12LTB233 Network 12 Deployment

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Letter to Branches




No: 233/12
Ref: 233.08
Date: 4th April 2012

All Postal Branches With Network Members
All Divisional Representatives
All Regional Organisers
All Area Distribution Representatives
All LGV Representatives




Dear Colleague

Network 12 Deployment

Attached for the information of Branches is an agreed joint statement that has been reached with the business in regard to the deployment of Network 12.

Please would Branches ensure that our Network representatives are made aware of this communication as soon as possible.

Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Terry Pullinger, Assistant Secretary, email dwyatt@cwu.org, quoting reference 233.

Yours sincerely




Terry Pullinger
Assistant Secretary

JOINT STATEMENT BETWEEN RM LOGISTICS AND CWU ON THE DEPLOYMENT OF NETWORK 12



INTRODUCTION

The Business Transformation 2010 & Beyond Agreement committed both Royal Mail and the CWU to working together to transform business operations. Throughout 2010 and 2011 both parties have worked to develop and establish improved, constructive working relationships, effective interfaces and the continued development of a mutual interest culture at all levels within RM Logistics. A key indication of the effectiveness of these efforts is the successful deployment of the Network Revision. This agreement aims to build on the successes and refine the processes used for Network 11 based on our collective experience.

BACKGROUND

Building on the successes of Network 2010 and 2011, we propose using the same Staged approach.

Royal Mail Logistics and the CWU agree that we have a collective interest in reaching a successful deployment of Network 12 between late June and early July 2012, prior to the start of the Olympics. Both parties recognise that this deployment is earlier than we have done before and will require a positive and pragmatic approach at all levels if this is to be met. This will also allow the business to meet the 2012 Business Transformation targets and on deployment trigger the agreed payments in line with the Business Transformation 2010 and Beyond Agreement. Against that backdrop the following staged process for the deployment of Network 12 has been agreed.

It is agreed that this review will be based on the current RDC and VOC network. However, any adjustment to the external customer requirements or internal business operational footprint during the review would have to be factored in and considered in respect of a robust network operation and employee arrangements.

THE PROCESS

The process will be conducted over 4 stages.

Where there is a concern or issue regarding the interpretation and/or the application of this agreement then the issue should be referred to the Network Working Group (NWG) for assistance

The role of the CWU representatives within these processes is fully recognised, as is the requirement for appropriate release in order for them to meaningfully prepare, participate and obtain the views of their members. It is agreed that in line with the IR Framework, CWU reps undertaking this work will not suffer financial loss. To this end it is agreed that local managers will facilitate this release and that all reasonable requests for release will be agreed.

Management and CWU reps will agree locally, on a weekly basis the period of the release required.

Stages

1. Launch of a joint local data gathering exercise and collection of current state data at each VOC. This activity should provide a robust baseline as a reference for analysis of the Paragon outputs.

A non binding preference exercise to be run at all VOC’s.

2. The NWG will carry out generic analysis of Paragon “first cut” outputs; identify high impact or problem sites. At this stage the Group will look to aid the development of local, area and national scope/solutions which may form a counter proposal for deployment. Where appropriate the group will consider the utilisation of Paragon in the formulation of such options. The NWG will then make a representation to the National Logistics Steering Group (NLSG) regarding the status of issues. An agreed National Deployment date will be targeted in advance of the Olympics between late June 2012 and early July 2012. It is anticipated that the deployment date will allow sufficient time for local negotiations and re-signs to conclude prior to deployment in line with above.

3. Local negotiations to take place in line with existing agreements.

4. NWG to commence work on future national network revision process and approach for recommendation to NLSG.


Stage One:

Local managers, local planners and CWU representatives will jointly collate and sign off a site specific information pack. The scope and details of the data to be gathered will be agreed with the NWG in line with Network 2011. This information will be used to assist the planning process and provide a reliable reference point for the assessment of first cut plans and deployment issues.

In addition a non binding preference exercise will be deployed at all sites.

The expectation is that this process should be concluded over a two week period.

It is anticipated that the Network 12 revision planning will be based on the current Network operation as defined in the data capture exercise at Stage One, and does not encompass work currently performed by Area Distribution other than work that has been agreed to transfer via separate Area Distribution discussions.




Stage Two:

The NWG will review the first cut planning outputs to assess and where possible anticipate potential problem sites and look at the potential solutions. These potential solutions may not necessarily be restricted by individual unit or area boundaries but will always seek to maximise business efficiency whilst reconciling job and standard of living security. It is expected to conclude this process in 2 weeks where a status report/update will be advised to the NLSG.

Stage Three:

Local negotiations will commence in line with agreed Network 2012 revision process and the IR Framework. The NWG will support this process and be available to help conclude local/area solutions.

A traffic light process will be deployed to monitor progress and identify at the earliest opportunity potential problem sites. Implementation of 2012 revisions at all sites will take place on the same day coordinated by the NWG.

This negotiation process should be concluded at pace within two weeks in line with the IR Framework. Re-signs will then commence at all sites to be concluded by the national implementation date. Re-signs should be conducted in line with the process contained in Annex A.

Stage Four:

The NWG will review the effectiveness of the above process and assess opportunities to refine the approach for future revision activity.

The methodology for this piece of work will be based on the ACAS guide to problem solving and will allow relevant expertise to be used where the NWG agree it would be beneficial.

When a joint recommendation has been developed it will be jointly presented to the NLSG for ratification and agreement. The process will then become the agreed approach to Network revisions going forward.





...................................... …………………………….

Phil Murphy Terry Pullinger
Logistics Operations Director CWU Assistant Secretary

Date:


Annexe A


Network 12 – Re-sign Process

When stage 3 of this Joint Statement has been achieved arrangements should be made where necessary to commence a re-sign of duties.

Where agreed duty structures at any site have resulted in a surplus being declared and people’s processes at such sites have identified transferees or where a transfer to another VOC has been agreed then these individuals should be included in re-signs at the receiving office, even if this is in advance of their substantive move.

Where the re-sign process can be completed in full prior to the national implementation date, all individuals will take up their new duty/rotation from that date.

Contingency Arrangements

While it is anticipated that the national implementation date will allow sufficient time to conclude the resign process, past experience has indicated that circumstances can occur where re-signs run past the implementation date. In such circumstances the following contingency arrangements should apply.

Where due to annual leave a full re-sign can not be completed prior to the national implementation date the following process should apply.

Normal re-sign arrangements should progress until process stalls due to leave commitments. On the national implementation date those individuals who have successfully selected a duty/rotation as part of the re-sign will take it up.

All remaining individuals should participate in a temporary resourcing process. This may take the form of either a best match exercise placing individuals on attendances similar to their current duties.

or

by individuals selecting from the remaining available duties following the implementation of the revision and thereafter on a weekly basis in seniority order until the conclusion of the full re-sign.

The exact nature and application of the temporary resourcing process should be agreed locally.

The re-sign process will continue as individuals return to work with subsequent successful applicants taking up their duty/rotation from the start of the next week prior to the next temporary resourcing process


The temporary resourcing process should be progressed as a joint initiative to enable re-signs to be completed in the most expedient manner and to fully assist in the temporary resourcing process.

Not withstanding the contingencies detailed above the efforts of all parties should be focused upon completing the re-sign in advance of the new duty structures being deployed.