use of ones vehicle on rounds?

[stokes11eg]

I have to say the amount of times cars on deliveries has been discussed shows me one thing - that the union should make its position clear and back the people who are afraid of reprisal forusing acceleration to and from duty.
I for one use my car, i have continually asked reps, area reps and on here for a set in stone answer to all the questions nmentioned in this forum, the threats come thick and fast when i threaten to use a van and the response i get from the union is well, erm, he could be right etc.......
It is IMO this constant "were not sure" that keeps f***ing us

:cfo How very true. Some years ago, when we tried it the union way,and it didn't work out ,They agreed with the Management that we could go back to using cars----

[DGP1]

Reading through some of these posts about management threatening people if they don't use their car, it really doesn't make any sense that you would all still want to use them. Why don't you just all make the decision to stop using your cars and see if the management conducts everyone and then put in a grievence.

[brothermagrew]

I have to say the amount of times cars on deliveries has been discussed shows me one thing - that the union should make its position clear and back the people who are afraid of reprisal forusing acceleration to and from duty.
I for one use my car, i have continually asked reps, area reps and on here for a set in stone answer to all the questions nmentioned in this forum, the threats come thick and fast when i threaten to use a van and the response i get from the union is well, erm, he could be right etc.......
It is IMO this constant "were not sure" that keeps f***ing us

:cfo How very true. Some years ago, when we tried it the union way,and it didn't work out ,They agreed with the Management that we could go back to using cars----

For me these two lines say it all:
Private cars are not official transport. Therefore the use of private cars must not be assumed in the construction of delivery duties and will not be. There is no payment to employees for use of private cars. Revisions must not be planned on the basis of the use of private cars.

The CWU did make representations to Royal Mail on the issue of Private Cars being used on Delivery as can be seen from this short Guardian article (below) in March 2006.

After years of campaigning against the use of private cars on delivery, the Communication Workers Union took a pragmatic stance and tried to negotiate with Royal Mail (Postal deliveries by car increasing risk of thefts, March 11). Our objective was an agreement that contained risk assessments, safe systems of working, maintenance of vehicles carried out by trained Royal Mail mechanics, regular roadworthiness checks, the provision of comprehensive insurance and the appropriate remuneration for our members. The agreement would also have ensured that customers' mail was safeguarded at all times. Unfortunately, Royal Mail broke off negotiations to pursue its own strategy over the heads of the union. Its strategy ignores many of the safeguards that we attempted to negotiate and is primarily based on reducing costs. The answer is either to negotiate an agreement, or ban the use of private cars on delivery. Personally, I would prefer the latter.

Bob Gibson
National assistant secretary, CWU