POST OFFICE: PAY DISPUTE 2021/22 & 2022/23 – NOTICE SERVED FOR STRIKE ACTION (CROWNS) ON CHRISTMAS EVE

Branches are advised the Postal Executive has endorsed further action and as a result we have today served notice to Post Office for the following Strike Action:

• Crowns – Saturday 24th December from 07.00 until 18.00

In respect of the previously notified Action Short of a Strike for Crown Office members – specifically a Sales Boycott (as communicated to Branches via LTB 475/22), there has been an exchange of letters with Post Office which centred on what a Sales Boycott entailed.  The attached correspondence helps to define what we are asking our members to do from Wednesday 14^th to Friday 23^rdDecember inclusive.  If members are in any doubt, they are advised to speak to their Representative.

Further developments will be reported.

Yours sincerely

Andy Furey
Acting Deputy General Secretary (Postal)

22LTB490 Post Office – Pay Dispute 2021-22 & 2022-23 – Notice Served for Strike Action (Crowns) on Christmas Eve

Attachment 1 to 22LTB490

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ROYAL MAIL GROUP DISPUTES – RE-BALLOT TIMETABLE

Branches and Representatives will be aware the programme of strike action held throughout November, was once again overwhelmingly supported by CWU members across Royal Mail Group.  Twelve days of strike action relating to the two disputes have now taken place with further action and a national rally being held today, as well as further strikes in the lead up to Christmas.

As a consequence of the Tory Anti-Trade Union laws, there is now a legal requirement to conduct a re-ballot of our members after six months.  As previously advised, the six-month period ends on 19th January 2023 for pay and on 17th February 2023 for change.

As the focus of the disputes has now shifted to a combined set of negotiations, it is prudent to ensure a re-ballot reflects this via a single ballot to encompass both of the previous pay and change disputes.  In addition, given the aggressive attitude from Royal Mail Group including the very real possibility for Compulsory Redundancies coupled with the attack on the MTSF terms, the grounds for the ballot must include job security.

The Postal Executive unanimously agreed the following re-ballot timetable after consultation with the SDGS Department:

• Serve notice –                                   Monday 16th January 2023
• Ballot papers despatched –           Monday 23rd January 2023
• Ballot closes –                                  Monday 13th February 2023

This timetable will be announced at the national rally in Parliament Square today.

Once a ‘Yes’ vote is returned the first day of strike action could potentially commence on Monday 27^th February 2023.  Branches should also be aware this does not prevent strike action being taken on change up until 17th February.

The SDGS Department will be contacting Branches imminently to commence preparation for the re-ballot and Branches are requested to treat this matter as a priority.

It cannot be stated enough the current disputes do not end at Christmas and there is still pressure to be exerted in the New Year in the event that Royal Mail Group do not see sense and enter meaningful negotiations.

Branches and Representatives must therefore be sure membership engagement continues to reinforce the message that it is vital another massive ‘Yes’ vote is returned.  Discussions have commenced with the Communications Department concerning the re-ballot and the New Year will see the campaign gather momentum, including a National Briefing (date to be advised).

Any enquiries on the above should be addressed to the General Secretary/Acting Deputy General Secretary (Postal) at jdunn@cwu.org/hford@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely

Dave Ward                                                    Andy Furey
General Secretary                                      Acting Deputy General Secretary (Postal)  

22LTB488 – ROYAL MAIL GROUP DISPUTES RE-BALLOT TIMETABLE

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CWU Young Workers Conference – Tuesday 31^st January 2023

The CWU Young Workers Conference will be held on Tuesday 31^st January 2023 at the CWU Headquarters, 150 The Broadway, Wimbledon, London SW19 1RX

Each Regional Young Workers Sub Committee will be entitled to submit ONEmotion to the Conference Agenda.

Each Branch will be entitled to submit ONE motion to the Conference Agenda.

The Young Workers Committee will be entitled to submit THREE motions to the Conference Agenda.

