POST OFFICE: EASTER SATURDAY – CROWN OFFICES

Branches are advised we wrote to the Post Office on 3rd April to propose that the Crown Office Network should be closed on Easter Saturday. The letter is attached for your information.

Our position was that this small gesture of goodwill from the Post Office would demonstrate to our members that Senior Directors fully appreciate the hard work our members are undertaking in these extremely hazardous times. I put it to the Post Office that our members needed a long bank holiday weekend off to recharge the batteries and spend some well-deserved quality time with their families, away from the risk on the front line.

The policy to pursue closure on Easter Saturday was arrived at following consultation with our Representatives who felt strongly this was a fair and reasonable request in light of this national crisis and would simply be the right thing for the Post Office to do.

The non service day for Crowns on Easter Saturday in most cases would mean a loss of just 3.5 hours of customer serving time. Disappointingly, I received a response from the Post Office late yesterday (also attached) stating:

“…we cannot agree to closing branches on Easter Saturday”.

The reason given as – extra traffic would be driven into the Crowns on Tuesday 14th April, making social distancing more difficult.

We shared the Post Office’s position on social media last night and our members’ reaction has been one of disappointment and the general feeling was how out of touch Post Office management are. Indeed, the perception of our members is that the Post Office Directors have sent a clear message to its front line key workers providing a vital service that profit comes before people.

Ireland – An Post to give Workers Easter Saturday Off

Clearly the British Post Office is not as progressive as An Post in Ireland who have given workers Easter Saturday off. Evidently Debbie Byrne, Managing Director of An Post Retail, has a greater understanding of the extreme pressures Post Office workers are under as she stated the following which was reported in the Irish Post newspaper:

“Postmasters and Post Office staff have put in a massive effort in recent weeks to look after customers and ensure continuity of postal, financial and welfare payment services while having the necessary physical distancing measures in place.

“I want to thank them most wholeheartedly for all their efforts in keeping the network of 950 post offices open, providing vital services and a welcoming smile to communities across the country.

“They are due a well-earned break over the Easter bank holiday so we can resume services on the front-line next Tuesday.”

The full article from the Irish Post can be accessed HERE

As a consequence of the above development, I have written to Nick Read, CEO (letter attached) to urge him to reconsider the Post Office’s decision to reject our proposal. I await his response.

Crown Office Staffing Agreement (COSA) – Bank Holiday Credits

The usual arrangements for bank holiday credits apply in line with COSA (Paragraph 5.3 – attached). The key points within the relevant section are as follows:

“All colleagues (full and part time) due to work on a bank holiday will take the day off and regardless of the number of hours they were scheduled to work, they will not be required to make up any shortfall nor claim any balance of hours….”

“Full and Part Time colleagues with only one rest day whose scheduled day off coincides with a bank holiday have the choice of two options:-

A day in lieu that can either be added to the annual leave card or moved to another convenient time (such as the following week) if operationally possible.

Or

Overtime can be claimed at normal rate – this will be 1/5th of the weekly contractual hours.”

Post Office management have confirmed that the above arrangement will apply without exception.

Branches and Representatives are urged to bring this LTB to the attention of our members.

Further developments will be reported.

Yours sincerely,

Andy Furey

Assistant Secretary20LTB194 – Post Office Easter Saturday – Crown Offices

Attachment 1 – Letter to Lee Kelly – Easter Saturday
Attachment 2 – Response to Andy Furey – Easter Saturday
Attachment 3 – Letter to Nick Read – Easter Saturday – Non Service Day
Attachment 4 – Bank Holiday Credits

Coronavirus COVID 19 Testing Kits – Health and Safety and SSOWs – Ongoing RM/CWU National Review

As detailed in LTB 161/20 and LTB 166/20 Branches will be aware the government has announced that Royal Mail will have a role in the distribution of Coronavirus testing kits to NHS and Social Care frontline staff currently in isolation and will be exclusively responsible for the collection of these kits.

