ELECTION OF NATIONAL DELEGATIONS – 2022

• TUC Congress
• Labour Party Conference

Further to LTB 202/22 dated 3^rd May 2022 at the close of nominations the following have been received:

TUC 

Postal Constituency

NEC (1 Member)Amarjite SinghSouth East Wales AmalBallot RequiredRob WotherspoonBristol & District Amal

Lay Members (7 Members at least 2 delegates must be women & at least 1 delegate must be BAME)Steve CrokeSouth Midlands Postal*ElectedAndy HoppingSouth Central Postal*ElectedSajid ShaikhBirmingham District Amal*Elected (BAME)Mark WalshGreater Mersey*Elected

Telecoms & Financial Services Constituency

NEC (1 Member)No Nomination Received

Lay Members (5 Members at least 1 delegate must be a woman & least 1 delegate must be BAME)Graham ColkSouth Wales, Capital, Edinburgh, Dundee & Borders, Meridian,  North Anglia, Northern Ireland Telecom, Portsmouth West Sussex & IOW, West Yorkshire,*ElectedFiona CurtisNorthern Ireland Telecoms, Capital , Edinburgh, Dundee & Borders,  Meridian, North Anglia, Portsmouth West Sussex & IOW, South Wales, West Yorkshire,*ElectedNadeem KhanPreston Brook, Bury, Capital, Edinburgh, Dundee & Borders,  Meridian, North Anglia, Northern Ireland Telecom, Portsmouth West Sussex & IOW, South Wales West Yorkshire,*ElectedAngela TeelingGreater Mersey*Elected

LABOUR PARTY

Postal Constituency

NEC (1 Member)Steve JonesLondon Postal EngineeringBallot RequiredAmarjite SinghSouth East Wales Amal

Lay Members (7 Members at least 2 delegates must be women & at least 1 delegate must be BAME)Sajid ShaikhBirmingham District Amal*Elected (BAME)Paul BraithwaiteNorth Lancs & CumbriaBallot RequiredHuw DaviesLondon PhoenixKeith HamiltonSouth Central PostalScott HartlesScotland No 2Alan TateLondon Regional Motor Transport, London Postal EngineeringMark WalshGreater Mersey

Telecoms & Financial Services Constituency

NEC (1 Member)Kate WalshCapital, South Wales*Elected

Lay Members (5 Members at least 1 delegate must be a woman & at least 1 delegate must be BAME)Nadeem KhanPreston Brook & Bury, Capital, Edinburgh, Dundee & Borders,  Meridian , Mersey, North Anglia, Northern Ireland Telecom, Portsmouth, West Sussex & IOW, South Wales,  West Yorkshire,*Elected (BAME)Graham ColkSouth Wales, Capital,  Edinburgh, Dundee & Borders,  Meridian, Mersey, North Anglia, Northern Ireland Telecom,  Portsmouth, West Sussex & IOW,  Scotland No 1, West Yorkshire,Ballot RequiredFiona CurtisNorthern Ireland Telecoms, Capital Edinburgh, Dundee & Borders,  Meridian,  Mersey, North Anglia, Portsmouth, West Sussex & IOW, Scotland No 1, South Wales,  West Yorkshire,Brian KennyMersey,  Capital, Edinburgh, Dundee & Borders,  Meridian, North Anglia, Northern Ireland Telecom, Portsmouth, West Sussex & IOW, Scotland No 1, South Wales,  West Yorkshire,Joyce StevensonScotland No 1,  Capital, Edinburgh, Dundee & Borders,  Meridian,  Mersey, North Anglia, Northern Ireland Telecom, Portsmouth, West Sussex & IOW ,  South Wales, West Yorkshire,Angela TeelingGreater Mersey

The ballot timetable is as follows:

Despatch ballot papers:               24 May 2022

Ballot closes:                                  7 June 2022 (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

22LTB232

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Greener Jobs Alliance (GJA) Newsletter No. 38 – May 2022:

Introduction

The Greener Jobs Alliance was launched to promote skills training and job creation to meet the needs of Britain’s rapidly growing low carbon sectors and to green the whole economy. The transition to a low carbon and resource efficient economy can drive sustainable economic recovery and job creation in every part of the country as well as making existing jobs more secure. But this requires a more strategic national and local approach to deliver the workforce skills needed and to stimulate demand for clean energy and energy efficiency services.

The Greener Jobs Alliance liaises at a national and local level to build the broadest possible support for the policies, investment, partnerships and commitments needed to drive the transition to a low carbon economy.

