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WEEKLY INFORMATION FROM THE COMMUNICATION WORKERS UNION

Volume 7 Issue 39. Paragraphs 531 - 550 11 October 2002
SUMMARY
GENERAL
531 Recruitment Stands
532 BOB No.37
533 CWU Learning Centres Project
534 CWU Black Workers' Conference 2003
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
No items this week
HEALTH AND SAFETY
535 Health & Safety Ergonomic Review of Seating at Impact Sorting Frame Fittings in Mail Centres
536 European Health and Safety Week, 14 - 20 October 2002
TELECOMS
537 Telereal Pension Plan: Trustee Elections
538 Enabled Teams Phase 3 Trial - Quality of Workmanship Data
539 Network Build - Reduction in Working Hours to 36
540 Winning New Business for Network Build
541 Consultation on Accommodation Matters
542 ET Independent Report
543 ET Independent Report
FINANCIAL SERVICES
No items this week
POSTAL
544 Quadrant Pay Ballot Result
545 POL Christmas Balancing and Opening Arrangements for 2002.
546 Service Delivery Reporting Initiative
547 Nicola Marshall, Policy Assistant - Clerical & Cash Handling Department
548 LNIS Printer Replacement at Mail Centres
549 Address Interpretation - MDEC Training Trial
550 National Databank Maintenance Programme
LETTERS TO BRANCHES
LTB/466 TDS Trial and Associated Issues (Dave Ward, Outdoor Dept.)
LTB/467 Quadrant Pay 2002: Ballot Result (Terry Pullinger)
LTB/468 Quadrant Pay 2002 (Terry Pullinger)
LTB/469 NGCC Programme: Phase 3 Announcement (Keith Griffiths)
LTB/470 Industrial Relations Structure (John Keggie, DGS{P})
LTB/471 TUC 2002: Delegation Report (Billy Hayes, G.S.)
LTB/472 Royal Mail Service Delivery Pay Award (John Keggie, DGS{P})
LTB/473 Jersey Postal Pay Talks (John Keggie, DGS{P})
LTB/474 Scheduled Attendance Ceiling (John Keggie, DGS{P})
LTB/475 TDS National Trial (Dave Ward, Outdoor Dept.)

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GENERAL
531
Recruitment Stands
The Union has 4 new recruitment leaflet stands available to lend to branches for recruitment drives. To arrange borrowing the stands contact Pete Metcalfe in the Organising Department on 020 8971 7368.

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532
BOB No.37
Would branches please note that the date of the above BOB should, of course, have been September 27th and not August 27th. Please amend your copies accordingly. Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience caused.

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533
CWU Learning Centres Project
Please note that Ian Bushrod, who has been providing us with consultancy support for the CWU Learning Centres Project since April 2002, will be leaving the Project at the end of October 2002. Until the new Project Co-ordinator is in post, branches are advised to contact Trish Lavelle Head of Education and Training with any enquiries relating to learning centres.

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534
CWU Black Workers' Conference 2003
The NEC has agreed that the Black Workers' Conference 2003 will take place in Birmingham on 8th February 2003. The General Conference Standing Orders Committee will once again have the privilege of preparing the Agenda and Standing Orders for the Conference. The closing date for the receipt of Motions will be 9th January 2003. These must be received in my office in hard copy format by post.
Any queries on this paragraph should be addressed to my office at CWU Headquarters.
Simon Sapper, Officer to GC SOC

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HEALTH AND SAFETY
535
Health & Safety Ergonomic Review of Seating at Impact Sorting Frame Fittings in Mail Centres
For some time the Union has been raising concerns regarding the non-provision of proper ergonomically designed workstation seating in Mail Centres for members sorting at Impact/Box Frame Fittings. Dave Joyce Chair of the NEC Health, Safety & Environment Committee has been handling this issue on behalf of the Indoor and Health & Safety Departments.
Royal Mail's position originally was that they would not adopt a national policy of either providing seating or funding the repair and maintenance of seating that had been provided locally in many offices on an ad-hoc basis.
Subsequently the Health & Safety enforcing authorities became involved when concerns were pressed both nationally and locally via Area Health & Safety Representatives. As a result an Improvement Notice was served under Regulation 11 of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 at Romford Mail Centre on 4th October 2001. The notice alleged that the Business had failed to provide suitable seating for all staff who work at the Impact Fittings for a substantial part of their time. The notice stated that the Business shall supply all staff working at the sorting frames with suitable and sufficient seating.
At Romford the EHO, with the support of the HSE served the notice on the grounds that:-

