ELECTION OF CWU DEPUTY GENERAL SECRETARY (POSTAL) – 2023

Further to LTB 264/23 dated 26^th October 2023, please find attached a copy of the Independent Scrutineer’s report for the above election.

Please can you ensure that the results are brought to the attention of the members of your Branch.

The detailed Branch analysis will follow as soon as it is available.

Any enquiries regarding this matter should be directed to the Senior Deputy General Secretary’s department for the attention of Peter Metcalfe:

Telephone:  0208 971 7368

Email:  pmetcalfe@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,

Tony Kearns

Senior Deputy General Secretary

23LTB313

U0032_1 301123 ROV CWU DGS(P) 2023

View Online

Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash FY23 022 – ‘Cleaners Faced With Unsafe Workplace Conditions’:

Introduction, Background and Description: 

Royal Mail Group’s Safety Team have issued ‘RMG SHE Safety Flash FY23 022’ on the subject of ‘Cleaners being faced with unsafe workplace conditions’ following a series of recent accidents in operational offices.

In recent months several RMP&FS cleaners across the country have experienced serious injury from unsafe workplace conditions which they have been presented with at Royal Mail operational sites, ranging from broken glass in waste bins, overfilled waste bins with hidden sharps inside, falling and collapsing delivery frames secured only by cable ties, and discarded, dismantled equipment stored and stacked unsafely etc.

All of these accidents and resultant injuries were preventable if safe working practices were followed. This SHE Flash has been issued to highlight the risks that have been created by people disposing of waste in an inappropriate way.

Impact/Injuries: 

Several cleaners involved in recent accidents received minor and serious physical injuries, initially given first aid and subsequently treated at minor injury clinics, hospital A&Es and GP surgeries.

By law:

• Employers and managers are required by the Health and Safety at Work Act to ensure the health and safety of the workforce and to provide a workplace that is a safe place and has a safe system with safe plant and equipment. These responsibilities cannot be abrogated on to front line cleaning staff.

Key Messages, Learning Points, Advice and for PiCs and Unit Managers: 

Managers’ responsibilities: It is not the role of cleaning staff to segregate or remove waste that’s presented in an unsafe manner. See the images in the SHE Flash attached of some of the unsafe conditions leading to recent accidents and injuries to cleaners. In addition, hazardous biological waste and conditions were left for cleaners in some units.  Cleaning and maintaining a hygienic operational site can be a challenging task. Those who perform this vital role are often presented with difficult conditions. Cleaners deserve dignity and respect in the workplace.

The primary responsibility in law and in RMG Safety Instructions rests with the employer and their appointed Unit Managers or Persons in Control (PiCs). From there, everyone should contribute and be responsible for helping maintain a safe place to work and creating a positive safety culture. To do this, Unit Managers and Persons in Control (PiCs) must ensure a safe working environment for all employees and visitors under their control. They are required by law and so must conduct and be involved in safety inspections of the workplace to identify unsafe conditions before they can lead to accidents and harm.

PiCs and Unit Managers (MCMs, COMs, Plant Managers, Depot Managers etc.) – Actions:

• Broken glass should be placed directly into the external waste bin, to prevent the risk to cleaners, unaware of its presence, handling the waste broken glass and sustaining an injury. If this is not possible, broken glass should be safely, carefully packaged to prevent harm to cleaners whilst disposing of the waste.
• Brief the unit workforce on the importance of maintaining a safe place to work and encourage them to report unsafe conditions and acts, promoting a ‘Don’t-Walk-By’ culture.
• Highlight to the unit workforce that broken glass and other sharps should not be placed in general waste and should be disposed of with care.
• When dismantling, removing and relocating RM2000 Preparation Sorting Frames, the Safe Working Instructions and Task Based Risk Assessment must be followed – it’s ‘Mandatory’.
• Adhere to the instructions on the Minor Maintenance Works for Operations SharePoint site.
• Do not attempt to secure or construct of fit together any work equipment such as RM2000 Sorting Frames and Wings with ‘cable ties’. This is in breach of the Safe Working Instructions and Task Based Risk Assessment.
• When performing safety conversations with staff, ensure waste disposal and cleaners’ safety is covered.
• Make sure employees are briefed on waste disposal rules.
• Agency staff also need to be briefed on the rules.
• Managers must monitor waste disposal.

