LTB 35/12 BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION : UPDATE ON NATIONAL TALKS

[Talell]

TO: ALL BRANCHES WITH POSTAL MEMBERS


Dear Colleague

BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION – UPDATE ON NATIONAL TALKS

The purpose of this LTB is to update Branches on developments since the publication of LTB 1080/11.

BACKGROUND

In December the Postal Executive took a decision, which was communicated to all Branches, to give Royal Mail a deadline of week commencing 16th January to address the Union’s growing concerns, predominantly in delivery, that were seen to be undermining the successful deployment of the Business Transformation Agreement.

The Deputy General Secretary was asked to write to the Chief Executive of the company explaining what the problems were and stating that if we could not make sufficient progress by week commencing the 16th January, then we would be advising our members to suspend all involvement in revision activity.

This decision followed an earlier report to the Postal Executive and subsequent LTB from the Outdoor Secretary Bob Gibson, which responded to Royal Mail’s unilateral actions in the field and placed an embargo on the Royal Mail indoor workflow process.

In line with the overall policy, the Deputy General Secretary wrote to the Chief Executive and the relevant national officers also held meetings with Royal Mail. The Postal Executive agreed to meet on the 18th January to review progress and take appropriate decisions.

ISSUES CONSIDERED BY THE POSTAL EXECUTIVE AT ITS MEETING ON THE 18TH JANUARY

Accordingly, our meeting took place on the 18th January 2012 and to ensure the Postal Executive had an informed debate full consideration was given to the following:-






• A report from the Outdoor Secretary on progress in Delivery – The Outdoor Secretary provided a full report on recent meetings that have taken place with Royal Mail and ACAS. The report confirmed that progress had been made on BSI (RM work targets) and model week calculations, all of which could eventually have a positive impact on workload issues. However, the report also highlighted continuing issues over Royal Mail’s workflow process. The report also confirmed that a programme of ongoing meetings had been agreed with Royal Mail to bring current issues to a resolution.

• A Letter from the Chief Executive received on the 17th January - The Postal Executive was provided with a letter from the Chief Executive in response to the letter sent from the Union outlining our concerns.

In the letter the company recognised, for the first time, the delivery problems that are being caused by the frequency with which employees are asked to cover the routes of colleagues and that this is causing a great deal of strain in day to day workload issues. The company has now agreed that it is timely and appropriate to revisit the business guidelines on these issues.

On wider issues, the Chief Executive’s letter also confirmed the company’s view that a fundamental change to governance models across the company, alongside industrial peace is now essential. In particular, the letter highlighted an acceptance from the company that unless we can jointly change overall relationships at local level, the company will never succeed. To some extent these commitments reflect the Union’s policy to secure a new governance model and we welcome the opportunity to engage in more meaningful discussions that will transform local relationships and finally end managerial command and control that continues to be a barrier to progress.

The letter went onto commit to more urgency in concluding wider national talks. In these talks the Union has been pursuing key issues on extended job security, reviewing MTSF, World Class Mail, 2013 pay and general reward, including Colleagueshare. Separate from this and in line with earlier commitments from the business, the company again confirmed their willingness to very quickly finalise 2012 pay.

On the basis of the aforementioned the letter was seen as helpful, although some issues require further clarification.

• Processing Issues- Although not specifically part of the original decision, the Executive also considered a report from Terry Pullinger on the discussions taking place over strengthening the Mail Centre review process in line with Union policy.

• Reports from CWU Divisional Representatives - Prior to the Postal Executive meeting a Joint meeting had been held with Divisional Representatives where the Executive had the opportunity to listen firsthand to the views of our Divisional Representatives on what the current state of play was in their respective areas. This was also supplemented by written reports.




OUTCOME OF THE POSTAL EXECUTIVE MEETING ON THE 18TH JANUARY

Having taken full account of all the above mentioned the Postal Executive agreed the following policy:-

• The Executive was unanimous in the view that whilst problems remain, sufficient progress had been made and that at this stage it would be both unproductive and premature for the Union to impose a full embargo on all revision activity.

• It was agreed that separate from our talks with Royal Mail, there is now a need for the Union to be crystal clear to our Representatives and members on the key principles and benefits that we expect to be part of every local revision going forward. This is in response to concerns that in some locations the agreement is either being misrepresented or watered down. The Executive will meet on the 24th January to confirm these key principles and they will then be communicated throughout the Union and into every workplace.

• In light of the response from the company, the Union is immediately seeking to prioritise negotiations with an agreed timetable for conclusion of current talks in delivery and the wider issues contained in this LTB. The Executive want to be in a position where these timetables are confirmed at our next meeting on the 24th January.

• Given that the issue of indoor workflow has not been resolved and that further talks are planned to address this issue, the Executive agreed to maintain the current embargo on the workflow process. Further information on this will be sent out by the Outdoor Secretary in due course.

SUMMARY

The Union continues to recognise the need to deploy the Business Transformation Agreement in all locations and we remain fully committed to the terms of the National Agreement. However, it is crucial that what actually takes place in local revision activity reflects the agreement and in particular that our members receive the full benefits that are due. A further letter has been sent to the Chief Executive explaining the outcome of the meeting. A further report will be issued in due course.

In the meantime, any enquiries on the general issues contained in this LTB should be directed to the DGS (P), specific enquiries on functional issues should be directed to the relevant officers.

Yours sincerely



Dave Ward Bob Gibson
Deputy General Secretary (P) Assistant Secretary


Terry Pullinger Ray Ellis Andy Furey
Assistant Secretary Assistant Secretary Assistant Secretary

[Cut Off King]

Trying to polish a turd comes to mind

[POSTMAN]

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