Hold down..

shyflyrebelguy · Dec 13, 2017

I hear this term tossed around the office a lot. Is it true this is only a city term? When rcas serve a route for an extended period when regular is out for a while, is that considered a "hold down"? It is my understanding that this is a city term , and they are awarded by seniority by ccas. For rcas, doesn't the matrix have to be followed first? The reason why I ask is because there are 3 regulars who are currently out for an extended period of time. Neither of thrm have a primary sub. The 3 senior rcas are "holding down" these routes. Is this wrong? One of the junior rcas has one of these routes as their 2nd pick. Shouldn't they be doing the route? Is rca on "hold down" still responsible for serving their primary route on relief day? To me it seems management is treating rurals like city.

Cliff Clavin · Dec 13, 2017

That's a good question. Someone more knowledgeable than I will chime in and give you the answer.

gotstamps · Dec 13, 2017

<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote"><strong>shyflyrebelguy said </strong>
I hear this term tossed around the office a lot. Is it true this is only a city term? When rcas serve a route for an extended period when regular is out for a while, is that considered a "hold down"? It is my understanding that this is a city term , and they are awarded by seniority by ccas. For rcas, doesn't the matrix have to be followed first? The reason why I ask is because there are 3 regulars who are currently out for an extended period of time. Neither of thrm have a primary sub. The 3 senior rcas are "holding down" these routes. Is this wrong? One of the junior rcas has one of these routes as their 2nd pick. Shouldn't they be doing the route? Is rca on "hold down" still responsible for serving their primary route on relief day? To me it seems management is treating rurals like city. </blockquote>
"Hold-down" is the correct term. The RCA that gets first dibs is the primary on the route. If there is no Primary sub, then it should be bid for internally by seniority within the RCAs. If none of the Routes had Primary subs, then it sounds as if this situation is handled correctly... assuming the RCAs running them has changed their Primary to the Hold-down.

If nobody changed Primary's, then the secondary should be running the route when not on their primary. They would be the one to file a grievance unless you're wanting to switch Primary routes. If you're wanting to change, file your grievance AFTER speaking to mgmt about it. I would bring up the issue to your Union steward, ADR, or DR.

shyflyrebelguy · Dec 14, 2017

So is the route eligible for this "hold down" status immediately, in anticipation of carrier being out for extended period of time? , thus negating the matrix immediately... the carrier who has route as 2nd pick gets screwed right away. This does not seem right.

40anddone · Dec 14, 2017

The matrix is to be followed for the first 30 days. If the regular carrier is still out on the 31st day the primary position is to be offered to the RCA's starting with the most senior. Then they are allowed to change their primary assignment. So shy you are correct in your assumption that does not seem right!!! Article 30.2.E.1 explains this.