CWU Condemns Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Tory Party Speech Throw Away Joke Comment on Dog Bites Through The Letterbox – (Bite-Back Campaign and Low Level Letter Box Campaign – Joint CWU/RM Letters To Boris Johnson Prime Minister and to Christopher Pincher MP, Minister for Housing, and Lord Greenhalgh, Minister for Building Safety and Communities)

The CWU Health, Safety & Environment Department has criticised Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s irresponsible ‘joke’ comments, opening his speech to the Tory Party Conference this month.

PM Boris Johnson thanked Conservative Party activists for “prodding leaflets through the letterbox and into the jaws of dogs”.

The prime minister may have decided to add the usual joviality to his speech but in reality this is not funny and no laughing matter. The prime minister’s throw away comment right at the beginning of his speech is infuriating and will not have been welcomed by CWU Royal Mail delivery members across the country, who have worked through the Coronavirus pandemic as government designated ‘essential workers’, currently supporting and delivering the government’s Covid-19 Test Kit programme nationwide.

There have been 2,500 recorded dog attacks on postmen and women across the UK in the last year and since 2013, over 650 postal workers have been attacked and bitten by dogs while posting mail through the letterbox, causing injuries – some cases have resulted in the loss of fingertips, dangerous infections and even amputations.

On top of that we have to wrestle with the justice system to get irresponsible dog owners held to account in some cases when the Police, CPS or courts let our members down. A case recently had to be taken to the High Court of Appeal to win the right for the dog owner to be prosecuted after a member had a finger bitten off through a letter box.

We are also waiting for government to deliver on their promise to regulate and ban ‘Low-level letterboxes’ which pose a daily risk to the health and safety of Royal Mail’s 90,000 postmen and women CWU members. Bending or stooping to deliver mail to low letterboxes is a big issue for members, especially with hundreds of thousands of new houses being built annually. The Union has been campaigning for years for enforcement of European Standard EN 13724 which sets a minimum and maximum height of 700mm (2ft 3in) and 1700mm (5ft 6in) from floor height respectively.

Following a Low-Level Letterboxes Ten Minute Rule Bill in early 2019, the government announced that low-level letterboxes would be considered as part of the Building Regulation Advisory Committee’s review of building regulations in support of our campaign and the minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to prohibiting low level letterboxes in September 2019.  However, a year later we are still waiting and we, the CWU, have to challenge builders all over the country in the absence of a new law which we were promised.

Low level letter boxes are a combined safety risk for back and limb strains plus dog bites.

The CWU are once again calling for:

• A review of parts of the Dangerous Dogs Act and its enforcement.
• For the government, the Housing Minister and Minister for Building Safety to implement the promise to ban low level letter boxes once and for all.

Three Royal Mail Group/Communication Workers Union letters jointly sent to Boris Johnson Prime Minister, Christopher Pincher MP, Minister for Housing, and Lord Greenhalgh, Minister for Building Safety and Communities are attached for Branch information.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 509/20 – CWU Condemns Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Tory Party Speech Throw Away Joke Comment on Dog Bites Through The Letterbox

Letter to Chris Pincher Housing Minister – 24.09.24 FINAL

Letter to Lord Greenhalgh Building Safety Minister – 24.09.24 FINAL

Letter to Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP 08.10.08

TM1 vs Actuals and ATT

The Outdoor department continues to receive an increasing number of reports that proposals are being tabled by Royal Mail using a management process called ATT (Achieving the Task). In addition, Managers are unilaterally changing the TM1 for the office, including for example changing existing full time duties to part time for template purposes, whilst a full time OPG continues to perform the unchanged duty.

This is to once again remind all representatives that the ATT approach has not been agreed with the CWU and that in our view, any revision activity would be subject to the outcomes of the current National Talks which is in line with the Rebuilding Trust Joint Statement.

Equally, Representatives are also advised that we have written formally to the company, requesting that they withdraw the initiative and to cease any activity relating to it immediately. It has now also come to light that a banding system is being deployed in regions whereby offices are classified in four separate categories, reproduced below.

Category A – Tidy up only. Removing vacant duties or S/A which are not covered on overtime etc. No physical changes to duty structures or any impact on people’s duties or S/A

Category B – Tidy up. Removal of lapsed duties and formalizing the lapsing into other roles. Basically what they do now but just making it structurally set. Still no impact on people other than what they currently do.

Category C – Minor changes to structure but without needing to change people’s contracts or hours.

Category D – Structural change involving significant impact on people.

Representatives are advised to immediately enter the IR Framework in the case of any proposals or actions on the part of local managers to change the Office current TM1 establishment under ATT. We believe that this activity is without doubt more far reaching than the ‘ tidying up exercise’ being quoted by the company and that it has a direct bearing on both productivity measure discussions and any future savings opportunities currently the subject of major activity in the talks regarding the future of the company and our current dispute with the employer.

