National Agreement - Upskilling and Transition

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LTB 933 - POL: National Agreement - Upskilling and Transition of PostShop Retail Sales Consultants to Customer Service Consultant
28 November 2008

Issuing officer(s): Andy Furey

No. 993/08


Ref. 129


Date: 28th Nov 2008





TO ALL BRANCHES WITH POSTAL MEMBERS





Dear Colleague



POL: NATIONAL AGREEMENT � UPSKILLING AND TRANSITION OF POSTSHOP RETAIL SALES CONSULTANTS TO CUSTOMER SERVICE CONSULTANT



In LTB 923/08, dated 26th November, we advised that we would be writing directly to PostShop members regarding the result of the ballot for the upskilling of Retail Sales Consultants to Customer Service Consultant. For your information, a copy of the associated document is attached below.



We have also agreed the following joint statement:



Joint Statement on Changes to the Retail Sales Consultant role



We are delighted to let you know that the Retail Sales Consultants in the Crown network have voted overwhelmingly in favour of the agreement that will enable them to make the transition to Customer Service Consultant. The result of the ballot was:



Votes in favour 144 (90%)



Votes against 16 (10%)



The agreement supports the wider changes we are making to the PostShop network to improve the range of merchandise and to make the best use of the space we have available in branch. This includes allowing room to accommodate FSS and self serve areas and will mean a reduction in the size of our PostShop network.



In light of these changes, the agreement provides security for Retail Sales Consultants by presenting them with the opportunity to develop the same skills as their colleagues who are working on the counter, and increase their earnings. It also creates a more flexible branch team that will be able to react better to the needs of our customers.



The Post Office� and the CWU hope that all Retail Sales Consultants will want to, and be able to, make the transition to Customer Service Consultant. We do understand though that this might not be for everyone. Retail Sales Consultants will therefore be asked to complete a preference exercise to let us know if they would like to be trained to become a CSC; to be redeployed elsewhere within Royal Mail Group; or to leave the Post Office� on voluntary redundancy terms. The preference exercise will begin in early December and we will work hard to accommodate everyone�s wishes.



Training and assessments for pay progression for those who wish to make the transition to Customer Service Consultant will take place between January and March. Those who choose to leave or be redeployed will remain in their current role until their branch is refurbished.



This agreement is another important step in our journey towards creating a secure and successful Crown network that offers an unrivalled customer experience.





Richard Barker Andy Furey

General Manager, Crown Network & WHSmith Assistant Secretary

Post Office Ltd Communication Workers Union



27 November 2008





As to next steps, we are currently in the process of agreeing the details of the preference exercise with POL, and we expect the actual preference forms to be provided to PostShop members in early December.



Branches are urged to provide PostShop members with the necessary support and guidance they may require in responding to the preference forms.



All enquiries on the above should be addressed to Claire Bowers on cbowers@cwu.org



Yours sincerely



Andy Furey

Assistant Secretary