PDA Talk

[randolf]

I used mine today and it was spot on. Handy for the 3 big firms that get hammered with signed for items and not that much difference on the others. Gonna be using it all the time now, agreement or no agreement.

[bogstandard]

I used mine today and it was spot on. Handy for the 3 big firms that get hammered with signed for items and not that much difference on the others. Gonna be using it all the time now, agreement or no agreement.

hope you don't lose your job

[tommymac]

I used mine today and it was spot on. Handy for the 3 big firms that get hammered with signed for items and not that much difference on the others. Gonna be using it all the time now, agreement or no agreement.

I agree randolf,PDA is great for big firms with lots if signed fors, but to use them on a regular basis for residential will be a pain in the butt

[randolf]

I used mine today and it was spot on. Handy for the 3 big firms that get hammered with signed for items and not that much difference on the others. Gonna be using it all the time now, agreement or no agreement.

hope you don't lose your job

Why would i lose my job then?

[TrueBlueTerrier]

I used mine today and it was spot on. Handy for the 3 big firms that get hammered with signed for items and not that much difference on the others. Gonna be using it all the time now, agreement or no agreement.

hope you don't lose your job

Why would i lose my job then?

I don't think it was a dig just a reminder to be careful as at the moment there is no agreement on PDAs covering such things as accidental damage, technical errors, inputting errors, reporting errors, loss of data and all the other things that hopefully will form part of the agreement.

At least that's how I read it.

[johno47]

Put it this way, i had a packet today and the name had 28 letters in it, now imagine typing that out when the person can only speak broken english and its p***ing down, and if he isnt in ive got to put the PDA down and write a docket out, like Tommymac says its good for bulk items but not for residential use, ive heard that these PDAs cost £1700 and i asked my boss who pays if we drop them, he hadnt got an answer, so until he has i wont be taking responsibility for it..

[tommymac]

ive heard that these PDAs cost £1700 and i asked my boss who pays if we drop them, he hadnt got an answer, so until he has i wont be taking responsibility for it..

You and me both Johno mate

[OMV 5]

we were told £500 for a PDA and we were told there was a agrement to use them and when youre working in the city center they do save you time i get embarressed asking the same person whats your surname and if anything happens to them well accidents happen i wont be paying anything the only thing iv noticed is sometimes you forget to log off im not realy worried about pda,s im concerened about the tracker in my van

[axeman]

If i was you i'd be more worried about the pda it's far more capable than the telemetry is just wait and see Just be aware exactly what it can do i'd be vary cautious if i was you

[johno47]

If there is an agreement, i havnt seen it, if there is perhaps someone from the CWU could put a copy on here and clarify the situation for everyone..

[TrueBlueTerrier]

for reference here is that most recent LTB dealing with PDAs:

(Also all the referred to LTBs are below newest at the top oldest at the bottom)

No. 704/08


Ref:540


Date: 15th September 2008





To: Branches with POSTAL Members



Dear Colleague



Postal Digital Assistants (PDAs)



Further to LTB 693/08, Branches will be aware that we have reached an impasse concerning the rollout/deployment of PDAs. However, at a meeting held with Royal Mail Management today it became apparent that the issues raised go much wider than purely this piece of equipment and do in fact embrace the deployment of all new technology.



We have not yet concluded “a generic framework to deal with the trialling and implementation of all new technology” as set out in the Pay and Modernisation agreement and the attached Joint Statement has been agreed to deal with that question.



While the terms set out in the Joint Statement are being actioned, Branches are asked to make our Reps and Members aware of this position and to take all steps possible to avoid any flashpoints with Management in respect of the use of PDAs. Further information will be issued in due course.



Please distribute this as quickly as possible using text messages/emails etc.


Any enquiries to Bob Gibson’s Office, quoting reference 540
Email address: hnutley@cwu.org

Yours sincerely

Bob Gibson

Assistant Secretary

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

No. 693 /08


Ref: 540


Date: 11th September 08





To: Branches with POSTAL Members



Dear Colleague



Hand Helds / Postal Digital Assistants ( PDAs)



Further to LTBs 347/08 and 682/08 in which we explained the position with regard to the un-agreed introduction of the above mentioned devices, we are of the opinion that we should further clarify the position in respect of training and provide Branches with an updated position on the matter.



