USPS looks to reduce letter carriers’ casing equipment
From the National Association of Letter Carriers:
This morning, the Postal Service sent NALC a copy of a stand-up talk for city letter carriers intended to explain the goals of its latest unilateral delivery initiative. It is called Post Office Sortation Equipment Reconciliation (SER).
In the stand-up talk, USPS states “From a city delivery perspective, our goal is to convert as many city routes as possible to one, six shelf, evenly spaced 124 and provide efficient and effective customer service.” A 124 is the main letter carrier case with the shelf where we place our mail as we sort it. USPS also states, “In order to do so, it is essential that we seek your valuable input as carriers, to finalize the cell size changes. This is vital because, as the expert on the route, you can readily identify addresses that may require additional or less sortation space. In order to complete this as planned, we will be starting carrier consultations soon regarding these changes to our carrier sortation equipment by obtaining your input.” At the end of the stand-up talk, we are reminded of the importance of “vigorously focusing on the efficiency of our operations”.
If supervisors or managers do not consult with and obtain your input prior to implementing this initiative, or if they ignore the valuable input you provide, you should inform an NALC branch representative.
Handbook M-39, Management of Delivery Services and Handbook M-41, City Delivery Carriers Duties and Responsibilities both contain provisions regarding case cells or separations, as well as casing equipment.
If changes to case configurations are implemented that violate those handbooks, then a grievance should be filed citing a violation of the appropriate provisions. If needed, NALC branch representatives should contact their NALC national business agent for guidance.
We have requested additional information from the Postal Service and once we receive that information we will be providing the NBAs with more detail regarding this initiative.