Parcelforce – JS regarding the Potential to Develop a New Ap

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Letter to Branches




No. 640/2013
Ref: 132.05
Date: 26th September 2013

To All Postal Branches with Parcelforce Members
To All Regional Organisers
To All Parcelforce Representatives


Dear Colleague

Parcelforce – Joint Statement regarding the Potential to Develop a New Approach to Depot Revisions

Members will be aware that the motion below (reproduced for your information) was carried at this year’s Packages and Express Conference in Birmingham.

“16 CATEGORY A:

This conference recognises and applauds Parcelforce Worldwide success and on-going expansion programme resulting in an increase in parcel traffic and revenue. Therefore it is imperative that a revised Depot Route Revision Procedure is negotiated to ensure that Parcelforce Worldwide quality of service is maintained.

Central Regional Parcels Committee”

Attached to this LTB for your information is a Joint Statement which details the process for developing the potential for a new approach to depot route revision procedures.

Branches/Representatives are requested to ensure that our Parcelforce representatives and members are made aware of the contents of this LTB, and that further updates on the development of the revised procedure will be circulated in due course.

Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Terry Pullinger, Assistant Secretary, e-mail: dwyatt@cwu.org or lwright@cwu.org quoting reference number: 132.05

Yours sincerely



Terry Pullinger
Assistant Secretary


Joint Statement between Parcelforce Worldwide and the CWU regarding the Potential to Develop a New Approach to Depot Revisions



INTRODUCTION

The Table of Success process has established a structure that strengthens the partnership approach and involves the CWU in the widest set of business issues. The Working Group design supports the commitment to integrate the interests of all parties and compliment the mutual interest culture.

Against that backdrop and building on this way of working together, this Joint Statement has been agreed to put in place a structure to take forward the commitment made in the 2012 pay agreement to review our depot revision procedures to ensure that they are fit for purpose in providing a transparent and fair revision process which organises balanced routes/duties with a fair and manageable workload.

BACKDROP

Both parties have been discussing the potential for a new approach which ensures that depot duty design is maintained in line with National agreements, is always fit for purpose in regard to the commitments made to customers and employees and replaces the ad-hoc traditional nature of revision activity.

The ‘workshop mode’ discussions thus far have been considered substantial enough to warrant commissioning joint research and development of the potential theory without prejudice to existing agreements. Both parties consider that there are sufficient concerns to question if our existing arrangements are universally supported or easily understood by all, or if they are responsive enough to cope with the ‘era of growth’ or change at a fast pace.

THE THEORY
Theoretically we are jointly seeking to design a clearly understood and easily applied process which enables an audit adjustment approach on a regular basis, instead of an infrequent ad-hoc and elongated full revision process.

The continuing joint work will seek to develop and consider the following:

Key information in any process is the ‘Paragon’ information data base. This information is owned by PFW and the theory is that a joint review of this National information would take place annually and updated accordingly.

The development of this theory will consider the benefits of moving away from the agreed current calculation for revisions as detailed in the ‘Blue Print Agreement, to one based upon the peak week (excluding Christmas pressure, exams, other agreed anomalies and Saturdays) divided by 5, to give an average day and with an annually determined percentage for growth.

That the annually updated Paragon software would then populate the agreed Route Builder programme to be used locally by managers and unit representatives, who would be fully trained in the process and best positioned to apply local knowledge to ensure that the depot duty design still meets our mutual interest objectives.

Determine the most appropriate time of the year for the above process to take place that delivers maximum benefit for operational & budget planning.

Determine how any revision process can be used to at least maintain existing productivity levels in a manner consistent with our mutual interest objectives.

Consider the long term approach that delivers a seamless, progressive and corrective revision process, which anticipates change and maintains all mutual interest priorities, rather than a disruptive big bang ad-hoc approach.     

Consider how exceptional duty audits outside of the annual arrangements would be conducted for significant unforeseen traffic gain or loss using the same ‘Route Builder’ approach, with a consensus developed locally on the traffic figure adjustment required against the annual Paragon data.

Determine and consider the process for new depots with work concentrated from the old and potentially other existing depots, using currently agreed workload per postcode sector with adjustments to stem mileage in conjunction with route builder and local knowledge

In respect of next steps priority will be given to establishing the process for the annual audit of Paragon information and carrying out an actual review to refine the process. Establishment of a best timeframe for the process will influence the time of the annual processes thereafter. Work will also commence on developing the other bullet points above in order that a decision can be made as to the viability of new jointly agreed process.

Clearly the above potential process which would establish Route Builder as the local key tool relates to C&D modelling. If the above joint activity produces an agreed change to existing agreements we would then concentrate on reviewing the Admin CAAP model and the Warehouse TIE model.

The ownership of this initiative will be the National signatories of this Joint Statement. Both parties are committed to ensuring that should it be determined that the development of the theory has been successful, that progress to negotiations for a new agreement will be delivered as a priority.







Terry Pullinger Peter Fuller
Assistant Secretary Operations Director
CWU PFW

Date: 23rd September 2013