Greener Jobs Alliance (GJA) Newsletter – ‘Energy Special Edition’ – April 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. See details below.

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’.

See Attached Copy Of The GJA Newsletter – ‘Energy Special Edition’ – April 2022:

In the previous Newsletter No.37, the GJA editor Paul Atkin wrote a piece entitled “The Price of Gas” talking about the violent upward twist in the cost of living from the spikes in oil and gas prices resulting from the recovery from the Covid recession, overlaid by the impact of the Ukraine war, leading countries in Europe sharply accelerating plans to shift to renewables and gas prices rising from £13.50 per Kilowatt hour last January to as much as £290 per KWh now!

Following the release of the UK Government’s energy strategy, the Greener Jobs Alliance has produced an “Energy Special” Newsletter – copy attached.

In this “Energy Special” GJA Newsletter editor Paul Atkin focuses on the Government’s claims in its new energy strategy that it will provide cleaner and more affordable energy this decade – something we’ve all heard before says Paul adding; “The Government’s 2011 plan “Planning our Electric Future for affordable and low carbonelectricity” was cut two years later, watering down sustainable building standards and so here we are again and the new strategy states that the Government will “accelerate the deployment of wind, new nuclear, solar and hydrogen, whilst supporting the production of domestic oil and gas”; – all at the same time. Just like that! Absent from the plan is insulating our building stock which would create jobs and save energy. The £6.6 billion earmarked “to improve energy efficiency and decarbonise heating over this parliament” is nowhere near enough to upgrade the half a million homes the Government has targeted, let alone the 19 million homes that need it.” 

Contents:

• Energy Strategy; 12 Wasted Years
• IEA 10-point Plan
• Stats of the month
• Corporate Courts vs the climate

Quote of the Month “The truly dangerous radicals are the countries that are increasing the production of fossil fuels. Investing in new fossil fuel infrastructure is moral and economic madness”. António Guterres, UN Secretary General.

Attachment: 

• GJA-Newsletter -“Energy Special”-April 2022

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 209/22 – Greener Jobs Alliance (GJA) Newsletter – ‘Energy Special Edition’ – April 2022

Att: Greener-Jobs-Alliance-Energy-Special

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Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash FY22 012 – Serious Slip, Trip & Fall Accident in a Garden – Metal ‘Arrowhead/Spearhead’ Railing Fence Spike Penetrated Postman’s Leg:

Background and Description – What Happened:

Royal Mail Group’s Safety Team have issued RMG SHE Safety Flash FY22 012 following a serious injury slip, trip and fall accident.

The accident and injury occurred when a postman/OPG member was taking a ‘short-cut’ from one delivery point to the next customer’s delivery point. He attempted to step over a 2 feet high metal railing type fence which had sharp arrow head or spear head design tops. In doing so he slipped, falling on to the fence and one of the metal arrowhead/spearhead railings penetrated his leg.

Impact/Injury:

The injured postman sustained a serious leg laceration and suffered shock. He was attended at the scene by a rapid response paramedic team who administered a drip before he was taken to hospital by ambulance to receive emergency treatment on his leg wound which required multiple stitches.

Key Messages, Learning Points and DOM/PiC Actions:

• Never take short cuts and stay on the recognised, established footpath.
• Always follow the RMG Deliveries Safe System of Work (SSoW).
• Unit managers to brief the contents of the Safety Flash to all delivery employees and check that they are aware of and have been briefed on the Deliveries SSoW.
• Unit managers to ensure all delivery postmen/women employees have had the Delivery SSOW communicated to them in the last 12 months.
• Unit managers to incorporate the above learning points in their ‘First Class Safety Conversations.’

CWU ASR/WSR Action:

Please ensure that this Safety Flash, images and Delivery SSoW are communicated to all members.

Attachments: 

• Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash FY22 012 – Slips, Trips and Falls Injury
• Royal Mail Group Delivery Safe System of Work (SSoW)

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 208/22 – Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash FY22 012 – Serious Slip, Trip & Fall Accident in a Garden

Att: SHE Flash FY22 012 – Slip and Trip

Att: Delivery (Royal Mail Operations) SSOW 1.8 

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NATIONAL BRIEFING – WEDNESDAY 11^TH MAY, 1 P.M. – TUC DEMO

Following on from CWU Conference, we will be holding a virtual National Briefing of all CWU Branches on Wednesday 11^th May at 1pm.

