Philately

STAMP ANNOUNCEMENT 01-54

Farm Flag Definitive ATM Stamp

The Postal Service will issue a 34-cent Farm Flag (Item Number 560900) definitive Automated Teller Machine (ATM) stamp in Washington, DC, on December 17, 2001.

The stamp, designed by Richard Sheaff of Scottsdale, Arizona, and illustrated by Hiro Kimura of Brooklyn, New York, goes on sale nationwide December 18, 2001. The stamp will be issued in a self-adhesive sheetlet of 18. No official ceremony is planned.

The stamp art depicts a classic American farm. Barns, silos, and other outbuildings are clustered on the horizon behind a neatly furrowed field. The stars and stripes appear in the foreground.

How to Order the First Day of Issue Postmark

Customers have 30 days to obtain the first day of issue postmark by mail. They may purchase the new stamps at their local Post Office, affix the stamps to envelopes of their

choice, address the envelopes (to themselves or others), and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:

FARM FLAG DEFINITIVE ATM STAMP
POSTMASTER
SPECIAL CANCELLATIONS
PO BOX 92282
WASHINGTON DC 20090-2282

After applying the first day of issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark. All orders must be postmarked by January 17, 2002.

Stamp Fulfillment Services (SFS) also offers first day covers for new stamp issues and postal stationery items postmarked with the official first day of issue cancellation. Each item has an individual catalog number and is offered in the quarterly USA Philatelic catalog. Customers may request a free catalog by telephoning 1 800 STAMP-24 or writing to:

INFORMATION FULFILLMENT
DEPT 6270
US POSTAL SERVICE
PO BOX 219014
KANSAS CITY MO 64121-9014

First day covers remain on sale for at least 1 year after the stamp's issuance.

Philatelic Products

There are no philatelic products for this stamp issue.

Distribution: Item 560900, $6.12, Farm Flag, ATM PSA Sheetlet of 18

Stamp distribution offices (SDOs) will not receive a standard automatic distribution quantity of the Farm Flag ATM sheetlet. SDOs will receive an automatic distribution of "philatelic stock" only, for subsequent distribution to their authorized philatelic centers (see Philatelic Requirement below). Additional distributions will be provided to accountable paper depositories (APDs) and stamp service centers (SSCs).

Initial Supply to Post Offices

Post Offices requiring quantities of Item 560900 to meet the needs of authorized ATM customers must order them from their designated SDO using a separate PS Form 17, Stamp Requisition. SDOs must not distribute stamps to Post Offices before December 12, 2001.

Philatelic Requirement

SDOs with authorized philatelic centers will receive an automatic distribution of 200 ATM sheetlets per each philatelic window.

Additional Supply

Post Offices requiring additional stamps must requisition them from their designated SDO using PS Form 17. SDOs requiring additional stamps must order them from the appropriate APD using PS Form 17.

For fulfilling supplemental orders from SDOs, San Francisco, Chicago, Memphis, Washington, and New York APDs will each receive 240,000 sheetlets, and the Denver APD will receive 120,000 sheetlets.

- Stamp Services,Government Relations and Public Policy, 11-29-01

2002 Requisition Schedule - Postage Stamps and Stamped Cards

All Stamp Distribution Offices (SDOs) and authorized CAG A-G Post Offices that order postage stamps and stamped cards should refer to the 2002 Requisition Schedule appearing with this article.

When you order postage stamps from the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP), submit PS Form 3356, Stamp Requisition - Bulk Quantities (note: Use PS Form 3356 to order only those postage stamps manufactured by the BEP). When you order stamped cards from the Government Printing Office (GPO), submit PS Form 3216, Requisition for Postal Cards - Bulk Quantities.

Offices should mail requisitions to the BEP in a preaddressed Envelope EP-10A, and requisitions to the GPO in preaddressed Envelope EP-10C. You can obtain those envelopes from the Material Distribution Center. (See Publication 247, Supply and Equipment Catalog, for specific ordering instructions.)

You must mail requisitions at least 1 week before the date assigned on the schedule. Shipments will begin approximately 7 to 10 days after that date. Strict compliance with this schedule equalizes the workload and maximizes transportation efficiency.

Requisitions to the BEP that are received after their assigned date are processed and shipped as time permits, but no later than the next designated ordering cycle. Requisitions to the GPO that are received after their assigned date are deferred until the next designated ordering cycle.

This schedule does not apply to orders for precanceled stamps or to properly identified and documented emergency orders. Such orders are processed immediately upon receipt. Nevertheless, it takes 7 to 10 days from the date of submission before the requisitioning office receives the stock. Offices must identify emergency orders by enclosing a memorandum with the requisition. The memorandum must list the reason for "out-of-schedule" ordering, and include the requisition number, item number, manager's signature, city, state, and ZIP+4 Code. Unless such a memorandum is enclosed, the BEP and GPO will follow normal processing procedures. Processing orders "out-of-schedule" increases shipping and handling costs; consequently, this practice must be avoided when possible.

Complete instructions for ordering stock in bulk quantities may be found in the current edition of the Handbook F-1, Post Office Accounting Procedures, Section 423.4. The current edition of Handbook F-1 is accessible on the Corporate Intranet at http:/blue.usps.gov (click on Information, then Policies and Procedures, then HBKs, then either ID or Title, and scroll down to Handbook F-1).

Note: BEP will be closed for Christmas from December 24, 2002, through January 1, 2003.

2002 Requisition Schedule

Note: The requisition schedule for stamps and stamped cards is not the same as the schedule for stamped envelopes.

- Stamp Services, Government Relations and Public Policy, 11-29-01

Pictorial Cancellations Announcement

As a community service, the Postal Service offers pictorial cancellations to commemorate local events celebrated in communities throughout the nation. A list of events for which pictorial cancellations are authorized appears below. If available, the sponsor of the pictorial cancellation appears in italics under the date. Also provided, as space permits, are illustrations of those cancellations that were reproducible and available at press time.

