D2D Automation/Collation Trial
Branches and Representatives will be aware that the Outdoor Department has been actively engaged in talks with Royal Mail concerning Door to Door and the future strategy for the product.
As part of those discussions Royal Mail have reopened the subject of D2D being Automated/Collated. As a consequence the discussions have been broadened to include the Indoor dept and the inclusion of an automation/collation trial out of Swindon WBC.
Whilst the original trial did not prove to be successful the concept of automation/collation of D2D has remained an aspiration as far as Royal Mail are concerned. This has become particularly viable again due to an increase in Door to Door across some postcode sectors which once again provides them with an opportunity to trial and examine alternative methods of preparation for Door to Door. Branches and Representatives should also not lose sight of the fact that this concept fits in with their strategy of a single wave and outdoor merging.
The difference this time to the previous trial is that they have purchased the automation/collation machine and they want to extend the delivery aspect of the trial further afield to include Walsall DO who are involved in trials regarding Optimised Mail Preparation.
Following discussions we have agreed for a trial to take place and have concluded a Terms of Reference (see attached) which ensures that all operational processes are covered between the Swindon WBC, where the machine is being located and the associated Delivery Offices listed at Appendix A of the TOR
We have also agreed that all information gathered will be shared with the CWU to enable a joint assessment of the operational impact these trial arrangements have had on WBC operations, Network operations and Delivery operations.
Throughout the trial there will be joint visits to both the Swindon WBC and Delivery Offices to see firsthand the impact and following the trial discussions at national level will take place between the CWU and Royal Mail to review the success or failure of the trial and to determine and agree the next steps.
Any enquiries to Bob Gibson’s Office, quoting reference 230.03

Email address: outdoorsecretary@cwu.org

Any enquiries to Davie Robertson’s Department, quoting reference 214.14

Email address: shayman@cwu.org or dwyatt@cwu.org

Yours sincerely
Bob Gibson Davie Robertson

CWU Assistant Secretary CWU Assistant Secretary
Email Attachments – Click to download
LTB 040/16 D2D Automation/Collation Trial

Attachment 1: Royal Mail CWU National TOR D2D Automation Trial 2016

National Briefing – Wednesday 3rd February 2016 – 10am until 17.00pm
 
National Update – Royal Mail Group Issues
 
Branches/Representatives are advised that a National Briefing has been arranged to enable the National Officers and Postal Executive to update colleagues on a number of important issues that are now crystallising in the field including;
 
Challenges to current National Agreements

Pay and Pensions

Future Direction and Strategy of the Business

 
Braches should note that in view of the issues under consideration it is likely this event will run for the full day so travel arrangements etc. should be planned accordingly. A detailed agenda/structure for the day is currently being finalised and we will be circulated to colleagues in advance of the meeting.
 
The briefing will take place at TUC Congress House (address below) and will commence at 10.00am concluding no later than 17.00pm:
 
Great Russell Street
London
WC1B 3LS
 
Tea and coffee will be provided on arrival.
 
Attendees:
 
The following Representatives are invited to attend the National Briefing:
 
One Branch Representative

Divisional Representatives

Regional Secretaries

Territorial Technical Services Representatives

Parcelforce Regional Organisers

Royal Mail Area Representatives (Delivery, Processing, Distribution and Admin)

Fleet and Maintenance Service Territorial Representatives

Multichannel Customer Experience Representatives

National Romec Reps

Romec Regional Reps

Travel and subsistence costs associated with attendance at the Briefing will be in line with CWU policies and guidelines.
 
Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to the DGS(P) Department.
 
Yours sincerely,
Terry Pullinger                                                                       
Deputy General Secretary (P)
Email Attachments – Click to download
LTB 038/16 National Briefing – Wednesday 3rd February 2016 – 10am until 17.00pm National Update – Royal Mail Group Issues

Collections on Delivery – Blue Pouch Trial
As part of the ongoing work of the Collections Joint Working Group regarding the Postbox Strategy, we have been in dialogue with Royal Mail regarding a process for dealing with items which are now collected on Delivery.
Since the Postbox Strategy was deployed circa 812 Collection on Delivery revisions have been deployed. However deterioration in Quality of Service performance has been identified. This became apparent during 2015 and has continued to worsen into 2016. There is no doubt this is not solely down to the Postbox Strategy and is linked to other issues namely the situation the Business got into regarding recruitment and resourcing problems.
As a result we have jointly agreed to examine the potential reasons for this quality issue in a number of offices via a trial taking on board the best practise process that has been adopted in Kilmarnock Delivery Office, which has had no detrimental effect on quality since the introduction of the Blue Pouch.
By trialling the Blue Pouch in 11 Delivery Offices it will enable the issues below to be considered and should assist in deciding whether the Blue Pouch should be extended for full National Deployment.
1. The introduction of a Blue Pouch for collectors to consolidate all Collection mail collected whilst on delivery. 

