GSP 04-20 Cork Mails Centre Closure
07/February/2020
Description
I wish to appraise you of the agreed plans as detailed below, to finalise the cessation of mails processing at Cork Mails Centre by the end of March 2020.
Cessation of Mails Processing at CMC
The last mails processing shift at CMC will be on the night of Friday 20th March 2020. Redeployment of surplus staff will commence from Monday 23rd March and all remaining employees availing of Severance will leave by Friday 27th March. A number of operational changes are necessary to be in place at the other Mail Centres and MDN Network to ensure the quality of service and circulation of mails is maintained with minimum impact on arrival times at DSUs.
Phase 3 MDN Network
Phase 3 MDN Network changes refers to the Mails Distribution Network following the cessation of mails processing in CMC. While the main staff impact is in Cork, which will lead to the net reduction of 3 Full Time network posts, there are required changes across the network, the detail of which will be communicated locally in the next few days.
Cork DSUs -Little Island
The Company has confirmed it has recently decided it will establish a Cork ‘super DSU’ at the Little Island premises where it intends consolidating a number of Cork Collection and Delivery Operations. Separate discussions regarding the plans for this will take place with the Union in the coming months, with a view to commencing consolidation of the designated DSU’s in the 3rd quarter of this year.
To enable the closure of CMC, additional resources will be introduced in the interim period to carry out C&D work (cross docking, route parcels sortation etc). The Company has also agreed to one additional Working Leader on night duty.
Patrols/Cleaners
Patrols will remain in place until Friday 3rd July 2020 by which time revised security measures will apply which will be in line with other DSUs. There will be one cleaner remaining in Little Island following cessation of mails processing.
Portlaoise Parcels
The Company’s strategy is to move all parcels processing from the PMC to the automated facility at DPH. The Company will meet separately with the Union’s parcels group to set out this plan in detail including the installation of the second automated line at the DMC Campus.
In tandem with the operational changes associated with the closure of CMC the day processing of parcels at PMC will transfer to DPH on a phased basis. Employees who are currently performing this work will be redeployed within PMC to take on the additional work following the cessation of mails processing at CMC and the transfer of mails to PMC.
Implementation Process
Local discussions will commence immediately with the relevant Branches with a view to having these completed by the end of February, with referral of any disagreed issue to the Monitoring Group. To assist Branches with the timely progression of these changes Bill Colfer Regional Officer has responsibility for CMC & PMC with Jarlath Heneghan having responsibility for the MDN Phase 3 changes.
The Union recognises the closure of CMC has been a very difficult experience for all members that worked in the plant. I wish to extend our very best wishes to all and in particular thank the Branch Representatives that assisted the Union in ensuring the very best outcome was achieved for members either exiting the company or redeploying to alternative work areas.