Network 11 Update - LTB 666/11

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Letter to Branches




No: 666/11
Ref: 233
Date: 27th July 2011

To All Postal Branches with Network Members
To All Divisional Representatives
To All Area Distribution Representatives
To All LGV Representatives





Dear Colleague

Network 11 Update

Further to LTB 633/11 it has been brought to the attention of the department that management are attempting to introduce an un-agreed National policy in to the local discussions and are stating that road services with ‘empty leg’ runs of over 3 hours duration will not be included in the revision process.

I have today written to Tony Fox, Director Logistics, in regard to this issue and have attached a copy of that letter for your information.

This is of course a very serious situation and representatives should make it a priority to ensure that our members are made aware of this issue.

In line with the letter to Tony Fox and while this issue is dealt with Nationally, it is stressed that local discussions should continue with the aim of having revised duty sets in place for the 8th August 2011.

Any issues of disagreement arising should be dealt with in line with the IR Framework.

Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Terry Pullinger, Assistant Secretary, email dwyatt@cwu.org, quoting reference 233.

Yours sincerely




Terry Pullinger
Assistant Secretary






Dear Tony

NETWORK 11

I am writing to you as I am seriously concerned that your managerial team is deliberately trying to undermine Network 11 by pushing un-agreed policy into an already testing timetable.

Our respective teams in the NWG have spent considerable time together setting the scene for our Network 11 revisions. The whole thrust has been one of strengthening relationships, encouraging agreements at local level, and working together to assist in developing resolutions either from an area or local perspective when required. However, rather than offering that pragmatic support and guidance from a National level your team, led by Phil Murphy, are allegedly placing policy constraints on local managers which are frustrating progress.

My department is receiving calls and emails from all areas consistently stating that Phil has directed local managers to remove from the Paragon outputs and put out to tender any road services with empty leg runs of over a 3 hour duration.

This policy breaks the PDA Agreement in its commitments to job security, inventive and reasonable duty patterns, earnings and the prioritisation of the use of RM Network drivers.

This policy also breaks the BT Agreement in its spirit and intent and more specifically in regard to the approach to be taken in relation to the ‘Progressive Agenda’ as contained in the Network section of that agreement.

Against that backdrop I consider the alleged National policy as totally unacceptable, a serious breech of our trust and a deliberate attempt to undermine Network 11 and the opportunity for our members to accept duty revisions which reflect the full spirit and intent of the agreements we have made and they have voted on.

Time does not allow us to dither on this issue and I have to be absolutely clear that we will resist with all means at our disposal any attempts to outsource our member’s work or pursue polices that deliberately undermine the ability of our Network drivers to achieve the benefits detailed in the BT Agreement.

It is a natural consequence of our work across all functions that ‘empty leg’ as it were exists. Collectors go out empty and come back full, delivery staff go out full and come back empty and of course like any haulage operation our Network operation experiences the same. The CWU have long argued that new products and services should be considered to fill empty legs and expand the reach of our Network, yet despite the business committing to designing new products and services all we experience is the relentless drive to slash costs and jobs. Why do the business not consider making the filling of empty legs and protecting jobs in Network a WCM project, that way plenty of funding would be available and money would be of no object.
The CWU NWG members, led by Davie Robertson, will be seeking an urgent meeting with Phil Murphy and his team to discuss progress and unlock any potential problems. I would be grateful therefore if you would confirm to me as a matter of urgency that this un-agreed policy will be removed and local managers will be freed up to agree mutual interest local solutions consistent with our agreements.

I regret the need for a letter of this tone but I am bitterly disappointed that having discussed the progressive agenda at our strategic meeting I then receive reports of your team pursuing aspects of it outside of our agreed approach and trying to slip it into Network 11. Unfortunately as your managers are saying this is a National steer coming from Phil Murphy I am once again forced to share this correspondence with the field. Equally, you should know that my advice to the NWG and the field is to continue talks whist we resolve this issue Nationally so as to ensure that valuable time is not lost.

I thank you for your time and look forward to your urgent reply.

Yours sincerely


TERRY PULLINGER
ASSISTANT SECRETARY

[AnotherLimey]

Period of trust? we all knew they would not change

[heathrow86]

I think they are already lining up Eddie Stobart for the "dead leg" runs. In my office we have a run to Norwich empty which is over a 3.5 hour drive, back to NDC, then back home empty!!!!! Who thought of that??

[fishtank]

Why do the business not consider making the filling of empty legs and protecting jobs in Network a WCM project, that way plenty of funding would be available and money would be of no object.

A little dig at the infinite budget WCM seems to have Terry?
Funny though..

[Big Daz]

I think they are already lining up Eddie Stobart for the "dead leg" runs. In my office we have a run to Norwich empty which is over a 3.5 hour drive, back to NDC, then back home empty!!!!! Who thought of that??

Exactly what work other driving a RML OMV is the duty holder performing?

[DAF85]

I think they are already lining up Eddie Stobart for the "dead leg" runs. In my office we have a run to Norwich empty which is over a 3.5 hour drive, back to NDC, then back home empty!!!!! Who thought of that??

Exactly what work other driving a RML OMV is the duty holder performing?

Let's hope Terry etc will discuss the real problem - Why do we have 3 hour long empty legs in the first place ? Why are we running all round the country with empty trailers on such long empty legs?

from the quote by Heathrow86 - why does that collection/duty not run from Norwich - or Peterborough or Northern Home or PRDC or even NDC for that matter. Wouldn't that cut down on the empty leg time straight away ?

[forestbodd]

lets have it right 400 hundred pound and a 2 per cent pay rise what about the share money first and the pensoin.we all seem to forget and go to the next mess.local union reps walking around thinking the managers are in love with them wake up boys your making there bounes fatter.400 hudred pound is one months overtime more weekend work while they sit at home on there fat arses

[Mister T]

Been hearing for some time that when privatised Eddie Stobart would take over the Network fleet, you always get an empty leg when probably the earlier trailer has picked up everything, consequently leaving an empty trailer to bring back. Better nip to Halfords and get my cleaning kit.