Royal Mail brief to managers : New ways of working in delivery, processing and distribution

Woody Guthrie · Post by **Woody Guthrie** » 25 Mar 2020, 17:12

I can't really make much sense of that but you started with....

This has shone a huge spotlight into how much extra workload and responsibility is placed on the drivers of this company

The only thing a driver should be doing that a non driver isn't (specifically because he/she is a driver) during business as usual is driving. Delivering large parcels is just delivering, delivering specials is just delivering.

Now I'm aware that these are unusual times but it's not rocket science or brain surgery and there is no huge weight of responsibility from driving a van (I should know I've been doing it for 30 years) it's just work. Let's not get too precious about it.

themailman · Post by **themailman** » 25 Mar 2020, 17:24

Spartacus · Post by **Spartacus** » 25 Mar 2020, 17:33

themailman wrote:
Woody Guthrie wrote:I can't really make much sense of that but you started with....

This has shone a huge spotlight into how much extra workload and responsibility is placed on the drivers of this company
The only thing a driver should be doing that a non driver isn't (specifically because he/she is a driver) during business as usual is driving. Delivering large parcels is just delivering, delivering specials is just delivering.

Now I'm aware that these are unusual times but it's not rocket science or brain surgery and there is no huge weight of responsibility from driving a van (I should know I've been doing it for 30 years) it's just work. Let's not get too precious about it.
OK, I'll break it down.

Driver is having to re plan the route given that the passenger will have to walk up to 10 minutes between loops. As an example, to walk from one end of our duty to the other, 25 minutes, easily. Driver will have to do an extra 20 minutes (easily) indoor work to bundle up BOTH duties instead of 1, and load them into van. There are things that the passenger doesn't have time to do due to having to walk between loops, I've had to remove practically every parcel from some bags to try and take the weight off - who does those parcels? Driver. Collections - Driver. Specials - driver. Drive van back and return all items. Driver. As I've said, it appears some runs are better equipped than others for this. We are a 4.45 delivery with about 30 minutes travelling return. Zero room for error as it is.

Remember this phrase "I won't have time to complete today, what do you want me to do?" Keep asking them until you get a satisfactory answer.

Woody Guthrie · Post by **Woody Guthrie** » 25 Mar 2020, 17:48

OK, I'll break it down.

OK, I'll break it down for you.
You're both working the same hours but the walker is walking further than you.

Grumpyoldmailman · Post by **Grumpyoldmailman** » 25 Mar 2020, 17:54

We had afew that went out on their pushbikes today then had bags dropped off to them, what a revolutionary new way of working

Spartacus · Post by **Spartacus** » 25 Mar 2020, 17:55

Grumpyoldmailman wrote:We had afew that went out on their pushbikes today then had bags dropped off to them, what a revolutionary new way of working

We really are making this easy for them aren't we?

themailman · Post by **themailman** » 25 Mar 2020, 18:08

twiddledumb · Post by **twiddledumb** » 25 Mar 2020, 18:10

The NHS are not enacting social distancing for their staff. In fact their staff have no masks or basic protection and they are really on the front line. They have to do it because this joke of a government have gave them no choice but to work in those conditions, even though the NHS management and the government pretend to the public that they care about the NHS workers and want to protect them. The point is, it is almost impossible to do this job and follow the guidelines the government have set. Royal mail know this and for pr they want to pretend they are doing the right thing but in reality they will turn a blind eye to the non social distancing and continued van sharing, because it's better for them than just admitting that posties will be at an increased risk because it is impossible to do the job under the governments advice to remain safe and ultimately Royal mail care more about making money then your health.

casualnowwithangard · Post by **casualnowwithangard** » 25 Mar 2020, 19:47

It does seem like the driver is doing extra at the moment. In my office we fully prep the rounds and meet the partner at the first delivery point, the partner is on 6 hour a day contract yet works about 4 yet I'm working all of my full time hours. Fairness?

Even better some full timers have it agreed they meet partner on delivery but work 6 days yet 6 x 4 hour delivery don't equal 38 hours

Woody Guthrie · Post by **Woody Guthrie** » 25 Mar 2020, 19:59

6x4 hour delivery

Think yourselves lucky you've got 4 hour deliveries especially with guys walking from loop to loop.

Sounds wonderful.

claretandblue · Post by **claretandblue** » 25 Mar 2020, 20:43

Even worse in our DO, driver is expected to rotate between the 2 walks day by day, while the none drivers do a loop each on the walks nearest to the DO, and yes, they've all gone home when you get back to the DO

plodplodplod · Post by **plodplodplod** » 25 Mar 2020, 20:55

claretandblue wrote:Even worse in our DO, driver is expected to rotate between the 2 walks day by day, while the none drivers do a loop each on the walks nearest to the DO, and yes, they've all gone home when you get back to the DO

they've all gone home...... and so surely therefore, if theyre a carrier theyve gone far enough away from you in space and time .

Zicomurphy · Post by **Zicomurphy** » 25 Mar 2020, 21:02

The issue should be that EVERYONE is working safely. If I’m working all my hours and someone else is only working half their hours and getting paid the same as me if that’s the only way to ensure everyone is working safely I am fine with that.

Post by **General Mannerheim** » 25 Mar 2020, 21:04

POSTMAN wrote:
clashcityrocker wrote:
matthew68 wrote:Are the union actually chasing this?
Use the justsayit@royalmail.com.

Name and shame your managers.

Refusing a reasonable request is a sackable offence.
Wilfully endangering the H&S of a colleague is a sackable offence.
Or/and...
Dave Ward : "If these things are not in place you should not be working and the union will support any member who takes this position."

https://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communi ... 71&t=94920" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

No they won't