JOINT STATEMENT BETWEEN ROYAL MAIL AND THE CWU ON THE USE OF 2-AXLE (4×2) MOTIVE UNITS ON DOUBLE DECK TRAILERS

Branches and representatives are informed that under an agreed terms of reference, proof of concept trial activity has been taking place at YDC and North West Walk Bundling Centre in relation to the use of 4×2 Motive Units with Double Deck Trailers.

Until now Royal Mail have operated a policy where only 6×2 motive units are deployed with all DDT’s except the older 75 DD York Double Deck Trailers (DDT’s), and as the trailer fleet now predominately features DDT’s the procurement of new motive units has centred on the 6×2 tri-axle specification.

The business believed however that there was substantial evidence that changes in the traffic mix, with the ongoing migration from letter to parcel products, had resulted in a reduction in the average weight of laden York containers and that this could enable a review of policy and allow the safe use of 4×2 motive units on some DDT services. A proposal to trial the use of the 4×2 to replace the 6×2 motive units was therefore tabled.

Capital expenditure restrictions have affected fleet renewal policies resulting in an ageing motive unit fleet profile, currently approximately 260 Units are now over 10 years old. Given that 6×2 motive units cost around £6k more than 4×2 units, Royal Mail believe that a change in policy could enable an enhanced fleet renewal programme.

Additionally environmental concerns are focussing attention on alternative fuel options as a replacement for diesel. Royal Mail had been trialling a dual fuel motive unit at NDC and the trial had identified benefits both environmentally and in running costs, with fuel costs reducing by circa 6 pence per mile. New 6×2 motive units cannot however have a similar duel fuel conversion due to space restrictions on the chassis, making 4×2 motive units a more compelling environmental choice.

The trial activity which involved the analysis of over 270 DDT services monitored by the Network Working Group and the CWU Health & Safety Department, confirmed that the average York weight was around 122kg or half the planned weight on which the existing policy was based. Given this, modelling on the outputs has confirmed that 4×2 units can be safely and legally used with DDT’s in certain circumstances.

Discussions have therefore taken place with the business at National level in relation to finalising a Joint Statement to communicate the permitted use. A copy of the document which has been endorsed by the Postal Executive is attached for your information.

Colleagues will note that the details of which services 4×2 units can be used are included in the table in the attached Joint statement and that there is no difference in Driver Operating Safety Standards between using a 6×2 or 4×2 tractor unit as specified in Royal Mail road operations. 

Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to:

Logistics/Driving: Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary, email: dwyatt@cwu.org or shayman@cwu.org quoting reference number: 214.15

or

Health & Safety related issues: Dave Joyce, National Health, Safety & Environment Officer email: djoyce@cwu.org

Davie Robertson                                                                                                                                                                                     Dave Joyce

Assistant Secretary                                                                                                                                                                                 National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 180-19 – 4×2 Motive Units On Double Deck Trailers

JS On the Use of 4 x 2 motive units on double deck trailers

JOINT STATEMENT BETWEEN ROYAL MAIL AND THE CWU IN RELATION TO

RDC AND WBC RESOURCING MIX ACTIVITY

Branches and representatives will be aware that activity in RDC’s/WBC’s has already commenced in line with the Resourcing Realignment commitments contained in the ‘Four Pillars’ agreement. In addition to that activity discussions have also been taking place with the business to formalise a model week process that can be applied in the RDC function.

It was jointly agreed that it would be mutually beneficial to produce a standardised process to assist in ensuring that a robust resourcing base is achieved in the RDC/WBC functions, recognising the variable and evolving nature of the workload.

Following discussions Joint activity was agreed, including the involvement of CWU Industrial Engineers, to establish a revised process which meets the commitments in the Four Pillars agreement and Realignment documents.

A Joint Statement has now been concluded and endorsed by the Postal Executive, which provides a Methodology for Creating a Model Week in RDC’s/WBC’s to support the commitments in the Guiding Principles Agreement in relation to resourcing mix activity. 

A copy of the Joint Statement is attached for the information of Branches and RDC/WBC representatives.

It is anticipated that the methodology that will be applied will provide a clear process in RDC’s/WBC’s in relation to establishing an equitable resourcing mix that will:

 Maximise contractual staff. 

 Avoid stranded costs during low workload demand periods. 

 Provide a level of fixed and flexible earning opportunities to meet employee aspirations (OT/SA). 

 Ensure a reliable resourcing base. 

