LABOUR PARTY CONFERENCE 2016: LIVERPOOL
The 2016 Labour Party Conference will be held from Sunday 25th to Wednesday 28th September 2016 at the Arena and Conference Centre (ACC) in Liverpool.
The union will be holding an event on Monday 26th September 2016, the details of which are as follows:- 
DATE: MONDAY 26TH SEPTEMBER 2016

TIME: 6.30PM – 8.30PM

VENUE: HALL 2C – ACC LIVERPOOL (CONFERENCE CENTRE)

ADDRESS: LOWER LEVEL, KINGS DOCK, LIVERPOOL, L3 4FP

If any branch has individuals attending conference as a delegate or observer who would wish to come along to the event, please could you email details to cwuevents@cwu.org.
The ACC is located in the secure area so those local branch officers who would wish to attend will need to apply for security access. The General Secretary’s Office will contact branches in the area separately on this matter.
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 GS14.12/LTB 483/16.Yours sincerely
 
 
Dave Ward
General Secretary
Email Attachments – Click to download
LTB 483/16 – LABOUR PARTY CONFERENCE 2016: LIVERPOOL

JOINT STATEMENT BETWEEN ROYAL MAIL AND THE CWU COVERING THE DEPLOYMENT OF GRAVITY ROLLERS FOR LARGE PARCEL SORTING IN THE MAIL CENTRE NETWORK

Dear Colleagues
Branches and representatives will be aware that LTB 420/16 communicated a Joint Statement in relation to The Deployment Of Gravity Rollers For Large Parcel Sorting In The Mail Centre Network.
The business has now informed the department that funding has been secured to extend the standard method developed in Peterborough Mail Centre to the following Mail Centres:
South Midlands

Birmingham

Greenford

Nottingham

Jubilee

Romford

Leeds

London Central

Bristol

HCN

Edinburgh

Newcastle

Deployment is due to commence in a few weeks’ time and will take place on a rolling basis at the sites listed above. 
The business has informed the department that their project teams will ensure the local CWU are involved in the deployment activity.  
Representatives should therefore ensure that the full terms of the agreement for deployment are adhered to, that timely local negotiations take place with management and that CWU IR Representatives, Engineering and H&S Reps are fully involved in all aspects of the planning for and actual deployment of the required new arrangements.
Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary, email: dwyatt@cwu.org or shayman@cwu.org quoting reference number: 711.02
 
Yours sincerely
 
Davie Robertson

Assistant Secretary
 
Email Attachments – Click to download
LTB 478/16 – Joint Statement – Covering the Deployment of Gravity Rollers for Large Parcel Sorting in the Mail Centre Network

KEN MCKENZIE AWARD FOR LIFELONG LEARNING 2016
Dear Colleagues,
Branches will be aware of the policy adopted at General Conference 2010 to present the “Ken McKenzie Award for Lifelong Learning” which is presented to a ULR (Union Learning Representative) or group of ULRs who have made a significant contribution to lifelong learning within the CWU. The award is presented each year at our CWU ULR National Networking Event. This year will follow tradition and be part of the agenda at this year’s event scheduled to be held at St. James’ Park, Newcastle over two days on the 16th and 17th November 2016.
Last year the accolade was awarded to Darren Rowbotham (Western Counties) and as usual we received a good number of nominations of a very high quality. Darren and George White (Mount Pleasant Branch) went on to receive awards from the TUC this year.
I am now inviting applications from Branches for the 2016 Annual Ken McKenzie award for lifelong learning. The award will be made in recognition of exceptional achievements and contributions to lifelong learning by a CWU ULR or a group of CWU ULRs. Nominations can be made by Branches, Regional Learning Committees or Regional Committees by completing the attached nomination form.
Completed nominations should include a detailed précis of the nominated ULR or group of ULRs endeavours and achievements and be sent to:
Michelle Simpson, Education and Training Department, CWU, 150 The Broadway, Wimbledon, London, SW19 1RX or email learn@cwu.org

The closing date for nominations will be FRIDAY 7TH OCTOBER 2016.
Any queries relating to this LTB should be addressed to me via the Education and Training Department at learn@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,
 
TRISH LAVELLE

HEAD OF EDUCATION & TRAINING
Email Attachments – Click to download
LTB 476/16 – KEN MCKENZIE AWARD FOR LIFELONG LEARNING 2016

