TUC ‘ORGANISE 2020’ FESTIVAL

Further to LTB 295/20 additional details of the online TUC ‘Organise 2020’ Festival are now available and branches and representatives are urged to register for participation on:

https://www.tuc.org.uk/organise-2020

Organise 2020 is a three-day free festival of ideas in union organising, with one simple aim: to rebuild collective strength by putting organising at the heart of everything we do. This initiative has come directly as a result of the CWU motion on a New Deal for Workers carried at last year’s TUC Congress. CWU General Secretary, Dave Ward is speaking at the opening session on Thursday 9^th July at 11.00am, which will launch the Organise 2020pledge, which commits to greater union co-operation on organising to grow the movement and ensure it is genuinely representative of all working people.

If you have any enquiries regarding this LTB should be addressed to the Head of Recruitment & Organising by email to rellis@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely,

RAY ELLIS

Head of Recruitment & Organising

LTB 353/20 – TUC Organise 2020 Festival

Joint Statement – Royal Mail Group and the CWU

You will be aware via different communication strands of the business and the CWU, that we have agreed a Joint Statement which represents the most significant and positive first step in nearly two years to resolve our dispute.

We are acutely aware that this is a first step and that there is a huge amount of work to be done, however it was essential, given where we have been and with a new RMG leadership in place, that we established a high level Joint Statement which demonstrates that both parties are serious about moving forward together.

The re-commitment of the new RMG leadership to the following terms is a significant step in the right direction:

• Develop a joint strategy for the future of the business.

• Develop a joint strategy to protect the USO.

• Develop jointly the opportunities to minimise letter decline.

• Develop jointly opportunities for diversification to build upon our essential service key worker status.

• Completely take off the table the proposals to make Parcelforce a separate limited company, removing the TUPE threat to our members.

• Re-commitment to all our agreements, including the Four Pillars agreement and our legally binding protections.

• Commitment to resolve all issues in dispute.

• Commitment to resolve the 2020 pay award.

Colleagues will be aware that Royal Mail Group face many challenges, most of which are anticipated in our agreements. Recent events have accelerated the need for a response and we need to move matters on whist we concentrate on resolving our dispute and the wider strategy issues detailed above.

Against that backdrop you will note that the 600 local disagreements are now removed and we will conduct new local revisions across all functions. The detail on the approach will be worked out over the next two weeks but will take account of the ongoing impact of COVID-19.  Such activity will require a new attitude from all involved and a genuine approach to finding and agreeing mutual interest solutions.

In the same time frame, to determine the approach to interim revision activity, we will also resolve the 2020 pay award.

It would be appreciated if Branches could please ensure that the Joint Statement and contents of this LTB are reported to our members. Nationally we will develop a communications plan to keep members informed of any progress on the above issues.

Finally, there is no question that this positive first step would not have been achieved without the unwavering support and hard work of all our Representatives and members. For that reason, any sense of achievement should be shared by all.

Any enquiries in relation to the content of this LTB should be addressed to the DGS(P) Department.

Yours sincerely,                                                     Yours sincerely,

Terry Pullinger                                                       Dave Ward

Deputy General Secretary (Postal)          General Secretary       

20LTB352 – Joint Statement – Royal Mail Group and the CWU

LTB 352.20 ATTACHMENT 1

Recording of session with GS and DGSP on the Joint Statement with RMG.

Please share as widely as possible

TERMS OF REFERENCE BETWEEN ROYAL MAIL FLEET AND THE CWU ON DEPLOYMENT OF AN ELECTRIC TAXI VAN FROM LONDON ELECTRIC VEHICLE COMPANY

Branches will recall LTB 454/2017 and LTB 641/2017 advising the Introduction of 100 LE2 Peugeot Partner Electric Vehicles across a number of Delivery Offices in the UK. For some considerable time, the issue of vehicle emissions, pollution and the impact on health, the environment and global warming have been increasingly coming into focus and have recently been at the international centre of attention, specifically in the UK.

There are circa 290 electric vehicles in the fleet that are currently testing the capabilities as well as the impact this will have on the grid to sustain available power. With an increasing number of Ultra Low Emission Zones (ULEZ) in cities across the UK, the challenge to reduce carbon emissions and help improve air quality in the communities in which we operate, is increasingly important to CWU and the customers we serve.

