LTB 655/16 – Agreement between CWU & Parcelforce Worldwide
No. 655/2016
3rd November 2016
For the Immediate Attention of All:
Postal Branches with Parcelforce Members
Regional Organisers
Parcelforce Depot Representatives
Agreement between CWU & Parcelforce Worldwide on 2016 AUTUMN PRESSURE AND CHRISTMAS Remuneration Proposals for all CWU Grade Depot Employees
Dear Colleagues
Branches and representatives will be aware that in previous years agreement has been reached with Parcelforce Worldwide in relation to incentive for volunteers to attend on the Saturdays and Sundays in the run up to Christmas.
In line with this tradition attached for your information is the Agreement between CWU & Parcelforce Worldwide on 2016 Autumn Pressure and Christmas Remuneration Proposals for all CWU Grade Depot Employees which has been endorsed by the Postal Executive. In respect of incentive payments for attendance over the stated period the agreement mirrors those achieved in previous years.
For 2016 however the business has decided to extend the weekends to be worked to include the last weekend in November when Black Friday falls and additionally Saturday, 24th December. This of course affords our members the opportunity over a longer time period to achieve the £36 incentive for commitment to attend for two or more Saturdays/Sundays.
Colleagues will note that the agreement also fulfils the terms of Annual Conference 2016, Motion 37 in relation to Admin/Callers Offices:
This Conference instructs the Postal Executive that any future Christmas arrangements agreements in Parcelforce will include the closure of the Admin/Callers Office at 4.00pm on Christmas Eve (Monday to Friday).
Christmas 2016 Admin/Callers Office closure will follow usual weekend hours, any increase in attendance will be on a voluntary basis only.
In addition the department had received representation from the field that night workers were being disadvantaged financially, as due to Working Time Directive the requirement in the agreement to attend for a minimum of 6 hour periods would limit the opportunity for them to achieve the additional incentive. Therefore it has been agreed that to ensure that there is equal access for all staff the requirement for a commitment to the minimum six hours will be waived on an exceptional basis where compliance with WTD regulations would preclude a full commitment.
The department has also clarified that where night shifts are Monday (Night) – Saturday (Morning), conditioned hours would be achieved through attendance on the non-Bank Holiday nights. As such, attendance on the nights of 27th December and 2nd January (3rd in Scotland) would be voluntary. The business have confirmed that on the application of Bank Holidays for night workers, the Bank Holiday arrangements will be applied as per our agreement and where that requires attendance on a Bank Holiday not as part of their normal conditioned hours, that they will be sought as volunteers.
In line with the attached agreement discussions between local Parcelforce Representatives and Management may now commence in order to ensure adequate cover for work and manpower requirements for the Autumn Pressure/Christmas period.
Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary, email: dwyatt@cwu.org or shayman@cwu.org quoting reference number: 106A.07
Yours sincerely
Davie Robertson
Assistant Secretary