OPEN LETTER FROM BOB GIBSON RE BRISTOL SEDO

[POSTMAN]

Bristol South East Delivery Office

Thank you for your letter dated 6th December 2012 regarding the above.

I can confirm that the CWU are equally if not more disappointed that we could not find a resolution to the current dispute at Bristol SEDO.

In terms of the operational issues at SEDO we both agree that there needs to be a full revision that restores customer service and employee morale and confidence. For our part we also believe that there needs to be an in depth overhaul of the way the office is being managed and the way our members are being treated. We have said many times that the business will not complete a successful transformation if it does not take it employees with it and it is clear that the way SEDO is being managed is a good example of how not bring about successful transformation. I have to say on this point that there are similar widespread problems across the delivery network that is as a consequence of heavy handed management. Bullying, harassment and intimidation to put it bluntly.

We do have national agreements, procedures and guidelines designed to deal with revisions and office performance and in all cases none of these have either been applied or applied correctly. We have no problem carrying out a revision that utilises all of the agreed documents we both have to hand to improve the situation at SEDO for our members and the public. However we also need the BT2010 agreement to be applied correctly and in the spirit and intent envisaged at the time.

To be clear, what the CWU are asking for and what you term to be pre conditions are conditions that exist in the national agreement BT2010 which Royal Mail has failed miserably to deliver on on a national basis and we are not in a position to see the those benefits our members agreed as part of transformation diluted at SEDO. The unit has completed its transformation revisions and has as a consequence received its £1000, 9 day fortnights and 1 in 4 Saturdays off which was all part of the deal for transformation.

What we are not going to do is see the transformation remain and all of our members’ benefits stripped out. This point alone has national consequences. Let’s just remind ourselves here that when management were asked if the unit would retain its 1 in 4 Saturdays off the answer was the revision will determine the outcome. As far as we are concerned 1 in 4 is a given for the longer Saturdays and we are not going to give it up where we have it. For ease of reference I have included the words of the national agreement below

Whilst the precise number of Saturdays off and the aspirations of employees will vary from
unit to unit, both parties believe we can deliver cost effective and reliable options that will
maximise the number of Saturdays off for those who wish them. Royal Mail and CWU
commit to achieving at least 1 in 4 Saturdays off for the majority of employees (including
reserves) during the roll out of the operational transformation programme. In some
circumstances this may be exceeded utilising jointly identified options to provide 1 Saturday
off in 2 or 3.

I have already provided the clarification on what is meant by majority and what was agreed in negotiations.

We accept that the revision or re plan as you call it will take time and we are prepared to engage in a revision but on the basis of retaining what was our members reward for the business transformation. Nothing that was said yesterday by management convinced me that the unit could not retain its duty structure and I have concerns that this is more about taking back the CWU benefits included in BT2010 now that transformation has been deployed.

There were as you are aware other issues that we did not get round to discussing in any detail on Wednesday that also need to be resolved which are live issues now in SEDO and form part of the dispute. All of these are documented and were shared with you prior to Wednesdays meeting.

As I have already stated on Wednesday we are prepared to involve ACAS, contrary to what you state in your letter. In answer to your allegation that there is no proposal over which to disagree – there is - our proposal to maintain 9 day fortnights and 1 in 4 Saturdays off. There is also the 75:25 FT: PT ratio that you are unable to agree even though the current ratio is 82:18 which clearly indicates that there is movement on the part of the CWU.

In closing it is important that we all take responsibility for the action that is due to take place on Monday and not to simply keep pointing the finger of blame at the CWU. Management have not moved one inch in attempting to resolve the problems at SEDO and the fact that they have not moved is a pre condition in itself.

The action at SEDO can be avoided if Royal Mail can abide by the national agreement and accept that the duty structure is not the problem. The benefits that our members have in Bristol are theirs by virtue of the transformation they have undertaken as a consequence of BT2010.

I would ask you to reconsider your position which I believe is contrary to the BT 2010 agreement and confirm that our members’ benefits will be maintained.

This is also an open letter.

Yours sincerely,

R Gibson
CWU Assistant Secretary – Outdoor

[fishtank]

Why is a unit that has completed it's transformation plan going into another revision or re-plan as management call it?

[POSTMAN]

There is also the 75:25 FT: PT ratio that you are unable to agree.....

Thought this was a national figure?

[fishtank]

There is also the 75:25 FT: PT ratio that you are unable to agree.....

Thought this was a national figure?

It is.
It was.
It might have been.
it seems it wasn't.
It isn't.
Take your pick.

[obscurityknocks]

Why is a unit that has completed it's transformation plan going into another revision or re-plan as management call it?

Office near us are onto their 2nd revision since the summer and it still aint working. Overtime going through the roof, managers doing cut offs everyday and staff being bullied/harrassed for just wanting to finish on time. Its going to explode in the new year i reckon all over the country.

[hantsman]

Why is a unit that has completed it's transformation plan going into another revision or re-plan as management call it?

Interesting that the £1000 for completing the revision has been paid out but RM now want to change things again. You could not make this up.

[fishtank]

Interesting that the £1000 for completing the revision has been paid out but RM now want to change things again. You could not make this up.

That's what i don't get hantsman and according to Bob it's not just RM who want to change things around...again.

In terms of the operational issues at SEDO we both agree that there needs to be a full revision that restores customer service and employee morale and confidence.

Just how bad was the transformation revision(s) that the whole thing needs to be done again and would you trust the same management team to get it right this time?

It would appear the local CWU rep(s) haven't exactly covered themselves in glory either but i will reserve judgement on that,not knowing all the facts but to get the £1000 a revision has to be signed off by both parties.
Branch doesn't come out of it smelling of roses either considering it's close proximity and reputation for being...vocal.

[dvbuk55]

There is also the 75:25 FT: PT ratio that you are unable to agree.....

Thought this was a national figure?

It isn't any figure that means anything and it never did because the figure was never going to be regulated by anyone, least of all the CWU who SHOULD have been monitoring as part of BT2010 - because who else was going to - RM?............I notice the voice hasn't come forward with a figure is it because nobody outside of RM know what it is.

[Tamsky]

The Open letter sums up a Stage 3 being heard on Wednesday. Less sure of the outcome now. 75/25 split was the essence of transformation with at least one in four Saturday off due to Saturdays becoming a normal working day within a 0700 latest start time for FT.

[Lincox]

Just a quick note wishing all the lads and lasses at Bristol SEDO a lively day on the gate tomorrow. Get some music going and show them management m.r.ns inside that enough is enough, and that they wont beat you.

[mr deeds]

your f*cked...i was a sub trying to sort office out main rep wants easy life..fu*ck all done everyone gets bummed over.....got fed up of pissing in the wind.....the lads came to me to sort things out....and i was strung along a brick wall everywhere....area did not give a s**t...this is the truth...shame on you all