 Ensure effective alignment of resource to workload. 

 Be compliant with all National agreements (e.g. AL, SA etc.) 

 Comply with all legislation (e.g. Working Time Directive etc.) 

 Promote the use of innovative, mutual interest duty structures, ensuring workload clearance while providing work/life balance. 

The attached Joint Statement provides details of the review process to be undertaken on an annual basis and at peak periods to ascertain and facilitate resourcing mix requirements.

It is jointly envisaged that the processes that have been developed will provide a framework that will enable maximum permanent resourcing to be achieved, whilst also seeking to minimise stranded costs. Equally, the processes will enable flexibility in relation to resourcing, the maintenance of earnings potential for existing employees and reduce the reliance on agency resource during peak demand periods. It is jointly intended that the defined process will provide a method of reducing reliance on agency use and promote a contractual resourcing model that maximises, wherever possible, a permanent workforce consistent with existing agreements to ensure that a robust staffing base is achieved.

To ensure that the joint objectives are being achieved the resourcing figures/arrangements will be subject to National review on a six monthly basis going forward.

It has been reaffirmed that all activity will take place in line with the IR Framework and National agreements, including the MTSF where required.

It has also been confirmed that where agreed outcomes produce efficiency/operational savings these will be identified, tracked and recorded and will be included in the agreed funding solution for the 2nd Hour reduction in the Working Week for RDC/WBC’s. 

A Joint workshop has been arranged for the 27th March 2019 to deliver training in relation to the new process and RDC and WBC representatives should have received an invitation to attend. The training is extremely important and as such the department would request that every effort is made to ensure that one unit representative from each RDC and WBC is in attendance at this event. 

Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary, email: dwyatt@cwu.org or shayman@cwu.org quoting reference number: 231.01

Davie Robertson
Assistant Secretary

LTB 179-19 – JS RDC & WBC Resourcing Mix Activity

JS In Relation To RDC And WBC Resourcing Mixed Activity 21.03.19

Support for NHSBT Organ Donation in 2019 & Law Change in 2020:

Further to LTB 475/18, as you may know, legislation to change the law around organ donation in England has passed through the Parliamentary process and the changes will come into effect from spring 2020. It is hoped that these changes will lead to more donors going on to save more lives. NHSBT (NHS Blood & Transplant) has written to us asking the CWU to help to make sure everyone understands what the change means to them.

Organ Donor Law Set To Change by 2020:

Following the announcement last year, the Law is set to change in England in 2020. A new opt-out system for organ donation will be in place by 2020 in England, as approved by the UK Parliament and under the plans, adults will be presumed to be organ donors unless they have specifically recorded their decision not to be and have opted out – rather than the current system where people have to opt in. The UK Government says this will save around 800 lives each year.

NHSBT Public Information Campaign To Launch in April 2019

In April 2019 NHSBT will launch a public information campaign to tell people that the law is changing and to explain that from spring 2020 everybody over 18 will be considered as a potential donor unless they ‘opt out’ or are in an excluded group.

NHSBT will be encouraging people to choose whether they want to donate their organs when they die, to record their decision and share it with their family. If they decide they don’t want to donate, they will need to register their decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register.

CWU Support

NHSBT has expressed their gratitude to the CWU for our Union’s valued support of previous organ donation campaigns, and we are more than happy to support the communication of this forthcoming change.

NHSBT are developing a partner toolkit that will be available for use from mid–April which the Health, Safety & Environment Department will utilise.

Further reports will be published in due course.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

19LTB178 Support for NHSBT Organ Donation in 2019 & Law Change in 2020

Cardiff City Hall Dog Control Conference – CWU Calls for Clamp Down on Bad Dog Owners Well Received. National Health and Safety Officer Dave Joyce delivers ‘key-note Speech.

See below reproduced report written on the above event.

Dog attacks on postal delivery workers and irresponsible owners were discussed at Cardiff’s major conference on dog ownership on 6^th March.

The event had a high profile list of speakers led by the Union’s National Health and Safety Officer Dave Joyce who was invited by the organisers Cardiff City & County Council to deliver the ‘key-note’ address. Other speakers were; Lesley Griffiths AM – Wales Government Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs, Councillor Huw Thomas, Leader of Cardiff Council and Penny Bowers of Cardiff Dog Action.

Politicians, animal experts, dog owners, victims of dog attacks, postal workers, CWU Reps and members of the public gathered in a packed City Hall for the event to hear evidence and suggestions geared towards making dog owners more responsible and holding to account those that flout the dog control laws and allow their animals to bite postal workers, children and members of the public.

