LTB 097/18 - Terms of Reference between Royal Mail and the CWU on Trial Activity Relating to the Traffic Transformation Initiative and Addendum

[TrueBlueTerrier]

LTB 097/18 - Terms of Reference between Royal Mail and the CWU on Trial Activity Relating to the Traffic Transformation Initiative and Addendum

No. 097/18

16th February 2018

For the Immediate Attention of All:

Postal Branches
Divisional Representatives
Area Processing Representatives
Area Delivery Representatives
Area Distribution Representatives

TERMS OF REFERENCE BETWEEN ROYAL MAIL AND THE CWU ON TRIAL ACTIVITY RELATING TO THE TRAFFIC TRANSFORMATION INITIATIVE AND ADDENDUM

Dear Colleagues

Branches and representatives will be aware that agreed trial activity in relation to the Traffic Transformation initiative has been taking place since April 2017 (LTB 159/17 refers). The objective of the trial was to develop and test potential technical and manual traffic recording models, including PDA’s to support manual traffic recording, as it had been jointly recognised that the business’ existing methods for measuring the volume of mail were complicated, expensive and may produce inaccurate information that could impact on resourcing and QofS.

The trial has been taking place under the agreed Terms of Reference from April 2017 at the following sites in order to analyse the accuracy of the proposed new approach and assess the impact of the system change:

Carlisle
Mount Pleasant (LCMC)
Wolverhampton
Activity was also to take place in Leeds Mail Centre to establish effective traffic data models.

Under the TOR (Annex A) it was agreed that if the new system proved reliable, discussions would take place at National level in relation to replacing the current sampling and recording arrangements from April 2018.

The Traffic Transformation project aim was to deploy all functionality and create a parallel run of traffic recording systems from April 2017 to allow for a full comparison of all data sources for 12 months, concluding in March 2018. However, due to technical delays the new PDA Traffic Measurement Application was not deployed in the trial offices until October 2017. As a result, it has not been possible to obtain reliable data over a sufficient period of time to support any decision in regards to deployment of the Traffic Transformation initiative within the previously agreed timescales.

It has therefore been agreed that the PDA Application trial will be extended for another year to ensure that a robust data base is collected and that any final decision to switch off MIST and DIRT can be made with greater confidence. Discussions have therefore taken place with the business in relation to an Addendum to the original TOR which has now been agreed and endorsed by the Postal Executive and is attached at Annex B for your information.

PDA data collected to date demonstrates significant variability of recorded traffic at individual site/plant level. It is recognised that each plant has its own unique traffic characteristics and in order to fully understand the data, PDA’s will be deployed to the remaining 33 Mail Centres. This will enable the collection of site specific data for the manual areas, test manual traffic recording models and provide data to fully understand the variability by site. This information will support both parties to review and make decisions about the next steps.

In addition to the Mail Centre activity we will also trial the application in 2 RDC’s and 9 Collection Hubs which are performing primary sort activities. These sites are as follows:

Collection Hubs: Regional Distribution Centres:
Cambridge
Bolton North
Oldham
Stockport
Doncaster
South Yorkshire Rail Terminal
Dartford
Leicester
Crow Lane
North West Regional Distribution Centre
South West Regional Distribution Centre
The International Logistics Centre will also participate in the trial activity, to more accurately capture volumes of imported parcels.

This deployment will commence with immediate effect and will complete in April/May 2018.

It is agreed that the period of trial activity will be extended until April 2019. In accordance with the agreed Terms of Reference, a formal National joint evaluation and review will take place prior to any final decision at that point.

All other undertakings and commitments contained within the original Terms of Reference remain unchanged and will continue to apply in full to the ongoing trial activity.

It is confirmed that the above terms relating to the extension of the trial have no additional impact on either operational issues or traffic recording methods in Delivery Units.

Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to:

Processing, RDC’s & ILC: Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary, quoting reference: 053.
Email address: dwyatt@cwu.org or shayman@cwu.org

or

Deliveries: Mark Baulch, Assistant Secretary, quoting reference: 300.
Email address: outdoorsecretary@cwu.org

Yours sincerely

Katrina Quirke
Acting Assistant Secretary

Mick Kavanagh
Acting Assistant Secretary

18LTB097 – Traffic Transformation Addendum 16.02.18[2] http://emails.cwu.org/t/d-l-ojidjll-ztkihjuz-i/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Annex A – TOR on Trial Activity Relating to the Traffic Transformation Initiative 15.03.17 http://emails.cwu.org/t/d-l-ojidjll-ztkihjuz-d/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Annex B – Addendum to Traffic Transformation Trial 16.02.18 http://emails.cwu.org/t/d-l-ojidjll-ztkihjuz-h/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



View Online http://emails.cwu.org/t/d-l-ojidjll-ztkihjuz-k/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[plaguelift]

PDA data collected to date demonstrates significant variability of recorded traffic at individual site/plant level. It is recognised that each plant has its own unique traffic characteristics

Really! They need a traffic trial with pda’s to tell them this! What a waste of time and money.

[General Mannerheim]

For an office that is constantly told we are the worst in the region and in the top worst performing offices in the country we always manage to be ones they trial s**t on.

[IloveMYredTROLLEY!]

For an office that is constantly told we are the worst in the region and in the top worst performing offices in the country we always manage to be ones they trial s**t on.

Is that so they can say the trials had no negative effect on delivery times?