TO ALL BRANCHES WITH SUPPLY CHAIN MEMBERS

Dear Colleague

BT Supply Chain – Transformation & Outsourcing to third-party This morning BT has announced that following a strategic review it intends to make some major changes to their Supply Chain business as part of it’s transformation and modernization programme.

The company has stated that as Supply Chain is critical to the success of BT, its market position, and meeting FTTP and 5G rollout targets, it made sense to pair with the expertise and scale of a leading third-party logistics business to make their logistics operations stronger, simpler and future ready.

The CWU has received formal notification of a number of proposals as follows:

Proposal to outsource all core warehousing and transport operations, service desk & related support functions to third-party supplier GXO on 1 May 2022.

These proposals will result in 288 employees within our bargaining unit being placed ‘in scope’ of transfer from BT to GXO. This transfer process is governed by the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006, commonly known as TUPE.

 To retain Engineering Services within BT, comprising all activities directly related to “FinalMile”/FSL services with those employees remaining with BT.

To re-organise the retained Supply Chain to manage/oversee the remaining in-house units and manage the outsourced contracts with a proposed start date of 1st May 2022. It is proposed that the retained organisation will consist of a mix of existing, new and combined roles.

The CWU has robustly expressed our opposition to the proposed outsourcing and are outraged at the company’s intention to outsource work to a third party. We firmly believe that BT have sought to outsource work which is clearly seen as non-core business, rather than make ongoing investment and keep work in-house. We are also concerned that such major change comes with significant risk in a highly competitive sector.

In addition to our concerns over the outsourcing proposition we are also keen to understand what change the new model will have upon the retained organisation and what if any impact there will be, as a consequence of further and yet unknown transformation plans. Meetings have been sought with BT to further discuss ongoing transformation plans.

The CWU National Team has had an initial meeting with both BT and GXO to discuss the formal collective consultation on the terms of transfer for all CWU grades currently working in BT Supply Chain, who are due to transfer from 1st May 2022. We have robustly represented our concerns with regard to job security and potential redundancies as a consequence of the TUPE and will continue to meet with GXO to discuss these concerns separately.

Under the TUPE Regulations the CWU will be representing all BT Supply Chain employees that are in scope of transfer. Formal collective consultation meetings will commence shortly to agree the terms of transfer. At those meetings we will discuss the standard contractual and non-contractual terms and conditions, as well as benefits that will transfer from 1st May 2022.

We are pleased to advise that assurances have been given that full recognition will be given to the CWU following the TUPE.

We appreciate that members will feel extremely unsettled and anxious regarding the announcement made by the company today. We can assure you that we will continue to seek assurances with regard to job security and gain further clarification as to any potential or further impact that these changes may bring.

The CWU National Team has received confirmation that for the large majority of employees who are in scope of TUPE they will remain in the same role and same location after the transfer as they are today. Whilst this is indeed good news, we will continue to seek clarification around any intended change to work locations as a consequence of the TUPE, and seek to ensure that jobs are not threatened as a consequence.

We have already represented the need for jobs within BT Group to be made available for those who do not want to transfer to GXO and we will continue to progress those discussions and update branches and members accordingly.

Members will be aware that the CWU has been in ongoing discussions with BT with regard to the Driving Allowance which was introduced without consultation in September 2021. The CWU National Team made representation at the time regarding the urgent need for a grading review, of which commitment was given from BT that it would be carried out. These discussions are not yet complete and we have represented extremely strongly to BT that we believe it would be disingenuous for this not to be resolved prior to TUPE.

Whilst collective TUPE consultation will now commence, 1:1 consultation meetings will also be held with those members in scope. We advise all members to contact their CWU Representatives for any representation and support they may require.

A full national members meeting (via zoom) will be held at 1830 on Thursday 10th February, with full detail and invites sent to member’s email addresses. This will give members the chance to meet the CWU National Team including Andy Kerr ( Deputy General Secretary Telecoms) ask questions and be updated on key issues from today’s announcement. We would advise all members to attend.

We will continue to hold further meetings and issue briefings as negotiations progress and advise all members to contact us with any concerns they may have.

Yours sincerely

Tracey Fussey
Assistant Secretary

061.2022

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POST OFFICE: PAY 2021/22 – LEGAL TRADE DISPUTE – BALLOT FOR STRIKE ACTION

Further to LTB 053/22 dated 7^thFebruary.

Ballot Timetable

Branches are advised the Postal Executive has this morning endorsed a document containing the proposed ballot timetable which was drawn up in conjunction with the SDGS Department.  As a consequence, the timetable is now agreed and the details will be communicated to Branches and Representatives at the National Briefing in Birmingham next Wednesday 16^th February from 12.30pm.

