Royal Mail CDV Van Gunpoint Hijacking in Hull Today:
To: All Branches
Dear Colleagues,
A number of enquiries and reports are being received by the Health, Safety & Environment Department at CWU/HQ in relation to an incident which occurred this morning involving a CWU Member and Royal Mail Postman whilst driving a Royal Mail Car Derived Van CDV in the Hull area.
The member who parks his Royal Mail Van at home under the authorised official ‘vehicle overnight retention’ arrangements was driving to his empty Royal Mail Fiat CD Van to work at the Saxon Way Delivery Office in Hessle near Hull when the road was blocked by a third party vehicle, from which emerged two masked gunmen who held him at gunpoint and took a mobile phone and personal belongings from him before making off in the Royal Mail Van which was subsequently abandoned a short distance away where a further carjacking incident occurred and subsequently a series of further similar carjacking crimes occurred in the area and it is believed those responsible went on to commit further similar crimes. During one such incident later in the day a man was apprehended by the crew of a Refuse Collection Truck who were near the scene.
The member has been assisted during the day by both Royal Mail Management, the Royal Mail Occupational Health Service and CWU Officials from the Branch, namely the Area Delivery Rep and Area Safety Rep who have provided support and assistance. I am pleased to say that despite suffering a shocking, traumatic experience our member is unharmed and is also being assisted by family members with whom he will be staying tonight.
A Police and Royal Mail Security Investigation is underway. The Royal Mail vehicle has been recovered and is being subjected to a forensic examination along with other evidence recovered.
The CWU through our local Official will be giving every assistance and will be involved in a post incident Security and Safety Review.
A Humberside Police statement said that Police are currently responding to a number of aggravated vehicle thefts in the Hull, Hessle and Hendon areas this morning.
Royal Mail Security personnel will be visiting the Saxon Way Delivery Office in Hessle tomorrow morning to brief the Delivery Office workforce and give safety and security advice. CWU Branch Area Officials will be present.
Will all those making enquiries please accept this as a formal response.
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce

National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
Email Attachments – Click to download
Attachment 1 – LTB135/17 Royal Mail CDV Van Gunpoint Hijacking in Hull Today:

HSE Asbestos Survey Guide HSG264 & HSE Managing Asbestos in Buildings Guide INDG223 
To: All Branches 
Dear Colleagues, 
HSE Asbestos Survey Guide:

For the information of all Health and Safety Representatives the Health, Safety & Environment Department is circulating two important HSE documents for information and reference purposes, following a number of recent enquiries in relation to the Control of Asbestos Regulations (CAR) 2012 connected to Asbestos Surveys and Managing Asbestos in Buildings (the Legal Duty to Manage). 
The HSE published the Asbestos Survey Guide HSG264 to replace MDHS 100 in 2010 and updated the Guide in 2012 when the Regulations were revised and updated. A pdf copy is attached. 
This is a new-style guide which is a heavily illustrated publication, replacing and expanding on previous documents and covers surveying, sampling and assessment of asbestos-containing materials. 
It is aimed both at people carrying out asbestos surveys and people with specific responsibilities for managing asbestos in Workplaces or non-domestic premises under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, as well as others commissioning asbestos surveys, such as social housing providers. 
The guidance expands on previous editions, in that it covers competence and quality assurance as well as surveys, including: survey planning, carrying out surveys, the survey report and the dutyholder’s use of the survey information. Some specific changes include: Renaming of survey types. Types 1 & 2 are now known as ‘management’ surveys and Type 3 known as ‘pre-demolition and refurbishment surveys’. Also increased, is the details on these survey types and when they should be commissioned.  
Competency is strengthened. This document expressly states that organisations with UKAS accreditation to ISO17020 and individuals with ABICS accreditation should be used, plus surveys should be carried out by BOHS P402 qualified people, with at least 6 months experience (which is currently a UKAS and ABICS requirement). Union Safety Reps will find this useful when it comes to ensuring that the employer is using a competent service to provide their Asbestos survey. For example, further information is contained on employing competent surveyors without any conflict of interest i.e. surveying companies, and highlights risks, such as work at height which should only be carried out by 2-man survey teams, rather than individuals. 
The guidance is more user-focussed and explains surveys to those commissioning them, rather than just the surveyor. 
Contents of the Guide:

