Rural Carrier Updates

This page will be moving soon

2011-12-31T14:35:00.001-08:00

Just wanted to let everyone know that I now have a brand new Postal News Portal. Instead of keeping up with Postal and Rural News separate, it will all be on one page.

No need for you to worry, if you come to this page, it will redirect you and if you have signed up for the Daily News email, it will automatically redirect. You dont have to do a thing, just maybe update your bookmarks if you have this page bookmarked!

I hope you will all like the new page, I am very proud of it and I think it will be much easier to keep up with all of the news! Thank You.. If you want to update your bookmarks right now, here is the new link:

http://www.news.ruralinfo.net/

Saying Goodbye to 2011

2011-12-31T08:06:00.001-08:00

Saying Goodbye to 2011

This has been a year full of rumors, double speak, mail counts, blow hards, misleading news stories, lying Congressmen, head scratching "USPS initiatives" and much more. Any postal worker is within their rights if their head is spinning. I know mine is. We hear one thing, then another, then something different, and then flat out false punditry that leaves us wondering what the hell just happened.

And never fear, the coming year will be more of the same. It has become almost comical to read the stories calling for privatization. Those people have NO IDEA the impact on the economy and their every day lives and pocketbooks if the USPS were to go private, and isn't it funny that none of those stories mention that the USPS delivers 30% of Fed Ex parcel volume NOW! They also fail to mention while championing our demise and comparing us to Fed Ex and UPS that we currently provide something that none of them do. We provide UNIVERSAL SERVICE! We offer every single person in this country mail delivery in one form or the other, while Fed EX and UPS cherry pick the most profitable deliveries and drop the unprofitable ones off on us.

And everyone grab a front seat under the Big Top for the Greatest Show on Earth! The coming Congressional "USPS" tug-o-war! Issa and Ross will be headlining with their comedy act "USPS Taxpayer Bail out". But don't worry, not to be outdone, along will come Lieberman and Collins to sweeten the show for us all. And don't worry, McCain will be there with his version of the Issa/Ross show, and Michelle Bachman will be there teaching us how to hold bake sales to support the USPS. Yes, come one, come all and sit with me in the "Peanut Gallery" and we can all throw peanuts to our hearts content to show our disapproval. The only thing we can be certain about is that when the Circus does come to town, it will be entertaining, but probably will not hold any real solutions that do not hurt the workers that actually TOUCH the mail! We can all be sure, whatever they decide, we will lose something. After all, isn't that the "name of the game" in this country these days? Everyone else is losing, so why not postal workers?

Ok, enough venting for 2011, but I promise to return in 2012 with more rantings and ravings of my inner soul, and I hope you will all stick with me and continue to read them.

Questions of the Year

If I deviate from my line of travel to deliver an Express Mail, how do I get paid and where can I find it in writing?
What is "Bank Time"
What does the phrase "Full Day of Relief" mean?
Does Management have to consult with the regular carrier before assigning the route's sub to a different route?
What is the High/Low Option?
What is the Guarantee Year?
If I miss the last dispatch of the day, can management force me to drive the mail to the plant?
I need to file a grievance but there is no local steward and I have no idea where to begin. Can you help me?
What is the ruling on express mail coming into the office after the carrier is out on the route?
This will be my first count and I hear that there is a certain time line of events? Can you help me?
I am so confused. How can the USPS count us if we do not have a contract? They have not opted me in yet? Do they have to?
What is the difference between UBBM (Undeliverable Bulk Business Mail) and OUBBM (Other Undeliverable Bulk Business Mail)?
Many More: Click below to see them all

Click here to see all the top questions from 2011

I want to thank all of you for your constant support. Your participation here is what drives this website. Thanks to all of you that took the time to answer a question, or just add your thoughts to a blog post! As we all look towards 2012 with apprehension for what is to come, lets always remember that we are each other's support. If we get nervous or scared of what will come in the future, we can all breathe a little easier knowing that we all are going through it together!

Top Questions of 2011

2011-12-31T08:05:00.001-08:00

These are all of the questions from the weekly newsletters from 2011

Ruralinfo.net is not sponsored or authorized by the NRLCA or any state or local association. It is presented here for only informational use. The information presented here comes with no warranties, either expressed or implied, as to its accuracy. Links to sites outside this site are presented for informational purposes and not controlled or moderated by this site. Ruralinfo.net will not be responsible for any content contained in those links. This website does not replace the avenues available to you through the NRLCA, or your state or local steward system. If a problem arises, do not rely on the accuracy of this site for your grievance against the USPS. Your grievance can only be pursued legally through the steward system.

Q: If I deviate from my line of travel to deliver an Express Mail, how do I get paid and where can I find it in writing?
A: Regular rural carriers(covered under the FLSA Section 7(b)(2)) or leave replacements (when compensated on the evaluation of a regular or auxiliary route served and when actual hours do not exceed 40 hours for the week) will be compensated at 2 minutes for each mile required for the deviation from the established line of travel. Rural carriers serving a regular route or an auxiliary route that do not have an assigned employer-provided vehicle, will receive EMA for each mile the carrier is required to deviate when the total miles (route mileage and deviations) for the day exceed 40 miles. During the Christmas OT period, regular rural carriers, as noted above, will NOT receive additional compensation for these deviations. Reference

Question: What is "Bank Time"

Answer: "Bank Time" is a term used to define the time accumulated on a route as a result of adding new boxes, miles, etc. to the route. This time is accumulated each time a PS Form 4003 is submitted with new data. This accumulated time is printed on the bottom of the PS Form 4241-A until the route accumulates an additional one hour of time. At that time an interim adjustment is triggered in the route's evaluation. The "bank" disappears each time an interim adjustment becomes effective, or when the route undergoes a mail count Related Information:
Question: How do I know how much time I have accumulated toward the next one-hour adjustment? Answer: Carriers whose routes were recently counted will receive a new PS Form 4241-A. These routes will no longer have any "bank" time as a result of the mail count. At this time routes that were not counted will have to refer to the most recent PS Form 4241-A received prior to the base hour change to see the "bank" time. A copy of this form should be in the route book at the carrier's case. Carrier's are encouraged to keep track of their own copy of this form at home. Question: Will I receive an updated PS Form 4241-A, which will show the amount of time accumulated toward my next one-hour adjustment? Answer: Carriers whose routes were recently counted should have received an updated PS Form 4241-A as a result of the mail count. There is currently discussion being held as to the possibility of providing those carriers whose routes were not being counted, an updated PS Form 4241-A, once the mail count has been properly processed. (Ref.: NRLC Mag. 11/11/00) Reference: (Ref.: NRLC Mag. 11/11/00)