CWU ASR/WSR Actions:

• ASRs/WSRs please ensure that this Safety Flash is communicated and brought to the attention of all appropriate managers and members in Royal Mail and Parcelforce and that the SHE Flash actions are deployed by PiCs/Unit Managers.
• ASRs to concentrate attention on this matter during Workplace Safety Inspections and ensure members are briefed.
• Ensure the waste disposal safety rules are followed at all times and monitored by the Unit Manager/PiC.
• Ensure surplus equipment and waste is promptly removed from sites and not stored in York Containers, yards, outhouses, basements and cupboards etc.

Attachment: 

• Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash FY23 0232– ‘Cleaners Faced With Unsafe Workplace Conditions’.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 312/23 – Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash FY23 022 – ‘Cleaners Faced With Unsafe Workplace Conditions’

Att: SHE Flash FY23 022 – Cleaners Facing Unsafe Conditions

View Online

Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash FY23 023 – ‘Yard Safety’:

Introduction, Background and Description: 

Royal Mail Group’s Safety Team have issued ‘RMG SHE Safety Flash FY23 023’ on the subject of ‘Yard Safety’ following a series of recent accidents in Delivery Office yards, including three in the last two weeks, involving vans in collisions with pedestrians, all of which resulted in staff members sustaining injuries.

Obviously with the increasing number of vehicles and people using yards in the run up to Christmas, there’s a need to raise awareness of yard hazards and good practice that front line workers should follow.

Royal Mail is set to hire 16,000 temporary workers for this year’s Christmas peak period, Royal Mail’s busiest period, with around double the normal volumes of parcels and stamped letters processed. The company has hired an additional 7,000 vehicles across the Royal Mail Group and hired over 1,000 road haulage contractors to transport festive mail and parcels across the country. Five seasonal parcel sorting centres in Atherstone, Milton Keynes, Northampton, Daventry and Greenford will operate during the Christmas peak period. Parcelforce Worldwide is also recruiting additional drivers and indoor temporary workers.

One collision in Royal Mail/Parcelforce yards is one too many, and with three individuals suffering physical injures in the last two weeks, action needs to be taken by all concerned to ensure that more is done to ensure everyone keeps themselves, others and each other safe, working together to control the risks.

Impact/Injuries: 

The three recent accident victims who were struck by vehicles received minor physical injuries, initially given first aid and were subsequently treated at minor injury clinics, hospital A&Es and GP surgeries.

By law:

• Every workplace must be safe for the people and vehicles using it.
• Workplace traffic routes must be suitable for the people and vehicles using them.
• Where vehicles and pedestrians share a traffic route, there must be enough separation between them.
• By law, pedestrians or vehicles must be able to use a traffic route without causing danger to the health or safety of people working near it.
• Roadways and footpaths should be separate whenever possible.
• Employers and managers need to consider protection for people who work near vehicle routes.
• By law, traffic routes must also keep vehicle routes far enough away from doors or gates that pedestrians use, or from pedestrian routes that lead on to them, so the safety of pedestrians is not threatened.
• HSE advise that pedestrians should be kept away from areas where vehicles are working unless they need to be there.

Key Messages, Learning Points, Advice and Actions: 

Postmen/Postwomen OPGs – Stay Safe: 

• Always follow the yard rules.
• Wear Hi-Viz.
• Use the designated pedestrian traffic routes and stick to them.
• Keep traffic routes and walkways clear.
• Drivers must obey speed limits and one-way systems.
• Reverse park vans wherever possible.
• Report any concerns, unsafe conditions, practices or acts to the Unit Manager/PiC.

