Riddle or Cut-Off - Current Union Policy?

[BernardBresslaw]

What with the current workload at this time of year, and the fact that I want to work my time every day, because of outside commitments, I am not able to finish on time during the festive period. Having told my managers of this situation, I am being told to 'riddle' the delivery. Trying to explain that it is pretty much impossible to riddle a delivery that has stamped mail for every house, seems to fall on death ears, and usually I would just leave the mail and take what I am able to finish, but my union rep is agreeing with this riddling approach to delivery, so I am doing as told.

I was just wondering if that is current union policy, as I was always under the impression that DSA was to be considered as 'first class mail', and thus that all items of mail should be treated as equally important?

Any information on this issue, and ideas on how to approach the subject, much appreciated.

[fishtank]

Date: Friday, 5 November, 2010, 17:24

Dear Colleagues,

During the recent ADR briefings the subject of ‘Streaming or Skimming’ of mail was raised by a number of reps and subsequently raised by me at the NDG. Royal Mail’s response was that they were unaware of it and it was only anecdotal, they needed firmer ‘evidence’. Therefore could reps please supply the dept via email with any instances where this has occurred or is occurring, naming the office and the manager of the office and how frequently this has occurred, and how the streaming actually occurs. In some cases the decision of what not to deliver has been left to OPGs which in itself is unacceptable. In other instances it forms part of absorption/lapsing where an OPG is taken off a delivery to allow others to absorb the delivery by only delivering the 1c and leaving everything else in the frame.



Your urgent attention and response to this request would be greatly appreciated.



Please send your replies to bgibson@cwu.org no later than Thursday 11th November 2010.



Thanks


Bob Gibson
CWU Assistant Secretary - Outdoor

Outdoor Postal Dept
CWU HQ
150 The Broadway
Wimbledon
London SW19 1RX
Tel: 0208 971 7276
Fax: 0208 254 8577
CWU Website: http://www.cwu.org/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[BernardBresslaw]

So it is pretty clear-cut that it shouldn't be happening. Many thanks for that.

I'm not trying to rock the boat or anything, as I have no problems finishing usually, so seems unwise to cause ructions for a couple of weeks, I am just looking to cover my back really, hence doing what my rep advises.

We are also being instructed to take the mail out and riddle whilst out on delivery. Thinking about it now, it seems obvious that management realise they shouldn't be doing it and are covering their own backs.

With a revision approaching, it is also something I may need to rely on in the future, so need to plan in advance my tactics.

[mandelsons_toenail]

Whatever you choose to do

Eg cut off or riddle you decide?

As instructed by a manager is a common theme.

Get a witness when manager tells you what to do, if you cut off again get a witness.

Overtime isn't compulsory.



Although I agree in this week before Xmas finding solely dsa mail will be damn near impossible and your call rate will be nearly every house so a cut off is inevitable.

Come in on time, take a break then cut off unless you fancy o/t.

Ball then firmly in managers court.

Good luck

[BernardBresslaw]

It's not up to me to decide what to do. If I decide to riddle and then get hit by a delaying of mail charge, then I wouldn't have a leg to stand on. It is surely clear from the posted email that it shouldn't be happening. Period.

[Dumpys Rusty Nuts]

bernard, if you think you are going over your time, invite your manager over to your frame,point out what your problems are
,then tell him you cannot work over your time,then ask him what he advises you take up to your time,state to to him you will not work over your time as you have a life outside royal fail,do not fall into the trap of take it it out and do your best,the manager is paid to manage, as you leave half your delivery in watch the managers face turn white[enjoy]

[Wild Rover]

So if I "riddle"or "stream" and still can't finish on time (as per my contracted hours) what should I do/say when 1) I'm not prepared to work on 2) confronted by a manager?

[Danelectro]

Regarding DSA being treated as 1st class,This is always and still is the case in my office since DSA was introduced.
Though I have a vague recollection from about 18 months ago that the regulator said it no longer had to be treated as 1st class and there was some new guide lines ie deliver within the week it was booked? possibly I was dreaming?

[fishtank]

Regarding DSA being treated as 1st class,This is always and still is the case in my office since DSA was introduced.
Though I have a vague recollection from about 18 months ago that the regulator said it no longer had to be treated as 1st class and there was some new guide lines ie deliver within the week it was booked? possibly I was dreaming?

It doesn't really matter what the specifications are for any product if you work in a D.O.
With the exception of D2D everything that enters a D.O. is due for delivery that day,anything that isn't delivered is classed as a failure.
The specifications relate to the time RM has to process the product not how long it can sit in a D.O.
If you take 2nd Class for instance since it's normally transported by road it will already have been in the pipeline for 2-3 days when it reaches your D.O. therefore it's already due for delivery.
DSA could have already been sitting somewhere for a week before it gets to your frame.

[BernardBresslaw]

Well I was again instructed to riddle the mail today, and I wasn't alone. Bit difficult to prioritise though when you have stamped mail for every address! In the end had to leave some 2nd class behind as well. I asked the manager how I was supposed to riddle out the mail, and he couldn't care less, so had to make up my own mind as my rep was in a neighboring office this morning.

They made sure that I took everything out with me though, so it is a clear policy. In the past, we have been instructed to cut-off and the work has been covered by someone else on O/T so I guess the DOM is more concerned with hitting the figures required to trigger his bonus than he is with people getting their Christmas cards.

On his head be it.

[mandelsons_toenail]

It's not up to me to decide what to do. If I decide to riddle and then get hit by a delaying of mail charge, then I wouldn't have a leg to stand on. It is surely clear from the posted email that it shouldn't be happening. Period.

That email is dated 2010...

Probably have a chat to the rep so he can nail the Dom and dsm with this one?

[Wild Rover]

So if I "riddle"or "stream" and still can't finish on time (as per my contracted hours) what should I do/say when 1) I'm not prepared to work on 2) confronted by a manager?

Any answers ?

[fishtank]

That email is dated 2010...

It's as relevant now as then...
Streaming is a big no and can land managers in the deep,brown smelly,out of a job stuff.

So if I "riddle"or "stream" and still can't finish on time (as per my contracted hours) what should I do/say when 1) I'm not prepared to work on 2) confronted by a manager?

Any answers ?

See above.
Don't riddle,piddle,stream,skim or f**k about with the mail in any way....just follow the overrunning delivery procedure and cut off.
If you're asked to do it,ask to speak to your rep,tell your rep to get straight onto your area rep/divisional/rep/Bob Gibson.
It isn't a reasonable request because it's a managerial employment suicide note and they know it.

[Wild Rover]

The unit rep knows we are riddling but like the managers, shrugs shoulders. "Just stream". If I say I'm working to my time, they say "i must stream then.."

I have a mountain of 2nd class, DSA, M, 2nd parcels lying all around the frame since Saturday, built up even more today and not going anywhere fast by Xmas eve. Many more in the office are in same position.

[mandelsons_toenail]

That email is dated 2010...

It's as relevant now as then...
Streaming is a big no and can land managers in the deep,brown smelly,out of a job stuff.

So if I "riddle"or "stream" and still can't finish on time (as per my contracted hours) what should I do/say when 1) I'm not prepared to work on 2) confronted by a manager?

Any answers ?

See above.
Don't riddle,piddle,stream,skim or f**k about with the mail in any way....just follow the overrunning delivery procedure and cut off.
If you're asked to do it,ask to speak to your rep,tell your rep to get straight onto your area rep/divisional/rep/Bob Gibson.
It isn't a reasonable request because it's a managerial employment suicide note and they know it.

This is good news which I'll be onto my area rep about in the morning along with bob Gibson