LTB 341 Mastermover ATP400 for the Movement of Nested Yorks

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Letter to Branches




No. 341/15
Ref: 715.16
Date: 19th May 2015


For the attention of: Postal Branches with Processing Members
Divisional Representatives
Area Processing Representatives


Dear Colleagues

Joint Statement Between Royal Mail and the CWU Covering the Deployment of Mastermover ATP400 for the Movement of Nested York Containers in the Mail Centre and Regional Distribution Centre Network

Branches and representatives are aware that the department have been, under the Banner of the Processing ‘Programme of Works’ and the commitment to a more collaborative working model that respects the mutual interests of both Royal Mail and the CWU detailed in the Agenda For Growth, Stability & Long Term Success Agreement, working towards closing the knowledge gap in Mail Centre operations. Equally we have been pursuing a standardised policy approach to addressing the operating/equipment anarchy that had ensued as a result of un-agreed/un-coordinated kit and equipment across the Mail Centre estate.

It is against this backdrop that we can report that the trial of the Mastermover ATP400 for the movement of up to a maximum of 30 nested York Containers in Mail Centres & RDCs, has been completed and, following evaluation, has now been cleared for National deployment by the Postal Executive. I have attached a signed copy of the Joint Statement for the information of Branches and Representatives, which you will note is now the standard piece of equipment for carrying out this work and will eventually replace the Mastermover MP50-400 Pusher, where this legacy equipment is presently in use, we will continue to use them until such time as they reach their expected end of life and will then be replaced by the standard equipment.

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 and the attached Joint Statement.




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




JOINT STATEMENT BETWEEN ROYAL MAIL AND THE CWU COVERING THE DEPLOYMENT OF MASTER MOVER ATP400 FOR THE MOVEMENT OF NESTED YORK CONTAINERS IN THE MAIL CENTRE & REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION CENTRE NETWORK


Background

The Business Transformation Agreement 2010 commits Royal Mail and the Communication Workers Union to work together at the development stage of key business policies which are best supported by transparency and good information share. This commitment is acknowledged as the key enabler for Royal Mail and the Union to engage and to develop mutual interest solutions that will aid/improve efficiency within the operation while responding to the needs of CWU represented grades.

In keeping with the National Generic Trial/Deployment Frameworks both parties have agreed to jointly access potential ways and automated handling solutions to improve the flow of mail through Mail Centres from both a Health and Safety and operational aspect. Against that backdrop both parties recognise that in a highly automated and modern Mail Centre working environment there may be potentially better alternative solutions available as opposed to Mail Centre staff manually pushing mail in wheeled containers.


Introduction/Scope

In October 2013 following the conclusion of trial activity in a number of Mail Centres a Joint Statement was issued that set the standard for equipment available for the movement of mail within Mail Centres.

Having defined the standard in 2013, further trials have taken place in Leeds MC, YDC and SWRDC of a Mastermover ATP400. Following a National review of this trial by Royal Mail, the CWU and the Trial Co-ordination Group the Mastermover ATP400 has been signed off at the National Process Group as the new standard. The Mastermover ATP400 will be added to the approved/agreed equipment register for the Mail Centre and RDC Network.

The Mastermover ATP400 will be the standard for any new orders requested by Mail Centres and RDCs for the movement of nested York containers and will replace the current equipment on the Asset Register i.e. the Mastermover MP50 - 400 Pusher. Mail Centres and RDCs with this legacy equipment will continue to use this equipment until they reach their expected end of life and will then be replaced by the standard equipment.

The overall aim of this project is to enable an agreed portfolio of equipment to be identified and agreed as fit for purpose to fully support all aspects of the Mail Centre and RDC Operation and will culminate in this information being published and made available as fully tested solutions to support the standardisation of equipment.


Operational Process

The Mastermover ATP400 is supplied by our contracted MecHE provider (Briggs) and can be used inside and outside a Mail Centre and RDC operational environment and can push up to a maximum of 30 nested Yorks.
The Mastermover ATP400 can be operated by a single operator, but this will be subject to a local risk assessment.

The maintenance of the equipment is the responsibility of our contracted MecHE provider and in compliance with RM PUWER for the equipment. The positioning of the charging equipment internally is the responsibility of the Site; the Asset Supply Chain team and our contracted MecHE provider can provide guidance.

The numbers of equipment will be determined by local capacity/operational requirements, depending upon the route taken and the number of containers being moved due to turning restrictions in some locations. The assessment of the capacity/operational requirements will be completed during the local risk assessment activity. The Mastermover ATP400 will not be used for loading on dock levellers (this may be subject to future trials) and the speed will be set at two speeds (2mph and 4mph) which cannot be changed locally.

