Pre count conference

littlesew&sew · Jan 25, 2018

Are RCAs supposed to be included in pre count conference? In the past, any RCA that might be used on a route that's counting has been included in the pre count conference. This year, my primary route isn't counting but my secondary route on the matrix is counting. Should I be included in the pre count conference?

Thanks!

oi veh. · Jan 25, 2018

I would say, sure! Why not?

Thank you for being so conscientious!!!! You are worth your weight in gold.

faceindawind · Jan 25, 2018

Chances are they won't unless you do it for free. 2 hr rule of pay for a 15-20 min chat if you don't.

All REGS in my office work through count in exchange of true X days. This way the RCA doesn't miss out on days but we know we fought our own battle for our EVALS. If not we show up on the days we are off to "observe" until you are out the door.

btdtret · Jan 25, 2018

littlesew&sew -- " Are RCAs supposed to be included in pre count conference? "

-- EVERYONE should be attending the Office Pre-Count meeting. RCA's especially as one never knows when an RCA could be called to fill-in for a regular.

-- The District Pre-Count meeting requires one to be a union member - RCA or Regular - ID card and union rolls used to check status.

-- An RCA who doesn't care or doesn't know what needs to be done during count can have quite an effect on the results. Well, that could apply to a regular too.

-- Be sure to have any question written down and take notes.

oi veh. · Jan 25, 2018

<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote">Faceindawind said 
Chances are they won't unless you do it for free. 2 hr rule of pay for a 15-20 min chat if you don't.

All REGS in my office work through count in exchange of true X days. This way the RCA doesn't miss out on days but we know we fought our own battle for our EVALS. If not we show up on the days we are off to "observe" until you are out the door. </blockquote>
Shoot! I forgot about the 2 hr rule. Well, hey. If they'll pay...

That is great. I have always thought that should be the way to do it. A lot of RCAs, especially the new ones, have no idea what all is involved in count.

btdtret · Jan 25, 2018

Oi veh et al -- " I forgot about the 2 hr rule. Well, hey. If they’ll pay…"

-- Since manglement is should repeat Stand-Ups and Safety Talks, shouldn't they do the same for a Pre-Count meeting, at least a condensed version?

-- Or concerned regulars / RCA's could pass along any info from the office pre-count meeting to those not in attendance. Same for the District Pre-Count meeting as most likely, not everyone in the office is a union member.

-- Some thing to consider -- it's your pay check on the line. Maybe the info you don't care to share will lead to a lower pay check.

-- Time is money, so is Information.

gotstamps · Jan 25, 2018

<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote">btdtret said 
Oi veh et al -- " I forgot about the 2 hr rule. Well, hey. If they’ll pay…"

-- Since manglement is should repeat Stand-Ups and Safety Talks, shouldn't they do the same for a Pre-Count meeting, at least a condensed version?

-- Or concerned regulars / RCA's could pass along any info from the office pre-count meeting to those not in attendance. Same for the District Pre-Count meeting as most likely, not everyone in the office is a union member.

-- Some thing to consider -- it's your pay check on the line. Maybe the info you don't care to share will lead to a lower pay check.

-- Time is money, so is Information. </blockquote>
Mgmt must repeat the pre-count conference for those Carriers (Reg & Subs) that were off on the initial day of discussion. It's not up for discussion as this is where the rules will be laid out & questions will hopefully get answered prior to Count day.

FACE- Regs are NOT supposed to work their K-days during count & definitely not for a DACA R. However, they are allowed to observe without disrupting the RCAs job. If mgmt is allowing working for "R" then good for you. Most subs could NOT go without even 1 paycheck as they need as many hours as possible. At least in my office they are begging for hours.

btdtret · Jan 25, 2018

gotstamps et al -- Some high- or low- lights from the 2018 Mail Count Guide ( mainly for those who have yet to read it ):

-- The office pre-count conference MUST be completed by close of business no later than Friday, 09 FEB 2018. ( and repeated for those not in attendance )

-- The relief carrier is ENTITLED to work his/her scheduled work day(s) during the mail count period.

-- Regular carriers may observe the mail count on their own relief days or on days they are in an annual leave status. Any carrier who observes the mail count must be in a non-duty status. Those observing may not participate in office work ( in other words, not bother / interrupt the RCA. )

-- Could be wrong, but I don't believe a carrier can be on Sick Leave and observe count. -- Anyone got a reference?? Not that manglement would care, but with the wide spread flu season, the CDC recommended staying home if down with the flu. To make matters worse, flu testing kits are in short supply.

-- When relying on End of Run reports ( EOR ), ensure you have the absolute LAST EOR for the day. ( when we had letter sorting machines in our office, the clerks running the machines mentioned there could be more than one EOR ) ( probably different for each office, but our office used 421 pieces as a standard for a tray of DPS. So if your EOR indicates, say, 2,500 pieces and you are looking at 8 trays of DPS letters, time to bring it to the attention of manglement and get the correct EOR )

-- Time to hold manglement's feet to the fire -- The postmaster/supervisor, or carrier who conducts the count, MUST SIGN the PS Form 4239 DAILY. ( admittedly not done at my last post office, but puts manglement on notice that the carrier is knowledgeable of the in's and out's of mail count. )

-- Daily totals MUST be transferred to the PS Form 4241 -- DO NOT WAIT until the end of the count to complete the rural delivery statistic report. ( there are only 3 days to go over all of the numbers. If possible, have a group pizza or other food party so many eyes can check figures. May discover one counter gave more credit for item(s) than others. Check for the length of Stand-Ups ( actual time ) and Safety Talks ( recommended weekly for at least 5 minutes and repeated for those absent ). Check for "red-lined" items and ask "why?". )

-- Carriers should make management aware of each repeated occurrence of disputed items. ( apparently the counter was not fully trained, is just being stubborn, or is not a fast learner! ) If unable to resolve disputed item(s), document and have a copy made for further reference.

-- It is unacceptable for either management or rural carriers to take actions that affect the integrity of the mail count. That is in bold type. ( for manglement, that includes a wink, wink ).

-- Nearing the close of business on Friday, 23 February, manglement may ask a carrier to tour the office with them to confirm no mail has been "left behind". At my last office, manglement encouraged the taking of pictures inside and out.

-- The future pay check will depend on the effort regulars and RCA's put into count.

-- Be professional during count. Be courteous to the counters. It may come down to needing a minute or so to reach the next hour, so if one was a pain in the butt through out count, manglement might not be so willing to make the effort to comb through the figures to find that additional minute.

-- Good luck.