Hi i am a new RCA in my office having only been there for about a couple months, so i am not sure what i have to accept and what i don't. My manager has been scheduling me for parcel runs almost every day, and though i hate getting up at 4:30 to get in by 6 i prefer running parcels to running a route during the Christmas season. My problem is that he waits till i get back from running a batch of parcels and tells me i have to run a route. Now i have a kid and have gotten a sitter to watch him when i have to work, but the manager gets pissed and has threatened to fire me when i was unable to run a route on a day he had scheduled me for parcels. I should explain that parcel runs are usually done by noon. So on days i am scheduled for parcels i don't always have a sitter that can watch him past 1 as that is when i was expecting to be done and picking him up. Now i understand that call-outs happen and so i could deal with it once in awhile but he does this several times a week. This week i am scheduled for nothing but parcel runs and i can bet he will want me to run routes at least three out of the 6 days i am scheduled. My question is do i have to or can i tell him no if i don't want to? I read in the handbook that it is managements responsibility to give advanced notice to schedule changes but i am not sure that this counts or not.
Can i be forced to run a route on days i am scheduled for parcel runs?
- Thread starter Spartan42
- Start date
D.B.Cooper
Active member
Might want to get a sitter who is "understanding" and "flexible" on the hours... try explaining to the sitter, what you just explained here... <img title="Confused" alt="Confused" src="https://www.ruralmailtalk.ruralinfo.net/wp-content/sp-resources/forum-smileys/sf-confused.gif" />
faceindawind
New member
Are these parcel runs for the holiday push only or an ongoing event?
<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote"><strong>D.B.Cooper said </strong>
Might want to get a sitter who is "understanding" and "flexible" on the hours... try explaining to the sitter, what you just explained here... <img title="Confused" alt="Confused" src="https://www.ruralmailtalk.ruralinfo.net/wp-content/sp-resources/forum-smileys/sf-confused.gif" /> </blockquote>
Ok i am working on this but the thing is i have hired her to care for my child for a specified time. Understanding and flexible is being maybe up to fifteen minutes late picking him up, not telling her she has to watch him for four more hours due to my job deciding at the last minute to change my schedule. <span style="text-decoration: underline"><strong>My question is if i am required to run a route when i am scheduled for parcels and have already run parcels, and by required i mean in the contract. Also can i be fired for not being able/willing to run a route on a day i am scheduled for parcels?</strong></span>
In any other job i have worked when someone called out the manager asked if someone was able/willing to cover the shift or called someone in, i have never before had someone come up to me and tell me that i have to work someone else's shift and that i have no choice. Sorry if i sound like i want it my way but if my schedule says one thing then that is what i expect to work, if you want me to run a route then schedule it, or enforce that call-outs need to be done the night before and then notify the night before of schedule changes. Is it too much to ask for some consideration? I'm sorry that rca's were forced to work harder when some of you started at the PO but i am also sure that the PO was a better place to work back then. I am not against hard work, i just have a life and family and obligations outside of work, that is why schedules are made, so that workers can plan their week around when they are working. To force someone to work later then scheduled repeatedly should not be happening IMO.
Might want to get a sitter who is "understanding" and "flexible" on the hours... try explaining to the sitter, what you just explained here... <img title="Confused" alt="Confused" src="https://www.ruralmailtalk.ruralinfo.net/wp-content/sp-resources/forum-smileys/sf-confused.gif" /> </blockquote>
Ok i am working on this but the thing is i have hired her to care for my child for a specified time. Understanding and flexible is being maybe up to fifteen minutes late picking him up, not telling her she has to watch him for four more hours due to my job deciding at the last minute to change my schedule. <span style="text-decoration: underline"><strong>My question is if i am required to run a route when i am scheduled for parcels and have already run parcels, and by required i mean in the contract. Also can i be fired for not being able/willing to run a route on a day i am scheduled for parcels?</strong></span>
In any other job i have worked when someone called out the manager asked if someone was able/willing to cover the shift or called someone in, i have never before had someone come up to me and tell me that i have to work someone else's shift and that i have no choice. Sorry if i sound like i want it my way but if my schedule says one thing then that is what i expect to work, if you want me to run a route then schedule it, or enforce that call-outs need to be done the night before and then notify the night before of schedule changes. Is it too much to ask for some consideration? I'm sorry that rca's were forced to work harder when some of you started at the PO but i am also sure that the PO was a better place to work back then. I am not against hard work, i just have a life and family and obligations outside of work, that is why schedules are made, so that workers can plan their week around when they are working. To force someone to work later then scheduled repeatedly should not be happening IMO.
<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote"><strong>Faceindawind said </strong>
Are these parcel runs for the holiday push only or an ongoing event? </blockquote>
They are for the holiday push.
They also require us to come in an hour and a half earlier then the carriers running the routes. So the other question is how a i paid when i run parcels and then run a route? I have not been paid for one of these days yet so i have to ask the manager this.
Are these parcel runs for the holiday push only or an ongoing event? </blockquote>
They are for the holiday push.
