Post Office Ltd – 2021 Free Flu Voucher Scheme Offer – Update & Reminder:

This is an update on the above nationally agreed POL 2021 Free Flu Voucher Scheme, further to LTBs 347/21 which as previously reported, provided a ‘Free Flu Voucher’ to all POL employees.

This year’s Post Office Ltd scheme was published in LTB347/21, following discussions with the CWU Health, Safety & Environment Department and is part of POL’s ongoing health promotion and employee support programme. POL offered to the workforce a ‘free flu vaccination voucher’ for the fourth year running which opened in early September.

The digital flu vaccination vouchers are redeemable in 4,000 outlets and on-site flu jab clinics were provided at Post Office Limited’s 6 largest Supply Chain Units (Glasgow, Birmingham, London, Hemel Hempstead, Swindon and Sheffield).

Summary of the Scheme to date:

241 Flu vaccinations were delivered at the on-site clinics.

178 Flu vouchers activated at selected pharmacies.

Influenza

Influenza (flu) is one of the most significant causes of illness during the winter months. Flu is a respiratory illness caused by a virus, which is highly contagious and can lead to severe ill-health. In 2017 a large number of the Royal Mail Group workforce, over 31,000 employees were affected by flu which was a 31% increase on the previous year with over 127,000 days lost to the flu. Those unfortunate enough to catch flu suffered debilitating pain, nausea, high fever, headache and muscle aches, cough, sore throat, tiredness and discomfort plus time away from work. This meant that in addition to members being unwell, the service to customers was badly affected.

Considering the risk of flu and the Covid-19 Omicron variant co-circulating again this winter, Royal Mail Group and the CWU are jointly encouraging all members to take up the opportunity to have the flu jab and in doing so reduce their risk of getting flu, becoming unwell and passing it onto family, friends and work colleagues.

REMINDER

Those members intending to utilise the POL ‘Free Flu Jab’ scheme and redeem their voucher have until the end of March 2022.  Would all CWU Reps please remind all members to seriously consider taking up the ‘Free Flu Jab’ offer before the closing date. 

The move to mandatory face coverings in all POL indoor settings and ongoing hygiene prevention reminders can support the winter health and flu campaign.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 559/21 – Post Office Ltd – 2021 Free Flu Voucher Scheme Offer – Update & Reminder

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Post Office Ltd (POL) – Covide-19 Update:

Further to LTB 554/21 a further meeting took place with Post Office Ltd’s Director of Health and Safety and Head of Road Safety on Friday 17 December, following which a communication has been re-issued to the workforce in POL DMB Crown Offices and CVIT Supply Chain Units.

POL have taken the opportunity to update their internal Covid Intranet Site with instructions, guides, risk assessments and documents in collaboration with the Unions, continuing to work together to ensure that making the workplaces as Covid-secure as possible is a priority as well as providing the workforce with the most up to date information regarding Covid-19.

On Friday we discussed the announcement by the Wales Government First Minister that morning regarding the intention to re-introduce a number of restrictions with a further announcement to be made today Monday 20 December 2021.

We have agreed with POL to monitor the situation and any further announced restrictions in order to assess the impact on POL operations and what measures need to be undertaken in the organisation.

Whilst the number of positive cases in Post Office Ltd remains lower than the national average, the new Omicron variant is spreading at a rapid rate with infections doubling over the last few weeks. Given this information, it’s more important than ever that we ensure that the employer and workforce are taking all the right precautions necessary to keep each other safe.

In response to the additional risk, due to the new Covid-19 ‘Omicron’ variant, any POL employee waiting for the result of a Covid-19 PCR test, following notification that they may have been in close contact with a positive case, should not attend the workplace until they have received a negative result, unless they are exempt i.e., fully vaccinated in line with that country’s current guidance and taking daily lateral flow tests for 7 days, in which case they may return.

However, any employee with Covid-19 symptoms should request a PCR test rather than undertake a Lateral Flow Device (LCD) test and remain away from the workplace until they have received a negative result and symptoms subside.

Employees can book a Covid-19 PCR test by using this link: https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test

Unvaccinated adults must continue to self-isolate for 10 days if they are a close contact of someone who has tested positive for Covid-19. This rule change follows a significant rise in Covid-19 Omicron variant cases in the UK with the new variant expected to become the dominant virus strain by mid-December.