A further Improvement Notice was also served at Gateshead Mail Centre, on 27th December 2001. This alleged a breach of Regulation 6 of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1992. This regulation states that every employer shall ensure that work equipment is maintained in efficient working order and in good repair.
As a result the Business decided to comply with the conditions of the Improvement Notices by providing and maintaining seating for Romford and Gateshead rather than challenging the notices.
After discussions between Dave Joyce on behalf of CWU HQ and Adrian Warren, Royal Mail National Safety Manager, Royal Mail commissioned an ergonomics evaluation of seating at these sorting frames with the following aims:-

An extensive survey of Mail Centres was undertaken and evaluations of Seating and prototype footrests were carried out at a number of Mail Centres.
The main findings were:-
Many offices have some kind of seats provided and staff are able to choose whether they stand or sit to sort. Many of the staff sort letters for their whole shift, including overtime. The study showed that almost all of the staff prefer to sit for the majority of the time when sorting at Impact Fittings and the staff found that sorting seated was comfortable and appropriate. Most of the staff used letter trays as footrests. Staff generally collected their own mail from trays in a York container and this practice gave a welcome change in posture. Royal Mail's risk assessment of the postures during sorting from both the seated and standing position showed that the risk of the development of upper limb disorders from sorting was comparable for both sitting and standing. Sorting to the lower boxes when standing caused poor neck postures for taller staff and a static muscle load from reading addresses and holding a bundle of mail, whilst reaching to the top boxes when seated caused poor shoulder postures for smaller members of staff. Consignia Legal Services and Employee Health Service records show that although letter sorting is a common task in Royal Mail very few health problems have been recorded, or would be expected, as a result. In 1995 risk assessments for repetitive tasks were carried out and letter sorting was assessed as a low risk task, as were most Mail Centre activities.
On completion of the evaluation study the recommendations were that the:-

Dave Joyce has held further discussions with The Royal Mail National Equipment Manager David Gibson who is currently establishing:-

The current estimate is that 1600 chairs will be required at an estimated cost of £70 a chair, totalling £1-1.5 million.
Further development, design and trials are being carried out in order to provide a suitable footrest to accompany the chairs with the aim of completing the provision of these items at the same time or shortly after the roll-out of the chairs. Dave Joyce is also involved in further discussions regarding the provision of seating at Letter Sorting Frames and Packet Stamping Tables as well as the provision of sufficient space at the workstations for the tasks to be carried out safely. Royal Mail has agreed to look further at these issues.
Any enquiries should be addressed to Dave Joyce, Acting Assistant Secretary CWU/HQ.
Att: G.38

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536
European Health and Safety Week, 14 - 20 October 2002
Latest News from the European Agency for Health and Safety at Work Week:
The European Agency reports that the latest figures show orders for this year's HSE Action Packs are being received at the rate of over 2000 a week. As has been reported, this year the HSE launched a dedicated website for the campaign with a facility to order or download the Action Pack on-line. Participants can also send their feedback form via the website. A new website link can be accessed as follows: www.hse.gov.uk/euroweek
A letter from the Agency containing lots of useful information and websites on European Health and Safety Week has been sent to Regional Safety Forums.
Will all Union Safety Representatives, Branches and Safety Committees please inform the Health and Safety Department of any activity taking place during the week.
Any enquiries on this matter should be referred to Kevin Shaw, Assistant Secretary quoting Ref. NS.127