Nomination Form

MARCUS SZABO – FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS 
Further to LTB 472/16 in which I advised branches of the very sudden passing of Marcus Szabo, Deputy Area H&S Representative of the Essex Amal Branch. 
I can now advise branches that the funeral arrangements are as follows:- 
DATE: Wednesday 17th August 2016

TIME: 10.30am

PLACE: Chelmsford Crematorium

ADDRESS: Writtle Road, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 3BL 
The family has requested no flowers but donations are welcome to either the British Heart Foundation or the Essex Wildlife Trust. 
If you have any enquiries in relation to this LTB, these should be addressed to the General Secretary’s Office at gsoffice@cwu.org quoting the reference GS1.1/LTB 477/16. 
Yours sincerely 
 
Dave Ward

General Secretary
Email Attachments – Click to download
LTB 477/16 – Marcus Szabo – Funeral Arrangements

EU Referendum Result – Where are We Now on Health and Safety Laws and the Future of the UK Health and Safety System Post British Exit of the EU:
To All CWU Branches

All CWU Regional Health and Safety Forums

All CWU Health and Safety Reps
Dear Colleagues,
Overview – What Happens Now

The Health, Safety & Environment Department has received a number of enquiries regarding the impact of the EU Referendum Result on UK Health and Safety Laws both presently and in future and this LTB is to set out the position.
The UK decision to leave the European Union has prompted the question of whether current EU Health and Safety regulations could be revoked immediately.
This is not the case. Many EU Health, Safety & Environmental directives have been transposed into UK Law so currently nothing changes until the UK government puts in place mechanisms for further deregulation. However post-Brexit it is highly likely that the UK will have less influence over EU Law and in the development of further EU Law up to the time we leave the EU, which could be as long as two years.
Throughout the UK membership of the EU the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act (HASWA) has been in place and effective. Without doubt we should continue to apply our successful risk-based management systems. Many UK organisations will want to continue to work and trade within the EU and it will be in their interest to continue maintaining compliance. The UK has been a leader in influencing other EU nations and regulators in developing strong foundations for future health, safety and environmental laws. 
The CWU along with the TUC, UK Hazards Campaign, Safety Professional bodies such as IOSH, IIRSM have all stated that they will continue to promote and actively support effective health, safety and environmental standards, risk management and agreed international standards as well as to defend against any erosion of health and safety protections for workers and the public. As UK organisations will want to continue to trade with Europe, it will be in everyone’s interest to maintain the status quo. The UK has already helped to influence sound foundations for European health and safety and beyond and our expertise and input should continue to be valued. In summary:-
• Nothing formal can happen until the UK Government gives formal notice (Article 50)

• The Government says it will not give notice until next year (very possibly even longer)

• The TUC does not want an early triggering of Article 50. 

• It will be Two years from then before withdrawal (this can be extended)

• meanwhile all existing H&S regulations apply

• It is unclear what role the UK will be able to play during the notice period.
Background

In the United Kingdom there are many regulations relevant to health, safety and welfare at work. Many of these give effect to European Union directives which are transposed into UK Regulations and introduced as Law.
TUC/CWU Campaign

The TUC, CWU and most Trade Unions campaigned against withdrawal from the European Union, by emphasising that many positive changes for workers in the UK have happened directly as a result of EU membership and making a strong case for a social Europe. In recent years, EU-led improvements in health and safety protection have been more limited than in the past, but the overall contribution of EU regulations on health and safety to the UK workforce is substantial. As shown by a recent evaluation of EU regulations, the overall package of directives is practical, fit for purpose, and, more importantly, effective. It is clear that EU membership continues to deliver wide-ranging protections to UK workers, and 

therefore UK Trade Unions wanted to continue to be part of the European process, be more actively engaged and support an improved and revitalised package of measures aimed at tackling the huge burden of occupational illnesses that are being experienced both in the UK and across the EU.

