Labour Research Department – Health and Safety Law 2016 – A Trade Union Guide
To: All Branches
Dear Colleagues,
The 2016 edition of the Labour Research Department’s (LRD) annual guide, Health and Safety Law has been published and is now available for direct purchase from LRD.
Written with union negotiators and safety reps in mind and published shortly after the referendum vote to leave the EU, this LRD booklet has been updated to include the latest developments in health and safety over the past year and to ensure that union reps are completely in command of the latest facts, including the current and new regulations and changes in the law, HSE guidance and recent significant court cases and the implications of new legislation including the Deregulation Act 2015. LRD’s Health and Safety Law 2016 (208-pages) explains all aspects of the law in plain English – the basic legal frameworks, safety reps’ rights, details of regulations relating to the working environment, equipment used at work, physical hazards and accidents and injuries at work.
Changes covered by the new edition include:
• the new Regulations exempting thousands of self-employed workers from health and safety law which came into effect in October 2015;

• an update on how the Trade Union Act 2016 could affect safety reps; and

• details on the new Control of Electromagnetic Fields at Work Regulations.
Written from a union perspective, Health and Safety Law 2016 is an essential tool for safety reps and other union activists and officials. It gives them up-to-date information to help ensure that workers are fully protected while at work and aims to be an indispensable guide for every safety rep.
Health and Safety Law is one of the most comprehensive guides to this vital area of legislation, and is one of LRD’s best-selling booklets. In 11 detailed chapters, it covers key issues of concern, including the structure of health and safety law, safety reps’ rights, the workplace and the working environment, physical hazards, hazardous substances, accident reporting and stress, bullying and violence.
Containing more information than ever, this 208-page booklet costs £23.95 for a single copy. Bulk discount rates are available with considerable savings outlined on the attached order form. This makes it much cheaper to order extra copies for safety reps and branch activists or for training courses.
For further information contact the Labour Research Department at:
78 Blackfriars Road

London

SE1 8HF

Email: info@lrd.org.uk

Tel: 0207 928 3649

Website: http://www.lrd.org.uk
Attachments:
LRD Health and Safety Law 2016 Order Form
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce

National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
Email Attachments – Click to download
Attachment 1 – LTB621/16 Labour Research Department – Health and Safety Law 2016 – A Trade Union Guide

Attachment 2 – Health and Safety Law 2016 Order Form

SHOW RACISM THE RED CARD – “WEAR RED” ON FRIDAY 21st OCTOBER 2016
The CWU has been a longstanding supporter of Show Racism the Red Card (SRtRC) and our links with the organisation has been an integral part of our wider strategy to combat racism in the workplace and in society. 
We are delighted to take up the campaign and join other trade unions in promoting ‘Wear Red Day’, which is taking place this Friday 21st October 2016. We have already contacted branches through our Equality Officer Network – but we are just reminding everyone of the support we need from all our representatives to make “Wear Red Day” a really big success. 
So – this Friday we are asking everyone in the CWU to wear Red. 
The aim of this specific campaign is to take the message of anti-racism directly into schools. In addition to the importance of educating children on anti-racism, SRtRC need vital funds to help them continue their other excellent work. I would be grateful if Branches could consider making a donation to this fantastic project and I attach further information to this letter on how you can do this.
Show Racism the Red Card is hoping for mass publicity on the day and the CWU will be helping to create a ‘twitter storm’ where people supporting the campaign will be invited to share their pictures using the #WRD16 – and wearing their red tops.
Since Brexit there has been a significant increase in racially motivated attacks against immigrants and the CWU is committed to continuing our work in challenging racism both in the workplace and in wider society.
Your support is very much appreciated. Any further enquiries regarding this LTB should be directed to gsoffice@cwu.org
 
Yours sincerely
Dave Ward
General Secretary
Email Attachments – Click to download
LTB 619/16 – SHOW RACISM THE RED CARD – “WEAR RED” ON FRIDAY 21st OCTOBER 2016

