LINDA ROY

It is with deep sadness that I write to advise you that Linda Roy, our former Head of Equality has passed away on Thursday 27^th October.

Linda made a great contribution to our Union over many years and was one of the first women to be elected as a National Officer from the postal side.

Linda was a very strong advocate and role model for women at all levels within the CWU, she also fought tirelessly for equality and against all forms of discrimination and prejudice throughout her long career, including in her wider trade union and labour movement role.

I know I speak on behalf of all of those who knew Linda, in saying she will be sorely missed by her many friends and colleagues both within and outside the union and we offer our sincere condolences to her husband Alex and Linda’s family.

Further details on the funeral arrangements will follow in due course.

Any enquiries on the above LTB should be addressed to the General Secretary at jdunn@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely

Dave Ward
General Secretary 

22LTB435 Linda Roy

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RMPFSL – PAY AND ASSOCIATED MATTERS – DISPUTE UPDATE

The two days Industrial Action taken on Thursday 20^th and Tuesday 25^th was very well supported by our members and we would like to thank every member and representative for their magnificent response.

By now you will have all seen the communications from Stuart Davies (Managing Director for RMPFSL) issued earlier this week which now sets out the company’s latest proposal, which they later advised was their full and final offer.

We have attached to this LTB the latest letter from RMPFSL management which is dated the 28^th of October.

We have held several meetings with RMPFSL management over recent months with the latest meeting taking place on Monday the 24^th of October.  Prior to this meeting, both parties felt progress had been made on most of the issues and we had made it clear to the company, we would not name further action whilst progress was being made.  However, at the meeting of the 24^th the company went into a complete reversal, in fact worsening the offer from their previous position.

As a result of this, the Postal Executive has endorsed the rejection of what RMPFSL have described as their full and final offer and also attached to this LTB is the CWU formal reply, which sets out the union’s position and grounds for the rejection.

To be clear, the CWU remains open and ready for further talks and wishes to reach an agreement as soon as possible.  However, in the absence of movement from RMPFSL the Postal Executive has also agreed to look at next steps including considering further Industrial Action in order to achieve our objective of reaching an agreement and a fair outcome for our members on all of the issues in dispute.  We will be engaging with our RMPFSL Reps and Branches and further updates will be issued to Branches and members in due course.

Any enquiries to this LTB please contact: The PTCS Department reference 301, email address: khay@cwu.org or to the Outdoor Department quoting reference 120.12 email address: njones@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,

Carl Maden                                         Mark Baulch

Assistant Secretary                          Assistant Secretary

Attachment 1: 22LTB434 RMPFSL – Pay and Associated Matters – Dispute Update

Attachment 2: Attachment 1 to 22LTB434 – RMPFSL letter dated 28th October 2022

Attachment 3: Attachment 2 to 22LTB434 – CWU Grounds for Rejection letter dated 1st November 2022

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HSE – Workplace Health Expert Committee (WHEC) On-Line ‘Free’ Seminar – ‘Work Related Suicide, An Evidence Review’

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Chief Scientific Advisor has informed the CWU Health, Safety and Environment Department of an on-line ‘free’ to attend seminar – organised by the HSE’s Workplace Health Expert Committee (WHEC) on the subject of ‘Work Related Suicide, An Evidence Review.’ HSE invite CWU Representatives to join this lunchtime seminar to hear two of the authors discuss the findings of the WHEC Evidence Review on Work Related Suicide.

The seminar will take place online on Wednesday 16 November 2022, 1pm – 2pm. 

Seminar Speakers:

Dr. Emma Donaldson-Feilder is a Registered Occupational Psychologist with a particular focus on the role of leadership and line management on employee health and wellbeing, who aims to support the development of kinder, wiser workplaces, with more relational leadership and people management, and improved employee health and wellbeing. Emma is a founding director of Affinity Health at Work, a niche research and consultancy provider, using an evidence-based approach to help employers and managers improve employee health, wellbeing and engagement. Emma has been a member of WHEC since it was created in 2015.

