I won the bid for PTF but ....

fittyfhaav · Aug 23, 2017

Hello fellow Rural carriers!

I really need some advice so here's the story:

While I was on vacation, I noticed that the PTF position for my station was posted on Liteblue. I bid on the PTF position, even though there are 3 RCA's in front of me with more seniority. The bidding was open from August 12th and closed on August 21st.

This morning, I get a call from my supervisor congratulating me on getting the position. However, he said that the 3 people in front of me were never notified that the PTF position was posted for bidding. Needless to say, they're pretty upset and they plan to grieve the results. My sup wants me to go and fill out the paperwork ASAP for the position to make it more difficult to take the position away from me in a grievance.

So, in my situation, what should I do? More importantly, can the PO void the results of the bidding and should I file a counter grievance if that is what happens.

Thanks a bunch guys <img title="Laugh" alt="Laugh" src="https://www.ruralmailtalk.ruralinfo.net/wp-content/sp-resources/forum-smileys/sf-laugh.gif" />

Kelp · Aug 23, 2017

Does your office have some sort of bulletin board where information like the matrix, seniority lists, and route openings are posted up? If so, and assuming management posted a paper, then they were technically notified. If you don't have any such bulletin board or public posting of routes then they might have a case.

btdtret · Aug 23, 2017

fittyfhaav -- " I get a call from my supervisor congratulating me on getting the position. However, he said that the 3 people in front of me were never notified that the PTF position was posted for bidding.

-- Usually "you snooze, you lose" might apply, but I think things will be getting ugly in the office. Usually RCA's will know when a route or in this case, a PTF position, is going to be posted.

-- Step 4 ( R-95 ) deals with the PTF position. In part - Posting the PTF Rural Carrier Assignment:

PTF assignments MUST BE POSTED for all substitutes and RCA's in the office that have completed their probationary period. The notice MUST inform bidders that a PTF cannot later decline conversion to regular status. The notice WILL BE POSTED at the post office of the assignment, including stations and branches, for ten ( 10 ) days.

"So, in my situation, what should I do? "

-- Do not make any large purchases just yet!

"More importantly, can the PO void the results of the bidding "

-- If the PTF position was NOT POSTED in your office, most likely it will be the NRLCA representative who will request the bidding be voided -- if the other carriers file a grievance ( within 14 days ).

"should I file a counter grievance if that is what happens."

-- No, as it will be a waste of time and energy and paper. See above.

" My sup wants me to go and fill out the paperwork ASAP for the position to make it more difficult to take the position away from me in a grievance."

-- Awarding PTF Assignment ( also from R-95 ): The assignment WILL BE awarded within ten ( 10 ) days. The successful bidder WILL BE PLACED in the PTF assignment within twenty-one ( 21 ) days. Even if awarded and you are placed in the assignment, don't get comfortable. If it was not posted properly, it will be voided. If manglement plunges ahead, it will most likely further any rift between manglement and the steward / Assistant District Representative.

On the positive side, if the position was posted in the office and the other RCA's missed it -- congratulations on your new position. Just expect to be taken off a few Christmas card lists and possibly unfriended on social media.

Also be aware that there are numerous references in the current contract that specifies that a PTF will be the first to be utilized to fill-in or assist elsewhere. Download the contract and do a word search or "find" for "PTF".

-- Let us know how things turn out -- good luck.

fittyfhaav · Aug 23, 2017

<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote">Kelp said 
Does your office have some sort of bulletin board where information like the matrix, seniority lists, and route openings are posted up?</blockquote>
Yes, the bulletin board where they are supposed to post position openings is in the break room. Since I was on vacation, I do not know if the position was posted.

dhoward541 · Aug 23, 2017

Unless the PM is pulling some crap and didn't do the posting; most ethical PM's would be sure and tell everyone the job was posted.

I smell a rat here; especially since he wants to push you through before the others can object.

faceindawind · Aug 23, 2017

Just went through this with an open route bid.

If your office is under APO/RMPO or solo office the guidelines are ..all it takes is one to state they were never aware of posting. An investigation will follow. If all carriers were not notified of posting it goes for re bid. Who checks the board? Mostly useless info is posted there if posted.

