Need Some Answers in Writing.

[Mailrunner]

I did many years in the military and can't understand why the we are treated so badly as a USPS RCA's.

How many times can you be sent out after running a scheduled route?

Why dont we get training days more often so that we can learn a route vice being pushed into a route you have never done and was not scheduled for?

I understand that I am the Post Office Steward and treated like an earth sack at the Supervisors discretion, but is it in writing of what my job is and how much of it is just taken for granted.

I can't believe that some of us are treated worse than being in the military.

I need a book, contract, publication...
Something in writing so that some of us can have some ground to stand on.

 

[DB.Cooper]

About all there is... is the contract, PO-603, and all of the other postal manuals and regulations...

Thank you for your service in the military... sad truth is, you probably got better treatment and more respect there than you'll get at the good ole USPS...

 

[HardearnedTan]

As an RCA you can be utilized for up to 12 hrs. in a day (scheduled for that much). Step 4 grievance known as R-96 addresses this 12 hour total, as well as the ELM Sec. 432.32.. If that means running your assigned route then being asked to run an aux too, or split another, or go provide assistance where needed, that is mgmt.'s discretion. Once mgmt. has given you training on your first route, you are often considered trained and qualified to go onto other routes without the same level of orientation, although a good mgr would provide you with some training on a new route--see contract pg,. 48 Art. 9.2.M.

You can view your contract online at the NRLCA site, and search other documents by subject in the steward references. Your post says you are the Steward, did you mean you have trained and been appointed as the union steward? If so, surely you have a paper copy of the contract and steward reference guide to research this stuff.

 

[Gotrope]

I don't think he meant an actual steward. I hope not. I think it's more likely he just found out why so many ex military quit the post office. No guidance, no training, no team.

 

[Mailrunner]

As an RCA you can be utilized for up to 12 hrs. in a day (scheduled for that much). Step 4 grievance known as R-96 addresses this 12 hour total, as well as the ELM Sec. 432.32.. If that means running your assigned route then being asked to run an aux too, or split another, or go provide assistance where needed, that is mgmt.'s discretion. Once mgmt. has given you training on your first route, you are often considered trained and qualified to go onto other routes without the same level of orientation, although a good mgr would provide you with some training on a new route--see contract pg,. 48 Art. 9.2.M.

You can view your contract online at the NRLCA site, and search other documents by subject in the steward references. Your post says you are the Steward, did you mean you have trained and been appointed as the union steward? If so, surely you have a paper copy of the contract and steward reference guide to research this stuff.

Steward was a nice word to use.

 

[Windindaface]

In a way we are like the military. The management Generals need to get all that daily mail out the door and delivered. Their plan... it will be delivered at any cost and we will lose some RCA'S and anger REGS in this daily battle.

 

[btdtret]

Mailrunner -- Thank you for your service. Undoubtedly your military experience has taught you to recognize BS early on.

"can't understand why the we are treated so badly as a USPS RCA's."

-- Mainly because postal manglement gets away with it, figuring new employees won't stand up to them or call them out by citing "chapter and verse" on issues.

-- New RCA's have no idea the protection offered in the contract ( EL-902 ), the PO-603, the M-38 ( Management of Rural Deliveries ) and other pubs and hand books as well has how the grievance process works ( Article 15 of the contract ). Sort of like "use it or lose it."

-- Those manual and pubs might get mentioned during the short time in the Academy or during OJT, but until one gets into those items, manglement will run rough shod over new employees.

-- Manglement's worst nightmare is a knowledgeable rural carrier. Start reading and become really scary!!

-- Once manglement realizes you are not baffled by their BS, they will leave you alone and move on to the next victim.

-- Becoming an office steward is manglement's next nightmare because now there is someone right in the office to challenge them instead of having to wait for a union representative like an Assistant District Representative ( ADR ) or District Representative ( DR ) to show up at the office.

-- Granted, the office steward is not the easiest of jobs. It can be the most rewarding and most frustrating -- at the same time!