Dr. Paul Litchfield CBE FRCP FFOM is a British physician. He is Independent Chief Medical Adviser to ITV & Compass Group and visiting Professor to Coventry University. Paul was Chief Medical Officer for BT Group plc from 2001 to 2018. He reviewed the Work Capability Assessment run by Atos for the Department for Work and Pensions in 2013 and 2014 and he is an advisor to the UK Government on the relationship between mental ill-health, absence from work and the take up of out-of-work sickness benefits. He was awarded the OBE in 2007. In 2018 he was created a CBE for services to workplace wellbeing.

The HSE Workplace Health Expert Committee (WHEC) was asked to consider the occupational factors that may contribute to the risk of work-related suicide.

The HSE WHEC found that;

Suicide risk varies strongly between occupational groups in the UK, with the highest risks chiefly in workers in low skilled, and some skilled, positions. The likely links between suicide and these occupations are precarious employment with episodes of unemployment, a largely male workforce, relatively high incidence of workplace accidents and lack of consistent social support. High rates of alcohol and drug misuse are also associated with increased risk of suicide.

In the UK, there are no systematic methods of taking an overview of employee suicides in an organisation or workplace. It would be beneficial to establish a way of recording instances of suicide where the contribution made by work may have been material. The HSE WHEC recommends that HSE consider whether the existing Memorandum of Understanding with the Chief Coroner of England and Wales, together with a similar arrangement with Scotland, could provide the basis for acquiring such information. 

“While there are clear differences in risks of suicide between occupational groups in the UK, current means to identify high risk organisations and workplaces are weak.”

The Full HSE WHEC Evidence Review paper is available here: https://www.hse.gov.uk/research/assets/docs/work-related-suicide.pdf

Register for the free HSE WHEC seminar here:https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/seminar-by-whec-work-related-suicides-an-evidence-review-tickets-439654748187

HSE WHEC history; 

The HSE formed the WHEC to provide independent expert advice on:

• new and emerging workplace health issues
• new and emerging evidence relating to existing workplace health issues
• the quality and relevance of the evidence base on workplace health issues

The HSE Board decided it is important that HSE’s work is built on sound science and informed by the best available evidence. To this end, HSE appointed the Workplace Health Expert Committee (WHEC) to provide independent, authoritative, impartial and timely expertise on workplace health.

WHEC is a scientific and medical expert committee whose purpose is to consider the evidence linking workplace hazards to ill health. Working under the leadership of an independent expert Chair, it considers chemical and physical hazards, and human, behavioural or organisational factors in the workplace (for example shift work) leading to physiological and psychological ill health. It does not consider wellbeing, sickness absence management or rehabilitation as these issues are dealt with elsewhere in Government. Nor is it able to consider individual cases of ill health.

WHEC will assess the evidence base concerning health issues within its remit and will seek to effectively and appropriately communicate the resultant health risk.

The Committee membership is as follows:

• Chair: Professor Sir Anthony Newman-Taylor
• Professor Peter Buckle
• Professor John Cherrie
• Professor Paul Cullinan
• Dr. Emma Donaldson-Feilder
• Professor Len Levy
• Professor Martie van Tongeren
• Dr. Joanna Wilde
• Dr. Paul Litchfield

WHEC’s reports cover evidence reviews and position papers giving their independent expert opinion on key topics for workplace health. The contents of WHEC reports, including any opinions and/or conclusions expressed, are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily reflect HSE policy.

For further information:

Penny Barker
HSE WHEC secretariat, Science Division
Room 2.1 Redgrave Court, Merton Road, Bootle, Merseyside, L20 7HS
Tel: 0203 028 4071

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

22LTB433 HSE – Workplace Health Expert Committee (WHEC) On-Line ‘Free’ Seminar – ‘Work Related Suicide, An Evidence Review’

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Royal Mail, Parcelforce and RM International Christmas Operations 2022 – Temporary Outhouses and Marquees – Health and Safety

This is to inform and update Branches and Area Health and Safety Representatives that for the eleventh year running, Royal Mail Opps, Parcelforce Worldwide and Royal Mail International are setting up and opening a dedicated network of temporary outhouses, overflow, relief sites as part of the 2022 Christmas operations, to deal with and handle the significantly increased traffic volumes and to sort a significant proportion of the parcels/packets Royal Mail handles before distribution around the UK and final delivery. The sites will be opening on a phased basis from November.

