DOM says GSM devices to be fitted into royal mail vans?

[madelin4]

Our DOM told a few of us this morning that very soon all vans will be fitted with a GSM device, it will track how hard van is braked and how fast going and also if the van is stopped for any amount of time where is shudnt be!! Has anyone else heard of this? Next all us walk staff will be getting tags on us as well to say how fast we r walking or how slow whichever the case is!! And they have money to do this??

[pistol]

sounds like a dom fantasy island wind up..wouldn't suprise me in the least though if they tried it.."Da plane boss..Da plane"

[axeman]

perhaps they will have one strapped to the nether regions to see how long they sit down for ?? unproductive arseh**es

[ROCKY]

sorry its true all new vans will come with tracking eqpt on board and the old ones will be retrofitted,as for del staff have you seen the new scanners,do you know how they work?

[POSTMAN]

Collections are already useing their scanner thing,as for all the other s**t,tbh we wouldn't be too bothered at my place.
If you do the job properly then there aint a lot of scope for cuts at my place.
Interesting about the vans tracking the speed,that should add a few more dutys.
RM are playing with fire,they think they're being clever,but big brother and biting the hand that feeds them is already screwing things up for them,carry on RM.

And what's the deal on ones for us walkers,i know it's been mentioned before but whats the sp on it.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

sorry its true all new vans will come with tracking eqpt on board and the old ones will be retrofitted,as for del staff have you seen the new scanners,do you know how they work?

More importantly how far can they be dropped before they stop working - just want to make sure I do not put it too high on my frame

[axeman]

my mate has trackers fitted to the vans at his place they try to get ones not fitted with them (hired) but strangley they now spend more time in the garage than on the road , does this breach your human rights ?? not the ones on the vans but if they do intend to track us whilst working , and my mate is in a slightly different position without going into detail they need to know if they have others in close proximity as back up. so you could argue thats a good move for them but for us is a different mater

[jafferpants]

THAT MITE AS WELL GIVE US POSTIE'S ONE WE f***ing CARRY EVERYTHING ELSE. THE BEST PLACE TO FIT ONE ON THE MANAGER'S WOULD BE A COFFEE CUP. IT NEVER LEAVES THIER HANDS.

[pistol]

They could fit one to the managers gobs retrofitted to measure the flow of bullshite..then pay thier bonuses accordingly..the higher the flow the bigger the bonus..Climb the heveanly ladder to the top..imagine the size of the tracker hanging from leighton's ugly mug?????

[overworked]

I understand that these tracking devices are to be fitted to the vans at our office very soon. Apparently they have a panic button attached to them, much the same as CIT / security companies have already.

[fedup postie]

This information can be found in the RTD agreement Appendix3

Distribution Management System (DMS) and Vehicle Scheduling Systems/Paragon

1. Introduction

Royal Mail and the Communication Workers Union [CWU] recognise the importance of customer satisfaction to the future of the business. Critical to delivery of excellent customer service is the efficient operation of the trunk fleet. This new technology represents a significant investment in the RM LGV/MGV fleet and combined with increased driver flexibility will provide an opportunity to protect existing employment options. Embracing new technologies as they are developed and the ongoing focus on the professionalism of our drivers will allow Royal Mail to offer value for money services. Enabling such a progressive culture is considered key to protecting existing employment and resourcing arrangements and to growing a profitable business in a competitive market.

The Distribution Management System [DMS] is a GPS based vehicle tracking system, enabling the accurate and timely reporting of vehicles movements. Among other benefits the system will support;

 The accurate recording of end to end performance, including when vehicles arrive and depart from a location, supporting improved decision making e.g. flex requests.
 Real time visibility on the Network enabling pre notification of arrivals and collections, to include traffic volumes by product.
 Real time visibility on breakdowns via in cab communications supporting improved security and safety for drivers.
 Improved vehicle / driver utilisation and reduced fleet costs.

