UTAW-CWU Response to the Government’s white paper on AI Regulation

We direct colleagues attention to the attached PDF, which has been submitted today by the UTAW national branch in response to the Government’s policy paper titled “A pro-innovation approach to AI regulation”.

As both tech workers and trade unionists, we’ve a unique insight in to the developments of AI behind the marketing hype, and we’ve been putting together content regarding AI’s development and its effects on employees, their rights, and the future of work. The government approach proposed, predictably underplays the significant risks posed by AI in order to “foster innovation” – which as we know from previous Conservative governments is a thinly veiled codeword for handing the responsibility of regulation to a profit-driven market with no incentive to self-regulate.

As a union for tech workers, we want to make sure we’re not only part of the conversation, but at the forefront of ensuring that unions have powers to scrutinise AI in the workplace such as automated decision-making (for example, based on employee surveillance) and ensure that workers have access to the kind of transparency that removes the risks of avaricious employers taking advantage of low-regulation technology.

Yours sincerely,

John Chadfield

Branch Secretary, UTAW   

LTB 162.23

UTAW_Response_to_Government_White_Paper_on_AI_Regulation_FINAL

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Women’s Officer Toolkit

The Equality, Education and Development department are pleased to announce the publication of the revised Women’s Toolkit.

The new revised toolkit has been designed to help Women Officers understand their main duties and key areas of responsibility. It also contains useful information and guidance on meeting arrangements, training and education, including useful tips on how to get started and make the most out of the role.

A copy of the Women’s Toolkit, including a dyslexia friendly digital version can be found attached to this LTB. The department encourages all branches to use the dyslexia friendly digital version when sharing electronic copies.

Any queries on this LTB should be directed to equality&education@cwu.org         

Yours sincerely,

Kate Hudson
Head of Equality, Education & Development

23LTB 161 – Women’s Officer Toolkit

Att 1 – 06936 – CWU Women’s Toolkit – dyslexia friendly (002)

Att 2 – 06936 – CWU Women’s Toolkit (002)

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ROYAL MAIL GROUP: BRT&G AGREEMENT PARAGRAPH 6.4 – JOINT WORKING GROUP

Branches and Representatives will recall the terms of paragraph 6.4 of the national Business Recovery, Transformation and Growth (BRT&G) Agreement and in particular the joint commitment in clauses 6.4.1 and 6.4.2 to establish a Joint Working Group (JWG) to look at sick absence levels, the causes of sick absence, cost of sick absence, the migration from one agreement to another, welcome back meetings and attendance standards.

In an attempt to move the aforementioned joint commitments ahead and in order to take the initiative, at a recent meeting the Postal Executive endorsed a proposed ‘Terms of Reference’ for the JWG. This has been sent to Royal Mail for their consideration.

It is now important the ‘Terms of Reference’ are quickly agreed and a mutually convenient date is set for an initial meeting and a further series of JWG meetings. In advance of this we will be requesting comprehensive ‘sick absence’ data from RMG to ensure the terms of the agreement are delivered.

Branches and representatives will appreciate the JWG will involve a comprehensive period of activity and there is much to be discussed. The CWU JWG members led by Carl Maden, will undertake this work with a positive mind-set and we have impressed upon RMG the need to mirror this approach.

Further updates will be provided in due course.

Any enquiries concerning the content of this LTB should be addressed to Carl Maden PTCS Department.

Yours sincerely

Andy Furey                                                                            Carl Maden
Acting Deputy General Secretary (Postal)                  Assistant Secretary

LTB 160-23- B R T G AGREEMENT – PARAGRAPH 6.4 JWG

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National officials have recorded an important podcast on later finishes with National Officer Mark Baulch and Executive member Tony Bouch.

This should be a useful listen to both local representatives and members.

Please ensure it gets as wide a circulation as possible.

INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF CONDUCT CASES ARISING FROM THE DISPUTE

The purpose of this LTB is to provide an important update on the status of the Independent Review of Conduct Cases arising from the dispute.

