TUPE: Frequently Asked Questions
We will try to answers all questions that apply to you as a potentially transferring employee. As more questions are asked they will be added to this sheet and new questions will be indicated by new! showing next to the question. For any more personal questions or concerns please call our central HR team on 01403 215851 and they will be happy to help you. SUBJECT Brand
Ops
ANSWER This will be run the same as hNY. The vehicles will have hNY and Ringway on. PPE will be hNY logoed. We are in discussions with NYCC, as to whether the Ringway logo will be used on the PPE. H&S – is there a dedicated manager for Contracts do not have specific H&S Managers. We each contract? have H&S Advisors but they have several contracts to work on and will not be dedicated. What is Ringway’s H&S record like? Excellent - won Gold ROSPA awards for last 5 years. On our current Harrogate contract we have only had 2 LTIFR in past 3 years. Are there spot visits on H&S? Yes – operate closely with H&S. Every gang has H&S responsible person on site which goes all through to Manager/ Director. If there are any H&S issues these need bringing up with your line manager. Also there will be a monthly H&S meeting where issues can be brought up. Is there any opportunity for We have people seconded in from France. There is a roadworkers to work abroad? language condition though. Timescales The client explained why mobilisation had been delayed by 4 weeks but strong joint mobilisation meeting with NYCC/Ringway on 2 weekly basis for smooth transfer from incumbent to Ringway. Single man gulley – will that stay the Yes same? Worried that there are no small vans for We will be operating dedicated kitted out-of-hours 3.5t call outs? vehicles for this service. Will we resource works in each Area? Works would be scheduled in the “Hub” and delivered to area. Programmed electronically. External works, is there an option to May be in time for an Estimator to be appointed. increase work. Tender central or Tendering will be done locally for work up to £2M. locally? How will you deal with works under Still running with GMU gangs. Client has option to £10K? package works though. Will GMU’s be co-ordinated centrally? Yes, all orders will go through Hub
Ops
Will paperwork disappear?
Ops
What’s the lone working procedure?
HSE
HSE
HSE
Misc Mobilisation
Ops Ops Ops Ops
Ops
Ops
Ops
QUESTION The partnership logos are hidden under the NYCC banner, how will this be in the new contract?
Most will. All jobs will go through handheld PDA’s
Panic buttons are fitted in most vehicles. Got policy, personal alarm, mobile phone for all gangs. What happens about admin staff in We do try to keep this to a minimum but we will do depots? what we have to and what the contract needs. Our business model is for a centralised admin team. What happens to big schemes we are NYCC are trying to get all major schemes complete currently undertaking with BB? before 31/03/2012.
TUPE: Frequently Asked Questions
Ops
Where are we going to make savings? Mainly operational efficiencies. Contracts are indexed There is a rumour that Ringway bid £2m linked not fixed price for the 10 year period. We can’t less than Balfour Beatty tendered for? tell you where ours is cheaper than others as we don’t know the detail of your specific tender. This is based on what we achieve elsewhere in the business. We are not cutting back on the workforce.
Ops
Operational efficiency. Using PDA’s and full Symology integration. We are aiming for a paperless system. We have Group Support off-site therefore not huge overhead costs. Added Answer from client – Price, Health and Safety, Symology Integration and Winter Maintenance were pass or fail areas. Ringway were best on quality and price by far. Will you retain Leeming Bar as the Yes, this will be staying. David Bowe advised there is no Street Lighting Depot? intention of investing largely at the moment. Review when the contract up and running. NYCC to talk to Ringway. You have won 3 contracts kicking off at Yes, the mobilisation teams are all separate and the same time. Do you have sufficient dedicated. resources? How are the GMU’s being arranged? Between John Martin and Mike Roberts we are trying to sort out vehicles to men with discussions with the Area Managers. Will there be a split in Agency areas? Both Area 3 and 6 will operate as a seamless service under the new contract. Scarborough and Harrogate workforce will be integrated with the existing teams. What will be your Chapter 8 Provisions? Anything small – internal. Anything large – SCP’s.
