RMG Pay Award 2022

Following on from video updates regarding the above issue, please find attached correspondence to the CEO, Royal Mail Group, the content of which is self-explanatory.

It would be appreciated if Branches could please ensure that this information is given the widest possible circulation and that our members are fully briefed accordingly.

Further updates will be provided in due course.

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)                 

22LTB153 RMG Pay Award 2022

Attachment 1 to LTB 153-22 31.03.22 Simon Thompson – RMG Pay Award 2022

Attachment 2 to LTB 153-22 – 24.02.22 Zareena Brown – RMG Pay Award 2022

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Terry Pullinger writes to Royal Mail Group CEO on Pay.

RMG PAY AWARD 2022

I am writing to you in regard to the above with a deep frustration and a growing sense of injustice which I believe is shared by all CWU members. This is an open letter because the silence of the Board on this issue is deafening.

I wrote to Zareena Brown, Chief People Officer, on 24th February 2022. The thrust of that pay claim letter was crystal clear – to genuinely reward CWU members for all that they have done during unprecedented times and also to get in front of and protect them from the current cost of living crisis. I appreciate that we have spoken since then where I have repeated that message and urged an early response.

I have been involved in pay negotiations for many years and therefore know that the RMG Board has to clear a pay remit for you to make an offer. As far as we are concerned the RMG Board has had plenty of time to do this and yet have failed to do so.

The RMG Board’s failure to do that is quite frankly hugely disrespectful to a workforce that have surpassed themselves as key workers during the pandemic, and have served with distinction.

The trust agenda is a fundamental strand to our cultural change agenda, it is all about emotional intelligence, empathy, real connection and understanding of the needs of our brilliant workforce working at the ‘coal face’ as it were. The Board’s behaviour in this regard is extremely damaging to that agenda.

The perception and the reality is that shareholders are more important than the business’s greatest asset and ambassadors – its workforce.

CWU members played a crucial role in helping maintain the mental health of UK citizens by keeping them connected and delivering letters, packets and parcels throughout the pandemic lockdowns.

CWU members played a crucial role in maintaining the health of UK citizens and controlling the spread of the pandemic by delivering and collecting test kits.

CWU members delivered the very financial turnaround that allowed the Board to rush to afford shareholders a return and bonus worth £400 million. Yet when it comes to our members they are dragging their heels. Our members are battling the cost of living crisis now, they need and deserve a cost of living matching pay rise now.

We absolutely believe that there is a debt of honour owed to our members, they have stepped up for the last two years and now it is time for the Board to step up. Our claim is just and we are determined to ensure our members get justice in this regard.

In closing I urge you to make us a serious offer now which demonstrates that you respect all of the above and that you genuinely have pride for what our members have done.

Yours sincerely,

Terry Pullinger
Deputy General Secretary (Postal)

BOGUS SELF-EMPLOYMENT IN THE PARCELS INDUSTRY REPORT

Please find attached a CWU report on bogus self-employment in the parcels industry, which follows the NEC’s agreement last year to produce a report on this issue as part of our new deal for workers campaign.

The report examines the extent of bogus self-employment in parcels; the ways workers are being mistreated and exploited; and the need for action to address this.  The NEC has agreed to publish the report and to carry out its recommendations.  The report has also been endorsed by the Postal Executive Committee.  It was produced by the CWU Research Department working in conjunction with the General Secretary’s Department and the Postal, Central Organising and Communications Departments.

The report is based on the results of a survey and interviews of parcel delivery workers – both CWU members and non-members – which evidence exploitative practices in the sector.  The findings show that self-employed drivers are much more likely than employed drivers to report poorer outcomes on a number of metrics, including on income and unfair treatment.   However, self-employed drivers are more likely to report that their work is flexible.

The report recommends carrying out further research to fully understand the specific problems facing parcel workers in different companies; establishing what kind of membership offer would be attractive to owner-drivers in this sector; and to continue our work with other trade unions to establish minimum acceptable labour standards.

In the meantime, the CWU will continue to defend and enhance our directly employed members’ terms and conditions in Parcelforce, as well as reviewing the best way to address our concerns over the company’s position on self-employed drivers.  Equally, we must recognise that it is only through sector wide collaboration that we can lift standards for all drivers and tackle the race to the bottom on pay and conditions that presents a growing threat to all postal workers.  This is particularly the case as the parcels market expands and competition intensifies.

