JOINT STATEMENT REGARDING AN EXCEPTIONAL PROCESS TO MEET THE REQUIRED ASSESSMENT OF AGENCY DRIVERS
No: 381/21
9th September 2021
For the Immediate Attention of All:
Postal Branches
Divisional Representatives
Area Distribution Representatives
LGV Representatives
Dear Colleagues
JOINT STATEMENT BETWEEN ROYAL MAIL LOGISTICS AND THE CWU REGARDING AN EXCEPTIONAL PROCESS TO MEET THE REQUIRED ASSESSMENT OF AGENCY DRIVERS FOR PEAK 2021
Branches and representatives will be well aware of the almost daily news reports on the National shortage of LGV Drivers in the UK since Brexit and the very real effect this is now having on the supply chain. During Spring/Summer 2021 the department agreed two LGV recruitment exercises creating 612 new LGV Professional Drivers which have been filled through internal progression or external recruitment.
This represents the largest LGV recruitment exercise since the creation of the Professional Driver Grades and as part of the process 106 internal candidates were offered CPC training and 70 completed the course.
The department is also in advanced discussions with the business on creating an internal driver training program to start to address the future demand. Discussions are also focusing on release and upskilling for any remaining internal licence holders who would be willing to volunteer to perform Professional Driver duties during Peak.
In the short term however, as in previous years, Royal Mail will have to supplement internal resource with Agency cover during the Peak period. Given the Brexit issues the market for agency drivers is ultra-competitive with many fleet operators offering signing on fees and loyalty payments. While Royal Mail Professional Driver terms and conditions remain attractive in the market, the business believes that it is imperative that they can procure agency resource early for the Peak period before it is secured by other fleet providers.
With regard to our Nationally agreed standards the acceptance level for agency drivers in Royal Mail is high. All candidates must complete an assessment carried out by our Advanced Driver Coaches before being accepted. However, due to the current RM recruitment campaign, including the agreed upskilling sessions (20 hours) for internal candidates and the assessment program for external candidates along with year round agency assessments, the Advanced Driver Coaches are fully utilised.
The seasonal uplift in agency assessments that are predicted to meet demand will exceed the capability of our ADC community to deliver.
Given the above and to ensure that Royal Mail does not experience resourcing shortfalls through the key period, an exceptional interim process has been discussed to supplement ADC resource with professional assessors provided by Pertemps.
Discussions have therefore taken place with the business to conclude a Joint Statement for the exceptional interim process.
A copy of the document, which has been endorsed by the Postal Executive, is attached for your information.
In summary Pertemps assessors will only perform agency assessments where the workload cannot be completed by ADC’s. Pertemps will not be guaranteed any defined level of workload.
Pertemps assessors will carry out the assessments to meet the defined Royal Mail standards.
The requirement for Pertemps to support the operation will be jointly reviewed weekly during Peak and will cease no later than 3rd January 2022.
As a condition of the interim process the business have committed to a review of ADC numbers with a view to a further internal recruitment exercise to increase the number of coaches Nationally to meet future demand.
Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary, email: dwyatt@cwu.org quoting reference: 211.07.
Yours sincerely
Davie Robertson
Assistant Secretary