Eastern No 5 Branch Processing Report October 2017 By Ernie Orviss

Eastern No 5 Branch
Processing Report October 2017
Annual Leave Agreement 2018/19
The 2018/19 annual leave agreement has been signed off and is on display on the Union Board. As in previous years your first two weeks choice is guaranteed. The pick is currently being processed by the book room. A notice from the book room has gone on display asking people who wish to purchase additional annual leave (up to 6 weeks) to apply via the forms available from them by the end of February 2018.
Christmas 2017
We are unable to proceed with the local Christmas agreement because the business have suggested this year they are not prepared to pay scheduled attendance pay rate for prescheduled overtime booked during the Christmas pressure weeks. This has been raised to national level for resolution and we are awaiting the response.
Christmas overtime preference forms went out to staff early this year with the proviso you would have the opportunity to amend your selection during October. The window is now open for staff to make amendments to their Christmas overtime selection. You do this by getting a new form from the book room and returning it by the 25th October. New starters can put their selection in by following the same procedure. Notices have been put on display by the book room advertising this.
Parcel Sort Machine
The installation of the parcel sort machine has been postponed. The reason is the machine on trial at Swindon MC has not performed as expected. We will be getting one eventually but not until they are performing as expected.
Spalding CSS work
We have now taken all the Spalding CSS work. We have agreed in principle to introduce two new night shift CSS duties and are awaiting Alasdair Redmond’s return from annual leave to finalise the proposal.
Processing Duty Structure
We have now completed the introduction of the temporary duties and Saturday only casual conversions. There are 20 x 2000 to 0400 temporary full-time night duties. 8 x 2200 to 0600 temporary full-time night duties 8 x 1800 to 2200 temporary part-time duties and 20 substantives 1400 to 2200 Saturday casual conversions.
We are currently advertising for staff to apply for temporary 24-hour part-time contracts which are Monday to Thursday 1800 to 2200 and Saturday 1400 to 2200. Part-time staff who wish to increase their contracts to 24 hours on temporary basis should apply for these.
National Industrial Action Ballot
I just want to say thank you to all the members who used their vote to return a historic huge YES vote in the ballot.
The union have announced a 48-hour strike from 11.00am Thursday 19th October through to 11.00am Saturday 21st October. There are notices up around the building explaining what is expected of members during the industrial action.
Royal Mail have served a high court injunction on the CWU in attempt to stop us taking industrial action. The hearing is scheduled for 10.00 am on Thursday 12th October. From what I understand the reason is Royal Mail are suggesting the CWU have not adhered to the legally binding agenda for growth agreement where it states there must be mediation before taking industrial action. This is quite ironic when you consider Royal Mail have not adhered to several parts of the said agreement since its introduction in particular the job security and pensions consultation parts of the agreement
We are patiently awaiting the outcome of the hearing and further updates will be reported as and when available.
Mail Centre Issues
Recently the early shift manager addressed all staff with a statement that was construed as a threat of losing our 2c work to another Mail Centre if the processing performance did not improve. We Immediately met with the Mail Centre Manager and Production Control Manager to emphasis the shift manager was wrong to make the statement. We explained it was wrong to address all the staff because the majority of staff give a good day’s work and are conscientious and proud to clear their workload. In making his statement the early shift manager tarred all members with the same brush which had the adverse effect on those who I mention above. If there are performance issues then they should be managed on an individual basis and not by returning to age old traditions where Royal Mail managers would flog willing horses by asking those who do work to work harder and not challenge those who don’t. This was agreed by both managers and I believe the message was passed on.
In this day and age of Royal Mail cost cutting, budgeting, under-resourcing and basing workload on pounds, shillings and pence there will always be the threat of further mail centre closures and the movement of work. However, for Royal Mail to propose any of this they will have to go through the industrial relations framework to obtain an agreement. This will prove difficult for them as the CWU will always defend keeping workload at this mail centre by all means possible. Whilst Royal Mail continue to cost-cut by under re-sourcing, refusal to increase contractual hours on a substantive basis and continue to budget hours against unagreed sortation rates, they will find it very difficult to justify any movement of workload from Peterborough Mail Centre.
WhatsApp Broadcast Group
We have set up a CWU Eastern No5 members WhatsApp Broadcast Group where we can forward CWU Communications onto members.
A Broadcast Group is where members receive WhatsApp messages from my phone, you will not be able to see who is in the group, you will not be able to message each other either. No phone numbers are shared.
If you want to be in this group then you will need the WhatsApp App on your phone.
Save my number Ernie Orviss 07887985430 Then send me a message me with your name requesting to be put in the group. I will forward you some of the previous messages and put you in the group so you will receive all future messages.
