Pathway to Change Agreement – Culture and the Latest Interim Trust Survey Results
Further to LTB 424/21 circulated on 7th October, Branches and Representatives will recall that the next phase of the Interim Trust Survey commenced on 11thOctober 2021 for the West Midlands, East Midlands and Peterborough, South Coast and Croydon and South East SDL areas, as well as the Parcels Operations, Royal Mail International (RMI) and the Property & Facilities Solutions (P&FS) Business units. Also included was the Transformation Office, however in the main this relates to management grades.
After this latest Interim Trust Survey closed, the headline results were supplied to the DGS(P) Department on 25thOctober 2021 and considered at a meeting of the Postal Executive in Birmingham on 2nd November 2021. These are attached for the information of Branches and Representatives (Attachment 1). The overall return rate for this Interim Trust Survey was 65%, compared to 72% for the previous one, although the number of people surveyed this time was higher at 21,582. The return rate improved significantly across each SDL area compared to that of the Big Trust Survey, apart from the East Midlands and Peterborough. Returns also increased in Parcelforce Operations, RMI and P&FS.
In terms of the actual trust score, that continues to be based on five particular questions. The score for this latest Interim Trust Survey was 68%, which is identical to that of the last survey. The lower quartile of the frontline units surveyed had a trust score of 57% and below, with the lowest unit delivering a trust score of just 19%. At the other end of the scale, the best score was 100%.
In relation to the awareness of action plans that have been agreed by SDL area (or equivalent) and the knowledge of making progress against the action plan, Branches and Representatives will note that these latest results illustrate that this stands at 61% and 87% respectively across the returns, compared to the September survey figures of 63% and 85%.
The unit by unit figures have been provided by SDL area and Operational Manager units by Royal Mail Group. They will be circulated to the relevant Divisional Representatives in the near future to help inform their discussions with their relevant managers. The PFW depot results are also expected soon, as are the breakdowns for RMI and P&FS.
The Business have also agreed to hold a further deep dive briefing for SDLs and Divisional Representatives on 4th November 2021 at 9:30am and an additional session for Parcelforce Regional Organisers and their respective managers on 8th November 2021 at 12:00pm. At the time of writing, the dates for RMI and P&FS are still being arranged.
Branches will also be aware that it was agreed to also include tailored, function-specific questions in the October and November surveys by Operational manager area, following input from the Outdoor Department. The headline results of these five questions are also attached for the information of Branches and Representatives (Attachment 2) and the unit results will also be circulated to Divisional Representatives.
A further Interim Trust Survey started on 1st November 2021, to those in the South Midlands, South Yorks and Lincs, Central & East London and Thames Valley SDL areas, as well as National Distribution and Processing, RDCs, and Walk Bundling Centres. This will be the final survey for CWU grades in 2021.
The Interim Trust Survey results continue to provide an insight into a number of key questions and, over time, will help to identify those workplaces where positive change is occurring and where the terms of our national agreements are being applied.
In closing, I would like to thank all Branches and Representatives for their ongoing work in promoting the Interim Trust Survey and ensuring a high level of participation. This work is helping to highlight the areas that need to be addressed in a pro-active way to improve culture and the working environment. Additional updates will be provided as and when further developments occur.
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 467/21 Pathway to Change Agreement – Culture and the Latest Interim Trust Survey Results
CWU Eastern No5 Branch 
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