People attending these local events may obtain the cancellation in person at the temporary post office station established there. Those who cannot attend the event, but who wish to obtain the cancellation, may submit a mail order request. Pictorial cancellations are available only for the dates indicated, and requests must be postmarked no later than 30 days following the requested pictorial cancellation date.

All requests must include a stamped envelope or postcard bearing at least the minimum First-Class Mail postage. Items submitted for cancellation may not include postage issued after the date of the requested cancellation. Such items will be returned unserviced.

Customers wishing to obtain a cancellation should affix stamps to any envelope or postcard of their choice, address the envelope or postcard to themselves or others,insert a card of postcard thickness in envelopes for sturdiness, and tuck in the flap. Place the envelope or postcard in a larger envelope and address it to: PICTORIAL CANCELLATIONS, followed by the NAME OF THE STATION,ADDRESS, CITY, STATE, ZIP + 4 CODE, exactly as listed below (using all capitals and no punctuation, except thehyphen in the ZIP + 4 code).

Customers can also send stamped envelopes and postcards without addresses for cancellation, as long as they supply a larger envelope with adequate postage and their return address. After applying the pictorial cancellation, the Postal Service returns the items (with or without addresses) under addressed protective cover.

- Stamp Services,Government Relations and Public Policy, 11-29-01

NEW ADDRESS

Stamp Announcement 01-52, United We Stand Definitive Stamp

The United We Stand stamp announcement in Postal Bulletin 22061 (10-18-01, pages 43-45) listed the address for customers to obtain first day of issue postmark by mail as:

UNITED WE STAND
POSTMASTER
900 BRENTWOOD RD NE
WASHINGTON DC 20066-9991

The new address for first day of issue postmark is:

UNITED WE STAND
POSTMASTER
SPECIAL CANCELLATIONS
PO BOX 92282
WASHINGTON DC 20090-2282

- Stamp Services,Government Relations and Public Policy, 11-29-01

Special Cancellation Die Hubs

Postmasters and plant managers who have any of the special cancellation die hubs listed below may use them for the periods designated. At the end of the period, these die hubs must be withdrawn and stored. Postmasters and plant managers who do not have these special die hubs may not request them from the sponsors.

Post Offices

Postal Employees

Penalty Overtime Exclusion

As referenced in Article 8, Sections 4 and 5, of the USPS-NALC and USPS-APWU national agreements, the December period (during which penalty overtime regulations are not applicable) consists of 4 consecutive service weeks. This year, the December period begins Pay Period 26-01 - Week 1 (December 1, 2001) - and ends Pay Period 01-02 - Week 2 (December 28, 2001).

- Labor Relations Policies and Programs,Labor Relations, 11-29-01

Christmas Pay Procedures for Rural Carriers

The 2001 Christmas period for rural carriers begins Saturday, December 1, 2001 (Week 1, Pay Period (PP) 26-01), and ends Wednesday, December 26, 2001 (Week 2, PP 01-02). During this period, certain timekeeping and pay rules apply. Timekeepers, including postmasters, supervisors, and other employees responsible for rural carrier time and attendance recording, should become familiar with Article 9.2.K, Christmas Allowances and Procedures, of the Extension to the 1995-1999 USPS/National Rural Letter Carriers' Association (NRLCA) Agreement.

This article describes the types of compensation to which rural carriers are entitled during the Christmas period. It also describes related timekeeping procedures and regulations for the Christmas period, as well as special rules that begin with the start of the Guarantee Year (November 3, 2001) and continue through the end of the Christmas period.

Exhibits are included to assist in completing PS Form 1314, Regular Rural Carrier Time Certificate, and PS Form 1314-A, Auxiliary Rural Carrier Time Certificate, during the Christmas period.

List of Exhibits

Exhibit 1 - Regular Carrier Works In Excess of Route's Evaluation

Exhibit 2 - Regular Carrier Not on Relief Day Work List Works Relief Day (Week 2) and Does Not Receive an X Day in Same Pay Period

Exhibit 3 - Regular Carrier Works Saturday, Monday, and Wednesday of PP 01-02, Week 2

Exhibit 4 - Regular Carrier Works Designated Holiday

Exhibit 5 - Regular Carrier Provides Christmas Assistance

Exhibit 6 - FLSA Code A Regular Carrier

Exhibit 7 - Designation 74 Works Designated Holiday

Exhibit 8 - Designation 74 Provides Christmas Assistance on Relief Day

Exhibit 9 - Replacement Carrier Provides Christmas Assistance on a Regular Route

Exhibit 10 - Replacement Carrier Provides Christmas Assistance on an Auxiliary Route

Exhibit 11 - Nonrural Employee Provides Christmas Assistance on Rural Route (EMA Only)

Overtime During the Christmas Period

Regular Carriers (DES 71) - FLSA B

Types of Overtime

During the Christmas period, regular rural carriers are eligible for two types of overtime - FLSA overtime and Christmas overtime:

FLSA Overtime

FLSA overtime is paid at all times of the year, not just during the Christmas period. Regular rural carriers are paid FLSA overtime under two circumstances:

a. Hours worked in excess of 12 hours in a day - If a carrier works more than 12 hours in a day, the amount over 12 is entered in the Daily Overtime block on PS Form 1314.

b. Hours worked in excess of 56 in a week - These hours are calculated automatically when the total weekly work hours are greater than 56, so no separate entries are required.

Christmas Overtime

Christmas overtime is paid only during the designated Christmas period. Regular rural carriers are paid Christmas overtime under two circumstances:

a. Christmas Assistance - This is assistance provided by the regular carrier on her or his relief day. Christmas assistance work hours are entered in the Xmas Assist Work Hours block on PS Form 1314.

b. Hours worked in excess of the route's evalua- tion - This is based on the total actual work hours for the week, not on individual days. For example, if a route has a daily evaluation of 9 hours and the regular carrier works 10 hours on 2 days and 8 hours on the other 3 days, no overtime would be paid. Even though the carrier exceeded the daily evaluation on 2 days of the week, he did not exceed the weekly evaluation. The weekly evaluation is 45 hours; the carrier worked 44 hours. (See Handbook F-21, Section 567, for overtime calculation when leave days are taken during the week and for routes with an evaluation of less than 40 hours.) These hours are calculated automatically, so no separate entries or calculations are required.

