. 455/17

15th August 2017

Dear Colleague,

Four Pillars and CWU Pay Claim 2017 – Industrial Action Timetable

Further to the updates provided in LTBs 410/17 and 447/17 and following the National Briefing held in London on Monday 14th August, the Postal Executive met today to discuss a ballot timetable for Industrial Action to support the CWU’s Four Pillars of Security campaign.

Working in close consultation with the SDGS Department, the Postal Executive endorsed the following ballot timetable for all appropriate CWU grades in the Royal Mail Group:

Letter out for Membership Check:​​16th August 2017
Information Returned By:​​​30th August 2017
Issue Notification:​​​​​6th September 2017
Ballot Opens:​​​​​14th September 2017
Ballot Closes:​​​​​3rd October 2017
Result Announced:​​​​3rd October 2017

While the union has spelt out the above timetable (in line with the Conference policy set out in Emergency Motion 5) Branches will note that it still provides a period of weeks for further talks to continue with Royal Mail to try and secure a final settlement on all Four Pillars before the ballot process commences in early September.

It should be noted that in setting this timetable we clearly believe we are approaching a critical point in our disagreement with Royal Mail Group and it is important that members understand our campaign has the full support of the wider union. The General Secretary has committed the union’s full backing and believes the issues we are challenging are key elements of the CWU’s wider campaign for a better deal for workers across the UK.

Further talks between CWU’s negotiating team and Royal Mail management are scheduled to take place in Northampton this week (Wednesday 16th August, Thursday 17th August and Friday 18th August). Should no significant progress be made in the talks over the coming weeks, the Postal Executive will enact the agreed ballot timetable when the Executive next meets on Tuesday 5th September 2017.

Further updates on the talks with Royal Mail will be provided in due course.

To see a video update on today’s events please click on the following link:

https://www.facebook.com/ThecommunicationsUnion/videos/1494596153953192/

Any enquiries in relation to the content of this LTB should be addressed to the DGS(P) Department.

Yours sincerely,

Terry Pullinger​​​​Dave Ward ​​​Ray Ellis
Deputy General Secretary (Postal)​General Secretary​​Assistant Secretary

Andy Furey​​​​​Davie Robertson​​Mark Baulch
Assistant Secretary​​​Assistant Secretary​Assistant Secretary

JOIN WHATSAPP BROADCASTS FOR LATEST UPDATES
As part of our overall communications strategy we have launched WhatsApp Broadcast lists for CWU representatives and members. This will enable us to communicate key messages in a timely and effective manner.
There are two lists – one for CWU representatives and one for CWU members.
If you would like to be added to the broadcast, please follow the simple instructions below.
IF YOU ARE A CWU REPRESENTATIVE
Add WhatsApp to your phone. Save 07583725644 in your contacts. Text your name, workplace (if you have one), position and CWU Branch to 07583725644.
IF YOU ARE A CWU MEMBER
Add WhatsApp to your phone. Save 07907502190 to your contacts. Text your name, workplace (if you have one) and CWU Branch to 07907502190.
Please do not send your details to both numbers.
Please share this information with as many of your colleagues as possible.
Finally, WhatsApp should only be uploaded on your personal phone and not devices owned by any employer. 
Any enquiries on the content of this LTB should be directed to Marcia Murray murray@cwu.org
Yours Sincerely
 
Chris Webb
Head of Communications, Engagement and Media
 
Email Attachments – Click to download

LTB453/17 – Join Whatsapp broadcasts for latest updates

Click on the link below to view video

https://www.facebook.com/ThecommunicationsUnion/videos/1488913934521414/

LEGAL SERVICES EMPLOYMENT TRIBUNAL FEES
Branches will be aware of the recent decision made by the Supreme Court to abolish Employment Tribunal Fees and Employment Appeal Tribunal Fees and rule that the fee regime is unlawful. In simple terms the judgment means that no one should have been asked to pay fees to enter the tribunal process and those that did are entitled to be refunded from the Government.
The decision has thrown up a number of issues which centres around individuals who were disadvantaged, insofar, as they did not make an application to the Tribunal as a result of the fees and in some cases had their claims struck out because the fees were not paid on time.
At this point in time we are seeking further clarification as to whether these Tribunal cases can be re-submitted but as of yet no information is forthcoming.
In relation to the funding of the fees, you will be aware that the CWU agreed to underwrite our members’ fees, some of which were paid direct by the member and others were paid by the Branch on behalf of the member and were subsequently refunded by CWU Headquarters.
It will be our intention to seek to recover these payments, as and when the refund process has been published.
In the meantime members should be advised that they can apply to submit an Employment Tribunal once they have gone through the early conciliation process with ACAS, without the need to submit any payments and the Employment Tribunal website has been amended accordingly.
Further information will be provided to Branches in due course.
Yours sincerely
 