Question: What does the phrase "Full Day of Relief" mean?
Answer: A full day of relief means since the leave replacement working the relief day for the regular carrier is compensated for a full day of evaluation, then the substitute should perform normal duties on the relief day the same as the regular carrier on any other day. References: #1 #2

Question: What is a "Phantom route"?
Answer: Phantom routes are created to hold a regular carrier on a route so the carrier will not be forgotten by the office. When the regular rural carrier is unable to perform all the duties of her or his assigned rural route for a period of 2 years as a result of a job-related illness or injury, the employee must relinquish the route and such route will be posted for bid. The bid is in accordance with Article 12, Section 3, of the National Agreement Between the United States Postal Service and the National Rural Letter Carriers’ Association (NRLCA) Reference: F-21 Section 555

Question: I hear that a rural carrier is covered by the post office while delivering mail in their personal vehicle. If that is so, why do I have to provide insurance for my vehicle?
Answer: A carrier is covered by the Tort Claims act while "in the scope of employment", but the TCA only covers damage done to another person or a person's property. Whenever an employee is driving a vehicle on Postal business, "within the scope of their employment", an employee cannot suffer a financial loss because of injuring someone or causing damage to someone's property. Within the scope of their employment would not normally mean driving to and from their office. Carriers are covered by OWCP at that time if they are driving a vehicle they will use on the route that day but Tort claims would not be allowed until after the carrier is on the clock.
Reference: #1 #2

Question: Does Management have to consult with the regular carrier before assigning the route's sub to a different route?
Answer: The NRLCA and the USPS agree that there is no contractual obligation or that it is not practical in every situation to consult with the regular before assigning the routes sub to another route. However, they do agree that such a practice where practical is advantageous to both parties. Reference:

What is the High/Low Option?
A Rural Carrier’s pay grows with the size of their route. In certain situations a Rural Carrier may have the additional opportunity of choosing what is called a "high option". This basically means they are requesting to work more hours per week, in order to receive more pay. Reference

What is the Guarantee Year?
This is the legal basis for the rural compensation system. The basic requirements of the Act, as applied to rural carriers, are as follows:
1. Employee shall be employed on an annual basis at a guaranteed annual wage.
2. The guarantee must be a minimum of 1840 and a maximum of 2080 hours.
3. The employee shall receive overtime compensation for all hours actually worked in excess of:
(a) 12 hours in one day; (b) 56 hours in one week; (c) 2080 hours in one year.
4. The employee may not actually work more than 2240 hours during the 52-week guarantee period..
Reference

I am an RCA and I frequently work in other offices. My regular carrier says since I am their "assigned" sub that I can be made to leave the other office if I am needed on my assigned route. Is this true?
While your main obligation is to the regular route in the office you are assigned, there are guidelines for RCA's that are working in other offices!
1. The regular carrier should be first asked by management if they intend to take the day in question.
2. If the regular carrier will be taking the day in question off, they should prepare a leave slip and the RCA will work on their assigned route.
3. If the regular carrier does not intend to take the day off, then the RCA will be assigned to work in the neighboring office and will be unavailable to the regular carrier on the day in question.
Reference

If I miss the last dispatch of the day, can management force me to drive the mail to the plant?
We have a Pre-arbitration agreement on this issue: The parties agree that rural carrier leave replacements may be utilized to perform this work when necessary. It is also agree that regular rural carriers will not be utilized to perform this work except in emergency situations pursuant to Article 3.f of the National Agreement.
Article 3.f. defines an "emergency": Allows management to take whatever actions may be necessary to carry out its mission in emergency situations; i.e., an unforeseen circumstance or a combination of circumstances which calls for immediate action in a situation which is not expected to be of a recurring nature. Reference

I need to file a grievance but there is no local steward and I have no idea where to begin. Can you help me?
First of all, this is not intended to be official advice. This is simply a few tips on how to get started. This website does not replace the avenues available to you through the NRLCA, or your state or local steward system. If a problem arises, do not rely on the accuracy of this site for your grievance against the USPS. Your grievance can only be pursued legally through the steward system.
Every rural carrier needs to realize that when management gives an order, as long as that order is not patently harmful or dangerous to the employee or the people who will be affected by the employee's compliance to the order, the employee needs to follow the order first, and attempt to reverse and/or restore losses at a later date. Every employee, not just stewards and Union officials, needs to understand the process for resolving disputes that inevitably occur in the workplace. The responsibility for ensuring that management conforms to the rules and regulations set forth in the contract and relevant Postal manuals starts with each one of us as individuals. Stewards are facilitators of dispute resolution; they are not the personal servants or supervisors of either craft or management. Tips

If you have no steward in your office, you can find the stewards in your state at the two links below:
Assistant State Stewards
State Stewards

There are always a lot of upside down pieces in my DPS. My PM tells me it is just part of my job. I just need clarification that there is no credit for upside down DPS. Is my PM correct?
No, your PM is not correct. The NRLCA and the USPS have a mutual agreement signed in 2009 which provides credit during a mail count for upside down(inverted) DPS mail.
The issue in this grievance is whether rural carriers are entitled to additional compensation when delivery point sequence (DPS) mail pieces are received upside down (inverted)
1. It is the position of the Postal Service that employees should not feed any mailings into an inverted position into the DPS mail processing equipement in order to enhance readability.
3. Rural routes will receive additional credit during the mail count for letters received inverted in the DPS letter tray as follows:
During the mail count, the route will credit for one additional DPS letter for every four DPS letters received inverted. Appropriate credit will be added to the DPS daily total by rounding down to the nearest whole number.
Reference

