POST OFFICE: PAY DISPUTE 2021/22 – OFFICIAL STRIKE TUESDAY 3RD MAY
Further to LTB 177/22 dated 19thApril.
Following enquiries from our Supply Chain Unit Reps, I wish to provide clarification of the arrangements for the planned strike for Tuesday 3rd May and in particular for our members who work nights.
The letter to Post Office in respect of the strike notification contained the following regarding the exact timings of the strike action:
The strike will cover all duties (for the entire duration of the scheduled duty) commencing at or after 00.01 on Tuesday 3rd May 2022 and before 23.59 on Tuesday 3rd May 2022.
Therefore, for the avoidance of doubt, the strike is not a midnight to midnight strike on Tuesday 3rd. In essence, the strike applies to all shifts (the entire duration) that commenceon Tuesday 3rd, irrespective of whether they cross over to the following day. This means some night members will be on strike into the early hours of Wednesday 4th May.
Renewed and Refocused CWU Exchange Mentoring – Invite to become a CWU Mentor
I’m pleased to inform you that the Equality, Education and Development department have recently renewed its CWU Exchange Mentoring Scheme.
The renewed scheme focuses on a one union approach and has purposely been structured to allow mentors and mentees the ability to balance busy work schedules and properly plan for mentoring initiatives, with easy to use guides, template diary logs, quarterly feedback questionnaires and the offer of additional support (where needed) to aid with the process.
With the use of Zoom and online facilities now being utilised on a daily basis new avenues to aid the process and create a better working relationship between mentor & those being mentored have transpired.
To ensure that the new scheme is a success and to enhance our pool of mentors we would encourage experienced activists to apply to become mentors.
How do I apply?
Experienced activists who are interested in becoming a CWU mentor will need to apply by completing the attached application. Please give us as much information as possible and submit your application by Monday 16thMay 2022. We will ask potential mentees to apply via a similar application process in due course detailing their experience to date and letting us know what they are looking for in a mentor.
How will we select the CWU Exchange Mentors?
A National Steering Group will shortlist the successful candidates based on the following criteria:
CWU mentors must have
At least 5 years’ experience within the CWU at a senior level at Branch, National, Regional or IR level
Excellent communications skills including public speaking
A demonstrable commitment to developing new activists
An understanding of the role of mentoring within a trade union
Ability to commit specified time to the mentoring role
It will be desirable but not essential to have experience of delivering training, workshops, briefings etc. to other representatives or in the wider labour movement.
What training will be provided?
All successful candidates that meet with the mentor criteria will be invited to attend a two day course.
All training will be delivered by suitably qualified tutors. The course content has been designed to upskill successful candidates by delivering the following aims:
To develop mentoring skills
To understand roles and responsibilities within the mentoring partnership
To understand and apply mentoring skills in line with ethical standards
To understand and apply the processes and policies of delivering mentoring according to the CWU exchange scheme framework
Selection and matching of Mentees and Mentors
The National Steering group will be responsible for short listing mentors and potential mentees and for matching them with one of our trained mentors. This will be based on geography, particular areas of interest, constituency, and what they are seeking from the mentoring process.
If you are interested in becoming a CWU Mentor, please submit a completed application by Monday 16th May 2022.
You can access the electronic application form here
A copy of the mentoring guidance pack can be found attached for further information of the renewed scheme
Yours sincerely,
Kate Hudson Head of Equality, Education & Development
Further to LTB 164/22 dated 6th April 2022 which invited questions to the 2021 CWU Accounts, at the closing time the following questions had been submitted by Harrow and District Amal Branch.
Q1. Does the CWU continue to benefit from a separate commission stream from PREMEX and if so where is this shown in the CWU accounts and what is this commission for?
No, the CWU does not “continue to benefit from a separate commission stream from PREMEX”, therefore it does not show in the CWU Accounts.
Q2. The Branch understands that PREMEX supplies Unionline with medical reports for personal injury claims. Are the CWU and GMB 100% responsible for the cost of these reports and what is the current outstanding running total for these medical report costs?