We have been made aware by numerous Branches and indeed whole divisions, that Royal Mail are seeking to train our members in the use of Postal Digital Assistants (PDAs) for the purpose of an eventual deployment of the devices into all relevant workplaces. At this juncture, it would be particularly poignant for us to remind Branches that CWU HQ have no in-principle disagreement with the future use of the PDA device, once a nationally agreed Code of Practice is in place that gives definitive guidelines on the use of the equipment and incorporates vital safeguards for our members whilst they are using the device.



Branches are therefore advised that there should be no in principle opposition to the institution of training programmes in readiness for the eventual deployment of the device. This advice has been consistently given out by this department following the publication of LTB 682/08.



However, there remains no agreement in place with regard to the deployment of Postal Digital Assistants (PDAs) into our workplaces and as such, Branches are advised to register disagreement locally, in line with the Industrial Relations Framework, agreed between the CWU and Royal Mail, on the subject of the un-agreed use and deployment of PDAs without a nationally agreed Code of Practice.


Any enquiries to Bob Gibson’s Office, quoting reference 540
Email address: hnutley@cwu.org

Yours sincerely



Bob Gibson

Assistant Secretary

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No. 347/08


Ref: 540


Date: 2nd May 2008





To: Branches with POSTAL Members







Dear Colleague



Hand Helds/Postal Digital Assistants (PDA)



Branches will be aware that a trial of Hand Held Devices (PDA's) took place earlier this year at 13 sites around the country. The trials tested 3 devices on pedestrian and vehicle deliveries and involved around 700 delivery OPG's with up to 350 users logged on each day. The trials which ended on the 29th March identified one of the devices (which we cannot name at this point in time for contractual reasons) as fit for purpose and suitable for vehicle deliveries. This device will now be rolled out from August 2008 at a rate of around 2000 per week to all 20K vehicle delivery routes across the UK which will involve around 35K delivery OPG's. The full rollout is expected to be completed no later than the end of February 2009.



The trials will cease at the 13 sites around the country but 5 of the sites, East Reading, Dartford, Kirkcaldy, Shepton Mallet and Airborough will continue to use the device on their vehicle deliveries between now and the national rollout. The trial of the devices for pedestrian deliveries has not proved too successful and it is probable that a further trial of devices for pedestrian deliveries will take place later this year but no firm dates have been agreed as yet. The devices can also be used on collection routes and further testing of the viability of the devices for this purpose will continue in line with the rollout.



The devices are capable of capturing signatures in real time which will enable an enhancement of services and products supplied by Royal Mail which will hopefully lead to an increase in revenue. They also provide a 999 facility which will improve the security of our members on delivery. The Union is satisfied that these devices will enable Royal Mail to provide new and improved products and services which is in line with our objectives and we see no reason why these devices should not be rolled out across the delivery network in Royal Mail. The use of this technology is already prevalent amongst many of our competitors and has been in use in Parcelforce for a number of years. We have though approached Royal Mail with a view to agreeing a Code of Practice covering the use of the devices and we are currently awaiting their formal response on this matter, Branches will be updated in due course. In the meantime activity will commence regarding the roll out of the devices which will include vehicles being fitted with cradles to hold the devices and offices being fitted with cradle charging cabinets, LAN connections and power connections. CWU reps and Health & Safety reps should ensure that equipment is placed in a suitable and safe location. Attached to this LTB is a copy of Royal Mail’s 'Lets Talk About' document covering the use and roll out of the PDA's which Branches should find useful.






Any enquiries to Bob Gibson’s Office, quoting reference 540
Email address: hnutley@cwu.org

Yours sincerely

Bob Gibson

Assistant Secretary

[johno47]

So at the moment TBT there is still no definitive agreement on their use..

[TrueBlueTerrier]

So at the moment TBT there is still no definitive agreement on their use..

correct

[johnnyp]

Ive been told by our area rep it is now ok to train drivers on them as long as the unit rep and workplace coach have attended the day long(4 hours) training session.

[axeman]

Train maybe but the use of is another thing surely again i must stress they do a lot more than you think