Membership Verification Exercise

Our Membership Department and the SDGS Department are in the process of putting together the information to send to Branches for the membership verification exercise and I understand the data is scheduled to arrive with Branch Secretaries early next week.  Our full-time Reps will provide support and assistance to Branch Secretaries for this important activity where required.

Further developments will be reported.

Yours sincerely

Andy Furey

Assistant Secretary

Attachment:1 22LTB062 – Post Office – Pay 2021 to 22 – Legal Trade Dispute – Ballot for Strike Action

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NATIONAL BRIEFING THURSDAY 10^TH FEBRUARY 2022 – TUC, CONGRESS HOUSE, 10.00 – 14.00(LATEST)

The agenda for Thursdays National Briefing is set out below:-

1. Presidents Opening remarks – 10:00 – 10:05
2. CWU Solidarity – Guest speaker UCU Dispute Jo Grady – 10:05 – 10:20
3. First Session – The Context for the GROW Campaign – 10:20 – 11:30

The GS and SDGS will set out the context to the GROW Campaign and also the challenges facing CWU and the wider Trade Union movement.  This will include a presentation covering the union finances, membership trends, where we are with redesign and what we need to do in 2022.

BREAK – 11:30 – 11:45

4. Second Session – The GROW the union Campaign – 11:45 – 13:15

This will be led by Ray Ellis Head of Recruitment and Organising and the Comms Department and will cover the approach we are taking to the campaign and the role that we want Branches and representatives to play within it.  The session will conclude with a panel Q & A, including contributions from our industrial teams.

5. Concluding remarks 

For those not attending in person who wish to join through the live broadcast, the link is as follows – https://youtube.com/c/CWULive

Any enquiries on the above LTB should be addressed to the General Secretary at jdunn@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely

Dave Ward

General Secretary 

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Pathway to Change Agreement – Culture and the Latest Interim Trust Survey Results for January 2022

Further to LTB 467/21 circulated to Branches and Representatives on 3^rdNovember 2021, the final phase of the Interim Trust Survey for the Cheshire & Merseyside, North East and Cumbria, South West and Medway SDL areas commenced on 17^th January 2022.

Following the closure of the survey, the headline results were supplied to the DGS(P) Department on 31^stJanuary 2022 and considered by the Postal Executive at a meeting on 9^thFebruary 2022. These are attached for the information of the Branches and Representatives (Attachment 1). The overall return rate for this Interim Trust Survey was 74%, a 6% increase following the 68% return rate for the November 2021 survey. This is the highest return for the Interim Trust Surveys yet and the return rate also improved across each SDL area, compared to those from the 2021 Big Trust Survey.

The current trust score, which continues to be based on five particular questions, is 67%, the lowest score for the Interim Trust Surveys received so far and a 3% decrease from the 70% received in November 2021.

The lower quartile of the frontline units surveyed had a trust score of 59% and below – with the lowest unit returning 23%. At the other end of the scale, the best score was 96%, with the upper quartile being 77% and above.

In relation to the awareness of action plans agreed by SDL (or equivalent) area and the knowledge of making progress against the action plans, Branches and Representatives will note that the latest interim results illustrate that this stands at 54% and 84% respectively across the returns, compared to the November 2021 survey figures of 63% and 86%. The awareness figure of 54% is the lowest figure for the Interim Trust Surveys to date.

Branches will also be aware that tailored, function-specific questions continue to be included and the results of these five questions are also attached for the information of the Branches and Representatives (Attachment 2).

The next Big Trust Survey is due to commence on 4^th April 2022 and close on 24^th April 2022. In preparation for this, national talks are ongoing regarding the agreed set of questions and a joint communications plan.

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 059/22 Pathway to Change Agreement – Culture and the Latest Interim Trust Survey Results for January 2022

LTB 059/22 Attachment 1

LTB 059/22 Attachment 2

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RESTORING QUALITY OF SERVICE

Branches and Representatives will be fully aware of the internal noise regarding this very serious issue, as well as the almost daily attention in the media regarding letter failures in Royal Mail Group.

There have been a number of contributory factors that have led to this situation but the Postal Executive are in agreement that the current position is unacceptable and a series of measures must urgently be agreed in order to restore quality of service.

We have huge experience at all levels of the Union and many will remember that this is not the first time such a response has been needed. It was necessary in the 1980s and the 1990s and was a key element in the Four Pillars Agreement when we proposed a similar approach to deploy that agreement.  Clearly the elements that affect the disciplines required are different between those times and now – there was not an international pandemic taking place during those periods of our history. However, the managerial attitudes in respect of revisions, recruitment, and genuine acknowledgement and response to the problems have unfortunately been all too familiar.