Managers/PiCs/COMs:

• When performing safety conversations with staff, ensure Yard Safety is covered.
• Make sure employees are briefed on Yard Safety Rules.
• Agency staff also need to be briefed on Yard Safety Rules.
• Remind staff to adopt a ‘zero-tolerance’ approach.
• Ensure that any identified yard safety risks are dealt with and remedial action taken.
• Managers must monitor Yard Safety in line with the Yard Safety Rules and the Unit’s Yard Risk Assessment.
• Make sure that visiting pedestrians report to the office. Visitors should be told about site safety policies and procedures before they are allowed into areas where vehicles operate. Provide visitors with Hi-Viz clothing.

CWU ASR/WSR Action:

• ASRs/WSRs please ensure that this Safety Flash is communicated and brought to the attention of all appropriate delivery members and drivers in Royal Mail and Parcelforce and that the SHE Flash actions are deployed by PiCs/Unit Managers.
• ASRs to concentrate attention on this matter during Workplace Safety Inspections and ensure delivery members are briefed.
• Ensure the Yard Safety Rules are followed at all times and monitored by the Unit Manager/PiC.
• Ensure that yard safety remedial actions, maintenance and repairs are closed out.

Attachments: 

• Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash FY23 023 – ‘Yard Safety’.
• HSE Workplace Transport Safety Guide.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 311/23 – Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash FY23 023 – ‘Yard Safety’

Att: SHE Flash FY23 023 – Yard Safety

Att: HSE Workplace Transport Safety – A Brief Guide (INDG199)

View Online

Postal Conference 2024 – Submission of Motions

Please find attached motion forms for Postal Conference 2024.  The purpose of this Letter to Branches is to remind those Branches/Co-ordinating Committees who do not have access to an email facility that they must contact head office direct to request hard copies of the forms to be despatched to them.  They should contact Angela Niven on 020 8971 7256.

We also take this opportunity to attach to this Letter to Branches the Motion Guide for submitting Motions to Postal Conference 2024.

Branches/Co-ordinating Committees are also reminded that the closing date for the submission of motions to Postal Conference is by noon onThursday 15^th February 2024 by email to postalmotions@cwu.org   No motions will be accepted that go to any other e-mail address as the conference guide to motions refers.

Any queries regarding this Letter to Branches should be addressed to Angela Niven at Head Office or on 020 8971 7256.

Yours sincerely,

A P Kearns
Senior Deputy General Secretary

23LTB310 – Postal Conference 2024 – Submission of Motions

Guide for Motions Postal 2024

Postal Motion Form 2024

View Online

Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash FY23 021 – ‘Dog Attacks’:

Introduction, Background and Description: 

Royal Mail Group’s Safety Team have issued ‘RMG SHE Safety Flash FY23 021’ following a very serious dog attack in which the victim postman/OPG sustained significant, serious injuries on 10 October 2023.

In summary (and as detailed in the attached RMG SHE Flash FY23 021 – entitled ‘Dog Attack’),  a large dog, known to the duty holder postman/OPG ferociously attacked and injured the victim. The postman/OPG had arrived at the property concerned with mail items to deliver. He saw the dog on a lead by the front door but could not see inside the door and if anyone was at the end of the lead or if the dog was secured and tied up. The postman/OPG opened the gate and entered the property, upon which the dog which was unsecured, leapt forward and launched a ferocious attack on him.

Despite this dog being known to the postman/OPG, it had not been reported to a line manager to be included on the ‘Offsite Risk Assessment’ (ORA).

Instead, the postman had wrongly come to an agreed arrangement with the customer/dog owner concerned which was to enter the property and leave the mail on the floor about ten feet away from the house front door, if the dog was present. This was a totally wrong approach and an inappropriate solution to agree with a customer.