On the basis that CWU suspended the ballot timetable, unfortunately Royal Mail responded by suspending their involvement in the Lord Falconer Independent Review.

However, we can now advise Branches that Royal Mail has written to the union confirming they are re-engaging in the Independent Review, in accordance with Appendix 7 of the proposed National agreement.

For the purpose of complete clarity, the letter from the Chief People’s Officer, reaffirms that employees/CWU members (whose cases arise from the dispute) dismissed on or after the 5^th April 2023, will be put back on pay from the point of their dismissal, subject to the ballot going live.

Branches should note that to date 200 consent forms have been submitted with receipt being acknowledged by Royal Mail Group.  Unfortunately, dismissals are still occurring and other penalties given.   Branches are advised that where this is the case this information should be provided through the dedicated independent-review@cwu.org email address, so that the previous suspension consent forms can be amended to include the penalty and the date it was issued.  These will then be submitted to RMG.

A full update on all aspects of the Independent Review will be provided at the CWU National zoom briefing being held on Tuesday 20^th June at 2 p.m.

Further information on all of the above will be sent out in due course.

Yours sincerely

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

23LTB157 INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF CONDUCT CASES ARISING FROM THE DISPUTE

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Men’s Health Champions Training Course – Organised by the ‘Men’s Health Forum’ – 27 & 29 June 2023:

Introduction:

As a follow up from the recent Men’s Health Week, the Men’s Health Forum (MHF) have contacted the CWU HQ Health, Safety & Environment Department to notify us of their next ‘Men’s Health Champion’ training course which will be run over 2 x two-hour sessions on 27 and 29 June. The cost is £149.00.

Men’s Health Champions are empathetic, good listeners, willing to talk about health and other difficult issues and to be supportive without being directive. You don’t need to be a health expert.

What is a Men’s Health Champion?

Men’s Health Champions are not health professionals but members of the public (men and women) who care about men’s health and want to help improve it.

Almost anyone can train to be a Men’s Health Champion. Champions are often members of a group, club, workplace, union, company or other organisation who watch out for their colleagues. It can be very fulfilling to see people turn their health round.

Men’s Health Champions can be particularly important for overcoming potential isolation.

What is the training?

• Men’s Health Forum training currently consists of 2 x two-hour sessions online.
• Delivered by experienced Men’s Health Forum associate trainers using Zoom.
• For group bookings, MHF can also provide the training via Microsoft Teams.

What does it offer?

• Health Champions are a tried and tested way to improve health in a community and can break down the barriers that often exist in health care provision.
• The training was developed by Men’s Health Forum’s Peter Baker and Jim Pollard.

Who is the course for?

• Anyone – man or woman – who individually wants to empower men to engage with their health.

What are the outcomes?

Attendees will learn:

• The basics of men’s health;
• The role of a Men’s Health Champion;
• How to work with men to change health behaviours;
• How to signpost them for more information and expert advice.

Attendees will also have fun and get a copy of the Men’s Health Champions manual, as well as the latest Men’s Health Forum ‘Man Manual’, full of further information.

Can anyone be a Men’s Health Champion? 

Pretty much anyone can be a Men’s Health Champion. They are empathetic, good listeners, willing to talk about health and other difficult issues and to be supportive without being directive. You don’t need to be a health expert.

Do Men’s Health Champions make a difference for men?

The research suggests they can make a real difference. For men, they can be particularly useful: their more informal, man-to-man approach can provide an invaluable stepping stone between the men in their community and traditional, more formal health services.

Payment

This can be made by credit card or Invoiced Purchase Order.

To Book a Course

Go to this link: https://shop.menshealthforum.org.uk/collections/training-for-men/products/health-champions-training

Further Information:

Men’s Health Forum
7-14 Great Dover Street
London SE1 4YR
Tel: 0330 097 0654
Email: shop@menshealthforum.org.uk

Men’s Health Forum Charity Registration Number: 1087375 (England & Wales).

