GENERAL ELECTION 2024 – VOTE LABOUR

Please see attached an advanced copy of a letter that is being sent to CWU members’ home addresses, setting out the reasons why we are asking our members to vote Labour in the General Election.

The letter focuses on Labour’s plans to introduce a new deal for working people – a campaign which the CWU initiated both within the TUC and the Labour party. 

 

The letter will also help CWU representatives answer any questions from our members and reaffirms the reasons why trade unions engage in politics.

 

The letter should arrive at home addresses from tomorrow. 

 

Please ensure that all your Branch representatives receive a copy of the advance letter today.

 

Copies of both the Postal and Telecoms and Financial Services letters are attached. They are identical aside from the signatories. 

 

Yours sincerely

                                              
Dave Ward                                                                       
General Secretary                   

24LTB230 GENERAL ELECTION 2024 – VOTE LABOUR

General Election – Vote Labour Mailing – dw mw – v1

General Election – Vote Labour Mailing – dw kr – v1

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IDS (RMG) TAKEOVER BID – INDIVIDUAL MEMBER COMMUNICATION

Further to LTB 225/24, please find attached an advanced copy of the letter that is being sent to members’ home addresses with information on the IDS (RMG) takeover process and the union’s response.

The letter should arrive from tomorrow.

We are asking Branches to send the advanced copy to all area and local representatives, to assist them in answering any questions from members on the takeover bid, following the publication of EP Groups offer document on Monday.

Yours sincerely

Dave Ward
General Secretary

Martin Walsh
Deputy General Secretary (P)

24LTB229 IDS (RMG) TAKEOVER BID – INDIVIDUAL MEMBER COMMS

08127 – RMG TAKEOVER BID – v1

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CWU LGBT+ and Allies Networking Event – Registration Reminder! 

Further to LTB187/24 we are writing to remind Branches to register for the LGBT+ and Allies Networking Event due to take place on 16^th August 2024. The event will take place in conjunction with Chester Pride.  

Day 1: Friday 16th August 2024 – The Networking event will run from 13:00 – 17:00 and take place at Doubletree by Hilton Hotel & Spa Chester, Warrington Road, Chester, CH2 3PD.  

Day 2: Saturday 17^th August 2024 – will include attending Chester Pride, taking place at Box 7, Unity Centre, Cuppin Street, Chester CH1 2BN. Further information will follow regarding a CWU meeting point and times. 

Those wishing to stay at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Spa, Chester are reminded that you have until the 5^th July 2024 to take advantage of the special CWU discounted rate for a overnight stay.  

Bookings can be made via the hotel website by clicking on this link: BOOK NOW 

Branches can register for the networking event by emailing equality&education@cwu.org   

I look forward to seeing you at the event.

Yours sincerely, 

Kate Hudson 
Head of Equality, Education & Development 

24LTB 226 – CWU LGBT+ and Allies Networking Event – Registration Reminder!

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CWU LIVE – Tonight at 7pm – General Election, Network Changes in Royal Mail and more

Dear Members 

The latest episode of CWU Live will be broadcast tonight at 7pm and our special guest, Senior Deputy General Secretary Tony Kearns will cover the latest developments as we run into next week’s general election. 

We will also have updates on the Royal Mail network changes, horizon scandal and a report from last week’s BAME reps meeting at CWU HQ. 

It’s going to be a brilliant show. 

Tune in at 7pm tonight or watch via catch up at your own leisure via this link https://youtu.be/3QslXMF_hIk?si=I6Dg8Kd55dg2X_d5

See you there. 

Chris Webb
Head of Communications

Royal Mail/CWU National Trial Covering Short Notice/Odd Days Leave Requests

Attached for the information of Branches, Representatives and members is a Terms of Reference covering trial activity on the ability to access Annual Leave at short notice and for odd days.

The difficulties faced by many members across all operational functions to secure short notice and odd days leave has been well documented and continues to remain a deeply frustrating issue. In line with wider commitments set out in the Business Recovery, Transformation and Growth (BRT&G) Agreement, we have been in discussions with Royal Mail on this issue. These talks have now concluded with the attached Terms of Reference which has been endorsed by the Postal Executive.

