Royal Mail Group Environment Week 10^th – 14^thFebruary 2020

The Health, Safety & Environment Department has today received confirmation of RMG’s first ever Environment Week, along with all the materials to be used during the Campaign which takes place next week over the course of 5 days with different daily topics  10^th – 14^th February.

The materials (copies attached) are:

• Two sets of slides which be shown on the Office Plasma TV Screens,
• A daily template for Managers to deliver a topical brief each day,
• An Environment Week WTLL.

There is a range of support information and advice available on the topics of wastes, travel and biodiversity on the RMG intranet to support the campaign through the links below.

• Bite sized comms for Sustainable Travel – LINK
• Sustainable Travel guidance materials – LINK
• Bite sized comms for Biodiversity – LINK
• Biodiversity survey –LINK

Any Management questions should be directed to Nicholas Burns RMG‎ Safety Health and Environment Engagement Manager Mobile: 07801091380or Email: nicholas.burns@royalmail.com

‎Note:  The fact that this has been received at very short notice has been raised with the RMG SHE Team and therefore although the Union fully supports ‘Green Policies’ and supporting the protection and enhancement of the Environment, this will obviously affect the level of support our Reps can give and we have requested better planning and advance notice if this campaign is to be repeated in future.  RMG SHE accepts this.  That having been said where possible, can local Unit, Area, Branch and Regional Reps give support where possible.

Feedback is welcomed from CWU Reps and members. Additionally, employees can submit their ideas for the chance to win one of five small environmental-focused prizes‎.

Any enquiries regarding this Letter to Branches should be addressed to the Health, Safety & Environment Department on telephone number 020 8971 7365.

Yours sincerely,

Dave Joyce
National Health Safety & Environment Officer

20LTB068

Slides (1)

Slides (2)

SHE Huddle Environment Mix & Match FY 20 001

Environment Week WTLL

Royal Mail Dispute: Checklist for Branches to follow when updating Members’ Records

LTB 059/20 dated 4^th February notified Branches of the ballot timetable for the industrial action ballot we are about to conduct in RMG/Parcelforce Worldwide.  It is now necessary that we carry out the work on branch records ahead of the scheduled notification date.  We have to remind branches here that this is an extremely important activity that will be essential to ensure we comply with the relevant legislation.

We will shortly be sending a list of workplaces to branches to begin this checking process.  It is absolutely imperative that all branches complete the following check list and respond by 20^th February 2020 to the email set out below.

The check list is:

1. Check all Office names and addresses within the branch including any standalone units within Mail Centres, MPUs or Combined Delivery Offices.
2. Ensure all members are in the correct workplace.
3. Check member’s addresses.
4. Check the total members within each standalone unit are correct (including any members who are due to leave the business within the ballot timetable period).
5. Check the grade(including any substantive managers) associated with members are correct.

It is important to remind branches that if a member has transferred to a unit within the branch area this can be changed by using the OLS system in the branch.  If a member has transferred out of the branch area then Membership Records Department at Head Office would need to be notified.

All changes should be notified to Lisa Parrett in the SDGS department at the following email address MembersBallot2020@cwu.org

Again, we have to emphasis that given the position we find ourselves in i.e. our dispute with RMG then the terms of this LTB must be treated as a priority by all branches.  Any enquires should be addressed to makerman@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,

            Dave Ward                                                    Tony Kearns                                                   Terry Pullinger 

General Secretary           Senior Deputy General Secretary          Deputy General Secretary (Postal)

20LTB067

Checklist for Achieving Better Mental Health

Anxiety and depression are the most common mental health problems in the UK, with one in four of us experiencing problems every year.  The workplace can often exacerbate mental health problems.

The TUC has produced a useful checklist of five things you can do to help yourself and others.1.Firstly, talk to your friends and colleagues. Connecting with others is a good way to fight isolation and improve your mental health. Building good relationships raises your self-worth and combats a sense of isolation or “not fitting in”.

You shouldn’t rely on social media alone to build or maintain relationships with other people – physical contact is more important.

Try joining a colleagues during the lunch break or chat with your co-workers instead of using a iPhone, listening to music alone or using a computer, lap-top of tablet, etc.2.Secondly, get some fresh air and exercise. Exercise doesn’t only get you fit and improve physical health, it’s also a great way to improve mental health.  It releases endorphins – chemicals in your brain which make you feel more positive.  You can also feel a sense of achievement from setting and then reaching fitness goals.

You can exercise as part of your working day.  Try to include walking or cycling into the daily commute or use the lunch hour to go for a walk.  Some employers offer cycle to work schemes or discounted gym membership.3.Thirdly, get a good night’s sleep. Long-term sleep problems can lead to anxiety, depression and other serious mental health issues.  It can be difficult to get a good night’s sleep if you’re worrying about work.

