RE: SUE LEWIS – FORMER BRANCH SECRETARY OF CENTRAL COUNTIES AND THAMES VALLEY BRANCH (CCTV)
It is with great sadness that we must advise branches of the sudden and tragic death of our former CCTV Branch Secretary, Sue Lewis.
Sue joined the CWU in 2004 and was a prominent and committed Branch Secretary and women’s officer. She also worked closely with other branches and played an important role in the Eastern Region. She was a committed representative and had only recently decided to return to her BT duties after a several years as branch secretary. I know that Sue had many friends and colleagues in the union who will of course be very upset and shocked by this sad news today.
Our thoughts are of course with Sue’s children, family and friends who must be devastated by their sudden loss. I will on behalf of the CWU convey our deepest sympathy and condolences to them.
When further information becomes available branches will be informed.
If you have any enquiries on this LTB, these should be addressed to the General Secretary’s Office at gsoffice@cwu.org quoting the reference GS1.1/LTB 296/16.
Yours sincerely
 
 
Dave Ward
General Secretary
 
Email Attachments – Click to download
LTB 296/16 RE: SUE LEWIS – FORMER BRANCH SECRETARY OF CENTRAL COUNTIES AND THAMES VALLEY BRANCH (CCTV)

JOINT STATEMENT ON THE DEPLOYMENT OF ADVANCED DRIVER COACHES IN REGIONAL LOGISTICS (AREA DISTRIBUTION) AND TELEMETRY UPDATE 

Dear Colleagues,

 

Branches and representatives will be aware that protracted discussions have been taking place with the business since 2012 in relation to the deployment of the Advanced Driver Coach (ADC) role in Area Distribution.

 

In January 2015 a Joint Statement was agreed and the department issued LTB 054/15 (attached for ease of reference) in relation to the deployment of the ADC role to communicate the position. At the time of issuing that Joint Statement in 2015 the department entered into further discussions with the business in relation to a deployment programme for the role.

 

Unfortunately further difficulties were encountered in respect of realising the commitments contained in the 2015 Joint Statement, which delayed the introduction of the ADC role into Area Distribution.

 

In August 2015 the Regional Logistics (Area Distribution) Telemetry Training Trial and Training Implementation Plan was communicated to Branches and representatives via LTB 522/15. This agreement was dependent on the use of ADC’s and it was therefore unsurprising that the department began to receive reports that deployment and use of the Telemetry equipment was sporadic. In addition concern was also being highlighted from the field in regard to 1-2-1’s that were taking place in the absence of any ADC support, which obviously meant that our drivers were not being provided with the training interventions where necessary to assist and develop their driving skills.

 

Coupled to this around the same time the business were attempting to progress an un-agreed initiative called Professionalising Area Distribution (PAD) which was reported to Branches and representatives via LTB 641/15 in October 2015.

 

The department made representation to the business that all of the problems being identified were related and requested urgent discussions to resolve outstanding issues and it would appear that the lack of progression in respect of the Telemetry and PAD initiatives served to re-focus the business’ attention on outstanding issues that the department wished to conclude.  

 

As a result urgent discussions have been taking place recently with the business to resolve outstanding issues and have resulted in the attached Joint Statement being finalised in relation to a recruitment programme for Area Distribution Advanced Driver Coaches.

 

Colleagues will note that the initial recruitment plan will mean that the business will resource 36 new ADC’s across the Mail Centre catchment area. Recognition has been given to the fact that until the RoSPA qualification is obtained and they are able to fully undertake the ADC role, that those recruited will receive the Workplace Coach allowance.

 

In regard to the issues identified in relation to Telemetry joint activity is continuing to establish the current position in regard to deployment and training that has taken place. Once the information in respect of this is analysed it will be our intention to jointly develop a programme of works to ensure that the equipment is deployed in line with the agreement and that our drivers have a full understanding of the data the equipment captures and how this can assist them to improve and develop their driving abilities.

 

The business have agreed however that even where Telemetry equipment and training has been deployed and delivered in line with our agreements, no Driver 1-2-1’s or training requiring the participation of the ADC’s will take place until a coach with the RoSPA qualification is in post.

