New question. Dps to street?

[Ihatesnow]

I have a new question that is going to piggy back off the old one. I've decided I'm going to take everything to the street starting next week. It'll make me go slower and I've always wanted to do it anyway. My question is, how do you set it up in an LLV? I'm going to rubber band the DPS in bundles so it doesn't fall over and get mixed up. After that I'm unsure. I'm going to case flats and raw, pull down separately from DPS but what's the easiest setup when delivering? A co-worker made a small tub with rubber hooks that attaches to the bottom window frame, was going to work the flats out of that and dps in lap unless there's a better way. Any suggestions

New comments start number 14

 

[Deer Smearer]

<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote"><strong>Ihatesnow said </strong>
Are they allowed to schedule an RCA over 40 hours? I work Sunday Amazon every single week, they're well aware of this. I've never missed one in 2 years. I like Sundays, its less stress on my body. Been having some minor issues. Anyway they just scheduled me 5 days a week on 3 different routes from now on (not counting sundays), I was scheduled 4 days every week (plus sunday) and now I'm gonna be over 40 hours, which will cause me to get paid actual hours worked. They know I beat evaluation each day by a few hours. I've told them I don't wanna go over because I did the math and I'll be working 8 hours for free. I would actually get paid slighlty more if i didnt work that extra day than if I do. We have 10 rcas in our 12 route office. Several want to work more but they give me all the hours because I'm fast apparently. I know I could slow down but that would look weird if I all of a sudden get done alot later. I'm not intentionally going fast, just how my work ethic is. I don't know why they can't have someone else do it. I don't want to work for free and get burnt out working 6 days a week on all these different routes. Any suggestions?  </blockquote>
Suggestions. Yeah. Slow down. 

 

[Ihatesnow]

The following user says thank you for your helpful post: just kidding!

Haha I always come on here when I have problems. Usually you and everyone else is very helpful. Maybe that's what I should really do... slow down. 

 

[Deer Smearer]

<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote"><strong>Ihatesnow said </strong>
The following user says thank you for your helpful post: just kidding!

Haha I always come on here when I have problems. Usually you and everyone else is very helpful. Maybe that's what I should really do... slow down.   </blockquote>
I'm pretty sure slowing down is not what you wanted to hear. 

I'm almost positive suggesting you work for free isn't what you want to hear.

Are there any city routes in your office? Ever watch them stretch a route to 8 hours?

Seriously, you need to slow down. They have no problem scheduling you for over 40 knowing you will lose $$$. They also have no problem if you go over evaluation but stay under 40 and don't get extra $$$ for the extra time.

Work any time your entitled too. 

 

[Deer Smearer]

What are your matrix positions on the 3 routes you are running in 5 days?

 

[btdtret]

Ihatethesnow -- " We have 10 rcas in our 12 route office. Several want to work more but they give me all the hours because I’m fast apparently."

--  Maybe you should contact your Assistant District Representative and have the ADR pay your office a visit so manglement can explain why you seem to be getting most of the work load.

--  Suggest other RCA's file for desperate treatment -- you getting more work than other RCA's.

--  When you get a system that really works for you, it may be difficult to slow down, but your body with thank you in the years ahead.

--  City carriers seem to thrive on working slow or at a relaxed pace.   I was one of the few rural's at my old post office to retire without having to go out on disability. 

 

[Deer Smearer]

<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote"><strong>btdtret said </strong>
Ihatethesnow -- " We have 10 rcas in our 12 route office. Several want to work more but they give me all the hours because I’m fast apparently."

--  Maybe you should contact your Assistant District Representative and have the ADR pay your office a visit so manglement can explain why you seem to be getting most of the work load.

--  Suggest other RCA's file for desperate treatment -- you getting more work than other RCA's.

--  When you get a system that really works for you, it may be difficult to slow down, but your body with thank you in the years ahead.

--  City carriers seem to thrive on working slow or at a relaxed pace.   I was one of the few rural's at my old post office to retire without having to go out on disability.   </blockquote>
If Ihatethesnow is senior enough to have two secondaries on the matrix, and those 3 routes they are scheduled for are the primary, or secondary without a primary, then manglement might actually be following the contract. Likewise, if nobody has those routes as matrix choices, and Ihatethesnow is senior to the other subs, then the routes seem to be properly scheduled. 

If any sub wanting the work is ahead in matrix position or seniority then they should grieve not being scheduled.

 

[Ihatesnow]

I'm the lowest seniority RCA in the office actually. I cover my main route once a week. Then a lady retired and the route is vacant (evaluated 6.67, they consider it an aux route i guess and might break it up) so I cover that 3 or 4 times a week. Now another regular carrier on another route they're now placing me on is leaving for 12 weeks because she's about to have a baby any day now. Her RCA is covering it 5 of the 6 days.

And our office is all rural. No one ever files grievances or anything like that so I don't want to stir the pot. Was wanting to ask another RCA who wants to work if he will take a day from me but last time I tried that it didn't go over so well. Postmaster obliged but wasn't easy or pleasant

 

[gotstamps]

<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote"><strong>Ihatesnow said </strong>
I'm the lowest seniority RCA in the office actually. I cover my main route once a week. Then a lady retired and the route is vacant (evaluated 6.67, they consider it an aux route i guess and might break it up) so I cover that 3 or 4 times a week. Now another regular carrier on another route they're now placing me on is leaving for 12 weeks because she's about to have a baby any day now. Her RCA is covering it 5 of the 6 days.

