CWU/Royal Mail Mediators

Communication Workers Union

22 April 2014
LTB 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)