Mail Centres - National Sortation Automation Deployment

[TrueBlueTerrier]

No. 405/2010
Ref. L19.24
Date: 10th May 2010



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



Dear Colleague

Mail Centres - National Sortation Automation Deployment Guidelines

Following the memberships endorsement of the Business Transformation 2010 and Beyond Agreement, we commenced negotiations on the Guidelines for the New Automation due to be deployed in Mail Centres in line with the terms of the Generic Deployment Framework contained in Annex B of the Business Transformation 2010 and Beyond Agreement. Please find attached a copy of the Guidelines in respect of the above for iLSM, CSS and Legacy machines which the Postal Executive have recently endorsed.

The Guidelines have been jointly developed taking into account the experiences/feedback obtained during the trials which have now concluded on iLSMs, CSS and Legacy machines. The roll out of this new equipment is already underway in a number of Mail Centres which has led to many enquiries from Representatives being received regarding whether we had finalised Agreements on resoucing machine operator’s jobs and manning levels etc.

The negotiations involved pulling the two separate business Project Teams together i.e. one dealing with Legacy and iLSM equipment and the other dealing purely with CSS/Walk Sequencing to ensure a consistent approach throughout the deployment programme affecting Mail Centres.

We have also clarified that the Deployment Guidelines for CSS machines in Delivery Units will need to be discussed and agreed separately with Bob Gibson because alternative staffing arrangements may be preferred/necessary due to the difference in the operation, as well as the fact the business may be considering Leadership Allowance for Sequence Operators in some MPUs and a new Grade to maintain CSS machines in Delivery Units.

I have highlighted a number of points relating to the Guidelines below for ease of reference:

A commitment to ensure all safety aspects have been dealt with prior to the automation going live.
A logical rationale for the location chosen for the automation with a concise success criteria to be achieved.
Full involvement of the CWU at all levels in every aspect of the deployment from day 1.
A commitment to seek to maintain earnings opportunities and deal with employees/members concerns.
A fair and transparent resouring process with the opportunity for individuals to appeal should they feel that Managers are failing to adhere to the procedure and are discriminating against them.
We have prevented interviews being introduced into the resourcing process despite the business’ clear intention to do so.
A comprehensive training programme based on the TPM principles of individuals deciding whether the role is suitable to them rather than a Manager refusing to accept their application or saying they are not good enough.
Appropriate adjustments for members registered under DDA.
All Machine operators to receive the TPM Allowance.
Minimum staffing levels for both iLSMs, CSS machines and the associated porterage etc required.
Overall duty arrangements to be agreed Locally in line with the IR Framework with a clear reference that minimum staffing levels will need to be assessed/exceeded in the light of the Local Operation.
Mandatory rotation of the roles on the machines with associated manual work to prevent unnecessary fatigue.
A complete programme of the scheduled deployment of the kit in all Mail Centres that will be subject to ongoing joint review.
Agreed Advanced TPM Tasks detailed for each piece of kit.
Cross functional groups to ensure that the impact outside of the Mail Centres is also taken into account.
Stipulation that should the business decide in future that they wish to transfer traffic from one office to another to improve the utilisation of the equipment, that this will be subject to separate joint discussions.

I am currently in discussions with the business where we are developing a document to cover any New/Legacy machinery for Mail Centres including the timetable for their implementation. The document will also provide each Mail Centre with a definitive list of Delivery Units that they are due to provide Walk Sequenced Mail to, as the £1000 lump sum trigger points are linked to the introduction of Walk Sequencing in Mail Centres.

All enquiries regarding the content of this LTB should be addressed as appropriate to Phil Browne, Acting Assistant Secretary Indoor Department quoting reference number L19.24.



Yours sincerely


Phil Browne
Acting Assistant Secretary

Sortation Automation Deployment Guidelines.doc

[Tman]

That personal assessment questionaire should thin out 99% of RM staff by itself...

[hubbahubba]

That personal assessment questionaire should thin out 99% of RM staff by itself...

and 100% of managers......................

[andy2007]

LMFAO!

[dodger162]

Is there an updated version of the iLSM deployment plan as more than 70 were ordered and this document only covers around 40?

[DGP1]

That personal assessment questionaire should thin out 99% of RM staff by itself...

and 100% of managers......................

Just think of the engineers it's going to cull too