CWU National Briefing on Efficiency, Growth and Incentives – Day One
Thursday 6th November 2014
Venue - Nottingham
Day 1.
Attendee’s for CWU
· Dave Ward - Deputy General Secretary
· Bob Gibson - Assistant Secretary (Outdoor Section)
· Terry Pullinger – Assistant Secretary (Parcels, Logistics & Quadrant)
· Billy Hayes – General Secretary
Attendee’s for Royal Mail
· Sue Whalley – Chief Operations Officer
· Mike Newbie – ER / IR Director
Below are the main points that were raised at the meeting today.
Dave Ward opened meeting at 13:10 with the main points of interest below :
Dave reported the purpose of this briefing was to respond to the genuine ‘Dynamics’ within the postal industry.
Protecting & Supporting Reps in the field by way of Area-Divisional Reps support.
Dave explained there was no crisis at present, but we must focus on an uncertain future with competition and competitors that may drive down our terms and conditions in a race to the bottom.
This union needs to change direction in the future by looking back and focus on moving forward.
Relationships with Royal Mail are frustrating at local level and relationships are not changing as too many managers want this agreement to work as they cannot change. CWU reps also need to see change in relationships at the same time with some CWU reps needing to change also. Managers are found to be micromanaging this industry, rather than trusting the workforce.
It has been identified that our workforce is an ageing workforce and that we need to look at changes of choice going forward to help the ageing workforce.
In conclusion, Dave made reference to our pay deal in that it was the best trade deal of any trade union to date. He made comment saying that we have the best set of industrial agreements/procedures to protect our members.
Sue Whalley from Royal Mail Group addressed the conference by saying what great people we had working for Royal Mail. Sue recognised that working together with the CWU has achieved a lot.
Sue went on to speak about performance, attendance and competition such as Amazon Logistics and online market changes. Whistle (formally TNT Post) targeting the delivery market as formidable competition.
Working together with CWU, lobbying Westminster about Ofcom ignoring different standards with our competitors.
Royal Mail has invested £130,000,000 on new Personal Data Assistant (PDA’S).
General Secretary CWU Billy Hayes responded to this by saying that he was in the process of meeting with a Select Committee to address Ofcom’s different standards stance in regards to competition.
Labour Party Commitments on the USO and the Living Standard Wage.
Finally, a question and answer session commenced. Many CWU reps spoke about Bullying and Harassment cases and manager’s attitudes that were not acceptable within the industry. I can report that CWU reps who spoke were fantastic and Royal Mail representatives’ left with a strong message to stop bullying and harassment of our members and CWU reps.
Meeting closed at 17:10
Gabriel McCurry - NI Combined Branch Chairman
Friday 7th November 2014
Venue - Nottingham
Day 2.
Attendee’s for CWU
· Dave Ward - Deputy General Secretary
· Bob Gibson - Assistant Secretary (Outdoor Section)
· Terry Pullinger – Assistant Secretary (Parcels, Logistics & Quadrant)
· Ray Ellis – Assistant Secretary (Technical & Central Services Section)
· Jane Loftus – (President CWU)
Ray Ellis opened the meeting: Ray spoke about the MTSF review, speaking of enhanced pension /lump sums on VR for members over the age of 55.
He went on to question is the redundancy package at present fit for purpose. We need to analyse the package so we can maximise best terms for our members.
Ray finished off by explaining a review of the MTSF is necessary.
Bob Gibson: Bob advised the briefing that RM was using tools that are un-agreed, and advised attendees to register disagreement.
Planning Values: Planning values are based on 100% BSI.95%
is the average that our members are working at in relation to study report; Bob
explained that we are being managed badly.
Bob spoke about resourcing on annual leave and year round planning.
Reps need release time to hold resource meetings and daily meetings. If release
is not happening bring it through the IR Framework.
Sunday services: 97 offices trailing opening on Sunday's are dragging there
heels at opening more caller’s offices as this is a successful trail.
Revisions: Bob advised not to move past phase 1 until reps have been trained
via revision workshops.
Technology is moving at pace such as Amazon trailing drowns, and RM trailing
machines the can sequence letters and flats.
Bob
concluded speaking about the trailed Argos collection and RM investing £ 130K
in new PDA's and that RM and the CWU need to be pragmatic in making sure we get
our uniform fit for purpose especially our footwear.
Terry Pullinger: Mail Centers, program of work and terms of reference.
Processing centers need professional workplace manpower planning.
Parcelforce: Automated parcels, Parcelforce are experiencing growth.
Network reviews on various tools.
Quadrant: There is a joint statement in the field; a proper review on standards is required on food, pricing etc.
A question and answer took place on the above.
Dave Ward: closed the meeting explaining he will be meeting with our lawyers concerning holiday pay and ongoing court cases in relation to holiday pay.
Jane Loftus Chair closed the meeting.
Gabe McCurry – NI Combined Branch Chairman