Dexterdaisy
New member
what “other suitable allowances” do you get I your office?
Suitable allowances
- Thread starter Dexterdaisy
- Start date
CurrentResident
New member
I'm interested too.
Dexterdaisy -- "what “other suitable allowances” do you get I your office?"
-- It has been a while, but at the office pre-count meeting, we'd agree to a "standard" to be used for riffling DPS trays. That reduced the time a counter would be other wise occupied and not able to attend to other carriers in his/her section of the work floor.
-- It has been a while, but at the office pre-count meeting, we'd agree to a "standard" to be used for riffling DPS trays. That reduced the time a counter would be other wise occupied and not able to attend to other carriers in his/her section of the work floor.
dhoward541
New member
We're getting a set time for edit book and case maintenance each week.
overit -- It has been a few years. Probably 10 or 15 seconds per tray.
-- The "standard" time worked well( for us any ways ) as during count, DPS seems to become "excellent" or "pristine". Seldom any sections out of order or for another route as happens during the rest of the year.
-- For a while our office had letter sorting machines right on the work floor, so we'd go get the trays when called by the machine operator.
-- Later when all sorting was done "down town", we'd still do the 10 or 15 seconds per tray for riffling time.
-- But on occasion, the DPS trays would arrive just stacked atop on another in GPC's ( General Purpose Containers ) without shelves. And sometime spread over two or more GPC's. That's when we got "Search & Rescue" Time -- actual time - to seek and gather the DPS Letter trays. We never had DPS Flat trays, so don't know if that happens to DPS Flats -- any one??
-- The "standard" time worked well( for us any ways ) as during count, DPS seems to become "excellent" or "pristine". Seldom any sections out of order or for another route as happens during the rest of the year.
-- For a while our office had letter sorting machines right on the work floor, so we'd go get the trays when called by the machine operator.
-- Later when all sorting was done "down town", we'd still do the 10 or 15 seconds per tray for riffling time.
-- But on occasion, the DPS trays would arrive just stacked atop on another in GPC's ( General Purpose Containers ) without shelves. And sometime spread over two or more GPC's. That's when we got "Search & Rescue" Time -- actual time - to seek and gather the DPS Letter trays. We never had DPS Flat trays, so don't know if that happens to DPS Flats -- any one??
dhoward541
New member
Oh, and we get 2 min and 30 seconds each week for when our route has to close up on Sat
<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote"><strong>dhoward541 said </strong>
Oh, and we get 2 min and 30 seconds each week for when our route has to close up on Sat </blockquote>
That's too low.
Should be at least 5 minutes.
<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote"><strong>btdtret said </strong>
-- It has been a while, but at the office pre-count meeting, we'd agree to a "standard" to be used for riffling DPS trays. That reduced the time a counter would be other wise occupied and not able to attend to other carriers in his/her section of the work floor. </blockquote>
There's an app for that now. They put in your DPS number and the program figures out riff time based on EOR numbers. We are being told to double check the figures.
Oh, and we get 2 min and 30 seconds each week for when our route has to close up on Sat </blockquote>
That's too low.
Should be at least 5 minutes.
<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote"><strong>btdtret said </strong>
-- It has been a while, but at the office pre-count meeting, we'd agree to a "standard" to be used for riffling DPS trays. That reduced the time a counter would be other wise occupied and not able to attend to other carriers in his/her section of the work floor. </blockquote>
There's an app for that now. They put in your DPS number and the program figures out riff time based on EOR numbers. We are being told to double check the figures.
Oi veh et al -- "There’s an app for that [ riffling time ] now. They put in your DPS number and the program figures out riff time based on EOR numbers. We are being told to double check the figures.
-- When we had letter sorting machines in our building, the clerks running the machines told the carriers there could be more than one EOR. So make sure you have the absolute last EOR for count purposes.
-- We had an agreement with manglement that 421 pieces in a DPS tray would be the office "standard". If a "standard" is used to other offices, probably the "standard" is different. At least it gave something to check against.
-- If the EOR indicated 2,800 DPS letters and the carrier was looking at 8 full DPS trays, time to alert the counter and manglement. Of course, the thickness of the DPS letters sometimes played a part.