A simple solution to this issue is to have all carriers and RCA's in office(s) if applicable initial and date bid alert sheet. Leave it up to management to make sure all have been alerted.

Start date of winner is normally the onset of a new pay period .

btdtret · Aug 23, 2017

fittyfhaav -- Why did the PTF position happen? Office become a Formula Office?

-- Is the office steward or Assistant District Representative aware of trouble in postal paradise?

btdtret · Aug 23, 2017

dhoward541 -- "I smell a rat here; especially since he wants to push you through before the others can object. "

-- OP indicated 3 RCA's not happy campers, so the rat has been smelled. They have 14 days to file a grievance.

fittyfhaav · Aug 23, 2017

<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote">btdtret said 

-- Usually "you snooze, you lose" might apply, but I think things will be getting ugly in the office. Usually RCA's will know when a route or in this case, a PTF position, is going to be posted.

-- Step 4 ( R-95 ) deals with the PTF position. In part - Posting the PTF Rural Carrier Assignment:

PTF assignments MUST BE POSTED for all substitutes and RCA's in the office that have completed their probationary period. The notice MUST inform bidders that a PTF cannot later decline conversion to regular status. The notice WILL BE POSTED at the post office of the assignment, including stations and branches, for ten ( 10 ) days.

"So, in my situation, what should I do? "

-- Do not make any large purchases just yet!

"More importantly, can the PO void the results of the bidding "

-- If the PTF position was NOT POSTED in your office, most likely it will be the NRLCA representative who will request the bidding be voided -- if the other carriers file a grievance ( within 14 days ).

"should I file a counter grievance if that is what happens."

-- No, as it will be a waste of time and energy and paper. See above.

" My sup wants me to go and fill out the paperwork ASAP for the position to make it more difficult to take the position away from me in a grievance."

-- Awarding PTF Assignment ( also from R-95 ): The assignment WILL BE awarded within ten ( 10 ) days. The successful bidder WILL BE PLACED in the PTF assignment within twenty-one ( 21 ) days. Even if awarded and you are placed in the assignment, don't get comfortable. If it was not posted properly, it will be voided. If manglement plunges ahead, it will most likely further any rift between manglement and the steward / Assistant District Representative.

On the positive side, if the position was posted in the office and the other RCA's missed it -- congratulations on your new position. Just expect to be taken off a few Christmas card lists and possibly unfriended on social media.

Also be aware that there are numerous references in the current contract that specifies that a PTF will be the first to be utilized to fill-in or assist elsewhere. Download the contract and do a word search or "find" for "PTF".

-- Let us know how things turn out -- good luck. </blockquote>
Hi and thank you so much for your detailed response.

This is a very complicated situation since our matrix is divided between two rural offices. The person with the most seniority who should've gotten the position works at the station I've never worked at, so I do not know if they have a bulletin board, or whether it was posted.

While I do want the position, I have worked with the 3 people ahead of me in seniority for 10 years. I have a lot of admiration and respect for these 3 people and out of fairness, the bidding should be done over.

I'll keep the thread informed of the outcome.

fittyfhaav · Aug 23, 2017

<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote">btdtret said 
fittyfhaav -- Why did the PTF position happen? Office become a Formula Office?

-- Is the office steward or Assistant District Representative aware of trouble in postal paradise? </blockquote>
We've been a formula office for almost a year now. We keep 4 PTF's and the last PTF that went regular was in mid July, leaving a PTF position open.

I spoke to our old shop steward that used to be in office about the situation. She is stating what everyone else here has pretty much said about the subject.

faceindawind · Aug 23, 2017

Surprised by your old shop STEWY response. Most say I'll get back to you until I contact my "guy".

Aux01 · Aug 23, 2017

Just curious how many routes will your PTF position have ?...The person who got our only has 2. It doesn't seem cost effective.

fittyfhaav · Aug 23, 2017

<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote">Aux01 said 
Just curious how many routes will your PTF position have ?...The person who got our only has 2. It doesn't seem cost effective. </blockquote>
Each PTF gets 4 routes since we're a formula office. We have almost 40 routes in our station, and most of them do not have a primary RCA backup. There is always plenty of work for the PTF's. The majority of new RCA's either quit, or transfer to the city within 6-8 weeks of being hired.