As a reminder, and as agreed, ‘Face Masks/Coverings’ MUST be worn behind the counter as well as in public facing areas in POL Directly Managed Branches. All of the workforce and visitors are required to wear a face covering whilst in a Branch Office including; behind the counter (including fortress positions), serving positions, parcel hatches, in every public facing location and when moving about communal areas e.g., welfare rooms, corridors, storerooms etc.

All CVIT Supply Chain employees MUST also wear a ‘Face Mask/Covering’ when moving around the depot.

Members should always, also continue to follow good hygiene standards and practices such as keeping hands clean, using sanitiser, maintaining distancing where it’s possible and making use of the ‘Workforce Lateral Flow Tests’ that are available for all members, as agreed between POL and the Union.

To protect themselves, their family and workmates, we also jointly strongly encourage members to avoid crowds and gatherings outside of the workplace.

Following the Government announcement on Sunday, we encourage members to get vaccinated if they can and those who are extremely vulnerable should check with their GP or hospital consultant whether they can take the vaccine. Wherever possible, appointments should be booked outside of work time. However, POL recognises that this isn’t always possible and POL is committed to being as flexible as possible to support the workforce in that regard. Members should speak to their line manager if they are struggling to find a suitable appointment time.

As the Covid rules are constantly changing, we advise workers to familiarise themselves with the latest Government guidance and the latest COVID briefings sent out by the Health and Safety team. Those members requiring further clarification on the above should speak to their manager or union rep who will give advice. You can also find further details on the POL Coronavirus intranet site.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 558/21 – Post Office Ltd (POL) – Covide-19 Update

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PARCELFORCE – UNDERPINNING INCENTIVE PAYMENT

Branches and representatives will be aware that in June 2012 a new National incentive scheme was agreed, LTB 455/12 refers.

Consistent with the aforementioned agreement and arrangements in previous years Parcelforce have confirmed that the £100 lump sum (pro-rata for part time workers) for 2021 will be paid in December salaries to eligible employees.

Branches and representatives are requested to ensure that our members are made aware of this LTB and that it is given full publicity.

Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary, email: dwyatt@cwu.orgquoting reference 106A.12.

Yours sincerely

Davie Robertson

Assistant Secretary

LTB 556/21

Joint Statement Underpinning Incentive Payment 2021

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TONY CONWAY – FORMER SOUTH EAST LONDON BRANCH SECRETARY, AREA PROCESSING REP AND BRANCH POLITICAL OFFICER

It is with sadness I write to advise you that Tony Conway former South East London Branch Secretary, Area Rep and Branch Political Officer, passed away last weekend.

Tony joined the GPO in 1967 and although he retired in 2002, he continued to play an active role in his Branch and the wider Labour movement.

Tony made a great contribution in representing our members, the union and the wider Labour movement.  He also played a major role in key national issues and disputes through the 1980’s and 1990’s, most notably the RRIS dispute in 1989.

He will also be remembered as somebody who had a positive influence on many of today’s CWU representatives and leaders.

I know I speak on behalf of everybody who knew Tony in saying he will be sorely missed and in offering our sincere condolences to all his family, friends and colleagues.

Yours sincerely

Dave Ward

General Secretary 

21LTB557 TONY CONWAY – FORMER SOUTH EAST LONDON BRANCH SECRETARY, AREA PROCESSING REP AND BRANCH POLITICAL OFFICER

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Ofcom Decision – Saturday 1^stJanuary – Revised Peak Christmas Arrangements

Further to and LTB 350/21 circulated on the 6^th December 2021 on Peak Christmas Arrangements 2021, Branches will be aware of the well documented issues created by the late application by Royal Mail to seek Ofcom dispensation to grant an additional Non USO day for Saturday 1^st January 2022.

Branches will be aware from the contents of LTB 312/21 circulated on the 26^th November 2021 that both departments had taken Royal Mail to task over the failure to engage with Ofcom on the Non USO day for 1^stJanuary 2022 even though the precedent had been set the last time this pattern occurred in 2010/11.  Our position had been and remained that we could not support any solution which would entail mandatory attendance of our members who are covered by this agreement on either Saturday 1st January or Monday 3rd January (Tuesday 4th January in Scotland) 2022.

