RMPFSL IR Framework Agreement
We are pleased to report to Branches, that following long months of persistent negotiations, we have reached agreement on a new IR Framework for RMPFSL having sought to achieve the policies arising from the Policy Forum of September 20th2018.
The instruction from the Forum was largely to protect the current level of representation for our Engineer/ Technical Services Members and to ensure that our Cleaning Members benefitted from a new relationship with our CWU Representatives in RMG and to enhance their involvement with the Local and Area CWU Reps regarding daily issues. We believe this is a key factor in improving the representation for our cleaning members and the support which they receive.
Both of the above aims have been accomplished.
Policies at the Forum included the following:
RECOMMENDATION:
That the broad approach of retaining representation for technical grades based on the existing representative structure, whilst utilising the appropriate Royal Mail Group representative for representation of cleaners at the local/regional level be endorsed.
RECOMMENDATION: That the ROMEC IR Framework Agreement be updated and revised in line with the changes in RMPFSL and the wider business, the revised agreement to include access to mediation on the same basis as agreed in Royal Mail as part of the Agenda for Growth Agreement.
Please see below the ‘carried’ Recommendations – 12 and 13 for your information:RECOMMENDATION 12:
CARRIED AS AMENDED That the broad approach of retaining representation for technical grades based on the existing representative structure whilst utilising the appropriate Royal Mail Group representative for representation of cleaners at the local/regional level be endorsed. COMPOSITE AMENDMENT
Add to end of Recommendation 12:
Section 6
Paragraph 5 – Sentence 4
After Royal Mail Divisional Representative add three RMPFS
Regional Representatives one North, one South, one West.
Nottingham and District Amal
South Midlands Postal
COMPOSITE AMENDMENT
Add to end of Recommendation 12:
Section 6
Paragraph 5 – Sentence 7
Insert after the sentence: “would be undertaken by two national
cleaning representatives” Insert: “Which would be elected from
within the cleaning structure of the Royal Mail Property & Facilities
Solutions CWU representatives”.
South East Wales Amal
Glasgow & District Amal RECOMMENDATION 13:
CARRIED AS AMENDED That the ROMEC IR Framework Agreement be updated and revised in line with the changes in RMPFSL and the wider business, the revised agreement to include access to mediation on the same basis as agreed in Royal Mail as part of the Agenda for Growth Agreement. Add to end of Recommendation 13:
There should be Joint CWU Reps/RMPFS management training in current
and future agreements, in order for both sides to understand and
use agreements correctly.
London Postal Engineering
Regrettably, despite continued attempts, CWU could not persuade RMPFSL to increase the National Representatives to two in Cleaning Services, having only utilised one Rep for a good number of years, as they saw no reason for an increase. Additionally, we have now cemented three regional cleaner’s Reps and one National Representative on full time release and with an appropriate level of financial reward for these roles. Accordingly, and for our part of course, we had to measure our position against our desire to also create a financial recompense package for our Senior Field Officials in this part of the company, which we have also achieved.
With regard to Engineering National Representatives, the company were of a similar view insomuch as they did not agree that two positions were warranted, and were holding out on that issue for the last six months. Royal Mail were repeatedly quoting that the whole agreement rested on that element alone and notwithstanding that position, the negotiators held firm and maintained the two National Representatives in Engineering
FINAL STRUCTURES
Engineering:
2 National Reps (Full-time Release)
8 Regional Reps (Ad-Hoc Release)
Cleaning
1 National Rep (Full-time Release)
3 Regional Reps (Full-time Release)
RMG Area & Local Reps as required
A separate remuneration package has been agreed for National and Regional Cleaning Representatives, which was the absolute best that could be accomplished through negotiations after many months, including countless and thwarted proposals from our side, despite the sometimes bigoted attitude toward our Cleaning members from senior management. CWU have also convinced the company to invest in re-training and upskilling programmes for our Representatives on an ongoing basis, in order to ensure that these particular Representatives command the respect that a senior Field Official position deserves and their roles enhanced.
For our Engineering Representatives, it has been agreed that nobody shall be financially disadvantaged as result of holding these positions.
For all our Regional and National Representatives in RMPFSL, mobile phones, laptops and all travel expenses (whilst on Industrial Relations activities) has also been maintained, where travel is not provided.
Summary
After a series of difficult discussions with the company re-structuring at all levels, we believe that we have been able to achieve what we set out to do exceptionally well, under difficult circumstances. Not only have we sustained, but enhanced the level of representation for our members in RMPFSL and in particular in Cleaning, as once again, our members will hopefully feel part of the CWU family after many years in isolation in many locations.
Please note: CWU are in the process of arranging a National Briefing and the details of this will be published in a further LTB that will be circulated in the next couple of working days.
Any queries to the content of the above please contact the Outdoor Department reference 120 email address: njones@cwu.org or the PTCS Department reference 320 email address: khay@cwu.org
Yours sincerely,
Mark Baulch
CWU Assistant Secretary
Alan Tate
CWU Assistant Secretary (Acting)
LTB 335-21 – RMPFSL IR Framework Agreement – 12.08.21
Att: National CWU Representative Roles & Responsibilities
CWU Eastern No5 Branch 
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