Office repick

fisherkinguk · Post by **fisherkinguk** » 02 Oct 2017, 16:25

For reasons not worth going into our office is having a re pick.
I have been hoping for this as I have been there just over 20 years and was hoping to get better pick this time.
My first choice and one I have been waiting a long time for the chance, has now been made 2 van drivers. I am not a driver, and there is no real reason for this to be made double van drivers. At the moment they have been putting both driver and non driver as a partner on the round (the last full time postman on the round retired about 3 years ago and has not been replaced yet).
I asked why it was going to need 2 drivers and was told it was easier that way, but no one in the office agrees with this. Except the one manager and our rep, but no surprise there

Was going to just let it go, but I'm fed up of just missing out because of some made up excuse.
would appreciate suggestions

slinder123 · Post by **slinder123** » 02 Oct 2017, 16:34

go to area rep

fisherkinguk · Post by **fisherkinguk** » 02 Oct 2017, 16:42

Last time I did that he sounded promising, then past it back to my local rep who then buried it. That has happened twice.
My local rep does not like to question things unless it effects him directly.
If I know that other offices don't just go along with this kind of thing, then I might have a reason to go above his head again. And perhaps this time get somewhere.

P13 · Post by **P13** » 02 Oct 2017, 17:07

fisherkinguk wrote:Last time I did that he sounded promising, then past it back to my local rep who then buried it. That has happened twice.
My local rep does not like to question things unless it effects him directly.
If I know that other offices don't just go along with this kind of thing, then I might have a reason to go above his head again. And perhaps this time get somewhere.

only one person is supposed to be driving the van

Post by **greengiant** » 02 Oct 2017, 17:07

I'm assuming both van drivers do their individual van checks, and sign the log book each time they swap over from a walking loop to a driving loop?

doorstepped · Post by **doorstepped** » 02 Oct 2017, 17:09

if the area rep knocks it back to local again, go higher, Wimbledon or bust :)

no need at all for two drivers, as long as one person can drive the van it's all that is needed.

Good luck :)

fisherkinguk · Post by **fisherkinguk** » 02 Oct 2017, 17:57

Only one does van check.
It's all over one of the loops, they say it's easier if the one gets dropped off, then when they get to the van they drive and pick the other one up down the bottom.
But since it's supposed to be so easy for the planner on the computer to work these things out, I see no problem.
Now I have heard some of your answers I will now go see my rep again, then go above him when he again tells me they need 2 drivers on that those shared rounds.

ted_e_bear · Post by **ted_e_bear** » 02 Oct 2017, 18:23

Sounds like bollox to me, until they bring out a van with 2 steering wheels then only 1 driver is required. Obviously having 2 drivers is an advantage and would be preferable but it's not a given its just a bit of a bonus.

postmanpleb · Post by **postmanpleb** » 02 Oct 2017, 18:51

This sounds like complete bollox. At my office we have been told that only the person that signs for van key on any given day is the only person allowed to drive the van for legal & insurance purposes. They could alternate days but whats the point?

Up the pinks

centenaryman · Post by **centenaryman** » 02 Oct 2017, 19:58

1 jumps a red light or speed camera...do they own up....seems crazy to have 2 driving on the same day

surely route is planned to loop from the van.

fisherkinguk · Post by **fisherkinguk** » 02 Oct 2017, 20:53

I'm not sure how they work that I will have to look into it, I have to sign for a spare key since we all have to. But it's just for me to unlock the van to get my next bag of mail out. I Don't drive the van. But still worth looking into.

ted_e_bear · Post by **ted_e_bear** » 02 Oct 2017, 21:47

fisherkinguk wrote:Only one does van check.
It's all over one of the loops, they say it's easier if the one gets dropped off, then when they get to the van they drive and pick the other one up down the bottom.
But since it's supposed to be so easy for the planner on the computer to work these things out, I see no problem.
Now I have heard some of your answers I will now go see my rep again, then go above him when he again tells me they need 2 drivers on that those shared rounds.

Obviously I don't know the area but say there was a road on the duty about a mile long with only houses on 1 side then this would be a valid point, otherwise perhaps there's an alternative way to work out the loops.

Post by **IloveMYredTROLLEY!** » 03 Oct 2017, 05:56

fisherkinguk wrote:Only one does van check.
It's all over one of the loops, they say it's easier if the one gets dropped off, then when they get to the van they drive and pick the other one up down the bottom.
But since it's supposed to be so easy for the planner on the computer to work these things out, I see no problem.
Now I have heard some of your answers I will now go see my rep again, then go above him when he again tells me they need 2 drivers on that those shared rounds.

Only one OPG signs the van out, only they should be driving that day, if something happens when non-signed driver is driving heads will role... As far as I'm aware.

Sounds very similar to what happened on one paired duty in my depot, for a single loop there are addresses on one side of the road, for a long time (I don't know if it still goes on now different OPGs are on that duty) the "passenger" would walk back to the van and then pick up the "driver" while heading in direction of next loop. It was even encouraged by ex-lino to me as someone who has not has the RM "crossover" test, for the sake of saving a whole ~2mins on what I consider a pretty easy combined duty!

fisherkinguk · Post by **fisherkinguk** » 03 Oct 2017, 13:41

There is a long road with houses on one side, but there is an entire estate behind it. So could easily be done with just the one driver, just need give it a little thought.
I have just learned today that my second choice (since this one is being made 2 drivers) has the full time as the driver and part time as the walker.
This makes no sense as the only difference is indoor, it's starting to feel like they are trying to force non drivers to drive and or get rid of seniority.
The local rep has said he will have a word with the manager to see if he can change this, but he really didn't seem to care much.
The only advice I'm getting from him is to go for my driving, that is not the way to solve this.

P13 · Post by **P13** » 03 Oct 2017, 13:47

fisherkinguk wrote:There is a long road with houses on one side, but there is an entire estate behind it. So could easily be done with just the one driver, just need give it a little thought.
I have just learned today that my second choice (since this one is being made 2 drivers) has the full time as the driver and part time as the walker.
This makes no sense as the only difference is indoor, it's starting to feel like they are trying to force non drivers to drive and or get rid of seniority.
The local rep has said he will have a word with the manager to see if he can change this, but he really didn't seem to care much.
The only advice I'm getting from him is to go for my driving, that is not the way to solve this.

The facts are quite simple only one person is allowed to drive the van .I would stick a grievance form in