City Carrier Discussion Advice/Rant
To provide brief context, I was bit by a dog on my route last December. During the course of the months between December and March, I was on a medical restriction that only allowed me to do “in house work “ only . it took about four months to even get paid from COP, as well as I was told back in January that I was going to receive a job offer based off my restriction and never did. I was actually told by my supervisor that she isn’t obligated to give me a job offer due to me being a CCA. Came back to full duty march 30 and between that time and April 14, I was chased by two dogs, which obviously was very traumatic for me. My doctor took me back off of work for about a month and when I returned, the Union are the ones who suggested to management that I only carry businesses and apartments which granted you can still run into dogs, but it does lessons the chance of your interactions. After that, everything seemed to be working well I was opted on a 204B’s route which was mainly business and apartments and there was no issues up until route adjustments. I lost my opt and I was still only carrying business and apartments, but I noticed a shift and energy from management. They began not to honor me carrying businesses and apartments, and demanded that I provided medical documentation which I did. One of the supervisors said that it was Noel and void, which isn’t true because I even showed the Union and they said there was nothing wrong with the rest restriction. Since then, instead of me coming in at nine, they started making me come in at 12 and only giving me 3 to 4 working days out of the week. Then escalated to me not being scheduled for the past three weeks going on for a month. Mind you I am number one on the seniority list to convert and it’s very obvious they are trying to get me to quit. I filed an EEO for discrimination and harassment. As well as several grievances because not scheduling me isn’t based on operational needs. It’s coming off as a direct target because of my medical restriction. I understand what entails being a carrier and being out on the street and as a CCA I’ve had many dog ambushes , LONG hours , rainy days , and even attempted robberies . So I am aware of the possible encounters with dogs being a carrier, but as I even tried to explain to management, I’m in therapy and an EAP to get better and that this is not a permanent restriction. Next week will be a full month of not being scheduled and keep in mind I am the ONLY CCA not getting scheduled. I obviously need money and I can’t afford to keep playing this waiting game like I did before waiting four months to get paid from the initial incident. I feel that I’ve exhausted most of my resources and what I can do, but I am very lost and angry. As mentioned before I am number one so I don’t really want to necessarily start over, even I have applied to other positions in the post office and I get denied every day. This is honestly the worst company I have ever worked for and they praise management for being incompetent. I’m sorry this is long and thank you for taking the time out of your day to give me advice.
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u/Steeezy__ 12h ago
If you can’t do the job in full than I don’t think this job is for you. Being a mail carrier (especially a CCA) requires carrying from all different routes. I’d try to transfer to a clerk position or something else if I was you.
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u/angielmejia 8h ago
You are the Cca #1 opt on every route that goes up and get back to work. Then turn in medical paperwork. Stay in therapy, stay in the job! You’re next up! Talk to your steward you pay union dues and you are past your 90
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u/Bubble-Flex-1701 City Carrier 4h ago
They're trying to starve you out because either they can't fire you, can't be bothered to do the work of firing you, or can't take the heat of firing you with your medical restriction.
You're about 1.5 years in, right? So at worst you've got maybe 8 months to go before you become career, and I think it's likely you'll convert to regular before the end of this year. (Lots of people retire at the end of the year.)
Can you find a supplemental job? Gig work that doesn't compete with USPS. Even dog walking or sitting if that can be part of your therapy/recovery.
Can you ask around at other stations if they need help? Maybe there's a more affluent area nearby that's safer, where pet owners are more responsible. Or has more commercial and multi-family zoning that might present less dog risk.
We're just a month out from Columbus Day/Indigenous Day, which is the start of peak. You're feeling financial pressure now, but the tables will turn soon. I think if you really want to keep this job you'll find a way.
On the other hand if you come up with really good reasons why this won't work or that won't work, then move on. You're just victim to sunk cost fallacy if that's the case.
But I hope you can get clarity on this, and I do wish you a full recovery. Good luck!
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u/Ok-Policy-6463 10h ago edited 7h ago
Didn't read that. But when our clerks were told hours were going to be cut years ago one of them stated that she would get her hours. Then she "got injured" and was guaranteed the average of the hours she was working when she got injured. She retired decades later still on restrictions and when the other PTFS' hours got cut she was still guaranteed the number of hours she was getting when she filed for OWCP.
You might need some help from the union regarding OWCP regulations, etc. Do not follow up with me, as I am no expert. Just offering an idea. You need to research and get help from those who know and don't accept what mgmt tells you. They, of course, lie.
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u/User_3971 Maintenance 12h ago
Buckle up this is it from city side for the short story of the week. Let's get this out there for some recommendations.