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TELECOMS
537
Telereal Pension Plan: Trustee Elections
Please find below details of the election result in the recent Trustee elections. As you will see, unfortunately our candidate, Peter Doyle from the Thamesway Branch was unsuccessful. However, the candidate we were supporting from Connect, Phil Worthington, was elected. Also elected was Marcus Fishenden, the Telereal Finance Manager.
Nigel Cotgrove, Assistant Secretary
"Voting for the two member nominated trustee positions closed on 12 September. In total 146 ballot papers were received. Of these, 2 were not signed so they were not included in the count. Each member had two votes, although not all actually used both, hence the total votes cast of 279, rather than the possible 288. The votes counted were as follows:
Peter Doyle - 35
Marcus Fishenden - 71
Keith Hamblett - 18
Andy McNeill - 35
Andrew Shaw - 56
Philip Worthington - 64
Marcus Fishenden and Philip Worthington are therefore elected as member nominated trustees. They will now join Ray Jenkins, Warren Perskey, Graham Edwards and myself to complete the Telereal pension plan trustee body.
Notification of these results will be sent to those who were eligible to vote in the next few days, the candidates themselves have already been advised of the outcome.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Kind regards
Jacque Ford, HR Executive
Land Securities Trillium"

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538
Enabled Teams Phase 3 Trial - Quality of Workmanship Data
The following is a detailed break back of Quality of Personal Workmanship including successful appeals, furthermore, the process flow chart linking quality scores to locked FPQ data and the automated Enabled Teams reward calculation system is attached in the advance electronic distribution of this Bulletin.
Quality of Personal Workmanship Analysis (QoPW) FPQ Locked Data - July 02

OUC

Q Score %

Q Checks

5 Point

10 Point

Successful appeals

NBW3

97.58

48

13

0

2

NBN9

98.04

48

11

3

1

NBNA

88.39

44

6

1

1
FPQ Locked Data - 02August 02

OUC

Q Score %

Q Checks

5 Point

10 Point

Successful appeals

NBW3

94.30

48

2

2

5

NBN9

84.76

44

9

7

0

NBNA

94.28

52

6

3

0
It should be noted that the successful appeals do not relate to the 5 and 10 point FEQ failure columns, as they are not considered to be failures on appeal, they have been removed.
Brian Healy, Assistant Secretary
Att: TFS.9

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539
Network Build - Reduction in Working Hours to 36
Network Build have outlined the way in which it proposes to implement the reduction in standard working hours for NewGRID people, to 36 a week due at the end of December.
As reported previously to Branches, management would give consideration as to whether they sought a single attendance pattern solution to this operational unit. They have stated that after carefully reviewing whether a single common solution can apply across the unit, that they have concluded that this is not viable. However, they are developing a process designed to facilitate a regular review of attendance arrangements to ensure they continue closely to match operational requirements. The intention is that this will be conducted at second line manager level in respect of each operation, which will tie into local needs. Management will communicate once this is fully developed. In the meantime, to address the forthcoming reduction, they propose to do this as follows:-
CSIP 4 day working:
To have 4 x 9 hour attendances spread Monday - Sunday, according to CSIP option. Any changes to the incidence of Saturday and Sunday working will be addressed locally in accordance with existing arrangements under the CSIP Agreement. It is our understanding that there is no national drive to depart from the existing frequency.
CSIP and SWWA 5 day working:
To have 4 x 7 hour attendances and 1 x 8 hour attendance. In most cases, the 8 hour attendance to be on Friday as that is the busiest working day in terms of closing customer orders quickly to maintain quality of service standards. This is to be discussed locally with regard to start and finish.
SWWA 9-day fortnight:
To have 9 x 8 hour attendances spread across the Mondays to Fridays in any fortnight. This is to be discussed locally with regard to start and finish.
SWWA 8-day fortnight:
In some External Operations locations where they have CSIP 4 day working alongside SWWA 9-day fortnight working, management propose to align SWWA attendance to the CSIP 4 days under the 8-day fortnight provisions of the SWWA (Annex A, paragraph 3.1 of the Agreement refers) to improve operational effectiveness. Where such a change is required, local discussions will take place with CWU. This is to attempt to resolve the issue of mixed attendance patterns/agreements within working parties. In Internal Operations, they propose 8 x 9 hour attendances spread across the Mondays to Fridays in any fortnight. Again this is to be discussed at the local level.
Flexible Working Hours Agreement:
It is proposed that there will be no change to the locally agreed core hours. The implementation of the 30 minute reduction will be managed locally, taking into account operational requirements for coverage of work functions as appropriate. In practice, it will simply mean most people accruing 36 worked hours a week instead of 36.5 with all other aspects of arrangements - span time, core time, hours, balances etc. remaining as now. This arrangement will also apply to the former secretarial population where attendance is normally non-standard and the reduction of 30 minutes will be managed locally with agreement by both parties.
Effective implementation dates:
For roistering reasons relating to the agreements themselves, it is intended to implement the changes on the following dates:

