National Hazards Conference 2022 – Theme “It’s a Deadly Business! But Decent work is Safe and Healthy”
Further to LTB 169/2022, issued on 8 April 2022, this is to remind all CWU Safety Reps that the National Hazards Campaign’s 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.
Bookings To Date – Appeal From The Hazards Campaign, Conference Organisers:
The Hazards Conference needs help in recruiting more delegates for this year’s 2022 Hazards Conference as Hazards have to commit to an outlay of £60,000 to deliver the Conference and so far they do not have enough delegates to cover the cost. The organisation needs another 140 delegates to commit to attending the conference and although they have about another month to get the numbers up, they are concerned that the response to date is slower than it’s been in the past. So in supporting the Hazards Campaign and Conference which CWU is a part sponsor of, please can Regions and Branches support the Conference and Safety Reps give consideration to attending.
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
Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash FY22 014 –Loading Dock Safety & Loading Bay Traffic Lights:
Introduction: A Safety Flash has been issued by the Royal Mail Group Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) Team (copy attached).
A recent incident occurred where a driver drove off from a loading dock when a red light was displayed, the dock leveller was still deployed and whilst the loading of the vehicle trailer was still in progress. As a result ‘SHE Flash FY22 014 – Dock Loading Safety’ has been issued. Would all ASRs please communicate the contents of the SHE Flash to drivers and those who operate dock levellers to remind them and raise awareness of the process to follow.
All drivers must adhere to the loading dock traffic light systems. Vehicles must not drive off from a loading dock when a red light is displayed. Drivers must complete the appropriate checks of trailers/rear of vehicles and ensure the dock leveller and loading dock doors are retracted and closed prior to departing.
A similar Safety Flash was issued with LTB No. 430/2020 (dated 25 August). This followed several ‘near-miss’ instances where drivers/shunters had driven off a loading dock when the traffic light was on ‘RED’, resulting in indoor staff, equipment and mail/parcels falling from height into the yard.
What Happened: In this recent incident, a driver failed to follow the loading operation at a Mail Centre, and failed to put the vehicle keys on the roller shutter door while the trailer was being unloaded/loaded.
SSoW Failures: The ‘Mandatory’ Safe System of Work was not being followed when the incident occurred. The LGV driver involved in this incident was not adhering to the loading dock traffic light control system and pulled away from the loading bay dock against a ‘Red Light Signal’. There were also ‘Key Control’ failures which enabled the incident to happen.
Impact and Effect of the Incident: Risk of serious injury or death of loading/unloading bay staff, falling from height whilst loading/unloading containers, mail and parcels from the trailer. The vehicle and trailer also risked departing from the site with unsecured load/doors along with the further potential for injury and damage on route.
Key Messages set out in the Safety Flash are:- Where loading/unloading bay dock traffic lights are in use:
Green lights = vehicles can move on or off the loading dock.
Red Lights = no vehicle movements on or off the loading dock.
Drivers to ensure they check the traffic lights and are looking at the correct set of lights for the loading dock in question.
If no lights are showing – the driver should report this to management
Key Learning Points set out in the Safety Flash are:
All drivers must adhere to the loading dock traffic light systems.
Vehicles must not drive off from a loading dock when a red light is displayed.
Drivers must complete the appropriate checks of trailers/rear of vehicles and ensure the dock leveller and loading dock doors are retracted and closed prior to departing.
Vehicle keys must be placed on hooks on the roller shutter doors before the vehicle is accessed for loading and unloading.
Full details on the correct process can be found in the Loading and Unloading SSOW Section 6.
Key Managers (PIC) Activities to be completed:
Unit PIC to review current vehicle key control procedures to ensure they are robust.
Unit PIC to ensure that vehicle keys are not handed back to drivers unless dock levellers have been retracted and the bay doors closed.
Unit PIC to ensure yard rules have been cascaded/shared with all employees and are clearly displayed in key locations.
Unit PIC to deploy targeted ‘Safety Conversations’ to confirm understanding and compliance to standards and procedures.
Area Health and Safety Reps: Would all CWU Area Health and Safety Reps please note and communicate the content of the Safety Flash, supporting the key messages and learning points, reminding members of the importance of looking after their own safety as well as the safety of work colleagues when departing from loading bay docks. Additionally, carry out inspections focusing on compliance with the SSoWs, loading dock and yard rules and the key PIC/management action on vehicle key control.
A copy of RMG SHE Safety Flash ‘FY22 014-Loading Dock Safety’ is attached.