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

23LTB159 Men’s Health Champions Training Course – Organised by the ‘Men’s Health Forum’ – 27 & 29 June 2023

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RMG/CWU Joint Communication on Provisional Indicative Modelling of Delivery Offices Start and Finish Times within the Timeframe of the Negotiators Agreement

Branches will be aware as part of releasing the RM/CWU Business Recovery, Transformation and Growth Negotiators Agreement, both parties have agreed to share the indicative modelling for Delivery Office start and finish times before CWU members participate in the forthcoming ballot.

In producing the indicative modelling outputs, it is recognised that changes to start and finish times are of concern to members in all functions, particularly in Delivery, accordingly we have jointly committed Royal Mail to seek to minimise change in start and finish times whilst still achieving the necessary improvements in the cost and environmental impact due to reducing the reliance on air transport.

In conjunction with the CWU Communications department we have jointly produced a webpage enabling access to the following information which can be accessed via a separate hyperlink.

National Agreement – Proposed Start and Finish Times

These indicative modelling outputs replace and supersede what has previously been published by Royal Mail which has been shared on their workplace site.  The hyperlink will provide the opportunity for members and Reps to click onto the information, type in their specific unit and access the information which will show:

• The provisional and indicative start and finish times based on an up to 1630 last letter and up to a maximum of 60 minutes later
• The provisional and indicative start and finish times based on an up to 1630 last letter and up to a maximum of 90 minutes later

In addition to the providing the link, we would also recommend members and Reps should read the joint statement we have agreed, as it provides vital context.

We are also making it clear that the times that they are able to view are indicative, and we are confident of improving them through both the National and local joint working activities included within the agreement and in the statement above.

We have also produced a list of frequently asked questions which cover the main topics that have been raised with us by members and will be arranging and enacting a more detailed communications programme involving the Communications department.  In addition, further communication initiatives are planned to take place over the coming days regarding this issue.

It is important to stress that the business, ‘change we need’ and best & final offer was for delivery finish times to move to 1700 for everyone, due to the removal of flights which added in a 3-hour delay to the network as a result.  It is also important to stress that Royal Mail could serve contractual notice on those flights at any time.

What our members and Branches have helped us achieve through your support is that whilst the flights will be removed and the 3-hour network delay remains the same, we have ensured that Royal Mail fully commits to mitigate the impact of this change.  As such we have achieved the 1630 last letter time and confirmation that the majority of deliveries finish by 1530 and vast majority by 1600.

As such we were able to demonstrate to the business in the national talks that we believe a cap of a maximum change to start/finish times of 60 minutes can be achieved through the activities and work through the national and local joint working groups.  Whilst Royal Mail have an ability to reserve their position on the cap being 90 minutes, we are confident that the indicative modelling confirms the above as we have circa 64% of delivery walks finish by 1530 in the plan but we strongly believe that this position will improve further when we carry out the national and local activity within each mail Centre catchment area.

Any queries to the content of the above please contact the Outdoor Department reference 580, email address: njones@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,

Mark Baulch                                                                  Davie Robertson
CWU Assistant Secretary                                              CWU Assistant Secretary

Attachment 1: 23LTB156 – RMG-CWU Joint Communication – Start and Finish Times within the Timeframe of the Negotiators Agreement

Attachment 2: CWU Joint Communication on Modelling for Start and Finish Times_CWU June FW3

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BUSINESS RECOVERY, TRANSFORMATION AND GROWTH AGREMENT – REVISED BALLOT TIMETABLE

Further to previous updates, the Postal Executive has now agreed a document that clears all the issues relating to the suspension of the individual members’ ballot.

We have attached a written communication for CWU members and Representatives that contains important information on all these issues.

Given the progress made, the Postal Executive has now agreed a revised ballot timetable as follows:

• Ballot Papers dispatched Thursday 22^nd
• Ballot closes Tuesday 11^th

It is essential that all Branches now distribute the CWU members’ and Representatives’ communication (attached) to every workplace.

We can also advise Branches that a CWU National zoom briefing will be held next week on Tuesday 20^th June at 2 p.m. to provide a more detailed general update, prior to the ballot commencing.

