AGM– January 2017Matt Bellamy – Chair Report

Introduction

Please find below my report from the Eastern Regional Youth Committee AGM, although attendance to the meeting was low, we are hopeful that this will change soon. Any queries can be directed to myself by the details at the end of the report.

Chair/Secretary/Assistant Secretary Elections

Prior to the meeting, nominations were open for the above positions. We only received nominations from two branches for separate positions. Therefore, it was agreed at the meeting that Matt Bellamy (Eastern No5) will newly hold the position of Chair and Jamie George (CCTV) will hold continue to hold the position of Secretary. It was also agreed that Mat Garrard could hold the position of Assistant Secretary.

Key Points for The Next 3 Months

Branch Presentations, we now have almost everything we need to roll out branch presentations that will hopefully begin in February and run through to September. The idea behind these presentations was to try to bring numbers on to the committee by meeting with Branch Committees to see what obstacles they may face when trying to get young members active and if we as a committee can offer any sort of assistance, the reason why we would like to present this to branch committees is purely for the vast range of experience and skills available in the same room. It is by no means challenging branches, it is purely a presentation that could help us in the short term and with succession planning in the future.

Membership Survey, ongoing, it is hopeful that this will begin soon.

Motions for General Conference, ongoing, seeking ideas from the committee before the motion submission closing date.

Youth Conference, as far as we are aware, most of the committee will attend this Youth Conference with one motion from one from the regions branches being top of the agenda in section 2.

Organising & Recruitment, it is hopeful that we can have both the T&FS and Postal regional organiser at the next meeting in April, to give a talk and give us tips on how to encourage young members to become active.

Conclusion

I am hopeful that with the assistance of branches and the committee, we can get this committee as strong as it can be by the end of the year. It is essential in my opinion that the branch and the region that formed the youth movement sets a precedent and helps other regional committees where possible.

Matt Bellamy​​​​​​Eastern Region Youth Committee Chair Eastern No5 Branch ​​​​​​mattbellamy.cwu@outlook.com
 

LABOUR PARTY CONFERENCE 2016: CWU DELEGATION REPORTS 
The 2016 Labour Party Conference was held in Liverpool from Sunday 25th to Wednesday 28th September 2016.
The following is a report on the decisions taken by the CWU delegation at their meeting on Sunday 25th September 2016 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Liverpool.
COMMUNICATION WORKERS UNION
2016 LABOUR PARTY CONFERENCE – LIVERPOOL
MINUTES OF THE CWU LABOUR PARTY DELEGATION MEETING
SUNDAY 25TH SEPTEMBER 2016 AT 8.30AM
PRINCES SUITE 2, CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL, LIVERPOOL
___________________________________________________________________
 
PRESENT: Beryl Shepherd (President), Dave Ward (General Secretary), Tony Kearns (SDGS), Andy Kerr (Deputy General Secretary, T&FSE), Ray Ellis (Acting Deputy General Secretary, Postal), Graham Colk, Kate Dunning, Hugh Gaffney, Scott Hartles, Kate Hudson, Jacky Morrey, Karen Rose, Amarjite Singh, Alan Tate, Philip Thomas, Mark Walsh, Richard Wilkins  
 
 
IN ATTENDANCE: Jane Loftus, Chris Webb, Bill Taylor, Maria Exall, Andrea Snowden, Lionel Sampson, Andrew Towers
 
INTRODUCTIONS 

Beryl Shepherd, President welcomed all CWU Delegates particularly those attending the Labour Party Conference for the first time. She especially welcomed our youth delegate, Scott Hartles from Scotland No.2 branch.
Maria Exall was attending the meeting in an ex-officio capacity as Vice Chair of TULO.
The General Secretary also welcomed delegates and observers to the meeting. Following the successful re-election of Jeremy Corbyn this was now time for the party to come
together and unite behind the Leader. He hoped that delegates would find the conference interesting and enjoyable.
 
