Merseyside
Amal Distribution Report
Skynet
After many years of fighting to keep the site at Liverpool open
it was reluctantly decided by our members and the branch to agree
to its closure. This decision was not taken lightly but after
a number of years of threats of it closing down and with the loss
of most of the work the decision was made. Our members are now
in the process of filling in preference exercises to find new
jobs and we will try our best to get everyone the job they would
like. I would personally like to thank all our members at the
airport for all their help and support over the years and wish
them all the best in their new jobs. I would also like to thank
Davie Robertson NEC for all his ongoing help as lead negotiator
in bringing this matter to a successful close.
Distribution Drivers
The introduction of the road transport directive on the 11th
of April has had a major effect on the way our drivers work and
the hours they can work the legislation restricting drivers to
48 hours a week. The drivers pay has just been agreed and will
put drivers of 7.5t vehicles on a new basic of £380 per
week. The introduction of RTD has meant we have needed major revisions
to address these changes and after many months of hard work the
driver’s reps have done an excellent job introduced new
duties that give more days off and maximise the earning potential
of drivers.
The platform/bay reps are also in the middle of a revision that
will align their duties to the drivers ongoing meetings are taking
place and we hope to introduce the duties as soon as possible.
Pay
We are at that time of year again when we get into talks over
pay and Royal mail have come up with a cracker if the CWU agree
to £346 million pounds worth of savings they in return will
give us a lump sum of between £250 and £600 no increase
in basic pay and allowances this will be this years pay offer
it looks like it could be a long hot summer. Hopefully Royal mail
will get around the negotiating table with the CWU and sort out
a decent pay deal.
Yours fraternally
Ernie Jackson
Area Distribution Rep South Friday, 04 May 2007
