National talks update:Endorsed by the PEC

[POSTMAN]

Endorsed by the PEC yesterday 6th Dec 2011


CIRCULATED TO THE
POSTAL EXECUTIVE ON 226/11 (PE) ‘A’
6th December 2011

For consideration at the
Postal Executive Meeting
On 6th December 2011


BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION – UPDATE ON NATIONAL TALKS

The purpose of this document is to provide an end of year overview on Business Transformation, explain the current state of play in national talks and prioritise our agenda for the New Year.

Overview

Deploying the Business Transformation Agreement was never going to be easy. It was always going to be about delivering unpopular but necessary major change, whilst the company and our members face an unprecedented set of circumstances which threaten everybody’s future.

However, earlier in the year our task was made much harder by the company’s announcement on ColleagueShare and the introduction of a new business plan that prolongs the transformation programme in response to sharper revenue and volume decline than forecast in the original plan.

Deployment has also been played out against the background of a growing cash flow crisis, difficulties in delivery revisions and the Postal Services Bill becoming an act of parliament. Again, the threat of privatisation and uncertainty over pensions, regulation and European State Aid all amount to serious destabilising factors.

To address these developments the Postal Executive initially agreed a policy that was placed before a National Briefing at the end of March 2011. Subsequently, Annual Conference agreed the terms of Emergency Motion 3, which pulled together the reality of the industrial and political challenges we now face. This eventually led to us getting the company to agree a joint statement for national talks covering all major issues.

More recently tensions have heightened over growing problems, particularly in delivery, with the company squeezing frontline employees to make additional savings under what has been termed “a business as usual approach”. In response the Union has made it clear publicly that we do not see this as part of our agreement and that these managerial initiatives will inevitably damage progress with the agreement.


As part of identifying key issues for the national talks we also took the opportunity to request Divisional Reps to place comprehensive reports on the key problems they were facing with deployment. These were subsequently published to the Executive a couple of months ago.

All in all, it is hard to imagine a more difficult set of circumstances in which to successfully deliver transformation, although it could be argued that we have done well to maintain any kind of momentum and it should be recognised that there have been some notable successes along the way. Although there are clearly problems with some aspects of BT deployment, the PEC must continue to maintain strong support on the need for change and recognise that the business now operates within a much harsher environment. As was stated in a recent letter to members the debate cannot be about whether we change – its how we change.

National Talks – Current State of Play

Immediately prior to the last two day meeting the Postal Executive saw the exchange of correspondence whereby the company confirmed they were prepared to bring forward talks on pay, MTSF, extending job security and finding a suitable replacement for ColleagueShare. This was viewed as a positive development, but to some extent it did make the last meeting a bit more difficult because the company indicated they needed more time to prepare their detailed position and costings on these subjects.

During the session a range of issues were discussed, including breakout functional talks supported by ACAS. We have attached as an Appendix a summary of where we broadly are with all items currently under discussion. These will be elaborated on during the meeting by the relevant officers.

In concluding the last session the Union could not have made it any clearer that the so called “business as usual” approach aligned to continuing unagreed delivery initiatives were top of the agenda for speedy resolution.

Business Transformation Priorities in the New Year

In January the pressure on everybody to deliver Business Transformation in a way that CWU members, representatives and management can still support will greatly intensify, as will the need to make real progress on World Class Mail, pay, MTSF and extended job security. At the same time the Union will be engaged in wider talks covering the Postal Services Act.

As things currently stand it would appear that neither the Union or management are satisfied with overall progress and the talks we are currently engaged in are absolutely crucial. The truth is, given the overall circumstances we are dealing with, if we cannot find solutions that work for everybody, and things don’t get better they are likely to become even more difficult.

From a CWU perspective, the biggest barrier to achieving our objectives are management’s actions predominately in delivery. The combination of unilateral initiatives such as “business as usual”, unrealistic local budgets/targets, unagreed lapsing are placing too much pressure on frontline employees and creating unfair workload which in a significant number of areas is manifesting itself as bullying and harassment. Whilst management may argue that they had to address an immediate cash flow problem, this short termism is definitely damaging the prospects of delivering sustainable revisions, improved relationships and a culture of mutual interest.

Therefore, we have reached the conclusion that a prerequisite to getting the agreement back on track is to resolve these matters once and for all. This is our number one priority and we must now take steps to bring the situation to a head. We propose to write to the Chief Executive and put the company on notice that unless a satisfactory resolution on the above mentioned can be found by no later than week commencing 16th January, the Union will consider appropriate sanctions, including suspension of CWU support in all revision activity.

We also propose to hold a Special PEC in the same week to receive a detailed progress report on national talks and take any appropriate decisions.

Finally, as reported in other PEC documents, the Union will need to increase the frequency of our communications to representatives and members and carry though, as a matter or urgency, a review of communications and the funding for this with the appropriate departments.



