Workers of the world unite; you have nothing to lose but your chains. Karl Marx.
Tonight at 5pm. Tune in for a live session with DGSP Terry Pullinger. Please get this out to Reps and members.
Also it would be fantastic if, as last time, branches and reps got involved in the comments section to assist members with their issues
A WEEK OF ACTIVITIES TO HIGHLIGHT THE ROLE OF KEY WORKERS
The purpose of this LTB is to set out significant dates for next week which will form part of a wider TUC response to highlight the role of key workers during the COVID19 pandemic.
The CWU has been instrumental in calling for a collective response from the whole movement to build on the way wider society is finally recognising jobs that have been undervalued for decades, including some undertaken by CWU members.
This is about connecting two themes that everybody can relate to. Firstly, that we cannot go back to the way work was seen before this crisis and secondly, that we set the narrative on the New Deal for Workers’ Campaign.
The activities that will take place next week are set out below:-
Workers Memorial Day on 28th April
The TUC will be calling for all unions to join a national minutes silence at 11:00. The CWU will support this by holding a minute’s silence on the CWU Facebook page at this time. We understand that 11:00 is not practical for many of our members and therefore we will ask colleagues, for example in Delivery Offices, to fall silent at 07.30. Branches can support this by publicising the minutes silence and using your local knowledge to judge when the best time will be for groups of depot/shift workers. We ask you to share the images and videos of these moments on your social media pages.
Posters, graphics and resources to support the day are available here:-
https://www.cwu.org/workers-memorial-day/
Branches will be aware that Workers’ Memorial Day is long established in the international trade union calendar. However, given the tragic circumstances of so many key workers losing their lives during this pandemic, the TUC and CWU believe it is right to raise the profile of this day and focus the whole movement on showing our respects to all workers who have lost their lives making sacrifices for others. In this regard the content of this LTB supersedes the LTB sent out by Ray Ellis earlier in the week.
National Postal Workers Day on 29th April
This is a separate initiative from the CWU to link in with the week’s activities and a full plan for this has been communicated to Postal Branches. Again, Branches will recognise this as a long established day in the CWU calendar, reflecting the connection and identity that postal workers have in wider society. We encourage the whole union to get behind this next Wednesday using #PostalWorkersDay
May Day – 1st May
Branches will know that the 1st May (May Day) has long been established through the trade union movement as international workers’ day and is supported annually by rallies in towns and cities across the UK. This year the TUC will be increasing the profile of May Day and work has been undertaken to ensure that all unions play their part in the activities that will take place on the day. These include the following:-
• Each union has committed to a flagship video showing their members at work, the value of their work to wider society and specifically linking the themes of we cannot see the world of work going back to normal, with the call for the new deal.
• There will be a short video from every General Secretary in the TUC, released simultaneously, explaining why the world of work cannot go back to normal and why Britain’s workers need a new deal.
• Unions are encouraged to host a Facebook live session and the CWU will be doing this in the early evening with a number of high profile guests. This will enable the union movement to engage with our members and the public on why we need to change the balance of forces that govern the world of work. Further information on this live Facebook session will be shared in due course.
The above May Day activities are in addition to the normal May Day rallies that this year will be taking place online and which the CWU will be contributing to.
Summary
The Coronavirus pandemic has been life changing for our members, their families and society. This is a moment where we must reassert trade union values by encouraging collectivisim and campaigning for positive change to the insecure and low paid employment models that have unfortunately become part of the foundation of the UK’s economy.
The week’s activities are also an opportunity for the whole of the CWU to showcase to society the role and value of our own key workers in BT, all internet workers, call centres, the Post Office and Royal Mail. We will also utilise the week’s activities as a thank you to our own members and representatives for the dedicated and courageous work they have undertaken throughout the pandemic and we will be encouraging the public to do likewise.
We are asking all CWU Branches to demonstrate again that our union is ready and willing to participate in these events, in the same way we have previously with major turnouts at national demonstrations.
We will be asking Regional Secretaries to hold a video conference meeting with Branches to ensure the list of activities above are publicised, supported and coordinated in the best way possible.
Any enquiries on the above should be sent to the gsoffice@cwu.org.
Yours sincerely
Dave Ward
General Secretary
Workers Memorial Day Resources:
We Will Remember – social graphic
One Minute Silence – social graphic
COVID–19 Test Kit Returns Using Incorrect Business Reply Or Freepost Service
Branches and representatives will be aware that Covid-19 testing services are now being made available via different access points. In this regard the CWU has been engaging with RMG on a cross departmental basis, to ensure that the services that are being provided, through different initiatives on behalf of the Government/NHS, are collected and processed quickly and safely.
