Back to the Future Start Times
So, Friday May 6, 2022 marked the expiration of the last of the COVID Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)s. As such, some things on the work-room floor should return to what passed for normal before March 2020. As some of these things fall into place, it is important that they do in accordance with the National Agreement.
One of the more impactful changes will be start times. In some cases, Management may take the opportunity to implement a start time that is operationally prudent. It is important to note that although Article Three (3) of the National Agreement gives Management the right to schedule, they must do so within all the provisions of the National Agreement; as well as all USPS handbooks and manuals.
The change in start times that occurred because of COVID should have arisen by a joint agreement between Management and the Union based on the language of MOU M-01915 that stated in relevant part:
The local Parties (i.e., branch presidents and postmasters, or their designees) will immediately discuss potential scheduling and office setup changes which would create a work environment that promotes social distancing.
Many of these agreements included a staggered start time, usually two separate start times about an hour or two apart. If Management is to dissolve what was previously negotiated via MOU M-01915, so must the stagger dissolve as well. The start times should return to exactly what they were before COVID.
If Management decides to change the start times other than what they were, they have to do so within the criteria of the Management of Delivery Services (M-39) Manual. They must consider Section 122.11 of the M-39 that states on establishing schedules:
122.11 Consider the following factors in establishing schedules:
a. Schedule carriers to report before 6 a.m. only when absolutely necessary.
b. Fix schedules to coincide with receipt and dispatch of mail. At least 80 percent of the carriers’ daily mail to be cased should be on or at their cases when they report for work.
c. Schedule carriers by groups. Form groups of carriers who make the same number of delivery trips and whose office time is approximately the same.
d. Generally, schedule carriers of the same group to begin, leave, return, and end at the same time.
e. Schedule so that delivery to customers should be approximately the same time each day.
f. Make a permanent schedule change when it is apparent that one or more days’ mail volume varies to where it is causing late leaving.
g. Schedule carriers’ non-work days in accordance with the National Agreement.
All of the above must be satisfied when Management make any changes to start times. If the local Union request Management to identify the information they utilized, they should be able to produce documentation to demonstrate that they considered the above language. Additionally, the changes should be consistent with the Delivery Units Local Memorandum of Understanding (LMOU) as well as any Past Practice’s that may exist. These things may dictate differences in start times due to tour, zone or delivery methods. Outside of that the start times should be consistent across the work force.
Work performance has absolutely no bearing on start times nor does base office or base street times. In other words, the start times should not be used to motivate Carriers to get out of the office faster. I present a Step 4 Arbitration that was based on Management awarding earlier start times for those that met office projections, and punished those who didn’t with later start times. MOU M-01020/Step 4 November 14, 1991, H7N-5R-C 6764 that states in relevant part:
The issue in this grievance is whether management violated Article 41 by failing to change the grievant's starting time to the starting time of the regular carrier of a route which the grievant carried as a Carrier Technician (T-6). During our discussion, we mutually agreed that the starting time(s) of a T-6 carrier should be the starting time(s) of the component routes which comprise the T-6 assignment.
The above language points out that the start times should be consistent. Another issue that may be revisited is the AM break. Many offices agreed to move the AM break from the office, into the street in consideration of social distancing. Now with the expiration of the COVID MOU, moving the AM break back into the Office may discussed with the local parties. Of course, those discussions will rely heavily on the LMOU and/or past practice of the work station.
Remember regardless if Management changes your start time to later, it is important to remain professional and do not short change the customer nor take short cuts with safety. Never forget another golden rule;
“You adjust the route around the Carrier, not the Carrier around the Route.”
