Hand Helds/Postal Digital Assistants (PDA)

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 05 Sep 2008, 16:21

No. 682/08
Ref: 540
Date: 3rd September 2008

To: Branches with POSTAL Members

Dear Colleague

Hand Helds/Postal Digital Assistants (PDA)

Further to LTB 347/08, we have been seeking to agree the terms of a Code of Practice for the full roll out of Postal Digital Assistants. Unfortunately, as will be noted from the attached correspondence, management are adopting the stance that they do not see the need for a national agreement on this and other similar issues, as they feel that the introduction of new technology as a complete entity is covered off in the Pay & modernisation agreement.

Furthermore, they have made great play on the fact that there is a commitment to a generic deployment framework on new technology within the Pay & Modernisation agreement, to be agreed by Royal Mail and the CWU by the end of January 2008 that would “deal with the trialling and implementation of all new technology and automation”. Unfortunately, as Branches will be aware the document referred to has not come to fruition due to Royal Mails ‘lack of interest’; the CWU presented a document to Royal Mail in line with the timescales. Therefore, in our opinion, there is a definite need to have a code of practice for the deployment and use of new technology as and when the trial periods come to an end.

For clarity, Branches should note that there is no in principle disagreement from the CWU regarding the introduction or use of PDAs. We do however require an agreed code of practice that provides clear guidelines regarding their use and also incorporates safeguards for our members.

Management had previously advised CWU HQ that four offices were due to deploy PDAs operationally from Tuesday August 26th. To date, we have only been advised by one Branch that an office in their area was due to go live during that week. We would therefore be grateful if branches could advise CWU HQ if they become aware of any activity regarding the deployment of PDAs in their areas.

Branches are also advised that they should inform management in the locality that there will be no agreement to deploy these items until such time as there is a nationally agreed code of practice in place, using the IR framework if necessary.
Any enquiries to Bob Gibson’s Office, quoting reference 540
Email address: hnutley@cwu.org

Yours sincerely

Bob Gibson
Assistant Secretary

21 August 2008
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Noel McClean
Assistant Secretary
Communication Workers Union
150 The Broadway
Wimbledon
London
SW19 1RX

Dear Noel

PDA Deployment

Thank you for your letter of 21st August to Ruth Waldram. Having considered your proposed code of practice, we feel it is important to re-state that it is our firm view that our existing SOPs, SSOW and business as usual policies and procedures adequately cover all of the matters you set out within your document. We therefore believe there is no need for a separate code of practice for the deployment of the PDAs.

We have discussed every aspect of the project with the CWU and we are keen for this to continue. CWU input and support has been, and continues to be, invaluable. We are very grateful for the endorsements you have given to date for the deployment process and particularly the training approach, and I know of no outstanding issues.

The deployment of PDAs and new technology is key to safeguarding the future of this business. In the spirit of the terms of the Pay and Modernisation Agreement, we have every intention of continuing to work the CWU to ensure the successful, safe and timely deployment of this project. We do not believe that we need a separate code of practice to make this happen.

Yours sincerely

Gillian Alford
Director Employee Relations
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21 August 2008

Noel McClean
Assistant Secretary
Communication Workers Union
150 The Broadway
Wimbledon
London
SW19 1RX

Dear Noel

PDA Deployment

Thank you for your letter of 21st August to Ruth Waldram. Having considered your proposed code of practice, we feel it is important to re-state that it is our firm view that our existing SOPs, SSOW and business as usual policies and procedures adequately cover all of the matters you set out within your document. We therefore believe there is no need for a separate code of practice for the deployment of the PDAs.

We have discussed every aspect of the project with the CWU and we are keen for this to continue. CWU input and support has been, and continues to be, invaluable. We are very grateful for the endorsements you have given to date for the deployment process and particularly the training approach, and I know of no outstanding issues.

The deployment of PDAs and new technology is key to safeguarding the future of this business. In the spirit of the terms of the Pay and Modernisation Agreement, we have every intention of continuing to work the CWU to ensure the successful, safe and timely deployment of this project. We do not believe that we need a separate code of practice to make this happen.

Yours sincerely

Gillian Alford
Director Employee Relations
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Gillian Alford
Director Employee Relations
Royal Mail Letters Centre
35 Rathbone Place
LONDON
W1T 1HQ

Dear Gillian,

PDA DEPLOYMENT

Thank you for your letter dated 21st August addressed to Noel McClean.

I feel it is important to make you aware of the CWU position regarding the deployment of PDA’s and the reaction amongst some of our members. You are quite right in stating that the CWU has been involved in this project including having input, and yes we have supported the trials and we are also keen to support the deployment.

However we do not see any reason why there should not be an agreed code of practice or national guidelines covering the deployment and use of the PDA’s. I could understand you having concerns if we were coming at this from a position of opposition but as you are well aware that is not the case.

I am bemused at the stance the business continues to take on such matters when on the one hand it wants CWU involvement and support but when it comes to actual deployment we are treated as junior partners, which I find unacceptable. You cannot continue to talk about a new relationship when in essence there is no meaningful relationship when it comes to things such as deployment into the field. If CWU involvement and input is important then that must continue from the start right through to the finish culminating in an agreed approach that is documented in the form of an agreement.

CWU members are also becoming concerned at this lack of formal acknowledgment and would prefer such matters to be covered by signed agreements. It makes sense for all concerned to have a reference point that is supported by all parties.

