NON - DRIVER ( ARE OUR DAYS NUMBERED )

[hans solo]

Thought we were a non skilled job

[clashcityrocker]

But back in the real world, most HCT jobs are a HCT job for a reason. So while some might be able to become driving jobs, most will have to stay as they are.

The problem with non drivers isn't that there isn't any work for them, it is because of their lack of flexibility.
A driver can do a non driving job. A non driver can't do a driving job.

[Jefferson Starfish]

If RM decides all deliveries need to be done by van, that makes all non drivers redundant. Unless other jobs can be found for them.

Simple really.

[Acca Dacca]

If RM decides all deliveries need to be done by van, that makes all non drivers redundant. Unless other jobs can be found for them.

Simple really.

Hard to argue that when there’s two seats in the van though unless they propose one man to one van which would increase the fleet considerably

It’s one of their main benefits of van sharing - not having to purchase and maintain a load more vehicles ( and now electric vehicles at that )

[Barnacle]

If RM decides all deliveries need to be done by van, that makes all non drivers redundant. Unless other jobs can be found for them.

Simple really.

Hard to argue that when there’s two seats in the van though unless they propose one man to one van which would increase the fleet considerably

It’s one of their main benefits of van sharing - not having to purchase and maintain a load more vehicles ( and now electric vehicles at that )

DPR would be much more efficient if it was two in a van. Driver wouldn’t need to mess about parking every time.

[ted_e_bear]

If RM decides all deliveries need to be done by van, that makes all non drivers redundant. Unless other jobs can be found for them.

Simple really.

Hard to argue that when there’s two seats in the van though unless they propose one man to one van which would increase the fleet considerably

It’s one of their main benefits of van sharing - not having to purchase and maintain a load more vehicles ( and now electric vehicles at that )

DPR would be much more efficient if it was two in a van. Driver wouldn’t need to mess about parking every time.

Yeah I think so too especially in areas where parking is difficult but just like van share you need to work well together or it will fail.

[BenacreNick]

There is 3 seats in our van

And I think the majority of non-drivers will be fine.

[Mr Rush]

There is 3 seats in our van

Some of the hire vans have back seats too! They could like... drop people off to deliver the letters or something.

[Perseus]

As long as there are letter deliveries minimum 5 days a week (assuming Saturdays go to 1C letters and packets) then there is of course a need for non driving staff. Who knows what the USO will look like in say 5 years?
The biggest change going forward, in my view, for all long serving staff, driving or not, will be adjusting to not doing the exact same route every day.

[SpacePhoenix]

As long as there are letter deliveries minimum 5 days a week (assuming Saturdays go to 1C letters and packets) then there is of course a need for non driving staff. Who knows what the USO will look like in say 5 years?
The biggest change going forward, in my view, for all long serving staff, driving or not, will be adjusting to not doing the exact same route every day.

Saturdays would likely have 2C mech for any DP that has a 1C mech

[Perseus]

With the mail piling up also, it’s probably one of the best and most secure jobs in Royal Mail if you’re a passenger in a shared van. Added benefit of your duties having to be fully staffed each day as you can’t exactly drive a van if you don’t drive.

[reddevils]

With the mail piling up also, it’s probably one of the best and most secure jobs in Royal Mail if you’re a passenger in a shared van. Added benefit of your duties having to be fully staffed each day as you can’t exactly drive a van if you don’t drive.

Your post is not a serious analysis of the position of non drivers in Royal Mail.
You are stating that non-drivers are one of the 'most secure jobs' in Royal Mail yet the Union have revealed that Royal Mail wants non-drivers to be first to be discarded with in their new USO plans. This eliminates seniority and means drivers will have more options for duties and more 'job security' than non drivers.
I am not saying that this is necessarily going to happen because the Union and Royal Mail are in talks but you can see the likelihood of travel.

Non drivers are a source of pain and frustration for Royal Mai upper management and local management regrettably. You say that non drivers are an added benefit because it means that Royal Mail have to employ more staff to provide cover for those that don't drive.

1) Royal Mail don't want to fully staff depots that has been highlighted over the last five years. They want less staff, not more, it is all about profit. Why would they want to employ more people to cover non-drivers when they can simply recruit more people with licences.

2) Local managements plans go array when non-drivers are on pairings on their own such as when the driver calls in sick or is on annual leave meaning they have to sacrifice a driver from elsewhere.

In addition to all this the Saturday problem is going to compound problems further for non-drivers. Ofcom has already authorised non-delivery of mail on Saturdays which is 100 percent coming in. Unless non-drivers are given every Saturday off which would cause uproar amongst drivers it creates another dilemma. Talk of non-drivers putting door to doors in seems a non-efficient and wasted use of a resource.

So has you can see your job isn't as secure as you think, there are real challenges ahead for non drivers. Yes in the week there are going to be van shares but its not been determined how this will work. In royal mails current position non drivers won't have 'one of the best' jobs as you say it will be one of the worst because you will lugging 2-3 days mail every day whereas the driver will get a reprieve by having parcel only days.

The union may protect non-drivers in this latest conflict but as time goes on and the Uso is challenged again as letters plummet non-drivers position will become even more precarious. If letter delivery goes to even less days in the future which is what royal mail want then there will be less jobs non drivers. If Royal Mail eliminate seniority non drivers will be at the bottom of the pile. If depots are closed down and moved to industrial estates non drivers may find it difficult to get to work. Unfortunately the owners want Royal Mail to be a parcel firm and there will be consequences for that on non drivers.

Looking ahead I would either plan retirement or get a driving license. With electric vans creeping into depots learning in an automatic is much easier than manual and most people regardless of age will be able to drive one.

This is not a post against non drivers, it is just a reflection on the position of non drivers and challenge they face. Van share isn't going anywhere but there will be less of them and mail still needs to be delivered but the frequency it is delivered is going to decrease. Both these factors will determine non drivers job security.

[Acca Dacca]

With the mail piling up also, it’s probably one of the best and most secure jobs in Royal Mail if you’re a passenger in a shared van. Added benefit of your duties having to be fully staffed each day as you can’t exactly drive a van if you don’t drive.

Looking ahead I would either plan retirement or get a driving license. With electric vans creeping into depots learning in an automatic is much easier than manual and most people regardless of age will be able to drive one.

Just to pick up on this

Even with electric vans the business still insists on a full license to drive for RM in case of breakdowns and needing a hire van or needing to use an older van

[Mr Rush]

In royal mails current position non drivers won't have 'one of the best' jobs as you say it will be one of the worst because you will lugging 2-3 days mail every day whereas the driver will get a reprieve by having parcel only days.

I see it quite the opposite. I am happiest sent off with a full bag on my own, be it one two or three or more days letters, whilst the driver does the packets. I hate the packets and I have hated getting in and out of the van constantly ever since P&L was introduced. The idea of spending a day dealing with packets exclusively is my personal nightmare, not a reprieve in the slightest.

I'd happily come in on a Saturday if I could hop on a bike and clear an entire postcode sector's worth of first class

[qwerty2]

In royal mails current position non drivers won't have 'one of the best' jobs as you say it will be one of the worst because you will lugging 2-3 days mail every day whereas the driver will get a reprieve by having parcel only days.

I see it quite the opposite. I am happiest sent off with a full bag on my own, be it one two or three or more days letters, whilst the driver does the packets. I hate the packets and I have hated getting in and out of the van constantly ever since P&L was introduced. The idea of spending a day dealing with packets exclusively is my personal nightmare, not a reprieve in the slightest.

I'd happily come in on a Saturday if I could hop on a bike and clear an entire postcode sector's worth of first class

Non drivers will prep mech trays on all duties in office