Branches are advised that a further meeting took place at Acas with Post Office yesterday afternoon. No improved offer was made, although a constructive discussion took place. We have agreed that dialogue should continue and we plan to meet again at Acas on Tuesday 30th August.
On a without prejudice basis, we jointly explored various options. Consequently, both parties agreed to reflect upon this matter further prior to meeting next Tuesday. The commitment to continuing talks indicates Post Office would ideally like to find a way forward if possible. We therefore remain hopeful that further engagement between the parties will allow for more progress; however, there is no guarantee of this as there remains some distance between us on what would constitute a reasonable outcome.
In view of the above, the various strikes planned around the bank holiday weekend will go ahead as follows:
LTB 344/22 – Royal Mail Property and Facilities Solutions – Pay and Associated Matters Dispute 2022
No: 344/22
Date: 23rd August 2022
TO: All Postal and Telecom & Financial Services Branches with Members in RMPFS
Dear Colleagues
Royal Mail Property and Facilities Solutions Limited (RMPFSL) – Pay and Associated Matters Dispute 2022
Branches should be aware we have served notice today to RMPFS in pursuit of our claims for a cost of living increase and associated matters including parity of benefits with the rest of the Royal Mail Group.
The following timetable has been endorsed by the Postal Executive:
Serve notice: 23rd August 2022 Ballot opens: 30th August 2022 Ballot closes: 27th September 2022
We have also planned a Facebook live session for our members next Tuesday at 7.30 pm, which will provide RMPFS Members and Branches with the opportunity to hear from the National Officers on the eve of receiving their ballot papers and to ask questions.
It is imperative all Branches engage with their RMPFS Members in exactly the same way we have with other members who are in dispute. Our Cleaners, Engineers and Generic Admin Members deserve a pay rise, they too were on the frontline during the pandemic as well as suffering during this cost of living crisis and we must do everything we can to maximise a huge YES vote.
Please ensure this communication is brought to the attention of our Cleaning, Engineering and Generic Admin members as a matter of urgency.
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.
CWU Retired Members Conference – Tuesday 15th November 2022
The CWU Retired Members Conference will be held on Tuesday 15th November 2022 at CWU Head Office, 150 The Broadway, Wimbledon, SW19 1RX.
a) Delegates
Only Branches with Retired members Sections are entitled to send Delegates.
Branch delegate entitlement to this Conference as agreed by the NEC is as follows:
Number of Retired Members Delegate entitlement
1-249 1 250-499 2 500 and above 3
Retired Members Regional Committee Secretaries shall attend the Retired Members conference with the right to speak and move motions on behalf of their Retired Members Regional Committee but not to vote. Funding for Retired Members Regional Committee Secretaries to attend Retired Members Conference shall be from the General Fund.
In order that we can cater for any delegate with special needs such as seating, dietary requirements etc., it is important that you advise us in writing of the name of the delegate(s) and the particular requirement by return but no later than Friday 21st October 2022.
b) Motions
Each Branch is entitled to submit one motion for consideration to be included on the agenda of the Conference. Motions should be submitted electronically to conferences@cwu.org using the attached template. Confirmation of receipt of motion will be sent to branches within 72 hours. Should confirmation not be received within this time branches are asked to contact Angela Niven on 020 8971 7256 Branches who do not have this facility may request paper motion forms by contacting the Angela Niven on 020 8971 7256.
Branches, Regions and the Committee are reminded that the Standing Orders Committee will not alter or amend any of the motions submitted therefore it is important that motions are checked before they are submitted.
Each Retired Members Regional Committee is entitled to submit one Motion to the Retired Members Conference.
The Retired Members Committee are entitled to submit up to three motions to the Conference, standing in their name.
Motion forms must be returned by NOON on Thursday 29th September 2022. Anything received after this date will not be accepted. All sections of the form must be completed.
If Motions are being sent electronically they will only be accepted to the above email address.
As with previous Conferences, the agenda will be structured in such a way as to maximise debate and participation by delegates. There will be 2 sections to the agenda, one for motions which are eligible for consideration for submission to General Conference, and one for motions that in the view of the Standing Orders Committee would not be admissible to the General Conference agenda.
Branches will be aware that the Retired Members’ Conference has the entitlement under the rules of the union to submit 2 motions to stand in the name of the conference to General Conference. It is therefore important that if branches wish their motions to be in this category, they must contain policy that is capable of being discharged by the NEC, as opposed to either of the Industrial Executives.
The 2 motions for submission to the General Conference agenda will be decided from amongst those motions adopted at the Conference. A ballot to select the 2 motions will be held at the Conference.
c) Election of Delegates to General Conference
As you will know, the Retired Members’ Conference will select two delegates to represent the Retired Members to attend General Conference 2020.
The Standing Orders for the Retired Members’ Conference will advise a ballot to select these two delegates will be conducted during Conference itself.
Additionally, individuals must be willing to accept nomination, and must have the nomination of their own branch and/or the Retired Members’ Committee, to be eligible.
