RCA's, are they assigned to a route, or the post office as a whole?

[DB.Cooper]

What happens after the 120 days?

File a grievance if still no sub....

 

[Beanut]

I am in a 2 route office. We have had no RCA's for far to long. Last year, I recruited 1 to come to the office and be my sub, assigned to my route. I was under the impression, that the sub is available to me first, then to the other route if I do not need them on any given day. I learned last week, while talking to my sub, seeing if they could work a day for me next month, that the other route booked them about 2 months ago, for the day in question. Well, that was the first I had heard of it. The guy on the other route, I feel should have asked me first if I would need a sub on that particular day, to which I would have agreed that I would not be needing the sub that day. I would have been good with that. Then I would not have planned anything for that particular day in question.

The PM got involved, he had to ask another PM what to do. The word back was, that the sub could be assigned to either of the 2 routes and does not have my route as a priority, rather the sub is assigned to the post office, not a specific route.. Looking though the last contract, I can not find anything about sub assignments and what an assignment means.

Well, the sub is listed on my time sheet showing that they are assigned to my route.

At minimum, the other route should have had some common curiosity and let me know what was planned two months ago when his planning for the day off was taking place.

Set me straight here. What is correct?

When I was hired as RCA 21 yrs ago.

I was told my home office & assigned route was priority. But that was back when RCAs could “volunteer” to work other routes/offices. Now RCAs are required to work other routes/offices.

RCAs are not PT, they are non-career. Management wants them scheduled at least 40 hrs. My last year (as RCA) I was working 56hrs-80 hrs a week. I rarely worked only 40hrs.

Currently, once an RCA is scheduled in another office or on another route they are not allowed to be pulled back to their primary office/route.

So an RCA doesn’t really belong to your office at all, your office just schedules them. They belong to the 50mi radius surrounding your office.

In my opinion it’s the worst change they have made to RCAs position. If you are going to treat them like this at least make them career PTFs.

 

[DB.Cooper]

Still missing the point, It shouldn't matter who it helps unless of course you want to keep helping management by not putting in one?

No, I get it.... I'm talking about helping the carriers who don't want to rock the boat by filing letters or grievances for not having a sub.... it's mngt's job to hire.... shouldn't they be required to do their job??????

 

[EthelAnne]

When I was hired as RCA 21 yrs ago.

I was told my home office & assigned route was priority. But that was back when RCAs could “volunteer” to work other routes/offices. Now RCAs are required to work other routes/offices.

RCAs are not PT, they are non-career. Management wants them scheduled at least 40 hrs. My last year (as RCA) I was working 56hrs-80 hrs a week. I rarely worked only 40hrs.

Currently, once an RCA is scheduled in another office or on another route they are not allowed to be pulled back to their primary office/route.

So an RCA doesn’t really belong to your office at all, your office just schedules them. They belong to the 50mi radius surrounding your office.

In my opinion it’s the worst change they have made to RCAs position. If you are going to treat them like this at least make them career PTFs.

I agree . That 50 mile radius BS—I would have quit when I was an RCA if I had been required to do this.

Having said that, the other side of the issue that does not get talked about a whole lot, is that a lot of RCAs quit because they are getting too few hours. Not every office has RCAs working 60+ hours a week, though they tend to be who we hear about. The RCAs who can’t make a go of it (for whatever reason) seem to go away and don’t spend a lot of time talking about how few hours they get.

This is the current problem in my 10 route high volume suburban office—right now we have only two RCAs and both work three days a week, which includes Sunday. Both are thinking about leaving due to lack of hours.

Neither wants to work at other offices because you never know what sort of s*!tshow you’re walking in to. They are not being required to.

So what’s the solution here? Make them all PTFs and enforce the 50 mile radius? The NALC is in contract negotiations now trying to get rid of the CCA position in favor of PTFs. And, if you believe the rumors on the internet, the USPS is having none of it so it is unlikely the NRLCA will have any success either.

 

[csparks]

Not to hijack the thread but two Saturday k day routes exist. R1 has seniority but no sub assigned to their route. R2 is junior with a sub. Who gets the day off? If they are mandating it goes by juniority as to who gets forced into work unless i am not understanding things correctly.

This is happening to me (sub) right now.

One of 2 routes in our office constantly loses subs. I am the sub for "other" route The Reg and I take care of all aspects of that route without assistance from outside.

Now that the other route is vacant, I have to work there on Sat, and my Reg has to come in because he is lesser seniority. Then I'll have to work Monday on my route.

I understand its contract, but its one of the reasons I'll be quitting in a short while.

When I hired on, the wording and general understanding given to me was I'd cover my route when Reg was gone. I was in full agreement with that. Over the years, it devolved into RCA pinball. Maybe a necessity, etc, but its not a situation I want to be involved with.

 

[Missed a scan]

When I was hired as RCA 21 yrs ago.

I was told my home office & assigned route was priority. But that was back when RCAs could “volunteer” to work other routes/offices. Now RCAs are required to work other routes/offices.

RCAs are not PT, they are non-career. Management wants them scheduled at least 40 hrs. My last year (as RCA) I was working 56hrs-80 hrs a week. I rarely worked only 40hrs.

