Union opposes Royal Mail's van delivery trial for large parcels in Swindon

[POSTMAN]

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THE Royal Mail is trialling a new delivery service for parcels in Swindon - but it is understood the postal workers’ union is not happy with the plans.

Large and next-day packages will be delivered separately by van during the trial so that postmen and women delivering door-to-door around the town don’t have to carry heavy and bulky items around their routes.

But the Communication Workers Union is against the trial due to concerns over Parcelforce workers.

A Royal Mail spokesman said: “Royal Mail is disappointed that CWU has opposed this trial. The company proactively asked the union for mutual interest talks aimed as a precursor to negotiations.

“In order to get these talks underway, we agreed to defer the TUPE transfer of Parcelforce employees as well as agree that the dispute resolution processes in respect of the CWU’s point of principle dispute have been concluded.

“In return we asked for the union support in carrying out a number of key initiatives. Deployment of the trials was already agreed in line with Royal Mail’s 2018 agreement with the union.

“This support has not been forthcoming so we are moving ahead following the completion of the dispute resolution process.”

The operational trial is designed to test the best way for Royal Mail to collect, process and deliver next day parcels and larger items more appropriate for van delivery. The trial will extend to other locations throughout February 2020.

The trial is designed to capitalise on the growth of ‘night owl’ shopping and the increase in the number of bigger items.

“It will make it easier for postmen and women to deliver their usual round as heavy, bulky items will no longer be in their mailbag.

The Adver approached the Communication Workers Union for comment but could not get a response before deadline.

The Royal Mail spokesman added: “Change is essential if we want to remain one of the UK’s largest employers, with the best terms and conditions in our industry.

“Unlike many of our peers, who operate in the gig economy, over 99 per cent of Royal Mail employees are on permanent contracts.

“Royal Mail wants to invest £1.8 billion in a programme designed to grow its UK business.

“It will focus on customer service improvements, digital initiatives, network enhancements and new ways of working to deliver more productivity and efficiency. .

[Woody Guthrie]

Anyone reading this is going to think that the union is crazy to oppose parcel separation.

We know there is obviously a cost to us from removing the large parcels but your average bod in the street is just going to think it makes total sense and Royal Mail are doing us and the customer a favour.

If the union allow Royal Mail to position the dispute around parcel separation they're going to come across as dinosaurs, we need to move the debate away from this as quickly as possible. This will happen and it's not something we can stop. We need to focus our goals and choose our battles more carefully.

[ssdd]

The parcel separation strategy begun over a year ago when they brought in LATs. I think the issue with it, and something which RM have failed to highlight is the impact on the regular walking postman.

“It will make it easier for postmen and women to deliver their usual round as heavy, bulky items will no longer be in their mailbag".

Except it won't be their usual round will it? It will be a new one of increased delivery span.

Usual policy of RM twisting the facts to suit themselves and paint a rosy picture for public relations.

[Schiff]

Anyone reading this is going to think that the union is crazy to oppose parcel separation.

We know there is obviously a cost to us from removing the large parcels but your average bod in the street is just going to think it makes total sense and Royal Mail are doing us and the customer a favour.

If the union allow Royal Mail to position the dispute around parcel separation they're going to come across as dinosaurs, we need to move the debate away from this as quickly as possible. This will happen and it's not something we can stop. We need to focus our goals and choose our battles more carefully.

Spot on mate.

Change in the business is going to happen and needs to happen.

The union needs to be very specific about what it opposes and why. It should be using acceptance of change in some areas as a bargaining chip against changes in others. Simply oppose every change and they lose all credibility.

[RedRich]

How long will it be before someone has the great idea of going green and sending us out on bikes once the heavy packets are gone?

[scoobydo79]

How long will it be before someone has the great idea of going green and sending us out on bikes once the heavy packets are gone?

Yes in My area We had a whole load of pouch boxes installed and lots of secure bag drops.It worked incredibly well with the bikes.We even did larger parcels on the bike carriers after our deliveries.RM really F it up..
No vehicle costs no fuel costs and no parking permits needed.Just a part time bike maintenance guy.

[SpacePhoenix]

Judging by the yorks of "large" that we get from other MCs the staff doing the large parcel runs will also end up doing a lot of small. Many of the yorks of "large" will have at least 50% "small" on them as well. The sleeves will sometimes have "large" in them so normal delivery staff will still be doing "large" parcels anyway

[Janet Brum]

I really don`t understand why RM don`t give large parcels to Parcel Force and want to add more delivery to the remaining posties?
Especially that they didn`t took one hour off the working week to make it possible to have delivery points added to a walk?

How many will cope with walking extra? I won`t for example...