They also require us to come in an hour and a half earlier then the carriers running the routes. So the other question is how a i paid when i run parcels and then run a route? I have not been paid for one of these days yet so i have to ask the manager this.
Deer Smearer
Well-known member
<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote">
<strong>Spartan42 said </strong>
Ok i am working on this but the thing is i have hired her to care for my child for a specified time. Understanding and flexible is being maybe up to fifteen minutes late picking him up, not telling her she has to watch him for four more hours due to my job deciding at the last minute to change my schedule. <span style="text-decoration: underline"><strong>My question is if i am required to run a route when i am scheduled for parcels and have already run parcels, and by required i mean in the contract. Also can i be fired for not being able/willing to run a route on a day i am scheduled for parcels?</strong></span>
In any other job i have worked when someone called out the manager asked if someone was able/willing to cover the shift or called someone in, i have never before had someone come up to me and tell me that i have to work someone else's shift and that i have no choice. Sorry if i sound like i want it my way but if my schedule says one thing then that is what i expect to work, if you want me to run a route then schedule it, or enforce that call-outs need to be done the night before and then notify the night before of schedule changes. Is it too much to ask for some consideration? I'm sorry that rca's were forced to work harder when some of you started at the PO but i am also sure that the PO was a better place to work back then. I am not against hard work, i just have a life and family and obligations outside of work, that is why schedules are made, so that workers can plan their week around when they are working. To force someone to work later then scheduled repeatedly should not be happening IMO.
</blockquote>
As an RCA you cannot be forced to work over 12 hours in a day including your half hour lunch. (ELM 432.32)
However, if still on probation you can be fired for any reason, with or without cause.
"Q.
Additional Duties
Leave replacements may be required to perform duties in addition to the route assignment; such as, auxiliary assistance on other routes, express mail duties, etc. When performing additional duties, the leave replacement will receive compensation at the hourly rate, in addition to the daily evaluated hours for the assigned route."
<strong>Spartan42 said </strong>
Ok i am working on this but the thing is i have hired her to care for my child for a specified time. Understanding and flexible is being maybe up to fifteen minutes late picking him up, not telling her she has to watch him for four more hours due to my job deciding at the last minute to change my schedule. <span style="text-decoration: underline"><strong>My question is if i am required to run a route when i am scheduled for parcels and have already run parcels, and by required i mean in the contract. Also can i be fired for not being able/willing to run a route on a day i am scheduled for parcels?</strong></span>
In any other job i have worked when someone called out the manager asked if someone was able/willing to cover the shift or called someone in, i have never before had someone come up to me and tell me that i have to work someone else's shift and that i have no choice. Sorry if i sound like i want it my way but if my schedule says one thing then that is what i expect to work, if you want me to run a route then schedule it, or enforce that call-outs need to be done the night before and then notify the night before of schedule changes. Is it too much to ask for some consideration? I'm sorry that rca's were forced to work harder when some of you started at the PO but i am also sure that the PO was a better place to work back then. I am not against hard work, i just have a life and family and obligations outside of work, that is why schedules are made, so that workers can plan their week around when they are working. To force someone to work later then scheduled repeatedly should not be happening IMO.
</blockquote>
As an RCA you cannot be forced to work over 12 hours in a day including your half hour lunch. (ELM 432.32)
However, if still on probation you can be fired for any reason, with or without cause.
"Q.
Additional Duties
Leave replacements may be required to perform duties in addition to the route assignment; such as, auxiliary assistance on other routes, express mail duties, etc. When performing additional duties, the leave replacement will receive compensation at the hourly rate, in addition to the daily evaluated hours for the assigned route."
D.B.Cooper
Active member
As far as I know when you're scheduled to work at the PO, you're expected to show up for work that day... and that day, you can be switched from one route to another, or switched from running parcels to running a route, or required to run parcels and then run a route... the PO has quite a bit of flexibility in how they are allowed to use RCAs...
I'm pretty sure you won't find anything in the contract that is gonna ensure that you're home by noon, or really any other time...
Even the Regular carriers show up for work not knowing what time they're gonna get to go home... noon would be nice, I suppose, but lately, I've been reading on here about many of them being out to 8PM or later...
Private Benjamin wanted a special contract with the Army in an old movie, not sure it worked out completely to her liking either... <img title="Confused" alt="Confused" src="https://www.ruralmailtalk.ruralinfo.net/wp-content/sp-resources/forum-smileys/sf-confused.gif" />
I'm pretty sure you won't find anything in the contract that is gonna ensure that you're home by noon, or really any other time...
Even the Regular carriers show up for work not knowing what time they're gonna get to go home... noon would be nice, I suppose, but lately, I've been reading on here about many of them being out to 8PM or later...