EU/UK Health & Safety Law History

In recent years much of Britain’s health and safety law has originated in Europe.
Proposals from the European Commission may be agreed by Member States, who are then responsible for making them part of their domestic law. Modern health and safety law in this country, including much of that from Europe, is based on the principle of risk assessment.
The UK joined the EU in 1973.
The 1986 Single European Act led to a significant increase in the volume of health and safety Directives. Amongst other things that Act abolished national vetoes in a host of areas and increased the legislative powers of the European parliament so creating a “European Union”.
For Health and Safety, the biggest change was the Health and Safety Framework Directive (89/391/EEC) and five “daughter” directives1 which established broad-based obligations on member states to ensure that employers evaluate, avoid and reduce workplace risks in consultation with their workforce.
At the time, the UK already had in place a legislative system which met most of the requirements of the Directive. The UK had previously introduced the 1974 Health and Safety at Work (HSW) Act as well as Regulations that had been made under it such as the Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations 1977.
Although, in the UK, the HSW Act was considered adequate as a means of achieving the appropriate standards, the EU H&S Directives were more prescriptive and detailed and thus it was necessary to extend the law. Carefully avoiding any disruption to the HSW Act, six new sets of regulations (called the ‘six pack’), together with Approved Codes of Practice and Guidance Notes were enacted on 1 January 1993. A central principle was the requirement of assessing and managing risk, as well as the legal duties of employers.
Since then, the UK Government has had to make a number of modifications to bring UK legislation in line with the provisions of the Framework Directive, including the Health and Safety (Consultation with Employees) Regulations 1996 which arose from the threat of infraction proceedings and extended worker representation to non-unionised workplaces. In addition the Government had to change the law to ensure that the police were covered by health and safety legislation. A range of other health and safety directives, implemented through national regulations have also come about as a result of EU regulation. These cover the management of specific workplace risks such as noise or work at height, as well as the protection of specific groups of workers (such as new or expectant mothers, young people and temporary workers). Specific regulations cover areas such as construction work, asbestos, chemicals, off-shore work, etc. Although the pace of activity peaked soon after the Single European Act with the introduction of the ‘six-pack’, legislative activity has continued and health and safety regulation in the UK is now firmly driven by the EU.
41 out of the 65 new British health and safety regulations introduced between 1997 and 2009 originated in the EU.
UK Referendum Brexit Result and Health and Safety Rights and Protection

On the 23 June the UK voted by 52% to 48% to leave the European Union (EU). Prior to the vote the TUC, CWU and other major Unions warned that vital health and safety at work rights from EU-driven laws could be under threat if he nation voted in favour of leaving the European Union (EU).
There is now a real and serious danger that the final outcome could mean that the UK loses much of the Health and Safety protection that EU membership has given the UK by way of Workplace Health, Safety and Employment rights, which are all now at risk in the long term and much will depend on the negotiations that will take place between the UK and the EU and it could be years before this process is concluded but in the meantime, all European directives and obligations continue to apply.
The outcome of the negotiations is hard to predict but from the UK side, talks will be led by an anti-Health and Safety, anti-Workers’ Rights Tory Government that has spent six years undermining health and safety law and enforcement in the UK, despite EU Legislation and many Conservatives want trade deals and benefits with Europe and further afield without the employment and safety protections that come with it via the EU. If a deal is eventually reached whereby the UK is no longer covered by EU Regulations on health and safety then the UK Tory Government will be able to reduce standards to whatever they want or remove them completely.
Prominent leave campaigners have called for a halving of regulations derived from EU law, or flexibility in interpreting rights, claiming that they are a burden on British businesses who would benefit from a reduction in so called ‘Red Tape’ – which is really the rights and protections of millions of working people they want to remove:-
• Boris Johnson MP (Conservative) stated “We must scrap the Social Chapter, Employment Regulations, the Collective Redundancies Directive, the Atypical Workers Directive, The Working Time Directive and a Thousand More!”

• Priti Patel MP (Conservative) and now Work & Pensions Minister said “There is a need to halve the burdens of the EU Social and Employment Protection Legislation.”

• John Redwood MP (Conservative) said “We must opt-out of the Social Chapter” 

• Chris Grayling MP (Conservative) said “EU H&S laws are Red Tape”

