Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays
I have been hearing rumors that the Long Island District is looking to do full route count and inspections (RCI) for every office within the next two years. Rumors are just that but in many cases they come through in one form or another. In this case I’m not sure that the entire island shall be done just due to the logistics and size associated with this district. But I must say that the first attack is coming. The Long Island District has informed 15 offices that they are scheduled for count and inspection starting January 6, 2018 through April 28, 2018. If you are curious as to if you’re on the first list, ask you full time officer. These lists have a tendency in changing on the fly so they are not set in stone. I bring this up because this is the Christmas present that the District is giving to you in the coming year. If you’re on the list, they already know what they want from your office. They have a target number that some computer program spit out and they intend on maintaining that number. If they do not get that number they press harder in an attempt at meeting it. Harassment, discipline and threatening behavior is on the horizon. Here are some thoughts on the subject:
First and foremost, what you do today can greatly impact what your inspection looks like 6 months from now. How is that you ask? The M-39, Managements handbook, explicitly outlines how a full count and inspection progresses. Management has the right to use one of two ways to adjust your route. The first way is to use the numbers attained during that one week of count and inspection. If management does not like the numbers from the week of RCI, they can do a 6 week time card analysis to get the average time used on an assignment. What this means is that management and the union will pick a number from 1 to 4 out of a hat. That number will represent the number of the week used during the preceding 6 months (minus; June, July, August and December). If the number is 2, then week 2 of each of the preceding 6 months will be used to get an average the route used in both the street and office. If that number is less than the actual week of RCI, then management has the right to use that time in adjusting your assignment. So you see, what you do today may greatly impact your assignment in the future. Management is looking to downsize any way possible. As many have found out during past inspections, they have no game plan other than to screw you out of as much time as possible.
It is your responsibility to give a fair days work for a fair days pay. That’s it! Do your job in a professional manner. Come to work on time ready to do your job. I observe too many carriers working off the clock or through their breaks. Those are the same carriers who are going to blame everyone else, especially the union, for any addition they receive. If we worked as the contract and manuals say to do it, we would all be in a better place. Making it “easier” for yourself by doing things like racking FSS, working through your breaks, or even getting your equipment before clocking in, will all impact your RCI. I have tired of members telling me to mind my own business when I approach them regarding some of these issues. Whether you like it or not, it is my business to protect the membership and the assignments. I have been elected to represent you and your interests as outlined under the National Agreement. My job is to protect you, even if that means from yourself. As the saying goes, for every action, there is a reaction. In this setting your actions could be a detriment to your livelihood and those you work with.
The same goes for the CCA’s who find it necessary to run through your breaks and lunch. I have even personally observed CCA’s literally running down the street delivering mail. Too many times I have had discussions with the new employees over the past 4 years. During those discussions I have been told on numerous occasions that they run the routes to impress their supervisors or the fear of being harassed. They want to look good. They think they will earn something by doing their assignments quicker and in many cases unsafely. You know what you may earn? If management cuts a route out of your office based on under-time you have constantly produced, it means it may take you another year or two to be promoted to a career position. That will be the reaction to your actions. The USPS is based on seniority, not how fast you work. Do your job in a safe and professional manner. Where are you going anyway? Management has you under a microscope through GPS and tracking your every movement. Why rush? If you get hurt, you will be disciplined. If you miss a scan, you will be disciplined. If you misdeliver a parcel or some piece of mail, you will be disciplined. If you work in a safe and professional manner, you will limit your mistakes. You will limit your possible injuries. You will come to work in one piece and go home in one piece.
Management only cares about what they can get from you before kicking you to the curb. Your rushing through a route only makes management shine and makes you exhausted and closer to another injury.
Wise up and do your job the way it should be done.
With my last rant for the year 2017 I wanted to impress to you that we are all in peril. Do your job professionally, pay attention to detail at the end of the day get home to your family the same way you left them in the morning. Just ask those who have been unable to do so because of getting injured while doing their jobs. Look around and see what some of our senior members look like from years of abusing their bodies. Knees, backs, necks, ankles all wear down. You need to protect yourselves because management will not.
I would like to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and safe Holiday Season. Let’s pray that 2018 will be a better year for all.