What is the ruling on express mail coming into the office after the carrier is out on the route?
There is a prearb that addresses this exact situation: The issue in this case concerns the compensation to rural carriers when being required to make deliveries after returning from the standard street duties.. Reference

With a count and route inspections coming in the near future, who is allowed to conduct an inspection of my route? My PM says he is going to let one of our RCAs do route inspections.
From the 2010 Mail Count Guide
Rural Route Inspection
A rural route inspection is the physical observation of the official line of travel, identification of safety hazards, condition of the boxes served, adequacy and quality of service to the customer and the character and performance of the carrier. This inspection is to be made by the postmaster or a designee while accompanying the carrier on the route. This task must not be delegated to craft employees unless detailed to a higher level assignment.
An inspection must be conducted either during or immediately prior to a National or Special Mail Count.
Ref: PO-603 Section 521
Ref: M-38 Section 511
Mail Count Guide

This will be my first count and I hear that there is a certain time line of events? Can you help me?
Welcome to the wild wonderful world of mail count. It will be nothing like you have ever experienced before and you will have to make sure you learn all about it. Go to a mail count seminar and take notes and be ready for the fight of your life. Go into mail count armed with information and a diligence to get every second you are entitled to.
You are correct there are certain timelines that must be met before count for certain activities. I recommend that you download the mail count guide and learn every thing you can about it. The timelines are included in the count guide. You can download the mail count guide from my mail count page linked at the beginning of this newsletter. In the meantime, here is a link to the specific timelines that must be met: Reference

I am so confused. How can the USPS count us if we do not have a contract? They have not opted me in yet? Do they have to?
This is a nationwide mail count. There is no opt in/opt out provisions in this count. This is from the 2011 mail count guide and hopefully it will help explain why the USPS can count us without a contract The Postal Service has the right to conduct a national count of mail for all rural routes during the last twelve (12) working days in September of any year. Before the Postal Service can schedule a September national count, the Union at the national level must be notified at least thirty (30) days in advance of the commencement of the count. Ref: Article 9.2.C.3.a.(4) By letter dated July 25, 2011 (see next page), the US Postal Service notified the NRLCA of its intent to exercise the option to conduct a national mail count the last twelve working days of September as provided for in Article 9.2.C.3.a.(4). Who Counts? All routes will be counted in accordance with established procedures, Saturday, September 17, 2011 through Friday September 30, 2011. This is not considered a special count, therefore the negation provision does not apply and all routes will be adjusted based on the results of the mail count.

I am planning on working my relief day during count and my PM says it is ok. My RCA is upset but I told them that it was my right to work during count. Am I correct?
No, I am sorry but this is not correct. A regular carrier can go in on their relief day and observe, but a leave replacement is entitled to their scheduled work days during the mail count.
This is from the mail count guide - Page 21: Regular carriers may observe the mail count of their own route on their relief days or on days they are in an annual leave status. Any carrier who observes the mail count must be in a non-duty status. Regular carriers who are observing in a non-duty status may not participate in office work. The relief carrier is entitled to work his/her scheduled work days during the mail count period.

What is the difference between UBBM (Undeliverable Bulk Business Mail) and OUBBM (Other Undeliverable Bulk Business Mail)?
Undeliverable Bulk Business Mail (UBBM). UBBM with a specific customer name and address. When a piece of UBBM with a specific name is undeliverable-as addressed, place the mail to one side of the case ledge or in another designated location at the case. After completing casing of all mail designated for delivery that day, bundle this mail and mark the top piece UBBM, put your initials and route number on it, and leave it on the case ledge. Other Undeliverable Bulk Business Mail. UBBM addressed to Occupant, Resident, or using the exceptional address format (John Doe or Current Address). Normally, this type of mail is undeliverable only because the delivery point is vacant or the address is incorrect. Place undeliverable UBBM marked occupant, resident or current resident to one side of the case ledge, or in another designated location. After completing casing of all mail designated for delivery that day, bundle this mail and mark the top piece Other UBBM, put your initials and route number on it, and leave it on the case ledge.
In a mail count, you receive bundle markup credits for each which is 15 seconds for each bundle. You can find this printed in the online mail count guide on page 32.

My PM says the box count obtained during my route inspection is what gets turned in as my official box count even though I have gained two boxes since my route inspection. Is this correct?
No, that is not correct. The final box count that will be turned on the official count forms should be the actual number of boxes the carrier is serving on the last day of the mail count. Reference
MY PM says we have to scan all of our parcels Arrival at Unit with no credit? Is this correct?
We have a Step 4 from April of this year that says it is NOT a rural carrier function. If you are being required to do this function, whether during a count or not, call your steward ASAP. Click here to see the Step 4
My PM says there are "new rules" about the count coming from district. Can they change the rules now?
The rules and procedures of the mail count should have been discussed in your precount conference which should have been completed by Sept. 2nd, 2011. The precount conference is management's last opportunity to introduce administrative changes in carrier procedures. Once the conference is completed, procedures are locked in throughout the count and by extension, the remainder of the year, unless corresponding changes are made in salary for additional functions. No changes in carrier work methods, casing equipment, or office procedures can be made between the date of the local conference and the mail count unless these items were specifically discussed at the conference
You can find the above information in the online 2011 Mail Count Guide Page 18
What do I have to do if I dont agree with my count?
If you do not agree with your count, you can refuse to sign your count but you must provide specific documentation as to what you disagree with. Just saying something like "I dont agree with this count because the mail didnt show up" is not good enough. You must provide specific items with detailed documentation. Click here
All of a sudden my manager is insisting he can make me case my DPS letters first. He says the union agreed to it? Has something changed?
There was a Step 4 agreement in April of 2010 that addresses this issue. It states in part: After reviewing this matter, we mutually agree that management has the right to require rural carriers to case DPS letters before other size mail in accordance with Handbook Po-603 223.23, Flats and Odd size Pieces which states in part, "Generally, case these items after letter size mail. If management approves, such items may be cased before letter size mail if this does not delay the redistribution of missorted preferential mail or hinder the efficient casing of letter mail" Management may also consider various programs designed to capture missorted DPS letters (i.e. MHTS, Unplanned Event) before implementing this requirement. Rural carriers who do not have an Employer provided vehicle and receive DPS flats may exercise their option to case DPS flats prior to DPS letters. Reference
Do you have any idea what goes into the calculation of our EMA?
EMA is calculated using the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers.. They use the private transportation index... The price of fuel is not the only thing that goes into figuring our EMA. See more
On my 4241-A, my route evaluation has a V after it. What does that mean?/Reference: July 2009 National Rural Letter Carrier Magazine