Private Benjamin wanted a special contract with the Army in an old movie, not sure it worked out completely to her liking either... <img title="Confused" alt="Confused" src="https://www.ruralmailtalk.ruralinfo.net/wp-content/sp-resources/forum-smileys/sf-confused.gif" />
littlesew&sew
Well-known member
<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote"><strong>Spartan42 said </strong>
<span style="text-decoration: underline"><strong>My question is if i am required to run a route when i am scheduled for parcels and have already run parcels, and by required i mean in the contract. Also can i be fired for not being able/willing to run a route on a day i am scheduled for parcels?</strong></span>
In any other job i have worked when someone called out the manager asked if someone was able/willing to cover the shift or called someone in, i have never before had someone come up to me and tell me that i have to work someone else's shift and that i have no choice. Sorry if i sound like i want it my way but if my schedule says one thing then that is what i expect to work, if you want me to run a route then schedule it, or enforce that call-outs need to be done the night before and then notify the night before of schedule changes. Is it too much to ask for some consideration? I'm sorry that rca's were forced to work harder when some of you started at the PO but i am also sure that the PO was a better place to work back then. I am not against hard work, i just have a life and family and obligations outside of work, that is why schedules are made, so that workers can plan their week around when they are working. To force someone to work later then scheduled repeatedly should not be happening IMO. </blockquote>
In my experience as an RCA, the answer to your question will really depend upon your office. In our office, certain RCAs are required to be available at a moment's notice, run a second full route after completing an 8-hour evaluated route, go help other RCAs so that everyone makes the dispatch truck, work every Sunday in December, and even (gasp) be available during the week for the holiday rush. However, if you're another type of RCA, you're allowed to be available only on Saturday, not required to do anything beyond your primary route, not be required to do any Sunday work and can basically dictate your own schedule.
So I guess a better question would be: Which type of RCA are you?
If you're a "keep at all costs" RCA, don't worry. You can do whatever you'd like. However, if you're an actual hard-working, available-at-any-time RCA, you're required to do everything you're told.
<span style="text-decoration: underline"><strong>My question is if i am required to run a route when i am scheduled for parcels and have already run parcels, and by required i mean in the contract. Also can i be fired for not being able/willing to run a route on a day i am scheduled for parcels?</strong></span>
In any other job i have worked when someone called out the manager asked if someone was able/willing to cover the shift or called someone in, i have never before had someone come up to me and tell me that i have to work someone else's shift and that i have no choice. Sorry if i sound like i want it my way but if my schedule says one thing then that is what i expect to work, if you want me to run a route then schedule it, or enforce that call-outs need to be done the night before and then notify the night before of schedule changes. Is it too much to ask for some consideration? I'm sorry that rca's were forced to work harder when some of you started at the PO but i am also sure that the PO was a better place to work back then. I am not against hard work, i just have a life and family and obligations outside of work, that is why schedules are made, so that workers can plan their week around when they are working. To force someone to work later then scheduled repeatedly should not be happening IMO. </blockquote>
In my experience as an RCA, the answer to your question will really depend upon your office. In our office, certain RCAs are required to be available at a moment's notice, run a second full route after completing an 8-hour evaluated route, go help other RCAs so that everyone makes the dispatch truck, work every Sunday in December, and even (gasp) be available during the week for the holiday rush. However, if you're another type of RCA, you're allowed to be available only on Saturday, not required to do anything beyond your primary route, not be required to do any Sunday work and can basically dictate your own schedule.
So I guess a better question would be: Which type of RCA are you?
If you're a "keep at all costs" RCA, don't worry. You can do whatever you'd like. However, if you're an actual hard-working, available-at-any-time RCA, you're required to do everything you're told.
<a class="spLink spProfilePage" title="" href="https://www.ruralmailtalk.ruralinfo.net/forum/profile/4381/"><em>D.B.Cooper </em></a>
<div class="spPostContentSection">
<div class="spPostContent">
<em>As far as I know when you’re scheduled to work at the PO, you’re expected to show up for work that day… and that day, you can be switched from one route to another, or switched from running parcels to running a route, or required to run parcels and then run a route… the PO has quite a bit of flexibility in how they are allowed to use RCAs…</em>
<em>I’m pretty sure you won’t find anything in the contract that is gonna ensure that you’re home by noon, or really any other time…</em>
<em>Even the Regular carriers show up for work not knowing what time they’re gonna get to go home… noon would be nice, I suppose, but lately, I’ve been reading on here about many of them being out to 8PM or later…</em>
</div>
<em><strong>This is what i have been seeing and was why i was asking here. As far as getting home at a certain time i know no guarantee can be made for a route but for parcels at least in my office they are done around noon as that is when the carriers are required to be on the road by, barring unforeseen issues.</strong> </em>
</div>
<a class="spLink spProfilePage" title="Profile" href="https://www.ruralmailtalk.ruralinfo.net/forum/profile/2513/"><em>Deer Smearer</em></a>
<em>As an RCA you cannot be forced to work over 12 hours in a day including your half hour lunch. (ELM 432.32)</em>
<em>However, if still on probation you can be fired for any reason, with or without cause.</em>
<em>“Q.</em>
<em>Additional Duties</em>
<em>Leave replacements may be required to perform duties in addition to the route assignment; such as, auxiliary assistance on other routes, express mail duties, etc. When performing additional duties, the leave replacement will receive compensation at the hourly rate, in addition to the daily evaluated hours for the assigned route.”</em>