Further information will be sent out in due course.

Yours sincerely

Dave Ward
General Secretary                                      

Andy Furey
Acting Deputy General Secretary (Postal)  

23LTB152 BUSINESS RECOVERY TRANSFORMATION AND GROWTH AGREMENT REVISED BALLOT TIMETABLE

members communication 16.6.23

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National Hazards Conference 1 – 3 September 2023 – Theme ‘Organising For Safe and Healthy Working Environments’

For the special attention of all CWU Safety Reps, this is to inform you that the National Hazards Campaign’s annual, National Hazards Conference will be held this year at the Keele University venue and additionally there will be an online option with a streamed Conference with online workshops and fringe meetings.

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 continue the Hazards Conference as a ‘hybrid’ event this year, where delegates can attend in person or participate online.  Hazards want to encourage as many attendees and participants to join in and have an equal opportunity to attend and participate in the conference and therefore, Hazards are providing an opportunity for everyone to attend, either in person or online.

The Hazards Conference needs to recruit as many delegates as possible to maintain the viability of the event as Hazards have to commit to an outlay of £60,000 to deliver the Conference, as a non-profit making organisation so the CWU/HQ Health, Safety & Environment Department encourages CWU Safety Reps to attend. In support of the Hazards Campaign and Conference which the 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., are contained in the attached booking form and the outline agenda is as follows:

Agenda:

Conference timings and registration

Friday 1^st September

1.00-19.30 Delegate registration

17.00 – 19.30 Evening meal

20.00-21.00 Opening Plenary – in person and online

21.00 – Networking

Saturday 2^nd September

7.30-9.00 – Registration for later arrivals/non-residential delegates

7.00-8.45 Breakfast

9.00-10.30 – 1st Meeting: Westminster Theatre

10.30-11.00 Break

11.00 – 12.30 – 2nd Meeting: Westminster Theatre

12.30 – 14.00 – lunch

14.00 – 15.30 – Workshop 1 – in person and online

15.30 – 16.00 – Break

16.00 – 17.30 – Workshop 2 – in person and online

17.45-18.45 Fringe meetings – in person and online

19.00-20.30 Dinner

21.00-22.00 Quiz

22.00 – Networking

Sunday 3^rd September

7.30-9.15 – Breakfast

Clear rooms – bring cases to secure room in registration area

10.00-12.00 – Closing plenary – in person and online –

12.30-13.30 – Packed Lunch – eat with us or take away and depart

Some of the Subject Matter Covered in the Workshops:

• Safety Reps Functions and Workplace Inspections
• Mental health awareness
• Employers duties, Risk Assessment and hierarchy of controls
• Violence faced by workers
• Sex and gender sensitive health and safety
• Using public procurement to influence safety
• Resources and creative action for safety reps
• Environmental issues
• Campaign to remove asbestos from the workplace
• What can we do about extreme temperatures while we work

Booking Form for 2023 Conference:

• Copy Attached
• The link to download a copy of the Booking Form is:  https://gmhazards.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Booking-Form-The-34th-National-Hazards-Conference-2023.pdf
• Alternatively people can apply online using this link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/579031919057

Sponsorship Form:
If you or your organisation would like to sponsor this year’s event please go to:
https://gmhazards.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Sponsorship-of-Hazards-Conference-2023-.pdf

The CWU Health, Safety and Environment Department will again be sponsoring the Hazards Conference.

For More Information or any questions about the Conference:

Contact: Janet Newsham
Email: hazconf@gmhazards.org.uk

or

Telephone: 07734317158

Post:

Hazards Campaign
Windrush Millennium Centre
70 Alexandra Road
Manchester
Greater ManchesterM16 7WD

Attachments:

• Hazards Conference Booking Form

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

23LTB153 National Hazards Conference 1 – 3 September 2023 – Theme ‘Organising For Safe and Healthy Working Environments’

Booking-Form-The-34th-National-Hazards-Conference-2023

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Dog Awareness Week 3 – 9 July 2023 – Don’t Put Your Fingers Through the Letterbox Warning – Posting Peg Saves Liverpool Postman’s Fingers as Mail is Attacked By a Dangerous Dog (See Poster Images) – Don’t Let It Happen To You!

