Not sure what to think.

[deanyboy]

Hello all

I have been a postman for just over a year now. I do a very busy town round in Somerset at 24 hours a week.
On Mondays, Tuesdays and Saturdays we have 7 1/2 hours to complete the round and 8 1/2 hours on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays (busier days).
These are supposed to include the lunch breaks of 30 mins. I am right in assuming we get 30 mins?

Anyway, I normally work through all the hours and sometimes go over. I don't stop for a single break.
This is due to me having to work with someone else, it's a shared round. We drive around in the same van and split the deliveries.
He does not like stopping for breaks, just likes to get it done. He also stated very early on that we don't get paid for over time.
When I first started I thought okay, i'll just get on with it. But the other day I worked 10 hours on a 8 1/2 hour day. No break. No overtime.

What are peoples thoughts on this?

[POSTMAN]

Moved to Blue Shirts.

[eastie]

tell your driver that as your not getting paid to go over so cut off
or tell the DOM you are working till your time and if you go over you want O/T if he says he is not paying O/T tell him you are cutting off.
Plus if you are not having a break take another 40 minutes off
At the moment you are losing out on 1hour 30 minutes overtime plus another 40 minutes for not having any breaks so in total you are saving RM 2 hours and 10 minutes that you should be getting that equates to £25
If you are in the Union see the rep

[freelunch]

He also stated very early on that we don't get paid for over time........
But the other day I worked 10 hours on a 8 1/2 hour day. No break. No overtime.
What are peoples thoughts on this?

Park & loop duties are planned to necessitate overtime on the busier days. The business understands this well, everyone on 20-25 hour contracts in our d.o. is getting paid 30+ hours at this time just to complete their duties.
Work the hours you are paid for!
Get paid for the hours you work!

And take your breaks. Working 10 hours without any break is crazy, and not good for you at all. For the sake of your health take time out to rest during delivery.
One of the few benefits of the job is paid breaks. Use them or lose them.

[deanyboy]

Thanks for the advice.

My normal starting times are 7:15 am or 7:30 am. All the guys go in earlier to frame their sorted mail before more deliveries turn up.
I have now started to go in at least 30 mins earlier to do the same. So I can be ready the same time as my partner and we can then leave earlier.
He told me I wouldn't get paid for it. These guys are odd, I don't think any of them ask for over time. They are happy to actually come in early just to get it done, but they don't get paid for it.

When do I officially clock off anyway? Is it as soon as the van is back at the sorting office?

Also, what happens if I do 1 hours overtime one day, but the next day I finish an hour earlier? That kind balances it out right? So I wouldn't be entitled to claim the overtime really?

These are things that are starting to bother me.

[cyberheater]

You absolutely do get paid for overtime. And I claim overtime for the 30 min meal relief I don't get. Even if I do finish on time. You van partner is an idiot. Do not listen to him.

[thefemalepostie]

I feel for you, I really do. The way Royal Mail treat new starters is appalling. I know you have been there a year so not a newbie as such but they have lied to you for all this time.

RM probably think all new starters are lazy and quit too easily but they need to look at the reasons why they do. They are dumped in a DO or MC with no training. Everything you are told at the induction doesn't happen, and people feel very much out of their depth.

[Smf80]

I feel for you, I really do. The way Royal Mail treat new starters is appalling. I know you have been there a year so not a newbie as such but they have lied to you for all this time.

RM probably think all new starters are lazy and quit too easily but they need to look at the reasons why they do. They are dumped in a DO or MC with no training. Everything you are told at the induction doesn't happen, and people feel very much out of their depth.

As recently as today I was still asking questions about acronyms, and mileage allowance. I've been in the job about 9 months, and can see why some newbies jack it in...

[POSTMAN]

Deany,get hold of your rep ffs,you are being shafted from all sides,you even take your D2D's home because you've been lied to.

[clashcityrocker]

Thanks for the advice.

My normal starting times are 7:15 am or 7:30 am. All the guys go in earlier to frame their sorted mail before more deliveries turn up.
I have now started to go in at least 30 mins earlier to do the same. So I can be ready the same time as my partner and we can then leave earlier.

Overtime has to be authorised.
Turning up early because you feel like it, doesn't constitute authorised overtime.
If they ask you to come in early on overtime, then fine - otherwise it is a mugs game.

Start on time.
Take your meal relief prior to dispatch.
If you go over, either book the o/t or cut off.
Do the job properly.

[TheCobra]

Basically your van partner is a mug, don't go along with him or you make yourself a mug too.

[fishtank]

Some of our colleagues are scum.
Managers you expect that crap from...work"mates" whatever.

[Budfrog]

Start on time.
Take your meal relief prior to dispatch.
If you go over, either book the o/t or cut off.
Do the job properly.

This should be on every CWU communication and noticeboard. How many times do people need to be advised to do the job as it should be done in a safe manner whilst maintaining a good work rate. Not taking MBs or RA allowance is in itself a threat to health and safety so take your entitlement. The job is difficult enough as it is with variable workrate and a revision process which is not working, it's down to managemnt and planners to sort things out, that is what they are being very well paid to do.

[krussel]

All of the above.

Try talking to your park and loop partner as his being stiched as well. See if you can both start a fresh and get paid the hours you are both actually working.

This should not be a problem unless his a total knob, plenty of those in RM

[deanyboy]

Cheers guys..............I've ignored this for too long and will start asking questions this week.