Whilst the CWU welcomes the government’s decision to entrust this crucial task to the Royal Mail network, the priority of the CWU Health and Safety Department is the health, safety and wellbeing of our members, the workforce. Appropriate consultation and discussions have been taking place at a senior level with the business. The Health and Safety SAC1 has previously been circulated in LTB 166/20.

Following constructive consultation and dialogue with the RMG Central SHE Team and the RMG Dangerous Goods Advisor the attached documentation provides more details on the process and safety arrangements drawn up. Functional Safe Systems of Work (SSOW) have now been drawn up:

COVID-19 Test Kit SSOW Deliveries and Collections

COVID-19 Test Kit SSOW Processing

These are comprehensive documents focusing on the safety of the workforce.

There will be ongoing RM/CWU review at national level, including a weekly conference to ensure oversight of the COVID-19 Testing Kits. To this end, the CWU Health and Safety Department requests Branch ASRs monitor arrangements in their Branch areas and localities, feeding back queries and questions to the CWU Health and Safety Department. These queries and questions will be logged with the RMG Dangerous Goods Advisor and will be discussed as part of the ongoing national review.

Yours sincerely

Ray Ellis
Acting National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

20LTB193 Coronavirus COVID 19 Testing Kits – Health and Safety and SSOWs – Ongoing RM CWU National Review

COVID 19 Test Kit SSOW Deliveries and Collections

COVID 19 Test Kit SSOW Processing

RIVUS FLEET SOLUTIONS WORKSHOPS – JOB RETENTION SCHEME “FURLOUGH”

The CWU has been advised by Rivas Fleet Solutions that the COVID-19 outbreak has had a significant impact on the organisation in terms of work. They have therefore notified us that they are going to implement the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, which allows them to retain employees until the crisis has passed.

We realise this is a very worrying and uncertain time for you and your families but we want to assure you that we are working closely with Rivus throughout and will keep you fully informed. 

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme involves placing employees on a period of leave – “furlough”. The Government’s scheme will cover 80% of your normal pay, up to a maximum of £2,500 per month. We have requested that Rivus top up the remaining 20% of your salary of which they have agreed to do so. This amount is subject to deductions for tax and national insurance in the normal way. The company will be reviewing the terms of the top up payment on a 3 weekly basis and have advised that if the financial situation in the future changes they may have to change these arrangements.

The Government funded scheme will also fund the minimum auto-enrolment contribution of your pension, this is 3%. The company will be topping up your pension therefore the pension contribution you currently receive will not be impacted.

We have been keen to ensure that furloughing is dealt with through volunteers in the first instance and are pleased that Rivus also share this view. If selection is required, this will be based upon agreed criteria to ensure transparency and fairness and the CWU will be fully involved in this process. Furloughing will be rotated over 3 week periods if required. 

If furloughed, you will need to agree to accept a variation to your terms and conditions. The minimum furlough will last is for three weeks; however, this can be shortened or lengthened depending on the operational demands of the business. 

You will remain employed throughout your period of furlough, under your contract of employment and your continuity of employment is not affected. Annual leave will continue to accrue in the normal way. Your continuity of employment is unaffected during the furlough period.

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is initially set to run until the end of May 2020 (as declared by the government), but will be extended if necessary. Rivus are keeping the situation under review and have assured us that they will keep us fully updated. Rivus have initially confirmed that 133 employees from the workshops and SEV will be furloughed.

As a condition of being accepted for furlough you must provide Rivus with a mobile or landline number so they can remain in contact with you. 

Government guidelines regarding furloughing may change from time to time; we will of course ensure that any change is reflected accordingly by Rivus.    

Please find attached a set of Questions & Answers which will hopefully deal with the majority of queries you may have. Please note, moving forward these may be updated in line with government guidance or with additional questions. 

We would like to take the opportunity to thank all members and branches for their patience and assistance through these challenging times.  

Please do not hesitate to get in touch with any queries.