1000 Postmen and Women have had a finger or part finger bitten off or severely injured in dog bites through the letterbox in the last 5 years across the UK. 

The key message to all delivery Postmen and Women CWU members this Dog Awareness Week 3 – 9 July 2023 is follow the ‘Golden Rule’ and ‘Never Put Your Fingers Through the Letterbox’.

Use a ‘Posting Peg’ whenever you can, especially where there’s a dog at the address. The ‘Posting Peg’ isn’t suitable or practical to use on every occasion due to the type of mail piece being delivered or with certain types of letterbox. However, whatever the circumstances, deliveries should never be made by pushing your fingers through the letterbox aperture so that they protrude through the other side, on the inside of the property and thereby provide a ‘sitting target’ for a dog waiting to pounce on the inside.

Remember that not all dogs ‘kick up a racket’ and bark loudly, giving warning signs that they are there. Dogs are intelligent animals and on many occasions when postmen and women have had fingers bitten off, the dog sat in complete silence, obviously not wanting to frighten away their ‘prey or ‘target’. Then as soon as the postman or postwoman’s fingers came though the letterbox the dog launched a ferocious attack biting into or clean through the fingers or hand.

In a recent case in Liverpool a postman did the right thing by using a posting peg and as he did so a dog inside attacked and bit clean through the tough hard plastic posting peg (see attached poster photo).

On this occasion the trusty posting peg certainly saved the hand and fingers of a CWU member postman from a dangerous dog.

The posting peg therefore can, and does, prevent serious injury, saving postmen and postwomen from being bitten by a dangerous dog whilst delivering mail through an unguarded letter box.

If there’s a problem with a particular delivery point’s letterbox in relation to getting the mail through the aperture due to brushes, draft excluders, flaps, security hoods etc., then rather than chance getting bitten, take the mail back and report it to the manager. Take no risks! Always adopt a ‘Safety First’ and ‘Zero Tolerance’ approach when it comes to defending yourself against dog hazards!

Dog bites cause extensive pain and suffering to victims.  Hospital treatment is required, sometimes involving extensive surgery, stiches, skin grafts, blood tests, amputations, precautionary Tetanus injections and courses of antibiotics to deal with a number of dangerous infections such as Rabies, Sepsis and Pasteurella. Apart from physical injury, some suffer mental ill-health caused by the terrifying experience and the depressive aftermath of the experience, including extensive treatment sometimes for life changing injuries.

Because this is a broken posting peg and not a finger bitten off, it demonstrates how robust this simple, cheap, easy to use dog control measures can be when used properly. In this case in Liverpool, this posting peg has saved a postman’s fingers, saved Royal Mail money and saved the dog owner a potential criminal prosecution and conviction plus a civil action and paying out personal injury compensation to the dog bite victim. Even the smallest of injuries have to be treated appropriately as there have been a number of cases in which dog bite victims didn’t seek medical treatment and they subsequently died of blood poisoning and bacteriological infection in a matter of days after being bitten. It’s therefore imperative that dog attack victims never delay in getting immediate medical attention from the NHS.

All postal delivery staff are encouraged to carry a posting peg with them and use the simple item when delivering mail where appropriate. You never know what is behind that letter box!

It can lead to the attached!

Attachment:

Poster – Posting Peg Bitten by Dangerous Dog Highlights Dangers to Postal Delivery Workers So Don’t Put Your Fingers Through the Letterbox!

[Acknowledgment: Photos and story – Jamie McGovern ASR, Mark Evans D/ASR CWU Greater Mersey Amal Branch]

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

23LTB154 Dog Awareness Week 3 – 9 July 2023 – Posting Peg Saves Liverpool Postman’s Fingers

Posting Peg Bitten by Dangerous Dog Poster For Dog Awareness Week

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