Newbie Help!

[shamrock]

Hi guys, great site,
just started as a postie last week and would love a few tips from the experts here.
first off, i havent been approached yet by Union rep, should i join?


got my wage slip y'day and not sure what to make of it. my contract is 6 hours, i only had 1 days training last week but on the slip it says weekday overtime @SSPR.i got paid an extra 8 hours, should i mention this or just say feck all.

done my 3 days full training this week, out on my own today, tough on first go, how do you posties get over the sore knees and shoulders?
cheers and thanks

[krussel]

Hi shamrock and welcome.

Personally I would join the Union as it can be a real beneficial help should you need some local advice or representation in the future.

As to being over paid I would bring it to attention of a manager and get them to check for you. You can say nothing of course but if found to be wrong they will only take it back anyway.

Sore feet, knees,shoulders and legs are par for the course when you start I am afraid. Try to wear good quality socks to avoid dreaded blisters. I recon it will start to get easier after a month as your fitness level increases. Just stick with it buddy

[Exrep]

Go to your rep and ask him for a union form or go on http://www.cwu.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and join online.

Say nothink on your pay if they have made a mistake they will just take it back later on.

You dont get over the sore knees and shoulders you just learnd to get on with it some days are worse than others with the old joints.

[johnnyp]

Welcome to RMC shamrock
Have a look at this.
http://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communit ... 36&t=13909" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[razor]

Ibuprofen + paracetamol helps for the first few weeks till you get over the sore knees stage. I know when i first started my knees killed me for about 6 weeks, I was just about to think about seeing a Doc when the pain just dropped off all of a sudden.

Now they only hurt if i go back after having over a week off.

My only real tip would be don't afraid to ask questions. RM training is shite and you have to learn from your mistakes, but everyone makes 'em.

[shamrock]

thanks guys, appreciate it, didnt really realise how i unfit i was,

[krussel]

thanks guys, appreciate it, didnt really realise how i unfit i was,

I doubt your that much out of condition it just that walking around for 4 hours is just not a natural pastime and will take a bit getting used to. Make sure you take plenty of rest in the first few weeks and I would not recommend doing OT till you have adjusted properly. Personally I have a hot bath once I get in which helps with the aches and pains.

[mclovin]

Never, EVER, leave your bundle on top of a police car when out delivering, as one of ours did a few years ago.

[peejay14]

Shamrock, will you be going on strike if the industrial action resumes after Christmas ?

Or would you say it's a bit too early to be thinking about such matters, since you are only just finding your feet, and they are sore!

If you join the union, you will be under pressure to strike, if that is the will of the union.

[Jo_M]

Will your 8 hours overtime be for your induction which was probably carried out at a mail centre rather than your delivery office.

Stick with the pain , plenty of rest and it will ease away.

Welcome to the madhouse !!!

[shamrock]

not sure about the strike yet, although i think the majority of our office is out, im not fully up to speed on the strike, still a bit unsure of it all. I see Peter Mandelsons name mentioned a lot, so that cant be good, he was a bastard when he was secretary of state for the north of Ireland here.

as for the overtime, no, i done my induction the week before and got sorted for that, sure, better in my pocket than theirs eh,

[peejay14]

I'm not sure about the strike either, and I've been in the job 18 months! Not an easy position to be in, let me tell you, especially on this board!

[BELIAL]

Industrial action : An introduction for newcomers
Part 1 The Basics - a simple choice

A) Uphold the decision of the democratic ballot taken by your work mates to defend their terms and conditions

B) Become a blackleg and work with senior management to increase your colleagues workload and reduce their pay

Part 2 The End

[peejay14]

No pressure, Shamrock...

[Acca Dacca]

No pressure, Shamrock...

Right we get the point, you arent in favour of striking - enough already.