WORKERS’ WRITES CREATIVE WRITING COMPETITION
Dear Colleagues,
“If you don’t write your story yourself, someone else will do it for you. So you’ve got to get out there and write it,” (Benjamin Zephaniah).
In the past few months we have seen a number of media stories placing the blame on the working class for a whole range of society’s ills, from Brexit to Donald Trump. Typically the working class have been ignored and even told that they don’t exist for decades and then all of a sudden we are rediscovered – in order to be made a convenient scapegoat for the wider failings of our political and economic system. Our culture and media are increasingly dominated by middle and upper class voices. It is time for that to change.
The CWU Education & Training Department have launched the Workers’ Writes creative writing competition in order to encourage CWU members to feel confident in expressing ourselves and telling our stories. The competition is open to all members from now until 1st March 2017.
Write a short story, poem or other form of creative writing around the theme of ‘Making My Mark’. Entries can be up to a maximum of 1,000 words – or as few as you need. They can be funny, sad, moving, angry – whatever you want them to be.
All entries should be sent to learn@cwu.org or
Workers’ Writes CWU Education & Training Department 150 The Broadway Wimbledon London, SW19 1RX 

Entrants must ensure that they include their name, contact details and CWU Branch.
The competition is supported by Express Yourself, an online course on CWU Left Click.
The course offers tips and tricks for creative writing and also helps with practical writing skills like writing a formal letter and how the English language works. The course is available now on http://www.cwu.org/leftclick

A poster advertising both is attached to this document. Could all branches please circulate to encourage maximum participation.
Yours sincerely,

TRISH LAVELLE

HEAD OF EDUCATION & TRAINING
Email Attachments – Click to download
LTB 697/16 – Workers’ Writes creative writing competition

Creative Writing Poster

OFCOM –Digital Communications Review
Following press coverage this morning announcing that Ofcom is proceeding with a formal notification to require the legal separation of Openreach from BT. Please find attached a briefing to members which should be distributed as soon as possible.
Any enquiries in relation to this LTB please contact nmarshall@cwu.org.
 
Yours sincerely,
 
Andy Kerr

Deputy General Secretary (T&FS)
 
Email Attachments – Click to download
LTB 696/16 – OFCOM –Digital Communications Review

Ofcom Digital Communications Review

CWU NATIONAL CAMPAIGNING DAY – SATURDAY 3rd DECEMBER 2016
Firstly, I would like to thank all regions and branches who have supported the Postcard Campaign so far. The response has been fantastic and we know branches have collected thousands of signatures already. 
You will be aware that further strike action has been called for this Saturday, 3rd December 2016. 
With this in mind, and to maximise the levels of returns on our postcards, we are calling a National Day of Campaigning on Saturday. All branches, including those without Post Office members should target at least one big workplace or a local area of high footfall (high street or town centre, if you have no Crown Office) and collect as many signatures as possible for the campaign. This day of action should be viewed as a priority commitment. 
If branches need additional postcards in order to carry out this work, please email Marcia Murray mmurray@cwu.org as a matter of urgency. 
Finally, we ask that Branches share videos and photos from the day of activity (and throughout this campaign) using #PeoplesPost on social media. 
 
Yours sincerely
 
 
Dave Ward Terry Pullinger
General Secretary Deputy General Secretary (Postal)
Email Attachments – Click to download
16LTB694 – CWU NATIONAL CAMPAIGNING DAY – SATURDAY 3rd DECEMBER 2016

