No. 058/25
25th March 2025
For the Immediate Attention of All:
Postal Branches
Divisional Representatives
Area Processing Representatives
Dear Colleagues,
THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE 2025 NATIONAL MAIL CENTRE REALIGNMENT REVISIONS
Branches and Representatives are informed that discussions have been taking place with the business in relation to progressing arrangements for the 2025 National Mail Centre Realignment Revision activity 2025.
Unfortunately, due to the ongoing resistance of the business to agree to Joint Statements we have not been able to secure the normal signed Joint Statement covering this activity. However, in line with the approach we have taken on other issues affected by this policy, we do have a letter from the business confirming the dates and the commitments to follow the established Nationally Agreed processes for this activity.
This approach has been endorsed by the Postal Executive and attached for the information of Branches and Representatives is the correspondence from Simon Aris, Operations Programme Director – Processing, confirming Royal Mail’s commitment to the established, agreed revision processes along with the detailed processes at Annexes A – F.
As in previous years realignment activity will seek to ensure proper alignment of resource to workload and workplan compliance while creating attractive duty patterns for our members. Additionally, the business has indicated the following projects, all of which are subject to ongoing discussions will also be included or may influence the 2025 realignment activity:
- USO Reform workplan requirements including any changes to the CSS operations, most notably at the weekend. These elements will be influenced by the ongoing USO Pilot activity and will be dependent on any final agreement to deploy the USO Optimised model.
- MPU consolidation. Current CSS activity will run concurrently with realignment activity and where CSS consolidation is agreed this should be included in workload and will be included in Realignment discussions.
- The progression of the Single Large Parcel Network activity, defined in Section 5 of the BRT&G agreement which may entail workload migrating between the PFW and RM Networks in financial year 25/26. Proposals include large items (Format 4+) migrating to PFW through direct injection or sortation from the Outward Mail Centre’s. The movement of smaller PFW traffic to RM and the maximising of synergies between RM and PFW Collection operation.
- Branches and Representatives will note as part of the ongoing discussions with EP Group and the business, there is an enhanced focus on the reduction of agency use across the operation. Against this backdrop a key priority in the realignment activity is the reduction in agency use and the creation of robust and fully resourced duty sets.
The document covers the ability to utilise inventive duty patterns, to assist the ability to achieve revision outcomes, which better match the aspirations of our members.
A Joint launch event took place for Plant Managers and Divisional/Area Representatives today online and a further session will be arranged as necessary to update Branches and Representatives as discussions progress.
Attached for the information of Branches is the letter received from Simon Aris confirming the commitment from Royal Mail to the agreed Realignment Process and Annexes, a copy of the Process Documents and a copy of the slides used during the launch call. As in previous years the department believes that the agreed process supported by all relevant national agreements including the IR Framework and MTSF will enable Representatives to achieve the best possible outcome in the realignment activity.
Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary, email: jrodrigues@cwu.org quoting reference LTB 058/25.
Yours sincerely,
Davie Robertson
Assistant Secretary
