TO: ALL BRANCHES WITH POSTAL MEMBERS
Dear Colleague,
THE POST OFFICE: NATIONAL AGREEMENT FOR THE SEPARATION OF THE POST OFFICE FROM ROYAL MAIL GROUP AND THE RESULTANT TUPE OF EMPLOYEES
From 1st April 2012, Post Office Ltd moved from being an integral part of the Royal Mail Group to being a separate sister company to Royal Mail and a subsidiary of the parent company Royal Mail Holdings. As a consequence of this, TUPE applies to our members working in Post Office operations in Crown Offices, Supply Chain and Admin units.
Whilst our policy was anti-separation, in view of the circumstances, the responsible position to adopt was to reach an appropriate agreement. To this end we are pleased to report that we have concluded a national agreement with Royal Mail Group and the Post Office on the TUPE transfer of our members from Royal Mail Group to the Post Office. This national agreement, which was endorsed by the Postal Executive yesterday, is attached for your information.
We are confident that appropriate arrangements have been put in place to safeguard members’ terms and conditions post the TUPE transfer and we have achieved our objectives in the negotiations. Crucially, the following will be transferred and protected:
• Members’ terms and conditions, including all national agreements
• Pensions: Post Office members of the RMPP will continue their membership of the RMPP in a newly created Post Office section
• Union recognition and engagement with the Post Office
MTSF – post separation: redeployment and transfers for surplus employees between Royal Mail and the Post Office
An integral part of the national agreement is that MTSF continues to apply going forward; specifically, this secures the ability of surplus employees from the Post Office to transfer into Royal Mail and vice versa where vacancies exist or through bumping opportunities.
We are particularly pleased that we have successfully managed to ensure that provision for surplus members to be redeployed between the two sister companies up to a period of two years to 31st March 2014 (or until such date as RMG and the Post Office is no longer part of the same group of companies, whichever is the earlier). The agreement also provides for pay protection for the duration of the two year period for redeployment.
This is a significant achievement for our members who may become surplus, who, despite separation, have now been given an extended time, with pay protection, to transfer between the two sister companies.
Communication to members
We have written to all members working for the Post Office to advise them of the details of the national agreement for separation and the TUPE transfer to ensure they understand that their terms and conditions will not be affected. This letter is also attached. Additionally, a joint communication from Royal Mail Group, the Post Office, Unite and CWU is also attached.
Despite our policy in respect of separation, we have acted responsibly on behalf of our members by concluding an agreement that ensures the necessary safeguards and protections arising from the TUPE transfer.
We are certain that the members directly impacted by the separation and TUPE will welcome this agreement and, in particular, the associated MTSF measures described above.
Please direct all enquiries relating to this LTB to cbowers@cwu.org
Yours sincerely
Dave Ward Andy Furey
Deputy General Secretary (P) Assistant Secretary
Quadpartite communication – version 6
Joint communication from Royal Mail Group, Post Office Ltd, Communication Workers Union and Unite
Conclusion of TUPE Consultation
The TUPE consultation process with CWU and Unite has continued in a very collaborative manner over the last few months. We have now come to a positive conclusion, including the sign-off of collective agreements and policies.
From 1 April 2012, all Post Office employees will have their contract of employment transferred from Royal Mail Group to Post Office Ltd. Colleagues will receive a welcome letter to their home address (including those from Royal Mail who will transfer) once the transfer is complete.
This change of employer is being managed according to Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006, or TUPE for short. Reassuringly, as part of this transfer, there are no changes to contractual terms and conditions of employment. Furthermore, your membership of the Royal Mail Group’s pension schemes continues with the same benefits as you currently enjoy.
The European Commission has approved State Aid for Royal Mail Group. This has enabled the current Royal Mail Pension Plan (RMPP) deficit to be addressed. You will receive more information on pensions in a letter to your home address in the next few days.
We are confident that the conclusion of our TUPE discussions reassures you that your current terms and conditions transfer with your contract of employment to Post Office Ltd. Royal Mail, Post Office, CWU and Unite will continue to discuss as appropriate any issues that arise out of the transfer to ensure that it takes place as smoothly as possible.
Matthew Starks Simon Haben Andy Furey Brian Scott
Head of Employee Director, HR Strategy Assistant Secretary Assistant National
Relations Policy and Engagement Communication Secretary
Post Office Ltd Royal Mail Workers Union Unite/CMA