Introduction; Competence and quality assurance procedures; Asbestos surveys; Survey planning; Carrying out the survey; Survey report; Dutyholder’s use of survey information. Supporting the main body of the guide are 8 Appendixes.
Surveys

The main purpose of an asbestos survey is to make the duty holder and others aware of the locations of asbestos within a building to ensure the safety of employees, contractors and the general public as part of the Duty Holder’s Risk Management Strategy.  
There are two types of survey for asbestos containing material (ACM’s) and the Duty Holder, building owner, employer and surveyor need to be clear on the type of survey needed, where the survey is needed, and what records should result.  
Management Surveys

This survey is to identify areas of asbestos within a building. This is a non-intrusive survey, which allows the surveyor to visualise areas of asbestos and sample them for analysis. This is the basis for a risk based plan of management, identifying areas that may be a problem during occupancy, including installation of services and maintenance. Once a survey has been undertaken it does not need repeating, but as part of the on-going asbestos management plan there is a requirement to monitor the condition of any ACMs present. Re-inspection surveys are required periodically. 
Refurbishment/Demolition Survey

This is required prior to any major refurbishment or demolition works commencing. It is a fully intrusive survey requiring full access to all areas of a building, including service areas. The surveyor will remove areas of ceilings, walls, floors etc to enable him to map and sample areas which may contain asbestos. The samples will then be analysed and a plan made for removal of the asbestos prior to refurbishment or demolition. In both types of survey, a hard report including analysis should be produced. The report will map out the areas of concern and give a plan of action for the client to follow. 
What is an Asbestos Management Plan? A written document detailing the measures which are being taken to manage the risk from asbestos containing materials which have been identified in a building. 
Managing Asbestos Guide:

This guidance is for, anyone who is responsible for maintenance and repairs in a building, which may contain asbestos. The ‘duty to manage’ asbestos is included in the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.
Who is a ‘dutyholder’ in Law:
The person who owns the building;

The person responsible through a contract or tenancy agreement;

The person who has control of the building but no formal contract or agreement; or

In a multi-occupancy building, the owner and person with responsibility for maintenance and repairs for the whole building. 

What buildings are affected?
All non-domestic buildings, whatever the type of business.

The common areas of domestic buildings, eg halls, stairwells, lift shafts, roof spaces.

All other domestic properties are not affected by the duty to manage.

Anyone who is not the dutyholder but has information about the building, must co-operate with the dutyholder, e.g. leaseholders must allow managing Agents access for inspection.

Why manage asbestos? 

Asbestos is a serious health risk and breathing in asbestos fibres can lead to deadly asbestos-related diseases. Past asbestos exposure kills around 5000 people a year in the UK. There is usually a long delay between first exposure to asbestos and the onset of disease, varying from 15 to 60 years. Exposure must therefore be prevented. Any buildings built or refurbished before the year 2000 may contain asbestos which by law must be managed, contained and not disturbed or completely removed by experts. 
Where is asbestos found in buildings? 

Asbestos was used in many parts of buildings and the guide points out common locations where asbestos can be found. 
Yours sincerely
 
Dave Joyce

National Health, Safety & Environment Off
Email Attachments – Click to download
LTB 132/17 HSE Asbestos Survey Guide HSG264 & HSE Managing Asbestos in Buildings Guide INDG223

Managing Asbestos in Buildings

Asbestos Survey Guide

Branch Political Officers Report for Branch Committee Meeting 28th February 2017 

BREXIT

The House of Lords are now debating the Bill for Britain to leave the EU, this amended document will then be sent back to the House of Commons for a final vote, then the Government can enact article 50 and start the negations to leave.

 

National NHS Demonstration

This will take place on Saturday 4th March in London, the CWU Nationally are requesting that branches send delegations to the Demo, it starts at midday in Tavestock Square and ends at Parliament Square.

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Mayoral Election

Labour Party members in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough have chosen Kevin Price their candidate for the election in May, Kevin is the Deputy Leader of Cambridge City Council and a lifelong member of Unite.

I have written to Kevin on behalf of Eastern Number Five Branch offering him whatever help he needs during his campaign, as Kevin’s campaign area takes in for CWU branches, North East Anglia, East Midlands from the T&FS constituency and Eastern 4 and Ourselves from Postal, I will be looking to hold a joint meeting with Kevin sometime soon.