APOLOGIES 

Apologies had been received from:-
Terry Pullinger DGS (P) – Annual Leave

Phil Browne – Annual Leave

Linda Wooding – NPF Meeting

Mick Kavanagh – arriving Sunday evening

Craig Anderson – arriving Sunday evening 

LABOUR PARTY DOCUMENTS

The General Secretary ensured that all delegates had the appropriate documentation:-
NEC Annual Report 2016

National Policy Forum Report 2016

CAC Report No. 1 and Appendix of NEC Rule Changes

Labour Party Annual Conference Guide

CWU Policy Document: 2016 Summary 

 
CONFERENCE ARRANGEMENTS COMMITTEE (CAC) REPORT NO.1

The Chair advised delegates that each day they would receive a Conference Arrangements Committee Report.
CAC Report No.1 issued that morning, contained the day’s agenda and the full list of all contemporary motions submitted. The Appendix contained the NEC’s Constitution amendments. 
CWU Contemporary Motion 
The General Secretary explained that Labour Party Policy was made via the National Policy Forum (NPF) process. The Policy Commissions considered submissions from individual members, trade union affiliates and other affiliated organisations. Following consultations within the wider party, policy documents agreed by the NPF needed to be endorsed by Annual Conference.
Contemporary motions to annual conference allowed CLPs and unions to address issues which could not otherwise have been raised through the NPF process. Each affiliate was therefore entitled to submit one Contemporary Motion to Labour Party Conference.
The CWU submitted a motion on ‘Industrial Policy’. This referenced the Office of National Statistics (ONS) announcement on 9th September that zero-hours contracts are at record levels and that we believe there is an urgent need for a new industrial strategy. This motion was therefore deemed as being contemporary. We had subsequently worked with other affiliates (UNITE and Community) to bring together a composite motion on the subject.
Those contemporary motions meeting the strict criteria would progress to the Contemporary Motions Priority Ballot. The General Secretary explained that CLPs were also entitled to vote on four subjects, which may or may not be the same as those selected by the trade unions. 
Priorities Ballot 
The Chair advised that all Contemporary Motions were contained on page 15 of CAC Report No.1.
As stated, trade union affiliates would choose four contemporary issues and in accordance with colleagues in TULO the General Secretary recommended the following contemporary issues in the Priorities Ballot:
Industrial Strategy

Employment Rights

Defend and promote public services

Energy

The contemporary issues were agreed.
The Chair agreed that she would collect and complete the priorities ballot paper.
 
NATIONAL POLICY FORUM (NPF) REPORT 2016 

The NPF Report 2016 contained the Policy Commission Annual Reports.
Economy

Education and Children

Communities

Health and Care

Home Affairs

International

Transport

In addition there were the following Appendices:
Submitting organisations

National Policy Forum membership

The NPF Report 2016 was agreed.
 
ELECTION OF NATIONAL AUDITORS

The General Secretary recommended we support the present incumbents:-
Chris Kitchen (NUM)

John Park (Community)

The recommendation was agreed.
The election would take place on Monday 26th September 2016 and ballot papers would be collected and completed by the Chair.
 
EMERGENCY MOTIONS

An Emergency Motion had been submitted by the Fire Brigades Union on the ongoing trade dispute in Manchester. The General Secretary recommended support of the emergency motion.
The recommendation was agreed.
The Chair explained that if further emergency motions were submitted and a decision of the delegation was required – a formal ‘consultation form’ would be circulated. If a further meeting of the delegation was needed this would be arranged. 
 
NEC CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS 

The NEC Constitutional Amendments were contained in the Appendix to CAC Report No. 1. Andy Kerr, DGS (T&FS) and LP NEC member explained the NEC’s proposed rule changes.
All Constitutional Amendments were agreed except for the increase in the NEC to accommodate seats for Scotland and Wales. This would be dealt with at a further delegation meeting to be held at 7.30am on Tuesday 27th September 2016. 
 
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS 2015 

The Chair advised the delegation that the Constitutional Amendments 2015 had only been forwarded to delegates by email on Friday 23rd September 2016. Therefore, these would be considered at the delegation meeting to be held on Tuesday 27th September 2016.
 
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS 2016

The constitutional amendments submitted for consideration in 2017 would also be discussed at the further delegation meeting to be held on 27th September 2016.
 
POLICY SEMINARS

The Chair advised the delegation that there were nine Policy Seminars taking place in the Liverpool Area Conference Centre. The CAC Report No. 1 (page 7) contained the details and locations of all the Policy Seminars.
 