Eastern Labour backs CWU Post Office struggleUnanimous support for the fight to save our Post Office and hundreds of signatures on CWU campaign post cards added up to a “huge success” at this weekend’s Labour East Regional Conference in Southend, reports Paul Moffatt.
A proposition setting out the union’s strategy for overcoming the crisis in the Post Office was formally moved by Paul, CWU Eastern Region secretary, seconded by regional political committee chair Andy Beeby and adopted as a resolution by the conference, which also heard supporting speeches from Kelvin Hopkins MP and Richard Howitt MEP.
In a hard-hitting address to delegates, Paul Moffat highlighted the Government’s privatisation of the Post Office through branch closures and franchising-out of services, the drastic consequences this is having and will continue to have on vulnerable people in society, on rural communities, and the damaging impact on workers’ terms and conditions.
The resolution calls for the immediate halt to franchising and closure programme and for the government to develop a new strategy with the introduction of a national post bank through the Post Office network.
In moving the proposed resolution, the CWU also called for the Regional Labour Party executive to make a submission to the Government’s consultation on the Post Office.
“The conference was a huge success,” Paul said, adding: “As well as the welcome support for our motion, over 250 Post Office in Crisis Post cards were signed and handed back by delegates personally pledging their support for our campaign to save the Post Office from destruction.
“It was pleasing to see how well respected we are amongst trade unions and Labour Party members who spoke and supported our resolution.”
Paul added that he had also been “extremely pleased to welcome back the fire brigades union FBU,” which has recently re-affiliated to the Labour Party.
“Our FBU comrades wholeheartedly supported our resolution and we were proud to second the FBU’s resolution on cuts to fire and rescue services,” he said.

MR PAUL MALONEY BRANCH CHAIR BIRMINGHAM AND DISTRICT BRANCH
Further to LTB 585/15, it is with profound sadness that I have to advise you that Paul Maloney, Branch Chair, Birmingham District Amal Branch passed away on Saturday 19th November 2016.
Paul was 53 years of age and had recently suffered a number of serious health issues, including sepsis and had been hospitalised twice, most recently at the start of November after contracting MRSA. Unfortunately, Paul was unable to survive these serious health issues and passed away peacefully at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham. 
Paul leaves a wife, Jackie and three daughters, Laura, Kate and Helen.
Paul will be remembered as an inspirational man who met his life changing challenges with great dignity and humour. I know that he will be sorely missed by all his friends and colleagues in the union.
At this sad time our thoughts are of course with Paul’s wife, daughters and all his close family and friends. I will on behalf of the CWU convey our deepest sympathy and condolences to them.
We would wish to take this opportunity to thank Branches, Reps and members for all of the support given to Paul in so many ways. This support meant so much to Paul, his family and the Birmingham District Amal Branch.
A further LTB will be issued detailing funeral arrangements for Paul in due course.
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 684/16.
 
Yours sincerely
 
Dave Ward

General Secretary
Email Attachments – Click to download
LTB 684/16 – MR PAUL MALONEY BRANCH CHAIR BIRMINGHAM AND DISTRICT BRANCH

Post Office Crisis – Postcard Campaign
‎As branches will be aware, CWU members in the Post Office are currently in a major industrial dispute over job losses, branch closures and the closure of the defined benefit pension scheme. These are the latest in a series of significant cost-cutting measures and it is difficult to see a long-term future for the company unless the Post Office changes course.
Because the Post Office is still in public ownership, the dispute has an important political angle. The union is therefore running a major public and political campaign to exert pressure on the government, which is ultimately responsible for what is happening. This campaign, and the arguments we have been making, have resulted in widespread criticism of the Post Office and the government in both the media and Parliament.
In response to this the government launched a public consultation on the future of the Post Office earlier this month. It is extremely important that we now use this to get public support for our key demands and ensure that the consultation exercise does not provide the government or the Post Office with an excuse for not changing course.
We are writing to you because we need the whole of the union to get behind the next stage of our campaign and support our Post Office members. We will be sending out postcards, which respond to the consultation, to every branch and we are asking you to collect signatures for these over the next three weeks. The postcards call for an immediate halt to the cuts and a fundamental change in direction from the Post Office to protect our members’ jobs and what is a cherished public service.
We would urge branches to make every effort to get as many postcards as possible completed – by both the public and our members – and return these to CWU Headquarters before 12th December (these should not be sent to the government directly directly).
Our members in the Post Office are facing an extremely serious dispute and an unprecedented attack on their job security and terms and conditions. They need the whole of the union to get behind this campaign, just as we will ask all branches to support T&FS members in their disputes.
Branches are therefore asked to treat this campaign as a priority over the coming weeks and target large workplaces and any public meetings and events to get as many postcards signed as possible. Any queries on the contents of this LTB should be directed to GSoffice@cwu.org and any requests for postcards should be made to mmurray@cwu.org.
 