It is our understating that BT Group will be consulting with the Union on the matter of implementation dates.
Any issues arising out of the above, should be immediately notified to my office.
Brian Healy
Assistant Secretary
Judy Griffiths
Assistant Secretary

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540
Winning New Business for Network Build
The Executive is pleased to report that Network Build has just gained a Letter of Intent to provide a maintenance call-out service in support of NCR Real Price ceiling mounted antennae in 50 supermarkets. Network Build is already undertaking the installation work. Depending on a review of the service, and subject to winning the work, there is the potential for a further repair work for a further 400 sites to be undertaken from January 2003 onwards. To undertake maintenance on the first fifty sites, Network Build have stated a need to quickly sign up 28 field engineers onto a 24 hour call-out pattern. The UK will be split into seven zones, with a number of stores in each zone. Four engineers will be on the call-out pattern in each zone, on a one week in four basis. They will be paid the relevant formal voluntary call-out allowance and attendance payments. As yet the Executive does not know the size of the regions.
Network Build are proposing to issue a briefing to seek volunteers. They have decided not to name the locations where maintenance work will initially be undertaken but to gauge potential interest in preparation not only for hopefully the sites coming on stream from January but for other work which may be won and require out of hours working. The briefing is based on the PTO brief previously issued when Network Build was seeking PTO volunteers as reported in No.14, paragraph 206. We have been advised that the average number of call-outs is likely to be one per on call week per person and this will be reviewed. The work is proper to C3 because of the need to commission replacement units and to download data on the replacement to the customer after the work has been concluded.
The Union has sought information on Selection, Training and Safety and will be further reported upon, when management respond. The management briefing on this has been sent out in the advance electronic distribution.
Brian Healy, Assistant Secretary

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541
Consultation on Accommodation Matters
To All Branches with Members in the BT Group of Companies:
In response to widespread concern from branches and RDAs about consultation (or the lack of it) on accommodation matters, the relevant negotiating team has drawn up a check list/pro forma for negotiators at a local level. This is reproduced below.
BT lines of business have a clear obligation to consult with the appropriate branch contact (or if the issue involves more than branch and the RDA secretary) on all accommodation moves, shifts and changes.
We have employed the argument on countless occasions to the effect that unless BT reinforces this obligation it would be more honoured in the breach than the observance.
It is hoped that this template will assist branches in dealing with the issues at hand, which often have a direct impact on our members - it is also hoped it will assist in providing information to Head Office when escalation is required.
Any queries on this matter should be addressed to my office at CWU Headquarters.
Simon Sapper
Assistant Secretary
Att: TFS10

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542
ET Independent Report
Network Build - Enabled Teams Independent Assessment Weekly Summary for w/e 18 September 2002
Attached in the advance distribution from my office, is the report prepared by the Independent Assessor for the week ending 18 September 2002.
Brian Healy, Assistant Secretary
Att: TFS11

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543
ET Independent Report
Network Build - Enabled Teams Independent Assessment Weekly Summary for w/e 11 September 2002
Attached in the advance distribution from my office, is the report prepared by the Independent Assessor for the week ending 11 September 2002.
Brian Healy, Assistant Secretary
Att: TFS12

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POSTAL
544
Quadrant Pay Ballot Result
The result of the Quadrant Pay 2002 Ballot has now been received from Popularis, the scrutineers, and is as follows:
Yes 351
No 84
Spoilt Ballot Papers 1
Total Ballot Papers Received 436
Total Ballot Papers Despatched 1,179
It is anticipated that the increase to basic pay rates will be paid week ending 11 October 2002 along with back pay for any overtime and night shift allowance. Back pay for contracted hours will be paid week ending 25 October 2002.
Any Branch enquiries should be addressed to Terry Pullinger, Assistant Secretary quoting the reference QP2.

