Van Share gone - Trolleys on the way back.

ewancurze · Post by **ewancurze** » 18 Jun 2017, 00:44

Strictly speaking the walker should not drive the van (so be carefull),the van has been signed out to the "Driver" not the walker,now I do the same on occasion,me being the non-driver if back from the loop before the driver I will take the van and do some bulk.
If I have an accident they will hang me out to dry I suppose,shame it has to be like that as all you want to do is "the job" and go home.
From Monday I will not drive any more unless I have signed out my own van.
Grinds you down this job.....

Post by **wacko74** » 18 Jun 2017, 05:32

If they were to offer VR to non-drivers I'm starting to think it might almost be worth losing my driving license just to get it!

TheTrolleyMan · Post by **TheTrolleyMan** » 18 Jun 2017, 07:03

Only posties who have had " changeover " are allowed to drive the van . If 2 people are driving the van then the log book book should be signed / changed every time the 2 drivers change driving position

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 18 Jun 2017, 07:43

Kings Norton wrote:They want fetching and carrying everyday.

CDV duties wouldn't work if they weren't fetched and carried. Certainly less efficient.

DiamondSmiles · Post by **DiamondSmiles** » 18 Jun 2017, 08:02

loverman shabba wrote:s**t company hopefully the non drivers see sense and leave

Yes, thanks comrade

Post by **Lounge Lizard** » 18 Jun 2017, 09:46

DiamondSmiles wrote:
Lounge Lizard wrote:If royal Mail only want drivers they will find a way of getting rid of the non-drivers.
It saddens me that you would seem to be happy in getting rid of fellow colleagues who's only 'sin' is they can't drive. Are we not all in this together anymore? Do you feel the same way if a fellow worker had a disability? Would you advice Royal Mail to get rid of them because they couldn't do a certain job?

DS,
It's not for me to decide who Royal Mail might want to "get rid of".
RM no longer employs Telegram Boys or Cycle Mechanics that it has no need of.
If numbers are to be cut then those less skilled and less flexible might well be more vulnerable.
I only learnt to drive, at my own expense, in case that skill was useful or necessary for future employment which it now turns out to be.
I know more than most about disabilities and Royal Mail either finds suitable work for such people or no longer employs them.

Post by **Lounge Lizard** » 18 Jun 2017, 09:51

Professor Chaos wrote:
Lounge Lizard wrote:If royal Mail only want drivers they will find a way of getting rid of the non-drivers.
Some people are unable to drive for medical reasons. Sad to see you agree with discrimination. Would you say the same if RM wanted to get rid of all black workers ??

PC,
It's not for me to decide who Royal Mail might want to "get rid of".
RM no longer employs Telegram Boys or Cycle Mechanics that it has no need of.
I only learnt to drive, at my own expense, in case that skill was useful or necessary for future employment which it now turns out to be.
Either Royal Mail needs non-drivers or it doesn't and it would have procedures in place for dealing with surplus staff who are unable to drive for medical reasons just as it does for those with disabilities for whom suitable work can't be found.
And I don't think "Would you say the same if RM wanted to get rid of all black workers ?" merits an answer.

Post by **bustedflush** » 18 Jun 2017, 10:00

I was a non-driver or my first 16 months at RM and trust me it's FAR LESS stressful than being a driver. I got dropped off, never had to worry about collecting the specials, keys, van checks, signing van out and organizing packets drops. All I had to do was be dropped off, walk with a bag, wait around having a coffee from the flask and fag to be picked up for the next loop. I got on well with the drivers on the various rounds I learned, being fairly quick, but even so they did start (most of them) saying "when you gonna do you driving course?" because it must've annoyed them a bit seeing me idling around waiting for them. I can understand that, as I felt the same when I got to drive and on a hectic day rushing packet drops coming back to see the walker dozing in the sun....