Any queries to the content of the above please contact the Outdoor Department reference 230.03, email address: outdoorsecretary@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely,

Mark Baulch
CWU Assistant Secretary

LTB 508/20 – TM1 vs Actuals and ATT

Royal Mail Group – Latest Updated Coronavirus/Covid-19 – Frequently Asked Questions and Answers Guidance Document (Version 63)

I attach for your information Version 63 of the Royal Mail Group, Managers’ Coronavirus/Covid-19 Frequently Asked Questions and Answers Guidance document, issued by the business on 16 October 2020.

At the commencement of the Coronavirus/Covid-19 outbreak, Royal Mail Group established a ‘Business Pandemic Team’ which includes all national heads of department and this team meets regularly to review the situation across Royal Mail Group and to issue update Questions and Answers information communications to all managers, which is cascaded throughout the business.

The Coronavirus Guidance, version 63 Q&A document has been shared with the Union’s Health, Safety & Environment Department and is hereby circulated for information and reference purposes for CWU Health and Safety and Branch IR Reps.

The Q&A documents are circulated to all RMG managers and are also available to access through a link on the Royal Mail Group ‘Intranet’, in the ‘Managers Update Messages’ section.

Please note that changes and additions from the previous version are highlighted in ‘Yellow’.

Please also note that these Q & A documents are ‘Royal Mail Group’ documents and the contents are not agreed with the CWU. On page 4 reference is made to Royal Mail’s decision to re-introduce ‘shared vans’ on a voluntary basis, subject to identified exclusions. This has not been agreed with the CWU and the Union remains opposed to such a policy change at this present time. Please refer to LTB 489/20.

The Health, Safety & Environment Department continues in dialogue with the Royal Mail Group Safety Health & Environment Team to raise questions, additions and amendments to the Q&A document.

Any enquiries to this LTB or feedback on the RMG Q&A document should be directed to Dave Joyce CWU National Health, Safety & Environment Officer.

Attachment:

Coronavirus Guidance Questions and Answers v63

Contents List:

1. HEALTH

1. Prevention
2. Self-isolation, testing and reporting
3. Cleaning and consumables
4. Travel
5. Support and advice
6. POLICY 

1. General guidance
2. Travel/and annual holiday
3. Caring for dependants
4. Sick pay
5. Attendance process
6. Vulnerable employees
7. Fleet and vehicles
8. POST & PARCELS 

1. General Ops advice
2. NHS testing kits
3. Operational processes and reporting changes
4. Delivering and collecting from customers
5. Fleet and vehicles

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 507/20 – Royal Mail Group – Latest Updated Coronavirus Covid-19 – Frequently Asked Questions and Answers Guidance Document (Version 63)

Coronavirus__Guidance Questions and Answers v63

POST OFFICE: COVID 19 – TAX RELIEF FOR HOMEWORKING

Branches are advised that as a response to the Covid-19 pandemic and in line with Government guidance, many of our Admin and Field Support members have been temporarily working from home due to their usual workplace(s) being closed. As homeworkers they are eligible to claim from HMRC for increased costs e.g. heating and electricity. To assist members with this claim is the following Joint Statement:

JOINT STATEMENT –
TAX RELIEF FOR HOMEWORKERS UP TO £6 PER WEEK

In March at the outbreak of Covid-19 in the UK and the consequential lockdown, the Government issued guidelines specifying that “everyone should work from home, unless they cannot work from home”. As a result the Post Office quickly responded by making the decision to close or partially close Post Office Headquarters in Finsbury Dials and other administrative buildings including Chesterfield, Farnworth, and Springburn. Consequently many colleagues, including field support workers, have been homeworking since the lockdown.

Tax Relief
If you are one of the colleagues working from home you may be able to claim tax relief via HMRC for some of the bills you have to pay because you have to work at home on a regular basis.

Here is the link to HMRC guidance. https://www.gov.uk/tax-relief-for-employees/working-at-home

How to claim the Tax Relief
For most people, the process simply requires completing a P87 form which can either be done via your Government Gateway account or by filling in a postal P87 form.

You’ll be asked for your employer’s name and PAYE reference (which you can find on your payslip or P60), and your job title. For postal P87s, you will also need your National Insurance number. The key section for completing the form is ‘Using your home as an office’.

In the online form, there are two boxes:

• Amount paid by you. HMRC has stated that provided you’ve had increased costs all you need do is to put a total amount that’s equivalent to £6 per week for the period you’ve been working from home. You won’t need to show receipts.

• Amount paid to you by your employer. Post Office will not be reimbursing expenses, therefore, in this section you need to put £0.

If you’re claiming through the postal form, you’ll need to add a ‘Using your home as an office’ expense manually in the ‘Other expenses’ section.

