Effective August 23, 2012, Handbook PO-101, Postal Service-Operated Retail Facilities Discontinuance Guide, is revised to include provisions on Remotely Managed Post Offices™ (RMPOs) and Part-Time Post Offices (PTPOs). These revisions affect retail units previously classified as EAS Level 16 or below Post Offices.
An RMPO is a Post Office that offers part-time window service hours, is staffed by a Postal Service employee at the direction of a postmaster, and reports to an Administrative Post Office. A PTPO offers part-time window service hours, is staffed by a Postal Service employee, and reports to a district office. In addition, the term “lowest non-bargaining (EAS) employee grade” is replaced with “lowest level RMPO” in section 212.3. This change is nonsubstantive, because the hours of service of the lowest EAS grade for Post Offices previously in effect corresponds to window service hours offered by the lowest level RMPO.
Handbook PO-101, Postal Service-Operated Retail Facilities Discontinuance Guide
* * * * *
1 Introduction
* * * * *
12 Federal Law Regarding Post Office Discontinuances
* * * * *
[Add 123 and 124 to read as follows:]
123 Remotely Managed Post Offices
A Remotely Managed Post Office (RMPO) is a Post Office that offers part-time window service hours, is staffed by a Postal Service employee at the direction of a postmaster, and reports to an Administrative Post Office. Unless otherwise specified, all references to “Post Office” include RMPOs. The classification of a Post Office as an RMPO is not a discontinuance action under this handbook.
124 Part-Time Post Offices
A Part-Time Post Office (PTPO) is a Post Office that offers part-time window service hours, is staffed by a Postal Service employee, and reports to a district office. Unless otherwise specified, all references to “Post Office” include PTPOs. The classification of a Post Office as a PTPO is not a discontinuance action under this handbook.
* * * * *
2 Feasibility Study
21 Decision to Study
* * * * *
212 Circumstances Prompting Decision to Study
* * * * *
212.3 Office Workload
[Revise 212.3 to read as follows:]
Earned workload below the minimum established level for the lowest level RMPO may lead to a decision to study.
* * * * *
We will incorporate this revision into the next printed version of Handbook PO-101 and also into the online version available on the Postal Service PolicyNet website:
n Go to http://blue.usps.gov.
n Under “Essential Links” in the left-hand column, click PolicyNet.
n Click HBKs.
(The direct URL for the Postal Service PolicyNet website is http://blue.usps.gov/cpim.)
— Retail Operations,
Delivery & Post Office Operations, 8-23-12
