Please find attached correspondence from USPS operations with information pertaining to updated 4241As, 4241Ms, implementation of RRECS, and route adjustments. You will note that the USPS intends to implement the RRECS effective April 22, 2023. As you are aware the NRLCA filed a step 4 grievance requesting data and a 60-day time- period from the date of receipt of data that we requested, to analyze the data prior to implementation of RRECS. The USPS has refused our request. We know and the USPS knows that there are errors that need to be corrected. The USPS’s position is to implement and correct the errors later. That was never the intent of the parties!
The NRLCA along with legal counsel, are exploring our options. We all understand that mail volume is down, and many routes will lose in evaluation. However, we must be assured that the data is correct and transparent to the carriers!
We will keep you posted on any future changes.
Your National Board.
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From the USPS:
RRECS evaluations will be effective on Saturday, April 22. We understand there will be a need to adjust rural routes due to routes being overburdened or substandard. However, we have yet to develop an adjustment process for the RRECS environment. Therefore, while the need may exist, it is imperative that no territory adjustments occur until the new process is developed. The new adjustments process will also include a route adjustment strategy designed to identify and prioritize the routes/offices to be adjusted.
Additionally, the attached MOU is still in effect, limiting rural route adjustments. If regular rural carriers are requesting adjustments, please accept those requests so that they can be included in the prioritization strategy.
We will provide more information as soon as possible.
Tim Haney, Director, Delivery Strategy & Policy
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Adjustments have been made in RMSS to correct the data fields on the Form 4241-A and Form 4241-M. Beginning Saturday, April 15th, the PS Form 4241-A, Rural Route Evaluation, will be available once again in RMSS for printing. It is necessary that all offices dispose of any previously printed copies from route books and route folders and print out new versions of both Forms 4241-A and 4241-M. The attached RRECS 4241A Printing & Distribution document outlines the following steps:
- On Saturday, April 15, 2023, the PS Form 4241-A will be available and must be printed in RMSS.
- Dispose of any previously printed copies from route books and route folders
- Print all 3 pages of PS Form 4241-A for each route in unit
- Assigned Carrier copy for the route
- Route Book copy filed at the carrier case
- Route Folder copy (maintained by management in the local office)
- The PS Form 4241-A must be provided to the carrier in order to communicate the new RRECS evaluation for the route.
- Ensure the carrier is immediately made aware of schedule changes
- Classifications: K, J, or H
Again, this information should only be provided to the assigned carrier of the route, and not provided to leave replacements who are covering the assigned carriers’ leave or non-scheduled days. Regular rural carriers who are non-scheduled on Saturday may request to visit the office Saturday for the sole purpose of obtaining the PS Form 4241-A for the assigned route, and arrangements should be agreed upon between the carrier and local management. Otherwise, the assigned carrier should be provided the information on their next scheduled work day.
We have also updated the attached RRECS 4241A Cheatsheet updated 4.14.23 to assist your team with explanations of each field displayed on the PS Form 4241-A. A copy of the Cheatsheet must also be provided to the assigned carrier.
Tim Haney, USPS Director, Delivery Strategy & Policy
Route Adjustment MOU RRECS – Route Adjustments
RRECS 4241-A Printing and Distribution_updated 4.14.23
RRECS_F4241A_cheat-sheet updated 4.14.23
Further Update on The Rural Route Evaluated Compensation System (RRECS)