Membership Subscription – Retired & Retired Associate Members – from 1^st January 2022

CWU Rule 11.5.2 contains the following instruction:

“The rate for retired and retired associate members shall increase on 1 January each 

year by the same percentage increase as the known CPI at the time.”

The known rate for CPI is currently 3.2% therefore in accordance with the rules of the union from 1^st January 2022 the membership subscription rates for Retired and Retired Associate Members will be as follows:CWU Contribution RatesWeekly ContributionsMonthly Contributions– from 1 January 2022“I” Rate £“O” Rate £“I” Rate £“O” Rate £Retired Members1.471.276.365.49Retired Associate Membersn/an/a4.944.07

Any enquiries regarding this Letter to Branches should be addressed to the Senior Deputy General Secretary’s Department on telephone number 020 8971 7237, or email address sdgs@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely,

Tony Kearns

Senior Deputy General Secretary

LTB 468/21

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Pathway to Change Agreement – Culture and the Latest Interim Trust Survey Results

Further to LTB 424/21 circulated on 7^th October, Branches and Representatives will recall that the next phase of the Interim Trust Survey commenced on 11^thOctober 2021 for the West Midlands, East Midlands and Peterborough, South Coast and Croydon and South East SDL areas, as well as the Parcels Operations, Royal Mail International (RMI) and the Property & Facilities Solutions (P&FS) Business units. Also included was the Transformation Office, however in the main this relates to management grades.

After this latest Interim Trust Survey closed, the headline results were supplied to the DGS(P) Department on 25^thOctober 2021 and considered at a meeting of the Postal Executive in Birmingham on 2^nd November 2021. These are attached for the information of Branches and Representatives (Attachment 1). The overall return rate for this Interim Trust Survey was 65%, compared to 72% for the previous one, although the number of people surveyed this time was higher at 21,582. The return rate improved significantly across each SDL area compared to that of the Big Trust Survey, apart from the East Midlands and Peterborough. Returns also increased in Parcelforce Operations, RMI and P&FS.

In terms of the actual trust score, that continues to be based on five particular questions. The score for this latest Interim Trust Survey was 68%, which is identical to that of the last survey. The lower quartile of the frontline units surveyed had a trust score of 57% and below, with the lowest unit delivering a trust score of just 19%. At the other end of the scale, the best score was 100%.

In relation to the awareness of action plans that have been agreed by SDL area (or equivalent) and the knowledge of making progress against the action plan, Branches and Representatives will note that these latest results illustrate that this stands at 61% and 87% respectively across the returns, compared to the September survey figures of 63% and 85%.

The unit by unit figures have been provided by SDL area and Operational Manager units by Royal Mail Group. They will be circulated to the relevant Divisional Representatives in the near future to help inform their discussions with their relevant managers. The PFW depot results are also expected soon, as are the breakdowns for RMI and P&FS.

The Business have also agreed to hold a further deep dive briefing for SDLs and Divisional Representatives on 4^th November 2021 at 9:30am and an additional session for Parcelforce Regional Organisers and their respective managers on 8^th November 2021 at 12:00pm. At the time of writing, the dates for RMI and P&FS are still being arranged.

Branches will also be aware that it was agreed to also include tailored, function-specific questions in the October and November surveys by Operational manager area, following input from the Outdoor Department. The headline results of these five questions are also attached for the information of Branches and Representatives (Attachment 2) and the unit results will also be circulated to Divisional Representatives.

A further Interim Trust Survey started on 1^st November 2021, to those in the South Midlands, South Yorks and Lincs, Central & East London and Thames Valley SDL areas, as well as National Distribution and Processing, RDCs, and Walk Bundling Centres. This will be the final survey for CWU grades in 2021.

The Interim Trust Survey results continue to provide an insight into a number of key questions and, over time, will help to identify those workplaces where positive change is occurring and where the terms of our national agreements are being applied.

In closing, I would like to thank all Branches and Representatives for their ongoing work in promoting the Interim Trust Survey and ensuring a high level of participation. This work is helping to highlight the areas that need to be addressed in a pro-active way to improve culture and the working environment. Additional updates will be provided as and when further developments occur.