Work will continue with the GS, Postal, Central Organising, Research and Communications Departments and the NEC to take these objectives forward.

The report has been published on the CWU’s website at the following link:

“Levelling Up” the Parcels Delivery Market

Yours sincerely,

Dave Ward
General Secretary

22LTB151 BOGUS SELF-EMPLOYMENT IN THE PARCELS INDUSTRY REPORT

Bogus self-employment in the parcesl industry report 

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Reinstatement of Doorstep Signature Capture on Signed-For Deliveries – Dog Awareness Briefing & FAQ’s Briefing:

Further to the recently issued LTB 134/22, dated 23 March, and the Royal Mail Delivery Office Staff Briefing entitled ‘Reinstatement of Doorstep Signature Capture on Signed-For Deliveries’, see attached two further follow up Royal Mail Delivery Office Staff Briefingswhich are being issued today in support of the original communication to staff via DOMs and WPCs. It is important to stress that these are Royal Mail Communications.

This LTB should be read in conjunction with LTB 134/22 and its attachments.

The two Delivery Office Staff Briefings attached are entitled:

• ‘Dog awareness’ and ‘Confrontation Risk’ as we re-instate Signature Capture and embed Capture Photo on Delivery.
• Signature Capture: frequently asked questions (FAQs).

Dog Awareness: 

As indicated in LTB 134/22, a second detailed staff WTLL Briefing on dog awareness would be produced and delivered to the Delivery Office workforce in preparation for the reinstatement of PDA ‘Signed-For’ delivery, reminding and raising awareness of all delivery staff to be vigilant at all times and to always take the safe course of action regarding dogs.

Remember! There are 3000 dog attacks on postmen and women every year. Members need to be vigilant and aware of the risks that dogs pose and take no chances. Royal Mail and CWU agree that the safety of our delivery workforce is paramount, and dog awareness must be taken seriously.

We have recently, sadly seen a number of particularly vicious and savage dog attacks. One postwoman remains in hospital after having sustained very serious, life changing injuries in a dog attack. Another postwoman has suffered the loss of a finger which was bitten off as she pushed mail through a letter box. The dog was completely silent before it attacked! A thousand similar finger amputation incidents have occurred in the last 5 years! Sadly, also, three children have recently died in separate dog attacks within recent weeks.

The aim of this dog awareness briefing is to do what we can jointly to minimise the risk of dog attacks on members and to promote the staff dog awareness ‘AVOID’ acronym message. The ‘AVOID’ message, is outlined in the attached briefing and is crucially important at this time – the message is:-  ‘AVOID and Stay Safe’ –  Managers and Workplace Coaches have been requested to ensure that staff are thoroughly briefed on the importance of using ‘AVOID’ and being dog aware. All CWU Reps should support getting the briefing message across to all members.

Risk of Confrontation:

The risk of confrontation is to be briefed to staff and is included in the second WTLL Briefing along with dogs. The agreed position is that if delivery staff at any time feel threatened or find themselves in conflict with a customer then they should remove themselves from the threat and leave the item if necessary and leave the premises.  It is important that, if at any stage a frontline employee feels threatened or in danger, they should walk away from the doorstep (leaving the item if unable to take the item back) and inform the Security Helpdesk, their manager and the police (if required). 

Frequently Asked Questions:

A number of questions have been raised since the announcement by Royal Mail of its intention to reinstate Signature Capture on signed-for deliveries and these have been pulled together with the answers from Royal Mail HQ in the attached FAQs Staff Briefing. The questions broadly cover the following:

Start Date:

Royal Mail planned to re-instate Signature Capture from Monday 4 April and some concerns were raised about that date. Noting that units may need initial or refresher training or where there are concerns about current Covid-19 case numbers, the unit can choose a date later in April that suits the office and therefore the start date can be extended to Sunday 1 May when the service should be resumed.

Covid Transmissions: 

Questions were raised about transmission risks whilst capturing signatures.  The Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is that staff are not to hand over the PDA but to get it signed at arm’s length.PPE is available to those who wish to utilise masks, gloves, hand sanitiser and disinfectant wipes. PPE will be provided to all delivery staff requesting it. The message to members is please do utilise and use the PPE items and maintain good hygiene standards. PPE use is recommended but not mandatory, in line with Government guidance. Good hygiene standards should be maintained.

