Communication Workers Union
22
April 2014LTB 260/14 Implementation of Mediation Arrangements
To: All Branches with Postal Members
Dear Colleague
Implementation of Mediation Arrangements
The purpose of this LTB is to explain the
detailed approach to implementing the mediation arrangements agreed in the
Agenda for Growth, Stability and Long Term Success Agreement.
The LTB focuses on the agreed role, terms and
conditions of internal mediators, whilst also confirming the position on
external mediators, special mediation and the initial arrangements that will
operate when the new IR Procedures are launched at the beginning of May 2014.
The Role of Internal Mediators
The following are the key points relating to
the introduction and operation of the internal mediator role.
*The
national parties have agreed that the internal mediator post will initially be
a fulltime two year secondment. As such,
the post will be internally advertised and only available to existing Royal
Mail employees.
*The
national parties have agreed there will initially be ten internal mediators on
secondment from their existing roles.
Five will come from management and five from CWU grades.
*The
post will attract a minimum salary of £30k and this salary will be treated as
fully pensionable. If in the previous
twelve months successful candidates take home pay is greater than £30k, then
these individuals will be entitled to a salary equivalent to their previous
twelve month average pay. For the period
of secondment this pay rate will also be fully pensionable. The £30k or previous twelve months average
earning salary, will be increased in April 2015 by the same pay rise as CWU
grades.
*As
this is initially a two year secondment, there is no guarantee that the
individual will continue in the role beyond the initial two year period. Successful applicants will have their
existing role and contract of employment fully protected and will be able to
return to their previous role and work location at the end of the two year
secondment with their seniority maintained.
*Successful
applicants will be given immediate training and will continue to receive on the
job training and support throughout the period of the secondment.
*The
role of an internal mediator will be line managed by a separate senior mediator
who will be jointly appointed for this purpose by Royal Mail and CWU. Successful applicants will be expected to
work as part of the national mediation team and although based in or around
their current location, will be expected to travel extensively and be prepared
to be away from home over night on a regular basis.
*The
post of the internal mediator will be jointly advertised from the 28th April
2014 through a variety of Royal Mail and CWU communication tools. The intention is to ensure that these adverts
are available in all workplaces.
Applicants for the role will be shortlisted and interviews will be
carried out by a panel consisting of Royal Mail and CWU personnel.
*The
national parties will review the role of internal mediators as part of the
ongoing reviews of the National Agreement.
It is the outcome of these reviews that will determine the continuation
of the role beyond the two year secondment.
The Role of External Mediators
The national parties have appointed six
external mediators from an ACAS shortlist.
All the appointed external mediators have considerable experience in
industrial relations and mediation.
The Role of Special Mediators
Separately and over and above the required
number of internal mediators, the national parties will consider applicants for
the role of special mediators. These
individuals would continue in their current role and would be considered for
special mediation situations in the circumstances set out in the National
Agreement. This role would be given
appropriate training but would only be utilised on an as required basis.
The Launch of Mediation within the New IR
Procedures
Given that we intend to launch the new IR
Procedures at the beginning of May and that the successful applicants for
internal mediators will not be available at that stage, the national parties
will put in place temporary arrangements.
This will involve, for a few weeks, the internal mediator role being
temporarily fulfilled by an external company who specialise in mediation. As previously reported the final date for the
official launch of the new IR procedures will be confirmed soon in a National
Joint Statement.
Summary
We would ask that all CWU Branches ensure that
the content of this LTB is circulated to all CWU Representatives.
Advertising will commence for the role of an
internal mediator from the 28th April and this advert will explain how to apply
and contain a full job description, including the skills required for the role
and the pay, terms and conditions.
Any enquiries on the content of this LTB
should be addressed to the DGS (P) Department.
Yours sincerely
Dave Ward
Deputy General Secretary (P)
