Increasing duty hours

[eggraidonmojo]

Hi,

I know that there have been a few questions asked about the part in the new agreement which states part time hours may be increased if a part timer is regularly working more than his/her contracted hours.

I also know that the answer seems to be that RM will get out of increasing hours by saying that any past increase in hours was basically ad-hoc - i.e. not linked to a specific duty.

So, I think I might have a case where hours should be increased because it is a specific duty which always takes longer than its allocated (5) hours a day.

...But, I'd like to know what others think.

The pair of duties in question are both 5 hour part time duties. They are supposed to be prepped by full timers and then taken out by the part time duty holders. This never happens - but that is another story...

What happens now is that the part timers get in a bit earlier, help finish the prepping on the rounds and then deliver. They then usually claim a bit of excess at the end of the delivery.

The duty holder says that this happens most days - with the odd light day exception.

If they looked back over the last six months, I'm sure they would find the average hours on this duty are more than the 30 hours per week (6 x 5) allocated.

So, is it worth presenting this to my union rep and asking him if anything can be done? Or is there some way for RM to get out of this?

Thanks,

[dvbuk55]

Hi,

I know that there have been a few questions asked about the part in the new agreement which states part time hours may be increased if a part timer is regularly working more than his/her contracted hours.

I also know that the answer seems to be that RM will get out of increasing hours by saying that any past increase in hours was basically ad-hoc - i.e. not linked to a specific duty.

So, I think I might have a case where hours should be increased because it is a specific duty which always takes longer than its allocated (5) hours a day.

...But, I'd like to know what others think.

The pair of duties in question are both 5 hour part time duties. They are supposed to be prepped by full timers and then taken out by the part time duty holders. This never happens - but that is another story...

What happens now is that the part timers get in a bit earlier, help finish the prepping on the rounds and then deliver. They then usually claim a bit of excess at the end of the delivery.

The duty holder says that this happens most days - with the odd light day exception.

If they looked back over the last six months, I'm sure they would find the average hours on this duty are more than the 30 hours per week (6 x 5) allocated.

So, is it worth presenting this to my union rep and asking him if anything can be done? Or is there some way for RM to get out of this?

Thanks,

You could put it to your Rep but my gut feeling is that it would be turned down and the reason I say that is the overtime is being done by default by the duty holder and not requested. The scheduled time for that duty is 6x5 and the fact that people come in early to prep and then book that time could easily be done by someone else. RM are very crafty in this respect they assume/expect people to do the work BUT it is NOT built into the duty consequently it is almost certain to be wriggled out of - having said that if you don't ask then you definitely won't get it.

[clashcityrocker]

The real question is why isn't the prep being performed by the f/t staff? That isn't another story.
Also if they are going in early (say at 8.00 instead of 9) are they booking the overtime from 8.00 - 9 or from 2 until 3.00?
Is it booked as indoor pressure or outdoor?
What happens if they go in at 8.00 and the work is done or there isn't sufficient work to merit coming in one hour early?

Have they been asked to come in and perform this overtime or do they think their contract is some sort of flexitime?

[eggraidonmojo]

Thanks for the replies.

Clash - Usually the prep has been started, but depending on the day this may be just the 1st mech or right up to everything but a few flats and packets (which are quite heavy for these rounds).

The OT is booked as outdoor pressure at end of day.

Coming in early to prep (paid) kind of emerged as a way to get the round done without going much past about 14:00 - part timers were more likely to do OT if it is between 13:00 - 14:00 than 14:00 or later. It also helps by freeing up full timers to do more on the IPS. Also, if the part timers are doing any further overtime (collections, covering other cut off rounds) they can get back to the office to complete this earlier/start at the collection start time.

The coming in at 8 is agreed by the manager and the employees - it is not forced 'flexible' working.

[razzz89]

i think I have a classic case for getting my contracted hours ( 30 ) increased to 32.5 as I have been on the same duty for 2 years which pays 32.5 hour. in this time I have not done any other duty except on overtime after the said duty was finished ..i have asked my union if this can be done and he has asked me to provide my wage slips for the last 2 years to prove i have been paid 32.5 hours i can provide all but about 4 slips that i cant find and if you ask me i think its a bit of a big ask to do this as surely rm has all this info any way....i can also see that they may try to wriggle out of it saying they don't have the info or its too difficult for them to get so thus leaving the job to me hoping i cant provide proof...
i am not sure on the length of time i have to have continuously worked the 32.5 hours to qualify so any help in this area would be great ....
but to throw 2 spanners in the works i put in for full time duty in a partial re pick and got it but have been told i cant have it because they are not making any one up to full time...
our union rep has taken this to disagreement and says we should win but......
if i get made up to full time will i lose all the monies owed to me from not being made up to 32.5 hours as when i was on holiday i only got the flat 30 contracted hours ...
also since july of this year the duty i have done for the past 2 years has had the hours reduced to 30 a week so if i should have had my hours increased say for instance a year ago would rm then owe me 2.5 hours a week since july because i my contracted hours should have been 32.5
if any one can understand my rambling replies would be much appreciated