CWU ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2022

Branches will be aware that following the decisions made at the Special Redesign Conference in 2018 it was agreed that there would be a requirement to hold an Equality Day during the period of Annual Conference.  Annual Conference 2020 would have been the first of the biennial 6 day conferences which would have incorporated a 3-day General Conference that included an additional day dedicated to Equality issues.

However, conference in 2020 which was due to be held in Bournemouth did not take place due to the ongoing pandemic, but we managed to roll forward the deposits paid to the Bournemouth International Centre from 2020 to a future date. Given the lack of availability and that we still need to hold a 6-day conference event the BIC could only provide us with one date at the end of April. Therefore, it has been agreed at the NEC in June 2021 that Annual Conference will take place in Bournemouth from Sunday 24^th April 2022 to Friday 29^th April 2022.

Further information with regards the programme of business for the week will be published at a later date.

With regards Annual Conference 2023 we currently have no provisional bookings in place but we will need to assess the availability, suitability and costs involved in moving conference to a northern venue, work will commence on this immediately.

Additionally, the NEC are aware that there are a number of policy areas around which we need discussion and decisions made sooner than a conference in 2022 allows.  The NEC have agreed to hold a virtual, on-line event later this year for that purpose.  We are in the process of planning this event and further details will be forwarded to Branches shortly.

Any queries regarding this Letter to Branches should be addressed to Angela Niven on 020 8971 7256 or by email to conferences@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely,

Tony Kearns

Senior Deputy General Secretary

LTB 304/21

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Royal Mail Uniform & Footwear Range: Special Measure Arrangements

Dear Colleagues,

Over the past number of weeks, we have received several enquires into the Outdoor Department from Branches, representatives and members regarding the possibility of Royal Mail offering any special measure arrangements both for the general uniform range and/or footwear.

The purpose of this Letter to Branches is to confirm that Royal Mail do in fact have in place a special measure process for those who require it for both standard uniform items and a limited selection of footwear.

In the case of uniform garments, individuals would be required to complete a ‘Special Measure – Non Standard Form’ (copy attached for ease of reference) which will need to be submitted by their relevant Line Manager.

It can further be confirmed that these arrangements equally apply to the new uniform range and individual members are advised that any need for special measures can be raised and submitted as part of their initial order for the new uniform; noting that the new uniform ordering process is now fully underway within Delivery Units.

In the case of footwear, individuals will be required to complete a ‘Special Measures Footwear Form’ (copy also attached for ease of reference) which can be submitted by the individual themselves, directly to Royal Mail uniforms (email address: uniform@royalmail.com).

In the outlined above information, Branches should note the further details shared by Royal Mail on its approach towards special measures for footwear:

‘The majority of occupational footwear suppliers do not provide a “true” half size shoe, rather than making the shoe a half size longer they will make the space inside the shoe bigger as the majority of people who tend to go up a half size is usually because they require a wider fit rather than extra length.

We do offer wide & standard width footwear within the range, therefore the recommendation is to try both sizes either side i.e. if they have taken an 8.5, they should try the 8 & 9’s in the alternative styles, we also provide removable standard insoles which can be replaced with a thicker insole again making the room inside the shoe smaller.’

Whilst it is hoped that the above details are of direct use and assistance to Branches, representatives and members alike, any individual particular enquiries or requirements on Special Measure Arrangements should in the first instance be raised with Royal Mail Uniform, either via their Helpline number: 01332 697118 or by email: uniform@royalmail.com.

Any queries to the content of the above please contact the Outdoor Department reference 500, email address: njones@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,

Mark Baulch                                                                                              

CWU Assistant Secretary

LTB 303/21 – Royal Mail Uniform Special Measure Arrangements

Special Measures Footwear Form (right click ‘save as’)

Special Measure – Non Standard Form (right click ‘save as’)

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Lifelong Learning – CWU Learning Centre Guidance (Covid-19)

The purpose of this LTB is to provide Branches with guidance on local delivery of CWU arranged lifelong learning courses and workshops as we approach the lifting of restrictions within each of the devolved nations and crown dependencies.

The overriding principle must be that where there are government or administrative guidelines in place these must be adhered to at all times.

Given the continued rise in the number of Covid19 infections being reported it is clear that where CWUarranged “lifelong learning” for members’ is planned within learning centres or appropriate training rooms, it is essential that everyone needs to remain vigilant and proceed with caution.

The CWU Health, Safety & Environment Dept. has secured positions whereby employers should be operating safely policed by our Safety Reps.

It is essential that these approaches are adhered to within learning centres on employers’ premises. In addition, it is equally essential that appropriate risk assessments must also be carried out in CWU premises prior to any courses taking place.