The department has been approached to further test a vehicle that is based on the London Taxi which has world-wide recognition for durability in urban areas and replicates the stop-start collection and delivery of the current light commercial vehicle, or LCV panel vans. The London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC) have offered Royal Mail a vehicle ‘free of charge’ to test, which has a range extender (36 litre petrol tank) and is therefore suitable for longer routes & duties giving a total range of 340 miles and a pure EV range of 50-70 miles. Such a vehicle can deliver tangible benefits to Royal Mail whilst helping to reduce their overall carbon footprint. As the Zero Emission Zones expands and the focus on reducing our emissions, we need to have options available that offer a greater range than just pure electric. The purpose of the trial therefore is to help inform future purchasing decisions for electric vehicles.

The trial will only involve one vehicle which will be deployed at 6 sites across the UK for 2 weeks at a time. All units identified also currently have electric vehicles already based on site, so charging posts are readily available and will not impede upon the existing electric fleet. The vehicle currently offers access to the loading compartment which in this model, is via the nearside door but can be reconstructed depending on feedback.

Branches will also note that the loading compartment looks very much like the rear of a London cab which is due mainly to the purpose of the trial, i.e. the rear compartment can of course be stripped out completely with the loading door(s) being repositioned, depending on the feedback from the Drivers, around loading and access.

Ongoing information will be available and shared at the Joint Royal Mail Fleet Operational Specification Group (RMFOS) meetings. The trial will be jointly overseen and monitored by RM Fleet Innovation and the Environment Manager, who will provide periodic reports to the CWU both locally and nationally. The trial activity will be the subject of joint review 6 months after commencement and periodically thereafter, as agreed by the Royal Mail Fleet Operational Specification group (RMFOS).

Full involvement of local CWU reps in all aspects of the trial with appropriate Union release time, will work with the local project team. Training will be supplied by a Fleet Technical Engineer at each site for Drivers who have already undertaken the electric vehicle course and a Safe System of Work guidance provided by the CWU Health and Safety Department. The Working Group will provide the outputs of the review and recommendations to the signatories of this Joint Statement. Should the development of the trial be considered a success, it will be subject to further discussion at National level prior to deployment.

Any queries to the content of the above please contact the Outdoor Department reference 300, email address: outdoorsecretary@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely,

Mark Baulch
CWU Assistant Secretary

LTB 351-20 TOR for the deployment of a Taxi Van from LEVC
TOR for the deployment of an electric Taxi Van from LEVC
Attachment for EV London Taxi

BT Group Business Services Proposes Site Closures

Group Business Services which includes Contract Delivery Services, Group Customer Billing, Group Business Assurance and Process Excellence & Automation has announced its key sites for the future. 

GBS intends to move to six key sites by March 2024 with some other specialist sites.  About 40 existing GBS sites including Crawley, Reading and Sevenoaks are not in the GBS plans.

The CWU will be doing all we can to keep as many jobs as possible in GBS, onshore work, maximise redeployment across BT, and opposing compulsory redundancies.

Further details are included in the attached CWU newsletter and BT communication.

Branches are asked to ensure that members in GBS are sent a copy of the CWU newsletter.

Yours sincerely

Nigel Cotgrove

Assistant Secretary

350.2020

BT Group Business Services Proposes Site Closures

BT GBS Comms 1st July 2020

POST OFFICE: COVID-19 – VULNERABLE PEOPLE POLICY

I wish to update Branches with regards to the attached Joint Statements agreed for the return to work of members in the vulnerable categories who have been self-isolating and/or shielding on ‘Special Paid Leave’ since March.

Government guidance for some time has been that people in the ‘clinically vulnerable’category and those who ‘live with extremely clinically vulnerable’ people could go to work, albeit taking extra care due to their circumstances.

On June 19th, the government lowered the Covid-19 alert level to level 3 and on June 22nd, the government announced that people who are clinically extremely vulnerable and are currently shielding would no longer need to do so from August 1st in England.

As a response to the latest announcements, we have been working with Post Office and Unite to agree a way forward that facilitates the return to work of these members which is sensitive and empathetic thus helping them to feel confident in the knowledge that their safety and well-being in the workplace is an absolute priority.

The two Joint Statements for Crown Offices and Supply Chain (which are identical in content), explain the agreed timeline and flight-path of the crucial activities that need to be carried out by line managers before members are able to return to work.

Consequently, we have agreed that members who fall into the categories below will begin returning to work during July:

• Clinically vulnerable
• Living with someone who is clinically extremely vulnerable

Members who are ‘clinically extremely vulnerable’ will begin returning to work during August and will remain on paid special leave throughout July. The aim is that everyone is back at work by the beginning of September. Where there are differences across the UK regarding the lifting of shielding rules, members will return according to the protocols in the relevant country.