Monday 26th September 2016 (16.00 – 17.30)
Economy Auditorium 1A  

Better Politics Auditorium 1B  

Communities Auditorium 1C  

 
Tuesday 27th September 2016 (16.00 – 17.30)
Health and Care Auditorium 1A  

Children & Education Auditorium 1B

EU Referendum Auditorium 1C  

 
Wednesday 28th September 2016 (16.00 – 17.30)  
 
Equalities, Civil Society & Political Reform Auditorium 1A

Transport Auditorium 1B

Home Affairs Auditorium 1C

 
The Chair stated that if anyone wished to make an intervention on any subject covered in the seminars, this would need to be in line with CWU Policy and delegates should have a copy of the 2016 CWU Summary Policy Document.
 
ANY OTHER BUSINESS 

The General Secretary advised the delegation that this year, the union had an exhibition stand at the Labour Party Conference (also at the TUC Conference). He invited all delegates to visit the stand during conference.
The Meeting concluded at 10.30am. 
The following is a report on the decisions taken by the CWU delegation at their meeting on Monday 26th September 2016 at the Arena Conference Centre (ACC) in Liverpool.
 
COMMUNICATION WORKERS UNION
2016 LABOUR PARTY CONFERENCE – LIVERPOOL
MINUTES OF THE CWU LABOUR PARTY DELEGATION MEETING
MONDAY 26TH SEPTEMBER 2016
ARENA CONFERENCE CENTRE (ACC), LIVERPOOL
___________________________________________________________________
 
PRESENT: Beryl Shepherd (President), Dave Ward (General Secretary), Tony Kearns (SDGS), Andy Kerr (Deputy General Secretary, T&FSE), Ray Ellis (Acting Deputy General Secretary, Postal), Graham Colk, Kate Dunning, Hugh Gaffney, Scott Hartles, Kate Hudson, Jacky Morrey, Karen Rose, Amarjite Singh, Alan Tate, Philip Thomas, Mark Walsh, Richard Wilkins  
 
IN ATTENDANCE: Andrew Towers
 
COMPOSITE MOTION 1 – EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS 

The General Secretary reported that there had been a number of reservations expressed by other TULO affiliates about the wording of Composite Motion 1 on Employment Rights. It was felt that the Composite could be open to a number of interpretations.
The delegation agreed that, as there was insufficient time for a full debate and to allow all views to be expressed, that our position on this motion should be one of abstention.
This was unanimously agreed. 
The following is a report on the decisions taken by the CWU delegation at their meeting on Tuesday 27th September 2016 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Liverpool.
COMMUNICATION WORKERS UNION
2016 LABOUR PARTY CONFERENCE – LIVERPOOL
MINUTES OF THE CWU LABOUR PARTY DELEGATION MEETING
TUESDAY 27TH SEPTEMBER 2016 AT 7.30AM
PRINCES SUITE 2, CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL, LIVERPOOL
___________________________________________________________________
PRESENT: Beryl Shepherd (President), Dave Ward (General Secretary), Tony Kearns (SDGS), Andy Kerr (Deputy General Secretary, T&FSE), Ray Ellis (Acting Deputy General Secretary, Postal), Kate Dunning, Hugh Gaffney, Scott Hartles, Kate Hudson, Jacky Morrey, Karen Rose, Amarjite Singh, Alan Tate, Philip Thomas, Mark Walsh, Richard Wilkins  
IN ATTENDANCE: Bill Taylor, Andrea Snowden, Lionel Sampson, Andrew Towers, Meta Thomas
APOLOGIES: Graham Colk – OUB  
 
NEC CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

Andy Kerr DGS (T&FS) and LP NEC member explained that NEC’s proposed rule changes would be taken on block. These were contained on pages 17 – 25 of CAC Report No.3.
The General Secretary recommended that the delegation support the NEC constitutional amendments.
This was agreed.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS 2015

The 2015 Constitutional Amendments were contained in CAC Report No.3, page 26 – 27. The General Secretary recommended that the delegation support the NEC recommendations as contained on page 12, with the exception of the amendment moved by Sheffield Heeley, which the delegation agreed to support (Chapter 3, clause III, 2G).
This was agreed.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS 2016

The Chair reminded the delegation that these constitutional amendments were for noting and would be considered in 2017.
This was noted
CONFERENCE ARRANGEMENTS COMMITTEE (CAC) REPORT 3

