Equalisation !!

[Agencyoap]

As my previous post was either deleted or not approved -

I don’t believe there will EVER be equalisation - let’s face it, until there are more “newbies” than “legacy” staff, our opinion (or our vote!) means didley squatt!!
Even more so now when the majority of minimum wage “newbies” now are either teenagers gap filling, failed pizza delivery drivers or workers new to the country who are often don’t even appreciate they’re entitled to rest breaks or paid overtime - and probably don’t even know they’re is a Union !!
We have maybe 40-50 newbies out of over 400 in our office - maybe 15 of us have been there since August 2023, all of us in our 50s/60s - the rest have probably lasted 6 months each maximum

And to clarify -
YES I supported the strikes while an agency worker as we all did in our office -
I then waited 3-4 months after the strike was over from being verbally offered a job to receiving a contract THE NIGHT BEFORE MY EVENTUAL START DAY - this is why we’re all coming up to our 2 year anniversary
NO I didn’t know I’d be on £2.50 an hour less than existing staff until the night before I started when I finally got a copy of my contract
NO I didn’t know I’d be working five Sundays out of every six until the morning I started at work when I was given my rota
NO I do not have a choice whether I’m on afternoons or mornings or DPs or LATs. I’m told what I have to do and I have no choice - my contract states my hours will be 5 days between 06.00 till 22.00 from mon till sun with 24 hours notice what my shifts are

[Judgee]

We were all new once and were all treated like crap and got moved from pillar to post. We all started on less money than the longer term members of staff (It went up in 6 month increments!) and our contracts were crap! Wait your turn and things will improve at least as far as getting a more regular duty.

Ultimately you signed your own contact, no one else. If you don't like it then find another job. Whether the person next you earns more or less than you it doesn't change what you earn. Whatever shift pattern they have it's not your concern as they signed their own contract and made that decision themselves. If you were to work in an office for instance, the wages are not the same for each employee. The longer termers and more experienced workers tend to earn more money and have an easier time of it, that's life!

[BELIAL]

There you go agency, that’s the management view just eat s**t and die you are dispose able and powerless.
And despite what the judge says, NO “it was NOT ever thus” that is a complete lie.

[buchanpeter]

Agencyoap, minimum wage has increased by 28.5% in the past 3 years. Based on using this as a guesstimate for the next 3 years. Both contracts will be on minimum wage. This new pay deal is very bad for anyone that's still got atleast 5+ years in the job.
The ppl it's less likely to effect is the posties close to retiring and those that are planning on leaving soon. They'll be the ones voting this pay deal through.
Company allegedly struggling to pay us 4% now. What they gonna do when we're on minimum wage and that raises by 9%? What cuts will they make to fund a pay increase by law.

[tramssirhc]

The question is what has the CWU agreed and what does the CWU know. Harmonisation may not be equalisation. The CWU is at all the meetings and has all the figures. Is the constant turnover of workers the means to create harmonisation? Only the CWU can tell you.

[postslippete]

The Union previously talked about levelling up these new contracts, now its equalisation. The language shift makes me think that EQ is more of a promise by the CWU and RM to pacify new entrants rather than it being a serious commitment.

RM's business model right now seems to rely on cheap labour and a high turnover. Our office has already recruited another dozen staff and they are all on less pay, terms and conditions. You can't help but think because MW has already said that EQ will be in "incremental steps" due to it costing £183 million to the business that the company will find ways to prevent this outlay. So what happens if RM refuse to fund these future steps? Is there a red line the Union won't cross? What concrete protections are in place to ensure that full EQ happens within 3 years and that it doesn't get delayed or pushed back??

Equalisation, future pay rises and any bonus schemes are all tied in to the company's profitability. And that is the biggest concern because the company does manipulate its accounts by either over-spending in parcel lockers, automation, new vans etc and loading costs into non-operational spending in order to downplay its profits.

[Playmail]

Think of it this way soon new entrants will be more than legacy which means less people in the union so the union needs a win or they are out. New entrant's won't join the union especially if this equalisation doesn't happen it will be a hard sell "we keep screwing you over do you want to pay us to do it". Don't know what they going to do year 3 as extra contributions will tip you into mine wage again and they will have to pay them as they are ATM.

