PTF Covering Other Routes

Aux01 · Aug 23, 2017

When the PTF is not covering their assigned routes. It says they may be used before the 2nd or 3rd on the matrix for the routes that don't have primaries available.

Is there a criteria for management to use to decide PTF vs. RCA's ( #2 or 3 ) . Does this PTF have any arguable position with management to get that work or RCA to say why didn't we get the call ??

btdtret · Aug 24, 2017

Aux01 -- "Is there a criteria for management to use to decide PTF vs. RCA’s ( #2 or 3 )."

-- Yes. Several in the current contract:

Page 47 - Article 30.2.C.1 -- Assignment to or Utilization on More Than One Regular Route

Page 47 - Article 30.2.D.2 -- Unavailability of a Leave Replacement

Page 49 - Article 30.2.D.5 + 6 -- Unavailability of a Leave Replacement

Page 50 - Article 30.2.P -- Sunday Work

Aux01 · Aug 24, 2017

Does management HAVE to use the PTF ?? , because the word MAY is in there...not SHALL. or SHOULD ..I think its word specific but I hear on such language, " Well that's not the intent or the interpretation"...Anything in writing MOU wise, I think the PTF will use the contract but ..

I would think if the PTF is on the matrix, is a leave replacement, now is the senior leave replacement ...has seniority over the rest in this case that are 2nd or 3rd per the contract. There shouldn't be an issue with management on who gets the work the majority of the time when not carrying the PTF primaries ...What say ye ??

Shafted · Aug 24, 2017

I think a nice resolution at national would be to demand that all further contracts, MOU's, LOU's, or official documents between the USPS, and the NRLCA, be banned from using the words, may, shall, might, could, and probably. That's the equivalent of a fisherman casting a net full of holes, and they know it. We need words like will, must, and requires. Pretty sure things like "there is no clear interpretive in this matter", would no longer be used to hide behind. Anyone who thinks the NRLCA isn't in bed with the USPS needs their head examined.

Deer Smearer · Aug 24, 2017

<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote">Shafted said 
I think a nice resolution at national would be to demand that all further contracts, MOU's, LOU's, or official documents between the USPS, and the NRLCA, be banned from using the words, may, shall, might, could, and probably. That's the equivalent of a fisherman casting a net full of holes, and they know it. We need words like will, must, and requires. Pretty sure things like "there is no clear interpretive in this matter", would no longer be used to hide behind. Anyone who thinks the NRLCA isn't in bed with the USPS needs their head examined. </blockquote>
I don't think the words may or shall are confusing terms.

It's when manglement doesn't comprehend what shall means and does what they want.

As for the PTF, it is a unique position. It has to have 2 K routes. But the routes are not awarded by seniority. As long as the PTF has the 2 assignments, a junior PTF could have 5. Other than the 2 assigned days nothing else has to go to the PTF first, or everything available except another subs primary can be given to the PTF.

If manglement likes the PTF they will get the extra hours they want, but not the ones they dont. If the PTF and manglement don't get along the the PTF will get the minimum hours required, and all the crap no other sub wants.

btdtret · Aug 24, 2017

Shafted et al -- " We need words like will, must, and requires. "

-- Even when "must" is used, doesn't always solve the problem.

-- Case in point: Step 4 ( A-100 ) Orientation of Letters for Delivery Point Sequence Processing - dated 24 SEP 2004.

Management MUST ensure that employees use the proper method of feeding letters in an upright position into mail processing equipment.

Question: has any one gotten inverted mail pieces in the DPS since 2004? If so, that's a violation of the Step 4. The workaround: 1 DPS credit for every 4 inverted mail pieces during count. Not really worth the effort!

-- Local manglement even admitted that the only way to run small booklets such as the BJ's coupon booklet in the machines is by feeding it upside down -- it is because of the tape used to seal the booklet.

Aux01 · Aug 26, 2017

But isn't the PTF back on the matrix , being a career position, by seniority , to be used before the 2nd or 3rd leave replacement........To be used on routes with no primaries especially on K routes but also non-K routes. And the Post Office being " Masters " of maximum efficiency ( giggle ) use this position to its maximum potential ?

btdtret · Aug 26, 2017

Aux01 -- "But isn’t the PTF back on the matrix , being a career position, by seniority , to be used before the 2nd or 3rd leave replacement…"

-- From the "Leave Replacement Matrix Guidelines":

PTF Rural Carriers will appear on the list [ matrix ] only as the primary leave replacement to those "K" routes to which they are assigned.

gotstamps · Aug 27, 2017

<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote">Aux01 said 
But isn't the PTF back on the matrix , being a career position, by seniority , to be used before the 2nd or 3rd leave replacement........To be used on routes with no primaries especially on K routes but also non-K routes. And the Post Office being " Masters " of maximum efficiency ( giggle ) use this position to its maximum potential ? </blockquote>
The 'Order of Consideration' states after Primary that a PTF MAY be used. Nothing mandates that mgmt must use the PTF.