Unit managers have been instructed not to take a heavy-handed approach but to work with staff and CWU Reps to resolve any problems or concerns staff have.

Some important facts provided to the CWU from Dr. Jonathan Fluxman of the Covid Clinical Assessment Service are as follows:

• Inside areas – the highest risk is indoors.
• Outside – the risk is minimal unless an unmasked individual infected person is very close and in your face.
• Face masks work as control for airborne aerosol transmission.

Professor Chris Whitty, the UK’s Chief Medical Officer, has said; “The evidence is very clear that outdoor spaces are safer than indoors.”

Researchers say infections can happen outdoors, but the chances are massively reduced. Fresh air disperses and dilutes the virus. It also helps to evaporate the liquid droplets in which it is carried. On top of that, ultraviolet light from the sun should kill any virus that’s out in the open.

Self-Isolation Rules:

The legal requirement to self-isolate if you contract the virus has been removed by the UK Governments, but Royal Mail Group advise that those testing positive should self-isolate and avoid contact with others for at least 5 days after developing symptoms.

Coronavirus Help:

RMG helpline on management of COVID. The helpdesk number is ​0345 604 3657 or email: coronavirus.support@royalmail.com.

First Class Support:

RMG First Class Support is a 24/7, free and confidential helpline for all employees including direct access to counselling services. Call: 0345 266 5060.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

Mark Baulch
Assistant Secretary

Davie Robertson
Assistant Secretary           

22LTB150 Reinstatement of Doorstep Signature Capture on Signed-For Deliveries – Dog Awareness Briefing & FAQ’s Briefing

Dog Awareness Brief V4 DJ

FAQs V2                                

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Coronavirus Update – Covid-19 Face Covering Rules Ended in Wales – Scotland Announcement Imminent:

Further to earlier LTBs, this is a summary update following last week’s announcements by the Welsh and Scottish First Ministers. Communications have been issued to all Royal Mail Group managers yesterday 28 March 2022.

Following the Friday afternoon, 25 March announcement by Wales First Minister Mark Drakeford, from Monday 28 March 2022 the legal requirement to wear a face covering in indoor settings with the exception of hospitals and health care settings was removed and in line with that announcement the ‘mandatory face coverings/masks’ rule in Royal Mail Group indoor settings is changed in Wales Units from ‘mandatory’ to strongly recommended.

In Scotland the requirement to wear a face covering in Royal Mail Group indoor settings remains ‘mandatory’ – awaiting an expected review announcement from the Scottish Government which should follow within the next week or so and a further update will follow in due course.

In England the ‘mandatory masks’ rule was removed on 27 January 2022.

In Northern Ireland the ‘mandatory’ face coverings/masks requirement was ended on 16 February 2022.

Royal Mail will continue to supply face masks, gloves, wipes and sanitiser gel to those employees wishing to continue wearing/using these items. Both the disposable masks and three-ply antimicrobial layer, cotton, washable types are available.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

22LTB149 Coronavirus Update – Covid-19 Face Covering Rules Ended in Wales – Scotland Announcement Imminent

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Workers’ Memorial Day – 28^th April 2022 – Theme “Make Safe And Healthy Work A Fundamental Right”

Background:

The purpose behind Workers’ Memorial Day has always been to “remember the dead: fight for the living” and Unions are asked by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), European Trade Union Confederation, TUC, STUC, WTUC, ICTU, the Hazards Campaign, FACK (Families Against Corporate Killers) to focus on both areas, by considering events or memorials to remember all those killed and injured through work but at the same time ensuring that such tragedies are not repeated. International Workers’ Memorial Day remembers those who have been killed, injured or who have contracted an industrial disease at or because of work but at the same time ensuring that we continue to do all we can to make sure such tragedies are not repeated.

The message is that the best way of protecting workers is by building trade union organisation, recruiting members, pressing employers to invoke better health and safety standards and risk controls and campaigning for stricter enforcement by the HSE and Local Authorities with higher court penalties for those employers and bosses breaching health and safety laws.

Workers’ Memorial Day is commemorated throughout the world.  International Workers’ Memorial Day is held on 28 Aprileach year to remember workers who have died, been injured or made ill due to hazards at work. It was formally recognised by the Labour Government led by Gordon Brown in 2010 following a consultation in 2009. The Conservative Government led by Theresa May confirmed continued recognition of Workers’ Memorial Day in October 2017.

