LTB176/17 - Driving Licence Checks (Excluding Northern Ireland

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 27 Mar 2017, 11:39

LTB176/17 - Driving Licence Checks (Excluding Northern Ireland)

No. 176/2017

27th March 2017

For the Immediate Attention of All:

Postal Branches

Divisional Representatives

Parcelforce Regional Organisers

Area Delivery Representatives

Area Distribution Representatives

Network LGV Representatives

Parcelforce LD Representatives

RMSS Representatives

DRIVING LICENCE CHECKS (EXCLUDING NORTHERN IRELAND)

Dear Colleagues

Branches and representatives will be aware that in July 2016, LTB 438/16 was communicated to provide notification that the interim electronic licence check process for all staff required to drive as part of their duties, utilised following the cessation of the paper driving licence counterpart in 2015, had been confirmed by the business as being adopted on a permanent basis.

You will also recall that Headquarters had previously made representation to the business in relation to the possibility that managers who had access to the required information, could potentially obtain a code and undertake a licence check without the drivers consent or knowledge. In order to address this issue the business committed to re-issue guidance to managers in relation to performing the licence check with the driver’s permission, when each of the six monthly checks is instigated.

Since the adoption of the process however further issues have been brought to the attention of Headquarters which would suggest that there may have been instances where the correct process has not been adhered to by some managers undertaking the licence checks. Representation has therefore once again been made to the business at National level to remedy this situation, which has resulted in the business committing to add the following wording to the Process document and Inspection Record:

Process - Where drivers do not have access to a computer, they can use a computer in the office where they can also receive assistance from a manager or WPC. The driver must be present for consent when the information is obtained and it is a data protection offence to ‘Get a code’ by a manager or WPC without the driver present.

Inspection Record - Manager Declaration: I have checked the above driver’s licence against the DVLA printout and all details are correct. I have checked that the address on the licence corresponds to unit records. ‘The driver must be present for consent when the information is obtained and it is a data protection offence to ‘Get a code’ by a manager or WPC without the driver present’. (Sign below).
Attached for your information are copies of the revised documentation that will be issued to managers in relation to the electronic process for the April 2017 licence checks.

We are hopeful that the strengthening of the wording contained in the attached documents will remove any ambiguity for both managers and drivers around the process that is to be used, as well as providing members with additional safeguards in relation to Data Protection.

We will however continue to monitor the situation and would request that if any instances of deviation from the process are experienced in relation to licence checks that they are brought to the attention of the relevant department immediately.

The revised electronic licence check arrangements also apply to driving licence checks for Parcelforce Worldwide drivers.

Branches should note however that these arrangements do not apply to Northern Ireland, where the process is that the counterpart and card continue to be checked, as these are still used for driver licencing.

Branches and representatives are requested to ensure that our members are made aware of this LTB and its annexes.

Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to:

For Deliveries:

Mark Baulch, Assistant Secretary (Elect), e-mail outdoorsecretary@cwu.org quoting reference: 300.02

or

For Network, Area Distribution, RMSS &Parcelforce:

Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary, e-mail: dwyatt@cwu.org or shayman@cwu.org quoting reference number: 202.09.

Yours sincerely

Davie Robertson Mark Baulch

Assistant Secretary Assistant Secretary (Elect)

Post by **Lounge Lizard** » 27 Mar 2017, 16:20

I have never been present so either the manager isn't checking my license or he's doing so without my knowledge.

paranoid-android · Post by **paranoid-android** » 27 Mar 2017, 17:07

Our manager tried to get us all to sign a general disclaimer allowing him to access the records on our behalf. Some signed , most told him to stick it. He hasn't come back to us yet, so either he's filled all the paperwork in himself or our checks are about two years behind.

fisherkinguk · Post by **fisherkinguk** » 11 Apr 2017, 14:21

We have been told today that all post staff have to have the license check (including those that do not drive for royal mail).
I am not allowed to use my car for work (and I don't), And I also do not drive for Royal Mail so I do not intend to let them check my license online. This surely can not be compulsory for non drivers? I have nothing to hide, my license is clean. But that does not mean that I will let them walk all over me.