Under RMG’s ‘zero-tolerance’ approach, the postman should never have entered the premises, if a large dog was seen to be present and loose or potentially loose. The customer should have either put the dog away and secured it in a room from where it couldn’t get out or if the customer/dog owner wishes to let their dog roam freely on their property, then they should fit an exterior mail box on the property’s perimeter fence or wall etc., in order to keep the postmen and women safe from possible dog bites and attacks.

The postman/OPG should never have accepted any assurances from the customer/dog owner or made any such ‘informal’, extraordinary arrangements with the customer/dog owner and he should not have entered a premises with this large dog in full view, whether it was on a chain, lead, rope, strap etc., or not.

Full details and learning points are contained in the ‘SHE Flash FY23 021- Dog Attack’, copy attached.

Impact/Injuries: 

The victim delivery postal worker received severe injuries to his right arm and upon being dragged/knocked to the ground, the dog inflicted severe, deep bite wounds to the victim’s head and skull. The victim was rushed to hospital for emergency treatment and apart from the physical injuries there will be shock and psychological injury following such a devastating attack.

Police Action:

The incident was correctly, promptly reported to RMG Security and the Police who are currently undertaking an investigation with the view of charging the dog owner with a criminal offence under Section 3 of the Dangerous Dogs Act.

Key Messages, Learning Points, Advice and Actions: 

Postmen/Postwomen OPGs – Stay Safe: 

• 82% of attacks happen at a customer’s door or in their garden so take no risks!
• Never put your fingers through a letterbox – use a posting peg whenever you can.
• Always be vigilant. Monitor your surroundings for dogs, look out for tell-tale signs of dogs at a property, for example, beware of the dog warning signs, dog beds, toys, chewed items, bones, food and water bowls, dog mess etc.
• If there’s a gate to the property, rattle it and wait a few seconds to see if a dog is present. Listen and look for signs of a dog’s presence.
• Do not enter a garden if you feel at risk or fear that there is or may be a dog present and roaming free on the property. Remember, Dogs are naturally territorial and defensive. Territorial displays are a normal part of their behavioral traits. While any dog may show territorial responses, certain dogs have been bred and trained for guarding and watchful behaviors.
• Never accept dog owner’s assurances that a dog will not bite or harm you – always ask owners to restrain and secure their dogs or put them away. Step back and away from an owner with a dog to avoid any protective, defensive reaction from the dog – staying out of the dog’s space.
• Where a dog is present do not hand items over to the owner or for example over a fence or gate and do not pass them into the customer/dog’s space.
• Use your pouch or trolley as a barrier between you and a dog, if approached unexpectedly.
• Never feed or stroke dogs and certainly never tease or antagonise a dog.
• Report all dogs, incidents, near misses etc., on your duty to your manager for it to be entered on the ORA system and check Walk Logs.
• If you are attacked, you must report it, even minor incidents – first to your manager and then to RMG Security and the Police. You could help stop future attacks happening by doing this and supporting prosecution of irresponsible dog owners. Under the revised Dangerous Dogs Act, postal workers have legal protection from dog attacks on private property.
• Dog ownership has recently increased and research suggests that there are now approximately 12 million dogs in the UK, with a third of households owning a dog. That means one in three properties that mail deliveries are made to in the UK will have one or more dogs.