The exception to this are members of the Retired Members’ Committee themselves who may be proposed for these positions but need to have the nomination of the Retired Members’ Committee and/or any Regional Committee.
Any enquiries regarding this LTB should be addressed to Angela Niven either by post to head office or by email to conferences@cwu.org
Branches are advised Post Office has today improved the pay offer for 2022/23 during the course of our discussions at Acas. The revised offer, which has been rejected as being inadequate due to the cost of living emergency is:
5% pay increase (up from the previous offer of 3%) for all grades from 1st April 2022 flowing through to all allowances and overtime rates
£500 one-off lump sum (unconsolidated) for all grades (including part-timers) presented by Post Office as being in recognition of the escalating cost of living.
The above development is evidently progress, nevertheless we remain in dispute over the pay freeze position for 2021/22. In overall terms, the offer is insufficient for what amounts to a two year period. In simple terms, the offer is not even half the current rate of inflation (RPI for July was 12.3%), which is forecast to continue rising in the coming months; hence the reason for rejecting the improved offer.
Post Office has also agreed to meet again at Acas next week at a date and time to be confirmed. Hopefully further progress can be made.
I would encourage Reps and Branches to bring this latest position to the attention of our Post Office members.
Please find below information about our Autumn courses offer, I am also attaching a few pathways posters and our brochure. At the WEA, we specialise in providing supportive, inspiring learning opportunities, delivered by professional tutors who are experts in their field. We do this both in person at venues and online, so there’s a learning solution for everyone. We would like to reach those who are harder to reach, for example in deprived communities or from different backgrounds and anyone who needs our support. Our courses are fully funded by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority and are free to anyone 19+ on benefits and/or on a low income. I would much appreciate it if you could share this information about our courses and programmes with anyone who might benefit from them.
Thank you in advance for your commitment to helping us reach those who would like to learn more, upskill and gain new qualifications. If you have any questions or would like more information please email us at cambs@wea.org.uk
Students can enrol on our courses either online (links below) or over the phone on 0300 303 34 64. They will need a course reference (see below).
WEA Course Offer Autumn 2022
· ESOL courses online, all levels (both accredited and non-accredited)
Initial assessment required before joining these courses, please see below the dates:
Level 1 Introduction to Support and Teaching in Schools course, start date: 02/11/2022 Ref: C2229128
Level 2 Award in Support Work in Schools and Colleges – initial assessment required before joining, please register on C2228887 and complete the initial assessment tasks before the end of August
· Parenting and SEND courses
Helping with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) start date: 11/10/2022 Ref: C2229124
Royal Mail Group ‘Severe Weather (HOT WEATHER) Safety Controls Guidance – Supplementary to the Severe Weather Risk Assessment – Message Sent To All Unit Managers/PiCs:
Royal Mail Group have ‘updated’ their ‘Severe Weather (HOT WEATHER) Safety Controls Guidance’ which is supplementary to the Severe Weather Risk Assessment.
A joint post implementation review was carried out following the Met Office ‘Red Warning’ severe (Over 35C/95F) heatwave on 17, 18 and 19 July. Following those discussions, Royal Mail Group in consultation with the CWU Health, Safety and Environment Department have developed and issued fresh, clearer guidance to clarify and simplify the understanding and process for dealing with severe hot weather and safely managing the workforce to ensure their wellbeing.
I would firstly refer all Branches to the contents of previous LTBs – 310/22 308/22, 306/22, 305/22 226/22 and 213/22.
In developing the new guidance, the implications were considered for the Royal Mail Group workforce as a whole, both indoor and outdoor but for the outdoor workforce in particular who are most affected in hot, sunny, high temperature and heatwave conditions.
The new updated, supplementary guidance designed to deal better with extreme heat (copy attached) has been issued to all Royal Mail Group managers in respect of last week’s Met Office ‘Amber Hot Weather Warning’ and further expected Met Office ‘Amber and Red Weather Warnings’ to come later this month where forecasts are that 35C could be reached on 27 August with high temperatures of 30C/86F to 32C/90F in the days before and after that date.
A copy of the ‘Royal Mail Group‘Severe Weather (HOT WEATHER) Safety Controls Guidance’ communication is attached for your urgent and priority attention. (Note: This applies to all businesses Royal Mail, Parcelforce Worldwide, RMSS, Royal Mail Property and Facilities Solutions, RM Engineering, RM Fleet etc).
Daily SWRA To Be Completed:
The communication to all PiCs and Managers reinforces the very important need for the implementation of the ‘Severe Weather Risk Assessment’ (SWRA) process in all Offices on a daily basis and with the involvement and consultation of CWU ASRs.
Key Points:
Key points in the ‘Severe Weather (HOT WEATHER) Safety Controls Guidance’ are as follows:
The guidance communication sets out the businesses’ approach to dealing with the hot weather/intense sunlight, including Amber Warning/Red Warning heat wave situations and gives a clear national steer to managers/PiCs, working with full CWU ASR/WSR engagement/involvement locally, as an integral part of the SWRA process.