Currently, once an RCA is scheduled in another office or on another route they are not allowed to be pulled back to their primary office/route.

So an RCA doesn’t really belong to your office at all, your office just schedules them. They belong to the 50mi radius surrounding your office.

In my opinion it’s the worst change they have made to RCAs position. If you are going to treat them like this at least make them career PTFs.

Holy cow, I had no idea this was the case.

I remember the 21 years ago part, I was hired around 25 years ago. Thought that was still the deal.

 

[Sunofa]

As soon as I get everything done on case and boxes marked that’s the plan. Right now I would feel guilty as all heck having a new sub run the route I got. Missing some 20 boxes on case alone the list is endless.

Why wait? They move like sloths. You will get it put together long before a sub gets there.

 

[Missed a scan]

I have a sub assigned to my route, and I understand they can be used on another route that doesn't have a sub assigned.... and I hear all of that about its 1st come, 1st served, etc., etc.... BUT, if the other routes that do not have a sub, have not made any effort to get a sub assigned to their route, then why are they stepping on the toes of those that have made the effort???? Js.... if I didn't have a sub assigned to my route, I'd file a 120-day letter to get one assigned, and file a grievance if the letter wasn't fulfilled.... but, because I have a sub, I can't file a letter.... I can't file one for the routes that are too apathetic to do it for themselves either.... so, that's where I have a problem with all this nonsense....

I have chased down several for my office, mostly barrow from another office till they get a full time gig, then chase another one down. Other guy doesn't do squat.

 

[Sunofa]

I agree . That 50 mile radius BS—I would have quit when I was an RCA if I had been required to do this.

Having said that, the other side of the issue that does not get talked about a whole lot, is that a lot of RCAs quit because they are getting too few hours. Not every office has RCAs working 60+ hours a week, though they tend to be who we hear about. The RCAs who can’t make a go of it (for whatever reason) seem to go away and don’t spend a lot of time talking about how few hours they get.

This is the current problem in my 10 route high volume suburban office—right now we have only two RCAs and both work three days a week, which includes Sunday. Both are thinking about leaving due to lack of hours.

Neither wants to work at other offices because you never know what sort of s*!tshow you’re walking in to. They are not being required to.

So what’s the solution here? Make them all PTFs and enforce the 50 mile radius? The NALC is in contract negotiations now trying to get rid of the CCA position in favor of PTFs. And, if you believe the rumors on the internet, the USPS is having none of it so it is unlikely the NRLCA will have any success either.

The RCA is a terrible position to have now. It is upper managements intent I believe, to have a high turnover. Burn them out, use them up, beat them down and let them quit. It's a revolving door. IF they look at RCAS as a long term employee, they might have to give them more respect and consideration, (possibly more benefits), and they don't want to do that. It's easier to just say next! They don't care at all about them.

 

[ATCBigE]

When I was hired as RCA 21 yrs ago.

I was told my home office & assigned route was priority. But that was back when RCAs could “volunteer” to work other routes/offices. Now RCAs are required to work other routes/offices.

RCAs are not PT, they are non-career. Management wants them scheduled at least 40 hrs. My last year (as RCA) I was working 56hrs-80 hrs a week. I rarely worked only 40hrs.

Currently, once an RCA is scheduled in another office or on another route they are not allowed to be pulled back to their primary office/route.

So an RCA doesn’t really belong to your office at all, your office just schedules them. They belong to the 50mi radius surrounding your office.

In my opinion it’s the worst change they have made to RCAs position. If you are going to treat them like this at least make them career PTFs.

Yep and this is another one of the dumbest thing they have done. They just changed that right before I went regular. I was CONSTANTLY getting pulled back last second on these other offices and just making them mad. I was like it isn't my fault, blame management.

Exactly or you have to give them something. My are is slowly getting bad for RCAs. In reality being out in rural area and not close to the city has saved us a bit, but I feel the sub shortage will hit us soon.

 

[ATCBigE]

I agree . That 50 mile radius BS—I would have quit when I was an RCA if I had been required to do this.

Having said that, the other side of the issue that does not get talked about a whole lot, is that a lot of RCAs quit because they are getting too few hours. Not every office has RCAs working 60+ hours a week, though they tend to be who we hear about. The RCAs who can’t make a go of it (for whatever reason) seem to go away and don’t spend a lot of time talking about how few hours they get.

This is the current problem in my 10 route high volume suburban office—right now we have only two RCAs and both work three days a week, which includes Sunday. Both are thinking about leaving due to lack of hours.

Neither wants to work at other offices because you never know what sort of s*!tshow you’re walking in to. They are not being required to.

So what’s the solution here? Make them all PTFs and enforce the 50 mile radius? The NALC is in contract negotiations now trying to get rid of the CCA position in favor of PTFs. And, if you believe the rumors on the internet, the USPS is having none of it so it is unlikely the NRLCA will have any success either.

Especially on the rural side more than the city, the 50 mile radius is BS. Working rural routes are wayyyyyy worse than city in the sense that we drive all over and can have many unexpected things to get us lost. Street sign missing, road changes name randomly, and so on for 50-150 miles (if you live in rural part of the USA). City at least you are more confined to certain area. Now I don't like the 50 mile radius for them, but at least with how routes are for them, I can see where it can be a little easier to do than the rural side.

