Edited by author 11-25-2009 11:00 PM
Additionally, in reviewing both the Jul 2008 and the Aug 2009 MOU's on dps flats, and holding routes, both call for holding "Residual Routes"

This would mean that a vacant route must still go up for bid, and it would be the residual, or, least desired route in the office that is held.

The best management could do, would be hold the bid for a total of 90 days, 30 from art 12, and a 60 day extension. (unless within the 50 mile radius of fss deployment) after which time it must be posted.

From art 12 of the contract

2. When a rural route becomes vacant, it shall be posted
within thirty (30) days from the time it becomes
vacant, except:

a. If a route consolidation, adjustment or conversion
is pending in the appropriate area, a sixty
(60) day extension may be made.

b. If a route becomes vacant as a result of the original
posting, and it meets the criteria for conversion
to a highway contract box delivery
route at the time it becomes vacant, then the
awarding process may be stopped at that point
and the survey conducted relative to supersedure
of rural delivery by highway contract box
delivery route service.

c. When an imminent adjustment is contemplated
on a vacant route or a vacant route has been
subject to an adjustment, which would require a
special count, that route will be adjusted using
the interim adjustment formula, then posted
accordingly.

(1) Any such posted route will be subject to a
special count to be conducted the last
twelve (12) working days in September in
accordance with Article 9.2.C.11.b

(2) The posting of any regular route without a
count and official evaluation, plus any possible
salary adjustments between the interim
adjustment and special count accomplished
in accordance with these provisions
will not be subject to the grievancearbitration
procedure in Article 15.

3. All vacant routes will be posted on the basis of evaluated
time unless the evaluated time is 26:00 standard
hours or less. These routes will be converted to
auxiliary routes. Routes posted because of the addition
or subtraction of territory in a route consolidation
are not considered vacant.

4. Routes encumbered by carriers in a non-duty status
are not considered vacant, except as otherwise provided
in this Agreement.

As the local stew has a conflict of interest, I would contact the area/asst state stew. How many rts are there altogether, and thier standard, not evaluated hours? My understanding was, unless the entire route could be absorbed, leaving NOTHING, they couldn't do it. IF the shuffle is going to create an AUX, then it shouldn't fall within the consolidation guidelines, as it wouldn't be reducing the number of routes. Unless you are in one of the offices getting FSS, or within the 50 miles, they have no justification for holding the route open as a buffer for the Feb count, and it should be posted as normal.

After many years of subing on a route the carrier is going to retire.Now it seems the PM says they will keep the route vacant until after the feb count so they will be able to obsorb the route into the other two 43ks. The route is a 43k also. As anyone would be I am VERY down after hearing this after years of doing a good job and everything I was told. Both of these 43k routes stand to gain size and money by this obsorbtion. It was my understanding that the PO wants routes to be as close to 43s as they can be. There is no way these two routes would not grow to at least 46ks.Granted one of the routes will lose an outer office that has about 375 boxes.So someone will have to take this to be AUX route. So this will help them do it some. Is there anything I can do to stop this.All of the routes will have to be rebuilt over to do this. I am the senior sub in the office. What will happen to me if the route is obsorbed?? Do I have any options on the other two routes?? THe Steward in the office is no help because their route stands to gain size and money.So this steward is pushing the PM to do it.Not a good position to be in.Im open for any suggestions or opinions on the nest course of action I can take if any.

Ok Billy One more for the road!

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The instructions said remove cap and push up bottom.
I can barely walk, but when I fart the room smells awesome.
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One More Billy
Have you ever wondered if the bills
in your wallet were ever in a stripper's butt crack?
If not, I'll bet you're wondering now. Have a nice Turkey day All..
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Well I came back here for just a minute, Billy this ones for you! Thanksgivings Day Humor!
Just think...
If Indians had given the Pilgrims a donkey instead of a turkey, we would all be having a piece of ass this Thanksgiving day!! Well Have a good one anyway! All you rural carriers that think this is funny just LOL! For those that don't well, You can Kiss My Turkey! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sure hope your demanding payment for the lack of dps. Your entitled to extra pay EVERY time this happens.

Our office has been getting more raw mail each week for last month...today we had no DPS letters and were told they wouldn't have time to run the machines for Friday mail either....WTF

This did happen in my office and yes the carrier won the grievance and they had to pay for doctors visit . So now management is very careful when asking for proof.They didnt only pay co pay but for Whole visit

They should pay it if for no other reason than for the humiliation of asking your doctor for an "excuse" like a third grader.

I haven't seen that one won, but I am told by my city side counterpart that they have included the copay as part of the grievance settlement, and it has been paid when supervision demanded dr excuse AND the individual was not on the restricted list. Again, I was told that, didn't witness it.

Don't know how valid this is but a few years ago I read a post here by a shop steward who claims that when he was asked for a doctors excuse, he grieved it and won on the grounds that the P.O. should pay for the doctors visit if they require something from them. I can't remember his screen name, but it had the phrase "formerly known as" in it.

Edited by author 11-24-2009 05:08 PM
Years ago when I was in the military I took over the senior enlisted position in a division of 63 military and 6 federal civil service technicians. The previous supervision had placed one of the civilians on restricted sick leave.When this guy used his sick leave he always used it in periods of three days. Alway bringing in a leave request with his doctor's signiture.It cost him $10 co-pay on his insurance for a quick trip to his doctor. I learned something from this guy and removed him from his restricted status.

When they "review" attendance with you, the sick leave they are supposed to be concerned with is unscheduled (call in that morning, or leave the job) sick leave situations. Usually, scheduled doctor appointments are scheduled far enough ahead of time where you can make arrangements with your sub, and have the route covered on your absence. THOSE days should not be included in any counted against you for reestriction, but if you hadn't notified supervision ahead of time, they will.

Another indicator they use is if they can FORECAST your sick days by your past record. Let's say. a 3 day weekend is coming up, and by looking at your track record, they can show a better than not chance you will call in sick the day after the holiday.... That would be an indicator that you are only taking the day to extend your weekend, not because of illness, and are abusing sick leave. This would be one of those circumstances where they WILL ask for the documentation, for the benefit of the USPS.

It sucks, but that is what happens

There's no set amount and I've seen people put on it for 3 calls in a month. It's not a question of scheduled versus unscheduled, requested in advance or bang-ins, or even using more than a certain number. Sure it's grievable but many figure they 'deserve' it and don't fight.

Use ELM against them and make them take all of 9 months to get you on it by the book. And get it off it in next 3 months.

Even better is to look into FMLA if you're going to need a lot of DR visits because they can't use any FMLA dates to put you on restricted list.