-- By all means, double ( and triple ) check figures if they are not close. It's your pay check at stake.
-- When we had letter sorting machines in our building, the clerks running the machines told the carriers there could be more than one EOR. So make sure you have the absolute last EOR for count purposes.
-- We had an agreement with manglement that 421 pieces in a DPS tray would be the office "standard". If a "standard" is used to other offices, probably the "standard" is different. At least it gave something to check against.
-- If the EOR indicated 2,800 DPS letters and the carrier was looking at 8 full DPS trays, time to alert the counter and manglement. Of course, the thickness of the DPS letters sometimes played a part.
-- By all means, double ( and triple ) check figures if they are not close. It's your pay check at stake.
D.B.Cooper
Active member
<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote"><strong>Oi veh. said </strong>
That's too low.
Should be at least 5 minutes.
<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote"><strong>btdtret said </strong>
-- It has been a while, but at the office pre-count meeting, we'd agree to a "standard" to be used for riffling DPS trays. That reduced the time a counter would be other wise occupied and not able to attend to other carriers in his/her section of the work floor. </blockquote>
There's an app for that now. They put in your DPS number and the program figures out riff time based on EOR numbers. We are being told to double check the figures. </blockquote>
Can you elaborate on either of those points... I've never gotten 5 minutes for Saturday duties... and, how do they calculate riffling time??? I was thinking about just asking for 15 seconds per tray... <img title="Confused" alt="Confused" src="https://www.ruralmailtalk.ruralinfo.net/wp-content/sp-resources/forum-smileys/sf-confused.gif" />
That's too low.
Should be at least 5 minutes.
<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote"><strong>btdtret said </strong>
-- It has been a while, but at the office pre-count meeting, we'd agree to a "standard" to be used for riffling DPS trays. That reduced the time a counter would be other wise occupied and not able to attend to other carriers in his/her section of the work floor. </blockquote>
There's an app for that now. They put in your DPS number and the program figures out riff time based on EOR numbers. We are being told to double check the figures.
</blockquote>Can you elaborate on either of those points... I've never gotten 5 minutes for Saturday duties... and, how do they calculate riffling time??? I was thinking about just asking for 15 seconds per tray... <img title="Confused" alt="Confused" src="https://www.ruralmailtalk.ruralinfo.net/wp-content/sp-resources/forum-smileys/sf-confused.gif" />
I close every day M - F.
This is how we did my time study back when we first became an RMPO.
Time starts when key first hits the lock.
2 locks on outside door, 1 lock on vestibule door. Set down all your equipment and mail. (this part you have to stop the clock - separate out your accountables and fill out your 3821, start clock) Take your accountables, 3821, stamp stock, arrow key, whathaveyou over to your lock box, bag with rotary lock - whatever secure method you have (what do you mean, your office doesn't have one?!!?!?!?!? Check your book for close duties and make those bozos comply), lock up your stuff, lock vestibule door, lock both locks on outside door, stop clock.
I will have to go get my notes for the riff formula.
This is how we did my time study back when we first became an RMPO.
Time starts when key first hits the lock.
2 locks on outside door, 1 lock on vestibule door. Set down all your equipment and mail. (this part you have to stop the clock - separate out your accountables and fill out your 3821, start clock) Take your accountables, 3821, stamp stock, arrow key, whathaveyou over to your lock box, bag with rotary lock - whatever secure method you have (what do you mean, your office doesn't have one?!!?!?!?!? Check your book for close duties and make those bozos comply), lock up your stuff, lock vestibule door, lock both locks on outside door, stop clock.
I will have to go get my notes for the riff formula.
gotstamps
Well-known member
<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote"><strong>Oi veh. said </strong>
Riff formula:
EOR divide by 215 x 15 divide by 60 = total riff time in minutes column 17 </blockquote>
BUT... it's actually supposed to be a timed function, checking beginning, middle, and end of each tray for order and if any sections seem out of place or not yours. Riffle time also includes looking for your trays & moving stacked trays if and when necessary.
Our office has over 50 total routes and the trays can be on any of the multitude of racks that come in OR in the "overflow area" if not found elsewhere.