Attachment 1: Flyer

Attachment 2: Fundraising guide

POST OFFICE: NATIONAL INDUSTRIAL ACTION – MONDAY 31ST OCTOBER – THE FUTURE OF THE POST OFFICE, JOB SECURITY AND PENSIONS
 
Dear Colleagues
 
Further to LTB 608 dated 14th October.
Branches will be aware that despite three meetings at ACAS, due to the Post Office’s intransigence, there has been no meaningful progress in the current trade dispute. The last meeting at ACAS took place on 5th October and no further talks are planned.
As a consequence, at its meeting on Tuesday 18th October, the Postal Executive authorised further strike action which will take place on Monday 31st October. We will be serving formal notice on the Post Office in due course. Worryingly, the Post Office has no vision for the future and their imagination only stretches to slashing jobs. The Post Office is prolonging the dispute as it continues to manage the decline of this great institution.
This further strike day will enable us to highlight the ongoing plight of the Post Office to the wider public and politicians whilst bringing attention to the lack of meaningful support from Government.
The last strike on 15th September was very well supported and once again all Branches are urged to do everything possible to gain support from all Post Office members to make this further day of strike action on Monday 31st October successful.
We are working with our Communications Department with regards to activities on the day, specifically designed to raise the profile of our dispute. Further details in this regard will be reported as soon as possible.
 
Yours sincerely
 
Dave Ward
General Secretary
Terry Pullinger
Deputy General Secretary (Postal)
Andy Furey
Assistant Secretary
Email Attachments – Click to download
LTB 618/16- POST OFFICE: NATIONAL INDUSTRIAL ACTION – MONDAY 31ST OCTOBER –

Youth Conference 2017: Saturday, 21st January: Mechanics Institute, Manchester 
The NEC has agreed that the 2017 Youth Conference will take place on Saturday, 21st January 2017 at the Mechanics Institute in Manchester. 
Details of the closing date for submissions of Motions will be dealt with and issued by the General Conference Standing Orders Committee under a separate Letter to Branches. 
Other arrangements appertaining to the Youth Conference are set out in Rule 10.23. 
Accommodation 
A block booking of 45 rooms has been secured at the Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel, Portland Street, Manchester, M1 4PH at a cost of £80 (single-occupancy B&B) or £90 (double-occupancy B&B) for the Friday night (20th January 2017). 
If branches would like accommodation for their delegate(s) please could you let my office know by no later than Friday, 13 January 2017 please? The cost of any accommodation booked will be reconciled through the branch rebate system) 
Social 
There will be a social on the Friday evening: the details of which will be issued nearer the time.
Mobility/Access Issues
Please let my office know as quickly as possible, no later than Monday, 19 December 2016, if anyone has any mobility or access issues etc. or if a signer is required.
Crèche
If anyone requires a crèche, could you please also let my office know as quickly as possible – no later than Monday, 19 December 2016. 
Prayer Room
Please let my office know as quickly as possible, no later than Monday, 19 December 2016, if anyone requires a prayer room, so that we can arrange suitable accommodation for this.
Any queries on this LTB should be addressed to my office at CWU headquarters. 
Yours sincerely,
 
Simon Sapper

National Officer

NATIONAL YOUTH COMMITTEE CHAIR & VICE CHAIR 
At its inaugural meeting, the newly elected National Youth Committee elected their Chair and Vice Chair. 
The Chair of the committee is Jake Fear an Openreach CSE from the South Wales branch and the Vice Chair is Jimi Brown who works for Royal Mail on deliveries from the South Midlands Postal branch. 
I am sure branches and regions will join me in congratulating Jake and Jimi and wishing them well in their new roles. 
Any queries on this LTB should be directed to my office at CWU headquarters. 
Yours sincerely,
 
Simon Sapper

National Officer
Email Attachments – Click to download
LTB 617/16 – NATIONAL YOUTH COMMITTEE CHAIR & VICE CHAIR

Time to stop London being the obese diner at Table UK, sitting opposite hungry or even malnourished other regions.

Source: London and the Railways – Time to Change Direction?

