New Salary Chart effective 11/21/2009

Thanks to the FLRLCA for this chart

http://www.divshare.com/direct/9542629-23f.pdf

And here is the info for RCAs and PTFs


New salary charts (effective 11-21-2009, PP 25-2009) attached. This increase will be reflected in paychecks dated 12-11-2009.



New RCA rates are $18.50, Schedule 1; $22.02, Schedule 2

Schedule 1 applies to Rural Carrier Associates hired beginning August 24, 1991
Schedule 2 applies to Rural Carrier Associates and Rural Carrier Relief Employees on the rolls prior to August 24, 1991.



PTF Rates:

Step A 20.23

B 21.97

C 22.59

1 23.89

2 24.08

3 24.28

4 24.47

5 24.67

6 24.86

7 25.05

8 25.25

9 25.44

10 25.64

11 25.84

12 26.03

Heart Failure Program Announcement

National Rural Letter Carriers' Association: "The National Rural Letter Carriers’ Association is pleased to announce that, beginning January 1, 2010 AccordantCare™, a division of CVS Caremark, will now provide education and support for Rural Carrier Benefit Plan (RCBP) members currently living with heart failure. Our current heart failure program with American Healthways will end on December 31, 2009. Please click here for more information."

Important News for Rural Carrier Benefit Plan Members Living in Dayton, Ohio Area

National Rural Letter Carriers' Association: "There has been a change to the Preferred Provider (PPO) network in the Greater Dayton, Ohio area. Beginning January 1, 2010, Premier Health Partners facilities will discontinue participation in the Plan’s PPO network. Please click here for the list of area hospitals that will no longer participate beginning on January 1, followed by the area hospitals that will continue to participate in 2010."

As Jay sees it.... The evaluated system...

I am disturbed by what was bound to happen and yet I held off for as long as I could both financially and philosophically, and yet after much pain I have finally been reduced to what can only be a humbled and and certainly distraught rural letter carrier. I have for many years sacrificed for this Association as have many of you have, Union meetings, Conventions, answering phone calls at all hours from distraught carriers, filing grievances and standing up to management at all levels to advance the rural carriers I work for and even those Nationwide. Finally I've been reduced to where I'm left with no options and because of the choices I made it has created a hardship on those I care about, from my family to those that I lovingly refer to as my flock ( the carriers I represent as local steward).

I imagine by now most are thinking what is he rambling about and now I will tell you. Since the 2008 mail count, my route has been diminished to an H route, you have heard me before about the losses incurred and my concerns about the evaluated system. I would hope by now you all would have received your November, 2009 Convention Issue of the National Rural Letter Carrier, I would like for you to read if nothing else the statement from Michael J. Gan, general counsel (page 598 thru 601). This is where this leads the future of the evaluated system.

Yesterday Nov. 21, 2009 after 25 yrs of service for the USPS I was finally forced to work six days a week. I have used annual, sick, z time and LWOP for the past year and 3/4 in order to not be put in this position and yet here I am. I know a lot of you are thinking of the gall I have, you have been doing this for years, or big deal! I will tell you why it's a big deal at least to me, my RCA is unofficially unemployed now. We have all been through the ordeal of being forced to work the days after the holidays the Saturdays the routes we've never seen before ( I could go on and on) all with the hope of one day going regular, and yes even though they are not guaranteed any work the hope of advancing is the incentive, and yesterday my RCA was basically informed it's been a pleasure but bye.

I know that many may think this is no big deal, but once you read the aforementioned article and see the angst about the future of the evaluated system and it's uniqueness in the modern work force, you may begin to understand the future of those that have sacrificed so we could go to Dr appointments and be with our families after holiday's or even when were sick. I am disappointed yes, I am angry most of all and I'm disappointed that because of the continued losses inured by our system of pay, " The fact is that even with its imperfections, the evaluated system has worked for decades, but it is fragile, it is fragile now and must be handled with care and, mark my words, it will no longer work if the Postal Service sees fit to blame you for your efficiencies" (Michael J. Gann, 2009 National Convention).

I submit that the system is not fragile but broken, and with the average carrier working " five and a quarter hours per week under evaluation" do you really believe the USPS intends to bargain in good faith in the 2010 National agreement bargaining table then I believe you are mistaken. And to my RCA I will continue to use all my powers to get you work, I'm sorry.

And Thats The Way Jay Sees It

General Wage Increase of 1.5% Effective November 21, 2009

National Rural Letter Carriers' Association: "A contractual general wage increase of 1.5% of the salary schedule in effect on September 2, 2006 will be effective November 21, 2009 for all rural carriers, including leave replacements. A new salary chart will be posted on www.nrlca.org and in the magazine as soon as it is available."

Great online tool to help you compare health plans..

PlanSmartChoice™ - Registration: "An online suite of health plan selection tools that is free to all federal employees and non-Medicare eligible retirees."

Mutual Understanding of MOU 7, when a Regular Carrier bids on a posting involving a route consolidation in accordance with Article 12.3.A.1.c.

National Rural Letter Carriers' Association

http://www.divshare.com/direct/9272609-70f.pdf

2009 Christmas Pay Procedures for Rural Carriers

Christmas Pay Procedures for Rural Carriers: "The 2009 Christmas period for rural carriers begins Saturday, December 5, 2009 (Week 1, Pay Period (PP) 26-09), and ends Friday, December 25, 2009, Week 1 of PP 01-10. During this period, certain timekeeping and pay rules apply. Time�keepers, including postmasters, supervisors, and other employees responsible for rural carrier time and attendance record�ing, should become familiar with Article 9.2.K., Christmas Allowances and Procedures, of the 2006 USPS/National Rural Letter Carriers’ Association (NRLCA) Agreement."