In addition to the Government/NHS testing initiatives however there are also private companies who are using the RM network to supply test kits to members of the public, These items will be packaged in line with Covid-19 Test Kits and other Biological Substances using UN3373 packaging and Patient Specimens.
It has come to light however that some customers have incorrectly been using the RM Business Reply or Freepost service, rather than the Tracked Returns service. The business have therefore issued the attached guidance to ensure that such items are identifiable and treated as a priority service.
Royal Mail are keen to address any incorrect labelling with the customers concerned at the earliest opportunity. They have therefore requested that the CWU provide assistance by notifying them of any instances of incorrect labelling that are identified, in order that they can address any issues with the customer and ensure that the correct processes are being adhered to.
Branches and representatives are therefore requested to ensure that our members are made aware of this LTB and that in line with the attached guidance any instances of incorrectly labelled items are reported immediately.
Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to:
Health & Safety: Ray Ellis, Acting Head of Health & Safety, quoting reference E1/20.
Processing & Area Distribution: Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary, email: dwyatt@cwu.org quoting reference 014.14.
Delivery & Collections: Mark Baulch, Assistant Secretary, email: outdoorsecretary@cwu.org quoting reference 600.
Yours sincerely
Ray Ellis – Acting Head of Health & Safety
Davie Robertson – Assistant Secretary
Mark Baulch – Assistant Secretary
LTB 222.20 – COVID-19 Test Kit Returns Using Incorrect Business Reply Or Freepost Service
Testing Kits Using Response Labels Managers Brief_Final
Testing Kits Using Response Labels SDL Brief_Final April 2020
Further Updated Guidance on Assistance available to Members and their Dependants during the COVID-19 Crisis
Further to LTB 214/20, attached for the information of Branches is a further, fully updated, document from the CWU Research Department providing guidance on the various assistance measures put in place to support individuals and their dependants during the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Branches should note that furlough arrangements do not currently apply in Royal Mail Group but the union nationally is making representation for members who are off work as a consequence of the current crisis and who RMG are refusing to pay. We are also taking legal advice in this regard.
Colleagues are advised that revised text in the attached document is highlighted in red for ease of reference.
I trust the attached information will continue to act as a useful reference point for Branches and Representatives in assisting our members and their families, but once again Branches are reminded that the information contained in this LTB is for guidance only, as qualification for any form of assistance is dependent on an individual’s circumstances.
The Department will continue to liaise with the CWU Research Department to ensure that any updates on any further assistance available is circulated to Branches as soon as possible.
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)
Please can our friends and comrades share the information below
In these challenging times someone in UK might need one of them.
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/family/gender-violence/domestic-violence-and-abuse-getting-help/
JOINT STATEMENT BETWEEN ROYAL MAIL LOGISTICS AND THE CWU ON DIRECT VISION STANDARDS FOR THE GREATER LONDON BOUNDARY
Branches and representatives are advised that the department were recently informed by Royal Mail Logistics that Transport for London (TfL) are introducing a new standard for vehicles called ‘Direct Vision Standards’ (DVS) within the Greater London Boundary. The new standard was due to come into force on 26th October 2020 but has now been deferred to February 2021 as a result of the Covid- 19 crisis.
The DVS changes are designed to improve driver visibility of all pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists and will entail installation of the following required safety equipment on vehicles over 12 tonne GWT:
Royal Mail have advised the department they currently have 471 in scope vehicles that operate within the Greater London Boundary which will need to adopt the revised TfL standard.
Discussions have therefore been taking place which have concluded in a Joint Statement being agreed to enable activity to take place in relation to the required changes. A copy of the document which has been endorsed by the Postal Executive is attached for information.
Colleagues will note that The Vehicle Group has been selected to retrofit the non-compliant vehicles from the end of April 2020 and this is due to be completed by end August 2020. Due to the specialist nature of the retrofit it is not possible at this time to undertake this work in house.
All drivers must be trained on the kit and equipment before driving a retrofitted vehicle. The Advanced Driver Coaches will deliver the training and provide support to the drivers using The Vehicle Group’s training video and materials which will be provided.
The activity will be jointly reviewed at the end of installation and again three months after the deployment of the retrofitted vehicles, with the Network Working Group monitoring the impact of the changes.
Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary, email: dwyatt@cwu.org quoting reference 202.12
Yours sincerely,
Davie Robertson
Assistant Secretary
LTB 218/20
Annex JS – TFL Changes Direct Vision Standard – 22.04.20
Legal Services Department
During the current COVID-19 pandemic we are only able to provide a reduced service to our members whilst working from home.
The Courts and Tribunal services are also operating a very limited service with many personal injury compensation claims and employment tribunal applications being placed on hold, or alternative dates are being arranged for hearings to be completed.
