JOINT STATEMENT BETWEEN ROYAL MAIL RELAY OPERATIONS AND THE COMMUNICATION WORKERS UNION IN RELATION TO THE CESSATION OF THE BRITISH GAS CONTRACT

Branches and representatives will be aware that following tender activity Royal Mail Specialist Services/Relay has been unsuccessful in their bid to retain the British Gas contract. The existing contract was due to expire in March 2020 however, following discussions with British Gas, the business has been able to secure a phased exit plan (Annex A) which will commence in April and be concluded by 2020.

The contract loss will require adjustments in respect of the Relay operation, which will vary on a unit by unit basis. Discussions have therefore been taking place with the business to conclude a Joint Statement to provide an update to members and a framework for timely local engagement to take place.

A copy of the Joint Statement, which has been endorsed by the Postal Executive, is attached for your information (Annex B).

Colleagues will note that PFW Regional Organisers and local RMSS/Relay representatives will be fully involved in discussions for the required changes and people issues, which will be progressed in line with National agreements, the IR Framework, MTSF and adhere to agreed principles. Equally, it has been confirmed that the transition will be achieved without recourse to compulsory redundancies.

The National Relay Joint Working Group will monitor the deployment throughout the phased exit plan and provide support where required.

Branches and representatives are requested to ensure that RMSS/Relay members are made aware of this LTB and the attached Joint Statement.

Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary, email: shayman@cwu.org, quoting reference: 218.03.

Yours sincerely

Davie Robertson
Assistant Secretary

 

ANNEX A 

BRITISH GAS CONTRACT – PHASED EXIT PLAN

Depot – Last delivery day

Milton Keynes Saturday, 4th April

Peterborough Saturday, 18th April

Carlisle Saturday, 2nd May

Wednesbury Saturday, 2nd May

Exeter Saturday, 16th May

Swansea Saturday, 23rd May

Bristol Saturday, 6th June

Edinburgh Saturday, 20th June

Thurrock Saturday, 4th July

Gateshead Saturday, 18th July

Nottingham Saturday, 1st August

Leeds Saturday, 15th August

Southampton Saturday, 29th August

Epsom Saturday, 12th September

Manchester Saturday, 26th September

 

ANNEX B 

JOINT STATEMENT BETWEEN ROYAL MAIL RELAY OPERATIONS AND THE COMMUNICATION WORKERS UNION IN RELATION TO THE CESSATION OF THE BRITISH GAS CONTRACT

Background

Royal Mail (RM) and the Communication Workers Union (CWU) are working together in developing key business policies, mutual interest solutions and a new culture, which are at the core of the commitments in the Agenda for Growth, Stability and Long Term Success Agreement.

Both parties recognise that creating the right constructive joint working relationships is key to the success of the business and the commitment to provide sustainable employment across all functions of the business in an increasingly competitive and rapidly evolving environment.

Introduction

Colleagues will be aware Relay were unsuccessful in retaining the British Gas contract in the recent tender process, with the contract moving to an alternate supplier. A phased exit plan of this contract has now been agreed with British Gas, which will commence in April and be concluded by September 2020.

National planning activity on the operational change required to accommodate the removal of the British Gas workload while ensuring that duty structures remain robust has been undertaken by the business and the outputs are now ready to be shared. To ensure all operational and any identified peoples issues relating to this change can be progressed in a timely manner, both parties agree that local engagement on a depot by depot basis should now commence.

Employee Impact/People Issues

It is anticipated that the impact of the change will vary across the Relay network, however it has been jointly recognised and accepted that in all cases the timely resolution of people issues will be a key priority. In line with our Nationally agreed commitments both parties confirm that the transition will be achieved without recourse to compulsory redundancies.

On a unit by unit basis local discussions and negotiations should consider all aspects of the impact and be progressed in line with National agreements, the IR Framework and MTSF and adhere to the following principles:

• Prior to the application of the processes and policies contained within the MTSF agreement consideration will be given to:

• The removal of all agency/casual resource
• Where jointly agreed necessary, the cessation of Fixed Term Contracts.

• No employee will be compelled to buy down their hours or convert to a part-time contract.
• No part-time employee will be compelled to increase their contractual hours.
• In all units where it is anticipated that there may be a surplus following the revision activity preference exercise activity will take place.
• Wherever possible the aim will be to meet individual’s first preference and offer suitable alternative jobs that take into account individuals’ personal circumstances, including any additional travelling distances and time.
• The movement of workload will be based on operational needs including the ability of gaining offices to maintain quality of service. When moving workload, people issues will also be considered in line with the existing National policies and procedures, including Managing the Surplus Framework (MTSF).
• In addition to the terms of MTSF, support will be provided to help individuals so they can make realistic and appropriate choices for their future.

