Flexibility Question

[Tired and Weary]

At our mail centre there are apparently talks between management and the union about enforcing the flexibility agreement which had stopped being used as it was unworkable. Our shift manager had let it slide because if 20 people worked 15-20 mins over their time, then all those people would be missing for that amount of time on other days while they got their time back, which left him short staffed. Now it may be brought back as we are having trouble clearing the mail as the shift manager sometimes only starts traying off the mail 5-10 minutes from the end of the shift.

A few questions. Flexibilty is only to be used in exceptional circumstances such as the mail arriving at our mail centre late, not because the manager gets us to sort and not tray off until our shift is nearly over? I believe this to be correct? Also, it is meant to be voluntary and not enforced? Our managers are saying that you can refuse to be flexible twice but must do it on the third occasion regardless of personal circumstances or get a warning. I have read the documents regarding flexibility and I do not see this apparent rule in any of them. Are our managers right or wrong?

[clashcityrocker]

Ask to see the agreement they are "quoting" from.

[dean07]

Total rubbish mate. You can,t be forced to do overtime. Get on to your area rep like I did.They soon wind their knecks in or better still put a grievance in

[Tired and Weary]

Thanks for the replys. I was pretty sure they can't force us to do flexibility, but the rules seem to be vague enough that they can try manipulating them to make us think we have to do it. I have downloaded the flexibility documnets from this website and will print a copy to bring to work with me.