 

CWU Eastern Regional Political Committee

The last meeting of the Eastern Region was held on Friday 17th February 2017, unfortunately I was unable to attend due to Annual Leave, but I was re-elected as Chair of the Committee and I submitted the following report to the meeting.

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Mayoral Election

Labour Party members in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough have chosen Kevin Price their candidate for the election in May, Kevin is the Deputy Leader of Cambridge City Council and a lifelong member of Unite.

I have written to Kevin on behalf of Eastern Number Five Branch offering him whatever help he needs during his campaign.

St Michael’s Gate Campaign The campaign to save the residents of St Michael’s Gate in the city from eviction from their homes by the property firm Steff & Phillips, hit the BBC last week with it featuring on Inside Out.

The Tory controlled Peterborough City Council (PCC) have sold the 74 houses on St Micheals Gate to Steff & Phillips. In return Steff & Phillips have started the eviction process making whole families homeless, they are then charging PCC, £3 million over the next 3 years to use the properties as overnight accommodation for the homeless.

The residents that are being evicted are long term tenants on the street with many having lived there for over 20 years, they are being offered temporary accommodation by PCC, but in Travelodge’s, and cities and towns miles away from their families and more importantly their places of work.This has left many homeless and now jobless, the whole process is a farce the Tory MP has raised the question in the house, the Local paper is running a campaign against PCC.      

Last week, Two St Michael’s Gate residents faced with losing their home have earned a reprieve from a county court judge after doubts were raised about the eviction process, guaranteed at least another fortnight at their home after an accelerated possession order for their home was adjourned.

 

Deputy District Judge Waring said she had not seen any evidence that the landlords had complied with the correct eviction regulations, and she wanted to know why the name of the landlord on the residents’ tenancy agreement was different to the name of the claimant in the court hearing.

The possession order was issued by Paul Simon Magic Homes, the landlord of the property. However, no representative from the firm was in court.

The managing agent for the property is Stef & Philips which has been orchestrating the evictions of more than 70 people and their families from the St Michael’s Gate estate in Parnwell, leading to huge anger in the city.

The vacant properties are currently being filled by Peterborough City Council with the city’s homeless under a deal which will cost the authority nearly £1 million a year for three years.

Judge Waring said during the hearing that it was “not clear” whether Paul Simon Magic Homes had complied with eviction regulations laid down in the Deregulation Act 2015.

CWU Midlands Political Committee

The next meeting will take place this Thursday 2nd March 2017, in Nottingham, I only received notification of this meeting on Friday so will not be attending.

CLP Affiliations

Following the 2016 Branch AGM the affiliation payments from the branch to the CLP’s within the branch were posted out, as with previous years some remained uncashed, this year I have contacted East Midlands Regional Labour Office, and East of England Labour to ask for an updated list of CLP contacts. This is proving somewhat difficult due to data protection but I will continue to get the information we need.

Peterborough Labour Party Executive Committee

I have been offered a place on the Executive behalf of the Eastern Number Five Branch, which I have accepted this is something that the branch has never been offered and it gives us a say on how the Party in Peterborough is run.

The committee meets one a month on a Monday Evening so it will be at no cost to the branch, the last meeting was last night 27th February, but due to family commitments I could not attend.

East of England Labour Party Regional Board

The next meeting of the Regional Board will take place on Sunday 5th March 2017 in Harlow, the date has been set for this year’s Regional Conference, it will be held on 17-19 November 2017 at the Marriott Hotel, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire- Hinchingbrooke Business Park, Kingfisher Way, Huntingdon, PE29 6FL.

Peterborough Trades Union Council

The last meeting of PTUC was held on Thursday 23rd February and was the Annual General Meeting, I was re elected as Vice President a copy of the Secretary’s Annual Report to the meeting is attached to this report.

Plans are now being finalised for the PTUC Women’s Festival on Saturday 4th March, Posters and Flyers sponsored by CWU Eastern 5 have been distributed.

Kings Lynn & District Trades Council

They have been actively campaigning against NHS cuts and will be sending a coach to the National Demonstration this Saturday, the next meeting of the council is Monday 6th March, once I receive a report from them I will circulate it.

Wisbech March & District Trades Council  

The Trades Council are also sending a delegation to London for the NHS Demo, attached to this report and circulated to branch committee on Friday is a copy of the Trades Council Newsletter.

