We want to start this update by thanking members and representatives for your support during what has been the most challenging period in the history of Royal Mail Group.
After reaching agreement with the employer, it became apparent that the local working environment would remain challenging without an immediate and visible shift in approach from the company at all levels.
On this basis we postponed the members vote on the national agreement to enable us to enter further discussions, covering:
– The crucial need to restore quality of service and USO compliance in every local office.
– To achieve the above the need for Royal Mail to work with the CWU and commence the process of reviewing failed revisions.
– The need for all delivery offices to have sight of their proposed start and finish times prior to the ballot.
Additionally, as previously explained, we have continued to explore the opportunity for an additional lump sum payment.
We are pleased to confirm progress has been made in all of theseareas.
The statement confirms the full restoration of the Industrial Relations Framework, a commitment to restore quality of serviceand USO compliance in every office and crucially – our reps are back at the negotiating table. To support the roll out of the joint statement an online event will be held at 0800 on Wednesday 21stJune for every CWU representative and operational manager in the UK. We will also hold a CWU National Briefing next week. Further details on this will be shared in due course.
2. We have clarified further the position on later starts and finishes with the employer.
3. We have secured an additional lump sum payment of at least £900 which will be paid upon ratification of the agreement. This is in addition to the already agreed £500 lump sum and any back pay you will be due from the 6% pay award from April 2023.
On the basis of the above the Postal Executive have now agreed for the members ballot on the Business Recovery, Transformation and Growth Agreement to go ahead. The revised timetable is as follows:
Ballot Papers dispatched Thursday 22nd June.
Ballot closes Tuesday 11th July.
We will now undertake an extensive engagement plan in the lead up to the ballot including live events, podcasts, videos, and written communications.
Further to LTB 145/23, Men’s Health Week 12 – 18 June 2023, the ‘Men’s Health Forum’ (MHF) have this week launched two new mini-manuals which can be purchased singularly or in bulk from MHF. However, the charity is making them available as ‘Free’ downloads for this week only.
Between the 12th and 18th June, the world acknowledges ‘Men’s Health Week’. 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.
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 two new mini-manuals are:
WANNA BET ‘Gambling and Men’s Health
and
PORN FREE ‘Pornography and Men’s Health
MHF state that – Men spend a lot of time on their tech and what we’re doing isn’t always healthy. For Men’s Health Week, Men’s Health Forum are launching new manuals that tackle two men’s health issues that have been fuelled by the availability of 24/7 internet everywhere. No nagging, no moralising, just the hard facts. Both are available as FREE PDFs for the duration of ‘Men’s Health Week’ and in hard copy in the MHF shop as single copies or in bulk.
The MHF’s range of award-winning manuals can be purchased in bulk or individually via the MHF website with American Express, Visa, MasterCard or PayPal. All manuals are produced to exacting standards of content and design. You can find purchase order details hereon the website or if you have any other questions, please email shop@menshealthforum.org.uk or call 0330 097 0654.
Greener Jobs Alliance (GJA) Newsletter No. 49 – June 2023 and Guide to the IPCC Synthesis Report Parts A, B & C:
Introduction:
The Greener Jobs Alliance (GJA) came into existence as a result of funding from Battersea and Wandsworth TUC. The GJA was launched to promote skills training and job creation to meet the needs of Britain’s rapidly growing low carbon sectors and to green the whole economy. The transition to a low carbon and resource efficient economy can drive sustainable economic recovery and job creation in every part of the country as well as making existing jobs more secure. But this requires a more strategic national and local approach to deliver the workforce skills needed and to stimulate demand for clean energy and energy efficiency services.
The Greener Jobs Alliance liaises at a national and local level to build the broadest possible support for the policies, investment, partnerships and commitments needed to drive the transition to a low carbon economy.
The Greener Jobs Alliance liaises with training bodies, colleges, universities, employers, local and national Government, trade unions, housing associations, campaign and community groups – to build the policies, investment and partnerships needed to drive the transition to a low carbon economy.