Cutting out caffeine and alcohol, regular exercise and avoiding looking at screens at night are all easy ways to sleep better.

If you find yourself worrying about work at night, writing in a diary or making a note to deal with an issue later can also help.4.Fourthly, practice mindfulness. Mindfulness – paying attention to the present moment – can do wonders for one’s mental health.

Noticing your thoughts, feelings, and the world around you is the first step to mindfulness. Practising CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) techniques is an effective way to deal with anxieties and worries.

Taking part in a breakfast/lunchtime/after work yoga and meditation can help improve mental health or something like Tai chi, which combines deep breathing and relaxation with flowing movements which is practised around the world as a health-promoting exercise and help reduce stress, improve posture, balance and general mobility, and increase muscle strength in the legs.5.Fifthly, keep a healthy diet. Diet can affect our mental health but keeping to a healthy eating pattern at work can be difficult.

Planning your meals and bringing food from home is a great way to keep body and mind healthy.Keeping a good supply of nuts or fruits handy can also help decrease stress and replace sugary snacks.

Joining your colleagues for lunch is a great way to try new things and leave your work behind for a while.

If members have problems they should be encouraged to speak to their local Union Rep for support and advice.

Any enquiries regarding this Letter to Branches should be addressed to the Health, Safety & Environment Department on telephone number 020 8971 7365.

Yours Sincerely,

Dave Joyce

National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

20LTB066

20LTB066 Notes

DAVE WARD FORMER ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF EDUCATION AT ALVESCOT LODGE

I am writing to inform Branches of the sad news of the death of the former Assistant Secretary of Education at Alvescot Lodge – Dave Ward. I understand that Dave lost his battle against prostate cancer and passed away on 1st February 2020.

Dave was Branch Secretary of Horsham Branch for 10 years; he was also a member of the National Executive Committee before becoming Assistant Secretary of Education at Alvescot Lodge in 1990. Dave was a great comrade, Trade Unionist and Activist of our union in every sense of the word.

Dave’s funeral is taking place on Monday 24th February at 11.30 a.m., at the Glynn Valley Crematorium Bodmin, Cornwall.

I have written to Dave’s family offering the union’s condolences and sympathies at this very sad time.

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

Yours sincerely,

Dave Ward

General Secretary

20LTB065 DAVE WARD ALVESCOT

Postal Organising/Recruitment Strategy – Motion 81

Further to LTB 531/19 regarding the above circulated on 10th September 2019 which notified colleagues that the event scheduled for 9th October 2019 had been postponed.

Branches/colleagues will recall that the aim of the Seminar/Workshop was to aid the development of a wider strategy within the Postal Constituency to meet the objectives and mandate detailed in the terms of Motion 81 and increase the overall membership levels within the Postal Constituency concentrating on the non Union members employed by Royal Mail Group.

I am pleased to advise colleagues that the Seminar/Workshop has been rescheduled and will now take place on Thursday 26th March 2020 at the Holiday Inn, Liverpool City Centre, Lime Street, Liverpool L1 1NQ commencing at 10:00am and concluding no later than 16:00pm.

The following Representatives are invited to attend the Seminar/Workshop:

• Postal Branch Secretaries (or their Substitute or appropriate Branch Officer)
• Royal Mail Divisional Representatives (a maximum of 2 from each Division)
• Territorial Engineering Representatives
• Parcelforce Regional Organisers
• Regional Secretaries

It should be noted that due to the capacity of the venue, Branches are only able to send one delegate. Your assistance in this regard would be appreciated.

Further details on the event and the activity that will take place on the day will be circulated in due course however the DGS(P) Department thought advance notification of this event would assist Branches/colleagues to make the necessary travel/accommodation arrangements as appropriate.

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

20LTB064 – Postal Organising-Recruitment Strategy – Motion 81

DGSP Terry Pullinger on Royal Mail financial results

CWU comment on press article on this subject

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/business/2020/feb/06/royal-mail-shares-strike-threat

https://www.expressandstar.com/news/uk-news/2020/02/06/royal-mail-vows-to-plough-on-with-overhaul-as-strike-action-looms/

Coronavirus Outbreak – Update and Advice from Royal Mail Group, World Health Organisation (WHO) and Public Health England (PHE) for Postal Workers

This LTB is being issued and should be read in conjunction with LTBS 033/20, 043/20 and 054/20.

Please find attached a copy of the latest information issued by the Royal Mail Group Safety Health and Environment Team on the RMG ‘intranet’ yesterday in relation to the ongoing Coronavirus outbreak.

