FEBRUARY 24-MARCH 9, 2018

FEBRUARY 24-MARCH 9, 2018

A National Mail Count will be conducted for twelve(12) working days beginning Saturday, February 24and ending on Friday, March 9, 2018.

All routes will be counted except those routes whichboth the regular rural carrier or the rural carrierassociate (Designation Code 79), as appropriate, andmanagement agree in writing not to count.

The results of this mail count will be effective on April28, 2018.

FEBRUARY 24-MARCH 9

The following routes MUST be counted andare not included in the option out electionprocess:

o All vacant routes with no regular carrier assignedas of February 9, 20182014

FEBRUARY 24-MARCH 9

During the period from January 22, 2018 and continuing throughFebruary 2, 2018, regular rural carriers or rural carrier associates(Designation Code 79) and the Employer may "opt out" a route to the2018 mail count.

Although the Employer is entitled to count all rural routes for the 2018national mail count, any regular rural carrier or rural carrier associate(Designation Code 79) wishing to have their route "opted out" mustrequest and submit a copy of the "2018 National Mail Count Option OutElection Form" no later than February 2, 2018.

Local management will complete their portion of the "2018 NationalMail Count Option Out Election Form" and provide a copy to the carrieras soon as practicable, but prior to COB, February 9, 2018.

FEBRUARY 24-MARCH 9

If a regular carrier or rural carrier associate(Designation Code 79) does not request and submitthe Option Out Election Form by COB, February 2,2018 the route will be scheduled for a mail countbeginning February 24, 2018.

If the carrier is out of the office for any reason andunavailable to receive the completed copy of theOption Out Election Form, management will ensurethat the carrier receives a copy of the completed formwhen they next return to the office.

FEBRUARY 24-MARCH 9

IMPORTANT DATES

Date ActionJanuary 22 Beginning of “option out” periodJanuary 24 Delivery Point Sequence (DPS) letters must be

running by this date

January 24 Rural route inspections may begin for all routes scheduled to be counted

February 2 End of the “option out” period for carriers(managers have until COB on February 9 to respond.

February 9 Pre-count Conferences MUST be completedManagement must return completed opt-out form to carrier in order to not be counted

IMPORTANT DATES

Date ActionFebruary 17 The last day to have an employer provided RHD

vehicle assigned to a route with DPS letters to qualify for RHD rate

February 23 98 percent DPS quality threshold for routes being introduced to DPS letters or DPS Flats must be completed by COB this date

February 24 12-day national count begins on rural routes

March 9 Last day of the 12-day national mail count. All route inspections must be completed by this date.

April 28 New route evaluations go into effect.

NEW MAIL COUNT PROCEDURES FOR SPM SCANS

Thirty-five (35) seconds credited in Column 17 for each delivery point sample alert/work order which requires scanning of one or more mail pieces.

Eighteen (18) seconds credited in Colum 17 for each delivery point sample alert/work order for which there is no scanning, regardless of whether the task requires one, two, or four additional keystrokes.

Seventy (70) seconds credited in Column 17 for each collection mail work order.

ALL ROUTES WILL TRACK EVEN IF NOT COUNTING.

SPM SCANS

Two events qualify for Column 21 credit CPU Request or direction by management Acceptance of pre-paid parcel over 2 lbs. without a CPU

Request Only one entry in Column 21 per address per day

Not required to go to door unless you have a CPURequest

If directed by management-credit as a CPU Request Should include at least one qualifying piece If not, notify manager who should discuss with customer

CARRIER PICK-UPPRE-PAID PARCELS

A sack of pre-paid parcels is credited as oneitem in Column 22

If carrier is required to scan items containedin the sack at acceptance point thenindividual credit is given as appropriate

If required to empty the sack upon return tooffice-additional time goes in Column 17(Other Suitable Allowance)

