No.344 /2012 Packet Sort Solution

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Letter to Branches




No.344 /2012
Ref: 715.06
Date: 9th May 2012

To: All Postal Branches
CWU Divisional Representatives
Area Processing Representatives



Dear Colleague

Packet Sort Solution

It has been brought to the attention of the department that some Mail Centre managers are attempting to deploy a new Packet Sort Solution.

This solution is based on a model that has been developed at South Midlands Mail Centre to help overcome operational difficulties they were experiencing with their packet traffic. We are concerned that the business has now taken the decision to deem this new arrangement as fit for purpose and to deploy it under the banner of ‘Best Practice’ without any formal consultation or agreement nationally with the department.

This action flies in the face of the involvement the Union had in the development of the Simplified Packet Sort Architecture and associated changes to working arrangements in 2010 that were circulated to Branches in LTB 703/10 and is certainly not our interpretation of a ‘new relationship’ as detailed in the BT Agreement.

We fully appreciated the challenges we face and the commitments we have made but it is totally unacceptable for the business to show such disregard for existing agreements the Union has in relation to operational/working arrangements and the IR Framework Agreement.

Equally concerning is the attempt by management to deploy this packet sort solution with a set minimum standard throughput rate for packet sorting, which will no doubt be used as a measure of individual performance.

Branch/Representatives will be mindful of the Union’s current position regarding the use of RRP Data Bank Planning Values and work rates to set duty structures and standards. We can confirm that the Union’s position in regard to this issue remains unchanged.

A letter has been sent to Royal Mail’s Head of Packet Design seeking confirmation that they will engage in meaningful national dialogue with the Union regarding these changes prior to proposing or deploying them at local level.

Until notified otherwise Branches/Representatives should give no agreement to the introduction of any un-agreed Nationally/Regionally driven new Royal Mail packet sorting solution based on un-agreed National/Regional throughputs and should utilise the IR Framework to deal with any unacceptable attempts to introduce this initiative.

Branches/Representatives will be kept advised of subsequent developments and all
enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Terry Pullinger, Assistant Secretary, e-mail: dwyatt@cwu.org quoting reference number 715.06:

Yours sincerely


Terry Pullinger
Assistant Secretary

[Red Robbo]

Why are the CWU always against anything which improves efficiency & productivity ??

[Lincox]

Efficiency and productivity has to be balanced with Health and safety, Job evaluation, job losses. The CWU are not there just to flag through every management initiative, although at times this is what appears to happen.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Why are the CWU always against anything which improves efficiency & productivity ??

did you actually read the LTB. They are not against the method per se - they are against it being implemented without Union involvement which is against the new "ethos" as espoused by Moya, and worse against current agreements.

[nodboy]

So what is the packet sorting rate now for an OPG sorting IPS and how does this differ from before and has this been agreed by the CWU or is it likely to be?