PREMEX are commissioned to supply medical reports on certain cases within Unionline. The GMB and CWU are not directly responsible for these costs as these costs form part of the accounts produced by Unionline. As such this is not a question to the CWU Accounts.
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.
POST OFFICE: PAY DISPUTE 2021/22 – OFFICIAL STRIKE TUESDAY 3RD MAY
Branches are advised the Postal Executive has authorised a single day’s strike for Tuesday 3rd May for all of our Admin, Crown and Supply Chain members and the two week legal notification for this date has been served on Post Office today.
The Union remains available for negotiations; however, it should be noted thus far, Nick Read, CEO has disregarded our attempts to find an amicable solution to this dispute. It follows that we have been left with no choice in this matter, hence the notice for strike action.
We have naturally consulted with our full-time IR Reps and they fully support the choice for the day of action, which follows the May Day bank holiday. Our members have been patiently waiting for action, bearing in mind the ballot result was actually declared on Monday 28thMarch. This demonstrates we have not been reckless in this matter. That said we clearly needed to activate the strike mandate and would be confident the dispute will be supported by our members, who, as Key Workers, worked throughout the pandemic and obviously deserve a pay rise.
The recent rise in the cost of living to 9% (March RPI) further strengthens our resolve in respect of securing a fair and reasonable outcome on behalf of our members.
I’m sure we will have the opportunity to discuss this matter at conference next week and the Postal Executive will be considering how best to facilitate this.
This is to advise that there will be the usual new delegates briefing session taking place on Saturday 24th April 2022 at 6.00 pm in the Windsor Hall at the Bournemouth International Centre.
The event will be hosted by the President, Jane Loftus and Karen Rose, Vice President. The aim is to give those delegates who are new to conference the opportunity to understand how conference works and to ask any questions they may have. There will also be the opportunity to stand at the rostrum and speak into the microphone to help delegates feel more confident about speaking on a motion.
Branches are therefore asked to encourage new and young delegates to attend this session – it should last no longer than 30 minutes.
Any enquiries to this Letter to Branches should be addressed to Angela Niven on aniven@cwu.org or call CWU HQ on 020 8971 7256.
CWU Annual Conference 2022 – Standing Order Supplementary Reports
Please find attached the following:
General SOC Report Supplementary No.2
Postal SOC Report Supplementary No.3
Branches are reminded that credentials and voting cards and any further Standing Orders Reports will be available to pick up from the registration desk in the Windsor Hall Foyer in the Bournemouth International Centre from 3.00 pm – 6.00 pm on Saturday 23rd April 2022.
Branches are also reminded that speakers cards need to be completed and returned prior to conference to enable the information to be input onto the system.
Any enquiries regarding this Letter to Branches should be addressed to Angela Niven or sent to aniven@cwu.org
CAPITA TVL: PAY NEGOTIATIONS – COST OF LIVING CRISIS
Further to LTB163/22 dated 6th April.
Branches are advised that earlier this week a meeting was held with our Capita Reps, all of whom fully support the Postal Executive policy of rejecting the inadequate pay offer previously made by Capita.
As a consequence and following today’s inflation announcement in which RPI rose to 9% for March, I have taken the initiative to write to Paul Johnston, TVL Managing Director, urging him to make a more realistic pay offer that recognises the cost of living crisis.
The case for our members to receive a much improved offer is exceptionally strong particularly as predictions from all respected forecasters indicate that inflation is likely to continue to rise in the coming months. It should also be borne in mind that many of our members who are in receipt of the Real Living Wage are on just £9.90 per hour, which is a poor wage especially in today’s environment.
I am clear that Capita TVL can do much better by its employees whose efforts throughout the pandemic have contributed to the recent renewal of the BBC Contract for a further five years. Our members clearly deserve to share in this success.
Coronavirus Update – Covid-19 Face Covering Rules Will Be Ended in Scotland on Easter Monday 18 April 2022:
Further to earlier LTBs, this is a summary update following the most recent announcement by the Scottish First Minister.