2. All equipment required to perform collections on delivery to be consolidated into the pouch. (keys, Route card, Route header)

3. Provide visibility in the unit that all Collections on delivery post boxes are covered on a daily basis.
All OPGs will receive the appropriate training before the Blue Pouch is introduced into their office. Following the trial all relevant information and data collated will be shared with the CWU, which will then be jointly reviewed at national level. Discussions will then take place to agree the next steps.
Any enquiries to Bob Gibson’s Office, quoting reference 532 

Email address: outdoorsecretary@cwu.org 

Yours sincerely
Bob Gibson

CWU Assistant Secretary
Email Attachments – Click to download
LTB 39.16 Collections on Delivery – Blue Pouch Trial

Attachment 1: ToR Blue Pouch for Collections made on Delivery Trial

Youth Conference 2016 – Policy, handling and administrative arrangements
 Policy
The Youth Committee, following debates at previous Youth Conferences, has adopted the NEC’s policy of advising branches of their policy position on Motions that are on the order paper.
I can therefore advise that the National Youth Committee’s position on Motions submitted to the Youth Conference is as follows:
Motion
Policy
 
 

1
Support
2
Move
3
Move
4
Support
5
Support
6
Remit/Oppose
7
Listen and Decide
8
Support
9
Support
10x
Oppose
11x
Remit/Oppose
12x
Move
13x
Support
14x
Support
15x
Support
16x
Listen and Decide
17x
Support
 
Administrative arrangements
The Committee has decided to divide the time allocated for the workshop sessions into two parts.
The first part will be devoted to debating those Motions not admitted to the agenda of Youth Conference.
Although any Motions debated in this way cannot be binding, the view of the Committee is that as young activists have taken the time and trouble to submit Motions on issues that are of concern to our members, it would be good to be able to have the debate, albeit in the context of a “Mock Conference” rather than the real thing.
The remainder of the time in the workshop session will be used to try and explore in a little more detail and in small syndicate groups, some of the key issues of concern to our young members. This is intended to be an interactive session followed by some quick report-backs on themes such as:
What do you want from your union?

What do you see your role being in the future of the union?

What will help you achieve your objectives?

What do you want your union’s political strategy to be?

I hope this information is helpful to branch and regional youth committee delegates attending conference. I look forward to seeing as many colleagues as possible at both the social event at the Mechanics Institute on Friday evening and at the Conference itself at the same venue on Saturday.
Yours sincerely,
Simon Sapper

National Officer
Email Attachments – Click to download
LTB 034/16 – Youth Conference 2016 – Policy, handling and administrative arrangements

POST OFFICE: CROWN OFFICE NETWORK – FRANCHISING PLANS
The Post Office has today announced its plans for a further franchising programme, which follows quickly on from the last round of franchises under the Crown Transformation Programme. This development will obviously be devastating news for our members. The details are as follows:
 Up to 100 Crown Offices are vulnerable to closure or franchising via 2 tranches as follows:
 Tranche 1
 39 Crown Offices to be franchised (list below)
3 actual closures – Antrim, Shaftesbury Square in Belfast and Barry in South Wales (these closures are on top of Earls Court and Western Road Brighton due to close shortly).

Impacting on up to 400 jobs.

