Celebrating Windrush Day – Monday 22nd June 2020

The CWU has been at the heart of pushing for social justice in terms of the trade union movement’s efforts around Windrush. Last year was the first time a National Rally was organised and this took place on Sunday 22nd June 2019. A number of CWU activists attended the rally and our Union is committed to ensuring that future Windrush Days are strongly remembered and acknowledged. 

Given the Covid-19 pandemic, gatherings of any kind are prohibited and are likely to be for the foreseeable future. In response to this, the CWU has been considering our options and in collaboration with a number of our BAME representatives, we are delighted to put forward the following programme of events that are designed to highlight the social injustices of Windrush but also to recognise the significant contribution made to our society. 

Windrush Webinar

We are in the process of organising a special webinar that will see high profile guests speaking about Windrush and the impact this has had on those communities. This is planned to take place on Monday 22nd June. Further details will be announced in due course. 

With the assistance of our Communications Dept, the CWU will be creating some promotional material. When this is produced, we will be grateful if you could share this extensively on social media. We intend to showcase the event throughout the Trade Union movement, as due to the anticipated limited Windrush activities, interest on the webinar is expected to be high. 

CWU members and reps will have an opportunity to put questions to our guests, once they have addressed their online audience. 

Windrush Competition

This exciting initiative is open to CWU members and their families. When we talk about Windrush to many people this will mean many things – from the invaluable contributions to the health & transport sectors to the various regiments that assisted the British army in both world wars and the unacceptable aspects of today’s hostile environment created by the Tory government. 

The competition will be a chance for the CWU to create a historic resource that will reflect all those sentimental and special memories associated with Windrush. We are inviting you, as part of the competition to submit entries around the following: 

1. Poetry 

2. Short Windrush Stories, linked to Windrush experiences 

3. Family Photographs 

4. Paintings/Artwork 

5. Recipes 

6. Decorated cakes 

7. Letters (this option is open to children up to the age of 12) – Write a letter to the British Prime Minster expressing your thoughts around Windrush and what the Government should be doing to acknowledge this very important chapter in British History. 

The competition opens on Monday 1st June and closes on 1st September 2020 at which point the best entries will be judged (by the CWU Windrush Working Party) and a prize will be given to the best entry in each category. 

Once all of the entries have been received, the intention will be to put them into a newly created digitalised CWU Windrush book. Please send all your entries via email to: Equality&Education@cwu.org Any images should be sent as attachments and not embedded into the email itself. We will ideally need high quality images and scans for the book. 

Any queries on this LTB should be directed to Equality&Education@cwu.org 

Yours sincerely,

Kate Hudson 
Head of Equality, Education & Development

20LTB 261 – Celebrating Windrush Day

IDAHOBIT Day

Sunday 17th May is IDAHOBIT Day and the Equality, Education & Development department are writing to Branches to make you aware of the importance of this very important occasion. 

IDAHOBIT Day commemorations began in 2005 after it was internationally recognised that the level of homophobic abuse had reached very critical levels. One of the main intentions behind IDAHOBIT Day is to recognise and celebrate gender and sexual diversities around the world. 

IDAHOBIT Day provides a powerful statement to demand improvements for people’s quality of lives overseas and here in the UK. These human rights atrocities simply must not go unchallenged. 

For many decades trade unions have been in the forefront of the battle for equality in the workplace and in society. Through campaigning, awareness raising and representing those who suffer discrimination, we can make a real difference. 

The CWU has celebrated IDAHOBIT day for a number of years now and this year we have also prepared a short video with messages from a number of Regional LGBT+ Leads along with a message from Helen Cooper, who is our NEC Lead on LGBT+. 

• A year ago to the day the TUC launched its report into workplace sexual harassment of LGBT+ workers. 
• Nearly 7 in 10 LGBT+ people have been sexually harassed at work 
• More than 4 in 10 (42%) said colleagues made unwelcome comments or asked unwelcome questions about their sex life. 
•  More than a quarter (27%) had received unwelcome verbal sexual advances.
  