GJA ‘Free’ Courses:
The GJA runs a number of ‘free’ courses on the environment for Trade Union Reps in different parts of the UK which have been attended by a number of CWU Reps with details published in the newsletter.
The GJA now offer three ‘on-line’ courses as follows:
1. Climate Change Awareness
This short introductory course is aimed at trade unionists and anyone wishing to develop their understanding of the issues around climate change. The course is divided into 4 modules. The modules contain background information, short videos, graphs and illustrations.
Module 1: Climate Change Explained
Module 2: International Responses
Module 3: Trade Union Responses
Module 4: Getting Involved
At the end of each section, there are references and links to additional materials if you want to go further. There are no formal tests and you can work through the materials at your own pace but there are optional quizzes to check your understanding at the end of modules 1, 2 and 3.
2. A Trade Union Guide to Just Transition
Social justice must be at the heart of the development of a net-zero carbon economy. The course covers:
The meaning and history of the term just transition
Why it should be a priority issue
UK and international policies and case studies
Ideas for developing an action plan
It is aimed at trade unionists and anyone wishing to improve their understanding of why just transition should be central to climate change policy.
3. Air Quality – a trade union issue
The following issues will be explored in this free online course. It is made up of 3 modules,
Module 1: The Causes and Health Impacts of Air Pollution
The founder GJA Secretary and Newsletter editor was Graham Petersen who is well known to the CWU and has a long standing working relationship with the Union. He is a former TUC tutor and course designer who created safety reps training courses and the successful TUC Occupational Health & Safety Diploma Course. He was the head of the Trade Union Studies Centre at South Thames College before retirement from the post and has been a visitor and guest speaker at CWU events and meetings. After 30 editions, Graham stood down at the GJA AGM and handed over to Paul Atkin as newsletter editor and Tahir Latif as GJA Secretary. Graham remains a GJA Steering Group member and is now working part time for the Wales TUC having recently written a publication for them ‘Greener workplaces for a just transition – a Wales TUC toolkit for trade unionists’ which was circulated by the CWU Health, Safety and Environment Department.
Editor Paul Atkin Opens by making reference to the decision by the Labour Party to stop all new oil and gas exploration in the North Sea as being the right one which he adds will be popular. The IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change – which was created to provide policymakers with regular scientific assessments on climate change), has stated again and again that new oil and gas exploration is incompatible with sustaining a climate we can survive in. Paul states that there is no wriggle room on this and the consequence of a failure to take decisive action now is already coming back to bite us very hard. With 2030, just seven years away, the risk is that without drastic action, 2 billion people could be having to try to live in areas with an average ambient temperature of 29C which includes half the population of India. At 30C in the UK it is illegal to transport cattle. (The TUC policy is to call for the introduction of an upper limit on workplace temperature so that employers would be forced to act when the temperature inside reaches 24°C. It would mean that staff could be sent home and their employers prosecuted if temperatures at work hit 30°C or 27°C for those engaged in physically demanding work). Paul concludes that “Just Transition” bodies should be established through local authorities to set the framework for both practical measures like insulation, investment, public education and mobilisation that has to go with it, so this is a social as well as material transformation.
Contents GJA Newsletter 49:
Editorial: Justly Stop Oil!
How Just Transition can work
Climate Justice in the North Sea
Support Offshore Workers Strike Action
Labour’s Green Prosperity Plan?
Momentum Comment
Just Transition and Collective Bargaining
UCU Conference Motion: training for jobs to tackle the climate emergency
Students taking climate action into their own hands
First ever NEU Green Reps training
More time off work for flight-free holidays
Its Bike Week every week in Amsterdam
Clean Air Day 15 June
Making tomorrow: building a workers’ response to the climate crisis
What is a just transition?