Theme

In 2022 the theme for the day is “Make Safe And Healthy Work A Fundamental Right”.

The CWU Health, Safety & Environment Department has promoted Workers’ Memorial Day amongst our Health and Safety Representatives, Branches and Regions via regular reports and LTBs.

Post ‘Brexit’ Health and Safety Deregulation Threat

The UK saw major change in the 70’s with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the formation of the HSE, followed by the Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations 1977, followed by a plethora of European Health and Safety Directives transposed into UK Health and Safety Regulations through the 80’s and 90’s. But what’s going to happen after Brexit? Which UK health and safety legislation will be affected and how? And when? Brexit presents the Tory right-wing opportunists with a new rationale for undermining health and safety law and enforcement through de-regulation, a drift towards an extreme form of self-regulation, further HSE budget cuts, enforcement and inspection cuts and post-Brexit now raises an imminent threat of the UK entering a ‘race to the bottom’. Both Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Michael Gove Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government have called for the removal of the Health and Safety Regulations and Jacob Rees-Mogg Minister for Brexit Opportunities and Government Efficiency of the United Kingdom has said that the UK could slash safety standards “a very long way” after Brexit! The 2021 EU/UK Trade and Co-operation Agreement may enable the UK to evade its formal health and safety responsibilities under the treaty because of the lack of the prospect of significant retaliatory ‘rebalancing’ measures. Should minimal health and safety requirements cease to apply in the post-EU era, then the UK Government will be free to pursue a system of self-regulation that will allow health and safety standards to fall even further behind those of other developed economies. Add this to the UK’s appalling record in observing ILO workplace health and safety instruments – in total, the UK Government has ratified only 6 of a total of 35 ILO ‘up-to-date’ health and safety protocols and conventions. There are a total of 74 countries that have ratified more ILO health and safety conventions than the UK. This is scarcely what should be expected of a supposedly world leading economy currently engaged in negotiating trade deals with the world beyond the EU 27. It does not appear anything is going to change on this front and the Trade Unions may have some major battles ahead in defending and protecting health and safety!

Poster

A CWU Workers’ Memorial Day poster has been produced and 100 A3 size colour posters will be distributed to all 10 Regional CWU Health and Safety Sub Committees for onward distribution and these can be put up in workplaces to promote the day. Branches and Regions can order further copies from the Health, Safety and Environment department if required or alternatively print them off locally. Attached to this LTB is a pdf of the poster.

CWU Conference

This year as we return to Conference after a two-year gap due to the Pandemic, we will remember those members who became victims of the Covid pandemic with each and every one of them in our thoughts and minds on the day.

As Branches, Health and Safety Reps and Regional Health and Safety Committees will know, the Union has, on five previous occasions, commemorated Workers’ Memorial Day (WMD) at ‎ Annual Conference as WMD fell during Conference Week after the move of Conference to the end of April. This will occur again this year.

This year WMD occurs on the Thursday of the Conference week, during the Industry Conferences and arrangements have been made with the General Secretary, Deputy General Secretaries and SOCs to commemorate WMD at Conference by observing a minute’s silence on the day, distributing WMD purple ribbons, WMD purple pens plus CWU WMD posters.

What Safety Reps and Branches and Regions Can Do:

Those Branch Reps and Officers not attending CWU Conference will be able to participate and support WMD events around the UK and will need to note this and make local arrangements to attend the many events taking place across the UK.

Once again the CWU will continue its support of this important commemorative day in the calendar and would urge CWU Branches, Reps and Regions to give their support to local and regional WMD events as above.

• Find out what is happening in your area on 28 April. The website below will list all the local activities the TUC knows about, but you can also check with the Union Branch, local trades council, local council and other Union contacts in the area;
• If nothing is happening locally then consider organising a local event. It can be a commemorative rally, a workplace meeting or just a small get-together;
• Organise a minute’s silence in the workplace on the day;
• Ask the local council, or any other public body, to fly official flags at half-mast on the day. Remember that the day is officially recognised by the Government;
• Arrange an event such as planting a memorial tree in a public place, putting up a plaque, dedicating a sculpture, a piece of art, or a bench, to remember workers who have been killed at their workplace or in the community;
• If you are planning any events for the day, or you want to raise awareness about Workers’ Memorial Day on 28 April, then it is important you consider how you can best use local media both before and on the Day to promote it;
• Ask local religious centres to include Workers’ Memorial Day in their worship on the day;
• Distribute purple ‘forget-me-not’ ribbons, the symbol of Workers’ Memorial Day;
• Let people know about anything that happened in your area on the day.

