133/2014 National Network Revision - Programme Of Works

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Letter to Branches




No. 133/2014
Ref: 233.10
Date: 26th February 2014

FOR THE IMMEDIATE ATTENTION OF ALL:

Postal Branches With Network Members
Divisional Representatives
Regional Organisers
Area Distribution Representatives
LGV Representatives


Dear Colleague

National Network Revision - Programme Of Works

Further to LTB’s 083 and 123/2014 this communication has been produced to advise Branches and representatives that the department has agreed a Joint Statement with the business, which now enables progression to Stage 3 of the tried and tested Network revision process.

There was some delay in finalising the Joint Statement to allow both parties to determine a set of words that detailed a pragmatic solution to recording any operational savings and efficiencies made, in case they are required for the wider efficiency talks, and retaining momentum on the agreed Programme of Works in the National Agenda for Growth, & Stability & Long Term Success Agreement.

Against that backdrop please find attached for your information the agreed Joint Statement which now moves us to Stage 3 of the process, i.e. local negotiations in line with existing agreements.

Please be assured that the CWU Network Working Group led by Davie Robertson, PEC, will be on hand to assist where required.

Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Terry Pullinger, Assistant Secretary, email dwyatt@cwu.org, quoting reference 233.10.

Yours sincerely


Terry Pullinger
Assistant Secretary

JOINT STATEMENT BETWEEN RM LOGISTICS AND CWU ON THE DEPLOYMENT OF PROGRAMME OF WORKS NETWORK REVISION



INTRODUCTION

The Agenda for Growth agreement commits both Royal Mail and the CWU to working together to transform business operations, building on the mutual interest processes developed through the Business Transformation Agreement 2010. Throughout the period of the BT 2010 agreement both parties worked to develop and establish improved, constructive working relationships, effective interfaces and the continued development of a mutual interest culture at all levels within RM Logistics. A key indication of the effectiveness of these efforts has been the successful deployment of national Network Revisions. The agenda for Growth Agreement commits both parties to the deployment of a further national Network Revision. This agreement aims to build on the successes and refine the processes used for the Business Transformation Network revisions based on our collective experience.

BACKGROUND

Building on the successes of Network 2010, 2011 and 12, we propose using the same Staged approach.

Royal Mail Logistics and the CWU agree that we have a collective interest in reaching a successful deployment of this Network revision. Both parties recognise that if a proposed target deployment date of March 2014 is to be met, that activity will have to be undertaken at pace and will require a positive and pragmatic approach at all. Against that backdrop the following staged process for the deployment of this revision activity has been agreed.

It is agreed that this review will be based on the current RDC and VOC network. However, any adjustment to the external customer requirements or internal business operational footprint during the review would have to be factored in and considered in respect of a robust network operation and employee arrangements. Equally, both parties recognise that a decision has been made in respect of the East London VOC and RDC consultation and that this operational change will be factored into the Network review. However, we recognise that there may be a need for overlay duties to be deployed to ensure all employees have viable efficient workload until such time as the people issues are resolved in relation to that particular consultation.

Both parties recognise that the subject of efficiency and incentive arrangements are the subject of a wider group discussion and that neither party should second guess the outcome of those discussions. However the conclusion of those discussions may not necessarily compliment the potential deployment dates of other operational priorities.

Against that backdrop it is agreed that the pragmatic solution is to enable a without prejudice situation which allows for the progression and deployment of operational requirements and records the operational savings/efficiencies achieved so that accurate information will be available if required in the wider efficiency discussions.

It is also recognised that the recording and sharing of this information will enable the commencement of the process of developing a greater understanding between managers, representatives and employees of operational costs and the contribution that can be made.



THE PROCESS

The process will be conducted over 4 stages.

Where there is a concern or issue regarding the interpretation and/or the application of this agreement then the issue should be referred to the Network Working Group (NWG) for assistance

The role of the CWU representatives within these processes is fully recognised, as is the requirement for appropriate release in order for them to meaningfully prepare, participate and obtain the views of their members. It is agreed that in line with the IR Framework, CWU reps undertaking this work will not suffer financial loss. To this end it is agreed that local managers will facilitate this release and that all reasonable requests for release will be agreed.

Management and CWU reps will agree locally, on a weekly basis the period of the release required.

Stages

1. Launch of a joint local data gathering exercise and collection of current state data at each VOC. This activity should provide a robust baseline as a reference for analysis of the Paragon outputs.

A non binding preference exercise to be run at appropriate VOC’s, as determined by the Network working group.

2. The NWG will carry out generic analysis of Paragon “first cut” outputs; identify high impact or problem sites. At this stage the Group will look to aid the development of local, area and national scope/solutions which may form a counter proposal for deployment. Where appropriate the group will consider the utilisation of Paragon in the formulation of such options. The NWG will then make a representation to the National Logistics Steering Group (NLSG) regarding the status of issues. An agreed National Deployment date will be targeted. It is anticipated that the deployment date will allow sufficient time for local negotiations and re-signs to conclude prior to deployment in line with above.

