Mileage

50ways · Apr 17, 2017

During what instances are we paid mileage? I'm an RCA and I drive an LLV. When I trained 2 1/2 hours away I was paid for the mileage there and back, minus the 10 miles to my office.

I've picked up a few shifts lately at a post office slightly farther away, about 25 minutes out. Should I get mileage for this?

I ask because there are other offices farther away that need help but it's maybe not worth it to drive there.

btdtret · Apr 17, 2017

50 ways -- "I’ve picked up a few shifts lately at a post office slightly farther away, about 25 minutes out. Should I get mileage for this? "

-- Sorry, no, if you are voluntarily traveling for work in another office.

-- On the other hand, if manglement orders you to go, then mileage payment would be appropriate.

"I ask because there are other offices farther away that need help but it’s maybe not worth it to drive there."

-- If there is an opening for an RCA, would you consider a transfer to another office? You'd lose any seniority when voluntarily transferring. But if it appears you could make regular sooner, might be worth considering.

Deer Smearer · Apr 18, 2017

<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote">btdtret said 
50 ways -- "I’ve picked up a few shifts lately at a post office slightly farther away, about 25 minutes out. Should I get mileage for this? "

-- Sorry, no, if you are voluntarily traveling for work in another office.

-- On the other hand, if manglement orders you to go, then mileage payment would be appropriate.

"I ask because there are other offices farther away that need help but it’s maybe not worth it to drive there."

-- If there is an opening for an RCA, would you consider a transfer to another office? You'd lose any seniority when voluntarily transferring. But if it appears you could make regular sooner, might be worth considering. </blockquote>
Sorry btdtret, don't agree with you on this one. Even volunteering to assist in an office gets you paid mileage if it's farther away than your home office.

On the clerk or city side there is even a 2013 <a href="http://www.apwu.org/news/web-news-article/ptf-hub-clerk-volunteers-will-receive-pay-travel-mileage">step 4 or MOU confirming this</a>.

The <a title="PFT hub clerk agreement.pdf" href="http://www.apwu.org/sites/apwu/files/resource-files/PFT%20hub%20clerk%20agreement.pdf" target="_blank">agreement</a> is in accordance with Section 438.133 of the Employee and Labor Relations Manual (ELM) and Chapter 7.d of F-15 Handbook, Travel and Relocation.

<a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.branch43.com/Steward%2520Resources/PS1164e.pdf&ved=0ahUKEwjc2M-43q3TAhXi7oMKHTlODMoQFggaMAA&usg=AFQjCNHkdnsrUOGYfqfdI4UBgEfKuKvCTA&sig2=EM12vumtzTgtAlGRFmBW9g">The form is 1164-e</a>

Now, asking for payment may make that office to look for assistance elsewhere.

40anddone · Apr 18, 2017

Deer - I see where the agreement says "outside local commute area". The local commute area is 50 miles from your duty station.

Deer Smearer · Apr 18, 2017

<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote">40anddone said 
Deer - I see where the agreement says "outside local commute area". The local commute area is 50 miles from your duty station. </blockquote>
For local travel that's where f-15 7.d. should apply.

gotstamps · Apr 18, 2017

<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote">Deer Smearer said 

For local travel that's where f-15 7.d. should apply. </blockquote>
Since this was an agreement between the PO & APWU, I don't think this would apply to rural craft.

If an RCA calls around offering to work at other offices, they do not get paid mileage. If mgmt requests volunteers to assist other offices or the RCA is directed to work other offices, then they should be compensated for mileage beyond the home office. This doesn't count for working between APO/RMPO offices unless the sub is working/scheduled in one office & is directed to go to the other to assist/work a route.

Deer Smearer · Apr 18, 2017

<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote">gotstamps said 

Since this was an agreement between the PO & APWU, I don't think this would apply to rural craft.

If an RCA calls around offering to work at other offices, they do not get paid mileage. If mgmt requests volunteers to assist other offices or the RCA is directed to work other offices, then they should be compensated for mileage beyond the home office. This doesn't count for working between APO/RMPO offices unless the sub is working/scheduled in one office & is directed to go to the other to assist/work a route. </blockquote>
I think that while the agreement itself wouldn't necessarily apply to the rural craft the ELM & F-15 references cited in it would apply since they are not craft specific.

It should be an easy win...<img title="Cool" alt="Cool" src="https://www.ruralmailtalk.ruralinfo.net/wp-content/sp-resources/forum-smileys/sf-cool.gif" /> for a competent association.<img title="Yell" alt="Yell" src="https://www.ruralmailtalk.ruralinfo.net/wp-content/sp-resources/forum-smileys/sf-yell.gif" />

Calling around asking for work shouldn't effect eligibility for mileage. It might effect an office's desire to use the carrier volunteering.

hunchback · Apr 18, 2017

A some what related question...

Do RCA's required to work Amazon Sunday get paid mileage to the "HUB" if it is further away than their assigned office ?

btdtret · Apr 19, 2017

Deer Smearer -- F-15 -- Who knew that existed. Learn something new just about every day here at RI.

-- Poking around the F-15, did you come across a POV might be someone's private plane! That certainly is above my pay grade! But probably common in the wilds of Alaska.

MiddleOfNowhere · Apr 19, 2017

i have never seen an employee getting mileage for volunteering to work in another office. siting a section titled "travel and relocation", doesn't seem to help the argument for me either. years ago, i worked construction, traveling to many places near and far. as far as the irs is concerned, commuting to work, and traveling for work, are not the same. mileage for commuting to work, was not deductible, while mileage traveling for work, was. distance is not the determining factor either. for mileage to be considered travel, you had to stay away from home overnight. even if you drove 200 miles to work, it was not considered travel, if you returned home the same day. being it is with "relocation", i doubt this section applies.