CARRIER PICK-UPPRE-PAID PARCELS

National Mail Countso As defined in current National Agreemento USPS may schedule in September upon proper

notice to NRLCASpecial Mail Counts

o Last 12 working days in September ONLY when:• Negation Criteria Met-usually introduction or re-

introduction of DPS Letters or Flats OR• 120 minute adjustment in evaluation PLUS change in L

Route status (increase to over 12 boxes/mile or decreaseto under 12 boxes/mile)

TYPES OF MAIL COUNTS

Must be conducted during or immediatelyprior to mail count

To be conducted by Postmaster or designeeo Must be in higher-level assignment

Data Collectedo Number and type of boxeso Stopso Dismounts

DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE

Carrier responsibilities during inspectiono Travel route as you do the rest of the yearo Inform postmaster/designee of:

• Boxes vacant more than 90 days• Hazardous conditions on the route

POV routes-management may request carrierto provide an adequate vehicle for inspection

Management is responsible for safety ofboth carrier and inspector


Box Counto All currently served by box delivery or dismount

• Dwellings• Apartments• Businesses

o All vacant less than 90 dayso Do not count

• Abandoned dwellings• Vacant more than 90 days• Under construction• NDCBU Collection Compartments


Stop Counto ONLY affects POV routeso ONLY affects EMA for:

• Those paid on Stop Chart• ONLY affects routes under 40 miles long

o NO effect on evaluated hours of routeo Normally 2 small boxes can be served with one

stopo Each large box requires one stop


Family Counto Single residence equals one familyo Multi-residential buildings-each occupied unit

equals one familyo Routes still using route and box number

• Up to 5 families may share a box using same boxnumber

o Routes using street names/numbers• Each residence should erect individual mail

receptacle


Authorized Dismountso Record on daily basis

• May not be necessary if business closed

Dismount Distanceo Based on normally available parking location,

(not in fire lanes or handicap parking)o May require multiple trips on heavy volume

days


Preparing to ride the routeo Necessary Documents

• PS Form 4003 (Official Route Description)• Route Map• Measuring wheel for dismounts• Inspection Worksheet• CLASS Edit Sheets• PS Form 4248 Rural Route Inspection Report


The number of regular and central boxesrecorded on PS Form 4248-Rural InspectionReport, the 4003 and the summary page ofthe Edit Book should match.

If not, immediate updates of the 4003 andedit book may be necessary.


Route Mileageo Mileage recorded during the inspection does

NOT change the official route mileage• It is recorded for statistical purposes only

o Official Route Mileage can only be changed byprocessing PS Form 4003 as a result of officialremeasurement or addition/deletion of mileage.(adding or deleting lines from 4003)


Request to Repair Roadso Management completes PS Form 4024 and files

with appropriate public officials

Mailbox Needs Attentiono Identify boxes needing attention during

inspectiono Management completes Form 4056o Carrier delivers 4056 to customer


Locked Boxeso Slot must be large enough to accommodate

normal daily mail volumeo If not, additional time in Column 17 should be

allowed for the extra time to make the delivery


Counting your mailo Carrier may count their own mail as a verification

of management’s counts.o Time recorded in Column 30 and subtracted

from actual time worked for mail count statisticso No compensation

COUNTING YOUR MAIL

Undeliverable mail is not to be held back bymanagers or clerks

May remove plastic wrap, strings, bands etc.to properly counto Should not remove missent mail from bundles

unless this is standard practice followed all yearlong

PRE-SORT MAIL

Normal flow of mail should be ensuredo No extra efforts to clear out mail before counto No curtailment of clerk hours on the last day of count

Boxholders available during count must be countedunless a specific date of delivery is committed

Carriers should follow normal practices for casingmail upon return from route

Mailer-requested delivery dates should be honored

If carriers perform any withdrawal functions-allowance is added

No change from remainder of yearNumber of withdrawals required

o Upon Reportingo Two additional in morningo Final withdrawal of Hot Caseo Upon return from route