Motions should be submitted electronically to conferences@cwu.org using the template attached.  Branches or Regions who do not have this facility may request paper motion forms by contacting Angela Niven on 020 8971 7256.

Motion forms must be returned by noon onWednesday 4^th January 2023.   Anything received after this date will not be accepted.   All sections of the form must be completed.

Branches, Regions and the Young Workers 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.

If motions are being sent electronically they will only be accepted if sent 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 are of an industrial nature which are eligible for submission to the Industrial Conferences.

Branches will be aware that the Young Workers Conference has the entitlement under the rules of the union to submit two motions to stand in the name of the conference to General Conference.   The Young Workers Conference may also submit one motion for either the Postal Industry or Telecoms Industry conference from Section 1.

The motions selected for General Conference must contain policy that lies within the responsibility of the NEC, likewise Industrial motions must be able to be carried out by the relevant Industry Executive (Motions for the Telecoms Conference must also refer to a specific business-see attached motion guide).

As with previous Conferences, the motions for submission to the General Conference agenda and the Industrial motions for the Industry Conferences will be decided from amongst those motions adopted at the Conference.  Ballot(s) to select the motions will be held at the Conference.

Delegates

Details for registering delegates and observers will be issued in a further LTB.  Any queries regarding the registration process should be directed to conferences@cwu.org

Regional Young Workers Sub Committee Secretaries shall attend Young Workers Annual Conference in an ex-officio capacity with the right to speak and move motions on behalf of their Regional Young Workers Sub Committee but not to vote.   Funding for Regional Young Workers Committee Secretaries to attend Young Workers Annual Conference shall be from the General Fund.

Branch delegate entitlement to this Conference as agreed by the NEC is as follows:Number of Young MembersDelegate entitlement1-2491250-4992500 and above3

Branches are  urged to make every effort  to  ensure that  their delegation  comprises members  who are either  30 and under  as  of  November or who are serving Branch Young Workers.  The expectation is that voting delegates aged over 30 will be present on an exceptional basis. 

In order that we can cater for any delegate with special needs such as seating, 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 Wednesday 4^th January 2023.

Election of Delegates to General Conference

As you will know, the Young Workers Conference will select two delegates to represent the Young Workers Members to attend General Conference 2023.

The Standing Orders for the Young Workers Conference will advise a ballot to select these two delegates and it will be conducted during Conference itself.  Nominees must be members of the Union and have the support of their branch and/or Regional Young Workers Sub Committee.

Additionally, individuals must be willing to accept nomination.

The exception to this are members of the Young Workers Committee themselves who may be proposed for these positions but need to have the nomination of the Young Workers Committee and/or any Regional Young Workers Sub Committee.

Branches and Regional Young Workers Committees should forward any nominees on the attached form for this ballot to conferences@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,

A P Kearns
Senior Deputy General Secretary

22LTB489 – CWU Young Workers Conference – Tuesday 31st January 2023

Young Workers Guidance 2023

Young Workers Motion Form

Nomination Form 2023

Copy of Under 30s Count – 30th Nov 2022

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A brilliant message from the American postal workers union.

https://fb.watch/hhUnLCuiJh/

An update from General Secretary Dave Ward.

1. Deliver the strike support.
2. Get to London.

Facebook https://fb.watch/hgfSL1BD0m/

Twitter https://twitter.com/cwunews/status/1600464871866630145?s=46&t=x1byf4Q8kDKGNLl-9ApKwA

StandByYourPost

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

Branches and Representatives will know that the Postal Executive has rejected what Royal Mail Group has described as its “best and final offer”.  It is therefore necessary to keep the pressure on RMG to negotiate a more reasonable outcome.  Accordingly, the union has today served the statutory notice of discontinuous strike action to RMG as follows:

The strike will cover all duties and scheduled attendance commencing between the period at or after 04:00 on Friday 23^rd December 2022 and before 19:00 on Saturday 24^th December 2022. The industrial action will be discontinuous.

Any enquiries in relation to the content of this LTB should be addressed to the DGS(P) Department.