NEC Statements
The Chair highlighted to the delegation that there were two NEC statements on page 9 of CAC Report No.3 which will be presented to Conference for endorsement.
What Labour Stands For

International Trade

The NEC statements were agreed.
Composite Motions
The Chair referred the delegation to pages 13 – 16 of CAC Report No.3 which detailed the Composite Motions to be debated today. The recommendation was to support all Composite Motions.
Composite Motion 7 – NHS

Composite Motion 8 – Energy

Composite Motion 9 – Housing

Composite Motion 10 – Grammar Schools

The delegation agreed to support the composite motions.
The meeting closed at 8.05am.
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 747/16.
 
Yours sincerely
 
 
Dave Ward  
General Secretary  
Email Attachments – Click to download
LTB 747/16 – LABOUR PARTY CONFERENCE 2016: CWU DELEGATION REPORTS

Attachment 1: Appendix A Compostite Motions

Attachment 2: Appendix B NEC Statements

JOINT STATEMENT BETWEEN ROYAL MAIL AND THE CWU COVERING THE SORTING OF SPECIAL DELIVERY GUARANTEED (SDG) ITEMS IN YORK CONTAINERS –EXTENSION OF USE

 

Dear Colleagues

 

Branches and representatives will recall that in May 2016, further to trial activity that had taken place and endorsement by the Postal Executive, the department communicated via LTB 309/16 the Joint Statement between Royal Mail and the CWU Covering the Sorting of Special Delivery Guaranteed (SDG) Items in York Containers.

 

Green Sleeved Yorks, secured using Unique Numbered SD seals, were used to ensure easy identification and security of this premium product stream and this new method was successfully trialed in Croydon, Manchester, Greenford, Newcastle and Bristol Mail Centres from October 15 to January 16.

 

The project eliminated a considerable amount of bag cutting and tipping in SD lockers, enhanced security and had no adverse impact on quality of service and was subsequently deployed at 24 Mail Centres in October 2016.

 

Further analysis and scoping has taken place since that time on the practicality of adopting the standard method on the Inward phase by dispatching SDG items to Delivery Units in Sleeved Yorks. The joint analysis which included a survey of current practice at all sites revealed that 21 Mail Centres are already dispatching SDG items to high volume Delivery Units in their catchment area in Red Sleeved Yorks, effectively adopting the method without one of the key elements.

 

Following full consultation with the CWU Outdoor department an extension of this standard practice has now been agreed to be deployed for the sorting and dispatching of SDG items from Inward Mail Centres to Delivery Offices.

 

The design principles already established and communicated via LTB 309/16 will be retained for the Inward operation resulting in a deployment of the standard method at 33 Mail Centres, including the 21 sites currently dispatching in Red Sleeved Yorks. 810 Delivery Offices served by those sites will receive their SDG items in Green Sleeved Yorks.

 

The remaining Mail Centre sites do not process sufficient volumes of SDG items to justify the change in method.

 

Given that on average Delivery Offices receive the equivalent of 1 York of SDG items, the introduction will have a minimal effect on Indoor workload in Delivery Units.

 

Attached for the information of Branches and representatives is the Joint Statement between Royal Mail and the CWU Covering the Sorting of Special Delivery Guaranteed (SDG) Items in York Containers – Extension of Use to allow the local activity to commence.

 

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: 709.03

 

Yours sincerely

 

 

Davie Robertson

Assistant Secretary 

JOINT STATEMENT BETWEEN ROYAL MAIL AND THE CWU COVERING THE SORTING OF SPECIAL DELIVERY GUARANTEED (SDG) ITEMS IN YORK CONTAINERS – EXTENSION OF USE

 

 

Background

 

Royal Mail (RM) and the Communication Workers Union (CWU) are working together in developing key business policies, mutual interest solutions and a new culture, all of which are at the core of the commitments in the Agenda for Growth, Stability and Long Term Success Agreement.

 

Both parties recognise that creating the right joint working environment is paramount to the success of the business and the commitment to employment security in all operational functions of the business.

 

The pressures of the increasingly competitive and rapidly evolving environment mean that we are committed to the strategic objective of creating and developing an agenda for traffic, product and revenue retention & growth and defining a tangible competitive response as a positive alternative to simply managing decline across the RM operational network.

