VITAL UPDATE FROM DGSP TERRY PULLINGER ON ROYAL MAIL TALKS

[IloveMYredTROLLEY!]

If RM suddenly turned around and said anyone not conforming to correct use of delivery method tools would be given their P45, I reckon ~9 out every 10 OPGs at my depot would be out the door! Most P 'n' L vans have not got one, nevermind two LWTs on board to use of loops which don't involve blocks of flats. While most HCTs are treated like mobile bag drops, being locked up on the corner of side streets, while the OPG delivers with a pouch on their shoulder around roads with no blocks of flats.

I don't know anyone in my depot that stands still, as we are supposed to, while retrieving mail for the next address from the working bundle of letters.

Without even considering other "corner cutting" things like...
Coming in early
Not using and not taking account of their paid break
Leaving mail items in insecure places like porches that the OPG opens the outer door to place mail (parcels) in the porch
Not claiming overtime when they go past their contract hours
Not taking account of the extra paid break allowance (10mins) for going past 5/7/9/11 etc. hours

OPGs are continually making the workload that can be done in their contract hours look far more achievable than it really is, just on those first two issues alone, quite easily in the ballpark of 30-60mins depending on how busy it is.

Most probably do it because it means they can complete delivery quicker without agro from linos/DOM, for claiming regular overtime and/or cutting off, they don't want a target on their back.

But then later down the line, the DSM demands further savings from the DOM, so the duties get bigger and then a re-sign kicks in... Increasing the pressure on OPGs to further cut corners!

The irony is in this job, unless you are very fortunate to be very senior and have a nice easy duty, if you do this job in vaguely properly the odds are very high you will be the one continually being challenged for making the workload look too big... Because you are in a tiny minority. When it should be the OPGs not conforming to the delivery standards that should be being challenged, but it will never happen, because that means every depot will need a huge cash injection for their budget.

[Pidleypoo]

If RM suddenly turned around and said anyone not conforming to correct use of delivery method tools would be given their P45, I reckon ~9 out every 10 OPGs at my depot would be out the door! Most P 'n' L vans have not got one, nevermind two LWTs on board to use of loops which don't involve blocks of flats. While most HCTs are treated like mobile bag drops, being locked up on the corner of side streets, while the OPG delivers with a pouch on their shoulder around roads with no blocks of flats.

I don't know anyone in my depot that stands still, as we are supposed to, while retrieving mail for the next address from the working bundle of letters.

Without even considering other "corner cutting" things like...
Coming in early
Not using and not taking account of their paid break
Leaving mail items in insecure places like porches that the OPG opens the outer door to place mail (parcels) in the porch
Not claiming overtime when they go past their contract hours
Not taking account of the extra paid break allowance (10mins) for going past 5/7/9/11 etc. hours

OPGs are continually making the workload that can be done in their contract hours look far more achievable than it really is, just on those first two issues alone, quite easily in the ballpark of 30-60mins depending on how busy it is.

Most probably do it because it means they can complete delivery quicker without agro from linos/DOM, for claiming regular overtime and/or cutting off, they don't want a target on their back.

But then later down the line, the DSM demands further savings from the DOM, so the duties get bigger and then a re-sign kicks in... Increasing the pressure on OPGs to further cut corners!

The irony is in this job, unless you are very fortunate to be very senior and have a nice easy duty, if you do this job in vaguely properly the odds are very high you will be the one continually being challenged for making the workload look too big... Because you are in a tiny minority. When it should be the OPGs not conforming to the delivery standards that should be being challenged, but it will never happen, because that means every depot will need a huge cash injection for their budget.

Everything you’ve said there is bang on.
We are about to have another revision in our office where they want to take out 60 plus hours.
The problem is that most do exactly what you’ve said in regards to cutting corners but that’s got a lot to do with systematic bullying and harassment that’s gone on for years.
Going back to th hours they want to cut, since our last revision we’ve had 4000 new builds and I’d say at least 90 percent of rounds are over every day and a big percentage of that is by at least 1-2 hours per day along with all those that get paid to come in early.
This is where I want a stronger voice from the union, our workload should be achievable but it's nowhere near that.

[SpacePhoenix]

Quite a few people in my office are opposed to the shorter working week despite claiming to hate working for Royal Mail.
They are against spending less time in the place they loath.
I feel sorry for the Union at times when they have to put up with moronic members who will always find something wrong with any deal.

Probably because it won't work. Are you happy to be forced to do 8 hours worth of work in 7 hours (once the 35hr thing eventually comes in)?

Your statement makes no sense.
You can't do 8 hours of work in 7 hours especially if you are on a driving job due to speed limits etc.
It's up to the Union and Royal Mail to bring in revisions to make it work.

Drivers don't do 8hrs solid driving, only about half that

[milly]

Quite a few people in my office are opposed to the shorter working week despite claiming to hate working for Royal Mail.
They are against spending less time in the place they loath.
I feel sorry for the Union at times when they have to put up with moronic members who will always find something wrong with any deal.

Probably because it won't work. Are you happy to be forced to do 8 hours worth of work in 7 hours (once the 35hr thing eventually comes in)?

