Professional Driver Communication/WTLL

[fishtank]

LTB 599/11 - Professional Driver Communication/WTLL

No: 599/11
Ref: 202
Date: 7th July 2011
All Postal Branches With Network Members
All Divisional Representatives
All Regional Organisers
All Area Distribution Representatives
All LGV Representatives
Dear Colleague

Professional Driver Communication / WTLL
The business has informed us that it is changing the manner in which they communicate with Professional Drivers within Network. Their rationale for this change is, quote:
'WTLL sessions are the standard communication method to reach frontline colleagues within Royal Mail but, increasingly, we have found that these types of sessions are ineffective for professional drivers as a method of communication'.
The business claims that it has discussed this problem with managers and drivers and is now piloting a new form of communication. The methodology of this new form of communication is, quote:
'A monthly newsletter to be handed to each driver to contain operational updates, technical tips & bulletins, key issues discussion, recognition of brand success, reportage from topical events, best practice; hints & tips from professional drivers on operational matters.

An audio channel in the form of a CD delivered every two months'.
Attached to this LTB is a self explanatory response from the department and at the time of drafting this LTB we are awaiting a response. However, because of enquires made to the department we have decided to clarify where we are in regard to this issue.
The business claims that it has had positive feedback on this initiative so I would very much welcome your reports/views and comments in this regard.
Clearly driver safety and the ability to take in and consider such information is key to this debate and our position is that time should still be set aside for this purpose.
To be absolutely clear there is no agreement to remove WTLL/communication time from our duties and we shall be strongly advocating equality for our Professional Drivers in this regard.
Against that backdrop the department's advice to representatives is that until such time that they are advised otherwise by the department the time allowed for this activity should continue to be factored in to any new duty configuration, i.e. Network 11 etc.
Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Terry Pullinger, Assistant Secretary, email dwyatt@cwu.org, quoting reference 202.
Yours sincerely
Terry Pullinger
Assistant Secretary

[fishtank]

Our Ref: TP/211/11/dw

Date: 4th July 2011

Helen Diksa
HR Director, Logistics
Royal Mail
National Distribution Centre,
Danes Way, Dirft East Crick,
NORTHAMPTON
NN6 7DD


Dear Helen

PROFESSIONAL DRIVER COMMUNICATION

Further to your recent correspondence regarding the above I am writing to raise my concerns with regard to your initiative of ensuring improved communication with Professional Drivers.

I will say from the outset that we fully recognise that the world of communication is an ever evolving one and that it is natural that the business should review such matters. Equally, I recognise that there may be some truth in the nature of driving duties making it difficult to gather drivers together in groups for the purpose of listening and learning. However I do not believe that these problems are insurmountable and I feel your new approach isolates people in their ideas, experiences and concerns as opposed to the forums which allowed such matters to be discussed with fellow drivers. I am very concerned that the value of that interaction with one’s colleagues is being lost through this new approach.

It also strikes me that the fact that you are defeated by the problems of getting drivers together for WTLL seems to fly in the face of the business’ almost blind loyalty to the WCM concept, where releasing people from duty to contribute never seems a problem. I assume therefore that WCM will not be relevant in Network because of the problems associated with allowing Professional Drivers to get involved, perhaps you will be kind enough to clarify this point.

In respect of communications of this nature with drivers the WTLL initiative was part of a range of issues associated with a jointly agreed approach to a training partnership, a National terms of reference and the ‘Way Forward Agreement’ refers. So it is disappointing that on this occasion the business has decided to develop a new approach without involving the CWU and I feel that not involving the CWU, apart from breaking the above mentioned agreements, also flies in the face of the BT Agreement and its fine words about involving the CWU. So I believe legitimately that this is a subject proper to negotiation despite the advanced nature of this change.

Regardless of the manner of the communication our agreements make it clear that the absorption of information and the opportunity for considered input should be away from distractions, in time, away from the job and built into duties. So I am assuming that this aspect does not change and the flow of information will be tailored accordingly, again I would be grateful if you could clarify your proposal in this regard.

In closing and as you will be aware the term ‘Professional Driver’ covers drivers in both Network and Area Distribution, given the change in the managerial structure covering theses two functions I would further be grateful if you could clarify the scope of this proposal so that I may report appropriately with CWU representatives.

I thank you for your time and look forward to your views and comments regarding the above.

Yours sincerely


TERRY PULLINGER
ASSISTANT SECRETARY