As you claim retrospectively on expenses and, if you’re only at home due to coronavirus, it might be worth waiting until you’re back at work (or a few months anyway) then make the whole claim at once. Your tax code will likely be adjusted so you pay less tax over the year, as opposed to you getting a direct refund.

Once you’ve submitted the claim, if you do it online you may hear back within a couple of weeks unless, of course, HMRC is under pressure which would then take longer.

Finally, we hope the above information will assist in making the process of claiming tax relief easier. Your ability to adapt to the challenges we all face in the current time has ensured the Post Office has been able to operate effectively.

Thank you for your continued commitment and hard work.

Lee Kelly                                          Andy Furey
Employee Relations and                     Assistant Secretary
Policy Director                                   CWU

I believe the details in the Joint Statement demonstrate the simplicity of the process and the fact that members can complete the forms online without the production of receipts, which will encourage them to apply for tax relief for homeworking.

Therefore, I would urge our Reps to bring this LTB and Joint Statement to the attention of Post Office members working from home, especially as we can see the homeworking arrangements continuing into next year.

Yours sincerely

Andy Furey
Assistant Secretary

LTB 506/20 – Post Office – Covid 19 – Tax Relief for Homeworking

Royal Mail Group – Latest Updated Coronavirus/Covid-19 – Frequently Asked Questions and Answers Guidance Document (Version 62)

I attach for your information Version 62 of the Royal Mail Group, Managers’ Coronavirus/Covid-19 Frequently Asked Questions and Answers Guidance document, issued by the business on 14 October 2020.

At the commencement of the Coronavirus/Covid-19 outbreak, Royal Mail Group established a ‘Business Pandemic Team’ which includes all national heads of department and this team meets regularly to review the situation across Royal Mail Group and to issue update Questions and Answers information communications to all managers, which is cascaded throughout the business.

The Coronavirus Guidance, Version 62 Q&A document has been shared with the Union’s Health, Safety & Environment Department and is hereby circulated for information and reference purposes for CWU Health and Safety and Branch IR Reps.

The Q&A documents are circulated to all RMG managers and are also available to access through a link on the Royal Mail Group ‘Intranet’, in the ‘Managers Update Messages’ section.

Please note that changes and additions from the previous version are highlighted in ‘Yellow’.

Please also note that these Q & A documents are ‘Royal Mail Group’ documents and the contents are not agreed with the CWU. On page 4 reference is made to Royal Mail’s decision to re-introduce ‘shared vans’ on a voluntary basis, subject to identified exclusions. This has not been agreed with the CWU and the Union remains opposed to such a policy change at this present time. Please refer to LTB 489/20.

The Health, Safety & Environment Department continues in dialogue with the Royal Mail Group Safety Health & Environment Team to raise questions, additions and amendments to the Q&A document.

Any enquiries to this LTB or feedback on the RMG Q&A document should be directed to Dave Joyce CWU National Health, Safety & Environment Officer.

Attachment:

Coronavirus Guidance Questions and Answers v62

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 504/20 – Royal Mail Group – Latest Updated Coronavirus Covid-19 – Frequently Asked Questions and Answers Guidance Document (Version 62)

Coronavirus Guidance Questions and Answers v_62

Campaign to save the Union Learning Fund (ULF)

Further to LTB 492/20, we would like to thank Branches who have raised their concerns about the announcement of the Government’s planned cessation of the ULF across all trade unions including the CWU.

We are working closely with our Communications, Media & Campaigns Dept., TUC and sister trade unions to kick-start a campaign highlighting the recklessness of such a measure with a view to reversing the decision. 

The following steps are planned in the short term to argue against the cuts which will have a very real and negative impact on the world of work and the wider economy:

• The TUC has issued an initial two documents which outline the benefits of union learning which is backed up with facts and figures (attached)
• Employers who benefit from an upskilled and confident workforce are being approached to sign supporting joint letters to Gavin Williamson (Secretary of State for Education). We are in the process of seeking support from our employers
• A petition has been launched seeking to reverse the government’s plans to cut the ULF which will mean hundreds of thousands of workers missing out on skills development and training

We ask, that as a first step, Branches bring this LTB and the associated TUC Briefing documents to the attention of our members and also push out the petition through all of your networks.  The petition can be found here:

https://www.megaphone.org.uk/petitions/uk-gov-don-t-cut-union-learning 

A Facebook live session will be held on Tuesday 20^th October at 6pm to update branches on the campaign and the impact of the announcement.

The CWU has a proud record of delivering incredible learning outcomes through the ULF to many thousands of our members. We are confident that our members and representatives understand this and will join the campaign to stop these cuts at a time when workers are facing extreme uncertainty.

Any queries to this LTB can be forwarded to equality&education@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,

Kate Hudson

Head of Equality, Education & Development

LTB 505/20
Save Union Learning – TUC briefing
Union learning in facts and figures

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