Carriers who DO NOT get withdrawal allowanceo Final withdrawal of Hot Case in conjunction with

loadingo All other mail should be placed at case or on

ledgeo No dumping of sacks

ALL OR NOTHING-No provision for partialcredit

If management proposes a change the unionmust be notifiedo Majority of regular carriers must vote to accept

the changeo Change applies to ALL carriers

Recording of DUVRS is part of withdrawalallowance

NOT part of withdrawal allowance:o Cutting straps or plastic wrap-carriers

responsibilityo Obtaining Parcel Hampers

• Should be within 50 feet of case• Additional Time in Column 17 if not

Joint Conference between rural carriers andmanagers-usually 20 minutes or less

Must be completed 15 days prior tobeginning of count (February 9, 2018)

Management’s last chance to introducechanges in procedures

Use a Checklist to make sure all importantissues are covered (pages 9-12 of MCG)

Carrier and management should sign the list

Combination work sheet and mail count recordUse a separate form for each day of countMake entries directly on the 4239PO-603, 535.11.c: “When management

completes Form 4239, it will be shown to thecarrier, upon request, before the mail is trayedor strapped out to allow verification of the countdata”

Attempt to resolve disputes immediately

Postmaster or manager who conducts thecount should sign every day.

Carrier should receive a copy each daySeparate 4239 for each Intermediate Office

o Sent back to head-out officeo Consolidated onto one 4239

Disagreements and disputes should bedocumented and dealt with as soon aspossible.

All letter-sized mail 6 1/8 inches or less inwidth (measured perpendicular to address)

Small magazines or catalogs 6 1/8 inches orless in width and 3/8 inches or less thick

Turn up every 50th or 100th piece in trayDetached address cards with a specific

addressPS Form 3982-R cased during count

3/8” 1 9/16”

6 1/8”

5”

18 ”

This mail piece does not exceed 6 1/8 inches. It would be recorded as a letter

DO NOT INCLUDEo Newspapers, Boxholders, Flats, Rollso Registered, Certified, COD, Express Mail or other

Accountable Mailo Small catalogs and magazines over 3/8 inch

thick

Undeliverable Mail should NOT be held backduring the counto Should not be removed from bundleso Management should open bundles only enough to

count the contents

Include here-DPS letters returned or whichwould have been returned from the street (if thecarrier cases DPS). These are not deductedfrom DPS totals (these letters receive a doublecredit)

All mail up to 6 1/8 inches in width(measured perpendicular to address)processed on USPS automated equipment insector/segment ordero Must be in place at least 30 days prior to counto All for same shelf-generally within 20” span

Enter the smaller amount of DPS Letter Mail(by zones) when route continually crossesbetween zones.

All mail up to 6 1/8 inches in width(measured perpendicular to address)processed on USPS automated equipmentas Delivery Point Sequence Mail.

Both POV and Government Vehicle (LLV)routes are entered here

If fewer then 2400 pieces of DPS letters perweek, system will default to Column 2.

DPS LETTERS

End of Run Report used to record volume ofDPS Letters

Additional time in Column 17 if DPS Lettersnot staged within 50 feet (round-trip) of case

Additional time in Column 17 if DPS trays arerandomly mixed and carrier has to moveother trays and locate

Only ONE DPS run is counted as DPS-the restare counted as Sector Segment

DPS LETTERS

If carrier crosses back and forth betweenzones, only the larger zone is entered asDPS. Smaller zone(s) as Sector Segment

ALL mail brought back from street (or mailthat WOULD have been brought back) iscredited in Column 1 and NOT deductedfrom Column 3

Rigid article in DPS counted as Parcel if itmeets the requirements

DPS LETTERS

Inverted DPSo 1 additional for every 4 inverted

Credit for Closed Business or Schoolo 7 pieces or less-Column 1o 8 pieces or more-one parcel in Column 6o NOT deducted from Column 3

Hand full of mail out of ordero Place in correct position in DPSo Part of Riffling Time

DPS LETTERS

Default from Letters and Parcelso Not a letter, not a parcel-must be a flat

More than 6 1/8 inches in width-measuredperpendicular to address

Rolled newspapers that will fit in separationwith other mail without damage

Flexible mail piece containing rigid article thatcan be cased with other mail without damage

Catalogs that fit in empty separationWeight is not a consideration

FLATS

FLATS

This piece exceeds 6 1/8 ” in height, it would be recorded as a flat in column 4.