 
Aberystwyth
Halifax
Paisley
Antrim
Harborne
Penzance
Banbury
Harlow
Peterborough City
Barry
Harpenden
Pinner
Beckenham
Hartlepool
Shaftesbury Square
Beeston
Headingley
Sheerness
Bognor Regis
Honiton
St Andrews Cross
Bromsgrove
Kilmarnock
St Austell
Bury St Edmunds
Lancaster
St Johns Wood
Cirencester Town
Lewes
Sudbury
Crouch End
Longton
Sydenham
Denbigh
Lower Edmonton
Wakefield
Durham
Maidenhead
Walworth Road
Felixstowe
Muswell Hill
Waterlooville
 
Tranche 2
 A further 40-50 Crowns to be franchised “in future tranches over the next two years unless significant opportunities can be found to make them profitable”. (Quote from Post Office slide presentation to the Union).

 Likely to impact on another 500-600 members’ jobs.

The Post Office’s plans, which amount to blatant privatisation, could see the Crown Network reduced by very nearly 100 Crowns and 1000 members. Effectively, this attack on jobs impacts on a third of the current workforce and Crown Network and would leave us with only c.220 Crowns in the future.
Whilst the Crown Transformation Programme will, by the end of this financial year, have delivered the Crown Network to a run-rate of break-even (a target set by the Government) the Post Office has now decided it wants to achieve a position whereby the network will make £10m by the end of 2017/18. It is our hard-working loyal members who will be paying the price for this decision with the potential loss of their jobs as a consequence of the attack on the Crown Office Network.
 Membership Communication
A membership communication is planned for later this week. We will also be communicating to our Crown members via Facebook, email and text message today and over the coming days as the situation develops.
 The People’s Post Campaign
 In consultation with the General Secretary and Deputy General Secretary (P) we have made the decision to make our campaign on the Crown Office Network integral to the People’s Post initiative. We will therefore be campaigning politically, both locally and nationally in defence of the Crown Network under the overarching banner of the People’s Post. Branches will be advised of any further developments in regard to the details of this activity at the earliest opportunity.
 Next Steps
The Postal Executive is receiving documentation today and we are meeting with our Territorial / Area Representatives later this week to consult with them regarding our next steps.
Further developments will be reported.
 
If you have any questions in relation to this LTB, please contact Lea Sheridan – lsheridan@cwu.org.
Yours sincerely
 
Andy Furey
Assistant Secretary
Email Attachments – Click to download
LTB 030/16 Post Office: Crown Office Network – Franchising Plans

UNITE AGAINST FASCISM (UAF) – NATIONAL CONFERENCE 2016
We are writing to advise Branches that the UAF National Conference 2016 shall be taking place as follows:
Date: Saturday 6th February 2016

Venue: NUT HQ, Hamilton House, Mabledon Place, LONDON WC1H 9BD
Time: Registration from 9.30 am

Tickets: £12 or £6 for concessions
The UAF has been at the heart of campaigning against the Far Right and the CWU has, for many years, enjoyed a close working relationship with our UAF colleagues.
In keeping with previous traditions, we would encourage CWU Branches and Regions to ensure this event is given positive exposure and that members are encouraged to participate accordingly.
The CWU is committed to supporting initiatives and campaigns to highlight the threat of the Far Right and we wish UAF every success at their forthcoming national conference.
Yours sincerely
  
Dave Ward        Linda Roy                 
General Secretary        Assistant Secretary

CWU & Liberty – an invitation to affiliate 
CWU has for many years been an affiliate and strong supporter of Liberty, the pressure group that campaigns for civil liberties and human rights. The organisation consistently punches well above its weight and the Liberty Director, Shami Chakrabarti is recognised as one of the most important women in British politics. Her address to the TUC Congress last September was a powerful defence of the integral role trade unions play in ensuring human rights’ values are upheld. 
As well as being affiliated nationally, the CWU has representation on the Liberty’s policy council in the form of National Officer, Simon Sapper. A number of branches either are or have been affiliated as well. At one point there were nearly 30 branches affiliated, but currently the number is rather less than that. 
Liberty and the trade union movement are standing shoulder-to-shoulder in terms of action on the Trade Union Bill as that very damaging piece of legislation enters the House of Lords. 
However, there is a common cause between our two organisations on others issues as well: ranging from the disproportionate and ill-regulated proposals for the bulk collection of personal data and intrusive personal surveillance contained in the Regulatory Powers Bill (otherwise known as the “Snoopers’ Charter”). And the Conservative Government’s stated desire to do away with the Human Rights Act that guarantees so many of the freedoms we take for granted. 
I am therefore pleased to attach correspondence jointly signed by myself and Shami asking branches to consider affiliating (or re-affiliating) to Liberty. Full details are in the attachment which I hope will receive a positive and widespread response. 
Yours sincerely
  
