Manchester University and the Health & Safety Executive – Ageing Driver Research:

To: All Branches

Dear Colleagues,

The University of Manchester and the Health & Safety Executive are carrying out research on the relationship between work, health and age for drivers across all industries in the UK. The first phase, which was conducted in 2017 focused on professional HGV drivers. They are now looking to undertake a second phase that will cover drivers of all classes of vehicles.

Royal Mail and the CWU have been invited to participate in this second phase. Initially we have agreed that volunteer professional drivers and managers at the Manchester Distribution site can be interviewed anonymously to give their views on how driving for a profession impacts on their health and wellbeing.

Royal Mail, CWU and Unite CMA have been keen to be involved and assist with the research, which we hope will help us jointly better understand the wellbeing challenges faced by our driver members and what we, and Royal Mail Group as a company may need to do differently to support them in the future.

The aims of the Research

A large part of the research is focused on interviews with drivers to:-

• understand the wellbeing challenges faced by professional drivers, and their managers
• understand the challenges for older professional drivers in staying in employment
• investigate how older professional drivers are constrained by their work and working practices
• promote ways employers can respond positively to the ageing professional driver workforce
• share examples of ‘good practice’, for example where jobs have been redesigned to fit the needs of older professional drivers or wellbeing initiatives introduced to protect driver health in general
• promote the implementation of good practice 

How it will work

Manchester Distribution has been chosen to take part in the study. The University of Manchester will make contact with the site and ask for volunteers to be interviewed by them.

• A total of 20 interviews are expected to take place. About 16 to 18 interviews with individual drivers (a mix of HGV or 7.5 tonne drivers), and 2-4 interviews with their direct line managers.
• The interviews can be carried out in a block of days, or one day a week spread over a few weeks. Or any other combination of days.
• The interviews will take 30-40 minutes maximum in a quiet area/room.
• The University of Manchester research team will carry out the interviews.
• Participant Information Sheets will be distributed in advance of the interviews for those taking part.

The research will be carried out by Dr. Sheena Johnson, Senior Lecturer, and Dr. Lynn Holdsworth, Researcher, at the University of Manchester.

What will be asked in the interviews?

Participants will be asked to take part in a one-to-one interview with the researcher either by telephone or face-to-face. The researcher will ask participants about their job and health in relation to their job. They will also be asking about whether participants’ experience of work and health has changed with age.

What happens to the data collected?

Written transcriptions will be made from all audio recordings. This information will then be analysed by the researcher to look for any common themes and differences. These findings may be published in a report, journal papers and/or conference presentations. The names, or any identifying information about those interviewed, will not be used and will remain anonymous from Royal Mail, Unite CMA and the CWU.

What are the potential benefits of taking part?

The benefit for the individual is the satisfaction of knowing that they have contributed to the development of understanding about work, health and age. There are no risks for those taking part in the study.

For the business, it will help them understand the risks of an ageing workforce and help design the future approach to ensure employees are supported.

How is confidentiality maintained?

Confidentiality will be maintained at all times. This is very important as Royal Mail and the Unions want all volunteers to be comfortable and open when giving their feedback to the research team as this will give more valuable information. All written transcriptions will be anonymised i.e., all identifying information (individual or organisation-specific) will be removed. All electronic data will be stored on password protected computers. Digital audio files will be destroyed at the end of the project. All findings reported in reports, papers and presentations will also be anonymised. Therefore anything anyone says in the interview will not be reported in a way that can be traced back to them or the organisation.

What happens if individuals do not want to take part or if they change their mind?

It is up to individuals to decide whether or not to take part. If they do decide to take part they will be given an information sheet to keep and be asked to sign a consent form. If they decide to take part they are still free to withdraw at any time without giving a reason and without detriment.

This study is funded by the Economic Social Research Council, The University of Manchester and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and has received ethical approval from the Health and Safety Executive and the University of Manchester Research Ethics Committee.

What happens at the end of the research?  

At the end of the research, a full report will be produced, inclusive of all organisations that have taken part. It will have conclusions and recommendations for employers and the HSE to consider so that we can protect the health and wellbeing of the driver workforce in the future. The report and recommendations will be shared with the Union.

Union Involvement

Throughout this research local Area Safety Representatives from CWU and Unite/CMA will be fully involved and will feed back both to their respective HQs. Attached is a joint communication distributed to participating members.

Research commencement date

This is planned to commence during the week commencing Monday 22^nd October or shortly thereafter.

Extending the Research

A joint decision will be made involving all parties, Royal Mail, CWU and the Researchers as to whether to extend the research after the conclusion of this initial stage.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

18LTB583 Manchester University and the Health & Safety Executive – Ageing Driver Research

Manchester School of Business Communication

CWU History and Heritage Project

Further to LTBs 300/18 and 541/18 regarding the preservation of the Union’s important Branch historical records and archives. Following discussions with the Research Department it has been agreed that the most practical way of moving this issue forward is to approach it from a Regional perspective. In line with this Bill Taylor, Head of Research, will be seeking an opportunity to meet the Regional Secretaries and the Education and Training Department to discuss the best way to deliver this.