A just transition seeks to ensure that the substantial benefits of a green economy transition are shared widely, while also supporting those who stand to lose economically – be they countries, regions, industries, communities, workers or consumers.
A rapid increase in the speed and scale of actions required to reduce the risks of climate change will create new economic opportunities.
Whilst a just transition is mainly based on environmental considerations, it is also shaped by other structural changes affecting labour markets, such as globalisation, labour-saving technologies and the shift to services.
A just transition is an integral part of many of the global commitments adopted by countries. The Paris Agreement acknowledges “the imperatives of a just transition of the workforce and the creation of decent work and quality jobs in accordance with nationally defined development priorities” and highlights the importance of workers in responding to climate change.
Furthermore, the just transition concept links to 14 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, explicitly drawing together SDGs 12 – climate action, 10 – reduced inequalities, 8 – decent work and economic growth, and 7 – affordable and clean energy.
Many countries have recognised the challenge that this transformation entails and are taking measures to protect those that are most vulnerable and affected by the changes, including across the EBRD regions.
The European Union’s Just Transition Mechanism is integral to the EU’s Green Deal, targeted at ensuring “a fair transition to a climate-neutral economy, leaving no one behind” and aims to mobilise at least €150 billion over the period 2021-2027;
The Solidarity and Just Transition Silesia Declaration signed by 50 countries at COP24, which states that: “ajust transition of the workforce and the creation of decent work and quality jobs are crucial to ensure an effective and inclusive transition”;
Climate Action for Jobs Initiative, co-led by the International Labour Organisation, Spain and Peru, with 46 countries committing to develop “national plans for a just transition and create decent green jobs”.
The UNFCCC Gender Action plan, whereby parties to the UNFCCC have recognized the importance of involving women and men equally in the development and implementation of national climate policies that are gender-responsive.
Quote of the Month/Headline of the Month:
“Heavy rains in Canada offer relief from wildfires but could lead to flooding.”
The Guardian
Much more in the GJA Newsletter No 49 attached.
GJA Brief Guide to the IPCC Synthesis Report, Parts A, B & C
Also attached this month is GJA’s brief guide to the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) Synthesis Report. The IPPC was created to provide policymakers with regular scientific assessments on climate change. The IPCC report finds that there is a more than 50% chance that the global temperature rise will reach or surpass 1.5 degrees C (2.7 degrees F) before 2040 across studied scenarios, and under a high-emissions pathway, specifically, the world may hit this threshold even sooner. It adds that more than three billion people live in areas that are “highly vulnerable” to climate change — people living in these regions were “15 times more likely to die from floods, droughts and storms than those living in regions with very low vulnerability”. The IPCC’s assessment warns we’re running out of time to keep to 1.5°, but we have all the tools we need to get on track for net zero in time. The IPCC’s recent reports have been dubbed a ‘code red for humanity’ and an ‘atlas of human suffering’. See the GJA brief guides to parts A, B & C of the latest IPCC report attached.
Attachments:
GJA Newsletter No.49 for June
GJA Brief Guide to the IPCC Synthesis Report, Part A
GJA Brief Guide to the IPCC Synthesis Report, Part B
GJA Brief Guide to the IPCC Synthesis Report, Part C
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 – House of Commons EDM (Early Day Motion) 1159:
With 3,000 dog attacks on postal workers every year, this remains a primary safety concern for the Union and daily danger for our members. The CWU Health, Safety and Environment Department continues to fight for justice for victim members, supporting victims, working with Safety Reps and Branches and pressing the Police to prosecute irresponsible owners.
The Union continues to campaign for further law changes and strengthening of the dog control laws, tougher sentencing by the courts and better enforcement by the UK’s 45 Police forces.
Meetings are scheduled with ministers and politicians in Westminster, the Welsh Assembly and the Scottish Parliament in the coming weeks to push on with our campaigning.
