DEPARTMENT OF WORK & PENSIONS (DWP) - MAIL OPENING & SCANNIN

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Letter to Branches




No. 506/2013
Ref: 045
Date: 19th July 2013


To All: Postal Branches
Area Processing Representatives
Area Distribution Representatives
Divisional Representatives




Dear Colleague

DEPARTMENT OF WORK & PENSIONS (DWP) - MAIL OPENING & SCANNING

The department was informed by the business late afternoon on the 18th July 2013 (yesterday) that the above mentioned contract had been lost. At no stage prior to that had the department been informed that the contract was coming to an end or that the business was involved in a tender/re-negotiation process.

Royal Mail informed us that they intended to announce the loss of the contract to the DWP duty holders’ who perform this work on Friday the 19th July 2013 (today).

Royal Mail have advised us that there are 240 CWU Grades working on DWP mail and have assured us that everyone will have the option of remaining in Royal Mail on other work, equally they have stated that they will be considering the TUPE situation should anyone wish to follow the work and the potential for voluntary redundancy.

Royal Mail has promised to supply the department with a breakdown of the locations and numbers at each site, however at the time of drafting this LTB this information is still to be received. Once we have this information we will be able to establish a communications network with the IR Reps and Branches affected to ensure that everyone is represented consistently.

At this stage we have not been given any reason as to why Royal Mail have lost the contract but we do know that it is certainly not because of poor service, in fact Royal Mail have acknowledge to us that the work performed by our members has been done so to the highest standard.

We know that this disappointing news will be a shock to the members involved on DWP work as it is to this department, but we can assure everyone that the Union will be making the strongest possible representation to ensure that our members are fully protected and have genuine options in regard to their future within the business. Equally we will be insisting on a full enquiry with Royal Mail in respect of the lack of CWU strategic involvement and why/how the contract has been lost.

As we unravel these issues and secure the assurances we seek we will endeavour to ensure that all information flows as quickly as possible to all CWU members and activists involved.

Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Terry Pullinger, Assistant Secretary, email: dwyatt@cwu.org or lwright@cwu.org quoting reference number: 045


Yours sincerely





Terry Pullinger
Assistant Secretary

[db]

I put a thread up about this this morning! I was told about it at 11pm last night and had to relay this to our members! It has been on the cards for a few years so there weren't that shocked by it!

[pinstripe]

Does anyone know if it is only the DWP MOU that are affected? We have a contract with the CSA as well.

[moyaspawn]

I work in one of the dwp mail opening units, has anyone any info regarding the actual time scale of closure.

[db]

I work in one of the dwp mail opening units, has anyone any info regarding the actual time scale of closure.

Ours is behind in at the end of September and will shut completely by 31 December 2013! Happy new year!!?!