Future Provision of Facilities Management Services : ROMEC

[TrueBlueTerrier]

No. 078/2015
Ref: PTC/RE/dj/335
Date: 5 February 2015


TO ALL BRANCHES WITH ROYAL MAIL MEMBERS


Dear Colleague

RE: Royal Mail: Future Provision of Facilities Management Services – Future of Romec

Following the change of joint venture partner arising from the sale of Balfour Beatty workplace to Cofely and subsequent termination or loss of external contracts, Royal Mail and Cofely have been reviewing Royal Mail’s future requirements for FM Services provided by CWU represented cleaning, engineering and admin grades in Romec and the best model for providing these in future.

The union requested direct involvement in this process and two meetings took place towards the end of last year at which Royal Mail shared what it regarded as the key considerations and options for the future, ranging from complete outsourcing via tender process, transfer of Royal Mail’s share in Romec to Cofely, transfer of Cofely’s share of Romec to Royal Mail or status quo.

Although the business has yet to make a decision the option preferred by Royal Mail Facilities Management (RMFM) is transfer to Cofely; CWU has argued strongly for Royal Mail to resume control of FM Services and staff. It became very clear during the second meeting, prior to Christmas, that if the consultation process continued on the same basis it was likely that the union would very soon be put in the position of having to react to a firm Royal Mail proposal to transfer Romec, together with our members working in it, to Cofely.

In order to forestall an immediate lurch into conflict and in line with the approach underpinning the Agenda for Growth agreement, which although it does not apply to Romec underpins the way in which Royal Mail and the CWU have agreed to conduct industrial relations, an approach was made to Royal Mail to discuss the establishment of a joint review utilising an independent advisor, to analyse in depth the employee, quality of service and financial implications of Royal Mail’s preferred model against that of the union.

The attached document has been agreed by Royal Mail, CWU and Unite to outline the purpose and broad methodology of an independently guided review. It will give the union the opportunity to consider and comment on the implications for Royal Mail and our members in light of detailed financial information and the ability to take evidence from informed parties in Romec, Royal Mail and outside industry with a view to reaching a conclusion agreed by Royal Mail and the union.

The review team has now been established with the support of an independent chair and the ability to take external advice to assist its work. Royal Mail are issuing a statement to staff this afternoon.

We would be grateful if branches with Romec members could ensure those members are fully informed. We are aware that various rumours have been circulating on the future of Romec: these rumours should not be given credence – a final decision will not be taken until the review team has finished its activity.

Any enquiries regarding Romec Engineering and Admin grades should be addressed to Ray Ellis’s department, quoting reference PTC/RE/dj/335.
Email address: rellis@cwu.org

Any enquiries regarding Romec Cleaning grades should be addressed to Bob Gibson’s Office, quoting reference 120.12.
Email address: hnutley@cwu.org or mstewart@cwu.org

Yours sincerely



Ray Ellis, Bob Gibson,
Assistant Secretary Assistant Secretary

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Royal Mail: Future Provision of Facilities Management Services

Background

FM Services within Royal Mail are currently provided by Romec, a Joint Venture between Royal Mail and Cofely. The shareholders have undertaken a review which has concluded that the current arrangements are no longer fit for purpose, following losses of external contracts resulting in Royal Mail being the sole customer of Romec. At the same time there is a need to introduce a new specification in order to adequately protect the Royal Mail estate and service its needs and those of its employees. The shareholders are carrying out work on the commercial and legal details of a potential transfer of Royal Mail’s stake in Romec to Cofely prior to deciding whether to proceed. Both CWU and Unite are aware of the need for change, but are not of the same mind as the shareholders about the potential way forward. Unite’s position is that they are not persuaded about the shareholders’ preferred solution; CWU are explicit in their belief that Royal Mail should assume full control of Romec.

It is recognised that CWU and Unite are important stakeholders on behalf of the employees of Romecin this decision. Accordingly Royal Mail is committed to full dialogue with CWU and Unite in order to understand and seek to address the concerns and interests of the employees they represent before the decision about the future supply of FM services is made. No decision will be made until this dialogue is completed.

Proposed Approach to Consultation

It is proposed to establish a joint working group consisting of Royal Mail, CWU and Unite representatives, with the assistance of an independent advisor agreed by all parties, to review the alternative options of Royal Mail transferring its share in Romec to Cofely and Cofely transferring its share in Romec to Royal Mail.

The working group will consider all relevant evidence including, but not limited to, the following:

The impact of each model on employees affected by changes to the structure of Romec
The benefits of each model for all stakeholders as well as any disadvantages
The cost of each model and the financial impact of these changes
The wider context of the respective impact on the management of quality and cost in the provision of FM services.

The detailed methodology will be determined by the joint working group itself within the following parameters:

It will be evidence based, objective and analytical
Positions will be explored with a view to understanding different points of view and seeking ways in which concerns can be addressed and resolved or mitigated.
It will work at pace and aim to complete its deliberations on a timely basis. A programme of work will be jointly agreed with the independent advisor with a view to conclusion within 6 weeks.

Independent Advisor

The role of the independent advisor will be to bring an independent and objective view into the proceedings. They will oversee the production of a final document which either sets out an agreed view of the way forward, or – if this is not possible –identifies clearly the areas of agreement and disagreement and identifies potential ways forward for the parties to consider prior to decisions being made.

[melg]

Any updates on whats happening with Romec?

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Any updates on whats happening with Romec?

http://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communit ... 05#p691705" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[melg]

Any decision on this yet?

[melg]

Does anyone else feel this is dragging on a bit?

This has been hanging over our heads since the beginning of Feb. I understand there Is a need not to rush a decision, but Its no the middle of may. I am sure I am not the only Romec Employee feeing like this!

[melg]

A colleague mentioned we are going to be receiving news on this today just wondering if that's the case?