Kind Regards

Allan Eldred

National Officer

192.2020

JRS-FAQs-070420-V2

EASTER BANK HOLIDAY

Easter Saturday, 11^th April 2020 – Non-Service Day

Further to LTB 185/20 circulated on 6^th April, please find attached the response the union has received from Sally Ashford, Chief HR Officer at RMG.  Colleagues will note that unfortunately the business has declined to action the CWU’s proposal on the grounds that seeking to declare a non-service day at this time would not be consistent with the company’s objectives. Obviously this response is disappointing, especially in light of the additional pressures that many postal workers have faced during this difficult time and the fact that having the Saturday off would have allowed them a much needed break with their families.

Bank Holiday Policy

Colleagues will also note that in response to my letter of 8^th April (attached) the company has confirmed that the current bank holiday policy in respect of overtime payments and Lieu Days has not been changed and should therefore be applied without any difficulty.

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 191. 20 Easter Bank Holiday

LTB 191.20 Attachment 1

LTB 191.20 Attachment 2

RECRUITMENT – MEMBERSHIP RECORDS DEPARTMENT

Branches will know from previous communications of the necessary decision taken to close 150 The Broadway.

As a result, the Membership Records Department is not able to function to its full capacity for a variety of reasons, not least of which is the inability to process mail containing paper membership applications.

A number of staff are equipped to work remotely and online applications are still able to be processed.

We fully understand that recruitment activity in Branches is unlikely to be at levels previously witnessed.  Where recruitment activity is taking place we ask that Branches join new members via the Join Union link or if possible request that new members join up themselves via the website: https://www.cwu.org/join-us/join-online/

We are sure you will understand the difficult circumstances we all operating in and your assistance in working with us as set out is greatly appreciated.

Any other changes to existing members records can be done via the OLS system or by emailing membership@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,

Tony Kearns

Senior Deputy General Secretary

20LTB190

CWU Equalities Calendar 2020-2021

We are pleased to advise that the department has now produced the second Equality & Diversity Calendar which spans from April 2020 – April 2021. 

Given the current climate, we have not been able to launch the calendar at Annual Conference as we had hoped, however, it is now available for Branches to download from the CWU website, using the following link: https://www.cwu.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Equalities-calendar-2020-21.pdf

Please note that you will only be able to print as separate pages but it can be sent to a local printer if you wish it to be printed in booklet format. Once the department is able to function properly, we will arrange for calendars to be circulated to those who request them. 

Our thanks go to all the Regions/Branches/Committees that sponsored the calendar and hope that it will be helpful in diarising your events. 

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

Yours sincerely, 

Kate Hudson 
Head of Equality, Education & Development

LTB 189/20

CWU Equalities Calendar 2020-2021

Equality, Education & Development Department – New Generic E-mail Address

I hope this LTB finds you safe and well. 

The purpose of this LTB is to advise Branches that the Equality, Education & Development Department have arranged for a new generic e-mail address for all enquiries through my department at Head Office. 

Whilst my team will retain their usual e-mail addresses this new address will be our preferred method for general enquiries equality&education@cwu.org 

Branches should also be aware that the Harassment Helpline facility is still in place and you can contact it on 0800 090 2303. 

Yours sincerely,

Kate Hudson
Head of Equality, Education & Development

20LTB188 – Equality, Education & Development Dept – New E-mail Address

QUADRANT PAY CLAIM 2020 – BALLOT RESULT

Reproduced below for the information of Branches is the result of the above ballot which has been received from Tony Kearns, Senior Deputy General Secretary:

Ballot Papers Issued   245
Votes for Acceptance  93
Votes Against               1
Spoils                             0

Therefore the ballot has resulted in a return of 38% with approximately 99% voting in favour of the agreement.

Branches are requested to ensure that members are made aware of the result of this ballot.
The department has informed Quadrant of the result and have requested clarification on the timescales to apply the changes to pay rates including back pay.

Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary, email: dwyatt@cwu.org quoting reference number: 301.09.