A communication has today been issued to all Royal Mail Group managers by Zareena Brown RMG Chief People Officer.
Following the 30 March announcement by Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, the following changes will take place in Scotland. On Monday 4 April the legal requirements to wear a face covering in places of worship, at marriages and funerals was removed. From Monday 18 April, the final legal requirements to wear a face covering in other indoor settings, including shops and public transport will be removed along with general lateral flow device testing requirements and the closure of Test & Trace Scotland will be on 30 April.
In line with that announcement the ‘mandatory face coverings/masks’ Royal Mail Group Scotland will change in all Scottish Workplace Units from ‘mandatory’ to strongly recommended as from Monday 18 April 2022.
In Summary:
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.
In Wales the ‘mandatory’ face coverings/masks requirement was ended on 28 March 2022.
In Scotland the ‘mandatory’ face coverings/masks requirement will end on 18 April 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.
Attached:
Copy of the RMG Communication released today to all employees.
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash FY22 08 – Serious Dog Attack:
Overview, Background, Description:
Royal Mail Group’s Safety Team have issued RMG SHE Safety Flash FY22 008 following a recent serious dog attack on a postwoman/OPG member in Sheffield who received multiple horrific injuries in the attack. This incident was reported in LTB 147/22. In this case the very aggressive dog violently broke through a garden gate and into the street, where it launched a vicious and devastating attack on the member. Although in this case the postwoman could do little to avoid the attack the Safety Flash has been released to once again raise awareness and raise the profile of the need for the delivery workforce to be vigilant and follow dog risk controls and safe systems of work in order to reduce the risk of dog attacks.
The above was in fact the second recent serious dog attack in the Sheffield postcode area and in the other incident another postwoman/OPG member had a finger bitten off and a second finger damaged whilst pushing mail through a letterbox. The dog remained silent prior to the attack, giving no warning. The same dog had bitten a postman/OPG twelve months prior to this incident. The postwoman who was injured was covering the delivery round and was unaware and not informed that the address concerned had a ‘Delivery Suspension’ in place!
Police investigations and internal Royal Mail/CWU joint investigations are both underway. The CWU Area Health and Safety Representative is fully involved locally in the investigation and the CWU/HQ Health, Safety and Environment Department involved nationally. We are in close contact with our Branch ASR and in regular contact also with the Royal Mail Security Investigation team and Royal Mail Group Senior Lawyer and Legal Department, receiving regular updates.
Dog Awareness:
As indicated in LTBs 134/22 and 150/22, a detailed staff WTLL Briefing on dog awareness was produced in consultation with the CWU Health, Safety & Environment Department to be delivered to the Delivery Office workforce in preparation for the reinstatement of PDA ‘Signed-For’ deliveries, 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. Take no risks and take no assurances from dog owners either!
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 changes. Royal Mail and CWU agree that the safety of our delivery workforce is paramount, and dog awareness must be taken seriously.
Remember!
3000 dog attacks on postmen and women every year!
1000 postmen and women have had a finger bitten off in the last 5 years – don’t put your fingers through the letter box!
3 children have been killed in dog attacks in recent months.
5 million households in the UK have acquired a pet during the 2-year pandemic according to the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association. That means the UK now has 17 million pet-owning homes – mostly dogs.
Raise Awareness – Be Vigilant
The aim of both attachments to this LTB is to raise awareness of the dog risk and to urge members on delivery to always stay vigilant in order 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, outlined in the attached briefing 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.
Key Messages, Learning Points and Activities – DOMs to take appropriate remedial action, brief and remind all delivery staff as follows:
Ensure staff are being vigilant and aware that they should report all unsecure gates or properties where a dog resides to their manager, so that they can agree the necessary controls with customers to ensure the safety of delivery staff.
Remind staff that they may need to be prepared to use their delivery equipment (pouch or trolley) to form a barrier to defend themselves if necessary.
Remind staff to report all dog hazards to their manager, so that they can be assessed using the dog attack control matrix and appropriate action taken to reduce the risk.
