Redundancies

[NumptyBumpty]

...and so it begins. Following the current redundancy programme for non-operational managers in RM, we have been informed today (by a cowardly email), that RM has started discussions with the CWU for redundancies within HR, Finance and central functions. So, not only are we not getting a pay-rise (unlike everyone else in RM), we face the prospect of losing our jobs too (potentially on a compulsory basis). I wish we had a different union as the CWU only cares about uniformed staff.

Compulsory redundancies are going to happen more now.

[stokes11eg]

...and so it begins. Following the current redundancy programme for non-operational managers in RM, we have been informed today (by a cowardly email), that RM has started discussions with the CWU for redundancies within HR, Finance and central functions. So, not only are we not getting a pay-rise (unlike everyone else in RM), we face the prospect of losing our jobs too (potentially on a compulsory basis). I wish we had a different union as the CWU only cares about uniformed staff.

Compulsory redundancies are going to happen more now.

Sadly, the CWU only appear to care for the uniformed staff!

[TrueBlueTerrier]

...and so it begins. Following the current redundancy programme for non-operational managers in RM, we have been informed today (by a cowardly email), that RM has started discussions with the CWU for redundancies within HR, Finance and central functions. So, not only are we not getting a pay-rise (unlike everyone else in RM), we face the prospect of losing our jobs too (potentially on a compulsory basis). I wish we had a different union as the CWU only cares about uniformed staff.

Compulsory redundancies are going to happen more now.

Sadly, the CWU only appear to care for the uniformed staff!

I'll say it before DVBUK

What the Union have their own uniforms now.

[belle smith]

...and so it begins. Following the current redundancy programme for non-operational managers in RM, we have been informed today (by a cowardly email), that RM has started discussions with the CWU for redundancies within HR, Finance and central functions. So, not only are we not getting a pay-rise (unlike everyone else in RM), we face the prospect of losing our jobs too (potentially on a compulsory basis). I wish we had a different union as the CWU only cares about uniformed staff.

Compulsory redundancies are going to happen more now.

Surely if your a CWU grade you will be coverd under the latest agreement, on no compulsary redundancies.
Nice of them to tell you's by e-mail though, low.

ps. I can think of lots of uniformed staff who will dispute your claim that the CWU cares about them.

[mandelsons_toenail]

what crap

we have all been shat on

and as for a pay rise?

we deliver d2d for free, and losing sa's left right and centre. Personally ive lost £2100 a year, equivalent to a 10% pay cut,

sadly welcome to the real world. RM has too many people we dont need

rant over

[TrueBlueTerrier]

...and so it begins. Following the current redundancy programme for non-operational managers in RM, we have been informed today (by a cowardly email), that RM has started discussions with the CWU for redundancies within HR, Finance and central functions. So, not only are we not getting a pay-rise (unlike everyone else in RM), we face the prospect of losing our jobs too (potentially on a compulsory basis). I wish we had a different union as the CWU only cares about uniformed staff.

Compulsory redundancies are going to happen more now.

To be honest it wont stop with Non Op Managers and Non Op Staff - I think and firmly believe that Operational Managers will be on the chopping block around March/April (if not earlier). With Operational Postal Grades being a little later. Moya believes we are overstaffed hence the latest round of cuts, also reducing the head count in the cheapest possible way before privatisation makes RM look better for anyone wanting to buy in.

As I have been saying I honestly think this is one issue where we have to ignore the past differences we have had with the CMA/CWU relationship and back any strike. If we don't it will mean we are an easier target further down the line.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Surely if your a CWU grade you will be coverd under the latest agreement, on no compulsary redundancies.
Nice of them to tell you's by e-mail though, low.

ps. I can think of lots of uniformed staff who will dispute your claim that the CWU cares about them.

I can't be sure but they may not be covered as the 2010 agreement is on the Operational side I think and therefore Central and Support functions do not come under it. Hopefully I am wrong or they have their own agreement.

[belle smith]

what crap

we have all been shat on

and as for a pay rise?

we deliver d2d for free, and losing sa's left right and centre. Personally ive lost £2100 a year, equivalent to a 10% pay cut,

sadly welcome to the real world. RM has too many people we dont need

rant over

Bit harsh!
If you had just recieved an e-mail today telling you that redundancies are on the way, i'm sure you would appreciate it if the simpathy of your colleagues extended beyond: your not needed welcome to the real world!

[fishtank]

Surely if your a CWU grade you will be coverd under the latest agreement, on no compulsary redundancies.
Nice of them to tell you's by e-mail though, low.

ps. I can think of lots of uniformed staff who will dispute your claim that the CWU cares about them.

