LTB 126/12 Royal Mail Work Experience Programme

[Geezer]

LTB 126/12 Royal Mail Work Experience Programme

TO: ALL BRANCHES WITH POSTAL MEMBERS


Dear Colleague


ROYAL MAIL WORK EXPERIENCE PROGRAMME


In the last week or so there has been considerable media interest about concerns over the exploitation of unemployed people through government Workfare initiatives.

Understandably, this has sparked renewed interest in the Royal Mail Work Experience Programme that was initially reported to Branches in early January.


Unfortunately, there has also been misinformation circulating on internet websites about the Union’s position relating to Workfare and the Royal Mail Work Experience Programme.


At a meeting yesterday the Postal Executive had the opportunity for a detailed discussion on all these issues. The purpose of this LTB is to provide complete clarity on the Union’s position relating to Workfare and update you on the Royal Mail Work Experience Programme.


Firstly, the CWU does not and will not support any form of Workfare. We will oppose by all means necessary any attempt to force unemployed people into extended periods of unpaid work under threat of losing their benefits.
Secondly, the Royal Mail Work Experience Programme is not ‘Workfare’ and the position developed by the Union is not in contradiction of TUC Policy. It is a completely voluntary 4 week scheme involving around 80 volunteers. It was on the basis that Royal Mail confirmed, back in early December, the voluntary nature of the scheme, the Union engaged in discussions with the company.


Through engaging the employer the Union was able to build in major safeguards that will not only ensure the scheme is voluntary in practice, but also provides mentoring and real support for volunteers. Crucially, the CWU has also obtained strong commitments that will guarantee permanent jobs arising from the 4 week voluntary placements, as vacancies arise.


The current situation is that the scheme is not now due to commence until March 2012.


In light of the recent publicity, the Union has taken the opportunity to engage in further discussions with the company. Royal Mail is aware that before CWU confirms our continuing support for the voluntary scheme, it is now our intention to secure an unequivocal Joint Statement that confirms the assurances already achieved and covers other beneficial aspects. As part of these ongoing discussions we will explore further the issue of remuneration. However, there are a number of complexities relating to overall benefit regulations that we are told may disadvantage some individuals on limited 4 week placements.

The outcome of these further discussions with the company will be communicated in due course.


Any enquires on the above LTB should be addressed to the DGS (P) Department.


Yours sincerely




Dave Ward
Deputy General Secretary (P)

[fishtank]

Dave's getting arsey isn't he?
You f****d up...hold your hands up and move on.
If it's all that why is it unpaid?
What's it's reason for being?
Royal Mail has just given 18,000 people 4 weeks "work experience".
At least they got paid....sometimes.
Pathetic "toys out the pram" LTB.

[POSTMAN]

Crucially, the CWU has also obtained strong commitments that will guarantee permanent jobs arising from the 4 week voluntary placements, as vacancies arise.

Unfortunately, there has also been misinformation circulating on internet...

Yeah like the above (guarantee permanent jobs) quote wasn't in the original LTB and neither is it on the myroyalmail website news item on it...

https://www.myroyalmail.com/mrm/appnews ... aspx?i=460" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Can we have a back tracking smile teebs for both HQ's?


PS:I blame Twitter,Facebook and that anti workfare website.

[fishtank]

How can they guarantee permanent jobs?
They can't even guarantee permanent jobs for the shitload of fixed term contracts we have.
Will they bypass them just to save face?
And how can Royal Mail confirm, back in early December, the voluntary nature of the scheme when Royal Mail don't decide whether it's voluntary...the DWP do...and even Tesco couldn't get a cast iron guarantee from them that it was voluntary.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Can we have a back tracking smile teebs for both HQ's?

[fishtank]

There are five government programmes which can be described as workfare, and all have a compulsory element to them:

The work experience programme
Citizens Advice describes the work experience programme as a “compulsory program”, saying:
If you are claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance, you must take part … if you are advised to do so by a personal adviser. Your benefit may be affected if you refuse to do so or leave a scheme before completing it.

Mandatory work activity scheme
The clue’s in the name, and Citizens Advice clarify:
If you are required to take part in the scheme, but you don’t without a very good reason, you will be sanctioned.

The work programme
Citizens Advice detail the groups who have to take part in the work programme; although further groups can volunteer, it is compulsory if:
• You are aged 18-24 and have claimed jobseeker’s allowance for nine months;
• You are aged 25 or over and have claimed jobseeker’s allowance for 12 months;
• You are seriously disadvantaged in the labour market, for example because a disability has made it hard to find work. When you qualify and whether you can choose to take part will depend on which area you live in and what your circumstances are;
• You have recently claimed incapacity benefit, after claiming jobseeker’s allowance for three months;
• You are claiming income-related employment and support allowance, are in the work-related activity group, and are expected to be fit for work within three months.

Sector based work academies
Directgov explains:
Taking part in sector-based work academies is entirely voluntary, but once you accept a place you must complete the process. Your benefits may be affected if you do not complete the process. Taking part in sector-based work academies can last up to six weeks.

Community action programmes
The DWP’s guidance booklet states (pdf):
Mandation is there to use as a tool to ensure that claimants do what is required of them… Claimants who are mandated to undertake activity may incur a loss or reduction of benefit should they fail to comply without good reason.

[POSTMAN]

The plot thickens,cheers Fish.....and teebs.

[dvbuk55]

Thankfully they have got assurances, guarantees and commitment from RM on this issue.................................. well that's certainly bound to reassure those of us who doubted the wisdom of the CWU in being a partner to this scam................I mean scheme

[Cut Off King]

If there is enough work for 80 post, why not employ them properly?

There was me thinking that mail volumes were declining, and that we need less staff, or so I was told

[DGP1]

Unfortunately, there has also been misinformation circulating on internet websites about the Union’s position relating to Workfare and the Royal Mail Work Experience Programme.

Was this us, I love it when they get really upset and blame us for f***ing up

[Cut Off King]

CWU in being a partner to this scam................I mean scheme

Not another freuddian slip........

[dvbuk55]

CWU in being a partner to this scam................I mean scheme

Not another freuddian slip........

Indeed it was

[randompostman]

Crucially, the CWU has also obtained strong commitments that will guarantee permanent jobs arising from the 4 week voluntary placements, as vacancies arise.

Unfortunately, there has also been misinformation circulating on internet...

Yeah like the above (guarantee permanent jobs) quote wasn't in the original LTB and neither is it on the myroyalmail website news item on it...

https://www.myroyalmail.com/mrm/appnews ... aspx?i=460" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Can we have a back tracking smile teebs for both HQ's?


PS:I blame Twitter,Facebook and that anti workfare website.

Hi mate can you pm me the first LTB on the RM work experiance scheme or pass it on to TBT? I know your busy and all that but I cant use the CWU HQ site at the mo lol.

[dvbuk55]

Glad of the new interest because it gives us a chance to see if anyone was actually employed on the workfare scheme or if it died the death quietly. Did anyone end up with a a permanent job as it arose?

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Spotted - I'll send you the 3 LTBs that I have on Work Experience.

It'll be in ODT (Open Office) format.