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
RMG SHE Huddle FY22 031 – Process For ‘Closing Out’ Property Remedial Actions on The RMP&FS ‘Compliance Records Database’ By Operational Managers and Persons In Control (PICs):
The attached SHE Huddle FY22 031 will be communicated by the Royal Mail Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) team to all Operational Managers and Managers who are designated ‘Persons In Control (PICs) of operational Units (e.g. Mail Centres, Delivery Offices, Distribution Centres, Mail Processing Units, Hubs, Parcelforce Depots etc.) during week commencing Monday 13 June 2022.
This is an important communication in respect of Health and Safety compliance and keeping workplaces safe and healthy.
Royal Mail Property & Facilities Solutions (RMP&FS) assessors attend Royal Mail and Parcelforce offices and sites across the country to carry out legal and statutory inspections in order to ensure that Royal Mail Group (Royal Mail and Parcelforce) properties are compliant with health and safety and other UK legislation, laws and regulations, ensuring that operational units and workplaces remain safe, healthy and fit for purpose.
Following these property compliance inspections, carried out by a trained, competent assessor, all remedial actions generated are then recorded by the RMP&FS ‘Property Records Team’ on the ‘Compliance Records Database’ (CRD).
The remedial ‘Actions’ then need to be addressed and ‘Closed Out’ by the respective Persons In Control (PICs).
These ‘Actions’ are displayed in the CRD with the followings prefix to help route them and analyse them:
PIC – This indicates that the PiC must address the action on site and close out the task.
HDEN – This indicates that the action has been sent to the RMP&FS Helpdesk for the required works to be carried out.
SME – This indicates that the action has been referred to the ‘Subject Matter Experts’ as it may require investment or a review of policy.
Consultant – This indicates that the action is part of the ‘Consultant’s existing programme of work’ and they will provide an update.
Property – These actions pre-date 1st April 2021 and are being considered for possible national programmes.
There are different levels of risk allocated to an ‘Action’ by RMP&FS assessors and these relate to the severity and likelihood of an issue occurring. Each of those risk levels require action within a certain timeframe to ensure that Royal Mail Group maintain compliance with regulations.
To support the process of ‘Closing Out’ property ‘Actions’ an escalation procedure has been developed to ensure that senior Managers and Directors are aware of outstanding and overdue ‘Actions’.
There is also a new ‘on-line ‘Help’ section and ‘Tutorials’ on the CRD to guide PICs in closing out their actions and an e-mail address; property.records@royalmail.comwhere help and guidance can be obtained by PICs . Details and links are in the attached RMG SHE Huddle FY22 031.
Can all ASRs ensure that PICs take the appropriate actions set out in the attached RMG SHE Huddle FY22 031, escalating any failures to senior management and SHE Advisors plus raise the matter at the appropriate Health and Safety Committee.
Attachment:
RMG SHE Huddle FY22 031.
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
Men’s Health Week 13 – 19 June 2022 – ‘Time For Your MOT’:
Introduction
Between the 13th-19th June, the world acknowledges Men’s Health Week 2022. This annual event is organised by the Men’s Health Forum and aims to raise awareness of preventable health problems that disproportionately affect men and encourage them to gain the courage to tackle their issues.
Men’s Health Week raises awareness of the health issues that affect men disproportionately and focuses on getting men to become more aware of health problems they may have or could develop and gain the courage to do something about it.
The theme this year is ‘Time For Your MOT’ – which emphasises taking notice of what’s going on in your mind and body. As such, the campaign focuses on taking notice of all the health problems that have been brushed aside due to the pandemic.
In launching the campaign this week, the MHF stated; “We’ve been through a lot these past couple of years with the Covid pandemic which we are beginning to live with. It’s vitally important to be at the top of our game, physically and mentally. So, for Men’s Health Week 2022, (13-19 June), it’s time for men everywhere, to give themselves an MOT. The Macmillan Cancer Charity for example reckon that around 50,000 men have missed a cancer diagnosis during the pandemic. Prostate cancer diagnoses were down not because prostate cancer is getting rarer (it isn’t), but because men weren’t seeing their GPs to begin to get diagnosed. One man in five dies before the age of 65. TOGETHERwe can change that.”
The Men’s Health Forum (MHF) is a charity supporting men’s health in the UK and the CWU Health, Safety and Environment Department has worked closely with the charity for a number of years supporting their campaigns. The MHF has attended CWU Conference, presenting and speaking at the Health and Safety fringe meeting and has attended a number of regional meetings in the past. After a 2-year hiatus during the Covid pandemic we are pleased to see MHF strongly promoting Men’s Health Week again and are happy to give our support.