Riff formula:
EOR divide by 215 x 15 divide by 60 = total riff time in minutes column 17 </blockquote>
BUT... it's actually supposed to be a timed function, checking beginning, middle, and end of each tray for order and if any sections seem out of place or not yours. Riffle time also includes looking for your trays & moving stacked trays if and when necessary.
Our office has over 50 total routes and the trays can be on any of the multitude of racks that come in OR in the "overflow area" if not found elsewhere.
Yes, stamps, it is.
However, apparently the program the 4239 is on has it...wait for it...
built in.
And yes, it does include if you have to go on a search and rescue mission. That was touched on as well. No one on this thread mentioned that they have to look for their DPS, so I didn't mention it.
Just passing on the info I received at mail count training.
However, apparently the program the 4239 is on has it...wait for it...
built in.
And yes, it does include if you have to go on a search and rescue mission. That was touched on as well. No one on this thread mentioned that they have to look for their DPS, so I didn't mention it.
Just passing on the info I received at mail count training.
dhoward541
New member
2 min, 30 seconds for each route, each week on Sat; only one route is going to close. Ours is very simple, the mail is out in the vestibule, drop it in a pumpkin, turn off 4 light switches at the back and put a lock on the door. I timed it during count, took my time, no hurry and it's what it took; and we agreed since differ routes will close up, each route gets the time on Sat.
Oi veh -- " No one on this thread mentioned that they have to look for their DPS, so I didn’t mention it."
-- Actually I did in post #6. And back then, we got actual time for S&R of DPS letter trays. Which brings me to the Column 17 references in the 2018 Mail Count Guide. Specifically ( 27 ) on page 28: Fifteen ( 15 ) seconds per tray or partial tray of DPS FLATS received each day for locating the trays and straightening the DPS FLAT mail.
a. As one never having to deal with DPS FLATS, are they normally spread out over different containers as #27 seems to imply?
b. Is it just an NRLCA oversight that a similar item does not address DPS LETTERS spread over multiple containers in the Mail Count Guide? ( of course it is! )
"Riff formula: EOR divide by 215 x 15 divide by 60 = total riff time in minutes column 17."
-- Not doubting that such a strange formula exists, but is there a reference for it? And how it is applied?
-- Darn, was hoping never to hear "built-in" again!
gotstamps -- " it’s actually supposed to be a timed function, checking beginning, middle, and end of each tray for order and if any sections seem out of place or not yours."
-- Agreed - it is a timed function and that is a good description of the process. ( 1 ) on page 27 of the Mail Count Guide. But as DPS Letters are almost perfect / pristine / ideal, etc condition during count and took counters away from their other routes, we opted at the office pre-count for a "standard" of 10 or 15 seconds per tray.
"Riffle time also includes looking for your trays & moving stacked trays if and when necessary." ( not any more )
-- Apparently we were fortunate in our office as manglement agreed to separate "Search & Rescue" time if our DPS Letter trays were spread over multiple containers or stacked in GPC's without shelves ( up to my last count in 2011 ).
-- Actually Step 4 ( D-19 ) ( 2013 ) addresses "S&R" - in part:
After reviewing this matter, the parties agree that if DPS letter mail trays are in a conveyance randomly mixed between routes, and retrieval of these trays requires added effort by carriers; additional compensation may be appropriate.
In instances where this occurs on a daily or weekly basis, the route will receive credit in Column 17 during mail count, for the actual time to move other routes' trays in order to located the DPS letter mail trays for the specific route. ( naturally "S&R" was seldom needed during count, it was the rest of the year that is was a royal pain )
PS -- I have never heard of it, but there is a "HARD RIFFLE" out there. Step 4 ( R-166 ( 7-29-2014 )) In part -- Manglement may require a carrier to perform a "piece by piece" review ( hard riffle ) of DPS letter mail that is being taken directly to the street for delivery. Rural carriers WILL be compensated for the ACTUAL time used performing a hard riffle either in the form of equivalent auxiliary assistance or by utilizing PS From 8127 ( regulars ) or PS From 1314-A ( RCA's ).
