£200 COVID-19 Recognition Payment

£200 COVID-19 Recognition Payment

Further to LTB 254/20 and the attached Joint Statement circulated on 15^th May 2020, Branches/colleagues should be aware that the DGS(P) department has received a number of enquiries relating to the qualifying criteria for this payment. I have formally raised these issues with the business and further dialogue is continuing.

Branches/colleagues must however remember that it was only following pressure from the union nationally that management decided to make a payment at all and therefore it is important to point out that the £200 payment is a one-off discretionary, non-contractual payment and not subject to the usual criteria in place for other lump sum payments – the most notable of which being the two Christmas lump sum payments.

The union will of course endeavour to ensure that as many members as possible receive all or part of this discretionary payment, but it must be remembered that the main focus of this payment is to acknowledge colleagues who have worked throughout the current COVID-19 crisis and continue to do so.

We should also not lose sight of the very real challenge the union and its members face due to the loss of letter traffic and the impact this has had on Royal Mail’s financial position. Equally it is of the utmost importance that we establish a framework for high level talks to resolve our current dispute and our 2020 pay claim.

The DGS(P) Department will ensure that Branches are provided with additional updates as further developments occur. In the meantime Branches are asked to circulate this LTB as widely as possible and to please stay safe.

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)      

LTB 263/20 – £200 COVID19 RECOGNITION PAYMENT