Post Office letter to Andy Furey : Area reps to face redundancy

[POSTMAN]

Andy Furey
Assistant General Secretary, CWU
CWU Headquarters
150 The Broadway
London
SW19 1RX

16th August 2016

Dear Andy

Section 188 – CWU Crown Area Representative Structure

I am writing to inform you of the impact for our reduction in Crown Area structure which will directly impact the CWU area representative community within Post Office.

Our proposals will result in a number of colleagues being identified as surplus. The Post Office will make every possible effort to continue its excellent record of introducing change without compulsory redundancies.

To this end, should any unresolved surplus colleagues remain following the conclusion of the  90 day consultation period then CWU HQ will be consulted for a further 28 days.

Should there be any unresolved surplus colleagues at the end of this 28 day period, where it is in the best commercial interest of Post Office Ltd, unresolved surplus colleagues will be made redundant.

The purpose of this letter is to inform you of the proposals in accordance with our obligations under section 188 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992. I enclose a copy of the relevant form HR1 for your information.

1. Reason for the Proposal
The reason for this proposal is to realign the Crown Area Representatives with the new Crown Area structure This is in accordance with the Collective Engagement and Industrial Relations Framework (CEIRF) 2015.

We are therefore proposing to reduce the number of CWU Area Representatives from 10 to 6.

2. Numbers and Descriptions of Roles

Under this proposal, all 10 current Area Representatives will initially be placed ‘at risk’ of redundancy.

3. Proposed Method of Selection

The Post Office will consult with the post-holders and will issue a preference exercise to establish whether or not the individual is interested in voluntary redundancy or another role in Post Office.

The primary focus of selection will be via a straight yes/no preference exercise within the ‘at risk’ community. To maximise a voluntary approach and facilitate bumping we would be willing to extend the preference exercise to the current two Postal Executive and four Territorial Representatives not in scope all of whom will be offered the opportunity to volunteer for redundancy.

Where there is a surplus of volunteers, then in line with MtSF the seniority protocol will apply. Where there are insufficient volunteers, a fair and consistent assessment exercise will be conducted to determine who remains at risk of redundancy. Where candidates have equal scores following the assessment exercise ‘seniority’ will again apply to determine the selection outcome.

Redeployment will be managed under the agreed terms of MtSF (2010) for Administrative & Operational Grades.


4. Proposed Method of Carrying out Redundancies

A consultation period will begin on 24th August 2016 and will last until 21st November 2016. No individuals will be made redundant until the end of this period. During this 90 days period impacted employees will have a minimum of 3 one-to-one meetings within a 90 day window.

Post Office and its’ recognised Unions has a successful record in avoiding compulsory redundancy during organisational changes, and we will endeavour to find alternative suitable employment for all surplus staff who have not requested to leave via voluntary redundancy. If this is not possible within 90 days there will be a further 28 days of intensive consulation with CWU to address unresolved surplus at the completion of which compulsory redundancy will take effect.

5. Proposed Method of Calculating Redundancy Payments

Voluntary redundancy payments will be calculated in accordance with MtSF terms and subject to consultation.


6. Next Steps

We would like to meet with you at 11:00 in the Union Room (Sanquhar), 1st Floor Finsbury Dials, on Wednesday 24th August 2016 to continue collective consultation and discuss ways of avoiding redundancies, or reducing the numbers involved and mitigating the circumstances.

Yours sincerely



Jim Carter
Senior Industrial Relations Manager
cc John Whitefoot Head of IR, Roger Gale General Manager Crown Sales

S188 CWU ARs.odt