 

Branches and representatives are requested to ensure that our members are made aware of this LTB and the attached Joint Statement at the earliest opportunity.

 

Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary, e-mail: dwyatt@cwu.org or shayman@cwu.org quoting reference number: 517.04 & 518.02

 

Yours sincerely

 

 

Davie Robertson

Assistant Secretary

 JOINT STATEMENT BETWEEN ROYAL MAIL AND THE CWU ON THE DEPLOYMENT OF ADVANCED DRIVER COACHES WITHIN REGIONAL LOGISTICS (AREA DISTRIBUTION)

 

 

Background

 

The National Agreement for the Implementation of the Road Transport Directive and the Introduction of the Professional Driver concluded in 2007 supported the introduction of Workplace Driver Coaches in Royal Mail. The aspiration captured in the agreement was to create opportunities for personal development where Advanced Driver Coaches (ADC’s) can assist and encourage drivers to improve performance in all aspects of their role. Further commitment to achieve this ambition was given in the Joint Statement for the Future of Area Distribution 2012.

 

In January 2015 a Joint Statement was agreed in relation to the deployment of Advanced Driver Coaches in Regional Logistics (Area Distribution) that fulfilled our commitments and was communicated accordingly. This Joint Statement provided information in respect of the roles and responsibilities of the Advanced Driver Coach role working within Regional Logistics (Area Distribution), the qualifications and accreditation required, selection processes and the agreed levels of remuneration for the new role.

 

The deployment activity in respect of this role has encountered some delay. Recent joint discussions have now resolved outstanding issues and resulted in this Joint Statement being agreed, which outlines how the process for deployment of the Advanced Driver Coaches for the Regional Logistics (Area Distribution) function will now take place.

 

 

Deployment Principles

 

Royal Mail operates in an increasingly competitive environment where optimum performance is crucial to the future success of the business. The deployment of the Advanced Driver Coaches within Regional Logistics (Area Distribution) will support drivers and operational colleagues through the provision of our own, in house, peer to peer coaching, mentoring and the delivery of agreed training packages to assist in improving safety and efficiency within Royal Mail Operations. Through the establishment of a supportive, non-threatening environment Advanced Driver Coaches will promote the achievement of excellent individual performance by assisting colleagues to enhance their range of skills and maximise potential.

 

Deployment for these roles will be as follows:

 

➢ RMG will initially resource 36 new Regional Logistics (Area Distribution) Advanced Driver Coaches across Mail Centre catchment areas on the following basis:

• 11 in the North

• 14 in the East

• 11 in the West

 

➢ The selection process for ADC’s will be as detailed within the National Agreement and will commence w/c 13th May 2016.

 

➢ Consistent with the National Agreement covering ADC’s, successful applicants will be trained to the necessary standard. The ADC is considered a specialist role and before appointment applicants must achieve the following:

• Be fully trained by RoSPA (or equivalent) to an agreed standard to enable them to professionally carry out training needs analysis on drivers. The ADC’s will themselves be trained in this field and hold a valid certificate of competence.

 

• Attain the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) certification. This is required by the Joint Approvals Unit for Periodic Training (JAUPT) Driver CPC accreditation.

 

➢ The aim is to have all fully trained ADC’s in place by October 2016.

 

➢ The successful applicants for the ADC role will initially be remunerated as Workplace Coaches. However, on successful completion of the RoSPA training they will be remunerated as ADC’s.

 

➢ Successfully completing the RoSPA training will enable ADC’s to perform driver in-cab coaching and as such they will then be released to ADC duties for a minimum of 20 hours per week. This will increase to full time release (outside of pressure periods) once they have attained the necessary full qualification/accreditation of an ADC. It is agreed that until the applicants for the role have achieved the RoSPA training they will not be used for any duties aligned to the ADC role.

This agreement will remain subject to ongoing joint review at regular intervals of 3 months to ensure it is being applied correctly and to rectify any problems or issues of concern. These reviews will also assess the success of the deployment in terms of employee participation, competency, safety and financial implications.

