2019 Dispute Relating to Honouring & Deploying the Four Pillars of Security & Pay/Guiding Principles National Agreement between the CWU & RMG – Unagreed Recruitment of Additional Temporary, Agency and Casual Workers

The DGS(P) Department has been made aware of adverts that have been circulated throughout large parts of the country by a number of employment agencies. These relate to the recruitment of casual, agency and in some cases temporary workers on varying rates of pay and during the hours of around 11:00 – 19:00. The Union believes these actions are a clear breach of a number of our National Agreements and are currently seeking legal advice.

In addition a Sub Group has been established to monitor the situation and devise ways that these unilateral actions can be challenged using our agreed industrial processes.

I have also taken the step of writing to the Head Office of each of the Employment Agencies that are recruiting for these posts to remind them of their legal obligations during an official dispute and strike action. It is also important that Branches contact all employment agencies in the areas where such unagreed recruitment is taking place to remind them of the legalities around this matter.

Please see attached for the information of Branches a letter which I would encourage you to use as a template to approach local employment agencies.

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

Yours sincerely,

Terry Pullinger
Deputy General Secretary (Postal)

19LTB639

Attachment to LTB 639-19

Parcelforce TUPE/Employee’s Letter

As you are aware the proposal to create a new separate legal trading entity of Parcelforce Limited and transfer Parcelforce employees to the new company by means of a TUPE transfer remains a central issue in our disputes with both RMG and Parcelforce Worldwide.

The departments have become aware that Gary Simpson, Managing Director, wrote to our members in Parcelforce on 30th October 2019 to express the business’ view on the TUPE consultation and potential next steps in relation to their proposal.

On the issue of the TUPE consultation the departments believe that the content of the letter misrepresents the position of the CWU within that process.

Of greater concern is the fact that the letter in our view signals to CWU members in Parcelforce a clear intent on the part of the company to progress with the deployment of their proposal following the conclusion of the Dispute Resolution Process on 7th November 2019. This despite the fact that our members have overwhelmingly rejected the proposal through the democratic Industrial Action Ballot process.

It is ironic that at a time when the company has publicised their request to the Union to refrain from calling Industrial Action and supposedly offering unconditional talks on a resolution to our dispute in RMG, that in reality the actions of Parcelforce may make any settlement of the matters in both disputes impossible and serious group wide Industrial Action inevitable.

In response to the business’ letter we have attached for the information of Branches a copy of an individual CWU letter sent to our members in Parcelforce. The attached reaffirms the CWU opposition to the company proposal and clarifies our position in relation to the dispute across RMG should the company choose to ignore the views of their employees and proceed with the TUPE transfer of our Parcelforce members.

Our members in Parcelforce should be assured that this issue remains a fundamental element of both disputes with the company and that the CWU will continue to press for a negotiated settlement by all means necessary, in line with the overwhelming mandate of our members, utilising our collective strength and solidarity across RMG.

We would request that Branches ensure that this LTB and attached letter are given the widest possible publicity to our representatives and members across Parcelforce and RMG.

Yours sincerely

Terry Pullinger – DGSP

Davie Robertson – Assistant Secretary 

Ray Ellis – Assistant Secretary 

19LTB638

Attachment 1 – PFW Member’s Letter 01.11.19

GENERAL ELECTION – CWU NATIONAL BRIEFING FRIDAY 8^TH NOVEMBER 2019

The purpose of this LTB is to advise Branches that the union will be holding a National Briefing to set out our approach to campaigning in the General Election.  The event will take place on Friday 8^thNovember at the NEU, Mander Hall, Hamilton House, Mabledon Place, London WC1H 9BD, commencing at 11 a.m. and finishing no later than 2 p.m.

The forthcoming General Election is a once in a generation opportunity to deliver fundamental change in the country and realise a number of significant policies that CWU has pushed over recent years.  At the briefing we will set out what Labour’s offer means for our members and explain the work we are asking Branches to undertake over the next six weeks.

In making this a priority commitment, we want all CWU Branches to attend with a maximum of two delegates.

Any enquiries on the above LTB should be addressed to gsoffice@cwu.org

Yours sincerely

Dave Ward

General Secretary 

19LTB636 General Election – CWU National Briefing Friday 8th November 2019

Christmas Arrangements 2019

Branches will be aware that due to the current National dispute, the union has been offered no sight of the business’s operational plans for the pressure period and no discussions have taken place in relation to Christmas/New Year arrangements for the 2019/20 festive period.

Given that we would normally have engaged or concluded agreed arrangements by this stage, both departments have started to receive enquiries in relation to the approach representatives should adopt with any local discussions.

Attached for the information of Branches is a copy of a letter that has been sent to Simon Barker, outlining the CWU position with regard to this year’s Christmas Arrangements, in the absence of a specific agreement for 2019/20.

We believe the contents of the letter are self-explanatory and we would advise Branches and representatives to conduct any discussions in line with the position outlined.

Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to the relevant department:

Processing/Area Distribution: email: shayman@cwu.org quoting reference number: 706A.10

Or

Deliveries: email outdoorsecretary@cwu.org quoting reference number: 170

Yours sincerely

Davie Robertson – Assistant Secretary

Mark Baulch – Assistant Secretary

LTB 635 -19

Att 635

Following the RM/CWU Joint Statement circulated in August, this LTB intends to further support the understanding of Age and ID Verification Services. It is also jointly recognised that the introduction of these new services place frontline colleagues with further added responsibilities and challenges, accordingly where any instances or difficulties are being experienced by frontline colleagues these will be managed and treated in a fully supportive manner. Frontline colleagues will be provided with the necessary support along with any further training and coaching necessary to help them carry out this task.

