We have done our best to minimise upheaval for staff

[Geezer]

http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/le ... ticle.html

Friday, August 21, 2009, 09:20


IN RESPONSE to the letter from Royal Mail driver Lee Thorley (The Sentinel, August 8).

Royal Mail first shared proposals to relocate some work carried out at the Leek Road depot to Wolverhampton with the Communication Workers Union and staff back in February. Since then, we have delivered regular briefings and provided opportunities for staff to discuss the proposals with the people planning the changes and ask questions.

We have done a great deal to increase employment opportunities in the Stoke-on-Trent area and minimise the need for our employees to travel outside the area. We acknowledge that the plans will mean change for some of our people and we are trying to support individuals and minimise the impact on them.

Employees who do transfer to other work locations will be paid for any excess travel, in line with Royal Mail policy.

The CWU is striking over change and modernisation. Industrial action will not modernise Royal Mail, it simply disrupts the service to which customers are entitled, will lead to an even greater loss of business and leaves Royal Mail far less able to protect full-time jobs.

UK mail volumes are falling by around 10 per cent year on year.

Every one per cent of lost mail volumes costs Royal Mail £70 million in lost revenue. Royal Mail is paying more than £800 million every year into the pension fund, including some £300 million to fund the historic deficit which is expected to more than double when it is revalued this year from its last valuation at £3.4 billion three years ago.

The CWU claims to support modernisation, yet it writes to its branches telling them that the policy is to actively oppose change on the ground.

The company faces many challenges and we know bringing our people with us is essential if we are to have a successful future.

The changes we need to make are based on sound commercial reasons and are aimed at securing a long-term future for Royal Mail – staying as we are is not an option.

At Stoke, this means ensuring the operation is as efficient as possible.

We have been open and honest about these plans with our employees and their representatives and will continue to be so.

We also continue to be available to talk with union representatives about how best we can work together to introduce the changes as smoothly as possible.

RICHARD HALL

Senior External Relations Manager – Central & West Royal Mail Group Ltd Birmingham

[norbert]

there's allegations of breaking every rule in the MTSF book - a cynic would say if RM are denying it , it must be true - he's done his job .

the next step will be statuary terms , I was offered just 8 weeks basic pay to go prior to Privatization and we were told it may be oversubscribed . It's just " interesting " to see that RM had Stoke down .....again for this .

Sick pay may go , none for 3 days then SSP , RM are denying it saying there is " no evidence " . A bit like New Labour - " we have no plans " .

Quell surprise - there's a Hellfail article on this subject

[guvenor]

so if lose 10% every year wont be long before we get paid for carrying f all