To confirm, this trial activity is aimed at improving access to short notice and odd days leave requests and is not designed in any way to seek to reduce overall leave ceilings within a unit or location. It is also agreed that as part of the trial all up to date annual leave plans will be displayed within the unit/location, as this will aim to aid in terms of granting leave wherever possible and will further assist in responding to individuals requesting leave at the earliest opportunity. The trial activity also includes the ceasing of the current process, whereby individuals who have had a request for annual leave refused, are then granted unpaid leave for the same dates.

The normal safeguards on joint involvement have been agreed, including the full involvement of

the reps within the units included in this trial activity. They will also be involved in the review of the

trial activity through their feedback of how the process worked for them and what impact it had on

improving annual leave locally.

When the trial has concluded the joint evaluation will include the following:

• Short notice / ad hoc annual leave approach has acted as an effective method of reviewing (approved or rejected) short notice / ad hoc annual leave requests;
• Volume of requests for short notice / ad hoc annual leave approved / rejected have:
• Positively impacted sick absence;
• Reduced special leave or urgent domestic distress absences;
• Met universal service obligation (USO) requirements;
• Not impacted on colleague earnings and attendance patterns;
• Trial has not replaced / been used to circumvent the attendance procedure.

The units involved in the trial activity are listed below:Processing Units Delivery UnitsROD South Central – Southampton MCROD Greater London – South TottenhamROD Yorkshire – Sheffield MCROD Yorkshire – GooleROD Greater London – Jubilee MCROD NI & Northeast – RedcarROD South Midlands – South Midlands MCROD NI & Northeast – Wear ValleyROD Northwest – WarringtonDistribution Units ROD Scotland – FalkirkMidland HubROD South Central – Oxford EastYorkshire Distribution CentreROD Wales – Rhy

We believe this trial and its outlined aims to try and improve members’ access and ability to take short

notice and odd days leave will be welcomed by members and representatives alike, as this sadly remains a consistently raised and reported issue within the workplace.

Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary, email: sbanbury@cwu.org quoting reference: 703.01

Yours sincerely

Davie Robertson
Assistant Secretary

Mark Baulch
Assistant Secretary

LTB 224.24 – RM CWU National Trial Covering Short Notice Odd Days Leave Requests

TOR Short Notice Odd Days Annual Leave(1)

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IDS (RMG) TAKEOVER BID

As expected, the formal takeover offer from EP Group for IDS (RMG) has been published today.

The offer document contains more detailed information and the CWU has engaged expert acquisition lawyers to assist us in looking at all aspects of the offer, particularly how the bid is being financed.

The union has also written to all individual members (letter in print) with a comprehensive update on the takeover bid, providing members with relevant information on the process and explaining how we are dealing with the overall situation and its impact on our members and the future of the company.

Following a number of enquiries, we would ask you to convey to our members that the union is not in a position to recommend on a financial basis, one way or the other, how CWU shareholder members should vote on the offer.  This is a matter for each individual shareholder.

However, the letter to members will set out very clearly, in line with our conference policy, the overall position of the CWU with regard to the takeover bid.

To summarise, we do not believe it’s right for an overseas equity investor to own RMG in its entirety, we are also equally clear that we cannot support the current Board, whose actions have seriously damaged Royal Mail and the workforce.  Moreover, we do not believe the current Board have any meaningful strategy to get the workforce back onboard and grow the business.  This is why CWU is calling for a new model of ownership, a separate agreement on stronger protections and guarantees for the workforce and a complete overhaul of Royal Mail’s governance and managerial structure – to give the workforce and customers a greater say over the future direction of the company.

The letter to members also explains that renationalisation is our ultimate goal, whilst being honest and upfront that it is highly unlikely in the current political and economic environment.  Furthermore, that it is our duty to engage with the bidders and deal with the circumstances we are facing here and now.

Further discussions will take place with EP Group and they have agreed that we will meet Daniel Kretinsky after the General Election.

We will also continue to discuss this matter with the Labour Party – who hopefully will form the next government – on the implementation of the commitments they have made in the Manifesto.  This is also set out in our letter to members.

Finally, given there are still significant hurdles for EP Group to overcome, irrespective of the shareholder vote, we are confident there will be opportunities to influence the outcome of this bid in a way that protects and strengthens the interests of our members.

An advance copy of the letter, which should land on Monday, will be sent to Branches at the end of the week.

Any enquiries on the above should be addressed to the GS Department jdunn@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely

Dave Ward
General Secretary  

Martin Walsh   
Deputy General Secretary (P)

LTB IDS (RMG) TAKEOVER BID

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Election of National Representative Positions – 2024

• Postal Standing Orders Committee
• Telecoms & Financial Services Standing Orders Committee

Further to LTB 175/24 at the close of nominations the following have been received.

