u/katymrow

I started working at the post office in January of 2024. When I got there, there was one FTR, and I was one of two PTF clerks. The other PTF (I’ll call her Ruth) and I could consistently find enough work to get around 40 hours a week (sometimes more) because there is at least one office in the area that is always in need. I don’t like that we didn’t learn our schedule until the Wednesday before, but the hours varied enough that I could squeeze in a haircut appointment or something else without taking off time.

In April of 2025, the FTR took the early out and retired. After he left, there were rumblings that Ruth would be forced (her words) to become the FTR. His schedule was 8:45-5:45 with an hour lunch break and Wednesday as his NS day. Ruth likes to do distribution and tried to ask the postmaster if she could have 6:30-3pm with Tuesday as her NS day. The postmaster said the bid was not up for negotiation and decided to eliminate his position citing drop in mail volume, our office no longer getting Amazon drops, and this was the time UPS stopped dropping off for us as well. She quietly posted the job elimination notice, and we moved on. Until Ruth found out a few months later the job was eliminated and complained to the union.

Flash forward to now, the postmaster is on FMLA and her spouse has a serious medical condition so she has been out since February. The union called in the last month and said Ruth mentioned the job elimination and they decided to fight for the job to be reinstated. They have enough evidence that we need the role considering the other PTF and I have been working 40+hours every week. Last week, the OIC postmaster heard the position is definitely coming back.

Which brings us to now: Ruth (who complained originally) has said that it’s more advantageous for her to be a PTF. She isn’t forced to be in the office 8:45-5:45, she can travel to other offices, she would get the overtime we’re both sharing right now, and she would have the flexibility she wants. I feel like she has forced my hand a bit, and I would be compelled to take the FTR bid or have the threat of being excessed (what the OIC said could happen).

I like my office, but I’m in a weird spot personally- my wife is doing IUI and we want to have a baby. The flexibility of being a PTF might make scheduling things like appointments or taking care of baby when they come a little easier. My wife’s job is higher paying and we always talked about me taking care of a child if we have one. But we don’t right now, and I’m feeling conflicted. I also like the overtime I get right now…What should I do?

TL/DR: should I take the FTR clerk job when it opens up? Is it better to stay a PTF and risk being excessed? Is there anything I can do to keep things as they are?