This case involved management requiring rural carriers to make delivery of ordinary parcels beyond the one-half mile rule. Management agreed to pay the carriers mileage and time to deliver. The parties agreed that the PO-603 clearly states in Section 331.21, “you must deliver parcels to any residence or business that is on your line of travel, or within one-half mile of the route and has a passable road leading to it.” The parties further agree these provisions limit the distance rural carriers are required to deviate in order to deliver ordinary parcels. Local management does not have the authority to unilaterally violate the PO-603 and claim no violation if management agrees to compensate the carrier. The deviation of the one-half mile rule does not apply when rural carriers are being paid actual time and actual miles for the delivery of parcels, (ie: Sunday/Monday Amazon parcel delivery, Auxiliary assistance, etc.).
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