  Around two-thirds (66%) of LGBT+ people did not tell their employer about the harassment. 
•  Around (25%) of those who did not report the sexual harassment, a quarter were prevented from raising the issue by their fear of being ‘outed’ at work. 
•  LGBT+ women were particularly likely to experience sexual assault at work. 
• over a third of women (35 per cent) had experienced unwanted touching, for example placing hands on their lower back or knee as had one in six men (16 per cent) 
• over one fifth (21 per cent) had experienced sexual assault for example unwanted touching of the breasts, buttocks or genitals, attempts to kiss as had one in eight men (12 per cent) 
• one in eight (12 per cent) LGBT+ women had been seriously sexually assaulted or raped at work as had one in fourteen men (7 per cent). 
  
  LGBT+ BAME and disabled womenBAME and disabled women reported even higher rates of harassment and sexual assault. 
• More than half (54%) of LGBT+ BAME women have experienced unwanted touching at work, 45% reported sexual assault and over a quarter (27%) reported serious sexual assault or rape. 
• Half (50%) of LGBT+ disabled women reported unwanted touching, nearly 4 in 10 (38%) reported sexual assault and almost a quarter (24%) reported serious sexual assault or rape. 

Reports on the increase in LGBT+ hate Crime

• The number of transgender hate crimes recorded by police forces in England, Scotland and Wales has risen by 81% – https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-48756370
• The rate of LGBT+ hate crime per capita rose by 144% between 2013-14 and 2017-18. In the most recent year of data, police recorded 11,600 crimes, more than doubling from 4,600 during this period. – https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/14/homophobicand-transphobic-hate-crimes-surge-in-england-and-wales

Branches are encouraged to bring this LTB to the attention of all of their members. 

Any queries on this LTB should be directed to Equality&Education@cwu.org 

Yours sincerely, 

Kate Hudson
Head of Equality, Education & Development

20LTB 260 – IDAHOBIT Day

Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW) 18 – 24 May 2020 – Royal Mail Group Campaign & Communications Plan – “Kindness Matters”:

Royal Mail Group have today, shared with the CWU/HQ Health Safety and Environment Department their plans for next week’s Mental Health Awareness Week, the outline details of which are set out below and in the attached Communications pack, we are circulating for the information and attention of Health and Safety Reps, Mental Health First Aiders and Ambassadors, CWU Branches and Regions.

RMG’s Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW):-

Communications Plan:

See attached three key, central articles which will go out across the Royal Mail Group intranet news and ‘Myroyalmail.com’ pages next week, as well as a slide which will go on to every workplace plasma screen across the business.

• Being a key worker and the stress and anxiety that can be associated with that.
• Managing relationships and domestic abuse guidance
• Supporting colleagues following a bereavement or illness of a loved one
• myroyalmail.com/yourmentalhealth

Promoting some options for workers:

Royal Mail Group’s Safety Health and Environment team will continue to promote mental health options for workers in distress as follows;

• Mental health support is available from the First Class Support helpline which is available 24/7. It’s confidential and free to use.
• Talk to the GP.
• Visit the Feeling First Class website where staff can access lots of support material.‎
• Talk to a manager, Union Rep, Mental Health First Aider/Ambassador or colleague (following government social distancing guidelines at all times if face to face) who can help guide individuals to the right support services.
• Stressing to those struggling that conversations will be treated confidentially.
• Supporting each other – communicate, encourage colleagues to talk and take the time to listen without judgement, some people just need to be heard, others need professional support and directing to support services and help them to access what they need.

Reminding The Workforce That Help is at Hand as follows:

