Classes of Mail

Settle in, this is a long one. We'll read all of Article 7, and I'll try out a new accent.

Staying organized is critical to your success as a letter carrier. It makes the day go smoother, and it helps to cut down on mistakes. I'll talk about some strategies for getting yourself organized, and I'll go over my own personal methods.

Today I'll read Articles 5 and 6 of the Joint Contract Administration Manual.

The M-41 is the manual that describes the proper way for letter carriers to do their work. In this episode, I'll talk about some of the highlights from the M-41. Surely you've read it from cover to cover, but just in case it's been a while, allow me to refresh your memory on a few finer points.

This week's episode features another reading from the JCAM. We'll tackle Articles 2, 3, and 4. As with the first episode, I will read the quotes from the contract in a poorly done accent. Enjoy!

This week's episode is a general guide for staying off of management's radar. I'll go over the things carriers do that land then in hot water, and I'll talk about ways you can avoid being subject to discipline from management.

Every two weeks, I will read a section (or more, or less, depending on length) of the JCAM, until we make our way through the entire thing. Is it boring? YOU BET! But I will try to read it in a lively manner, and, when reading language from the actual contract, I will attempt to read in an accent. Is it a poorly executed accent? YOU BET!

In this episode, I will go over some of the newer features in the MDD scanner. There are some useful tools that make the job easier, especially route maintenance. There is one error in the episode (that I know of). I mention that the time clock function is accessible from the sub menu, but I don't know why that's useful. Well, now I know why it's useful. From the Scan Barcodes screen, you can go into Time Clock using the sub menu, do your clock ring, and then it automatically returns you to the Scan Barcodes screen, which saves a few steps.

This is a very special episode that just couldn't wait. There was a meeting at my station today where CCAs were treated badly by management, and I think a response is needed. In this episode, I go over some of the rules that are in place to protect CCAs, and I give some general advice for how to handle it when management treats you badly. The episode is directed at the CCAs in my own station, but it's also generally applicable. Also, I was fired up, so there are naughty words in this episode. Listen at your peril.

In this episode, we'll go over PS Form 1571, the Undelivered Mail Report. You are not authorized to delay the mail! This form is used to indicate that management instructed you to delay the mail.

This episode is a broad discussion of the benefits of following the rules and delivering your route the right way. I give some specific advice and examples from my own experience. Side note: There is some sort of clicking in the audio. I don't know what it is, or how to fix it. Hopefully you don't find it too distracting.

In this episode, I'll talk about how the PARS and CFS systems work, and how we should use the MLNA system as carriers.

I'll discuss all the different reasons we return mail to sender, how to endorse the mail, and what all the carrier endorsements mean.

In this episode, I'll go over the proper way to fill out form 3996. I'll discuss acceptable reasons for overtime, and how to handle it if there is a conflict between you and your supervisor over your estimated time.

In this episode, I'll cover the classes of mail that can go into UBBM, along with additional notes about what should and should not be sent off to the shredder.