Workers of the world unite; you have nothing to lose but your chains. Karl Marx.
Guide to Independent Living booklets and other resources have been sent out today (29/2/24) to each workplace in the branch for members to use. As we get older our caring responsibilities change and any help, advice and support is welcome.
Please click the link below to find support in your area.
https://www.carechoices.co.uk/publication-type/regional-care-services-directories/
Better Backs Campaign” – Move York Containers Safety – One at a Time
(Avoid back, joints and limb injuries, known as musculoskeletal disorders – MSDs)
“Better Backs – Move One York At A Time Campaign”
The Health, Safety and Environment Department has over recent months been receiving an increasing number of reports from CWU ASRs and Reps that Plant Managers/Persons In Charge (PICs) in Hubs, Distribution Centres and Mail Centres have been encouraging staff to ‘breach’ Royal Mail’s long-standing ‘Mandatory’ York Containers Safe System of Work V3.3 ‘the latest version’ by moving two York Containers at a time. There have also been ‘false suggestions’ that the Union has agreed to such a working practice which is completely untrue.
Royal Mail ‘Mandatory’ York Containers Safe System of Work V3.3
The Royal Mail ‘Mandatory’ York Containers Safe System of Work V3.3 for the operation and use of York Containers and Mini-York Containers states as follows:
Doctor Corinne Parsons – Royal Mail National Occupational Health and Ergonomics Manager
In 2019, Doctor Corinne Parsons, Royal Mail Group National Occupational Health and Ergonomics Manager carried out a Study and Risk Assessment of the impact of York Container work activities in relation to the practice of moving two York Containers at once at the former National Distribution Centre. Her findings, conclusions and recommendations were are follows:
Doctor Parsons’ study of staff moving two York Containers at a time at the former NDC, found that:
HSE Guidance
HSE Guidance published on the HSE website at the following link: https://www.hse.gov.uk1/food/roll-cages-wheeled-racks.htm states as follows for all roll-cages, safe working advice is that workers should “only move one roll container/cage at a time”.
Campaign Materials
Hard copy printed versions of the above posters/leaflets can be ordered in A3, A4, A5 sizes from Louise Pietrzykowska (lpietrzykowska@cwu.org) in the Health, Safety and Environment department or downloaded and printed regionally.
ASR/WSR/Branch Reps Action
We are launching this Campaign to firstly put the record straight and to secondly put our members’ health and safety first. Would all ASRs, WSRs, Branch and Regional Representatives please support the Campaign by displaying posters and distributing the leaflets to our members at the earliest opportunity.
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
24LTB163 Better Backs Campaign – Move York Containers Safety – One at a Time
08067 – Better back campaign – animated version -v2
For the Immediate Attention of:
Postal Branches with Eurest (ex Quadrant) Members
Divisional Representatives
Dear Colleagues,
EUREST (EX QUADRANT) PAY CLAIM 2024-BALLOT RESULT
Reproduced below for the information of Branches is the result of the above ballot, which has been received from Tony Kearns, Senior Deputy General Secretary:
Ballot Papers Issued 125
Votes for Acceptance 52
Votes Against 1
Spoils 0
The ballot has therefore resulted in a return of approximately 42% with 98% voting in favour of the agreement.
Branches are requested to ensure that members are made aware of the result of this ballot.
The Department has informed Eurest of the result and unfortunately despite previous assurances, Eurest have informed us that they are unable to make arrangements for the increases to be applied to May salaries. Therefore, arrangements are being put in place for the increased rates of pay including the full back dating to 1st April 2024 to be paid to members in their June salaries.
Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary, email: sbanbury@cwu.org quoting reference: 301.13.
Yours sincerely,
Davie Robertson
Assistant Secretary
TO: BRANCHES WITH MEMBERS EMPLOYED BY PARCELFORCE WORLDWIDE (INCLUDING RMSS)
Dear Colleagues,
Further to LTB 150/24 dated 3rd May 2024, at the close of nominations today the following has been received:-
SUBSTITUTE AREA HEALTH & SAFETY REPRESENTATIVE
Central Region Jaspreet SinghSouth Midlands Postal*Elected
Any enquiries regarding this Letter to Branches should be addressed to the Senior Deputy General Secretary’s Department on telephone number 0208 971 7237 or email address sdgs@cwu.org
Yours sincerely,
Tony Kearns
Senior Deputy General Secretary
LTB 162/24 – PARCELFORCE SUB AREA HEALTH & SAFETY REP – CENTRAL REGION
Your Voice in the Workplace – May 2024
Please find attached the May Workplace Bulletin.