 

 

Introduction

 

In keeping with the National Generic Trial/Deployment Frameworks, both parties agreed to trial the sorting and despatching of Special Delivery Guaranteed (SDG) items in sleeved York’s as the primary container. This new method was successfully trialled in Croydon, Manchester, Greenford, Newcastle and Bristol Mail Centres from Oct 15 to Jan 16.

 

Following a National Review of the trial by the Trial Co-ordination Joint Working Group the Outward SDG sleeved despatching is currently deployed at 24 Mail Centres (Annex A), establishing a new standard for sorting and despatching SDG items between Mail Centres.

 

Following full consultation with the CWU Outdoor Department and managerial colleagues from the Delivery Function, an extension of this standard practice has been agreed to be deployed for sorting and despatching of SDG items from Inward Mail Centres to Delivery Offices.

 

 

Operational Process

 

The new standard for despatching SDG items from Inward Mail Centres to Delivery Offices will be deployed at 33 Mail Centres despatching to 810 DO flows (to be validated during deployment, considering space/vehicle type/vehicle capacity etc.) listed in Annex B. The new process will enable c76% of total Inward SDG traffic to be processed in sleeved Yorks.

 

The following high level operational processes will be applied:

 

➢ Where a Mail Centre produces greater than half a York of SDG items per day for a single DO, they can scan and sort directly to a green sleeved York.

➢ SDG items transported where a York container cannot be utilised continue to be bagged.

➢ SDG items will be despatched in green zipped sleeves sealed with a unique numbered security seal.

➢ Each green sleeved York can accommodate up to 280 average-sized SDG items (the equivalent of 8 bags).

➢ If a sleeved flow produces less than half a York of SDG items or less than 35 items, this can be bagged.

➢ Only the green zipped sleeves may be used for SDG. If an office runs out they will need to revert to bags as a contingency.

➢ Where a Mail Centre provides a multiple breakdown (e.g. 09:00 items/SPDO items etc.) for a DO, they can sort the items in bags and label them accordingly before placing them in the sleeved York.

➢ Sleeved despatch will apply Monday to Friday only, as volumes at weekends are lower. Mail Centres will revert to bags for Saturday despatches.

➢ Heavy oversized items will continue to be despatched loose as per the current standard process.

➢ The National Circulation Team will review flows annually taking into account changes in volume and amend the master list accordingly and communicate changes.

 

 

Deployment

 

Deployment of the new process will commence in January 2017 and is scheduled to be completed by April 2017.

 

There will be effective meaningful consultation between local management, CWU representatives and employees/members on the changes to be deployed with this equipment. The introduction of any revised duty/attendance arrangements will be negotiated at local level in line with the IR Framework.

 

Local discussions will take place prior to implementation and will take into account/focus on all possible concerns, risks or difficulties associated with this project. This will ensure any unforeseen employee concerns are also resolved as quickly as possible, local parties will also meet regularly to monitor and review deployment arrangements.

 

Timely negotiations will take place between local managers, CWU IR Representatives and H&S Reps will be fully involved in all aspects of the planning for and actual deployment of the required new arrangements.

 

Training will be provided for all affected staff in the form of WTLL (Work Time Listening and Learning) and subsequently supported by Workplace Coaches.

 

CWU Representatives shall be given appropriate additional release to facilitate this and enable them to consult with members on the proposed change.

 

Any questions of interpretation, implementation, or application of this Joint Statement shall be referred to the respective Headquarters for resolution.
Davie Robertson​Francis Williams

 

Assistant Secretary​Head of Parcel Design

CWU​Royal Mail

 

 

Date: 10th January 2017

 

List of Outward Mail Centres despatching SDG items in Green Sleeved Yorks:

 

1. Birmingham

2. Bristol

3. Cardiff

 

4. Chester

5. Chelmsford

6. Croydon

 

7. Gatwick

8. Greenford

 

9. Home Counties North

10. Jubilee

11. Leeds

 

12. London Central

13. Medway

14. Preston

 

15. South Midlands

16. Peterborough

 

17. Romford

18. Sheffield

19. Swansea

 

20. Newcastle

21. Manchester

22. NW Midlands

 

23. Thames Valley

24. Warrington

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ANNEX B

 

 

List of Inward Mail Centres flows:

 