Men and Mental health
According to the Mental Health Foundation, approximately 1-in-8 men have a common mental health problem such as anxiety, stress, or depression. When left unattended, these problems can worsen and be detrimental to those affected. This is highlighted in current statistics: for example, in the UK, 3 out of 4 suicides are men. Furthermore, suicide is the biggest killer of men under 45. These statistics underline the importance of removing the stigma surrounding men’s mental health, helping men reach out, talk about their problems and seek treatment.
It is no secret that a stigma exists regarding men’s mental health, and sadly some men still feel uncomfortable discussing their problems openly. According to recent statistics, 40% of men won’t talk about their mental health with their friends or family. Therefore, many individuals suffer in silence. While the topic is becoming more prevalent with more awareness campaigns, there is still a need to help men feel comfortable enough to speak out about their mental health.
Identifying the symptoms
There may not always be clear signs you’re dealing with a serious issue, not just a bad day. If your life satisfaction seems to have taken a knock or you are feeling like you want to be alone a lot, there could be more going on. Here are some of the common signs and symptoms associated with mental illness:
Anger, irritability, or aggressiveness
Noticeable changes in mood
Difficulty sleeping
Avoiding friends and social activities
Constant low energy
Drug or alcohol abuse
Ignoring personal hygiene
Men often feel embarrassed or uncomfortable talking about their mental health. But the bravest thing you can do is tackle the issue before it becomes a bigger problem. You are not alone. Many other people are going through the same emotions and struggling to find the best way to cope.
DIY Man MOT
A quick and easy health check members can do at home. The MHF message is ‘Giving your body a once-over doesn’t require any spanners and needn’t cost a penny. If you’re worried about the results of any of the following tests, see your GP without delay.’
Test 1: Is your engine tuned? – Pulse
First, check your pulse. Place the finger of one hand on the thumb side of the tendons running through the opposite wrist. You should be able to feel the radial artery pumping. Count the beats over four 15 second periods and add them up. This is your resting pulse – a good guide to the heart’s efficiency. Joggers and other fitness enthusiasts will get very excited about resting pulse and try to get it as low as possible.
Then, check your recovery rate. Step on and off a step for three minutes (average a step every three seconds) and rest for 30 seconds before taking your pulse again. This is your pulse after exercise.
The table below shows you what sort of results you should be getting for your age:Very FitAgeRestingAfter exerciseTeens/20s59 or less75 or less30s63 or less79 or less40s65 or less81 or less50s+67 or less83 or lessAverageAgeRestingAfter exerciseTeens/20s60-8576-10130s64-8580-10340s66-8982-10550s+68-8984-107UnfitAgeRestingAfter exerciseTeens/20s86+102+30s86+104+40s90+106+50s+90+108+
If you’re in or close to the unfit range, you need to think about whether you’re taking enough exercise. Read the MHF ‘Get Fit’ section on the MHF Website link below. (If you’re older, very overweight or have an existing health problem, check with your GP before starting an exercise programme.)
The simplest guide to whether you’re carrying too much weight is your waist measurement. This gives you a fair idea of your risk regardless of height. Measure around your belly at the widest point – usually around your belly button:
over 37 inches, you’re probably overweight and at increased risk of heart disease, diabetes and cancer – check out the MHF ‘Get Fit’ section on the MHF Website link below.
over 40 inches, you could be obese and at serious risk of the conditions mentioned – talk to a GP or health professional.
If you’re putting on weight, see the MHF ‘Get Fit’ section on the MHF Website link below. But if you have been losing weight for no apparent reason, it may be a sign of something serious, see your GP.
Test 3: Look out for dashboard ‘warning lights’
Check yourself all over for:
moles changing shape (possible skin cancer),
unexplained lumps,
unexplained shortness of breath/breathing difficulties
unexplained pain (especially in the chest)
swelling or itching,
a cough that won’t go away,
blood where it shouldn’t be (in saliva when you spit or stools when you defecate)
changes in bowel habits (such as blood in stools, diarrhoea or constipation for no reason, a feeling of bloating or of not having fully emptied your bowels or pain in your stomach or back passage.)
If you have any of these talk to your GP.
Test 4: Wobbly gear stick? – Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile problems are common and an early warning sign of a number of serious health problems including heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and depression. They could also be sign of high cholesterol or low testosterone. Again, talk to your GP. (Further information on the MHF Website link below.)