Andy Beeby

Branch Political Officer

 

Election of CWU Regional Secretaries 2017 
Further to LTB 120/17 dated 28th February 2017.
The purpose of this LTB is to inform branches that notification has been received today from Craig Anderson of Scotland No. 1 Branch advising of his withdrawal from the position of CWU Regional Secretary – Scotland Region – 2017.
Accordingly due to the above withdrawal the ballot will now consist of the following 2 candidates:
John Brown Glasgow & District Amal  
Tony Sneddon Scotland No. 5
Any enquiries regarding this Letter to Branches should be addressed to the Senior Deputy General Secretary’s Department on telephone number 020 8971 7237, or email address sdgs@cwu.org.
Yours sincerely,
 
TONY KEARNS
SENIOR DEPUTY GENERAL SECRETARY
Email Attachments – Click to download
LTB 130/17 – Election of CWU Regional Secretaries 2017

2017 National Youth Education Event, 13 October – 15 October 
This is to inform branches that this year’s National Youth Education Event has been confirmed to take place over the weekend of Friday, 13 October to Sunday, 15 October and will take place at The Radisson Blu Hotel in Liverpool. 
The event brings together young (under the age of 30) activists over the course of a weekend in which they gain knowledge, skills and confidence about their role in the union and the union’s work in general. 
The event will start at 6pm on Friday 13 October and will end at lunchtime on Sunday 15 October. A timetable will be issued nearer the time. 
The cost to send a delegate will be £280. This cost, will include two nights’ accommodation and all meals. This figure, of course, excludes travelling and for further information relating to expenses please find attached LTB 787/15. 
It should be noted that late cancellations will have to be covered by the branch – so if a delegate is not able to attend and has to cancel we would appreciate at least 1 weeks’ notice. Exceptional circumstances will be considered on an individual basis. 
This is an important event and Branches are encouraged to consider sending delegates. 
Please find attached an application form that participants should complete and get signed off by the branch; this should then be sent to Jo Thair at CWU Head Office either by post or by email to jthair@cwu.org. 
Branches are thanked in anticipation of their assistance and any queries on this LTB should be directed to jthair@cwu.org. 
Yours sincerely 
 
Dave Ward

General Secretary
Email Attachments – Click to download
LTB 129/17 – 2017 National Youth Education Event, 13 October – 15 October

NYEE17 Application Form

Last Chance to Book! Doglaw for Professionals 2017 Update on Dangerous Dogs Seminar – London 6th March 2017:
To: All Branches
Dear Colleagues,
This is a final opportunity to book places on the ‘Doglaw for Professionals 2017 Update on Dangerous Dogs Seminar’ which will take place in London on 6th March at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, 4 Battersea Park Road, London SW8 4AA. Registration and coffee will be from 9.30am with the seminar commencing at 10.00am and due to finish around 1.00pm.
The Seminar is organised by Trevor Cooper of Cooper & Co Solicitors. Trevor is one of the UK’s top Dangerous Dogs Law Lawyers and is Legal Advisor to the Dogs Trust. These seminars are highly recommended by the CWU Health, Safety and Environment Department.
‎The 2016-17 series of Seminars organised by Doglaw are coming to an end with the London Seminar being the final event and they will not be run again so if you can attend next Monday and don’t want to miss out then get yourself booked in. 
A number of ASRs and Branch Officers have attended the events across the country during this and previous series of seminars and the feedback has been 100% positive.
These popular seminars for professionals are half day talks concentrating on ‘dangerous dog’ offences and the legislation dealing with such attacks and prosecutions. These half day seminars are attended by Police Officers, Dog Wardens, Lawyers and others involved in dealing with Dog Control and Dog Law. The seminars are highly recommended to CWU Representatives wanting to learn more about the Law in this area following the changes achieved by the CWU ‘Bite-Back’ Campaign of course. These Seminars cover subject matter including:-
The Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime & Policing Act 2014

Section 3 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 (which applies to any dog that is dangerously out of control), including the extension of the Act and defences

The operation of the new ‘Householder Case’ defence and when it may be applicable

Increased prison sentences where a victim is injured or dies

New offence if a dog attacks an assistance dog

Addition of a ‘fit and proper person test’

The ‘Robinson-Pierre’ ruling and consider its impact on cases

Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) (the law that deals with pit bull terrier type and other banned dogs)

The Index of Exempted Dogs

The ‘fit and proper person’ test

The ‘Sandhu’ ruling and its impact on changing keepership of a registered dog

The Dogs Act 1871 and does it have any future?