NOT a Flato Simplified address articles-boxholderso Direct Bundleso Accountable Mail-Column 8

Helicopter Flat Credito 17.5% added to Flats totalo ONLY applies to mail processed on UFSM 1000

FLATS

Rigid article that exceeds any one of thefollowing dimensions:o 5 inches in height.o 18 inches in length.o 1 9/16 inches in width.

Height is measured perpendicular to theaddress

PARCELS

PARCELS

Rigid articles of the same size can be either flats or parcels depending on address orientation.

PARCELS

This article would be counted as a flat. It does not exceed any of the parcel dimensions.

PARCELS

It would be recorded as a parcel because it exceeds 1 9/16 inches in width.

PARCELS

This article is a hard (Rigid) mailing tube that exceeds 18 inches in length. It would be recorded as a parcel.

Non-rigid Articleo Does not fit in the separation with other mail

without damage-this is the KEYo 80% rule may apply

Direct Bundles from distribution caseSamples with specific address that meet the

parcel size requirements

PARCELS

Rigid article received in DPS (Letters or Flats)that meets the parcel dimensionrequirements

All parcels for VPO PO BoxesAll containers or bundles of mail for VPOs

PARCELS

Parcels for Closed Business or Schoolo Recorded as one parcel on day of receipt and

one parcel on day of delivery.o If non-signature scan is included, the scan is

also recorded on day of receipt and day ofdelivery.

PARCELS

One parcel credit for DPS letter mail received for delivery for a closed school or business when there are eight (8) pieces or more of mail, (seven (7) pieces or less are credited individually under column 1). This is not deducted from column 3.

PARCELS

DO NOT include in Column 6-Parcelso Parcels with detached labels-boxholderso Accountable Mailo Bundles tied out at case by carrier

PARCELS

Enter daily number of TOTAL boxholders-NOTsets

Includes all simplified address mail-includingsamples with simplified address

Counted only when deliveredBoxholder count must not exceed number of

families or boxes (as appropriate)Honor requested delivery dates Carriers have the option to handle boxholders

separately or case them

BOXHOLDERS

Enter total number of Accountable Mail pieces-anything requiring a signature

Do not enter these items in Columns 1, 2, 4, 6, or 10

With the new PS 3849 there is no longer a need to write in the item numbers

Scanner ties item# to form.No changes in any allowances

REGISTERED, CERTIFIED, NUMBERED INSURED, EXPRESS MAIL, OTHER ACCOUNTABLE MAIL

Location of Accountable Cage (or locationwhere accountable items are obtained)o If not within 50 feet (round trip) of the case-

additional credit in Column 17 at .00429 minutesper foot round trip beyond 50 feet

Location of Accountable Cage (whereaccountable items are cleared)o If not within 50 feet (round trip) of the case-

additional credit in Column 17 at .00429 minutesper foot round trip beyond 50 feet


Include in this Columno Accountable items found in DPSo Accountable items for VPO PO Boxeso Restricted Delivery Items prepared by clerko Adult Signature Services

Management is NOT to withhold ExpressMail normally delivered by the carrier


Enter total number received for delivery dailyEnter CODs and Customs Due received for

VPO PO Boxes

Enter the number of Postage Due Articles takenout for deliveryo Bundles labeled by clerk with a total postage dueo Single pieces of postage due mailo Postage Due for VPO PO Boxeso Double credit for postage due parcel (Column 6 and

Column 10)o Not required to take to door unless a parcel that

does not fit in mail receptacle which would normallyrequire attempt at door.

