2024 Rural Carrier Year in Review
Here we are at the end of another year, and what a year it has been for the rural craft. Is it just me or does everything seem crazy since RRECS started? I am not even working anymore but just reading the updates makes me crazy.
I still stand by my opinion that it should never have been implemented until all aspects were fully operational, but what do I know?
Ruralinfo.net in 2024
Ruralinfo.net turned 19 years old. Can you believe it? Read more about that here
We added a new daily newsletter so you can get the latest news in your email daily. Sign up for that here
We added an Ad free subscription on Ruralinfo.net. Not very many people have taken advantage of it, but it is an option. If you ever wanted to support Ruralinfo.net, you can buy a subscription or just donate a coffee.
We created a PSHB page and created some comparison tables. You can check that out here
And finally, we created a rural carrier shop that offers some products that I used when I was a rural carrier.
We sold our PostalRHD domain. I was spending too much to keep it going and it didn’t get much traffic. We do have a Vehicle buy and sell group on Facebook if you need to buy or sell a route vehicle.
Hopefully I can continue to make the website better as we look towards the future. Keep reading to see the rural carrier year in review
In Memoriam
A special look at those fellow rural carriers we lost on the job this year.
Click on their names to read their stories
Postal Vehicle Fires in 2024
2024 pay updates
2024 EMA Updates
- April EMA Rate – 94.5¢ per mile
- June EMA Rate – 98.0¢ per mile
- October EMA Rate – 97.0¢ per mile
- December EMA Rate – 95.0¢ per mile
Contract negotiations
In march we got the negotiations opening statement of NRLCA Don Maston. They also released a video on negotiations. In May, there was an announcement that they were continuing negotiations. In November, there was a video update on ongoing negotiations.
Top News of 2024
Click the arrows to click through the months
Rural Carrier Heroes
See more Rural Carrier Heroes
Top Downloaded Files from our Knowledgebase
| File | Downloads | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | 2021-2024-Special-Contract-Edition_FINAL.pdf | 24006 |
| 2. | combined-salary-schedules-082623.pdf | 17183 |
| 3. | Order-of-consideration.pdf | 9596 |
| 4. | PS-Form-1164e-Etravel-expense-report.pdf | 9348 |
| 5. | Pay-stub-reference.pdf | 9212 |
| 6. | Table-of-evaluated-hours-for-rural-routes.pdf | 8360 |
| 7. | Leave-replacement-matrix-guidelines.pdf | 8222 |
| 8. | Formula-and-relief-day-references.pdf | 7690 |
| 9. | NRLCA-Comprehensive-Guide-to-RRECS-October-2021.pdf | 7092 |
| 10. | Contract-Q-and-A.pdf | 6062 |
In closing
So there you have it. The rural carrier year in review. I did my best to try to cover all of the important things but I am sure I missed something. I know this is long, but there are a lot of things to cover in a year.
Most of you know I have been retired since October 2022 and yes, I absolutely recommend retirement as soon as you can. My stress level has plummeted and my husband and dog are happy to have me home every day..
Thanks to everyone for finding what I do worthy of reading and paying attention to. If not for rural carriers across the country, this website would never have become what it is.
I wish only the best for every rural carrier in this country. I want you to be fairly compensated and treated with dignity and respect. I want you all to get the information you deserve. I am still passionate about the rural craft, so I will keep Ruralinfo.net going as long as I feel it is still helping rural carriers.
Here is to a better year for you all in 2025. Whatever happens, I will be here to try to help keep you informed through it all.
With all of that being said, let me leave you with a few things coming up in 2025 that should be on your radar.
2025 Pay Dates and Leave Year
USPS released their pay date and leave year chart. Click here
2025 Printable Rural Carrier Calendar
We created our yearly printable calendars in JPG or PDF format – Download at this link
Leave Carryover
As of now, there is an agreement to be able to carryover 520 hours to the new year. Read more
The New Leave Year
The 2025 leave year begins January 11, 2025, extends for 26 full pay periods, and ends January 9th, 2026
2024 Guarantee period
A new guarantee period for rural carriers will be effective on 10/4/25
Two Mini Mail Surveys coming in 2024
Rural routes will be evaluated every six months following the evaluation effective October 5, 2024. The beginning of the first full pay period in April and October, respectively, will be the effective date of all future rural route evaluations.
RDWL signup opportunities in May and October
The first opportunity to sign the relief day work list will be three weeks prior to the beginning of the new guarantee period and will be effective at the beginning of the new guarantee period. The second opportunity to sign the relief day work list will be three weeks prior to the beginning of the first full pay period in May and will be effective the first full pay period in May.
Sunday/Holiday Parcel Delivery Work List Signup Opportunities in May and October
The first opportunity to sign the Sunday/Holiday Parcel Delivery Work List list will be three weeks prior to the beginning of the new guarantee period and will be effective at the beginning of the new guarantee period. The second opportunity to sign the relief day work list will be three weeks prior to the beginning of the first full pay period in May and will be effective the first full pay period in May.
Rural Carrier Christmas period
The new rural carrier Christmas period will begin on 12/6/25.
NRLCA/USPS Contract Expired on May 20th, 2024
Hopefully there will be a new contract in 2025. As of now, it is just a waiting game.
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