meeting with Union today with delivery staff

ziggy · Post by **ziggy** » 05 Feb 2016, 16:21

I would jump at the chance of VR as well. I used to enjoy my job and couldn't see me leaving but not now.

Since we changed over to van share its been a struggle, I either take VR if/when it's offered and find a new job or, like quite a few people, I'm going to end up with ill health retirement. My aches and pains are now permanent and I'm usually limping by the end of my delivery. I hate the constant battle with management to finish on time and I hate working with a partner who doesn't want overtime either but is too gutless to say so it's usually left to me.

From what I read on here and my experience with RM it's only going to get worse. I'm disillusioned with the union who I think have turned into yes men. I know the union fought for sick pay, paid breaks, shorter weeks etc but that was then, they are not like that now IMO. They are standing by while we are literally being worked into the ground

fishtank · Post by **fishtank** » 05 Feb 2016, 16:26

halfull wrote:i would take vr, fish saying vr is ok if you have a plan b is a weird one as with that mind frame you will be stuck in this horrid job forever as you are far too deep in this job & whats going on with it to take yourself outside of the box to even imagine looking or thinking about another job/career.

Ok with that in mind why wait for VR?, just go for it without the safety net of £30k, you'll be far more focused.

I've seen a few take VR and they seem to fall into two categories, those who know exactly what they want to do and those who end up as casuals back at the mailcentre after blowing through their redundancy in 6 months, you see if you leave with £30k and no plan it's odds on you'll be down to your last £5k before you feel any urgency to get your arse in gear, doesn't apply to everyone, just most in my experience.

NewPostieUK · Post by **NewPostieUK** » 05 Feb 2016, 20:21

fishtank wrote:
halfull wrote:i would take vr, fish saying vr is ok if you have a plan b is a weird one as with that mind frame you will be stuck in this horrid job forever as you are far too deep in this job & whats going on with it to take yourself outside of the box to even imagine looking or thinking about another job/career.
Ok with that in mind why wait for VR?, just go for it without the safety net of £30k, you'll be far more focused.

I've seen a few take VR and they seem to fall into two categories, those who know exactly what they want to do and those who end up as casuals back at the mailcentre after blowing through their redundancy in 6 months, you see if you leave with £30k and no plan it's odds on you'll be down to your last £5k before you feel any urgency to get your arse in gear, doesn't apply to everyone, just most in my experience.

Totally agree. Been there, done that twice. When I took my lot I had big ideas, never thought I'd be a part time postman..

Post by **halfull** » 05 Feb 2016, 20:56

fishtank wrote:
halfull wrote:i would take vr, fish saying vr is ok if you have a plan b is a weird one as with that mind frame you will be stuck in this horrid job forever as you are far too deep in this job & whats going on with it to take yourself outside of the box to even imagine looking or thinking about another job/career.
Ok with that in mind why wait for VR?, just go for it without the safety net of £30k, you'll be far more focused.

I've seen a few take VR and they seem to fall into two categories, those who know exactly what they want to do and those who end up as casuals back at the mailcentre after blowing through their redundancy in 6 months, you see if you leave with £30k and no plan it's odds on you'll be down to your last £5k before you feel any urgency to get your arse in gear, doesn't apply to everyone, just most in my experience.

and in my time ive heard many say they are going to leave but guess what,they are still in the job as its virtually impossible to find a decent job/career while doing a fulltime manual job unless a friend or family member puts it in your lap.
And to say leave without 30k is very silly indeed! just say that out loud

Ive seen a few take vr and blow it & ive seen a few take vr & retire, i dont worry or think about what others do, i would take vr, find a new job/career & leave all this stress of the royalmail behind me.

Creditshampoo · Post by **Creditshampoo** » 05 Feb 2016, 21:28

Do they ever offer VR to part timers?

Told today my office will have 1 hour inside and 7 hours delivering for each shift from April...walk in and collect a York full of your duty.