1. Belfast

2. Birmingham

3. Bristol

4. Cardiff

5. Carlisle

6. Chelmsford

7. Chester

8. Croydon

9. Dorset

10. Edinburgh

11. Exeter

12. Gatwick

13. Glasgow

14. Greenford

15. Home Counties North

16. Inverness

17. Jubilee

18. Leeds

19. Manchester

20. Medway

21. Mount Pleasant

22. Norwich

23. Nottingham

24. Peterborough

25. Preston

26. Romford

27. Sheffield

28. South Midlands

29. Southampton

30. Swindon

31. Tyneside

32. Warrington

33. North West Midlands

 

 

Postal Conference 2017 – Submission of Motions
Please find attached motion forms for Postal Conference 2017. The purpose of this Letter to Branches is to remind those Branches/Co-ordinating Committees who do not have access to an email facility that they must contact head office direct to request hard copies of the forms to be despatched to them. They should contact Angela Niven on 020 8971 7256.
We also take this opportunity to attach to this Letter to Branches the Motion Guide for submitting Motions to Postal Conference 2017.
Branches/Co-ordinating Committees are also reminded that the closing date for the submission of motions to Postal Conference is by midnight on Tuesday 21st February 2017, either by post to Angela Niven, CWU 150 the Broadway, Wimbledon London SW19 1RX or by email to conferences@cwu.org No motions will be accepted that go to any other e-mail address as the conference guide to motions refers.
Any queries regarding this Letter to Branches should be addressed to Angela Niven at Head Office or on 020 8971 7256.
Yours sincerely,
 
 
A P Kearns
Senior Deputy General Secretary
Email Attachments – Click to download
LTB 017/17 – Postal Conference 2017 – Submission of Motions

Guide for Postal Motions 2017

Postal Motion Form 2017

RETIRED MEMBERS CONFERENCE 2017 – PRE-CONFERENCE GET TOGETHER
The Retired Members Advisory Committee would like to invite all delegates, observers and visitors to a pre-conference get together. This will take place at the Mechanics Institute, 103 Princess Street (Major Street Entrance), Manchester, M1 6DD on Wednesday 18th January 2017 from 5.30 pm – 7.30 pm.
The Retired Members Advisory Committee look forward to seeing you there.  
Any enquiries regarding this LTB should be addressed to Chris Tapper either by post to head office or by email to Conferences@cwu.org
Yours sincerely,
 
 
A P Kearns
Senior Deputy General Secretary
Email Attachments – Click to download
LTB 013/17 – Retired Members Conference 2017 – Pre-conference get together

The Royal Mail is consulting with its staff on closing its final salary scheme to future accrual. This is a public consultation, the Royal Mail are putting it to their staff that an increase…

Source: Is there really a “fail” at the Royal Mail?

Please see attached December edition of Safe and Well newsletter with contributions from our USRs and field teams on ladder angles and set up, reminder of what not to stick on poles, a cable Near Miss, some good news on Waste with support from a local USR and keeping people on track for Railside working.
Office update includes the latest Let’s Talk about updates, more Winter Wellbeing info and some health and safety basics.
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce

National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
Email Attachments – Click to download
Attachment 1 – LTB007/2017 – Safe & Well – December 2016

