The 'On the Vans' thread

jackipal · Post by **jackipal** » 20 Jun 2007, 19:56

in our office one of the union guys goes out in is car

tommymac · Post by **tommymac** » 20 Jun 2007, 21:17

Point him in the direction of this site and this thread. Remember he's only a rep if you guys elect him. Next election time

shelanda · Post by **shelanda** » 01 Jul 2007, 08:34

jUST READ IN A NATIONAL NEWSPAPER THAT THE POLICE ARE THINKING OF USING THE SIDES OF THEIR VEHICLES TO ADVERTISE SUPERMARKETS. THERES A NEW TWIST TO "GET ON THE VANS". MAYBE :lfo WOULD CHOOSE ASDA OR EVEN WH SMITHS.

robmacca · Post by **robmacca** » 22 Jul 2007, 17:58

I stopped using my car several weeks ago, and although I finish 2 hours later each day - I now get a proper break, don't give RM 45 free minutes each morning becasue I had to find a parking place. I also have a more mellow attitude in the office as I'm not rushing around like an idiot just to get out early.

My attitude is "I get paid from 04:45 til 13:15 so it's OK if I work til my finish time", if it's heavy or RM can't get me out to my walk after I've had my breakfast - I don't mind cos I can choose to either deliver it all and get overtime or arrange to be picked up and bring mail back.

I like to adopt the "flexible" approach - some days "cut off" some days claim overtime, keeps them on their toes. TBH, I hate finishing later than everyone else in my division but if the changes come in- they will soon do as I do!

P.S. I'm happier as I've saved Â£1 per day and done my bit for the environment by not using my car.

Post by **POSTMAN** » 22 Jul 2007, 17:59

robmacca wrote:I stopped using my car several weeks ago, and although I finish 2 hours later each day - I now get a proper break, don't give RM 45 free minutes each morning becasue I had to find a parking place. I also have a more mellow attitude in the office as I'm not rushing around like an idiot just to get out early.

My attitude is "I get paid from 04:45 til 13:15 so it's OK if I work til my finish time", if it's heavy or RM can't get me out to my walk after I've had my breakfast - I don't mind cos I can choose to either deliver it all and get overtime or arrange to be picked up and bring mail back.

I like to adopt the "flexible" approach - some days "cut off" some days claim overtime, keeps them on their toes. TBH, I hate finishing later than everyone else in my division but if the changes come in- they will soon do as I do!

P.S. I'm happier as I've saved Â£1 per day and done my bit for the environment by not using my car.

Only way to work Rob

ROCKY · Post by **ROCKY** » 22 Jul 2007, 19:39

ticks all the boxes rob well done

robmacca · Post by **robmacca** » 22 Jul 2007, 21:58

ROCKY wrote:ticks all the boxes rob well done

It's only taken me 11 years to finally do my job properly - if we all did it the "Royal Mail" way then maybe our job security would be better.

KawasakiKid · Post by **KawasakiKid** » 22 Jul 2007, 22:05

robmacca wrote:
ROCKY wrote:ticks all the boxes rob well done
It's only taken me 11 years to finally do my job properly - if we all did it the "Royal Mail" way then maybe our job security would be better.

NO 'maybe's' about it ROB, it's a deffo ----------KWAK

robmacca · Post by **robmacca** » 29 Jul 2007, 16:58

I did get called into the DOM's office this week cos I said that although I wanted to deliver all the mail, I might not get it done in the specified time. I avoid using the word "cutting off" but of course it caused problems because I couldn't work over my time.

I pointed out I was flexible and had worked over when I could, but this particular day (the day after our strike) I couldn't. The DOM wondered why I'd stopped using my car - so I pointed out I ws making cut backs and using my car was no longer an option. When asked if it was only this particular day I was having my break before going out, I stated I now had my break before going out everyday and felt more refreshed for doing so.

It's also interesting to turn the tables around and politely point out that as a management team they should have a contingency plan if walkers miss the driver. I also politely pointed out that I'm sure the management team would have a contingency plan if walkers only wanted to work up to their time!

I wouldn't have been in the office if I'd just done the overtime, infact I was probably the only person called into the office because I couldn't deliver all the mail that day, even though I'd given advance notice to my mNger and liased with my driver.

It was a shame that they had to pay someone else to deliver half of it, I really wanted to deliver it all ..... but you know how it is!

DirtyHarry · Post by **DirtyHarry** » 29 Jul 2007, 17:03

robmacca wrote:I did get called into the DOM's office this week cos I said that although I wanted to deliver all the mail, I might not get it done in the specified time. I avoid using the word "cutting off" but of course it caused problems because I couldn't work over my time.

I pointed out I was flexible and had worked over when I could, but this particular day (the day after our strike) I couldn't. The DOM wondered why I'd stopped using my car - so I pointed out I ws making cut backs and using my car was no longer an option. When asked if it was only this particular day I was having my break before going out, I stated I now had my break before going out everyday and felt more refreshed for doing so.

It's also interesting to turn the tables around and politely point out that as a management team they should have a contingency plan if walkers miss the driver. I also politely pointed out that I'm sure the management team would have a contingency plan if walkers only wanted to work up to their time!

I wouldn't have been in the office if I'd just done the overtime, infact I was probably the only person called into the office because I couldn't deliver all the mail that day, even though I'd given advance notice to my mNger and liased with my driver.

It was a shame that they had to pay someone else to deliver half of it, I really wanted to deliver it all ..... but you know how it is!

Well done that man !

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 29 Jul 2007, 17:07

Aye well done robmacca you may have lost the money but you kept your self respect.

539 · Post by **539** » 30 Jul 2007, 17:23

The boys at my office went on the vans today to a man no one started pre six the whole office took meal relief at 0930 most of the office left about 1200. The office is in chaos loads of cut offs and the rest its about time every office followed the do you job properly philosophy as it really shows how much good will it takes to run the service.

phil36500 · Post by **phil36500** » 05 Aug 2007, 15:03

When we finish our walks and we have to catch a bus can we claim bus fare back whether we go back to the office or back home.Thing is if you do go back to the Office it is locked up by 12.30.

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 05 Aug 2007, 15:52

In my office we can use a Posties bus pass to the walk and back to the office but not to home. However when I did a cover walk the bus home went past the office so I used the pass for the whole journey.

genesis · Post by **genesis** » 05 Aug 2007, 17:27

the opinions and mood are changing in our office I expect more to use the vans especially if they bring in later starts.