• First Class Support is a 24/7, completely confidential and independent helpline for employees. Call 0800 6888777 to receive the following support:
• Shout Mental Health Text Service is a free, nationwide, 24/7, text based service. Text Shout to 85258 in the UK to text with a trained Crisis Volunteer.
• Mental health support – Call and speak with someone trained to help you immediately with your mental health. Support can help with any work-related or personal issues in a non-judgemental and confidential environment. A range of care is available and can be provided by telephone or face to face.
• Legal signposting – Legal information is available via telephone with a legal expert (for up to 20 minutes) on a wide range of issues.
• Practical help – Advice on how to clear debts is available, even large debts which are out of control. Understand government benefits, resolve accommodation issues and receive guidance on accessing elder and child care, cancer and disability support. Domestic violence is an issue that can sometimes occur and support and guidance can be provided to those impacted.
• Manager coaching – Coaching on how to help and support others going through change or where there are traumatic situations at work such as a road traffic accident or assault. It also includes those times where there is a workforce conflict or if there are difficult behaviour issues at work.
• Physical health – Life-style support designed to increase physical health and fitness as well as improving work life balance and resilience. Information can also be provided for Royal Mail Groups wellbeing website Feeling First Class (see below for more information).
• The Feeling First Class Portal has helpful support content for mental and physical health as well as the mental health e-Learning.
• Urgent Crisis Support – The Samaritans (Phone: 116 123 -open 24/7).
• Rowland Hill Fund: 0345 600 4586rowlandhillfund.org offering financial aid to the workforce, pensioners and their families in times of need.
• Neyber: Through My Bundle’s Financial Wellbeing option you can access debt consolidation loans and financial education. Log into My Bundle through PSP or visit myroyalmail.com.
• Stepchange: Offering expert, tailored advice and practical solutions to problem debt, contact the UK’s leading debt charity on 0800 138 1111 or visit stepchange.org.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

20LTB259 Mental Health Awareness Week 18 – 24 May 2020 – RMG Campaign & Communications Plan – Kindness Matters

MHAW 1 Key Worker Stress and Anxiety FINAL

MHAW 2 Managing Relationships FINAL

MHAW 3 Supporting Colleagues Following a Bereavement or Illness FINAL

MHAW 2020 Plasma Slide v1

Mental Health Awareness Week 18 -24 May 2020

What is Mental Health Awareness Week and when does it happen?

Hosted by the Mental Health Foundation, Mental Health Awareness Week will take place from Monday 18 to Sunday 24 May 2020.

The theme for 2020 is ‘kindness’.

Mental Health Awareness Week is the UK’s national week to raise awareness of mental health and mental health problems and inspire action to promote the message of good mental health for all.

Mental Health Awareness Week has been run by the Mental Health Foundation since 2001.

How can I get involved in Mental Health Awareness Week?

During Mental Health Awareness Week, hundreds of events take place around the country to raise awareness for mental health. Schools, businesses, community groups and even people in their own homes host events to raise money for the Mental Health Foundation.

CWU Organised Events:

• On Tuesday 19^th May at 6pm CWU will host a Facebook live session nationally. Dave Ward and Dave Joyce will be joined by prominent Labour MP Rosena Allin-Khan with other guests TBC. The CWU will outline our work on developing our mental health strategy and the panel will take questions from the membership. Full details of the session will be shared on the CWU social media channels this weekend.
• CWU North West Region & North West Mental Health Network – Mental Health Online Q&A Zoom Event Wednesday 20^th May at 5pm (See LTB257/20).

Sign up to their newsletter to receive the latest updates on this campaign.

What resources are available?

If you’re running an online fundraising event or even if you just want to raise awareness, maybe via your website or social media, there are a variety of resources available.

You can also download the Mental Health Awareness Week supporter pack – filled with lots of fun and exciting ways to support during the week.

Due to COVID-19, orders for their green ribbon pins and ‘how to’ guides have been temporarily suspended, however you can still download each of their guides free of charge and use their virtual green ribbon pin via social media. Find out more.

How can I fundraise during Mental Health Awareness Week?

The Mental Health Foundation is a charity that relies on public donations and grant funding to deliver and campaign for good mental health for all.

Check out their list of Virtual Events that you can get involved with this May!

Why kindness?  

Kindness has been chosen because of its singular ability to unlock our shared humanity. Kindness strengthens relationships, develops community and deepens solidarity. It is a cornerstone of our individual and collective mental health. Wisdom from every culture across history recognises that kindness is something that all human beings need to experience and practise to be fully alive.

Celebrate kindness

Shine a light on the ways that kindness is already flowering at this time. We have seen it in the dancing eyes of 100-year-old Captain Tom Moore  as he walked his garden to raise money for the NHS and in the mutual aid groups responding to local needs. We want that kindness to spread further in every community in the UK.

Finally, use the week to explore the sort of society we would like to emerge from the Coronavirus pandemic. 

