3996’s; 1571’s; 354

In accordance with the M-39 Handbook, you are required to fill out a PS. Form 3996 whenever you are of the opinion that you will not be able to complete your assignment in 8 hours and the need for auxiliary assistance or overtime is necessary.

When pivoting for overtime either in the office or on the street, you should fill out a 3996. This is your record receipt authorizing you overtime.

You should also fill out a 3996 when you pivot on downtime in the office or on the street. This is your record receipt for the work you performed that day off your assignment.

If you run out of mail at your case, ask your supervisor if it is alright for you to make a pull of your mail from the clerk sorting cases. You are entitled to make two (2) pulls of mail provided you receive authorization by your supervisor to do so.

If you run out of mail and you have pulled all of your working mail, ask your supervisor what he or she would like you to do. The supervisor should instruct you what to do. You may be instructed to pivot in the office or swipe on 354 – waiting time.

If you are instructed to pivot, swipe your badge to that pivot and fill out a 3996 indicating at least the assignment you are pivoting on, the begin, and end time.

If you are instructed to punch 354 – “Waiting Time”; do so. There is no harm in waiting for mail. You really can’t hide it though you may think you can.

If you don’t swipe 354, your office casing standard will greatly diminish and more likely than not you will be asked why you didn’t make 18 & 8 or the office time you were projected to have for that day.

By punching 354 – waiting time – you may show that you have less than 8 hours of work for that day ... and so be it. What it is, is what it is.

If you are consistently running out of mail over a significant period of time, your assignment may be out of adjustment and need to be adjusted.

With all of today’s computer technology, you are not going to be able to “hide” the fact that your assignment is out if adjustment or be able to “work to the mail”. As I said, what it is, is what it is.

When you pivot in the office, you are to swipe your ID badge to that assignment. You should swipe back to your assignment for that day when you have completed your pivot.

You should fill out a PS. Form 1571 – Curtailment of Mail - whenever you curtail mail.

You are entitled to a copy of both the PS. Form 3996 – [Carrier – Auxiliary] and PS. Form 1571 [Undeliverable Mail Report] - inclusive of the supervisors decision to approve or disapprove auxiliary assistance or overtime, in part or in full … and his or her acceptance of PS. Form 1571.

I can only advise you of what you should do and what you are entitled to.

I have told you that your assignments are being evaluated and looked out each and every day.

All the assignments that have been adjusted through the recent minor adjustment memorandum will have their assignments evaluated again after sixty (60) days from the time the adjustments were implemented and adjusted accordingly.

Those assignments that were not adjusted in the first phase of the minor adjustment process will also be evaluated and adjusted in the next phase.

I cannot stress enough to everyone in all our zones – 08753, 08755, and 08757 – your assignments are being looked at on a daily basis as I speak and you will eventually have your assignment adjusted in the very near future. No assignment will be exempt from the adjustment process.

I strongly urge that you do as I have advise you to do – make the proper swipes on the time-clock transactor; fill out your 3996’s and 1571’s, and get credit for ever piece of mail that you case and deliver.

I can honestly say with a great deal of certainty that every manager in our office wants to give you credit for every piece of mail you have; case and deliver; and wants you to take the time for everything you are entitled to – breaks, lunch, wash-ups, comfort stops, etc.

You are entitled to:

• 10 minute break on the road
• X comfort stop if needed
• 5 minute wash-up before lunch
• 30 minute lunch
• X comfort stop
• 10 minute break

Note: comfort stops – use of a rest room - may vary from person to person – more or less – depending on the needs of each individual.

It is in the best interest of all to perform our jobs safely and efficiently. No one wants you to “run” your route or slow down. We want you to take the time that is necessary to perform your job professionally; give a fair day’s work for a fair day’s pay.

Running your route may cause you to cut corners on safety and we can’t afford that. Giving up breaks and time entitlements distorts the true evaluation of what your route was evaluated at and what it really takes to deliver your route safely and efficiently. Getting back early helps no one in the long run.

By running the route, you only make it more difficult for our managers to maintain their budgeted hours and manage the mail in a safe and efficient manner. Managements’ hours are cut when a route shows that there are less than 8 hours over a period of time – pure and simple.

All the arguing that you didn’t take you breaks and that the route is longer than what it took you to do it does no good for you or for the manager. Your route will be adjusted assuming that you took all your time entitlements and what you did in the office and on the street – period.

We definitely don’t anyone slowing down. Working safe doesn’t mean slowing down.

Working safe means taking the time that is necessary to perform your job in a safe manner – avoiding accidents; being a defensive driver; looking out for your safety as well as the safety of the public; safeguarding the postal property that you were entrusted with; etc.

I have done my best to advise you what to do. Now it is up to you to do what is right.

Joseph R. Palmerson, President

NALC Branch 2128 Toms River

April 6, 2009

 

 

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