The purpose of this Briefing will be to share national plans for mobilising for the TUC Rally in London on 18^th Juneand to set up a programme of work across the whole union.

It is crucial that every Branch is represented on the call and we are also opening up this Briefing to all CWU Representatives.  On this basis, can Branches ensure the content of this LTB is shared with every single CWU Representative.

The details for joining the briefing are below:

https://cwu-org.zoom.us/j/87341938365?pwd=c3Y0dE5xLy9Ld3R4d2g1YkV3ZGxlQT09

Meeting ID: 873 4193 8365

Passcode: 769621

The New Deal for Workers campaign has been led by the CWU and on 18^thJune we must take to the streets in our thousands – CWU members, friends and families together.

I look forward to sharing more details with you at the briefing.

Yours sincerely

Dave Ward
General Secretary 

22LTB205 NATIONAL BRIEFING – WEDNESDAY 11th MAY 1pm – TUC DEMO

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CAPITA TVL: PAY – REFERRAL TO ACAS – JOINT STATEMENT

Further to LTB195/22 dated 27^thApril.  As previously reported, Capita TVL has agreed to refer the current impasse on pay for 1^st January 2022 to Acas.  We obviously support this position on the basis of exploring every opportunity to make progress, which is necessary to avoid a dispute.

Below is a Joint Statement in regards to the Acas referral:

Capita TVL & CWU Joint Statement – Pay 2022: Joint Referral to Acas for Collective Conciliation

Following our recent communication in respect of pay bargaining, we have unfortunately reached an impasse whereby the offer made by Capita TVL has been rejected by the CWU. Both parties remain committed to finding a mutually agreeable resolution. To this end, we have jointly agreed to approach Acas (who provide independent dispute resolution services) to invite them to assist us in collective conciliation.

Whilst we will be treating this with urgency, we are nonetheless in the hands of Acas in terms of timescales so we would ask you to be patient whilst both parties engage constructively in this external process.

We will of course communicate with you further in due course when progress is made.

Paul Johnston                                                             Andy Furey

Capita TVL Managing Director                             CWU Assistant Secretary

Further developments will be reported.

Yours sincerely

Andy Furey
Assistant Secretary

Attachment 1: 22LTB206 Capita TVL – Pay – Referral to Acas – Joint Statement

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Vital update from DGSP Terry Pullinger on pay. Please share as widely as possible.

https://fb.watch/cOdPShadzU/

CWU 2023 Diary

We are now taking orders for CWU 2023 diaries.  Please find attached an electronic diary order form for your branch use.

We continue to offer branches personalised diaries which is inclusive of the diary price.  Branches can personalise an area on the front cover of the CWU pocket diary and also have the option to have a personalised page (printed on one side only) which will be inserted near the front of the pocket diary.

The CWU pocket diary is priced at £2.00 and the A5 desk diary is priced at £3.00.

We also continue to offer branches bulk discount on pocket diaries only on orders of 1,000 or more for £1.50 per diary.

Branches ordering unaltered diaries should return their completed order form by no later than Monday 23^rdSeptember.

Personalised branch diary orders only

Branch personalised diary orders must be returned by no later than Friday 20^th May. On receipt of your order form you will be emailed the appropriate template(s), please ensure to include your email address as this is where your template(s) will be sent together with further instructions.

Please complete your template(s) as soon as possible and note the return deadline is Friday 10^th June. Due to strict deadlines any orders or proofs received after the dates provided may not be processed.

If you would like to use your 2022 diary template(s) and there are no changes, please advise Marcia Murray.

Orders will be based on the following:

Minimum order to personalise front cover: 250 units

Minimum order to insert page: 500 units

Minimum order to personalise front cover and insert page: 500 units

All completed order forms and enquiries on this LTB should be sent to Marcia Murray by email to mmurray@cwu.org

The diaries will be dispatched w/c Monday 26^th September 2022.

Kind regards,

Chris Webb
Head of Communications, Engagement and Media

22LTB201 CWU 2023 DIARY

2023 Diary Order Form

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POST OFFICE: PAY DISPUTE 2021/22 – STRIKE OVERWHELMINGLY SUPPORTED

I’m pleased to report support for today’s strike action was overwhelming, with Crown Offices and Supply Chain depots across the country closed, along with solid backing from Admin members.  Picket lines were out in full force to make a stand against the Post Office’s outrageous pay freeze position.

