JOINT STATEMENT ON THE DEPLOYMENT OF ADVANCED DRIVER COACHES IN REGIONAL LOGISTICS (AREA DISTRIBUTION) AND TELEMETRY UPDATE
Dear Colleagues,
Branches and representatives will be aware that protracted discussions have been taking place with the business since 2012 in relation to the deployment of the Advanced Driver Coach (ADC) role in Area Distribution.
In January 2015 a Joint Statement was agreed and the department issued LTB 054/15 (attached for ease of reference) in relation to the deployment of the ADC role to communicate the position. At the time of issuing that Joint Statement in 2015 the department entered into further discussions with the business in relation to a deployment programme for the role.
Unfortunately further difficulties were encountered in respect of realising the commitments contained in the 2015 Joint Statement, which delayed the introduction of the ADC role into Area Distribution.
In August 2015 the Regional Logistics (Area Distribution) Telemetry Training Trial and Training Implementation Plan was communicated to Branches and representatives via LTB 522/15. This agreement was dependent on the use of ADC’s and it was therefore unsurprising that the department began to receive reports that deployment and use of the Telemetry equipment was sporadic. In addition concern was also being highlighted from the field in regard to 1-2-1’s that were taking place in the absence of any ADC support, which obviously meant that our drivers were not being provided with the training interventions where necessary to assist and develop their driving skills.
Coupled to this around the same time the business were attempting to progress an un-agreed initiative called Professionalising Area Distribution (PAD) which was reported to Branches and representatives via LTB 641/15 in October 2015.
The department made representation to the business that all of the problems being identified were related and requested urgent discussions to resolve outstanding issues and it would appear that the lack of progression in respect of the Telemetry and PAD initiatives served to re-focus the business’ attention on outstanding issues that the department wished to conclude.
As a result urgent discussions have been taking place recently with the business to resolve outstanding issues and have resulted in the attached Joint Statement being finalised in relation to a recruitment programme for Area Distribution Advanced Driver Coaches.
Colleagues will note that the initial recruitment plan will mean that the business will resource 36 new ADC’s across the Mail Centre catchment area. Recognition has been given to the fact that until the RoSPA qualification is obtained and they are able to fully undertake the ADC role, that those recruited will receive the Workplace Coach allowance.
In regard to the issues identified in relation to Telemetry joint activity is continuing to establish the current position in regard to deployment and training that has taken place. Once the information in respect of this is analysed it will be our intention to jointly develop a programme of works to ensure that the equipment is deployed in line with the agreement and that our drivers have a full understanding of the data the equipment captures and how this can assist them to improve and develop their driving abilities.
The business have agreed however that even where Telemetry equipment and training has been deployed and delivered in line with our agreements, no Driver 1-2-1’s or training requiring the participation of the ADC’s will take place until a coach with the RoSPA qualification is in post.
Branches and representatives are requested to ensure that our members are made aware of this LTB and the attached Joint Statement at the earliest opportunity.
Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary, e-mail: dwyatt@cwu.org or shayman@cwu.org quoting reference number: 517.04 & 518.02
Yours sincerely
Davie Robertson
Assistant Secretary
JOINT STATEMENT BETWEEN ROYAL MAIL AND THE CWU ON THE DEPLOYMENT OF ADVANCED DRIVER COACHES WITHIN REGIONAL LOGISTICS (AREA DISTRIBUTION)
Background
The National Agreement for the Implementation of the Road Transport Directive and the Introduction of the Professional Driver concluded in 2007 supported the introduction of Workplace Driver Coaches in Royal Mail. The aspiration captured in the agreement was to create opportunities for personal development where Advanced Driver Coaches (ADC’s) can assist and encourage drivers to improve performance in all aspects of their role. Further commitment to achieve this ambition was given in the Joint Statement for the Future of Area Distribution 2012.
In January 2015 a Joint Statement was agreed in relation to the deployment of Advanced Driver Coaches in Regional Logistics (Area Distribution) that fulfilled our commitments and was communicated accordingly. This Joint Statement provided information in respect of the roles and responsibilities of the Advanced Driver Coach role working within Regional Logistics (Area Distribution), the qualifications and accreditation required, selection processes and the agreed levels of remuneration for the new role.
The deployment activity in respect of this role has encountered some delay. Recent joint discussions have now resolved outstanding issues and resulted in this Joint Statement being agreed, which outlines how the process for deployment of the Advanced Driver Coaches for the Regional Logistics (Area Distribution) function will now take place.
Deployment Principles
Royal Mail operates in an increasingly competitive environment where optimum performance is crucial to the future success of the business. The deployment of the Advanced Driver Coaches within Regional Logistics (Area Distribution) will support drivers and operational colleagues through the provision of our own, in house, peer to peer coaching, mentoring and the delivery of agreed training packages to assist in improving safety and efficiency within Royal Mail Operations. Through the establishment of a supportive, non-threatening environment Advanced Driver Coaches will promote the achievement of excellent individual performance by assisting colleagues to enhance their range of skills and maximise potential.
Deployment for these roles will be as follows:
➢ RMG will initially resource 36 new Regional Logistics (Area Distribution) Advanced Driver Coaches across Mail Centre catchment areas on the following basis:
• 11 in the North
• 14 in the East
• 11 in the West
➢ The selection process for ADC’s will be as detailed within the National Agreement and will commence w/c 13th May 2016.
➢ Consistent with the National Agreement covering ADC’s, successful applicants will be trained to the necessary standard. The ADC is considered a specialist role and before appointment applicants must achieve the following:
• Be fully trained by RoSPA (or equivalent) to an agreed standard to enable them to professionally carry out training needs analysis on drivers. The ADC’s will themselves be trained in this field and hold a valid certificate of competence.
• Attain the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) certification. This is required by the Joint Approvals Unit for Periodic Training (JAUPT) Driver CPC accreditation.
➢ The aim is to have all fully trained ADC’s in place by October 2016.
➢ The successful applicants for the ADC role will initially be remunerated as Workplace Coaches. However, on successful completion of the RoSPA training they will be remunerated as ADC’s.
➢ Successfully completing the RoSPA training will enable ADC’s to perform driver in-cab coaching and as such they will then be released to ADC duties for a minimum of 20 hours per week. This will increase to full time release (outside of pressure periods) once they have attained the necessary full qualification/accreditation of an ADC. It is agreed that until the applicants for the role have achieved the RoSPA training they will not be used for any duties aligned to the ADC role.
This agreement will remain subject to ongoing joint review at regular intervals of 3 months to ensure it is being applied correctly and to rectify any problems or issues of concern. These reviews will also assess the success of the deployment in terms of employee participation, competency, safety and financial implications.
As part of the ongoing review we will seek to expand the number of Advanced Driver Coaches, where deemed of commercial benefit.
Any question of interpretation, implementation or application of this agreement will be dealt with promptly through the IR Framework and if unresolved referred to the respective Headquarters for resolution.
EUAN MCMURDODAVIE ROBERTSON
DIRECTOR LOGISTICSASSISTANT SECRETARY
ROYAL MAIL CWU
DATE: 11TH MAY 2016
CWU Eastern No5 Branch 
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