Ops
Harrogate – what do they use?
Ops
Ops
Ops
Ops
Ops
A mixture of compliant TM to compliment the works. All works must meet the minimum requirements of Chapter 8. Will Area 6 and Harrogate form one Yes, working from Boroughbridge and Pennypot Lane team? depots.
Ops
What are the call Out Times?
Ops
Who will do the gritting for Harrogate?
Ops
Urban and Rural locations for grass cutting. Who will do it?
Ops
Subbies been used at the moment, can they contact Ringway direct? The proposed structure – will it be changed?
Ops
Ops
Will Scarborough workforce be asked to work anywhere in North Yorkshire?
Reactive gangs in the East and West ( with more if bad weather forecast). Call out time – 60 min in hours and 90 min out of hours. Done out of 2 salt depots by directly employed operatives. Looking to use same SCP’s as current arrangements. This will be discussed and agreed with NYCC in advance. Yes – if there are any good ones then please pass details on to our Mobilisation Supply Chain Team. No vast changes. It’s not set in stone. It’s based upon the stated budgets in the bid documents. NYCC will confirm budgets shortly. Those based in Scarborough will be based mainly around Area 3. Hub will work out where efficiencies are and could be expected to work in a neighbouring Area.
TUPE: Frequently Asked Questions
Plant & Fleet
Plant & Fleet
Plant & Fleet Plant & Fleet Plant & Fleet Plant & Fleet Plant & Fleet
Plant & Fleet
Plant & Fleet Plant & Fleet
Workforce spread out – will there be 1-2-1’s will gather information on current contractural vehicles for call out? arrangements We will supply vehicles for out-of-hours call outs. In hours call outs will be done with the GMU gangs. Gritter Fleet – bringing in leased or We will inherit gritters plus we have a £8M Capex in replacement fleet. 8 years is maximum age for any owned by Ringway? winter vehicle. Below 3.5T – leased through Vinci. Above 3.5T – Ringway owned. We will provide new vehicles. We have got some 57 and 58 plates from the Kent contract which are currently been refurbished in Harrogate now. New vehicles will be mainly DAF with some Mercedes. Gritter fleet are the only ones to be transferred. Fleet – is the fleet managed from Locally managed fleet from the stated workshop headquarters? locations. Planing out machines – will you be using Eurovia have their own. We will also be using local your own? SCP’s as required. Diggers? Hire or buy? All plant will be hired. Will the Street Lighting hoists be ready Yes for day 1? Plant Hire, how is this being sourced? Group Supply Chain Manager arranging plant deals. If you want to recommend any local companies then please let us know so they can be put on list. Do we have a say in the vehicles? Not at the moment. They are Group Spec, based on advice from our other divisions, but there will be an opportunity to input ideas in the future. Do you use trailers? As a rule no. Only by exception. How do you lift heavy equipment?
The 7.5T have penny lifts/knuckle cranes. We also have 10T, 12T, 18T and 32T lorry with lifting cranes/hook-lift capability A Capex has been signed off and they will be ready on day 1. Yes.
Plant & Fleet
When will new fleet be ready?
Plant & leet
Will new tools be provided?
PPE
PPE – What colour?
PPE
Glove policy on site – flame retardant?
PPE
PPE Site Policy – hard hat
PPE
PPE – Fire retardant?
PPE
PPE –can some samples be sent?
Same colour as you have yellow/orange. Uniform – Blue Trousers, t. shirt, sweatshirt, fleece If the Risk Assessment warrants it then yes. We operate a glove policy. We operate a hard hat policy. Dispensation if risk assessment low. Gloves to be worn at all times. Risk Assessments done by H&S department. We don’t issue across the board. We will issue if the risk is high. Yes we will send some samples to depots.