An integral and important part of the Joint Statements is a firm commitment that the activities below will be undertaken by line managers in advance of these members returning to the workplace. It is imperative our Representatives ensure that in all circumstances the following actions are performed as a pre-requisite to these members returning to full duties. Any problems encountered in this regard should be immediately reported to Lynn Simpson, Postal Executive member – lsimpson@cwu.org who is liaising with Senior Post Office Management in these matters.

• Workplace Risk Assessments
• Individual Risk Assessments
• 121 conversations to gauge the needs and support individuals may need
• Familiarisation of the operational changes to facilitate social distancing
• Half day induction

In closing, I am certain the agreed arrangements as contained within the Joint Statements are to the benefit of our members. It is though important that our Reps engage with management to ensure the agreed measures are followed in full. I also wish to thank Lynn Simpson who has engaged with Post Office management on this matter and other Covid-19 related issues. Branches and Representatives are urged to bring this LTB to the attention of Post Office members (particularly those in the categories described above).

Yours sincerely

Andy Furey
Assistant Secretary

20LTB349 Post Office – Covid-19 – Vulnerable People Policy

Attachment 1 to 20LTB349 Joint Statement Post Office-CWU-Unite – Vulernerable People Return to Work Announcement – DMBs

Attachment 2 to 20LTB349 – Joint Statement Post Office-CWU-Unite – Vulernerable People Return to Work Announcement – Supply Chain

Action Mesothelioma Day 2020 – Friday 3 July 2020

Mesothelioma is a deadly cancer caused by breathing in asbestos dust.

Mesothelioma takes a long time to develop. It’s normal for people to get the first symptoms 30 to 40 years after they were first exposed to asbestos. See the attached excellent Mesothelioma Information and Factsheet produced with the co-operation of the British Lung Foundation who along with Asthma UK organise ‘Action Mesothelioma Day’. The Information and Factsheet covers; What is Mesothelioma? What are the symptoms of Mesothelioma? How is Mesothelioma diagnosed? How is Mesothelioma treated? Support for Mesothelioma victims.

This deadly asbestos-related cancer continues to kill thousands every year and there is no let-up in the annual UK death toll of around 2,500, with a similar number being diagnosed every year as having got it.

Action Mesothelioma Day is commemorated every year on the first Friday in July to remember the tens of thousands of people in the UK who have died from Mesothelioma. However, these are not normal times due to the Coronavirus/Covid-19 Pandemic and government lockdown restrictions, and the events and gatherings which are normally organised will not take place this year.  However, The UK Mesothelioma Alliance (UKMA) will be hosting a Virtual Mesothelioma event on the day.

Virtual Mesothelioma Day Event Friday 3 July 2020, 10:40-12:00 Organised By The UK Mesothelioma Alliance (UKMA):

The UKMA is producing a national virtual Action Mesothelioma Day event that we encourage anyone interested or affected by Mesothelioma to join.  The national virtual event will include a mix of patient stories and clinical expert presentations. It will run from 10.40am to 12 noon with the observation of a minutes’ silence at 11am.  The UKMA would also like to help promote local Action Mesothelioma Day 2020 events.  (See Event Flyer attached).

To join the event, follow this link:

https://www.ukmesoalliance.org/projects/virtual-action-mesothelioma-day-2020/

Order of Events (10:40-12:00)

• Welcome Dawn McKinley, Chair of UK Mesothelioma Alliance
• A minute of silence
• Nursing support Sarah Morgan, Mesothelioma Clinical Nurse Specialist
• Patient voice Mavis Nye
• Clinical Trials Professor Sanjay Popat, Consultant Thoracic Medical Oncologist at the Royal Marsden Hospital and Professor of Thoracic Oncology at the Institute of Cancer Research
• Asbestos awarenessDavid Gold, Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) Vice-President
• Patient Voice Paul Cook
• Thanks & Close Dawn McKinley

Action Mesothelioma events are normally organised across the UK by a number of organisations, supported by trade unions including the CWU, The Hazards Campaign Network, asbestos lawyers, asbestos campaigners, the London Hazards Centre, Manchester Hazards Centre and victims’ families and friends. These events both commemorate and remember the people that have died from asbestos related diseases and usually involve victims’ families and expert speakers on the subject. Campaigning for the removal of all asbestos in the UK by the TUC, Trade Unions, Hazards and anti-asbestos organisations continues nevertheless despite the Coronavirus Pandemic and government lockdown measures.

Action Mesothelioma Day provides a platform for trade unions and health and safety campaigners to show solidarity with the Mesothelioma victims and their families. It provides the opportunity to raise the profile of the continuing asbestos dangers, a disease which is entirely preventable and which leaves behind devastated families feeling a deep sense of loss and anger that the life of a loved one has been cut short. It is the families of Mesothelioma victims who bear the greatest financial cost. HSE statistics show that families pay 57%, the state (taxpayers) 23%, leaving criminally negligent employers who cause the harm just 20%.