Question: I see "Auxiliary Rural Carrier" and "Substitue Rural Carrier" mentioned in our contract, along with Rural Carrier Associates and Rural Carrier Reliefs. I am an RCA and it seems that all of these describe me. I substitute for regular carriers, and I run an auxilliary route. Why are there so many different terms mentioned?
Answer: You are correct that there are many different terms used to describe relief rural carriers. The important thing to know is your "designation" In previous years, there were several terms used to describe part time rural carriers who covered the route in the regular carrier's absence. Some of these terms stop being used at a certain date. The only carriers that would have some of the designations are those that appointed prior to the change. See this link for the difference in the terms and their designations. Reference
Question: My PM told me that the USPS gets to determine when I take my lunch break. He mandates I have to take it in the office before I leave for the day. Is this correct?
Answer: That is incorrect. Article 30.1 .F.2 states in part: "Lunch may be taken in segments of less than 30 minutes, at the carrier's option, provided the time taken does not exceed 30 minutes. Segments may be taken in the office or on the route provided the normal schedule is maintained to the extent possible." Also click here for a Step 4
Question: We were mandated to make a 2nd parcel run after we returned from the route. Can they make us do this?
Answer: Yes, the USPS may send carriers back out to deliver after they return from the route. Except during the Christmas OT period, carriers will be compensated for 2nd trips to the route. Click here for more details. Reference
Question: Are postal employees covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act?
Answer: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) covers private-sector employers while the Rehabilitation Act covers public-sector employers. Even though the ADA does not apply to the Postal Service, the two Acts mirror one another and the same regulatory standards apply.Reference
Question: What should I do if I feel I am being pressured into working in an unsafe manner during the Christmas Overtime period?
Answer:First and foremost the NRLCA instructs all rural carriers that they are to work safely and should not be pressured to work in a manner that places their well-being or life at risk. If any rural carrier feels that they are being pressured or forced to work in a manner that places them in an unsafe situation, just to comply with unrealistic directives, you may request a PS Form 1767, fill out the form and return it to your immediate supervisor, discuss the issue with your immediate supervisor and if unresolved, immediately file a grievance and contact your assigned assistant state steward or state steward for your area. Click here for more
Question: Can management make me carry my DPS to the street just to try to keep me out of overtime during the Christmas Overtime period?
Answer: This should only be done when carriers are consistently working over their weekly evaluation and should be monitored all year not just as a reaction in trying to make the numbers. Reference

Question: Can management change my start time if they plan to give me aux assistance during the Christmas OT period?
Answer: NRLCA: Scheduling is addressed in Article 30.G. ofthe contract. It states in part, "Schedules should be realistic, based upon the receipt and availability of mail and other related service conditions. The rural carrier will receive reasonable advanced notice when the schedule is to be changed. While management has the right to give auxiliary assistance to control over-time hours during the Christmas Period, it is the position of the NRLCA National Board that reporting times should not be changed on a daily or weekly basis. Reference
Question: What is the last day I can use my excess annual leave days for the 2011 leave year?
Answer: The 2011 leave year extends for 27 full pay periods, ending January 13, 2012 (Pay Period 02-12). The leave year always begins the first day of the first full pay period in the calendar year. The 2012 leave year begins January 14, 2012 (Pay Period 03-12), and extends for 26 full pay periods, ending January 11, 2013 (Pay Period 02-12). The maximum leave carryover for bargaining unit employees is 55 days.

USPS: Equipment Maintenance Allowance Schedule for Rural Routes

2011-12-30T11:13:00.000-08:00

Finance: "Finance

Equipment Maintenance Allowance Schedule for Rural Routes

Rural Carriers

In accordance with provisions of Article 9, Section 2.J.3, of the Rural Carrier National Agreement, effective December 31, 2011 (pay period 2-11), the equipment maintenance allowance (EMA) will decrease from 72.0 cents per mile to 70.0 cents per mile. The EMA is 70.0 cents per mile, or a minimum of $28.00 per day, whichever is greater.
Auxiliary Rural Carriers, Rural Carrier Reliefs, Rural Carrier Associates, Rural Carrier Part-Time Flexibles, and Auxiliary Assistance

Employees providing auxiliary assistance or serving auxiliary routes under provisions of Article 9, Section 2.J.5, receive an EMA of 70.0 cents per mile or $7.60 per hour, whichever is greater. This EMA should not exceed the amount provided in the special equipment maintenance allowance for the route stops and miles."

A special Christmas Message from Ruralinfo.net

2011-12-22T17:58:00.001-08:00

A special Christmas message from Ruralinfo.net. Thank you all for your support. This website would be nothing without all of you! As we move towards 2012 with apprehension of what is to come, lets all remember that through knowledge and unity, we CAN deal with what is to come! Merry Christmas!

NRLCA Press release: Joey Johnson participating in national arbitration

2011-12-22T12:51:00.000-08:00

Wiscasset Native and Rural Letter Carrier Participates in National Contract Arbitration

Alexandria, VA, December 21, 2011—Wiscasset native and rural letter carrier Joey Johnson has been named to a three-member arbitration panel determining a multi-billion-dollar labor contract for more than 106,000 United States Postal Service employees who deliver mail.

Johnson is Director of Labor Relations for the National Rural Letter Carriers’ Union (NRLCA), a position he has held since 2008. A 27-year postal employee, Johnson delivered mail along Rural Route 2 to parts of Wiscasset and Woolwich. He was the youngest person elected Secretary-Treasurer of the union’s Maine state chapter. In 2005 he was elected as a member of the NRLCA’s national board.

The interest arbitration is taking place while the Postal Service struggles financially, reporting billion-dollar-losses in recent years. Congress is considering several postal reform bills to address these problems. Some legislative proposals would alter the collective bargaining process followed by the NRLCA and other postal unions and would eliminate Saturday mail delivery.