Postal SOC  (7 Members at least 2 delegates must be women & at least 1 delegate must be BAME)             John GabyLondon Phoenix*ElectedScott HaslamLeeds No 1 Amal*ElectedPaddy MagillNorth Lancs & Cumbria*ElectedSharon PrattSouth West No 7*ElectedTony SneddonScotland No 5*ElectedJulia  WestSouth Yorks & District Amal*Elected

Telecom SOC (7 Members at least 2 delegates must be women & at least 1 delegate must be BAME)         Ahmed KasuMidland Counties, Capital, Edinburgh Dundee & Borders, Glasgow & Motherwell, Midland No 1, Northern Ireland Telecom, North Anglia, North East, Meridian,  Scotland No 1*Elected 

(BAME Criteria)Samantha AdeyosoyeEdinburgh, Dundee & Borders ,Capital, Glasgow & Motherwell, Lincolnshire & South Yorks, Mid Wales, The Marches & Nth Staffs, Midland Counties,  Midland No 1, Northern Ireland Telecom, North Anglia,  North East,  North Wales & Chester Combined,  Scotland No 1, Tyne & Wear Clerical, West Yorkshire BALLOT REQUIREDCraig AndersonScotland No 1, Capital, Edinburgh Dundee & Borders, Glasgow & Motherwell, Lincolnshire & South Yorks, Meridian, Mid Wales, The Marches & Nth Staffs , Midland Counties, Midland No 1, Northern Ireland Telecom, North East, North Anglia, North Wales & Chester Combined, South London, Surrey & North Hampshire, Tyne & Wear Clerical, West Yorkshire John BallardGreater London Combined, Central Counties & Thames Valley, Meridian, South East Anglia, South East Central, South London Surrey & North Hampshire Jacky MorreyMid Wales, The Marches & Nth Staffs, Capital, Edinburgh Dundee & Borders, Glasgow & Motherwell, Lincolnshire & South Yorks, Midland Counties,  Meridian, Midland No 1, Northern Ireland Telecom, North Anglia,  North East, North Wales & Chester Combined, Scotland No 1,  Tyne & Wear Clerical, West Yorkshire Darren RobertsCapital, Edinburgh Dundee & Borders, Glasgow & Motherwell, Lincolnshire & South Yorks, Meridian, Mid Wales, The Marches & Nth Staffs, Midland Counties, Midland No 1, Northern Ireland Telecom,  North Anglia, North East, North Wales & Chester Combined, Scotland No 1, Tyne & Wear Clerical, West Yorkshire Joyce StevensonScotland No 1, Capital, Edinburgh Dundee & Borders,  Glasgow & Motherwell, Lincolnshire & South Yorks, Meridian, Mid Wales, The Marches & Nth Staffs,  Midland Counties, Midland No 1, Northern Ireland Telecom, North Anglia, North East, North Wales & Chester Combined, South London, Surrey & North Hampshire, Tyne & Wear Clerical,  West Yorkshire Trish VollansWest Yorkshire, Capital, Edinburgh Dundee & Borders, Glasgow & Motherwell, Lincolnshire & South Yorks, Meridian, Mid Wales, The Marches & Nth Staffs,  Midland Counties, Midland No 1, Northern Ireland Telecom, North Anglia, North East, North Wales & Chester Combined, Scotland No 1,  Tyne & Wear Clerical 

The Timetable for the ballot is as follows:

Dispatch ballot papers        02 July 2024

Ballot closes                          23 July 2024  (14:00)

Yours sincerely,

Tony Kearns
Senior Deputy General Secretary

24LTB223 – Election of National Representative Positions – 2024 – Standing Orders Committee

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Organising and Recruitment – National Briefing 10^th July 2024

All Branches will be aware that we explained at Conference we would be holding a National Briefing to launch the NEC’s agreed new approach to Organising and Recruitment.

Therefore, the purpose of this LTB is to confirm that the National Briefing will take place on the 10^thJuly, at the TUC Conference facility in Great Russell Street, London.

The Briefing will commence at 11 a.m. and conclude no later than 2 p.m.

This is priority commitment and we are asking for two delegates from each CWU Branch to be in attendance.

Further information and an agenda for the meeting will be sent out in due course.