The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953 and how does it fit in with the new changes?

See attached booking form or you can call 01277 811988 to secure a place. The cost is £75 including VAT, Refreshments, Certificate of Attendance and Handouts. The seminars represent good value for money.
Further information:
Cooper & Co Solicitors (Doglaw)

Canterbury Innovation Centre

University Road

Canterbury 

Kent

Tel: 01277811988

Email Tracy@Doglaw.co.uk
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce

National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
Email Attachments – Click to download
Attachment 1 – LTB128/17 Last Chance to Book! Doglaw for Professionals 2017 Update on Dangerous Dogs Seminar – London 6th March 2017

Attachment 2 – Doglaw-for-Professionals-2017-Update-on-Dangerous-Dogs

Workers Memorial Day 2017 – Friday 28 April 2017 “Good Health & Safety For Workers”
To: All Branches
Dear Colleagues,
As Branches, Health and Safety Reps and Regional Health and Safety Forums will know, the Union has for the last four years commemorated Workers Memorial Day (WMD) at ‎ Annual Conference as WMD fell during Conference Week after the move of Conference to April. 
This year WMD occurs on the Friday of the week, a day after Conference closes. Therefore those participating and supporting WMD events around the UK will need to note this and make local arrangements to attend the many events taking place across the UK. 
Once again CWU will continue its support of this important commemorative day in the calendar and would urge CWU Branches, Reps and Regions to give their support to local and Regional WMD events.
The purpose behind Workers’ Memorial Day has always been to “Remember the Dead and Fight for the Living” and the TUC, the Hazards Campaign and all the nation’s Unions will be focusing on both areas, by considering memorial and health and safety events to commemorate the day and remember all those killed at work or through work but at the same time ensuring that we continue to do all we can to make sure such tragedies are not repeated.
That can best be done by building trade union organisations, recruiting members, pressing employers to invoke better health and safety standards and risk controls and campaigning for stricter enforcement by the HSE and Local Authorities with higher Court penalties for those employers and bosses breaching health & safety laws.
Workers Memorial Day is commemorated throughout the world and is officially recognised by the UK Government.
In 2017 the theme for the day is “Good Health and Safety For All Workers” and will focus on inequalities in occupational health and the role Unions play in narrowing the inequalities gap. 
The TUC wants to focus on the hidden and new GIG economies, the risks faced by migrant workers and the issues of gender and class.
The TUC is compiling a list of WMD events taking place across the country and the list will be updated over the coming weeks and circulated in due course. Some of these events will also feature a minute’s silence at noon, or a suitable time. Most will be on Friday 28th April and some will take place on the weekend of 29th/30th April.
What CWU Reps can do:
Find out what is happening in your area on 28 April. Check with other Unions, Local Authorities, local Trades Councils, Health and Safety Campaign Groups, Hazards Campaign, the TUC Website WMD page and a general website search for events and activities which can signpost Reps to events they may be unaware of.
Regional Health and Safety Forums may wish to organise their own event and activities on the day which can be a commemorative rally, a workplace meeting or just a small get-together and invite other Unions. Organise a minute’s silence in workplaces on the day.
Ask the local Council, or any other public body, to fly official flags at half-mast on the day. 
Remember that the day is officially recognised by the UK Government. That Official recognition was given by Parliament under the Blair Labour Government.
Arrange an event such as planting a memorial tree in a public place, putting up a plaque, dedicating a sculpture, a piece of art, or a bench, to remember workers who have been killed at the workplace or in the community.
If those planning any events for the day want to raise awareness about Workers’ Memorial Day on 28 April, then it is important you consider how you can best use local media both before and on the Day.
Ask local religious centres to include Workers’ Memorial Day in their worship on the day;
Distribute purple ‘forget-me-not’ ribbons, the symbol of Workers Memorial Day;
If those organising an event for Workers Memorial Day would like it displayed on TUC WMD Webpage please email through the details to healthandsafety@tuc.org.uk
For resources on Workers Memorial day including ribbons and car stickers please contact the Greater Manchester Hazards centre at: mail@gmhazards.org.uk.
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce

National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
Email Attachments – Click to download
Attachment 1 – 

LTB127/17 Workers Memorial Day 2017 – Friday 28 April 2017 

Attachment 2 – Provisional List of WMD Events

 Motion 50: Enforcing the Agenda for Growth Agreement

 

Dear Colleagues,

 

The following Motion was carried at last year’s Annual Conference:

 

“Conference notes the consistent and often deliberate failure of Royal Mail and Parcelforce to adopt the practices and spirit of the Agenda for Growth, Stability and Long Term Success Agreement, in particular, but not limited to, recruitment and resourcing, day to day operations and working relationships with managers and CWU Representatives.

