LTB 724/16 - TERMS OF REFERENCE BETWEEN ROYAL MAIL AND THE CWU COVERING THE JOINT REVIEW OF ACTIVITY VALUE ANALYSIS (AVA)

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LTB 724/16 - TERMS OF REFERENCE BETWEEN ROYAL MAIL AND THE CWU COVERING THE JOINT REVIEW OF ACTIVITY VALUE ANALYSIS (AVA)

No. 724/2016

15th December 2016



For the Immediate Attention of All:



Postal Branches

Divisional Representatives

Area Processing Representatives

Area Distribution Representatives

Area Administration Representatives



TERMS OF REFERENCE BETWEEN ROYAL MAIL AND THE CWU COVERING THE JOINT REVIEW OF ACTIVITY VALUE ANALYSIS (AVA)

(FORMERLY ZBB)



Dear Colleagues

Branches will recall that previously the department issued LTB 609/16 in relation to Price Waterhouse Cooper – Opportunity Model but at the time of release the issue of AVA (formally ZBB) was the subject of ongoing National discussions.

Discussions have been ongoing for some time in relation to a Royal Mail proposal to review admin and operational support roles. These proposals had emanated through the business engagement with Price Waterhouse Cooper (PWC), although PWC have played no active part in the discussions. Initial proposals in relation to the Royal Mail LA grades were presented to the C&CH Department and it quickly became apparent that the proposals were far more wide ranging and potentially also affected numerous roles across the Processing and Logistics functions.

Branches should note however that the business have confirmed that they do not wish to progress proposals in the Delivery function at this time.

Based on their own research and analysis the business wished to proceed straight to local discussions. We strongly believed however that this would be fundamentally at odds with their stated aim to standardise the tasks associated to each role and the relevant ways of working. As such we would not rubberstamp a predetermined outcome, nor would we accept the logic of a position whereby the business was suggesting that National standards could be established through local discussions.

Therefore National discussions have been taking place in regard to concluding a Terms of Reference to undertake this activity, which has included a series of meetings with Royal Mail with the respective departments represented by Ian Ward and Mahmood Ali, PEC members. In tandem, separate discussions commenced with Logistics, led by Katrina Quirke, PEC member.

Following extensive and at times difficult discussions, a TOR has now been concluded for the progression of this review activity which allows the Union the opportunity to properly assess and challenge the business rationale and ensures that all activity has National input and endorsement.

A copy of the TOR is attached for the information of the Branches.

Branches will note that the TOR establishes a National Joint Steering Group (JSG) which will coordinate all of the activity and the Functional Joint Working Groups (FJWG), who will consider the detailed proposals for each function, utilise the best expertise from the field and make recommendations to the appropriate National forums and Officers.

The TOR reaffirms the objective to standardise ways of working where appropriate to do so and ensures that all activity is led Nationally. Within the agreed framework all analysis undertaken by the business on the proposals to date will be shared with the CWU and further appropriate analysis or observation that is required will be agreed going forward. Any study undertaken will be jointly carried out by Royal Mail and CWU Industrial Engineers.

The JWG structure allows for full CWU involvement at every level and ensures that our Representatives are not disadvantaged financially through participation.

Both departments believe that the attached TOR provides the necessary safeguards and protections to ensure that we can engage on the AVA proposals in the most effective manner.

Branches should note that local activity should be coordinated through the NJSG and Functional Working Groups. Therefore any other approaches for local change should be referred to the appropriate department.

Arrangements are currently being made for the initial meeting of the NJSG to take place.

Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to the relevant Officer:

Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary, email: dwyatt@cwu.org or shayman@cwu.org quoting reference number: 052

or

Andy Furey, Assistant Secretary, email: lsheridan@cwu.org quoting reference number 900.

Yours sincerely





Davie Robertson Andy Furey

Assistant Secretary Assistant Secretary