Work study basis for new BRS productivity drive
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by John Darker • Productivity payments ranging from 45s to 80s per 40 hour week to be included in basic rate calculations for overtime and night duties have been agreed by BRS Ltd. and the trade unions, in follow-up talks amplifying the agreement made in August 1968. The bonus will be paid to all operating and other wages grade staff in branches where a standard output performance is achieved. The measurement of the index will be based on work study techniques "or such other means as are considered to be applicable to local circumstances".
" The maximum output performance, at
tracting the 80s bonus, will be determined at local level between staff and management representatives. The standard output performance will be 80 per cent of the maximum. (Normal output will be 75 per cent of maximum.) In determining maximum output performance 40 mph scheduling will be applied when safe and practicable. New methods of operating, modern handling aids and maximum flexibility of duties will be looked for.
The following criteria will be relevant in devising productivity schemes:
(a) The scheme must make a direct con
tribution towards increased productivity at the branch in which both the company and the staff will participate.
(h) A fair basis of maximum output performance must be calculable.
(c) There must be adequate and effective means of measuring current performance against the performance index_ (d) There must be a fair reflection of all operating factors in the determination of the performance index.
The productivity schemes devised locally may be applied either to individuals or on a group basis, according to local agreement. Calculation of results will be on a monthly basis and bonus will become payable as soon as the standard output performance is ,achieved. There is provision for a monthly review of the productivity agreements which may be suspended by the giving of three months' notice by either party to the local agreement.
Because the progression from 45s to 80s is at the rate of Is 9d per point it seems possible that the competitive spirit will be stimulated not only within branches but also between branches and areas, but much will depend upon the speed with which the work study teams get to grips with the very diverse operational realities at branches.
It is perhaps not surprising that clerical and traffic operating staffs are excluded from the terms of this agreement although it is almost certain to stimulate claims by the white collar people.
I understand that BRS envisages employing independent consultants who would progressively cover the country dealing
firstly with the larger branches. If a number of consulting firms were used there would be great difficulty in applying common standards of output performance calculation. Much solid work has already been done by BRS management in anticipation of this major productivity exercise and the detailed figures will be made available to the consultants.
The details of the plan, summarized above, have been circulated within the trade unions hut I understand that—in deference to the conventional wisdom that all such major schemes must first be agreed with the national officers of the affected trade unions—there has been little discussion of the likely content of the plan and the consequential changes it will mean for staffs at local level. The main provisions could have been chewed over in the past nine months in discussions of the local joint committees. As it is. BRS is faced with a major exercise in the education of shop stewards to accepting the revolutionary work study investigation of professional road transport operations.
Given a favourable reception of the plan at local level it is likely that viable schemes could be operating by the early autumn. Much depends upon the pressure applied by staffs on local managements to act quickly.
Mr. L. S. Payne, BRS Ltd. managing director, said: "I see this move as a tremendous step forward in management /union negotiation in the road haulage industry. Both sides are anxious to achieve increased productivity and we are happy to pay this bonus for it."