Johnson has met with Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) on the legislation and how to preserve a national postal system that ensures six-day delivery for rural America. “As a fellow Pine Tree State native,” Johnson says, “Senator Collins has worked diligently to protect the interests of our rural postal customers and rural letter carriers. Her strong support of six-day mail delivery for Maine’s rural communities will be invaluable to preserving it.”

The arbitration process involves a series of hearings in which both sides (the Postal Service and the NRLCA) present testimony and evidence to a three-member panel, which includes Johnson. The process will continue for several months.

The NRLCA is an independent union whose members include 106,551 full- and part-time rural letter carriers. Rural carriers deliver mail on 74,591 routes, serving almost 40 million customers and driving almost 3.5 million miles each delivery day in 50 states, the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. The average route is more than 47 miles long and serves 500 boxes.

National Rural Letter Carriers' Association:

RCA ‘Dual Appointments’ to End in January

2011-12-16T21:30:00.000-08:00

Dual Appointments’ to End in January

After several months of discussion with the APWU, postal management has agreed to eliminate the use of “dually appointed” Rural Carrier Associates and Postal Support Employees (PSEs). In accordance with a letter dated Dec. 7 [PDF], the dual appointments will end no later than Jan. 13, 2012.

As a result, there are now no circumstances under which a Rural Letter Carrier or Rural Carrier Associate may be permitted to perform APWU bargaining unit work. Light mail volume would not justify it, nor would heavy mail volume or an emergency. RCAs are simply prohibited from performing Clerk Craft duties.

Eliminating the dual appointments, which were prevalent in small offices, will protect Clerk Craft work for APWU members."

EMA to decrease by 2.0¢ to 70.0¢ per mile

2011-12-16T12:09:00.000-08:00

The Bureau of Labor Statistics released the November 2011 CPI-W Private Transportation Index. Based on this release, the Equipment Maintenance Allowance for rural carriers will decrease by 2.0¢ to 70.0¢ per mile.

Therefore, in accordance with the provisions of Article 9, Section 2.J.3 of the USPS/NRLCA National Agreement, effective December 31, 2011 (Pay Period 02-12), the Equipment Maintenance Allowance (EMA) will decrease from 72.0 cents per mile to 70.0 cents per mile, or a minimum of $28.00 per day, whichever is greater.

Auxiliary Rural Carriers, Rural Carrier Reliefs, Rural Carrier Associates, Rural Carrier Part-Time Flexibles, and Auxiliary Assistance.

Employees providing auxiliary assistance or serving auxiliary routes under the provisions of Article 9, Section 2.J.5, will receive EMA of 70.0 cents per mile or $7.60 per hour, whichever is greater. The EMA will not exceed the amount provided in the special EMA chart for route stops and miles.

Please note that the EMA chart will be added upon receipt.

National Rural Letter Carriers' Association:

USPS ELIMINATES RCA/PSE DUAL APPOINTMENTS

2011-12-13T09:26:00.000-08:00

All RCAs who have elected a dual appointment as an RCA/PSE will be given the opportunity to elect the position to which they wish to remain assigned. All elections must be completed no later than January 6, 2012 with January 13, 2012 as the effective date of the separation of either the RCA or PSE position based on the individual’s selection.

Click here to view the official announcement from the USPS.

http://www.apwu.org/dept/ind-rel/webarts/i...1216-dual_appts.htm

http://www.nrlca.org/membershipUpdates/sel...ate.cfm/memUpID/285

Easy way to keep up with 90 day vacants

2011-12-11T08:50:00.001-08:00

Just wanted to do a quick share of how I keep up with my 90 day vacants. I print the calendar out below and then add them on the month the box becomes vacant.. Nice easy way to keep up with them.. Just an FYI!!

http://www.calendarlabs.com/calendars/templates/2012_monthly_calendar_portrait_12.doc

INTEREST ARBITRATION UPDATE

2011-12-08T20:13:00.000-08:00

National Rural Letter Carriers' Association:

"Today, December 8, 2011 concludes four days of interest arbitration hearings with the USPS. The USPS presented several presentations, including the financial condition of the USPS, declining mail volume, rural carriers working under evaluation, the changing delivery environment, and the need to adjust time standards. The NRLCA responded by cross-examining each witness and will be introducing evidence of its own on these and other issues in early January."

NRLCA on USPS reduced delivery standards

2011-12-08T12:08:00.000-08:00

The United States Postal Service announced December 5 that it is proposing to end overnight local first-class mail delivery, eliminating a standard that has been in practice for at least 40 years. The USPS will seek to change its national standard for first-class mail from delivery over one to three days to two to three days.

The Postal Service also reaffirmed plans to close up to 252 of its 561 mail processing plants in the next year and eliminate 28,000 jobs from its payroll. The proposed changes come as USPS is struggling with drastically lower mail volume—the agency has lost 29 percent of its first-class mail over the last decade and expects to lose another 40 percent by the end of the decade.

The elimination of mail processing centers means that first-class mail will no longer be delivered in one day when mailed to one’s surrounding communities. In addition, the two-day standard for mail delivery will be tightened from locations within twelve hours’ driving distance to four hours’ driving distance. The standard for delivery of first-class mail to other locations within the continental United States will remain three days. The earliest the USPS’s proposed changes would go into effect will be in March.

“The NRLCA is very concerned about the proposal to slow down first class mail delivery times, which comes as we begin interest arbitration hearings with the Postal Service.” NRLCA President Jeanette Dwyer said. "Closing distribution centers and delaying service will only further erode the Postal Service’s business and drive away our customers. Our customers deserve efficient delivery of the mail, six days a week.”

National Rural Letter Carriers' Association:

Rural Carriers Alert: Start time changes during Christmas OT period

2011-12-07T15:25:00.001-08:00

Subject: Start times

I have had several questions relating to the changing of start times due to management attempting to avoid Xmas overtime on the front side of the week. These will need to be grieved on an individual basis, appealed to step 2 to get a GATS # assigned and held in abeyance pending the outcome of National Arbitration case # J00R-4J-C09082619. Please make all of your Assistants, Area and Local Stewards aware of this.

