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Saturdays off for everyone!?

Postal workers discussion forum. Discuss the day to day life in a Blue Shirt.

Should the union work towards securing regular Saturdays off for everyone?

Poll ended at 25 Mar 2008, 11:44

Yes
122
79%
No
29
19%
Not bothered
3
2%
 
Total votes: 154

traww
Posts: 69
Joined: 24 Feb 2008, 10:43

Saturdays off for everyone!?

Post by traww »

Does the union intend to do anything about this?

OK I haven't been in the job that long but I soon worked out that seniority brings certain de facto privileges, such as every Saturday off or every Monday off, first choice of any rounds that come up for grabs, more annual leave, priority when choosing winter holiday dates, etc, etc. I know that those who have been in the job a long time deserve some "privileges", and some of the afore mentioned remain their privilege, but we all have families, should be entitled to have a social life and the occasional weekends away. It is 2008 not 1955 and we all have the same civil and human rights and it should be seriously considered for change.

I believe days off should be rotated an a week by week basis as follows (forgive me if this is already happening in some offices - reading some posts on here it might be the case).

week 1 - Tue off
week 2 - Wed off
week 3 - Thur off
week 4 - Fri off
week 5 - Sat off
week 6 - Mon off


Tagged on to Sat off the Mon off would give a very long weekend every 5 weeks. It would also mean that everyone gets an equal share of the light days (Sat, Mon & Tue) and busy days (the rest). This is only a personal view but I hope it will get the ball rolling.

Incidentally I have heard in some offices that full time shifts have been made 10 hours over 4 days with 3 posties covering 2 rounds on a 4 days on 4 days off basis. Is this going to be implemented everywhere and for everyone on every round part and full time? or is it another inequality and potential area of conflict.

That's all :hmmmm
postyparker
Posts: 54
Joined: 03 Dec 2007, 23:05

Post by postyparker »

Already happens in my office, other than floaters who take the day off which is scheduled to that walk there doing for that week.

There maybe should be a system were if you have worked there for over a certain amount of years you get to choose your day off in a ballot (To ensure there's enough staff) which happens every six months or so it's fair and if you dont like that day you have a rolling day off with everyone else who have worked under the proposed time limit.

Just an idea
wakkono
Posts: 392
Joined: 21 May 2007, 17:14
Location: south wales valleys

Post by wakkono »

thats happened here in wales for ages now
rural driver south wales valleys
Broxi51
Posts: 1154
Joined: 30 Jul 2007, 19:04
Location: Scotland

Re: Saturdays off for everyone!?

Post by Broxi51 »

traww wrote:Does the union intend to do anything about this?

OK I haven't been in the job that long but I soon worked out that seniority brings certain de facto privileges, such as every Saturday off or every Monday off, first choice of any rounds that come up for grabs, more annual leave, priority when choosing winter holiday dates, etc, etc. I know that those who have been in the job a long time deserve some "privileges", and some of the afore mentioned remain their privilege, but we all have families, should be entitled to have a social life and the occasional weekends away. It is 2008 not 1955 and we all have the same civil and human rights and it should be seriously considered for change.

I believe days off should be rotated an a week by week basis as follows (forgive me if this is already happening in some offices - reading some posts on here it might be the case).

week 1 - Tue off
week 2 - Wed off
week 3 - Thur off
week 4 - Fri off
week 5 - Sat off
week 6 - Mon off


Tagged on to Sat off the Mon off would give a very long weekend every 5 weeks. It would also mean that everyone gets an equal share of the light days (Sat, Mon & Tue) and busy days (the rest). This is only a personal view but I hope it will get the ball rolling.

Incidentally I have heard in some offices that full time shifts have been made 10 hours over 4 days with 3 posties covering 2 rounds on a 4 days on 4 days off basis. Is this going to be implemented everywhere and for everyone on every round part and full time? or is it another inequality and potential area of conflict.

That's all :hmmmm
Our office works on your rota above. Next week is my saturday off and then it's monday. It is quite a good perk every 5 weeks. Unfortunately after one day off, Im depressed at coming back so It is a major depression to go back on the tuesday :cry
I am a floater who covers 5 duties every week and it applies to all staff within the office.
Broxi51
Posts: 1154
Joined: 30 Jul 2007, 19:04
Location: Scotland

Re: Saturdays off for everyone!?

Post by Broxi51 »

traww wrote:Does the union intend to do anything about this?

OK I haven't been in the job that long but I soon worked out that seniority brings certain de facto privileges, such as every Saturday off or every Monday off, first choice of any rounds that come up for grabs, more annual leave, priority when choosing winter holiday dates, etc, etc. I know that those who have been in the job a long time deserve some "privileges", and some of the afore mentioned remain their privilege, but we all have families, should be entitled to have a social life and the occasional weekends away. It is 2008 not 1955 and we all have the same civil and human rights and it should be seriously considered for change.

I believe days off should be rotated an a week by week basis as follows (forgive me if this is already happening in some offices - reading some posts on here it might be the case).

week 1 - Tue off
week 2 - Wed off
week 3 - Thur off
week 4 - Fri off
week 5 - Sat off
week 6 - Mon off


Tagged on to Sat off the Mon off would give a very long weekend every 5 weeks. It would also mean that everyone gets an equal share of the light days (Sat, Mon & Tue) and busy days (the rest). This is only a personal view but I hope it will get the ball rolling.