EJ Orviss
Area Processing Representative
Date 10th October 2017
Royal Mail Delivery Torch – Replacement Model: (Blackspur RT340 LED Worklight with Clip)
Royal Mail Delivery Torch – Replacement Model: (Blackspur RT340 LED Worklight with Clip)
To: All Branches with Members in Royal Mail Group
Dear Colleagues,
Further to LTB 714/16 detailed a temporary replacement Royal Mail Delivery Torch to meet increased demand, Royal Mail Assets in consultation with the CWU Health, Safety & Environment Department have now introduced a permanent replacement to the existing Delivery torch which will be phased in as old stocks are exhausted.
Blackspur RT340 LED Worklight with clip – description:
The new torch manufactured by ‘Blackspur’ will be supplied once the current stock levels of the existing torch have been exhausted. The new torch uses a Chip on Board (COB) bulb which gives a bright 200 Lumens of light, broad beam that’s powerful enough to use on Royal Mail outdoor duties, and a 50 Lumens LED bulb for illuminating delivery items, for address reading etc. and from a safety perspective, can be used to light the way for walking. It takes 3 AAA batteries (not supplied with the torch), on the underside there is a magnet and on the top a clip, offering flexible positioning for ease of use with a durable On/Off Switch.
Product Information – Blackspur RT340 LED Worklight with clip
Brand – Blackspur
Model – RT340
Product Dimensions 150 x 150 x 25mm
Manufacturer Part Number & Item model number BB-RT340
Durable and Lightweight ABS material
Features 1 x 200lm COB Bulb and 1 x 50lm LED Bulb
Clip & underside magnet for hands free use
3 x AAA batteries (Not supplied)
Attached please find images of the Blackspur RT340 LED Worklight with clip
This new torch can be ordered from POL Swindon Stock Centre using RM Pt No. 007080A
In respect of any supply issues, Managers should contact Shaun Buttress National Materials Handling Equipment Manager: – Mobile: 07843 369574 Email: shaun.buttress@royalmail.com
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
17LT545 Royal Mail Delivery Torch – Replacement Model (Blackspur RT340 LED Worklight with Clip)
Letter sent to Conservative MP’s within the branch, regarding the Four Pillars Campaign.
Andy Beeby, Branch Political Officer
Eastern Number Five Branch
Room G85 Peterborough Delivery Unit
Peterborough Mail Centre, PE4 5PE
eastern5politicalofficer@gmail.com
Mobile 077854 60070
MP
House of Commons
Westminster
London
SW1 0AA
6th October 2107
Dear
I write to you on behalf of the Postal Workers within your constituency. You will be aware that members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) have been balloted for industrial action, and the date has now been for the first set of industrial action.
I would like to highlight to you the reasons why the membership of the CWU in your constituency have voted to take part in industrial action.
Pay
This year Royal Mail have offered a cash lump sum of £375, pro rata for part-time workers. This lump sum is not pensionable, and is considerably below the current RPI as it works out as 1.5% pay increase.
Pensions
There are around 43,000 Postal workers in a pension scheme that will not give them an affordable pension when they retire. There are another 60,000 workers who are set to lose under Royal Mails new proposals.
The CWU has put forward a viable pensions offer to Royal Mail, who have accepted that it can work, but are thus far refusing to discuss it with the CWU.
Changes to the Pipeline
Royal Mail wants to move the time of delivery of letters and parcels from the last letter of 3pm, to the last letter of 5pm. This will mean that our customers will receive a worse service, and it will also mean Postmen and Women will be delivering in the dark in winter months.
The CWU wish to see a negotiated settlement to this dispute, but for this to happen Royal Mail need to send their main people to negotiate, not once during the talks with the CWU has Moya Greene sat down with the CWU National Officers.
Postal Workers are proud of the service that has served the public of this country for over 500 years, therefore I ask you on behalf of the Postal Workers in your constituency that you write to Moya Greene and ask her to personally enter negotiations with the CWU, to resolve this dispute.
Yours Sincerely
Andy Beeby
Royal Mail Group “ZAP” (Zero Accidents Programme) Daily Reports to CWU ASRs
Royal Mail Group “ZAP” (Zero Accidents Programme) Daily Reports to CWU ASRs
To: All Branches with Royal Mail Group Members
Dear Colleagues,
The Health, Safety and Environment Department have received numerous enquiries about the continuation of the provision of “ZAP” Daily Reports, to ASRs.
The matter was taken up with the Royal Mail Group (RMG) Head of Road Safety Mark Bromhall and Tony Green RMG Fleet Supply Manager and I’m pleased to report that they have confirmed that the ZAP Daily Reports will continue and there is no intention to switch it off.