Mesothelioma is a preventable disease that with proper safety measures in place would be in decline. But the thousands of people that die a painful death each year are victims of inadequate safety procedures and sadly the criminal failings of some employers who do not properly manage health and safety where asbestos is and who have scant regard for their workers.

Although asbestos was finally banned from being used in the UK in 1999, it can be found in buildings everywhere. If a house or workplace was built before the 1980s, it is likely to have some asbestos-containing materials in its structure. It is estimated that around 70% of schools have asbestos in them. An under-funded HSE, workers without a trade union in precarious employment, in a culture of fear, zero-hours, agency working and false self-employment are all part of a working environment fraught with danger for workers and allowing the worst of employers to literally get away with murder.

Certain occupations are at greater risk of breathing in asbestos fibres. Construction and demolition workers, heating & ventilation engineers, plasterers, carpenters, joiners, plumbers, roofing contractors, demolition crews, painters, pipe fitters, maintenance workers and increasingly teachers employed in old school buildings. It’s not unusual to get the first symptoms 30 to 40 years after being first exposed to asbestos. Children being exposed to asbestos in schools are more at risk of developing Mesothelioma because of their greater life expectancy.

Sometimes described as the silent epidemic, Mesothelioma will still be the cause of thousands of deaths long after Coronavirus is under control unless urgent action is taken.

The failure to act quickly enough in response to asbestos dangers over the years has cost thousands of workers lives.

We need a properly funded, resourced and expertly staffed Health and Safety Executive with more field force inspectors, strictly enforcing health and safety laws, free from the government interference seen over the last decade, if we are to stop people inhaling asbestos fibres for good. Action Mesothelioma Day is an opportunity to reflect on the lives lost and also continue our commitment in the CWU to continue fighting for our members to protect them and future generations from this deadly disease and other asbestos related diseases.

Mesothelioma Facts:

• At present no effective treatment or cure exists for Mesothelioma.
• Mesothelioma is a rare and incurable form of cancer, caused almost exclusively through the inhalation of asbestos fibres.
• Worldwide around 40,000 people die every year from Mesothelioma, a fatal asbestos-related cancer.
• The HSE expects deaths from Mesothelioma to continue to rise for the next four to five years.
• Asbestos was used very extensively all the way up to 1999 when it was finally banned in the UK.
• 100,000 tonnes of asbestos containing materials still exists in UK buildings built before 2000.
• There are three main types of asbestos – blue, brown and white. Blue is the most toxic but no type is safe.
• In the UK, blue and brown asbestos materials were banned outright in 1985 while the import, sale and reuse of white asbestos was outlawed in 1999 by the Tony Blair led Labour Government.
• Asbestos related diseases are; Pleural disease (diffuse thickening or plaques), Asbestosis (scarring of the lungs and inflamed airways), Lung Cancer (Tumours) and Mesothelioma (Cancer of the lining of the Lungs or Abdomen).

UK Asbestos Law

Employers are legally bound to survey, identify and manage or remove asbestos- containing materials in their buildings and those employing workers must find out if asbestos-containing materials are present and plan the work to avoid disturbing these materials and exposing workers. Workers should stop and ask if they are unsure or are suspicious that something may be asbestos or if they think the work might need to be carried out by a licensed contractor. They should follow the plan of work and work method statement and safe system of work making sure they have been properly trained and informed before they start. Further detailed information and advice is available from the CWU HQ Health, Safety & Environment department, Health and Safety Executive and Local Authority Environmental Health Departments.

British Lung Foundation and The Taskforce for Lung Health

The British Lung Foundation aims to prevent lung disease by campaigning for positive change in the UK’s lung health, raising awareness about lung disease, the dangers that cause it, and how to look after your lungs. The Taskforce for Lung Health involves 30 organisations plus individuals, including the NHS, charities and professional organisations who together have adopted a five year plan and framework to improve the nation’s lung health and provide better care for people with lung disease.

British Lung Foundation’s Action Mesothelioma Day Website: https://www.blf.org.uk/support-for-you/mesothelioma/action-mesothelioma-day

Attachments:

• Mesothelioma Information Fact Sheet
• Taskforce For Lung Health Members
• UKMA Virtual Action Mesothelioma Day 2020 Event Flyer

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

20LTB346 Action Mesothelioma Day 2020 – Friday 3 July 2020

Mesothelioma Information and Factsheet (BLF-2020)

Taskforce For Lung Health Members

UKMA Virtual Action Mesothelioma Day 2020 Event Flyer