New Contract

[creggan14]

I've been on a 21-hour a week contract for the last 4 years and was lead to believe that after the revision the lowest duty in our unit would be 30 hours. However, i have since learned that i would be staying on a 21-hour contract, despite the fact that there wont be any 21 hour duties (in fact there is nothing in the office that can be done in 4 hours 12 minutes a day!)

This issue has severely affected the morale of myself and the other 'junior' men in the office who will be kept on 21 hour contracts, despite the fact that we have been working 40 hour weeks (at least) and providing essential cover for holiday, sick leave, maternity, loanees etc, only to be paid peanuts when we take a week off on leave.

It sticks in the throat to think that we have been undervalued by Royal Mail and the thanks we get is 'sorry, no improved contract, better luck next time'.

Everyone in our office knows that if the part-time staff (of which our office is made up of about a 1/3) decided to work only their contracted hours, the unit would go into meltdown, i'm sure other medium sized offices are the same - it is a scenario that i personally want to avoid, but it is becoming more and more unavoidable, especially with Christmas approaching.

[Royal_Fail]

Its the same all over country mate we were told the same minimum would be 30 hours after revision,then about 3/4 through resign and people were told no duties left so alot of people like yourself are now stuck on 20-24hr contracts yet are expected to work 30-40 a week

[Dorset Plodder]

Sypathise with you Creggan...and Welcome! I expect the majority of Offices are the same. RM know that people can't survive on their Crappy Contracts ........ and rely on them always wanting Overtime. As you've said you may have been covering 40 hours a week for years but that doesn't mean a thing to Management. With them Loyalty is a one way street.

The only solution to a situation were you're NEVER going to get your contract increased......(and lets face it most people don't mind waiting for say 12 months, but any longer is taking the piss they've had a look at you and know if you're up to the job)...... is to find another Part Time Job. It's getting a bit more difficult with changes to start times, but imagine the relief if you can manage it. Plus your Manager will have to face up his staffing short falls.

We've got a few lads that have managed it and just work their Time. It really annoys the DIM, when he can't "Dangle a Bit of Over Time" every now and then. They simply say, "No Thanks don't need it....I'll be finishing at my time"

If you need to get away in the afternoon perhaps pick up a couple of hours before you start? With some duties not starting until 09.30 is not as hard as you think. Lots of little cleaning jobs out there...you've only got to make up 9 hours and you've 30 hours work. Don't get stressed over it mate, RM is no longer a long term career.... just plan your Exit Strategy...then you can tell them to FO!

[banner18]

Unfortunately, we think as individuals and RM are taking advantage. It's the classic divide and conquer. The only way to defeat it is to each do only your contracted hours then it won't be long before contracts with more hours have to be made which you could then have a chance of getting.


You've got to ask yourself who's game are you gonna play? Yours or theirs? This applies to life in general. If I were doing a 21 hour contract, I can assure you, I would only do 21 hour duty. If you do a bigger duty, you are being played. Others may comply, but they are being played and they are helping to maintain the status quo.

You may say that it would be impossible to survive on 21 hours work. Well I would look at my house, my car, my luxuries etc and ask myself who is in control. If you won't compromise on any of these things then you will have to pay the price.
You are obviously not happy doing what you are doing so you can either accept your lot, or change your tactics.

I'm not just saying all this, it applies to me. I started on a 24hour contract, then went to a 40 hour, soon going down to a 30 hour contract. I sometimes did overtime whilst I was on 27 hours, but was on my terms and I was happy with it. I see people in my office on 30 hours, but doing 40 hour driving duties. They shouldn't complain, they are willing participants.

[comeracing]

ive been on 36 hr contract for the last 3 years. my old dom new how big duty was, he wanted to make it full time but his superior said NO.i work 42 + hrs most weeks,most full timers finis before me,and am no slouch,an utter joke at the moment.

[POSTMAN]

after the revision

Has the revision been done? Hasn't the rep tried to mix things up a bit?

[ballee]

Creggan I am in an office which I imagine is not far from you, we have people on 12 hour contracts. For the past 3 years they have been working 25 hours a week as there is no 12 hour duties in the office. When our manager sent of a change request to have their contracts made permanent at 25 hours he was knocked back. It is when the men go on holiday or try to get a mortgage that the reality of what is happening kicks in.

We have contacted the Area Rep but that was a complete waste of time, his attitude was its tough but thats the business today. I would like to see someone at union headquarters take this on board as it is a national disgrace, it is like something that would arise in a third world country.