Enter total number of the following forms thatcarrier is required to process:o PS Form 3575-COAo PS Form 3575-Z-Employee Generated COA

• “Hold for Order” that expires during count

o PS Form 3546-Official Change/Correction to COAo PS Form 8076-Authorization to Hold Mail (only if

required to transfer information to 1564-B, 3982,etc.)

o ***None of the above should be accumulated before or during count.

COAs

Credit is given on the day the 3982 Label isreceived by the carrier

Management should distribute as receivedCredit only 3982 Label or COA Card

processed and entered in Column 11-notboth

CFS YELLOW LABELS

Total number of mail pieces or bundlesmarked up as per DMM Section 507o Do not include missorted mailo Do not include hand-off mail

MARK UPS

Individual Piece Mark Up Credito Deceasedo CFS-No Record Mailo Forwardable parcel requiring hand mark upo Any pieces where the manager requires carrier

to correct spelling or numbers for CFSo Processing of 3982-Ro Any additional pieces or bundles required to be

marked as 3M mail etc.

MARK UPS

Mark Up Credit for Bundles of:

MARK UPS

Insufficient Address (IA) Temporarily Away (TA).

Attempted Not Known (ANK). Unclaimed (UNC).

In Dispute (DIS). Mail returned from full box the second time

No Such Number (NSN). Vacant (VAC).

No Such Street (NSS). Illegible (ILL).

Unable to Forward (UTF). Undeliverable Bulk Business Mail (UBBM).

No Mail Receptacle (NMR). Other Undeliverable Bulk Business Mail.

Refused (REF). Excess Boxholder Mail.

Enter the number completed each dayo This form is a requirement in the PO-603,

Section 431.4o Not required if carrier has no Accountable Mailo Should be used year round

Separate form for each COD deliveredOne form for all CODs not deliveredSeparate 3821 for each Intermediate office

CLEARANCE RECEIPT

Each “Delivery Confirmation” or “USPSTracking #” barcode scanned

All PS Forms 5630-Shipment ConfirmationAcceptance Notice scans

All Carrier Pickup Manifests scannedDelivery Unit Saturation and Bundle scansPrepaid Acceptance scans

SCANS

All non-signature scan items for VPOsFollow Guidelines in PO-610Any additional scans required by

management

SCANS

Actual time to transfer mail from case to vehicleincluding:o Taking mail from case to vehicleo Placing mail in vehicleo Returning equipment to designated locationo ACTUAL time (minutes and seconds)o NO “negotiated” times

Does not include time to place mail in hamperor gurney unless this cannot be done duringstrap out-usually due to space limitations

ACTUAL LOADING TIME

Does include time to place bundles of boxholders in gurney or hamper

Does include final withdrawal of Hot Case if carrier does not get Withdrawal Allowance

Does not include time for arranging parcels in sequence (Evaluated routes not to do scanning and sorting to zones in LLV)

Does not include time to obtain parcel hamper-but 50-foot rule does apply

ACTUAL LOADING TIME

Reasonable time allowance for recurringduties

Must be:o Authorized or required by managemento Recurring in nature (Daily or Weekly)o Not covered in any other allowance

No rounding-actual time in minutes/secondsNo locally negotiated times

From PO-603o Placing CFS in designated locationo Afternoon closing duties on ANY day of weeko 15 minutes/day minimum for non-personnel unitso Does NOT go in Column 17 (credited automatically)

• Personal Time• Stamp Stock• USPS Vehicle Time Allowance• Scanner Setup and Return• NDCBU Collection Compartments or Parcel Lockers

TYPICAL COLUMN 17 ENTRIESRiffling time for DPS letters-includes MHTS process

Customer questions or phone calls at PO

Repeated talks on Saturday

Returning Business Reply Mail to designated location

Additional time if scanner is not located within reasonable distance

Time to take vacation hold mail to proper location if not at case

Changes to Edit Sheets Weekly Safety Talks Travel to and from Throw-back case

Obtain and return Arrow key IF NO ACCOUNTABLES(50-foot rue does NOT apply)

