Joint Statement between Royal Mail and the CWU on the RTA Procedure and Driver Training InitiativesTo:
Postal Branches
Divisional Representatives
Regional Organisers
Area Distribution Representatives
Area Delivery Representatives
LGV Representatives
RDC Representatives
Dear Colleague
Road Traffic Accident Procedure (RTA)
Further to LTB 476/12 and the attached Joint Statement of Intent a number of agreements have been reached on all outstanding issues. One of those issues was in regard to the BT2010 Agreement and the commitments given by both parties to review the current Road Traffic Accident Procedure (RTA) and to support a Zero Accident Programme (ZAP) aimed to reduce driver’s occupational road risk.
Against that backdrop, the recent National Network Dispute provided the opportunity to move the debate on RTA and ZAP forward and we are pleased to attach for your information a copy of the National RTA Agreement and associated annexes that have been agreed with the business. The content of the agreement is self – explanatory but we have summarised the salient points below;
A commitment that a mechanistic use of the conduct code is not appropriate as a means of managing road traffic accidents
Removal from driving duties must only be undertaken on the basis that it is preventative in relation to issues of capability
Clear guidance on the use of Precautionary removal from driving following an accident
The ability for the driver to request temporary reassignment following an accident
The introduction of a review/appeal against blameworthy decisions on procedural grounds
The right to Union representation at all formal stages of the process including Fact Finding
The obligation on the business to provide and agree a tailored training/support programme with the driver following an accident
The establishment of pay protection criteria for drivers who are redeployed onto non driving duties as part of the process and in particular the adoption of the PDA criteria for the phased reduction in pay for Professional Drivers redeployed to OPG
The achievement of an agreed mechanism for a return to driving duties following redeployment where driving performance has been restored
It should be recognised that this agreement has been achieved via the combined efforts of the Outdoor and Logistics departments and it covers all drivers in Royal Mail.
Branches and representatives are requested to ensure that the content of this LTB and the attached National Agreement are given the widest publicity and brought to the immediate attention of all CWU members employed on driving duties. Further information on the deployment and activity associated with this will be circulated in due course.
Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to:
Network & Area Distribution: Terry Pullinger, Assistant Secretary, e-mail: dwyatt@cwu.org or lwright@cwu.org quoting reference number: 202.11
Deliveries & Collections: Bob Gibson’s Office, quoting reference 300.02
Email address: hnutley@cwu.org
Yours sincerely
Bob Gibson Terry Pullinger
Assistant Secretary Assistant Secretary
Following recent intensive and positive discussions Royal Mail and CWU have reached agreement on a new Road Traffic Accident (RTA) Procedure to be deployed on 1st August 2012.
We are both committed, as a priority, to ensuring the safety of our drivers and other road users and to making significant improvements in our road safety performance; through a fresh approach to dealing with the consequences of traffic accidents. The guiding principles behind these joint activities are to improve driving standards and to support drivers firstly in avoiding accidents and, if they have one, during the ensuing investigation.
The revised RTA procedure will provide the opportunity, the tools and the process to identify and address any lessons that can be learnt by drivers following a traffic accident; in this way we will be able to highlight the means to identify and address any skills issues. The procedure complements a range of existing driving related initiatives being deployed to support our drivers, which have been subject to positive discussions to date. As such Royal Mail commit to, within the next few days, update and provide full information on all current activity, to include (non exhaustive list):
Zero Accident Programme (including Driver Primary Training)
Safe Driving Code of Practice
Driver Risk Assessment
Road Traffic Accident Toolkit
A joint summary of all this current activity will then be produced.
Following on from this a joint working group will be set up to ensure regular information share and input is received on the Royal Mail Zero Accident Programme.
It is recognised that some initiatives are not currently deployed in the Network part of Royal Mail and the working party will discuss an appropriate deployment plan for Professional Drivers. This will be shared with Managerial and CWU National Leads.
Jo Ferguson Terry Pullinger
Head of Driver Capability Assistant Secretary
Royal Mail Logistics CWU
Peter Walls Bob Gibson
Director Employee and Industrial Relations Assistant Secretary
Royal Mail Operations & Modernisation CWU
July 2012
It should be recognised that this agreement has been achieved via the combined efforts of the Outdoor and Logistics departments and it covers all drivers in Royal Mail.