To this end, whether within employers or Branch premises, we are content that learning centres can begin to be utilised for lifelong learning courses and workshops on specific government advised dates. This is on the
understanding that whatever precautions are in place, particularly those of the employer on employer premises, must be adhered to at all times.

Please note that this LTB does not supersede LTB 260/21 referring to the Core Activist / Representative programme due to be delivered online for the duration of this calendar year.

Your assistance and patience with these developments are very much appreciated.

Please forward any enquiries relating to this LTB to equality&education@cwu.org in the first instance.

Yours sincerely,

Kate Hudson
Head of Equality, Education & Development

LTB 302/21 – Lifelong Learning CWU Learning Centre Guidance Covid-19

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Royal Mail/CWU National Joint Statement Covid-19 Pandemic –
Next Steps in Easing Lockdown Restrictions in Royal Mail Group and
Re-Introduction of Shared Vans and Large Goods Vehicles (LGVs)

Dear Colleagues,

Further to previous LTB and communications, and as a consequence of both HM Government’s and the UK devolved Authorities announcements, discussions and drafts have been exchanged during the course of the last week with Royal Mail which have culminated in a National Joint statement in regard to the above being concluded.

Subsequent to announcements by HM Government on the easing of lockdown and restrictions within society and the implication of this advice within the workplace the operational arrangements can best be described as extremely difficult.  The situation and clarity necessary to provide guidance has been exacerbated and made even more problematic due to the different measures, details and timescales of easing of restrictions across the UK.

Therefore, to capture all of these elements coherently in an agreed National Joint document with the employer has been difficult to achieve.  However, we believe that in the attached Joint Statement this has been achieved through working jointly, with the full involvement of both the CWU Health Safety & Environmental and Postal Departments.  The Joint Statement, which has been endorsed by the Postal Executive, builds on and reinforces the commitments contained within the previously agreed documents in relation to the return to van sharing.

In addition, the Joint Statement also ensures that a correct and supportive approach is adopted in all workplaces and includes an agreed process for all the Safety, operational and individuals’ concerns and issues being dealt with and resolved.

Accordingly, Royal Mail Group and the CWU will adopt a gradual approach which aims to ensure that this will minimise further infections of the virus and any harm to the health of the workforce – maintaining our joint ‘safety first’ philosophy.

The Joint Statement is extensive in its content and will require careful reading by all concerned but the salient points are as follows:

• Royal Mail Group will re-introduce shared vans and LGVs subject to the respective legislative changes appropriate to that part of the United Kingdom along with appropriate safety controls and safe working instructions being applied, in consultation with CWU Area and Workplace Safety, Delivery and Distribution Representatives.
• The return to Shared Vans and LGVs will therefore commence from (taking account of any individual and operational issues which must be jointly resolved in each unit beforehand) as follows:
  • England w/c 19^th July 2021.
  • Northern Ireland w/c 26^th July 2021 (subject to final confirmation on the 22^nd July 2021).
  • Wales 7^th August 2021 (subject to final confirmation).
  • Scotland 9^th August 2021.
• Meanwhile all current workplace social distancing controls and safe working practices will remain in place across the UK until further notice.
• Royal Mail Group will fully recognise individual circumstances (medical, mental health, stress, anxiety etc.) in respect of those unable to share vehicles and make reasonable adjustments as appropriate.
• Risk controls remain important to minimise the potential risk of Covid-19 virus transmission.
• Routine twice weekly voluntary Lateral Flow Device (LFD) Testing for all individuals is strongly advised and encouraged, particularly if van/vehicle sharing. Testing will be actively encouraged to support both the workplace and the community. Both parties continue to encourage all members/employees to participate in the opportunity to test them self as this provides assurance to themselves, family members and work colleagues that they are virus free.
• Royal Mail Group will not require self-isolating workers to come to work and will fully support those workers feeling unwell in not attending work.
• In England, all employees are strongly encouraged to continue to use face coverings when sharing a van or LGV and when working inside, particularly in enclosed, crowded workspaces (wearing the Royal Mail Group Branded 3-ply face covering or equivalent).
• In Northern Ireland face coverings remain mandatory until 26^th July 2021.
• In Scotland and Wales face coverings remain mandatory until further notice.
• Royal Mail Group retains the right to ‘mandate’ face coverings in line with a risk assessment review and based on infection rate data.
• The Department for Business, Energy, Innovation and Skills (BEIS) and the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) guidance on safe working will be taken into account in preparing risk assessments which Royal Mail Group are already required to make under pre-pandemic health and safety laws.

