To: All Branches. THE CO-OP
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No. 318/15 |
Ref: TK/DW/la |
8th May 2015 |
To: All Branches
Dear Colleagues
THE CO-OP
We have been contacted by Karin Christiansen, General Secretary of the Cooperative Party in relation to changes being proposed by the Co-op Group regarding the Co-op position on political funding. They are asking for eligible members to vote yes to all sections of motions 9 and 10 on political funding.
As Karin has highlighted, we in the union movement have long had a partner in the Co-op, through the Co-operative Party. From votes for women to credit unions and employee ownership, for 98 years we have worked together to create a fairer society where profits and power are more equally shared.
The Co-op Group is trying to break that historic link. The new bosses (which include ex-Royal Mail chairman Allan Leighton) do not seem to understand that the Co-op is not just an ordinary supermarket, that the co-op movement needs a strong voice in Parliament, and that turning its back on politics would be a historic mistake.
That is why the Co-operative party is asking that anyone who is eligible to vote should vote yes in Co-op ballot motions 9 and 10
They are asking us to do whatever we can to make contact with anyone who may be eligible to vote in the Co-operative’s AGM. They are asking us to urge such members to VOTE YES TO ALL SECTIONS OF MOTIONS 9 AND 10. These motions refer to political funding. If people vote no, the Co-op Party – and almost 100 years of historical links to co-operatives, working people and trade unions – are under threat.
We are asking Branches to do whatever they can to publicise this issue, we acknowledge that deadlines are extremely tight but we were only contacted by the Co-operative party today on this matter.
The message we are trying to get across to eligible members is if you’ve recently received a voting pack from the Co-op by post or email, vote YES to all parts of Motions 9 and 10 – click on the link below to learn more about how to vote.
http://www.keepit.coop/how_to_vote/?recruiter_id=30263%29
• Whether you are eligible to vote or not, please lend your support by signing up at: www.keepit.coop.
• If you are eligible to vote and have received a voting pack yourself, please vote YES to all parts of Motions 9 and 10 (using sections B and D).
Online voting closes at midday on 13th May.
If you’re on Twitter please join the twitter thunderclap for Monday 11th May:
https://www.thunderclap.it/projects/25712-2-days-to-keep-it-co-operative
If you’re on social media, please follow @letskeepitcoop and like facebook/keepitcoop.
Any assistance Branches can give would be greatly appreciated.
Any enquiries regarding this LTB should be addressed to the Senior Deputy General Secretary’s Department on telephone number 0208 971 7237 or email address sdgs@cwu.org.
Yours sincerely
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Tony Kearns |
Dave Ward |
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Senior Deputy General Secretary
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Deputy General Secretary (Postal)
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Election of CWU National Trustees – 2015
Election of CWU National Trustees – 2015
Further to LTB 270/15 dated 21st April 2015, at the close of nominations the following have been received.
Postal Constituency – 2 Postal NEC Members
Phil Browne, Newcastle Amal *Elected
Nominated by Newcastle Amal
Joe Malone, Scotland No 5 *Elected
Nominated by Scotland No 5
Telecom & Financial Services Constituency – 2 TFS NEC Members
Brendan O’Brien, Midland No 1 *Elected
Nominated by Midland No 1
Karen Rose, South Wales *Elected
Nominated by South Wales
Any enquiries regarding this Letter to Branches should be addressed to the Senior Deputy General Secretary Department on telephone number 020 8971 7237 or email address sdgs@cwu.org.
Yours sincerely
Tony Kearns
Senior Deputy General Secretary
Keep it Co-op
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CWU National Youth Committee 2015/16
CWU National Youth Committee 2015/16
Nominations will very shortly open for the National CWU Youth Committee 2015/16. The new committee will take up office on 1st July 2015 and the term of office will be one year. I am writing to ask for your support in identifying and supporting candidates for this important role. Under the current structure one member is elected from each region.
The National Youth Committee’s remit is set out in national rule 8.13. It occupies a unique place in the CWU structure having responsibility for representing, co-ordinating and campaigning activities across the union’s 20,000 members aged 30 and under.
Both in the British labour movement and further afield, CWU Youth has a high profile and enviable reputation.
Serving on the National Youth Committee is both a great privilege and a great experience.
As the democratically elected leadership of the CWU’s young members the committee will determine the strategic direction of CWU Youth. It will be responsible for making sure the union is well represented in the TUC, STUC, ICTU and Labour Party’s youth structures. The committee is also responsible for making sure the union is well represented within youth structures of our international confederation – UNI Global Union.
CWU Youth also organises a number of key events in the CWU’s calendar. Primary amongst these is the annual National Youth Education Event which takes place every Autumn. But there is also the annual Youth Conference; traditionally held in January. On top of that there are meetings of Branch Youth Officers, and the CWU Youth Women’s Under-representation Working Party.
Therefore it is important to have an understanding of the responsibilities of members of the National CWU Youth Committee. Whilst it is a great privilege to represent the union in this role, and also greatly stimulating and satisfying, it is not something to be entered into lightly or without due consideration.
If you are attracted by the idea of being part of the National Youth Committee you need to ask yourself certain key questions:
First of all, are you sure you have the time for the task? Everyone has busy lives and competing commitments, but there are some key events in the calendar:
• Most important of all is the induction event for the new committee which takes place from 26 – 28 June at Alvescot Lodge.
• Then there is also the Youth Conference provisionally scheduled for 23 January 2016 in Manchester.
If you are not going to be able to attend these events, you need to consider whether or not you will make the most of your time on or be able to contribute effectively to, the National Youth Committee should you be elected.
The National Youth Education Event from 30 October to 1 November in Birmingham and the four scheduled meetings of the Committee (dates for which will be agreed at the induction weekend) are also important – but it is recognised that everyone cannot be reasonably expected to do everything!
