TNT in Liverpool

[Budfrog]

However, do you agree that the emphasis isn't just on managers. IMO changes in attitudes and approach will be necessary on both sides. Having spent some time on this board I don't underestimate the difficulty of achieving that either.

I agree there has to be a culture change from the CWU grades as well, the representation from the Union has to better, more professional and more open than it is as present. There has to be recognition from the shop floor that Managers and Reps must have a closer working relationship, not just for the benefit of Royal Mail but for its employees as well.

There has to be recognition that some decisions won't go our way and we can't always go for an adversarial approach. However the business has also to realise that they have to give some concessions as well. Both sides need to approach things pragmatically and not with a how far can we push them attitude. There has to be a more adult way of dealing with other employees. Just for instance people need to realise sometimes we are own worst enemies, the constant fall back to seniority (sometimes even if its illegal) when other approaches can be a lot fairer and less adversial. Or people only working their own duties on their day off and not taking into consideration their day off cover person. We also need to be fairer to each other, if you are finished and still have time left in your duty why not help out another duty instead of heading back to the office for an early knock. Also we need to realise that the bosses job is to tell us what to do, and as long as they are being fair, transparent, professional and respectful then we should be as well.

However, through my turgid list there is one single thread running through the background and it is that it won't work without a change of ethos from management and that's been promised in every agreement since I started. However, I am hopeful though not completely convinced that with some of the changes at board level we might indeed be seeing a change even if it is in nascent stages.

I agree with all you have said but I am concerned that both sides are so entrenched in their views and attitudes that achieving it will take a seismic shift of massive proportions. There has been a greater willingness to accept change from the postal grades to modernise over the past 5 years than at any other time in the history of RM but it's not enough ... and the reason it's not enough is simple, the competition can undercut RM every time as their cost base is lower and the current regulatory structure works in their favour, they are also quicker to launch the type of innovative services that the modern customer wants . I don't believe that current managerial behaviours are supportive enough and they are in the main dismissive of the views of postal staff allowing them little or no meaningful input to the decision making process. There is widespread mistrust from both sides which will require a change in the structure to one that promotes a totally new way of working. It's either change or continue to lose traffic, revenue and jobs.

[dvbuk55]

What we are looking at has been a repetitive change of management who have no history of controlling, planning and organising a future proof business with innovative modernisation. It takes too long to set in motion change consequently we have CSS machines as letter volumes are falling, parcels and packets through the roof without any mechanised sorting. IMHO that is why over time the business will be carved up and sold piece meal.

[Sharkeyes]

As posted on Facebook:

This is Liverpool's LABOUR Mayor who seems quite proud about the fact that he 'invited' TNT to set up in Liverpool, creating an alleged 500 jobs.
What Labours Mayoral PR machine doesn't tell you is that this now puts 800 Royal Mail jobs including my own in jeopardy!
The Mayor stated in a Radio interview with BBC Radio Merseyside, that his office helped to facilitate TNT coming here and gave 'assistance' from the 'Mayoral Fund' and a premises to operate from.

The EU Directives on the 'Liberalisation of Postal Markets' FORBID any such assistance from PUBLIC funded bodies whether directly or indirectly as STATE AID! It is in direct breach therefore of EU Directives on 'Fairness policy' if this is the case.


This is yet another example of LABOUR not giving a 'stuff' about workers & trade union members by openly endorsing, promoting and advertising a PRIVATE FOREIGN OWNED MULTI NATIONAL COMPETITOR WHICH HAS AN AGENDA TO 'DESTROY' JOBS & DAMAGAE ROYAL MAIL, by actions such as this and by giving 'DSA' CONTRACTS for council mail to rival companies to process OUTSIDE of the local area, then dump it on Royal Mail to deliver with even LESS revenue to support existing jobs, which gave local people disposable income to spend in the local economy.

Of course, I welcome new jobs, BUT NOT WHEN 'FAIRNESS' RULES ARE 'BROKEN' AND IT PUTS BETTER PAID & CONDITIONED JOBS AT RISK!
IS THAT NOT SOMETHING THAT THE 'PARTY OF THE UNIONS' HAS ALWAYS FOUGHT TO KEEP & EXPAND ON? PAY & CONDITIONS?
YET WE HAVE THAT SAME SAID PARTY OPENLY ENDORSING,
'THE RACE TO THE BOTTOM!'
Not sorry Mr. Mayor, but this 'deal' needs top be 'returned to sender!'

This puts OUR JOBS at risk by taking AWAY the very work that Royal Mail has always done & at a fair price and a 'rebated' price for business.
Royal Mail profits went to the Treasury to support the welfare of this country.
TNT's profit from this will most likely go across the Channel to support the failing TNT Dutch operation, meaning that, that money is 'LOST FROM OUR LOCAL ECONOMY!'
That is NOT good for business in anyone's language!

That man or woman should be running for Mayor against Anderson, classic champagne socialist.

'classic champagne Socialist'? Did you mean the person who wrote this or Joe Anderson?

[Brain Fury]

However, do you agree that the emphasis isn't just on managers. IMO changes in attitudes and approach will be necessary on both sides. Having spent some time on this board I don't underestimate the difficulty of achieving that either.