As part of the ongoing review we will seek to expand the number of Advanced Driver Coaches, where deemed of commercial benefit.

Any question of interpretation, implementation or application of this agreement will be dealt with promptly through the IR Framework and if unresolved referred to the respective Headquarters for resolution.
EUAN MCMURDO​​​​​DAVIE ROBERTSON​​​

DIRECTOR LOGISTICS​​​​​ASSISTANT SECRETARY

ROYAL MAIL​ ​ ​CWU

 

 

DATE: 11TH MAY 2016

The UK Work Stress Network has announced that their Annual Conference 2016 will take place at the Hillscourt Conference Centre, Rednal, Birmingham B45 8RS on Saturday 19th & Sunday 20th November 2016.
The UK National Work-Stress Network is a Trade Unionist led organisation which is committed to the eradication of the causes of work-related stress and associated illnesses. It campaigns to advance this aim through its involvement with the Hazards Campaign and in conjunction with the TUC, European organisations and within UK Trade Union structures. The Network calls for:
Employers, Company Directors and Managers at all levels to acknowledge their duty of care and for their acceptance of their health and safety responsibilities to the workforce;

Legislation and enforcement procedures to outlaw all forms of workplace stress, bullying and victimisation; also to ensure full corporate liability for workplace injury; and

The creation of a caring, supportive workplace culture with ‘Dignity at Work’ for all and for worker sensitive procedures for all.

The Network consists of many hundreds of like-minded people, some of whom have suffered the consequences of work-related stress. Amongst them are experienced caseworkers, counsellors, occupational health workers, Trades Union lay and paid officers and those who are just determined to see effective management which recognises the needs of the workforce as well as of business.
The Conference will Examine Working lives becoming more complex and Stressful!
Working life is becoming more complex from both ends of the age spectrum.
Young workers

Older aging workers

Zero Hours Contracts

Doing two jobs

Working and parenting

Working and being a carer

Long hours of work

Manual work demands

Whichever applies, the world of work has never been more stressful.
A greater recognition of mental health issues is very welcome and brings increased responsibilities for employers. It also brings more challenges for our work as health and safety stewards. This conference will examine the impacts of mental health issues at work as we move through our careers that are being extended every year! We will examine new research on specific age groups, what problems are being identified. We will explore strategies that we can promote to improve working life for those with mental health issues in the workplace.
Conference Programme Outline:
FRIDAY EVENING – Registration, meeting the Stress Network Team and Networking
SATURDAY MORNING – Panel of speakers with Q&A session
SPEAKERS PANEL INCLUDES
Professor Kevin Daniels, UEA Norwich – Professor of Organisational Behaviour;

TUC Speaker (To be confirmed) – Mental Health and Equality issues

Other speakers to be decided

SATURDAY AFTERNOON & SUNDAY MORNING WORKSHOP SESSIONS
Topics to include Mental Health First Aid; Ageism in the Workplace; Mental Health Policies at Work; Excessive Work Demand; Stress Risk Management; Presenteeism; Suicide Intervention and more
UK National Work-Stress Network Contact details:-
Ian Draper (Network Coordinator) UK National Work-Stress Network 

9 Bell Lane 

Syresham 

BRACKLEY 

NN13 5HP

Tel 07966-196033

E-mail: iandraper@nasuwt.net

Website: WWW.WORKSTRESS.NET
Electronic copies of the Booking Form are attached in Word and .pdf formats. Hard copies will also be distributed to Regional Health and Safety Forums.
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce

National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

Email Attachments – Click to download
· Attachment 1 – 16LTB291The UK Work Stress Network Annual Conference 2016.docx

· Attachment 2 – 1603 conference booking form V2a (2).doc

· Attachment 3 – 1603 conference booking form V2a.pdf

Branches are reminded that places are still available for An Introduction to Austerity and the British Economy Course.
CWU Education and Training and the Marx Memorial Library & Workers’ School
Are pleased to offer the following short course aimed at CWU activists:
An Introduction to: Austerity and the British Economy

Friday 1st – Sunday 3rd July 2016

CWU Education and Training Centre, Alvescot Lodge, Oxfordshire
This course delivered over a residential weekend is aimed at trade union activists who want to understand more about ‘austerity’ policies and about why mainstream political parties are so wedded to them. It will help put austerity into context through exploring three modules:
• Understanding Austerity: What is it and why is it happening?

