LTB 191/23 - RMG/CWU Business Recovery, Transformation And Growth Agreement - Appendix 1, Seasonal Variation

[POSTMAN]

https://www.cwu.org/ltb/ltb-191-23-rmg- ... variation/

LTB 191/23 - RMG/CWU Business Recovery, Transformation And Growth Agreement - Appendix 1, Seasonal Variation
No. 191/23

18th July 2023



Dear Colleagues,

RMG/CWU Business Recovery, Transformation And Growth Agreement – Appendix 1, Seasonal Variation

Branches and Representatives will be aware of the commitments contained in the Business Transformation, Recovery and Growth Agreement in relation to Appendix 1, Seasonal Variation, and the very challenging timelines linked to this aspect of the agreement.

In line with this part of the agreement talks needed to start early with Royal Mail in moving forward with the initial pilot activity which started on the 26th of May, for 10 sites, one per Division and listed here:

Falmouth DO – South West/South Wales
Felixstowe DO – Anglia
Sheerness DO – South East
Porthmadog DO – North West/North Wales
Motherwell DO – Scotland
Sheffield DO – North East
Ruislip DO – South Central
Omagh – Northern Ireland
Burton Upon Trent – Midlands
East Finchley – London
To support the initial pilot activity, a joint WTLL briefing and FAQ document was developed for the selected sites and weekly catch-up/review sessions were established involving the Local Rep/COM, ADR/OPL, and Divisional Reps/RODs, with these meetings continuing to be held and due to conclude in August.

In parallel with this pilot activity, we have also continued to hold discussions with Royal Mail in regard to the actual wider national rollout of Seasonal Variation within Deliveries, particularly given its September start date. These talks have also covered a number of other and relating points linked to Seasonal Variation including Hours Reconciliation, for employees who leave employment during the Seasonal Variation cycle or who have moved from full time (or 35 hours) to part time, an Exception Process for those who cannot amend attendance patterns due to their specific personal circumstances. These discussions have also factored in and included a number of learning points from the pilot sites.

We have now resolved the key issues listed above and addressed a number of unforeseen early learning issues with Royal Mail which surfaced in the pilot sites. Based on this and the overall timelines set out on Seasonal Variation, the Postal Executive has now agreed that we move forward with joint launch events for local Reps and COMs, (based on ADR/OPL areas), as of the week commencing the 17th of July.

In line with these joint launch events, we have agreed and developed the following documentation: –

Annex 1 – National Seasonal Variation FAQ (Frequently Asked Question) Document. https://www.cwu.org/wp-content/uploads/ ... ment-1.pdf

Annex 2 – National Seasonal Variation WTLL Briefing. https://www.cwu.org/wp-content/uploads/ ... fing-2.pdf

These joint launch events will start this week and will also be attended by ADRs, and Divisional Reps. In addition, further wash-up sessions will also take place for those CWU Reps who have been unable to attend the initial launch events.

Whilst we have agreed to move forward with launch events linked to Seasonal Variations in run up to September, we will continue to review feedback received from the pilot sites, in addition, to monitoring the application of the Exception Process ongoing and which is a new arrangement designed solely for this national roll out of Seasonal Variation within Deliveries.

In setting out the above, and whilst the terms of the BTR&G Agreement have been endorsed by members in an individual ballot, it is clear that there remains a number of wider questions from members in terms of Seasonal Variation. Therefore, we believe that the attached FAQ will assist in answering any of these outstanding questions and further offer clarification on what Seasonal Variation is, and what it is not. It is also important to further remind ourselves that Seasonal Variation is far removed from Royal Mail’s Annualised Hours and Total Flexibility plans, which were a key aspect of the National dispute.

Any queries to the content of the above please contact the Outdoor Department reference 532, email address: njones@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,



Mark Baulch
CWU Assistant Secretary

[claystones]

So it begins the sellout

[HairyHobbit]

Wait, if it begins in September haven't we lost out on the low period of -2 hours a week? so if you calculate this financial year (April to April) the average will be higher than 37?

[CRIBMAD]

BRAVO CWU you really are assisting RM very well , hope you all get a lovely big bonus for all your compliance !

[Jack1960]

Even our manager had a good laugh with this , calling It annualised hours by any other means.
He is grateful for the work it has saved him and for the 900 pounds.

[zz666]

Starting mid way through the year means 2 hours per week for nothing.

[ted_e_bear]

So presumably these pilot sites are now operating on the basis of a 35 hour week, also presumably the outcome will be that they all managed to comfortably complete within that 35 hours

Well I don't know about anywhere else but despite yesterday and Monday being pretty quiet today we were as busy as fook, some part timers asked in early to IPS and prep, despite that still a few cut offs, was the same weds/Thurs last week,so if that's an example of the quiet period when we've got fook all to do then can't see us managing it.

[hans solo]

They have probably been working otime in all the trial sites thats what usually happens to make it look achievable

[TopperGas]

How does the lack of lapsing effect those offices undergoing the trial, surely they'll either have to recruit posties to do the rounds which are usually lapsed during the summer months?

[TopperGas]

I didn't realise the seasonal variation for part timers was only 10 mins, why was that never mentioned previously as it's really hardly worth thinking about!

[kazardaimenu]

This is crazy. Was like a mid December morning at our gaff today.

[ted_e_bear]

This is crazy. Was like a mid December morning at our gaff today.

Parcels galore at our gaff today

[yellowbelly]

Meal Reliefs will continue to reflect the principles set out in the Way Forward Agreement.

So, if your daily attendance times cross over into a new threshold for Meal Relief (Plus or Minus)
as a result of the Seasonal Variation, you will need to take the Meal Relief entitlement for the new threshold.

If for instance you currently work 6 hours 55 minutes on a Tuesday, in the high season your Meal Relief will increase (in line with your
attendance) to 40mins.

Conversely, if you work 7 hours 10 minutes on a Tuesday currently, but this reduces below 7 hours
daily attendance, then the Meal Relief will reduce to 30mins during the low season. (Reminder Meal Relief arrangements
are based on hours of attendance and are applied equally to FT and PT OPGs).

Obviously this depends on your individual contracted hours and longs/shorts, but am I right in thinking that a colleague could
potentially lose 10 mins on certain days for 15 weeks of the year (Summer) if the variation takes them below
the 7hr 1m but remain on the same break for 37 weeks of the year (unless they go over 9hrs)? There's only one winner there and it's not us!

[rubberbond]

Starting mid way through the year means 2 hours per week for nothing.

You can bet your house that whilst it’s 2 hours now in future it will be increased to the extent that it reduces pressure overtime to zero. Remember summer savings , that’s the exact same parallel. Be warned , be afraid ,be very afraid of what’s coming down the track in exchange for our £900.

[2yearpostie]

Starting mid way through the year means 2 hours per week for nothing.

You can bet your house that whilst it’s 2 hours now in future it will be increased to the extent that it reduces pressure overtime to zero. Remember summer savings , that’s the exact same parallel. Be warned , be afraid ,be very afraid of what’s coming down the track in exchange for our £900.

Thats all well and dandy, what evet they increase winter by they have to take off in the summer. ie 2 hours extra winter 2 hours less summer, 10 hours extra winter 10 hours less summer