Overtime Rate

The overtime rate paid to regular (FLSA Code B) carriers is 150% of the carrier's regular rate. The regular rate is determined by dividing the total compensation received for hours actually worked by the carrier since the beginning of the Guarantee Year (not including overtime), by the total number of hours worked since the beginning of the Guarantee Year (not including overtime). This overtime rate is used for both FLSA overtime and Christmas overtime.

Replacement Carriers

Replacement carriers (Designations 70, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79) are entitled only to FLSA overtime. For these employees, FLSA overtime is paid for hours worked in excess of 40 in a week.

Regular Carriers (DES 71) - FLSA A

Regular carriers whose FLSA code is A are paid for actual hours worked, not evaluated hours. They are paid overtime for hours in excess of 8 in a day, or 40 in a week. For FLSA Code A carriers, enter hours in excess of 8 in a day to the Daily Overtime block on PS Form 1314. Hours in excess of 40 in a week are calculated automatically by the system.

Auxiliary Route Carriers

Carriers serving any auxiliary route are compensated at the hourly rate for actual hours worked during both weeks of PP 26-01 and PP 01-02. During this period, carriers are not paid the evaluation of the route. Overtime is paid only when the carrier exceeds 40 hours for the week.

Christmas Assistance

Christmas assistance is additional service provided on a rural route during the Christmas period. For regular carriers, Christmas assistance applies only to assistance given by the carrier, on his/her relief day, while a replacement carrier carries the full route. For replacement carriers, it applies to any assistance provided on a regular or auxiliary route during the Christmas period. Christmas assistance is reported in the Xmas Assist Work Hours block on PS Form 1314 (for regular carriers) or PS Form 1314-A (for replacement carriers).

Regular carriers can perform Christmas assistance only on their relief day. Therefore, only regular carriers assigned to J or K routes may report Christmas assistance. Regular carriers assigned to route types H or M cannot perform Christmas assistance because these route types do not have a relief day. NOTE: There are no provisions for paying a regular carrier for performing service on a Sunday, on an actual holiday, or other than on the assigned route. These situations should be avoided.

Examples of Christmas assistance:

• A regular carrier comes in on his/her relief day and helps the replacement carrier case the route.

• A regular carrier comes in on his/her relief day and carries part of his/her regular route. (Replacement carrier is listed on PS Form 1314.)

• A replacement carrier carries part of a regular route due to heavy Christmas volume.

These are not examples of Christmas assistance:

• A regular carrier comes in on his/her relief day and carries his/her regular route.

• A regular carrier works 2 hours beyond the daily evaluation of his/her regular route.

• A regular carrier performs any work while assigned to an H or M route.

Time Card Blocks Used During the Christmas Period

PS Form 1314 - FLSA Code B Regular Carriers

1. Daily Overtime - For FLSA B carriers, this block is used ONLY to record when the carrier works more than 12.00 hours in a single day. (See Exhibit 6 for use of this block for FLSA Code A regular carriers. This block is not used for FLSA Code P.) Record the total amount of work hours in excess of 12 per day in this box. Include the amount of daily overtime in the Actual Weekly Hours block. For example, if the carrier works 10.00 hours each day, Monday through Wednesday, and works 12.50 on Thursday and 13.00 on Friday, the amount entered to the Daily Overtime block is 1.50 and the amount entered to the Actual Weekly Hours block is 55.50.

The Daily Overtime block is NOT used to record:

• Hours worked in excess of 56 in a week.

• Hours worked in excess of the route's evaluation.

• Hours worked when the carrier works his/her relief day.

• Additional hours worked by the carrier after completing his/her route (except for those that are over 12 hours for the day).

2. Xmas Assist Work Hours - For FLSA Code B regular carriers, this block is used ONLY when the carrier comes in on his/her relief day to provide assistance, not to carry his/her full route. A relief carrier must be listed on PS Form 1314 as the replacement carrier for that day. Do not include the amount of Xmas Assist Work Hours in the Actual Weekly Hours block except in Week 2, PP 01-02.

The Xmas Assist Work Hours block is NOT used to record:

• Hours worked in excess of 56 in a week.

• Hours worked in excess of the route's evaluation.

• Hours worked when the carrier works his/her relief day and DACA Code R, 3, or 5 is entered on the PS Form 1314.

• Additional hours worked by the carrier after completing his/her route.

PS Form 1314-A - Replacement Carriers/Auxiliary Routes

1. Rt. No. - Use the chart below to determine which route number to enter on PS Form 1314-A when reporting Christmas assistance by replacement carriers or on auxiliary routes.

2. Xmas Assist Work Hours - This block is used whenever a replacement carrier provides Christmas assistance. Do not include the amount of Xmas Assist Work Hours in the Actual Wkly Work Hours block.

Work on Relief Days and Use of X Days

During the period from the beginning of the Guarantee Year (November 3, 2001) through the last day of the Christmas period (December 26, 2001) - which includes Pay Periods 24-01, 25-01, 26-01, and 01-02 (through Wednesday of Week 2) - record relief days worked by regular rural carriers on PS Form 1314, as described below.

1. Carriers who work a relief day during this period and who are entitled to a future day off (X day) must be given that X day in the same pay period. Record DACA Code R or 3 on PS Form 1314 for the relief day that is worked, and DACA Code X on the day that is taken off. The Rural Time and Attendance Processing System (RTAPS) will not accept any PS Form 1314 that contains a DACA Code 3 or DACA Code R without a corresponding DACA Code X. Note: This provision does not apply to carriers who have a negative X day balance. Carriers in this situation must work a sufficient number of relief days (DACA Code 3 or R) to bring the negative balance up to zero. Otherwise, prior X days are changed to annual leave or leave without pay using PS Form 2240R, Rural Pay or Leave Adjustment Request, to correct the balance.

