CWU's Mark Baulch blogs on the importance of getting Sunday deliveries right.

[POSTMAN]

CWU’s Mark Baulch blogs on the importance of getting Sunday deliveries right.

‘Getting into the Sunday market was one of the key commitments in the Pathway to Change Agreement. It’s very important because of the switch away from High Street retailing to online alternatives.

‘It’s important we get into that marketplace with Sunday deliveries. Sunday is a very busy retail day.

‘Our Sunday volumes are growing as more customers sign up. If we provide our best quality of service, not only can we gain in Sunday volumes, but we can gain items from them across the other six days of the week, so that Royal Mail becomes a seven-day service for those companies.

‘There have been some challenges on quality and resourcing but, jointly with the company, we’re working to try and put those things right. We’re encouraging our reps in their units to ensure voluntarily resourcing is there for colleagues who may want to increase their contractual entitlement, particularly part-timers.

‘To get into the Sunday operation, while at the same time getting robust resourcing arrangements in place, is challenging and so there has been some agency use in order to do that. In time, we want to reduce that as we want our own dedicated members to carry out the work.

‘Where people don’t want to work Sundays, we understand that. We’re not saying anyone should be compelled to work on a Sunday – it’s a voluntary commitment we’ve signed up to. However, I have to stress that it’s important for Royal Mail to get into the Sunday marketplace otherwise it leaves a gap for some of the other carriers. It won’t just be Sunday volume Royal Mail doesn’t get, it will be volume across the other six days, too. Overall, Royal Mail will lose market share. That’s not a good place for anyone to be in. We want a successful Royal Mail that provides job security for our members.

‘What is now vital is we deliver a quality product to make sure Royal Mail gains market share.’

[2yearpostie]

Feel free to go and deliver parcels on a Sunday Mark for no extra hourly pay, most of us in delivery really dont mind if YOU want to do it.

[clashcityrocker]

CWU’s Mark Baulch blogs on the importance of getting Sunday deliveries right.


If we provide our best quality of service,

We’re encouraging our reps in their units to ensure voluntarily resourcing is there for colleagues who may want to increase their contractual entitlement, particularly part-timers.

Two points Mark:
Firstly - our best quality of service at the moment means every other day. Not very robust and not what anyone needs.
Secondly - how does a part timer, already working 5 days/week increase their contractual entitlement by volunteering for Sunday delivery? Are some people going to have a 6 day/week contract?

And a final thought - who is ensuring that people volunteering for these Sunday duties aren't working 7 days/week? Who in RM/CWU actually cares about the Working Time Directive?

Other than that Mark, crack on. I think you are doing a fine job.

[Marshamp11]

We are currently not getting weekday deliveries right so crack on with Sundays pal.

[derekm]

Reading between the lines they will be wanting us in on a Sunday if they can get it probably part of next pay talks

[world class male]

I get the usual patter from the cwu'hq on sunday service about creating jobs, but they are so out of touch with what's going on mon-sat that it's increasingly worrying if to save on the subs or not,
fix this and some folk may be inclined to offer the odd sunday, instead we are so downtrodden not only is it a screw you, but simply need the rest.
and adding to the subject of sundays, it ought to be compulsory that a dom is present during the shift too

[postslippete]

The way our office is working we need staff to come in on a Sunday to deliver the mail and packets that didn't get delivered from the previous day/s lapsing. Guess it all depends how committed Royal Mail are about clearing frames in the office. Actions speak louder than words.

As for delivering the tracked and covid kits on a Sunday, from what I've heard its a bit of a free for all with some posties delivering a dozen and finishing early and another delivering nearly a hundred items. Its not particularly well managed presumably because there aren't any managers turning up on a Sunday.

[oypostie]

Its not particularly well managed presumably because there aren't any managers turning up on a Sunday.

Wouldn't the lack of managers be a good thing

[postslippete]

Its not particularly well managed presumably because there aren't any managers turning up on a Sunday.

Wouldn't the lack of managers be a good thing

Well, I've been thinking of putting meself up for a Sunday slot.

Turn up, do half a dozen tracked items plus any extra covid kits and p*ss off home after 2 or 3 hours work with the expectation of being paid till whatever time the finish is (can't be too late on a Sunday can it?). Plus you do get extra for working Sundays....

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Sorry if that was an LTB it would be 1/84. I honestly don't believe that was written by a CWU rep of any stature. There is nothing in there that addresses members concerns or issues. It comes across as a management team building missive.

Very disappointed.

I get what he is trying to say, but say it like a rep, not a manager, please.