CWU Involvement

Both parties agree it is essential there is joint involvement in all activity associated to this change with all relevant information shared throughout the process.

The role of the CWU representatives within these processes is fully recognised, as is the requirement for appropriate release in order for them to meaningfully prepare, participate and obtain the views of their members. It is agreed that in line with the IR Framework, CWU representatives undertaking this work will not suffer financial loss. To this end it is agreed that local managers will facilitate this release and that all reasonable requests for release will be agreed.

Relay will ensure that management teams liaise with their local representatives and CWU Regional Organisers to resolve any outstanding people issues.

The National Relay Joint Working Group (JWG) will monitor the deployment throughout the phased exit plan and provide support where required.

Any questions of interpretation, implementation or application of this Joint Statement should be referred to the signatories for resolution.

Ian Simpson – Head of Relay Operations, Royal Mail

Davie Robertson – Assistant Secretary, Communication Workers Union

Date: 16th January 2020

20LTB029

 

Submission of Motions – General Conference 2020 – Sunday 19th –Tuesday 21^st April 2020

Further to LTB 701/19 issued on 10^th December 2019, Branches/Regional Committees/Regional Health and Safety Sub-Committees are reminded that the closing date for submission of motions to General Conference is 12 noon, on Monday 3^rdFebruary 2020.

Attached with this Letter to Branches are motion forms for General Conference 2020. Branches should note that the motion guide for submitting motions to General Conference 2020 has been attached.

Submitting bodies are advised to read the guidance notes carefully prior to submitting motions to ensure your motions meet the criteria for submission.

At this stage it is expected that the Equality Day will be Monday 20^th April 2020.   Whilst it is hoped that the content of motions submitted by the Regions on behalf of the Regional Equality Sub-Committee will be such that it is appropriate to be placed in the Equal Opportunities section of the agenda and heard on the Equality Day,  motions will not automatically be placed there unless the content of the motion allows.

Entitlements In relation to the General Conference 2020:

• All Branches are entitled to submit three motions to General Conference.
• Regional Committees are entitled to submit three motions to the General Conference – however one of the motions must be from the Regional Equality Sub-Committee.
• Regional Health and Safety Sub-Committees are entitled to submit three motions on Health, Safety and Environmental matters to the Health Safety and Environment section of the agenda.

Motions submitted by email and any other email correspondence must be sent to generalmotions@cwu.org and no other personal email address.

Submitting bodies ***Please note the new email address***

If sending Motions by post, Branches must ensure they use a signed for service which guarantees delivery by the closing date and time.

Motions received, will be acknowledged within 72 hours. If you do not receive notification of the receipt of your motions, contact generalmotions@cwu.org or call Angela Niven at head office on 020 8971 7256 to confirm receipt.

Branches/Regions/Health and Safety Sub-Committees/Minority Conferences and the NEC are reminded that the Standing Orders Committee will not alter or amend any of the motions submitted therefore it is important that motions are checked before they are submitted.

Any queries regarding this Letter to Branches should be addressed to Angela Niven on 020 8971 7256 or by email to generalmotions@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,

 

A P Kearns
Senior Deputy General Secretary

20LTB027 – Submission of Motion -General Conference 2020 – Sunday 19th-Tuesday 21st April 2020

General Motion Guide 2020

General Conference Motion Form 2020

HS Motion form GC 20

 

UN Anti-Racism Day 2020 

Saturday, 21^st March 

Branches should take note that the next UN Anti-Racism Day rallies are taking place on Saturday 21^stMarch 2020 in London and Glasgow.

Over one thousand CWU members ensured that the CWU had a spectacular presence at the rally last year where parts of central London were turned pink. This marked the start of the CWU’s commitment to be at the forefront of the fight against the Far-Right. It is our hope that the next UN Anti-Racism march will be even better attended by CWU Branches.

For now, we would be grateful if you could mark this date in your diary and begin to generate as much interest as possible with a view to trying to encourage grassroots members into coming along and engaging in our Anti-Racism agenda.

We have seen the hostile environment which has been perpetuated by the political events across the globe. This has given those on the Far-Right the oxygen to bring their hatred to a new level. The CWU are committed to doing what we can to combat racism and fascism whenever and wherever it rears its ugly head.

