Need help with some clarifications

Cappy · Mar 3, 2018

"During the mail count, if the parcel hamper is not within 50 feet (round trip), the route will be provided additional credit under Column R for only the distance beyond the 50 feet. Measurement will be from the closest edge (wing) on the front side of the carrier's case to the closest edge of the parcel hamper. The distance beyond 50 feet will be credited at ,00284 minutes per foot. The credit will not exceed more than one round trip per day."

I'm in a fairly large office. Our hampers are arranged two deep in a U shape. The clerk sets up their pallets and cages in the middle of the U. My hamper is located in the middle of the front row closest to the clerk throwing the packages-- meaning I am completely blocked from retrieving my gurney from that side. There are hampers to either side of mine and also behind (in another row). So, in order for me to get my gurney when the clerks call for a swap, I have to pick up packages off the floor for the route behind me- move their gurney off to the side-- retrieve my full gurney-- walk to where the front of my gurney was and pick up my large packages off the floor, place them in my full gurney-- return my empty gurney-- return the other route's full gurney-- and move their package back (or forget it at that point, I'm irritated).

And, apparently, I'm just suppose to receive footage for all this (over 50ft)? According to the guide, our hampers are suppose to be located in a convenient location to the carrier, this is anything but. Like I said, our office is large, I realize some people are going to be in awkward position, I just want to be paid for it. Is this one of those unique situations where I have to contact a steward? Also, it says the credit will not exceed more than one round trip per day... our office requires us to swap, on average, 3 times a day. At least 2 in the am and 1 in the pm.

In the past, we've always received a markup credit for having to notate any mail that was brought back to the post office with a reason why. For instance, I had a street paved this past week and had to bring back a dozen or so addresses and I placed a sticky note on the pile that said (street being paved) and notified my supervisor. We are instructed throughout the year to do this, but now they do not want to give me any kind of credit for it. Were the previous counts being generous or am I due a markup?

And lastly, each week we are required to pick all of our equipment off the floor and place on our desk so that the janitors can clean. I had a supervisor time me to pick up my mat, my empty trays for pulldown, 4 UBBM tubs, a plastic wrapping tub, a trashcan and stool... all set on one case ledge.. I went ahead and took it all down on the same time, since the janitor wasn't actually going to sweep that day. It totaled 4 min and 15 sec for both pickup and placement back down. So, 2min 8ish seconds for each event. I was flagged by district and now have to be re-timed by postmaster. Is my time excessive?

Sorry for the long post. I just went through count 2 years ago and this one seems completely different and all over the place. Timing us for signing our initials for the arrow key, gas card, gas receipt instead of the previous markup credits. Footage for events we use to get timed for. I've been a carrier for 13 years, plenty of counts and this one has got me the most confused. Luckily, I have some relatives that are keeping me medicated lol.

Joe Reeser · Mar 3, 2018

<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote">Cappy said 
And, apparently, I'm just suppose to receive footage for all this (over 50ft)? According to the guide, our hampers are suppose to be located in a convenient location to the carrier, this is anything but. Like I said, our office is large, I realize some people are going to be in awkward position, I just want to be paid for it. Is this one of those unique situations where I have to contact a steward? Also, it says the credit will not exceed more than one round trip per day... our office requires us to swap, on average, 3 times a day. At least 2 in the am and 1 in the pm.</blockquote>
It sounds like a special situation to me. Call the steward. Do it now.

<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote">In the past, we’ve always received a markup credit for having to notate any mail that was brought back to the post office with a reason why. For instance, I had a street paved this past week and had to bring back a dozen or so addresses and I placed a sticky note on the pile that said (street being paved) and notified my supervisor. We are instructed throughout the year to do this, but now they do not want to give me any kind of credit for it. Were the previous counts being generous or am I due a markup?</blockquote>
In my opinion, you're due a markup. Any time I have to put a notation on mail I get a markup. We went over this during our pre-count conference. I can't give you a reference though. Maybe someone else can help with that.