No idea where this York is magically appearing from and how I'm going to organise parcels / know where I'm going as there's no frames

Postie45 · Post by **Postie45** » 06 Feb 2016, 00:27

Creditshampoo wrote:Do they ever offer VR to part timers?

Told today my office will have 1 hour inside and 7 hours delivering for each shift from April...walk in and collect a York full of your duty.

No idea where this York is magically appearing from and how I'm going to organise parcels / know where I'm going as there's no frames

when is your break scheduled in that ?

Binsey · Post by **Binsey** » 06 Feb 2016, 08:16

Jiries wrote:
Chelseablue wrote:How many of us would take vr? I'd be tempted.
I would join the party as I got plans to go to Canada and hoping for VR to come to play at HWDC as many staff want this place closed and it going to close anyway doe to leasehold expiring in 2020 but front line staff have to go much earlier only the engineers will stay behind to remove all the machines, it took them 4 years to build before the mail centre opened.

Anyone know what going to happen to HWDC?

There was a rumour going round HWDC's work was going to Manchester.

Binsey · Post by **Binsey** » 06 Feb 2016, 08:32

Is it just me or does anybody else think the serious rot started in 2004 with the ending of the 2nd Deliveries and the cessation of the TPOs?
We were then a service but now?
It's got really bad now and after reading through RM's 5 year plan I am in despair.
There is a notice in my office from the unions area rep who was down at the briefing which vaguely mentions Pensions and one wave but not the sign in/out. That was quite an eye opener!!!!

28 years ago when I was a young 16 year old I had the chance of 3 jobs a Electrian , RAF or a Postal Cadet I chose the Post Office as it was then. Looks as though I will be through on life's scrap heap if I don't get my finger out and have a Plan B.

Tman · Post by **Tman** » 06 Feb 2016, 09:36

28 years ago when I was a young 16 year old I had the chance of 3 jobs a Electrian , RAF or a Postal Cadet I chose the Post Office as it was then.

If you'd taken the "electrian" job you'd have been set up for life, and the RAF would have got you a decent pension, but you chose RM?
Stick with the lucky dip lottery ticket...just don't bother trying to pick the numbers..

Dorset Plodder · Post by **Dorset Plodder** » 06 Feb 2016, 10:25

fishtank wrote:
Chelseablue wrote:How many of us would take vr? I'd be tempted.
Taking VR is a big decision and only really makes any sense if you have a clear and viable plan B

I agree. I take my hat off to those individuals that seem to always have one eye on the next opportunity. They're the ones who always have a plan B!

I don't know how they do it but some people always manage to land on their feet. I've taken VR before (different Company) and regreted it . But then I could fall in a bucket of tits and come up sucking my thumb!

daveyeff · Post by **daveyeff** » 06 Feb 2016, 11:50

Creditshampoo wrote:Do they ever offer VR to part timers?

Told today my office will have 1 hour inside and 7 hours delivering for each shift from April...walk in and collect a York full of your duty.

No idea where this York is magically appearing from and how I'm going to organise parcels / know where I'm going as there's no frames

not without agreement. they are bullshitting.

DB1100 · Post by **DB1100** » 06 Feb 2016, 12:11

Tman wrote:
28 years ago when I was a young 16 year old I had the chance of 3 jobs a Electrian , RAF or a Postal Cadet I chose the Post Office as it was then.
If you'd taken the "electrian" job you'd have been set up for life, and the RAF would have got you a decent pension, but you chose RM?
Stick with the lucky dip lottery ticket...just don't bother trying to pick the numbers..

If you had gone to the RAF,you would have had to live with the knowledge that you were always going to be second best to the Army,so lucky you didn't pick that one.

Post by **Jiries** » 06 Feb 2016, 12:33

Deadly · Post by **Deadly** » 06 Feb 2016, 13:00

Jiries wrote:I wouldn't want to go to Manchester which known a rainy place and rarely see warm temps in summer

That made me

I'm guessing you've never been further north than Watford

daveyeff · Post by **daveyeff** » 06 Feb 2016, 13:32

softy southerners