The Greener Jobs Alliance liaises with training bodies, colleges, universities, employers, local and national Government, trade unions, housing associations, campaign and community groups – to build the policies, investment and partnerships needed to drive the transition to a low carbon economy.

The GJA runs a number of ‘free’ courses on the environment for Trade Union Reps in different parts of the UK which have been attended by a number of CWU Reps with details published in the newsletter.

The GJA came into existence as a result of funding from Battersea and Wandsworth TUC.

The founder GJA Secretary and Newsletter editor was Graham Petersen who is well known to the CWU and has a long standing working relationship with the Union. He is a former TUC tutor and course designer who created safety reps training courses and the successful TUC Occupational Health & Safety Diploma Course. He was the head of the Trade Union Studies Centre at South Thames College before retirement from the post and has been a visitor and guest speaker at CWU events and meetings. After 30 editions, Graham stood down at the GJA AGM last year and has handed over to Paul Atkin as newsletter editor and Tahir Latif as GJA Secretary. Graham remains a GJA Steering Group member and is now working part time for the Wales TUC having recently written a publication for them ‘Greener workplaces for a just transition – a Wales TUC toolkit for trade unionists’ which was circulated by the CWU Health, Safety and Environment Department.

See attached copy of the GJA Newsletter No.38 for May 2022

In this Newsletter the GJA editor Paul Atkin’s Editorial is entitled “Four answers to the energy and climate crises” and Paul writes about the “post pandemic” rapidly increasing costs of fossil fuels, the impact of the war in Ukraine and sanctions which will worsen and drive mass discontent, really hitting home with further price rises. All this now exposing holes in the Government’s climate change strategy for onshore wind generation turbines being blocked by local planning rules and those protecting fossil fuel interests!  Broad Green campaigns are therefore imperative in highlighting to communities both the benefit cutting emissions and the prospect of lower energy bills in exchange for proximity! adds Paul. He also interestingly covers insulation programmes, the role of heat pumps, green hydrogen and the role of the private sector and public ownership, windfall tax support and green investment.

Contents GJA Newsletter 38:

1. Editorial: Four answers to the energy and climate crises.
2. Green Skills confusion continues.
3. NEU Declares Code Red.
4. DFE Walking with Dinosaurs.
5. US Women’s Construction delegation to London in June.
6. Canadian Building Trades Conference.
7. Lucas type plan at Rolls Royce?
8. Lucas Plan historical note.
9. It don’t have to be this way. Shanghai LA Green Corridor.
10. Forgive us our Trespasses?
11. GJA Activities Round up.
12. Green Bites.

Quote of the Month: “Our addiction to fossil fuels is killing us” (Antonio Guterres Secretary-General of the United Nations)

Attachment: 

• GJA-Newsletter-38-May 2022

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

22LTB231 Greener Jobs Alliance (GJA) Newsletter No. 38 – May 2022

GJA-Newsletter-38-May-2022

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TUC Rally – June 18th – Disability friendly information.

We have been working with the TUC to provide more information for disabled members who wish to join the demonstration on June 18th. 

A summary of the outcomes are contained in the link below, including the availability of a shorter march, facilities for guide dogs and confirmation of BSL interpreters at Parliament Square. 

https://www.tuc.org.uk/accessibility-disabled-marchers?fbclid=IwAR1W5dWk20Bv7JcTLvA1-Kerfmjy_ZCwDMhCuyAJE5R_r9JvjDweb39wnv8

We ask that branches ensure the contents of this LTB are shared with members and used to deliver as inclusive a delegation to the event as possible. 

If branches require further information on the content of this LTB then please contact mmurray@cwu.org. 

Yours sincerely

Dave Ward
General Secretary

22LTB229 TUC Rally – June 18th – Disability friendly information.

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BSC Safety Health and Wellbeing Event, Inc. Seminars and Exhibition ‘SHW Live’ – Manchester 23/24 May:

The British Safety Council has informed the CWU Health, Safety & Environment Department that the rescheduled north of England Safety, Health and Wellbeing Event ‘SHW Live’ will take place on 23 and 24 May 2022 at Manchester Central and the event guide will be published shortly.

The ‘SHW Live’ event is set to reconnect regional occupational safety and health communities in the north of England and will offer essential educational, networking and procurement opportunities across two days.

This is a ‘free to attend’ live event which offers attendees a wide range of seminars covering many safety, health and wellbeing topics, the chance to speak to industry experts, learn about the latest safety innovations and talk directly to manufactures and key suppliers.

