispatch unit. RDruckus is correct that you are paid actual time for the first 10 weeks (5 pay periods) when a new RCA to give you time to get acclimated. Just out of curiosity, do you know what the evaluation is for that route you are doing and the mileage?
 
Kludain et al -- "Day 4 Did 4 Tiers to find out how much it sucked to have to literally stop and open every box weather they had mail or not."

-- Welcome to the new world created by RRECS. Carriers don't get credit for the mailbox unless they actually stop at it. Plus not everyone puts the flag up for outgoing mail.

"The route has 604 stops and 100-150 have address changes. Of those 604 stops 400 have the wrong address on the box/post or Nothing at all ."

-- Take pictures of offending mailboxes, then ask manglement to have the regular carrier get the mailboxes properly numbered. It is your postal career you should be looking after, not the regular's.

-- If that fails to get the desired results, then...

-- You could approach manglement about the mailbox / post having the wrong address on the box / post and cite Section 632.522 of the POM ( Postal Operations Manual ).

- Identification: When box numbers are used on curbside mailboxes, the numbers MUST BE inscribed in contrasting color in neat letters and numerals not less than 1 inch high on the box visible to the carrier's regular approach, or on the door if boxes are grouped.

- Section 508.3.2.7 of the Domestic Mail Manual cites the same wording.

-- Should manglement fail to follow the above manual, find out who your Assistant District Representative is. Contact the ADR to say manglement is failing to do its due diligence in following postal instructions.

-- To become really popular, ask manglement to PROVIDE AND SIGN enough PS Form 4056s ( Your Mailbox Needs Attention ) for each of the offending mailboxes. And to put a check mark or an "x" in block #17 ( The rural box number must be printed in numerals not less that one inch high on the side of the box visible to the carrier as they approach it or on the box door if the boxes are grouped )

- To become really, really popular with manglement, if they say they don't have PS Form 4056 in the amount requested, ask them for PS Form 8191 ( NRLCA-USPS Grievance form ). If they don't have any 8191s that is another grievance. If no one in the office will help you fill out the 8191, find out who is the Assistant District Representative. For the lack of either form, cite Section 142.3 of the PO-603 ( Rural Carrier Duties and Responsibilities ).

- Equipment and Supplies - The USPS supplies ALL additional necessary equipment, supplies, and FORMS.

-- If you decide to stay with your current office or seek another one, to help yourself and whomever follows you, get a white marking Sharpie and put the correct address number inside the mailbox. Customers tend to get riled if someone writes on the outside of their mailbox! As a bonus, the white numbers inside the mailbox make it easier to deliver in the dark, should that occasion arise.

-- good luck
 
btdtret said:
Kludain et al -- "Day 4 Did 4 Tiers to find out how much it sucked to have to literally stop and open every box weather they had mail or not."

-- Welcome to the new world created by RRECS. Carriers don't get credit for the mailbox unless they actually stop at it. Plus not everyone puts the flag up for outgoing mail.

"The route has 604 stops and 100-150 have address changes. Of those 604 stops 400 have the wrong address on the box/post or Nothing at all ."

-- Take pictures of offending mailboxes, then ask manglement to have the regular carrier get the mailboxes properly numbered. It is your postal career you should be looking after, not the regular's.

-- If that fails to get the desired results, then...

-- You could approach manglement about the mailbox / post having the wrong address on the box / post and cite Section 632.522 of the POM ( Postal Operations Manual ).

- Identification: When box numbers are used on curbside mailboxes, the numbers MUST BE inscribed in contrasting color in neat letters and numerals not less than 1 inch high on the box visible to the carrier's regular approach, or on the door if boxes are grouped.

- Section 508.3.2.7 of the Domestic Mail Manual cites the same wording.

-- Should manglement fail to follow the above manual, find out who your Assistant District Representative is. Contact the ADR to say manglement is failing to do its due diligence in following postal instructions.

