Return to shared vans from *?????????* ***

[WASD]

Point 11 is my issue also. Legs just hurt too much to be productive until later in the day, in which case we may as well do another job.

I've enjoyed my solo round time. Managed to keep the same van most of the time, kept it spotless, and cleaned out whatever yob had it on my days off. If on the same round i used the same hand full of elastic bands for as long as i was on that round. Had breaks, gave hellos and good mornings to the majority of public. Made an effort to learn neighbour parcel preferences etc. On average a day off sick per year of employment.

I can't wait to leave. Company just doesn't care for hard workers. If they just looked after the dedicated workers that little bit they'd turn this company around very quickly. New PDAs and uniform, and promises of culture change won't get them amywhere.

[HTPostman]

So much of those 11 points resonate with me.

Just little things like taking your rubbish out at the end of your shift, emptying all your rubber bands into a box to reuse, not having to race your partner, being able to take all your D2Ds for a section or loop instead of being out there wondering if these D2Ds are for # 1 and 3 or # 3 and # 5. Such little things which might seem petty.

For me personally there’s only one benefit to van sharing: if you’re on an unknown round your partner can guide you.

But that’s how RM want to do things, I signed the contract and wasn’t forced so I mutter to myself and crack on, every day, every step, every round is that little bit closer to early retirement in 8 years.

[tractorboy2]

Smoking in vans is against RM policy , report them.

[Cucumber]

We were told all hire vans are going back today, van share back on.

CWU and RM agreed no van share before 19th but as we know DOMs just do what they like. Utter scumbags. At least it will force me to find another job. I'm done.

Leaving because van share is returning?

Not exactly, just hoping it will tip me over the edge to get my finger out. As a part time reserve where do I start? Here's 10 for starters.. .

1) Ridiculous outdoor workloads that are only going to get worse with these new revisions.

2) Uneven walks. Full timers firing back to the depot at 12 while you are only half way.

3) Harassment to van share every few days even though I've said no.

4) Thrown here there and everywhere like a soiled rag.

5) Harassment when off sick due to physical injury. They'd have you crawl round if you were willing, just to clear the mail.

6) Overtime wrong most weeks to either balance their books or out of spite if I disagree with the DOMs and don't tow the line. Know thy place.

7) Holidays always wrong or requests ignored. You have to chase and chase for holidays or 'missed' overtime. It is tiresome.

8) At least working on your own you don't get done over by your new daily partner giving you the harder loops while he texts his mates how slow you are. It was nice also to take my break rather than rush around so my current partner could get back for Countdown or whatever. It is also tiresome trying to communicate with annoyed partners who wanted so and so and not you today! Having to ask people not to vape or smoke in the van.

9) Never get 2 consecutive days off to recover from fatigue / minor injuries.

10) Negates the ability to do any sport due to the job and injury/fatigue.

I could go on.

Know your place. It's like a 19th century work house. Do you time and you'll eventually get the shittest duty in the office. Err no thanks. The bullshit about the job being well paid for what it is, is exactly that for a part timer - bullshit. The job is too tiring to do more outdoor overtime. By the time you get home, eat and recover that's an extra couple of hours. Effectively it's a full time job for minimum wage.

All points taken and I hope things get better.
It's ironic that we have many issues too with shared vans, but they are because we have no other way of working without them. We have many staff clinging on in the hope they return due to how the workload has been split since covid. Don't get me wrong, many issues were always there but the removal of van share without a plan has merely amplified them.
Part time staff expected to pick up the slack of full time staff who are working from home is just one example.

[Rommagic]

Van share back next week.

[Acca Dacca]

Van share back next week.

Given the July 19th date applies only to England I assume this is England only?

[Woody Guthrie]

Van share back next week.

Given the July 19th date applies only to England I assume this is England only?

No.
It's business wide.
It was a business decision to halt van sharing not a government directive anyway.

[Acca Dacca]

Van share back next week.

Given the July 19th date applies only to England I assume this is England only?

No.
It's business wide.
It was a business decision to halt van sharing not a government directive anyway.

The statements from the Union have been about subject to the government announcements. There in your first post on the thread.

So why are they waiting till July 19th? And why did they delay June 21st? And why did they say subject to devolved authorities announcements?

If it applies to England it applies to everyone it seems which POSTMAN insisted wasnt the case when it clearly is.

For as long as we need to self isolate if we get the virus ( not just if we have symptoms or become ill ) then its madness to bring it back in the middle of a third wave

[Woody Guthrie]

They are following the government timeline for opening up because it makes it look like they're following the science.

It's just a bit of responsibility shifting but they don't need permission from any of the governments to return to van sharing because it was never legally banned as was shown when they brought it back in October albeit for a short time and the fact that many businesses have continued to van share.

Unless Nicolas Sturgeon puts her foot down and specifically says it's not happening it'll happen business wide.

I do think it may be voluntary though. More responsibility shifting.

[Acca Dacca]

They are following the government timeline for opening up because it makes it look like they're following the science.

It's just a bit of responsibility shifting but they don't need permission from any of the governments to return to van sharing because it was never legally banned as was shown when they brought it back in October albeit for a short time and the fact that many businesses have continued to van share.

Unless Nicolas Sturgeon puts her foot down and specifically says it's not happening it'll happen business wide.

I do think it may be voluntary though. More responsibility shifting.

So they are going by the government timelines but only the timelines that apply to England despite stating otherwise by mentioning the 'devolved authorities' initially

Thats my point

[Cucumber]

They are following the government timeline for opening up because it makes it look like they're following the science.

It's just a bit of responsibility shifting but they don't need permission from any of the governments to return to van sharing because it was never legally banned as was shown when they brought it back in October albeit for a short time and the fact that many businesses have continued to van share.

Unless Nicolas Sturgeon puts her foot down and specifically says it's not happening it'll happen business wide.

I do think it may be voluntary though. More responsibility shifting.

Surely if it was voluntary then the uptake would be tiny? After all, much of what you read on here is along the lines of 'I hope it never returns'.

[2yearpostie]

Yes its coming back, the hire vans are all going back monday. So if it is voluntary, your volunteering to work afternoons/evenings.

[Woody Guthrie]

So they are going by the government timelines but only the timelines that apply to England despite stating otherwise by mentioning the 'devolved authorities' initially

Thats my point

Scotland's restriction levels and timelines already allow for van sharing, that's my point.
Not sure where Wales is.

[Woody Guthrie]

Surely if it was voluntary then the uptake would be tiny?

I'm not sure it would to be honest but it's just a punt on my part.

To be fair it has to be voluntary to a certain extent because they've already promised to look sympathetically at those who have real issues doing it.

[Acca Dacca]

So they are going by the government timelines but only the timelines that apply to England despite stating otherwise by mentioning the 'devolved authorities' initially

Thats my point

Scotland's restriction levels and timelines already allow for van sharing, that's my point.
Not sure where Wales is.

Yes it’s been allowed for ages the point is Royal Mail are deciding to bring it back only now because of something that has changed in England only

There was nothing stopping them doing it before but why now? Because of something which affects England