Managers/PiCs/COMs – 

• When performing Safety Conversations with staff, ensure dangerous dogs are covered.
• Make sure employees are regularly briefed on dog attack risks.
• Agency staff also need to be briefed on dog attack risks and safety precautions when carrying out deliveries.
• Remind staff to adopt a ‘zero-tolerance’ approach.
• Remind staff not to put fingers through the letterbox. Over 400 postal staff are bitten through the letterbox every year and 1000 postal staff have had a finger or part finger bitten off or severely injured in the last 5 years with many individuals left with permanent disability.
• Maintain the ORA and Walk Logs with all dog risks.
• Ensure that all dog incidents are recorded and reported with the appropriate action followed as per the ‘One Page Managers Guide For Reporting Dog Attacks’ (copy attached).
• Ensure that staff know where to access, the ‘Delivery Safe System of Work.’
• Ensure that staff report all significant dog hazards (dogs showing aggression, snatching letters behind letterbox or loose on a property or in a public space) to a manager so they can be recorded on the ORA (Offsite Risk Assessment) and duty Walk Log. The manager should then take appropriate action. Mangers must refer to the ‘One Page Managers Guide For Reporting Dog Attacks’ (copy attached). Ensure actions have been completed.

CWU ASR/WSR Action:

• ASRs/WSRs please ensure that this Safety Flash is communicated and brought to the attention of all appropriate delivery members in Royal Mail and Parcelforce and that the SHE Flash actions are deployed by PiCs/Managers.
• ASRs to concentrate attention on this matter during Workplace Safety Inspections and ensure delivery members are briefed.
• Ensure the Delivery SSoW is followed and monitored.
• Ensure all dog hazards are recorded on the ORA.
• Ensure managers record and report all dog attack incidents and follow the ‘One Page Managers Guide For Reporting Dog Attacks’ (copy attached).
• Ensure that the ASR is promptly notified of all dog attacks and an ERICA copy is provided to the ASR without delay.
• Ensure that members who are victims of dog attacks and incur over one week’s sick leaved complete an RMG Dog Attack Compensation Scheme Claim Form (copy attached) which will protect them from loss of earnings, ensuring they receive ‘average earnings’ rather than ‘basic pay’ whilst recovering from their injuries.
• Ensure that members who are victims of dog attacks receive a CWU LS3 Claim Form for Legal Assistance (copy attached).

Attachments: 

• Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash FY23 021 – ‘Dog Attack’.
• RMG One Page Managers Guide for Reporting Dog Attacks.

Footnote and Warning: 

It is worth noting and warning delivery members that there have been a number of serious dog attacks resulting in severe injuries on postmen and women in recent months, in various parts of the country plus the overall number of dog attacks on postal workers continues to increase. As such, members should be warned against complacency and advised strongly of the need to be vigilant and on their guard at all times, taking no unnecessary risks with their personal safety and wellbeing. Always, take a safe course of action when presented with a choice.

AVOID & STAY SAFE 

A – Avoid interacting with all dogs – don’t take risks!

V – Value yourself; don’t put yourself at risk.

O – Observe; keep your Walk Log up to date.

I – Inform others of potential risks to stop them being attacked – don’t ignore minor incidents! – report it! It may be far worse next time!

D – Defend yourself if necessary, using your delivery equipment and support investigations and prosecutions – too many injured members refuse to support prosecutions and give evidence, leaving dog owners who are guilty of criminal offences to get away scot-free!

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 309/23 – Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash FY23 021 – ‘Dog Attacks’

Att: SHE Flash FY23 021 – Dog Attack

Att: One Page Manager Guide for Reporting Dog Attacks v1.1

Att: RMG-Dog-Attack-Compensation-Claim-Form – Word Doc

Att: LS3 Claim Form

View Online

Rules Revision Conference 2024 – Submission of Rule Proposals

Attached with this Letter to Branches are Rule Proposal forms for the Rules Revision Conference 2024.

Branches should note that the Motion Guide for submitting rule proposals to the Rules Revision Conference 2024 has been attached.  

Entitlements

In relation to the Rules Revision Conference 2024 all Branches and Regional Committees are entitled to submit up to three proposals to the Rules Revision Conference 2024.

Branches and Regional Committees are reminded that the closing date for submissions of Rules Proposals to the Rules Revision Conference 2024 is noon Thursday 14^th March 2024.  Submission of Rules Proposals can be posted or emailed but must arrive by noon.