Thank you,

Don Maston

Executive Committeeman, NRLCA

OPENING SESSION INTEREST ARBITRATION

2011-12-05T14:50:00.000-08:00

Today, December 5, 2011 marked the opening day for interest arbitration. The USPS began the day with its opening statement followed in the afternoon with the NRLCA’s opening statement. These opening statements set the stage for the remainder of the proceedings.

Interest arbitration will continue tomorrow with the USPS presentation on the financial position of the USPS."

National Rural Letter Carriers' Association:

Flashback to March 2010: OIG recommends eliminating the NRLCA Christmas overtime pay provision..

2011-12-05T11:37:00.001-08:00

Our analyses revealed that the Christmas overtime hours are no longer necessary to ensure timely delivery of mail for the following reasons:

 Christmas mail volume no longer supports the need for overtime and the associated NRLCA agreement supplemental Christmas overtime pay provision. Specifically, for five consecutive years, the December total delivered mail volume has been less than total delivered mail volume in the months of October, which had the highest mail volume for each of the years. In fact, during October 2004, total delivered mail volume was 5.4 percent higher than in December 2004.

Further, mail volume during the month of October, over the last four calendar years consistently exceeded total delivery mail volume during the month of December. However, overtime hours for the October months were consistently less than overtime hours for the December months. For example, even though volume was 10.49 percent less in December 2008, the Postal Service used over 74,000 overtime hours in that month than in October 2008. Since mail volume has continued to decline, most rural carriers use less time to deliver mail on their routes than the time established at the completion of the National Rural Mail Count in March 2009. Specifically, as of December, 2009 rural carriers routes were averaging approximately 1 hour less per day to deliver their routes than established at the mail count.

 Finally, our analysis of mail classes showed parcel mail volume as the only class of mail that incurred a noticeable increased during the Christmas mailing season. Based on the above facts, we concluded carriers could absorb any increase in parcel volume with their regular hours during the Christmas mailing season.

Considering these conditions, the Postal Service no longer needs the Christmas overtime hours and the associated pay provision in the NRLCA agreement.

http://www.uspsoig.gov/foia_files/DR-AR-10-003.pdf

Arbitration between the USPS and the NRLCA begins tomorrow December 5th, 2011

2011-12-04T13:41:00.001-08:00

From the NRLCA update posted in September 2011

The NRLCA and USPS have agreed to begin interest arbitration hearings on December 5. The neutral chair of the arbitration panel will be Jack Clarke, a member of the National Academy of Arbitrators, and former area arbitrator on the NRLCA-USPS southern area arbitration panel. The NRLCA has named Joey Johnson, Director of Labor Relations, as its party arbitrator. The USPS has named Robert Dufek, Manager, Labor Relations Strategies, as its party arbitrator. We look forward to a resolution of our collective bargaining impasse.

As the hearings progress, we will provide regular updates on the NRLCA website.

And be sure and dont miss the article I did on the arbitrators that will be deciding our future!! Click here to read the article.

NRLCA: DO YOUR PART! SIGN THE SIX-DAY DELIVERY PETITION

2011-12-01T15:33:00.000-08:00

"SAVE six-day delivery! With your help, we’ve collected over 5,300 signatures to petition Congress and sent another 9,400 signatures straight to the White House – a clear signal that the NRLCA’s full strength is behind maintaining Saturday mail delivery. The White House has responded directly to our petition; you may read it here. We want to thank all those rural letter carriers who make our voice strong on Capitol Hill, and we urge you to continue sending us those signatures! It is vital that all rural carriers stand together in a show of unity to tell Congress and the White House that six day mail delivery must be preserved. Start the New Year off on the right foot by collecting more signatures to petition your Congressmen. Together, we’ll tell them that six day is the right way!"

National Rural Letter Carriers' Association:

Important Points about Christmas OT procedures for rural carriers

2011-11-24T17:19:00.001-08:00

Important Points about Christmas OT procedures for rural carriers

Just wanted to put out a few important points in advance of the Christmas OT period which begins Saturday December 3rd, 2011 and ends Friday December 23rd, 2011

REGULAR CARRIERS

1. You will receive OT if you work in excess of your WEEKLY evaluation, not the DAILY evaluation.

2. They can send you home "in anticipation" of you going over your weekly evaluation. Some have been told they will be sent home without pay. That is WRONG. They may send you home, but you will get the full evaluation for the week..

Example below:

Lets say you are a 42k, and Saturday is your K day off, and by the end of Thursday you have already worked 36 hours, which leaves you only 6 hours to complete the route on Friday before going into OT. They may only let you work 5.5 hours on Friday and send you home. They still would have to pay you for the full day of evaluation and full day EMA even though you only worked 5.5 hours..

3. Annual and Sick leave count as hours worked during the Christmas OT period..

4. They CAN'T force you to take LWOP during the Christmas OT period

5. Treatment of X days during the Christmas OT period. A. Carriers who work a relief day during this period and who are entitled to a future day off (X day) must be given that X day in the same pay period.

6. Carriers may not use any X days that were earned in previous pay periods during this period.

7. Additional(2nd) Trips to the route during the Christmas period do NOT receive additional pay, but the carrier will receive additional EMA IF the total miles for the day are over 40

8. Deviation for Express Mail during the Christmas OT period do NOT receive additional pay, but the carrier will receive additional EMA IF the total miles for the day are over 40

LEAVE REPLACEMENTS

1. Aux route carriers serving any auxiliary route are compensated at the hourly rate for actual hours worked during the Christmas OT period. During this period, carriers are not paid the evaluation of the route. Overtime is paid only when the carrier exceeds 40 hours for the week.

2. If you are an RCA working a vacant route, or you are working in the absence of the regular carrier, you will be treated as a regular carrier during the Christmas OT period. You will receive OT if you work in excess of their WEEKLY evaluation, not the DAILY evaluation.

3. If you are an RCA not in any one of the situations above, NOTHING CHANGES for you. You will be paid the same as you are paid all year long. You will be paid evaluation of the routes you work unless you go over 40 hours in the week. Then you will be paid hourly.

Do not rush. Work your route as you work it all year long. Let them deal with the rest. If they send you home, smile while taking the free time off and call your steward if the harassment becomes excessive.