The matter became the subject of a public consultation exercise by Ofcom which closed on the 13^th December and Ofcom published their decision to allow the dispensation yesterday, 16^thDecember 2021. The interim Peak arrangements circulated in LTB 350/21 included the following paragraph.

In 2011 Saturday 1st January was designated a non USO Day by the regulator and Ofcom have published their intention to do so again for the 1^st January 2022. Formal consultation on this dispensation will conclude on the 13^th December 2021 with a final decision announced no later than December 17^th 2021. While both parties anticipate a positive outcome, national discussions will continue on establishing contingency operational arrangements, should the non USO day not be confirmed. Arrangements for Saturday 1^stJanuary 2022 through to 4^thJanuary 2022 will therefore be part of an addendum to the arrangements that will be communicated following the Ofcom Announcement.  

Both departments met Royal Mail yesterday afternoon following the Ofcom announcement and concluded a revised Peak arrangements document which now includes guidance on the arrangements for the New Year Weekend. The arrangements include confirmation of the non USO day for 1^st January 2022 and Royal Mail have confirmed that like Christmas Day they do not intend to run any USO or test kit service on that day.

Sunday 2^nd January 2022 is considered a normal working day and a Covid Test kit operation will be required, however it has been agreed that Sunday Tracked 24 HV Deliveries will be deferred to Monday 3^rd January 2022. As that is now confirmed as a Bank Holiday this will ensure that attendance is voluntary and will attract Bank Holiday Options. All other resumption arrangements are consistent with the content agreed for the Christmas Bank Holiday on the 28^th December and as in previous years the arrangements for the additional Bank Holiday in Scotland (4^th January 2022) are confirmed.

Attached for the information of Branches is the revised document which has been endorsed by the Postal Executive and we would be grateful if Branches ensure that the contents are brought to the attention of Representatives and members.

The relevant changes can be found at paragraphs 2.6 – 3.9 and 3.12 of the Attendance and Resourcing Section of the agreement

Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to:

Processing/Distribution: Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary, email: dwyatt@cwu.org quoting reference 706A.14

Deliveries/Collections: Mark Baulch, Assistant Secretary, email: njones@cwu.org quoting reference 170.

 Yours sincerely

Davie Robertson   – Assistant Secretary                                                                       

Mark Baulch  – Assistant Secretary 

LTB 555-21 – Ofcom Decision Revised PEak Arrangments -17-12-21

Peak – Christmas Arrangements 2021

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POL – Re-Introduction of Mandatory Face Masks and Covid-Secure Controls plus Road Safety Update:

Discussions take place on a regular basis between the CWU Health, Safety & Environment Department and Post Office Limited’s Director of Health and Safety as they have done throughout the Covid-19 Pandemic along with regular on-line meetings of the National Joint Health and Safety Committees for DMBs and for Supply Chain/CVIT plus the National Joint Road Risk Forum where the Health, Safety & Environment Department have tabled a number of occupational road risk ideas and proposals plus the driver safety campaign, including materials, along with driver training proposals and a suggested supplier.

Campaigns that we proposed last year:

. Driver fatigue
· Speeding and Speed Awareness Training
·   Driver distraction and Mobile Phones

A meeting will take place with POL to discuss road safety shortly.

On Covid-19, we were recently in meetings discussing the response to the Government’s Plan B announcement, which resulted in POL issuing urgent communications to those POL teams supporting branches and attending Central offices.

The POL Safety Team have been conducting visits to PO branches to support and also monitor the public response to the new guidelines, including the important re-introduction to wearing face coverings.

POL has re-introduced Safety updates and Covid-19 calls with the Union to review the data, guidance and current impact on POL.

POL have taken steps over the past 2 weeks to tighten up Covid controls behind DMB PO counters and have re-introduced mandatory face masks/coverings in agreement with CWU.

Face masks are now compulsory for customers visiting Post Offices across all UK nations.

The Health, Safety & Environment Department has submitted a request for the introduction of CO2 monitors in POL buildings and Ventilation improvements. POL has taken steps to ensure air quality checks have been completed for every DMB and Supply Chain site and the POL Facilities Management (FM) provider has implemented identified improvements.

