LTB 027/26 – Dispute Resolution Process, USO & Equalisation

[POSTMAN]

https://www.cwu.org/ltb/ltb-027-26-disp ... alisation/

LTB 027/26 – Dispute Resolution Process, USO & Equalisation
No. 27/26

29th January 2026



Dear Colleague,

Dispute Resolution Process, USO & Equalisation

We have today received formal notification from Royal Mail that they have activated the Dispute Resolution Process on Universal Service reform. Within their heads of disagreement they are stating they want to deploy the Optimised Delivery Model 4 into 3 duties method change. This is following a meeting we had yesterday with EP.

The Dispute Resolution Process now results in one month of negotiations to see if an agreement can be reached. After this month Royal Mail can give their intentions which could result in executive action and the CWU can decide to ballot nationally or locally for industrial action.

The CWU will not be supporting or agreeing to the Optimised Delivery Model as it has not worked within most of the pilot units. However, we will enter negotiations to try and persuade Royal Mail to adopt the heavy and light model which worked within a number of the pilot sites during peak.

Royal Mail’s communication also states that the CWU’s proposal on equalisation is unaffordable. The CWU position remains that EP agreed to equalise new entrants’ pay, terms and conditions over an agreed career path, including a first step backdated to September and we are insisting they honour this in full.

Royal Mail are communicating to all employees this lunch time and likewise the CWU will communicate to our members. We will be giving a more detailed written update early next week.

We will also be holding an online National Briefing with our Branches next week. Details to follow.

Any enquiries should be referred to the DGSP Department.

Yours sincerely,



Martin Walsh
Deputy General Secretary (Postal)

[yellowbelly]

What does

Within their heads of disagreement...

mean? I've never heard that phrase before.

[tramssirhc]

The CWU is as much use as a chocolate fireguard.

[tramssirhc]

What does

Within their heads of disagreement...

mean? I've never heard that phrase before.

It's the reasons for dispute.

[chickenwittle]

I’m convinced some posters on here would like the CWU to roll over and accept everything Royal Mail throw at us and be grateful for what we have. Very strange behaviour

[TopperGas]

It seems bizarre RM aren't prepared to use the heavy/light model if it actually works over the 4 into 3 model which doesn't seem to work, if they haven't been prepared to accept it for the last 18 months of talks it seems unlikely they'll accept it within the next month of talks.

[yellowbelly]

It seems bizarre RM aren't prepared to use the heavy/light model if it actually works over the 4 into 3 model which doesn't seem to work, if they haven't been prepared to accept it for the last 18 months of talks it seems unlikely they'll accept it within the next month of talks.

It might work but it probably doesn't save enough money for them.

[dazzler123]

is the heavy light model where you switch frames everyday in a pair? nothing light about what weve been doing for years now, and sill cant complete that every day

[fadetogrey63]

is the heavy light model where you switch frames everyday in a pair? nothing light about what weve been doing for years now, and sill cant complete that every day

Exactly this, we've been doing this for months now, and no way can we complete one full duty combined with parcels, packets and 1st class off the other duty. Always end up bringing loops back.. The only way to clear walks now is having both oversize taken off you, and even then it's a struggle with the ammount of tracked packets we now get