RCA observing?

gmail28 · Feb 2, 2018

I realize that regular carriers may observe the count of their own route on relief days, but can an rca who also happens to be the steward, do so?

The regular is retiring in a couple months and he really doesn’t have much vested interest. The rca/ steward would due to being next in line for that position.

btdtret · Feb 2, 2018

gmail28 -- " but can an rca who also happens to be the steward, do so? "

-- Interesting question. Bring it up at your Pre-Count meeting(s).

-- Page 13 of the 2018 Mail Count Guide has a couple references:

"Regular carriers may observe......", further on it is: "Any carrier who observes....." and "Regular carriers who are observing..."

-- Let those higher up on the food chain earn their money and make a decision.

-- IMHO -- if the RCA / Steward is not the current relief carrier on the route on which the regular is retiring, don't see any reason for the RCA / Steward to be observing that route during count. Even if in line to get the route when the bidding starts, there is no guarantee that the RCA won't make an error in the bidding process, and as such won't not get the route.

If the RCA / Steward claims to be doing the "observing" in an official capacity doubt that would qualify as "any carrier who observes the mail count must be in a non-duty status."

-- Let the "higher-ups" do the "heavy lifting".

D.B.Cooper · Feb 2, 2018

Another issue about the route bidding is that any other Regular may bid and take a route ahead of the senior RCA doing the bidding, so this senior RCA would have a bit of a difficult time knowing for sure which route they might end up getting... but it is a good question, and noble that an RCA would want to come in and observe...

I've never even seen a Regular do it in my couple of decades working for the PO... hail, I'd just be happy if my RCA would be conscientious and not try to treat the load time like it was some sort of race... <img title="Confused" alt="Confused" src="https://www.ruralmailtalk.ruralinfo.net/wp-content/sp-resources/forum-smileys/sf-confused.gif" />

wolfound · Feb 2, 2018

DB....Clarify please...never seen what? A regular observing count on their relief day?

My royal is worse than a vulture waiting on a road hit deer to die...

oi veh. · Feb 2, 2018

I observe because my sub is not conscientious.

If any of the conscientious RCAs on this board were my sub, I wouldn't.

@gmail28 - have you asked your DR what he/she thinks?

gotstamps · Feb 3, 2018

<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote">wolfound said 
DB....Clarify please...never seen what? A regular observing count on their relief day?

My royal is worse than a vulture waiting on a road hit deer to die... </blockquote>
If your Reg is present to observe on the Relief Day, make sure they know that they are not allowed to "interfere" with your job. They are there to. OBSERVE. That means stay out of the case & keep your mouth shut unless I ask you a question.

I have always observed every count for the last 10 yrs. I have a stool at my desk I pull out and stay 5 or more feet away from my case as to allow the sub room to work. I hate feeling crowded and don't want to make him feel that way. I may pipe in if he looks confused or like he's trying to remember what's next but otherwise I stay out of it. I also show up in the evening to make sure ALL possible items are counted & timed.

D.B.Cooper · Feb 3, 2018

<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote">wolfound said 
DB....Clarify please...never seen what? A regular observing count on their relief day?

My royal is worse than a vulture waiting on a road hit deer to die... </blockquote>
When I first started, somehow they actually let the Regs work their relief days during the counts... not sure exactly how??? But other than that, I've never seen a Reg come in on their relief day, altho it is their right to do so, as others have said here...

speedie · Feb 3, 2018

I was primary sub for three counts when regular was either out or on higher duty. I always treated the count like it was my paycheck because it was. In all three counts the route gained time. I also had one count as aux sub and gained on that one too. Long and short is it is both the reg and sub's pay and the sub needs growth to go regular. Treat the route like it is yours and make sure count is right. Read your count guide and always double check management's numbers. Make sure any route you work gets every second. It is your future you are protecting.

Imho...

MiddleOfNowhere · Feb 4, 2018

i don't know the personality of the regular or the rca, but as a regular, i think i'd be a little offended by an rca that thought they were getting my route, coming in to check if i were working properly. if leaving soon. i might even forget to count some things. just saying.... probably the same rca that would bring you some poison soup, when you get out of the hospital.

most regulars have learned how to protect their pay.

D.B.Cooper · Feb 4, 2018

For any RCA's reading this... to follow what Speedie and MON said...

RCAs actually likely could have MORE to lose than Regs... for example... if your route is a 41K, every Saturday relief day... if that route were to lose just 1 hour, it could become a 43J, with every other Saturday as a relief day... which would result in the Reg getting about a $5,000 pay RAISE for that year, but the RCA would lose $$$ THOUSANDS of dollars for that year...

It's not just the Reg's pay on the line with these mail counts... <img title="Confused" alt="Confused" src="https://www.ruralmailtalk.ruralinfo.net/wp-content/sp-resources/forum-smileys/sf-confused.gif" />

MiddleOfNowhere · Feb 4, 2018

db - if your route is a 41K, every Saturday relief day… if that route were to lose just 1 hour, it could become a 43J, with every other Saturday as a relief day… which would result in the Reg getting about a $5,000 pay RAISE for that year, but the RCA would lose $$$ THOUSANDS of dollars for that year…

or if the route gained just one hour, and the regular took high option to go to a 46j, the reg. could cut half an rca's pay that way as well.

might depend on actual hours, but i thought 40k - 44j were the same actual hours, or 42k - 46j , with an area in 43k being no choice..

D.B.Cooper · Feb 4, 2018

Good point MON... yes if the Reg has over 10 years as a Reg, then they would have that Hi-Lo option... if less than 10 years, then no option, has to take the Low "option"... <img title="Confused" alt="Confused" src="https://www.ruralmailtalk.ruralinfo.net/wp-content/sp-resources/forum-smileys/sf-confused.gif" />

btdtret · Feb 4, 2018

M-O-N -- I think "D.B" was heading towards K-routes have 2 relief days per pay period while a J-route has 1 relief day. The RCA goes from 2 working days to 1 day. Of course, with the stipulation that the regular has 10 years in order to take the High Option.

" i thought 40k – 44j were the same actual hours"

-- They are within a few seconds of one another. It's the loss of a work day for the RCA that hurts -- the RCA.

D.B.Cooper · Feb 4, 2018

In my office and the RMPO's all Reg Rt's have subs... so if a route goes K to J, or J to H, then they'd have to go to another PO somewhere to get additional work... so it does depend on whether the office(s) are short on subs, or not...