All Saints Day
Member
A big Thank you to ruralinfo for providing this forum to help carriers who are looking for a mutual exchange connect with each other.
I'm sure most carriers know (or have an idea of) how this process works but for those who may not know, or have some questions, I want to list some important things to know:
A "mutual exchange" is when two or more carriers trade their assigned offices with each other. They do not trade routes. They trade offices.
Transfers may seem like a daunting task but it's really not that complicated. Carriers do it all the time. I've transferred a few times myself and know several carriers who have as well.
When you find a carrier who agrees to an exchange you must both sign a "mutual exchange request form". Postmasters must also sign the form. All signatures must be on the same form. So once a carrier and their postmaster sign it, they need to mail it to the other carrier. Here is a link to the form: : https://www.ruralinfo.net/shared-files/104116995/?Mutual-Exchange-request-form--2.pdf
The form is formatted for 2 carriers/offices. So if you are requesting an exchange with more than 2 offices/carriers (I've done a 4-way transfer before), then you would just print out another copy of the form for the signatures of the carriers and postmasters in the additional offices.
Very important to know: Until the form is signed by all carriers and postmasters involved, anyone can change their mind at any time so do not consider it a done deal or make any plans for your move until all signatures are on the form and you have a copy of the form with all signatures. Once the form has all signatures it is binding and no one can back out unless everyone involved agrees to cancel the transfer.
Once the form is signed by all parties it needs to be submitted to one of the district's Shared services department. It doesn't matter which district but it has to be one of the districts involved. They will coordinate with the Shared Services department in the other district(s) involved to process the transfer.
Once the transfer is processed, all of the carriers involved in the transfer will have their routes go up for bid in their offices. The carriers will still be assigned to their routes while the route is up for bid. Only the regulars in the office are eligible to bid. No RCAs are eligible to bid on the routes. Once the bidding closes, the carrier who is transferring into the office will be awarded the residual route. The carriers who are transferring do not need to bid. They are automatically awarded the residual route and given the start date at their new office (usually the second pay period after the bidding closed).
When a carrier transfers to an office through a mutual exchange, they are at the bottom of the seniority within their new office but they do not lose their place on the step table. If you transfer as a step 12, you will still be a step 12 in your new office.
Before you agree to a transfer to another office some important questions you should ask are: Do all the routes have a postal vehicle? If you do not have, or don't want to use a personal vehicle to deliver mail you definitely want to know that all routes in the office have a govt. vehicle. You might want to ask if there are any substandard routes in the office. Like a 39H or something like that. Because that may be the route you end up with.
Good luck to everyone who is looking to transfer.
I'm sure most carriers know (or have an idea of) how this process works but for those who may not know, or have some questions, I want to list some important things to know:
A "mutual exchange" is when two or more carriers trade their assigned offices with each other. They do not trade routes. They trade offices.
Transfers may seem like a daunting task but it's really not that complicated. Carriers do it all the time. I've transferred a few times myself and know several carriers who have as well.
When you find a carrier who agrees to an exchange you must both sign a "mutual exchange request form". Postmasters must also sign the form. All signatures must be on the same form. So once a carrier and their postmaster sign it, they need to mail it to the other carrier. Here is a link to the form: : https://www.ruralinfo.net/shared-files/104116995/?Mutual-Exchange-request-form--2.pdf
The form is formatted for 2 carriers/offices. So if you are requesting an exchange with more than 2 offices/carriers (I've done a 4-way transfer before), then you would just print out another copy of the form for the signatures of the carriers and postmasters in the additional offices.
Very important to know: Until the form is signed by all carriers and postmasters involved, anyone can change their mind at any time so do not consider it a done deal or make any plans for your move until all signatures are on the form and you have a copy of the form with all signatures. Once the form has all signatures it is binding and no one can back out unless everyone involved agrees to cancel the transfer.
Once the form is signed by all parties it needs to be submitted to one of the district's Shared services department. It doesn't matter which district but it has to be one of the districts involved. They will coordinate with the Shared Services department in the other district(s) involved to process the transfer.
Once the transfer is processed, all of the carriers involved in the transfer will have their routes go up for bid in their offices. The carriers will still be assigned to their routes while the route is up for bid. Only the regulars in the office are eligible to bid. No RCAs are eligible to bid on the routes. Once the bidding closes, the carrier who is transferring into the office will be awarded the residual route. The carriers who are transferring do not need to bid. They are automatically awarded the residual route and given the start date at their new office (usually the second pay period after the bidding closed).
When a carrier transfers to an office through a mutual exchange, they are at the bottom of the seniority within their new office but they do not lose their place on the step table. If you transfer as a step 12, you will still be a step 12 in your new office.
Before you agree to a transfer to another office some important questions you should ask are: Do all the routes have a postal vehicle? If you do not have, or don't want to use a personal vehicle to deliver mail you definitely want to know that all routes in the office have a govt. vehicle. You might want to ask if there are any substandard routes in the office. Like a 39H or something like that. Because that may be the route you end up with.
Good luck to everyone who is looking to transfer.
