Mark Higson update on modernisation

[dvbuk55]

Perhaps we should be looking at a redistribution of wealth as long as it isn't mine

I just don't see the child poverty nor poverty in general at the level you profess but I also think that the benefit system is fundamentally flawed and I don't think that this new system goes in any measure to address the issue.

[Danelectro]

Perhaps we should be looking at a redistribution of wealth as long as it isn't mine

i can now see why you think Tony Blair is a socialist

[fishtank]

the Sweaties will have a far worse one party government situation

In four elections we've had a Lab/Lib coalition twice,a minority SNP government once and a majority SNP government once.

We also have what's called mixed-member proportional representation which is far more democratic than FPTP.

So where do you get your evidence of a "far worse one party government situation",did you just make that s**t up?

[Tman]

So where do you get your evidence of a "far worse one party government situation",did you just make that s**t up?

Touchy touchy. Note the use of the words "will have". That implies it's my opinion of future events if that smug jowly little a*se Salmond gets to play at being Laird.

[heapsy]

We've reduced serious injuries by 50% but have no idea what the percentage increase will be for musculoskeletal injuries that we have and will cause by implementing untried and untested new delivery methods.

Quite right. Those of us that are using HCTs are running a very high risk of arthritis etc, by the very nature of the job. Everyone I know in our office that uses them is having problems with walking, bad knees, hips etc. Don't understand why the union agreed to use them in the first place.

[dvbuk55]

We've reduced serious injuries by 50% but have no idea what the percentage increase will be for musculoskeletal injuries that we have and will cause by implementing untried and untested new delivery methods.

Quite right. Those of us that are using HCTs are running a very high risk of arthritis etc, by the very nature of the job. Everyone I know in our office that uses them is having problems with walking, bad knees, hips etc. Don't understand why the union agreed to use them in the first place.

Weight off the shoulder................however there are long term fatigue studies underway

[clashcityrocker]

We've reduced serious injuries by 50% but have no idea what the percentage increase will be for musculoskeletal injuries that we have and will cause by implementing untried and untested new delivery methods.

Quite right. Those of us that are using HCTs are running a very high risk of arthritis etc, by the very nature of the job. Everyone I know in our office that uses them is having problems with walking, bad knees, hips etc. Don't understand why the union agreed to use them in the first place.

In 2 years of being present at attendance procedure interviews, prior to the introduction of a delivery methods revision, I saw neck, shoulder, serious job-threatening back, hip, and knee injuries (some requiring surgery) and 2 hernias.
Anyone who thinks using a trolley is in any way a bad thing is seriously deluded. In no way does it put the same stress on the body.

[Lincox]

What delivery method are you comparing that to, which has caused these injuries prior to delivery method changes?

[clashcityrocker]

Pouch over shoulder.

[heapsy]

We've reduced serious injuries by 50% but have no idea what the percentage increase will be for musculoskeletal injuries that we have and will cause by implementing untried and untested new delivery methods.

Quite right. Those of us that are using HCTs are running a very high risk of arthritis etc, by the very nature of the job. Everyone I know in our office that uses them is having problems with walking, bad knees, hips etc. Don't understand why the union agreed to use them in the first place.

In 2 years of being present at attendance procedure interviews, prior to the introduction of a delivery methods revision, I saw neck, shoulder, serious job-threatening back, hip, and knee injuries (some requiring surgery) and 2 hernias.
Anyone who thinks using a trolley is in any way a bad thing is seriously deluded. In no way does it put the same stress on the body.

The very nature of the new delivery method causes problems in itself. Even the union are now looking in to this very issue. You do not walk in the same way, when pushing an HCT, as you do when walking without. It definately causes problems which, although may take time to surface, will cause many problems in future years. Fact. ALL the people using them in our office are having problems, and like you, our rep is also burying his head in the sand.

[clashcityrocker]

The very nature of the new delivery method causes problems in itself. Even the union are now looking in to this very issue. You do not walk in the same way, when pushing an HCT, as you do when walking without. It definately causes problems which, although may take time to surface, will cause many problems in future years. Fact. ALL the people using them in our office are having problems, and like you, our rep is also burying his head in the sand.

On the one hand you say it causes problems - although they may take time to surface.
On the other, everyone in your office who has used an HCT is already having problems.

So how long did it take for the problems to manifest themselves?
And then what about those people who tie the trolley up and loop off it with a pouch? Worst of both worlds

Are you really arguing in favour of a return to weight on the shoulder?

[Lincox]

Clash, no one can argue about a return to bag on shoulder. There should never have been a need for that anyway on most walks, as it is far less physical to put the bag on a bike and if necessary push the bike, which is far easier than dragging a trolley behind you. A bike has and will remain the most efficient and less harmful way of delivering mail. Yes there will always be the odd bad accident on a bike, whether it be mechanical or self inflicted, but from history we know that cycle use is far less wearing than continual use of the feet for 5 hours or more.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

There should never have been a need for that anyway on most walks, as it is far less physical to put the bag on a bike and if necessary push the bike, which is far easier than dragging a trolley behind you.

I am 100% certain that there is not a single bike delivery in Huddersfield. In our case there is much less effort dragging a trolley up a hill, than trying to push a loaded bike up it, thats if you cant plan the walk to be all downhill.

http://goo.gl/maps/6DlDt" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; HD2
http://goo.gl/maps/Gq63S" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; HD5

What they needed to do was review each office and design the method of delivery round the terrain, not try to force in just 2 types of delivery on the whole country come what may. I think P&L and trolleys, implemented correctly would be better for my DO, unfortunately it looks as though not the whole office will be getting it.

[clashcityrocker]

, but from history we know that cycle use is far less wearing than continual use of the feet for 5 hours or more.

How much mail can you put on a bike?
16kg on the front and 2 8kg panniers?

If your whole walk is less than 32kg - fine, otherwise you are relying on replenishment (vans) or dedicated packet duties (vans) and neither of those were part of the business plan.
And even if your walk was less than 32kg I doubt the bulk of the packets would allow you to complete the duty unaided.

And how many bikes were there in RM anyway? About 4% iirc.

[heapsy]

The very nature of the new delivery method causes problems in itself. Even the union are now looking in to this very issue. You do not walk in the same way, when pushing an HCT, as you do when walking without. It definately causes problems which, although may take time to surface, will cause many problems in future years. Fact. ALL the people using them in our office are having problems, and like you, our rep is also burying his head in the sand.

On the one hand you say it causes problems - although they may take time to surface.
On the other, everyone in your office who has used an HCT is already having problems.

So how long did it take for the problems to manifest themselves?
And then what about those people who tie the trolley up and loop off it with a pouch? Worst of both worlds

Are you really arguing in favour of a return to weight on the shoulder?

Our revision came in just over 2 years ago, so there has been time for issues to surface. Nothing is perfect I know, but the union was too hasty in embracing something which clearly is having an effect on peoples health. In our office we have few terraced streets, the walks are spread out far more than they should be for HCTs and people are even being bussed out they travel that far.