CWU REPS BRIEFING

CWU REPS BRIEFING

ISSUE 2: UPDATE ON TALKS WITH ROYAL MAIL GROUP

TO ALL CWU REPS

Following on from Issue 1 of the CWU Reps Briefing we are now able to give an update on discussions that have been taking place with the employer on a range of issues.

We ask that you share the information within this briefing with all members.

ATTENDANCE PROCEDURE

We are pleased to report that significant progress has been made that removes Royal Mail Group’s executive action and two joint statements have been issued. Full details were shared via LTBs 215 and 216 and the CWU has secured:

• An improved migration process from the old standards to the new – benefitting thousands of CWU members.
• A delay in the implementation of the statutory sick pay arrangements until October 1st (originally August 1st).
• The right to appeal and have CWU representative at those appeals for AR1 and AR2 warnings.
• Ongoing discussions and reviews of the policy through the national joint working groups.
• A commitment from Royal Mail to negotiate a new Collective Agreement by the end of September.

Briefings on the changes will now be prepared for all CWU representatives.

MAIL CENTRE SURPLUSES

The discussions on surpluses have been ongoing and are now at a crucial stage. We have made progress and further talks are scheduled this week. We fully recognise the urgency of the situation for the members involved and have made this clear to Royal Mail. We will report further developments as soon as we have them.

BUSINESS RECOVERY, TRANSFORMATION AND GROWTH AGREEMENT

Quality of Service across the UK is at its worst level ever. Nothing will change until Royal Mail stop attacking their best asset – the workers. You feel it in the offices every day, the media cover it constantly, customers cannot rely on Royal Mail anymore and mass reputational damage is being done to the company.

Long term staff are leaving, new entrants are walking straight out of the door and the industry is rife with agency staff. If Royal Mail are to survive then now must be the turning point. Please be assured that we continue to raise these issues at the highest level of the business.

The company have indicated to us that they would like to jointly engage the regulator to discuss USO compliance and initial discussions have taken place between us and Royal Mail Group. At this point there is nothing significant to report other than the CWU will ensure all members input into our strategy in the coming weeks. In the meantime, we would urge members to ignore any rumours on this subject. If there are any developments, we will report them to you straight away. Be assured though – we are not in the market for letting Royal Mail off the hook on quality and USO compliance. Any discussions on the future of the USO will be fully in line with the agreement i.e. what is the best way to secure its future, whilst also recognising the need to develop our joint project on expanding the role of postal workers.

NATIONAL BRIEFING

An online briefing was held on 21st August This briefing updated your Branches on the issues above as well as recruitment and the Lord Falconer Independent Review. We have asked Branches to update you locally.

YOUR ROLE AS CWU REPRESENTATIVES

As with issue 1 of the briefing we ask that you share this information with your members in person, via office WhatsApp groups and social media pages.

Representatives should also be prepared for your Branch to commence intensive recruitment activity in the coming weeks aimed at targeting new entrants to the business. We would encourage you to pick this up in the workplace with immediate effect so we can hit the ground running.

Resources and materials will be available to support this later in the week