ADVICE FOR NEW POSTIES

[Barbel]

Hi,
Am a new Postie and have so far done 4 rounds.
Not sure if this is a stupid question but on the bundles you obviously take off the one elastic band going length ways but do you experienced Posties take off the other one as well or leave it on?

Depends on different factors for me but I use 3 - 1 lengthwise and 2 crossing. -

But I never keep a band on unless its windy, or the bundle has a lot of small packets in it. However compared to others my bundles are quite small but that's so I can keep a grip of them with my cradling hand.

The same as me, 2 crossing and one lengthwise. I also keep one band around when I have them in my hand.

[GT85]

I have been using 1 across and 1 length ways when tying up then upon delivery I slip one off (ohh err) and pull the remaining one across so that it goes across the bottom rh corner of the bundle diagonally.This seems to hold the bundle together enough to stop it falling apart but allows enough slack to easily remove the letters.Then if I have to rummage around in the pouch for a packet or pda I can slip the band back up to hold it all together while I faff about.

[Barbel]

Another tip, make sure you keep a packet of Immodium with you at all times.

[perryperry86]

I've just been offered a job at Manchester south east for postman/driving 6 month contract 32.30 hours per week 8.20am till 3.48pm 6 days a week. I've added the times up with my contract hours but they don't match!!!! or is this a estimated start and finish time??? help with clearing this up would be greatly appreciated.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

I've just been offered a job at Manchester south east for postman/driving 6 month contract 32.30 hours per week 8.20am till 3.48pm 6 days a week. I've added the times up with my contract hours but they don't match!!!! or is this a estimated start and finish time??? help with clearing this up would be greatly appreciated.

usual pattern in Royal Mail (although not exclusively) is 5 days over 6 but even that doesn't work out - I think you'll be on longs and shorts over 5 days.

[perryperry86]

I've just been offered a job at Manchester south east for postman/driving 6 month contract 32.30 hours per week 8.20am till 3.48pm 6 days a week. I've added the times up with my contract hours but they don't match!!!! or is this a estimated start and finish time??? help with clearing this up would be greatly appreciated.

usual pattern in Royal Mail (although not exclusively) is 5 days over 6 but even that doesn't work out - I think you'll be on longs and shorts over 5 days.

ok thank you

[cweg]

Is there a rotational day off agreement in place for reserves? I've had 3 Tuesdays off in the past 5 weeks and feel a bit cheated that other people in the office get their long weekend every few weeks. I haven't had a Saturday off in months.

[heapsy]

Is there a rotational day off agreement in place for reserves? I've had 3 Tuesdays off in the past 5 weeks and feel a bit cheated that other people in the office get their long weekend every few weeks. I haven't had a Saturday off in months.

As far as I know there isn't an actual agreement on this. I think in our office they try to give you the usual 1 in 6 but it may not always work out. People have been asked to bring this to the attention of the management where people feel they are being cheated out of them. I know how you feel. Many years back I was a full time leave reserve. I usually followed the night men who did 1 in 4 weeks on nights. I picked up whatever days off they had. In fact we only had a few duties that were 5 day duties. Most were still on 6 days. We were ahead of our time on the introduction of 5 day duties, having 15 walks with 3 rotation duties for cover. ask your line manager. If no joy then get hold of the union rep and ask them to bring it up.

[clashcityrocker]

The BT 2010 agreement specifically mentions reserves getting the same number of Saturdays off as the rest of the office.
If your office is 1 in 6 you are entitled to 1 in 6 as well, even if the days off are not part of a rotation.

[fishtank]

The BT 2010 agreement specifically mentions reserves getting the same number of Saturdays off as the rest of the office.
If your office is 1 in 6 you are entitled to 1 in 6 as well, even if the days off are not part of a rotation.

The BT 2010 agreement specifically mentions a commitment to achieving at least 1 in 4 Saturdays off for the majority of employees (including reserves).
If it meant "all" it should have said "all", If it meant "for those that want them" it should have said that too.
As it stands with the addition of the word majority and no other clarification it's a pretty meaningless statement as has been shown to be the case through experience..

[clashcityrocker]

I don't think it is meaningless.
The spirit of the agreement appears (to me) to be that the reserves can no longer be shafted with every Tuesday off.
Some people don't want or need Saturday off, preferring a day (or two) in the week to cover childcare or other out of work pursuits.
They don't have to have 1 in 6, or 1 in 4 Saturdays off.
But where it is wanted, it should be offered. And given that the reserves are usually the least senior and therefore probably part-time, it is a bit iffy (and that is a proper legal term) for them to be treated in a less favourable way.

[fishtank]

The spirit of the agreement...

How do we know what the spirit of the agreement is?
It may have been mean spirited.

1 in 4 Saturdays off for the majority of employees (including reserves) may mean exactly those words.... 1 in 4 saturdays off for the majority of duty holders and the majority of reserves...but not all of either group....fair and not shafting (and that is a proper legal term) reserves,full or part-time but still a shite position for a rep to argue over.

[clashcityrocker]

The spirit of the agreement...

How do we know what the spirit of the agreement is?
It may have been mean spirited.

The agreement was all about industrial harmony, working together to deliver a successful company with well remunerated, happy staff able to strike a perfect balance between work and home.

[GT85]

Is Throwing off a frame the same as Prepping a frame and is Lapsing the same as Absorption ?

[clashcityrocker]

Is Throwing off a frame the same as Prepping a frame and is Lapsing the same as Absorption ?

Yes and yes.