During hot weather, high temperatures and intense sunlight, including heatwave warning situations, a SWRA local risk assessment is to be carried out daily and decisions on delivery and collection adjustments and changes as necessary are to be decided upon and deployed locally to protect the workforce.
When a Met Office ‘Red level Warning’ is in place for the majority of the duty and temperatures reach 35C/95F, managers will suspend all outdoor operations. All outdoor work will stop at that point including driving with some driving exceptions and indoor operations making necessary adjustments.
When a Met Office ‘Red level Warning’ or ‘Amber Level Warning’ is in place for part of the duty and temperatures reach 35C/95F, managers will suspend all outdoor operations for that period of the duty during which the warning is in place, including driving with some driving exceptions, with appropriate controls and adjustments made for the rest of the duty. Indoor operations will make necessary adjustments.
General Controls are listed in the guidance.
Job Role additional controls are covered in the guidance.
Personal Judgement – Dynamic Risk Assessment – Important Footnote in the new Guidance:
This important part of the SWRA and guidance needs to be drawn to the attention of all outdoor workforce members:
When working outdoors in hot conditions and sunlight the effects of the weather in the UK environment can potentially have a serious impact on an employee’s health if the risks have not been assessed or properly managed consistent with HSE guidance. This impact may be immediate or it may occur over a long time period.
All staff significantly impacted by severe sun and heat during their shift have the right to make personal judgements including, should it be necessary, suspending their delivery, collection or duty, to an address, part of their duty, or the whole duty where conditions deteriorate.
Anyone feeling unwell should stop work and return to their unit/office/depot etc. A manager should be contacted to confirm any change to duties and if assistance/recovery is required.
It needs to be remembered that ‘Personal Judgement’ can be applied by staff at hot weather temperatures below 35C/95F, in situations where individual outdoor workers feel that the sun exposure and heat is too intense and as a result they feel fatigued, stressed or unwell or for any other health condition which is made worse in the heat and sun, then individuals have the right to make a dynamic risk assessment or personal judgement and choice, if they wish to cut off the their duty and return to the Office. Staff do not have to wait until the 35C/95F is reached or a Met Office Warning has been issued.
CWU ASR/WSR Involvement And Consultation:
Full CWU ASR/WSR involvement and consultation is part of the SWRA process. The Manager must consult the CWU ASR/WSR on the assessment and controls as set out in the assessment process and take account of the ASR/WSR input. The supplementary guidance reinforces and re-emphasises the CWU ASR/WSR involvement.
ASR/WSR Action:
Ensure all Units carry out daily Severe Weather Risk Assessments during the hot weather in consultation with the ASR/WSR and that appropriate fit for purpose risk control actions are taken. Be proactive – if managers don’t contact you – don’t wait – CONTACT THEM!
Any non-compliance by Unit managers should be progressed by the ASR via the nationally agreed Health and Safety Disputes/Escalations process as set out in RMG SHE Standard 5.1.
Convey the ‘Sun Safety’ messages to managers and members repeatedly as follows; – Cover up/keep the dangerous sun rays off your skin. Use sunscreen/sunblock on any exposed skin and avoid sunburn which can lead to skin cancer. Take extra breaks in the shade. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated. Sunburn and dehydration are dangerous. Outdoor staff to make personal judgements throughout the day and return to the office if at any time they feel they need to do so or if they feel unwell, stressed and fatigued due to the heat and intense sunlight.
Ensure that all vulnerable workers with underlying health issues and pregnant workers are individually risk assessed to ensure their health and wellbeing is protected whilst working in the current weather.
Attachment:
Royal Mail Group ‘Severe Weather (HOT WEATHER) Safety Controls Guidance.
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
2022 Dispute Relating to Royal Mail Group Breaking the Pathway to Change and Associated National Agreements and Protections for CWU Represented Grades Employed by Royal Mail Group Consisting of Royal Mail, Parcelforce and Fleet
Please find attached a copy of the declaration of the result for the recent industrial action ballot of the above CWU members employed by Royal Mail Group.
The current legislation requires the union to provide all persons entitled to vote in the ballot and the relevant employers “as soon as is reasonably practicable” after holding of the ballot the following information:
The number of individuals who were entitled to vote in the ballot.
The number of votes cast in the ballot.
The number of individuals answering “Yes” to the question, or as the case may be, to each question.
The number of individuals answering “No” to the question, or as the case may be, to each question.
The number of spoiled or otherwise invalid voting papers returned.
Whether or not the number of votes cast in the ballot is at least 50% of the number of individuals who were entitled to vote in the ballot.
Therefore the ballot result meets the required threshold.
Accordingly you must now take immediate steps to publicise the result to all relevant members, however it is essential that any communications regarding the result must as a minimum contain the information as detailed at items a) to f) inclusively above.
Branches are also reminded that only the National Executive Council has the authority to instruct members to take industrial action.
Further information regarding the next steps of the dispute will be circulated by the DGS (Postal) in due course.
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,Terry PullingerTony KearnsDave WardDeputy General Secretary Postal Senior Deputy General SecretaryGeneral Secretary
CWU Eastern No5 Branch 