I can't be sure but they may not be covered as the 2010 agreement is on the Operational side I think and therefore Central and Support functions do not come under it. Hopefully I am wrong or they have their own agreement.

This agreement covers employees in CWU represented grades in Royal Mail Letters Operations, Logistics and Network, Engineers, Fleet Maintenance Services and Royal Mail International

[mandelsons_toenail]

Jesus people

redundancy has been hanging over all our heads

Its the same on the posties side

Not knowing week to week what the hell is going on.

over 50000 posties have gone over the last few years, now surely everyone else gets culled

Maybe harsh but its how it is

[belle smith]

This agreement covers employees in CWU represented grades in Royal Mail Letters Operations, Logistics and Network, Engineers, Fleet Maintenance Services and Royal Mail International

I'm a bit slow here Fishtank, does that mean they are coverd by the agreement? or not coverd by it?

[fishtank]

This agreement covers employees in CWU represented grades in Royal Mail Letters Operations, Logistics and Network, Engineers, Fleet Maintenance Services and Royal Mail International

I'm a bit slow here Fishtank, does that mean they are coverd by the agreement? or not coverd by it?

Not covered by it.
To be honest i thought most of Central Functions was Unite/CMA territory.

[NumptyBumpty]

Not covered by it.
To be honest i thought most of Central Functions was Unite/CMA territory.

The majority are CWU represented only the managers are Unite/CMA represented.

We've had our fairshare of culls over the years losing over half the staff and to be honest we were all expecting it, but not just yet. Getting told by email is a bit shitty though. We are always excluded from any RM pay deals, so we aren't balloted for strikes and things. It's a shame really because we hold a lot of power in our hands, but that would be detrimental to the majority of members.

[POSTMAN]

Numpty,do you work payroll sheffield?
Memory not too good.

[vanman]

As seems to be the norm with a lot of contributions on this site - people are making assumptions based on rumour and half truths.

So to allow a proper debate lets start with the facts.

1. The "cowardly email" referred to was presumably a copy of the following joint statement:

"CENTRAL FUNCTION REVIEW: CWU CONSULTATION UPDATE
Royal Mail Group is undertaking a major review and reorganisation of its central support functions within Group, Letters and PFW. The main focus of the review, which is designed to address the financial imperative facing the business, to date has been on managerial roles but formal consultation with the CWU has just started. The proposed changes mainly affect CWU members within the following functions: HR (which includes HR Services), Commercial (which includes Customer Services), Finance (which includes Finance Services), Legal and Communications.

The Managing the Surplus Framework (MtSF) will apply in full and is supported by the following statement from the Job Security/Managing the Change Section of the Business Transformation 2010 and Beyond Agreement: "In addition to the job security commitments contained in the MTSF Agreement - Royal Mail and CWU confirm that the overarching objective is to deliver the transformation without recourse to compulsory redundancies."

Both parties are conscious that the publication of details of the new management structure may cause concern amongst the CWU admin community and we wish to reassure individuals that consultation is at a very early stage. The mechanics of undertaking a VR expression of interest exercise amongst central function CWU represented colleagues is being discussed and we hope to be in a position to share ‘next steps’ shortly.

The RMG and CWU are meeting regularly and we will keep you updated on progress.

On behalf of RMG: On behalf of the CWU:
Gillian Alford Andy Furey
Director of Group IR/ER Assistant Secretary

08 November 2010"

How can this be deemed cowardly when all it does is report the facts. Most people are aware of RM's plans to get rid of 2000 support managers - so it's no surprise that any new structure will also affect Admin grades.

2. Redundancies - The joint statement confirms that MTSF applies (The CWU version by the way), and that the BT2010 statement on voluntary redundancy also applies.

Although most of Central Functions were not part of the pay deal in the BT2010 agreement - the changes to MTSF and the commitment to avoid compulsory redundancies covered every CWU member in RM Group - not just ops grades.

3. Admin grades in Central Functions, e.g. HR, Finance, Customer etc are CWU grades - only the managers are UNITE CMA.

4. Nothing has been agreed - The National Officer responsible for dealing with this review stated in a CWU LTB also published yesterday:

"I must stress that talks are at an early stage of the formal 90 day consultation process (which is a minimum) and I can confirm that discussions are ongoing, with further meetings planned for the forthcoming weeks. I would also like to advise that, at this stage, nothing has been agreed."

Of course people will be worried by the announcement - but don't jump to ill-informed conclusions as it does no-one any good in the long run.

Let's have the debate -once we know what the real facts are.