Romec Payroll Issues
As has been previously reported to Branches CWU and Romec have been involved in lengthy discussions over correct pay allowances and overtime rates following identification of a number of discrepancies dating back over some years.
The errors identified were rectified in the April payroll and employees affected were advised of any changes.
As previously reported, Romec agreed that net overpayments will not be reclaimed. Net underpayments will be made good for the period from March 2008 to March 2016.
Romec has this week written to staff to inform them this detailed review will be completed by the end of October at which point affected staff will be written to individually. A dedicated helpline and email address will be set up to deal with queries.
Any impact on pensionable pay and employers pensionable contributions will also be addressed as part of this exercise.
A copy of the Romec letter is attached for information.
All enquiries regarding the content of this LTB regarding Romec Engineers should be addressed to the PTCS Department, quoting reference 301.
All enquiries regarding the content of this LTB regarding Romec Cleaners should be addressed to the Outdoor Department, quoting reference 120.12
Yours Sincerely,
 
Ray Ellis Mark Baulch
Assistant Secretary Acting Assistant Secretary 
Email Attachments – Click to download
LTB 610/16 – Romec Payroll Issues

Attachment 1: 10.10.16 Peter Walls – Your Pay

TUC/CWU National Health & Safety Inspection Day – Wednesday of European Health & Safety Week – 26 Oct 16 – Royal Mail Support
To: All Branches
Dear Colleagues,
Royal Mail have endorsed the TUC/CWU National Health and Safety Inspection Day on Wednesday 26 October 2016.
The TUC National Inspection Day falls on the Wednesday of each European Health and Safety Week.
This year, CWU Health, Safety & Environment Department is once again encouraging CWU Safety Reps to specifically consider Health and Safety Inspection at higher risk workplaces or areas or functions or specific jobs and consider whether the workplace is healthy and safe for all.
With the working population ageing, this year’s European Health and Safety Week focus of health workplaces for all ages couldn’t be more apt.
The TUC/CWU National Inspection Day is also an ideal time to discuss key health and safety these issues with members.
Safety rep workplace health and safety inspections don’t just have to focus on the tangible hard hazards such as slip and trip risks, fire risks, and work stations. They can also focus on intangible hazards and solutions that don’t have a physical presence, including shift work, job rotation, specific tasks, working environment and flexible working.
So this European Health and Safety Week and National Inspection Day, CWU is encouraging branches and their safety reps to ask members about their experiences at work and how these might be improved.
Carry out an inspection this national inspection day

The TUC designated National Inspection Day aims to encourage safety reps to conduct a workplace health and safety inspection. Remember, workplaces with active safety reps are twice as safe as those without.
Carrying out an inspection will enable safety reps to:
Raise awareness of the issues;

Identify issues that need to be raised with the employer;
Raise the profile of their role;

Meet members, hear their concerns, and ask if they would like to get more involved, maybe by becoming a safety rep; and

Meet non-members, as issues they raise may present opportunities for success or recruitment.

Offer members the opportunity to speak to a Union Safety Rep in private for a confidential chat.

The TUC’s Workplace Safety Rep Inspection guide is attached and will be of assistance, as will CWU Guides:
Health and Safety At Work – The Law At A Glance

Health and Safety Legal Obligations on Employers to Work with Union Health and Safety Reps: The Law At a Glance: Safety Reps & Branch Guide:
The guides not only explain the issues in a quick reference summary format but are also useful tools for safety reps.
Health and Safety – Why Inspect ?
CWU believes health and safety in the workplace is an issue for everyone. Every year, thousands of people suffer accidents and ill-health at work – most of which could be avoided. Look at the statistics below. Inspections are a way of identifying dangers, hazards and risks in order to control or eliminate them and so avoid accidents and injuries.
Key Annual Figures 2014/15
142 workers killed at work

76 000 other injuries to employees were reported under RIDDOR

152 000 over-7-day absence injuries occurred (LFS)

2 million working people were suffering from a work-related illness (2011/12)

3 million working days were lost due to work-related illness and workplace injury (2011/12)

Workplace injuries and ill health (excluding cancer) cost society an estimated £14.3 billion in 2013/14 (based on 2013 prices).

Yours sincerely
 
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
Email Attachments – Click to download
LTB 613/16 – TUC/CWU National Health & Safety Inspection Day – Wednesday of European Health & Safety Week – 26 Oct 16 – Royal Mail Support

LTB 613 TUC Guide – Health Safety Inspections