LTB 294/21 – Average Pay on Annual Leave (Holiday Pay) in Royal Mail Group – Branch Ballot Result and Next Steps
No. 294/21
16th July 2021
Dear Colleagues,
Average Pay on Annual Leave (Holiday Pay) in Royal Mail Group – Branch Ballot Result and Next Steps
Further to LTB 243/21 circulated on 15th June 2021, Branches and Representatives will be aware that the Branch ballot for the proposed Agreement for Average Pay on Annual Leave (Holiday Pay) in Royal Mail Group closed at 12:00 hours today. The results are as follows:
Ballot papers issued 100
Ballot papers returned 76
Total possible votes 111, 806
In favour of the proposed agreement: 98,653 votes
Against the proposed agreement: 3,798 votes
The Postal Executive recommendation has therefore been agreed and the proposed Agreement has been accepted. The business will be informed accordingly.
Further to the Reps Brief that was circulated to Representatives and Branches on 22nd June 2021 and the Frequently Asked Questions document communicated on 25th June 2021 that both listed the broad monthly dates for the first interim qualifying period, it has now been confirmed that the dates in the second qualifying period for the interim payment calculations are:
27th September 2021 to 31st October (Period 7)
1st November to 28th November (Period 8)
29th November to 26th December (Period 9)
27th December to 30th January (Period 10)
31st January 2021 to 27th February 2022 (Period 11)
28th February to 27th March 2022 (Period 12)
Additionally, Branches will be aware of the issue that was raised in relation to pre-scheduled overtime hours being paid at scheduled attendance rate throughout the peak Christmas period. This topic has proven to be extremely complex and national talks have continued in order to seek an agreed resolution for how those hours are factored into the qualification process of the back pay calculation and the qualifying periods going forward.
Despite some progress being made, there is still no agreement regarding this matter and further updates will be provided to Branches in relation to this aspect as soon as possible.
In terms of those members who have a holiday pay claim registered at the Employment Tribunal, the Department are in discussions with Tony Rupa and Legal Services to confirm the process for sending an individual letter containing a ‘Confirmation of Instruction’ form as well as the details for the reply to be sent. This letter will initially be sent to those within England and Wales with registered claims, followed by members in Scotland and Northern Ireland and any payment of arrears of holiday pay (back pay) under the national agreement are conditional upon the member withdrawing their Employment Tribunal. As advised in LTB 245/21 issued on 17thJune 2021, the Union will not provide legal support and assistance to the remainder.
I closing I would again like to thank all Branches and Representatives for the work they have completed to ensure that an acceptable national agreement has been concluded as well as those members who have pursued individual claims. I would also like to thank Branches for taking part in the democratic process to ensure the agreement has been endorsed.
Any enquiries in relation to the content of this LTB should be addressed to the DGS(P) Department.
Yours sincerely,
Terry Pullinger
Deputy General Secretary (Postal)