Postmen and women deliver the universal service obligation, to circa 31 million addresses across the UK, and as we approach ‘National Joint Dog Awareness Week’ 3 – 9 July we will be working with Royal Mail and other organisations to raise the profile of the campaign week, raise the profile of the growing menace and national crisis of dog attacks and promote responsible dog ownership and call on dog owners and customers not to forget that during the summer months postmen and women will be in the community carrying out their jobs and should be able to do so without fear of being attacked by a dog.
Supporting MPs in Westminster have tabled an Early Day Motion on Dog Attacks, number 1159. Early Day Motions (EDMs) are used to put on record the views of individual MPs or to draw attention to specific subject matter, events or campaigns. By attracting the signatures of other MPs, they can be used to demonstrate the level of parliamentary support for a particular cause or point of view. Its important therefore to get as many MPs to sign the EDM as possible. This motion has been signed by 17 Members (as of 9 June 2023). It has not yet had any amendments submitted.
Early Day Motion 1159 Text
“This House is concerned at the increasing number of dog attacks and is alarmed that 15 people have been killed as a result of a dog attacks since the start of 2022 and more have been seriously injured; notes that the cost to the NHS of dog bites has been calculated at £77 million per year; recognises that an approach based on breed specific legislation has failed and that the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 is woefully ineffective; looks forward to the publication of recommendations by the Government’s Responsible Dog Ownership Working Group and calls for this to take place before the summer recess; and further calls on the Government to introduce new legislation covering all aspects of the control of dangerous dogs that protects the public, promotes responsible dog ownership and improves animal welfare.”
Signatures 17 (As of 9 June 2023)
The first 6 MPs who have signed to support the Motion are the sponsors. The primary sponsor is generally the person who tabled the motion and has responsibility for it.
MP Signed to Support the EDM (as of 9 June 2023)
Wayne David, Labour Caerphilly
Rosie Duffield, Labour Canterbury
Jonathan Edwards, Independent Carmarthen East and Dinefwr
Christina Rees, Independent Neath
Caroline Lucas, Green Party Brighton, Pavilion
Sir Mike Penning, Conservative Hemel Hempstead
Margaret Ferrier, Independent Rutherglen and Hamilton West
Tony Lloyd, Labour Rochdale Signed on 17 May 2023
Allan Dorans, Scottish National Party Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock
Rachael Maskell, Labour York Central
Jim Shannon, Democratic Unionist Party Strangford
Sir Greg Knight, Conservative East Yorkshire
John McDonnell, Labour Hayes and Harlington
Ian Mearns, Labour Gateshead Signed on
Bell Ribeiro-Addy, Labour Streatham
Olivia Blake, Labour Sheffield Hallam
Sharon Hodgson, Labour Washington and Sunderland West
Action – Your Assistance Is Required
Would all Regions, Branches and Reps please contact local MPs and ask them to sign EDM1159.
Thanks for your support.
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
National Organ Donation Laws – ‘Dáithí’s Law’ comes into effect in Northern Ireland:
Further to LTB 373/22 this is to report that as of 1 June 2023, the so called ‘Dáithí’s Law’ came into effect and all adults in Northern Ireland will now be considered potential organ donors unless they choose to opt out or are in an excluded group. Northern Ireland is the last part of the UK to move over to an ‘opt out’ system.
The Organ and Tissue Donation (Deemed Consent) legislation, known as ‘Dáithí’s Law’ in honour of six-year-old Dáithí Mac Gabhann, changes the way consent is granted and follows similar previous law changes in Wales, England and Scotland.
Ahead of the new law coming into effect, the government stated that more than 140 people are waiting for transplants across Northern Ireland. The opt-out system means that all adults in NI, unless in an excluded group which includes children under 18 years, those who lack capacity to understand the new law and those who are temporarily resident in NI, will be considered to be organ donors after death unless they chose to opt-out.
Everyone will still have a choice – people are free to opt-in, opt-out or amend their decision at any time – and families will continue to be consulted. The vast majority of people support organ donation in principle, but many people still haven’t got round to signing the NHS Organ Donor Register or telling their families.