I would like to thank our members, along with Branches, Regional Secretaries, Postal Executive members and Post Office Reps for supporting the strike today.  Following the unprecedented support for strike action amongst our members, Post Office should now listen to the voice of the members who have made it clear they will not be disrespected in this way.

We received numerous photos via Branches, Reps and members, many of which have been shared on social media, including the Union’s facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/TheCommunicationsUnion

There was significant press and media interest in the strike and I was also interviewed live on the BBC news channel – https://vimeo.com/705664598

This interview followed an earlier BBC web story:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-61300417

Tellingly, the BBC article confirmed “The Post Office declined to comment.” specifically on the reasons for the dispute – this is because they don’t have any cogent arguments.  There is absolutely no justification for a pay freeze for our members for 2021 (or for that matter an insulting 2% offer for 2022) and Post Office knows it.  Clearly Nick Read, CEO, has a lack of emotional intelligence and is out of touch with the pressures our members are facing in respect of the cost of living crisis.  The CEO needs to take responsibility and authorise his team to get round the bargaining table with realistic mandate, meaning a fair pay offer for our members.

A selection of further press articles can be accessed via the following links:

Sky News https://news.sky.com/story/post-office-workers-strike-over-degrading-pay-offer-after-2021-wage-freeze-12604536

Mirror https://www.mirror.co.uk/money/more-100-post-offices-closed-26856647

i https://inews.co.uk/news/post-office-strike-closures-full-list-branches-closed-todays-walkout-when-it-ends-1607670

Mail https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10777173/Post-Office-workers-stage-national-strike-action-today-pay.html

Manchester Evening News https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/uk-news/post-office-workers-set-strike-23847697

Belfast Live https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/post-office-workers-stage-national-23846281

GB News https://www.gbnews.uk/news/post-office-workers-stage-national-strike-action-today-over-pay/285537

Evening Standard https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/post-office-workers-national-strike-pay-dispute-communication-workers-union-b997548.html

A CWU web article was also published: https://www.cwu.org/news/determined-members-morale-is-sky-high-after-todays-post-office-strike/

Should Post Office continue to ignore the needs of our Key Worker members and in the absence of meaningful pay talks to resolve this dispute, the Postal Executive will consider dates for further action.

Further developments will be reported.

Yours sincerely

Andy Furey
Assistant Secretary

22LTB204 Post Office – Pay Dispute 2021-22 – Strike Overwhelmingly Supported

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Menopause – Motion 97 – Postal Conference 2022

Branches will be aware Motion 97, reproduced below, was submitted to Postal Conference and carried.

97 Menopause and Perimenopause, still a “taboo” subject, with very little information being given to people until they are diagnosed. Often this is too little too late. Menopause is not just a female issue, it is an organisation issue. Conference instructs the Postal Executive to enter negotiations with Royal Mail to set a policy around menopause. The policy would be to introduce an educational menopause training programme for all managers, health & wellbeing ambassadors would be a point of contact for both workers and managers who need advice, or initially someone to talk to. They would also work with HR, CWU H&S department and/or Occupational Health to:

• Run workshops to raise awareness amongst managers and workers.
• Inform staff, through steps such as posters, that the employer will support workers having difficulties because of their symptoms.
• Check that health and safety risk assessments are suitable regarding the perimenopause and menopause.
• Set up a support network for staff.
• Signpost workers and managers for more information, especially highlighting ACAS information around absence managements.

North West No. 1

Whilst asking conference to support the motion, I spoke about some of the work which had already been done by the department on the issue of Menopause.  We were involved in the ‘Let’s Talk about Menopause” which was meant to have been delivered in February/March 2022.  However, it became apparent most branches within the conference were not aware of the document.

Therefore, please find attached to this Letter to Branches (LTB) a copy of the “Let’s Talk – Menopause”.

I would draw specific attention to the following contained within the document.

