LTB 415/2018 - National Terms of Reference-Uniform Trial New

[TrueBlueTerrier]

LTB 415/2018 - National Terms of Reference-Uniform Trial New

No. 415/2018

25th July 2018



CWU/Royal Mail national Terms of Reference – Uniform Trial New Starters Outdoor Waterproof Coat.

Dear Colleagues,

Branches will be aware that for some considerable time now the Outdoor Department has been making representation to Royal Mail on the issue of a waterproof coat for new starters which perform outdoor work.

Under the current uniform allocation arrangements, new entrants do not receive the full uniform allocation until week 13, and only receive a basic allocation of 1 x pair of shoes, 2 x pair of trousers/2 x skirts, 5 x tops, 1 x fleece jacket and 1 x high-visibility waistcoat, (in addition to any particular PPE uniform) from day one.

This shortfall in uniform provisions dates back a number of years and has been subject to a number of debates at the CWU Postal Conference which has resulted in three motions being carried in the past three consecutive years seeking movement in this area. These motions were motion 124 by South Central Postal Branch, carried in 2016, motion 22 by York and District Amal Branch, carried in 2017 and motion 114 by Portsmouth and District Branch carried this year.

However, and following a further period of talks, both parties have now agreed to trial a new starters outdoor waterproof coat, in line with the attached Terms of Reference, and which is based on the same waterproof and visibility standards as the current Class 3 stormproof coat currently in use within Royal Mail, but a with a shorter overall expected serviceable life span.

The trial will be limited to approximately 10-20 sites and around 20-30 new starters, and due to the run from July for 12 weeks, with a review taking place in October.

The trial will start in the listed Delivery Offices detailed in the TOR, and due to its nature will be extended to involve other new entrants, with this information being shared with the relevant Branches and representatives in due course.

Whilst the irony of commencing this trial during the summer months and also during the current exceptional hot spell within the UK has not been lost on the Outdoor Department and outdoor staff are more likely concerned with dealing with the effects of the heat wave at this time, it was felt necessary to move this trial forward in order to avoid any further delay as new starters joining Royal Mail will be issued with the new waterproof coat within the trial site locations and will therefore be in possession of this garment in advance of when they need it.

Additionally, it should be noted that whilst it is hoped that the trial will prove to be a success and lead to a national roll out , in the event that this is not the case both parties have committed to find a suitable solution in relation to a new starters outdoor waterproof coat.

Clearly, the most desirable position would have been to secure an agreement with Royal Mail to issue the Class 2 stormproof coat as part of the day one uniform allocation. However, following years of representation in this area with no sight of movement from the company, the trial of this outdoor waterproof coat to address the current gap in new starter’s uniform allocation should be seen by Branches as an overall positive move in the right direction.

Any enquiries should be addressed to: outdoorsecretary@cwu.org quoting reference 500.

Yours sincerely,



Mark Baulch

Assistant Secretary Outdoor

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[fishtank]

That's pretty crazy. How expensive is the class 2 stormproof coat that you would need to go through this malarkey just to save on a few that might not get handed back if a new start packs it in?

If they're that expensive I've got some magic beans the procurement bods might be interested in because quite frankly those class 2 stormproof coats are pretty crap at being stormproof or anything proof to be fair.

[Chris413]

Also with the mention of the current heat, no mention of any protective head wear to protect heads from the sun.....

[greengiant]

Does this mean new starts will also be issued with special new start shoes which only last 3 weeks rather than 6?

Surely it will be more expensive to design a new starts stormproof coat with a shorter lifespan than just issuing the standard stormproof?