Do we have a right to complain?

Hedge · Post by **Hedge** » 19 Nov 2008, 23:24

Hey people.

You might have read that ive only been working for RM for around a month now. And Ive had my annoyances at certain things, times where I feel im hard done by etc.

I read loads of posts on here where people are complaining about this and that, and changes that have been made.. and how much better things were years ago and whatnot. This is the same thing Ive heard in every job Ive ever done. But I cant help think that this stubborn and negative attitude just brings morale down even lower.

No one wants to have a job where they take advantage, and we all like perks/early finishes..

But one thing that seems to come up is that people complain about how much longer things take (im guilty of this myself already), but at the same time. The hourly rate isnt bad. And its a business afterall, so eventually in a competitive market RM may eventually have to get us working all the contracted hours, start to finish.

What things really "grind your gears"? and Do you honestly feel you can justify your complaints?

Sorry if my post isnt greatly written, but hopefully you get my point :)

Pat Ostman · Post by **Pat Ostman** » 19 Nov 2008, 23:57

Being on a 25 hours contract, never having round ready and being 'expected' to be able to complete on time

BELIAL · Post by **BELIAL** » 20 Nov 2008, 00:06

Management stooges that that twist the truth:lie: distort and make pathetic attempts to shift responsibility for corporate failings onto honest hardworking posties.
thats what does it for me

Pat Ostman · Post by **Pat Ostman** » 20 Nov 2008, 00:07

BELIAL wrote:Management stooges that that twist the truth:lie: distort and make pathetic attempts to shift responsibility for corporate failings onto honest hardworking posties.
thats what does it for me

Sandyman · Post by **Sandyman** » 20 Nov 2008, 00:10

Hello Hedge.

We used to work for a once great public service - not as well paid as it is now, but we did our job well and as far as postal services were concerned, RM was the envy of the World. We moaned then, but the service and the job was generally good, if not the pay. We had the usual issues with the gaffers, but we lived with it. We had a decent pension scheme.

Now we offer an appauling service, with no consideration for customers (sending or receiving) so that we can make some parasites a bonus, in an atmosphere of no morale. The numpties in charge have bled the pension scheme and it's supposed beneficiaries. We've paid in for years only to be s**t on. We are run by liars. We have precious little to be proud of and nothing to be inspired by. The service we provide is embarassingly poor compared to how we have served customers in years gone by. Competitors laugh at us.

I could go on but will stop there.

Hedge · Post by **Hedge** » 20 Nov 2008, 08:39

Good replies guys thanks.

Im with the guy who said 25hr contract and unable to finish on time due to having to do much more prep than I should have to. In my office this seems to down to staffing issues (managers excuse most likely), and the fact that there is posties who throw their frame up in a quick time, then walk about looking busy for 30 minutes instead of actually helping those struggling

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 20 Nov 2008, 08:51

Hedge wrote:What things really "grind your gears"? and Do you honestly feel you can justify your complaints?

When you advise you cannot work beyond your hours and the bosses put pressure on you by threatening legal action (calling it delay of mail) Assuming your taking the piss and even if you have done your walk for years and know how far you will get, they still try to force you to take more. When they say well so and so can do it in the time, when you know for a fact he can't he just does not claim the OT. Why do they take it personally as well.

I cannot be forced to work OT even if I have nothing to do after work, its my right as an employee, so why do they ask "what are you doing when your finished".

One thing that does stick in my craw is why are RM changing duties and times based on mail volumes dropping, but yet they are not putting in place any systems to help cope with the continual rise in parcels and packets. It seems as though they will try to save money and hours where they can, but if more equipment or hours are needed elsewhere they seem to rely on OT and goodwill. Relying on that in the short term is OK and will solve immediate problems, however it does not address the underlying problems and in time it will end up costing them more to sort it out.

NewPostieUK · Post by **NewPostieUK** » 20 Nov 2008, 16:07

Hedge wrote: Im with the guy who said 25hr contract and unable to finish on time due to having to do much more prep than I should have to.

I've seen this mentioned a couple of times. Are you saying that when you work 5 hrs a day, you don't do all your own prepping? I'm on 25 hrs and have to do everything myself, and sometimes get asked to help with sorting, although these days I always wait until I'm asked, as I've realised it's not my job.

Also, at my place, there's no one standing around doing nothing, while you are struggling, oh no, they are away! Bag up, get their specials and away they go. I don't mind this so much (as long as my driver doesn't go before I've got my packet bag), as I don't see how they can help, it's not like there's room for two to prep a frame. It's murder when you are training up, two people reaching across each other all the time.

