USPS City Carrier Assistant Buy-Back Option: October 2015

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

One Thing at a Time but....

Some may think that I am throwing too much in the air. I just want everyone that is an employee to have a voice. If no one else wants to do it, then I will take the challenge. My purpose for doing this is not only for myself but for fellow carriers as well.

The California State Association of Letter Carriers have brought several issues to the forefront and I am in full support of all of their efforts. Here is something else that my union president and I discussed a few years back and to my surprise the CSALC were already a step ahead. This issue may not be that big of a deal to some but to me I feel as if it is just as important as the Buy Back Option. Take a look below:

Whereas:City Carrier Assistants, CCA's, are called the "new" PTFs by the USPS and the NALC

Whereas: CCA's pay the same dues as career letter carriers

Whereas:The PTFs are entitled to use annual/casual leave up to hours earned on the vacation board

are able to carryover the maximum hours of annual leave allowed, 440 hours

Whereas: CCA's are required to work 6-7 days a week, 10-12 hours per day as needed. CCa's are at the mercy of Postal Management for a day off, vacation time or casual leave

Whereas:SOME CCA's have already worked for the USPS as casuals or TE's for seven years or more and have remained loyal to the Postal Service even though their pay was cut by nearly $6.00

Whereas:CCA's being included in annual/casual leave bidding will add more leave slots available for bid to all letter carriers

Be it Resolved:That the NALC negotiate with the USPS to include CCA's in the National Agreement, Article 10

Be it Further Resolved: That the NALC negotiate with the USPS to allow CCA's to carryover the maximum number hours of annual leave, currently 440 hours

Be it Further Resolved: That the NALC negotiate with the USPS that CCA's may use 5 days of annual leave during their break in service, but not be required to do so

Sunday, October 11, 2015

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Published by YouTube September 23 at 7:59pm

USPS CCA: City Carrier Assistant

Looking for a career change in an industry that’s challenging yet rewarding? Then you may be a good fit for our City Carrier Assistant position! Learn straig...

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Friday, October 9, 2015

I have received messages that some did not see the post on the CCA/Non-Career Buy Back Option so I am posting it again.

CCA / Non – Career Buy Back Option

Whereas: The law creating the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) does not allow Letter Carriers to buy back non-career Postal Service or federal Government service time if it was served on or after January 1, 1989, and

Whereas: The Postal Service is moving more toward the hiring of city carrier assistants (CCAs) who are
not allowed to make a deposit into any retirement system, and

Whereas: These CCA letter carriers may invest many years with the Postal Service, and

Whereas: The CCA and other letter carriers who have served in a non-career capacity in the Postal Service or another Federal government agency (non-deduction service) would benefit from being allowed to buy back their time with the Postal Service and/or the federal government so they could have credit toward their retirement, therefore be it

Resolved: that if these CCAs become Career Employees, they will be immediately allowed to buy back all service time with the Postal Service, and that CCAs and all letter carriers who have served as TE’s, casuals, or any other temporary carrier capacity, who become Career Employees and current career Letter Carriers will be immediately allowed to buy back all non-deduction service time with the Postal Service and/or another Federal Government agency.

Submitted by the City Carrier Assistants of Branch 1630.

Understanding The Retirement Plan

Hello fellow carriers! I said I would post weekly to give updates on my transition from CCA to Regular. Well, I have ran into a new obstacle this week and I figured that I would share it so that others could learn. As you know, I am enrolled in the CCA retirement plan so that no matter how long you are in the position, something good can come from it. I enrolled in the retirement plan as soon as the MBA introduced it. Earlier this week, I called to have the plan transferred to my TSP plan, as the brochure said it would do. What the brochure doesn't say is that if you decide to use the Roth IRA instead of the Traditional IRA that it will not transfer. As a matter of fact, this is what it says:

City Carrier Assistants who participate in the plan may transfer their Traditional or Roth IRA funds to the Thrift Savings Plan once they become career letter carriers. The surrender charge will be waived in this instance only.

I addressed this to the MBA and also mentioned that they may want to update their brochure. I encourage you all to be mindful of what you are choosing and if you do want to enroll, make sure you choose the Traditional IRA so that it can be transferred. I have informed some union reps and they are looking into it. Hopefully something comes out of that and I may be posting a new blog on some changes. Thank you for reading and until next time, keep informing others on the BUY BACK OPTION. Time is running out!

Saturday, October 3, 2015

City Carrier Assistant to Regular Carrier Transition

First of all, I would like to apologize for such a late post. It has definitely been a transition in my life. Although I am very thankful for the change it's going to take some getting used to. I know that you would think that it would be easy but its a lot to learn all at once. First, management has a hard time remembering that you are now a regular and that you will not be getting a part route(this is if you are not on the Overtime Desired List of course).I do not plan on being on the ODL for a while, its time to rest. The first week nothing really happens. You are waiting for management to cut you a new PS Form 50, which will eventually come in the mail. I have yet to receive mine but if you go to liteblue and click on the personnel folder you will be able to view it as early as the following week. This week I was able to enroll in TSP, FEHB, and FEDVIP. There are several plans to choose from and this site will help you with health insurance (https://www.fepblue.org/en/benefit-plans/enrollment/) and this site with dental and vision (https://www.fepblue.org/en/benefit-plans/coverage/dental-and-vision/). You will use Postal Ease to enroll in the benefits and this was available the next Sunday after the day I made regular. Also do not, I repeat DO NOT expect your pay to change immediately. This will take about two pay periods and the postal service will back pay you from the time you made regular. If you are participating in the CCA Retirement Program and you are wanting to transfer your funds to your TSP here is the number to the MBA 202-638-4318 and they are only available Monday- Friday 8 a.m.-3:30 EST. So far it has been a great adjustment and I actually look forward to going to work. I feel for the fellow CCA's that are in our office because there are times where they are abused and I can definitely empathize with them. I always told the regulars in our office that I would be an irregular regular because I understand what its like to be on the other side. I am the first CCA to be converted in our office and the other CCA's where losing hope and needless to say, so was I. All I can say to them is hold on and that it will get better once you cross the threshold. All over, I will probably repeat this after every post. Remember the purpose of this blog, everyone should get involved in pushing the CCA buy back option. It is the very first post on this blog and I advise to everyone not only CCA's to get involved, get your unions involved, and take a stand for what is right and what is due to everyone that has given time to the Postal Service. Thank you for reading.