 

By refusing to operate within the terms and scope of Agenda for Growth Agreement and/or other national agreements, Royal Mail and Parcelforce are causing our members severe stress and ill health in the workplace, failing to secure industrial stability, long term growth and efficiency in operations, and above all, may be, acting illegally.

 

The Postal Executive is therefore instructed to launch a legal challenge against Royal Mail Group for breaching the terms of the legally binding contract Royal Mail Group has with the CWU starting with a test case at either Unit or Area level to demonstrate the potential success and set a precedent ahead of a national claim.

 

The Postal Executive is instructed accordingly.”

 

The Postal Executive subsequently endorsed a report from the DGS(P) on how best to progress the terms of the motion and I was asked to lead on the issue.  

 

Advice has been sought which reaffirms earlier legal advice the Union received on enforcing the Agenda for Growth Agreement. This distinguishes between:

 

1) The protections that can be enforced directly by applying to the court for an injunction. These relate to:

 

• Royal Mail’s obligation to remain an end to end service provider;

• prohibition against outsourcing or selling off parts of the business;

• prohibition against franchising and use of zero hours contracts;

• worsening existing terms and conditions without the Union’s agreement;

• continued recognition of the CWU.  

 

If the Union believes that the company are in breach of any of these terms, or is about to breach them, the remedy is to apply to the court for an injunction.

 

2)​The protections that have to go through the legally binding Achieving Local ​Agreements process which cover a range of issues relating essentially to the ​maintenance of good industrial relations. In terms of the Achieving Local Agreements ​process, a number of things should be noted:

 

• the most important provision of the Achieving Local Agreements process is the duty to maintain the status quo until the dispute has gone through the procedure;

• it is easier to get a court order to stop the employer doing something than to make them take positive action;

• the Union will be expected to give the company an opportunity to get its house in order before going to court so we would need to write to royal Mail at national level demanding corrective action be taken within a specified period before going to court.

 

Clearly, if the union is to pursue any “test cases” these will have to be chosen carefully.

 

Advice suggests that we would need to identify specific instances where Royal Mail:  

 

• proposes to employ a temporary or casual employee where there is no genuine short-term need;

• proposes to employ agency staff to cover work which could be covered by additional hours by existing staff;

• proposes to employ a temporary employee on a fixed-term contract exceeding 2 years without the Union’s agreement;

• refuses to convert temporary employment to permanent where there is no good reason for refusing;

• refuses to increase part-time employees’ hours to fit actual hours of work, where there is no good reason for refusing.  

 

Of these the refusal to convert a temporary post to permanent and a refusal to increase part-timers’ hours are more difficult bearing in mind that it is easier to obtain an order to stop something happening rather than make something positive happen.

 

If we are able to identify a suitable test case, the process to start the case is that the Area Rep should trigger the Achieving Local Agreements process straight away by serving formal notice of the disagreement and attempting to agree a statement of what the disagreement is about with his or her opposite number.

 

At the same time the Area Rep should specify clearly what the current Agreements say and tell the Manager that he or she is required to maintain the status quo until the disagreement has been resolved. If the Manager will not do so, the Area Rep should refer the dispute straight away to the Divisional Rep who should make the same point to his or her opposite number. If there is still a failure to commit to maintain the status quo a formal letter threatening to take the issue to the court should be sent.

 

It is not sufficient to refer to general failures to follow agreements around recruitment and resourcing and day-to-day operations. It is necessary to show specific examples of where management are acting in breach of the Agreement.  

 

The objective is, of course, to ensure that agreements are properly applied, rather than to take legal action. Reps and Branches are asked to monitor resourcing carefully, challenged specific breaches of Agenda for Growth promptly and Divisional Reps should advise CWU Head Office promptly of any failure to commit to maintaining status quo provisions where the union believes breach of the agreement is likely to take place.

