While the Arbitrator did not completely fix the multiple bundle delivery method for letter carriers, she did award other language that will help to address the issue of overburdening on letter carrier routes.
Mail Volume Updates
One of the biggest challenges with the assessed values for letter carrier routes is that the Personal Contact Items (PCI) volume data is not up to date when a restructure is implemented and is completely out dated by the time of the following restructure. We now have a process to update the volumes of lettermail and PCIs on letter carrier routes once each year.
The updates will be done using the Mail Volume Index (MVI) and the PCI index for the previous year. Routes will only be adjusted if the assessed time increases. If this update causes your route to become over-assessed, you will receive over-assessed pay until your route is adjusted to less than 485 minutes.
Percentage of Coverage and MVI Study
We have known for a long time that the percentage of coverage formula, which determines how many points of call you get credited for each day, is no longer accurate. A joint committee will be established to review all aspects of the percentage of coverage formula and attempt to achieve the following objective, as indicated in the Arbitrator’s decision.
“The objective is to update the existing formula or establish a new percentage of coverage formula that determines more accurately the number of points of call that a letter carrier delivers to on an average day.”
“The project shall also analyze and review the calculation of the Mail Volume Index for machine-sequenced and manual mail. The objective is to determine a method to apply the MVI separately for machine-sequenced and manual mail.”
Once this project is completed, the objective is for the parties to arrive at an updated or a new percentage of coverage formula and MVI application for machine-sequenced and manual mail.
The assessed value of letter carrier routes should have an “evaluated workload that reflects the work performed”.