I can see where you put a little radius on for rural side, but I don't know all the roads 50 miles away.

To answer what I think with your 10 route is this. I think your guys RCA should try other offices to get hours. I agree you can walk into a show, but from my experience you can tell right away if that is an office you want to come back and work or if it is a bad office. I worked in many offices and can say there is 1 I would probably never set feet in again because it is such a mess.

 

[csparks]

RCAs are the USPS equivalent of a Human Shield.

 

[flash]

What happens after the 120 days?

It moves the rt with 120 day letter to top . So when a sub does get hired, they should be going to the senior carrier, but 120 trumps senior.

 

[Deer Smearer]

Our office is short of subs. A nearby office has more subs than routes.

The new contract let’s manglement use other office subs before RDWL.

They should let offices use other office subs before OT with in office subs. Then maybe the slacker subs don’t go over 40 and get actual time when decent subs get screwed by the 40.0001 from helping out.

 

[gotstamps]

The subs they have now can be done any ol way. Lets say they are assigned to your rt but someone else puts leave in now they aren't assigned to your rt. If they need them 50 miles away now they aren't assigned to your rt. So that to be doesn't serve any purpose other than helping management. If you fill your office with rcas by putting in your letter then no leave denied, relief days actually happen, rcas don't have to go out of your office unless volunteer it's their choice. More people to help with work load the ones we have won't be worked to death. It truly helps management as well but their thing is all about their budget. Our office is so full now we have rcas putting leave in for Saturdays and it's approved. It's a breath of fresh air for everyone.

Subs still have a Primary route that takes priority when the Regular Carrier is not available. Working other routes in the office does not change their “assigned” route.
Subs also have the right to the routes in their assigned office prior to be sent to other offices. Loaning a sub to another office does not change their assigned route or office. Leave cannot be denied when done in advance due to a sub might be “loaned out”.

A fully staffed office leads to the subs being farmed out more than a short-staffed office. If every route has a sub then the subs do not have enough work to survive & would require working other offices or a 2nd job.

 

[gotstamps]

Did they check the 50-mile radius.... hail no, you know they didn't....

Not a requirement.

How many without a sub have never made any effort to get a sub assigned to their route.... I guess if you're a kiss @$$ person, mngt will get you your days off by taking the subs from the routes that made the effort and filed their 120-day letters, etc.... typical USPS BS....

In some areas, it’s not about “effort to get a sub” but the fact that nobody is applying.
A 120-Letter May get you a sub or it gets you a Formula Office & a PTF. PTFs are shared among multiple routes so even though you have a sub, that sub also officially belongs to other routes. PTFs are not the answer where Leave Requests are concerned.

 

[jaymacgthree]

I have a sub assigned to my route, and I understand they can be used on another route that doesn't have a sub assigned.... and I hear all of that about its 1st come, 1st served, etc., etc.... BUT, if the other routes that do not have a sub, have not made any effort to get a sub assigned to their route, then why are they stepping on the toes of those that have made the effort???? Js.... if I didn't have a sub assigned to my route, I'd file a 120-day letter to get one assigned, and file a grievance if the letter wasn't fulfilled.... but, because I have a sub, I can't file a letter.... I can't file one for the routes that are too apathetic to do it for themselves either.... so, that's where I have a problem with all this nonsense....

You nailed the problem right there about other carriers not doing the leg work or knowing the contract to help themselves. Instead you and consequently your route suffer for their and management's failures. And many subs would love to stay on the route they are assigned to rather than work the other ones.

Those union aficionados should get out there and craft new language to correct some of these issues. There should be a way to grieve not having access to leave replacements already assigned to your route while having no remedy (120 day letter or alternatives) available. The NRLCA makes their joke of a contract a maze with too many dead ends...

 

[Shannonboy]

It amazes me after 30 years of existence, probably 75% still don't know.

Thats not surprising considering that the po does not "REALLY TRAIN PEOPLE"....look at rrec's, it was PATHETIC, no one knew, or knows how things really work....even still today...

 

[DB.Cooper]

I have chased down several for my office, mostly barrow from another office till they get a full time gig, then chase another one down. Other guy doesn't do squat.

Bottom line is, it's mngt not doing their jobs in hiring.... and it sort of pi$$es me off that they're always saying stuff about us doing our jobs, but yet they can't even do their own damned job....

 

[DB.Cooper]

You nailed the problem right there about other carriers not doing the leg work or knowing the contract to help themselves. Instead you and consequently your route suffer for their and management's failures. And many subs would love to stay on the route they are assigned to rather than work the other ones.

Those union aficionados should get out there and craft new language to correct some of these issues. There should be a way to grieve not having access to leave replacements already assigned to your route while having no remedy (120 day letter or alternatives) available. The NRLCA makes their joke of a contract a maze with too many dead ends...

When they loan out my sub, it should only be to peeps who have filed a 120 letter.... if they can't even bother to try and get a sub, then why funk over those that have put in the effort????