If sending Proposals by post, Branches must ensure they use a signed for service which guarantees delivery by the closing date and time.

Branches, Regions, and the NEC are reminded that the Standing Orders Committee will not alter or amend any of the Rule Proposals submitted therefore it is important that proposal authors read the attached guidance notes carefully and Rule Proposals are checked before they are submitted.

Please note that all proposals must be sent by e-mail to ruleamendments@cwu.org and no other personal e-mail address.

Any queries regarding this Letter to Branches should be addressed to Angela Niven on 020 8971 7256 or by e-mail to conferences@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,

A P Kearns

Senior Deputy General Secretary

LTB 308/23 – Rules Revision Conference 2024 – Submission of Rule Proposals

Att: Rules Revision Guidance Notes 2024

Att: RR Proposal Form 24

View Online

General Conference 2024 – Submission of Motions

Attached with this Letter to Branches are motion forms for General Conference 2024.  Branches should note that the motion guide for submitting motions to General Conference 2024 has been attached. Submitting bodies are advised to read the guidance notes carefully prior to submitting motions to ensure your motions meet the criteria for submission.

Entitlements In relation to the General Conference 2024:

• All Branches are entitled to submit three motions to General Conference.
• Regional Committees are entitled to submit three motions to the General Conference – however one of the motions must be from the Regional Equality Sub-Committee.
• Regional Health and Safety Sub-Committees are entitled to submit three motions on Health, Safety and Environmental matters to the Health Safety and Environment section of the agenda.

Branches/Regional Committees/Regional Health and Safety Sub-Committees are also reminded that the closing date for the submission of motions to General Conference is noon on Thursday 1^stFebruary 2024.

Motions submitted by email and any other email correspondence must be sent to generalmotions@cwu.org and no other personal email address.

Submitting bodies ***Please note the new email address***

If sending Motions by post, Branches must ensure they use a signed for service which guarantees delivery by the closing date and time.

Motions received will be acknowledged within 72 hours. If you do not receive notification of the receipt of your motions, contact generalmotions@cwu.org or call Angela Niven at head office on 020 8971 7256 to confirm receipt.

Branches/Regions/Health and Safety Sub-Committees/Minority Conferences and the NEC are reminded that the Standing Orders Committee will not alter or amend any of the motions submitted therefore it is important that motion authors read the attached guidance notes carefully and motions are checked before they are submitted. 

Any queries regarding this Letter to Branches should be addressed to Angela Niven on 020 8971 7256 or by email to generalmotions@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,

A P Kearns

Senior Deputy General Secretary

LTB 307/23 – General Conference 2024 – Submission of Motions

Att: General Conference Motion Guide 2024

Att: General Conference Motion Form 2024

HS Motion form GC 2024

View Online

JANE LOFTUS – CWU PRESIDENT – ARRANGEMENTS

We have been informed by Jane’s family that the arrangements for a Service to celebrate the life of Jane Loftus, CWU President, will be held at Springwood Crematorium, Springwood Avenue, Liverpool L25 7UN on the 24th November commencing at 2pm.

Given that there will be a limited capacity for the amount of people within the crematorium, the family are requesting that this be firstly restricted to family and close friends – however, arrangements have been made for a sound system to relay the service in the main foyer and outside for everyone to join in. We would ask that those who attend from the CWU are mindful of the family’s request on this issue.

The family have also arranged for the service to be viewed online with a direct link for people who are unable to attend. https://watch.obitus.com/8KxZF6

Username jebu1122

Password 386348

After the service there will also be the chance to celebrate Jane’s life at the Shankly Hotel, Millennium House, 60 Victoria St, Liverpool L1 6JD.

