LTB 279/09 Discussions on RMs Modernisation Programmes

[k979aaa]

Go to the CWU website http://www.cwu.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Here is an LTB 279/09 for all those who are interested in what is going on.

LTB 279/09 Discussions on Royal Mail's Modernisation Programmes

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No. 279/09
Ref:24207
Date: 26th March 2009

TO: ALL BRANCHES WITH POSTAL MEMBERS

Dear Colleague,

RE: Discussions on Royal Mail's Modernisation Programme

Further to LtB 204/09 which reported on the recent two-day meeting with Royal Mail, a proposal was received from the Company on how we take discussions forward.

The Royal Mail proposal covered the following:

* Immediate meetings between the National Officers and Royal Mail's functional leads to further discuss Royal Mail's modernisation plans. The intention being to clarify the Union's concerns around the company's plans and what needs to be negotiated.

If these meetings were unable to make satisfactory progress then outstanding issues would be discussed at a further meeting of our senior negotiating teams.

* Renewed confirmation that Royal Mail will continue to maintain and honour existing national agreements and that changes to these or future changes to our members' terms and conditions will be done through negotiation.

* That given the size and complexity of Royal Mail's overall transformation programme, a proposed new engagement framework reflecting the company's new organisational structure. This would not seek to replace collective bargaining or the existing IR Framework but would focus on all the key challenges we face. The proposal covered all levels of CWU / Royal Mail interfaces.

The PEC discussed these issues and saw Royal Mail's proposal as helpful. As a result it was agreed that the Union should respond in the following manner:

1. We took up Royal Mail's offer and meetings have taken place between the National Officers and Royal Mail's functional leads. These meetings are due to continue until the end of March at which point we will review progress and see if it is necessary to hold a further meeting between the senior negotiating teams on both sides to resolve any outstanding issues. These meetings should also address the current situation out in the field.

1. We also told Royal Mail that additional meetings should be held over the same timescale to finalise a framework for future discussions and also decide how we move this year's pay claim and industrial relations forward. An initial discussion on the above mentioned has taken place between the DGS (P) and Royal Mail's HR Director.

1. In order to strengthen both our relationship and any future engagement process with Royal Mail the Union set out a number of additional key points which we felt must be urgently tackled. These were as follows:

* Whilst we welcomed Royal Mail's renewed commitment to honour national agreements etc we impressed upon the company the need to quickly emphasise this to all managers and representatives in the field.

* We stressed that for talks to be successful both sides must create the right environment out in the field. We have asked Royal Mail to take a step back and reflect on the unrealistic level of savings they are demanding in advance of automation. We have explained that this is placing unacceptable pressure on our members and that the reality is constructive dialogue can only take place if we take the workforce with us.

We explained that neither party can ignore the current situation of growing executive action being met by more requests for local industrial action.

· We have asked Royal Mail to be more explicit as to whether or not any new engagement framework replaces Phase 4 (Joint Working Groups) of the Pay and Modernisation agreement. If so, we need to be certain that we deal with all of the issues that were part of that agreement.

· Both sides need to quickly understand how April 2009's pay and conditions negotiations would fit into any agreed process.

· We also reminded Royal Mail that the Union had offered the Chief Executive an industrial relations summit meeting in light of the criticisms levelled against both parties in the Hooper Report. Although this did not appear to be well received by the Chief Executive we have again expressed our desire to meet with Royal Mail to improve the general industrial relations environment. An initial discussion on this has already taken place with Jon Millidge, Group HR Director.

· We said that Royal Mail's engagement proposal required a more robust way of ensuring that future talks were properly co-ordinated and that the Managing Director, Mark Higson, should be more regularly involved.

· We said it would be mutually beneficial if we set up a focused strand that delivers positive engagement between Royal Mail and CWU on expanding new products and services.

We have asked Royal Mail to reflect and respond positively on all of the afore-mentioned points.

Next Steps

The PEC will receive a full report on progress from the meetings that have been held between the National Officers and Royal Mail's functional leads at its meeting of the 31st March. This meeting will also consider any additional steps that need to be taken by the Union to move all these issues forward.

The PEC has already discussed our approach to the April 2009 pay and conditions claim and we have looked at this in the context of Royal Mail's modernisation programme and the current environment including our campaign to defeat the Government's privatisation proposals. We will formally be agreeing and submitting our claim at the PEC meeting on the 31st March.

It is now essential that branches convey the content of this LtB to all our representatives and members in all work places. We want you to impress upon all of our members and your local managers that the Union is determined to engage positively with Royal Mail and reach new national agreements that move the next phase of Royal Mail's modernisation plans forward at pace.

