No growth... but

[Mailgirl79]

New regular. Moving to a 42J on saturday. This is my first count as a regular. I land on this route on the 17th (Saturday) 

Last time the route was counted was 2014. Box count was set at 534. Regular retired, 3 new regulars have come and gone on this route.

Route has not been ridden with mgmt for this count.  

 

Q1.  I know for a fact, because I ran this route frequently as a sub that new homes have been built in a growing subdivision.  I plan on counting this coming week. If the box count is off, what are my options? 

 

Q2.   There are two different mileage’s showing. The 4240 shows 61.7.  The 4241a shows 63. Which do I go by or should I address this after count when I’ve recalculated mileage?   Note - there is a bank time of + 00:02

 

Q3.  An automatic gate (entrance at subdivision, no code, just sit and wait) has been recently added that takes a minimum of 25 sec to open daily plus a train. It is not noted anywhere. How is this added in? Does the gate time incorporate into the train time for Column 17? 

Thanks for any help. 

 

[faceindawind]

Ride around must be done for all routes in or out prior to the end of count. When done ride mileage should be accounted for.

All edit book submissions will be allowed until the last day of count. 

As to train and gate issue, if occurs on count notify counter of wait time, or at any other time note waiting time on time sheet. 

 

[D.B.Cooper]

Mileage on your 4003 is what really counts... same for the box count...

Make sure all of your boxes are listed and not in no-stat (if they are in fact active)  in your edit book, and then at the end of the edit book it will (should) give you an accurate box tally...

With the count coming up, now is the time to get things straight... Good luck!!!  <img title="Wink" alt="Wink" src="https://www.ruralmailtalk.ruralinfo.net/wp-content/sp-resources/forum-smileys/sf-wink.gif" />

 

[btdtret]

Mailgirl79 -- You are the second to post of being awarded a route, literally right before count.   What kind of cool-aid has manglement been drinking?

--  1st count as a regular -- hope you were up to speed on count procedures as an RCA.

--  Route inspection:  Manglement has until 09 MARCH 2018 ( the last day of count ) to compete route inspections.   LLV or POV?   What did the previous carriers use?

--  Box count:  Utilize time in the office ( preferably during count )  to update the Edit Book ( page 27 of the 2018 Mail Count Guide ) ( should be actual time ).   If counter says you are taking too much time:  a) explain that you just got the route which hasn't been count since 2014 and that there has been a high turn over rate of regulars, so it is outdated ( probably ).   b) if Edit Book time is "red lined" either locally or by District, smile and file a grievance.

--  Route mileage:  What is the date on the 4240, the 4241-A and the 4003?  What is the mileage on the 4003?   The 4003 drives your pay check, thus it needs to be UP TO DATE AND ACCURATE.   The difference in mileage may be due to different vehicles being used.   Different LLV's may end up with different mileages.  Same for POV's.   You can request a Route Remeasurement ( M-38, Section 612).  The remeasurement  is done without servicing mail boxes, so may be ( somewhat ) less than the mileage while actually servicing the mail boxes. ( M-38, Section 621 ).   You have the right to be present [ ride along ] for the remeasurement -- in a non-duty status.  ( Page 45 of the contract )

--  Automatic Gate plus a Train - wow! ( anything to do with the high turnover rate? ).   Page 29 of the Mail Count Guide already addresses the "train" Step 4 that would include unusual conditions for Column 17 entries.   Make manglement / counter aware of the automatic gate.   And a 25-second wait to get out?  Train and Gate should be separate entries.   List the train waiting time on the 4240 also -- for future reference.

--  Does the route have an assigned RCA?  Is he/she knowledgeable about the in's and out's of count?  You can observe on a relief day or while on annual leave.  ( still looking about observing while on sick leave ), but is it "look but don't touch" scenario.   If verbal hints get too distracting, might be asked to leave.

--  Good luck.

 

[Mailgirl79]

Lol!  Btdtret, we have a lot of 30+ years of service and/or 65+ years of age at our office and they are turning in that retirement paperwork as fast as they can. I have run this route several times before and I think it will be a good route. It is a POV route. No sub assigned and because we are understaffed I already volunteered to work my J day.

You said that train and gate should be separate entries...  can you please clarify as to where I will be making those entries?  Is this taken care of on the ride along or will I need to add the actual time everyday and put it down on the 4240?  

 

Sorry for being so dense. Just want to make sure I understand perfectly clear....  thanks 

 

[Morty]

I talked with a guy that said he waited about 4 hr on trains a week.