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545
POL Christmas Balancing and Opening Arrangements for 2002.
As a consequence of meetings with the employer, the following correspondence has been received from Phil Michel, Senior Personnel Advisor, Post Office Ltd.:-
"Dear Mr Furey
Christmas balancing and opening arrangements for 2002
I am writing to confirm the Christmas balancing proposals and opening times discussed with you recently.
1. The balances scheduled for Wednesday 25 December 2002 and 1 January 2003 will be moved to Fridays 27 December 2002 and 3 January 2003.
2. In line with last year, the retail line would support the ability to balance as many tills as possible during the branch opening hours. The priority here will be service to our customers and our waiting time target. Where balancing takes place outside of duty hours or after the branch has closed, individuals will receive time in lieu. Time in lieu will only be allowed for the actual time worked, subject to a maximum of 50 minutes, to cover end of day procedures and balancing time. No overtime will be payable as an alternative.
3. In line with previous years, branches would close earlier on Christmas and New Year's eve; at 12.30 on 24 December and 16.00 on 31 December.
4. No annual leave will be allowed from 25 November for the following 4 weeks. This is an agreed closed period for annual leave.
5. From the 25 November for the following 4 weeks, the refresher training sessions will be suspended and the branches will open 30 minutes earlier.
In drawing up the above proposals, the business has endeavoured to balance its commitment to our customers with the requirements set out in the Branch Office Staffing Agreement. This has also needed to be set against our current financial situation.
We want to be in a position to finalise Christmas arrangements by 25 October. If you wish to meet and discuss these proposals, please advise of your availability in weeks commencing 7 and 14 October.
Yours sincerely
Phil Michel, Senior Personnel Advisor"
Any branch comments, which should be cognisant of timescales, should be addressed to Andy Furey, Assistant Secretary C&CH Department quoting reference B.134

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546
Service Delivery Reporting Initiative
Further to BOB Number 38 Para 527, dated 4th October 2002, reproduced below for information is the terms of the National Agreement covering the above mentioned initiative. The Agreement should be applied taking into account the key points previously published in both LTB and BOB formats:-
"National Agreement Regarding the Service Delivery Performance Reporting Initiative (SDPRI) and the Consequential Effect on Admin/LA duties in Mail Centres
1. Introduction
Following the development of new technology in relation to the collation of the data used in Service Delivery to produce a variety of national and local performance reports, it is proposed to establish a centralised unit to upload the relevant data and produce the various reports. It is expected that this will remove a majority of the work currently performed by the Area Performance Analyst Administrator (APAA).
2. Location of the Central Data Processing and Reporting Unit
Following discussions regarding the identified surplus of LA1s currently performing this duty and the current availability of other resources necessary to equip and staff the new unit, it has been decided that the new Central Data Processing and Reporting Team (CDPRT) will be located in East Midlands.
3. Surplus Area Performance Analyst Administrators
The Area Performance Analyst Administrator (APAA) role will become surplus in line with the following SDPRI milestones:-
North Territory 24th January 2003
East/West Territory 21st February 2003
Surplus staff will be dealt with in line with the Managing The Surplus Framework (MTSF) Agreement.
4. Current Residual Work and Future ad-hoc Local Reports
Any residual work remaining at Area level, which is currently performed by the APAA, will be subject to local discussions in line with the IR Framework Agreement. Any unresolved issues will be escalated for discussions at a National level. Similarly, should there be a future re-introduction of the production of ad-hoc local reports, this will also be subject to local discussions in line with the IR Framework Agreement with any unresolved issues being escalated for discussions at a National level.
5. Resourcing and Grading of the Centralised Unit
The Central Data Processing and Reporting Team will be resourced with 9 LA1s and 1 line manager. In line with the SDPRI Post Implementation Review, the level of resource and the tasks being undertaken will be jointly examined and agreed, at a National level, to ensure the maximum efficiency and effectiveness of the CDPRT. The effect of any further planned technological improvements (e.g. automated RCS and traffic figures) will also be subject to the joint National review. The proposed ML4 managerial grading of the Systems Support roles will also be jointly reviewed at the 3 month Post Implementation Review stage.
6. Joint Review
The introduction of the SDPRI and the terms of this Agreement will be formally reviewed at National level after three months of operation of the centralised unit.
Royal Mail Service Delivery Communication Workers Union
Date: Date:"
Branch Secretaries should ensure that the above agreement is brought to the attention of all Area/Unit Representatives in particular those representing LA grades.
All enquiries regarding the content of the above paragraph should be addressed to Martin Collins, Assistant Secretary, Indoor Department quoting reference L.140.24(m).