Incidentally I have heard in some offices that full time shifts have been made 10 hours over 4 days with 3 posties covering 2 rounds on a 4 days on 4 days off basis. Is this going to be implemented everywhere and for everyone on every round part and full time? or is it another inequality and potential area of conflict.

That's all :hmmmm
Our office works on your rota above. Next week is my saturday off and then it's monday. It is quite a good perk every 5 weeks. Unfortunately after one day off, Im depressed at coming back so It is a major depression to go back on the tuesday :cry
I am a floater who covers 5 duties every week and it applies to all staff within the office.
ronaldo
Posts: 32
Joined: 19 Oct 2007, 17:56

Post by ronaldo »

This week is my sat off so is next week then the week after that and the week after that.Monday to friday working should be for all.Will cut sick leave down im sure
lovejoy
Posts: 1255
Joined: 30 Apr 2007, 12:59

Post by lovejoy »

ronaldo wrote:This week is my sat off so is next week then the week after that and the week after that.Monday to friday working should be for all.Will cut sick leave down im sure
Would also cut out 20% of all Delivery jobs as well
not me
Posts: 2735
Joined: 10 Aug 2007, 15:07
Gender: Female
Location: Uranus

Post by not me »

we run the rotating days off as posted
mrlovepantsuk
Posts: 333
Joined: 22 Jun 2007, 23:19
Gender: Male

Post by mrlovepantsuk »

thought all offices did this anyway and i think senority has been abolished as well.
Unity Is Strength
k979aaa
Posts: 12578
Joined: 03 Sep 2007, 19:14
Gender: Male
Location: THE NORTH

Post by k979aaa »

mrlovepantsuk wrote:thought all offices did this anyway and i think senority has been abolished as well.
No senority has not been abolished for it does not come under the age discrimination act!. For it is simply the best way to get the staff with the necessary experience to do any of the jobs in the office!.
mrlovepantsuk
Posts: 333
Joined: 22 Jun 2007, 23:19
Gender: Male

Post by mrlovepantsuk »

k979aaa wrote:
mrlovepantsuk wrote:thought all offices did this anyway and i think senority has been abolished as well.
No senority has not been abolished for it does not come under the age discrimination act!. For it is simply the best way to get the staff with the necessary experience to do any of the jobs in the office!.
now what we`ve been told.
Unity Is Strength
k979aaa
Posts: 12578
Joined: 03 Sep 2007, 19:14
Gender: Male
Location: THE NORTH

Post by k979aaa »

mrlovepantsuk wrote:
k979aaa wrote:
mrlovepantsuk wrote:thought all offices did this anyway and i think senority has been abolished as well.
No senority has not been abolished for it does not come under the age discrimination act!. For it is simply the best way to get the staff with the necessary experience to do any of the jobs in the office!.
now what we`ve been told.
Why for is your DOM called "Joseph goebbels"!. DON'T BELIVIE THE HYPE!.
alito
Posts: 16
Joined: 10 Sep 2007, 17:07

Post by alito »

seniority has not been abolished- well at least not in my mc, and as for it bringing privilages as regards to more annual leave, then surley this is the same in every job? the longer you're there the more leave you get. also i have been in the job for more than 20 years and never have i been able to pick either my winter or summer leave! it is allocated by the staff office and if it is not what you want you have to go rounf the office looking for someone to swap with!
theflyingpostman
Posts: 136
Joined: 02 Jul 2007, 23:03
Gender: Male
Location: The Home Counties

Post by theflyingpostman »

mrlovepantsuk wrote:thought all offices did this anyway and i think senority has been abolished as well.
The thing about having a fixed day off system (ie Saturday or Monday) is it would have favoured the most senior people in the office with the rest getting the crap end of the stick.

In our office everyone was balloted on what we wanted and the rotating day off was chosen.

But I think the time has come for people to be given another chance to vote for a change of system.

The Wallington system (1 week of in 6) looks attractive but depends on what hours you would have to work.
One advantage with Wallington would be with the reserves/floaters. For the most part they would be on the same duty for the whole week. This would give them enough time to get used to a walk. There would be no excuse for not doing the households.:left: DOM's and Lino's take note performance for your office could improve under this system!

A 4 day week (10 hour day) I would only chose if the duty time finishes at 1400 anything later would be a no go!
lovejoy
Posts: 1255
Joined: 30 Apr 2007, 12:59

Post by lovejoy »

mrlovepantsuk wrote:
k979aaa wrote:
mrlovepantsuk wrote:thought all offices did this anyway and i think senority has been abolished as well.
No senority has not been abolished for it does not come under the age discrimination act!. For it is simply the best way to get the staff with the necessary experience to do any of the jobs in the office!.
now what we`ve been told.
There obviously speaks a man with little or no seniority!!!

Seniority is not deemed discriminatory via the age discrimination act. Royal Mail tries to use this act to abolish seniority but the unions lawyers got the better of them. There is a section in the act that says employers can reward employees for 'loyalty' - Seniority = length of service = loyalty