I agree there has to be a culture change from the CWU grades as well, the representation from the Union has to better, more professional and more open than it is as present. There has to be recognition from the shop floor that Managers and Reps must have a closer working relationship, not just for the benefit of Royal Mail but for its employees as well.

There has to be recognition that some decisions won't go our way and we can't always go for an adversarial approach. However the business has also to realise that they have to give some concessions as well. Both sides need to approach things pragmatically and not with a how far can we push them attitude. There has to be a more adult way of dealing with other employees. Just for instance people need to realise sometimes we are own worst enemies, the constant fall back to seniority (sometimes even if its illegal) when other approaches can be a lot fairer and less adversial. Or people only working their own duties on their day off and not taking into consideration their day off cover person. We also need to be fairer to each other, if you are finished and still have time left in your duty why not help out another duty instead of heading back to the office for an early knock. Also we need to realise that the bosses job is to tell us what to do, and as long as they are being fair, transparent, professional and respectful then we should be as well.

However, through my turgid list there is one single thread running through the background and it is that it won't work without a change of ethos from management and that's been promised in every agreement since I started. However, I am hopeful though not completely convinced that with some of the changes at board level we might indeed be seeing a change even if it is in nascent stages.

I agree with all you have said but I am concerned that both sides are so entrenched in their views and attitudes that achieving it will take a seismic shift of massive proportions. There has been a greater willingness to accept change from the postal grades to modernise over the past 5 years than at any other time in the history of RM but it's not enough ... and the reason it's not enough is simple, the competition can undercut RM every time as their cost base is lower and the current regulatory structure works in their favour, they are also quicker to launch the type of innovative services that the modern customer wants . I don't believe that current managerial behaviours are supportive enough and they are in the main dismissive of the views of postal staff allowing them little or no meaningful input to the decision making process. There is widespread mistrust from both sides which will require a change in the structure to one that promotes a totally new way of working. It's either change or continue to lose traffic, revenue and jobs.

As I said, I think that is recognised by senior RM management. Whether the change can or will be delivered is another matter. Personally I think it will be very difficult especially as you say with the pressures that increased competition is going to bring. As with most changes in RM, you get the feeling that it's being introduced too late.

[Brain Fury]

What we are looking at has been a repetitive change of management who have no history of controlling, planning and organising a future proof business with innovative modernisation. It takes too long to set in motion change consequently we have CSS machines as letter volumes are falling, parcels and packets through the roof without any mechanised sorting. IMHO that is why over time the business will be carved up and sold piece meal.

Key message from the OPs Mangers conference earlier this month was that we have to implement what's required earlier and implement it quicker.

[Brain Fury]

Looking at the latest Courier, if "being the best" is going to be used as a strap line for anything (earlier posts in this thread) it will be the initiative to implement best practice standards and processes across the operation which will be coming along in the next few months.

[dvbuk55]

Looking at the latest Courier, if "being the best" is going to be used as a strap line for anything (earlier posts in this thread) it will be the initiative to implement best practice standards and processes across the operation which will be coming along in the next few months.

We'll I wish them luck with that because implementation seems to be one HUGE failing of RM. BT 2010 has still not be fully implemented, the standards set have not been fully implemented and here we are all sails set to implement an agenda for growth. What used to be a fairly simple job of processing and delivering mail has been turned into a colossal cock up.

[Brain Fury]

Looking at the latest Courier, if "being the best" is going to be used as a strap line for anything (earlier posts in this thread) it will be the initiative to implement best practice standards and processes across the operation which will be coming along in the next few months.

We'll I wish them luck with that because implementation seems to be one HUGE failing of RM. BT 2010 has still not be fully implemented, the standards set have not been fully implemented and here we are all sails set to implement an agenda for growth. What used to be a fairly simple job of processing and delivering mail has been turned into a colossal cock up.

Can't disagree with that bit but I'd argue that everybody has a share of the blame.

[dvbuk55]

Looking at the latest Courier, if "being the best" is going to be used as a strap line for anything (earlier posts in this thread) it will be the initiative to implement best practice standards and processes across the operation which will be coming along in the next few months.

We'll I wish them luck with that because implementation seems to be one HUGE failing of RM. BT 2010 has still not be fully implemented, the standards set have not been fully implemented and here we are all sails set to implement an agenda for growth. What used to be a fairly simple job of processing and delivering mail has been turned into a colossal cock up.

Can't disagree with that bit but I'd argue that everybody has a share of the blame.

I wouldn't disagree with that Brain there are elements within the union that seem to believe the agreements don't apply to them, drag their feet and want to renegotiate over time to suit their circumstances. This footsie between the union and RM does have a detrimental effect on RM because in order to keep the status quo they are reluctant to go all guns blazing to bring the whole organisation into line.

[fishtank]

Can't disagree with that bit but I'd argue that everybody has a share of the blame.

Not everybody.
Certain areas have embraced the change in business priorities and some areas have been allowed to continue to resist change because it was deemed easier to give in than push forward with modernisation.
At the end of the day that is a senior management failing.