<strong>Yeah this is the only thing i could find for my question too, was hoping someone knew something else. I don't mind work but constantly being pushed to cover someone else's route who called out instead of being able to just go in and do the shift i was scheduled is annoying. Trust me i know you regulars and long time RCA's have had to put up with a lot more crap then me, i have been reading about it here and on other forums and boards, but i am not used to working at a company that treats its employees <span style="text-decoration: underline">THIS</span> bad. They do know that overworking the new people will just burn them out and they will quit right? I mean i barely got any real training other then some generic basics in the academy and three days with the primary on the first route they had me on, before they threw me into the deep end with heavy parcels and flats on a long route with Mondays being my day of the week. And they wondered why i could not get the route done in what they feel is a reasonable time, even after i mentioned that it was Christmas season and the parcels and flats were heavy they just said that the other RCA's (who have been there multiple years) don't seem to have a problem. Its almost like they just don't care and figure they can just hire more people after the season anyway so why not burn us out with overwork, but what DB said in another post is true they don't get many people applying. We have only received two other new hires at our office since i started and we are still down five or six people due to medical and retiring.</strong>
<strong>Thanks for replying and if anyone else does thank you too, I am trying to survive this holiday season without being burnt out and honestly this could of helped but i guess i just have to accept the crap they are throwing my way till i can't.</strong>
<div class="spPostContentSection">
<div class="spPostContent">
<em>As far as I know when you’re scheduled to work at the PO, you’re expected to show up for work that day… and that day, you can be switched from one route to another, or switched from running parcels to running a route, or required to run parcels and then run a route… the PO has quite a bit of flexibility in how they are allowed to use RCAs…</em>
<em>I’m pretty sure you won’t find anything in the contract that is gonna ensure that you’re home by noon, or really any other time…</em>
<em>Even the Regular carriers show up for work not knowing what time they’re gonna get to go home… noon would be nice, I suppose, but lately, I’ve been reading on here about many of them being out to 8PM or later…</em>
</div>
<em><strong>This is what i have been seeing and was why i was asking here. As far as getting home at a certain time i know no guarantee can be made for a route but for parcels at least in my office they are done around noon as that is when the carriers are required to be on the road by, barring unforeseen issues.</strong> </em>
</div>
<a class="spLink spProfilePage" title="Profile" href="https://www.ruralmailtalk.ruralinfo.net/forum/profile/2513/"><em>Deer Smearer</em></a>
<em>As an RCA you cannot be forced to work over 12 hours in a day including your half hour lunch. (ELM 432.32)</em>
<em>However, if still on probation you can be fired for any reason, with or without cause.</em>
<em>“Q.</em>
<em>Additional Duties</em>
<em>Leave replacements may be required to perform duties in addition to the route assignment; such as, auxiliary assistance on other routes, express mail duties, etc. When performing additional duties, the leave replacement will receive compensation at the hourly rate, in addition to the daily evaluated hours for the assigned route.”</em>
<strong>Yeah this is the only thing i could find for my question too, was hoping someone knew something else. I don't mind work but constantly being pushed to cover someone else's route who called out instead of being able to just go in and do the shift i was scheduled is annoying. Trust me i know you regulars and long time RCA's have had to put up with a lot more crap then me, i have been reading about it here and on other forums and boards, but i am not used to working at a company that treats its employees <span style="text-decoration: underline">THIS</span> bad. They do know that overworking the new people will just burn them out and they will quit right? I mean i barely got any real training other then some generic basics in the academy and three days with the primary on the first route they had me on, before they threw me into the deep end with heavy parcels and flats on a long route with Mondays being my day of the week. And they wondered why i could not get the route done in what they feel is a reasonable time, even after i mentioned that it was Christmas season and the parcels and flats were heavy they just said that the other RCA's (who have been there multiple years) don't seem to have a problem. Its almost like they just don't care and figure they can just hire more people after the season anyway so why not burn us out with overwork, but what DB said in another post is true they don't get many people applying. We have only received two other new hires at our office since i started and we are still down five or six people due to medical and retiring.</strong>
<strong>Thanks for replying and if anyone else does thank you too, I am trying to survive this holiday season without being burnt out and honestly this could of helped but i guess i just have to accept the crap they are throwing my way till i can't.</strong>
Skeptic1202
New member
Every since the PO "won" the grievance about how they can use us, they have been really pushing the limit and treating us more and more like robots to be deployed instead of the humans we are. Another poster said it won't get any better and they are right. In my area, there is no going home "early" right now. There's do your own office work and then wait for the POOM to send you off to another office to deliver parcels. I smartened up real quick and now drag my feet to make it until 5pm or close to. I'd rather spend 10-12hrs in a town I know than be sent off for 4hrs in the dark in a different town 45min from home that I've never stepped foot in before after I've already worked 8-10 hours. Of course, I'm about ready to call it quits and don't have a child to feed and house so I'm not afraid to refuse if/when the time comes again. Fortunately, my OIC seems to have picked up on my attitude change and has backed.
