Saturday, March 29, 2008

Wildlife Count

Midway through my route today, I spotted something, or more specifically some things, on the road. I immediately slowed down because, as I moved closer, it obviously was a covey of quail.

I am excited as around this part of Kansas, we don’t see as many quail as in years past. Also, it was a particularly hard winter, with several severe ice storms. It is a good sign the birds are out on the road, perhaps enjoying bits of salt.

The quail prompted me to remember my early days as a carrier when we conducted wildlife counts twice a year. Management brought each carrier a list of animals with columns for each day of the week. The list included rabbits, squirrel, quail, and pheasant. Deer might have also been on the list. Let's see, were box turtles on the list? I don’t think so, I added them at the bottom just so I had more things to count.

The rural carrier wildlife count was an important measurement for the Kansas Wildlife and Parks (probably then Kansas Fish and Game). I wonder why we are no longer asked to do this task.

Probably someone thought it is not part of our job description or could be a safety hazard. It is too bad because I was conscientious and considered it a fun assignment.

Sunday, March 16, 2008

A Sad Goodbye

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By LindaK

I am going to miss Sonoma, always dependable, hardly ever disagreeable and my best friend in the post office. However, it is time for her to have less stress and hard work. Lately, she has developed several illnesses that could be considered terminal unless she retires and takes it easy. Hopefully, she will find a new home, living out her days carrying fishing gear.

The replacement 2000 S10 is not nearly as nice looking and has a bad complexion (a few minor dents). He will be OK, but I am loyal to my old friends. He will have to earn my respect.

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Mail Count is history.

Mail count is over, thankfully. I observed to a friend that mail count brings out the worst in everyone.

All I want is a fair count. Read the rules and stand by them.

I am not going to rant about how much mail we received the two days following mail count. It serves no purpose. It is over; we have to live with what we received.

Here are my results. Our last count two years ago was 51 hours 42 minutes with 394 boxes. My just completed count was 52 hours 4 minutes with 404 boxes.

Those two results show how much the mail has declined the past two years. I am still a 43K. The flats were noticeably down but more parcels, scans. accountable mail, as well as the ten additional boxes, saved me from a loss.

I actually had accumulated the 13 boxes necessary to increase to a 44K before the count, but due to moves and slow home sales, I did not fill vacant homes in the 90 days necessary. I also have two new constructions, but no mailbox up. That is one thing our postmaster has been consistent about over the years, no mailbox, no count.

It is easy after the fact to think a couple more boxes here, a few more flats counted as parcels there and I would be making over $1,000 more this year.

I am telling myself to just be thankful for a good job, good health insurance and hopefully, adequate retirement. What ifs are not worth the stress. I hear rumblings that many carriers on L Routes lost significant evaluation. I feel lucky.

Now maybe we can settle down and enjoy the beautiful spring weather that is finally coming our way

NOTE: Click here and follow the links for a route calculator and here for a Table of Evaluated Hours for Regular Rural Routes.

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Update on Sick Leave Reimbursement Bill

Rep. James Moran D VA, is introducing the sick leave reimbursement bill on Monday, March 10th, reported in today's Federal Times.

Terms are 10% of high three hourly wage for all but first 500 hours unused sick leave.

Frankly, I do not know how to figure my hourly wage since I have overtime built into it. It appears the higher your salary, the more you will get back. Even though I will have 1500 hours unused sick leave, I will not receive the maximum $10,000.

Quoting from the article:

Moran’s bill would provide employees retiring under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) up to $10,000 in compensation. Employees would be paid 10 percent of the hourly average of their three highest salaries for all but the first 500 hours of their unused sick leave
.

Sunday, March 2, 2008

Mail Count So Far Here At Berryton

Half way through mail count and we are still treading water, but don’t think we’re gaining.

Of course, the last week of the month is sometimes slow. With no “Hallmark” holiday, the first class mail is limited to bills. For my 403 customer route, I usually get five to six feet of letters. Two days last week, I only had four feet.

The flats were conspicuously down. We were all very concerned. Finally toward the end of the week, the magazines picked up. I noticed there were quite a few dated advertisements ready for Monday delivery when I left yesterday.

Our only “discussions” have been over flat versus parcel. I always try to present my side. Then we have to bring out the ruler. I have won a few; however, our postmaster is good about checking sizes so I feel we usually get a fair count.

I’ve been lucky in that I’ve had a steady stream of Certified letters and a few COAs. Last mail count I was unusually short in that column. Anytime we have a positive change over last mail count is a bonus.

Finally, I am definitely missing my carrier pickup orders. There were about five orders a week previously. I have had ONE since the count began. And, this time it rolls into our route evaluation. All I can hope is that my Ebayers sell some things this weekend!

I have not figured my route. I make it a point not to do that. It is stressful and proves very little. We’ll see next weekend. Good luck!

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