If your manager gives you trouble over any of the above procedures, tell them it came directly from the USPS.. and the give them the link below:

Postal Bulletin Nov. 3rd, 2011

Also, this is from the NRLCA from previous years on some of the directives given by USPS during the Christmas OT period. Good information to keep on hand and have at the ready!
http://www.nrlca.org/userfiles/File/whatsnew/Christmas_Overtime_directives.pdf

And finally, here is some information if you are required to work your designated holiday.
http://ruralupdates.blogspot.com/2011/10/christmas-and-new-year-holiday.html

For more information, see the December 2010 issue of the NRLCA National Magazine

And also see the December 2011 issue of the NRLCA National Magazine

NOT speaking in an official capacity for the USPS or the NRLCA..

Father of NRLCA Sec/Treasurer Dailing passes away

2011-11-22T15:15:00.000-08:00

It is with great sadness that the NRLCA has learned that Arlen Dailing, the father of Secretary-Treasurer Clifford D. Dailing has passed away. Please see below for the funeral arrangements:

Visitation

Friday, November 25^th

5:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Fenton Funeral Chapel

104 S Collier Street
Centralia, Missouri 65240

Funeral

Saturday, November 26^th

11:00 a.m.

Fenton Funeral Chapel

104 S Collier Street
Centralia, Missouri 65240

Thank you for your kind wishes, prayers and support during this time.

National Rural Letter Carriers' Association:

NRLCA: USPS TO RESUME PAYMENTS TO THE FEDERAL EMPLOYEES’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM

2011-11-16T15:25:00.000-08:00

National Rural Letter Carriers' Association: "The USPS released the following announcement this afternoon:

The Postal Service has determined that, subject to further legislative developments, it will at this point pay all the suspended employer contributions and resume biweekly payments of the employer contributions with the December 9, 2011 pay-date. Pending legislation in both Houses of Congress would, if enacted, make the surplus FERS funding available to the Postal Service."

STEP 4 GRIEVANCE SETTLEMENT ON SCANNING

2011-11-14T07:46:00.000-08:00

National Rural Letter Carriers' Association: "This grievance concerns management requiring rural carriers to perform “Forward” scans on mail pieces that are undeliverable as addressed (UAA). The parties agree that this is not currently a rural carrier function and is performed by an in-office-user in accordance with PO-610.

Click here to view the Step 4 Settlement..."

THE WHITE HOUSE RESPONDS TO THE NRLCA PETITION TO PRESERVE 6-DAY MAIL DELIVERY

2011-11-10T14:05:00.000-08:00

A Balanced Approach to Reforming the Postal Service

By Dana Hyde, Associate Director for General Government Programs, Office of Management and Budget

Thank you for signing the petition "Preserve 6 Day Mail Delivery." We appreciate your participation in the We the Peopleplatform on WhiteHouse.gov and your concerns about the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) in a challenging economy. The Postal Service is vital to the Nation's commerce and communications, which is why we must act quickly to make the changes necessary to ensure its viability for years to come.

Postal volumes have dropped precipitously in recent years due to longer-run shifts in communication technologies and other economic factors. As a result, USPS accrued losses of $8.5 billion in 2010, and faced financial insolvency on September 30th. Without reform it is forecast to sustain greater losses this year and next.

However, the Postal Service needs more than just short term financial relief at this time; it needs a comprehensive plan for reform to ensure that it can be flexible and competitive in a changing marketplace. There are multiple ways to provide relief and reform, but the Administration's proposal in The President's Plan for Economic Growth and Job Creation[PDF] represents a balanced approach for postal workers, USPS, consumers, and taxpayers.

More specifically, the proposal includes a set of near-term financial relief measures that will provide the Postal Service with the time necessary to restructure its operations and take advantage of flexibilities in the proposal, such as the ability to cooperate with state and local governments and modest pricing flexibility.

In the longer term, we are proposing to help the Postal Service reduce its excessive operating costs by providing the flexibility to gradually move to 5-day delivery, beginning in 2013. Under USPS' plan for how it would use this authority, post offices would still remain open on Saturdays, Express Mail deliveries would still be made 7 days a week, post office box deliveries would still be made on Saturdays, and USPS would continue to make Saturday deliveries in the busy weeks leading up to the winter holidays. These and other cost structuring actions will ensure that the Postal Service remains viable for the medium- and longer-term.

We believe USPS' financial situation demands such reforms and the Administration's package includes provisions to reduce the impact for USPS workers and customers. We share petitioners' concern for the health and viability of the USPS and developed this plan with the best interest of this vital institution in mind.

As we work to get our Nation back on a sustainable fiscal path, the Administration is making tough choices across the Federal government and asking everyone to do their fair share. These shared sacrifices are not easy, but together with investments in our economic growth and job creation [PDF], they will make us stronger and more competitive for the future.

Check out this response on We the People.

National Rural Letter Carriers' Association:

NRLCA responds to Senate Bill S. 1789

2011-11-10T14:03:00.000-08:00

S. 1789 would give the USPS short-term financial relief by returning the overpayments made into the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). The FERS pension surplus is worth approximately $7 billion. The legislation does not address the overpayments in the Civil Service Retirement System, which is worth between $50 billion to $75 billion.

In addition, S. 1789 restructures the mandated payments to pre-fund The Future Retiree Health Benefits Fund by implementing a 40-year amortized payment schedule. S. 1789 reduces the pre-funding goal to 80%, down from the current goal of 100% pre-funding. It also would allow the Postal Service to reduce mail delivery to 5 days after two years if certain criteria are meant. To implement 5 day mail delivery after two years, the Postal Service would have to 1) identify customers who may be affected disproportionately by 5 day mail delivery and develop remedies; 2) make full use of its authority under current law and the new authorities and mandates included in S. 1789 to increase revenue and reduce costs; and 3) after implementing all other saving options, the USPS determines that reducing mail delivery to 5 days is still necessary to achieve sustainability.

