Freedom of Information Request

[Big Daz]

Mr Big Daz
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx





Freedom of Information Unit
2nd Floor
Royal Mail Sheffield
Pond Street
Sheffield
S98 6HR

xxx@xxxxxxxxx.xxx
http://www.royalmail.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Dear Mr Daz

Re: Freedom of Information Request

I am writing in response to your request for information which was submitted on 18th September 2009, in which you requested under the Freedom of Information Act, a response to a number of questions.

I will address each of your requests below, in the order that they appeared in your request:

“Please could you tell me when the mail for Huntingdonshire will arrive sequenced for the 4 main delivery offices and what time of day it is likely to arrive at the delivery offices.”

“Will the 6am start time for your delivery staff change and if so will it be later or earlier.”

“Do you envisage a reduction in the number of OPG's and mangers working for Royal Mail in the huntingdonshire cluster?”

“What time period in the day do you envisage deliveries in urban and rural areas being made.”
The machines to sequence the mail for Huntington Delivery Office are currently scheduled for installation in late October 2011 so this is when the unit will receive walk sequenced mail. Given that Huntington is not scheduled to receive walk sequenced mail for another two years detailed deployment planning has yet to commence. Consequently we are unable to answer your detailed questions about potential impact on mail arrival times, number of employees, employee start times or effect on customer delivery times. When detailed planning for Huntingdon and nearby offices commences we will of course be advising all affected parties of any changes before we proceed with implementation.

“What % of mail will be sequenced? Is this all types of mail [or?] all just letter size (smaller than A4)?”

“What are your plans for A4 mail - will this be sequence and/or walksorted?”
Our ambition is to sequence at least 75% of all letter mail up to and including C5 size. The precise target for the percentage of mail sequenced for Huntingdon and neighbouring units will be determined as a part of the detailed deployment planning that will take place nearer to the time of machine installation. With reference to A4 automation our plan is to automate the outward sortation process in Mail Centres and only where spare capacity exists then this may be used to provide some level of inward walk sorting to delivery units. We have no plans at this point in time to walk sequence A4 mail.
“If a OPG spends a hour sorting unsequenced mail into their delivery frame how much time do you envisage this reducing to once mail is sequenced?”
Our ambition is to sequence at least 75% of all letter mail up to and including C5 size. The precise target for the percentage of mail sequenced for Huntingdon and neighbouring units will be determined as a part of the detailed deployment planning that will take place nearer to the time of machine installation.

The actual amount of time reduction following the introduction of walk sequencing will vary by delivery unit according to a number of factors at the time of introduction. These will include the amount of mail that is sorted to walk level by automation at the time of switch over to walk sequencing, the work rate of those involved in the preparation task, the mix of mail (i.e. proportion of letters, flats and packets) and the amount of other work such as processing redirections. As a result of these factors it is not possible to give you a precise figure on how much time will be saved upon the introduction of walk sequencing as this will vary by unit and indeed delivery routes within a unit.

“Will any savings arising from automation be invested into improving the terms and conditions of employment for OPG's and managers, especially the CWU desire for a shorter working week.”

Walk sequencing forms part of a suite of efficiency improvement programmes aimed at transforming Royal Mail into a profitable and successful enterprise capable of meeting the commercial challenges in an increasingly competitive market place. We already have an agreement with the CWU in respect of the implementation of new technology, including walk sequencing, as a part of the 2007 Pay and Modernisation agreement. We would expect any future changes to employees’ terms and conditions to continue to be subject to negotiation with the CWU.
It is worth noting that the rate of decline of mail volumes is accelerating and we are currently seeing mail volumes falling at around 10% a year. Every 1% loss of volume is equivalent to a loss of revenue of around £70 million annually.

I hope this information meets your requirements. However, if for any reason you are not satisfied with this response, you do have the right to request a review. If you wish to do so please set out in writing your grounds of appeal and send to the Head of Information Compliance, Royal Mail Group, Company Secretary's Office, 100 Victoria Embankment, LONDON, EC4Y 0HQ. An internal panel will then review the decision, and you will be advised of the outcome.

If you decide to appeal and are still not satisfied with our response you also have a right to appeal to the Information Commissioner at:
Information Commissioner’s Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF

Yours Sincerely




John Cere
Freedom of Information Case Officer
xxx@xxxxxxxxx.xxx

[music4essex]

Hi

Thanks for putting this up, it was very interesting to read,
now i guess that as your area is not getting the machines till 2011 you wonder why RM are so want to do the changes they are doing right now.

Not sure if you are a postie but was thinking about doing it myself but just change the wording for the area I am in

Essex postie mum

[Big Daz]

Go for it!!!!