Test 5: Check the water – Prostate Cancer
Is there any change in how often you pee or how easy it is? Do you get up more often at night? Peeing more often, especially at night, and less easily with a weaker flow can be signs of prostate enlargement. Further information on the MHF Website link below. Prostate enlargement is not necessarily a sign of cancer but it needs to be checked. Prostate Cancer UK have a simple cancer risk checker tool at this link:
Peeing more often, especially at night, along with being overweight, tiredness and sores healing more slowly may all be signs of diabetes. Get your blood sugar tested at the GP’s surgery.
Test 6: Day-to-day performance
How are you feeling? Are you motoring along smoothly? Try the ‘How Are You Really’ quiz on the MHF Website link below. And check out the ‘How Are You Hub’.
Test 7: Check your pressure – Blood Pressure
You can get your blood pressure checked at the GP’s surgery – or you can buy a home-tester.
Blood Pressure is given as two figures. The first is when the heart is contracting (systolic), the second when it is resting (diastolic). 120/70 would be fine for a young man. Once the systolic starts getting up towards 140 and/or the diastolic to 90, you need to monitor your Blood Pressure more often. Of course, any stress can raise your blood pressure temporarily but if you’re getting regular readings of 140/90 or more, see your GP without delay.
Testicular Cancer
Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in men aged 20-35 but if caught in time it can be effectively treated and deaths are rare.
Take advantage of free check-ups
Most men aged 40-74 in England should be regularly invited for an NHS Health Check. It can help you spot upcoming heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, stroke and other health problems. If you haven’t been invited or haven’t had one for five years or more, ask your GP.
Bowel Cancer Screening
Everyone aged 60 to 74 years who is registered with a GP and lives in the UK is automatically sent an NHS bowel cancer screening kit every 2 years. Make sure you take the test. Caught early this cancer is treatable but left untreated it can and will kill!
Key numbers for men:
37– a waist size of 37 inches or above puts you at increased risk of heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
150– men should aim for 150 minutes of moderate physical activity a week.
5– we should aim to eat 5 portions of fruit and veg a day.
14– maximum 14 units of alcohol a week.
10– cigarette smokers die 10 years younger on average than non-smokers.
120/80– normal blood pressure.
75– 75% of suicides (3 out of 4) are by men.
Key numbers for policy-makers and service providers:
1 man in 5 dies before the age of 65.
2 men in 5 die before the age of 75.
3 out of 4 suicides are by men.
Men in unskilled work are 3 times more likely to take their own lives than men in senior management.
The richest men live on average 10 years longer than the least well-off men. Richer area = longer life.
MHF MESSAGE:
One man in five dies before he is old enough to retire. Together, by knowing our numbers, we can change this statistic.
How can you get involved?
There are several ways you can get involved with supporting men’s health. You can also use this week to educate yourself and those around you. The Men’s Health Forum (MHF) have a vast array of downloadable material. These materials provide information about health issues that affect men in their everyday lives and can be used to help promote conversations/run events in your workplace.
Further Information
MHF publishes two easy-to-use interactive ‘Man MOT manuals’ which go into this in more detail and provide tools to monitor your health:
NORTH WEST HUB – INWARD MAIL CENTRE – INDICATIVE WORKLOAD IMPACTS
Branches and representatives are advised that an update was provided last week at a joint Postal Executive/Field Official briefing. Further to that meeting the department has been pressing the business for the release of the indicative workload impacts at the Non-Catchment Area, Inward Mail Centres.
As you will be aware that the North West Hub has the capability to provide Direct to Delivery Office (D2DO) selections. Once deployed this will mean that although all parcel traffic will continue to flow through the Inward Mail Centre, the pre-sorted D2DO volume will only require cross docking prior to despatch to DO’s, as such the change will have an impact on workload. The extent of the impact is dependent on the number of D2DO Selections within the Mail Centre Catchment Area.
Given the renewed debate around Royal Mail proposals to concentrate Format 3&4 items onto circa 350 Delivery Offices the department had sought to confirm with Royal Mail that as previously agreed, the D2DO selections would be based on the DOSL selection model currently utilised in Mail Centres for Inward sortation. This model would ensure that all DO’s including those receiving D2DO traffic, continue to receive the same selection profile currently delivered by Mail Centres and that each DO receives all Parcel Traffic associated to its catchment area.
For absolute clarity, the information/data that has been provided by the business is indicative and is not agreed. Data is based on end state volumes assuming that the Hub is at capacity, however the data should provide the start point for discussion at Local Level in line with the terms of the National Framework Agreement and the IR Framework. The National Framework Agreement utilises a Catchment Area Working Group Approach to ensure that the impact is understood and can be progressed on a cross functional basis and the principles of that agreement should flow through to guide these discussions.