Flowers – the family have requested no flowers, however they would be grateful for donations be sent to ‘Stand up to Racism’ a cause that was so close to Jane’s heart and one of her last requests. For anyone who wishes to donate please use the following link. https://standuptoracism.org.uk/?form=donate

Yours sincerely

Dave Ward
General Secretary        

Tony Kearns
Senior Deputy General Secretary

23LTB289 JANE LOFTUS CWU PRESIDENT ARRANGEMENTS

View Online

Global Action Plan ‘Open Letter’ Signed By CWU Calling on all Political Parties to Prioritise Clean Air Policies in their General Election Manifestoes:

The CWU has proactively supported the Trade Union Clean Air Network, Global Action Plan, National Clean Air Day and the Greener Jobs Alliance since the inception of these organisation networks in the collective support of achieving better air quality, reducing air pollution and emissions as key components in combatting environmental degradation.

The ‘Global Action Network’ has thanked the CWU for its continual support of annual national ‘Clean Air Day’ and in seeing the campaign shared far and wide this year and for helping to create such a great impact!

To take the campaigning to the next level, Global Action Plan and partners are now directly calling for political action to achieve better air quality. As an organisation that cares about and stands up for clean air, the Communication Workers Union has signed an Open Letter calling for all political parties to prioritise clean air policies in their manifestoes for the forthcoming 2024 General Election which must take place before the 17 December 2024. A large number of clean air champions and significant national and professional bodies have signed the letter.

‘Global Action Plan’, a charitable trust has joined forces with the newly founded ‘Health Equals’, part of the Health Foundation Charity which has TUC support, to drive home the message that clean air is an essential building block of health, without which the UK cannot prosper. The ‘Open Letter’ contains the ‘Global Action Plan’ evidence-based case for action on clean air and four specific policies for political parties to include within their 2024 election manifestoes – the important agenda setting statements that political parties use to show the direction they would take if successful in the general election.

The four specific policy asks included in the Open Letter have been co-developed with a mixed working group and have been peer reviewed by the NHS, UKHSA, Local Government Organisation, and Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. The policy asks were discussed at a Parliamentary Roundtable at the Labour Party Conference and have been shared with parliamentarians and civil servants in draft form. ‘Global Action Plan’ are confident that these asks:

• Will have an impact on air quality and improve public health.
• Are achievable and well-evidenced.
• Are politically viable and likely to have impact.

The Letter calls on all political parties to recognise the importance of clean air and take meaningful action to address air pollution. The letter, signed by 40 organisations, has been sent to party leaders, parliamentarians, and manifesto writers in a united bid to encourage a stronger commitment to clean air policies in the run-up to the general election.

Air pollution is the greatest environmental threat to human health, associated with up to 43,000 deaths and millions of cases of ill health in the UK each year.

The letter asks political parties to commit to four core clean air policies:

• A Clean Air Act with enhanced air quality targets and the legal right to breathe clean air.
• A public engagement campaign on air quality and health.
• Investment in walking, wheeling and cycling infrastructure and facilities.
• The establishment of Clean Air Frameworks to bring together local authorities and health and social care teams to work together on clean air initiatives.

The policy proposals were co-developed by the ‘Clean Air Advisory Group’, set up earlier this year by ‘Global Action Plan’ and ‘Health Equals’, with the goal of driving forward political action on clean air and improved health outcomes. The group scrutinised and peer reviewed a range of clean air policies to settle on a final four that are practical, possible and will make a difference to public health in the UK.

The ‘Clean Air Advisory Group’ (CAAG) is a collaborative group of seven charities and NGOs managed in partnership by ‘Health Equals’ and ‘Global Action Plan’. Members of the group include the ‘Centre for Mental Health’, the ‘Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health’ (RCPCH), ‘Sustrans’ (Sustainable Transport Charity), the ‘Race Equality Foundation’, and the ‘Wildlife Trust’. The CAAG seeks to: increase public and political recognition of air quality as a building block of health, co-develop impactful policy asks, and demonstrate the case for prioritising clean air in political agendas.

