GSP 02-19 Parcels/Packets Automation
06/March/2019
Description
You will be aware that over the last few years, An Post has experienced fundamental changes in its Mails business, similar to those being experienced globally by other postal operators. While letter mail volumes continue to decline, parcels and packets volumes are increasing at a significant rate. In these circumstances, the Company is required to refocus its automated processing capabilities away from letter processing to parcels/packets processing, which essentially remains a manual process. The Union has advocated for some time the Company must invest in and grow the Parcels and Packet market. In more recent times the company has accepted this, and we are thankfully at a point whereby we are increasing market share, which is protecting and maintaining employment.
In order to develop and grow the business further, the Union accepts the need to introduce new automated technology to ensure that An Post has the technical capability to continue to grow its parcels and packets business and to outperform the market in which An Post operates. To ensure our members interests and impact of the changes are fully dealt with, the National Executive Council has endorsed the attached agreement. The main points of which are as follows:
- Staff impact issues arising from the implementation of the Company’s parcels/packets automation plans will be addressed with CWU under existing agreed procedures and agreements.
- There are two main areas of change to the existing parcels operations. The first relates to transitional changes which are being implemented to facilitate the erection of the automated machinery within DPH in 2019. These are outlined at Appendix 1 to the agreement. Further transitional change will be required to facilitate implementation of new plant in the DMC in 2020.
- Future staffing levels at DPH & DMC will be agreed with the CWU three months after ‘go live’. A joint working group will be established, to review data in relation to these areas on an ongoing basis, throughout the 12-week period.
- Operational changes to the MDN Network arising from the changes will be discussed and agreed with the CWU. A joint working group will be established to examine the impact of these changes. This review will focus on the following areas: training requirements, tachograph regulations, OWT impact, transport legislation, reserve driver requirements and pay.
- Implementation of automated machinery will impact on the staffing requirements as the move takes place from a manual to automated processing operation. The company will address these in the context of existing agreements with the CWU.
- The Company will develop and agree a training programme in relation to the new equipment with the CWU in advance of training commencing.
- The Company has previously advised that the Merrywell site will close. It will remain open as a temporary processing site, pending the implementation of automation, the Company will formally close this facility during the implementation period and undertakes to address staff impact issues with the CWU.
- The company has agreed to progress the CWU claim regarding any savings at the Joint Conciliation council through agreed IR procedures.
Implementation Agreement-Parcels & Packets Automation