LTB 505/14 Royal Mail Continued Efficiency Programme (CEP)

[TrueBlueTerrier]

LTB 505/14 Royal Mail Continued Efficiency Programme (CEP) - Joint Statement


No: 505/14
Ref: 3000
Date: 5th August 2014

TO: ALL BRANCHES WITH POSTAL MEMBERS

Dear Colleague

ROYAL MAIL CONTINUED EFFICIENCY PROGRAMME CEP JOINT STATEMENT

I would like to advise Branches that we have continued to meet with Royal Mail management over the past few weeks with regards to the Continued Efficiency Programme (CEP). During these meetings we have discussed issues relating to the CEP which have required a resolution.

Almost all of the one-to-one decision meetings for members impacted by the CEP have now taken place, with the exception of a small number which have been delayed by annual leave.


Joint Statement

A Joint Statement, which has been agreed with Royal Mail and is being published this morning, is reproduced below for your information.

Dear colleague,

Following our last joint statement we wanted to give you a further update on the Continued efficiency programme. Nearly all decision meetings have taken place for employees impacted by the programme; currently 48 have returned and accepted their VR offer and 46 are still outstanding. We ask those colleagues who have been offered voluntary redundancy to please respond as quickly as possible. Confirming that you are accepting/declining voluntary redundancy potentially impacts on the outcomes in relation to both appointments and bumping opportunities for other colleagues.

We appreciate this is a period of uncertainty for many of you, particularly those currently unplaced. We are committed to managing the process sensitively and in the best way possible, with minimum disruption. We wish to reassure you that the process aligns with Managing the Surplus Framework (MtSF). MtSF is the agreement between Royal Mail and CWU that covers the policy and approach for dealing with surplus situations and redundancy terms. In line with MtSF, the overarching objective is to deliver change without recourse to compulsory redundancy.

Next steps for those who are unplaced

As it currently stands we have around 90 individuals not placed nationwide but we are working together to explore further opportunities in your local area to find a role suitable for you. We will of course endeavour to ensure you are placed in a substantive administrative role. Should this not be possible at this time, we will look to see what short-term cover opportunities there may be.

All surplus administration employees will be managed by their existing parent function, and will have a dedicated manager to support them. This will take effect from Monday 18th August. Support is available on CV building and career guidance and if you would like to express your interest in voluntary redundancy please contact the CEP Preference team.

The Continued Efficiency Programme is in the process of formally closing but we continue to work together to place people into roles. We will be writing to you with next steps.

If you have any questions you should speak to your line manager or CWU area admin representative. You can also contact the dedicated HR helpline on 0845 602/6811/0114 241 4738/5456 4738 or email CEPqueries@royalmail.com.

Carol Spencer Andy Furey
Continued Efficiency Programme Assistant Secretary
Royal Mail Group Communication Workers Union

Next Steps

The CEP is now drawing to a close. We have sought to minimise job losses where this was feasible to do so and our primary focus in recent weeks has been to reduce the size of the surplus pool; talks are ongoing in this specific area ‎and this will include bumping where appropriate.

If there are any outstanding issues in relation to the programme that representatives wish to bring to the attention of management, please contact Lea Sheridan by email; lsheridan@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely
Andy Furey
Assistant Secretary