• Vehicle cabs must be kept clean and touchpoints must be cleaned both before and after each use.  
• Vehicles must be ventilated when in shared use.
• All managers must be fully up to speed with the content of the risk assessment and the controls that must be deployed to ensure van sharing is safe (including deployment of and adherence to the associated Safe Working Instruction). Managers must also follow the processes in place to monitor the use of shared vans and ensure alignment to the risk controls.
• Royal Mail Group will continue to operate a ‘contactless delivery’ approach.
• Royal Mail Group will strongly emphasise “Hands; Face; Space; Ventilate; Clean and Test”.
• Royal Mail Group and CWU will strongly encourage and support vaccination – the personal decision being made by the individual in line with the health care professional.
• Royal Mail Group through Royal Mail Property & Facilities Solutions and Royal Mail Fleet will ensure high standards of building and vehicle cleanliness, sanitisation, touch point cleaning and ventilation.
• Royal Mail Property & Facilities Solutions will identify poorly ventilated buildings and take steps to improve ventilation.
• Royal Mail Group will continue to reflect Government (central and devolved nations) and their agencies advice and guidance.
• Royal Mail Group will support Government messaging through internal communications and engagement strategy.
• Royal Mail Group risk management and risk assessment procedures will be jointly reviewed and be regularly monitored with full CWU ASR/WSR involvement and engagement across all Units.
• Royal Mail Group will retain contingency measures. Infection rate data will be monitored and Shared Vans/LGVs may be removed and other controls put in place should the infection rate rise to a level considered to require that course of action, if assessed to be a necessary infection control measure either locally or nationally.
• Royal Mail Group strategy will continue to review World Health Organization (WHO) Covid-19 guidance.

Both parties will continue to meet weekly at National level and review the measures outlined above in order to monitor arrangements.  This will include the monitoring of any local trends and increases in the spread of the virus and seeking to resolve any operational or individual issues that may be raised by either party.

Any queries to the content of the above please contact:

Deliveries/Collections: Outdoor Department reference 600, email address: njones@cwu.org

Processing/Distribution/Parcelforce: Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary email: dwyatt@cwu.org, ref: 014.14

Yours sincerely,

Mark Baulch
CWU Assistant Secretary

Davie Robertson        
CWU Assistant Secretary

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

Health, Safety & Environment Dept.

LTB 301/21 – Next Steps in Easing Lockdown Restrictions in RMG and Re-Introduction of Shared Vans and Large Goods Vehicles – 20.07.21

Att: RM-CWU-Next-Steps-in Easing-Lockdown- (SD-DJ) v7 – 20.07.21 

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POST OFFICE: THE FUTURE OF THE CROWN NETWORK – JOINT STATEMENT, VR PREFERENCE FORM AND Q&As

Further to LTB 286 dated 16^th July.

As Branches are aware, we have agreed to a limited VR exercise under MTSF, for a maximum of 120 Crown office staff, and as part of our agreement, the Post Office has committed to a moratorium on Crown Office franchising/closures until at least the end of December 2021.  Our wider talks are planned with Post Office with regards to jointly agreeing a fresh approach and a new strategy to try to secure the future of the network.

The following Joint Statement in relation to the details of the VR preference exercise has been agreed:

Voluntary Redundancy: Agreed Preference Exercise (Non-Binding)

Further to the joint statement published on 16^th July regarding the Future of the DMB/Crown network, integral to which is a commitment to reduce headcount by up to 120 across the DMB network, we are inviting those who have a strong interest in VR to complete the form below. 

We are unable to guarantee a VR offer to everyone who expresses an interest as there may be an over-subscription

•  If you express an interest in VR, you will receive a formal acknowledgement via an email 
•  Where Voluntary Redundancy offers are made, this will be in accordance with MTSF and seniority will apply
•  VR offers will be made via a settlement agreement that will need to be signed confirming your final decision. You will also need to seek legal advice when signing your settlement agreement and Post Office will pay up to £350 for this advice
•  Payment in Lieu of Notice (PILON) will be paid to all of those who accept a formal VR offer. Those taking VR will be eligible for pay arrears associated with a 2021/22 pay agreement
•  Please only submit a preference form if you are genuinely interested in VR
•  VR offers will be calculated in line with MTSF and you will be provided with a ready reckoner in order to help give you an indication of your VR offer. 

 If you have questions, please talk to your manager or your CWU Rep.

 Steve Blampied                                                      Andy Furey

Head of DMB Network                                         CWU Assistant Secretary

The agreed preference form (which will be sent via email to members’ Post Office email addresses) and set of Q&As are attached to this LTB. Preference forms should only be returned by members if they are genuinely interested in VR and the closing date is 5pm on Wednesday 4^th August.

