“Management mocked us but we had the last laugh” – Wetherspoons strike leader speaks out – Union News
— Read on www.union-news.co.uk/management-mocked-us-but-we-had-the-last-laugh-wetherspoons-strike-leader-speaks-out/
Eastern No5 Processing success celebrated in The Voice
Congratulations Ernie & Luke on a fantastic job.
https://www.cwu.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/The-Voice-Winter-2018-lr.pdf
POST OFFICE: AGREEMENT TO RESOLVE CHRISTMAS EVE TRADE DISPUTE – CONSULTATIVE BALLOT RESULT
POST OFFICE: AGREEMENT TO RESOLVE CHRISTMAS EVE TRADE DISPUTE – CONSULTATIVE BALLOT RESULT
Further to LTBs 688/18 and 689/18 dated 10thDecember.
Branches and our Crown Office members will be aware we reached an Acas-brokered Agreement with the Post Office to resolve the Christmas Eve opening hours trade dispute. This Agreement was unanimously endorsed by the Postal Executive and was subsequently the subject of a consultative ballot of our Crown Office members. The ballot closed today and the result is as follows:
In view of the members’ decision above, I have written to the Post Office to formally withdraw the notice for industrial action on Christmas Eve afternoon. I have also written to members’ home addresses to inform them of the ballot result and to advise that the strike notice has been withdrawn as a consequence of the Agreement being ratified.
All arrangements for resourcing Christmas Eve afternoon will be made in accordance with the Guiding Principles integral to our Agreement. In the unlikely event of members experiencing any issues in this regard, they must contact their Representative as a priority. Additionally, the £100 compensation payment for both full-time and part-time members will now be made with the January salaries.
I am pleased we were able, with the support of Dave Prince, Chief Conciliator, Acas, to find a mutually agreeable way forward which our members have endorsed to resolve this dispute.
If you have any questions in relation to this LTB, please contact Lea Sheridan – lsheridan@cwu.org.
Yours sincerely
Andy Furey
Assistant Secretary
POST OFFICE: FRANCHISING OF 74 CROWN OFFICES TO WHSMITH – TUPE CONSULTATION MEETING
POST OFFICE: FRANCHISING OF 74 CROWN OFFICES TO WHSMITH – TUPE CONSULTATION MEETING
Further to LTB 652/18 dated 16th November. I wish to provide Branches with an update specifically regarding TUPE. Yesterday we held the first joint meeting with the Post Office and WHSmith in regard to TUPE consultation. This activity took place despite WHSmith initially refusing to engage with the Union. Due to the serious issues under consideration, our negotiating team was supported by Ivan Walker, our legal expert. This was necessary as both Post Office and WHSmith also had their in-house solicitors in the room.
The TUPE consultation meeting discussed the proposed WHSmith “measures” letter (attached to this LTB) and specifically our members’ Terms & Conditions of employment including pensions that we believe should transfer across with any member who decides to take the TUPE option. The following Joint Statement was agreed with Post Office, WHSmith and Unite following the meeting:
“We are pleased to report that a meeting was held on Thursday 20th December between Post Office, WHSmith, CWU and Unite. The purpose of this meeting was to discuss the TUPE arrangements in regard to Terms & Conditions for employees transferring to WHSmith as a result of the franchising plans. The meeting was both constructive and cordial, with all parties now having a clearer understanding of the issues under consideration. There are a number of key areas that require further examination from the various parties, and subsequent discussion.
Further developments will be reported following our next meeting scheduled for Tuesday 15th January 2019.”
I appreciate the above is light on detail. Unfortunately the nature of discussions surrounding TUPE is exceptionally complex. Consequently there are a number of key areas which have been discussed in detail that require further analysis and research from various participants in the talks. At least we are now in a serious conversation with WHSmith and we are, as a consequence of the first meeting, hopeful that good progress can continue to be made. Our clear aspiration is to bring these matters to a successful conclusion at the earliest opportunity in order that members can make informed decisions about their future.
Further developments will be reported.