• What’s so different about Britain? Finance capital and the British economy

• Trade Unions, working class strategy and the British economy
The weekend will involve lectures, activities and presentations and will require participants to undertake pre course reading.
The course will be facilitated by Professor Mary Davis.
To secure your place please complete the booking form overleaf and send your booking fee of £30 made payable to ‘Communication Workers Union’ as soon as possible, as places will be strictly limited.
Applications should be sent to CWU Education and Training Centre, Alvescot Lodge, Alvescot, Bampton, Oxon, OX18 2PY
The closing date for applications is Tuesday 31 May 2016.
For further information please email Trish Lavelle at tlavelle@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,

Trish Lavelle

HEAD OF EDUCATION & TRAINING
Email Attachments – Click to download
LTB 286/16 – FINAL REMINDER – An Introduction to Austerity and the British Economy

Attachement 1 – Booking form

Planning is well underway for the 2016 Royal Mail/CWU Dog Awareness Week.
There is confirmed support from Battersea Dogs Home, The PDSA, National Dog Wardens Association and the National Police Chiefs Council along with others again for this year’s campaign.
To make Dog Awareness Week 2016 a success it is vital that we are able to make reference local cases of Postal Worker victims of dog bites to encourage the local press take and interest and run stories that raise awareness. These stories will include advice to customers which will help to reduce dog attacks on Postmen and Women occurring in the future. 
CWU HQ and Royal Mail HQ are jointly appealing to anyone who was bitten or attacked by a dog, particularly in the last year or so, to volunteer to have the details of their case used in the local media and to talk to a press reporter either in person or over the telephone. This could include a feature on radio or television or an article in a newspaper. 
The support of members willing to do this could mean the difference between an article being printed in the newspaper or not being run at all as the press and media always prefer to speak to someone who has experienced the type of incident the article is all about. 
Would Area Safety Reps, Area Delivery Reps and Branches please assist with encouraging members to come forward to support the campaign. 
Volunteers details should be forwarded directly to: Nick Burns RMG Safety Engagement Manager. Contact details:-
Mobile: 07801091380
Email: Nicholas.Burns@royalmail.com  
Thanks for your help and support. 
Yours sincerely 
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
 
Email Attachments – Click to download
· LTB 290/16 Royal Mail/CWU Dog Awareness Week 2016 – Mon 27 June to Fri 1 July – Appeal for Volunteer Dog Attack Victims to participate

Please see April edition of Safe and Well newsletters for both field and office based people.
What’s inside April’s Safe and Well
A focus on safety around the travelling ladders

A story of a field near miss on pcp

Launch of the Get Wasted (ucated) with focus on blue rope, new environmental cbt and a formwise asking people to tell us just why it’s a load of rubbish at TE sites.

Reminder on correct procedure for getting kit and tools and not to Bring Your Own (Visual Light Source refresh and general reminder, including boots)

Helping to clear up the process for getting the right eye care vouchers for safety

And updates on Health and Wellbeing include a refresh on Diabetes and the new Bare Bones of MSDs

TSO’s Near Miss – a timely intervention preventing a serious incident

In the Office version (pdf for size)
Near Miss: How close can a near miss be?

No Smoking A visual reminder of the potential risks

I really would like know… eChat on health and wellbeing

Let’s talk about.. Diabetes – what’s your type?