There has been an increased public awareness, discussion and support for organ donation during the law change process and it’s hoped that in time, this will lead to more people saying yes to donation and helping save more lives.
Last year in Northern Ireland, 96 patients received a life-saving transplant from a deceased donor, and NI had 59 donors who enabled 140 life-saving transplants across the UK. Sadly, 10-15 patients die each year in NI while awaiting a transplant.
Dáithí Mac Gabhann has been on the waiting list for a heart transplant since 2018 and his family have campaigned tirelessly in support of the law change. The 1st June also marks five years since he was added to the list. During this time his family have worked tirelessly to campaign for a move towards the ‘opt-out’ law and to promote organ donation. They plan to continue to spread the message of Dáithí’s Law and continue to raise awareness of organ donation at any opportunity.
Here’s an update on the organ donor laws across the UK and crown dependencies:
England
On 20 May 2020, the law around organ donation in England was changed to allow more people’s lives to be saved. The law introduced a system commonly called ‘opt-out’ or ‘deemed consent’. All adults over 18 in England are now considered to have agreed to be an organ and tissue donor when they die unless they have recorded a decision not to donate and they have ‘opted out’ or are in one of the excluded groups.
Wales
Wales led the way and on 1 December 2015 the Human Transplantation (Wales) Act 2013 came into full effect, making Wales the first country in the UK to introduce ‘opt-out’ or ‘deemed consent’ legislation, meaning that if a person hasn’t registered an organ and tissue donation decision, people will be considered to have no objection to becoming an organ and tissue donor after death.
Scotland
The Human Tissue (Authorisation) (Scotland) Act 2019 was passed by the Scottish Parliament in July 2019. The legislation provides for a ‘deemed authorisation’ or an ‘opt out’ system of organs and tissue donation for transplantation. The system came into effect on 26 March 2021.
Northern Ireland
On 1 June 2023 the Organ and Tissue Donation (Deemed Consent) Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 came into force and the law around organ and tissue donation in Northern Ireland has now moved to an ‘opt-out’ system from the current ‘opt-in’. This will mean that in the event that organ donation is a possibility after a death, it will be considered that individuals agree to being an organ donor unless they choose to opt-out or are in an excluded group. The new law known as ‘Dáithí’s Law’ is in recognition of five-year-old Dáithí MacGabhann who has been on the waiting list for a heart transplant since 2018.
Jersey
In April 2018 the Jersey States Assembly passed legislation that saw the island move towards a deemed consent, ‘opt out’ system as in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The new legislation took effect on 1st July 2019.
Guernsey
Guernsey’s Human Tissue and Transplantation (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Legislation was enacted in May 2020, which will introduce a ‘deemed consent’ or ‘opt-out’ system with the new law set to come into force on 1 January 2023, which will mean that if you haven’t recorded a decision about organ donation and you are not in an excluded group, you will be presumed to be in favour of organ and tissue donation.
Isle of Man
In October 2020, Members of the House of Keys unanimously backed the second reading of the Human Tissue and Organ Donation Bill 2020. On 20 July 2021, the Bill received Royal Assent to become an Act, moving the island one step closer to an ‘opt-out’ led approach to organ donation consent. Planning is underway to implement the new law, which will not come into force until a commencement date has been set. The Isle of Man will continue to operate an ‘opt-in’ consent system until such time and the date for the new law to come into force has been set but is expected to be in 2023.
UK National Blood Donation Week 12-18 June 2023 & World Blood Donor Day 14 June 2023:
Introduction:
Monday 12 June marks the beginning of National Blood Donor Week
National Blood Donor Week is a week where we raise awareness of the lifesaving importance of blood donation to encourage those who have never donated to give it a go.
