Christmas Arrangements 2010 incl New Year 2011

[brothermagrew]

LTB No. 1100/10 Ref: 170 L25.10 206A Date: 8th December 2010


To: All Branches with POSTAL Members

Dear Colleague,

Christmas Arrangements 2010 including New Year 2011

Similar to last year we have formally met with Royal Mail, had various exchanges of correspondence and emails including draft agreements for Christmas Arrangements 2010, finally arriving at a position, albeit somewhat late, where we thought we could place the attached document before the PEC for this Christmas 2010 and New Year 2011. However we have run into difficulties with the words covering Network Professional Drivers as identified in italics in para 1 of the attached document. We are aware that Branches are awaiting guidance from CWU HQ on Christmas and as a consequence a decision was taken to clear our words as stated in the document with the PEC and to continue overnight to try and reach agreement on the outstanding words. Unfortunately we have not been able to do that but it should be noted that all other words in the document were agreed.

Royal Mail was informed yesterday afternoon of our decision to proceed with the clearance of the document by the PEC and that we felt it necessary to communicate our position to our Branches. Hence this LTB.

The document itself contains some slight improvements to last year’s document that specifically pick up Network drivers for the first time. MGV and MDECs in paragraph 1 provides additional clarity about no claw back, in 3.4 it provides clarity about any attendances on the non USO days in terms of remuneration and provides clarity about weekend duties in paragraph 3.7.

In line with last year Branches will note that Saturday the 25th of December 2010 and Saturday 1st January 2011 have been declared as non-service days for Royal Mail, which means there will be no collections or deliveries on those days, people who were due to work will have the day off with no clawback. Those who were not due to attend will not have a day in lieu granted. The Bank Holidays will now be Monday 27th and Tuesday the 28th of December 2010 and Monday 3rd January 2011 (plus Tuesday 4th January 2011 in Scotland). Normal Bank Holiday arrangements will apply on all the designated Bank Holidays.

As far as the non service days are concerned the situation regarding lieu days has been raised with Royal Mail in line with the conference policy and in terms of the funding arrangements going forward as to what it is exactly that is being funded. We have reserved our right on this particular issue. However it should be noted that this will not change the actual attendances our members will work over the Christmas period and for that reason the PEC agreed the arrangements on the basis of the day in lieu/funding situation being pursued separately. Branches will be informed of the outcome of this as soon as possible.

In light of this year and previous years experience regarding Christmas arrangements Royal Mail have already been approached regarding a generic document covering Christmas arrangements going forward that will cover all future eventualities. It would be our intention to commence those talks towards the end of January early February 2011 to allow plenty of time for those talks to take place.

If there is a change in the position regarding the Network Drivers in paragraph 1 this will be communicated without delay. In the meantime the words reflect our position.

Any enquiries to Bob Gibson’s Office, quoting reference 170
Email address: hnutley@cwu.org

Any enquiries to Phil Browne’s Office, quoting reference L25.10
Email Address: acorbett@cwu.org

Any enquiries to Terry Pullinger’s Office, quoting reference 206A
E-mail address dwyatt@cwu.org

Christmas Arrangements 2010.doc

[dazzlin72]

Christmas comes around at exactly the same time every year. Isn't it about time some proper plans were put in place in advance to deal with Christmas pressure instead of the farce we have had to deal with now, and the last couple of Christmasses where RM wait until everything is literally inploding before they then try and rectify the situation.

[Big Daz]

As far as the non service days are concerned the situation regarding lieu days has been raised with Royal Mail in line with the conference policy and in terms of the funding arrangements going forward as to what it is exactly that is being funded. We have reserved our right on this particular issue. However it should be noted that this will not change the actual attendances our members will work over the Christmas period and for that reason the PEC agreed the arrangements on the basis of the day in lieu/funding situation being pursued separately. Branches will be informed of the outcome of this as soon as possible.


In plain english this means?

[TrueBlueTerrier]

:bingung

As far as the non service days are concerned the situation regarding lieu days has been raised with Royal Mail in line with the conference policy and in terms of the funding arrangements going forward as to what it is exactly that is being funded. We have reserved our right on this particular issue. However it should be noted that this will not change the actual attendances our members will work over the Christmas period and for that reason the PEC agreed the arrangements on the basis of the day in lieu/funding situation being pursued separately. Branches will be informed of the outcome of this as soon as possible.


In plain english this means?

[Martin Walsh]

Its very simple Royal Mail would not budge on letting people have a day in leiu for the Saturday 25th of September.

When this happened 6 years ago the Union had the National Pool still in place from the PBS scheme and paid a number of millions to Royal Mail to raise those offices who were on less than £100 christmas bonus up to £100 and to get a credit for the non service day.

Royal Mail were not in the market to agree any credits for this. The Union therefore had to either decide to ballot members on this issue which would have been crazy as it does not effect everyone.

Those of you who have been around for a few years will remember when we had claw back in place where you had to work the hours which you would have worked on the non service day during the remaining days of the week

[Big Daz]

Clawback is not the issue and yes the CWU have done us good on that.

[gb93]

I'm surprised it hasn't been pointed out yet.
Some of you are missing a chance.

[spilie]

too easy gb

[belle smith]

Its very simple Royal Mail would not budge on letting people have a day in leiu for the Saturday 25th of September.

I take it you mean December