The temporary network will handle a significant proportion of the additional parcels/packets from the normal sorting network of Mail Centres and Regional Distribution Centres, enabling Royal Mail to cope adequately with the increased volumes of parcel/packet traffic as a result of the continued growth of online retail shopping as effectively as possible, providing Royal Mail with increased capacity and flexibility needed as well as reducing the potential for congestion in Mail Centres and Regional Distribution Centres that sort parcels, cards and letters at the busiest time of the year. The set up will also enable the operation to cope better in the event of any severe weather conditions.

Discussions have taken place with Royal Mail Group in relation to Health and Safety at the Temporary Outhouse Christmas Sort Centres and Satellite Offices and the Joint Statement attached has been agreed with the Royal Mail Group Interim Director of Safety. This applies to all temporary offices and operations and ensures the full access and involvement of CWU ASRs in order to be fully consulted and to undertake Health and Safety inspections, pre-start and ongoing safety spot-checks once operational and to be fully involved, working with the RMG SHE Team, Property Team and Operational Management, to deal with any health, safety, welfare and working environment issues both before and during occupation. All the relevant safety documents agreed with CWU by the Royal Mail Group Central SHE Team are attached.

The agreed Royal Mail Group (including Parcelforce Worldwide and RM International)/CWU Joint Statement provides a strong commitment to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace, safe work methods and safe equipment at the Temporary Outhouse Offices, Hubs, Marquees etc., for all staff, and ensures the provision of information, training, supervision and fit for purpose equipment needed to achieve this.

Operational Management supported by the RMG SHE Team will take responsibility for health and safety procedures, working with CWU Area Safety Representatives.

RMG/CWU Joint Statement:

The Joint Statement covers: staff safety training and information including site induction training, statutory Health and Safety notices in place, manual handling training, new/temp employees and visitors, safe systems of work, environmental controls, adequate heating and lighting safe place of work, risk assessment, housekeeping, safe machines, plant and equipment, fault reporting, noise and dust control, fire safety and evacuation plan, first aid, ensuring all accidents and near misses are reported and investigated, emergency procedures, joint workplace safety inspections and monitoring. Site access and involvement of CWU Area Safety Representatives, workplace transport and yard risk controls, continued effective vehicle and pedestrian segregation on site, PPE, emergency procedures and workplace monitoring are also included.

Safety Documents:

I also attach several safety documents agreed with us by the Royal Mail Group Central SHE

Team which have gone out to Royal Mail Regions, and Safety Teams which they have been asked to complete when introducing additional Outhouses or Temporary Structures to support their Christmas operation. These are:

(1) Safety Assessment and Concurrence (SAC1) Unit Level Action Plan

(2) Temporary Accommodation Health & Safety Checklist

(3) Temporary Accommodation Health & Safety Checklist Marquees on existing sites

(4) Guidance Note For Persons In Control (PIC) Where Temporary Heating is Provided

SAC1 & Risk Assessments:

Completion of the SAC 1 in particular may lead to the requirement to review a number of risk assessments in light of changes being introduced, for example:

• Yard – Primarily to ensure continued effective vehicle and pedestrian segregation on site.
• Workplace – To identify and record any other significant risk issue inside the building.
• First Aid – Some of these sites can be remote and require first aid provision to be made.
• PPE – Potentially a number of risks at the site in terms of vehicle/pedestrian segregation and with adjacent properties who share the yard.
• Work Equipment – Normal work equipment may not suit some premises/environments.
• Fire Risk Assessment including fire evacuation plans – essential.

Royal Mail will also be ensuring the following points have been considered: 

• Site induction training – Everyone will be new to the premises.
• Statutory Notices in place – See the new Health and Safety notice board standard.
• Accident reporting procedure – Arrangement in place to allow reporting of accidents and near misses.
• Heating – RMPFS directive followed for temporary heating.
• Housekeeping standards – To minimise the risk of slip and trip accidents.
• Manual handling training – For all the temporary staff.

This set of clear arrangements will help overcome problems experienced in the past with Christmas ‘Outhouses’, ensuring better Health and Safety standards, joint working and problem solving.

Attached are the Royal Mail Opps, Parcelforce Worldwide and Royal Mail International locations of the Christmas Outhouses and additional buildings and Marquee Accommodation being used for the Christmas period 2022.