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

Yours sincerely,

Terry Pullinger

Deputy General Secretary (Postal)

LTB 467/21 Pathway to Change Agreement – Culture and the Latest Interim Trust Survey Results

LTB 467/21 Attachment 1

LTB 467/21 Attachment 2

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Update from DGSP Terry Pullinger on the progress of the National Agreement

LABOUR PARTY CONFERENCE 2021: CWU DELEGATION REPORTS

The 2021 Labour Party Conference was held in Brighton from Saturday 25^th to Wednesday 29^th September 2021.

For your information the below attachments are reports on the decisions taken by the CWU delegation at their meetings.

Any enquiries on the above LTB should be addressed to the General Secretary’s office dlynch@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely

Dave Ward

General Secretary

LTB 466/21 – Labour Party Conference 20121- CWU Delegation Reports
MINUTES LP CONF 2021 (25.09.19)
MINUTES LP CONF 2021 (26.09.19) 
MINUTES LP CONF 2021 (27.09.19)

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CWU VIRTUAL SPECIAL GENERAL CONFERENCE – 7^TH, 8^TH AND 9^TH NOVEMBER

The purpose of this LTB is to remind branches who have not already done so, to register for the Special conference and to also draw to your attention our latest podcast which can be found on the link below:

https://soundcloud.com/the-cwu/conference-2021?si=d1e6d471f9244a17b3979e35bbc69db6

The podcast sets the scene for the conference and my opening address, which will focus on the real choices that we face over the future of the CWU and our movement.

Finally, when registering for the event, we would ask branches to ensure that their delegations are balanced to cover the makeup of our industrial, political and equality work.

Any enquiries on the content of this LTB should be addressed to the General Secretary’s office – jdunn@cwu.org

Regards

Dave Ward

General Secretary

LTB 465/21 – CWU Virtual Special General Conference – 7th, 8th and 9th November

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Election of National Representative Positions – 2021

• Postal Standing Orders Committee – Vacancies

Further to LTB 321/21 dated 4^thAugust 2021, at the close of the nomination period the following Postal Standing Orders Committee (Vacancies) positions remain vacant:

• 2 Positions – 1 of whom must be a Woman and 1 of whom must be Bame.

The NEC has agreed the election arrangements for the National positions listed above.  Accordingly please find attached the relevant election regulations, appendices and nomination forms.

In accordance with the CWU policy of improving proportionality at all levels of the union branches will wish to note that Women and BAME quotas have now been included in the composition of the Standing Orders Committee positions.

Additionally branches are advised that the elections for the SOC in 2021 will be conducted using revised arrangements, a summary of which is set out below:

Nomination Process

In respect of seeking nominations branches will need to put in place a robust system and use all reasonable methods at their disposal to publish suitable notification throughout the branch area giving members the opportunity to submit their name for nomination to the position should they choose to do so.  Following this the branch would need to put in place arrangements to hold a branch to decide which candidate(s) will receive the branch nomination.

Where necessary this can be conducted via a suitable video conference platform such as Zoom or Skype, etc.

Dispatch and Return of Nomination Forms to CWU HQ

Nomination forms will be sent to branches electronically (attached to this LTB) and it will be our intention to set up a specific dedicated election email address where branches should return completed nomination forms to.  The details of this will be included on the nomination form.

Nomination Forms will need to be returned by the advertised closing date to be included in the list of candidates. 

The revised system will avoid the necessity to return forms in the post system which of course may be subject to delay during the current Covid-19 crisis.

Dispatch and Return of Voting Papers

The respective constituency based voting papers will be sent by email direct to branches at the email address which we hold on file.  Branches should return the completed voting papers by email to the advertised CWU election email address.  Notification will be sent to branches confirming receipt of the voting paper, however it will the responsibility of the branch to ensure that voting papers are returned to the correct email address.

To be included in the ballot voting papers will need to have been returned by the advertised closing date and time.  