Vehicle scheduling software, such as Paragon is designed to improve the efficiency of vehicle scheduling; it is already used in Royal Mail Group and it is jointly agreed that it will now be used to improve the scheduling of the Royal Mail national network.

Used in conjunction, DMS and Paragon will support the professionalism of fleet operations. They will provide accurate information from which opportunities to improve performance can be identified.

2. Introduction of New Technology

Both Royal Mail and the CWU fully recognise that the introduction of this technology is a significant change for many people but also recognise the need to be responsive to the opportunities offered by new technology. Both parties recognise that new technology is being constantly developed in this field and affirm that such systems will be deployed as appropriate in order to maintain leading edge performance and so protect jobs and earnings. To this end the Company will provide the following commitments;



3. CWU Involvement

It is agreed that the full involvement of the CWU at all levels is essential if the above benefits are to be realised. CWU will be involved in all aspects of the initiative, including training, implementation, monitoring and assessment. Representatives will also have the opportunity to receive training on DMS and its functionality. Changes to terms and conditions will be negotiated using the IR Framework.

Both Royal Mail and CWU will embrace future technological developments designed to enhance customer service or improved RM efficiency. It is recognised that this type of visibility will be new to many drivers and as such the use of all such information will be subject to continuing review, consultation and negotiation at national level.

4. Information Usage

A number of the outputs of DMS will support individual performance reviews of drivers (e.g. arrival / departure times, run times etc).

To encourage confidence and eliminate concern regarding the introduction of DMS it is agreed that information gathered will be used to debrief drivers and identify development needs. The information from the DMS system will not be used for disciplinary purposes, except in the rare event that the information is considered to be connected to any serious and/or repeated procedural/ performance failure or negligence in accordance with the
jointly agreed Conduct Code.

Information produced will be personal to the driver and will be private to him/her and line management. Individuals’ privacy will be maintained in line with the rights enshrined in data protection legislation. It is agreed that data pertaining to individuals will not be for public display, although both Royal Mail and the CWU recognise the need to display generic or non-attributable data to facilitate improvement, driver professionalism, performance and service improvement.

5. Training

Royal Mail and the CWU are fully committed to the concept of a highly skilled professional work force, To this end, it is agreed that there will be active consultation with all staff (e.g. through presentations / discussion at WTLL) in addition to a full package of training and support to both representatives and drivers to ensure that the systems and the uses of the systems are fully understood.

6. DMS Outputs

The key benefit of DMS is improvements in run times and vehicle utilisation. As such the information provided by DMS will be used in full consultation with CWU representatives to review and where necessary revise routes with a view to improving customer service and minimising costs. For new routes, where no relevant data exists, times will be based on the schedule in the attached Annex. These initial times will then be updated by actual performance data.


7. Health & Safety

Health and Safety is of paramount importance to both Royal Mail and the CWU. All matters relating to the health and safety of drivers will be discussed jointly at local and if necessary national levels. Specifically the following elements have been jointly agreed:

a. Panic Button

The panic button is there for safety of all drivers and is located on the dashboard:

• Drivers should only push the button if they feel that their personal safety is being threatened e.g. hijack or sudden serious medical distress.
• A message is then sent to the traffic office and shift manager’s mobile phone.
• They will then wait for 2 minutes to give the driver time to call in using the in cab phone if the button was accidentally pressed.
• If the driver does not call in the police will be called and given the location and vehicle details.
• If the driver does call in, their progress until they return to the depot will still be monitored to ensure their safety.