I've been an RCA for over three years and every year has just gotten worse and worse. I'd recommend getting out. Stay while you need the money but get out ASAP. The people pulling the strings don't care about you or your child. You're just a piece of meat whose sole purpose to to earn them their bonuses.
I've been an RCA for over three years and every year has just gotten worse and worse. I'd recommend getting out. Stay while you need the money but get out ASAP. The people pulling the strings don't care about you or your child. You're just a piece of meat whose sole purpose to to earn them their bonuses.
gotstamps
Well-known member
<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote"><strong>Spartan42 said </strong>
They are for the holiday push.
They also require us to come in an hour and a half earlier then the carriers running the routes. So the other question is how a i paid when i run parcels and then run a route? I have not been paid for one of these days yet so i have to ask the manager this. </blockquote>
As an RCA, you should expect to be gone ALL day no matter what you are "scheduled" for. If you get off early... good for you! This doesn't normally happen at most Post Offices.
As to how you get paid... Anytime you are running a route WITHOUT assistance, you are paid the evaluation. Extra work like parcel running, assisting/splitting routes, or running expresses are paid on a green card. Once the actual hours worked on route and the hours worked on green card add up to 40 or more, you are paid hourly for all actual hours. Any hours actually worked over 40 are automatically paid at 150%.
Sorry to hear what you're going through but this is the job. It is what it is. Come January, subs everywhere will be crying for hours unlike this month where hours & OT are plentiful at most stations. The hours will get even less in late February when the count takes over for 2 weeks and SL & AL aren't taken including unscheduled SL (call-ins). It's often Feast or Famine with the RCA job. Good luck.
They are for the holiday push.
They also require us to come in an hour and a half earlier then the carriers running the routes. So the other question is how a i paid when i run parcels and then run a route? I have not been paid for one of these days yet so i have to ask the manager this. </blockquote>
As an RCA, you should expect to be gone ALL day no matter what you are "scheduled" for. If you get off early... good for you! This doesn't normally happen at most Post Offices.
As to how you get paid... Anytime you are running a route WITHOUT assistance, you are paid the evaluation. Extra work like parcel running, assisting/splitting routes, or running expresses are paid on a green card. Once the actual hours worked on route and the hours worked on green card add up to 40 or more, you are paid hourly for all actual hours. Any hours actually worked over 40 are automatically paid at 150%.
Sorry to hear what you're going through but this is the job. It is what it is. Come January, subs everywhere will be crying for hours unlike this month where hours & OT are plentiful at most stations. The hours will get even less in late February when the count takes over for 2 weeks and SL & AL aren't taken including unscheduled SL (call-ins). It's often Feast or Famine with the RCA job. Good luck.
Nyfarmer
Well-known member
As an RCA you should expect to 'clear the decks' as far as your personal/family time for Christmas overtime. Expect twelve hour days for those three weeks (should now be five to six weeks and any other overburdened delivery periods) of Christmas overtime. After January the work may dry up till the Reg's pay off the Christmas bills and bank some off time. Think of it as an opportunity. The overtime pay will cover the rent for a couple of months. **** 'Christmas overtime' is sort of a misnomer. Theoretically the regular carriers are supposed to be held to their evaluated times and the RCA's are granted pay time to achieve (keeping the regular carrier at evaluation) this goal. This is why you are asked to carry a route when returning from parcel duty. Theoretically only RCA's can achieve overtime pay for themselves working over 40 hours per pay week. A regular working overtime hours is HUGELY expensive. An RCA working overtime hours (time and a half) is often less (insert union irritation here !) than a regular carrier's non-overtime hourly wage.
Spartan42 -- As others have posted, "welcome" to the weird world of the USPS.
-- Scheduling an RCA for 12 hours or more of work a day is a no-no ( not that manglement would care, just as they don't care that you have a sitter problem )
Step 4 ( R-96 ) in part -- management MUST NOT schedule a leave replacement to serve on two full assignments or one full assignment and one or more partial assignments in a single day, it the evaluation of these assignments total twelve hours or more. ( that could be tricky unless manglement as you specifically scheduled for, say 4 hours of parcel delivery, then a 7 1/2 hour route. ) ( also, just because the evaluation is under 12 hours, there is no guarantee that the RCA will be able to do the assignments in under 12 hours )
-- Article 3 - Management Rights - gives manglement lots of leeway to mis-manage.
-- Down to basics -- just how new are you? Have you completed your probationary period of 90-work days or 1 calendar year?
-- Being a new RCA is hard enough at any time of the year, but even more so at the Christmas Crunch time when schedules change daily and in some cases hourly, depending on call-in's or accidents / injuries.
-- Is there an office steward? If not, do you know who the Assistant District Representative is? Or does anyone in the office know?