[thefox]

As my previous post was either deleted or not approved -

I don’t believe there will EVER be equalisation - let’s face it, until there are more “newbies” than “legacy” staff, our opinion (or our vote!) means didley squatt!!
Even more so now when the majority of minimum wage “newbies” now are either teenagers gap filling, failed pizza delivery drivers or workers new to the country who are often don’t even appreciate they’re entitled to rest breaks or paid overtime - and probably don’t even know they’re is a Union !!
We have maybe 40-50 newbies out of over 400 in our office - maybe 15 of us have been there since August 2023, all of us in our 50s/60s - the rest have probably lasted 6 months each maximum

And to clarify -
YES I supported the strikes while an agency worker as we all did in our office -
I then waited 3-4 months after the strike was over from being verbally offered a job to receiving a contract THE NIGHT BEFORE MY EVENTUAL START DAY - this is why we’re all coming up to our 2 year anniversary
NO I didn’t know I’d be on £2.50 an hour less than existing staff until the night before I started when I finally got a copy of my contract
NO I didn’t know I’d be working five Sundays out of every six until the morning I started at work when I was given my rota
NO I do not have a choice whether I’m on afternoons or mornings or DPs or LATs. I’m told what I have to do and I have no choice - my contract states my hours will be 5 days between 06.00 till 22.00 from mon till sun with 24 hours notice what my shifts are

After finding all that out on the day/night before I have to ask why are you still here 2 years later,I would have done it till I found a better job asap.not having a go just curious.

[Playmail]

Probs coz the union keep saying they gonna sort it soon and then don't.

[heraldmoth]

As my previous post was either deleted or not approved -

I don’t believe there will EVER be equalisation - let’s face it, until there are more “newbies” than “legacy” staff, our opinion (or our vote!) means didley squatt!!
Even more so now when the majority of minimum wage “newbies” now are either teenagers gap filling, failed pizza delivery drivers or workers new to the country who are often don’t even appreciate they’re entitled to rest breaks or paid overtime - and probably don’t even know they’re is a Union !!
We have maybe 40-50 newbies out of over 400 in our office - maybe 15 of us have been there since August 2023, all of us in our 50s/60s - the rest have probably lasted 6 months each maximum

And to clarify -
YES I supported the strikes while an agency worker as we all did in our office -
I then waited 3-4 months after the strike was over from being verbally offered a job to receiving a contract THE NIGHT BEFORE MY EVENTUAL START DAY - this is why we’re all coming up to our 2 year anniversary
NO I didn’t know I’d be on £2.50 an hour less than existing staff until the night before I started when I finally got a copy of my contract
NO I didn’t know I’d be working five Sundays out of every six until the morning I started at work when I was given my rota
NO I do not have a choice whether I’m on afternoons or mornings or DPs or LATs. I’m told what I have to do and I have no choice - my contract states my hours will be 5 days between 06.00 till 22.00 from mon till sun with 24 hours notice what my shifts are

While I agree treating agency staff as expendable is not the way to go, the value in retaining good agency staff far out weights the burn them and bin them mentality, I would add that agency staff I know don’t have duty knowledge, IPS knowledge or have any input in how the office runs nor do they care….i think of agency ticked these boxes the gripe about wages would be legitimate…..maybe you do in your office but ours don’t

[Judgee]

There you go agency, that’s the management view just eat s**t and die you are dispose able and powerless.
And despite what the judge says, NO “it was NOT ever thus” that is a complete lie.

Maybe they did things differently in your office in which case bully for you! I haven't lied about anything!

[Agencyoap]

Read the post - they’re just facts - no where do I say I wish I hadn’t started and desperate to leave
I understand the sentiment “if you don’t
Like it then leave” - though I thought the country had left that employers attitude behind in the 50s and 60s - and find it incredible that that attitude can come from the unions who I thought were meant to support us
It was my decision sign the contract and it’s my decision to stay
I’m lucky - I’m 60 years old, no mortgage and my wife earns 3 times what I earn -
I’m making a point that we didn’t know these things until the last minute -
I’m also making a point that with the new TnCs, which I dont believe will ever be equalised, the standard of staff generally at the Royal Mail will be lower than it previously was and you will not get career postman joining in their teens or twenties
The turnover of new staff is high because of this reason
Which is probably why most new starters get basic induction and virtually no other job training
SO YES ITS MY CHOICE - BUT 1000s OF OTHER LESS FORTUNATE EMPLOYEES DINT HAVE A FCUKING CHOICE

[thefox]

Fair play still doing this bollocks at 60 especially with no mortgage and good wages from your Mrs it certainly wouldn't be me in those circumstances. To be fair the 2nd half of your original post made you sound like you were moaning about it rather than stating facts.

[thefox]

I also agree with you that newbies won't be getting full equalisation.

[Acca Dacca]

I also agree with you that newbies won't be getting full equalisation.

pay will be equalised imo but things like Sunday working in the contract is here to stay