RECOMMENDATION 1: That the actions of the officers be endorsed.

RECOMMENDATION 2: That the policy outlined under the heading “Business Transformation Priorities in the New Year be enacted.

RECOMMENDATION 3: That suitable publicity be given through a comprehensive LTB before Christmas.

RECOMMENDATION 4: That in line with the policy a Special PEC
Be arranged on Business Transformation talks
Week commencing 16th January.



Dave Ward
Deputy General Secretary (P)

Ray Ellis
Assistant Secretary

Andy Furey
Assistant Secretary

Bob Gibson
Assistant Secretary

Terry Pullinger
Assistant Secretary
APPENDIX A – Summary of Items in National Talks


Structure/Frequency of Meetings – The new Group IR Director Mike Newby, stated that Royal Mail wanted to conclude all current negotiations by the end of January. He proposed maintaining a matrix of meetings, by issue and function, with a record of agendas and action points as appropriate. He also wants to introduce a weekly conference call to review progress.

Pay, Extended Job Security, MTSF, ColleagueShare – In line with the letter from Dale Haddon both parties are committed to advancing these issues and trying to conclude agreement by the end of January.

ColleagueShare – Royal Mail has stated they accept the need to find new incentive arrangements and this will feature in the overall talks.

World Class Mail - Royal Mail has accepted, in principle, the need for a new Framework Agreement and we have shared an outline draft of the key issues involved. Further meetings are diarised before Christmas.

Angard – We have told the company that we are seeking an overall agreement on how Angard will be used within Royal Mail and that we will also be looking for a recognition agreement for agency workers. A further meeting has been diarised before Christmas and the Union is due to send Royal Mail a list of our specific concerns.

Relationships – A pilot scheme to improve relationships at local level has been agreed in principle. Details of this are due to be concluded before Christmas.

Delivery – All current issues are being dealt with in functional meetings.

Mail Centres – All current issues are being dealt with in functional meetings.

Network – All current issues are being dealt with in functional meetings.

Area Distribution - All current issues are being dealt with in functional meetings.

226.doc

[General Mannerheim]

[jessicarabbit]

TO THE COBBLES BROTHERS

[kingofmcr]

i think it all means the CWU negotiating a ton more work ..and less pay

[AnotherLimey]

The planners are in, have been in for over a month, they want 100 BSI this that and the other to rape the indoor hours, thier plan is to deploy Feb 1st, so time the talks are over it's to late for yet another office

[knackeredneedadayoff]

talk talk talk talk talk talk talk talk talk/ no results

[RedRich]

talk talk talk talk talk talk talk talk talk/ no results

Exactly.

[fishtank]

ColleagueShare – Royal Mail has stated they accept the need to find new incentive arrangements and this will feature in the overall talks.

Incentives arrangements for what exactly?
More cuts..more savings...more job losses?
We've already paid that price for the colleagueshare money...twice.
If RM and the Union think that the members should be made to jump through even more hoops just to get their hands on the money they are already owed they really are taking the piss.
Either RM have the colleagueshare money or they don't...which is it?

[pinewood]

talk to jan not much bargining then .always get the talks finishing before christmas pressure starts. how many more times has the cwu got to learn this. whats the point striking in jan.if we dont get a deal

[derkhead]

and finding a suitable replacement for ColleagueShare.

226.doc

A suitable replacement for colleagueshare? How about the money we were promised in the first place, instead of another bullshit scheme where we jump through more hoops and get stiched up again.

[dvbuk55]

Those who can do, those who can't talk incessantly, mostly about how much more those who do can achieve with as little recompense as possible. It's time for change right enough but it isn't we who need to change.

[Lincox]

It will probably be for accepting BS100 seeing as that is based on an incentivised pay structure

[oypostie]

Immediately prior to the last two day meeting the Postal Executive saw the exchange of correspondence whereby the company confirmed they were prepared to bring forward talks on pay

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Don't let them give away the only reasonable years increase in "the deal of the century". No pay negotitions until after the April pay rise has been paid.

[dvbuk55]

Immediately prior to the last two day meeting the Postal Executive saw the exchange of correspondence whereby the company confirmed they were prepared to bring forward talks on pay

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Don't let them give away the only reasonable years increase in "the deal of the century". No pay negotitions until after the April pay rise has been paid.

Now what makes you think it is going to be reasonable ................it hasn't been "revisited" yet. I just wonder if it will be 3.5% and if it isn't what slant the union will put on it...............like "well you voted for it".

[Cut Off King]

unless a satisfactory resolution on the above mentioned can be found by no later than week commencing 16th January, the Union will consider appropriate sanctions

What a fantastic Idea, lets wait until AFTER Christmas to fall out, that way we'll be headed into Feb. before we take action. Should be a bit warmer then and that allows RM to push through a bit more of their agenda in the meantime, well played CWUHQ

Too Little, Too Late springs to mind..............This forum has been warning of these problems, but few have listened