Weekly Service Talks Travel to and from 3M Case if required

TYPICAL COLUMN 17 ENTRIESTime to unlock, sweep, scan, close and lock bluecollection boxes

Stamp Stock at Intermediate office

Casing Mail at VPOs

Time to handle key for gated communities

Depositing Collection Mail in more than 2 separations

Unlocking/Locking doors at Intermediate office(s)

Unusual Dismounts-elevators, inordinate number of stairs, locked doors etc.

Separating parcels by zip if required

Moving trays in a conveyance to locate DPS letter trays

Reloading satchel Putting “Notice Left” parcels on shelf if required

15 Seconds per tray of DPS Flats

SPM Scans

UNUSUAL COLUMN 17 STEP 4 SETTLEMENTS• Removing Floor Mats• Train Crossings if regular and recurring• Required use of or relocation of hamper when

returning to office• Scanner pickup/return if not in conjunction with

other activities and not within a reasonabledistance

50-Foot Rule Applications .00429 min/ft. over 50 feet round trip for:Retrieval of Parcel HamperObtaining Accountable items in morningReturn of Accountable items to Accountable

Cage upon return from routeRetrieval of DPS Letter Mail

Record in Column 17 Daily

Total Number of Daily Authorized Dismountso See PO-603 Section 313

• Includes VPOs• Collection boxes• Intermediate Offices• Non-Personnel Units• Apartments, centralized equipment• Businesses/Schools• Hardship deliveries

o Do not include on day(s) school or business isclosed

DISMOUNTS

Authorized dismount distance in feet-measure with mechanical device

Distance could vary daily depending on number of dismounts made and number of trips at each dismount

Must use most direct or efficient distance available to the carrier at least 90% of the time (No parking in fire lanes or handicap)

DISMOUNT DISTANCE

Total number of letters and flats collected onthe route

Bundled or trayed/containered mail counts asone piece

Do not count mail from blue collection boxes orNDCBU Collection Compartments

One piece for each 3982-R brought back fromroute

Additional time in Column 17 for more than 2separations of collection mail

LETTERS/FLATS COLLECTED

Enter one event for each address where:o Carrier receives official CPU requests through MyPO

oro Management directs carrier to go to door to collect

parcels or CPU itemsor

o Carrier collects pre-paid parcels, MerchandiseReturn Service items or Parcel Return Service itemsover 2 pounds at the mailbox or at a normaldismount delivery point

Generally, mail count should include all CPUevents/locations on the route

CARRIER PICKUP

Enter each of the following collected in conjunction with aCarrier Pickup Event in Column 21:o Priority Mail Expresso Priority Mailo Priority Mail Express Internationalo Global Express Guaranteedo Priority Mail Internationalo USPS Return Serviceo Parcel return Serviceo Prepaid parcel over 2 pounds

Sacks of parcels receive one credit unless carrier is requiredto open sack and scan each item

• Do not include obvious letter and flat pieces

CPU ITEMS

Record number of parcels collected thatrequired carrier to weight, rate and affixpostage

No obvious letter or flat mail-no pre-paidparcels

Carrier may get assistance from clerk-stillgets credit

Carrier cannot be required to stand in line inlobby

PARCELS COLLECTED

Enter all Registered and Certified mailcollected in which Carrier completes ONE ofthe following:o Weigh, rate and affix postage with or without

clerk assistanceo Postmark the receipt and return to customero Issue receipt via Form 3800 or 3896-with or

without clerk assistance

Also include Certificates of Mailing

Enter on Form 4239 the weight (rounded tothe nearest whole pound) of all mail,including outside pieces, to or fromdesignated offices daily.