Election Timetable 

The election timetable for the above will be as follows:

Nominations open:  3 November 2021

Nominations close:  17 November 2021 (14:00)

Despatch ballot papers from: 19 November 2021

Ballots closes:  3 December 2021 (14:00)

Any enquiries regarding this Letter to Branches should be addressed to the Senior Deputy General Secretary’s Department on telephone number 020 8971 7237, or email address sdgs@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,

Tony Kearns

Senior Deputy General Secretary   

LTB 464/21

Regulations – SOC Vacancies 2021

Nomination Form SOC Vacancies 2021

Candidates Biograhical & Consent Form

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Virtual Special General Conference 2021 – Anti-Racism Framework

Following the CWU anti-racism statement published in LTB 213/21 and ahead of the CWU Virtual Special General Conference, please find attached a CWU anti-racism framework booklet for branches attention.

The purpose of the framework is to reaffirm our objectives and goals and to provide a fresh and structured approach on how we aim to build on our existing anti-racism work as set out in the NEC Motion.

The framework focuses on 4 key areas for development:

1. Leadership and Representation
2. Working within our structures and empowering communities
3. Building awareness and changing attitudes through education
4. International Solidarity

We hope branches and members find this information useful and look forward to the session at the Virtual Special General Conference.

Any queries on this LTB should be directed to equality&education@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,

Kate Hudson 
Head of Equality, Education & Development

Dave Ward
General Secretary

21LTB 463 – Virtual Special General Conference 2021 – Anti-Racism Framework

06617 CWU Anti-Racism Booklet -21LTB 463

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JOINT STATEMENT BETWEEN ROYAL MAIL AND THE CWU COVERING THE DEPLOYMENT PROGRAMME FOR PARCEL SORTING MACHINES WITHIN THE MAIL CENTRE ESTATE/RDC ESTATE

Branches and representatives will be aware that a Terms of Reference was agreed in 2018 covering the deployment of 20 parcel sorting machines across 16 Mail Centres (LTB 355/18 refers). Subsequently in August 2021 Phase 2A of the deployment was progressed which involved the deployment of a further 4 PSM’s (LTB 359/21 refers).

Royal Mail are now ready to deploy a further roll out of parcel sorting machines with another supplier, Solystic, across the Mail Centre estate, which will be known as Phase 2b.

Discussions have therefore taken place in relation to a Joint Statement to support the activity. A copy of the Joint Statement, which has been endorsed by the Postal Executive, is attached for information.

In summary there are 9 machines which are in the process of being built and deployed across 8 identified units, based on local planning and engagement between the project team, the Mail Centre teams and the CWU within the parameters set out in the attached document and the 2018 Agreement.

These new machines are smaller in size and scope to the existing PSM’s and there are some structural and operational differences between the two machines, which will require slightly different ways of working to ensure the safe and effective running of the machines is maintained.

The following 8 Mail Centres will receive a Phase 2b parcel sorting machine (in planned deployment order). The precise deployment dates to each site will be kept under review as the rollout progresses and will be confirmed at local site planning and engagement meetings and via the CWU National Joint Working Group for Parcels Automation.

1. North West Midlands Mail Centre (x 2 machines)

2. London Central Mail Centre

3. Cardiff Mail Centre

4. Southampton Mail Centre

5. Croydon Mail Centre

6. N Ireland Mail Centre

7. Romford Mail Centre

8. Edinburgh Mail Centre

The 2018 TOR covering the deployment of the PSM’s into the operation, which covers training, rotations, selection processes and staffing levels remains unchanged and is attached in the Joint Statement.

This PSM however, has a lower throughput and will require one less operator at the induct area to run the machine, which means the following staffing levels will be required:

5 x Induct operators (the other machines have 6)

2 x York Tippers

2 x Porters

I x Eject/Reject

The CWU will continue to be fully involved in the deployment activity and monitoring in line with the 2018 agreement.

The Phase 2b deployment will take the number of PSM’s across the Mail Centre Network to 33. This is not an end state number and work continues on the future PSM deployment strategy and time line. The expectation remains that the final deployment plan will see Parcel Automation introduced at all current Mail Centre sites.

Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary, email: dwyatt@cwu.org quoting reference: 732.01

Yours sincerely

Davie Robertson
Assistant Secretary

LTB 461-21

JS Phase 2B PSM Deployment 29.10.21

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