Any enquiries on the above should be addressed to the General Secretary’s department jdunn@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely

Dave Ward
General Secretary                                         

Tony Kearns
Senior Deputy General Secretary

Karen Rose  
Deputy General Secretary (T&FS) 

Martin Walsh
Deputy General Secretary (P)

222.24 Organising and Recruitment National Briefing 10th July 2024

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ELECTION OF NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE POSITIONS – 2024

• CWU Young Workers Committee

Further to LTB 176/24 dated 23^rd May 2024, at the close of nominations the following have been received:

CWU YOUNG WORKERS COMMITTEE – POSTAL CONSTITUENCYEASTERN REGIONNo Nominations ReceivedMIDLAND REGIONCallum HarperNottingham & District Amal*ELECTEDNORTH EAST REGIONNo Nominations Received  NORTH IRELAND REGIONNo Nominations Received  NORTH WEST REGIONCharlotte HooleGreater Mersey Amal*ELECTEDSCOTLAND REGIONKristopher McGuireGlasgow & District Amal*ELECTEDSOUTH EAST REGIONJake LawlorSouthdowns Weald & Rother*ELECTEDSOUTH WEST REGIONBallot RequiredElliot BoothWestern Counties BranchBenjamin SpencerWessex South Central WALES REGIONNo Nominations Received  LONDON REGIONNo Nominations Received  

CWU YOUNG WORKERS COMMITTEE – TELECOM & FINANCIAL SERVICES CONSTITUENCYEASTERN REGIONNo Nominations Received  MIDLAND REGIONAbdul ShaikhMidland No 1 Branch*ELECTEDNORTH EAST REGION Beckham Myatt-TurnerWest Yorkshire*ELECTEDNORTHERN IRELAND REGION Hollie GreggNorthern Ireland Telecom*ELECTEDNORTH WEST REGIONThomas Kirkwood-SweetGreater Mersey Amal*ELECTEDSCOTLAND REGIONBallot Required Shannon ConnorScotland No 1Louis O’ConnorGlasgow & Motherwell SOUTH EAST  REGIONNo Nominations Received  SOUTH WEST  REGIONJoshua BarclayGreat Western Branch*ELECTEDWALES REGIONMorgan PowellSouth Wales*ELECTEDLONDON REGIONBallot RequiredAntony EdwardsCapital BranchJames MasonSth Lnd Surrey & Nth Hampshire, Greater London CombinedUTAWBradley CorriganUTAW Branch*ELECTEDAlex CharilaouUTAW Branch*ELECTED

The ballot timetable is as follows:

Despatch ballot papers:            2^nd July 2024

Ballot closes:                              23^rd July 2024

Branches should note that ballot papers and biographical information will be emailed to the Branch email address and these papers will need to be printed off, signed accordingly and emailed back to elections@cwu.org by the closing date.

Any enquiries regarding this Letter to Branches should be addressed to the Senior Deputy General Secretary Department on telephone number 020 8971 7237 or email address sdgs@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely,

Tony Kearns
Senior Deputy General Secretary

24LTB221 – Election of National Representative Positions – 2024 – CWU Young Workers Committee

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Election of National Representative Positions – 2024

• CWU Retired Members Committee

Further to LTB 174/24 dated 23^rd May 2024, at the close of nominations the following were received:

2 Retired members living in WalesThomas HughesShropshire & Mid Wales*ElectedJoan MoxonNorth Wales & The Marches*Elected

2 Retired members living in Northern IrelandLawrence HustonNorthern Ireland Telecom, Plymouth & East Cornwall*ElectedMichael McAlindenNorthern Ireland West*Elected

2 Retired members living in ScotlandWilliam JohnstonScotland No 2*ElectedJames StewartGlasgow & District Amal, Plymouth & East Cornwall*Elected

6 Retired members living in EnglandDes CarneyNorth West No 1, Mersey, Plymouth & East Cornwall*ElectedJohn FarnanEastern No 6, Plymouth & East Cornwall*ElectedMick GoldsmithEastern No 5*ElectedBrendon O’BrienMidland No 1*ElectedSean RyanEast London Postal, Plymouth & East Cornwall*ElectedKen WardPlymouth & East Cornwall*Elected

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.

Yours sincerely,

TONY KEARNS,
SENIOR DEPUTY GENERAL SECRETARY

24LTB219 – Election of National Representative Positions – 2024 – CWU Retired Members Committee

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