Finally, a joint conference call for members will be held tomorrow, Tuesday 20^th July from 8.30am as part of the Tuesday morning TeamTalk session hosted by Steve Blampied, Head of DMB Network and myself.  Details of how to join the call if members are on a scheduled day off or on leave will be sent via PO management.

Further developments and progress on talks will be reported in due course.

Any queries related to this LTB should be directed to lsheridan@cwu.org

Yours sincerely

Andy Furey

Assistant Secretary

LTB 300/21 – Post Office: The Future of the Crown Network – Joint Statement, VR Preference Form and Q&As

Att: VR Preference Form

Att: VR Preference Factsheet

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Parcelforce Worldwide – Joint Communication – Pathway to Change Update

Further to the content of LTB 276/21 issued on the 1st July 2021, attached for the information of Branches, Representatives and Parcelforce members is a further Joint Communication agreed with Parcelforce to provide an update on the current trial activity and details of further agreed activity to address current issues associated to the REX technology. 

The attached Joint Statement provides an interim update on the current trial activity and the next steps and launches a second phase of trial activity at 5 depots to run concurrently with the existing trial. This activity will test alternative methods to allow Drivers to resolve routing anomalies and manage their day, while meeting the quality and customer service demands required of Parcelforce as a premium service provider.

Both parties are committed to improving the current situation and the JWG are currently developing further initiatives to address loading issues and refine a historic driver line process to reduce under the roof time and ensure that Drivers have control over the load plan.

As previously reported the department and the CWU Regional Organisers met with Geoplan on 6th July 2021 where the group sought answers and solutions to a range of questions and issues based on Driver Feedback. The session covered these issues in great detail and further discussions are taking place with Parcelforce on potential technical solutions. The JWG is currently working through the outputs and the detailed responses and any agreed actions will be shared with the field in due course. 

On the SWW in depots the Joint Communication clarifies that in depots yet to deploy the benefit will be released at the point that agreed plans for indoor operations are confirmed as being in place.

The department remains committed to continued progress to address current REX issues and further updates will be provided as the phased trial activity progresses. The department would be grateful if Branches could ensure that the contents are brought to the attention of our Parcelforce members.

Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary, email: dwyatt@cwu.orgquoting reference 054.06.

Yours sincerely

Davie Robertson

Assistant Secretary

LTB 298/21

Att: Joint Comms Depot Operations P2C Update 19.07.21

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POST OFFICE: COVID PANDEMIC MEASURES – JOINT STATEMENT

Branches are advised that Post Office, CWU and Unite are continuing to work together to ensure that all Post Office workplaces are as Covid-secure as possible.

Following the announcement from the Government regarding the easing of COVID restrictions and in order to proceed with caution to ensure a safe working environment, we have jointly reviewed the ways of working and safety measures in the workplace and have agreed:

• The wearing of face coverings will remain and social distancing will continue within all workplaces
• Customers will continue to be encouraged to wear face coverings and social distance on the public side of the counter
• Post Office will continue to stock and have available on request the Lateral Flow Tests for all Post Office workers
• Despite regulations being different in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, guidance for Post Office workers remains the same for the four countries.

The following Joint Statement has been agreed:

JOINT STATEMENT POST OFFICE, CWU AND UNITE

COVID 19 Update

Following the announcement from the Government regarding the lifting of COVID restrictions we wanted to provide you all with an update. The Post Office, CWU and Unite are continuing to work together to ensure we prioritise making the workplace as Covid-secure as possible.  

Whilst the Government have stated that face coverings no longer need to be worn indoors, we still need to ensure that the Health, Safety and Wellbeing of colleagues is still our number one priority. 

It is important we take a safe and cautious approach and avoid risk and complacency as restrictions are eased, therefore the use of relevant PPE and social distancing remains compulsory to help protect one another. Posters will shortly be displayed in branch strongly encouraging customers to continue to wear face coverings and maintain social distancing also. 

We also need to be mindful that the regulations are different in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland which is why our guidance remains the same. 

We will of course carefully monitor all related developments from Government and communicate these accordingly.  

Colleagues should carry on following good practices such as keeping hands clean and ensure that social distancing is adhered to in spaces such as small meeting/rest rooms.  This will help us to reduce the likelihood of colleagues being asked to self-isolate due to close contact with a colleague who tests positive. Lateral flow test kits are also still available, and we would encourage you to still use these. Control measures as per the current risk assessments should also continue.

If you are unsure or need further clarification on the above, please speak to your manager or union rep who will advise you.  You can also find further details on the Hub Coronavirus microsite.

