You will recall that on a number of occasions during 2005/2006 the Company carried out a large scale Real Mail Study at the direction of the Regulator, ComReg, to ensure that domestic quality of service monitors are compliant with the CEN European standard. 

The Union has now been advised by the Company that in response to a request from ComReg, it is intended to introduce a process for sampling mails on a continuous basis throughout the year. This exercise will be on a much smaller scale than that which was conducted previously and will involve the sampling of mail at approximately 10 induction points on a daily basis i.e. 3 Sub Offices, 2 Customer Collections, 3 Mail Boxes and 2 Company Offices nationwide. This is intended as a substitute for the full scale sampling of mails conducted last year.

The induction points to be sampled each day will be selected randomly but will be identified well in advance so that the individuals involved in collecting mail at a selected point will have the appropriate labels available to them to put on bags of mail collected from the induction point.

The extension of this sampling exercise in the manner set out above will, the Union has been advised, reduce existing levels of sampling at the Mail Centres where such sampling of mails is undertaken on a continuous basis.

While all staff involved in collections could, over a period of time, be involved in the sampling exercise the Company has stated that the impact for any one individual is infrequent and small.  However, should any unforeseen difficulties arise as a result of the above they should be addressed in advance by the Branch with the relevant Area Office.

It is intended that the daily sampling exercise will commence from Monday next 16th April 2007 and all members are requested to co-operate fully. 

Enquiries from members relating to the above should be referred to Joe Guinan or Sean McDonagh