Royal Mail have confirmed that the latest workload assessments remain based on the DOSL model. It had previously been agreed that the information would be jointly launched however it has become clear that Royal Mail has released the information.
As such attached for the information of Branches and representatives is the documentation that provides the projected indicative Inward Workload Impacts for the 29 Non NW Catchment Area Mail Centres (Annex A). Also attached is a copy of the Comms originally intended to support the launch of the information NW Hub (Annex B) and the National Framework Agreement, which is referred to in the document (Annex C).
It is of course extremely disappointing that Royal Mail have jumped the gun on releasing the information. However, representatives should now use the attached indicative information as the basis for progressing discussions on the projected Inward workload changes on the basis of the minimum disruption principle contained in National agreements.
Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary, email: dwyatt@cwu.org quoting reference: 505.21
Royal Mail Property & Facilities Solutions (RMPFS) – Pay Dispute
National Briefing: Thursday 30th June 2022
Further to LTB167 22 dated 7th April we have been attempting to reach agreement on pay with Royal Mail Property & Facilities Solutions (RMPFS).
When we met last year there was a commitment to ensure pay was completed by 1st April 2022. Unfortunately, RMPFS are not in a position to make us a pay offer, presumably due to the Royal Mail Group Board not permitting them to do so.
Therefore, we have written to RMPFS Director, Stuart Davies, informing him we are in dispute and we will be leading a campaign to ensure we secure an agreement for our Cleaning, Engineering and Admin members in RMPFS.
We will be holding a National Briefing on Thursday 30th June 2022 at CWU Headquarters, 150 The Broadway, Wimbledon, SW19 1RX. The briefing will commence at 11.30 hrs and conclude no later than 14.30 hrs.
The briefing will discuss our pay claim and action required to secure a satisfactory agreement.
Below is a list of representatives invited to attend the National Briefing:
Two Branch Representatives
One Divisional Representative per Division
National RMPFSL Representatives – Engineering and Cleaning
Regional Representatives – Engineering
Regional Representatives – Cleaning
Parcelforce Regional Organisers
RMPFSL Admin Grade Representative
It is crucial our RMPFS members are represented at this meeting as we will be discussing next steps in our dispute. Travel and subsistence costs associated with attendance at the forum will be in line with the instructions and advice issued in LTB 506/04.
For security and access please will Reps and Branches confirm who is attending by emailing reception@cwu.org.
Any enquiries regarding the content of this LTB should be addressed to the PTCS Department, quoting reference number 320 email: khay@cwu.org or to the Outdoor Department quoting reference 120.12: email address: njones@cwu.org.
Yours sincerely Yours sincerely Carl Maden Mark Baulch Assistant Secretary Assistant Secretary
Terms of Reference – Trial Surrounding The Operational And Workload Assessment And Impact In Line With The Move To Scan To Route At Prep Within Deliveries
As members will be aware, Royal Mail continue to progress an automation strategy via the introduction of Automated Parcel and Parcel Sort Machines (PSMs) in Mail Centres and have achieved a key milestone automating 50% (on one day) of parcels by the end of March 2022, as part of their flight path to automate 70% of parcels by March 2023 and 90% by March 2024.
As a direct consequence of the increase in parcel automation upstream, Delivery Units will see a change in how parcels are presented with a mixture of Tracked and Standard parcels. Whilst processing them together on the parcel machines, it allows them to be handled much faster than if separated, and helps in terms of the overall output from the machines. Mixing Standard and Tracked has not traditionally been done before and as a result, this will impact on the current indoor arrangements within most Delivery Units and will require a move to the indoor practice of the ‘Tracked Ready for Delivery Scanning’ taking place at the prep frame, as opposed to the IPS or at a separate dedicated Tracked scanning area.
In April 2022 and as set out in LTB 162/22, Royal Mail & CWU agreed to a ‘proof of concept’ trial on Scan to Route at Cranleigh Delivery Office, whilst noting there was already a small number of Delivery Units that performed the ‘Tracked Ready for Delivery Scan’ at the Prep frame, for local reasons. Royal Mail and the CWU will continue to jointly review the outcome from Cranleigh Delivery Office in line with the agreed Terms of Reference.
Terms of Reference Trial Activity
Following on from the proof of concept activity at Cranleigh, both parties have now agreed to further extend the trial activity to other Delivery Units to secure a wider understanding surrounding the operational and workload assessment and impact in line with the move to Scan to Route at Prep.