2. Record DACA Code 5 on PS Form 1314 for the relief day that is worked if an X day is not taken in the same pay period that the relief day is worked, or if the carrier is on the relief day work list and selects the option for 150% compensation. When DACA Code 5 is entered, the carrier does not receive an X day.

3. Carriers may not use any X days that were earned in previous pay periods during this period. RTAPS will not accept any PS Form 1314 that contains a DACA Code X without a corresponding DACA Code 3 or DACA Code R.

4. Carriers must have a sufficient balance of X days available in order to use an X day. Carriers with a negative X day balance cannot use any X days until the negative balance is erased.

Christmas Period Timekeeping Instructions

A. FLSA B Regular Rural Carriers

1. Work on Relief Day - Only regular carriers on J or K routes have an assigned relief day. Any work performed by a regular on his/her relief day must be reported in one of the following ways:

a. Regular carries entire route - If the carrier reports on the relief day and cases and carries the assigned route (as is done on a scheduled day), enter DACA Code R, 3, or 5 (as appropriate) on PS Form 1314 for that day. If the carrier is due an X day for working the relief day (i.e., DACA Code R or 3 is entered), this X day must be granted in the same pay period. If the X day is not granted within the same pay period, DACA Code 5 must be entered on PS Form 1314.

b. Christmas assistance - If a relief carrier carries the assigned route and the regular carrier provides assistance on the relief day, record the hours worked by the regular as Xmas Assist Work Hours. If additional Equipment Maintenance Allowance (EMA) is due for work performed on the relief day, enter the mileage traveled in whole miles in the Route Deviation block for the appropriate week.

2. Work on Designated Holiday - If Tuesday, December 25, is a regular carrier's scheduled relief day, Monday, December 24, is the employee's designated holiday. If a regular carrier is assigned to work the designated holiday, the regular must work the full day. Regular carriers may not provide Christmas assistance on their designated holiday.

When the regular carrier works the designated holiday:

a. Enter DACA Code V in the Monday, Week 2 block on PS Form 1314.

b. Include the hours worked on the designated holiday with all other work hours for that week in the Actual Weekly Hours block.

c. The carrier is compensated at one and one half times the daily rate of pay (in addition to Holiday Leave) for working the designated Christmas holiday. The carrier is not entitled to a future day off (X day).

3. Special Instructions for Week 2, PP 01-02:

Christmas overtime is authorized for Saturday (December 22), Monday (December 24), and Wednesday (December 26) of Week 2, PP 01-02. Enter the total work hours for these 3 days in Xmas Assist Work Hours and include in Actual Weekly Hours for the week.

B. FLSA Code A Regular Carriers

Regular carriers (FLSA Code A) are paid at the regular rate for all hours worked up to 8 per day and 40 per week, and at the overtime rate for all hours worked in excess of 8 per day or 40 hours per week. FLSA Code A employees are not entitled to any X days, as they are paid for working the relief day.

1. Report total hours worked for the week in Actual Weekly Hours.

2. If the carrier worked more than 8.00 hours in a day, enter total hours worked in excess of 8 for that day in the Daily Overtime block.

3. If the carrier worked on a scheduled relief day, enter R on the day the carrier worked the relief day and include the hours worked in Actual Weekly Hours. The employee is not entitled to a future X day.

4. If the carrier worked on a designated holiday, enter V on the day the carrier worked the designated holiday and include the hours worked in Actual Weekly Hours. The employee is not entitled to a future X day.

C. Auxiliary Route Carriers

Carriers serving any auxiliary route are compensated at the hourly rate for actual hours worked during PP 26-01 and PP 01-02. During this period, carriers are not paid the evaluation of the route. The only changes to standard timekeeping procedures for auxiliary routes are when a Designation (Des) 79 provides Christmas assistance on the assigned auxiliary route. (See Section E.2)

D. Replacement Carriers Assigned to Vacant Regular Routes (Designations 72/74)

1. Designation 72

a. FLSA B - Procedures are the same as for Des 71 (Regular Carrier), FLSA B.

b. FLSA A - Procedures are the same as for Des 71 (Regular Carrier), FLSA A.

2. Designation 74

Work on relief day or holiday:

a. Carrier worked scheduled relief day:

(1) Enter R on the day the carrier worked the relief day.

(2) Include the hours worked in Actual Wkly Work Hours. Employee is NOT entitled to a future X day.

b. Carrier worked designated holiday:

(1) Do not enter a V on the day worked. Leave blank.

(2) Include the work hours in the Actual Wkly Work Hours block.

(3) Enter the relief day (J or K day) in the block for the actual holiday (Tuesday).

(4) Replacement carrier data is not needed to crossfoot PS Form 1314 for the holiday.

c. Carrier provided Christmas assistance on relief day:

(1) Enter the Christmas auxiliary assistance time on PS Form 1314 in the Xmas Assist Work Hours block.

(2) Do not include these hours in the Actual Weekly Work Hours block.

(3) Enter J or K in the appropriate block on PS Form 1314 if the replacement carrier worked a full day on the route.

E. Replacement Rural Carriers Serving as Christmas Auxiliary Assistants

All replacement carriers serving as Christmas auxiliary assistants are compensated at their regular rate for actual hours worked up to 40 per week, and at the FLSA overtime rate for actual hours worked in excess of 40.

1. Christmas assistance on a regular route:

a. Manually prepare PS Form 1314-A for each carrier that provides Christmas assistance.

b. Do not enter more than one carrier on each PS Form 1314-A.

c. Submit a separate certificate for each regular route on which the carrier provides assistance.

d. Report the Christmas assistance hours in the appropriate Week 1 and/or Week 2 Xmas Assist Work Hours block.

e. Enter EMA hours, trips, and miles in the appropriate Week 1 and/or Week 2 EMA blocks.