Hedge · Post by **Hedge** » 20 Nov 2008, 16:48

When I read what i wrote now... After the day Ive had today...

Yeah I guess we do have right to complain about certain things!

I got my last Letter in the Door at 3.50pm

Thats on a 25hr contract. Where i should be finished around 2.30.

I have been on the sick the last two days due to food poisoning and I said that I wasnt feeling 100%. I had the worst walk in the office today for Council spam mail. which was absolutely insane. What i could normally fit over 1 heavy bag barely fitted into 4 seriously heavy bags. That covered 30+ blocks of 3 story flats.

I told the gaffa this morning that i didnt fancy working beyond 2.30 as I didnt feel 100%, He said that I would be finished around then, even though I knew I wouldnt.

To top it off I do this block of 3 flats that are pretty new, and they are a nightmare to access because no one answers the buzzer. Anyway. I presses a few buzzers and a woman answers and starts shouting at me for pressing the buzzer for so long (3 seconds tops). I apologised politely, explained i was here to post... she presses the release button while still shouting crap at me. I was busy answering her back when the door locked itself again lol. So i thought sod that. and walked off. Got a few paces and this bloke comes out Effing and Blinding at me. Saying im stupid for pressing the buzzer etc.

I said "Look, all i can do is apologise, i didnt even realise id pressed it for long". and he kept swearing at me. I was seriously close to dropping my bag and lamping him.

I asked what number he was from , but he didnt want to tell me. I found out it was number 15. So ill be making note of that at the office. f**k that tosser.

shaunman · Post by **shaunman** » 20 Nov 2008, 17:04

Hey guys, some jobs have it worse, some have it better, we do get paid well, but we should just follow what Royal Mail want, 40 hours pay, 40 hours work. I was on a rural today and usually would finish about 4pm on the round, i told the boss i was cutting off at 7.45am, he just looked at my frame and walked off. Was loaded up at 9am, went for my 40min break, then set off on delivery, finish time was 2.25pm, and was done at pretty much this time. Honestly was 1 of the best days i've had, take your break and do 8 hours a day, its easy, no stress. If you want the overtime, do it BUT DONT WHINGE ABOUT IT, ITS YOUR CHOICE.

NewPostieUK · Post by **NewPostieUK** » 20 Nov 2008, 17:15

shaunman wrote: we do get paid well,

Do we? Does anyone else think that?

I took voluntary from a factory over a year ago, thinking I'd get the same money, or better somewhere else. Bog standard factory work, anyone can do it with a couple of days training, £10 an hr plus shift allowance, 20 - 30% depending on shift. No weekend work. Now it looks like I'm going to have to go back to a hot stuffy factory, as I can't live on a postman's wage.

I think a postman is worth well over £10 an hour.

shaunman · Post by **shaunman** » 20 Nov 2008, 17:22

I was on holiday last week, and got £257 this week, if i worked in a supermarket i would get about £200. Overtime can make a big differance, but there used to be 1 big perk with royal mail and that was the quicker you worked the earlier you finished, now thats gone and with later starts, its not much differance for the extra work. Under the current rules we should take home flat about £300. If it was the old way £250 was fair i thought.

BELIAL · Post by **BELIAL** » 20 Nov 2008, 17:52

NewPostieUK wrote:
shaunman wrote: we do get paid well,
Do we? Does anyone else think that?

Post by **baldrick** » 20 Nov 2008, 20:39

NewPostieUK wrote:
shaunman wrote: we do get paid well,
I think a postman is worth well over £10 an hour.

moggymoz · Post by **moggymoz** » 20 Nov 2008, 20:51

NewPostieUK wrote:
Hedge wrote: Im with the guy who said 25hr contract and unable to finish on time due to having to do much more prep than I should have to.
I've seen this mentioned a couple of times. Are you saying that when you work 5 hrs a day, you don't do all your own prepping? I'm on 25 hrs and have to do everything myself, and sometimes get asked to help with sorting, although these days I always wait until I'm asked, as I've realised it's not my job.

Also, at my place, there's no one standing around doing nothing, while you are struggling, oh no, they are away! Bag up, get their specials and away they go. I don't mind this so much (as long as my driver doesn't go before I've got my packet bag), as I don't see how they can help, it's not like there's room for two to prep a frame. It's murder when you are training up, two people reaching across each other all the time.

If your on a 25 hour contract all you should have to do is tie up, sorting is a no no, its not in your contract. If its not thrown out for you tell them you can't complete or if you do go over make sure you get the overtime. :lfo :cfo