Joint Statement - Extended Opening Hours at Christmas

[TrueBlueTerrier]

LTB 798/08 - POL: Joint Statement - Extended Opening Hours at Christmas

22 October 2008

Issuing officer(s): Andy Furey


No: 798/08
Ref: 110
Date: 21 October 2008


TO: ALL BRANCHES WITH POSTAL MEMBERS


Dear Colleagues

POL: JOINT STATEMENT - EXTENDED OPENING HOURS AT CHRISTMAS

As Branches will know we have been discussing Christmas arrangements with POL. Consequently LTB 757, dated 6th October, reported on the agreed arrangements for opening hours on both Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.

As demonstrated in LTB 797, dated 21st October, we have put in place innovative arrangements for extending mail services at PostShops during this critical time of year.


A further part of the Christmas arrangements package is extending open hours in the run up to Christmas; to this end, the following joint statement has been agreed to facilitate this important initiative which will benefit both members and customers alike.

Joint Statement - Extended Opening Hours at Christmas

This year our Christmas plans include extending opening hours during December at some of our key Crown Offices. These will be selected based on their location and the hours of trading of local retailers in the run up to Christmas.

Both Post Office Ltd and the CWU agree that extending opening hours at key branches really gives our customers a choice and allows us to mirror opening hours of other major retailers. It will help spread the customer pressure on the counter over a longer timeframe, and therefore provide more opportunities and a better environment to talk to customers about our financial services products.

If your branch is selected for extended opening hours we really do encourage you to take up the offer of additional hours as it will help promote our business at this busy time of year within the community, and potentially ease the pressure on you and your colleagues during regular opening times. For offices where there is an opportunity for extended opening times, the branch team should discuss how to ensure there are enough volunteers to cover the extra hours, whilst taking into account security issues.

Any additional hours you work will of course be on a voluntary basis with overtime being payable. Alternatively, you may want to bank additional hours worked rather than claim overtime using the flexible attendance system, and take the time back later.

This initiative, along with other plans will help make Christmas 2008 a success for our customers, the business and you. We look forward to your support.


Richard Barker Andy Furey

General Manager Assistant Secretary

Crown Network & WH Smith Crown Office Network Communication Workers' Union



As can be seen from the above, the emphasis is on "volunteers" and "encouragement" to embrace these opportunities which will provide our members with additional earnings opportunity at a particularly expensive time of year. This is good news against the backdrop of spiralling costs of living.

It is imperative that Post Offices in major shopping areas are open when all other retail outlets are open. Consequently, all representatives are urged to fully embrace the spirit of this initiative to ensure that, where possible, our members provide the additional services required for the public.

Branches are encouraged to ensure that this LTB is brought to the attention of our POL Members. Any enquiries should be addressed to Claire Bowers at cbowers@cwu.org



Yours sincerely





Andy Furey

Assistant Secretary

[TrueBlueTerrier]

No: 797/08
Ref: 129
Date: 21 October 2008

TO: ALL BRANCHES WITH POSTAL MEMBERS


Dear Colleague

POL POSTSHOP/RETAIL SALES CONSULTANTS: CHRISTMAS ARRANGEMENTS JOINT STATEMENT

Further to LTB 791, dated 17th October, which provided details of the National Agreement in relation to the Upskilling of Retail Sales Consultants.

The following joint statement has been agreed with POL in respect of the transitional arrangements over the Christmas period. The joint statement accurately reflects the National Agreement and is specifically designed to raise the profile and necessity for the transitional arrangements which in essence is about providing a better customer experience at a time of year when significantly more people visit Post Offices.

“Joint Statement - Retail Sales Consultants Christmas arrangements

We are pleased to let you know that we have agreed an approach to extend mails and bill payment services to PostShops during the busy Christmas period.

From 1 December, Retail Sales Consultants will receive a monthly allowance of £83.33 (pro-rata for part-time colleagues) in recognition of the higher value work they will be carrying out. This non-pensionable allowance will flow through to hourly pay rates, which in turn will increase overtime and Saturday Premium rates where applicable. This allowance will remain in place whilst the additional products are being sold by Retail Sales Consultants.

Ahead of the Christmas period Retail Sales Consultants will receive in-branch training so they are able to sell all mails products. This will include Pricing in Proportion and Mails Integrity training. Each PostShop will have electronic scales installed that will be linked to Horizon and will allow Retail Sales Consultants to sell inland and international mails products including Special Delivery. Where practical, Retail Sales Consultants will also receive training to allow them to carry out bill payment transactions.

This agreement rewards Retail Sales Consultants for their additional skills. It will also help to relieve pressure on the counter, reduce queuing times, and improve the service we offer our customers. Clearly this is good news for all.

Finally, please be advised that we plan to publish a further joint statement detailing the longer term plans for PostShop colleagues in the near future.

Richard Barker Andy Furey
General Manager Assistant Secretary
Crown Network & WH Smith Crown Office Network Communication Workers’ Union”


It should be borne in mind that while our Postshop members are being asked to perform additional duties, the agreement allows for them to be properly rewarded for their endeavours. The £83.33 allowance (pro rata for part timers) is payable from 1st December when these new arrangements commence. The allowance also flows through to overtime rates and, where applicable, Saturday Premium. This means that any additional hours performed by our members will be enhanced by the value of the allowance.

Branches are encouraged to ensure that this LTB is brought to the attention of our Postshop members and any enquiries should be addressed to Claire Bowers at cbowers@cwu.org

Yours sincerely



Andy Furey
Assistant Secretary