LTB 257/14 Agenda for Growth Agreement - Deployment Update

[Glenno]

17 April 2014
LTB 257/14 Agenda for Growth Agreement - Deployment Update

No: 257/14

17th April 2014





To: All Branches with Postal Members





Dear Colleague



Agenda for Growth Agreement – Deployment Update



The purpose of this LTB is to update CWU Branches and Representatives on progress with the deployment of the new Agreement. This relates directly to the ongoing projects and programme of work being dealt with under sections 1 – 5 of the Agreement. The following sub headings provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of play.



The Launch of the New Industrial Relations Procedures and the Legal Contract



The launch of the New Industrial Relations Procedures and the signing of the Legal Contract was initially delayed pending the commitment to brief all CWU representatives and Royal Mail managers and also to put in place the mediation arrangements. These issues have now moved sufficiently forward and it has been agreed to launch the new IR Procedures in the first week of May. Accordingly, the Legal Contract will be signed in the next couple of weeks and a Joint Statement will be sent out in due course confirming the launch date.



Industrial Relations Booklet



To coincide with the official launch of the new IR Procedures and the signing of the Legal Contract, It has been agreed to provide all CWU Representatives and Royal Mail managers with a joint publication on the new IR Procedures. The booklet will act as a useful ongoing reference and guide to how the procedures should be used.



Industrial Relations Briefings



The national rollout of briefings on the new IR Procedures to all representatives and managers is now virtually complete. We had no reported difficulties in setting up the briefings and feedback has been positive.

Interim Arrangements



The interim arrangements process has proved to be very useful and a very significant number of disagreements have been successfully resolved. We have agreed with the company that any disagreements still within the Interim Arrangements Process will continue for the time being to be ring fenced within that process through to conclusion. Unless jointly agreed otherwise, these will not be appropriate to the new procedures.



Mediation Arrangements



We have concluded the interview process for external mediators and six have been appointed from an ACAS shortlist. Applications for internal mediators will be advertised from the 28th April. A separate LTB will be issued next week detailing the overall approach to mediation. This will explain the pay, terms, conditions and role of an internal mediator and also how the post will be advertised.



Scheduled Attendance Holiday Pay – New Arrangements



We anticipate a document being placed before the PEC on the 23rd April, confirming the new arrangements for improved Scheduled Attendance Holiday Pay.



Growth Forum and Parallel Ops Exec Meetings



The key meeting structures designed to set up a better way of working with Royal Mail are now underway. To take full advantage of these meetings the CWU will need to prioritise these meetings and co-ordinate our approach.



Alongside what comes out of the new governance structures, these are the meetings that will ultimately determine the strength of CWU influence over business strategy. They are also designed to oversee progress on all aspects of the programme of work and resolve any difficulties being encountered.



The Growth Forum meetings are proving very useful with a significant exchange of information surrounding the challenges of competition, regulation and opportunities for growth. The national parties are discussing several new initiatives that will improve customer services with the potential to grow new revenue streams.



On end-to-end competition, a separate LTB will be sent out next week explaining a fresh CWU national campaign responding to the competitive threat. This will also be discussed at Annual Conference.

Efficiency



There have been a series of meetings on the overall approach to efficiency and the new incentive arrangements. The Postal Executive were given a comprehensive report on these meetings and a separate LTB will be sent out next week explaining the current position.



New Joint Training Programme



Discussions are continuing on the major investment in the new Joint Training for all CWU Reps and Royal Mail managers. The Postal Executive has been given a report on the status of this training and we are currently at the design stage of the training programme. Once the content is finalised, the intention is for all Royal Mail managers and CWU representatives jointly participate in the equivalent of three full days training over a twelve month period.



New Governance Arrangements



The DGS (P) is leading on this issue and meetings and discussions are at a very early stage. A further report will be made in due course.







Employee Engagement Review



We are currently scoping with Royal Mail the best way to undertake the Employee Engagement Review. The first step involves pulling together all existing Employee Engagement Initiatives across the company. The national parties will then systematically review these and where appropriate design new joint initiatives going forward. This includes a review of World Class Mail. A further report will be made in due course.



The Company Charter



The DGS (P) is leading on this issue and meetings will be diarised immediately following Annual Conference. A further report will be made in due course.



Royal Mail Reorganisation and IR Interfaces



Under the terms of the agreement we are due to review the industrial relations interfaces and initial meetings on this have taken place. This is now being dealt with in conjunction with the latest Royal Mail reorganisation. A separate LTB will be issued on this next week.



Summary



It can be seen from the content of this LTB that the programme of ongoing work for Sections 1 – 5 of the agreement is progressing reasonably well and we have encountered no major difficulties at this stage.



As previously reported, time has been set aside at Annual Conference for an update session on all aspects of the Agenda for Growth, Stability and Long Term Success Agreement. This will involve reports from all National Officers and there will be an opportunity for a question and answer session.



At an appropriate point we will also be producing communications direct to members’ home addresses updating them on overall progress with deployment and setting out how we intend to respond to the challenges of competition. In the meantime, please ensure the content of this LTB is circulated to all CWU representatives in advance of Annual Conference.



Any enquiries on the above LTB should be addressed to the DGS (P) Department.



Yours sincerely







Dave Ward
Deputy General Secretary (P)

[hans solo]

ha f***ing ha

[broughts]

So we voted on something that really hasnt been decided yet by the pec and royal mail,sounds like we are being shafted as usual,but im sure the xpences are mounting up,another great deal of the century

[music4essex]

Mediation Arrangements



We have concluded the interview process for external mediators and six have been appointed from an ACAS shortlist. Applications for internal mediators will be advertised from the 28th April. A separate LTB will be issued next week detailing the overall approach to mediation. This will explain the pay, terms, conditions and role of an internal mediator and also how the post will be advertised.

I have a mediation meeting tomorrow due to B/H , and it is not even the 28th yet , dont hold much hope on it , it is going to take all day been told

Essex mum