Training in use of the equipment will be provided either by our contracted MecHE provider, RM appointed MecHE training supplier or accredited RM employees/Workplace Coaches.


Deployment

There will be effective meaningful consultation between local management, CWU representatives and employees/members on the changes to be deployed with this equipment. The introduction of any revised duty/attendance arrangements will be negotiated at local level in line with the IR Framework.

Safe systems of work, standard operating procedures and maintenance schedules have all been agreed and will accompany any local proposal to deploy.

The deployment of the equipment will need to consider the impact on working conditions and whereever possible take consideration of employees’ concerns in respect of any impact e.g. earnings, attendance patterns, etc.

The deployment of the equipment will ensure all new working arrangements and equipment have been fully risk assessed locally and the agreed safe systems of work are in place. In addition Operators and Workplace Coaches will be trained in the changes to the operation, the loading and unloading the equipment etc.

Training will be provided in the form of WTLL (Work Time Listening and Learning), and subsequently supported by Workplace Coaches. The Operators and relevant Workplace Coaches will be trained in the operation of the equipment by an authorised trainer or a suitably accredited Royal Mail trainer.

A local deployment programme will identify any requirement for transitional arrangements to ensure there is no adverse affect on quality of service and/or health and safety and/or security standards within the Mail Centre.

The proposed local deployment plan will be subject to local discussion as detailed above prior to implementation and will take into account/focus on all possible concerns, risks or difficulties associated with this project. This will ensure any unforeseen employee concerns are also resolved as quickly as possible, local parties will also meet regularly to monitor and review deployment arrangements.

Timely negotiations will take place between local managers and CWU IR Representatives, and Engineering and H&S Reps will be fully involved in all aspects of the planning for and actual deployment of the required new arrangements.

CWU Representatives shall be given appropriate additional release to facilitate this and enable them to consult with members on the proposed change.

Any questions of interpretation, implementation, or application of this Joint Statement shall be referred to the respective Headquarters for resolution.






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


Date: 6th May 2015

Annex 1 - Asset Resister need to understand current and future


Equipment
Comments

Master Mover MP50 - 400 Pusher
2 man operation pushing typically 30 York’s loosely (not strapped together) nested York's. Suitable for large open areas with no need to negotiate tight turns
Superseded by Master Mover ATP - 400 Series 1 Master Pusher

Master Mover MT5 Puller  
1 man operation towing 15 York’s "strapped" together nested York's, Suitable for operational units were space is very limited.

Will remain as an option for operational units with limited space.

Master Mover ATP - 400 Series 1 Master Pusher
1 man operation pushing typically 30 York’s loosely (not strapped together) nested York's. Suitable for operation areas were space is more limited.

New version

Annex 2 – List of Mail Centres & RDCs with Current Equipment

Office
Vehicle Type
Expected End of Life
BRISTOL (WOEMC) MC
MP50 AC
04/03/2017
CHELMSFORD (SEAMaC) MC
ATP-400
30/07/2019
EAST MIDLANDS AIRPORT (EMA)
MP50-400
06/11/2013
GATWICK MC
MP50 AC
10/07/2016
GLASGOW MC
MT5 RCM
21/03/2014
LEEDS MC
ATP-400
10/03/2017
NORTH WEST DISTRIBUTION CENTRE (NWDC)
MP50-400
03/12/2015
NORTH WEST WALK BUNDLING CENTRE
MP50-400
21/01/2016
NORTHERN IRELAND MC
MP50 AC
05/11/2014
PRINCESS ROYAL DISTRIBUTION CENTRE (PRDC)
MP50-400
01/07/2016
SCOTTISH DISTRIBUTION CENTRE (SDC)
MP50-400
05/11/2015
SHEFFIELD MC
MT5 RCM
01/10/2013
SOUTH WEST DISTRIBUTION CENTRE (SWDC)
RCM5 AC
21/05/2014
SOUTH WEST DISTRIBUTION CENTRE (SWDC)
ATP-400
01/05/2017
SOUTH WEST DISTRIBUTION CENTRE (SWDC)
ATP-400
25/11/2019
STANSTED AIRPORT
MP50-400
06/11/2015
WARRINGTON RAIL TERMINAL
MP50-400
21/11/2015
WARRINGTON RAIL TERMINAL
MP50-400
15/12/2012
YORKSHIRE DISTRIBUTION CENTRE (YDC)
MT5 RCM
18/03/2014
YORKSHIRE DISTRIBUTION CENTRE (YDC)
ATP-400
14/05/2017
YORKSHIRE DISTRIBUTION CENTRE (YDC)
ATP-400
01/05/2017
YORKSHIRE DISTRIBUTION CENTRE (YDC)
ATP-400
14/05/2017