<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote">And lastly, each week we are required to pick all of our equipment off the floor and place on our desk so that the janitors can clean. I had a supervisor time me to pick up my mat, my empty trays for pulldown, 4 UBBM tubs, a plastic wrapping tub, a trashcan and stool… all set on one case ledge.. I went ahead and took it all down on the same time, since the janitor wasn’t actually going to sweep that day. It totaled 4 min and 15 sec for both pickup and placement back down. So, 2min 8ish seconds for each event. I was flagged by district and now have to be re-timed by postmaster. Is my time excessive?</blockquote>
It doesn't seem so to me but get re-timed and make sure it's the same. lol

RCA 74 · Mar 4, 2018

All mail returned from the street counts as random letters on PS 4241 column #1. All mail brought back out with more than 7 pcs, counts as a package each time its brought out and is supposed to be attempted 3 times before being placed on hold. Those dozen delivery points could turn into a gold mine for you.

btdtret · Mar 4, 2018

Cappy - "And lastly, each week we are required to pick all of our equipment off the floor and place on our desk so that the janitors can clean. I had a supervisor time me to pick up my mat, my empty trays for pulldown, 4 UBBM tubs, a plastic wrapping tub, a trashcan and stool… all set on one case ledge.. I went ahead and took it all down on the same time, since the janitor wasn’t actually going to sweep that day. It totaled 4 min and 15 sec for both pickup and placement back down. So, 2min 8ish seconds for each event. I was flagged by district and now have to be re-timed by postmaster. Is my time excessive?"

-- District got involved already -- wow -- the bean counters are out in force, looking for anything to "red-line"!

-- Excessive time? Doesn't seem like it with the items you listed. Assuming that your case ledge/shelf is the same size as mine was long ago, you would be playing "TETRIS" to get all that stuff on the case ledge/shelf!

-- District doesn't trust the original supervisor?

-- If you had to do it before pulling down the day's mail, did District expect you to somehow work around the items placed on the case ledge/shelf?

-- Be sure to check the worksheets for that specific timed event before the paper work goes to District and when it comes back.

btdtret · Mar 4, 2018

RCA 74 -- "All mail returned from the street counts as random letters on PS 4241 column #1. All mail brought back out with more than 7 pcs, counts as a package each time its brought out and is supposed to be attempted 3 times before being placed on hold. "

-- That is handy to know.

-- Got a reference for that or is it your office's policy?

Cappy · Mar 4, 2018

<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote">RCA 74 said 
All mail returned from the street counts as random letters on PS 4241 column #1. All mail brought back out with more than 7 pcs, counts as a package each time its brought out and is supposed to be attempted 3 times before being placed on hold. Those dozen delivery points could turn into a gold mine for you. </blockquote>
This is what my initial thought was, similar to closed businesses on Saturdays. All I wanted was a single markup credit to notate why that mail was brought back. Now, that management doesn't want to give credit for simply that, I did some asking around and am seeking more. Another route was affected by paving, she contacted the steward and the union will be pushing for parcel credit for each address. I'm not the type that tries to milk credit for situations out of the norm during mail count, and paving isn't going to happen every week year round, but-- management is being management, so I guess I'll have to grieve and get parcel credits. Its so frustrating, I really just want it to be fair.

<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote">btdtret said 

-- Excessive time? Doesn't seem like it with the items you listed. Assuming that your case ledge/shelf is the same size as mine was long ago, you would be playing "TETRIS" to get all that stuff on the case ledge/shelf!
</blockquote>
That's exactly what I'm doing. I have to combine empty trays (12) into one stack from 2, combine all 5 tubs into one stack (with UBBM in it), place those onto one tiny ledge.. place my stool upside down-- roll up my mat and place into the legs of the upside down stool... and then precariously balance the large trashcan on top of everything. They are trying to use the argument that we should not have empty equipment for pulldown at our case. Yet, when district came to our office for a few weeks as "intervention"-- they tried to implement this measure.. Take away our trays and place them in a centralized location to retrieve everyday for pulldown. However, we have approx. 100 routes in our office, we do not have the floor space to accommodate all that equipment AND if you look at where we place our empty dps trays and flats tubs-- it looks like a bunch of drunken monkeys stacked them. The stacks get over 7 feet at times and fall over, causing safety issues.