• Michael Gove MP (Conservative) said “The battery of European measures from the Working Time Directive, to the Social Chapter need to go.”
Three of these are now in the Prime Minister Theresa May’s cabinet.
The current government had already drawn up an agenda of health and safety laws it wished to change before the referendum result. These included a watering down of the DSE Regulations, Working Time Regulations, Construction Design Management (CDM) Regulations, Optical Radiation Directive and Chemical Directive. The Tory Government also want to remove Risk Assessment requirements from more small businesses. This list was drawn up as a shopping list for change within the EU. Once outside the EU other changes are possible without discussion with the EU. Likely long term targets will be Safety Reps and Consultation, PPE Regulations and Temporary Workers.
During the period in the run up to the UK’s exit from the EU, the UK will have little involvement on Health and Safety developments. There will be a full evaluation of all of the H&S directives by the EU with little UK involvement. There are current recommendations for new action on Stress and MSDs at EU level. New EU exposure limits on Carcinogens will not apply automatically in the UK, or the REACH improvements. UK Trade Unions will certainly have no say in EU negotiations on H&S, even if new regulations do apply.
The TUC/CWU ‘Protect Health & Safety’ Campaign Continues. We cannot have a system which gives equal treatment to bankers, manufacturers, employers and those providing services, while workers are denied the same rights. It’s going to be important that the Unions oppose these cuts to rights that workers and their Unions fought so hard to win. It’s going to be important to ensure that MPs, particularly Conservative MPs – get the message that crucial protections are not up for grabs when the time comes and the debate commences.
It’s vital the UK continues to apply the current risk-based health and safety system, which includes laws from EU directives, because it’s been found to be fit for purpose by several independent reviews E.g. the Tory Governments commissioned; 2011 ‘Lofstedt’ Independent Review of UK Health and Safety Legislation and the 2014 ‘Temple’ Independent Triennial Review of the HSE’ lead by Martin Temple who has now been appointed HSE’s new 

Chair (2016):-

Professor Ragnar Lofstedt’ concluded: “There is no case for radically altering current health and safety legislation in the UK.”

• ‘Martin Temple CBE’ concluded: “There is a continuing need for the functions that HSE delivers, and a very strong case for those functions to continue to be delivered by an arms-length body.”
TUC Action Plan

The TUC has drawn up a new ‘Action Plan on Health and Safety’ as follows:-

• New TUC campaign on protecting workers rights and H&S

• Renew campaign for UK to ratify all ILO labour conventions on H&S

• Ensuring that BME and migrant workers are protected from abuse and violence at work

• Revisit and intensify work on core issues such as stress, carcinogens etc. 

• Retain links with fellow Trade unionists through ETUC and ITUC

• Continue H&S organising campaign

• Use the H&S rights we have
Attachments:

• EU Membership and Health and Safety TUC Report

• Protecting Health and Safety after ‘Brexit’ – Protecting Rights – Building Unions TUC
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce

National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
Email Attachments – Click to download
Attachment 1 – 16LTB475 Future of the UK Health and Safety System Post British Exit of the EU.docx

Attachment 2 – EU Membership and Health Safety – TUC Report 2016.pdf

Attachment 3 – Protecting Health and Safety after ‘Brexit’ – Hazards plenary- July2016.ppt

PSP – Payroll Arrangements Monthly Paid CWU Grades (August Cut-Off Date) 

Further to LTB 471/16 circulated on the 5th August 2016.

 

The Union has now received a response from the business that qualifies the position on “variable pay” which confirmed that it is inclusive of all overtime and Scheduled Attendance including any elements attached to duties.

 

They have further assured the Union that by utilising the August period to bring forward the cut-off date monthly paid grades will still receive 4 weeks overtime and Scheduled Attendance in their pay at the end of the month. Variable pay earned during w/c 15th August 2016 will be paid in September salaries. This, we are advised, is consistent with the August payroll arrangements that have applied for the last 3 years.

 

The business remains confident that there will be minimal disruption for monthly paid grades and that the requirement for any hardship payments should be very limited. The company has confirmed this facility is not ruled out in very exceptional circumstances and any such request should be relayed to the Regional HR Team via local management.

 

Any enquires regarding the content of this LTB should be directed to the DGS(P) Department

 

Yours sincerely,

 
 

Terry Pullinger​​​​​​

Deputy General Secretary (Postal)

