What rights do agency staff have in terms of job security/permanent employment

[Dr. Strange]

What rights do you have in terms of job security/being employed by royal mail if you've been working under angard for RM, but have been doing so for the same shifts, 5 days a week, in the same work area for the last 2 years?

Could you be offered a job over existing RM employees?

[toonlad2]

can i say wow just wow that for 2 yrs you have been getting 5 shifts a week from angaard ,your doing more hours than those rm ppl on 20 hour contracts and thats the answer to your question rm workers get offered any improved hours or jobs over agency ,,and if your getting 5 shifts a week why would you want to drop hours to 16 hours a week as rm as thats the normal contract offered im led to believe

[Dr. Strange]

rm workers get offered any improved hours or jobs over agency

I thought so! But I'm wondering if there's any loophole for unique cases like the one i'm stating. I mean you said it yourself:

wow just wow that for 2 yrs you have been getting 5 shifts a week from angaard

Doesn't seem like it's the norm!

Is there a sort of body or organisation to speak to for any sort of lobbying for such a situation?

Much appreciate any advice.

[toonlad2]

PUT THIS INTO PERSPECTIVE , IF YOU WERE A RM WORKER AT YOUR SITE[ sry capslock password lol ] and you found out a agency worker got a job offered before you did how would you feel think we both know the answer ..

if your really getting 5 shifts a week i would be happy with that as at my mc if you get 1 shift every two weeks you feel grateful

[Dr. Strange]

PUT THIS INTO PERSPECTIVE , IF YOU WERE A RM WORKER AT YOUR SITE[ sry capslock password lol ] and you found out a agency worker got a job offered before you did how would you feel think we both know the answer ..

if your really getting 5 shifts a week i would be happy with that as at my mc if you get 1 shift every two weeks you feel grateful

Don't get me wrong. I understand this all - I get that RM staff will think it's unfair etc.

But, I'm trying to find out if there's any body or organisation that could help lobby for the rights of agency staff.
Surely it's just as unfair for an agency worker to do the exact same work as an RM employee yet have no job security/offer of permanent employment at all.

2 years is a long time, clearly, the MC needs more permanent staff.

As a solution that could keep both sides happy (for example), if RM offered the jobs the agency workers are currently doing as duties to existing RM employees, surely they could then offer the vacant positions left by those RM staff to the agency workers (workers who know the job, and are known and trusted by the company).

So what I'm really getting at is, if RM staff can go to CWU for this kind of stuff, who would be the equivalent for angaard staff to consult with?

.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

PUT THIS INTO PERSPECTIVE , IF YOU WERE A RM WORKER AT YOUR SITE[ sry capslock password lol ] and you found out a agency worker got a job offered before you did how would you feel think we both know the answer ..

if your really getting 5 shifts a week i would be happy with that as at my mc if you get 1 shift every two weeks you feel grateful

Don't get me wrong. I understand this all - I get that RM staff will think it's unfair etc.

But, I'm trying to find out if there's any body or organisation that could help lobby for the rights of agency staff.
Surely it's just as unfair for an agency worker to do the exact same work as an RM employee yet have no job security/offer of permanent employment at all.

2 years is a long time, clearly, the MC needs more permanent staff.

As a solution that could keep both sides happy (for example), if RM offered the jobs the agency workers are currently doing as duties to existing RM employees, surely they could then offer the vacant positions left by those RM staff to the agency workers (workers who know the job, and are known and trusted by the company).

So what I'm really getting at is, if RM staff can go to CWU for this kind of stuff, who would be the equivalent for angaard staff to consult with?

.

Answered in reverse order - If you joined the CWU, which Angardees can, then they should help you.

However, normally when Agency staff are recruited/transferred over to the company they work for they have to pay the Agency a fee. That's probably why they don't recruit directly from Angard.

Unfairness in job security wouldn't come into it. Your contract is an Agency worker by definition that's casual non-permanent employment so not having job security is kind of written into it.

As far as I am aware though there is nothing stopping you applying for permanent jobs through RMs online recruitment just as another public applicant.

[rogersh]

From the new agreement.. The final paragraph is relevant, but don't hold your breath!

Agency workers are intended to cover short term or unforeseen resourcing needs, expected to last for periods of no more than 12 weeks, which cannot be covered by offering additional hours to existing employees whilst maintaining quality of service. In the rare circumstances that employment exceeds 12 weeks the provisions of the Agency Workers Regulations 2010 (as amended) will apply.

Both parties also commit to jointly review the use and conversion of agency staff in a way that recognises their continuous service and complements and reaffirms the principles contained in the Agenda for growth agreement

[Lockardian]

I know of Angard staff who have applied for roles as an external applicant, and been successful, and there was also an internal “transfer” of 20 or so Angard staff to RM last year at one of the MCs I work at. Applicants had to go through the formal interview process, and length of service or past attitude/performance seemed to have little bearing on who was successful!

I also know of an Angard worker who was offered a different role in the MC (as RM staff but not sorting), seemingly because he/she was in the right place at the right time, and they had allegedly struggled to fill this role. So it can happen. I’ve been told I can apply for internal jobs by emailing an expression of interest, but that I’m unlikely to be successful over an existing RM worker, which seems fair enough. No harm in letting them know you’re interested though - they may just remember your name in future.

The concern I have is this - if applying for a role as an external applicant, would an Angard worker be less likely to be chosen than someone who doesn’t work for Angard, purely because of the introduction fee RM would have to shell out?

[ennabee]

Nearly three years ago my MC recruited 10 or so part timers across all the shifts . Six of the successful candidates, including myself, were Angard and another was RM experienced from a different Agency. It seemed be to an advantage in the interview stage to have RM experience.