3. Local negotiations to take place in line with existing agreements.

4. NWG to commence work on future national network revision process and approach for recommendation to NLSG.


Stage One:

Local managers, local planners and CWU representatives will jointly collate and sign off a site specific information pack. The scope and details of the data to be gathered will be agreed with the NWG in line with Network 12. This information will be used to assist the planning process and provide a reliable reference point for the assessment of first cut plans and deployment issues.

In addition a non-binding preference exercise may be deployed where appropriate..

The expectation is that this process should be concluded over a two week period.

It is anticipated that the planning for this revision will be based on the current Network operation as defined in the data capture exercise at Stage One, and does not encompass work currently performed by Area Distribution other than work that has been agreed to transfer via separate Area Distribution discussions.

Stage Two:

The NWG will review the first cut planning outputs to assess and where possible anticipate potential problem sites and look at the potential solutions. These potential solutions may not necessarily be restricted by individual unit or area boundaries but will always seek to maximise business efficiency whilst reconciling job and standard of living security. It is expected to conclude this process in 2 weeks where a status report/update will be advised to the NLSG.

Stage Three:

Local negotiations will commence in line with this agreed revision process and the IR Framework. The NWG will support this process and be available to help conclude local/area solutions.

A traffic light process will be deployed to monitor progress and identify at the earliest opportunity potential problem sites. Implementation of the revisions at all sites will take place on the same day coordinated by the NWG.

This negotiation process should be concluded at pace within two weeks in line with the IR Framework. Re-signs will then commence at all sites to be concluded by the national implementation date. Re-signs should be conducted in line with the process contained in Annex A.

Stage Four:

The NWG will review the effectiveness of the above process and assess opportunities to refine the approach for future revision activity.

The methodology for this piece of work will be based on the ACAS guide to problem solving and will allow relevant expertise to be used where the NWG agree it would be beneficial.

When a joint recommendation has been developed it will be jointly presented to the NLSG for ratification and agreement. The process will then become the agreed approach to Network revisions going forward.




...................................... …………………………….

Euan McMurdo Terry Pullinger
Director, Royal Mail Logistics CWU Assistant Secretary

Date: 26th February 2014
































Annexe A




Network Revision ‘Programme of Works’ – Re-sign Process

When stage 3 of this Joint Statement has been achieved arrangements should be made where necessary to commence a re-sign of duties.

Where agreed duty structures at any site have resulted in a surplus being declared and people’s processes at such sites have identified transferees or where a transfer to another VOC has been agreed then these individuals should be included in re-signs at the receiving office, even if this is in advance of their substantive move.

Where the re-sign process can be completed in full prior to the national implementation date, all individuals will take up their new duty/rotation from that date.

Contingency Arrangements

While it is anticipated that the national implementation date will allow sufficient time to conclude the resign process, past experience has indicated that circumstances can occur where re-signs run past the implementation date. In such circumstances the following contingency arrangements should apply.

Where due to annual leave a full re-sign can not be completed prior to the national implementation date the following process should apply.

Normal re-sign arrangements should progress until process stalls due to leave commitments. On the national implementation date those individuals who have successfully selected a duty/rotation as part of the re-sign will take it up.

All remaining individuals should participate in a temporary resourcing process. This may take the form of either a best match exercise placing individuals on attendances similar to their current duties.

or

by individuals selecting from the remaining available duties following the implementation of the revision and thereafter on a weekly basis in seniority order until the conclusion of the full re-sign.

The exact nature and application of the temporary resourcing process should be agreed locally.

The re-sign process will continue as individuals return to work with subsequent successful applicants taking up their duty/rotation from the start of the next week prior to the next temporary resourcing process


The temporary resourcing process should be progressed as a joint initiative to enable re-signs to be completed in the most expedient manner and to fully assist in the temporary resourcing process.

Notwithstanding the contingencies detailed above the efforts of all parties should be focused upon completing the re-sign in advance of the new duty structures being deployed.

[wandle]

This negotiation process should be concluded at pace within two weeks in line with the IR Framework. Re-signs will then commence at all sites to be concluded by the national implementation date.

They want this revision to go 'live' in March 2014 ? Yet only allow 2 weeks to negotiate a duty set, then 2.5 weeks for everyone to have signed for a duty ?

[El-Bandito]

Is the timing of this anything to do with the HYS survey which is rolling out in the next few weeks? Is it just me or are the"dom's" being extra lovely people lately?

[Mister T]

Network Revision, some depots/VOC have had their repicks some have not. I know of one major VOC the drivers have not even seen duties yet it is supposed to be rolled out in a weeks time. Seems to be business as usual then.