-- To become really popular, ask manglement to PROVIDE AND SIGN enough PS Form 4056s ( Your Mailbox Needs Attention ) for each of the offending mailboxes. And to put a check mark or an "x" in block #17 ( The rural box number must be printed in numerals not less that one inch high on the side of the box visible to the carrier as they approach it or on the box door if the boxes are grouped )

- To become really, really popular with manglement, if they say they don't have PS Form 4056 in the amount requested, ask them for PS Form 8191 ( NRLCA-USPS Grievance form ). If they don't have any 8191s that is another grievance. If no one in the office will help you fill out the 8191, find out who is the Assistant District Representative. For the lack of either form, cite Section 142.3 of the PO-603 ( Rural Carrier Duties and Responsibilities ).

- Equipment and Supplies - The USPS supplies ALL additional necessary equipment, supplies, and FORMS.

-- If you decide to stay with your current office or seek another one, to help yourself and whomever follows you, get a white marking Sharpie and put the correct address number inside the mailbox. Customers tend to get riled if someone writes on the outside of their mailbox! As a bonus, the white numbers inside the mailbox make it easier to deliver in the dark, should that occasion arise.

-- good luck
Click to expand...
Thank you!

The PM told me they have a year to change it and there was NO Regulation that says they have to mark their box. - I have worked many government jobs and told him there is no way that could be true but I didn't have the information to give him. I just texted him a picture of section 632.522

It still doesn't matter the route is impossible to complete on time unless you learned the route 20 years ago and are fingering > speeding the entire day.
 
btdtret said:
....

"The route has 604 stops and 100-150 have address changes. Of those 604 stops 400 have the wrong address on the box/post or Nothing at all ."

-- Take pictures of offending mailboxes, then ask manglement to have the regular carrier get the mailboxes properly numbered. It is your postal career you should be looking after, not the regular's.

-- If that fails to get the desired results, then...

-- You could approach manglement about the mailbox / post having the wrong address on the box / post and cite Section 632.522 of the POM ( Postal Operations Manual ).

- Identification: When box numbers are used on curbside mailboxes, the numbers MUST BE inscribed in contrasting color in neat letters and numerals not less than 1 inch high on the box visible to the carrier's regular approach, or on the door if boxes are grouped.

- Section 508.3.2.7 of the Domestic Mail Manual cites the same wording.

-- Should manglement fail to follow the above manual, find out who your Assistant District Representative is. Contact the ADR to say manglement is failing to do its due diligence in following postal instructions.

-- To become really popular, ask manglement to PROVIDE AND SIGN enough PS Form 4056s ( Your Mailbox Needs Attention ) for each of the offending mailboxes. And to put a check mark or an "x" in block #17 ( The rural box number must be printed in numerals not less that one inch high on the side of the box visible to the carrier as they approach it or on the box door if the boxes are grouped )

- To become really, really popular with manglement, if they say they don't have PS Form 4056 in the amount requested, ask them for PS Form 8191 ( NRLCA-USPS Grievance form ). If they don't have any 8191s that is another grievance. If no one in the office will help you fill out the 8191, find out who is the Assistant District Representative. For the lack of either form, cite Section 142.3 of the PO-603 ( Rural Carrier Duties and Responsibilities ).

- Equipment and Supplies - The USPS supplies ALL additional necessary equipment, supplies, and FORMS.

-- If you decide to stay with your current office or seek another one, to help yourself and whomever follows you, get a white marking Sharpie and put the correct address number inside the mailbox. Customers tend to get riled if someone writes on the outside of their mailbox! As a bonus, the white numbers inside the mailbox make it easier to deliver in the dark, should that occasion arise.

-- good luck
Click to expand...
On marking the mail boxes.... while I usually just take a big marker and mark them, inside and outside.... it's really not a Reg's responsibility.... was this discrepancy noted on the last route inspection???? Who does route inspections???? Who fills out the "Your Box Needs Attention" slips????