These new sites are the Delivery Offices of:
Oldham DO
Sheepscar DO
Warrington DO
Morley DO
Derby MPU
Leicester MPU
These trial sites will adopt the following indoor change in process:
Mixed Tracked/Parcel Yorks will be taken directly to IPS for sorting (replacing any separate Tracked Scanning activity)
The ‘Tracked Ready for Delivery Scanning’ will take place at the Prep stage by the individual responsible for the prep of the route
Employees will be required to collect PDAs in advance of starting their Prep
In-Flight activity will be picked up at the Prep stage
In line with these operational changes, both RM and CWU trained Industrial Engineers will be fully involved and will undertake direct IE study activity at all of the listed trial sites to understand the direct impact in terms of current Standard Operational Procedures (SOPs) and Indoor Planning Values (PVs) linked to this change in the process. In particular, the study will review any indoor time impacts linked to but not be limited to any changes in PVs and connected to the replacing of a separate Tracked Scanning activity at the IPS stage; any PVs changes linked to the activities being undertaken at the Prep stage, including the need to collect PDAs prior to Prep will undertake any resultant further activity linked to In-Flight instructions.
These new listed Delivery Units have also been selected as it will allow the trial and IE study to also review any resultant impacts from this operational change to include units which have a separate large Tracked/Parcel storage area and Units which use the RM2000 configuration of Base and 6 Wings (with more than one delivery).
The trial activity will also review the following:
Does the later ‘Tracked Ready for Delivery Scan’ activity result in any of the required In-flight instructions being missed, e.g. due to go to another walk that has already commenced delivery?
In addition, are there any issues with regards to the inflight options and collect at Customer Service Points i.e. when customers arrive to collect before Scan at Prep has taken place?
Any other issues e.g: does removing the PDA from the cabinet earlier result in more low battery issues when out on delivery?
To support the trial, the indoor Tracked scanning app on the PDA is being amended to enable “scan at prep” which was trialled and tested at Cranleigh Delivery Office.
A high-level outline of the current and proposed Ready for Delivery Scan processes is provided in Annex 1.
The activity is expected to commence 13th June 2022 and be completed over a 6-week period, identifying and overcoming any challenges to wider deployment.
Health & Safety and Safe Systems of Work
Health & Safety is of paramount importance to both Royal Mail and the CWU, therefore prior to any change to the current prep/RFD process it is agreed that a Safe System of Working, Standard Operating Procedures and all relevant safety compliance documentation will be fully developed and agreed between RM and the CWU National Health & Safety Department.
Equally, the trial will be subject to ongoing reviews in order to address any unforeseen health & safety issues or work area spare concerns resulting from the trial activities.
Review/ Summary
Both parties recognise the changing nature of the current operational requirements to realise the opportunities through the automation of parcels. Royal Mail and the CWU commit to undertaking regular reviews of the trial to ensure it remains fit for purpose. Any further roll out or National deployment of the Scan to Route at Prep for Tracked items, will be subject to further National Joint CWU/RM agreement and will need to occur in line with any agreed and required changes to indoor PVs, and up dates to the IWT and Standard Operational Procedures. It will equally need to be accounted for in any annual refresh of the WIPWH productivity measures.
Any local issues which arise during the trial will be subject to the IR Framework and any issues in relation to the interpretation or application and deployment of the Joint Statement will be raised with the signatories for resolution.
Any queries to the content of the above please contact the Outdoor Department reference 540 , email address: njones@cwu.org
UK National Blood Donation Week 13-19 June 2022 & World Blood Donor Day 14 June 2022:
Introduction:
Every year, NHS Blood and Transplant run a ‘National Blood Donation Week’ campaign (13-19 June 2022) to encourage much needed new donors to register to give blood. During the same week, on 14 June, is the World Health Organisation’s ‘World Blood Donor Day’ with the WHO continuing the work worldwide to build a culture of voluntary blood donation. On World Blood Donor Day, WHO is emphasising the role that every individual can play in preparing for the next unforeseen emergency by giving blood now.
The ask is simple: help to spread the word and reach as many people as possible.
Background:
The UK National Blood Donation Week and the World Blood Donor Day are a combined annual event which aims to pay tribute to all voluntary blood donors for their valuable gift as well as to raise people’s awareness of the importance of regular blood donations in order to recruit and increase the number of much needed volunteer blood donors, to ensure the vital supply of high-quality blood for use in the NHS healthcare system in the UK and in countries across the world.