Attachment 2 – Safe and Well Issue 41 December 2016

Attachment 3 – Openreach Health and Safety Update – Q3 2016

POST OFFICE: CHANGE OF CONTRACTS OF EMPLOYMENT – WEEKLY TO MONTHLY PAY – OPPOSING THE POST OFFICE’S POSITION
Earlier this week the Post Office wrote to all weekly paid members (the majority work in Supply Chain although there are some Counter members who are weekly paid) stating that following a 90 day consultation which concluded on 8th December, a decision had been made to cease weekly pay after 3rd February 2017. The letter to our members (attached to this LTB for information) was not provided by management to the union. To put this issue into context, approximately 1000 members are impacted by the Post Office’s Executive Action.
The Post Office’s assertion that the change to monthly pay is necessitated by the company’s “employer’s duty” to automatically enroll eligible jobholders into a pension scheme is spurious and was therefore strongly rejected last year. The Post Office has consistently been able to use the Zurich Defined Contribution Plan (POPP) for enrolment purposes, and as such we cannot see why this has to change in the future, particularly as Zurich are seemingly able to cater for weekly pay reference periods for Post Office employees. Indeed, they also do the same for the Royal Mail weekly-paid payroll and have done this since auto-enrolment was introduced on 1st November 2012. 
The union had previously made it clear to the Post Office that we did not support the move to cease weekly pay. In light of this week’s development, I have today written to the Post Office HR Director in the strongest possible terms, objecting to the actions of the Post Office.
We do not accept that auto-enrolment is a legitimate reason for ceasing weekly pay. Notwithstanding this, auto-enrolment is not due to commence in the Post Office until May; therefore there is no imperative to cease weekly pay from 3rd February. I have as a consequence formally proposed that this date is at the very least postponed to allow for proper negotiations to be conducted in accordance with the National Collective Engagement & Industrial Relations Framework Agreement, with the aim of reaching an agreed way forward. 
We have advised the Post Office that we have received numerous complaints from members who are totally opposed to monthly pay. Undoubtedly, the move to monthly pay will cause huge financial disruption to members who have made their personal, domestic and financial arrangements on the basis they will continue to be paid weekly. There is also widespread reluctance and skepticism amongst our members to embrace the so called “bridging loan”, whereby 4 week’s pay is provided upfront on the basis that it has to be paid back via a reduced salary over the next 12 months. Bizarrely, the Post Office believes that putting our members in debt for a whole year is an attractive proposition. In essence the Post Office’s proposal as it stands is fundamentally flawed.  
It should be noted the Post Office has advised our members in the correspondence that they need to contact the Post Office either via the HR Service helpline or by email by 5pm on Friday 13th January with any “concerns or queries about the change”. We have told the Post Office in our correspondence that imposing such a short time limit is completely unreasonable.
The Post Office has also stated if members do not respond by this date, the change to monthly pay will automatically come into effect after 3rd February, having been agreed between the individual and the Post Office. Basically, the Post Office is saying if they don’t respond, the assumption will be members have agreed to the change to their contract and monthly pay will apply going forward.
As a consequence of this, we have, with support from our legal experts, drafted a letter for members to use stating they object to monthly pay and wish to retain weekly pay. This “Letter of Objection” has been sent directly to our weekly paid members today by first class post due to the urgency. The wording of the “Letter of Objection” is as follows:
 
Dear Sir/Madam
 
CHANGE TO MY CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT BY MOVING FROM WEEKLY TO MONTHLY PAY
I have received your letter dated 3 January informing me that you propose to change the frequency of my pay from weekly to monthly.
I do not agree to my contract of employment being changed unilaterally and wish to retain weekly pay. If you impose it I shall regard the Post Office as being in breach of my contract of employment, and I reserve my right to commence legal proceedings to remedy the breach and to seek damages for breach of contract.
Please confirm that I will continue to receive weekly pay after 3 February 2017.
 
Yours faithfully
…………………………………………………………..
 
Name: …………………………………………………
 
Workplace: …………………………………………..
 
Payroll number: …………………………………….
 
Date: ……………………………….. January 2017
 
In order to ensure all members are fully aware of their entitlement to object to this change of contract, hard copies of the “Letter of Objection” have also been sent directly to each Supply Chain workplace for the attention of the Unit Representative in sufficient numbers for distribution to all impacted members and us attached for your information. Furthermore our Sector Representatives for Crown Offices have also been asked to contact individually all members in the Crown network (approximately 250) who are on weekly pay to provide the necessary advice and guidance. 
It is irrefutable our members have a contractual right to weekly pay and the Post Office does not have a unilateral right to vary that. It follows if the Post Office were to impose the change to monthly pay the Post Office will be in breach of their contracts of employment.  
This matter will be the subject of discussion at the statutory Postal Executive meeting next week and further developments will be reported.
Any queries in relation to this LTB should be directed to Lea Sheridan on 020 8971 7361 or lsheridan@cwu.org.
 
Yours sincerely
 
Andy Furey
Assistant Secretary
 
 
 
Email Attachments – Click to download
LTB 005/17 – POST OFFICE: CHANGE OF CONTRACTS OF EMPLOYMENT – WEEKLY TO MONTHLY PAY – OPPOSING THE POST OFFICE’S POSITION

Attachment 1: Annex 1

Attachment 2: Annex 2