Js... probably not really so easy to just blame the Reg for everything.... we all know what a $#!+ :poop: show many PO's are.... as the OP is finding out.... run, don't walk to the nearest exit.... that's the best advice I can give.... :unsure:🤷‍♂️👉🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️✋(y)😊

Here's what my AI Bot says about it..... :unsure: 🤷‍♂️👉🤖

If your mailbox no longer conforms to postal regulations, the postmaster may send you PS Form 4056, Your Mailbox Needs Attention, to request that you remedy the irregularities or defects1. It is recommended to perform an annual mailbox checkup to avoid damage to your mail or difficulty identifying your address. This includes tightening loose hinges on the door, taking care of rusty or loose parts, replacing missing or faded house numbers, and keeping the path to your mailbox clear2.
Learn more:
 
Last edited:
DB.Cooper said:
On marking the mail boxes.... while I usually just take a big marker and mark them, inside and outside.... it's really not a Reg's responsibility.... was this discrepancy noted on the last route inspection???? Who does route inspections???? Who fills out the "Your Box Needs Attention" slips????

Js... probably not really so easy to just blame the Reg for everything.... we all know what a $#!+ :poop: show many PO's are.... as the OP is finding out.... run, don't walk to the nearest exit.... that's the best advice I can give.... :unsure:🤷‍♂️👉🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️✋(y)😊

Here's what my AI Bot says about it..... :unsure: 🤷‍♂️👉🤖

If your mailbox no longer conforms to postal regulations, the postmaster may send you PS Form 4056, Your Mailbox Needs Attention, to request that you remedy the irregularities or defects1. It is recommended to perform an annual mailbox checkup to avoid damage to your mail or difficulty identifying your address. This includes tightening loose hinges on the door, taking care of rusty or loose parts, replacing missing or faded house numbers, and keeping the path to your mailbox clear2.
Learn more:
Click to expand...

Its obviously not the Regs responsibility its the homeowner/renter responsibility but, if you want a new person to stay its in the carriers own best interest to get them marked by whomever.,
 
hockey94 said:
Its obviously not the Regs responsibility its the homeowner/renter responsibility but, if you want a new person to stay its in the carriers own best interest to get them marked by whomever.,
Click to expand...
Yeah, my point is.... they do route inspections, and if this is a widespread problem, it should have been noted during the route inspection.... and even tho Reg's often take care of things on the route that are really somebody else's responsibility, well, that still doesn't shift who is really responsible for it.... The PM should notify the homeowner to correct the deficiency.... aka.... Your Mailbox Needs Attention.... signed, PM.... :unsure: 🤷‍♂️👉🧐

http://www.branch38nalc.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/5_PSFORM_4056.pdf

1707675828665.png
 
Last edited:
DB.Cooper said:
Yeah, my point is.... they do route inspections, and if this is a widespread problem, it should have been noted during the route inspection.... and even tho Reg's often take care of things on the route that are really somebody else's responsibility, well, that still doesn't shift who is really responsible for it.... The PM should notify the homeowner to correct the deficiency.... aka.... Your Mailbox Needs Attention.... signed, PM.... :unsure: 🤷‍♂️👉🧐
Click to expand...

I agree with you about the route inspections ! We all know so many in mgt are just going through the motions !
 
Last edited:
DB.Cooper said:
Yeah, my point is.... they do route inspections, and if this is a widespread problem, it should have been noted during the route inspection.... and even tho Reg's often take care of things on the route that are really somebody else's responsibility, well, that still doesn't shift who is really responsible for it.... The PM should notify the homeowner to correct the deficiency.... aka.... Your Mailbox Needs Attention.... signed, PM.... :unsure: 🤷‍♂️👉🧐

http://www.branch38nalc.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/5_PSFORM_4056.pdf

View attachment 12533
Click to expand...
This is the form that I make the PM complete.
New subs, or subs thrown on a route shouldn’t be thrown an anvil when they’re drowning.

These days you can take care of informing your PM during EOS.
 
With the box not numbered issue:

If I'm filling in on a blue moon type day and box is not marked, if ANY question in my mind, I cruise it and bring mail back. Not stopping to look inside lid.

If I'm running route regularly I carry paint pens and jot last 3 numbers of address on box. For awhile I had pre-printed little slips "Please put address number on box" that I'd toss in, but that was too slow.

It may violate some petit regulation, but If someone is stupid enough to put out a mailbox without a number, I don't care whether they're upset that I tag a number on it.
 
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