RCA VS ARC

[justasinger]

What are the pro's/cons to the two different types of sub? I think I want to move south so I've been searching postings. Maybe I'm thinking about this the wrong way, but i think it will be much easier to move as an RCA rather than try to find a career carrier that wants to trade with me and come to the frozen north.

 

[Rt2mailman]

Arc's aren't career and have no path to career employees unless they take a test for one of the crafts. If you want to trade jobs write to every carrier in the area you want to move. Some may not want to and others may not know they could, but would. I traded 4 years into my career from a hot southern route to the snows of the North. Near retirement age some carriers are willing to move for their last few years without selling everything "back home". Some (not quite according to postal protocol)  maybe be "encouraged"  to trade with some of your $ attached to the agreement. 

 

[btdtret]

justasinger -- "What are the pro’s/cons to the two different types of sub?"

--  You should know about the RCA position by now, so here's the ARC side.

a.  Assistant Rural Carrier ( ARC ) is not really a sub.

b.  ARC's may only perform Saturday, Sunday, and holiday duties and will be paid on an hourly basis using the rate of pay in Table Four, the same rate as RCA's hired on or after 11 AUG 2012.

c.  ARC's will be bargaining unit employees with limited contractual benefits.  The may be union members.

d.  Articles 15 and 16 will apply.   ARC's will not have access to non-career employee health benefits, earned leave, or bidding rights.

e.  ARC's are always paid actual time.

f.  ARC's don't have a hiring exam, but all other hiring requirements will apply.

g.  The ARC probationary period will be 90 work-days or one year.

h.  ARC's have to apply for any desired RCA positions and may not automatically convert to an RCA vacancy.

i.  ARC's may be required to proved a vehicle for delivery and will receive EMA.

j.  ARC's will be entitled to Sunday and Holiday parcel delivery prior to RCA's.

l.  ARC's may also case and carry routes on Saturday only after all available RCA's have been assigned and prior to working a regular rural carrier on the relief day.

m.  The ARC will not be designated as the primary leave replacement on any regular routes and will not be included in any formula implementation or calculation.

n.  ARC's may not work on Monday through Friday, except on holidays.

Not the rosiest of jobs, but may be good for someone with a set M-F schedule looking for some extra money.

While some regular carriers might want to trade with you, it's not possible.   Regular carriers can do a mutual swap but in all likelihood will not get the route each other had as the route will go up for bids and the incoming regular will get the route that is open.

Once you decide on a southern location, get on the phone to the post offices in that area to check if for RCA vacancies.

Good luck.

 

[justasinger]

thanks again for all the great info. I was aware that an RCA can't trade with a regular carrier, but I'm sitting in a quite unique situation. I am currently covering an aux route (that was an H route), and in all likelyhood, should still be an H route. I am considering taking the position, then getting the box count corrected and the route will then go back to an H route. Since I'm the only carrier in the office (if I transfer to this office), the new career position should be mine by default. Unless I'm mistaken in the way it works.

 

[btdtret]

justasinger -- Better hope there isn't an excessed carrier in the surrounding area if the route is posted as an H-route as one could swoop in and get the route.  What's the current radius these days -- anything vacant route within 50 miles?   Anyone??

--  If the route is posted as an AUX route, then it should be offered to qualified substitutes, RCA's and rural carrier relief employees in the order of the longest continuous period of service at that office, without regard to classification.

--  There is a LOT of paperwork involved in handling a Seasonal route.  Manglement has some say when it changes between High Season and Low Season - and from postings of others with seasonal routes, manglement has no qualms about dragging its feet in making the determination as long as it suits them.

--  Ask to see past paperwork as well as getting in touch with the Assistant District Representative regarding the handling of a seasonal route and if there were any "problems" in the past for this particular route.

--  Overall, still sounds like a nice assignment.

 

[justasinger]

btdtret - If I was to get the position full time and it changed to an H route, I would get it by default though, right? since there are no other carriers in the office, and I'm eligible for a career position, it wouldn't go up for bid, correct? The only problem would be if an RCA tries to get the aux route with more seniority than me.

 

[btdtret]

justasinger --  "The only problem would be if an RCA tries to get the aux route with more seniority than me."

--  If you are the only RCA in the office, what's to worry about as AUX are offered to those in the office. 

--  AUX routes are not put up for bidding like a regular route.

--  As mentioned previously, I don't have experience with Seasonal Routes, so don't know if manglement would have to put the route up for bidding when the route changed to its seasonal high ( H-route ) status.   Anyone??

 

[gotstamps]

An Auxiliary route wouldn't actually go to bidding. If it's an H-route, it would be bid throughout  the APO/RMPO system if the office is part of one. If the office doesn't share seniority lists with another office, then no worries. Otherwise, anyone in a 'sister-office' can take it if they are senior to you.