 

All enquiries regarding the content of this LTB should be addressed to the PTCS Department, quoting reference 002. Email address: djeffery@cwu.org

 

Yours Sincerely,

 

 

 

Ray Ellis

Assistant Secretary

MAJOR EVENT AT CWU CONFERENCE
 
Following on from the success of #JC4PM at CWU Conference 2016, we have plans to hold another major event this year. This will take place on Tuesday 25th April at the BIC, Bournemouth, commencing at 7:30pm.
 
Once again, we will be opening the doors to CWU members and the public to attend. As with last year we have secured some excellent political speakers, comedians and musical talent. The evening will be themed around the future world of work and taking back control of our services and workplaces.
 
Further details of both the line-up and ticket details will be shared in the coming days and weeks.
 
I would ask that all branches make attending and promoting this event a priority commitment ahead of Annual Conference.
 
Any enquiries on the above LTB should be directed to Marcia Murray mmurray@cwu.org
 
Yours sincerely
 
 
Dave Ward
General Secretary
Email Attachments – Click to download
LTB 125/15 – MAJOR EVENT AT CWU CONFERENCE

Sun Exposure At Work Could Lead To One Skin Cancer Death A Week – New British Journal Of Cancer/Imperial College London Report Findings Published:
To: All Branches
Dear Colleagues,
Working outdoors in the sun could lead to one death and around five new cases of melanoma skin cancer a week, according to new research by Imperial College London published in the British Journal of Cancer recently.
Researchers, based at Imperial College London, estimated that there are 48 deaths and 241 cases of melanoma skin cancer each year in Britain caused by ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun at work. 
Dr. Lesley Rushton, lead researcher from Imperial College London, stated that ‘It’s been shown previously that people often don’t understand the risks of damage caused by sun in the UK. But this research shows that people don’t have to work in the Mediterranean or a traditionally sunny country for the sun to damage your skin. It’s important to get to know what your skin is normally like, and to tell your doctor if you notice any changes to how your skin looks or feels. Skin cancer can appear as a new mole or mark, or it can be a change to something you’ve had for a while. Now that we have a clearer picture of the extent of the damage caused, employers need to make sure they take sun exposure at work seriously and work out how to reduce it.’ 
The researchers looked at the risk of developing skin cancer for outdoor workers using information from international studies, and the proportion of workers potentially exposed to sun from British data sources. These figures were then used to estimate the number of people who might have developed skin cancer due to work related exposure using a mathematical model. 
Sarah Williams, Cancer Research UK’s health information manager, commented that ‘these figures reveal the risk that some people might face from too much sun exposure whilst working. We all need some sun for healthy bones, but too much can increase the risk of skin cancer, and the risk can be higher for some people. Generally, the best ways for people to protect their skin is to spend time in the shade between 11am and 3pm, and cover up with clothing. Also use sunscreen with at least SPF 15 and four or more stars on the parts of the body you can’t cover, like face and hands. She called for more research into the issue.
Construction workers had the highest number of deaths – 44% of deaths, followed by agriculture workers – 23% of deaths. Defense workers, Police and Armed forces – 10% of deaths.
Graham Parker, President of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health, stated that ‘This important research was commissioned by IOSH for the Solar phase of our ‘No Time to Lose’ campaign, which aims to raise awareness of cancer caused by work. We’re delighted to see it published in the British Journal of Cancer. The campaign encourages businesses to do what they can to reduce risks and one way to do this is to develop ‘Sun Safety Strategies.’ He added that IOSH had worked with forward-thinking companies, such as Royal Mail Group, which signed up to our pledge to help prevent occupational cancer. Royal Mail put in place a sun safety strategy which includes providing wide-brimmed hats, long-sleeved tops and trousers as part of its uniform. It encourages its workers to cover up during the higher UV months. He added that using high-factor sunscreen is helpful but should not be relied on as the only barrier to the harmful rays.’ 
The study was funded by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health.
The Health, Safety & Environment Department has again raised the free provision of Sunscreen with Royal Mail Group following publication of this Report.
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce

National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
Email Attachments – Click to download
Attachment 1 – LTB124/17 Sun Exposure At Work Could Lead To One Skin Cancer Death A Week