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Salary cuts for Royal Mail agency drivers to save jobs
Page 8
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CM COVER STORY
By
DRIVERS SUPPLIED by the recruitment specialist Manpower to carry out work for Royal Mail have seen their wages cut on the back of tough trading conditions.
Staff on the Royal Mail contract were informed on 31 July that an acceptance or rejection of the new wage proposals must be received by 6 August The wage cut was implemented on Monday 10 August.
"In an attempt to protect as many jobs as possible, it has become necessary to review and reduce the pay rates of Manpower drivers at our Royal Mail client" a spokeswoman for the recruiter says, adding that it would be seeking alternative assignments for drivers with other operators.
Unite, which represents the agency drivers, says Royal Mail believes the rates paid by Manpower to workers do not reflect the downturn in the market.
Royal Mail's full-time staff are represented by the Communication Workers Union (CWU).
A Royal Mail spokesman adds: "At a time when UK mail volumes are falling by about 10% annually, Royal Mail is making changes that are consistent with our existing agreements with the CWU to bring forward some Sunday network operations to Saturday in order to improve efficiency."
One employee tells CM that the standard Class 1 driver wage has been cut from £9.50/hr to £9/hr, while overtime and weekend rates have been reduced from £14.25/hr to 3.20/hr.
Manpower says it does not comment on individuals' terms of employment, including financial information.
Jo Tanner, director of communications at the Freight Transport Association, says: "Sadly, pay cuts may be an option of last resort, but they are also a means by which to ensure the fleet can still function."