LTB 205/23 Mail Centre Supernumerary/Surplus Issues Update
No: 205/23
4th August 2023
For the Immediate Attention of All:
Postal Branches
Divisional Representatives
Area Processing Representatives
Dear Colleagues
Mail Centre Supernumerary/Surplus Issues Update
Further to the contents of LTB 167/23 on Mail Centre Revision PIR Activity issued on the 29th June 2023 and the updates given at the National Briefing in Leeds on the 25th July 2023, Branches will be aware of the continuing widespread concern and uncertainty resulting from Royal Mails unacceptable approach to managing surplus situations and the adoption of an unagreed Redeployment Process.
As discussed at the National briefing the CWU believe that the approach adopted by the company represents a breach of the agreed MTSF processes and indeed the reaffirmed commitments in the Business Recovery Transformation and Growth (BRT&G) agreement to adhere to the MTSF agreement.
Of particular concern has been the unagreed methodology for identifying surplus employees, the proposed creation of Redeployment Pools, including the removal of employees from the workplace, the engagement of a third party company to manage redeployment or outplacement, the non-adherence to MTSF compensation terms and the treatment of part time employees with regard to the options available to them.
While this is not a Mail Centre specific issue, as it does affect members in other functions, we are well aware of the pressure the actions of the business have placed on our members in Mail Centres.
Given this, resolution of these issues was one of two priority matters pursued during two days of high level talks this week.
During those talks focus was placed on the areas where the Union believe that Royal Mail is in fundamental breach of the BRT&G, MTSF and Section 2.5 Joint statement.
Some progress was made in those discussions and a further high level meeting has been arranged for Monday, 7th August 2023 with a view to resolving the outstanding issues. A further update will be provided following that session and we remain committed to ensuring that the terms of our National agreements and commitments in relation to managing surpluses hold the field and that our members are treated with respect and are afforded the protections that those agreements provide.
Until such time as a resolution is achieved, Branches and Representatives should continue to refer matters to the IR Framework, where they believe that the terms of MTSF or the Section 2.5 Joint Statement have been breached.
Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary, email:
dwyatt@cwu.org quoting reference: 733.02.
Yours sincerely
Davie Robertson
Assistant Secretary