I'm just going to get re-timed again this week by PM on Tuesday right before I sign out for the day, add that # to the sheet.. then Wednesday morning, try to hunt him down when I sign in, get timed to pull everything down and have that # on Wednesday's paper. And, then have them transfer those numbers onto last weeks sheets the same. Maybe having that number split into two days will pacify district since they can't comprehend a cumulative time.

RCA 74 · Mar 4, 2018

Which part are you questioning for reference to:

1) All DPS returned from the street being counted as random letters .

2) Mail being brought back to street with more than 7 pieces counting as a package .

3) 3 attempts before going on hold . Snow hold, box full, box down ect...

Rt2mailman · Mar 4, 2018

Cappy, the footage is correct, as long as you get the total footage that you walk, but the extra time to retrieve parcels from the group is to be credited on column 17.

Placing the equipment on top of and retrieving it is being red lined because it is not a carrier's job, but if it was not changed at the time of pre-count it remains and must be paid as actual time, column 17.

Bringing back any customer's mail due to construction gets counted as a re-delivery the next day, but any mail left on or in the case must receive an endorsement (mark-up). If any mail was un-deliverable for any reason it must be endorsed as per the reason why, so customers know on the next day, or any inspection of your case will be self evident. I would have received a mark-up for each customers' "pile" of mail, plus a parcel for all piles over 7 pieces.

Things that are not signed for, are no longer accountable and can't be disciplined if they are lost etc. Some carriers have been known to switch the keys and cards around and mix up the record keeping when this has been done, then complain that they don't have their card or key.

RCA 74 · Mar 4, 2018

Answers for Questions 1 & 2 for my previous post are explained below, as for #3 I can't find anything on that anywhere so maybe that local SOP, try it 3 times and then it goes on hold until they pick up!

From the Mail Count Guide

Column 3 - Delivery Point Sequence (DPS) Letters

If carriers take DPS mail directly to the street, all the DPS mail they bring back, because it is out of sequence or otherwise not deliverable (hold mail, forwardable mail, missorted mail, etc.), is recorded in Column 1, Letter Size. The fact that the carrier may elect to case that mail during the mail count does not change the re-cording procedure. DPS mail, which would have been brought back by the carrier, is recorded in Column 1, Letter Size.

The mail pieces recorded in Column 1, Letter Size, are not deducted from Column 3, DPS Letters.

Credit for DPS letters received for a closed school or business, whether cased or taken to the street, will be credited in the following manner:

<ol>
<li>Credit will be given in Column 1, Letters, for each piece when there are seven pieces or less.</li>
<li>Credit will be given in Column 6, Parcels, for one parcel when there are eight pieces or more.</li>
<li>These mail pieces will not be deducted from Column 3, DPS Letters.</li>
</ol>

Column 5 – DPS Flats

Closed business for DPS flats (4 or less pieces receive a single flat piece count, 5 or more pieces a parcel credit). No deductions from column 5, DPS flats, will be made.

jerrylann · Mar 4, 2018

<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote">RCA 74 said 
All mail returned from the street counts as random letters on PS 4241 column #1. All mail brought back out with more than 7 pcs, counts as a package each time its brought out and is supposed to be attempted 3 times before being placed on hold. Those dozen delivery points could turn into a gold mine for you. </blockquote>
You need to check the mail count guide on bringing back 7 pieces or more being counted as a parcel. That's not correct. It applies only to closed schools or businesses. Page 17 of the count guide.