Rural Carrier Associate (RCA) currently are considered part time employees and receive no benefits. New regulations are mandating RCAs to work Saturday and Sundays along w covering Monday thru Friday. RCAs in many locations are working 7 days a weeks without any benefits. RCAs are working 40+ hours a week with only an option to buy into insurance. None of the time working as a RCA is counted toward retirment. RCAs can work 5 + years before becoming a career employee. This petition is asking that USPS and National Rural Letter Carrier Associates write I to next contract that all hours worked as a RCA is counted toward retirement. This will give RCAs a benefit to stay while sacrificing their family time to the post office.