2. Christmas assistance on an auxiliary route:

a. Assigned carrier (Des 79) provided Christmas assistance on assigned auxiliary route:

(1) Enter N in the appropriate block in the No Service section of the carrier's PS Form 1314-A for the assigned route.

(2) Record hours worked in the Xmas Assist Work Hours block. Only enter Christmas assistance when the rural carrier associate works his/her Des 79 position.

(3) Include EMA hours and miles (not trips) in the total for the appropriate week. Trips may not exceed the number of days worked in the No Service blocks.

(4) A replacement carrier is required to crossfoot the card.

b. Replacement carrier (Designations 70, 73, 74, 75, 76, 78) provided Christmas assistance on auxiliary route:

(1) Manually prepare PS Form 1314-A. Enter route number A998. Use this route type and number for overburdened service or Christmas assistance on auxiliary routes only.

(2) Report the Christmas assistance hours in the appropriate Week 1 and/or Week 2 Xmas Assist Work Hours block.

(3) Enter EMA hours, trips, and miles (if applicable) in the appropriate Week 1 and/or Week 2 EMA blocks.

(4) If Christmas assistance is performed on two or more auxiliary routes in the same pay period, combine all work hours and EMA data on one manually prepared PS Form 1314-A.

F. Postal Employees (Other Than Rural) Serving as Christmas Auxiliary Assistants

Postal Service employees (other than Des 7X) who provided Christmas assistance on rural routes are compensated at their regular rate of pay for actual time worked. Include all work hours using their normal Time and Attendance System (Manual Timecards, ETC, and TACS).

Nonrural employees are entitled to EMA payment if a personal vehicle is used. Prepare PS Form 1314-A as follows: (Do not prepare PS Form 1314-A if a government vehicle is provided.)

1. Report the hours worked on the rural routes on PS Form 1230-C, Time Card.

2. Manually prepare PS Form 1314-A for EMA compensation.

3. Complete indicative data at the top of the certificate. Use Des 99/0, actual route type and number, FLSA Code P, and correct employee and pay period information.

4. Enter EMA hours, trips, and miles in the appropriate Week 1 and/or Week 2 EMA blocks.

Important Items to Remember: Rural Carrier Christmas Pay Procedures

• Hours entered in the Daily Overtime block are always included in Actual Weekly Hours.

• Hours entered in the Xmas Assist Work Hours block are not included in Actual Weekly Hours, except in Week 2 of PP 01-02.

• Carriers on auxiliary routes are paid for actual hours worked, not the route's evaluation, during the Christmas period.

• An X day cannot be entered on a time card unless there is a corresponding R or 3 day in the same pay period and the carrier's X day balance is zero or greater.

• If a regular carrier works his/her relief day and carries his/her assigned route, this is not reported as Christmas assistance.

• Regular carriers may only work on their assigned route.

• Regular carriers may not work on an actual holiday (December 25th or January 1st).

Exhibit 1. REGULAR CARRIER WORKS IN EXCESS OF ROUTE'S EVALUATION

1. Regular carrier is assigned to a 45-hour evaluated route (Daily evaluation = 9.00 hours).

2. Carrier works 45.28 hours in Week 1, and 47.08 hours in Week 2 as follows:

3. Carrier will be paid Christmas overtime for 0.28 hours in Week 1, and 2.08 hours in Week 2, based on hours worked over the route's evaluated hours.

4. No manual computation for Christmas overtime is necessary. This is automatically computed. No entries are made to the Daily Overtime block.

Exhibit 2. REGULAR CARRIER NOT ON RELIEF DAY WORK LIST WORKS RELIEF DAY (WEEK 2) AND DOES NOT RECEIVE AN X DAY IN THE SAME PAY PERIOD

1. Regular carrier is required to work the second relief day of Pay Period 26. Carrier does not get an X day in the same pay period.

2. Enter DACA Code 5 on the relief day (Saturday) of Week 2.

3. Carrier is paid 150% of a day's evaluation for working the relief day and does not receive a future X day.

Exhibit 3. REGULAR CARRIER WORKS SATURDAY, MONDAY, AND WEDNESDAY OF PP 01-02, WEEK 2

1. Regular carrier is assigned to a K route with a relief day of Saturday.

2. Carrier provides 5.00 hours of Christmas assistance on Saturday, December 22nd.

3. Carrier works 8.00 hours on Monday, December 24th.

4. Carrier works 8.75 hours on Wednesday, December 26th.

5. Enter the total hours for Saturday, Monday and Wednesday - 21.75 hours - in the Xmas Assist Work Hours block.

6. Include these hours in the Actual Weekly Hours.

Exhibit 4. REGULAR CARRIER WORKS DESIGNATED HOLIDAY

1. Regular carrier's relief day is Tuesday. Carrier works the designated holiday on Monday, December 24th.

2. Enter V on Monday of Week 2.

3. Include hours worked on the designated holiday in Actual Weekly Hours.

4. Carrier is not entitled to an X day for working the holiday.

5. Carrier works 7.75 hours on Saturday, December 22nd.

6. Carrier works 8.00 hours on designated holiday, Monday, December 24th.

7. Carrier works 7.50 hours on Wednesday, December. 26th.

8. Enter the total hours for Saturday, Monday, and Wednesday - 23.25 hours - in the Xmas Assist Work Hours block.

9. No manual computation for Christmas overtime is necessary. This is automatically computed. Do not enter Christmas overtime in the Daily Overtime block.

10. Carrier will receive 150% of one day's evaluation for working the designated Christmas holiday. NOTE: Regular rural carriers cannot work on Tuesday, December 25th.

Exhibit 5. REGULAR CARRIER PROVIDES CHRISTMAS ASSISTANCE

1. Carrier works 7 hours of Christmas assistance on the relief day Wednesday of Week 2 and uses a personal vehicle for 25 miles.

