It actually says on the left arm and casing with the right. It doesn't say keep 6" on the arm it says load them up on the left arm, and case with the right. About 50 pieces. Thinking that 50 of the Oprahs, or ESPN, will be a little more than 6". I don't write it.

Keep it up guys....
Argue out all of the technicalities...
Find out who is right, and who is wrong
Find out if it is managemt violating the contract,
or the union trying to support anyone anymore....

This is what you will REALLY find out....
And, believe me I don't agree with it
But, that's the way it is...

The words come from an old John Cougar Mellencamp song

"When I fight authority, authority always WINS

Keep fighting...you have to, in order to keep your job.

I read it too. It is in M-39,116.51 and 121.16. It saids "picking up approximately 6 inches of flats at a time." I can't judge what 6" is and always ended up less than 6". This is why I am a carrier and not management. :) I am wondering whoever wrote this has ever case mail before. We had a manager tried it on us before. He's gone.

/m49742 "I can't judge what 6" is and always ended up less than 6". This is why I am a carrier and not management"

Yeah but a MGMT 6"'s would be more like 10". Since we all know how they measure.

Me I go back an forth sometimes off case ledge sometimes on arm depends what they are, how full the case is, and how much i was yapping. What drives my supe nuts is when i keep turning a stack of flats if some of the addresses are upside down. I turn then turn again, again etc. It erks them oh well

It all depends on what the flavor of the month is in your district. One month it's MSP's, another it's the 5 o'clock window, another it's delivery confirm's, another it's DOIS office and street projections.

When they get bored rotating those, then they start on sick leave usage and "unauthorized overtime." It's pretty sad that the maturity level of management is surpassed by your local elementary school.

A question for the group please. If someone puts in for annual leave at the beginning of the year and it is approved, can management take it away if the carrier is now short by 47 minutes for the week of annual leave? Can they force you to give it up? I know that it says on the 3971 "I understand that the annual leave authorized in excess of amount available to me during the leave year will be changed to LWOP". But does anyone have any cases to prove it or step 4's or regional resolves in the favor of the grievant?

TakeNoCrap /m49738 If they ever try to enforce that here, that's what I plan on doing. Dropping the flats. Two can play their games. Then I'll tell them that I need to go to the clinic. I think I pulled something in my arm. Then take some time off work and file a claim. If they want to play games, I play to win.

TakeNoCrap /m49742 Interesting. That keyword again. "Approximately." Just like with break locations on PS form 1564-A.

M-39 section 116.51 Preferred Procedure
Flat mail, faced and loose in trays, is placed at the carriers’ cases so that the carriers can put a tray on the case ledge and sort directly from the tray, picking up approximately 6 inches of flats at a time.


Hmmm, after re-reading this, since my flats are NEVER faced, then I guess I can use that in my argument if they were ever to get a wild hair, and start enforcing it here. Before we're required to pick up approximately six inches of flats at a time, the flats first must be faced. And it doesn't state to place the six inches of flats on your arm. So, do I take the flats and pick them up with two hands, and just stand there, looking stupid? And how old is this language? When is the last time that the M-39 has actually been updated? "the carriers can put a tray on the case ledge and sort directly from the tray," My flats don't come in trays. Maybe some old timers can educate me on what they mean here. Because if you all say it goes to back when we did "such and such," then this language no longer applies, since we do it different now.

M-39 section 121.16 Flats and SPRs
When casing flats and small parcels and rolls (SPRs), the carrier stands
directly in front of the flat case holding approximately 50 pieces (6 inches) in the left arm while distributing with the right hand. The carrier will not pick up pieces individually from the case ledge. Only the essentials in the street lines of the address are read. The addressee’s name is read only when the street address triggers a recall of a change of address, special instructions, etc.

At least this one states "the left arm." Six inches of SPRs? Unreal.

Dr. Susan Steinman has published a book entitled, "Don't Take Shit From Hyenas In The Workplace." She is concerned about the progressive impact management bullies have on a worker's physical, emotional, and spiritual welfare. Continual harassment of an intentional nature can wear any person down. Stress is like water dripping on a stone. It can erode a person's character and self-worth. It can destroy their bodies. It can lead to devastating consequences for families and businesses. Shit from hyenas should not be tolerated in any organization; public, private, or governmental. The NALC should immediately intercede and post helpful advice on its website to assist carriers that are being strategically abused by management.

/m49745 AZHEAT: NO, they cannot. The N/A Article 10 or check your local. Read the JCAM on article 10. All the ammunition you will need is in there. Like the 3971 says, they HAVE change it to LWOP no questions asked. Unless, there is an EXTREME EMERGENCY. Emergency is unknown at that moment, not last week. Needs of the service don't apply either. They had 11 months to schedule this.

FedUp /m49749 I love where it says to only read the street address and if that triggers your memory then you're allowed to read the name! Priceless!!

Edited by author 11-22-2009 10:47 PM
/m 49749

121.16 .... carrier stands directly in front of the FLAT case ...

Did you read further to 121.17 Pulling Down Flats

After all flats and SPRs have been cased, the carrier will pull, sequence, and
strap out the contents of one FLAT SEPARATION at a time. The carrier sequences
flat mail by pulling down the contents of a separation and placing them to one
side of the case ledge. Next, the top flat is placed in the middle of the ledge
and the remaining flats are arranged in sequence on both sides of the first
flat in the shape of a fan. Cased small parcels and rolls are fitted into the
bundle after sequencing is completed. Then the fan is closed into a stack.
(The sequenced bundle of flats is not to be placed back into the flat
separation, except when operating under the Expedited Preferential Mail
(EPM) System, or collating as required under 121.18 below.) The bundle is
strapped and/or trayed. When necessary, it is also identified to indicate the
loop or relay.

... sounds like this is all referring to a horizontal flat case and collating like we use to do.

/m49750 That is what I am working on - supervisor/manager hostility.
 I have my route under control (we are guaranteed an 8 hour route according to the manuals so I am collecting daily 3996s and 1571s for a special route inspection) but the daily supervisor attitude has to be toned down to conform to a safe working environment which we are also guaranteed. It is not healthy to be talked to in an unpleasant manner.

28 /m49754

right to the point; It is not healthy to be talked to in an unpleasant manner