Yours sincerely
Andy Furey
Assistant Secretary
18LTB723 Post Office – Franchising of 74 Crown Offices to WHSmith – TUPE Consultation MeetingAttachment 1 to LTB723-18 – WHSmith Measures Letter
Royal Mail Group – Area Structure
Royal Mail Group – Area Structure
Following Royal Mail Group’s recent announcement concerning the new Operations structure, the CWU have now been advised of the revised Area structure that will come into effect from April 2019.
The areas listed below will report directly to one of the three Service Delivery Directors.
Attached to this LTB are details on how the existing Operation Managers and Plants will align to the aforementioned Area structure.
Further information will be shared with Branches in due course, in the meantime, any enquiries in relation to the content of this LTB should be addressed to the DGS(P) Department.
Yours sincerely
Ray Ellis
A/Deputy General Secretary (Postal)
PTUC: The Nature of the Beast . Sponsored by Eastern No5
Peterborough Trades Union Council will be showing the documentary film, The Nature of the Beast, about the life of Dennis Skinner, on Friday, 1st February, 2019, at The John Clare Theatre, Peterborough Library. Doors open at 7pm. This really is not to be missed, so get the date in your diary now. MORE INFO COMING SOON!
Christmas Special of the CWU podcast U Word.
Please have a listen to the Christmas Special of our podcast U Word.
We review the year, look forward to 2019 and have a little fun.
This episode features once again our GS Dave Ward and an impromptu call with CWU President, Beryl Shepherd
The Voice – Petitions for Save Our Post Office and #EndGame Campaigns
The Voice – Petitions for Save Our Post Office and #EndGame Campaigns
The next issue of The Voice will be landing with our members during the festive period. As part of our strategy to use our publications to promote key campaigns we have included copies of the Save Our Post Office and #EndGame campaign petitions on page 3 of the magazine.
The aim of this feature is to get as many members as possible to support our campaigns. To ensure we receive the highest possible level of returns we ask you to bring this to the attention of all CWU representatives so they are able to encourage members to return petitions either directly to CWU HQ or via their local Branch.
A copy of the relevant page of The Voice is attached for information.
It would also be appreciated if this information could be shared via social media, WhatsApp or Email.
Any enquiries on the content of this LTB should be directed to Marcia Murray mmurray@cwu.org
Yours sincerely
Dave Ward – General Secretary
Terry Pullinger – DGS(P)
Andy Kerr – DGS(T)
Andy Furey – Assistant Secretary
Sally Bridge – Assistant Secretary
18LTB722 The Voice – Petitions for Save Our Post Office and #EndGame Campaigns
UNIONLINE
UNIONLINE
The purpose of this LTB is to advise Branches that the NEC has recently received a report and presentation on the outcome of the independent review that was commissioned on Unionline. The report and its findings are very thorough and address the following:
- The governance structures and day to day running of the business
- Financial performance and likely impact on CWU finances
- The arrangements on the partnership with GMB
- The performance of Unionline in relation to the services provided to CWU members
- The sustainability of the Unionline business model
Branches will be aware that Unionline is jointly owned by CWU and GMB and as such it is important that in considering the report we take fully into account the need to protect the commercial interests of CWU and our sister union the GMB. Therefore, at this point it is not appropriate for the report to be available in the public domain.
Furthermore, given the comprehensive nature of the report and its findings, we will now need to engage in a series of detailed discussions prior to me placing a document to the NEC with recommendations on how we move Unionline forward. This is a major piece of work and it will not be finalised until end of January/February 2019. Once this work has been completed, we will be making appropriate arrangements for Branches to be fully updated on the report. Further information will be sent to Branches in due course.
Any enquiries on the content of this the General Secretary ongsoffice@cwu.org.
Yours sincerely
Dave Ward
General Secretary
Peterborough’s Labour MP, Fiona Onasanya
Dear Colleagues.
As I’m sure you have heard, Peterborough’s Labour MP, Fiona Onasanya was yesterday 19th December, found guilty of perverting the course of justice.
The Labour Party yesterday issued the following statement:
“The Labour Party is deeply disappointed in Fiona Onasanya’s behaviour. It falls well below what is expected of politicians. She should now resign.
Fiona Onasanya is being administratively suspended from the Labour Party and therefore the whip with immediate effect.”
Once I have any further detail on what the next steps are I will circulate them
Regards
Andy
CWU Eastern No5 Branch 