LTB 160/20 - PRIVATE CARS ON DELIVERY DURING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC

Post by **POSTMAN** » 27 Mar 2020, 16:08

https://www.cwu.org/ltb/ltb-160-20-priv ... -pandemic/

LTB No: 160/20
24th March 2020

Dear Colleagues,

PRIVATE CARS ON DELIVERY DURING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC

Branches will be aware that once again, Royal Mail have taken the decision to publish Advice/Guidance to the field, on this occasion in relation to the use of Private Vehicles on Delivery by our members working in Delivery Offices.

We have been attempting to discuss the document with the company over the last couple of days, sharing our concerns, governing the use of the vehicle, insurance issues, out of pocket cost to our members, and a host of other items including ensuring that this would only be a temporary initiative for the duration of the current Coronavirus crisis and would end as soon as practically possible given the previous history of private car use and ceasing this practice with the introduction of delivery methods.

On Wednesday the 24th of March, we proposed a joint statement to the company that would put the matter on a sure footing with our members and representatives alike in terms of putting some sureties around both the intended use of the vehicle and what more importantly it could not be used for, together with a clear intention of both parties to cease the arrangement as soon as possible. There has been no formal response to this document, indicative once again of the kind of relationship that certain parties within the company want with this Trade Union going forward, sickeningly, even at a time of major crisis. The proposed Joint Statement is attached for your reference.

Following on from the above, and most disappointingly, the company, at a level above where we were having the discussion, decided to plough on ahead with the release of the document which resulted in an avalanche of enquiries into both the Outdoor and Health & Safety Departments. The department then decided to seek urgent legal advice on the content of the guidance pack and subsequently forwarded a number of questions to the employer late this afternoon, the answers to which are attached for your information.

Branches will therefore note, and should bring to the immediate attention of all our members working in Delivery Offices, that using their private vehicles without Business Use Insurance will mean that they are driving on Third Party Insurance Cover only but can of course cancel your agreement to use their vehicles at any time.

Any enquiries should be addressed to outdoorsecretary@cwu.org

Yours Sincerely,

Mark Baulch

Assistant Secretary

See the link for loads of docs.

Update 30 March

If I work with my partner/housemate can we share a van to our delivery point or for other business?

No, in line with ‘social distancing’ guidelines from Public Health, the business has moved to one person in a vehicle at one time until further notice.

Spartacus · Post by **Spartacus** » 27 Mar 2020, 16:16

Genuine question, what good are the CWU at this moment?

smok3y666 · Post by **smok3y666** » 27 Mar 2020, 16:17

Spartacus wrote:Genuine question, what good are the CWU at this moment?

Making out we are key workers and should be the 4th emergency service! WTF is wrong with you people?

bishopoflove · Post by **bishopoflove** » 27 Mar 2020, 16:26

Don't ask me to.

twoloops · Post by **twoloops** » 27 Mar 2020, 16:35

Our Dom had some forms you could fill to say you can use your car on delivery? Not for me sunshine.

chickenwittle · Post by **chickenwittle** » 27 Mar 2020, 16:44

Can’t believe the Cwu are even going down the route of using private cars . Seriously get a grip .

Spartacus · Post by **Spartacus** » 27 Mar 2020, 16:46

chickenwittle wrote:Can’t believe the Cwu are even going down the route of using private cars . Seriously get a grip .

Give it a day or two and they'll claim it was their idea.

5plusbonusball · Post by **5plusbonusball** » 27 Mar 2020, 16:47

what all this about, because of dirty vans or shortage of vans? in my d/o we have too many none drivers and a lot drivers who refuse to drive,

i'll still use a van thanks, insurance is dear enough without the police spot checks etc.

clashcityrocker · Post by **clashcityrocker** » 27 Mar 2020, 16:51

5plusbonusball wrote:what all this about?

It is about using your car to get to the start of your van share duty to avoid having two to a van.
Once on delivery you don't use your car again until you go home.
Whether this is practical I don't know.

I think going down the road of staggered start times - one does one duty in the morning, the other does the other duty in the afternoon -would be preferable. It would reduce the numbers in the DO in the morning as well.

5plusbonusball · Post by **5plusbonusball** » 27 Mar 2020, 16:53

Ahh thanks, so no mail is carried in private cars, we do do that now rarely so one can get home for school closing etc.

ssdd · Post by **ssdd** » 27 Mar 2020, 17:27

It's clear this is a temporary measure undertaken in uncertain times. Ordinarily I would be against it, but this gives people more options.
It won't be for everyone and you don't have to do it.
Only thing that's not clear is if an individual takes out their own business insurance do they still get costs covered?

Postie45 · Post by **Postie45** » 27 Mar 2020, 17:37

It's one thing to be allowed to use cars, it's another to actually use them. Why would anyone want to use their car is beyond me.

Woody Guthrie · Post by **Woody Guthrie** » 27 Mar 2020, 18:09

Ordinarily I would be against it, but this gives people more options.

The first problem is that within a couple of days or maybe the first day some of our finest will be throwing the whole delivery into the boot. We know they will.

Problem number 2 is withdrawing this 'temporary' measure. It probably took 5 years to get managers to enforce the ban on private cars the first time around and some still haven't. From a rep's point of view this just takes us right back to square one.

The third problem is basic business insurance, it's a minefield of escape clauses and loopholes especially if you're dumping your vehicle in some s**t hole for 5 hours. That's if members actually bother getting it in the first place.

mjd24 · Post by **mjd24** » 27 Mar 2020, 18:24

One of my colleagues was filling her car with bags of mail in the yard yesterday morning, witnessed by a few of us as well as a manager, most of us just shaking our heads really, what can you say!

ssdd · Post by **ssdd** » 27 Mar 2020, 18:44

Woody Guthrie wrote:
Ordinarily I would be against it, but this gives people more options.
The first problem is that within a couple of days or maybe the first day some of our finest will be throwing the whole delivery into the boot. We know they will.

Problem number 2 is withdrawing this 'temporary' measure. It probably took 5 years to get managers to enforce the ban on private cars the first time around and some still haven't. From a rep's point of view this just takes us right back to square one.

The third problem is basic business insurance, it's a minefield of escape clauses and loopholes especially if you're dumping your vehicle in some s**t hole for 5 hours. That's if members actually bother getting it in the first place.

First, it should be up to reps to make fully clear the implications and limitations of this measure.

Second, according to the RM_CWU joint statement, these measures "will be in place for the next four weeks and be subject to further National joint review following the Government decisions taken on 6th April or earlier should the directives change".

Third, it's up to the individual if they even want to take business insurance. Some may be happy with RMs third party only cover. Personally, I wouldn't be. But it may suit some people.