Tag: Domestic

Further strike action at Royal Mail could follow (UK)

Posted by | Feb 21, 2008 | |

Royal Mail has announced its intention to follow through on on its proposed changes to Postal Workers pensions which could see further strike action by postal workers.

The controversal move would mean raising the retirement age from 60 to 65 after 2010. The present pension scheme would, under Royal Mail’s proposals, cease from the 1st April 2008. The move is being communicated to its workforce by letter.

The CWU is said to be ‘disappointed’ by the move and made it clear that it was not willing to accept the plan without the agreement of CWU members.

From the 1st April, existing pensions will be changed to a ‘career salary defined benefit scheme’ meaning that workers pension benefits will be calculated on the basis of actual pensionable earnings in each given year. The calculation would also be uprated by inflation, capped at 5%. Employee contribution rates will remain unchanged.

Also from the 1st April, new starters at Royal Mail, will be offered a new, defined contribution scheme based on a tiered employee/employer contribution rate although eligibility to join the scheme will not become effective until the employee has been with Royal Mail for 12 months anyway.

The Postal Executive Committee is to meet on Monday to discuss its next move, the likely outcome of which will be a formal ballot. If CWU members reject the proposal, industrial action could soon follow, plunging Royal Mail into another period of strike action.

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Postcomm consults on Royal Mail's request for exemption (UK)

Posted by | Feb 19, 2008 | |

On 23 November 2007, Royal Mail applied for a Direction from Postcomm for exemption from certain aspects of Condition 7 for its Parts Express service. Specifically, Royal Mail requested exemption from the three month pre-notification requirements set out in Condition 7(2) and (3) and therefore by implication the publication requirements of Condition 7(4). In addition, Royal Mail requested exemption from the publication requirements of contracts won through competitive tenders that are set out in Condition 7(5) (b).

On 19 February 2008, Postcomm issued a consultation letter seeking views on Royal Mail’s request for exemption from certain requirements of Condition 7 for the Parts Express services and Postcomm’s initial assessment of this request.

It is important for Postcomm to get the views of stakeholders includnig other licensed postal operators, postal users, Postwatch, trade associations and other interested parties in the postal sector, and we will consider carefully these views in making our decision on Royal Mail’s request.

Notes for editors

The consultation will be open for four weeks and closes on 19 March 2008. Postcomm will then assess the responses received and meet interested parties to discuss the consultation as necessary. A final decision on this application is expected by the end of April 2008.

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Businesses CSR policies overlook the financially excluded (UK)

Posted by | Feb 19, 2008 | |

Post Office research has revealed that despite corporate social responsibility (CSR) becoming a key element of companies’ working practices, many are overlooking millions of customers by failing to offer a cash payment channel.

UK businesses are increasingly taking more responsibility for environmental issues by reducing their carbon footprint, as well as adopting more responsible attitudes to customers and suppliers to encourage sustainable social and economic growth.

But many companies offering basic services such as electricity, telephone, broadband and digital TV, and even gyms and health clubs, however, do not provide cash payment option.

With over 2.8 million UK adults (1.9 million households) without a bank or building society account and dependent on cash payment methods to pay their bills, the financially excluded population is unable to access a range of products and services which are available to those with bank accounts.

For example, among the UK’s top ten best selling domestic broadband providers, none currently offer a cash payment facility. In fact Post Office broadband, which launched last year, is the only broadband provider which offers a cash payment option.

The Post Office provides a range of bill payments services, enabling cash payments for telephone, cable TV, utilities, mail order, council tax, travel and insurance providers, to be made at any UK Post Office® branch. When it comes to making regular payments by cash or cheque the Post Office is the most popular location with over 50 per cent of all household bills paid at the Post Office.

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24th UPU Congress to be held from 23 July to 12 August

Posted by | Feb 18, 2008 | |

The UPU International Bureau today confirmed the place and date of the 24th UPU Congress. It will take place at the Geneva International Conference Centre from 23 July to 12 August.
The next Universal Postal Congress was to be held in Nairobi. Given the situation in Kenya, the UPU Council of Administration decided by consensus to change the venue during its latest session in Berne.

UPU member countries have also been informed of the new deadlines for submitting Congress proposals. Proposals submitted until 22 March must be supported by at least two postal administrations, while those submitted after that date and until 22 May must be supported by at least eight postal administrations.

The date for applications for the posts of Director General and Deputy Director General of the International Bureau has now been set at 22 May.

The International Bureau has set up a Congress preparatory committee to organize the international meeting normally attended by some 1,500 delegates from the UPU’s 191 member countries.

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