We will be making contact with a University in Scotland who have already agreed to store some Scottish Branch archives on its premises, to see if this facility can be extended to other Branches in Scotland. A pilot scheme will begin in the London Region with a view to providing a safe and secure facility for London Branches to store their historical archives. Although progress has been slow it is apparent from the enquiries and contacts that there is a great deal of interest in this subject. Once we have had the meetings with the Regional Secretaries and Education and Training Department we will inform Branches of the outcome and progress made with this issue.

Branch Records/Archives: Scoping

In the meantime, we are running a short survey to establish what historical Branch materials are currently held by Branches and what steps have been taken to organise and preserve this material.

We are aware that some Branches may have been proactive on this and have already made archival arrangements locally, whilst others have yet to do so. Whatever the circumstances, we are keen to hear from you to help guide us in taking the CWU history and heritage project forward.

Please return your completed questionnaire by email to: dlenihan@cwu.org

Q1: 

Does your Branch have historic records from the CWU or any predecessor union? [These might be old minute books, branch accounts, local campaign literature etc]

Q2:

If your Branch does have such records, has the Branch made any arrangements for their storage? (At local archives for example) or are they kept at Branch premises?

Q3:

If your Branch does have such records still at Branch premises, could you give an indication of the quantity of historical records at the premises? An estimate of the physical size overall would also be useful?

Q4:

Can you identify any Branch activists who might be interested in taking a lead on a Branch-records archiving project?

Any comments or queries please do get in touch with the CWU Information Manager in the first instance

Denis Lenihan, Data Protection Officer & Information Manager

CWU Research Department

CWU Head Office, 150 The Broadway, Wimbledon, London, SW19 1RX.

020 8971 7279

dlenihan@cwu.org

Any enquiries regarding this LTB should be sent to gsoffice@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely

Dave Ward

General Secretary

18LTB582 – CWU HISTORY AND HERITAGE PROJECT

Election of: Member-Nominated Trustee Director – Royal Mail Pension Plan

Further to LTB 476/18 dated 21 August 2018.

Branches will be aware that the above LTB provided the election and nomination arrangements for the position of Member Nominated Trustee (MNT) for the Royal Mail Pension Plan.

We have subsequently received enquiries from branches seeking further clarification on why the election is required and we can confirm that the election is necessary as a result of the current MNT – Phil Browne, former CWU Branch Secretary, Royal Mail Divisional Representative and National Executive Council Member completing the 6 year period of office as a RMPP Pension Trustee and thereby under the rules of the pension scheme is now required to seek re-election.

In order to assist branches in making recommendations to their respective members we have attached a copy of the election statements for all of the eligible candidates which as you will see includes the election statement for Phil Browne who is again standing for the MNT position which he has held since 2012.

Please note that the ballot papers for the election will be sent to all eligible members of the RMPP by the appointed Independent Scrutineer, Popularis Ltd on 15^th October 2018 and the ballot will close on 5^th November 2018.  

If you require any further information regarding the election then please contact Peter Metcalfe in the Senior Deputy General Secretary’s Department.

Yours sincerely,

Tony Kearns
Senior Deputy General Secretary

18LTB579

RM Pension Candidate Statements

Dangerous Dogs – Scottish Government Public Audit and Post-Legislative Scrutiny Committee Review of Dog Control Law – CWU Written Submission

To: All Branches

Dear Colleagues,

As CWU Branches, Safety Reps and Regional Safety Forums will know from previous LTBs, there are currently two public inquiries of legislative reviews underway, looking at the Dangerous Dogs problem in the UK, examining the effectiveness of the current Dog Control Legislation and its enforcement. One is being undertaken in Westminster by the UK Government’s House of Commons, Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee and a second, in Holyrood, Edinburgh by the Scottish Government’s Public Audit and Post-Legislative Scrutiny Committee. Both inquiries were brought about, in no small part by a concerted effort and lobbying by the CWU Health, Safety & Environment Department’s ‘Bite-Back’ Campaign re-launch, following growing problems across the country with dangerous dogs law enforcement by Police and the Courts. Additionally the CWU Health, Safety & Environment Department has been working hard campaigning also in Wales, pressing the Welsh Government to take action and a number of meetings have taken place with Ministers, MPs, MSPs and MLAs.

In Scotland, the Union was successful in gaining the support of every Political Party which led to a full parliamentary debate and from there the setting up of an Inquiry. As part of its post-legislative scrutiny of the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010, the Public Audit and Post-Legislative Scrutiny Committee will examine the effectiveness of Dog Control Legislation, that aims to ensure dogs are kept under control and the role of Police, Crown Prosecutors, Courts and local authorities in fulfilling their duties, including the serving of Dog Control Notices as a deterrent to irresponsible dog ownership.

The inquiry was prompted by the CWU ‘Bite-Back’ Campaign working alongside the ‘Lead The Way’ Campaign, which has been campaigning for young children victims of dog attacks and follows concerns at the number of serious dog attack hospitalisations in Scotland, which have increased 80% over the last 10 years and are now topping 2,000 a year in Scotland alone.