2. Enter 7 hours in Xmas Assist Work Hours. Do not include in the total work hours for the week on PS Form 1314.

3. Enter the 25 miles traveled on the relief day in whole miles in the Route Dev. block.

4. No manual computation for Christmas overtime is necessary. This is automatically computed. Do not enter Christmas overtime in the Daily Overtime block.

Exhibit 6. FLSA CODE A REGULAR CARRIER

1. A regular carrier whose FLSA code is A is paid by the hour. Overtime is paid for all hours over 8 in a day or 40 in a week.

2. Carrier works 8.32 hours on Tuesday of Week 1. Enter 0.32 hours in the Daily Overtime block.

3. Carrier works relief day (Saturday) in Week 1. Include these hours in Actual Weekly Hours. Carrier is paid for these hours, so no X day is due.

4. Carrier works 39.88 total hours in Week 1.

5. Carrier works Christmas assistance on the relief day on the second Saturday. Record the Christmas assistance time in the Xmas Assist Work Hours block. Do not add to the Actual Weekly Work Hours. Overtime will only be paid if the carrier exceeds 40 hours for the week.

6. No manual computation for Christmas overtime is necessary. This is automatically computed. Carrier will receive 0.32 hours of overtime in Week 1, and 1.08 hours of overtime (35.08 + 06.00 = 41.08 hours) in Week 2.

Exhibit 7. DESIGNATION 74 WORKS DESIGNATED HOLIDAY

1. A rural carrier associate (RCA) is assigned to a vacant regular J route, with a relief day on Tuesday of Week 2.

2. Carrier works the designated Christmas holiday on Monday, December 24th.

3. Do not enter V or H for working the Christmas holiday. Designation 74s are not entitled to holiday leave pay. Monday is a regular workday.

4. Include hours worked on Monday of Week 2 in Actual Weekly Hours.

5. Replacement carrier is not needed to crossfoot the card for the second week.

Exhibit 8. DESIGNATION 74 PROVIDES CHRISTMAS ASSISTANCE ON RELIEF DAY

1. The RCA is assigned to a vacant regular K route, with a relief day of Saturday.

2. On the first Saturday, the Des 74 carrier provides Christmas assistance for 7 hours. The replacement carrier works the route the entire day.

3. Enter K for the first Saturday.

4. Enter 7.00 hours in the Xmas Assist Work Hours block. Do not include these hours in the Actual Weekly Hours block.

5. Enter appropriate information for relief carrier in bottom section of time certificate.

Exhibit 9. REPLACEMENT CARRIER PROVIDES CHRISTMAS ASSISTANCE ON A REGULAR ROUTE

1. Regular carrier on Route K001 carries his route on regularly scheduled day.

2. Replacement carrier provides Christmas assistance on Route K001 for 3.25 hours on Tuesday, Week 1; 6.75 hours on Friday, Week 1; and 4.50 hours on Saturday, Week 2.

3. On each of these days, the replacement carrier spends 3 hours on the street and travels 40 miles each day (in his/her own vehicle).

4. Prepare PS Form 1314-A using the actual route number (K001) on which service was performed.

5. Enter 10.00 hours in the Xmas Assist Work Hours block for Week 1, and 4.50 hours for Week 2. Do not include these hours in Actual Wkly Work Hours.

6. Enter EMA data in the appropriate Equipment Allowance blocks.

7. Do not enter any information to the bottom (relief carrier) section of the card.

8. If the replacement carrier provides Christmas assistance on more than one regular route, complete a separate PS Form 1314-A for each route on which Christmas assistance is provided.

Exhibit 10. REPLACEMENT CARRIER PROVIDES CHRISTMAS ASSISTANCE ON AN AUXILIARY ROUTE

1. Replacement carrier provides 3.00 hours Christmas assistance on Route A003 on Monday, Week 1; 1.25 hours Christmas assistance on Route A009 on Thursday, Week 1; and 2.50 hours Christmas assistance on Route A003 on Saturday, Week 2. All hours are worked in the office, except 1 hour on the street on Saturday, Week 2 (10 miles).

2. Prepare one PS Form 1314-A using route number A998 for all Christmas assistance hours on auxiliary routes.

3. Enter hours worked in the Xmas Assist Work Hours block. Do not include in Actual Wkly Work Hours.

3. Enter EMA data in the appropriate Equipment Allowance blocks.

Exhibit 11. NONRURAL EMPLOYEE PROVIDES CHRISTMAS ASSISTANCE ON RURAL ROUTE (EMA ONLY)

1. Clerk works as a Christmas auxiliary assistant on Route J029 and provides her or his own vehicle.

2. Complete PS Form 1314-A, using Des Code 99 and the route number of the regular route. (Use A998 if assistance is provided on an auxiliary route.)

3. Enter the hours, trips, and miles in the Equipment Allowance blocks.

4. Do not enter any Actual Wkly Work Hours or Xmas Assist Work Hours. Work hours for nonrural employees are paid using their regular timekeeping system (e.g., manual timecards, ETC, TACS).

5. If Christmas assistance is provided on more than one regular route, complete a separate PS Form 1314-A for each employee and for each route on which they provide Christmas assistance.

6. If Christmas assistance is provided on more than one auxiliary route, combine the EMA data and enter the totals on one PS Form 1314-A using route number A998.

- Payroll Accounting, Finance, 11-29-01

EMPLOYEE CONNECTIVITY PROGRAM

Click. Whoosh! - Holiday Deals

It's that time of the year when computers begin appearing on shopping lists. Check out the latest offers by Compaq and IBM that are listed below. To place an order by phone or Web, simply contact:

• Compaq: 1-866-877-7327, pin number 10791 www.compaq.com/affinity/uspsecp (enter pin number 10791).

• IBM: 1-800-426-7235, extension 4563 www.ibm.com/shop/ibmdeals/usps (use passcode 4563).