Wednesday 14 June is World Blood Donor Day which was created to:
Raise global awareness of the need for blood and blood products for transfusion, highlight the critical contribution voluntary, unpaid blood donors make to national health services, support national blood transfusion services and reinforce national and local blood donor campaigns.
National Blood Donation Week Mon 12 – Sun 18 June 2023
Every year, NHS Blood and Transplant run a ‘National Blood Donation Week’ campaign (12-18 June 2023) 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.
Wednesday 14 June – LGBTQ+ Donors.
Will also see the two-year anniversary since blood donation rules in the UK were changed, meaning that more people from LGBTQ+ communities will be eligible to donate.
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 12-18 June 2023 and the World Blood Donor Day 14 June 2023 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 (12-18 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 the 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.
NHS Needs More Black Donors:
There is currently high demand for rare blood types that are more common in people of black heritage. The ‘Ro’ blood subtype is particularly important for three reasons:
Demand is increasing by 10% – 15% each year.
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.
To help treat patients with Sickle Cell Disorder.
Donate Plasma: 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 2023 a successful year.
For Further Information and Answers to Any Question About Becoming a Blood Donor – Contact NHSBT:
POL/CWU – Driving Safely in Bright Sunlight and Sun Glare Conditions – Driver and Road Safety: Joint Communication:
Following discussions with the Post Office Ltd Driver and Road Safety Team, a Joint Communication is being issued to all POL commercial fleet and company car drivers. See copy attached for your information which is based on guidance developed by the AA and RAC.
Every driver has a responsibility to drive with due care and attention. Drivers must be alert for anything that may affect their ability to do just that. Whilst many drivers are sensible when it’s sunny and put sunglasses on for example, remove any shiny objects from the dashboard and lower the sun visor to help avoid unnecessary glare, quite a few drivers don’t. Drivers need to be mindful to drive with care and attention in all conditions.
However, the official regulations are that a driver can wear sunglasses while driving but it is not a legal requirement in to wear them in bright conditions but a driver could still be considered by police to be ‘driving without due care and attention’. However, we have no knowledge of any prosecutions to that effect since the revised Highway Code was introduced. So it’s not clear how likely this is, but it is worth noting that the Highway Code says that if you as a driver are dazzled by bright sunlight, you should slow down and if necessary stop your vehicle.
As glare is one of the primary causes of crashes it makes sense for drivers to wear sunglasses, providing they are suitable. They should not be too dark and should not be a style that could obscure peripheral vision as these could also land the driver in trouble with the law, technically speaking.
The AA motoring organisation guidance (the AA shares advice from the Optical Suppliers Association) states that your driving sunglasses should take a number of important factors into account such as a specialist driving lens or tint and if you wear glasses for driving on a daily basis, you should ask your optician about inserting prescription lenses in everyday sunglasses. Also, there is advice about ensuring the sunglasses carry the CE safety mark and meet EU Standard BS EN 1836:2005 which relates to the lens filters. They should keep your vision clear, the tint should not be too dark and everyday sunglasses might not be suitable for driving etc.
The RAC add that there are certain types of sunglasses that aren’t suitable for driving, which should never be worn when behind the wheel. Category four sunglasses are illegal to wear while driving as they let less than eight per cent of light through the lenses. Sunglasses must be labelled in the UK to show the ‘filter category number’.
Seven Important Driving Safely in Bright Sunlight and Sun Glare Conditions to Remember:
Keep the windscreen clean.
Slow down and drive to conditions.
Ensure the vehicle has sufficient screen wash.
Check wiper blades are in good condition.
Use sun visors.
Be extra aware of other road users who will be experiencing the same difficulties.
Wear suitable sunglasses.
Attachment:
POL/CWU Joint Communication – Driving Safely in Bright Sunlight and Sun Glare Conditions – Driver and Road Safety – June 2023
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
Between the 12th and 18th June, the world acknowledges Men’s Health Week 2023. 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.
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. We are pleased to see MHF strongly promoting Men’s Health Week again this year and we are happy to give our support.