Russell Hancock                        Phil Savage                                               Andy Furey

Supply Chain Director              Unite the Union                                            CWU Assistant Secretary

Post Office                                                               

Steve Blampied

Head of DMB Network

Post Office

Further developments will be communicated as and when they occur.Finally I would like to thank Lynn Simpson Postal Executive member who has continued to engage with management on all Covid-19 related issues, including the associated Joint Statement.

Andy Furey

CWU Assistant Secretary

LTB 299/21 – Post Office – Covid Pandemic Measures – Joint Statement

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TRIAL OF PARCEL COLLECT “BRING MY LABEL” TERMS OF REFERENCE

As Branches are aware, Royal Mail faces an increasingly competitive landscape both in the letters and parcels market. The future success of Royal Mail is dependent upon the ability to offer customers products that meet current and future needs, excellent customer and quality of service, and value for money. Royal Mail and CWU are jointly committed to securing this objective by working together to understand and achieve industry leading performance in all aspects of delivery and collection.

Having launched the Parcel Collect product in October 2020 Royal Mail is seeking to grow the product through service improvements.  One of the areas that we jointly want to look at is the provision of labels for customers purchasing Parcel Collect so that it is accessible to customers who do not have a home printer.  Parcelforce already offers this service but it is not widely available in the market, so will be an attractive proposition.

Royal Mail & the CWU are seeking to conduct to test this capability in 4 Delivery Offices: Bath, Cheltenham, Doncaster and Newton Mearns.

These offices were selected because they have had a steady demand for the Parcel Collect service, have experienced few service failures, and to have a North-South geographical split to also include an office in Scotland. The trial will run from 2^ndAugust until 29^th January inclusive.

The trial will not be a fully scalable solution, as this would require further investment in technology, so it will be based on our Indoor Delivery colleagues having access to the RM Click and Drop Admin Portal to print off labels, rather than this being automatically downloaded each day onto one of the Delivery Office systems.

Aims

The aim of the trial is to test the market appetite for a parcel collection service where we bring the label to the customer, negating the requirement for a home printer.  We also need the feedback of both our Indoor and Outdoor colleagues to understand:

• What parts of the design work well?
• What could be improved upon?
• What equipment/technical improvements would be required if we wanted to roll this out Nationally?

The Trial will include the following measures, expanded details of which can be found in the Terms of Reference:

• Any significant difficulties during the course of the trial which prevent us from offering the service in one or all of the Postcode Areas, areas can be “switched off” individually on the Portal (in the event of a force majeure or any other disruption).
• RM & CWU will jointly take feedback from our frontline colleagues throughout the trial and also by means of a survey at the end of it the outputs of which will be shared and communicated within the trial sites.
• End of trial survey for customers  
• An Industrial Engineer will conduct a method study comparing the current process and the proof of concept trial process in order to establish the workload task time.
• Training 
• Involvement 
• Any operational changes required to facilitate the trial arrangements will be progressed in line with the IR Framework.
• Review throughout and at the end of the trial 

The Postal Executive Committee endorsed the Trial and associated Terms of Reference, with communication as early as possible being our aim to give the trial areas as much time as possible to prepare.

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

Yours sincerely,

 Mark Baulch                                                                                              

CWU Assistant Secretary

LTB 297/21 – TRIAL OF PARCEL COLLECT “BRING MY LABEL” TERMS OF REFERENCE

Attachment: TOR RM and CWU Parcel Collect (Bring My Label) Trial V1

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ROYAL MAIL: PATHWAY TO CHANGE AGREEMENT – DELIVERING THE SHORTER WORKING WEEK FOR LA GRADES IN OPERATIONS

Branches are advised that we have now concluded all of our Pathway to Change Shorter Working Week Agreements for Business Units/Corporate Centre/Group for our Admin members.  These include:

• Address Management Unit
• Customer Experience
• Downstream Access
• Finance Services
• HR Strategy & Services
• MDEC
• National Returns Centre
• Special Events, Assets & Peak Planning
• Stamps & Collectibles

In respect of LAs designated to Operations and therefore attached to Mail centres or Delivery Offices, the National Agreement reached means these members are aligned to the OPGs and therefore should receive the Shorter Working Week benefit simultaneously to the uniform grades in their workplace.  This includes those LAs working in Revenue Protection.

If there is any questions over these arrangements, please do not hesitate to contact me via Lea Sheridan lsheridan@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely

Andy Furey

Assistant Secretary

LTB 296/21 – Royal Mail – Pathway to Change Agreement – Delivering the SWW for LA Grades in Operations

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