The Control of Dogs Act was right to recognise that responsibility rests with dog owners to ensure their pets pose no risk to the public, however the number of prosecutions and convictions in Scotland has remained extremely low, less than 10 a year and the number of dog destructions has been zero.

The CWU Health, Safety & Environment Department is of the view that the problem in Scotland isn’t difficult to see. Despite being given assurance the “One Free Bite” rule or doctrine would not be followed, this is exactly what is being applied right across the legal structure with Police, Prosecutors, Defendants and Courts all following this ‘unwritten rule’ which should have no place in law.

The Scottish Government Public Audit and Post-Legislative Scrutiny Committee is currently seeking written views as part of its post-legislative scrutiny of the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010 and has invited written submissions for consideration. Subsequently the Committee will invite selected witnesses to give evidence and it wants to hear a wide range of views on whether the Law has been effective in reducing the number of out of control dogs or not. The Committee also wants to know how well the Police, Courts and local authorities are carrying out their duties under the Act, and whether the public believe legislation can and should be strengthened to prevent dog attacks in the future.

The aim of the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010 was to ensure that dogs which are out of control are brought and kept under control by tackling irresponsible dog ownership and by shifting the focus from “breed” to “deed”. To do so the Act makes provision for local authorities to impose measures on an owner, or person in charge of a dog, who fails to keep their dog under control via Dog Control Notices. The Public Audit and Post-legislative Scrutiny Committee is seeking to review the effectiveness of the Act in meeting its objective “…to ensure that dogs which are out of control are brought and kept under control in Scotland”. The Inquiry is asking the following questions:-

• How effective is the Act in reducing the number of out of control dogs/ dog attacks in Scotland;
• How well are local authorities carrying out their duties under the Act;
• What challenges do you feel local authorities face in carrying out their duties under the Act;
• Are there any weaknesses in the Act and what specific changes would you would like to see;
• Any other issues relating to the Act you wish to bring to the attention of the Committee.

Attached is a copy of the CWU written submission which has been lodged with the Scottish Government’s Public Audit and Post-Legislative Scrutiny Committee for their consideration.

Further reports will be made in due course.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

18LTB572 Dangerous Dogs – Scottish Government Review

Control of Dogs (Scotland Act) 2010 – Post Legislative Scrutiny – CWU Ev.._

Dog Attacks on Postal Workers Example Cases (V8a) April 2018

Royal Mail and BT/Openreach Preparing for European Health & Safety Week 2018:

To: All Branches

Dear Colleagues,

CWU safety reps at workplaces all across the country are asked to carry out workplace safety inspections and thorough checks later this month, with a focus on awareness-raising, risk assessment and accident prevention.

Wednesday October 24^th has been chosen as the official ‘TUC National Inspection Day’, as it falls right in the middle of the 2018 European Health and Safety Week – and this year, as usual, our union will be playing its full part in supporting and highlighting the need for a safe workplace and workforce for all.

At the two companies where the vast majority of CWU members work, operational and safety managers will be fully supporting CWU safety reps in a wide range of joint activities, which will include safety inspections, work-time learning sessions, posters and leaflets and key messages to the workforce.

The headline theme of this year’s European Health and Safety Week is – Healthy Workplaces Manage Dangerous Substances – something which affects many workers in the UK and all around Europe.

In recent decades many hazardous substances, such as asbestos, have been banned, restricted or subjected to strict regulatory control, however, dangerous substances continue to be a major safety and health issue in some workplaces.

From Monday 22^nd through to Friday 26^thOctober, the aim will be to raise awareness of the risks posed by dangerous substances in the workplace, to promote a culture of risk prevention to eliminate and, where that is not possible, to effectively and safely manage these risks.

“Royal Mail Group and BT Group/Openreach have endorsed and are fully supporting National Inspection Day and European Health and Safety Week and we’re encouraging CWU Safety Reps to specifically prioritise inspections at higher risk workplaces, areas or functions or specific jobs and consider whether the workplace is healthy and safe for all,” Dave pointed out.

Safety Rep workplace health and safety inspections don’t just have to focus on the tangible hard hazards such accommodation issues, equipment, protective clothing, slip and trip risks, fire risks, and work stations, spot checks can also focus on intangible hazards and solutions that do not have a physical presence, hazardous substances, chemicals, dust and fumes are just as important as are work patterns, specific tasks, working environment and flexible working.

So our message is, please play your full part in Health and Safety Week and National Inspection Day and remember, workplaces with active Safety Reps are twice as safe as those without.

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HSE Statistics

At UK workplaces in 2017/18
137 deaths 

621,000 injuries 

0.5 million workers were 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.

And…

12,000 lung disease deaths were estimated to be linked to past work exposures

2,515 Mesothelioma deaths were due to past asbestos exposures.

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Key dates:

• European Health and Safety Week 22-28 October 2018.
• National Inspection Day Wednesday 24 October 2018.

Campaign objectives:

• Target groups of workers with specific needs and functions with higher levels of risk
• Raise awareness of risk
• Promote risk assessment
• Increase knowledge of the legislative frameworkFor further information on EU Health & Safety Week: LTBs 503/18 and 550/18:

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Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

18LTB571 Royal Mail & BT Openreach preparing for European Health & Safety Week 2018