Men’s Health Week Theme 2023 is ‘Men’s Health and the Internet’ and asks the question – “Is too much time spent on tech?”
The iPhone was born in 2007. Those born in the same year will turn 16 this year. They’ve grown up with a high-performance computer in their pocket. What are the implications for men’s health? That’s the central question MHF are looking at for this year’s Men’s Health Week. Clearly there are some health benefits to being able to access health information or deliver and receive health services online but what are the downsides? Read on for full details including on MHF’s new resources on internet-fuelled addictions.
The 2023 Men’s Health Week Theme is ‘Men’s Health and the Internet’ and asking the question: “Is too much time spent on tech?” MHF say that in 2023, most of us are walking around with a high-performance computer in our pockets. Clearly, it‘s great to be able to access health information or receive health services online (and, of course, lots more besides) but what are the downsides?
MHF point out that one of the key chemical messengers in the brain dopamine. It creates feelings of pleasure and plays a role in concentration, memory and what we find interesting. In short, dopamine makes us feel good and we all like a hit of it from time to time.
But the smartphone is a dopamine-delivery device that is to hand 24/7. Every single app you use on it knows this full well and is designed to keep you using it. The potential for over-use is obvious. Even an ‘addiction’ to a pretty benign app is going to cost us time and the attention we could have devoted to more meaningful things.
But what about when it starts costing money, relationships, work?
MHF advise – ‘Take a Screen Break’ But there’s more that can be done.
A Message to Men
If you think you’re spending too much time on your tech (and even if you don’t), try the free CAN DO challengewhich can help.
The CAN DO challenge alone will benefit your mental wellbeing but if you want to give your mind a fuller MOT, get the MHF Man MOT For The Mind manual.
There’s evidence that some addictions which particularly affect men have been made worse by 24/7 internet and smartphones. If you’re concerned about your gambling or porn-use, check out the two new MHF new manuals: ‘Wanna Bet’ and ‘Porn Free’.
Mens Health Forum (MHF) Message to Partners
Get a discussion going in your workplace or organisation on the impacts of the smartphone and the internet on health. Perhaps use the MHF free Toolbox Talk.
If you want to take it further, buy copies of the Man MOT For The Mind manual, the manual which the SWAP supports
Consider copies of the MHF Mini-Manuals – looking at key mental health challenges and other subjects.
Key Men’s Health issues:
If you’re worried about any of the following, see your GP without delay.
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. According to recent statistics, 40% of men won’t talk about their mental health with their friends or family. Therefore, the message is ‘don’t 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. 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. 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. 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.
Fitness
If you’re unfit, 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: If your 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.
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: https://www.menshealthforum.org.uk/questions-cancer-and-other-prostate-problems
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: https://prostatecanceruk.org/risk-checker
Diabetes
Peeing more often, especially at night, along with being overweight, tiredness and sores healing more slowly, blurred vision may all be signs of diabetes. Get your blood sugar tested at the GP’s surgery.
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. The NHS also offers a more detailed ‘What’s Your Heart Age’ tool at this link:- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/nhs-health-check/check-your-heart-age-tool/
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.
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!
Other Health ‘Warning Signs’
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.
Take advantage of NHS 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.
Key Statistics 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.
Man MOT Manuals for Physical and Mental Health
MHF publishes two easy-to-use interactive ‘Man MOT manuals’ which go into this in more detail and provide tools to monitor physical and mental health;
Men and online harms – the Forum’s webinar with Dr Marcus Maloney from the University of Coventry. Marcus leads a discussion on ‘Boys, men, and ‘toxic’ communities’: Tuesday 13th June @ 2pm on Zoom. REGISTER HERE.
Dr Hilary Jones – the Forum’s website editor Jim Pollard interviews the well-known GP in the Royal Voluntary Service’s Virtual Village Hall: Thursday 15th June @ 11am on Zoom. REGISTER HERE (on Facebook).