-- When you have to "run a route" after several hours of delivering parcels, what do you do? Do you have to case the mail, check the parcels, load up and deliver the route? Or, has someone else cased and pulled down, so you just have to deliver the route?
-- Postal provided vehicle ( LLV ) or POV ( your own vehicle )?
-- Payment for you running parcels should be done via the "green card" -- fill in the date, the route, time started and ended. ( may be a time clock for that )
-- Being "reasonable" is not a manglement option particularly, during this time of the year.
-- Don't know if a call to the ADR would do any good in your situation of running parcels then running a route.
-- Scheduling an RCA for 12 hours or more of work a day is a no-no ( not that manglement would care, just as they don't care that you have a sitter problem )
Step 4 ( R-96 ) in part -- management MUST NOT schedule a leave replacement to serve on two full assignments or one full assignment and one or more partial assignments in a single day, it the evaluation of these assignments total twelve hours or more. ( that could be tricky unless manglement as you specifically scheduled for, say 4 hours of parcel delivery, then a 7 1/2 hour route. ) ( also, just because the evaluation is under 12 hours, there is no guarantee that the RCA will be able to do the assignments in under 12 hours )
-- Article 3 - Management Rights - gives manglement lots of leeway to mis-manage.
-- Down to basics -- just how new are you? Have you completed your probationary period of 90-work days or 1 calendar year?
-- Being a new RCA is hard enough at any time of the year, but even more so at the Christmas Crunch time when schedules change daily and in some cases hourly, depending on call-in's or accidents / injuries.
-- Is there an office steward? If not, do you know who the Assistant District Representative is? Or does anyone in the office know?
-- When you have to "run a route" after several hours of delivering parcels, what do you do? Do you have to case the mail, check the parcels, load up and deliver the route? Or, has someone else cased and pulled down, so you just have to deliver the route?
-- Postal provided vehicle ( LLV ) or POV ( your own vehicle )?
-- Payment for you running parcels should be done via the "green card" -- fill in the date, the route, time started and ended. ( may be a time clock for that )
-- Being "reasonable" is not a manglement option particularly, during this time of the year.
-- Don't know if a call to the ADR would do any good in your situation of running parcels then running a route.
Guin
Well-known member
Been a sub for the post office now about 4 and a half years, this is my 5th Christmas here.... My second year here I didn't have a single day off between thanksgiving and Christmas. Last year the two weeks leading up to Christmas I worked 81 and 84 hours and I was pregnant sick as a dog with morning sickness turned all day sickness, I can't tell you how many times I sat in my truck on the side of the road throwing up and me calling the manager to be told "my wife wasn't this sick when she was pregnant. " This is a very tough grueling job, they don't care about you your family and your life. I had one manager essentially tell me that because I am a sub I am a "postal bitch." If you were looking for a job with a set schedule and hours then this isn't the job for you. Things change at the drop of a hat and you're expected to pick up the slack. I am very sorry that this is happening to you and sorry to come off blunt and arrogant, I've seen quite a few subs quit because they can't handle the abuse. My advice would be to try to find a babysitter that is more understanding and flexible with her hours because if you're going to work for the USPS you will need the flexibility.
<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote"><strong>btdtret said </strong>
Spartan42 -- As others have posted, "welcome" to the weird world of the USPS.
-- Scheduling an RCA for 12 hours or more of work a day is a no-no ( not that manglement would care, just as they don't care that you have a sitter problem )
Step 4 ( R-96 ) in part -- management MUST NOT schedule a leave replacement to serve on two full assignments or one full assignment and one or more partial assignments in a single day if the evaluation of these assignments total twelve hours or more. ( that could be tricky unless manglement has you specifically scheduled for say 4 hours of parcel delivery, then a 7 1/2 hour route. ) ( also, just because the evaluation is under 12 hours, there is no guarantee that the RCA will be able to do the assignments in under 12 hours )
-- Article 3 - Management Rights - gives manglement lots of leeway to mis-manage.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote"><strong>Yeah so far the days of parcels and then a route has been under 12 but this is good to know.</strong>
-- Down to basics -- just how new are you? Have you completed your probationary period of 90-work days or 1 calendar year?</blockquote>
<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote"><strong>I just today got my 30 work day evaluation and have been at the PO since October. I know its not that long and i am just trying to survive the season before i decide if this is for me or not, i really hate quitting and would not screw over the other RCA's and regulars by quitting during this hellish season.</strong>
-- Being a new RCA is hard enough at any time of the year, but even more so at the Christmas Crunch time when schedules change daily and in some cases hourly, depending on call-in's or accidents / injuries.
-- Is there an office steward? If not, do you know who the Assistant District Representative is? Or does anyone in the office know?</blockquote>
<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote"><strong>Yes there is a steward but with how busy he and everyone else is at this time of year i didnt want to bug him with my griping when he was trying to work, thats why i asked here. As for the ADR im not sure but the steward should know.</strong>
-- When you have to "run a route" after several hours of delivering parcels, what do you do? Do you have to case the mail, check the parcels, load up and deliver the route? Or, has someone else cased and pulled down, so you just have to deliver the route?
