Door to Door Special Drop – H1N1 Strain Flu Virus Swine Flu

[TrueBlueTerrier]

No. 380/2009
Ref. 535.07/L23.10
Date: 29th April 2009


TO: ALL BRANCHES WITH POSTAL MEMBERS & POSTAL DIVISIONAL REPS
For immediate circulation to all Area/Unit/Processing/Delivery Representatives


Dear Colleague

Door to Door Special Drop – H1N1 Strain Flu Virus (Swine Flu)

Branches will recall that in December 2008 we issued LTB 966/08 that advised Representatives that the Postal Executive had cleared an Agreement for a Special Door to Door Drop should one be required in relation to a possible pandemic which at the time was in relation to Bird Flu. In the event it proved unnecessary to invoke the Agreement at that time.

We have however today, 29th April 2009, received notification that the Government do wish to put out an Emergency Communication in respect of the outbreak of the H1N1 Strain Flu Virus (commonly known as Swine Flu).

The Agreement will therefore now be invoked.

The exact timing of the drops will be subject to external factors but it looks likely that we will be looking at the possibility of items beginning to arrive in Mail Centres this side of the weekend with the aim of delivery commencing from Tuesday 5th May 2009. It should be noted that the Agreement (copy attached) provides for a 40% increase in payments for the item(s) whilst protecting our position for future discussions on the wider issues of Door to Door.

In some areas this emergency item may mean that we go beyond the agreed three items per week and due to the special requirements of the contract it may arrive in Delivery Offices midweek. In order to facilitate this, the delivery of the items which will retain the statutory 5 day (weekday delivery period) will in this instance be due to be completed within 7 calendar days although if our members wish they can deliver the items on a Saturday.

Because of the exceptional nature of these drops and the messages that they will contain, any current customer opt outs will be ignored to ensure that delivery is made to every address. In addition these items will require special distribution arrangements and although we have yet to receive the definitive schedule, this information will be circulated as soon as possible from the appropriate department.

Further details regarding the contract including the final weights and actual remuneration will also be published once received from the business but it is important that Representatives enter into early discussions to ensure that all Local arrangements (including communication) are in place to deal with the item(s) when they arrive.

All enquiries regarding the content of this LTB should be addressed as appropriate to Bob Gibson, Assistant Secretary Outdoor Department quoting reference number 535.07, Martin Collins, Assistant Secretary Indoor Department quoting reference number L23.10 or Terry Pullinger, Assistant Secretary Network.

Yours sincerely


Noel McClean Martin Collins Terry Pullinger
Acting Assistant Secretary Assistant Secretary Assistant Secretary


Agreement between Royal Mail and the
Communication Workers Union for an enhanced
specification Door to Door Delivery

1Royal Mail has been requested by a major customer to provide an increased level of service to the Door to Door product.

2The customer requirement is to send two Door to Door items, at separate times, to all addresses in the UK as part of a larger media campaign involving newspapers and television. Speed is essential and the customer has requested that the time before delivery commences is minimised.

3It is recognised that this agreement is an exceptional variation to the National Agreements in Distribution, Processing, Delivery and WBC’s covering Door to Door operations and only varies as detailed below. Consultation will take place with the appropriate National Officers if the enhanced specification plan is to be actioned. This agreement sets no precedent for future discussions on any aspect of the Door to Door product.

4The first item will be A5 format and less than 20g weight.

5The second item will also be A5, but will weigh between 20g–30g.

6Both items will have a bilingual version for delivery to addresses in Wales. These special versions will be twice the weight of the standard.

7These items will not be counted and labelled as walk bundles. Instead the correct number of items for each Delivery Offices will be provided by the parent Mail Centre in bundles of 100 items, 5 bundles to a box. Postmen / Postwomen should ensure that they have the correct number of items for his / her walk. Local discussions should be used to determine the most appropriate method of allocation and distribution of the items within the Delivery Office.

8Delivery of the item should commence on the day after receipt into the Delivery Office and must be completed within 7 calendar days.

9It is recognised by both parties that in many cases these will be fourth items.

10Due to the nature of the item it is not possible to provide specific dates for delivery. However a minimum of 7 days notice will be given to Delivery units and the CWU prior to the commencement of delivery.

11Both parties recognise that as this contract is outside of normal procedures and a variation to the terms of the existing National Agreement will be applied. The items will therefore accrue an increase of 40% over the standard tariff for these types of Door to Door items.

12CWU will be provided with an example of the items at the earliest available opportunity

……………………………. …………………………………
Ron Allen Bob Gibson
Royal Mail Communication Workers Union
December 2008 December 2008

[TrueBlueTerrier]

No.385/09
Ref: 535.07
Date: 30/04/2009

To: Branches with POSTAL Members

Dear Colleague

Door to Door Special Drop H1N1 Strain Flu Virus (Swine Flu) Update

Further to the LTB 380/09 issued yesterday, we have received the following letter which gives details of the weight, presentation arrangements and uplifted payment rates for the items.

Further information will be sent out when we have received the distribution/delivery programme.