Further Information
For more information about Men’s Health Week, the MHF range of Men’s Health ‘Mini-Manuals’ and lots of information – visit the Men’s Health Forum website here: menshealthforum.org.uk
Contact
The Men’s Health Forum 7-14 Great Dover Street London, SE1 4YR Tel: 0330 097 0654 Website: www.menshealthforum.org.uk
Attachments:
Men’s Health Week Leaflets and Posters to print off
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
ELECTION OF NATIONAL DELEGATIONS 2023 Labour Party Conference
Further to LTB 124/23, dated 19th May 2023, please see below ballot results for the National Delegations which closed on the 7th June 2023.
LABOUR PARTY – Postal Constituency
Lay Members (4 Members to be elected)Paul BraithwaiteNorth Lancs & Cumbria55,968*ElectedHuw DaviesLondon Phoenix48,026*ElectedKeith HamiltonSouth Central Postal56,646*ElectedScott HartlesScotland No 240,523Alan TateLondon Regional Motor Transport68,543*Elected
Please find attached a branch analysis of the ballot results.
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.
POST OFFICE: JOINT STATEMENT – CROWN OFFICES SATURDAY OPENING HOURS
Branches are advised that Post Office and CWU have reviewed the opening hours of Crown offices which are open to the public on a Saturday. Currently there are 109 branches which are open on a Saturday, 31 of which operate after 12:30 pm. The review has taken into account customer footfall and feedback from our members and the consensus of opinion is to reduce the Saturday opening hours in 21 of the 31 branches. The following Joint Statement has been agreed, detailing the branches concerned, which will now close at 12:30 pm:
Joint Statement – Saturday Opening Hours
Within the Directly Managed branch (DMB) network there are currently 109 branches that are open to customers on Saturday. Out of those 109 branches, there are 31 that are open past 12:30pm.
Post Office and CWU have reviewed these opening hours, taking into account customer footfall and feedback from colleagues, and would like to move forward with a proposal to reduce the opening hours in 21 of the 31 branches. This would mean that those branches detailed below would now close at 12:30pm in line with the other 78 branches open on Saturday.
Post Office has committed to working with Area CWU representatives for the branches affected to formulate new duty solutions. This work will commence in June with an aim for the new hours to take effect no later than 31 July. It is expected that hours will be reinvested back into the branch elsewhere in the week. The views of those impacted will be considered where possible when reallocating the hours back into branch.
Should you have any questions or comments regarding the above please speak to your line manager or CWU workplace representative.Branch NameProposed Saturday closing hoursBranch NameProposed Saturday closing hoursCosham12:30Dunraven Place12:30Southall12:30Glasgow12:30Brixton12:30Inverness12:30Islington12:30Paignton12:30Grimsby12:30Sunderland City12:30Hyde12:30The Markets12:30Rotherham12:30Belfast CityNo changeSheffield City12:30BirminghamNo changeStroud12:30Cambridge CityNo changeLeighton Buzzard12:30Edinburgh CityNo changePort Talbot12:30GloucesterNo changePortsmouth 12:30High Street (10)No changeWindsor12:30ManchesterNo changeSalford City12:30Milton KeynesNo changeBangor12:30OxfordNo changeSt JohnsNo change
Pete Marsh Retail Operations Director Post Office
Andy Furey A/Deputy General Secretary (Postal)
We have consulted with our full time Reps, all of whom support this initiative as the consensus view amongst our Reps is that this will be very popular with our members. Added to which is the fact all hours will be recycled into the rest of the duties/week which means there are no cost savings directly attributed to this development.
Crucially the new duties will be subject to full negotiation with the Reps and the views of those impacted will be factored in wherever possible.
Any enquiries on the above should be addressed to Andy Furey, A/Deputy General Secretary (Postal) at lsheridan@cwu.org
CWU Eastern No5 Branch 