-- Postal provided vehicle ( LLV ) or POV ( your own vehicle )?</blockquote>
<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote"><strong>Generally they have someone case most of the route and i might have to case the parcels, then i usually have to pull down and then load the truck and go, and yes it is in the LLV.</strong>
-- Payment for you running parcels should be done via the "green card" -- fill in the date, the route, time started and ended. ( may be a time clock for that )</blockquote>
<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote"><strong>We don't use the green cards in my office much they just have us write in on the second page of the time sheet for your primary route, but if i then run the route it is all together that s why i need to make sure of how they are paying it out, as the person who does the casing is putting his time on the first page of the time sheet.</strong>
-- Being "reasonable" is not a manglement option particularly, during this time of the year.
-- Don't know if a call to the ADR would do any good in your situation of running parcels then running a route. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote"><strong>Yeah that is what i figured and i will just keep plugging away and make it through.</strong></blockquote>
<blockquote><strong>I want to thank all you guys and galls who took the time to answer here, i have solved the sitter problem, and tho i would like to get the half days of just parcels i am ready to work the route on top of parcels(still don't like it but meh what can you do during this most jolly of hellish seasons). I'm not giving up and will persevere and make it through to the promised land of January and February when i can relax and be lazy. Once again thanks for the help and the advice and just commiserating with me, hope your work days will be less hellish and short and the blizzards massive and overnight.</strong></blockquote>
Spartan42 -- As others have posted, "welcome" to the weird world of the USPS.
-- Scheduling an RCA for 12 hours or more of work a day is a no-no ( not that manglement would care, just as they don't care that you have a sitter problem )
Step 4 ( R-96 ) in part -- management MUST NOT schedule a leave replacement to serve on two full assignments or one full assignment and one or more partial assignments in a single day if the evaluation of these assignments total twelve hours or more. ( that could be tricky unless manglement has you specifically scheduled for say 4 hours of parcel delivery, then a 7 1/2 hour route. ) ( also, just because the evaluation is under 12 hours, there is no guarantee that the RCA will be able to do the assignments in under 12 hours )
-- Article 3 - Management Rights - gives manglement lots of leeway to mis-manage.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote"><strong>Yeah so far the days of parcels and then a route has been under 12 but this is good to know.</strong>
-- Down to basics -- just how new are you? Have you completed your probationary period of 90-work days or 1 calendar year?</blockquote>
<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote"><strong>I just today got my 30 work day evaluation and have been at the PO since October. I know its not that long and i am just trying to survive the season before i decide if this is for me or not, i really hate quitting and would not screw over the other RCA's and regulars by quitting during this hellish season.</strong>
-- Being a new RCA is hard enough at any time of the year, but even more so at the Christmas Crunch time when schedules change daily and in some cases hourly, depending on call-in's or accidents / injuries.
-- Is there an office steward? If not, do you know who the Assistant District Representative is? Or does anyone in the office know?</blockquote>
<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote"><strong>Yes there is a steward but with how busy he and everyone else is at this time of year i didnt want to bug him with my griping when he was trying to work, thats why i asked here. As for the ADR im not sure but the steward should know.</strong>
-- When you have to "run a route" after several hours of delivering parcels, what do you do? Do you have to case the mail, check the parcels, load up and deliver the route? Or, has someone else cased and pulled down, so you just have to deliver the route?
-- Postal provided vehicle ( LLV ) or POV ( your own vehicle )?</blockquote>
<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote"><strong>Generally they have someone case most of the route and i might have to case the parcels, then i usually have to pull down and then load the truck and go, and yes it is in the LLV.</strong>
-- Payment for you running parcels should be done via the "green card" -- fill in the date, the route, time started and ended. ( may be a time clock for that )</blockquote>
<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote"><strong>We don't use the green cards in my office much they just have us write in on the second page of the time sheet for your primary route, but if i then run the route it is all together that s why i need to make sure of how they are paying it out, as the person who does the casing is putting his time on the first page of the time sheet.</strong>
-- Being "reasonable" is not a manglement option particularly, during this time of the year.
-- Don't know if a call to the ADR would do any good in your situation of running parcels then running a route. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote"><strong>Yeah that is what i figured and i will just keep plugging away and make it through.</strong></blockquote>
<blockquote><strong>I want to thank all you guys and galls who took the time to answer here, i have solved the sitter problem, and tho i would like to get the half days of just parcels i am ready to work the route on top of parcels(still don't like it but meh what can you do during this most jolly of hellish seasons). I'm not giving up and will persevere and make it through to the promised land of January and February when i can relax and be lazy. Once again thanks for the help and the advice and just commiserating with me, hope your work days will be less hellish and short and the blizzards massive and overnight.</strong></blockquote>
Spartan42 -- Thanx for the additional info.