Ensure all delivery employees have had the Delivery SSOW communicated to them in the last 12 months.
Ensure walk logs are reviewed, printed off (this will support the transfer of hazards into the new Outdoor Risk Assessment (ORA), and yellow dots are in place on frames for all known dog hazards.
Visit the dog attack hazard intranet webpages for ideas and material to reduce dog attacks.
Focus safety conversations on dog attacks, check that gates are in good condition and secure.
Postmen and women/OPGs unfamiliar with delivery walks need to be made aware and informed of any hazards such as dangerous dogs or hazardous delivery points and the temporary controls that are in place and addresses where there are delivery suspensions.
Ensure that all USO delivery exceptions and suspensions, along with alternative delivery arrangements are identified on the delivery frame through the use of the special instruction card.
Significant dog hazards must recorded on the ‘Outdoor Risk Assessment/(WRAP) and must be identified by a yellow dot on the frame.
The USO Sharepoint should be used to request letters to be sent to notify customers of any concerns that need addressing.
Attachments:
Safety Flash FY22 008 – Dog Attack – Gate
WTLL Dog Awareness Delivery Staff Briefing as RM re-instate ‘Signature Capture’ and embeds ‘Photo Capture on Delivery’
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
National Hazards Conference 2022 – Theme “It’s a Deadly Business! But Decent work is Safe and Healthy”
The National Hazards Campaign have announced this week that the annual, National Hazards Conference will be returning this year at the Keele University venue which will be the first face to face Conference since the pandemic shut down. There will however, additionally be an online option for those who would rather not attend in person.
Since 2019, the Hazards Campaign have held 2 online conferences during the difficult circumstances of the pandemic. These have been held free of charge, however, it’s recognised that we need to get back to in person conferences, but they need to be held safely.
The last two years have been tremendously difficult for all workers and the Hazards Campaign has worked hard to respond to workers and their trade union’s needs.
The Hazards Conference has always been one of the biggest conferences for trade union safety reps and activists. It consists of a mixture of plenary sessions, meetings and a comprehensive workshop programme. Delegates have an opportunity to exchange experience and information with and learn from safety reps from other unions, sectors and jobs across the UK.
The feedback Hazards has received over the last two years has been encouraging and to this end the organisation has decided to move the Hazards Conference to a hybrid model, where delegates can attend in person or participate online. Hazards want to ensure all participants have an equal opportunity to attend and participate in the Conference but they are acutely aware that some of the regular attendees have underlying health conditions and may not wish to attend an in person conference at this time.
Therefore, Hazards are providing an opportunity for everyone to attend, either in person or online.
Full details of the Conference plenary sessions, workshops, fringe meetings, subjects etc., is contained in the attached Booking Form.
Agenda:
Friday 29th July
1.00-7.30 Delegate registration
17.00 – 19.30 Evening meal
20.00-21.00 Workshop 1 – in person and online
21.00 – Networking
Saturday 30th July
7.30-9.00 – Registration for later arrivals/non-residential delegates
7.00-8.45 Breakfast
9.00-10.30 – Opening Plenary in Westminster Theatre
10.30-11.00 Break
11.00 – 12.30 – 1st Meeting: Taking the piss or Improving welfare at work
12.30 – 14.00 – lunch
14.00 – 15.30 – 2nd Meeting: The future of work and organising health and safety
15.30 – 16.00 – Break
16.00 – 17.30 – 3rd Meeting: Intensification of work and the impact on our mental health
17.45-18.45 Fringe meetings – in person and online
19.00-20.30 Dinner
21.00-22.00 Quiz
22.00 – Networking
Sunday 31st July
7.30-9.15 – Breakfast
Clear rooms – bring cases to secure room in registration area
9.30-10.30 – Workshop 2 – in person and online
10.30-11 Break
11.00-12.00 – Closing Plenary in Westminster theatre: Fighting our Corner
12.30-13.30 – Packed Lunch – eat with us or take away and depart
CWU Eastern No5 Branch 