Dave Ward

General Secretary
Email Attachments – Click to download
LTB 024/16 Affiliation to Liberty

Attachment 1 – Letter to CWU Final 15.01.16 (Liberty)

Attachment 2 – Liberty Affiliate Form – Join

RE: National Romec Briefing
In consultation with the DGS(P) department we are holding a National Briefing on Romec issues on:
 
Thursday, 21 January 2016
11.00 am
Main Meeting Room
Birimingham & District Branch Office
47 Summer Lane, Hockley, Birmingham B19 3TH
 
Tea and coffees to be served on arrival.
Representatives invited to attend are:
Romec National Representatives

Romec Regional Cleaning Representatives

Romec Regional Engineering Representatives

1 Delegate to attend per Branch

We can confirm that release for representatives to attend this Briefing has been cleared by Romec. In the event there are any difficulties encountered then please bring it to the attention of your respective Romec Representative in the first instance, who will make the necessary representation accordingly.
Travel and subsistence costs associated with attendance at the Briefing will be in line with the instructions and advice issued in LTB 506/04.
Any enquiries relating to this LTB should be addressed to the Outdoor department, quoting reference 120. Email address: outdoorsecretary@cwu.org or PTCS department, quoting reference PTC/RE/dj/335. Email address: djeffery@cwu.org.
Yours sincerely
 
Ray Ellis, Bob Gibson,
Assistant Secretary Assistant Secretary
         
Email Attachments – Click to download
LTB 022/2016 – National Romec Briefing

RE: Future of Romec: Acquisition by Royal Mail
We are pleased to report that following a lengthy and thorough review process, reported in LTBs 078/15, 193/15, 338/15 and 462/2015, Royal Mail has confirmed its intention to become the sole owner of Romec, bringing to an end the joint venture which was originally set up in October 2002 and establishing Romec as a wholly owned subsidiary company within the Royal Mail Group.
A joint statement from Royal Mail, CWU and Unite is attached, together with an internal announcement being made to Romec employees today.
As reported in LTB 078/2015 issued in February 2015, Royal Mail’s agreement to a proposal from CWU to establish an independently chaired joint review of the future provision of facilities management services came against the background of Royal Mail’s stated preferred option to outsource FM work by disposing of its majority shareholding in Romec to its joint venture partner Cofely. We are pleased to say that Royal Mail engaged positively in the review, which was independently chaired by Peter Thompson, and on the basis of a careful consideration of the needs of the business Royal Mail has taken the decision to insource, rather than outsource this work.
A key element of the review is the attached “Agreement on the future provision of Facilities Management services to Royal Mail”. This agreement will be the subject of an individual member ballot of CWU members in Romec following a national briefing which will take place on Thursday 21st January 2016 details of which will be notified separately.
The agreement, with a brief paragraph by paragraph of summary is attached. Key elements are:
 Terms and conditions for existing staff are unchanged
There are limited changes to terms and conditions for new starters

The agreement includes a 3 year pay deal providing an increase of 4.57% in basic pay over 3 years

There is a commitment to the creation of a new employee relations culture including establishment of a national consultative forum.

The agreement takes forward the approach adopted in the review of the Future of Romec by committing all parties to joint working to deliver the measures necessary to make Romec a success as part of Royal Mail Group

We would wish to thank Branches and Representatives in both Romec and Royal Mail for their support in the campaign to bring Romec in-house which played a significant part in establishing the review process.
Any enquiries for engineers and admin grades should be addressed to PTCS department, quoting reference PTC/RE/dj/335.
Email address: djeffery@cwu.org
Any enquiries for Cleaning grades should be addressed to the Outdoor department, quoting reference 120. Email address: outdoorsecretary@cwu.org.
Yours sincerely
 
Ray Ellis Bob Gibson           
Assistant Secretary Assistant Secretary 
Email Attachments – Click to download
LTB 021/2016 – Future of Romec: Acquisition by Royal Mail

Att 1 – Joint Statement

Att 2 – Agreement on the future provision of Facilities Management Services to Royal Mail

Att 3 – FPOFMS Negotiators Agreement