Blood provision may be a life-or-death situation:
There is a shortage of blood and donors, and thus it’s vital to raise awareness of blood donation and increase supply in order to save as many lives as possible.
The availability and provision of blood may be a life-or-death situation for individuals who have been involved in an accident and have lost a lot of blood or who need it for medical treatment and operations. Blood donation is a great deed that saves lives. Therefore, the key aim of
this annual campaign is to raise awareness of the need for blood and blood products for transfusion and to acknowledge the critical contribution that voluntary, unpaid blood donors make to the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK.
Once again the CWU is supporting NHSBT (National Health Service Blood and Transplant) to raise awareness, and individual CWU members and their families, friends and colleagues are encouraged to step forward as donors. UK National Blood Donation Week 13-19 June 2022 and the World Blood Donor Day 14 June 2022 are described as one of the most critical national campaign weeks and international campaign days commemorated worldwide.
NHSBT also want to focus on encouraging young people, who might be a bit nervous or unsure about giving blood, to feel encouraged to sign up and start donating, so that the donor population doesn’t decline but stays strong, replacing those retiring donors. It’s also to highlight the need to for donations to be regular in order to keep stocks and quality of blood donations high.
Blood donation saves millions of lives annually and helps with the recovery and health of patients who have illnesses, are accident victims (at work, on the roads or at home etc.), have sustained injuries, undergone complex operations or have childbirth problems. Blood stocks are also essential in natural and man-made disasters.
Some blood types are rare, so promoting the need for rare donor types is also part of this event. UK National Blood Donation Week (13-19 June), incorporating the World Blood Donor Day (14 June) are vital in highlighting the need for blood donors and regular donations.
National Blood Donor Week is our annual chance to support the valid cause and campaign! The message to CWU Members is – “Blood is precious, and your donations are truly life-saving.” Would Branches and Health and Safety Reps spread the word, encouraging people to sign up as blood donors and start saving lives as well as existing donors to continue their great contribution of donating to help us keep blood stocks healthy.
Why should people donate blood?
Safe blood saves lives and improves health. Blood transfusion is needed for people who lose too much blood through work or road accident injuries, those undergoing major surgery and complex operations, cancer patients, those with certain illnesses that destroy blood cells, women with complications of pregnancy, such as ectopic pregnancies and haemorrhage before, during or after childbirth, children with severe anaemia etc. It is also needed for regular transfusions for people with conditions such as Thalassaemia and Sickle Cell disease and is used to make products such as clotting factors for people with haemophilia.
There is a constant need for regular blood supply because blood can be stored for only a limited time before use. Regular blood donations by a sufficient number of healthy people are needed to ensure that safe blood will be available whenever and wherever it is needed.
Blood is the most precious gift that anyone can give to another person — the gift of life. A decision to donate your blood can save a life, or even several if your blood is separated into its components — red cells, platelets and plasma — which can be used individually for patients with specific conditions.
NHSBT is on a mission to raise awareness of the importance of blood donation and recruit more new donors in order to save and improve lives.
As well as working with partners such as the CWU to boost national noise and conversation around blood donation, in response to patient needs there is a particular focus this year on reaching and engaging black blood donors, who are more likely to have the rare blood types needed to treat diseases like Sickle Cell.
The need for new donors – Biggest ever blood donor recruitment drive launched to help NHS recover
As the nation emerges from the pandemic which has limited the availability of appointments and seats in blood donor clinics, the NHSBT have been working hard to rebuild blood stocks and need all the help they can get. Now, as life returns to normal, following a period when fewer people were donating regularly, the NHS needs new blood donors to play a crucial role in its recovery. New donors are needed to register and donate blood. Demand for blood is now back at pre-pandemic levels and may increase in the coming months as hospitals continue to catch up on delayed activity.
Blood TypeShortages:
NHSBT report that the NHS needs more O negative, B negative and A negative donors.
Only 2% of regular blood donors have the ‘Ro’ blood subtype so there’s a gap between the number of donations NHSBT collect and the amount of ‘Ro’ blood subtype hospitals need. ‘Ro’ blood is a rare blood type and there are patients in real need of it. So more blood donors with the ‘Ro’ subtype are needed urgently.
Plasma is needed to create unique life-saving medicines to help save and transform the lives of over 17,000 people in the UK each year. Give Plasma – save lives!
NHSBT Thanks to CWU:
NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) have again welcomed the support of the CWU and its members and asked me to convey their thanks for the continued support of our Trade Union.
