LTB 513/20 - Peak/Christmas Arrangements 2020/21

Post by **POSTMAN** » 26 Oct 2020, 11:58

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LTB 513/20 – Peak/Christmas Arrangements 2020/21
No. 513/20

26th October 2020

For the Immediate Attention of All:

Postal Branches
Divisional Representatives

Dear Colleagues

PEAK/CHRISTMAS ARRANGEMENTS 2020/21

Branches and representatives will be aware that as a result of the Covid-19 crisis the business is forecasting unprecedented levels of parcel traffic during the Autumn/Christmas Peak period.

It has been clear for some months that the business has been planning to build a peak operation on top of parcel traffic volumes, which are already at levels we would normally associate with Christmas. The threat of a 2nd National lockdown, the prospect of another increase on online shopping and the requirements in relation to the test kit programme, have undoubtedly added complications into the discussions in respect of arrangements for this year.

On a cross departmental basis, we have been engaging with the business in order to enable Branches and representatives to engage on arrangements to meet the demands of Peak. Discussions have now concluded and attached for your information are the agreed Peak/Christmas Arrangements 2020/21, which have been endorsed by the Postal Executive.

You will note that the attached broadly mirrors prior agreements and retains all of the elements and safeguards achieved in previous years. In addition and given the current situation, the document also builds in other safeguards and commitments in relation to this.

As you will be aware this year Boxing Day falls on the Saturday and in line with the precedent set in 2004, the 26th December is declared a non USO day. However, the business has indicated that there is a requirement to collect, process and deliver Covid-19 test kits. Where service requires attendance on Saturday 26th December, the business have agreed that attendance will be voluntary and will attract Scheduled Attendance rates.

In Scotland as in 2009 and 2015, Royal Mail have requested that the non USO day associated to the 2nd New Year Bank Holiday is moved from Monday 4th January to Saturday 2nd January. On this occasion Ofcom have chosen to open a consultation on the issue which will close on the 2nd November. Royal Mail expect the change to happen and are planning on that basis, however the agreement recognises that planning may have to be adjusted should Ofcom decide not to mirror the previous arrangements.

In anticipation of the expected traffic levels the agreement covers, temporary workplan changes, early and late supplementary parcel deliveries, night opening for DO’s, and Sunday operational arrangements and provides clarity on Customer Service Point (CSP) opening times.

Both departments believe that the arrangements will be welcomed by our Branches and Representatives and will provide guidance on ensuring that resourcing for the Peak/Christmas Pressure period is conducted in line with Nationally agreed standards. On that basis representatives are now encouraged to engage with managers in relation to agreeing arrangements.

Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to:
Processing/Distribution: Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary, email: dwyatt@cwu.org quoting reference 706A.13
Deliveries/Collections: Mark Baulch, Assistant Secretary, email: outdoorsecretary@cwu.org quoting reference 170.

Yours sincerely,

Davie Robertson Assistant Secretary
Mark Baulch Assistant Secretary

Attachment – Peak Christmas Arrangements 26.10.20

Rumple · Post by **Rumple** » 26 Oct 2020, 15:41

I bet there is a long queue to sign up to work on Boxing Day, Saturday 26th Dec, for the (not so) generous pay of SA.

Grumpyoldmailman · Post by **Grumpyoldmailman** » 26 Oct 2020, 16:03

Up here they have already advertised for parcel drivers without asking any of the part time staff if they would like to cover on docket. I guess they are paying a lower rate to the temps?

1560loopsayear · Post by **1560loopsayear** » 26 Oct 2020, 16:31

POSTMAN wrote:voluntary and will attract Scheduled Attendance rates.

Is that like Time +25% - surely anybody with any sense won't work Boxing Day unless it's triple hourly rate, plus an extra day off in leu and £100 cash bonus?

clashcityrocker · Post by **clashcityrocker** » 26 Oct 2020, 16:50

It is more like time + 2.5%

ripio · Post by **ripio** » 26 Oct 2020, 21:32

POSTMAN wrote: In Scotland as in 2009 and 2015, Royal Mail have requested that the non USO day associated to the 2nd New Year Bank Holiday is moved from Monday 4th January to Saturday 2nd January. On this occasion Ofcom have chosen to open a consultation on the issue which will close on the 2nd November. Royal Mail expect the change to happen and are planning on that basis, however the agreement recognises that planning may have to be adjusted should Ofcom decide not to mirror the previous arrangements.

Does this mean that in Scotland we are getting shafted again by their not applying the same rules at New Year as they do at Christmas, i.e. at Christmas we get four days off UK wide (friday, saturday, sunday, monday) but at New Year we, in Scotland, only get three days off (friday, saturday, sunday) and have to work the monday which is the official public holiday?

Woody Guthrie · Post by **Woody Guthrie** » 27 Oct 2020, 02:52

ripio wrote:
POSTMAN wrote: In Scotland as in 2009 and 2015, Royal Mail have requested that the non USO day associated to the 2nd New Year Bank Holiday is moved from Monday 4th January to Saturday 2nd January. On this occasion Ofcom have chosen to open a consultation on the issue which will close on the 2nd November. Royal Mail expect the change to happen and are planning on that basis, however the agreement recognises that planning may have to be adjusted should Ofcom decide not to mirror the previous arrangements.

Does this mean that in Scotland we are getting shafted again by their not applying the same rules at New Year as they do at Christmas, i.e. at Christmas we get four days off UK wide (friday, saturday, sunday, monday) but at New Year we, in Scotland, only get three days off (friday, saturday, sunday) and have to work the monday which is the official public holiday?

Yes.

Post by **rogersh** » 27 Oct 2020, 19:57

From the attachment introduction.
"The safety, health and wellbeing of all employees remains jointly our 1st priority at all times and throughout this year’s peak operation and measures introduced in response to COVID19, linked to government guidance, must not be compromised. As employee numbers increase in operational units social distancing will need to be maintained and local resourcing arrangements should take account of this risk.
There will be a monitoring process established in order to ensure that the measures as above are in place in all workplaces and that the safety of all employees is maintained."

My question; Who exactly will be carrying out the monitoring process and would this be a daily/weekly procedure & how will employees be informed of any increased risk.

Post by **SpacePhoenix** » 27 Oct 2020, 20:26

rogersh wrote:As employee numbers increase in operational units social distancing will need to be maintained and local resourcing arrangements should take account of this risk.

Whoever wrote that should dream on, once all the xmas casuals start, social distancing will be physically impossible. It's barely possible now

derekm · Post by **derekm** » 04 Nov 2020, 14:17

Woody Guthrie wrote:
ripio wrote:
POSTMAN wrote: In Scotland as in 2009 and 2015, Royal Mail have requested that the non USO day associated to the 2nd New Year Bank Holiday is moved from Monday 4th January to Saturday 2nd January. On this occasion Ofcom have chosen to open a consultation on the issue which will close on the 2nd November. Royal Mail expect the change to happen and are planning on that basis, however the agreement recognises that planning may have to be adjusted should Ofcom decide not to mirror the previous arrangements.

Does this mean that in Scotland we are getting shafted again by their not applying the same rules at New Year as they do at Christmas, i.e. at Christmas we get four days off UK wide (friday, saturday, sunday, monday) but at New Year we, in Scotland, only get three days off (friday, saturday, sunday) and have to work the monday which is the official public holiday?
Yes.

was told Scotland is off on Monday the 4th