urgent advice needed

speedfreak191a · Post by **speedfreak191a** » 25 Sep 2008, 18:57

i was told today (thursday)that i will be sent to another office about 10 miles away this coming monday for a whole week as they are over-staffed at my office. i am so pi$$ed off as i know this officefrom being sent there a few times while i was a casual not too long ago and i hate it as the walks are long and i dont know my way around the area. i tried to speak to my union rep today but he is off sick so i dont know when he'll be back, even though this may not make a difference as my assistant dom reckons that it has been agreed by the union, and that next week our office will be over-staffed by 14 people. i really dont want to do this, i thought these days way gone once i had become a permanent member of staff.anybody got any ideas please

DGP1 · Post by **DGP1** » 25 Sep 2008, 19:10

Moving to another office has to done on a voluntary basis and your time starts from you arrive at your office, and they should transport you to said office (and back again) so my advice is go to your normal office on Monday morning and tell them to get you out and back and only work to your time.

not me · Post by **not me** » 25 Sep 2008, 19:11

IIRC its in your contract you maybe required to work in other offices though somone more versed in RM will confirm

Stormproof · Post by **Stormproof** » 25 Sep 2008, 19:19

I've the same problem being shipped out to 'the sticks'. I'm hoping to get back to my office asap. One thing I'm concerned about is losing my PBS supplement etc, apparently rural offices don't receive that, so not only am I moved out of my office I'm going to lose at least £50 a month.

speedfreak191a · Post by **speedfreak191a** » 25 Sep 2008, 19:28

so is it best then if i just kick up a stink about it, as obviously im not gonna win by saying im not going as its in my contract. i usually use my car for deliveries but i will tell them i want to be dropped off there in the morning, get my bags dropped off to me when im on the walk, and then i wanna be picked up at 2 o clock and no later to be taken back to my office. is that right because i dont wanna start dishing out the orders and make myself look like a pr!ck if im wrong lol

brothermagrew · Post by **brothermagrew** » 25 Sep 2008, 20:04

As you usually break one of the CWU's golden rules as in doing the job properly like not using your private car on delivery I in all honesty can't see to many of the CWU brothers and sisters coming up with any fruitful or helpful suggestions to your ongoing problem. But of course we all live in hope!

speedfreak191a · Post by **speedfreak191a** » 25 Sep 2008, 20:40

90% of the people in my office use their cars, thats how i was introduced to the job and so thats the only way i know how to do the job. union rep doesnt have a problem with this, if he did he would only be willing to deal with 10% of the postmen in the office.

johnnyp · Post by **johnnyp** » 25 Sep 2008, 20:51

Its one of the Enablers working in nearby offices where volunteers and reserves could with local agreement be used to work at nearby offices within contracted hours which will include travel times and appropriate travel and subsistence arrangements.
Are you a reserve? are you a volunteer? and 10 miles does not seem local to me.Get on to your area rep and see if they can help,good luck.

speedfreak191a · Post by **speedfreak191a** » 25 Sep 2008, 20:58

well i only found out today and i went looking for the rep but was told he is off sick so i dont know if he'll even be back in time for me to speak to him. i am a reserve by the way but i really didnt think that i would be getting any of this any more, i done enough travelling about all over the place while i was a casual for 9 months, fingers crossed the rep will be in 2moro

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 25 Sep 2008, 21:05

The new agreement says

Working in nearby offices – Areas will identify and agree with the CWU locally a approach (which could include the use of volunteers and reserves) to working in nearby offices within employees’ contracted hours which will include travel times and appropriate travel and subsistence arrangements.

full agreement on my blog http://overpaidunderworked.blogspot.com ... y-and.html

So unfortunately they can make you do it (if there is a local agreement to do so) but they also have to follow their part of the agreement, which means that you can insist of being at your DO at your finishing time, you don't have to finish at 2.00 on the delivery if that's your finishing time, as this means they will not be following the agreement.

speedfreak191a · Post by **speedfreak191a** » 25 Sep 2008, 21:13

yer ok thanks guys. now that i know a bit more of what im talking about i will tell them 2moro. im gonna tell them im not using my car and im hoping they wont even bother sending me,when i was casual they always used to send me because i was the only casual who had a car.their probably just doing the same thing now.

brothermagrew · Post by **brothermagrew** » 25 Sep 2008, 21:37

See my posting got you some useful responses after all kind-hearted to a tea are the brothers and sisters. You should however be aware of the following taken from the Lighten The Load CWU Safe Working on Delivery Guide - Helping you to collect, sort and deliver safely.

PRIVATE CARS ON DELIVERY

Do not use unauthorised private cars on delivery. In fact it is far better and safer not to use private cars on delivery at all which is in line with the union's policy. Why risk an accident, injury, loss or theft of your own private property. Wear and tear, fuel costs and any damage must be met by you along with any losses like your no-claim bonus, parking fines and fixed penalties etc.

When things go wrong and accidents happen, many members regret having used the car. When it is broken down, banged up or worn out and off the road. Royal Mail will not help you. You are not paid for using your car and you do not need to use it - DON'T is our advice. Use only official means of transport. Using private cars on delivery is a mugs game.

Midge · Post by **Midge** » 25 Sep 2008, 21:38

TrueBlueTerrier wrote:The new agreement says

Working in nearby offices – Areas will identify and agree with the CWU locally a approach (which could include the use of volunteers and reserves) to working in nearby offices within employees’ contracted hours which will include travel times and appropriate travel and subsistence arrangements.
full agreement on my blog http://overpaidunderworked.blogspot.com ... y-and.html

So unfortunately they can make you do it (if there is a local agreement to do so) but they also have to follow their part of the agreement, which means that you can insist of being at your DO at your finishing time, you don't have to finish at 2.00 on the delivery if that's your finishing time, as this means they will not be following the agreement.

Quite right TBT.

And on top of all that, you could ask them to make sure the walk is prepped for you before you get there, or let them know you can only work your contracted hours, so if they want you to prep and deliver it, then you won't be able to do it all.

They might then magically forget they asked you to go.

You can't be forced to work overtime, and shouldn't let yourself be bullied into it either.

So:

1. Your travel time there and back to your office needs taking off your normal contracted hours.
2. You don't have to work over.
3. Ask them to get the walk prepped for you, or let them know you won't be able to deliver it all.

Short of seeing what your local agreement says, that's the best I can say.

:lfo GONE!

:cfo NEXT...

Post by **postal_jedi** » 26 Sep 2008, 10:55

You're talking to a brick wall I think!!

norbert · Post by **norbert** » 26 Sep 2008, 13:01

speedfreak191a wrote:i was told today (thursday)that i will be sent to another office about 10 miles away this coming monday for a whole week as they are over-staffed at my office. i am so pi$$ed off as i know this officefrom being sent there a few times while i was a casual not too long ago and i hate it as the walks are long and i dont know my way around the area. i tried to speak to my union rep today but he is off sick so i dont know when he'll be back, even though this may not make a difference as my assistant dom reckons that it has been agreed by the union, and that next week our office will be over-staffed by 14 people. i really dont want to do this, i thought these days way gone once i had become a permanent member of staff.anybody got any ideas please

typical - "agreed with the union " - bit economical with the truth - quell surprise

- pressure , pressure from the idiots in charge