The CWU Health, Safety & Environment Department will again be fully supporting the week and continuing the work done together in previous years and we hope that Branches, Regional Health and Safety Forums, Health and Safety Reps and all other Branch Officials and CWU Reps can join in and can get involved again to make 2022 a successful year.
For Further Information and Answers to Any Question About Becoming a Blood Donor – Contact NHSBT:
SATURDAY JUNE 18th – TRADE UNIONS MUST DELIVER THE CHANGE THE UK NEEDS
Monday night’s debacle in Westminster with the Prime Minister narrowly avoiding defeat in a vote of no confidence, yet vowing to carry on, spells out clearly that the scale of change workers and the country needs will not come from politicians. A New Deal for Workers and the change we need at this moment to challenge the impact of the cost of living crisis and deliver proper pay rises for workers must be led by trade unions.
The CWU has always been at the forefront of this campaign and separately we also have ongoing industrial action ballots across our two major employers, a live dispute with the Post Office and serious negotiations in a number of other companies.
This backdrop gives us another opportunity to remind branches that next Saturdays rally (June 18th, 11amPortland Place) in London is a huge moment not only for the CWU but the whole trade union movement.
We are seeing signs online and across the other unions that we are heading for an excellent turnout.
The CWU led the call for this rally to be held and has led the New Deal for Workers campaign from day one and we must now deliver.
We must now deliver the biggest mobilisation at a public event in the union’s history.
We recognise the amount of work branches, reps are putting into winning the ongoing disputes across the union, and your efforts will deliver for our members as always.
Saturday 18th June is complimentary to this work and as previously communicated; we will be using all of our communications channels to get the vote out in the BT Group and Royal Mail Group ballots with live broadcasts, videos and podcasts.
It is crucial every single branch in the UK brings the biggest possible delegation to London and we ask you to consider and with just over one week to go we ask you to give further consideration to the following:
Getting all Branch Committee members to attend
Releasing all local reps to attend (or as many as possible)
Encouraging all members with days off to attend
Asking everyone who is attending to bring friends and members of their families
Next week we will share the exact location of the CWU block in Portland Place and any final messages.
Thank you for all your work on this and our other campaigns.
Saturday 18th June will be a fantastic day – lets deliver for our union and the movement.
Branches are advised that the meeting at Acas in relation to the pay dispute took place last Wednesday 1st June. I was accompanied by Saf Khan, Postal Executive and Lorna Pearson, Policy Advisor. As expected, a resolution was not forthcoming during this initial meeting; however the parties discussed in a constructive manner several key areas where it is hoped progress can be made. To this end, a further meeting has been arranged for Wednesday 28th June. This is later than ideal but is unavoidable due to previously arranged commitments including annual leave for both Acas and Capita.
The following Joint Statement has been agreed:
As previously advised, both parties agreed to involve Acas to assist us in finding a solution to the pay negotiations. To this end, we met at the Acas offices last Wednesday 31st May. This meeting was facilitated and conducted by a Senior Acas Conciliator whose skills enabled us to have an open exchange of views and to explore options. As a result, a number of issues were discussed and both parties have agreed to go away and seriously consider these matters further.
We have agreed to meet at Acas again after both parties have had the opportunity to give all the discussions further consideration. This will take place towards the end of this month, which unfortunately is the earliest available date due to various people’s commitments.
We understand you will be wishing to see a positive outcome to these talks. However, as these matters are complex, it does take time to make progress. We therefore request that you remain patient and we thank you for this.
We’ll be in touch again after our next meeting to update everyone.
Kind regards
Paul Johnston Andy Furey
Capita TVL Managing Director CWU Assistant Secretary
Members’ Pay Survey
We shared with Capita and Acas an interim report prepared by our Research Department with regards to the survey which we conducted just prior to the Acas talks. Essentially, we canvassed our members for their opinions on pay and wider pay-related matters such as pensions. It is fair to say the interim results were very powerful and fully supported our policies.
It should be noted, the closing date for the survey has now been extended due to technical issues at Capita’s end. As previously reported, we used Capita email addresses to contact our members and unfortunately the company’s firewall has blocked access for some members which frustratingly has prohibited responses to the survey. Capita has undertaken to rectify this problem; hence the decision to extend the closing date to allow for full participation.
Our Senior Capita Reps have been urged to encourage those members who were previously having access issues to now participate in the survey. A full report on the responses to the survey will be published in due course and will be used to further support our claim in the Acas talks.
Finally, we have arranged an on-line meeting with our Capita Reps for Monday 13th June where I will elaborate on the Acas discussions and potential next steps.
CWU Eastern No5 Branch 