Contract change and seniority doesnt count??

[fu33bu33]

Hi, Weve just been told that the revision is coming in in two weeks time, im real fustrated as i dont know where i stand and we dont have a union rep. I have a 27 hour contract on a rural delivery. I have been here 9 years. The new changes including a re-pick has only an 18hr contract, loads of 30 hours (my round is gaining a full half of another delivery to bring it up to 30 hours even tho it will be an extra 1.5 hours a day more) and a handful of 39 hours van duties. Im stuck, as the 27 fitted great around my shop opening at 2pm and outdoor qualifications that im studying. Im now told that none of my other interests count and tough. So the new 30 hour contract would end roughly 2.15pm (realistically 3.45pm) So what im asking is- if i perminantly close my shop can i go up to full time with my seniority being 6 from the top? (Ive been told NO as im only on a 27hour contract, all the staff on 30 hours already will get offered them first - which defeats the point of my 9 years graft!) And also seems im backed in a corner and have worked hard getting the business established, how do i stand on their unrealistic finish time and just work to rule of 2.15pm? Theres up roar in the office which is such a shame as we all have worked so well together over xmas, using our own vans in 2 ft of snow till 6.30pm, 2 sundays etc.. We tryed our best and now i might have to ditch my business? I fell truely sh*t on !
Thanks

[clashcityrocker]

Seniority is seniority - the hours you or anyone other p/t currently works is irrelevant. Nine years on a 27hr contract is more senior than 8 years on a 30hr contract.
Your finish time is your finish time. If you don't want to work a minute past it .......you don't.

[fu33bu33]

Thanks for that. No-one likes to challenge the manager, and they very rarely cut off. Being the lickle feisty lass, im quite happy to work to rule, and will be now, everyday :)

[hairyjack]

[labbloke]

Thanks for that. No-one likes to challenge the manager, and they very rarely cut off. Being the lickle feisty lass, im quite happy to work to rule, and will be now, everyday :)

Whatever you do fu, do not say to the boss you are working to rule, it may be classed as unofficial industrial action and could have you out of the door sharp.

All you are doing is working your hours, no more no less, thats the one sentence which strikes fear into the management

good luck

[Lincox]

If they have no 27 hour contracts under the new system and you do not wish to change your hours, do they not have to accomodate you at another office? I dont think they can force you to increase your contracted hours.

[REDLETTER]

If they have no 27 hour contracts under the new system and you do not wish to change your hours, do they not have to accomodate you at another office? I dont think they can force you to increase your contracted hours.

Check you contract!!!!

[Himaggen]

I'm certain that 'Beyond' states that nobody will be forced to change their contracted hours!

Also you need to understand something; seniority, (length of service), means nothing whatsoever when it comes to things of this nature. If a single full-time position arises in your office, it would be proven as discrimination were a person to be allocated it based on anything other than merit.

[suz67]

I'm certain that 'Beyond' states that nobody will be forced to change their contracted hours!

Also you need to understand something; seniority, (length of service), means nothing whatsoever when it comes to things of this nature. If a single full-time position arises in your office, it would be proven as discrimination were a person to be allocated it based on anything other than merit.

wrong!!!

[jpostie]

isn`t that also called favouritism.

[Himaggen]

I'm certain that 'Beyond' states that nobody will be forced to change their contracted hours!

Also you need to understand something; seniority, (length of service), means nothing whatsoever when it comes to things of this nature. If a single full-time position arises in your office, it would be proven as discrimination were a person to be allocated it based on anything other than merit.

wrong!!!

How about telling me what I said wrong oh ye of little words.
CWU Summary

part time employees will be entitled to retain their existing hours if they wish through transformation.

B.T 2010 and Beyond

Part time employees will be entitled to retain their existing contractual hours if they wish.

As for my other statement, length of service in the Royal Mail only affords you rights such as holiday entitlement, redundancy payments, notification periods, pensions, maternity leave etc. It is also agreed that the selection of same skill duties can be allocated descending from most senior as the most fair method.
You cannot upgrade contractual hours based solely on a persons length of service. Any employee with over five years of service can be upgraded in hours by their employer if that employer can show that they are rewarding loyalty, encouraging motivation or recognising experience. Once you have passed the five year mark arguments on experience, especially doing the same job, hold little weight. (you cannot say that after five years that one months less service for example means that a person is less experienced). So a less senior person can always be rewarded over more senior for loyalty and most any other reason the employer wishes to give.

[Big Daz]

The way forward sets the parameters for moving from PT to FT in clear terms.

[Himaggen]

The way forward sets the parameters for moving from PT to FT in clear terms.

Actually it only sets out the terms of allocation for 'same core skills' jobs with regard advertised positions, but most of what we need for argument is stated there.

In this case however it's a simple case of the unit will need to resource in such a way that the number of contracted hours do not change if the employee wishes to keep them the same. However, and this is really important in this case, the unit can change the duty structures, times and days etc. within those hours and still fook up the employees other commitments.

[Lincox]

Himmagen, I think you will also find in employment law, that if a person has for a prolonged period been working his contracted hours over a 3 day period and RM change this to 5 day within the same hours span, and the employee is unable to do this because of other commitments, then that employee would have a fair chance of constructive dismissal.

[Himaggen]

Himmagen, I think you will also find in employment law, that if a person has for a prolonged period been working his contracted hours over a 3 day period and RM change this to 5 day within the same hours span, and the employee is unable to do this because of other commitments, then that employee would have a fair chance of constructive dismissal.

I don't think it's as straight forward as that, unfortunately. If the employer wishes to change the working day times, (as in most of the revisions ATM), proves it due to major change, gives reasonable notice and has attempted to offer either more hours by way of compensation, (an additional three) or a buy down (to 18 hours); I really don't see any tribunal finding the case in the employees favour.