Second, we will give committee members every support, advice and assistance to help them make the most of their time in the role – we know people rarely come “fully formed” onto the Committee. But it would be good for candidates to have an idea about why they wish to stand for election.
I hope that all the foregoing gives an accurate and balanced flavour of the role and responsibility associated with membership of the National Youth Committee. There is a lot more detail at www.cwuyouth.org. There is no doubt that it is great fun and you have a fantastic opportunity to make a significant and lasting contribution. But application and hard work is also part of the picture.
If anyone has any queries about the work of National Youth Committee members or would like an informal and confidential discussion about the role they are verywelcome to contact my office at CWU headquarters.
Yours sincerely,
Simon Sapper
Assistant Secretary
COMMUNICATION WORKERS UNION
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NATIONAL AGREEMENT ON THE USE OF TELEMETRY EQUIPMENT WITHIN REGIONAL LOGISTICS (AREA DISTRIBUTION) – NOTTINGHAM TRIAL OUTPUTS AND NATIONAL DEPLOYMENT
Letter to Branches
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No. 305/15 |
Ref: 518.02 |
Date: 6th May 2015 |
For the attention of:
Postal Branches
Divisional Representatives
Area/Unit Distribution Representatives
Dear Colleagues
NATIONAL AGREEMENT ON THE USE OF TELEMETRY EQUIPMENT WITHIN REGIONAL LOGISTICS (AREA DISTRIBUTION) – NOTTINGHAM TRIAL OUTPUTS AND NATIONAL DEPLOYMENT
Branches will be aware of the contents of LTB 56/15, circulated on 27th January 2015 that the department concluded the above National agreement on the use of Telemetry Equipment in the 7.5t Area Distribution Fleet. It was agreed that the phased Nationaldeployment of this new equipment supplied by Microlise was to be preceded by joint trial activity at Nottingham Mail Centre. The trial activity at Nottingham has now been concluded and the outputs are being jointly assessed. In particular discussions are focusing on the content, effectiveness and delivery of associated training packages for drivers and Transport Admin staff to ensure that it is fit for purpose.
The department has received a number of enquiries from units where management were insisting that the equipment would be fully deployed on Monday, 11th May. While 11thMay was the business’ preferred date for the commencement of the deployment the agreed position remains that, while the equipment is currently being fitted to vehicles and commissioned, no National deployment will take place until all outstanding issues have been resolved.
Against this backdrop and to provide clarity, following a meeting with the business on 5thMay 2015 the following short Joint Statement has been agreed for circulation.
Royal Mail Logistics and the CWU met on 5thApril 2015 to review the outputs of the 7.5t telemetry trial at Nottingham Mail Centre. Following that review it has been agreed that further work is required on the associated training packages for all staff prior to National deployment of the telemetry equipment. A further meeting has been scheduled on 15thMay in Nottingham to review progress and it is anticipated that training arrangements will be finalised. During this period telemetry equipment will continue to be fitted and commissioned in vehicles; however it is agreed that the equipment will not be operationally deployed or used at any site until the National discussions have been concluded.
Branches and Representatives are requested to ensure that the content of this LTB is brought to the attention of CWU members.
Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Terry Pullinger, Assistant Secretary, e-mail: dwyatt@cwu.org or shayman@cwu.org quoting reference number: 518.02
Yours sincerely
Terry Pullinger
Assistant Secretary
CWU Youth Housing Campaign
CWU Youth Housing Campaign
Those of you who attended CWU Annual Conference this year and visited the Youth Stand will have seen the publicity material for CWU Youth’s housing campaign which pledges to pursue:
• Increasing investment in genuinely affordable housing
• Affordable housing for families and workers on low income
• Bringing down the costs of renting
• Increase security and quality of tenancy
• Lifting the restrictions on local government preventing council house building and working with other social landlords to increase the stock of affordable housing available
• Maintain existing social/council housing stock by limiting the right to buy
Part of this campaign is to gauge the housing situation in reality and we have re-launched a survey that originally took place in 2012. This survey will be ongoing throughout the campaign. Results will be issued on a quarterly basis and will inform the basis of future campaigning that will take place.
Branches are therefore asked to promote the following:
• www.Unscrupulouslandlords.com – a dedicated campaign page where we will publish results and findings from the survey and where you will find real-life experiences from those who are at the mercy of unscrupulous landlords and bad practices.
• Encourage as many people as possible to complete the survey – the link can be found on www.unscrupulouslandlords.com or directly by clicking here
• If the branch is on social media please be on the lookout for posts and tweets and subsequently share/retweet.
This is an important survey and will hopefully add to the debate concerning affordable housing and the need for regulation in the private rental sector.
Any queries on this LTB should be directed to my office at CWU headquarters.
Yours sincerely,
Simon Sapper
Assistant Secretary
COMMUNICATION WORKERS UNION
INFORMATION FOR MEMBERS
Lies, Damned Lies and Tory Jobless Statistics
Misleading statistics for the dole queue.
I see from the excellent Vox Political blogthat a row has broken out over claims by Conservative Central Office of big reductions in the number of jobless claiming benefit under the last coalition government.
The BBC reports a row over the way Essex Tory MPs are presenting falls in unemployment figures. The row concentrates on them using the claimant count. ( Jobseekers Allowance only) rather than the number of people seeking work who are not on benefit. This makes a huge difference to the numbers unemployed in constituencies.
Central Office defended their stance by saying : “This (questions surrounding the use of JSA figures) is nonsense. This unemployment measure is provided by the independent House of Commons Library – and for constituencies they are the most up to date and most reliable numbers to use.They are used by MPs and candidates across the…
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CWU Eastern No5 Branch 