Further details on precise meetings points etc. will be communicated in due course.

Any queries on this LTB should be directed to the Equality, Education & Development Department.

Yours sincerely,

 

Dave Ward
General Secretary  

 

Kate Hudson
Head of Equality, Education & Development

20LTB026 – UN Anti-Racism Day 2020

ORGANISING AND RECRUITMENT

 

In the last few weeks we have been reviewing progress on the new organising and recruitment strategy agreed by the NEC, as set out in LTB 147/19 and discussed at last year’s Annual Conference.

There were a number of different elements to this strategy and over the next few weeks we will be providing branches with a full update, including latest membership numbers and trends.  The NEC will also be discussing this at our meeting on the 23^rd January.

Branches will recall that the overall strategy was based on 3 key elements:

• Maintaining and improving membership numbers and density in our existing organised companies.
• Breaking into new companies within the overall communications sector.
• Scoping the opportunities that exist in the new world of work as a result of digitalisation, the gig economy and the fourth industrial revolution. This includes investment in a new membership app that will create new and innovative digital platforms, as well as significantly improving engagement and communications with our existing membership.

The overall strategy is central to developing a one union approach that harnesses the strengths of the CWU for the benefit of all members and workers everywhere.  Furthermore, this approach is directly linked to our thinking and the work we are leading on within the TUC to promote a movement wide campaign on the “New Deal for Workers”.

The purpose of this LTB is to advise branches that in order to reinforce our focus on organising and recruitment, Ray Ellis (Postal National Officer) will now lead the development of our strategy over the next 3 months.  Further information on the specific work that Ray will be doing will be explained to branches in due course.

In the meantime, during the period that Ray is seconded to this new Organising and Recruitment role, his position as a National Officer in the Postal Department will be covered by the normal substitution arrangements and accordingly the DGS (P) will confirm this to postal branches.

Given the major ongoing industrial issues in both constituencies, the General Election and the significant work being undertaken to implement redesign, branches will understand that the last 6 months has been an incredibly busy period for the union.  However, it is now essential that we refocus our efforts on organising and recruitment and I am confident that Ray’s experience across the whole union will be very beneficial in moving forward and further improving the union’s whole approach to organising and recruitment.

Any enquiries on the above LTB should be addressed to the General Secretary’s office gsoffice@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely

 

Dave Ward

General Secretary

LTB 023/2020 – Organising and Recruitment

REDESIGN – ASSET REVIEW – MOTION 57 

At their NEC meeting in September 2019 the NEC unanimously endorsed a position on the Asset Review that is being undertaken as part of the Redesign Project.

Please find attached to this LTB a first report in line with the terms of Motion 57 carried at the Special Redesign Conference in November 2018.

Given that the review explores positions around the sale of a number of premises we have had to work around what are termed commercial sensitivities.  Predominantly these are issues around how and when any properties or commercial businesses intended to be “put to market” i.e. to receive offers for, are worked through.  Most but not all of these issues have now been worked through and we are now in a position to implement the decision of the NEC and to provide a first report to Branches in line with Motion 57.

As can be seen from the report ongoing work is still required particularly in relation to the future of 150 The Broadway and as all aspects of this programme develop further reports will be provided to Branches.

This attached report contains the financial information placed before and discussed by the NEC.  The NEC reached in-principle decisions on asset sales and we have begun to put in place the necessary arrangements to secure offers.  The attached document sets out this process and, as stated above, as substantial developments occur further reports will be made to Branches as we move through this review.

Equally as important however is the investment strategy that the sale of any assets would allow us to undertake, again the report outlines our approach to this and invites Branches to engage in developing ideas in this area.

This is an important position, the CWU stands at a cross roads, it can continue to operate as it does now with the assets it currently owns or it can decide to invest for the future by utilising these assets for the benefit of all.

The purpose of the Redesign project was to deliver a new, sustainable CWU that works for all and reaches out in new areas. The decisions taken by the NEC have been taken with that objective in mind and it is against that background that this report needs to be viewed.

Further reports on this issue will issued to Branches when developments occur.

Any enquiries regarding this Letter to Branches should be addressed to the Senior Deputy General Secretary’s Department on telephone number 020 8971 7237, or email address sdgs@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely,

 

Dave Ward General Secretary

Tony Kearns Senior Deputy General Secretary

 

20LTB022

Motion 57 Asset Review & Investment Strategy