Aux01 · Aug 27, 2017

I knew that , I didn't know if there was one of those hidden rules somewhere for Management to follow when a non K is off without a primary.

Also they have to give the PTF hours equal to their weekly assigned route hours. Do those hours come from an open routes or can express , parcel help , Sunday Amazon be used to fill those hours....and do those hours count toward leave / Al earning hours for that PTF ?

gotstamps · Aug 27, 2017

<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote">Aux01 said 
I knew that , I didn't know if there was one of those hidden rules somewhere for Management to follow when a non K is off without a primary.

Also they have to give the PTF hours equal to their weekly assigned route hours. Do those hours come from an open routes or can express , parcel help , Sunday Amazon be used to fill those hours....and do those hours count toward leave / Al earning hours for that PTF ? </blockquote>
A PTF is a career position so ALL hours worked counts. Since PTFs can be utilized before RCAs on Sundays, I'd say yes, those count, too. Our PTFs have 4 routes each so not much "helping" is done by them.

Maybe someone who has worked as one will pipe in.

wfillbra · Aug 28, 2017

<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote">gotstamps said 

A PTF is a career position so ALL hours worked counts. Since PTFs can be utilized before RCAs on Sundays, I'd say yes, those count, too. Our PTFs have 4 routes each so not much "helping" is done by them.

Maybe someone who has worked as one will pipe in. </blockquote>
View the PTF as a carrier with all the same benefits as a regular carrier. A PTF is paid hourly versus a regular 2080 evaluated system. The PTF wage is based on 2000 hours because they do not get the 80 hours per year of Holiday pay. If a PTF does not work 80 hours in a pay period, there is a proration table showing the amount of AL & SL they would receive in that pay period. A PTF is guaranteed 2 routes on the matrix. Those routes are primary. Secondary and Tertiary does not exist for a PTF. A PTF does not bump an RCA primary but, can bump a secondary or tertiary. A PTF position is implemented as a result of sub shortages in formula offices. PTF positions do not to be re-posted when vacated at discretion of management. PTF's will typically work the majority of open days because there is no need for the position if the office is well staffed by RCA's. Because of the benefits and higher hourly wage, it doesn't make financial sense to implement the position unless the office is experiencing lack of RCA's.

Aux01 · Sep 20, 2017

Pretty much our PTF isn't getting any more work than the 2 days, and now there is an open K route for about a month , they have been asked and have not made an effort to add it to the string. Im told the Postmaster was asked. Then they were told , oh that's up to District. Seems to the rest of us a non cost effective position unless you have 3 or more routes assigned. But the way of the USPS is nothing cost effective and leave the common sense at the door.

btdtret · Sep 21, 2017

Aux01 -- " Im told the Postmaster was asked. Then they were told , oh that’s up to District. "

-- Sounds like local manglement doesn't want to do their job to manage.

gotstamps · Sep 21, 2017

<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote">Aux01 said 
Pretty much our PTF isn't getting any more work than the 2 days, and now there is an open K route for about a month , they have been asked and have not made an effort to add it to the string. Im told the Postmaster was asked. Then they were told , oh that's up to District. Seems to the rest of us a non cost effective position unless you have 3 or more routes assigned. But the way of the USPS is nothing cost effective and leave the common sense at the door. </blockquote>
The PTF can grieve not getting hours if there is no matrixed subs for that K-route. In the Order of Consideration, PTF works prior to a 2nd or 3rd matrix & has seniority on routes without a matrix. A grievance could push mgmt/district to expand the string or at least fix the scheduling issue.

Aux01 · Sep 21, 2017

PTF " May " be used is how we were told the language is . But there isn't any solid interpretation / intention documented to what may means . Only it is up to management. You would think after 20 plus years someone would have written a guideline to this. Nope , lets leave it grey !!

EthelAnne · Sep 22, 2017

<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote">Aux01 said 
PTF " May " be used is how we were told the language is . But there isn't any solid interpretation / intention documented to what may means . Only it is up to management. You would think after 20 plus years someone would have written a guideline to this. Nope , lets leave it grey !! </blockquote>
It's not gray at all. Managers manage the office. It's what they get paid to do.