LTB 543/18 – JOINT STATEMENT – INCREASE OF MAXIMUM RM TRACKED 24/48 DOMESTIC WEIGHT LIMIT FROM 20KG TO 30KG
No. 543/2018
21st September 2018
For the Immediate Attention of All:
Postal Branches
Divisional Representatives
PFW Regional Organisers
Area Distribution Representatives
Area Delivery Representatives
Area Processing Representatives
RDC Representatives
JOINT STATEMENT – INCREASE OF MAXIMUM RM
TRACKED 24/48 DOMESTIC WEIGHT LIMIT FROM 20KG TO 30KG
Dear Colleagues
In 2017 Royal Mail approached the industrial departments in relation to a proposal to change the existing weight limit for Tracked 24/48 Domestic Weight Limit from 20kg to 30kg. Royal Mail believed that from a commercial perspective the ability for them to offer the increased weight for this product would strengthen their position in the market and assist in retaining existing and winning new contracts.
At that time cross departmental discussions took place with Royal Mail during which it was made clear that to prior to accommodating any operational changes in this regard, the company would be required to agree any necessary SSOW and compliance documentation in relation to H&S with Dave Joyce, National Officer, Health, Safety & Environment.
Royal Mail have therefore been in discussion with the CWU Health & Safety Department and have now informed the industrial departments that following extensive activity the H&S elements have been confirmed as complete and that they now wish to deploy the increased weight limit.
While it is anticipated that the Domestic Tracked 30kg product will not be of high volume it is still considered to provide the opportunity to enhance the business’ ability to retain existing and secure new contracts and as such is seen as a growth initiative. Therefore cross departmental discussions have been taking place in relation to deployment arrangements, which have now culminated with the attached Joint Statement being concluded and endorsed by the Postal Executive.
In summary the Joint Statement outlines that:
Royal Mail is introducing a commercial and operational capability which would increase the existing Domestic Tracked 24/48 service weight limit of 20kg to 30kg, with maximum dimensions of 1.2m x 0.8m x 0.6m.
H&S concurrence is met and maintained and that training will take place prior to the introduction of the new weight limit.
Each Delivery Office should have at least one sack trolley for handling heavy goods, which must be adhered to. Where a sack trolley is not in situ then one should be ordered.
Pre-advice to Delivery Offices and a ‘decision tree’ to assist where single person delivery is not possible.
Operational considerations for the Delivery element have also been included in the document to ensure that the required checks and processes are undertaken in order to achieve delivery of these items fully taking into account the pertinent factors which are listed. Data will also be collected locally at each unit to ensure that effective delivery is taking place and this and any other relevant issues will be included in the weekly resourcing agenda. Equally, commitment has been given that RM and CWU IE’s will undertake a study to establish that the correct and commensurate time necessary for delivery of these items is being allocated and allotted to the workload.
Confirmation that wherever possible, +20kg parcels should be delivered on a scheduled AM delivery, not passed to a Delivery Depot for PM delivery.
The deployment will be monitored at National level and commitment has been given to a review of the activity at the 3 month point, in order that any issues that may have been identified can be addressed and resolved.
It has been reaffirmed that all resourcing arrangements will continue to adhere in full to all relevant agreed processes and will be discussed and locally agreed in line with existing National agreements and the IR framework.
Colleagues will be aware that Parcelforce currently offer a 30kg weight limit on both Domestic and International products. RM has however confirmed that the increased weight limit on their Tracked 24/48 product is not designed to drive competition between the two businesses and that it will not have any negative impact on existing PFW volumes or their network.
Branches and representatives are requested to ensure that our members are made aware of this LTB and the attached Joint Statement.
Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to the relevant department:
Processing & Logistics: Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary,
e-mail: dwyatt@cwu.org or shayman@cwu.org quoting reference number: 719.02
or
Deliveries: Mark Baulch, Assistant Secretary,
e-mail: outdoorsecretary@cwu.org quoting reference: 530
Yours sincerely
Davie Robertson Mark Baulch
Assistant Secretary Assistant Secretary
LTB 543-18 – Increase of Maximum Tracked Domestic Weight Limit From 20kg to 30kg
JS – Increase of Maximum RM Tracked 24-48 Domestic Weight Limit from 20kg to 30 kg