MARCUS SZABO – CWU REPRESENTATIVE – ESSEX AMAL BRANCH  
It is with deep regret that I write to inform you of the sudden and unexpected death of Marcus Szabo at the age of 50. Marcus was admitted to hospital last weekend where he passed away. The cause of death will not be known until the post mortem. 
Marcus was employed at Royal Mail for 28 years in Chelmsford, Essex and spent 23 as a CWU official. Marcus was a former Area H&S Rep, a Late Processing Rep, a Late Processing H&S Rep and was the Deputy Area H&S Rep when he passed away. 
At this sad time our thoughts of course are with Marcus’s partner Yvonne, his daughter and all his close family and friends. I will on behalf of the CWU convey our deepest sympathy and condolences to them. 
When further information becomes available regarding the funeral arrangements, branches will be informed.
If you have any enquiries in relation to this LTB, these should be addressed to the General Secretary’s Office at gsoffice@cwu.org quoting the reference GS1.1/LTB472 /16.
Yours sincerely
 
Dave Ward

General Secretary
Email Attachments – Click to download
Attachment 1: LTB 472/16 – Marcus Szabo – CWU Representative – Essex Amal Branch

MR COLIN CAFFERY – BRANCH SECRETARY NORTH WALES AND THE MARCHES  
We were advised during July that our dear colleague, Colin Caffery, Branch Secretary of the CWU North Wales and the Marches branch had sadly passed away following a short illness. Colin died peacefully in hospital with his family around him.
Unfortunately, whilst branches in the region and members of the divisional committee were informed of this and the funeral details, we at headquarters omitted to send out an LTB to advise branches of this information and the details of the funeral. I apologise for this error and any upset this has caused Colin’s family or the branch.
Colin was branch secretary of the North Wales & the Marches Branch for over 15 years and prior to this was a CWU Representative at Rhyl Royal Mail Delivery Office. He has served his branch at CWU conferences and always attended and played an important role at the Wales and the Marches Regional Committee.
Colin was well respected by his members and those other branch officers, regional and national officers with whom he worked closely. I know that he was immensely committed to the union and his members. I have been advised that there were many people at the funeral on 20th July and this is clear testament to the esteem in which Colin was held by everyone who knew him. He will be sadly missed by all his colleagues and friends in the union. 
On behalf of the CWU I have passed on our deepest sympathies to Colin’s wife Laurel and his close family and friends. 
Yours sincerely 
 
Dave Ward

General Secretary
Email Attachments – Click to download
Attachment 1: LTB 473/16 – Mr Colin Caffery – Branch Secretary of North Wales & Marches

1. E. Observations Delivery Office– Outdoor Validation Studies (August 2016)

 

Dear Colleague

 

Branches will be aware of the ongoing validation exercise of existing planning values used in delivery, which has been carried out using fully trained Industrial Engineers as explained in LTB 230/15 and agreed by the Postal Executive in April last year. The main reason for this is the ongoing efficiency review that is taking place on behalf of Ofcom the regulator and the purpose of this maintenance programme is to carry out checks on national planning values, which are being used for product costing and efficiency models.

 

Industrial Engineers will carry out work studies to collect data on the operational tasks, across all areas of the outdoor operation from leaving the office to returning to the office in order to ensure the Royal Mail figures demonstrate that products are priced relative to cost and that the operation is working efficiently. This current exercise is about validating the data calculations and assumptions used in the above mentioned models. This underpins the work on regulatory and commercial pricing.

 

This exercise is part of the rolling programme of work agreed last year and is designed to verify model workload for route based workload calculations (also known as bottom up modeling). The findings of the exercise will also influence the model for Final Mile Optimisation (FMO) which we will need to be fully involved in.

 

In line with previous TORs we will have full access to all outputs/data generated and the CWU will be involved at all 3 sites and at national level. The list of sites involved is included in the TOR (attached) and they have already been communicated with via email on Friday 22^nd July 2016. Also attached is the letter sent in the email to the participating delivery units.

 

The exercise commenced on Monday 1^st August 2016 with our agreement as it is a continuation of the exercise agreed last year in a generic TOR.

 

Any enquiries to Bob Gibson’s Office, quoting reference 230.03

Email address:outdoorsecretary@cwu.org

 

 

Yours Sincerely

 

Bob Gibson                               

CWU Assistant Secretary – Outdoor

National Terms of Reference – Industrial Engineer Observations

Delivery Office– Outdoor Validation Studies (August 2016)

 

Introduction

 

Industrial Engineers (IEs) will be visiting a number of Delivery Offices from August 2016 (The selected offices are Nuneaton, Redfern Park and Chorley).

 

The purpose is to carry out validation studies on the outdoor workload by route which is being modelled for our costing model which is in turn used for product costing and efficiency measures. The industrial engineers will carry out observations on all aspects of outdoor delivery work, across a range of methods – e.g. Town / Rural / Firm / Shared Van / HCT.