What did the CWU Say?

Dave Joyce, National Health and Safety Officer for the Communications Workers Union (CWU) spoke on the danger of dogs to postal workers – particularly over Christmas and the school holidays when attacks peak – and the urgent need to toughen up dog control in Wales.

Dave said “One in seven of Wales’s 4,730 postal workers have been bitten and injured in the last 5 years with 850 casualties.”

“Some of these injured postal workers never fully recover physically and mentally from dog attack trauma and are not able to continue working in the industry due to their disabilities and disfigurement and mental anguish.”

The 200,000 strong CWU has launched its Bite-Back Campaign and is pressing the UK government to amend the Dangerous Dogs Act further but Dave Joyce added that Wales as a devolved administration can take the lead and the CWU are calling on the Welsh Assembly to:

1. Re-introduce Dog Licensing to generate ring-fenced funds for enforcement.
2. Introduce Dog Control Notices (DCN’s).
3. Introduce on the spot Fixed Penalty Notices to deal with minor offences and breaches
4. Enforce the Dog Tag Law of 1992 which requires all dogs to wear a collar and tag when in public with the owner’s details on it.
5. Utilise Public Space Protection Orders to ban dogs from specific areas such as children’s play parks and other designated public areas.Dave Joyce added that “Currently 77% of councils have never issued a Community Protection Notice (CPN) – CPN’s have been a total ‘failure’.

What did the Welsh Government say?

Lesley Griffiths AM – Wales Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs said that she was aware of inconsistencies with dog law enforcement and that there is a lot more they can do. She said: “I am very pleased to support the campaign – being a dog lover, promoting responsible dog ownership is a subject very close to my heart. Irresponsible dog ownership has a devastating impact not only on the dog but on individuals, their families and our communities.” Lesley said she had met Dave Joyce on several occasions and committed to further discussions with the CWU on the issues they have been raising.

What did Cardiff the Council say?

Councillor Huw Thomas – Leader of Cardiff Council, the largest Local Authority in Wales said: “I agree that there is no such thing as a bad dog only bad owners” and he re-affirmed Cardiff’s commitment to responsible dog ownership, supporting the issues raised by Dave Joyce and CWU.

What Did the Cardiff Dog Action Group Say?

Penny Bowers from the Cardiff Dog Action Group spoke about tackling antisocial dog behaviour and said “The council needs to have that top-down approach in dealing with this and we want Cardiff to be a dog friendly city.”

Going Forward!

The group (Wales Government Minister Lesley Griffiths, Julie Morgan Wales Government AM, Councillor Huw Thomas Cardiff Council Leader, Councillor Dilwar Ali Cardiff Council Cabinet Member and Dave Joyce CWU National Health, Safety & Environment Member) are planning to meet again in the near future to co-ordinate an approach to tackle these issues.

See attached Photographs from the Event.

End of Report.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

19LTB176 Cardiff City Hall Dog Control Conference – CWU Calls for Clamp Down on Bad Dog Owners Well Received

Doc1 (3)

TUC LGBT+ CONFERENCE – 4^TH – 5^TH JULY 2019

The TUC LGBT+ Conference 2019 is being held from 4^th – 5^th July 2019 at the TUC, Congress House, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3LS.  The Conference sessions will be as follows:

Thursday 4^th July                11.00 – 18.00

Friday 5^th July                    09.30 – 17.30

The CWU are allowed a limited number of visitors to attend the above Conference and places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.  Due to the need for extra security at all TUC Conferences, names and addresses of those wanting visitor tickets must be supplied and tickets are not transferable.

Anyone interested in attending will need to contact their Branch initially for funding, to include a £10 visitor ticket fee. The easiest way to pay the £10 fee will be for us to transfer it directly from your Branch’s account through the rebate system, therefore please contact Angela Niven on conferences@cwu.org with details of which Branch the individual belongs to on application.  Alternatively you can send a cheque (made payable to ‘CWU’) addressed to Angela Niven at CWU HQ with a covering letter.  Please note that places will not be reserved until the £10 fee is received.

Please let me know if you would like to attend the Conference as a visitor by no later than midday on Wednesday 10^th April 2019

Any further enquiries with regards this please contact conferences@cwu.org or Angela Niven on 020 8971 7256.

Dave Ward

General Secretary

19LTB 175 – TUC LGBT Conference – Visitors