PPE
Can we wear rigger boots?
No. This is against Group Policy.
Self Delivery
Will you use Ringway for surface We will use Eurovia Surface Treatments for SD using dressing in the county and other the local TUPE workforce. We will use specialist plant outside areas? as necessary. We also operate many SD contracts adjacent to NY.
TUPE: Frequently Asked Questions
Self Delivery
Is Street Lighting run by Ringway?
Self Delivery
Will all Machine Lay Surfacing Team be No, mixture of Eurovia Surfacing and local SCP’s. in House? Who will do gully emptying and are they Gully emptying will be in-house. A mixture of new RH drive? vehicles will be provided along with 57 and 58 plates brought in from our de-mobilised Kent contract. Gully vehicles are RH drive. Use ourselves or subbies? Mainly by self delivery (in house). We are confident in delivering across the geographical area. Centralised procurement team deal with this aspect. Where are purchasing deals set up?
Self Delivery
Self Delivery Support & Systems Support & Systems
Yes, we have a dedicated Ringway SL Manager. We are talking to Acorn Lighting Services for the Harrogate Area.
Will materials be ordered via a central Yes. Agents will place orders with central procurement team at Finkills Way. location?
Support & Systems
Finance control, who manages costs, Commercial team try and set target with full liaison sets targets? from site based teams. Costs will be captured by site. Target value – via Commercial Team. Site Agents – back to running jobs and effective supervision on-site.
Support & Systems
Is there a model TMC contract similar to £74M contract for Kent just finished with 8/9 different operational hub? areas. Size of Contract is not daunting. We also operate Hub approach on our award-winning Buckinghamshire Contract.
Support & Systems
Symology – is there a Works Order There are lots of operational software packages going Contracts package? to be launched in the New Contract. This will aid operational efficiencies. Stores – will there be a change in We don’t use Greenhams, we use Eurox. We have suppliers? Group deals. You will receive PPE on day 1. Kerbs/manholes etc – negotiations are ongoing regarding prices. Do we carry on with our current PDA No. We will be using Symology interfacing hardware hardware used by gangs? PDA’s supplied by Ringway. Will we go and get materials from No, as material will be in depot, or put order via the building suppliers? contracts desk to then pick up later. Are mobile phones provided? All gangs will be issued with a company mobile phone.
Support & Systems
Support & Systems Support & Systems Support & Systems Support & Systems Training
Training
Are PDA’s doing Agents out of a job?
No, it allows the Agents to get back out on the job and supervise works effectively. Hand Held PDAs – when will we be Training will take place post 1st April. A few days to get trained? used to it. This is all it took on our Harrogate Contract and it has been well received by all operatives and staff.
Training
Will there be an regional training centre? First Aid ticket running out soon. Balfour Beatty wouldn’t renew it, will Ringway?
Part of the bid was to establish a training centre although this will be undertaken in year 2. Everybody attends a 1 day first aid course. Number of people will have the opportunity to go on full 4 day course.
Training
Training in house or out of house?
Both.
TUPE: Frequently Asked Questions
Training Training
Training
Training Training
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IT training for Admin staff, when?