This follows similar observation methods carried out last year, and will enable Royal Mail to confirm that the modelling approach is valid and that work measurement has been accredited by trained experts, which in turn will help demonstrate that products are priced relative to cost and that the operation is working efficiently.

 

This is about validating the data calculations and assumptions used in the above mentioned models. This underpins the work on regulatory and commercial pricing.

 

These studies are not a walk testing exercise for use at the local level. Data for each individual delivery gathered during the study by the industrial engineers, along with data from other units across the country will help Royal Mail to verify model workload for route based workload calculations (also known as bottom up modelling).

 

 

Operation & Scope

 

Prior to the Industrial Engineers visiting a delivery office, employees will be briefed to make them aware of the visit and the purpose. That they are not being monitored as individuals and it is about working out what the average times are for varying tasks/activities.

 

When the IE(s) arrive they will be met by the DOM who will introduce them to the CWU Representative and other managers where applicable. The CWU Representative and DOM will be advised which deliveries are required to be observed in order to fulfil the needs of the model validation.

 

The IE will be introduced to the individual performing the delivery, and will outline the details and methodology of the study.

 

All IEs will wear Royal Mail ID and PPE appropriate to outdoor delivery at all times.

 

Examples of the things to be looked at include:-

 

• Number of manual items being prepped and therefore delivered
• Successful / unsuccessful attendance calls (Town / Rural / Firms)
• Delivery To Neighbour
• Proportion of Door to Door taken out on a particular day
• Door to Door only delivery points
• Start / End of loop activity
• Collections on delivery
• Associated HCT work
• Return to office activity
• Total time taken
• Total calls made
• Total traffic delivered (including parcels)

 

All observations will be made on processes compliant with agreed Standard Operating Procedures and Safe Systems of Work. The IEs are fully aware of these common standards to ensure the correct methods are studied. Individuals will be made aware of the Standard Operating Procedures for each activity if they are unsure. People should follow the Standard Operating Procedures and Safe System of Work at all times and that is what will be observed and accounted for.

 

Note: Elements of the observations may be filmed as a reference point both to support the observations that are made and to potentially support training and induction as well as future WTLL briefings on delivery processes and safe working methods. Employees will be asked in advance if they don’t mind, if they decline they will not be filmed.

 

Involvement

 

As with all previous studies, IEs will spend time with the Local CWU reps to talk through the study in detail.

 

Local CWU reps will be asked to work with the DOM to speak with staff on deliveries that will meet the needs of the studies

 

Following the exercise there will be a joint review, which may in turn require further discussions about the use and application of the information/data. This will take place prior to any sharing with the regulator or any changes to the current tools and / or any future developed Outdoor tool used for the purpose of delivery revisions and Resourcing to Workload.

 

 

 

Signed………………………………………………..                Signed…………………………………………

Graham Baker – Royal Mail                                Bob Gibson – CWU

 

 

29^th July 2016

Industrial Engineering exercise from w/c 1^st August 2016

 

Nuneaton Delivery Office.              (CV Postcode)

Chorley Delivery Office.                (PR Postcode)

Redfern Park Delivery Office.         (B Postcode).

 

 

Dear Colleagues

 

This exercise has been agreed with CWU HQ and is a continuation of the exercise that was cleared with the Postal Executive in April 2015 as part of a rolling programme of study work and will involve observations carried out in line with the nationally agreed TOR.

 

The intention is to send the Industrial Engineers in next Friday if possible to meet with the local unit manager and CWU rep to have a chat, get a feel for the units and the routes so that they can prep their study apps accordingly.  They will also be available to put the staff at ease as they normally do before any study activity, and may possibly be accompanied by a second colleague, from the Efficiency team, who will support them in obtaining the information around volumes and DPs not called at in order to ensure there is no disruption or delay on the specific route.

 

The observations/studies will start from Monday 1^st August for a period of 3 weeks covering four routes per week in each unit, although the Monday is likely to be the prep day where the IEs talk to the staff conducting the four delivery rounds that they will study each week, ensuring they understand if there are any changes to the actual route compared with what’s in A+ and the sequencing data so that any deviation from those systems are captured for the business modelling team.  Furthermore, for shared van routes, the industrial engineers will pair up during the third week in order to be able to observe both deliveries from the shared van.