Yours sincerely,

Andy Furey
Acting Deputy General Secretary (Postal)     

 LTB 487.22

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ROYAL MAIL PROPERTY & FACILITIES SOLUTIONS LIMITED (RMPFSL) – DISPUTE ON PAY AND ASSOCIATED ISSUES.

Further to Letter to Branches 434/2022 dated 4th November 2022, we are writing to advise
Branches, Reps and Members the union has continued to approach RMPFSL management to
seek to reengage in talks on the dispute, which also included a formal letter to the Company last
week.

We have met with RMPFSL today and can confirm that a further revised offer has been discussed
and some progress has been made.

A further meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday 13th December 2022. We remain fully
committed to reaching an agreement which meets our aspirations in line with our claim for Pay and
Associated issues.

Whilst this is positive news, Branches, Reps and Members should continue to concentrate on
preparing for the forthcoming Strike Action on 15th December as we currently remain in dispute
with the company.

A further update will be provided following the meeting on 13th December 2022.

Any queries regarding the content of this LTB should be addressed to the PTCS Department
quoting reference number 312 – email snicholas@cwu.org or the Outdoor Department, quoting
reference 120.12 email address: njones@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,

Carl Maden                                   Mark Baulch
Assistant Secretary                  Assistant Secretary

22LTB486 RMPFSL Dispute on Pay and Associated Issues

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ROYAL MAIL GROUP DISPUTES – OFCOM & THE USE OF ‘RYDE’ DELIVERY APP

Enquiries have been received from Branches in relation to the ‘Ryde App’ being used by Royal Mail Group to recruit couriers in their ongoing attempt to undermine the successful strike action that is still overwhelmingly supported by our members.

Concerns Raised with Ofcom

The attached correspondence has been sent to Dame Melanie Dawes – CEO Ofcom, and Lord Michael Grade the Chair, to raise our legitimate concerns about the risk of loss and theft of mail, as well as the increased possibility of identity theft and fraud from casual employees having access to the names and addresses of customers. Royal Mail Group has not provided any definitive insight or information as to what the training involves and there is the real concern that it will be insufficient to achieve the mail integrity obligations of Royal Mail as set out in ‘Essential Condition 1’ of their licence. In addition, it is questionable as to whether background checks on applicants are being completed thoroughly.

Ryde Courier App

In terms of Royal Mail Group employees applying for such ‘Ryde’ courier posts, below is the clause taken from the 2018 OPG contract, that still pertains and which you may be familiar with.  This relates to employees taking other employment.

Your employment with Royal Mail is a full/part occupation.  You must not engage in any other employment such that you would be unable to meet your contractual obligations to Royal Mail.  Further, any additional hours of work you may perform for another employer aggregated with those that you perform under this contract must not exceed the limits that apply under the Working Time Regulations 1998 or any agreements that relate to working time. You must not be involved in or have an interest in the activities of any organisation whose business is in competition with that of Royal Mail or any of its business units or subsidiaries and must advise Royal Mail of any other employment which you hold or intend to take.

Branches and Representatives will recognise and appreciate that the union has not directly or indirectly encouraged members to disrupt Ryde’s activities.  What is apparent however, is that if Royal Mail Group use ‘Ryde’ couriers to deliver letters this is a de facto contracting out of USO work and is something that we will continue to challenge via Ofcom and the media.

In closing we would like to express our thanks for the continued support of all Reps and members during this dispute. The success of the industrial strategy is despite the provocative stance taken by Royal Mail Group.

Further updates will be provided in due course.

Any enquiries on the above should be addressed to the General Secretary/Acting Deputy General Secretary at jdunn@cwu.org/hford@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely

Dave Ward                                                    Andy Furey
General Secretary                                      Acting Deputy General Secretary (Postal)  

22LTB485 ROYAL MAIL GROUP DISPUTES OFCOM THE USE OF RYDE DELIVERY APP

7.12.22 CWU concerns about Royal Mails use of Ryde app and mail integrity

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