The USPS achieved a slam dunk in this mail count.  As a result, this will leave regular carriers having to take the high option just to keep their salary.  It will also leave many of our leave replacements losing work hours.  This page is intended to show you some of the options you have and can take advantage of after this massacre of a mail count.

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The new evaluations will take effect on Saturday April 25th, 2009

First of all, lets cover what each route designation means: K Route:   A regular route on which the salary is based on 5 days each week. One relief day is authorized each week.  J Route:   A regular route on which the salary is based on 5 days one week and 6 days the other week for a total of 11 days per pay period. H Route:   A regular route on which the salary is based on 12 days per pay period. L route:    Any route which has a box density of at least 12 per mile at the time of a count; also called high-density route. Route Consolidations and Guarantees      Since we are anticipating there might be some consolidations and some routes falling sub-standard, I am posting a link to a Q and A that was released after the 2008 Mail Count.  It should answer a lot of questions you might have..  Click here    BE SURE AND READ ARTICLE 12.5 OF THE NATIONAL AGREEMENT.  IT DEALS WITH EXCESSED RURAL CARRIERS AND CONSOLIDATIONS   You can download a copy of the contract HERE (large file) BE  Mail Count Disagreements NRLCA Protocol for Mail Count Disagreements and USPS Requirements for Disagreements  Click here Formal DPS Review  If the USPS maximized the mail run through DPS during the mail count, they are obligated to keep up the same percentage all through the year. Here are the steps to take to ask for a formal DPS review if your DPS percentages fall after mail count. Formal DPS Review  Article from GRLCA State Steward  DPS Review Tracking Form    UPDATE on DPS REVIEWS USPS implemented changes in the procedures for DPS Reviews Click here NRLCA appeals DPS Review changes to arbitration  Click here NRLCA files unfair labor charge on USPS for DPS Review Changes click here And Below is what the NRLCA is recommending steps to take when requesting a formal DPS Review IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING THE POSTAL SERVICE’S IMPLEMENTATION OF CHANGES TO SECTIONS 541 AND 535 OF HANDBOOK PO-603 As you may be aware, on June 13, 2008, the Postal Service notified the NRLCA of its intent to implement changes to Sections 541 and 535 of Handbook PO-603. The NRLCA believes that the Postal Service’s changes to Sections 541 and 535 violate the current National Agreement, the 2004 National Level Arbitration Award issued by Arbitrator Richard I. Bloch, and Federal Labor Law. The NRLCA has challenged the Postal Service’s decision to implement these changes by submitting an appeal to national arbitration. The appeal serves to cover all rural carriers who may request a formal review of DPS letter mail; therefore, it is not necessary for an individual carrier to file a grievance contesting the method of the review or the application of the results of the review. However, if management rejects a request for a formal review, it would be necessary to file an individual grievance challenging management’s decision. Furthermore, it is the recommendation of the National Board that any rural carrier requesting a review of his/her DPS percentage make that decision based on the provisions of Sections 541 and 535 as they exist today and the Bloch award rather than on the Postal Service’s changes to Sections 541 and 535, which become effective tomorrow, June 28, 2008. Rural carriers making requests for a formal review of DPS letter mail should keep copies of all related paperwork. Additionally, copies of all related paperwork resulting from management generated formal reviews should be retained by the affected rural carriers. June 27, 2008 http://www.nrlca.org/whats_new/whatsnew.cfm/memUpID/56   DPS Rebuild  If you were counted under DPS for the first time, you are entitled to a rebuild in certain circumstances to the evaluation before the mail count. Click here for several documents  DPS Rebuild Form  High/Low Option If you have been a regular carrier for 3 years and you earn 20 days of annual leave per year, you are eligible to choose the high option provided your route falls in the category for an option. When the route falls into two possible classifications, the carrier may choose the classification with the higher-hour evaluation, provided the carrier meets certain criteria. (The higher-hour category means more work hours per pay period, higher pay, fewer relief days) High/Low Option explained  If you have already chosen the LOW option, you can change to the HIGH option if eligible (At the time of a National Count, Special Count or Interim Adjustment – Most PS4003 change actions that effectively place an eligible carrier in an option category. This will include Adjustments, Extensions, Remeasurements, addition or subtraction of a Locked Pouch allowance, Consolidations, Detours, Seasonal, and Hardship deliveries. The EXCEPTIONS are - 4003’s to establish New Routes, Changes in Collection Compartments, Parcel Lockers or Vehicle Data and Convert-to-Regular actions.  Free Saturdays  Also, if your came back as an H or J route, or you are taking the high option, you can take advantage of the "Free Saturday" Provision.  Here are a couple of links to help with that.  http://www.mdrlca.org/J%20Routes.htm http://docs.google.com/View?docid=dzdzj27_13d8tw2c http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dfb8g5q4_53fk28wxhz LWOP  Article 10.4.B of the national contract states: B. Upon request, a rural carrier shall be granted annual leave or leave without pay on Saturday, at the carrier’s option, provided a leave replacement is available. So, a carrier could take the HIGH option and then use LWOP on the remaining Saturday.  But, LWOP does have an effect on your saved leave and your FERS retirement. Effect of LWOP