The ‘Global Action Network’ and ‘Health Equals’ have thanked CWU for our support of the ‘Open Letter’, calling on all parties and politicians to prioritise clean air polices in their manifestoes.

Please find a copy of the letter attached along with a copy of the supporting press release and poster which have been published and released to the press and media yesterday.

Clean air is a core building block of health. Following the lack of recognition of environmental issues or preventative health measures in the Government’s Autumn Statement, the collective message cannot come at a more important time.

Attachments:

• Clean Air Manifesto Commitment Request to Political Parties Open Letter.
• Supporting Press Release.
• Supporting Poster.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

23LTB306 Global Action Plan ‘Open Letter’ For Clean Air Policies in General Election Manifestoes

Clean Air in Manifestoes, 2023

Press Release – Global Action Plan leads call for bold action on clean a…

~$P Poster – Cleaning Up The Air Benefits Us All – Manifesto Commitment …

View Online

Royal Mail Group Estate – Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC):

As many will be aware, the building material ‘Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete’ (RAAC) has been widely reported on, in the news, in recent months with public concern growing about this construction fabric, which is fully understandable given the potential safety and health issues involved with it especially as many schools, hospitals and public buildings have been found to contain it.

The question now being raised with the CWU HQ Health, Safety and Environment Department by CWU Reps, Branches and members is – is there any RAAC in Royal Mail Group estate buildings and if so, what is Royal Mail Group, and particularly Property and Facilities Services doing to ensure it’s safe and not a risk to the workforce?

The issue was raised initially in early October with a meeting and correspondence taking place with Elizabeth Lloyd Royal Mail Group Director Health and Safety, Stuart Davies Director of Property & Facilities Management RMG P&FS and Clare Brooks Property Risk and Assurance Lead RMG P&FS.

When we met the Business, they fully acknowledged our concerns and Royal Mail Group have now outlined their strategy and confirmed they have commenced a building inspection programme in addition to the other routine property inspections such as asbestos re-inspections, fire risk assessments etc. The building inspection programme includes assessing the condition and location of any RAAC panels and fabric. They have confirmed that the business continues to take safety of the workforce seriously and will work jointly at local level engaging with CWU and Unite/CMA Union representatives and will follow expert advice and undertake any remedial works required to keep the workforce safe.

Royal Mail Group have engaged competent chartered structural engineers to undertake building fabric surveys and investigate the presence and condition of RAAC. These competent organisations will provide recommendations for any remedial works required, should RAAC be identified. A similar building fabric ‘High Aluminium Concrete’ (HAC) may also exist in some buildings and this will likewise be investigated and checked if found. The business will follow all current guidance on this risk and take appropriate action based upon the expert recommendations. This is the same process that is undertaken for any other property compliance inspection which is undertaken regularly within the properties. Royal Mail Group have assured the CWU HQ Health, Safety & Environment Department that they will follow all expert advice and continue to undertake any remediation works required to provide the workforce with a safe working environment, and that CWU ASRs and Unit representatives will be engaged in the activities to mitigate and remediate any risks and be kept fully informed.

The Royal Mail Group Director of Health and Safety has given CWU HQ a written assurance that the business takes its health and safety responsibilities very seriously and is following the “identify, assess and manage” guidance issued by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to manage the risk of RAAC in the Royal Mail Group Estate. Royal Mail Group are aware of the possibility of it being present and have contingency plans in place to address it if it is found. The Director has added that Royal Mail Group is aware of the need to be particularly careful in areas where asbestos containing materials are present. The Director has assured CWU HQ that the business’s asbestos management procedures are thorough and all the surveying teams (building and structural) are provided with the building’s asbestos registers, as well as other property hazard information required to enable a comprehensive, suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks.

The Director of Health and Safety and Director of Property and Facilities Services will remain in touch with the CWU HQ Health, Safety and Environment Department on this and other health and safety matters going forward.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 305/23 – Royal Mail Group Estate – Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC)

View Online