The British Safety Council and the Health & Safety Executive who are collaborating with the ‘SHW Live’ team who are organising the event will also be delivering seminars at the event.

A second event will take place in the south of England in Farnborough on 28th and 29th September 2022.

Event Seminars:

The organisers have promised a packed line up of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) health and safety seminar sessions for all delegates across two theatres – the SHW Keynote Theatre and the SHW Knowledge Hub supported by industry-leading exhibiting brands along with a wide range of innovative products.

The Health & Safety Executive will be hosting the morning sessions in the SHW Keynote Theatre on day one following an address by HSE Chair Sarah Newton. These seminars will focus on ‘Tackling Respiratory Disease’, ‘Work-related stress and its impact on Mental Health’ and ‘Taking the risk out of MSD Risk Management’, as well as a ‘Building Safety Regulator Update’.

The seminar agenda is complimented by the exhibition. The full list of event seminar sessions is attached.

Whether your priority is workplace safety, occupational health or mental health and wellbeing, this event aims at covering up to date subject matter and the latest legislation alongside networking and procurement opportunities for those within the Safety, Health and Wellbeing sector.

Venue and Dates

The ‘SHW Live’ Health and Safety Event (North) takes place at:

Venue

Manchester Central Convention Complex
Windmill St
Manchester
M2 3GX

Dates

23rd-24th May 2022.

Registration here: https://shwl-2022-visitor.reg.buzz/website

The event is ‘Free to Attend’

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

22LTB228 BSC Safety Health and Wellbeing Event, Inc. Seminars and Exhibition ‘SHW Live’ – Manchester 23 24 May

HSM_SHW_Live_HS-Conference_Agenda

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Royal Mail Group – Provision of Personal Attack Alarms To Postal Workers

This is a further short update following LTBs 422/2021, 435/2021, 455/21, 562/21 and 35/22.

As previously reported, following discussions between the Health, Safety and Environment Department and Royal Mail Group HQ regarding concerns about the possible risk of physical and verbal threats and attacks on outdoor postal workers, agreement was reached between the CWU Health, Safety and & Environment Department and Royal Mail Group for the provision of Personal Attack Alarms for CWU members and that following further discussions with Royal Mail Group and ‘Dimensions’ the company’s work-wear supplier, it was further agreed that the new Personal Attack Alarms (PAAs) would be made available on the Royal Mail Group website/uniform ordering portal, from where CWU members can now order the item.

Since achieving the agreement and promoting the availability of the new ‘Royal Mail branded Personal Attack Alarms’, I’m pleased to report that 19,000 of the new alarms have been ordered and supplied to our members and a further 6,000 are in stock. Further orders will be placed according to demand.

Would all CWU Postal Branches and CWU Area Safety Reps, Area Delivery Reps and Area Distribution Reps remind members that Personal Attack Alarms are available to any individual member who would like to request one. These are a simple, lightweight device (see attached image) that can clip on to the belt clip or PDA strap or jacket ring and are activated by pulling the pin. A loud high-pitched noise is then sounded. These are recommended by both the Health and Safety Executive and the Police.

The Personal Attack Alarms can be ordered via the RMG Uniform portal as part of the personal uniform allocation.

Any Management only enquiries can be directed to Sam Dixon, National Uniform & Print Manager: Email: sam.dixon@royalmail.com Mobile:- 07553365925.

As a reminder, on 10 January 2022 all managers were requested to brief members about the availability of Personal Attack Alarms and were tasked with the following Actions:

• Communicate and discuss the availability of Personal Attack Alarms with staff;
• Confirm the ordering process (via the uniform portal); and
• Discuss any instances where individuals believe there might be a threat. Consider any other actions that could be taken, including updating the Offsite Risk Assessment (WRAP).

Would all Area Safety Reps carry out spot check safety inspections to ensure these actions have been complied with by all unit managers.

Attachments:

• Personal Attack Alarm – Image

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

22LTB227 Royal Mail Group – Provision of Personal Attack Alarms To Postal Workers

Royal-Mail-Group-Personal-Attack-Alarm-Image

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Royal Mail – Provision of New Supply Branded/Refillable 750ml Water Bottles For Outdoor Workers: “Staying Hydrated”

Introduction & Background

This is an update to LTBs No. 434/2020 and 259/21.

As previously reported, the Health, Safety and Environment Department reached agreement with Royal Mail for the provision of water bottles for the outdoor workforce as part of our campaign on protecting members working outside during heatwave conditions and on communicating the extremely important issue of staying hydrated at all times whilst undertaking manual work.