Mngt is suppose to get train schedules and re route the mail route to avoid waiting. With this carrier, his route was adjusted so he could drive under the train to avoid waiting. It added about 30 mi to his route.

So if you're having to wait like a 1/2 hour a day for a big freight, I would ask for a workaround and get the union involved.

 

[Howah44]

There is an MOU for waiting at train crossings, it applys to the mail count situation.

I cross a bunch of train tracks, my wait is minimal, but I expect to be stopped to wait for trains during the mail count.<img title="Cool" alt="Cool" src="https://www.ruralmailtalk.ruralinfo.net/wp-content/sp-resources/forum-smileys/sf-cool.gif" />

I document the amount of time I wait and I get paid for it.

 

[gotstamps]

<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote"><strong>Howah44 said </strong>
There is an MOU for waiting at train crossings, it applys to the mail count situation.

I cross a bunch of train tracks, my wait is minimal, but I expect to be stopped to wait for trains during the mail count.<img title="Cool" alt="Cool" src="https://www.ruralmailtalk.ruralinfo.net/wp-content/sp-resources/forum-smileys/sf-cool.gif" />

I document the amount of time I wait and I get paid for it.  </blockquote>
I also have a train crossing that I catch about once a week. Previous counts they have tried to "Red line" it... every count! I photograph it crossing me AND time it. I suspect that old train will be running when I get there ?

 

[D.B.Cooper]

Might wanna check the local train schedules, and plan your route accordingly... arriving at the crossings just in time to get the max wait time...  <img title="Wink" alt="Wink" src="https://www.ruralmailtalk.ruralinfo.net/wp-content/sp-resources/forum-smileys/sf-wink.gif" /> <img title="Laugh" alt="Laugh" src="https://www.ruralmailtalk.ruralinfo.net/wp-content/sp-resources/forum-smileys/sf-laugh.gif" />

At least for the 2 week period beginning 2/24/18...  <img title="Surprised" alt="Surprised" src="https://www.ruralmailtalk.ruralinfo.net/wp-content/sp-resources/forum-smileys/sf-surprised.gif" />

 

[dhoward541]

1. Whatever your box count is on the last day of count is what you receive. 

2. The mileage cannot be changed as result of a route inspection and the routes have been locked out now, so no adjustment can be made.  Request corrections be done asap after count, if necessary, remeasured; which you have a right to be present for in a non-paid duty status. 

2a. any bank time will be wiped out as a result of count. 

3. Yes, you get timed to wait for the gate to open and don't forget you wait to wait for that same gate to open coming out. 

 

[btdtret]

Mailgirl79 -- "Lol" -- Good to see you have a sense of humor in these difficult times!

--  Pages 26 thru 29 of the 2018 Mail Count Guide list items that would go in Column 17 -- Other Suitable Allowance.  "Train crossing" and its Step 4 reference is already listed on page 29.   Your time for waiting for the automatic gate would also go in Column 17 - IMHO.  With any luck, the gate will malfunction while doing the count route inspection.  Again - IMHO - should get time for waiting to enter AND exit.

--  Make the counter aware that your waiting for the gate is an everyday occurrence.   Same if waiting for the train everyday.   Other wise list the train-waiting time on the 4240 to document its occurrence(s) during count and the rest of the year.

--  I had a train crossing on my old route, however, seldom had to wait on a train.  Trains didn't seem to have a set schedule.   Depending / relying on the train's "schedule" could be dangerous.  Don't know if I'd recommend "Morty's" office solution to "drive under the train", not unless it was a change in the line of travel to utilize a train overpass.  Although the extra mileage would be nice -- maybe.

"It is a POV route. No sub assigned and because we are understaffed I already volunteered to work my J day."

--  You are on the Relief Day Work List - right?  If not, look for the RDWL sign-up sheet to be posted around 21 April.  Manglement may need a "gentle" reminder.

--  Hopefully manglement will appreciate you "volunteering" to work your J-day.

"Sorry for being so dense. Just want to make sure I understand perfectly clear…."

--  No need to be sorry as we were all there at one time or another ( aka "having a "senior" moment" )

--  "Perfectly Clear" and the USPS and NRLCA do not go hand in hand -- in case you had not already noticed.

--  The only "dumb" question is the one not asked.

--  The results of count will affect your pay check for the rest of the year ( or it used to - no telling how the pay check will be affected with the "phase-in" implementation schedule of the new pay system ).