Yours sincerely
 
Dave Ward Andy Kerr
General Secretary Deputy General Secretary (T&FS)
Email Attachments – Click to download
LTB 690/16 – Post Office Crisis – Postcard Campaign

RE: CONTACT STRATEGY WITHIN THE ATTENDANCE AGREEMENT
The union has received numerous reports of the attendance agreement contact strategy being abused in many parts of the country.
The main abuse seems to be managers attempting to force members to attend face to face meetings as early as day 1 and threatening to stop pay if members don’t cooperate with the manager’s wishes.
Please find attached a joint statement covering what should happen when members are not able to attend work. The agreement reiterates the key points of the contact arrangements in the attendance agreement.
Key points of the joint statement include:-
Royal Mail and the Communication Workers Union (CWU) commit to adherence to the attendance agreement
The method and frequency of contact will be AGREED between the individual and their manager. No cold calling from managers

Managers will not attempt to make medical diagnosis and give members advice on what they believe they can / cannot do

All contact discussions should be supportive and non-threatening

Stoppage of pay may only take place in line with the agreement – if a member fails to make contact and then fails to respond to letters

All reps and branches are encouraged to use this joint statement to ensure adherence to the agreement. If managers continue to abuse the procedure, please ensure you contact your divisional representative who will then raise it with the divisional head of attendance.
Any enquiries should be addressed to Ray Ellis’s department, quoting reference PTC/CM/dj/415 Email address: djeffery@cwu.org
Yours Sincerely
 
Ray Ellis, 

Assistant Secretary
Email Attachments – Click to download
LTB 691/16 – CONTACT STRATEGY WITHIN THE ATTENDANCE AGREEMENT

Contact Strategy Joint Statement22November

RMG National Road Safety Week, 21st – 27th November – Focus on Supporting the ‘BRAKE’ Annual Road Safety Week – Updated Activity Plans for CWU ASRs, Operational Front Line Managers and for DSM, Collection & Other Managers:
To: All Branches with Postal Members
Dear Colleagues,
This LTB is being issued further to LTBs 284/16, 532/16, 545/16 and 673/16.
Further discussions have taken place with the Royal Mail Group Safety Health and Environment Team, Road Safety Team and Group Comms Team and subsequently some amendments have been made to the Activity Plans and the amended versions are attached for Branches information. As ASRs will know, the Road Safety Week Activity Plans were amended on 15th November and the amended Version 4 Plans were circulated to all Regions and Areas prior to the Road Safety Week Launch yesterday.
The main theme and aims of the campaign remain the same, however it was agreed that wording lifted by Royal Mail from the ‘Brake’ material could be expressed in better terms and that has been done.
The ‘BRAKE’ (Road Safety Charity) Road Safety Week theme and Pledge is:
SLOW – Don’t Speed.

SOBER – Don’t Drink and Drive and be aware of the ‘Morning After’ risk over Christmas and the New Year!

SILENT – Don’t use a Mobile Phone whilst driving.

SHARP – Take regular Eye Tests.

SUSTAINABLE – Minimise unnecessary driving.One of the Key Safer Driving Awareness Raising Messages‎ this Christmas and New Year is awareness of the ‘Morning After’ as many Drink Drivers are caught the morning after a night out drinking. Studies have shown a worrying jump in the number caught by Police after a night out and arrests between 6am and 8am, especially on Monday’s are rising by 5% a year

Messages to alert members of are:- 
The rise in ‘morning after’ arrests.

Many don’t realise they are still over the limit.

Christmas and New Year is a peak time for Drink Drive Offences and Drink related road accidents.

It takes one hour for the body to break down one unit of alcohol.

Most morning after drink drivers still have up‎ to 5 hours to go before becoming legally sober enough to drive. 

50% of drivers under estimate how long it takes for alcohol to leave the body.

‘Morning After’‎ drink driving is on the increase with drivers putting themselves and others at risk!