Employees no longer have a limit on the quantity they may purchase and do not need an employee ID number to place an order. All career employees, noncareer employees, and retirees can participate.

Hurry and get yours today - these deals may change at any time!

- Technology Support, Information Technology, 11-29-01

Base System

All taxes are extra.

Step-up System

All taxes are extra.

Premium

All taxes are extra.

Laptop System

All taxes are extra.

NEW HANDBOOK

EL-312, Employment and Placement

The Office of Selection, Evaluation, and Recognition, Employee Resource Management, announces publica- tion of Handbook EL-312, Employment and Placement (Issue 2, September 2001). The handbook provides instructions for the employment, placement, and assignment of career and noncareer field employees and promotion of field employees in districts and areas.

Handbook EL-312 incorporates the first issue of Chap-ter 2 of the handbook that was published online in December 1999. Handbook EL-312 also obsoletes Chapter 1, remainder of Chapter 2, and Chapters 3, 4, and 5 of Handbook EL-311, Personnel Operations. Handbook EL-311 is now obsolete in its entirety.

Handbook EL-312 will be automatically distributed to area and district managers of Human Resources and Remote Encoding Centers. The handbook can be found on the Policies and Procedures and Human Resources Web pages and on the Postal Service Internet. Future updates of the online Handbook EL-312 will be designated as EL-312, Revision 2.1, Revision 2.2, and so on.

Additional copies can be obtained as follows:

• Use Touch Tone Order Entry: Call 1-800-332-0317, option 1, then option 2.

• cc:Mail: Send an F3Fill-completed PS Form 7380, MDC Supply Requisition, by cc:Mail to MDC Customer Service at TOKS001L.

• Mail: Send a completed PS Form 7380 to the following address:

SUPPLY REQUISITIONS
500 SW GARY ORMSBY DR
TOPEKA KS 66624-9704

The relevant ordering information is as follows:

PSN: 7610-03-000-9356
PSIN: HBKEL-312
Unit of Issue: EA
Bulk Pack Quantity: 40
Price: $2.71
Edition Date: September 2001

- Selection, Evaluation, and Recognition,Employee Resource Management, 11-29-01

Purchasing and Materials

PRODUCT ALERT

Contracts for Inventory Items Terminated

The San Francisco Purchasing and Materials Service Center (SF PMSC) has terminated, for default, 8 contracts for 10 different items. Those 10 inventory items are PSINs:

116A 222
138 1226C
155A 1226E
155B 1338B
208 1338C

All of those items are manufactured by Year-A-Round Corporation (YARC) in Mankato, Minnesota. Postal Service personnel inspected those YARC-manufactured items and found various quality problems, including missing welds and sharp edges. Quality problems vary from item to item even when items are from the same manufactured lot.

New Contracts Awarded

The SF PMSC has awarded new contracts to other suppliers to supply those items. The Material Distribution Center (MDC) has received the replacements for all of the inventory items listed above (except for PSIN 1226E, Accountable Mail Cart). The first delivery for PSIN 1226E to the MDC is expected mid-December.

Ordering Procedures

Orders for those inventory items are processed through the MDC. Follow your established local ordering procedures to complete this process. Do not order those items yourself from the manufacturer, and do not ask your buying location to order them directly from the manufacturer. One office has already requested its PMSC to purchase 22, each, PSIN 1226Es. That purchasing office awarded the order to YARC who, in turn, could have used the opportunity to ship previously rejected items to fill the order. YARC has a large inventory of those rejected items and may attempt to sell them to the Postal Service.

Inventory Item Information

Inventory item contract numbers, PSINs, and product descriptions follow:

For questions about the YARC contracts, call Susan J. Lum, SF PMSC, 650-615-7282. If you have questions regarding availability of the above items, call Materials Customer Service at 1-800-332-0317.

- Materials, Purchasing and Materials, 11-29-01

Elimination of Hard Copy ZIP+4 State Directory - Effective January 2002

The hard copy ZIP+4 State Directory is being eliminated as part of a paper and cost reduction initiative that will save the Postal Service about $1 million in Fiscal Year 2002. Over the last few years, customer orders for this product have significantly declined, resulting in much higher costs for the Postal Service. The hardcopy Five-Digit ZIP Code Directory will continue to be printed and offered as a product to customers.

In addition, the ZIP+4 State Directory customers have found it difficult to maintain accurate ZIP+4 data by using the hard copy directory, as the information is at least 6 months old at the time of printing. This is because the printer is provided with the data in advance to allow enough time for the production and printing processes. Furthermore, approximately 1 1/2 million additional ranged address records are added to the Postal Service ZIP+4 database each year.

In an effort to assist customers with maintaining more accurate address information, we have developed a new monthly interactive CD-ROM product to replace the hard copy directories. This new product is called "ZIP+4 State Directory." It will contain information for all 50 states and will provide the following options:

• Address Lookup - Provides the ability to look up individual addresses to obtain the correct ZIP Code, ZIP+4 Code, carrier route code, county code, delivery point code, and check digit code.

• ZIP+4 Retrieval - Provides the ability to look up and print reports of street records in various ways (city, state, ZIP Code, carrier route code, etc.).

The new electronic ZIP+4 State Directory product is encrypted and will not provide the ability to export the data in any way. What it will allow is the ability to retrieve, view, and print hard copy reports similar to the existing hard copy directory.

The new electronic version of the ZIP+4 State Directory is a new and improved product for our hard copy customers. It is now available as an annual subscription with 12 monthly updates for a fee of just $50. If you would like to obtain an order form, please call the National Customer Support Center at 1-800-238-3150. (Product ID is ZD215R.) You may also obtain an order form via our Web site at www.usps.gov (click on Address Quality, then Address Information Systems (AIS) Products, then Address Information System Products Technical Guide and Order Form; then scroll to page 129).

Stand-up Talk for Retail Clerks

Why Is the Postal Service Eliminating the Hard Copy ZIP+4 State Directory?