Tony Rupa
Head of Legal Services
Email Attachments – Click to download

LTB451/17 – LEGAL SERVICES EMPLOYMENT TRIBUNAL FEES

NHS “Cover Up, Mate” Sun Safety Campaign Launched As Skin Cancer In Men Continues To Rise:
To: All Branches
Dear Colleagues,
A new NHS awareness campaign has been launched in the South of England to encourage Outdoor Workers and men in particular who work outdoors to protect themselves from the sun, thereby reducing their risk of contracting skin cancer. The CWU has joined up with the NHS to support and promote the “Cover Up, Mate” Campaign messages.
Outdoor Workers who spend long periods of time outside are again being urged to protect themselves against the sun this summer amid a rise in the number of people being diagnosed with skin cancer.
Outdoor Workers are being targeted by NHS England South’s “Cover Up, Mate” campaign because of their prolonged exposure to the sun – and men are a particular focus because research indicates that they are much less likely than women to cover up and to slap on the ‘Sunscreen’.
NHS England South Medical Director, Nigel Acheson, stated recently that you can’t feel UV radiation, so it’s very easy to get sunburnt in the UK, even when it’s not particularly warm. But sunburn causes skin cancer so it’s important people take more care, especially men and those who work outside. They need to use Sunscreen with a good level of UV-A protection and apply it generously on all exposed skin.
Latest statistics from UK Charity ‘Cancer Research’ show that since the late 1970s, skin cancer incidence rates have more than quadrupled (360% increase) in the UK. The increase is larger in males where rates have increased more than six-fold (544% increase), than in females where rates have more than tripled (263% increase).
Latest statistics from Public Health England show that in the South West there was a 32% rise in incidences of malignant melanoma between 2009 and 2014, from 1,444 cases to 1,906 cases. There was also a 14.5% rise in mortality from malignant melanoma, from 248 deaths in 2009 to 284 deaths in 2014.
In the South East there was a 33% rise in incidences of malignant melanoma between 2009 and 2014, from 2,002 cases to 2,661 cases. There was also a 20% rise in mortality from malignant melanoma, from 349 deaths in 2009 to 420 deaths in 2014.
Many local areas across the south have higher rates of malignant melanoma than the national average.
Being outdoors is clearly crucial for Postal Workers, BT Workers and others, and for people who take part in a lot of outdoor sport, but there are simple steps that can be taken to lower the risk of skin cancer and be sun safe.
Men in particular need to take much more care. They need to cover up and importantly use at least factor 30 sunscreen and apply it generously on all exposed skin – not forgetting their necks, ears and bald patches!
Sunburn increases your risk of skin cancer which can develop slowly over time. So while sunburn might feel better in a few days, it may have done long term damage which could be fatal.
People often want to brush things off and just get on with the job, but there are times when that kind of resilience can come back and bite you and this is one of those.
We owe it to ourselves and our families to take the risk of skin cancer seriously and above all if we are bothered by something to not dismiss it, but get it checked out. It’s vital that Postal Workers in particular as well as outdoor BT Engineers get sun-smart and take steps to protect their skin – such as using sun cream and preferably covering-up by wearing a long-sleeved shirt and a hat as issued by the employers. All these measures can help to prevent sunburn in the first place and avoid the UV damage that can lead to skin cancer over time.
The UK Met Office have stated that UV levels are usually highest between May and September, when there is often less ozone high up in the atmosphere to absorb the UV. Clouds don't always stop UV rays, and unlike the sun's warmth, it's difficult to know when they may be harming you. Burning just once every two years can triple your risk of skin cancer. So it's important to keep an eye on our UV forecast so you know when it's essential to protect your skin and eyes from damage.
Top sun-safe skin-smart tips include:-
• Cover-up.
• Use at least factor 30 sunscreen in the sun and use plenty of it.
• Apply sunscreen to all exposed skin – don’t forget your neck and ears and your head if you have thinning or no hair.
• Wear sunglasses and a hat.
• Take particular care if have fair skin, moles or freckles, red or fair hair, or light-coloured eyes.
• Also – drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration and heat-related illness.
NHS/CWU ‘Cover-Up-Mate’ Poster (See pdf copy attached)
Would Branches and Health and Safety Reps use the attached poster to run local awareness raising campaigns amongst members to get the message out loud and clear about this very serious risk. Further copies of the Posters can be ordered from CWU/HQ.
When ordering further Poster copies – send orders to:-
Debby Akerman Print Services Manager
Email dakerman@cwu.org
Direct line 020 8971 7218
Communication Workers Union Headquarters
150 The Broadway, Wimbledon, London SW19 1RX
Price per hundred:-
100 A3 posters: £14.00
100 A4 posters: £7.00
100 postcards: £2.75
Plus P&P
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
Email Attachments – Click to download

Attachment 1 – LTB450/17 NHS “Cover Up, Mate” Sun Safety Campaign Launched As Skin Cancer In Men Continues To Rise:

Attachment 2 – cwu-0539217-NHS-cover-campaign-v4