Changes to Restricted Goods on Tracked

[TrueBlueTerrier]

No. 834/10
Ref C15
Date: 28 September 2010


To: All Branches
 
Dear Colleagues

RE: Royal Mail - Relaxation of Existing Restricted Goods Rules regarding the Carriage by Royal Mail of Certain Prohibited Goods to be made available to Royal Mail Tracked Customers Posting in excess of 300,000 items a year: 
 
This month sees the welcome introduction of some new services and products in Royal Mail with the potential to generate significant new business and contracts, gaining more business in the packets and parcels market through these changes.
 
Alongside the launch of the enhanced "Royal Mail Tracked Next Day" (enhancements to the already established Royal Mail Tracked two to three day service and available to contract account customers posting a minimum of 5000 packets per annum), Royal Mail have consulted the Union on the relaxation of their existing 'Restricted Goods Regulations' regarding the carriage of certain goods which are currently prohibited, in a new service to be made available to 'Royal Mail Tracked' service customers who post in excess of 300,000 items a year.
 
The new Tracked Permitted Goods are Perfumes, Nail Varnishes, Lithium Batteries and Aerosols) for these customers.
 
Following meetings with Royal Mail last month to consider the proposals in detail and work through the Risk Assessment with the technical project leads -  Royal Mail's Head of Engineering Safety Chris Portman and Royal Mail's Head Chemist Paul Browne gave a presentation of the extensive preparatory work done in the run up to the proposed changes and we were satisfied that we can support the proposals. The risk assessment conducted by Chris Portman and Paul Brown was presented to the meeting and showed a low minimal risk increase to CWU members. Questions were raised by the Union regarding packaging, labelling, breakages and clean-up process, flammability, communications and changes to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) plus auditing and the non-deliverables process, all of which were adequately covered off. The packaging issue had also been discussed with Amazon and the overall conclusion was 'low risk'. It was confirmed that by design the bottles, containers and packaging was sufficiently robust and safe. The Royal Mail Security and CBRNE team have been informed of these new items going through the network in relation to controlling any potential CBRNE incidents being caused by the items.
 
In response to our requests, pre-launch assurances were given in writing from Lisa Adams Royal Mail New Product Development Manager, in relation to:-
 
 
Creation of Internal Communication Plan (completed)
Amend to SOP for damaged items/spillages  (completed)
Creation of Audit Process - to include non compliance of packaging of items (completed)
Non-deliverable process (completed) and  
Labelling/packing instructions for customer (completed)
 
It has been estimated that by allowing customers to send these previously prohibited goods it will create incremental revenue to the business of at least £3.4m through achieving more packets from existing customers and new accounts that previously could only send these items through our competitors. The new £3.4 Million Contract is with Amazon Direct to carry new traffic streams with the potential for further multi-million Contracts to be won by Royal Mail with Amazon and other companies.
 
Essentially the Contract will involve Amazon Mail Order, small packet traffic with the new contents being Perfumes, Nail Polishes, non-toxic aerosols/deodorants etc and lithium batteries/phone batteries. These products are currently prohibited under Royal Mail's own prohibited goods rules and as such competitors carry these items which Royal Mail can carry at a substantially cheaper price.
 
The packets will come in to the Logistics Network from the Amazon Depots and will then move through the network using Royal Mail Tracked Plus. The planned launch date was Monday 13th September. A Work Time Listening and Learning brief via Regional Internal Communication Managers supported with a Work Time Listening and Learning poster for communication to all staff.
 
The discussions with Royal Mail were very productive and it was considered that the proposals warrants CWU full support.
 
 

 

Yours Sincerely Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce Bob Gibson
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer Assistant Secretary Outdoor
 

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[TrueBlueTerrier]

Well if there was an aware for longest title this would win hands down.

Original title: RE: Royal Mail - Relaxation of Existing Restricted Goods Rules regarding the Carriage by Royal Mail of Certain Prohibited Goods to be made available to Royal Mail Tracked Customers Posting in excess of 300,000 items a year: 
 

[noggin1969]

The new Tracked Permitted Goods are Perfumes, Nail Varnishes, Lithium Batteries and Aerosols) for these customers( Customers Posting in ex

[Straight4ward]

Radioactive isotopes, anyone?

[DGP1]

Radioactive isotopes, anyone?

At least we'll be able to get rid of our hi-viz vests because we'll be glowing in the dark (the real reason for later deliveries)

[fmrPOSTIE]

Royal Mail has got a "Head Chemist"

Blimey!!!????

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Royal Mail has got a "Head Chemist"

Blimey!!!????

Well at least we know now how they change the personalities of ex posties who become managers. The head chemist must get through a lot of heads after 2010.