• The commitment to support members who are experiencing menopausal symptoms and to support members who may be supporting someone through the menopause.
• The importance of members being able to access the right support to help minimise menopausal symptoms and enable them to fulfil their daily work.
• A duty of care for Royal Mail as an employer to create flexible options and make reasonable adjustments.
• Encouraging members to inform your manager at the earliest opportunity and keep them informed by providing updates or having regular ‘check in’ meetings, to ensure you get the best support.
• The setting up of a support network of Meno-Mates. Meno-mates are going to be volunteers who work within the business. They will be supported by lead Meno-mates who will promote the role and facilitate networking between Meno-mates across all business areas. Royal Mail are currently looking for volunteers We encourage Reps and Members to apply to be Meno-mates.
• Support is available in the form of First Class Support, Occupational Health, Signposting to GP’s and Uniform.  Occupational Health (OH) Support is available as an Attendance Support Referral, Counselling referral or Physiotherapy Referral.
• Further support for within your unit is available in the form of flexible working, sick absence and attendance support.

I want to place on record my thanks to the North West No 1 Branch for putting the motion into Conference which enabled us to have the debate on this extremely important topic.

Some statistics about the menopause: –

• 44% of women, trans and non-binary people have said it affects their work
• 14% have said they have reduced their hours and 10% have given up work due to the menopause.
• Going through the menopause massively affects Mental Wellbeing with 70% of women, trans and non-binary people saying they experience anxiety and depression.
• Many do not want to talk about it, despite it being completely natural.

The CWU want to be part of breaking the taboo of Menopause and I hope this document starts the journey, providing support to CWU Branches, Reps and Members.

We will be continuing our discussions within the businesses we represent and look to ensure our members experiencing Menopause symptoms will get the best support available, to either support them whilst they are at work or enable them to return to work as soon as they are able.

Please give this LTB the widest possible circulation to ensure reps and members know the support which should be available for them.

Any enquiries on this LTB should be sent to the PTCS department, telephone number 020 8971 7455, via email khay@cwu.org quoting reference number 420 or writing into the department.

Yours sincerely,

Carl Maden
CWU Assistant Secretary

Postal Technical & Central Services Department (PTCS)

Attachment 1: 22LTB203 Menopause – Motion 97 – Postal Conference 2022

Attachment 2: Attachment to 22LTB203 – Menopause Factsheet v14

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Election of National Delegations 2022

• TUC Congress: 11^th – 14^thSeptember, Brighton
• Labour Party Conference: 25^th– 28^th September, Liverpool

The NEC has agreed the 2022 election arrangements for the National delegations listed above. Accordingly please find attached the Election Regulations, Nomination Forms and Candidates Consent and Biographical Detail Form for these elections.

Labour Party Conference – 2022

Please note that for the 2022 Conference the Labour Party have advised that to be eligible to be a delegate at this particular conference, nominees/applicants will need to have 6 months continuous membership as at 17^th June 2022.

Accordingly, all nominees who joined the Labour Party after 17^th December 2021 will not be eligible to be a delegate at the 2022 conference.

Additionally would branches please note that all nominees/candidates for the Labour Party delegation mustcomplete sections B, C, D, E, F and H of the attached Labour Party Annual Conference delegate application form, and this must be attached to the candidate consent form which must be returned to CWU HQ by the closing date for CWU nominations.  

Dispatch and Return of Nomination Forms to CWU HQ

Nomination forms will be sent to branches electronically (attached to this LTB).  Branches are required to return all completed nomination forms by email to branchballots@cwu.org.  The details of this will be included on the nomination form.

Nomination Forms will need to be returned by the advertised closing date to be included in the list of candidates.  

Dispatch and Return of Voting Papers

The respective constituency based voting papers will be sent by email direct to branches at the email address which we hold on file.  Branches should return the completed voting papers by email to the advertised CWU election email address branchballots@cwu.org.  Notification will be sent to branches confirming receipt of the voting paper, however it will the responsibility of the branch to ensure that voting papers are returned to the correct email address.

To be included in the ballot voting papers will need to have been returned by the advertised closing date and time.  

Branch Voting Recommendations

Clearly we are in unique and challenging times and whilst branches would normally arrange mandating meetings to decide which candidates to vote for in the respective elections we do not believe that this is either practical or necessary during the current crisis.  Therefore, on this occasion this decision can be made by the Branch Committee and the decision subsequently notified to members of their branch accordingly.

The timetable for the election is:

Nominations open:                       3 May 2022

Nominations close:                       17 May 2002 (14:00)

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

22LTB202

Election Regulations TUC & Labour Party Congress 2022

TUC Nomination Forms 2022

TUC Candidate Biographical Detail & Consent Form

LP Nomination Forms 2022

Labour Party Affiliate Delegate Application Form

LP Candidates Biographical Detail and Consent Form

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