Hold down leave earning status question

UnknownUser · Mar 20, 2018

If a rural route is a hold down due to the regular carrier being busy with union duties and the primary RCA that's assigned quits, the route bids to all RCAs, and is awarded to the senior bidding RCA.

Since the route is already 'vacant/hold down'. Is it the RCA working 90 days to change to leave earning status or the route automatically changes the RCA to designation 74?

I've read article 30.2.e.1 and article 7, searched the forum and I guess I'm not good at searching or haven't looked hard enough. Anyways you guys are all helpful. This situation has not happened yet, likely it will and I'm wondering if I'll possibly build leave before going regular. Or if I'll have to wait the 90 days, it may be possible that I will go regular before the 90 days on this route. This situation will probably happen in about a month or so.

I have heard from others, locally, that it's the route that is a hold down and you may not have to actually work the 90 days. It's hard to trust the information was correct. It all sounds almost to good to be true if that's the case. Seems they would make everyone start the 90 days over to get out of paying the annual and sick leave benefits as long as they can.

btdtret · Mar 20, 2018

UnknownUser -- Is the route's regular carrier actually too busy working on union duties to occasionally run his/her route?

-- Is the regular carrier an office steward or an Assistant District Representative?

-- Page 3 of the contract: Designation 74 -- Rural carrier associated appointed via Form 50 to serve full time on a vacant route or in the absence of the regular carrier for more than 90 CALENDAR days.

-- The RCA will be a Designation 78 until the Form 50 notes the change to designation 74. Annual and Sick Leave will be retroactive from Day 1.

-- Could be rough on the RCA filling in if the regular just happens to be available to run the route at the RCA's day 85 or so.

-- Manglement will probably need to be reminded when the 91st day rolls around.

UnknownUser · Mar 20, 2018

The regular carrier is the district representative. He has been out for YEARS. So the language sounds as if the carrier has been absent for 90 days, the form 50 should also state the designation change to 74, along with the new assigned carrier? You always have very detailed information @btdtret. Thank you for your quick responses! This is all kind of foggy language and hard to point to a definite answer as the contract doesn't have detail specific scenarios for random situations such as this. Surely someone has had something similar happen before?

gotstamps · Mar 20, 2018

<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote">UnknownUser said 
The regular carrier is the district representative. He has been out for YEARS. So the language sounds as if the carrier has been absent for 90 days, the form 50 should also state the designation change to 74, along with the new assigned carrier? You always have very detailed information @btdtret. Thank you for your quick responses! This is all kind of foggy language and hard to point to a definite answer as the contract doesn't have detail specific scenarios for random situations such as this. Surely someone has had something similar happen before? </blockquote>
An RCA changing to Des 74 has nothing to do with how long the Regular Carrier is off the route. RCA Des78 MUST be assigned to the "hold-down" for 90 days prior to changing Designation codes. If you change routes to another "hold-down", then the 90 days starts over. None of this is unusual. It's the same as if a carrier goes out on injury and a sub holds down the route waiting for the 2-yr deadline for the route to be officially vacated. In my office, we've had Regular carriers move to 204b & remain there for years while subs take over until they go Regular or PTF. Each sub that jumps on that "hold-down" must wait 90 days before changing to Des 74.

On the 91st day, let mgmt know that your 90 days are up & that they will need to file a change of Designation backdated to the 1st day (of which you may have to remind them).

UnknownUser · Mar 20, 2018

Thank you @gotstamps ! Still a win-win scenario in my books. Either go regular with leave or get paid guaranteed hours every week. Thank you both for your knowledgeable replies! It's nice to have clarification.

Rt2mailman · Mar 20, 2018

You don't "go regular" if you're the RCA for the Dr , on that route. After 90 days you will be in the leave earning status. After that everything remains the same until the Dr. retires or stops being the Dr. and returns to the route.

gotstamps · Mar 20, 2018

<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote">Rt2mailman said 
You don't "go regular" if you're the RCA for the Dr , on that route. After 90 days you will be in the leave earning status. After that everything remains the same until the Dr. retires or stops being the Dr. and returns to the route. </blockquote>
True. But they can remain on that route until a vacant route or PTF position comes available. It's certainly not fair for a route to be held up due to Union work OR Mgmt work, but that's how it is. A 204b can stay there indefinitely if the PO doesn't want to put out the offer for Supervisor. Personally I think that after 2 yrs, either one should be placed on a Phantom route until the person gains a permanent position or goes back to carrying. The latter would make them an excised carrier ?.

UnknownUser · Mar 20, 2018

<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote">
Rt2mailman said 
You don't "go regular" if you're the RCA for the Dr , on that route. After 90 days you will be in the leave earning status. After that everything remains the same until the Dr. retires or stops being the Dr. and returns to the route.

</blockquote>
I understand, we have 4 plus retiring in the next 2 months. 1 big aux becoming a new route after April 28th and the cuts. More due to retire as well. I'll be awarded a regular route. Not the DRs route. I wish the phantom route applied as well @gotstamps for this situation among 204b's routes as well. Unfortunately its hard for these union representatives to think about RCAs. More benefits would greatly improve "part time employees" morale.

btdtret · Mar 20, 2018

UnknownUser et al -- " I wish the phantom route applied as well <a class="spLink spProfilePage" title="Profile" href="https://www.ruralmailtalk.ruralinfo.net/forum/profile/2688/">@gotstamps</a> for this situation among 204b’s routes as well."

-- It has to start somewhere, so submit the suggestion as a resolution at the next union meeting.

-- Note: If a city carrier is detailed as a 204b for more than 4 months, his/her route will be declared vacant and put up for bids.

gotstamps · Mar 21, 2018

<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote">btdtret said 
UnknownUser et al -- " I wish the phantom route applied as well <a class="spLink spProfilePage" title="Profile" href="https://www.ruralmailtalk.ruralinfo.net/forum/profile/2688/">@gotstamps</a> for this situation among 204b’s routes as well."

-- It has to start somewhere, so submit the suggestion as a resolution at the next union meeting.

-- Note: If a city carrier is detailed as a 204b for more than 4 months, his/her route will be declared vacant and put up for bids. </blockquote>
Our 204bs routes are being held (not our from our office) & they are city guys. Hmmm....