Time to bid adiós or prepare to don your tin helmet !

[Budfrog]

Just last week I read the VR terms that have been offered to the 2k support staff (managers/support grades etc). Previously RM had indicated that improved terms would give these staff parity with frontline managers but the VR terms (not agreed with CMA) offered fell short of the packages being offered to ML frontline managers who can in some cases (section a. Pre 73) trouser up to 3 yrs pay.

Personally I believe that VR terms should be the same for all grades as a person removed from the payrole is a saving whatever the grade of the individual.

The 2k employees in question have been informed that if they decide to remain with RM then the onus is on them to find another position, even if such a post does not exist. Should they be unsuccessful then compulsory redundancy may be the outcome. The footnote on the VR terms states that these terms are applicable for this exercise only, a thinly veiled threat that the terms will be getting worse and another shove in the back for those considering taking the money and running.

The postmen amongst you may feel that support staff have a cushy number and deserve everything that comes their way. I can tell you that my experience of most of these staff members is that they are in the main genuine people who are doing their best to contribute to the business as it continues to flounder. Bullying and harassment amongst the support grades has mushroomed in recent months to the point now where ATOS is concerned at the number of people on stress related sick leave.

In my opinion compulsory redundancies will quickly come for all grades and will be implemented at Govt minimum compensation levels. With Mail Centres closing right left and centre, its a very worrying time for us all.

[baldrick]

the VR terms (not agreed with CMA) offered fell short of the packages being offered to ML frontline managers who can in some cases (section a. Pre 73) trouser up to 3 yrs pay.

Personally I believe that VR terms should be the same for all grades as a person removed from the payrole is a saving whatever the grade of the individual.

I agree with you Budfrog, but under MTSF uniform grades only get a maximum of 104 weeks (2 yrs) pay for VR.
I thought that the MTSF terms were what managers got too. Do they have better VR/EVR terms then?

[vanman]

Just so there's no confusion - the 2k jobs they are removing are Managerial, i.e. UNITE/CMA and above - not CWU

These terms only apply to them.

Other "Support Staff" in CWU grades have exactly the same MTSF terms as OPGs etc. and are not part of this 2k.

[Budfrog]

The terms offered to support staff were originally a max of 52 weeks but have now been increased to 78. The front line managers still get the 2 years except for the section A pre-73 members who get a max of 3 years.

Apparently Moya only knew of the MTSF agreement last week. Any surplus staff will be the first to go with the aim of getting rid of them all by Feb.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Apparently Moya only knew of the MTSF agreement last week. Any surplus staff will be the first to go with the aim of getting rid of them all by Feb.

Sounds as though a few Operational Managers who are on "gardening leave" or have been assigned make work projects should start updating their CVs fairly quickly.

[Budfrog]

"Gardening Leave" ... are managers still actually allowed to stay at home on full pay when deliveries can't cover the walks ?

I saw a graph today which showed planned spend in hrs compared to actual >>>> and we are in the $hit so expect a scorched earth policy from Moya.

[belle smith]

"Gardening Leave" ... are managers still actually allowed to stay at home on full pay when deliveries can't cover the walks ?

I saw a graph today which showed planned spend in hrs compared to actual >>>> and we are in the $hit so expect a scorched earth policy from Moya.

Well thats what happens when you base hours on unreasonable work standards!
I expected nothing else from Moya to be honest.

[Ex RM Manager]

This sounds very familiar to the executions of 2003, 2005, 2007. 2007 was where I was told I had no job, even though they were scrabblinga round for someone to do exactly the work I was doing, they didn't want me because I was a "troublemaker" who dared challenge any party line. some things never change.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

"Gardening Leave" ... are managers still actually allowed to stay at home on full pay when deliveries can't cover the walks ?

Depends on the original reason for Gardening leave I suppose.

If it was because of operational reasons I would say they would be kept away from deliveries. If it was, for example, a managerial reporting failing then they probably would be allowed to do delivery work but probably not at the original office.

[Budfrog]

Just seen the terms which include the following piece of blackmail:

A Manager who does not have a role following completion of the appointment process, and who does not, at that point, wish to take up an offer of voluntary redundancy, will be dismissed on the grounds of redundancy and will receive statutory redundancy terms.

Sweet :(

[ronnie6]

I was talking to somebody today who said the terms for over 55's had a 'cost in' ceiling so it wasn't beyond the realms of possibility that, provided you needed to take your pension now, you would be better off being refusing VR and being made compulsory. I suppose this could be construed by some as age discrimination as there is little incentive for over 55's with any real length of service to take VR.

[Budfrog]

I was talking to somebody today who said the terms for over 55's had a 'cost in' ceiling so it wasn't beyond the realms of possibility that, provided you needed to take your pension now, you would be better off being refusing VR and being made compulsory. I suppose this could be construed by some as age discrimination as there is little incentive for over 55's with any real length of service to take VR.

The payback for over 55s is 2 years. I am assuming this is up to 60 although the RM document doesn't state this and it could be 66 I suppose. Take 6 months as being the redundancy payment then that leaves 18months, so as an example a person who gets a 50% pension having 30 yrs would have to be over 57 (or 63 if it is 66) to cost in.

You are correct that those with long service are unlikely to cost in, especially if any lump sums are also added to the costing in process. In which case the 2 year pay is the only real option with the pension frozen till 60.

While it is difficult for the over 55s I think it is more so for the 45-55 age group who are up the creek without a paddle.