However, we are also acutely aware that the actions and behaviours of Royal Mail managers out in the field are building growing resentment from the membership and that the potential for further industrial unrest is very real. It is now paramount that rather than words on pieces of paper that Royal Mail's senior management team visibly demonstrate, through deeds and actions, that they are willing to finally move away from the command and control managerial culture that is destroying the prospects of the company and the Union moving forward together. We will continue to impress upon the company that the only way our members and Royal Mail can succeed is to fundamentally change industrial and employee relations.

Further developments will be reported next week. Any enquiries on functional issues should be directed to the relevant National Officers with enquiries on pay directed to the DGS (P).

Yours sincerely,

Dave Ward
Deputy General Secretary (P)

Martin Collins
Assistant Secretary

Ray Ellis
Assistant Secretary

Bob Gibson
Assistant Secretary

Terry Pullinger
Assistant Secretary

[k979aaa]

Thank's T.B.T

[k979aaa]

Well it looks like we will all know about the pay situation by April and further more how things will progress from then!. it is interesting to note that the PEC are acutely aware that the action's and behaviours of royalmail managers out in the field are building growing resentment from the membership!.

[dvbuk55]

Meanwhile the panzers are rolling across the low countries, Nero still fiddles whilst the chestnuts roast and RM Managers continue to run riot.

It is time a line was drawn and the leadership got some bottle - RM drag negotiations on forever whilst they slip in change after change, promise accountability, involvement and agreement and pay no attention whatsoever to any agreements once they have been made.

This is going to be the fastest pay rise ever, decide what we want on 31st March and get it the very next day - wow!

[k979aaa]

Meanwhile the panzers are rolling across the low countries, Nero still fiddles whilst the chestnuts roast and RM Managers continue to run riot.

It is time a line was drawn and the leadership got some bottle - RM drag negotiations on forever whilst they slip in change after change, promise accountability, involvement and agreement and pay no attention whatsoever to any agreements once they have been made.

This is going to be the fastest pay rise ever, decide what we want on 31st March and get it the very next day - wow!

Agreed but at least they the PEC acknowledge that their is big problems with management across the nation and as such time is in the essence by April we should have firm decisions made to combat the injustice that is being borne by one and all!.

[DGP1]

I'd forego this year payrise if they would give me 10 minutes using my DOM as a piñata but I fear that my lack of seniority would mean there would be little left after everyone else in the office had their 10 minutes

Maybe Mandy would volunteer his services to Mexican culture

[k979aaa]

I'd forego this year payrise if they would give me 10 minutes using my DOM as a piñata but I fear that my lack of seniority would mean there would be little left after everyone else in the office had their 10 minutes

Maybe Mandy would volunteer his services to Mexican culture

More mushy peas please :mfo or is it guacamole. But only a short time will tell us the intentions of our union and their action is paramount to all of us!.

[BELIAL]

Ah s**t ,our national ossifers have forgotten all about us having five years of our pensions stolen What will they forget about next?

[k979aaa]

Ah s**t ,our national ossifers have forgotten all about us having five years of our pensions stolen What will they forget about next?

How remiss of me but if i forgot i am sure good members like BELIAL will remind the PEC and me!.

[BELIAL]

Forget nothing, forgive less

[wranglered]

Embarrasing twaddle from a bunch of useless amateurs....

As has been said, pensions conveniently forgotton and negotiations for pay starting the day before it is due!

Well done you clowns! You have only had 2 years to negotiate the pay....where have you been???

[mitzi]

Meanwhile the panzers are rolling across the low countries, Nero still fiddles whilst the chestnuts roast and RM Managers continue to run riot.

It is time a line was drawn and the leadership got some bottle - RM drag negotiations on forever whilst they slip in change after change, promise accountability, involvement and agreement and pay no attention whatsoever to any agreements once they have been made.

This is going to be the fastest pay rise ever, decide what we want on 31st March and get it the very next day - wow!

Shouldnt we be telling them that we need strict timescales or the "potential" for revolt will be significant. as dvbuk points out whilst all the talking goes on its business as usual for hardline rm management.
i fear our union is becoming nothing more than a debating society.

[bogstandard]

Maybe Mandy would volunteer his services to Mexican culture

I think he has punted it out to a young south american boy and we are led to believe he took quite a pumelling

[andy2007]

Forget nothing, forgive less

We'd achieve even less with that attitude.

Obviously, we should never forget the past. And we should take past betrayals into account, whenever we're negotiating. That way we will reduce the risk of falling for the same tricks again. But why shouldn't we forgive?
It's not easy, I know. But how can we ever progress, if we bear grudges indefinately?
What's done, is done. We can't change the past. All we CAN do, is try to repair the damage done to our pay, conditions, pension, and above all: to the service provided by RM. Which, let's face it, is a pale reflection of what it was just a decade ago.

[dvbuk55]

I'd forego this year payrise if they would give me 10 minutes using my DOM as a piñata but I fear that my lack of seniority would mean there would be little left after everyone else in the office had their 10 minutes

Maybe Mandy would volunteer his services to Mexican culture

I don't know what that is but it sounds rude.