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Quadrant Increase –
CWU have been informed of an intended price increase.
We have sent a response to
the business rejecting their proposal based on the fact that they have
levelled the majority of increases at breakfast bars. We have informed
management that in our opinion their actions will drive employees to our
competitors in respect of local cafes, supermarkets and sandwich
delivery vans. This at a time when the CWU are encouraging our members
to utilise the current facilities at every available opportunity.
We have requested an urgent
meeting between ourselves, Royal Mail and Quadrant to discuss the matter
further and have insisted that no increase takes place until the
discussions have been concluded.
Pensions Reform -
Members have voted against Managements pension proposals
New Royal
Mail Standard Issue Magnum Shoes & Boots
-Further
discussions have taken place with Royal Mail's Head of Assets Support
and Programmes to clarify progress on resolving outstanding problems
with the current standard issue footwear.
On behalf of Royal Mail, the
manufacturers "Hi-Tech Magnum" and "SATRA" (the world's leading footwear
research, technology and product evaluation centre) are working on a
revised design with Royal Mail but it has not yet been through the
exhaustive testing which Royal Mail will need to complete before it
can be considered for general introduction and at present those involved
are not in a position to say whether it will prove to be superior. As
you would expect, the development of any industrial footwear is a
lengthy and complex process that has to be thorough and Royal Mail are
keen to ensure that the footwear isn't replaced with a design that
hasn't yet been proven to meet the required improved performance
standards.
The timetable
recently discussed with the Union - aiming for orders to commence in
April and introduction of the new improved design shoe and boot by
August referred to Royal Mail's 'best estimates' for Royal Mail to
start placing orders with the Manufacturers. It needs to be made clear
therefore that Royal Mail will not be able to accept individual orders
for the redesigned footwear range in April as much as they may like to.
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