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547
Nicola Marshall, Policy Assistant - Clerical & Cash Handling Department
I am pleased to be able to advise you that Nicola Marshall, an external candidate, has been appointed to the post of Policy Assistant in the C&CH Department.
Whilst appointing Nicola, it is pleasing to report the standard of candidates who applied for the position was extremely high, both internally and externally.
Nicola's working background is that she has been employed as a Parliamentary Adviser for a Labour MP for three years, an HEO in the Department of Trade and Industry for a year and, most recently, worked as an adviser for the Confederation of Shipbuilders Union. I am confident that Nicola's appointment will be an asset to the department and the membership.
Nicola will commence employment with the Union on Monday 11 November 2002. In the meantime, Ian Ward (TCR Eastern Territory) has agreed to continue to give the support and assistance that he is currently providing.
Any comments concerning this paragraph should be addressed to Andy Furey, Assistant Secretary, C&CH Department, quoting reference B.016.

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548
LNIS Printer Replacement at Mail Centres
Branches were advised in BOB Number 9, paragraph 157 of the developments associated with the above.
Published as an attachment* to the Briefing is correspondence that has been received from John Powell, Head of Operations Design, that has been circulated to Area Managers that details the deployment of the replacement system. In addition, Royal Mail have written to the Union confirming that the Business case used to cost in the replacement system, was not dependant on either staff savings or reductions, therefore, the introduction of this system should have no impact whatsoever on current staffing levels.
Any enquiries regarding the content of the above paragraph should be addressed to Martin Collins, Assistant Secretary, quoting reference number L.600.08.
Att: PE48

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549
Address Interpretation - MDEC Training Trial
This is to advise Branches of developments that have occurred associated with Address Interpretation, and in particular the training element of the National Framework Agreement.
Following discussions with Royal Mail, a trial has been agreed to assist in enabling existing employees to reach the necessary keying speed required at the MDEC sites. The need for a trial arose because it was discovered that employees who applied to work at MDECs were often not able to achieve the keying speed of 45 wpm required for entry. This was due in some cases to the fact that the test set for entry to the MDEC included some touch typing elements and current Royal Mail Coders have never been required to touch type. Therefore although some employees had good keying rates, they were still not able to make the grade required and not offered the positions. It was also found that in some cases employees who were able to reach the standard of 45 wpm, then were unable to improve on that due to their typing technique.
Published as an attachment* to this Briefing are the Terms of Reference of the trial. Branches are further advised that Steve Richards of the National Executive is overseeing the trial activity on my behalf. Steve is being assisted by representatives of the North West Central Branch as the second MDEC site falls within their branch boundaries (Stockport). Branches will be further updated on all developments associated with the trial in due course.
All enquiries regarding the content of the above paragraph should be addressed to Martin Collins, Assistant Secretary, quoting reference number L.685.21(c).
Att: PE49