The whole of the legal system is being affected by the current situation and in order to protect our members’ position the following advice should be followed.
New Employment Tribunal Applications
Members should continue this process by first registering online a claim via ACAS Early Conciliation Scheme, as per usual.
Applications to the Employment Tribunal (again online), should be made using form ET1.
Copies of all correspondence should be sent to the Legal Services Department using the following email address: employmentlaw@cwu.org
Existing Employment Tribunal Claims
Members and Branches should continue to send copies of all relevant correspondence via the same email address as above.
New and Existing Personal Injury Claims
Members and Branches should continue to send all relevant correspondence to the Legal Services Department using the following email address: personalinjury@cwu.org
I am also aware that correspondence relating to all legal services issues may have been sent to CWU HQ, just prior to the office going into lockdown on Friday 20th March 2020 and, as such, would not have been processed.
Therefore, could Branches please resend copies of all such correspondence, via the email addresses listed above. If Branches have sent original LS3 forms and have not retained a copy, members are advised to submit a fresh claim via our CWU website, click on Unionline, to make a claim. Alternatively, members can go direct to the Unionline website to register a personal injury claim at https://unionline.co.uk/personal-injury-enquiry-cwu/
Any correspondence sent via the post since the above date has not been dealt with due to the closure of CWU HQ.
Our staff at Unionline are also working from home and are processing all aspects of our members’ claims. If any member, or Branch Officer, requires an update please contact the Legal Services Department, in the first instance, (via our employment and personal injury email addresses detailed above) and we will deal with the enquiry.
If you have any further enquiries regarding the above then please contact Tony Rupa, Head of Legal Services, via email trupa@cwu.org
Yours sincerely
Tony Rupa
HEAD OF LEGAL SERVICES
Updated COVID-19 Response from Postal Administrations and Trade Unions around the World
Further to LTB 204/20, attached for the information of Branches is the latest, fully updated, documentation illustrating the approach being taken by other Postal Administrations and Trade Unions from around the world in relation to the provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), social distancing measures, services that are considered to be a priority, the frequency of delivery, the Post Office Network and the delivery of essential items to the public.
Branches should note that this latest documentation contains information from additional countries such as Canada, Chile, Mexico, Brazil, Portugal and Malaysia, as well as some progress reports on events in those countries previously listed. The amendments to the previous paperwork are highlighted in red for ease of reference and it remains the Department’s intention to continue to liaise with the Research Department to ensure that further developments are reported in a timely manner throughout the COVID-19 crisis.
I trust Branches will continue to find this wide-ranging analysis helpful and informative and that the ongoing situation in other countries will continue to be of use as further policy is developed.
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)
LTB 219/20 – Updated COVID-19 Response from Postal Administrations and Trade Unions around the World
NATIONAL POSTAL WORKERS DAY – 29TH APRIL 2020
We are writing to inform you that the CWU have designated Wednesday 29th April 2020 as National Postal Workers Day. As you know we hold this event annually and create an opportunity to promote the fantastic work our members do all year round, but it is particularly pertinent this year during this crisis.
Nationally, the union will be undertaking a significant programme of work, including media articles, social media engagement, videos and working with MPs and the wider trade union movement.
Alongside engaging with this work, we are also calling on branches to develop your own local strategies to mark the day. To support this, posters have been dispatched to every postal branch and by the end of this week we will share graphics and model press releases which you can use to work the media locally in your areas.
This event will mark the ninth annual National Postal Workers Day, when the nation celebrates the hard work and dedication of hundreds of thousands of postal workers, who collect, sort and deliver letters, parcels and packets to 29 million addresses, 6 days a week.
We are living in unprecedented times but two things always remain constant – the strength of this union at all levels and the role our members play in every community in the UK – let’s celebrate both on 29th April.
Yours sincerely,
Dave Ward Terry Pullinger
General Secretary Deputy General Secretary (P)
Updated Guidance on Assistance available to Members and their Dependants during the COVID-19 Crisis
LTB 207/20 provided Branches with documentation from the Research Department that had been produced to outline the various assistance measures put in place to support both individuals and their families during the current COVID-19 crisis and throughout these worrying times.
This report has now been updated to include facilities that may be accessed by members and their dependants in relation to utility bills and credit card loans and repayments. For ease of reference the revised text has been highlighted in red on the attached report.
I trust the attached information will be a further useful aid to Branches and Representatives in assisting our members and families at this unprecedented time. Once again, Branches should note that the information in this LTB is for guidance only as qualification for any form of assistance is dependent on individual(s) circumstances.
The Department will however endeavour to continue providing colleagues with further guidance on assistance and further updates that may become available during the current crisis.
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)
CWU Eastern No5 Branch 