Hence the strong messages and awareness raising drive by “BRAKE”,”RoSPA”, “AIRSO”, “Think”, “Dft”, “Transport for London”, “Police”, “Ambulance Service”, “Fire Service” and others which the Health Safety and Environment Department fully supports. 
The campaign is all around improving road and driver safety, supporting, coaching and assisting drivers. This month is the ‘BRAKE’ road safety charity’s annual, UK national roads safety week, so the Royal Mail November Quarterly Road Safety Week (RSW), working with the CWU and Unite/CMA will be focusing on jointly supporting the National ‘Brake’ Road Safety Week. CWU ASRs will be fully involved as set out in detail in each of the Activity Plans via full input participation and support.
National Road Safety week is an initiative created and co-ordinated annually by “BRAKE” the Road Safety Charity, supporting and encouraging organisations, such as Royal Mail and the CWU to raise road safety awareness and prevent needless road deaths and casualties year-round. It also provides a focal point for professionals working in road safety to boost awareness and engagement in their work. 
The CWU Health, Safety & Environment Department has been actively supporting the campaign annually since 2003.
Every 30 seconds someone somewhere in the world is killed in a road crash.

The misery of road death and injuries caused by vehicles is a shameful epidemic that we should all try to reduce.

For any company with staff who drive for work – whether it’s a fleet of commercial vehicles, company cars – ignoring fleet driver and road safety can cost dearly.

Managing road risk is also a fundamental part of an employer’s legal and moral duty of care towards its employees and members of the public.

Driving is the riskiest activity most employees engage in. Road crashes account for 39% of work-related deaths in the European Union. 

The Royal Mail Safety Team and CWU Health and Safety Department have agreed to work together on fleet and driver safety, raising awareness and standards, gaining buy-in, managing and reducing the risk to drivers, vehicles, and journeys; and to continually improve fleet and driver safety. 
As previously stated, the initiative is corrective and supportive not punitive. Participation remains voluntary and is encouraged.
The three RM/CWU/Unite CMA activity plans for Road Safety Week are:-
An Activity Plan for Front Line Managers which focuses on completing 4 key activities throughout the week.

An Activity Plan for all other managers which asks Managers to focus their SMATs or Observations.  

An Activity Plan for CWU Area Safety Reps which asks the ASRs to focus their Safety Inspections on the completion of the front line manager activity plans which support the ‘National Brake Road Safety Week’.

Please see attached the AMENDED/UPDATED Royal Mail road safety week activity plan materials.
The Royal Mail Group Regional Safety Health and Environment (SHE) Teams covering Royal Mail, Parcelforce, RMSS have been asked to liaise with the ASRs from both Unions to discuss participation and support with the road safety week’s activities. 
ASRs were asked to follow the ASR activity guide and schedule for the week. During Road Safety Week ASRs are asked to focus their daily Workplace Safety Inspections on a number of Units, preferably high impacting units and liaise with line managers to agree which high impacting units should be focused on and visited/Inspected during the November National Road Safety Week (RSW).
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce

National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
 
Email Attachments – Click to download
Attachment 1 – LTB689/16 RMG National Road Safety Week, 21st – 27th November – Focus on Supporting the ‘BRAKE’ Annual Road Safety Week

Attachment 2 – LTB 686.16 ROAD SAFETY WEEK NOVEMBER 2016 – Amended Activity Plans

Attachment 3 – RSW November 2016 ASR activity plan Final v4

Attachment 4 – RSW November 2016 Front Line Manager activity plan Finalv4

Attachment 5 – RSW November 2016 Other Managers activity plan Final v3

Formal Notice
 
Please note this LTB contains IMPORTANT information
for immediate distribution and display throughout your branch
 
CWU SENIOR DEPUTY GENERAL SECRETARY

CWU ASSISTANT SECRETARY – POSTAL

CWU NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

CWU INDUSTRIAL EXECUTIVES

This LTB provides formal notification of the election timetable for the following CWU National Representative positions. The timetable has been approved by the NEC and the details are set out below for your information.
 
CWU SENIOR DEPUTY GENERAL SECRETARY
The responsibilities of the Senior Deputy General Secretary are:
Deputising for the GS as and when required;

Assisting the GS in financial, administrative and strategic organisational matters.

 
CWU ASSISTANT SECRETARY – POSTAL  
The responsibilities of all CWU Assistant Secretaries shall be to carry out and discharge under the direction of the GS such Union duties as they may be deemed required to perform.
The above position is currently responsible for dealing with the following areas: Post Office Ltd, including Cash Services, Sales and Customer Services, People and Organisation, Development Services, Capita, RM Finance Operations, MDEC Network.
 