 

To be absolutely clear this is not about checking the performance of individuals against standards or assessing the performance of units against standards or other units. This is about assessing how long the task takes, not how well individuals are working.

 

Local CWU reps will be invited to observe Industrial Engineers carrying out their work and to also ask questions. Adequate release will be provided for this to be done.

 

The goal for the observations that the IEs will be undertaking is to obtain as much information from each individual route on each day of observation, such as manual letter, large letter and parcel volumes, addresses not called at (with zero mail of any kind), addresses with only door to door items, time taken to travel from the delivery office to the first DP / Loop, and time taken to carry out activities whilst on delivery.

 

Thank you in anticipation of your assistance in this programme of work.

 

 

Bob Gibson

CWU Assistant Secretary – Outdoor

 

OMP – Terms of Reference – New Delivery Methods Trial (Small Pouch) 

Dear Colleague

 

Branches will be aware of the ongoing trial in Walsall DO and Royal Mails insistence on the use of a delivery vest to support the outdoor operation which the CWU did not agree with. As a consequence of this impasse the issue was taken to external mediation which we have now concluded, and subsequently agreed outside of the mediation that we will not pursue the Vest option but will instead trial the use of a small delivery pouch to supplement the multi bundle approach. The pouch in question is the ‘Starburst’ pouch which has an 8kg limit.

 

Discussions have continued with Royal Mail regarding the changes to existing Outdoor Delivery Methods and a Terms of Reference (attached) has now been agreed and subsequently ratified by the Postal Executive on the 2nd August 2016. However the CWU have been very clear in that we will not proceed beyond the existing 12 delivery routes until a number of issues within Walsall Do have been satisfactorily resolved. In return Royal Mail has already provided an update on the issues but this does not satisfy our requirements at this point in time although things have taken a positive and significant step forward. An action plan has been put in place and Tony Bouch PEC will be involved in the progress of this on a weekly basis, including providing the outdoor department with ongoing reports.

 

The TOR was agreed by the Postal Executive in principle and on the basis that the trial will be extended in Walsall DO when the issues are satisfactorily resolved.

 

Following deployment of the new methods trial to the 12 routes in Walsall and after taking feedback from the OPGs involved, including a jointly produced ergonomic assessment, both parties will meet to discuss the next steps which will include extending the trial to the whole delivery office utilising the existing TOR’s, and the removal of the bench merging tool.

 

Both parties also recognise that as a consequence of this trial, the removal of the indoor bench merging tool and introduction of the small delivery pouch there will be a change to the indoor merging workplan and full consultation will take place on this aspect. Also any new method will be subject to further work study/measurement and evaluation by Industrial Engineers.

 

All data/information generated will be jointly evaluated in line with the existing TOR’s and as part of the overall Walsall OMP trial evaluation.

 

Any enquiries to Bob Gibson’s Office, quoting reference 535

Email address:outdoorsecretary@cwu.org

 

Yours sincerely                                                            
Bob Gibson

CWU Assistant Secretary – Outdoor

Terms of Reference New Delivery Methods Trial
Introduction

 

The Agenda for Growth agreement and Integrated Delivery Programme commits both Royal Mail (RM) and the Communication Workers Union (CWU) to working together to positively transform business operations. Throughout the period of the BT 2010 agreement both parties worked to develop and establish improved, constructive working relationships, and effective interfaces with the aim of agreeing shared objectives to take the business forward and at the same time protecting jobs and terms and conditions at all levels within Royal Mail.

 

Both parties reaffirm a commitment to ensure that our operations are efficient, fair and manageable and meet the needs of the internal and external markets, employees and provide a platform for new products and services consistent with our growth agenda.

 

New Delivery Methods will be included in the outputs from the Optimised Mail Preparation (OMP) Project. The third strand of activity from this project is concerned with the delivery of mail outdoor using a multi-bundle approach. National Joint Terms of Reference agreed with the CWU in January 2016 govern this new delivery method trial and it has been active on twelve delivery routes in Brownhills, a small section within Walsall Delivery Office in the West Midlands.

 

The multi-bundle approach is being tested to determine if it can provide a more efficient means to deliver mail. A decline in letter volumes and the impact of increased automation is having an impact on the current delivery model and alternative outdoor methods need to be considered.