Since achieving the agreement and promoting the use of the new ‘durable, Royal Mail branded, refillable 750ml water bottles’, I’m pleased to report that 52,125 of the new water bottles have been ordered and supplied to our members and a further 13,000. Further orders will be placed according to demand.

The temperatures are now beginning to rise with hot weather forecast to continue and long range forecasts predicting one of the hottest summers on record with 27C plus temperatures on the way and a series of heatwaves to follow.

Royal Mail and the CWU have again agreed to jointly promote the importance of staying hydrated at all times. This is an important health and safety issue when carrying out a manual job, walking many miles outdoors – especially in hot, sunny weather conditions, when temperatures are high.

Would all Branches, Regions, Area and Unit Reps please raise awareness of this and encourage members to order and use the bottles with the simple message – “STAY HYDARATED”.

Ordering The New Water Bottles

The water bottles are readily available on the Uniform Ordering Portal, ordered against the individual’s wearer profile and are available for those in Delivery and Driver job roles.

Any Management only enquiries can be directed to Sam Dixon, National Uniform & Print Manager: Email: sam.dixon@royalmail.com Mobile:- 07553365925.

Area Health and Safety Reps and Workplace Safety Reps Actions:

Area and Workplace Health and Safety Representatives are requested to ensure that:

• Firstly, Delivery Office members order their water bottles in preparation for hot weather,
• Secondly, working with Operational and SHE Team Management, raise awareness about sun safety and dehydration amongst outdoor delivery members and,
• Thirdly, ensure that Severe Weather Risk Assessments are carried out in hot, heatwave weather conditions.

Any failures and non-compliance should be reported to senior management, recorded on health and safety inspections, raised at health and safety committees and if necessary escalated through the health and safety disputes/escalations process.

The Health, Safety and Environment Department will also continue to press Royal Mail HQ to ensure that in future, Severe Weather Risk Assessments are carried out in hot, heatwave weather, to avoid dehydration, sunburn, skin damage, heat exhaustion and sun stroke and so protect the outdoor delivery workforce.

The Importance and Health Benefits of Good Hydration: 

Good Hydration means getting the right amount of water before, during, and after work. Water regulates your body temperature and lubricates the joints and helps muscles and joints work better. It promotes better cardiovascular health and helps transport nutrients to give you energy and keep you healthy. If you’re not hydrated, your body can’t perform at its highest level. Water keeps organs functioning properly. Being well-hydrated also improves sleep quality, cognition, and mood.

The Dangers of Dehydration:  

Dehydration can cause heat exhaustion, heat cramps, heatstroke and can reduce the amount of blood in the body, which can put strain on the heart and cause shock – a dangerous decrease in blood pressure, which can have serious health consequences.

Attachment:

See attached image of the 750ml Royal Mail water bottles.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

22LTB226 Royal Mail – Provision of New Supply Branded Refillable 750 ml Water Bottles For Outdoor Workers “Staying Hydrated”

Royal Mail – 750 ml New Supply of Branded-Refillable Bottles for Outdoor…

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Royal Mail Fleet – Installation of 50 AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators):

Introduction

Royal Mail Fleet have informed the Health, Safety and Environment Department of their agreement to invest in the provision of 50 Automatic External Defibrillators and the attached staff huddle/briefing details the actions required by Fleet Workshop Unit Managers/PiCs for the deployment of the initial 37 defibrillators which will be dispatched by RM Fleet and arrive in Units shortly. A second deployment of 13 defibrillators to additional locations will follow.

The AED models being procured are the “Heartsine Samaritan Pad 360P, fully automatic defibrillators”. The models provide a single button activation, after which the defibrillator will monitor the patient, provide voice guidance and if necessary, undertake ‘shock delivery’. They have a 4-year battery life (matching pad life), a ready to use visible indicator (this product is IP56 rated against dust and water ingress) and a 90-minute recording to aid emergency services review. See attached specification sheet and image.

The AEDs will be located within an RM Fleet Workshop admin area such as the Reception or Shift Supervisor’s Office and clear signage will be installed to direct the workforce and any visitors to the availability and location of the defibrillator.

AED – What is it?

An AED, or automated external defibrillator, is used to help those experiencing sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). It’s a sophisticated, yet easy-to-use, medical device that can analyse the heart’s rhythm and, if necessary, deliver an electrical shock, or defibrillation, to help the heart re-establish an effective rhythm.

How many people die of SCA?

Every year in the UK, 100,000 people die of SCA, making it the UK’s biggest killer.  It strikes without warning regardless of age, fitness level, anytime, anywhere.