The ZAP Daily report was initially produced a few years ago for then Fleet Safety & Compliance Managers and Regional Fleet & Asset Managers, to give a heads-up that a road traffic collision has occurred involving an RMG Vehicle and acted as a trigger to ensure that correct processes were being followed. It contains high level details of all ERICA reports submitted the previous day (or Friday-Sunday for the Monday report).
The list of recipients has clearly expanded and the list is being reviewed to ensure those on the list still wish to receive it.
The RTA Procedure Agreement places a requirement on the manager to inform the ASR of any collision involving injury to a Royal Mail Group Driver.
If you are an ASR and haven’t been receiving the ZAP Daily Reports to date, then please ask your RMG SHE Advisor to put you on to the circulation list or e-mail: tony.a.green@royalmail.com.
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
17LTB540 Royal Mail Group (ZAP) Zero Accidents Programme Daily Reports to CWU ASRs
Eastern No5 recruitment of retired members
Pat Friskey, Retired Members Secretary
CWU Eastern 5, PO Box 438
Peterborough, PE4 5PE
TEL: 07956215285
Dear Colleagues
My name is Pat (Patrick) Friskey, I am the retired members secretary
for the branch. Some of you may know or heard of me some not, first
I must congratulate you the local Reps for a great return on the ballot ,
due to the hard work done by you all.
I wrote to all reps some time last year to help in recruitment, with members
leaving the business due to age or ill health, you are the ones with your feet
on the ground, and hopefully catch them before they leave, we have found in
the pasty if we do not approach them and help complete the form they do not
bother.
When I took over this role 4 years ago, we had 305 members we now have 268,
37 members passed away in 4 years. We have had new members join, but I’m
sure, there are more we have missed and more we can catch, any help you can
give me would be appreciated.
Please see attachment retired members form
ROYAL MAIL GROUP LEGAL CHALLENGES
Dear Colleague
ROYAL MAIL GROUP LEGAL CHALLENGES
At 6pm on Friday the 6th October, the Union received two separate letters from Royal Mail’s solicitors stating they would be seeking an interim injunction to stop the Industrial Action notified to the employer for strike action to take place next week.
The first letter was in regard to potential legal proceedings and external mediation, which forms part of the process set out in the Agenda for Growth Agreement. In their letter the company acknowledges that the Agenda for Growth Agreement does not stop our members being able to take strike action. However, they claim that the external mediation process has not been fully exhausted, prior to us calling for industrial action.
The second letter was in relation to the company alleging the Union failed to take reasonable steps to notify our members of the ballot result.
Both letters required the Union to respond by noon today and to withdraw the notice for next week’s strike action. In response, we can confirm the Union will not be withdrawing the notice for strike action and following legal advice we will defend our position in court, if necessary.
Since the company’s initial letters were sent on Friday 6th October, we have now received two subsequent communications. Firstly, to notify us that Royal Mail will now apply to the court for an interim injunction in relation to their claim on mediation. Secondly, the company has withdrawn the legal challenge regarding our alleged failure to notify our members of the ballot result. In light of these developments we do therefore expect to be in court later this week.
It is very important that our Branches and Representatives convey the contents of this LTB to our members as soon as possible. Further information will be provided in due course.
Dave Ward
Tony Kearns
Terry Pullinger
Eastern No 5 Branch SPECIAL NOTICE OFFICIAL INDUSTRIAL ACTION PROCESSING FUNCTION

Eastern No 5 Branch
SPECIAL NOTICE
OFFICIAL INDUSTRIAL ACTION PROCESSING FUNCTION
A 48-hour official industrial action strike has been called by the union from 11.00am Thursday 19th October to 11.00am Saturday 21st October. This means if your duty on Thursday starts before 11.00 am then you should perform the whole of the duty. If your duty starts at 11.00am or after on Thursday you will be expected take industrial action until 11.00am Saturday. If your duty STARTS at 11.00am or after on Saturday you will be expected perform your duty. If you have a duty or scheduled attendance on the Sunday you will expected to perform it.
All members of the CWU, both Part-time & Full-time are expected to take industrial action (including acting managers-see below). Non-members can also withdraw their labour. Remember non-members, it’s your pay, pensions, T&C’s and duty structures that will be affected to.
Those CWU members who are acting managers must decide on their principles & conscience, on if you cross a picket line or not.
Brian Scott (Unite CMA Officer, Managers Rep) has written to his manager members in Royal Mail and instructed them and I quote, “Given the result of the ballot announced by the CWU we have also advised Royal Mail that Unite members should be expected to work normally and not be required to do the work of those employees participating in a legitimate strike should that happen.”
This clearly shows that Unite support the legitimacy of the ballot. Unite members too, must remember their pay & pensions are also affected by the RMG board.
Every member, including reps, who take part in the Industrial Action will lose pay!
The myth that reps do not lose pay during Industrial Action, is simply a lie.