Special circumstances may exist for out ofthe ordinary “Locked Pouch” stops.o May be credited like any other delivery stopo Discuss in Pre-count Conference

LOCKED POUCH WEIGHT

Number of minutes carrier spent waiting formail after official start time.

Does NOT affect route evaluation

WAITING TIME

Number of minutes carrier actually used tocount mail or verify counts.

Does NOT affect the route evaluation

COUNTING TIME

Items automatically credited to each RuralRoute evaluationo Stamp Stock/Rural Reach Credit (20 minutes/week)o Scanner (retrieval/setup/return) (6 minutes/week)o Strapping out (based on formula, PO-603, 543.1)o Other office & personal time (30 minutes/week)o Withdrawing mail (30 minutes/week), if appropriateo USPS vehicle allowance (minimum 30

minutes/week) , if appropriateo Reload/ Unload (18 minutes/week)

Form 3982-R Rural Boxholder Non-DeliveryRequest (RBNR)o One mark up for transferring info on 3982-R or

annotating or discarding reinstatemento One piece in Column 1 for casing 3982-Ro One piece in Column 20 for bringing back 3982-

R from street

DPS Riffling Process and MHTSo Assuming No Breaker Cards in useo Carrier chooses a few intervals in each tray and

checks mail pieces for proper sequenceo Carrier also retrieves any errors identified by

MHTSo Pull out handfuls of out-of-sequence mail and

put in proper placeo ALL of the above-actual time in Column 17

Edit Book-Column 17 Credito An average weekly time required for the Edit

Book and associated worksheet additions,deletions and reviews will be included in ColumnR (17) time for the route during the mail count.

• Ref: Edit Book Q and A, March 18, 2004 No. 17

Regular Carriers Working Relief Dayo All contractual provisions must be followedo RCA is entitled to work the route on the relief dayo Article 30.2.D takes precedence over Article

9.2.C.5.i

Manager must meet with each regular carrier todiscuss options:o High - Higher pay, but less time off (J or H route)o Low - Lower pay, but more time off (K or J route)

Requirements for High Optiono Route’s evaluation must fall in more than one route classification

(standard hours between 44:11 and 50:43)o In order to be eligible for high option the regular carrier must have a

minimum of ten years of service from his/her retirementcomputation date.

o Demonstrated no 2080 problems previous yearo Commit in writing to use sufficient annual leave (not LWOP) so as

not to exceed 2080 hrs.

Form 4241 contains two (2) signature blocks for the regular carrierto sign. One block pertains to the certification of the mail counttotals. The carrier should not sign this block if he/she disagrees withthe count totals.

The second block is signed only if the regular carrier is eligible anddesires to elect the higher route classification. By signing, the ruralcarrier agrees to use sufficient annual leave during the guaranteeperiod to assure that the total actual work hours will not exceed2080 during the guarantee period. Failure to sign will result in theroute being classified in the low option. Signing this block has noeffect if the route/carrier is not eligible for high option.

Signing the leave commitment box does not signify that you agreewith the mail count

Do not mark the option as High if the regularcarrier does not have a minimum of ten years ofservice from his/her retirement computationdate

Appropriate markings and carrier signaturemust be documented for route to be placed inhigh option.

Carriers are not required to sign the leavecommitment unless they are eligible for, anddesire, High Option.

Attempt to resolve disagreements at the local levelo Disputed items must be brought to managers attention

prior to casing and delivery If disagreement cannot be resolved locally

o Provide written details to Postmaster for review &resolution.

o If not resolved:• Mail a copy to the NRLCA District Representative (or designee)• District will evaluate and provide written reply to local

management• Local management will advise the carrier in writing• If carrier is not satisfied with decision, grievance procedure is

next step

REMEMBER THIS IS YOUR PAYCHECK!

IF YOU HAVE PROBLEMS LET SOMEONE KNOW AS SOON AS THEY OCCUR AND THOROUGHLY

DOCUMENT ALL DISPUTED ITEMS!

QUESTIONS?