What some guys would do if they were the were 'quicker' and we worked the same walking pace, was leave the packets until the end and we'd do them together, drop me off carrying one parcel for that road while he did the other, or we'd play 'sides' as he drove back to the office. This meant we took a route back via the round's packets order and whose side of the van the house was on would get out and do it. Naturally some used their imagination and drove back in such a way 75% were on the passenger side but hey, the walking was over and the driver gets a relax to make up for ones you had waiting for him earlier.

I agree however, that for round planning and allocating OPG's that unless a very good reason, all should be able to drive. If you look at any RM adverts in the last 5 years, perhaps longer, 'Post person with driving' is always specified.

DiamondSmiles · Post by **DiamondSmiles** » 18 Jun 2017, 10:07

I think what i am most disappointed with is both LL and Kings have both put 'happy' smilies in their posts when stating they would be glad if some of their colleagues lost their jobs.

Perhaps i have been in the company too long. In the past we supported each other, maybe things are changing now

Post by **Lounge Lizard** » 18 Jun 2017, 10:18

DS,
The

followed "each of us will have our own van" and implied no ill will towards any of my non-driving colleagues.

Kings Norton · Post by **Kings Norton** » 18 Jun 2017, 10:50

DiamondSmiles wrote:I think what i am most disappointed with is both LL and Kings have both put 'happy' smilies in their posts when stating they would be glad if some of their colleagues lost their jobs.

Perhaps i have been in the company too long. In the past we supported each other, maybe things are changing now

Read my posts again Diamond. I never used the word "Glad" and I have not clicked or put on any smileys. Get your facts right!

NewPostieUK · Post by **NewPostieUK** » 18 Jun 2017, 11:12

bustedflush wrote: What some guys would do if they were the were 'quicker' and we worked the same walking pace, was leave the packets until the end and we'd do them together, drop me off carrying one parcel for that road while he did the other,

This is a good idea, we do it on busy days, or on parts of the duty that are evenly matched (IE the driver has no time to do packets built in).

It's better than the passenger driving for a loop then the driver driving a loop.

On my own duty I am a passenger and never driver. I am often taken off my duty to do the driving on other duties, and I do all the driving. That's the way it's meant to work.

I agree that it's more stressful being a driver but that's not the passengers fault.

Post by **Lounge Lizard** » 18 Jun 2017, 11:23

Bustedflush at 10am quite rightly commented that NOT driving is FAR LESS stressful than being a driver, just getting dropped off, never having to worry about collecting the specials, keys, van checks, signing van out and organizing packets drops. And then there's all the stress of driving, risk of points on license and being blamed, whether justified or not, for any accident.
I don't think there would be the resentment of non-drivers by drivers IF the £6 a week driving allowance was paid to ALL drivers, not just those who have been driving for more than about a dozen years.

Post by **bustedflush** » 18 Jun 2017, 11:31

Lounge Lizard wrote:Bustedflush at 10am quite rightly commented that NOT driving is FAR LESS stressful than being a driver, just getting dropped off, never having to worry about collecting the specials, keys, van checks, signing van out and organizing packets drops. And then there's all the stress of driving, risk of points on license and being blamed, whether justified or not, for any accident.
I don't think there would be the resentment of non-drivers by drivers IF the £6 a week driving allowance was paid to ALL drivers, not just those who have been driving for more than about a dozen years.

I was never aware of that fact until you just mentioned it.

I do know that a few non-drivers dragged their heels when it came to taking the RM Driving Course - perhaps they cottoned-on by experience that they were happy as they were....

worktotime · Post by **worktotime** » 18 Jun 2017, 12:25

I'm a driver and I don't find it stressful as me and my p&l partner non driver work together and use lwts on every loop and we haven't carried a bag for about 6 years since p&l and we put parcels and pkts , specials in the bags so we only cover the ground once and you could count on one hand how many times I use the van to deliver stuff , so I cant see a problem unless your carrying bags and delivering parcels out the van to save time ? to do extra work ? why.