Resources (Ribbons and Stickers)

For resources on Workers’ Memorial Day including ribbons and car stickers please contact the ‘Greater Manchester Hazards Centre’ at: mail@gmhazards.org.uk.

TUC List of Events and Resources

The TUC is compiling a list of WMD events taking place across the country and the list will be updated over the coming weeks. Some of these events will also feature a minute’s silence at noon, or a suitable time. The events will either be on Thursday 28th April and some will take place on the weekend of 30^thApril/1^st May. More details are available from TUC HQ at: https://www.tuc.org.uk/workers-memorial-day-0

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

“Make Safe And Healthy Work A Fundamental Right”

Every worker should know they have the right to expect that everything is done to keep them safe at work – 

and CWU says NO to a Tory post-Brexit bonfire of EU Safety Laws through the
“Brexit Freedoms Bill”.

22LTB148 Workers Memorial Day – 28th April 2022 – Theme Make Safe And Healthy Work A Fundamental Right

FINAL 06110 Workers Memorial Day Poster 2022

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Serious Dog Attack on Sheffield Postwoman:

The Health, Safety & Environment Department has received a number of enquiries regarding reports circulating on social media regarding the above.

In summary; on Wednesday afternoon 23 March a female delivery Postwoman/OPG employed at the Halfway Delivery Office in Holbrook, Sheffield S20 was subjected to a savage dog attack in the street when a highly aggressive dog burst out of a property, breaking through the gate and launching a terrifying and devastating attack in which very serious injuries were sustained.

The Police and Ambulance emergency services attended the scene and the victim was initially treated at the scene before being taken to hospital where she remains in a stable condition.

A Police investigation and internal Royal Mail investigation are both underway and the CWU Area Health and Safety Representative is fully involved in the investigation locally.

The CWU Health, Safety and Environment Department is both in close contact with our Branch ASR and is in regular contact with the Royal Mail Security Investigation team and Legal Department, receiving regular updates.

The CWU will give every support to our member the victim and we will also be endeavouring to ensure the responsible person and dog owner is dealt with under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

The dog involved in the attack has been destroyed.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 147/22 – Serious Dog Attack on Sheffield Postwoman

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CWU Annual Conference 2022 – Standing Order Report

 Please find attached the following:

• General Conference SOC Report Supplementary No.1

Any enquiries regarding this Letter to Branches should be addressed to Angela Niven or sent to

conferences@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,

Tony Kearns

Senior Deputy General Secretary

LTB 146/22 – CWU Annual Conference 2022 – Standing Orders Report

Att:GC SOR1 22

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POST OFFICE: PAY 2021/22 – INDUSTRIAL ACTION BALLOT RESULT

The industrial action ballot of all Post Office members in relation to the pay freeze dispute for 2021/22 closed today and the result is as follows: Yes Votes92397.3%No Votes262.7%Turnout70.2%

Spoilt ballot papers – 1

Attached is a copy of the ballot result from the Independent Scrutineer – Civica Election Services

Our Post Office members have returned a good “Yes” vote and we have also comfortably surpassed the legal threshold for turnout.  As a consequence, I have written to Nick Read, CEO (attached) seeking an urgent meeting with the aim of establishing a way forward to avoid conflict.  Hopefully Nick Read will respect the strong views of his employees and will adopt a significantly less dogmatic attitude.  Additionally, we have written to Dave Prince, Chief Conciliator, Acas, to apprise him of the ballot result.  We will of course involve Acas in the absence of any material progress with Post Office.

We plan to convene a Special Postal Executive meeting shortly in order to consider next steps.  Further developments in this regard will be reported.

Branches are urged to bring this LTB to the attention of our Post Office members.

Yours sincerely,

Andy Furey                   
Assistant Secretary 

Terry Pullinger
Deputy General Secretary (P)   

Dave Ward
General Secretary

LTB 145/22 – Post Office – Pay 2021-22 – Industrial Action Ballot Result

Attachment: Attachment

Attachment: Attachment

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