Attachments:

• RMG/CWU Christmas Joint Statement 2022
• Guidance Document for Temporary Heating (Guidance to Person In Control)
• Temporary Outhouses Health and Safety Checklists
• SHEI 5.3 Change Management Guidance Document
• SAC1 Unit Level Action Plan (SHEI 5.3)
• Marquees on Existing Sites – Health and Safety Checklist
• Change Management SAC1 (SHEI 5.3)
• Checklist for Use of Temporary Heating Appliances
• Royal Mail Opps, Parcelforce Worldwide and Royal Mail International list of Additional Accommodation Christmas 2022

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

22LTB432 Royal Mail Parcelforce and RM International Christmas Operations 2022 – Temporary Outhouses and Marquees

Christmas Joint Statement 2022

PFS2_360a_Temporary Heating Person in Control Guide

PFS2_350_Temporary Outhouses

Change Management Guidance SAC1(SHEI 5.3)(Appendix 1)

SAC1 Unit Level Action Plan (SHEI 5.3) (Appendix 3)

PFS2_355_Marquees on Existing Sites

Change Management SAC1 (SHEI 5.3) (v2.1)

PFS2_360b_Checklist for Use of Temporary Heating Appliances

Copy of RMG Xmas 22 Site List for Compliance

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Tuesday at 6pm – a vital live session with Carl Maden and our Fleet and Engineering members. Please get the word out.

It will be live on our Facebook, YouTube and Twitter channels and also via this direct link https://youtu.be/_jUA_CH6b9A

StandByYourPost

ROYAL MAIL GROUP: PAY AND CHANGE DISPUTES

As reported via Facebook Live last night, the Postal Executive has determined a new strategy to pursue our aims and objectives.  We have always said the dispute was dynamic and would require us to be flexible to deal with any developments.  Therefore, in view of the revised pay and change offer received from Royal Mail on Monday (attached), we have decided the best approach is to withdraw the national strike action scheduled for:

• Saturday 12^th November and Monday 14^th November

The Postal Executive has replaced the above with two 48 strikes around the key pressure periods of Black Friday and Cyber Monday as follows:

• 48 hours from 04:00 Thursday 24^th November until 04:00 Saturday 26^th November
• 48 hours from 04:00 Wednesday 30^th November until 04:00 Friday 2^ndDecember

In addition, the Postal Executive will determine a programme of action up to Christmas.

Consultative Ballot of all Members to Reject the Pay & Change Offer

We will also be conducting a workplace consultative ballot of our members to support the rejection of the RMG pay and change offer, which covers Fleet and Parcelforce for Change but is silent on pay for these members.  Arrangements are in progress to ensure Branches receive the ballot papers for distribution to members starting from early next week.  This consultative ballot will close on Wednesday 16^th November, which is the eve of Royal Mail Group’s half yearly financial results being announced to the markets. 

To support the necessary membership engagement, we will be holding an on-line Zoom meeting with all Representatives on Monday 7^thNovember at 6.30pm, in order to provide more details surrounding this crucial activity.  Further details on the wider communications plan will be reported.

Vote of No Confidence in Simon Thompson, CEO

Coupled with the pay and change consultative ballot will be a further question on the ballot paper whereby we will be recommending members support a Vote of No Confidence in Simon Thompson, CEO.  This is necessary due to the strategic direction he is taking the company in, which essentially is an all-out attack on our members’ jobs, pay, terms and conditions, including Compulsory Redundancies and Outsourcing. We believe there has been gross mismanagement of Royal Mail Group which will be declaring a loss for the first six months of the year, yet only in May declared a record profit of £758m and paid out £594m this year in the form of shareholder dividends and a share buy-back.  The reality is, responsibility for RMG’s loss making lies at the door of the CEO and Royal Mail Group Board.

Our strength lies within the workplace and by engaging directly with our members.  As the consultative ballots will be our main focus over the course of the next two weeks we will therefore be providing Reps with communication materials to support an effective membership engagement. It was the unanimous view of the Postal Executive that the strike action scheduled for 12^th and 14^th Novemberwould have been a distraction to delivering massive votes to support the rejection of the pay & change offer and the vote of no confidence and this is why we have withdrawn.   

