In reply to JBTHISTLE.12 Jan 2020 12:00
First of all, JBTHISTLE, I am not insisting on anything: I am simply just surmising, expressing a view, thinking things through, taking stock of the pros and cons, stacking them side by side, measuring them one at a time one against the other, factoring in any "what ifs"...just like you yourself are doing in all your aforementioned comments. We are all entitled to our own opinions are we not?
As for the costs involved regarding any negotiated settlements with the CWU, just bear in mind these two things.
1. The workforce OF RMG is approx 162000 employees...about 143000 UK based roles/ 90000 posties.
2. The former "Four Pillars" agreement offered a further reduction in the working week for all posties (unsure who this fully pertains to out of the total workforce) of one hour; the objective was to reduce by one hour each year until a 35 hour working week was arrived at.
Raised points.
1. Any rise in wages and shift allowances, however small, is a huge amount of money each week when multiplied by even the lesser figure of 90000.
2. Don't think for one minute the CWU have forgotten or are prepared to forgo that one hour reduction...because they have not -- nor will not!
Further to this.
I know for certain that in some places in the UK there are a number of posties who are already working a four day week...some employees, or so I have been told by people from at least four different regions, who have been awarded, quite recently, STC's are to be put on a four day working week in the very near future; I have also been reliably informed that more change is to follow on very soon for many other more established posties regarding these new shift patterns.
Conclusion.
If there is to be a pay rise/reduction in the working week it could, perhaps, be financed, in part, by six things.
1. Abolishing the 2nd break.
2. Greatly reducing the S.A overtime: not as much need due to the greater overlap of the extended shifts.
3. A natural reduction in the amount of Pressure overtime available: who wants to work more than 10 hours a day? There might also be a ban on working on your day off...thus reducing overtime options even further.
4. A decrease in the hours that are available for the agency workers. By increasing the shift times (most importantly the overlap between shifts) and making people more accountable a massive saving can be made.
5. Employing more people on STC's; with a direct view, if they consistently perform that is, to giving them full time employment. This would massively reduce the wage bill by millions upon millions each year due to the far higher costs of employing agency workers.
6. A complete overhaul of the sick leave/pay conditions. Absenteeism and the high level of unacceptable sick leave is absolutely rife throughout the whole of RMG...the figures are truly shocking. It has to be greatly curtailed and the malingerers and workshy gotten rid of - fired!
And there, JBTHISTLE, are some of my thoughts -- all nicely enc
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