And our office is all rural. No one ever files grievances or anything like that so I don't want to stir the pot. Was wanting to ask another RCA who wants to work if he will take a day from me but last time I tried that it didn't go over so well. Postmaster obliged but wasn't easy or pleasant  </blockquote>
If those routes aren't on your matrix, give your union rep a call. Seems that mgmt is NOT following 'order of consideration' by skipping senior subs. 

 

[heyman1104]

<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote"><strong>Ihatesnow said </strong>
The following user says thank you for your helpful post: just kidding!

Haha I always come on here when I have problems. Usually you and everyone else is very helpful. Maybe that's what I should really do... slow down.   </blockquote>
Yes. Seriously. Slow down. It's safer, better on your body, better on your vehicle (if you're using a POV), and better on your pocket. Need help slowing down? Read the PO603 and do the job exactly as it says. That ought to do it. You can also do what I do when I need to slow down, case DPS.

 

[olewhatshername]

Also, something to think about, with the RURAL ROUTE EVALUATED COMPENSATION STUDY OR RRECS coming down the pike.......our evaluated system is going to..... in the words of my Supervisor.......going to look more like a city carriers day it would be better to do the job safely and correctly.  Being a jackrabbit and running around speeding and not giving good service hurts you and your rural route customers.  

Example:  the RCA on a route in my Post Office does a 120 mile route......driving time in less than 4 hours.  He has hit a deer out on the route, killed numerous dogs and cats (he brags about his kill record), doesn't carry stamps or do any extra customer service, brings back anything that doesn't fit in the box, never attempts certified letters or signature items, doesn't go down roads that don't have mail for the road....just really sloppy work.....but he gets done 3 hours under evaluation.  The Postmaster that lives out on this route, told me and I quote "He drives like a bat out of hell".  The Regular for this same route,  she has been on this route for over 20 years, does the route within the evaluated time but gets done with little time to spare.....and does a very good job.  

To all:  Your scanner is mapping your day, everyday.....I hope you like your day as you are doing it now because that is what your Supervisor/PM is going to expect of you from now on...........it is going to be really hard to explain how you can do a 8.5 hour route in a little over 5 hours now; but then the USPS is paying you by the hour and suddenly you take 9 hours to do it.  It is really common sense to work in a steady pace....better on the equipment and better on your body.

 

[oi veh.]

^^^Printing this and heyman's post and leaving at my case for next Saturday.

Not that it will make a difference.

Just like the only thing management understands is when it hits them in the pocketbook, the same will be for a lot of rurals.

Establish your baselines now (should have already been doing so) or you will be crying later.

 

[btdtret]

Oi veh et al -- "Establish your baselines now (should have already been doing so) or you will be crying later."

--  "bsaseline" -- that's what the city side call "demonstrated ability".

--  Do the job by the "book" and as if manglement was looking over your shoulder all the time.  Maybe there will come a time when carriers have to wear body cameras.   The new scanners are pretty close to that now as the scanners leave a trail of "bread crumbs".

--  City carriers on walking routes have a member ( or two ) of manglement actually walk the route, looking for any little thing they can mark against the carrier.  Manglement members have been known to observe from behind bushes or from vehicles.  So be aware of your surroundings.

--  Short cuts hurt both the body and in the end, the pocket book.

 

[heyman1104]

Two things: (1) I'd love to know how LLV carriers do this as well. I don't often use a LLV, but when I do, I can't seem to find a decent and comfortable way to do it aside from casing the DPS and criss-crossing when I pull down, which takes forever.

(2) I'm curious as to why you didn't just start a new thread. It would've made much more sense to me at least.

 

[btdtret]

heyman1104 --  "I don’t often use a LLV, but when I do, I can’t seem to find a decent and comfortable way to do it aside from casing the DPS and criss-crossing when I pull down, which takes forever."

--  Take a look how other LLV carriers set up their LLV.

--  I'd make a "taco" out of anything available, then case the DPS and other letters.   Also marked parcels, but that was before Amazon and other parcels increased.   Having been out for going on 6 years, probably won't not last in today's postal environment.  Pretty sure an off-color comment about today's procedures would earn me an escorted trip out the door!   Moving on -- I pulled down a handful of mail and wrapped it with a wide rubber band.  (I'd buy my own as manglement always got the thin ones).   Luckily, manglement was never strict about leaving the office for the streets.

--  I ended up using the deep, soft plastic trays and put the mail from end to end.   Since the PM banned keeping the deep trays at the case, one had to remember to get some before first thing in the morning, other wise would have to use the shallow DPS trays.   Previously used the hard plastic trays -- until the PM declared she would no long buy any more. Could have cited the PO-603 about the USPS supplying the equipment, but the less contact with La Diabla, the better.   With the hard plastic trays, I'd put the mail from end to end or from side to side.   Never learned to stand mail on end like some other carriers.   Made for fewer trays, but the trays were HEAVY!   Never tried the criss-cross method either.   Refining a system was an on-going process over the years.  Just like taking DPS to the street.