The panic button must ONLY be used when a driver’s personal safety is being threatened.

b. In-Cab Telephones

• The in-cab phone is installed in the cab on the dashboard:
• Drivers will be able to call pre-programmed numbers, e.g. their depot, breakdown, 999.
• These are for use by exception in giving information (e.g. long traffic delays) primarily to the traffic office. The traffic office will then be able to inform whoever is necessary e.g. customer, Mail Centre, RDC about the current situation.
• The traffic office may on occasion call drivers with information relevant to their duty. If the vehicle is travelling at over 5mph at the time the driver will receive a message to call voice mail, and must then pick up the message when it is safe to do so.
• The phone is hands-free. However, drivers will only be able to dial out or answer on the mobile phone when they are travelling at under 5 mph or stopped as per Royal Mail’s policy on mobile phone use. If a driver is on a call and the vehicle goes over the 5 mph limit, the phone will disconnect.
• Drivers must observe existing road legislation when taking calls. For example it is not permitted to pull onto the hard shoulder of motorways to make a call unless it is an emergency.

8. Review

During the deployment and up to full implementation, every attempt should be made to agree changes at local level, in line with the lR Framework. Any issue which cannot be resolved at local / regional / Divisional level will be referred as a matter of urgency to Royal Mail and CWU HQ.


9. Paragon

Royal Mail is facing a period of unprecedented change in the face of strong competition and the full liberalisation of the UK mails market; traffic volumes are already dropping, a change that can be seen first hand in the network.

To retain business Royal Mail must make sure that costs are minimised whilst ensuring that the service provided to our customers continues to improve and meet their ever challenging demands.

Royal Mail and the CWU jointly acknowledge that the distribution network must closely align staff and vehicles to workload commitments in order to design the operation so as to maximise efficiency, maintain Q of S and respond to employee aspirations with equal status in line with the objectives of existing agreements.

Paragon is a software application designed to improve the efficiency of vehicle scheduling; it is already used in Royal Mail Group and it is jointly agreed that it will now be used to improve the scheduling of large vehicles within Royal Mail Network.

Paragon is considered to be a revision aid and not a total solution. Against that backdrop it is agreed that it will be used to assist unit duty revisions as necessary in conjunction with local knowledge and expertise, across the Network function; in order that the Network is able to react to changing requirements in all its units, Paragon will be used on an ongoing basis to align resource to workload.

The application of Paragon and the input parameters for the operational data (Time allowances. Running Speeds, meal breaks, etc) presented to the Paragon software, will be in accordance with this agreement.

Royal Mail will give CWU full access to and training on the Paragon software and its application nationally. Further local/area training requirements needed to evaluate Paragon outputs will be jointly devised and rolled out prior to the commencement of revision activity.

Any changes to resourcing arrangements as a result of Paragon duty revisions will be carried out in full accordance with current National Agreements.

[Stormproof]

a. Panic Button

The panic button is there for safety of all drivers and is located on the dashboard:

• Drivers should only push the button if they feel that their personal safety is being threatened e.g. hijack or sudden serious medical distress.
• A message is then sent to the traffic office and shift manager’s mobile phone.
• They will then wait for 2 minutes to give the driver time to call in using the in cab phone if the button was accidentally pressed.
• If the driver does not call in the police will be called and given the location and vehicle details.
• If the driver does call in, their progress until they return to the depot will still be monitored to ensure their safety.

The panic button must ONLY be used when a driver’s personal safety is being threatened.

Can't see that working when no one ever takes notice of the panic button/bandit alarm in my office

[DGP1]

The panic button must ONLY be used when a driver’s personal safety is being threatened.

I suppose it'll be a just a loud message saying 'this vehicle is being attacked please ignore'

[pistol]

The panic button must ONLY be used when a driver’s personal safety is being threatened.

I suppose it'll be a just a loud message saying 'this vehicle is being attacked please ignore'

or how about..WARNING!! this vehicle is under attack!! FREE GIRO's for the first 50 people...

[Stormproof]

The panic button must ONLY be used when a driver’s personal safety is being threatened.

I suppose it'll be a just a loud message saying 'this vehicle is being attacked please ignore'

or how about..WARNING!! this vehicle is under attack!! FREE GIRO's for the first 50 people...

We don't do giros at the mo, hopefully never will do again, let TNT get all the grief for a change