TRIAL OF MASTERMOVER ATP400 IN LEEDS MC, SWRDC & YDC

[TrueBlueTerrier]

No.521/14
Ref: 715.16
Date: 14th August 2014

To All: Postal Branches with Processing Members in Mail Centres and
Regional Distribution Centres
Divisional Representatives
Area Processing Representatives

Dear Colleague

TERMS OF REFERENCE BETWEEN ROYAL MAIL AND THE CWU COVERING THE TRIAL OF MASTERMOVER ATP400 IN LEEDS MAIL CENTRE, SOUTH WEST (SWRDC) & YORKSHIRE DISTRIBUTION (YDC) CENTRES

Branches and representatives will be aware of the commitment in respect of greater strategic involvement contained in the Agenda for Growth, Stability & Long Term Success Agreement and that the department had concluded a National Deployment Agreement for the use of Electric Vehicles (Tugs) for movement of York containers in the Mail Centre/RDC Network.

As part of that process the ATP400 is one of the agreed replacement tugs within the deployment agreement, which enables the movement of Yorks and which is presently operated by two people. However, we were made aware that this particular tug has the capability that it can be operated by a single operator. We have therefore been approached by the Business to test this concept in a live environment and the trial will now take place for four weeks at the above named sites only.

The Postal Executive, at its meeting on Tuesday, 5th August 2014, fully endorsed the terms of reference as attached in this LTB to allow this trial to take place.

Branches and representatives are requested to ensure that our members working in the Mail Centre/RDC Network are made aware of the content of this LTB.

Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Terry Pullinger, Assistant Secretary, email: dwyatt@cwu.org or shayman@cwu.org quoting reference number 715.16.

Yours sincerely


Terry Pullinger
Assistant Secretary

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TERMS OF REFERENCE BETWEEN ROYAL MAIL AND THE CWU COVERING THE TRIAL OF MASTERMOVER ATP400 IN LEEDS MAIL CENTRE, SOUTH WEST & YORKSHIRE DISTRIBUTION CENTRES

Introduction

Royal Mail and the Communication Workers Union are working together in developing key business policies, mutual interest solutions and a new culture, which is at the core of all the commitments contained in the BT2010 Agreement and the recently endorsed Agenda for Growth, Stability and Long Term Success Agreement.

Both parties recognise that creating the right IR and collaborative working environment is key to the general success of the Mail Centre Function/Operation, and are committed to achieving the above by resolving all local issues and concerns across the wider operation and this proof of concept trial without recourse to disagreement wherever possible.

In line with the National Generic Trial Framework both parties have agreed to jointly assess potential ways for handling solutions to improve the flow of mail through Mail Centres from both an operational and Health and Safety aspect. It is recognised that in a highly automated and modern Mail Centre and Regional Distribution Centre working environment, there may be potentially better alternative solutions available to deal with the internal movement of Yorks.

Against this backdrop it has been agreed to jointly test the use of new equipment, i.e. a Mastermover ATP400 to enable the movement of Yorks by a single operator.

The overall aim of this trial, which is supported by National agreements, will lead to the development and identification of a standardised suite of Material Handling solutions that once agreed fit for purpose, will be made available for deployment throughout the Mail Centre and Regional Distribution Centre Networks. The trial at Leeds Mail Centre, and the South West and Yorkshire Distribution Centres will help to define the standard tug for use in Mail Centres and RDCs.

Joint Involvement/Information Share

Local managers and CWU IR, H&S and Engineering representative(s) will be fully involved in all aspects of the trial from the initial stages, throughout operation and then the reviews of what is found. Appropriate Union release time will be provided for the CWU representatives to ensure meaningful involvement.

Joint involvement will enable the development of mutual understanding of the issues under consideration and the potential impact on both individuals and the operation. It will also enable us to identify any issues requiring clarification or further investigation.

The trial will be conducted on the basis of joint timely access to all relevant information.

Trial Details

The trial will take place at Leeds Mail Centre, South West Distribution Centre and Yorkshire Distribution Centre.

The trials will commence from 11th August 2014 and run until 5th September 2014.

The aim of this trial is to define the new standard tug (Mastermover APT400) with a single operator for use in Mail Centres and RDCs.

The trials will not have any impact on employee earnings, i.e. SA etc, or duty numbers during the trial period.

Ergonomic Studies will be conducted prior to and after installation.

Risk Assessments will be completed for all operational tasks as part of the installation.

The installation will be managed through Risk Assessments and Method Statements.

The Operators and Work Place Coaches will be trained in the changes to the operation, which will then be communicated in the form of WTLL (Work Time Listening and Learning) across all shifts, and subsequently supported by Work Place Coaches, local CWU IR Representatives and managers.

The business has established a new set of planning values for Mail Centre activities and part of our on-going commitments will involve developing a joint understanding of these new values and how they have been developed in order to ensure that current and future activity is deployed consistent with our current agreements. Against that backdrop we will work together nationally to ensure that the associated working arrangements with this trial and any potential future deployment, has agreed planning values.

Success Criteria

The trial will have succeeded when the following have been achieved:-

A detailed case study has jointly been produced which examines the strengths and weaknesses of the new method.

Zero health and safety incidents involving the solution during operation and all Safe Systems of Work have been clearly established.

Mail clearance to work plan has been achieved with no adverse operational impact.

All operator concerns have been considered, understood and where possible resolved.

To identify any impact on productivity and resourcing requirements.

To test the project business case benefits are achievable and that any operational improvements and potential efficiency/operational savings identified are tracked and recorded in accordance with the terms of the Royal Mail/CWU Joint Statement for Efficiency.

A Formal National Joint Evaluation will take place in early September 2014


Safe Systems of Work and Standard Operating Procedures

Safe Systems of Work and Standard Operating Procedures will be jointly developed prior to the start of the trial.

These systems and procedures will be reviewed and updated as necessary during the trial and be classified as fit for purpose once they have been jointly evaluated by the appropriate Royal Mail and CWU experts.

Deployment and Review

The trial will be formally reviewed by the signatories of this TOR. Local Managers and CWU representatives involved will feed into this process.

Should the development of the trial be considered a success and worthy of wider deployment, it will be agreed in accordance with the terms of the National Generic Deployment Framework.

Any questions of interpretation, implementation, or application of these Terms of Reference shall be referred to the respective Headquarters for resolution.





Terry Pullinger
Assistant Secretary
CWU
Francis Williams
Head of Process Design
Royal Mail


Date: 5th August 2014

[rhino49]

http://www.mastermover.com/products/ATP ... _IeNemBFEZ" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[rainbowwarrior72]

How many full Yorks will you be able to move during the trial?

[newtimes]

How many full Yorks will you be able to move during the trial?