The Health, Safety & Environment Department continues monitor the situation and continues to be in daily contact with the Royal Mail Group Head of Health and the Safety, Health & Environment team regarding the Coronavirus Outbreak and the advice issued by international health organisations and experts including primarily the WHO, PHE, NHS, DHSC and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

RMG are keeping the situation under review and have issued a fourth communication yesterday (copy attached).  RMG continues to promote the ‘good hand hygiene’ message with soap and water.  Additionally, ‘Disposable Gloves’ as a barrier are being made available to anyone on request through their line manager which they recommended as an additional precaution.  They are ensuring managers know how to order gloves for employees and RMG HQ continue to monitor developments.

The Health, Safety & Environment Department has requested the provision of Hand Sanitizer Gel to the workforce.

In the meantime Royal Mail Group continue to reiterate the message from the UK’s Chief Medical Officer, PHE and NHS that ‘Hand hygiene’ is the first and most important line of defence.

“Can you catch Coronavirus from Parcels and Packages Posted from China to the UK?”‎

Since the Coronavirus Outbreak in China, the most frequently asked questions from CWU Members and Reps as well as Customers is:

“IS IT SAFE TO HANDLE OR RECEIVE A PACKAGE FROM CHINA OR ANY OTHER PLACE WHERE THERE IS AN IDENTIFIED CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK?‎”

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said:‎ “Yes, it is safe.  People receiving packages are not at risk of contracting the new Coronavirus. From experience with other coronaviruses, the WHO knows that these types of viruses don’t survive long on objects, such as letters or packages.‎”

Additionally at present the information from Public Health England(PHE), with whom Royal Mail Group are working closely with, is that ‘the risk of Coronavirus transmitting to people from the surfaces of things such as parcels and packages is low.’

Good work practices, including good hand hygiene‎, washing regularly with soap and water and the use of gloves, where required is the best defence against the risk of virus infections.

Disposable gloves are available to Royal Mail employee on request through their line manager and the gloves are a recommended additional health precaution.

Travel Advice

The Foreign Office is currently advising against all but essential travel to mainland China.  Major airlines have suspended all flights to and from the outbreak area in China.

With cases being diagnosed in a growing number of other Countries, the latest foreign travel advice should be checked at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice‎ and should be carefully considered before any international travel at this time.

In the interests of employee health Royal Mail Group are strongly recommending to all employees that they do not travel to or visit China.

Anyone who has recently returned from China and developed a fever, cough or difficulty breathing within the first 14 days should self-isolate and stay at home, call their GP or NHS 111 and report their recent travel.

Royal Mail Group in consultation with the CWU Health, Safety and Environment Department will continue to monitor the situation closely and will act on Public Health England advice which is updated daily.  There will be further updates if the advice changes.

Remember – Maintain Good Basic Hygiene

The NHS and Doctors advise everyone to maintain good basic hand and personal hygiene standards, washing hands regularly to minimise the risk of any infection as this virus outbreak develops. Use sanitizer gel, use gloves when working as an added barrier precaution.

Any enquiries regarding this Letter to Branches should be addressed to the Health, Safety & Environment Department on telephone number 020 8971 7365.

Yours sincerely,

Dave Joyce

National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

20LTB063

20LTB063 Attachment

CWU Annual Conference – Bournemouth – 19^th – 24^th April 2020

Bucket Collections

Branches are reminded that any requests for Bucket Collections during Annual Conference need to be put in writing to conferences@cwu.org   Written requests should include background material/information/full details on the organisation for which the collection is to be made.   The General Conference SOC will be advised accordingly and arrangements will be made for the collections.   The monies collected will be counted by the SDGS Department and a cheque will be made out to the appropriate bodies.

The number of bucket collections during conference will only exceptionally exceed two.

Distribution of Documents at General Conference

All requests for the distribution of documents on delegates’ seats shall, in the first instance, be referred in writing to the General Conference SOC, together with a copy of the document(s) concerned, for consideration.   Please send any requests to conferences@cwu.org

Any documents that have been agreed for distribution on delegates’ seats at General conference shall be delivered to the General Conference Administration office by no later than 5pm on the day prior to distribution.

Branches are reminded of the facility of the Conference Guide to publicise meetings and other events.

Seating at Conference

If any member of your delegation requires special seating due to special needs or a disability

they should email conferences@cwu.org as soon as possible stating the reason and the

conference(s) the member will be attending and no later than Friday 27^th March 2020.   Branches need to be aware that allocated seating is only in the Windsor Hall.

Creche Facilities/Prayer Room

If a member at conference requires crèche facilities or a room for prayer we will try our best to facilitate this request if advance notice is given. Please send any requests to conferences@cwu.org

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

Yours sincerely,

A P Kearns

Senior Deputy General Secretary

20lLTB062 – CWU Annual Conference – 19th -24th April 2020