In your final paragraph you make reference to PDA’s being key to safeguarding the future of the business. We too believe that they are an important piece of kit that we hope will retain and attract business for Royal Mail and our members. This makes your position even more confusing. How can something be so important and the relationship with the CWU be so important yet you are not prepared to enter into an agreement with the CWU.

I think its time for the business to come clean on what type of relationship it is that it keeps referring to and what type of relationship it wants going forward because at the moment it all seems a bit one sided to me.

In the meantime I would ask that you reconsider your position and let me know very soon if there will be an agreement between us. I look forward to your reply.

Yours sincerely

Bob Gibson
Assistant Secretary

c.c. Mike Stockdale
Noel McClean
Dave Ward

k979aaa · Post by **k979aaa** » 05 Sep 2008, 17:11

Now royalmail don't even want to talk to the union and even the CWU leadership maybe they think the time for consultation is over even a SHAM one at that!.

Broxi51 · Post by **Broxi51** » 05 Sep 2008, 17:38

What happens when I drop it?

k979aaa · Post by **k979aaa** » 05 Sep 2008, 19:19

Broxi51 wrote:What happens when I drop it?

This is the need for an agreement with the CWU!. If it was upto management if you drop it and break it THEY WILL TRY TO SACK YOU!.

Rowdy · Post by **Rowdy** » 06 Sep 2008, 07:22

Broxi51 wrote:What happens when I drop it?

Would that be accidentally on purpose!

madelin4 · Post by **madelin4** » 06 Sep 2008, 13:07

What do we use them for??? Is that so they know where we are at certain times??

k979aaa · Post by **k979aaa** » 06 Sep 2008, 15:43

madelin4 wrote:What do we use them for??? Is that so they know where we are at certain times??

They are for drivers to scan barcode's and have a phone and messageing facility and it is called the intermec CN3!.

dave7634 · Post by **dave7634** » 06 Sep 2008, 22:22

I've dropped the barcode scanners we have on a number of occasions (the boss says, "Oh they cost us £300 a piece!") and and dread the thought of what could potentially happen if it's the PDA version. And RM wonder why we don't trust them...

Broxi51 · Post by **Broxi51** » 07 Sep 2008, 11:21

dave7634 wrote:I've dropped the barcode scanners we have on a number of occasions (the boss says, "Oh they cost us £300 a piece!") and and dread the thought of what could potentially happen if it's the PDA version. And RM wonder why we don't trust them...

Im ready for them

Im going to blame the poor hopeless old gents & dears on my round. Cannot get used to those new fangled things and with the onset of parkinsons its an "Oh dear" as it smashes on the ground

Nothing to do with the fact that Im butter fingers at the best of times.
They can sack the customer if they want

k979aaa · Post by **k979aaa** » 07 Sep 2008, 11:49

Broxi51 wrote:
dave7634 wrote:I've dropped the barcode scanners we have on a number of occasions (the boss says, "Oh they cost us £300 a piece!") and and dread the thought of what could potentially happen if it's the PDA version. And RM wonder why we don't trust them...
Im ready for them Im going to blame the poor hopeless old gents & dears on my round. Cannot get used to those new fangled things and with the onset of parkinsons its an "Oh dear" as it smashes on the ground
Nothing to do with the fact that Im butter fingers at the best of times.
They can sack the customer if they want

I susspect it will be us who will get the blame for any damage to it as they are issued to us and we will beheld responceble for it till it's return to the locker!. Another use for them is to throw it at any dogs that may attack us as its bloody heavy at least 1 kg in weight.

Post by **baldrick** » 07 Sep 2008, 15:26

madelin4 wrote:What do we use them for??? Is that so they know where we are at certain times??

No it's so that they know where you are ALL the time.

k979aaa · Post by **k979aaa** » 07 Sep 2008, 15:54

baldrick wrote:
madelin4 wrote:What do we use them for??? Is that so they know where we are at certain times??
No it's so that they know where you are ALL the time.

They the powers that be are only issueing to drivers so unless you drive a van you will not get one!.

Post by **baldrick** » 07 Sep 2008, 16:08

k979aaa wrote:
baldrick wrote:
madelin4 wrote:What do we use them for??? Is that so they know where we are at certain times??
No it's so that they know where you are ALL the time.
They the powers that be are only issueing to drivers so unless you drive a van you will not get one!.

Not yet.

k979aaa · Post by **k979aaa** » 07 Sep 2008, 16:14

dazzamfc wrote:yeah the cn3 is a good bit off kit i use them at my place of work. ( there worth £1750.00)
most top firms use them its about time royal mail use them and get out of the stone age they are in!!!!!!
If this is the most important thing the cwu are fighting your in BIG trouble.

cwu not worth a wank

Can you confirm the weight is it about 1 kg or there abouts?.

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 07 Sep 2008, 16:19

k979aaa wrote:
dazzamfc wrote:yeah the cn3 is a good bit off kit i use them at my place of work. ( there worth £1750.00)
most top firms use them its about time royal mail use them and get out of the stone age they are in!!!!!!
If this is the most important thing the cwu are fighting your in BIG trouble.

cwu not worth a wank
Can you confirm the weight is it about 1 kg or there abouts?.

Physical Characteristics
Dimensions with Standard Battery Pack:
6.3 x 3.2 x 1.1 in, (160 x 81 x 28 mm)
Dimensions with Extended Battery Pack:
6.3 x 3.2 x 1.3 in, (160 x 81 x 33 mm)
Weight: 14.0 oz - 16.0 oz (397 - 454 g)

http://epsfiles.intermec.com/eps_files/ ... ec_web.pdf