This will be done the first few weeks of contract commencement. Do you employ apprentices? Yes, we run a national scheme. In the 2nd year of the contract we are committed to develop a regional training centre. Our apprentice scheme is with Askham Bryan college, we have a long term relationship with this scheme. We are keen to grow this scheme into NY. Training – will this be provided? 5 core skills will be undertaken (Banksman, CAT & Genny, Abrasive wheels, Manual Handling and TM). We will try to come to depots but will work with our current external providers. Training on HGV – CPC Training is this By October 2014 all driver have to have CPC. This will paid for or do individuals pay? be a cost to Ringway. Ongoing training plan? Our training plan is done annually. Have an annual appraisal and training requirement are picked up from these. We have 2 in house trainers that carry out plant and TM training and we also have an option go external. What date in the month will we get Pay date is 15th of the month or the nearest to that paid? date if it falls over a weekend. This payment on 15th will cover basic pay for the current month (2 weeks in arrears and 2 weeks in advance) plus or minus any amendments (overtime etc) from the previous calendar month. There is an option of a hardship loan to certain qualifying persons. How will any loan be paid back? HR will discuss this with any individual that requires it. Will employees transfer on their current Terms of employment will not change but some TUPE terms? policies may do such as drug and alcohol testing. A Measures letter will confirm these changes in due course. What is happening about Company If you have a company car in your T&Cs then you will get one based on our current company policy. It will cars? Will they be like for like? not automatically be will be like for like but it is likely to be at a similar level. Critical ones will be delivered before the 01/04/2012 to home addresses and the non-critical will be available on day 1. Will still be done by paper system. Next year will roll Timesheets, will these be used? out to paperless PAPYRUS payroll system. Will there be a change to the Pension We are applying for LGPS Admitted Body Status. Those Scheme? in LGPS will be offered it, others will be offered Group Personal Pension Scheme or Stakeholder depending on their contractual entitlement. How far will people have to travel to We will make that decision when 1-2-1’s are work? completed. Nothing is planned to make huge changes regarding where people work. People have to remain flexible however. Is there a fuel allowance or paid travel If it’s in your current T&C’s then yes. from home to depot travel? Is there a bonus scheme? If it’s in your current T&C’s then yes Will there be a change in working Unless operationally problematic these are unlikely to hours? change
TUPE: Frequently Asked Questions
TUPE
Ringway – will they offer alternative Yes they can but you can’t mix and match between T&C’s? contract terms and conditions.
TUPE
Recognised TU – Unison?
TUPE
We are awaiting a copy of the recognition agreement but have a meeting scheduled with Unison in January to take this forward. No changes on TUPE? But changes to General T&Cs remain the same. Just changing pay? frequency of pay not T&Cs. This will not affect rates of pay, bonuses etc.
TUPE
Sick pay?
Stays as your current T&C’s
TUPE
Bonuses / attendance/ production?
If in T&C’s then yes you will receive this.
TUPE
Holidays?
TUPE
Payroll in month one?
TUPE
Clarify why issue draft contract?
TUPE
Starting times?
Move to our holiday year of January to December but no one will lose out on holiday if they currently have a different holiday year. From 1st April – first pay on 15th April will be basic for whole of April, 2 week arrears and 2 weeks in advance. On 15th May – Adjustments from previous month. Balfours will pay up to 31st March. This will be your terms but in our format and will allow us to check that we have your correct terms and conditions of employment. Same as T&C’s.
TUPE
Van to go home?
Yes but only if on call out.
TUPE
Weekly wage – can this be changed Yes we can change pay frequency but not rate of pay. through TUPE? Pay rise? There is an Annual Pay Review but no automatic increase unless covered in a national agreement such as NJC. Is workload likely to increase as some Potentially yes. We are actively looking for external NYCC vehicles are not coming through work. We will be putting our own fleet through the the workshops anymore? Can we push Workshops. Will try and get as much work as possible more private works? but will steer more towards commercial vehicles. Workshops to repair vehicles? All vehicles go through workshop apart from those that are under a maintenance warranty. The 2 new workshops will they be run We are finalising details at the moment. We will by Ringway or subbies? announce details at a later stage. Workshops – are they temporary? Should be permanent and long term.
TUPE
Workshops
Workshops Workshops Workshops Workshops
All general servicing will go through nearest workshop depots.
Workshops
Skipton Workshops cover all the way to Boroughbridge. Does this mean the workload in Skipton will reduce? Hand held machines. Will they be in the Workshops? Workshop – Touch screen is it mobile?
Workshops
Which version of TRANMAN is it?
It is the latest version release.
Workshops
Workshops will have touch screens via TRANMAN system. Not sure will have to find out.