Post by **POSTMAN** » 11 Apr 2017, 21:18

fisherkinguk wrote:We have been told today that all post staff have to have the license check (including those that do not drive for royal mail).
I am not allowed to use my car for work (and I don't), And I also do not drive for Royal Mail so I do not intend to let them check my license online. This surely can not be compulsory for non drivers? I have nothing to hide, my license is clean. But that does not mean that I will let them walk all over me.

Royal Mail policy and internal
audit, we are required to carry out licence checks of all our drivers twice per year. This includes all operational
drivers, managers who drive red fleet and those who have company cars or claim T&S for using their own
vehicles.

The way I see it it's none of their business as you are a non driver for the business.
Although they may want you to drive in the future (AFTER YOU HAVE DONE A CHANGE OVER) where you will then be a Royal Mail driver and due the licence checks.

fisherkinguk · Post by **fisherkinguk** » 12 Apr 2017, 05:33

They have tried to get me to drive, but I have no intentions of becoming a driver for royal mail.
So until the day they can somehow force me to drive, I will remain a non driver.

BeamishStout · Post by **BeamishStout** » 18 Apr 2017, 15:08

Well I got my 'code' yesterday putting in Licence Number, NI number and Postcode just to see what the site did. Very fast and it did indeed generate the 'code' enabling employers to look at the details online. This was the first time I had tested the site's functionality and was very fast. But you can imagine my total surprise when I saw 2 additional codes generated earlier this month (NOT BY ME)! I have yet to see the documentation re driving checks at my LDO although I know that many have had their checks done and presumably had the inspection record signed off. The proverbial **** is going to hit the fan if they produce this DVLA print-out of said details for me. Great to be sitting with this lovely ammunition - will keep my powder dry until these forms are presented to me no doubt in the coming days. Am contemplating a polite refusal to sign them until someone can tell who is guilty of this 'data protection offence'.

The hugely ironic thing is that I specifically got the code to give them today for this bi-annual verification check!

BeamishStout · Post by **BeamishStout** » 19 Apr 2017, 19:55

Presented with loads of forms today including the DVLA print-out with the code on it as well. Local management appear to be denying all responsibility - even tried to blame the local rep who categorically denied that he had 'given permission' for local management to carry out this independent verification. To whom should my concerns now be addressed to? Ask Moya? Advice required. Local rep suggests just waiting until area rep is involved. I shall give it a few days before deciding how to proceed.

It stinks!

Post by **POSTMAN** » 19 Apr 2017, 22:23

You will need to go on the gov website I guess and put a fraud case in, I can't find any links at the mo but I'm sure there would be something on there.
Keep us informed!

BeamishStout · Post by **BeamishStout** » 19 Apr 2017, 22:34

POSTMAN wrote:You will need to go on the gov website I guess and put a fraud case in, I can't find any links at the mo but I'm sure there would be something on there.
Keep us informed!

Looks like this is a prima facie breach of section 55 of the Data Protection Act (sub-section 1)! http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/29/section/55 There is an avenue for complaint to the ICO https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/report-a-breach/. I shall see what happens in the next few days.

BeamishStout · Post by **BeamishStout** » 20 Apr 2017, 17:11

All the staff had a meeting this morning and the DOM spoke about an 'issue' arising from the checks. Made it all sound that it was the fault of the union rep (local and area) for not bringing it to his attention! He appears to be onboard for the October checks. All very smoothly done without much in the way of contrition.

And there was me thinking that it is the function of RM to manage the business not the CWU. At least the point has been made and acted upon now (although too late for the April verification process as the horse has bolted)

But rather worryingly I have advised (by the local rep) to 'keep my head down as I may be in their cross-hairs!' FFS I haven't done anything wrong - tis not me that has potentially breached the DPA. Fortunately trying to be anonymous is basically how I perform my days at RM so that is no hardship for me personally.