Factors such as Ofcom no longer allowing Royal Mail Group to relax performance targets (as they did during the pandemic), media condemnation of Royal Mail Group’s quality of service performance and the devastating impact on our members’ morale, have made the business realise that joint urgent action is now needed to resolve the matter.

Against that backdrop the attached Joint Statement was unanimously endorsed by the Postal Executive at a meeting on 1^st February and a call was held with Divisional Representatives a day later. Branches and Representatives should be aware that this Joint Statement and the national action plan has full top level commitment and support at the highest level of the CWU and Royal Mail.

Branches and Representatives will note that the terms of the Joint Statement go way further than just assuming that revisions, recruitment and absence are the only reason for the current situation. It is of paramount importance that the whole pipeline operation and appropriate staffing requirements apply to all functions. The work plan must serve deliveries in the right way with work being delivered from the unit on the day it arrives, work plan disciplines being applied throughout the pipeline and ensuring people are fully trained in line with our agreements. Budgetary constraints cannot be a barrier to enabling what is locally agreed as necessary to resolve specific local problems.

The Joint Statement sets out the strongest possible arrangements to support local units and workplaces throughout our structures, including a National Joint Quality of Service Steering Group that will act in a similar fashion as the national pandemic group i.e. all functions represented from a national level in the room together. This national group will monitor the progress that is being made but also act as the forum to unlock any matters that are preventing progress.

This joint approach will also be replicated throughout our field structures via a Local Joint Working Group (LJWG) that is based on the relevant Mail Centre catchment area. This will allow for a detailed cross-functional analysis to be undertaken at divisional level and below, determine fact from fiction, restore work plan disciplines, quality of service standards, daily clearance and prioritise those units or workplaces that are experiencing the greatest failures for urgent remedial action.

These processes will be overseen and driven forward by our Divisional Representatives and the Postal Executive Member(s) aligned to each division who will give the strongest support to our Local and Area Representatives to ensure we land this initiative at pace. Branches will recall that we adopted a similar structural approach during the pandemic which proved very effective and genuinely useful in understanding the immediate scale of local problems and ensuring issues were resolved promptly.

Branches will also note that the Joint Statement contains words on Sunday working designed to inspire innovation locally in the office in respect of staffing arrangements, whilst also making it clear that quality of service is important across all of our products.

The Postal Executive were united in the belief that the Joint Statement carries some very strong commitments which will empower our Representatives at all levels, and expose any unjustified managerial excuses for not acting or making the right agreements to unlock the quality of service issues that have been experienced. The IR Framework together with the strict timelines contained within the Dispute Resolution Process should be used if necessary to unblock any matters of contention, but also to provide the focus and practical interventions needed to create solutions.

Given the importance of this Joint Statement and the urgent action needed to start the joint processes involved, it will be formally launched early next week by the CWU National Officers and Royal Mail National Directors.

Colleagues are asked to give this Joint Statement the widest possible circulation so that urgent work can begin to bring the service Royal Mail Group offer back to the very best in the UK.

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 051/22 – Restoring Quality of Service

LTB 051/22 ATTACHMENT 1 – QofS Final with Signatures 02022022

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CWU ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2022– ONLINE REGISTRATION

The online registration is now available for Branch Secretaries to register their delegates attending the conferences that are taking place in Bournemouth.

For the first time we will be holding an Equality Day which is part of General Conference and this will be held on Monday.   It is important that branches promote a diverse delegation for this day and maximize the attendance registering the correct delegate entitlement for the conference as per the letter sent to all branches in January 2022.  Any additions have to be registered as Observers as we are aware that Branches do bring more than their entitlement and throughout the week rotate their delegation.

In previous years we have used barcode scanning at all conferences and intend to use it again this year.   This enables HQ to obtain data required for equality monitoring purposes.  Branches are asked to co-operate on the morning of each of the conferences and allow the Stewards to scan their credentials in order that the data can be collected.

Please note that all Field Officials will be registered by HQ.

Branches should be familiar with the process but if you have difficulty with your login details or passwords please do not hesitate to contact eventsregistration@cwu.org and it will be dealt with.   This also applies if you need to make any changes once the applications have been submitted.

The log in website is https://conference.cwu.org    

Please note that all online registrations have to be completed by Friday 8^th April 2022 as after this date you will be unable to use the website to register.   

