Magnums again!

[POSTMAN]

New Royal Mail Standard Issue Magnum Shoes & Boots

Further discussions have taken place with Royal Mail's Head of Assets Support and Programmes to clarify progress on resolving outstanding problems with the current standard issue footwear.

Royal Mail Assets have stressed the fact that they wanted to give us assurances that there is no intention of "moving goalposts" with regards to the footwear and the issues we face with existing levels of slips and trips. Royal Mail stress that they are taking this matter very seriously and wished to clarify the details of their plan of action which we fully support.

On behalf of Royal Mail, the manufacturers "Hi-Tech Magnum" and "SATRA" (the world's leading footwear research, technology and product evaluation centre) are working on a revised design with Royal Mail but it has not yet been through the exhaustive testing which Royal Mail will need to complete before it can be considered for general introduction and at present those involved are not in a position to say whether it will prove to be superior. As you would expect, the development of any industrial footwear is a lengthy and complex process that has to be thorough and Royal Mail are keen to ensure that the footwear isn't replaced with a design that hasn't yet been proven to meet the required improved performance standards.

The timetable recently discussed with the Union - aiming for orders to commence in April and introduction of the new improved design shoe and boot by August referred to Royal Mail's 'best estimates' for Royal Mail to start placing orders with the Manufacturers. It needs to be made clear therefore that Royal Mail will not be able to accept individual orders for the redesigned footwear range in April as much as they may like to. Royal Mail still aim to introduce improved footwear at the earliest opportunity and will confirm a way forward when they are confident about the improvements the redesigned footwear offers to wearers.

Please ensure members are aware of the situation. Orders will not be able to be placed for the improved redesigned footwear next month but with the above actions underway it's hoped to offer this at the earliest opportunity.

Further reports will be made in due course.

[pinstripe]

So what do we do now if we need new boots? We cannot wear own own footwear because if we have an accident and we're not wearing RM footwear it is in effect our fault.

[DGP1]

So what do we do now if we need new boots? We cannot wear own own footwear because if we have an accident and we're not wearing RM footwear it is in effect our fault.

I would assume that we'd still be issued Magnums until the new stock comes in.

[glenfiddich]

sounds like leighton has hired us out as shoe testing guinea pigs

[axeman]

Does big al sit on the board at hi-tech ? why dont they just go out and purchase d.m's and clarks ,again satra would not be needed to test them as we found them ok ...never mind the cost look after posties h&s after all we do tend to use our feet quite a bit

[andy2007]

So what do we do now if we need new boots? We cannot wear own own footwear because if we have an accident and we're not wearing RM footwear it is in effect our fault.

You can buy the Doc Martins Safety Boots yourself. The only difference, is that they don't say Royal mail on them. As far as I'm aware (I'll check with my H&S Rep today), there should be no problem, as they are still in use at the moment.

Mine aren't going to last much longer, so I'm seriously considering buying my own. Though I think that it is extremely unfair that I should have a choice between using my own money, or using poor quality replacements.

Would I be right in thinking that they only changed to the new footwear to save money?

[janthepostie]

So what do we do now if we need new boots? We cannot wear own own footwear because if we have an accident and we're not wearing RM footwear it is in effect our fault.

You can buy the Doc Martins Safety Boots yourself. The only difference, is that they don't say Royal mail on them. As far as I'm aware (I'll check with my H&S Rep today), there should be no problem, as they are still in use at the moment.

Mine aren't going to last much longer, so I'm seriously considering buying my own. Though I think that it is extremely unfair that I should have a choice between using my own money, or using poor quality replacements.

Would I be right in thinking that they only changed to the new footwear to save money?

Have a look on ebay, you can get Doc Martins boots which are ex royal mail issue on there and they have royal mail stamped on them, a lot cheaper than going to your high street