Several other provisions of S. 1789 include dramatically reducing the compensation of employees who are injured on the job once they reach retirement age, and S. 1789 includes instructions to the arbitrator that would require them to take the following factors into consideration when rendering a decision: 1) the financial condition of the USPS; 2) the requirement in law that the USPS consider comparability of wages and benefits to those offered in the private sector; and 3) the policies of Title 39, the section of the U.S Code that deals with all matters of postal law

National Rural Letter Carriers' Association:

REQUEST FOR HISTORICAL EDITIONS OF NRLCA MAGAZINE FOR ASSOCIATION ARCHIVES

2011-11-10T14:01:00.000-08:00

National Rural Letter Carriers' Association: "The NRLCA would like to put out an official request for submission of all items of historical significance to the rural craft and the Association for historical archiving. Specifically, we would like to receive issues of the National Rural Letter Carrier magazine and The RFD News published prior to 1965.

Please mail all submissions to the NRLCA Headquarters office at the address below:

National Rural Letter Carriers’ Association

C/O Historical Archives

1630 Duke Street

Alexandria, Virginia 22314-3467

If you have any questions regarding the submission of historical documents, please contact Vice President Ronnie Stutts at (703) 685-5545."

NRLCA: CONTACT YOUR SENATOR NOW RE: AMENDMENTS TO S. 1789

2011-11-08T15:11:00.000-08:00

CONTACT YOUR SENATOR NOW RE: AMENDMENTS TO S. 1789

WASHINGTON, DC --

On November 9, 2011 at 10:00am, the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs will hold a mark-up of S. 1789, the postal reform legislation introduced by Sens. Lieberman (I-CT), Collins (R-ME), Carper (D-DE), and Brown (R-MA).

Proposed amendments were released 24 hours prior to the business meeting. We are expecting numerous amendments to be offered tomorrow; some of them we are supportive of while many of them we oppose.

We are asking that you contact your Senators and ask them to support the following amendments:

Sen. Akaka Amendment #1: To Strike Title III: Federal Employees’ Compensation Act
Sen. Akaka Amendment #2: To Strike sections 302 and 303 and replaces them with a GAO Study to determine the appropriate levels of compensation.
Sen. Akaka Amendment #3: To Strike the retirement reduction to FECA, makes the bill prospective
Sen. Akaka Amendment #4: To eliminate the retroactive changes to workers’ compensation and include a hardship exception for people if they qualify food stamps
Sen. Akaka Amendment #7: Strikes existing arbitration language and replaces it language that says nothing in the bill limits factors the board may consider
Sen. Akaka Amendment #8: Modifies the pre-funding of the Future Retiree Health Benefits fund transitioning the program to amortized over a 40 year period. Also allows for the investment of assets of the RHBF in non-government broad-based market indexes
Sen. Begich Amendment #1: Adds to the arbitration section the Akaka compromise language saying nothing n Title 39 limits the factors an arbitration board can take into consideration
Sen. Begich Amendment #2: Clarifies the meaning of the comparability in the law for arbitration specifying that comparability of pay and benefits should be similar to large national employers.

In addition, we oppose all the of the amendments that will be offered by Senators Coburn, McCain, Paul, and Johnson.

Below is a list of Senators who are members of the committee. If you are a constituent, please contact your Senators office immediately and ask them to support the previously mentioned amendments, and oppose all the rest.

Sen. Joseph Lieberman (CT) 202-224-4041

Sen. Carl Levin (MI) 202-224-6221

Sen. Daniel Akaka (HI) 202-224-6361

Sen. Tom Carper (DE) 202-224-2441

Sen. Mark Pryor (AK) 202-224-2353

Sen. Mary Landrieu (LA) 202-224-5824

Sen. Claire McCaskill (MO) 202-224-6154

Sen. Jon Tester (MT) 202-224-2644

Sen. Mark Begich (AK) 202-224-3004

Sen. Susan Collins (ME) 202-224-2523

Sen. Scott Brown (MA) 202-224-4543

Sen. Jerry Moran (KS) 202-224-6521

Sen. Tom Coburn (OK) 202-224-5754

Sen. John McCain (AZ) 202-224-2235

Sen. Rand Paul (KY) 202-224-4343

Sen. Ron Johnson (WI) 202-224-5323

Sen. Rob Portman (OH) 202-224-3353

Please contact the Legislative Department with any questions.

National Rural Letter Carriers' Association:

Rural Carrier Updates

This page will be moving soon

Saying Goodbye to 2011

Most Popular POSTAL news stories on this site for 2011

Most Popular RURAL news stories on this site for 2011

Questions of the Year

Top Questions of 2011

USPS: Equipment Maintenance Allowance Schedule for Rural Routes

A special Christmas Message from Ruralinfo.net

NRLCA Press release: Joey Johnson participating in national arbitration

RCA ‘Dual Appointments’ to End in January

EMA to decrease by 2.0¢ to 70.0¢ per mile

USPS ELIMINATES RCA/PSE DUAL APPOINTMENTS

Easy way to keep up with 90 day vacants

INTEREST ARBITRATION UPDATE

NRLCA on USPS reduced delivery standards

Rural Carriers Alert: Start time changes during Christmas OT period

OPENING SESSION INTEREST ARBITRATION

Flashback to March 2010: OIG recommends eliminating the NRLCA Christmas overtime pay provision..

Arbitration between the USPS and the NRLCA begins tomorrow December 5th, 2011

NRLCA: DO YOUR PART! SIGN THE SIX-DAY DELIVERY PETITION

Important Points about Christmas OT procedures for rural carriers

Father of NRLCA Sec/Treasurer Dailing passes away

NRLCA: USPS TO RESUME PAYMENTS TO THE FEDERAL EMPLOYEES’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM

STEP 4 GRIEVANCE SETTLEMENT ON SCANNING

THE WHITE HOUSE RESPONDS TO THE NRLCA PETITION TO PRESERVE 6-DAY MAIL DELIVERY

NRLCA responds to Senate Bill S. 1789

REQUEST FOR HISTORICAL EDITIONS OF NRLCA MAGAZINE FOR ASSOCIATION ARCHIVES

NRLCA: CONTACT YOUR SENATOR NOW RE: AMENDMENTS TO S. 1789

CONTACT YOUR SENATOR NOW RE: AMENDMENTS TO S. 1789