RM Fleet Workshop AED locations Phase 1 – 37 sites:

1. Bristol
2. Carlisle
3. Carmarthen
4. Chelmsford
5. Chichester
6. Dartford
7. Darlington
8. Derby
9. Gatwick
10. Glasgow
11. Gloucester
12. Hemel Hempstead
13. Huntingdon
14. Ipswich
15. Lincoln
16. Manchester
17. Milton Keynes
18. Newport (Gwent)
19. Nottingham
20. Oxford
21. Peterborough
22. Poole
23. Preston
24. Redruth
25. Sheffield
26. St Albans
27. Stoke (Longton)
28. Stourton (Leeds)
29. Trowbridge
30. Tyneside
31. York
32. Uxbridge
33. Walton
34. Warrington
35. West Midlands
36. Wigan
37. Worcester

A further 13 sites will be added in phase 2.

Defibrillator Set-Up Guide and Video

The “Heartsine defibrillators” set-up guide and video is available on the manufacturers website via this link:

HeartSine Connected samaritan PAD 360P

Understanding CPR and Defibrillators – British Heart Foundation, RMG and CWU (See LTB 079/22)

Since February the CWU has been jointly campaigning with RMG and BHF to promote across Royal Mail Group sites and throughout the CWU membership a free digital training programme and application to assist the understanding of CPR and use of defibrillators – ‘learn CPR in 15 Minutes’ and we continue to support the promotion of this on-line free training tool and a digital App to assist understanding of CPR and the use of defibrillators. RevivR (a link up with British Heart Foundation) is a free, easy to use, digital training tool to teach anyone the essential elements of CPR, in just 15 minutes – providing people with the necessary skills to give lifesaving CPR and feel confident about using a defibrillator.  The training is also available by clicking on the link: https://revivr.bhf.org.uk/?org=royalmail&start=direct&dist=intranet (See Attached RevivR – BHF/RMG/CWU Poster – Learn CPR in 15 Mins).

Fleet Workshop Managers (PiC) Actions

• Share the attached Staff Huddle/Briefing with the workforce and deploy the following actions if the site is receiving a defibrillator.
• Locate defibrillators within Reception area or Shift Supervisor’s Office where it is highly visible to anyone entering that area – display signage outside that room so it can be quickly found – source AED signage from ARCO (Search for ‘AED sign’) e.g., so that its presence is highly visible to workshop occupants and any visitors (the defibrillator sites will be centrally logged with the Emergency Services).
• Keep external AED case clean using sanitising wipes (as per First Aid boxes).
• The AED case must not be locked but always readily accessible to anyone.
• Deploy AED monthly checks.
• Specific First Aid supplies (titled the ‘prepack’) should be located with the AED to aid use.
• If the Fleet Workshop is located within a shared site, co-located with other operational Units the Office/Plant Manager/PiC must be notified for sharing with all site wide First Aiders.
• Review use of the British Heart Foundation CPR digital training tool and App as a Health and Wellbeing activity at the site for all staff. See above link.
• Ensure all first aiders have been trained in defibrillator use and that they are notified and familiarise themselves with the AED (defibrillator).
• Further information and enquiries to: Richard Wiggins Engineering & Fleet Safety Manager richard.wiggins@royalmail.com.

ASR Actions

Please ensure that this LTB and attached Huddle/Briefings are brought to the attention of all CWU Reps, members and First Aiders on the above listed sites both those within RM Fleet and those in operations who are on shared sites.

Royal Mail Group – AED/Defibrillator Provision and Installation Policy

It remains the Union’s policy to see AED defibrillators installed in all workplaces. There are regular requests from Reps and members for their Unit to have an AED installed. Royal Mail Group’s response is that any site/office can have an AED/defibrillator providing; firstly, a First Aid Risk Assessment (FARA) is completed and the AED is justified by the assessment and secondly, the AED is purchased from the local Operational Budget.

Attachments:

• SHE Huddle/Briefing – Deployment of Fleet Workshop AED defibrillators
• Heartsine Samaritan AED Defibrillator Specification Sheet
• Sudden Cardiac Arrest Fact Sheet
• RevivR – BHF Learn CPR in 15 Minutes Poster/Leaflet

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

22LTB223 Royal Mail Fleet – Installation of 50 AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators)

SHE Huddle – Fleet – Defibrillator deployment

Heartsine Samaritan Pad 360P fully automatic defibrillator

Sudden Cardiac Arrest – CWU Fact Sheet

RevivR – BHF – Learn CPR Poster-Leaflet

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