What’s your impact? How you can make a difference environmentally

Yours sincerely
 
Dave Joyce

National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
 
Email Attachments – Click to download

LTB 288/16 Safe & Well – April 2016

· Openreach H&S Update
· Issue 33 MS
· Issue 33

Annual Conference 2016 – Decisions
Please find attached copies of the decisions taken during Annual Conference.
Any enquiries regarding this Letter to Branches should be addressed to Chris Tapper or sent to ctapper@cwu.org
Yours sincerely
 
 
Tony Kearns
Senior Deputy General Secretary
 
Email Attachments – Click to download
Attachment 1 – Rules Revision Conference – Sunday 24.04.16

Attachment 2 – General Conrference – Monday 25.04.16

Attachment 3 – Postal Conference – Tuesday 26.04.16

Attachment 4 – Postal Conference – Wednesday 27.04.16

Attachment 5 – Postal Conference – Thursday 28.04.16

Attachment 6 – TFS Conference – Tuesday 26.04.16

Attachment 7 – TFS Conference – Wednesday 27.04.16

Attachment 8 – TFS Conference – Thursday 28.04.16

Trade Union Act 2016 

As you may be aware, the Trade Union Bill completed its final stages and was passed by both Houses of Parliament last week becoming the Trade Union Act 2016. The purpose of this LTB is to update you on the final version that was agreed in Parliament and what we will be doing in response to this.

 

As outlined in LTB 183/16, through the campaigning and political lobbying of the trade union and wider labour movement, the government was defeated on a number of important elements of the Bill in the House of Lords. This has resulted in some significant changes in the final Act, most notably:

 

i. the government will not be able to unilaterally end check-off for trade unions in the public sector as it originally proposed;

 

ii. trade unions will not be forced to ask members already paying the political levy to opt-in to this, a proposal that was designed to limit our ability to campaign on political issues;

 

iii. the government will be required to jump through a number of new hoops before it can impose a cap on facility time in the public sector;

 

iv. after increasing the turnout thresholds unions must achieve in a vote for industrial action, the government has agreed to commission an independent review into allowing e-balloting alongside postal voting.

 

While these do change some of the worst of the government’s original proposals, the Act remains a significant attack on trade unions and imposes new restrictions on a range of our activities. It will change the law on:

 

• thresholds we have to reach in industrial action ballots

• information we have to put on a ballot paper

• information we have to give to members following a ballot

• the time limits for taking industrial action in the event of a yes vote

• the notice period for taking industrial action

• picketing and the appointment of a picket supervisor

• details of picketing we have to give to the police

• new members joining the political levy

• information we report to the Certification Officer

• the powers of the Certification Officer to investigate trade unions

• the funding of the Certification Officer, which we will now need to pay for

 

It is important to be clear that these have not yet become law but that they will be given effect by the government shortly – the date of this is yet to be confirmed.

 

The union will now be considering the full implications of the Act and will be publishing further information on what this means for headquarters and branches in terms of future compliance.

 

Finally, we remain strongly opposed to the Act and we will be doing what we can to work with other unions to repeal and make it unworkable. The CWU has played a leading role in the union movement in campaigning against the proposals and we will continue to do so. To this end we will be discussing further strategies with other unions and branches will be kept up to date with developments on this.

 

Any queries about the contents of this LTB should be directed to gsoffice@cwu.org

 

Yours sincerely

 
Dave Ward

General Secretary

TERRY PULLINGER DEPUTY GENERAL SECRETARY (POSTAL) 

Further to LTB 266/16, we are pleased to report that Terry Pullinger is now out of hospital and recuperating at home. Terry and his family have asked us to pass on their sincere thanks for all the messages of support they have received during this difficult period. It is anticipated that Terry will now be off work for some time as he continues his recovery.

 

Therefore, we can advise that until further notice, Ray Ellis will assume full responsibilities of the DGS (P) role in an acting capacity. During this time Ray will continue to oversee the implementation of the Romec Integration Project. In turn, Carl Maden PEC member will assume full responsibilities as Acting Assistant Secretary covering Ray’s substantive role.

 

Finally, I am sure all Branches will join us in passing on our best wishes to Terry in making a full recovery and we look forward to him returning to his role in due course.  

 

Any enquiries on the above should be addressed to the General Secretary’s Department.

 

Yours sincerely

 
 

 

Dave Ward

General Secretary