You may have missed the point of why the Union and RMC don't like people using their cars. I personally don't mind people using them to get them to the round that's there choice and gives them a flyer. However the following points are worthy of note:
1, You need extra insurance to use your car for business use and Royal Mail insist on it but don't pay for it.
2. You wont get mileage allowance to cover wear and tear.
The 2 above reason all people are aware and its there choice. However you don't have a choice on the following.
You are not allowed to use the Car as a mobile Drop Point (Though a lot do) and you can be dismissed if you car is broken into and mail stolen. The DOMs are aware of this but turn a blind eye to it. They are therefore silently condoning an illegal practice.
Another reason I try to convince people not to use their cars is because Royal Mails biggest beef at the moment is paying people for 8 hours but they only work 7. I and other people are predicting that when flexibility hits, people who use the cars may have their rounds extended to cover the hour Royal Mail think they have lost. I don't think they have lost it after all you have worked hard to get finished early and provide a better service, but RM don't see it that way.
But the main reason why the Union don't like it is that when someone takes his 2nd bags out in his car, then the DOMs realise that the driver is not needed to take these bags out. He then adds on to the Drivers duty, or if there is enough posties using their cars then they may cut a duty altogether. Then the car breaks down or a cover postie who does not have a car is tasked for this duty and all of sudden there is no driver to take his bags, what does he do then, wait for ever for the bags to arrive ?. All walking duties should be planned for being completed without the use of cars, but when they see a chance of a saving by cutting the amount of drivers, or by extending a driver duty because posties use their cars, they will do.
All I ask people to do is think of the consequences their actions have on others. Posties using their own cars has cost jobs and this has been proven by DOs like Burslem and POSTMANS working to the rules and this caused new driving duties to be added. However, when it comes down to it I can't stop you using your car all I can do is present the counter argument, but if you consider that moaning, again there is nothing I can do.