Kindness and Mental Health  

Kindness is defined by doing something towards yourself and others, motivated by genuine desire to make a positive difference.  We know from the research that kindness and our mental health are deeply connected. The research shows that kindness is an antidote to isolation and creates a sense of belonging. It helps reduce stress, brings a fresh perspective and deepens friendships. Kindness to ourselves can prevent shame from corroding our sense of identity and help boost our self-esteem.  Kindness can even improve feelings of confidence and optimism.

During Mental Health Awareness Week, do three things:  

• Reflect on an act of kindness. Share your stories and pictures (with permission) of kindness during the week using #KindnessMatters and #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek
• Use the resources available in your family, school, workplace and community to join with thousands in practising acts of kindness to yourself and others during the week
• Share your ideas on how you think we could build a kinder society that would support our mental health using #KindnessMatters and #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek

MHFA Address Your Stress Toolkit
In 2018 Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England launched their Address Your Stress Toolkit to support that year’s campaign and the Toolkit remains a useful resource.  This included a set of practical resources designed to help people better understand and manage stress. The toolkit is still available to those wishing to use it on the above link.

Get involved
The Mental Health Foundation and MHFA want Mental Health First Aiders, Trade Union Reps, Mental Health Ambassadors and Champions to support the Mental Health Awareness Week campaigns and to make the most of the information and toolkits provided during Mental Health Awareness Week and beyond. The CWU Health Safety and Environment Department is joining with MHFA England, Mental Health Foundation, Mind, Re-Think Mental Health and the Samaritans in supporting Mental Health Awareness Week.  We are therefore encouraging Reps to get involved with the campaigns within the Union, as well as with friends, family and colleagues.

Mental Health First Aid England (MHFA) have produced a short video ‘supporting your mental health whilst working at home’ which is available on the following link:

https://youtu.be/es8l7JAyYMk

Useful links

Mental Health Foundation and Mental Health at Work New Partnership Information:

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/news/mental-health-foundation-welcomes-leading-workplace-enterprise-its-group

Mental Health Foundation – How to support someone with a mental health problem:

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/supporting-someone-mental-health-problem

Mental Health Foundation home page:

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 256/20 – Mental Health Awareness Week 18 -24 May 2020

280420-MHAW-Printable-Poster-Colour-A3

Session with Dave and Terry. Please make sure every member sees it https://www.facebook.com/ThecommunicationsUnion/videos/236723440951584/?vh=e&d=n

DO NOT REPLY 🛑

CWU/ROYAL MAIL JOINT STATEMENT – CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION PAYMENT/FUTURE TALKS

We have attached to this LTB a JOINT STATEMENT which builds on the recent reassuring exchange of correspondence between the union and the company over temporary changes to the USO. 

Following the recent exchange of correspondence, the union has been in talks with the company about a recognition payment for the huge effort our members continue to make in maintaining services during the COVID19 pandemic. 

You will see from the statement that Royal Mail has now agreed to pay a £200 lump sum to CWU represented grades.  The payment will be made in June and will be on a pro rata basis for part time working, absence and unpaid leave.

We have also been discussing a framework for talks to resolve all issues in the current national dispute and ultimately agree a strategy for the future of the company and our members.  The Joint Statement also confirms this point.  These discussions are ongoing and we hope to be in a position in the near future to provide all Branches, representatives and members with an update. 

In the meantime, please ensure our representatives and members are advised of these developments.  We understand that in conjunction with this the company are also making an external announcement to the markets.  Any enquiries on the above should be address to hford@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely,

Terry Pullinger                                                                         
Deputy General Secretary (Postal)

Dave Ward
General Secretary

LTB 254/20 – CWU-ROYAL MAIL JOINT STATEMENT – CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION PAYMENT-FUTURE TALKS

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CORONAVIRUS – GOVERNMENT FURLOUGH SCHEME EXTENSION

The purpose of this LTB is to notify branches of the government announcement yesterday of an extension to the furlough scheme – the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. While the majority of CWU members have continued to work throughout the crisis, we have a number of members who will be affected by this.