There has been a particular focus on the safety aspects regarding the Age ID Verification product, and the importance the CWU places on the safety of our members. Hence our respective departments have worked closely on this matter.

The Health, Safety and Environment Department had a range of safety concerns for which reassurance was required in relation to this initiative. These being:

• Walk Safe being central to this initiative. This is a longstanding safety procedure to deal with the growing problem of the threat of violence and assault on delivery staff. Whilst satisfied with the preparation in delivery units whereby a notification or red flag identifies the requirement for age verification, assurances were required around the risk of confrontation on the doorstep. Dynamic risk assessment must allow staff to walk away from a threatening or potentially threatening confrontation.
• Just as the RMG SHE Team prioritises high impacting units (HIUs) in relation to dog attacks and slips, trips and falls, likewise there needs to be a focus on known high risk-high crime areas. The risk of verbal and physical assault must be taken seriously and risk assessed by managers in consultation with CWU Area Safety Reps. The RMG Security Team will have a role.
• There is already an increase in dog attacks with signed for delivery when opening the door, and the combination with this initiative may increase that risk with the requirement for age verification.
• Safety must be paramount in all communications and WTLLs regarding this initiative.
  In summary, there must be robust risk control measures in place. It is important that we got
  that assurance.

Those safety assurances have now been secured via discussions with the RMG Safety
Health and Environment (SHE) Team in liaison with the RM Programmes Team.

Please see below a summary of the controls in place to cover off the risks that the
CWU identified.

Risk of Confrontation

The guidance in ‘Walk Safe’ should be adhered to in order to reduce the risk of confrontation.
The workplace coach packs and FAQs that the project team developed have incorporated the
key message which is – if OPGs feel threatened, to remove themselves from the threat
and leave the item if necessary:

• It is important that, if at any stage a frontline colleague feels threatened or in danger,
  they should walk away from the doorstep (leaving the parcel if unable to take the
  parcel back) and inform the Security Helpdesk, your manager and the police (if
  required). You can contact the Security Helpdesk through your PDA menu or
  dial (0207 239 6655). Alternatively, you can dial 999 (extract from Work Place
  Coach training materials).
• When something is reported to the Security Helpdesk they are going to ask whether the
  incident relates to an Age Verification/ID Verification item. The project team has put in
  place weekly calls with the Security Helpdesk, starting from 8th November, to monitor
  this data and provide them with a regular platform to discuss any concerns post go-live.
• Any reported risks will be managed via the WRAP/USO suspensions process – obviously
  ASRs would be involved in this process where risks or incidents have been reported by
  staff.
• Another relevant control is the customer notification piece as it will not be a surprise to
  the customer that the post person is asking for ID – the customer will be notified at the
  point of purchase that they will be required to provide ID/proof of age for this
  product. They will be reminded again via text/email that ID is required as the item
  passes through our pipeline. Employees have also been provided with a ‘customer
  information card’ that they can reference if the customer needs further explanation.

Whilst the above has gone in the training pack, there will be further opportunities for the ‘Walk
Safe’ message to be reiterated to support the go-live next week. An additional communication
will go out to Delivery Offices with a link to the full Risk of Confrontation briefing.

Dog Attack Risk

An action has been captured on the SAC1 to raise awareness of this potential risk i.e., the
customer leaving the doorstep to retrieve ID. This isn’t featured in the WPC pack but the
planned message will be: Age ID/Verification: Dog at the property and customer needs to get
their ID. Politely ask the customer to close the door/secure the dog.

The Age/ID Verification product is currently only available to Amazon and the initial volumes
are expected to be low – Royal Mail Project Team will share the volume forecasts. Once the
product is live, the project team can take feedback from units/ASRs and if new risks are
identified we will revisit the SAC1 and consult you again on the proposed controls.

In summary, the safety assurances sought on behalf of our members have been secured. The
risks are being controlled. Ongoing monitoring will take place. Feedback to the Health Safety
and Environment department from ASRs is vital. Meetings and dialogue will be ongoing with
the SHE Team, Programmes Team and Delivery Team. The Project Team will continue to
monitor and review and seek feedback as part of the deployment process. If new risks arise
the SAC1 will be revisited.

The Age and ID Verification product will be launched next week w/c Monday 4th November.

Attachments to this LTB:

• Age and ID Verification Safety Assessment and Concurrence (SAC1)
• Risk of Confrontation WTLL
• Age and ID Verification Services – Workplace Coach Training Pack
• Age and ID Verification Customer Handout (two sided card)
• Age and ID Verification FAQs
• Age and ID verification National Joint Statement

Any queries to the content of the above, please contact the Health, Safety & Environment
Department, Louise Pietrzykowska, email address: lpietrzykowska@cwu.org, reference number
C39.

Or:

The Outdoor Department, reference: 600, email address: outdoorsecretary@cwu.org.

Dave Joyce – National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

Mark Baulch – Assistant Secretary, Outdoor Postal Department

LTB 634.19 – Royal Mail – Age and ID Verification Services

Age Verification ID Verification – Safety Assessment + Concurrence (SAC1.._

Risk of Confrontation WTLL (v1.0)

WPC Training Pack 22 08 19

Age IDV Customer Handout

Age and IDV_FAQ

Royal Mail_CWU National Joint Statement – Age and ID Verification Products