When Covid restrictions were relaxed prior to the new rules re-introducing face coverings on 10 December, POL had kept in place all other Covid-Secure controls in CVIT Supply Chain and DMBs, including wearing face coverings on the public side of counters, social distancing wherever possible, use of screens and daily enhanced cleaning and monthly anti-pathogen fogging.  POL also has sanitiser stations in place for customers and are encouraging social distancing through notices to customers and behind counters and all communal areas in Supply chain.

Whilst the number of positive cases have increased slightly in POL DMBs, overall the rates across POL remain low when these are compared to the transmission rates in the population as a whole and this is encouraging, but POL cannot be complacent and the situation is being monitored daily.

POL took the decision last week to ask office employees to work from home where their roles allow and POL has refrained from encouraging staff to return to the office, unless there is an essential need to meet face to face. The POL H&S team and Property are advising those teams who have meetings and desk bookings in POL Central offices.

POL Field teams will continue to provide essential support to branches and Supply Chain, and the POL Safety Director has reiterated the Covid-19 H&S controls and are strongly encouraging employees to take Lateral Flow Device (LFD) Tests, which have been offered to all employee across the POL business, including anyone required to commute to central offices for essential meetings.

POL is also advising all field team staff to avoid car sharing again but if by exception it is necessary, they should follow the guidance that POL has published to minimise risks.

Attached is a copy of POL ‘one update’ communication on Covid-19 update.

Yours Sincerely

Dave Joyce

National Health Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 554-21 – POL – Re-Introduction of Mandatory Face Masks and Covid-Secure Controls plus Road Safety Update

Important Covid 19 Update for Colleagues

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Ofcom Exception to Royal Mail USO 1^st January 2022

Following representations from the CWU and Royal Mail, Ofcom has today announced that it will grant an exception to the postal universal service obligation (USO) across the UK for 1^st January 2022 because this day falls on a Saturday. 

This means that Royal Mail will not have to collect or deliver mail on 1^st January 2022, in addition to observing the non-working day on Monday 3^rd January 2022.  This is welcome news and it will ensure that CWU members in Royal Mail can take an uninterrupted break over the New Year weekend. 

When 1^st January falls on a Saturday, the following Monday has been designated as the official public holiday. Therefore in the absence of a direction from Ofcom, Saturday 1^st  January 2022 would be a normal working day on which Royal Mail would be required to deliver and collect letters under the universal service obligation.

Ofcom launched a consultation on this issue in November after Royal Mail requested that the regulator issue a direction to make 1^st January 2022 an exception to the USO. Royal Mail argued that mail volumes are likely to be relatively low on 1^stJanuary 2022 and that the non-working day would be consistent with its duty of care to staff who need a break over the New Year period.

The CWU’s submission to Ofcom’s consultation supported Royal Mail’s request and said that CWU members in Royal Mail need and deserve a rest over the holiday period, having worked extremely hard under difficult conditions throughout the pandemic. 

The CWU’s full submission can be found on Ofcom’s website at the following link: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0026/229625/cwu.pdf

Ofcom’s statement can be found at the following link: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/consultations-and-statements/category-3/2022-royal-mail-uso-exception  

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

Yours sincerely,                                                                            

Dave Ward                                                              

General Secretary     

Terry Pullinger

Deputy General Secretary (Postal)

LTB 553/21 – Ofcom_Royal Mail USO Exeception Jan 2022          

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RM Fleet Maintenance – Territorial Reps Elections

Further to LTB510/2021 dated 24th November 2021, at the close of nominations on the 14th December 2021 the following were received:

Midlands & North of England
Andrew Austin                  Warrington Mail Centre                      * Elected

Trailer Hubs
Michael Nicholson            Midlands MT                                        * Elected

South West South Wales
Ian Gray                               Bournemouth & Dorset Amal           * Elected

London & South East
Peter Concannon               London RMT                                        * Elected

Scotland, North East & Northern Ireland
Crawford Johnstone         Scotland MT                                         * Elected

Congratulations to all who have been elected.

All enquiries regarding the content of this LTB should be addressed to the PTCS Department, quoting reference 220. Email address: khay@cwu.org

Carl Maden
Assistant Secretary

LTB 551/21

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