Walk Sequencing – Resourcing/Staffing

[TrueBlueTerrier]

No. 032/2010
Ref. L19.40(a)
Date: 12th January 2010


TO: ALL BRANCHES WITH POSTAL MEMBERS & POSTAL DIVISIONAL REPS
For immediate circulation to all appropriate Area/Unit Representatives


Dear Colleague

Walk Sequencing – Resourcing/Staffing

Branches/Representatives will be aware of the activity taking place in respect of the initial installation of CSS Walk Sequencing Machines and that an Agreement to cover the deployment of Walk Sequencing is one of the issues currently included in the Modernisation/Transformation negotiations the Union are having with the business.

To ensure that this initial deployment was able to progress it was agreed with the Project Team that the principles/terms contained in the Nationally Agreed Guidelines for the operational trials would continue to hold the field until the above discussions have been concluded. One of the key areas contained in the Guidelines was that Resourcing for CSS Operators would be in line with the Way Forward for Specialist Skills which in this case would be the Advanced TPM Process. For ease of reference the relevant paragraph of the Guidelines has been reproduced below. It has been brought to our attention however that some Local Managers are refusing to abide by these terms and are arranging interviews and using these to select who they feel are suitable candidates, which is unacceptable.

Branches/Representatives should ensure that any deviation from the agreed process is challenged via the use of the IR Framework including the status quo. Local Managers should also be advised that any attempt by them to proceed with Resourcing outside of the existing criteria will be construed as Executive Action and in breach of the current Interim Agreement.

Extracts from the Nationally Agreed Guidelines

3. Staffing Levels

Initially the intention is to run the machines with one operator in line with other administrations which use these two machines, but this will be reviewed during the trial in light of operational requirements.

4. Resourcing Process

The Walk Sequencing Machine Operator posts will be advertised internally to be filled on a temporary basis for the period of the trial. The actual numbers will be assessed locally to ensure there are sufficient people to facilitate working arrangements of approximately 2 hours on the machine followed by 2 hours on other associated work and cover for sickness/leave. The interim resourcing process to be used is contained in Appendix 3 which includes a Machine Operator Assessment. Applicants will be sought from 24th September 2006.
(Appendix 3)

3 Selection

In view of the fact that these jobs will be classed as a specialised skills role following an initial introduction to the operators tasks individuals will have to demonstrate their ability to work safely without supervision and their aptitude to operate machines efficiently to the specification required. This will be assessed by an Engineer and a discussion with the Work Area Manager in a similar way to the agreed resourcing process for specialist skills/advanced TPM positions.

The full document should you want any further information was attached to LTB 624/06 circulated on the 21st September 2006.

All enquiries regarding the content of this LTB should be addressed as appropriate to Martin Collins, Assistant Secretary Indoor Department quoting reference number L19.40(a) or Bob Gibson, Assistant Secretary Outdoor Department quoting reference number 530.04.

Yours sincerely



Martin Collins Bob Gibson
Assistant Secretary Assistant Secretary

[24601]

They're still banging on about 2 hours on the machine and 2 hours on other work !!!!!

We've had the machines for 3 years now and that's never happened and never been planned for.

[onthestella]

Where these machines have been operating for a number of months whats a typical duty on them. I cant imagine there much fun with only one operator.

[hubbahubba]

Where these machines have been operating for a number of months whats a typical duty on them. I cant imagine there much fun with only one operator.

My MC has had these machines for nearly a year,and operators regularly spend their entire 8hr shift on them,on their own.
More fool them......