Weight 'On' the shoulder

[jessicarabbit]

Been P&Led for 8 weeks now deliveries even more unachievable due to 100% surge in packets. Most staff flexing up I guess they want the money for Xmas, for me a reasonable workload and a guaranteed finish on time was what I thought we went out for. But back to topic chatting to a fellow P&Ler in my office and said at least with the trolleys they are a bit of a faff loading them up but at least we don't have to lug the weight around anymore. His reply - I don't bother with it - it's quicker to put a bag on my back and do smaller loops and keep moving the van. I wonder why we bother some times even when there is no chance of making time people chase the minutes by putting their own backs at risk. Beggars belief.

[fishtank]

There is a problem with non-compliance with the MANDATORY use of the proper delivery methods allocated to each walk.
It's supposed to be a conduct issue now but managers will turn a blind eye as long as the work gets done.
Let your rep know because the revision cannot be signed off until everybody is using them or at least been made aware of the consequences.

His reply - I don't bother with it - it's quicker to put a bag on my back and do smaller loops and keep moving the van.

His reply shows just how much of an idiot he is....quicker doesn't mean earlier finish any more...it means more work.

[gb93]

It means he is in Top 10%.
And everybody else shall be bullied till they can be "quicker" like him.

[pickaname]

The trolleys arent fit for purpose.

Too many flats and basements mean you cant use one.

[DGP1]

The trolleys arent fit for purpose.

Too many flats and basements mean you cant use one.

Too many hills

[fishtank]

The trolleys arent fit for purpose.

Too many flats and basements mean you cant use one.

What would you suggest as a solution?

[DGP1]

The trolleys arent fit for purpose.

Too many flats and basements mean you cant use one.

What would you suggest as a solution?

Smaller loops with smaller bags, spending 10/15 minutes on a loop is much better than 45/60 minutes with a dodgy trolly.

[fishtank]

Smaller loops with smaller bags, spending 10/15 minutes on a loop is much better than 45/60 minutes with a dodgy trolly.

I agree but the problem of "replenishment time " crops up and you still have to find a way to carry all of these packets.
...and it's still weight ON the shoulder even if it's less weight but longer.

[clashcityrocker]

Given the high number of tenements in our postcode area, I don't see P&L working very well.
Small loops with small bags is the best I believe we can realistically hope for. We are not going to remove the weight from our backs so I can't see the dedicated packet driver being removed from these areas.
Whether we continue to use drop boxes or whether we chain an HCT to the railings and use it as a mobile drop box remains to be seen, but I think even the hardest RM manager realises some re-investment in our DO is long overdue.

[suz67]

i've got a small RM 2 wheel trolley,its superb,over 25 years old but does the job brilliantly,its got a genuine RM plastic bag attached to it with a zip so great in all weathers,been using it for years with my own version of P&L,fill it up with mail and carry a bag on your shoulder with packets in it,then keep working from the bag box,every body in our office wants one but RM stopped using them donkeys years ago,never let it out of my sight,and never leave it in the office,always take it home,if RM management weren't so arrogant i'd show them just how well it works,but they aren't interested in what someone says who's been doing the job for 14 years!!!! so let the planners knacker the job up completely,i'm convinced there's an hidden agenda somewhere between cwu and RM,nobody could balls a job up like these morons!!

[DGP1]

Smaller loops with smaller bags, spending 10/15 minutes on a loop is much better than 45/60 minutes with a dodgy trolly.

I agree but the problem of "replenishment time " crops up and you still have to find a way to carry all of these packets.
...and it's still weight ON the shoulder even if it's less weight but longer.

what problem of replemishment? if it's big bags or small bags then they still take the same time and the packets, if they're too big to get into the bags on the trolly then they get delivered from the van.
P&L was put into my office a couple of years ago and after much work it's actually working the way I described.

[fishtank]

what problem of replemishment? if it's big bags or small bags then they still take the same time

No they don't..DGP.
The smaller the bags and loops the more times you need to go back to the van...the more replenishment time you need to build into the duty....RM won't have it...that's why they want the longer loops and the larger trolleys.

and the packets, if they're too big to get into the bags on the trolly then they get delivered from the van.

If you are carrying a bag size AND weight are an issue....only size really is an issue with a trolley as they can handle more weight than you can physically fit into them. Delivering packets from the van is very inefficient...that's why you should try to keep the number to a minimum.

P&L was put into my office a couple of years ago and after much work it's actually working the way I described.

It will work that way but when the bean counters move into your office they will tell you it's too costly.
I'm not convinced that park&loop with a trolley will work in the long run DGP...i think it takes longer than RM imagine but not carrying a bag is a wonderful thing and if we are not careful even that tiny plus point from an otherwise dreadful agreement will be taken away from us.

[DGP1]

what problem of replemishment? if it's big bags or small bags then they still take the same time

No they don't..DGP.
The smaller the bags and loops the more times you need to go back to the van...the more replenishment time you need to build into the duty....RM won't have it...that's why they want the longer loops and the larger trolleys.

and the packets, if they're too big to get into the bags on the trolly then they get delivered from the van.

If you are carrying a bag size AND weight are an issue....only size really is an issue with a trolley as they can handle more weight than you can physically fit into them. Delivering packets from the van is very inefficient...that's why you should try to keep the number to a minimum.

P&L was put into my office a couple of years ago and after much work it's actually working the way I described.

It will work that way but when the bean counters move into your office they will tell you it's too costly.
I'm not convinced that park&loop with a trolley will work in the long run DGP...i think it takes longer than RM imagine but not carrying a bag is a wonderful thing and if we are not careful even that tiny plus point from an otherwise dreadful agreement will be taken away from us.

Bean counters have already been to my office and have cut the P&L duties (as well as several other duties), most of the areas I deliver too are totally unsuitable for a trolly (I have used both the golf cart and the HCT) too many steps/hills/unpaved lanes etc. The replenishment is really a non issue, if the duty is properly planned then both people arrive back around the same time and then move off to the next stop, I know I prefer to finish a loop faster than have one drag on an hour or so.

[Lincox]

Not on P&L yet, but used a two wheel trolley today to get job done as usually on cycle. Last week did it with small bags. Give me the trolley anyday. Nowhere near as knackered as last week. Still prefer the cycle in good conditions but RM will not listen, so when bike goes I will use a trolley and keep eight off the shoulders. In agreement with Fishtank over this. The cumulative effect of hauling a bag round on the shoulders over a number of years needs to be taken into account.

[POSTMAN]

What will be will be,there is now an agreement that both sides have to stick to.Funny as f**k.