Acas Negotiations with Royal Mail Group

We are more committed than ever to resolving these disputes and have informed Royal Mail Group we remain available for meaningful negotiations at Acas.  However, for progress to be made, it will require Royal Mail moving away from the unrealistic position contained within the pay & change proposal.  The calling of the two 48 bouts of strike action is specifically designed to place pressure on Royal Mail to negotiate a solution for a holistic settlement that encompasses all of our members including Parcelforce and Fleet. 

Major Shareholder Meeting

We have also decided to invite all major shareholders to a meeting to hear the Union’s view of this dispute.  This will be based upon us putting forward the real reasons why Royal Mail Group faces serious challenges.  We will also set out our views as to what we believe resolves the dispute, together with an alternative business plan that can build a successful future for the company and our members. 

Yours sincerely,                                                                                                                                   

Dave Ward                                                   

General Secretary 

Andy Furey

Acting Deputy General Secretary (Postal)    

LTB 431/22 – Royal Mail Group Pay and Change Disputes

Attachment: Stuart MacDonald to Dave Ward & Andy Furey – New Offer – 31 Oct

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World Ventil8 Day – Theme ‘Improving Ventilation for a Healthier World’ – Free Webinar For Health and Safety Reps on Tuesday 8 November 2022 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM:

This is to notify CWU health and Safety Reps in particular and any CWU Rep with interest that the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) have launched ‘World Ventil8 Day’ with the theme of ‘Improving Ventilation for a Healthier World’ and they’ve announced a ‘World Ventil8 Day Live Webinar with various partners and academics involved on a panel of experts.

The Webinar is ‘free’ to attend and attendees will join a BESA compiled panel of experts. The Webinar will discuss how good ventilation can improve health, safety and wellbeing as well as protect buildings. The Webinar will share top ventilation tips and practical solutions to implement in workplaces, homes and schools. Some of the ‘key questions’ addressed will be:

• What is ventilation?
• What is the right solution for my building?
• How does it improve sleep/health/productivity?
• How do I know if I have a ventilation problem?
• Can ventilation really reduce the spread of flu, colds, viruses and other diseases?
• Energy costs mean I don’t want to open my windows in winter – what options do I have?

BESA are supporting the global awareness campaign to promote the critical role building ventilation plays in improving health, safety, well-being, sleep and productivity alongside scientists, academics, engineering bodies and environmental activists.

As well as showcasing the range of ventilation solutions available to building owners and occupiers, ‘WorldVentil8Day’ will recognise the skilled people who implement the measures and strategies used to make buildings healthier and safer – highlighting the need for training and recruiting more skilled people to take on this growing global, challenging task.

BESA are planning a series of events and knowledge sharing about reducing ventilation, combatting exposure to air pollutants and infectious diseases and reducing mould and damp in buildings with ventilation solutions available to building owners and occupiers and implementing measures and strategies used to make buildings healthier and safer – highlighting the need for training and recruiting more skilled people to take on this growing global task.

BESA are a membership organisation formerly known as the Heating and Ventilating Contractors’ Association (HVCA). Now trading as BESA, their primary focus is to support and serve their members active in the design, installation, commissioning, maintenance, control and management of engineering systems and services in buildings. BESA takes an active interest in the building services and the wider construction industries, voicing their professional views and driving for initiatives that represent the best interests of those who work within the built environment. They safeguard industry skills in regard to delivering industry specific training. Representing the industry in gaining agreement from clients including insurers, councils and retailers to specify BESA accredited members in future tenders. Spearheading mental health awareness and championing the business case for diversity.  They establish technical standards and best practice guides, develop and deliver industry specific training to represent best standards across the UK, provide accreditation schemes and promote good quality.

Address:

Building Engineering Services Association (BESA)
Rotherwick House
3 Thomas More St
St Katharine’s & Wapping
London E1W 1YZ

Tel: 020 7313 4900

Registration on-line is at this link: –https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/3133848259128007947
12:00pm GMT – Tuesday 8 November 2022

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

22LTB430 World Ventil8 Day – Theme ‘Improving Ventilation for a Healthier World’ – Free Webinar For H&S Reps 8 November 2022

Ventil8 Poster A4

Ventilation Factsheet CWU Nov.2022

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