The hard copy ZIP+4 State Directory is being eliminated as part of a paper and cost reduction initiative that will save the Postal Service about $1 million in Fiscal Year 2002. Over the last few years, customer orders for this product have significantly declined, resulting in much higher costs for the Postal Service to maintain.

In addition, ZIP+4 State Directory customers find it difficult to maintain accurate ZIP+4 data by using the hard copy directory. The information in the hard copy directory is at least 6 months old at the time of printing. This is because the printer is provided with the data in advance to allow enough time for the production and printing processes.

What Do We Tell Customers Who Inquire Why the Lobby ZIP+4 State Directory Is No Longer Available?

Encourage the customer to use the 5-Digit ZIP Code only. It is no longer necessary for a single piece mailer to place a ZIP+4 Code on a mailpiece. With today's optical character reading technology, the Postal Service can apply the most current and up-to-date information. If a customer insists on using the ZIP+4 Code, tell them to call 800.ASK.USPS or go to www.usps.com to obtain the ZIP+4 information.

Will There Be A Replacement for the Hard Copy ZIP+4 State Directory?

The National Customer Support Center developed a new monthly interactive CD-ROM product to replace the hard copy ZIP+4 State Directory. This new product is called "ZIP+4 State Directory" and will provide customers with the ability to look up and print accurate and current ZIP+4 information for all 50 states.

In fact, this product will provide customers with a significant improvement in the data content, accuracy, and currency of the ZIP+4 information currently printed in the directory.

What Is the Price of the New ZIP+4 State Directory?

The price of the new product will be an annual subscription with 12 monthly updates at a fee of only $50.

How Will Customers Place an Order for the New ZIP+4 State Directory?

Customers wishing to place an order for the new electronic version of the ZIP+4 State Directory must contact the National Customer Support Center at 1-800-238-3150 to obtain an order form.

Will the Hardcopy 5-Digit ZIP Code Directory Be Eliminated?

No. The hardcopy 5-Digit ZIP Code Directory will continue to be printed and offered as a product to customers.

- Address Management,Chief Technology Officer, 11-29-01

Retail

LICENSING POST OFFICES

Processing Refund Letters From Meter Manufacturers

Effective immediately, Postage Technology Management (PTM) is revising the process concerning a meter licensee's refund request for a postage adjustment on a malfunctioning postage meter when the redundant memory data is unavailable. All such refund requests must be reviewed by PTM, which will send the approved or rejected request to the manufacturer.

In accordance with Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) Issue 57, P030.4.7, P030.5.8, P030.6.7, and P030.7.7, to request a postage adjustment for a faulty or misregistering meter, the licensee must first present to the provider the meter and the licensee's transaction records, if any. After examining a meter to be checked out of service for apparent faulty operation, affecting the ascending or descending registers, the provider must report the malfunction to the manager of PTM, Postal Service Headquarters (HQ). The report must contain all applicable meter documentation (including the setting history and transaction records, if any) and a recommendation about the appropriate postage adjustment, if any. At the same time the report is made to PTM, the provider must notify the licensee of the proposed postage adjustment. The licensee may appeal this decision in accordance with DMM P030.4.7, P030.5.8, P030.6.7, and P030.7.7.

Note: This information will be published in DMM Issue 57 in January 2002; it was also published in the Federal Register, pages 56435-56447, November 8, 2001, "Production Distribution, and Use of Postage Meters (Postage Evidencing Systems) and Postal Security Devices."

When the electronic redundant memory data, as examined by the provider, is inconclusive with respect to the appropriate postage adjustment, the provider must include an analysis of the licensee's recent mailing history supporting the recommended postage adjustment, the reason for the memory failure, and the method used to determine the lost register values. Requests received by PTM will be reviewed, approved or denied, and returned to the provider.

PTM-approved refund request letters will be stamped as follows:

Reviewed and Approved by
Postage Technology Management
(PTM designee)
(Telephone number)

_____________________________________
Signature Date

After the licensing Post Office receives the approved refund request, it is authorized to issue a refund. Do not issue refunds for a malfunctioning postage meter when the redundant memory data was unavailable unless the documentation provided by the manufacturer includes the PTM certification shown above.

If the licensing Post Office receives any refund requests for a malfunctioning postage meter, when the redundant memory data was unavailable, without the PTM certification, it must send the entire refund request to PTM at the following address:

POSTAGE TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT
REFUNDS
1735 N LYNN ST RM 5011
ARLINGTON VA 22209-6050

If PTM rejects a refund request, it will notify the manufacturer, who in turn will notify the licensee. The licensee may appeal this decision in accordance with DMM P030.4.7, P030.5.8, P030.6.7, and P030.7.7.

- Postage Technology Management,Retail, Consumers and Small Business, 11-29-01

Postal Bulletin Distribution

The GPO distributes the Postal Bulletin for the Postal Service to all postal facilities except classified stations and branches, contract postal units, and detached mail units, which receive copies from their administrative post office. The Postal Bulletin is also available online at http://www.usps.com (click on Info, then Postal Periodicals and Publications).

If your postal facility has access to cc:Mail, you may send a request for a new subscription order, an address and/or quantity change, or a subscription query to the cc:Mail address POSTAL BULLETIN. If you are using another email product, you can use the Internet email address pbulletin@email.usps.gov.

If you do not have access to email, you may complete the order form and mail it to:

ATTN POSTAL BULLETIN
US POSTAL SERVICE
475 L'ENFANT PLZ SW RM 5540
WASHINGTON DC 20260-5540

Either way you send it, please include the "PO0"subscription number from your address label.

Subscription Orders: 202-512-1800

Subscription Inquiries: 202-512-1806 Fax: 202-512-2250

Missing Issues: If postal facilities that receive the Bulletin from GPO do not receive their order, they should call the Postal Bulletin editor at 202-268-2836. All other facilities should contact their administrative post office.