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550
National Databank Maintenance Programme
Branches/Representatives are advised that Royal Mail have written to the Union advising us that they are planning to undertake Industrial Engineering Studies in various Mail Centre locations to update the Industrial Engineering Databank.
We have been advised that the work measurement has been planned to take place during the September/October period and the activity will be co-ordinated at territorial level by the IE Project Managers who will be responsible for communicating the full details of the study programme to both local management and CWU Representatives. The original communication indicated that a schedule of activities by location was in the process of being finalised and would be forwarded to the Union once completed.
Further correspondence has now been received from Royal Mail the content of which is reproduced for your information:-
"Dear Mr Collins,
The enclosed document is an outline schedule of activity by location, initially September - October 2002. It has been planned as part of a larger rolling programme of annual maintenance which will break off at the end of October/early November, so as to avoid the Christmas period. At this point there will be a review of the data received to identify any additional work which may be required after the New Year. You will note that only a number of projects have offices allocated to them, it is these with which we will be starting the programme, the rest will be updated as the programme progresses.
Regarding the choice of activities and location the principle that has been applied is that all Mail Centres will be participating in the Maintenance Programme. You will note that there are no specific dates attached to each Office/Activity this is because each Territorial IEPM will be resourcing it based upon local availability of Production Design Managers and Territory Industrial Engineers against current projects. This may mean that some areas will still be undertaking the work during the early part of November. I will be requesting a copy of their schedule which I can forward to you if you wish.
With respect to your involvement in the final assessment, I would appreciate it if you could give me some idea of the level of involvement that you would like. Would it be an overview/explanation of the potential impacts or have you something else in mind?
I look forward to your early reply and in the meantime I will keep you fully updated of any changes and developments.
Yours sincerely
Dave Boyd"

No.

Activity

Study Sites

1

Hardy Wheeled Containers

2

63 Box Impact Flat Fittings

3

 SOP - Seg Stamp Sort Posted Packets

Sheffield, Leeds, Shrewsbury, Worcester, SEAMaC

4

160 Box IMPEX

5

200 Box LSM

6

40 Box IMP

7

Inward Bag Opening

7.1

Automated Bag Table

Bolton, Doncaster, Gloucester, Leicester, Greenford

7.2

Conventional Bag Table

Bolton, Derby, Nottingham, Watford, Romford

7.3

 Containers - Mech Bag Opening

Gloucester, Birmingham, Leicester, Crewe, Watford

7.4

Mailsort Bags

Reading, Ipswich, Hull, Milton Keynes, Northampton

8

48 Box Essex Flat Fitting

9

 Addressograph York Labels

10

Simplified Sorting

10.1

Packets

10.2

Flats

10.3

Letters

11

Machine PV Review

11.1

 Check studies against SOP including:

11.1a

Hazard Box Checks LSM IMP

11.1b

1c in 2c Checks CFC IMP

11.2

Plan Changes

11.3

Automation Doubles Detection

12

DBF Dressing

13

 Seated Sorting - Impact Fitting

14

Addressograph Replacement

15

Oversize/Large Packet Sorting

Tonbridge, Dartford, Canterbury, Maidstone, Liverpool, York

16

Tray Sorting

17

 Outward Concentration MOR Packet Sort

Swindon, Gatwick, Peterborough, East London MC, West London MC

18

 Inward Concentration MOR Packet Sort

Coventry, Wolverhampton, Peterborough, East London MC, West London MC

19

 Dressing/Undressing of York Sleeved conts

Gatwick, Peterborough, Wolverhampton, Swindon

20

Business Reply Computerisation - CA26


I have written to Royal Mail acknowledging their commitment to fully involve local CWU Representatives and in addition to the carrying out of a full assessment of any new planning values that are produced prior to their introduction. I have also sought an assurance that the CWU at national level are fully briefed on the outputs from the assessment process prior to the deployment of any new planning values. Branches/Representatives will be kept updated on developments associated with this issue, in particular the scheduling and study activities that will be undertaken in addition to those identified above.
All enquiries regarding the content of the above paragraph should be addressed to Martin Collins, Assistant Secretary, Indoor, quoting reference number L.530.04.

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