PTF with 4 route string being cut to 2 routes

joone713 · Feb 1, 2017

*Added* Just to clarify, there are 13 K routes, 1 Aux and 1 J (soon to be a K). Up until Wednesday we had 1 PTF (me) and 9 RCAs.

I have been a PTF since 4/16, they have changed my routes a few times but I have always had 4 days. Which has been wonderful, however, they have recently hired 3 more RCAs and I received a text today saying that I will be brought down to 2 days.

Why? I asked if I could work express every day to compensate, considering I am planning a wedding, and they said, "No, everyone needs equal work."

I think I can fight this considering I am first in seniority but I can't live off of two days. I know I can get a 2nd job but I have tried that before and they are so inconsitent with scheduling and calling me in it doesn't seem to work.

Shouldn't I be the first one working, unless there is a primary, considering the post office pays so much more for my benefits?

Anyone have any info? I don't want to go broke.

btdtret · Feb 1, 2017

joone713 -- Would have helped had you included some additional info such as the number and type of routes in your office as well as the number of RCA's.

-- The PTF position is assigned to K-routes, with a minimum of 2 and a max of 5. So if you have been getting 4 days of work, we'll go with you serving 4 K-routes.

-- Per the contract, regular rural carriers shall have the right to require that a leave replacement be assigned to their route. Page 46 of the current contract. So looks as if two of the new RCA's are to be assigned to two of your K-routes.

-- Manglement is just doing their best to live up to the contract -- unfortunately for you. The USPS giveth and also the USPS taketh away.

-- If you are in a Formula Office, the "formula" needs to be recalculated with the hiring of 3 more RCA's.

-- Don't give up on your search for a part-time job or if necessary, a full-time job as you are correct, working just 2 days a week is not going to be enough.

"I asked if I could work express every day to compensate, considering I am planning a wedding, and they said, "No, everyone needs equal work."

-- Might want to get with your Assistant District Representative about that. Could come down to who is available.

Bud Budderly · Feb 1, 2017

Unfortunately PTFs can't be detailed to higher level assignments (204-B's). On the bright side PTFs may be utilized before RCAs on any route except for the primary assignment or the six-day auxiliary assignment. So if a regular on a route with no primary is scheduled off, management has the option to schedule you before the second and third leave replacements on the matrix. I'm not sure how often that situation would arise in your office but there is that and as Past-0-Thirty said the chances of all the new hires sticking are slim.

Bud Budderly · Feb 2, 2017

<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote"><strong>PastOThirty said </strong>
Bud, or whomever, is there a specific exclusion of ptf from 204b/higher level assignment? They are career after all... </blockquote>
Yes. Scroll down to question #44

<a href="http://www.ruralinfo.net/kb/Part-timeFlexibleRuralCarriersSu....pdf">PTF Q&A</a>

They don't give a rationale but I'm guessing that tying up a PTF in a higher level assignment could go on indefinitely and defeat the purpose of why the the position was created originally.

btdtret · Feb 2, 2017

PastOThrity -- "is there a specific exclusion of ptf from 204b/higher level assignment?"

-- F-21 ( Time and Attendance Handbook ) Section 585 -- Higher Level Assignments. Only regular rural carriers ( Designation 71 ) may work a higher level assignment.

TMI:

-- Page 41 of the current contract. Article 25 Higher Level Assignments. A regular rural carrier is paid on the evaluation of the route to which the carrier is assigned for the first 30 days of the temporary higher level assignment. ( no mention of RCA's, RCR's, or PTF's ).

-- The Postal Service has an understanding with the NRLCA that we do not use RCA's or RCR's in higher level assignments. That is from a USPS letter dated 21 JUL 2006, signed by D.G. Strancer - Southwest Area Labor Relations.