( probably a safe bet that a "hard riffle" is NEVER required during count )
-- Actually I did in post #6. And back then, we got actual time for S&R of DPS letter trays. Which brings me to the Column 17 references in the 2018 Mail Count Guide. Specifically ( 27 ) on page 28: Fifteen ( 15 ) seconds per tray or partial tray of DPS FLATS received each day for locating the trays and straightening the DPS FLAT mail.
a. As one never having to deal with DPS FLATS, are they normally spread out over different containers as #27 seems to imply?
b. Is it just an NRLCA oversight that a similar item does not address DPS LETTERS spread over multiple containers in the Mail Count Guide? ( of course it is! )
"Riff formula: EOR divide by 215 x 15 divide by 60 = total riff time in minutes column 17."
-- Not doubting that such a strange formula exists, but is there a reference for it? And how it is applied?
-- Darn, was hoping never to hear "built-in" again!
gotstamps -- " it’s actually supposed to be a timed function, checking beginning, middle, and end of each tray for order and if any sections seem out of place or not yours."
-- Agreed - it is a timed function and that is a good description of the process. ( 1 ) on page 27 of the Mail Count Guide. But as DPS Letters are almost perfect / pristine / ideal, etc condition during count and took counters away from their other routes, we opted at the office pre-count for a "standard" of 10 or 15 seconds per tray.
"Riffle time also includes looking for your trays & moving stacked trays if and when necessary." ( not any more )
-- Apparently we were fortunate in our office as manglement agreed to separate "Search & Rescue" time if our DPS Letter trays were spread over multiple containers or stacked in GPC's without shelves ( up to my last count in 2011 ).
-- Actually Step 4 ( D-19 ) ( 2013 ) addresses "S&R" - in part:
After reviewing this matter, the parties agree that if DPS letter mail trays are in a conveyance randomly mixed between routes, and retrieval of these trays requires added effort by carriers; additional compensation may be appropriate.
In instances where this occurs on a daily or weekly basis, the route will receive credit in Column 17 during mail count, for the actual time to move other routes' trays in order to located the DPS letter mail trays for the specific route. ( naturally "S&R" was seldom needed during count, it was the rest of the year that is was a royal pain )
PS -- I have never heard of it, but there is a "HARD RIFFLE" out there. Step 4 ( R-166 ( 7-29-2014 )) In part -- Manglement may require a carrier to perform a "piece by piece" review ( hard riffle ) of DPS letter mail that is being taken directly to the street for delivery. Rural carriers WILL be compensated for the ACTUAL time used performing a hard riffle either in the form of equivalent auxiliary assistance or by utilizing PS From 8127 ( regulars ) or PS From 1314-A ( RCA's ).
( probably a safe bet that a "hard riffle" is NEVER required during count )
Oi veh -- Riffling Formula. Say the EOR is 3,500 pieces:
3500 divided by 215 = 16.279
16.279 multiplied by 15 = 244.166
244.166 divided by 60 = 4.069 = 4 plus minutes to riffle 3500 pieces
If so, those of us that used a "standard" of 10 to 15 seconds per DPS tray lost valuable time!
Right?
What does "215" and "15" represent?
Assuming "60" is 60 minutes in an hour.
3500 divided by 215 = 16.279
16.279 multiplied by 15 = 244.166
244.166 divided by 60 = 4.069 = 4 plus minutes to riffle 3500 pieces
If so, those of us that used a "standard" of 10 to 15 seconds per DPS tray lost valuable time!
Right?
What does "215" and "15" represent?
Assuming "60" is 60 minutes in an hour.
That's right. And yes, you did.
The formula came straight out of the DR's mouth. 215 not sure. The 15 and 60 are seconds. Don't know where it came from...but it was stated that it is in the program. The first of the engineered study items? Who knows? But it sure sounds better to me than a measly 10 - 15 seconds. Imma taking it.
And sorry - I meant those who are counting didn't mention having to go look for their mail...except for stamps.
The formula came straight out of the DR's mouth. 215 not sure. The 15 and 60 are seconds. Don't know where it came from...but it was stated that it is in the program. The first of the engineered study items? Who knows? But it sure sounds better to me than a measly 10 - 15 seconds. Imma taking it.
And sorry - I meant those who are counting didn't mention having to go look for their mail...except for stamps.