Nobody wants to lose money by taking industrial action but we must stand up for our rights, pay, terms & conditions and pensions. There will always be winners and losers when taking industrial action some will lose more money than others but if further industrial action is taken you would normally see a reverse of that. My advice to members is to perform overtime prior to industrial action to make your money up.
YOU ARE THE UNION SUPPORT YOURSELVES, STAND UP FOR YOUR RIGHTS!
EJ Orviss
Area Processing Representative
Date 9th October 2017
TUC/CWU National Health & Safety Inspection Day – Wednesday of European Health & Safety Week – 25 October 2017
TUC/CWU National Health & Safety Inspection Day – Wednesday of European Health & Safety Week – 25 October 2017 – TUC/CWU Guidance and Royal Mail Support:
To: All Branches
Dear Colleagues,
The TUC National Inspection Day traditionally falls on the Wednesday of each European Health and Safety Week and the CWU with Royal Mail Group endorsement will be supporting the initiative again in 2017 and the Health, Safety and Environment Department want all CWU Safety Reps carrying out Safety Inspections that day, engaging Safety Managers and Operational Managers and of course CWU Members, in the process. Remember! The law empowers Safety Reps with the legal right to carry out inspections and the law defines a ‘Workplace as any place or places where a worker works or is likely to work or frequent during the course of their duties’ – this can be a building, yard, customer’s premises or out on the street where outdoor workers visit, perform work or go on their delivery/collection rounds!
The Key Dates are:-
• European Health and Safety Week 23-29 October 2017.
• National Inspection Day Wednesday 25 October 2017. This year, the CWU Health, Safety & Environment Department is once again encouraging CWU Safety Reps to specifically consider Health and Safety Inspections at higher risk workplaces or areas or functions or specific jobs and consider whether the workplace is healthy and safe for all.
With the working population ageing, this year’s European Health and Safety Week will focus on healthy workplaces for all ages as in 2016 as part of a 2-year campaign.
The TUC/CWU National Inspection Day is also an ideal time to discuss key health and safety issues with members.
Safety Rep workplace health and safety inspections don’t just have to focus on the tangible hard hazards such as slip and trip risks, fire risks, and work stations. They can also focus on intangible hazards and solutions that don’t have a physical presence, including shift work, job rotation, specific tasks, working environment and flexible working.
So during this European Health and Safety Week and National Inspection Day, CWU HQ is encouraging branches and their Safety Reps to ask members about their experiences at work
and how these might be improved. So please carry out an inspection this forthcoming National Inspection Day!
The TUC designated National Inspection Day aims to encourage Safety Reps to conduct a workplace health and safety inspection. Remember, workplaces with active Safety Reps are twice as safe as those without.
Carrying out an inspection will enable Safety Reps to:
• Raise awareness of the issues;
• Identify issues that need to be raised with the employer;
• Raise the profile of their role;
• Meet members, hear their concerns, and ask if they would like to get more involved, maybe by becoming a safety rep; and
• Meet non-members, as issues they have or raise may present opportunities for recruitment.
• Offer members the opportunity to speak to a Union Safety Rep in private for a confidential chat. TUC & CWU Guides will be of assistance to Safety Reps. See Attached:-
• TUC’s Workplace Safety Rep Inspection guide
• CWU Health & Safety Inspections Guide For Safety Reps
SRSC Regulations 1977 Brown Book TUC 2015 Version The guides are also useful tools for Safety Reps.
Health and Safety – Why Inspect?
The CWU believes that health and safety in the workplace is an issue for everyone. Every year, thousands of people suffer accidents and ill-health at work – most of which could be avoided. Look at the statistics below. Inspections are a way of identifying dangers, hazards and risks in order to control or eliminate them and so avoid accidents and injuries.
Key Annual Figures 2015/16
144 workers killed at work.
72,702 other injuries to employees were reported under RIDDOR.
621,000 injuries occurred at work according to the Labour Force Survey.
1.3 million working people were suffering from a work-related illness.
2,515 Mesothelioma deaths due to past asbestos exposures.
0.5 Million workers suffering work-related musculoskeletal disorders.
0.5 million workers suffering from work-related stress, depression or anxiety.
30.4 million working days were lost due to work-related illness and workplace injury.
11,403 Prohibition & Improvement Notices issued by all enforcing bodies.
£14.1 Billion is the estimated cost to UK society of Workplace injuries and ill health (excluding cancer) from current working conditions.
See Attached HSE Statistics Poster 2015-16
Royal Mail has endorsed the TUC/CWU National Health and Safety Inspection Day on Wednesday 25 October 2017.
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
Health And Safety Inspections Guide For Safety Representatives
SRSC Regulations 77 (Brown Book TUC 2015 Version)
CWU Eastern No5 Branch 