Under the scheme employers have been able to claim the costs from the government of 80% of an employees’ wages, up to a maximum of £2,500 per month, where they have been furloughed as a result of the Coronavirus outbreak. In many instances this has meant avoiding redundancies and provided a level of protection for workers’ incomes. The government has now said that the scheme will continue to operate in its current form until the end of July.

Alongside this, the government has announced that there will be a further extension to October, but with changes to the scheme from August. The details of these changes will be announced at the end of May and will include allowing employers to claim a share of wage costs for furloughed employees returning to work part-time.

An updated note on government assistance measures during the crisis from the CWU Research Department is attached to this LTB and any queries in relation to the operation of the scheme in particular employers should be addressed to the relevant industrial department. Any general queries should be addressed to gsoffice@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely,

Dave Ward

General Secretary

LTB 253/20 – CORONAVIRUS – GOVERNMENT FURLOUGH SCHEME EXTENSION

Government Assistance Measures – Work Welfare Housing and Childcare 12 05 20

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Coronavirus – Government announcement on easing lockdown measures

The purpose of this LTB is to update branches on the Government’s announcement and statements this week, on easing the current lockdown measures in England to deal with coronavirus.

Whilst many CWU members will not be directly affected by the changes in relation to the re-opening of workplaces, we do have members who will be and we will all be impacted by the easing of lockdown measures more generally. The union has therefore been engaging with the Government independently and through the TUC over the past two months.

The Prime Minister has set out a number of steps on easing the lockdown for England including encouraging the re-opening of workplaces that have shut – notably in manufacturing and construction – where it is not possible for staff to work from home; removing the limit on exercising outside only once a day from Wednesday, while continuing social distancing requirements; and looking ahead, the possible re-opening of primary schools, starting with certain year groups in June, and the possible re-opening of the hospitality industry in July. A summary of the measures is attached to this LTB.

Alongside this, the Government has published more detailed guidance about safe-working in certain types of workplaces including offices and contact centres, other people’s homes and shops and branches. Along with the TUC, the CWU has been engaging with the Government on its workplace proposals and this guidance over the past two months. Working with other unions we have been pushing the Government to put the health and safety of workers first with regard to any easing of the lockdown and to clearly set out the steps employers need to take in order to ensure workplaces are safe. We have also made a number of proposals in relation to working practices in our own industries and taken part in a Government consultation to set out the union’s views.

We do not believe the Government has managed the latest announcements well, particularly by failing to publish its guidance on specific workplaces until last night and having been unclear initially about when it hoped workplaces that had been closed would open from – it has now clarified it is encouraging re-opening from Wednesday. We are also concerned that there is no UK-wide approach to social distancing, that the public messaging is not sufficiently clear and in several areas the proposals we made in relation to particular types of workplaces have not been included in the final guidance.

For members who are affected by changes as a result of the announcements on workplaces this week, it is important to be clear that employers are under legal obligations to protect workers from risks to their health and safety, to carry out risk-assessments and to consult union health and safety representatives. Importantly, employees have individual rights not to work in a workplace where they reasonably believe it would be unsafe to do so. The guidance the Government has published sets out more detailed workplace- specific standards in relation to coronavirus on issues such as maintaining 2 metre distancing and cleaning surfaces, and where any employer is re-opening their business or changing working practices in response to the Government’s announcement, it is important that branches contact the relevant industrial department for advice.

Similarly, where changes are being made by employers and there are questions in relation to those in vulnerable groups who have been told to self-isolate, individuals who have childcare issues or face difficulties getting to work because of public transport, branches should contact the relevant industrial department.

Finally, alongside the TUC, the union will be continuing to push the Government on both immediate steps taken in response to the crisis – including statutory sick pay, benefits levels, the furlough scheme and support for parents – and the need to ensure working people do not suffer as a result of a long-term economic crisis. The NEC will be discussing these issues later this week and we will be saying more on the union’s demands and how we will be campaigning on this as part of our ongoing work on the new deal for workers.

Any queries on the contents of this LTB should be directed to gsoffice@cwu.org or the appropriate industrial department.

Yours sincerely,

Dave Ward

General SecretaryLTB 252/20 – Coronavirus – Government announcement on easing lockdown measures

Our Plan to Rebuild – Summary of Government Plan 12 05 20