"<strong> i am just trying to survive the season before i decide if this is for me or not," " i will just keep plugging away and make it through."</strong>
-- Good for you! Great attitude against a seemingly overwhelming situation.
-- In the past, things used to get better after the holidays, but with on-line shopping that might not be the case. At least there will be fewer greeting cards, if that is any consolation.
"<strong> i really hate quitting and would not screw over the other RCA’s and regulars by quitting during this hellish season."</strong>
-- Don't worry about them, you are the main concern here. If you have to quit to keep your health / sanity, so be it. The others will understand, having been through it themselves.
"<strong> there is a steward but with how busy he and everyone else is at this time of year i didnt want to bug him with my griping when he was trying to work"</strong>
-- Basically the steward is there help you, whether he is busy or not, though he might not be able to give his full attention or effort right away. At least let him know you are having difficulties with schedule changes, etc.
"<strong>As for the ADR im not sure but the steward should know."</strong>
-- You can look that up for yourself by going to the NRCLA web site ( www.nrlca.org ). Scroll down the home page. On the left side of the page is a section for finding out Stewards ( by ZIP Code ) and ADR's ( by Area and District ). Don't have to be a union member to utilize most things on the home page.
"<strong>We don’t use the green cards in my office much they just have us write in on the second page of the time sheet for your primary route, but if i then run the route it is all together "</strong>
-- Just make sure the time for parcels and time for running the route are separate entries. Keep a log of dates, routes, assistance, and times at home. On paper is suitable; a computer spreadsheet is even better.
-- At the end of the pay period, ask permission to make a copy of the 4240 -- just in case it "disappears" and manglement says "Oooops, sorry about the $00.00 pay stub. We didn't have any data to input." Bonus material: if ever a $00.00 pay stub shows up ( they do! ), manglement can make an Employee Emergency Salary Issuance. In case manglement pleads ignorance ( they do! ) remind them details can be found in the F-101 Handbook - Field Accounting Procedures and also in the Postmaster/Field Guide. If manglement still pleads ignorance where those pubs may be located, have them call District! Payment is via a postal money order equal to 65% of the estimated gross pay as a guideline to calculate the net amount due. Inform the office steward should one of those $00.00 pay stubs show up. If the pay problem is not solved at the next pay period, smile and file a grievance, getting the ADR involved if necessary. You or anyone else has enough on their plate to get into pay problems. BTW -- you'll have to pay back that 65% money order, but you can arrange a payment plan so the amount is not taken out all at once.
-- Hang in there!
"<strong> i am just trying to survive the season before i decide if this is for me or not," " i will just keep plugging away and make it through."</strong>
-- Good for you! Great attitude against a seemingly overwhelming situation.
-- In the past, things used to get better after the holidays, but with on-line shopping that might not be the case. At least there will be fewer greeting cards, if that is any consolation.
"<strong> i really hate quitting and would not screw over the other RCA’s and regulars by quitting during this hellish season."</strong>
-- Don't worry about them, you are the main concern here. If you have to quit to keep your health / sanity, so be it. The others will understand, having been through it themselves.
"<strong> there is a steward but with how busy he and everyone else is at this time of year i didnt want to bug him with my griping when he was trying to work"</strong>
-- Basically the steward is there help you, whether he is busy or not, though he might not be able to give his full attention or effort right away. At least let him know you are having difficulties with schedule changes, etc.
"<strong>As for the ADR im not sure but the steward should know."</strong>
-- You can look that up for yourself by going to the NRCLA web site ( www.nrlca.org ). Scroll down the home page. On the left side of the page is a section for finding out Stewards ( by ZIP Code ) and ADR's ( by Area and District ). Don't have to be a union member to utilize most things on the home page.
"<strong>We don’t use the green cards in my office much they just have us write in on the second page of the time sheet for your primary route, but if i then run the route it is all together "</strong>
-- Just make sure the time for parcels and time for running the route are separate entries. Keep a log of dates, routes, assistance, and times at home. On paper is suitable; a computer spreadsheet is even better.
-- At the end of the pay period, ask permission to make a copy of the 4240 -- just in case it "disappears" and manglement says "Oooops, sorry about the $00.00 pay stub. We didn't have any data to input." Bonus material: if ever a $00.00 pay stub shows up ( they do! ), manglement can make an Employee Emergency Salary Issuance. In case manglement pleads ignorance ( they do! ) remind them details can be found in the F-101 Handbook - Field Accounting Procedures and also in the Postmaster/Field Guide. If manglement still pleads ignorance where those pubs may be located, have them call District! Payment is via a postal money order equal to 65% of the estimated gross pay as a guideline to calculate the net amount due. Inform the office steward should one of those $00.00 pay stubs show up. If the pay problem is not solved at the next pay period, smile and file a grievance, getting the ADR involved if necessary. You or anyone else has enough on their plate to get into pay problems. BTW -- you'll have to pay back that 65% money order, but you can arrange a payment plan so the amount is not taken out all at once.
-- Hang in there!
