Varuralcarrier
New member
So I've been with the postal service for a few years now as an rca.during my time here I've tried to be an example rca. Helping newer rca's finish when they need it, coming in on days I was not scheduled even if last minute or during the middle of the day, enticing the regulars to take the day after holidays off so they dont have to deal with the volume and I get an extra day. All things expected of an RCA without complaint (at least while in the office.) I've never requested a day I was supposed to be scheduled (Saturday/monday) off and usual plan my life around being available for the post office. I work in a 3 route office with 2 HCR routes. The regulars in the office all drive sedans that are lower to the ground than my jeep patriot. So this means 3 things. 1) a lot of the mailboxes are below regulation and for the past couple years at this office I've been having to reach or lean out of my jeep to even open some of the lids and you can forget closing them. I haven't complained to anyone in the office but it kinda hurts after awhile of doing that. 2) their vehicles dont hold normal volumes that my jeep easily Carrie's. So they are allowed to leave larger packages behind for customers to come get at the office if they're aren't many or, they end up making second trips on days were my jeep could have easily held everything. 3) if I stay long enough to become full time and have to make all of these customers change their box height to regulation standards their gonna hate me for it.
Also I'm a reservist. Once a month I go to drill on Saturday and Sunday. Once a year I do a 2-4 week anual training. Well this past August while I at annual training I missed my daughters birthday. I knew that things like this would happen when I signed up and mentally prepared myself for that. At this time we also did not have postmaster at our office and instead a clerk was acting OIC. I called him while I was away and asked if I could take the Saturday after I got back off to throw my daughter a party since I wasn't there for her actual birthday. Now this was three weeks before I was even coming home. He said he would check the schedule and literally told me " yeah go ahead I dont give a s$%t. I guess you cant submit a leave slip since you're gone but I'll mark it down and let your regular know." All good right? Wrong. I get a text later on that week saying I am scheduled not only for that Saturday but tuesday-the next monday. Im guessing the regular wasn't happy with me asking for a Saturday off. Like I said I had never asked for any day off and the one day I do it's to celebrate my daughters birthday so I automatically get fuming mad. So I respond by saying "well you told me I could have the day off and I've already made the arrangements. If it's that big a deal that I cant take off one Saturday then I'm sure I can transfer to another office that is more understanding and I'll have my transfer papers ready to go before I return to the office and that I'll be in on that monday when I get back to turn them in." Looking back I probably shouldn't have worded it that way but it is what it is. Long story short the OIC told me over the phone that when I came in on that monday I would no longer be working for the postal service and would be barred from ever working their again. That if I wanted to keep my job I would have to apologize to the carrier who turned in their leave slip and act as if none of it ever happened. Me fearing losing the only good job I've ever had, I did what they said. We now have a new postmaster and I dont even know of she is aware that this incident occurred. Flashforward to this week. My wife had a dr appointment scheduled for today that she needed to go to. I wasnt on the schedule to work until Saturday but got called on tuesday to work wenesday and Thursday. Since I was already going to be off I was gonna stay home with our daughter but since they called i had to work and she had to get her appointment rescheduled to the end of next month. I guess I'm irritated at the fact that I get denied and threatened with termination for requesting one Saturday off THREE weeks in advance but I am expected to stop everything in my personal life with just two days notice?!?! When I first started working here I thought we were all family and did anything I could to help someone out. Now im starting to realize that they only care about you when you can work. Do I as an RCA have no rights? I am a union member and regularly pay my dues. Do I not have a grievance somewhere or will I have to bend to the regulars no matter what. We already get no benefits no holiday pay and only guaranteed 2 days of work of week. Im trying to stay strong and push through this but idk how much more I can take. I love the job and want to make career. Just tired of all the B.S in between.
Also I'm a reservist. Once a month I go to drill on Saturday and Sunday. Once a year I do a 2-4 week anual training. Well this past August while I at annual training I missed my daughters birthday. I knew that things like this would happen when I signed up and mentally prepared myself for that. At this time we also did not have postmaster at our office and instead a clerk was acting OIC. I called him while I was away and asked if I could take the Saturday after I got back off to throw my daughter a party since I wasn't there for her actual birthday. Now this was three weeks before I was even coming home. He said he would check the schedule and literally told me " yeah go ahead I dont give a s$%t. I guess you cant submit a leave slip since you're gone but I'll mark it down and let your regular know." All good right? Wrong. I get a text later on that week saying I am scheduled not only for that Saturday but tuesday-the next monday. Im guessing the regular wasn't happy with me asking for a Saturday off. Like I said I had never asked for any day off and the one day I do it's to celebrate my daughters birthday so I automatically get fuming mad. So I respond by saying "well you told me I could have the day off and I've already made the arrangements. If it's that big a deal that I cant take off one Saturday then I'm sure I can transfer to another office that is more understanding and I'll have my transfer papers ready to go before I return to the office and that I'll be in on that monday when I get back to turn them in." Looking back I probably shouldn't have worded it that way but it is what it is. Long story short the OIC told me over the phone that when I came in on that monday I would no longer be working for the postal service and would be barred from ever working their again. That if I wanted to keep my job I would have to apologize to the carrier who turned in their leave slip and act as if none of it ever happened. Me fearing losing the only good job I've ever had, I did what they said. We now have a new postmaster and I dont even know of she is aware that this incident occurred. Flashforward to this week. My wife had a dr appointment scheduled for today that she needed to go to. I wasnt on the schedule to work until Saturday but got called on tuesday to work wenesday and Thursday. Since I was already going to be off I was gonna stay home with our daughter but since they called i had to work and she had to get her appointment rescheduled to the end of next month. I guess I'm irritated at the fact that I get denied and threatened with termination for requesting one Saturday off THREE weeks in advance but I am expected to stop everything in my personal life with just two days notice?!?! When I first started working here I thought we were all family and did anything I could to help someone out. Now im starting to realize that they only care about you when you can work. Do I as an RCA have no rights? I am a union member and regularly pay my dues. Do I not have a grievance somewhere or will I have to bend to the regulars no matter what. We already get no benefits no holiday pay and only guaranteed 2 days of work of week. Im trying to stay strong and push through this but idk how much more I can take. I love the job and want to make career. Just tired of all the B.S in between.