Your statement makes no sense.
You can't do 8 hours of work in 7 hours especially if you are on a driving job due to speed limits etc.
It's up to the Union and Royal Mail to bring in revisions to make it work.

Drivers don't do 8hrs solid driving, only about half that

In my office they do.

[nudenut]

Quite a few people in my office are opposed to the shorter working week despite claiming to hate working for Royal Mail.
They are against spending less time in the place they loath.
I feel sorry for the Union at times when they have to put up with moronic members who will always find something wrong with any deal.

Probably because it won't work. Are you happy to be forced to do 8 hours worth of work in 7 hours (once the 35hr thing eventually comes in)?

Your statement makes no sense.
You can't do 8 hours of work in 7 hours especially if you are on a driving job due to speed limits etc.
It's up to the Union and Royal Mail to bring in revisions to make it work.

Drivers don't do 8hrs solid driving, only about half that

In my office they do.

See this is the problem with rm. There's no set standard across the board . Every d.o is totally different from the next .we need a fluid workplace where every single d.o works to the exact same framework as the next or the divisions will drive the union apart.
My call is for a set standard working practice . The managers should enforce breaks . They should stop people working for free , putting in leaflets before start time or after daily just to get the job done. They should actively encourage the use of the right tools for the job. No matter the cost to the budget .if the duties are in achievable they should have the resources to alter them to become more achievable in the times without penalty from the hierarchy and loss of bonus, which is driving some managers cuts to the office budgets and having a massive negative effect on staff morale.

[SpacePhoenix]

I wouldn't be surprised to eventually see all MC-DO, MC-RDC, MC-MC and RDC-RDC driving contracted out

[fly-catchers]

Lets hope it doesn't turn out to be. Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me!

[gb93]

Simple fact is 7-2, 8-3, 9-4 is 7 hours you start at one time you finish at the other.
How much work you are given is irrelevant unless you want to finish early.

[fishtank]

Simple fact is 7-2, 8-3, 9-4 is 7 hours you start at one time you finish at the other.
How much work you are given is irrelevant unless you want to finish early.

That makes no sense at all.
What do you think drives staffing levels and contracts in a DO or a mailcentre?
What do you think resourcing to workload means?
What do you think Items/work hour are?
Does your office have performance targets?
Does your office ever meet them?
Are you Postman Pat?

[gb93]

Yeah top performing office always has been one of top ics bonus payment in country.
Again simple fact you have a start time & a finish time simple.
The computer can say whatever it wants don't make any difference.
I repeat the only reason to complain about workload is if it stops you finishing early.

[HarryPoorer]

See this is the problem with rm. There's no set standard across the board . Every d.o is totally different from the next .we need a fluid workplace where every single d.o works to the exact same framework as the next or the divisions will drive the union apart.
My call is for a set standard working practice . The managers should enforce breaks . They should stop people working for free , putting in leaflets before start time or after daily just to get the job done. They should actively encourage the use of the right tools for the job. No matter the cost to the budget .if the duties are in achievable they should have the resources to alter them to become more achievable in the times without penalty from the hierarchy and loss of bonus, which is driving some managers cuts to the office budgets and having a massive negative effect on staff morale.

In just our office there are 6 sections of the city, all run differently, some early finishing as overstaffed and some sections short staffed and late finishing every day, we need a standard where every employee is the same.

[Lincox]

Unless you retire posties off at say max 55 it is difficult to have a meaningful workload that is fair to all. For a start not one walk is the same as another. If anyone thinks age is not a criteria then they are fooling themselves. Yes there is always an exception to the rule. We have a ninety year old at the golf course who walks around like a thirty year old.

[nudenut]

Unless you retire posties off at say max 55 it is difficult to have a meaningful workload that is fair to all. For a start not one walk is the same as another. If anyone thinks age is not a criteria then they are fooling themselves. Yes there is always an exception to the rule. We have a ninety year old at the golf course who walks around like a thirty year old.

Alot of the thirty year olds in our office walk round like 90 year olds must be the strain of the workload .. heck I'm ready to hang my boots up in my 40s ..I'll go for a driving duty next re-sign I think.!

[SpacePhoenix]

See this is the problem with rm. There's no set standard across the board . Every d.o is totally different from the next .we need a fluid workplace where every single d.o works to the exact same framework as the next or the divisions will drive the union apart.
My call is for a set standard working practice . The managers should enforce breaks . They should stop people working for free , putting in leaflets before start time or after daily just to get the job done. They should actively encourage the use of the right tools for the job. No matter the cost to the budget .if the duties are in achievable they should have the resources to alter them to become more achievable in the times without penalty from the hierarchy and loss of bonus, which is driving some managers cuts to the office budgets and having a massive negative effect on staff morale.

In just our office there are 6 sections of the city, all run differently, some early finishing as overstaffed and some sections short staffed and late finishing every day, we need a standard where every employee is the same.

Has your office rep ever brought up with the DOM why excess staff aren't being transferred from the overstaffed sections to the understaffed sections?

[Lapzio]

Post

Massive week for the union