It is crucial that Branches are printing and distributing the monthly bulletin in every workplace. We have received some feedback from members that they have not seen other issues. The purpose of this publication is to ensure the union is pushing written content directly into the workplace so your role in that process is integral.
Thank you for your support and please contact us if you have ideas for future issues of the publication.
Yours sincerely,
Martin Walsh
Deputy General Secretary (Postal)
Chris Webb
Head of Communications
24LTB161 Your Voice in the Workplace – May 2024
Royal Mail Fleet Pay Agreement Update
The following is designed to provide an update on the ballot timetable for the Pay Agreement and our engagement strategy with members and Branches. We have agreed the following ballot timetable with the independent scrutineers:
Within the ballot papers will be a communication explaining the agreement and a copy of the pay agreement.
We are also, within this LTB, attaching a briefing document and the agreement.
On Friday 17th May at 18:00 we will be holding a Fleet CWU Members zoom call to explain the agreement.
Membership meetings have already commenced with Fleet Workshops involving Postal Executive Members and will continue until the close of the ballot timescale. We believe it is essential that our members have all the information they need to ensure they can make an informed decision.
The Postal Executive are convinced that this is the best negotiated pay agreement which can be reached and that Fleet members should VOTE YES to this agreement.
Yours sincerely,
Martin Walsh
Deputy General Secretary (Postal)
LTB 158-24 – Royal Mail Fleet Pay Agreement Update
Attachment: Fleet BRTGA pay May 2024
IDS TAKEOVER BID UPDATE
Branches will be aware that it was announced yesterday that EP Group, through its vehicle Vesa Equity, have made a further bid for the entire ownership of International Distribution Services, which includes Royal Mail Group and GLS. We expect EP Group to progress this bid in the next 14 days, where we understand conversations will take place with shareholders.
The IDS Board has stated that they are “minded to recommend the offer”. We have attached their statement and the CWU’s press statement on the matter to this LTB.
We also expect the government to investigate this takeover under the National Security and Investment Act, though as of yet, we are unsure of the length and scope of this investigation.
At our recent CWU Conference, we passed an emergency motion on the conditions of any takeover of the company. This motion is also attached to this LTB. We will enact this policy in the coming weeks and have already contacted the government on the takeover. We are also engaged in ongoing conversations with the Labour Party on these matters.
We have been invited to meet with Vesa Equity to discuss our concerns on the takeover bid and this meeting will take place as soon as possible, in accordance with all regulatory and legal requirements.
We will update you further next week on our communication and engagement strategy for our reps and members on this issue, as well as providing further updates on the process.
If you have any questions, please contact jdunn@cwu.org.
Yours sincerely
Dave Ward
General Secretary
Martin Walsh
Deputy General Secretary (Postal)
Revised Possible Cash Offer and PUSU Extension
6PM TONIGHT – CWU LIVE ON THE ROYAL MAIL TAKEOVER
Dear Members,
Tonight at 6pm Dave Ward and Martin Walsh will update members on the developments today on the Royal Mail takeover bid.
This session is an important part of our plan to re-engage in every workplace in the UK.
Please tune in at 6pm and ask your colleagues to do the same.
Watch live and on catch up via this link: https://www.youtube.com/live/zxh8XXwH_-o?si=3U5Bbynaqkr63PcA
#TheCWU
CWU BAME Networking Event – 19th June 2024
The Equality, Education and Development department are pleased to announce that a CWU BAME Networking Event will be taking place on Wednesday 19th June 2024.
The event will run from 10:30am – 3:30pm, in Conference Rooms 2&3 at CWU Headquarters, 150 The Broadway, London, SW19 1RX.
The day will be a valuable opportunity to network with BAME colleagues from around the UK and will include interactive and informative sessions, group discussions and learning opportunities for future progression.
A full agenda will be shared in due course.
Any queries on this LTB or to reserve your place should be directed to equality&education@cwu.org
We look forward to seeing you there!
Yours sincerely,
Kate Hudson
Head of Equality, Education & Development
YOUR VOICE IN THE WORKPLACE – MAY BULLETIN
Please find attached and in the link below, the workplace bulletin for members in the TFS constituency of the CWU.
As always, we ask that branches cascade by printing and distributing in the workplace where possible and via email for members who have no designated workplace.
Yours sincerely,
Karen Rose
Deputy General Secretary (TFS)
Chris Webb
Head of Communications
24LTB155 YOUR VOICE IN THE WORKPLACE – MAY BULLETIN
08102-your-voice-BTG-05-2up08102-your-voice-BTG-05-2up08102-your-voice-BTG-05-2up
CWU Eastern No5 Branch 