Route Inspections
Branch 6000 was advised by the Long Island District that all routes in the Long Island District would be inspected by the 2020 fiscal year end. As there are no Route Counts and Inspections (RCI) during the months of June, July, August, and December, with the exceptions of special counts performed, we have just received an inspection schedule up through November.
When RCI are conducted, Management should be guided by the provisions as stipulated in the M-39 Handbook. The M-39 talks about procedures to be followed for mail counts and route inspections. RCI are generally conducted for six days. Generally, Management walks with Carriers for three days, although it can be less.
Management is required to notify the union of the selected period for each office for the RCI. Management should try to determine as far in advance as possible and notify the union of this schedule. If your office has not been selected for RCI in the very near future, now would be a good time to ensure that you get into the habit of performing your assignment in a safe and professional manner. As Management will be looking at your times for one week out of every month for eight months, you want to make sure you are doing everything correctly.
Your office time is not only based on the volume of mail, but also other duties such as; checking your truck, withdrawal of mail, morning breaks, setting up third bundles, mark-up endorsement of mail, accountable mail, throwback case, filling out PS Form 3996 for distribution of auxiliary help. Did you know that you are expected to case 18 letters per minutes, and 8 flats per minute? Also, spurs (slugs) are considered flat-size mail and at eight per minute they can be cased or put in a tray depending on the size.
Over time we seem to try and cut corners, but performing all these functions ensures the time needed to bring the route as near to eight hours of daily work as possible.
With your street time, make sure you are working in a safe and professional manner. Not only the way you drive, park, or walk, but take every obvious shortcut as instructed when safe to do so. Do not back up, or make u-turns in the middle of the street. Make sure that you use your satchel; If not for the mail, to deter dogs. Have the mail ready when you are approaching a house, but do not finger mail when crossing the street or it is not safe to do so.
Don’t forget to take all breaks and your lunch. If on any given day you don’t want to take your lunch, if approved, fill out a 3971 for a no lunch and keep a copy. Show it during your consultation to keep from losing time.
Though many of you have been doing this job for a long time, you tend to do what will make it easier and less time consuming. That won’t help on a RCI. Give them what they want. Do the route the right way, the safe and professional way. That will help save you and your route.
There will be RCI classes given. Check with your full-time officer on when they will be given in your area. All are welcome to come. Re-educate yourself and protect your route.