Any enquiries on this LTB should be directed to Angela Niven on 020 8971 7256 or email eventsregistration@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,

Tony Kearns

Senior Deputy General Secretary

22LTB058 – CWU Annual Conference 2022 – Online Registration

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Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash FY22 03 – Overheating Laptop Computers Lithium Ion Batteries – Fire Risk:

Overview, Background, Description, Issue and Effect:

Royal Mail Group’s Safety Team report that there have been a number of incidents reported where lap top batteries have overheated causing the potential for fire. Laptops can overheat, due to prolonged use, poor ventilation, faulty batteries etc. Batteries can overheat, warp and become damaged.  Faulty laptop computers should be turned off and not used again if an issue is identified. To raise the profile of this problem, RMG SHE Safety Flash FY22 003 ‘Overheating Laptop Batteries’ has been issued.  See a copy of the SHE Flash attached.

To help prevent a laptop battery from overheating, always make sure that there’s adequate airflow for the laptop.

• Keep laptop vents uncovered and remove objects that are too close to the laptop.
• Always position the laptop on a sturdy, flat surface like a desk or table. Not on soft surfaces where the vents can be obstructed, preventing air circulation.
• Clean the vents of any dust, dirt, or hair.
• Work in a cooler room.
• Don’t continue using a laptop with a faulty battery.

London Fire Brigade attends on average 24 fires each week that have been started by batteries, chargers or cables. The LFB also warn against the purchase and use of cheap counterfeit electrical chargers which can be deadly – many fail to meet UK safety regulations leading to fires and injury. What may seem like a bargain at the market isn’t worth the risk when you consider that it could lead to a fire and potential damage, destruction and at worst loss of life.

Key Message:

Each day before use, laptop computer users should check their laptop for any signs of the keyboard or casing becoming warped or domed, the seams starting to split apart, or the laptop no longer sitting flat on a surface. Check the vents are clear.

Learning Points

• Do not attempt to remove the battery or force the casing back together if it has parted.
• Ensure that the device and its AC adapter/plug are PAT tested.
• Ensure that the vents on the case of the laptop are clean and are not obstructed during use and do not use the laptop on cushions or similar soft surfaces. Keep the laptop well ventilated.
• Where possible use a laptop riser stand which can improve comfort and help avoid overheating.
• Be mindful to the laptop or AC adapter becoming excessively hot beyond its usual temperature.
• If there is any smell of burning or ‘hot electrics’ then turn the device off immediately and arrange for a replacement.
• Frequent ‘blue screen’ events would require investigation in any case however these can be a symptom of battery failure and as such should be reported promptly.

Key Activities.

If your machine is damaged, overheating or showing signs of the casing becoming warped or domed, cease using it. Unplug it from the power source. Leave the laptop switched on in a safe place, monitoring it until the battery runs flat and allowing it to cool down safely. Report to IT helpdesk, do not use the machine again until inspected and do not plug it into the mains power supply.

Attachment:

• RMG SHE Safety Flash FY22 03 – Overheating Laptop Batteries

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

22LTB056 Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash FY22 03 – Overheating Laptop Computers Lithium Ion Batteries – Fire Risk

SHE Flash FY22 003 – Overheating Laptop Batteries

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Road Safety Warning! – Highway Code Changes – Staggering Number of Drivers Unaware of New Driving Rules – CWU Poster:

This important LTB is being issued further to LTB No. 017/2022 issued on 13 January 2022.

Recent surveys by motoring and road safety organisations have worryingly revealed that millions of drivers are unaware of the sweeping changes to The Highway Code road laws which came into force on 29^th January 2022. One survey found two in three drivers were unaware!

The revamped code establishes a hierarchy of road users, which means those who pose the greatest risk to others have a higher level of responsibility, with drivers having a greater responsibility to look out for and give way to pedestrians and cyclists.

Many of the rule changes in the code are legal requirements, and to disobey these rules is to commit a criminal offence leading to prosecution and huge fines.

Other changes introduce new advisory measures that are not legal requirements but could be drawn upon in court proceedings against drivers.

Many drivers, including CWU members won’t have read the Highway Code for years, so it’s essential that the key changes are clearly explained, with simple memorable messages – hence we’ve produced a simple but clear poster.

The Health, Safety and Environment Department at CWU HQ is concerned that there has been insufficient public education and as a result a lack of awareness, that could potentially lead to an increase in road accidents, road prosecutions and fines – involving some of our members.

In an effort to raise awareness a CWU Poster has been produced to catch the eye of our driver members and to sign post them to the Gov.UK website where the changes are fully explained.

We are sending a thousand posters to each Region and request that these are distributed to Branches and further copies are produced from the attached pdf.

Your help and assistance in spreading the word and raising awareness would be much appreciated.

Attachment:

• CWU 2022 Highway Code Changes poster

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

22LTB050 Road Safety Warning! – Highway Code Changes – Staggering Number of Drivers Unaware of New Driving Rules – CWU Poster

06649 HS highway code change

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