CWU NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL & INDUSTRIAL EXECUTIVES
These positions are subject to election in accordance with the CWU national rule that requires election for NEC and Industrial Executive positions every 2 years.  
 
1. CWU NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL (NEC)
The CWU NEC consists of 19 biennially elected lay members of which 11 lay members are elected by and from the Postal Constituency and 8 lay members are elected by and from the Telecom and Financial Services Constituency.
The elected lay members of the NEC shall automatically be members of the respective Industrial Executive Committees.
Postal Constituency
11 lay members elected biennially by and from the Postal Constituency. One of whom shall be the Chair of the Postal Constituency and one of whom shall be the Vice Chair of the Postal Constituency.
Separate ballots are conducted for the Chair and Vice Chair of the Postal Constituency. A further ballot is conducted for the remaining 9 NEC Postal Constituency positions.  
Telecom and Financial Services Constituency
8 lay members elected biennially by and from Telecom and Financial Services Constituency. One of whom shall be the Chair of the Telecom and Financial Services Constituency and one of whom shall be the Vice Chair of the Telecom and Financial Services Constituency.
Separate elections are conducted for the Chair and Vice Chair of the Telecom and Financial Services Constituency. A further ballot is conducted for the remaining 6 NEC Telecom and Financial Services Constituency positions.  
 
2. CWU INDUSTRIAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEES
Postal Executive (PE)
The Postal Executive shall consist of 17 lay members elected biennially by and taken from the Postal Constituency of whom;
2 shall be elected by and from PTS Grades.

15 shall be elected by and from Postal Grades.

Separate ballots are conducted for the NEC and PE positions however in accordance with the rules of the union the elected Chair, Vice Chair and the 9 NEC members elected by the Postal Constituency will automatically be members of the PE.
In practice this means that the PE Ballot(s) will be for the remaining positions available which will be 6 positions. The precise number of “grade” positions available to 1) Postal Grades and 2) PTS Grades will vary depending on the grade of the successful candidates in the NEC election. Further information regarding the voting entitlement for the PE elections will be published to branches prior to the despatch of ballot papers.  
Telecom and Financial Services Executive (T&FSE) 
The Telecom and Financial Services Executive shall consist of 16 lay members elected biennially by and taken from the Telecom and Financial Services Constituency of whom;
The Chair, Vice Chair and the 6 elected lay members of the TFS NEC will automatically be members of the TFSE and separate ballots will be conducted for the remaining 8 places on the following basis:  
1 member elected by and taken from members in the Santander and related companies (Geoban, Isban, Produban, Swiss Post – Santander).

1 member elected by and taken from members in Telefonica O2 UK, Huawei and ISS Eaton.

1 member elected by and from all members working for Capita in the TFS Sector and Gather & Gather (Capita contract).

5 members elected by and taken from all other members in Telecom & Financial Services Constituency.

Further information regarding the voting entitlement for the T&FSE elections will be published to branches prior to the despatch of ballot papers.  
 
The timetable for all of the above elections, as approved by the NEC, is as follows: 
Nominations open: 7 February 2017

Nominations close: 28 February 2017 (14:00)
Accept nominations (TFSE NEC/IE positions only): 3 March 2017 (14:00)
Despatch of ballot material from*: 16 March 2017

Ballot closes first post: 4 April 2017
*Please note that ballot papers will be sent to all eligible members who are included in the membership register maintained by the union as at 16 February 2017. Therefore any changes of address, etc. will need to have been received at CWU HQ prior to this date.
 
Further information regarding the above elections including copies of the respective election regulations will be published in due course.
Please note that the independent scrutineer appointed by the union to oversee the election arrangements is Electoral Reform Services. 
Any enquiries regarding the above elections should be addressed to Tony Kearns, Senior Deputy General Secretary, CWU HQ.
Yours sincerely,
TONY KEARNS
 
SENIOR DEPUTY GENERAL SECRETARY
Email Attachments – Click to download
· LTB 688/16 – Election of: CWU Senior Deputy General Secretary, Asstistant Secretary (Postal), NEC & Industrial Execs.