 

Royal Mail continues to face many challenges and to secure a joint vision for long term profitable growth and job security Royal Mail and the CWU must develop a joint vision for the future of delivery. We need practical solutions that support the growth agenda and these need to consider what is efficient, sensible, useful and safe. In addition we need to demonstrate how the operational pipeline is one operation that is designed to support the delivery operation, and as part of this trial we will still need to consider indoor methods that support the outdoor methods and the use of a pouch in a safe and effective way.

 

Trial of the Small Delivery Pouch, Electric Trolleys and Trolley Pouch

 

Royal Mail and the CWU are jointly developing, testing and measuring the effectiveness of an appropriate range of delivery methods and equipment for outdoor delivery at Walsall. The initial findings from the multi-bundle delivery approach under test indicate that the use of a small pouch may be beneficial and hence it should be included as part of the evaluation. Specifically the following reasons have been highlighted as potential benefits worth exploring further:-

 

• Delivery of larger quantities of Door-to-Door Mail (especially 4 or more)

• Collated and manual streamed Door-to-Door that has not been prepared by automation

• Delivery Points (DPs) that are not easily serviced using the standard delivery equipment such as blocks of flats and apartments, trading estates and small rural clusters

• Delivery of mail on low volume days where the carried weight does not exceed 8kg (Starburst pouch limit) and does not present any risk to personal health and well-being or safe delivery.

 

When compared to current equipment the small pouch, trolley pouch or electric trolley may improve the ease of delivery for safety, quality and efficiency as follows:-
Safety & Ergonomics
• Allows hands free movement

• Balanced/distributed weight on waist not shoulders

• May reduce reading whilst walking but needs to be tested

Quality:

• Clear line of sight of mail streams at the door step

• Segregated Streams

• Mail stream protected from the elements

• Storage of 739 cards

Organisation:

• Storage of delivery tools such as PDA and pen, can be included in the pouch

Efficiency:

• The small pouch may be more effective for small number of Delivery Points.

• Ability to pick Door-to-door items with minimum movement at the point of delivery – less twisting, turning and bending.

 

Small Delivery Pouch

 

• The small delivery pouch, trolley pouch and electric trolley will initially be included in the current testing of the twelve routes in Brownhills.

 

• Reducing weight on the shoulder will continue to be a key factor.

• The small delivery pouch will not contain a significant amount of weight by design and will be subject to a full ergonomic study and comprehensive feedback from delivery colleagues involved in the trial.

• The small delivery pouch should be tested by delivery colleagues of different height and stature to see the impact on posture backed up with an ergonomic assessment.

• Mail integrity and the security of our delivery colleagues are critical issues. The trial would be designed to include the evaluation of these factors to ensure both are at least neutral and wherever possible that they are improved.

• The small delivery pouch would need to be tested to observe the behaviour of our Delivery Colleagues to know if new safety hazards are introduced.

• In addition to delivering to different styles of letterboxes, due to the recent changes linked to Postbox Strategy and Collections performed on Delivery at the time the individual passes the Postbox the pouch would need to be tested to observe how it may interact with a Collection on Delivery. Again it needs to be included in the testing specification to fully understand the impact using ergonomic expertise and other subject matter experts and feedback from Delivery Colleagues involved in the trial. 

• The pouch would need to be tested in poor weather conditions to determine if the mail is more exposed to the elements in such a way that it will lead to a reduction in quality of service and an increase in customer complaints.

• The current discussions regarding D2D and the future strategy will need to be factored into these deliberations.

Next Steps / Review

 

Following deployment of the trial and after taking feedback from the OPGs involved, including a jointly produced ergonomic assessment, both parties will meet to discuss the next steps which will include extending the trial to the whole delivery office, utilising the existing TOR’s, and as an alternative approach to support the indoor methods trial and the removal of the indoor bench merging tool. As a consequence it is jointly envisaged that the removal of the indoor bench merging tool and introduction of the small delivery pouch will change the indoor merging workplan and to support any subsequent transition feedback will be taken from OPGs to establish the best method which will be subject to further work study/measurement and evaluation by Industrial Engineers. All data/information generated will be jointly evaluated in line with the existing TOR’s and as part of the overall Walsall trial evaluation.

 
 

 

         

Signed……………………………….. Signed ……………………………….          

Anton Harding – Royal Mail Bob Gibson – CWU​​                      

 

 
18th July 2016