Advice on D2Ds

[fishtank]

So in conclusion, I guess it comes down to this: G Bolster should carry out the manager's request, but as soon as G Bolster thinks there is not enough time to do all aspects of the job (and take meal relief entitlement), the manager should be informed so they can decide if they are willing to give G Bolster paid overtime (if its wanted, if not manager can decide what to do with the "excess" mail).

Now that is good advice.
I wasn't really having a go at you it's this inbuilt feeling we delivery posties have that somehow the delivery side of the job is all-important.
The truth is it's not any more important than prepping D2D or bagging up or any of the other things we do...but still guys are scared to say..."I won't be able to complete" and transfer the problem onto something else like D2D.
It's not the D2D that's the problem here it's the entire workload against hours and the best way to resolve that is to give your manager a delivery problem which is more difficult to resource.....

[G Bolster]

What have I started!
Seriously though I think the problem I have is not with the manager but with my co-ft-posties. They want to get out as close to 9 as possible and as we are all dropped out in a van, obviously they have to wait for me. Thats why I come in early, NOT for RM but to help my co-workers. Yes I know it does help RM but..... I also believe by prepping the final stages of my own walk I can make it easier for myself eg. by placing cards or turning letters for packets and arranging my bundles to suit me. Having read all the advice and debate on here I intend to a. talk to my union rep and b. depending on his advice, talk to the manager and also stop going in early!

[mma83]

G Bolster I was like you ( apart from coming in early for nothing ) .

My frame was always unfinished and when i came in i had to finish prepping it , get packets , do redirections , bag up and go .

This took up to an hour a day which shouldnt have happened .

NOW after highlighting it to my manager ( who has been very good about the whole issue ) my frame is fully prepped each and every morning and the d2d's are ready too .

All i do is redirections and bag up and go . Normally post my 1st letter half an hour after i arrive at the DO .

I was also the same, but after trying to talk reasonably to the LINO the only way that made him help me was to cut off nearly everyday.....after 2-3 weeks of 'cutting off' my frame soon went from empty to at least half prepped everyday

Still, as many mention, the crappy 3 month contracts(or week 2 week as I called them due to notice they can give you) you do not have a leg to stand on and unfortunately it is usually only the 'YES MEN/WOMEN' that will get given a regular(ish) walk etc....If you are like me you will more than likely be shafted onto floating/reserve duties and wait 2 hours before you even know your walk and get to finish prepping.
Do not know why they advertise the jobs at 9.00-15.00 for example if they are not willing to help/accommodate/train in a manner that will enable you to finish within or close to your finish time whilst actually having your break.

Been a postie for 4 months and pretty sure after reading on here that our LINO/DOM has been doing us out of 10mins break everyday.......was told 20mins per 6 hour shift,hmmmm think a phone call to HR is due as we have no REPS

[mma83]

What have I started!
Seriously though I think the problem I have is not with the manager but with my co-ft-posties. They want to get out as close to 9 as possible and as we are all dropped out in a van, obviously they have to wait for me. Thats why I come in early, NOT for RM but to help my co-workers. Yes I know it does help RM but..... I also believe by prepping the final stages of my own walk I can make it easier for myself eg. by placing cards or turning letters for packets and arranging my bundles to suit me. Having read all the advice and debate on here I intend to a. talk to my union rep and b. depending on his advice, talk to the manager and also stop going in early!

Do as you said before, come in on time and maybe, just maybe....if you keep the other posties waiting for you whilst you prep/bag up etc then eventually they will get fed up of not finishing at their early time and help prep your frame before you start to enable you to get out the same time(Deep breath, no commas!)

[IloveMYredTROLLEY!]

What have I started!
Seriously though I think the problem I have is not with the manager but with my co-ft-posties. They want to get out as close to 9 as possible and as we are all dropped out in a van, obviously they have to wait for me. Thats why I come in early, NOT for RM but to help my co-workers. Yes I know it does help RM but..... I also believe by prepping the final stages of my own walk I can make it easier for myself eg. by placing cards or turning letters for packets and arranging my bundles to suit me. Having read all the advice and debate on here I intend to a. talk to my union rep and b. depending on his advice, talk to the manager and also stop going in early!

If your co-workers are really worried about being "held up" (albeit 0900 departure from depot sounds very early for me, considering "job and finish" does not exist anymore in theory), they could lend a hand before your contracted start time and once you are in. I do empathesize with this situation, it was very similar to my introduction to the job, albeit the driver was chomping at the bit by 0930, but thankfully I was eventually authorised prep overtime to come in earlier (as I was having to be driven out by another member of staff, almost on a daily basis at one point, beacause there was so much left for me to do upon contract arrival).

[Dorset Plodder]

I Sypathise with your situation GB. Only thing I have to add is don't feel too beholden to your "co-workers", if they gave a monkey's about you they would have prepped the duty properly.
In the Blast of Freezing Arctic Wind that is the reality of working for Royal Fail, it's every man for himself! Unpalatable it may be, and I strongly disagree, but most of your co-workers will not even bat an eyelid when your contract is not renewed, provided they're still OK. Remember RMs motto is "I'm alright Jack f**k You!"
Trolleys got the right idea do the job in your own time and when anyone gobs off say, "Want to give me a hand?"

[POSTMAN]

G Bolster I was like you ( apart from coming in early for nothing ) .

My frame was always unfinished and when i came in i had to finish prepping it , get packets , do redirections , bag up and go .

This took up to an hour a day which shouldnt have happened .

NOW after highlighting it to my manager ( who has been very good about the whole issue ) my frame is fully prepped each and every morning and the d2d's are ready too .

All i do is redirections and bag up and go . Normally post my 1st letter half an hour after i arrive at the DO .

Nice one,bet the van driver was pleased there was no fecking about and you were both ready at the same time.
It's times like these that makes the job worthwhile.

[Boab]

With D2Dustbins being 'live mail'. Is it the responsibility of the full timer who preps a part time walk to prep a 1/6th every day.

Or is this just local agreements?

[POSTMAN]

G Bolster I was like you ( apart from coming in early for nothing ) .

My frame was always unfinished and when i came in i had to finish prepping it , get packets , do redirections , bag up and go .

This took up to an hour a day which shouldnt have happened .

NOW after highlighting it to my manager ( who has been very good about the whole issue ) my frame is fully prepped each and every morning and the d2d's are ready too .

All i do is redirections and bag up and go . Normally post my 1st letter half an hour after i arrive at the DO .

Nice one,bet the van driver was pleased there was no fecking about and you were both ready at the same time.
It's times like these that makes the job worthwhile.

Whoooooooooooosh 747.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

With D2Dustbins being 'live mail'. Is it the responsibility of the full timer who preps a part time walk to prep a 1/6th every day.

Or is this just local agreements?

There is nothing written into any agreement on who is responsible for preping D2Ds.

The important things to remember are:

1. You are paid to work X amount of hours.
2. Any reasonable request within those hours should be followed (whats reasonable though)
3. If you are unable to complete the allotted tasks within the allotted time see the alloted manager and let them sort it out.
4. If you don't want overtime don't do it.
5. If you do want overtime then DO NOT do it off your on back - check with the manager and get an agreed rate or agree the timings you can claim.

If you do work overtime be honest but don't let them knock off time for your breaks - they are paid after all.