RCA - seasonal coming back; who gets it?

[Casualman]

My office has 5 regular routes and the seasonal route is about to start back up.  From my understanding last year was the first time this office I work at has utilized doing this seasonal route, as it did not have a case setup for it, and it began in March of this year for some reason.  The aux seasonal route was 3 hours a day evaluated and was worked from Monday to Saturday.

I am an RCA to regular carriers route to start this story.  2nd in line of seniority of 3 RCAs

So the senior RCA lives far away and opted out of taking this route when it started in March 2017, I kind of just got thrown into it but was completely fine with it and actually happy to have it.  So to begin with my postmaster gives false information all the time, and at times it's not because of ignorance, just thought I'd let that be known now as I go along.  So the first week of doing the seasonal route I noticed that I indeed did have my name on the hours worksheet at the case, stating I was the primary carrier on the seasonal aux route.  I worked this route for 2 months before it went away, didn't miss a day, and I worked my other primary as well when needed, but i believe I only did it on Saturdays I think.  It was 'N' instead of 'L', and the code was an 'A' (I'm guessing it means Aux of coarse).

Now the route is coming back sometime next month, the senior RCA is saying that he wants to do it this year (it's really still the same year though, 2017), i've been told that he gets it becuase of seniority.  But wouldn't 'I' be the most qualified carrier to do it since I was the only one to work it and not a single other person did for a single day?  Also since he relinquished it just 6 months ago doesn't that mean he doesn't want it, shouldn't that mean I'll still be on it once it starts back up?  I built the case, it says I was primary carrier on the hours worksheet; there isn't much talk about seasonals and how it works when they go away and then come back on these forums, if anybody has information on these matters, it would be much appreciated.

Also if anybody has any ideas on how i can make this stay mine when it comes back that would be awesome.  I know questions and more info is probably needed, so ask'em and I'll answer them.  Thank you!

 

[btdtret]

Casualman -- " i’ve been told that he gets it becuase of seniority.  But wouldn’t ‘I’ be the most qualified carrier to do it since I was the only one to work it and not a single other person did for a single day?"

--  Even though "deemed to be substantially better qualified" is in the contract, normally seniority wins.

--  However - comma - get with the Assistant District Representative and spell out what has happened with the route -- the senior RCA turned down the route and that you have doing it since it was formed.

"my postmaster gives false information all the time"

--  Long time rule of thumb -- if manglement's lips are moving, its probably a lie and/or false information.

 

[EthelAnne]

Ok, I just did a quick search of the references on the NRLCA website, so I may not thoroughly understand the issue, but seasonal routes are treated as auxiliary routes, are they not? They're offered by seniority. It seems as though the senior RCA in your office declined the seasonal auxiliary route. I don't think he gets to change his mind later, similarly to how a senior RCA who turns down a regular (year-round) auxiliary route wouldn't get to change their mind at some later date.

I have no experience with seasonal routes, so hopefully someone will chime in who knows about this issue, but I'd argue that it's an auxiliary route that was assigned to you on whatever date and it remains yours until you relinquish it.

Article 30.2.G covers filling auxiliary routes, if that helps any.