Any enquiries to Bob Gibson’s Office, quoting reference 535.07.
Email address: hnutley@cwu.org

Yours sincerely


Noel McClean
Acting Assistant Secretary



Mr N McClean
CWU
150 The Broadway
Wimbledon
LONDON
SW19 1RX






Kingsmead House
Oxpens Road
OXFORD
OX1 1RX


Dear Mr McClean

Re: Door to Door - Special Drop

We have been asked by the Central Office of Information to activate the long standing contingency for a special nationwide drop on behalf of the Department of Health.

Some of the details of the agreement that we finalised with CWU in December 2008 to cover this eventuality have changed as a result of the health message for the current outbreak of swine flu being slightly different to that envisaged in preparation for a possible bird flu pandemic.

In particular, the weight of the items will now be 25g for the basic version, and 43g for the bilingual version due delivery in Wales. As a result I can confirm that the payment rates (including a 40% enhancement over regular payment rates) will be 2.45p per item for the basic version and 3.78p per item for the bilingual version.

Additionally, because of the change in the make up of the items they will now be boxed in smaller quantities. The basic version will be in boxes of 400, and the bilingual version will be in boxes of 200.

We are in the process of putting together a distribution / delivery programme based on the customer’s printing schedule. As soon as that programme is confirmed I will send you a copy. However, it is anticipated that the first batch of items will arrive in selected Delivery Offices in time for deliveries to commence from Tuesday 6th May. Despatch to remaining Delivery Offices will be phased over the rest of that week.

This drop will be very high profile, and is being seen as a key part of the Government’s strategy in helping to protect the public’s help under difficult circumstances.

Your ongoing cooperation is greatly appreciated.

Should there be any questions or issues that arise during the course of this contract please feel free to contact either myself or any of the other members of the national Door to Door Team.


Yours sincerely


Ron Allen
Door to Door Operational Support Manager

[theargyspy]

just emailed my rep, our door to door sheets state 2.1p per item too

[dianne]

ours says 2.1p as well. manager/supervisor says he knows nothing about it!

[brothermagrew]

ours says 2.1p as well. manager/supervisor says he knows nothing about it!

Then I would suggest dianne that you copy, paste and print off a copy of undermentioned letter and show it to your manager/supervisor. You got to learn to play them at their own game



Kingsmead House
Oxpens Road
OXFORD
OX1 1RX


Dear Mr McClean

Re: Door to Door - Special Drop

We have been asked by the Central Office of Information to activate the long standing contingency for a special nationwide drop on behalf of the Department of Health.

Some of the details of the agreement that we finalised with CWU in December 2008 to cover this eventuality have changed as a result of the health message for the current outbreak of swine flu being slightly different to that envisaged in preparation for a possible bird flu pandemic.

In particular, the weight of the items will now be 25g for the basic version, and 43g for the bilingual version due delivery in Wales. As a result I can confirm that the payment rates (including a 40% enhancement over regular payment rates) will be 2.45p per item for the basic version and 3.78p per item for the bilingual version.

Additionally, because of the change in the make up of the items they will now be boxed in smaller quantities. The basic version will be in boxes of 400, and the bilingual version will be in boxes of 200.

We are in the process of putting together a distribution / delivery programme based on the customer’s printing schedule. As soon as that programme is confirmed I will send you a copy. However, it is anticipated that the first batch of items will arrive in selected Delivery Offices in time for deliveries to commence from Tuesday 6th May. Despatch to remaining Delivery Offices will be phased over the rest of that week.

This drop will be very high profile, and is being seen as a key part of the Government’s strategy in helping to protect the public’s help under difficult circumstances.

Your ongoing cooperation is greatly appreciated.

Should there be any questions or issues that arise during the course of this contract please feel free to contact either myself or any of the other members of the national Door to Door Team.


Yours sincerely


Ron Allen
Door to Door Operational Support Manager

[theargyspy]

Emailed my rep and branch chair,explained the difference of 2.1p and 2.45p also send copies of letters posted above!
thought I would try asking my line manager too, he took copies of letters posted on this thread and consulted with the DOM
came back a few minutes later and told me the DOM didn't know where I got the letters from but that they were rubbish and that they didn't make mistakes and that the 2.1p figure was correct

Anyway today learn from union rep that the household forms were being re-done to reflect the correct amount, if i get a chance am going to ask the DOM if he still thinks my letters were "rubbish" and if it was right that they didn't make mistakes

so thanks all, without this post it's doubtful the amount wouldn't have changed

[brothermagrew]

Shame on RM Management they will try every trick in their unwritten book, to try and con us out of what is rightfully ours.

[97gaz]

I'm DOM support float and did notice the payment at 2.1p. However this is being dealt with through the usual D2D payment program and therefore has the enhanced payment because of the bank holiday Monday (4 day delivery). We'll find out this week in the pay packet.

[POSTMAN]

I'm DOM support float and did notice the payment at 2.1p. However this is being dealt with through the usual D2D payment program and therefore has the enhanced payment because of the bank holiday Monday (4 day delivery). We'll find out this week in the pay packet.

They are 7 day delivery.

[97gaz]

Yes, Seven days to deliver them but paid out as if it was a D2D delivered on a 4 day bank holiday week (no sat)