Yours sincerely

Davie Robertson
Assistant Secretary

20LTB187

Equality, Education & Development Department – New Generic E-mail Address

I hope this LTB finds you safe and well. 

The purpose of this LTB is to advise Branches that the Equality, Education & Development Department have arranged for a new generic e-mail address for all enquiries through my department at Head Office. 

Whilst my team will retain their usual e-mail addresses this new address will be our preferred method for general enquiries equality&education@cwu.org 

Branches should also be aware that the Harassment Helpline facility is still in place and you can contact it on 0800 090 2303. 

Yours sincerely,

Kate Hudson
Head of Equality, Education & Development

20LTB188 – Equality, Education & Development Dept – New E-mail Address

UN-AGREED RECRUITMENT OF AGENCY/CASUALS – UPDATE

Branches will be aware that prior to the COVID19 outbreak and recent announcements, the Postal Department had received many enquiries in relation to the un-agreed recruitment of agency and casual workers.

Branches will recall that at the time the National Ballot(s) for strike action were still in progress and a response was received from Mark Rush, Head of ER/IR Operations, stating that the recruitment of agency was needed in order to help the business with the recovery of service – to minimise the effect on service quality around strike days and the Easter period.

Given the extremely fast escalation of the COVID19 virus and the fact that postal workers have been given ‘key worker’ status, the union has not announced national strike action to date but has requested an extension to the period during which this can now be taken. As a result, the terms of the previous correspondence from the business are no longer applicable.

However, over the past two weeks the Postal Department has been inundated with enquiries about the un-agreed recruitment of additional agency workers in Delivery Offices, Mail Centres and Regional Distribution Centres. This has centred on concerns about the vetting process that is being used, whether agency workers have been briefed about social distancing, whether the self-isolation procedures for these workers will result in them attending work if they should be self-isolating and other health and safety matters.

The purpose of this LTB is to therefore make Branches aware that all of these issues are being raised with Royal Mail Group nationally and that both operational Officers with responsibility for indoor and outdoor functions have written to the business formally in relation to the un-agreed recruitment of agency and casual workers.

On behalf of the Outdoor Department, Postal Executive member Tony Bouch wrote to the business on 3^rd April 2020 to raise a number of operational issues, including whether part-time OPGs have been given the chance to increase their hours, when agency/casual workers would be stood down and requesting confirmation that the IR Framework will continue to apply. A copy of this correspondence is attached and a response has not yet been received.

In relation to the generic concerns regarding use of agency workers in Mail Centre/RDCs and Delivery Units, a number of discussions have taken place with the business on introducing effective resourcing processes during the crisis, with proper controls to prioritise workload and limit the requirement for agency staff.    On 30^th March 2020 the Postal Department sent a proposed Joint Statement to management that included criteria for an agreed process to govern any agreed utilisation of agency workers in all functions. This matter was also discussed during a conference call on 3^rd April 2020, during which management indicated that they would formally respond to the proposal. However at the time of preparing this LTB a formal response is still awaited.

The proposed Joint Statement was based on the following principles which should guide any local discussions:

• All resourcing activity during the crisis will prioritise the use of Royal Mail employees.
• Agency staff will only be utilised where essential workload cannot be covered internally by offering additional hours and enacting requests to defer or realign annual leave to maximise the availability of internal resource.
• Where agency staff are required, Angard and other suppliers will dedicate agency staff to Royal Mail, reducing the number of individuals entering the workplace.
• The use of agency staff will at no time compromise the social distancing arrangements in place to reduce risk.

Branches should note that the union nationally continues to pursue the issue of the un-agreed recruitment of agency and casual workers and address the concerns that have been highlighted by our members.

Further updates will be provided as developments occur.

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)               

Andy Furey – Assistant Secretary     

Davie Robertson – Assistant Secretary

Mark Baulch – Assistant Secretary     

Carl Maden  – Acting Assistant Secretary         

20LTB186 UN-AGREED RECRUITMENT OF AGENCY CASUALS – UPDATE

LTB 186.20 Attachment 1