THE DEPLOYMENT OF MANUAL FINGER SCANNERS IN MAIL CENTRES

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Letter to Branches





No. 647/15
Ref: 732.02
Date: 6th October 2015


For the immediate attention of:

All: Postal Branches
Area Processing Representatives
Area Distribution Representatives
Divisional Representatives


Dear Colleagues

PARCEL AUTOMATION MANUAL FINGER SCANNERS – JOINT STATEMENT BETWEEN ROYAL MAIL AND THE CWU COVERING THE DEPLOYMENT OF MANUAL FINGER SCANNERS IN MAIL CENTRES AND RDC’S

Branches and representatives will be aware that the department have been in discussion with the business for some time in relation to the introduction of Manual Finger Scanners into the Mail Centre and RDC network.

The department can now report that a Joint Statement has been reached in regard to the phased deployment of the Manual Finger Scanners and is attached to this LTB for your information.

Branches will note that the attached Joint Statement outlines the deployment schedule at Annex A and that it is supported by the Joint Statement between Royal Mail and the CWU on Core Protocols for Managers, Workplace Coaches, and Union Reps Working with Individual Manual Scanner Data (LTB 554/15 refers).

Branches and representatives are requested to ensure that the contents of this LTB are brought to the attention of our members in Mail Centres and RDC’s.

Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Joe Malone, Acting Assistant Secretary, e-mail: dwyatt@cwu.org or shayman@cwu.org quoting reference number: 732.02.

Yours sincerely



Joe Malone
Acting Assistant Secretary


JOINT STATEMENT BETWEEN ROYAL MAIL AND THE CWU COVERING THE DEPLOYMENT OF MANUAL FINGER SCANNERS IN MAIL CENTRES AND RDC’S


Background

The Business Transformation 2010 and the Agenda for Growth, Stability and Long Term Success agreements commit Royal Mail and the Communication Workers Union to work together at the development stage of key business policies which are best supported by transparency and good information share. This commitment is acknowledged as the key enabler for Royal Mail and the Union to engage and to develop mutual interest solutions that will aid and improve efficiency within the operation while responding to the needs of CWU represented grades.

In keeping with the National Generic Trial and Deployment Frameworks both parties have agreed to jointly assess potential ways and automated handling solutions to improve the flow of mail through Mail Centres and RDC’s from both a Health & Safety and operational aspect.

Against that backdrop both parties recognise that in a highly competitive, automated and modern environment there is the potential to improve both working conditions for employees and the service that is provided and expected by customers.


Introduction/Scope

Extensive trials have taken place to test manual scanning options in a live operational environment at Home Counties North, Dorset and Swindon Mail Centres, in order to enable effective evaluation and assessment to be undertaken to support any deployment options in advance of/or alongside Parcel Automation in Mail Centres and RDC’s.

The overall aim of this project is to enable an agreed portfolio of equipment to be identified and agreed as fit for purpose to fully support all aspects of the operation and will culminate in this information being published and made available as fully tested solutions to support the standardisation of equipment.

Following a National review of the Manual Finger Scanner trial activity by Royal Mail and the CWU it has been agreed that the equipment will now be deployed at sites on a phased basis from October 2015.

Operational Process

The review concluded that the benefits underpinning the use of manual scanning options included:

Introduction of the technology will enable Royal Mail to understand how many parcels are handled and how effectively they are processed.
Volume processed per shift and per parcel sorting area.
Throughput per hour helping to identify improvements to the work area.
Opportunity to provide employees with continuous support and training in scanning performance via coaching.
The reduction of missorts in the operation.
Scanning of 1st and 2nd class ensuring that mail is processed on the correct shift.
Training in the use of the Manual Finger Scanners is to be provided either by accredited RM employees or Workplace Coaches.


Deployment

The phased deployment of the Manual Finger Scanners will commence in October 2015 (details provided at Annex A) and will be supported by the agreed Joint Statement between Royal Mail and the CWU on Core Protocols for Managers, Workplace Coaches, and Union Reps Working with Individual Manual Scanner Data.

The deployment of the Manual Finger Scanners will ensure that the equipment has been fully risk assessed locally and the agreed safe systems of work are in place and training will be provided prior to use.

A local deployment programme will identify any requirement for transitional arrangements to ensure there is no adverse effect on quality of service and/or health and safety and/or security standards within the Mail Centre and RDC.

The proposed local deployment plan will be subject to local discussion as detailed above prior to implementation and will take into account and focus on all possible concerns, risks or difficulties associated with this project. This will ensure any unforeseen employee concerns are also resolved as quickly as possible, local parties will also meet regularly to monitor and review deployment arrangements.

CWU representatives shall be given appropriate additional release to facilitate this and enable them to consult with members on the proposed change.

Any questions of interpretation, implementation, or application of this Joint Statement shall be referred to the respective Headquarters for resolution.





Joe Malone
Acting Assistant Secretary
CWU
Andrew Forbes
Head of Parcel Automation
Royal Mail


Date: 5th October 2015
MANUAL FINGER SCANNERS DEPLOYMENT SCHEDULE


Week Commencing 5th October 2015

The following sites will deploy over 4 weeks:

Greenford
NDC
South Midlands
London Central
Manchester
Leeds
Croydon
Bristol
Medway
NW Midlands
HCN
Chelmsford
Glasgow
Romford
Swindon
SWDC


Week Commencing 12th October 2015

The following sites will deploy over 3 weeks:

Birmingham
Nottingham
Tyneside
Belfast
Jubilee
Peterborough
SDC
Sheffield
Warrington
Gatwick
Preston



Week Commencing 19th October 2015

The following sites will deploy over 2 weeks:

Cardiff
Chester
NWDC
Edinburgh
PRDC
Exeter
Dorset
Norwich
Swansea
Plymouth
Truro
Carlisle
YDC
Aberdeen
Inverness
Ipswich

 
Initial deployment will not include the Tracked work area due to further testing that is to take place. Once testing has been completed deployment will commence in the Tracked work area.
 
The deployment activity will be reviewed on a daily and weekly basis and may be adjusted accordingly if any difficulties or any other serious Quality of Service disruptions are identified.

[jmcg]

these devices were trialled 14 months ago at hcn,certainly not extensively!,i suspect most employees will not like them...rather cumbersome in my humble opinion..

[thehappyones]

been trained and using them...so far so good
...Glw MC
although trying to
hand stamp and scan and sort will take abit of getting used to...