Can I step down from Aux Route?

vajoker · Apr 24, 2020

I've asked PM about it and he says it's possible. He gave me a phone # to contact HR to ask them what steps need to be taken.
Has anyone heard of or came across this scenario? I'm on the backside of 60, collecting SS and just want to slow down and sub for the 2 Aux routes, plus help with package delivery during overloads.

hockey94 · Apr 24, 2020

I have never come across this scenario, but I am pretty sure you can. I guess, PM is to lazy to look into it for you ??

Sandygirl · Apr 24, 2020

vajoker said:
I've asked PM about it and he says it's possible. He gave me a phone # to contact HR to ask them what steps need to be taken.
Has anyone heard of or came across this scenario? I'm on the backside of 60, collecting SS and just want to slow down and sub for the 2 Aux routes, plus help with package delivery during overloads.

Interesting question, I hope it works out for you, I can understand how this would benefit you. I too am approaching the time when I can draw my SS and still work, I have a question for you. I know SS withholds money when you work and receive your pay. Do they wait till the end of the year then make an adjustment to your next year payment to pay themselves the $1 for every $3 earned? I am considering possibly not taking the Auxie when it is my turn because by then I would be eligible for SS and would not want to commit to 6 days a week. But if I pass it up would I still by seniority be able to get the next Career position?

gotstamps · Apr 24, 2020

Sandygirl said:
I am considering possibly not taking the Auxie when it is my turn because by then I would be eligible for SS and would not want to commit to 6 days a week. But if I pass it up would I still by seniority be able to get the next Career position?

You do not lose Seniority by not taking a Aux route. Only if you pass on a PTF Bid do you lose seniority to the RCA that won the Bid for the next Regular Route.

Sandygirl · Apr 24, 2020

gotstamps said:
You do not lose Seniority by not taking a Aux route. Only if you pass on a PTF Bid do you lose seniority to the RCA that won the Bid for the next Regular Route.

And that is because if you are PTF you MUST take next available Reg rt ?

Rt2mailman · Apr 24, 2020

Stepping down from the aux would involve a matrix change, (in my opinion) . The only time matrix changes are allowed is when there is a change in a vacant route that currently has no primary Rca. To change off of the aux, you would have to have some route, with no primary, that recently had an up or down hour change, or another Rca that left the office and made a new vacant position. That is the only way I know you could move from the aux. Some managers allow matrix changes at other times, but it is not contractually allowed.

blamethesub · Apr 24, 2020

Vajoker, this is how I got my aux position years ago. The RCA who was carrying the aux didn't want to work 6 days a week anymore. She went on SS, and worked pretty much one day a week for the next year.

I don't remember it being an issue at all. It was just a matter of taking her off leave-earning status. I was next in line for the aux. When I took it, the other RCA became primary on the route I'd just vacated. I opted for 6-0 on the aux.

Mind you, we are a very small office, so nobody made a stink about wanting to switch primaries at the time it all happened. I can see how that could be messy. There should be at least one open spot on the matrix once the next most senior RCA takes the aux, even if it's only the number 2 and 3 spots that were held by that RCA.

MiddleOfNowhere · Apr 24, 2020

we just had a rca step down from an aux rt. a couple weeks ago. you have to notify the pm in writing, preferably with a round date stamp on it. make a copy, and contact hr as well. if it isn't in writing, it never happened. pm has been carrying the aux when no one can be found. he wanted to get regular carriers to split it, for actual time. the portion of the aux that had come off my route, might take 10 minutes to case, and 5 minutes to deliver. it was a 5.5 hr cut for me. so he wanted to pay 15x 6, or 1 1/2 hours a week, actual time, for the 5.5 hours he took off my route. no thanks...

Postal-xam@58 · Apr 24, 2020

Vajoker, you might want to check with SS about how much you can make and not lose any of your SS money , if you waited until 65 to start drawing your SS, you may be surprised at how much you are allowed to make before they take any back.

As for coming off Aux route I think you can do quite easily by contacting HR.

vajoker · Apr 24, 2020

Yes, I waited and this year I can earn $40 some thousand before getting penalized. Actually upped my monthly SS payment this year after applying last years income.
I'm currently senior sub (14 years), we recently had a route go up for bid. I didn't bid knowing that I was hoping to make this change before the Election/Holidays hit this year. This shocked some RCA's, but made a couple very, very happy

I want to thank all of you for the input, helpful advice and encouragement. You're the BEST!

btdtret · Apr 24, 2020

vajoker -- "I've asked PM about it and he says it's possible. He gave me a phone # to contact HR to ask them what steps need to be taken.
Has anyone heard of or came across this scenario?

-- As they say, there is a first time for everything. First time I've heard such a scenario, although others have run across it.

-- Hopefully the PM gave you a good phone number. And HR / Shared Services was equally helpful.

-- I'd think the PM would do everything and anything to make it happen. Experienced, hard working RCA's are a valuable asset. So it would benefit all concerned for it to happen.

" we recently had a route go up for bid. I didn't bid knowing that I was hoping to make this change before the Election/Holidays hit this year. This shocked some RCA's, but made a couple very, very happy."

-- Good for you! And hopefully the RCA's remember you at Christmas time as they got quite a present.

" I'm on the backside of 60,"

-- Not according to your avatar!

-- Good luck.