LTB 037/2013 - 17 Tonne Vehicles In Area Distribution

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Letter to Branches




No. 037/2013
Ref: 202.03
Date: 24th January 2013


All Postal Branches
All Divisional Representatives
All Regional Organisers
All LGV Representatives
All Area Distribution Representatives



Dear Colleague

17 Tonne Vehicles In Area Distribution

Further to LTB 898/12 the department has met with the business to discuss this issue and the following is an update on those discussions thus far.

In regard to 17t vehicles it would appear that Regional Logistics Directors were charged with assessing their 7.5t fleet usage in light of declining letter and rising parcel/packet traffic and identifying where 17t vehicles would be more efficient.

As a consequence this exercise has identified where they believe they could reduce the 7.5t fleet and introduce the use of 17t vehicles. This process has gone on to some degree in the past and where such requirements were identified negotiations would take place between Area Distribution management and Local/Area CWU. Where an agreement was reached Network/Logistics would then be asked to provide the service as all such work is proper to Network/Logistics, in line with the ‘Creation of Logistics’ and ‘Professional Drivers Agreements’.

There would however appear to be a clear change in strategic direction, as it would seem that rather than the VOC providing the internal service required by standing down 7.5t vehicles, it is proposed the 17t vehicles would be based at the Mail Centres which is a direct contradiction of the aforementioned agreements.

To be clear there are already some unique solutions of this nature in the field but they are the exception and not the rule. However, we have responded to management by stating that despite our concerns if enlarging on this logic could offer protection to our members (both MGV & LGV), support the principles of our agreements, ensure no negative impact on the despatch and arrival patterns especially in delivery, provide the opportunity for new products and services, enable an increase in CWU LGV jobs with the potential of up-skilling of MGV drivers and reduce to an absolute minimum the use of agency drivers, then there will be potential scope for an agreement.

Against that backdrop we have agreed to work up a terms of reference to enable the development of this proposal at all levels.

To be absolutely clear there is no National agreement at this stage covering this issue so there should be no local agreements made to reduce MGV work and deploy 17t Vehicles in Mail Centres until we have concluded a terms of reference which affords our members the protection we seek.

Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Terry Pullinger, Assistant Secretary, e-mail: dwyatt@cwu.org or lwright@cwu.org quoting reference number: 202.03

Yours sincerely





Terry Pullinger
Assistant Secretary