subs working for contract routes

[lifes a beach]

Hi  can my sub work for extra time on a contract route?  She has done it before with no problem and now they tell she cannot do it.  She understands that her primary obligation is to rural, but she is not getting work as they have hired subs for every route.  Thanks  

[Postaltexan]

Hi, I moved your post to the CDS/HCR thread.

There are a lot of things going on out there concerning contract routes right now, and I do not know the contract route rules specifically, but contractors generally are paid a certain amount per year to cover the route.  

An RCA has no entitlement to sub on a contract route.  If the contractor has hired a relief carrier for that route, then the RCA is probably out of luck.

Has anyone contacted the union on this?

 Especially about them having the RCA run the contract route?  We are in a major fight right now to keep the USPS from contracting out territory that should be going to the rural craft and the union wants to know of any instance where the USPS is using an RCA to deliver a contract route.

If we do not get proactive on this issue we will lose a lot of territory to contract routes.  Please contact the union and advise them that management has been using the rural craft to cover a contract route.  

The union can only help with this situation if they are notified...

[lifes a beach]

you misunderstood me I think.  The sub wants to work the route, which was never a problem before.   She would not compromise her obligations to the PO as far as if they need her, but they are barely getting hours. I believe the issue is that the route is in our office.  I know for sure, there are RCA's working for contract routes in other offices.  PM said he had no problem with it, but sup(who dislikes her anyway)said no.  She's just trying to put food on the table.  I've been reading a lot of articles from Senators, etc about contract.  I've been reading you site for awhile, just never signed on.  Obviously, I did something wrong as this went to your email and not to a thread.  Thanks for all your help.  I am a carrier willing to get involved and do what needs to be done.  I want to retire with the PO and I also love my job

[Ruralmailman]

PT you need another icon with a little more pizaaz to it. I can loan you one if you like?

[Postaltexan]

Hi, no you did just fine... It did not come to my email, it went to a thread, but I just moved it to the CDS/HCR thread.  

Ok, she wants to work the contract route.  I understand that...  But what I intended to get across in my earlier post is that the union has filed a national grievance against rural carriers working contract routes.  

The union contends that the USPS cannot use rural carriers to run contract routes.  Territory on a contract route will never be given to rural carriers, so they are taking the hard line that if it will not be rural territory them the USPS cannot use rural carriers to run it.  

I know there are rca's working contract routes, but my point is that if we continue to allow the USPS to use rural carriers on contract routes, then we will never have a chance to get that territory back so one of our RCA's can go regular.  

How will the rca get paid to sub on the contract route?  Will the USPS pay her the regular rca pay? Or will the contractor pay her?

The fight against contract routes is an issue that affects all of us.. Regulars and RCA's alike.  I understand that RCA's need money and that after the last count work is diminishing, but the big picture and fight on contract routes is what will keep territory in our craft so our RCAs can eventually go regular.

In order to fight this issue that affects the whole craft, the union needs to know when rural carriers are working on contract routes.

I hope I was more clear in this post..

[Postaltexan]

I know rural, I am gonna go check em out right now....

[Wave]

The contractor would have to actually hire the RCA to work the route, which should never be approved by the USPS.  Plus the fact that the contractor's insurance has to cover anyone who works the route.  Any accident the RCA would have on the contract route wouldn't be insured.  Probably not even by the RCA's insurance.

[*SUPERsub*]

man...i understand the need for $$ but I sure would never work on a contract route...for any amount of money...Id go to  Mcdonalds first..just for the principle..if they can provide coverage for the route and service it reguarly then sooner or later its gonna come back to the craft. thats just a no-brainer...to work it would be cutting your own throat in the long run.

[4EVERRCA]

I've been an RCA for 9 years and also ran a contract route full time as well for 3 of those years. No you are not  allowed to do that. No one made an issue of it with me so I did. The unions take is that by working on the contract route for less money you are showing the post office that it IS paying regulars too much money. (straight from the stewards mouth, not mine)

[maddogdrake]

Tell her to call other post offices in a reasonable range of where she lives and ask their PMs if they need subs. That is how I got extra work. I asked my PM to help me and she got me even more work.

[maddogdrake]

OK the way I understand it...contractors do NOT work for the post office..they are contractors and self employed...therefore the contractor must pay his sub..however..using one of our subs is a no-n.it is like our sub working part time for ups or fed ex, not allowed.  so your super was right to stop it, it is a violation of a federal law. Your sub needs to call area post office and request extra work.  If your pm is a good guy he or she will keep an ear open for extra work for the subs...ours does.