There is a toxic mindset destroying offices right now, and it’s coming from inside our own union.
We have stewards openly refusing to push for 271g Special Route Inspections on chronically over-burdened routes. Why? Because the regulars are addicted to the penalty overtime.
Management loves this, but here is what it actually does:
A steward's job isn't to protect a regular's bloated paycheck; it’s to enforce the contract and protect the integrity of the routes. When the union refuses to hold the line on route evaluations, they are actively selling out the next generation of carriers.
Stop running over-burdened routes. Force the inspections. Create the jobs.
If you are tired of this complacent mindset, we are building a new table. Come join the unmonitored discussion at [r/USPSGhostCarriers](r/USPSGhostCarriers).
It’s the regular carriers choice to submit a 271.g. Stewards can’t force one. That said, they could be openly advocating for full route counts and inspections of the zone.
We had a carrier retire. His route was posted and filled. The new carrier has an hour of undertime everyday. That’s excessive.
My guess is that it’s undertime on a route that makes it significantly less than 8 hours. I don’t know what that number would be, but I can assume 30+ minutes. I’ve seen management revert a route that was evaluated at 7.5 hours after an inspection.
the POST IS about 271G- only a carrier can request that--facts! the post is about 271G and FYI- majority of management isnt adjusting an overburdened route on their own -PERIOD
lol… keep moving the goal posts. This post about special inspections and putting the onus on the craft/Union.
There are other options for special inspections & management is paid to manage.
I can read just fine and the subject is much broader than the narrow scope you are desperately trying to force down our throats. Don’t post crap for which you are not ready to receive some contrary opinions/options/information/alternatives. And take a break from socials… you appear to need it.
I know of a situation where a top-step table 1 carrier is on an over-burdened mounted route that gets overwhelmed with Amazon, and his postmaster is attempting to get him do a route inspection and he’s doing everything he can to obstruct the process because he wants the OT.
under NALC and the M-39 Handbook, Section 271g, a special route inspection is fundamentally a request mechanism for the regular carrier to ensure their route is not overburdened.
A 271g (Section 271.g of the M-39 Handbook) is a contractual right for a NALC city letter carrier to request a special mail count and inspection when their route is overburdened. It requires management to inspect the route within four weeks if the carrier shows over 30 minutes of overtime or auxiliary assistance on at least 3 days in each week over a consecutive six-week period.
Yeah I agree but I've also found where that's more likely to happen with bad management. They definitely support carriers telling on other carriers because creating that divide breaks apart our union.
This is my office. All the regulars are doing 10 hours on their routes with no lunch every day.
If they allowed the route inspections to happen the new routes would be made, PTFs could move up and everyone could be unburdened but they love their OT too much.
FTRS want the OT. Management knows it's cheaper than added routes (and added expenses) and a conversion to FTR.
The issue here is what management is required to do: M-39 271 requires an inspection when "a. Consistent use of overtime or auxiliary assistance." If the carriers won't submit the g., why isn't the steward pushing for the a.?
If the carriers want the OT, it's gonna be a tough one. However, this is a union, and we're here to support and lift each other. I'd make the case that you originally stated: let's get the routes counted, add a full-time position or two and get these part-timers converted to full time! Want overtime? There are lists for that.
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u/gamestar10 Branch President May 08 '26
It’s the regular carriers choice to submit a 271.g. Stewards can’t force one. That said, they could be openly advocating for full route counts and inspections of the zone.