SOUTHPORT TRAGEDY – CWU BRANCH APPEAL

As members may be aware (LTB 274/24), postal worker and CWU member David Stancombe from Southport Delivery Office lost his beautiful daughter Elsie Dot in the appalling attack in the town on Monday 29th July.

The funeral of Elsie Dot took place last Friday where hundreds gathered to celebrate the life of this amazing little girl. Postal workers from Southport created a convoy of red vehicles to show support for their colleague David Stancombe. The family wanted a colourful service to celebrate her life and for it to be ‘Elsie’s Special Day’. It was a very emotional day, especially when listening to the tributes from her parents, school friends and teachers. We continue to offer our support and deepest condolences to David and his family.

In consultation with David’s branch, North Lancs & Cumbria, we have now launched a CWU branch appeal to help David and his family in memory of Elsie Dot. CWU Representatives will be meeting with David and his wife Jennifer in a couple of weeks to discuss how best to use any donations received.

If your branch would like to make a donation, please see below details:

Account Name:                   CWU GENERAL FUND

Account Number:              33019822

Sort Code:                            60-83-01

Reference:                           Elsie Dot

We understand that many members may want to share this appeal with friends or family but due to financial restrictions, please do not share these bank details outside of the union as this appeal is only open to donations from CWU branches.

Thank you for your continuing solidarity and support in this tragic matter. If you have any questions, please contact the General Secretary’s office at jdunn@cwu.org.

Yours Sincerely

Dave Ward
General Secretary                                      

Martin Walsh
Deputy General Secretary (Postal)

Tony Kearns
Senior Deputy General Secretary                    

24LTB285 SOUTHPORT TRAGEDY – CWU BRANCH APPEAL

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Andy Kerr – a true friend and comrade

We are writing to advise Branches of the deeply sad news that Andy Kerr our previous Deputy General Secretary Telecoms & Financial Services, passed away last night following a serious illness.

Many of you will have heard Andy’s truly inspirational address to our Conference in April, when he spoke passionately about his lifelong commitment to working class people as an active trade unionist and socialist.

We know that Andy and Andrea really appreciated the overwhelming support and kind personal messages that they received following the conference.

We personally held Andy in the highest esteem and we all know he made an immense contribution in representing our members, the CWU and the UK and international trade union and Labour movement. As such, he will be sorely missed and will always be remembered as one of the most influential leaders in the history of the CWU and our predecessor unions.

Andy made clear to conference that his illness was very serious, nevertheless this news will still come as a shock to everybody who knew and respected Andy as a friend and colleague.

We know we speak on behalf of everybody in the CWU and the wider movement in expressing our sincere and heartfelt condolences to his wife Andrea, his children Matt and Mandy and his wider family.

Yours in solidarity

Dave Ward                                                      

General Secretary

Karen Rose                     

Deputy General Secretary (T&FS)

Tony Kearns                                                  

Senior Deputy General Secretary

Martin Walsh

Deputy General Secretary (Postal)

LTB 284/24 – ANDY KERR – A TRUE FRIEND AND COMRADE

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National Equality Event – 21^st & 22^ndOctober 2024 

We are pleased to confirm that this year’s National Equality Event will take place as follows:

Date:                  Monday 21^st & Tuesday 22^ndOctober 

Venue:              Crowne Plaza Newcastle, Stephenson Quarter, Hawthorn Square, Forth Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 3SA

Times:               The event will start with registration on the 21^st October between 12.30 and 13.30 and will conclude at 15.00 on the 22^nd October. Please note that lunch will not be provided on the first day.

 The agenda will be shared nearer the time but in the meantime, we would ask that Branches confirm their delegation details and any dietary requirements by emailing

equality&education@cwu.org

The closing date for providing dietary requirements is 1^st October.

Given the nature of the event, Branches are asked to give priority in the first instance to representatives who have responsibility for roles linked to equality, however, our industrial representatives are also more than welcome to join us.

 Accommodation: 

It is important that Branches book places early at the Crowne Plaza Newcastle, as they will be holding a number of rooms at a special rate on a ‘first come, first served’ basis until 16^th September 2024.

Booking arrangements:

Bookings can be made via the hotel website by using the following link:

CWU Equality Event 21.10.24

Please note that a credit card is required to reserve the room – no charge will be made to your account it is just to reserve the room.

Accommodation rates: (preferential CWU rates for nights of Monday 21^st and Tuesday 22^nd October)

 Rooms are charged @ £110 for standard rooms or King Rooms @ £125 for single occupancy per room, per night, both inclusive of full English breakfast & complimentary use of the leisure facilities.  {Rooms will be held at this rate until 16^th September, after which time they will be released and the preferential rate will not be available}.

Parking & Transportation:

The Hotel is a 5 min walk just behind Newcastle Central Station. Further Parking & Transportation details can be found using this link: Crowne Plaza Newcastle – Stephenson Quarter Map & Driving Directions (ihg.com)

Any queries on this LTB should be directed to equality&education@cwu.org

We look forward to seeing you in Newcastle.

Yours sincerely,

Kate Hudson

Head of Equality, Education & Development

24LTB 283 – National Equality Event – 21st and 22nd October 2024

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ROYAL MAIL: RMCPP – THE COLLECTIVE PLAN 

Further to LTB 241/24 dated 12^th July.

Regular discussions continue with Royal Mail in regard to raising awareness of the benefits of The Collective Plan.  In this regard, Royal Mail has helpfully produced a brief video that answers the following questions:

• How do I save extra into The Collective Plan?
• What happens with my benefits if I retire earlier than 67?
• I’m nearing retirement – is it worth me joining The Collective Plan?
• Can I transfer my savings from other pension pots into The Collective Plan?
• What are the death-in-service benefits and how can I make sure they go to my loved ones?

The video can be viewed via: Your Collective Plan questions answered on Vimeo

Guaranteed Lump Sum Booster – 1% Matched by Royal Mail – We are pleased that over 17,000 people have already registered to activate the guaranteed Lump Sum Booster of 1% which is matched by Royal Mail.

Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs)– There has also been a good take-up of AVCs, with over 3,300 people opting to add to their 6% contributions.

Both of the above attributes of the scheme are worth considering and can be activated very easily via the People App.  Branches are encouraged to bring these benefits to the attention of our members.  It should also be noted that to ensure that either or both the guaranteed Lump Sum Booster and AVCs commence from the launch of The Collective Plan on 7^th October, applications should be registered by Friday 13^th September to ensure payment is made via payroll from October.  Applications can be made after this date but will be activated after 7^th October.

More information on The Collective Plan can be found at: www.myroyalmail.com/collective-plan.

Yours sincerely,

Martin Walsh – Deputy General Secretary (P)                                                                            

Andy Furey – Assistant Secretary

LTB 282-24

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Royal Mail Property & Facilities Solution Limited (RMPFSL) – Pay Claim 2024 Negotiators Agreement Reached

Further to Letter To Branches (LTB 128/24) issued on 17^th April, we have now reached a negotiator’s agreement for all our Cleaning, Engineering and Generic Admin members in Royal Mail Property & Facilities Solutions Limited (RMPFSL), which has also been endorsed by the Postal Executive.

Please find attached a copy of the RM Property & Facilities Solutions Limited (PFSL) and CWU Negotiators Agreement Covering Pay and Associated Issues 2024/25, which contains the full details of the agreement and will now be subject to formal endorsement via an individual ballot of all members employed in RMPFSL.

The negotiator’s agreement, which has been secured against the background of a difficult set of talks, will be recommended for members to support in the forthcoming ballot. The timetable for this individual member’s ballot will be finalised and announced shortly. 

We will be holding a Branch and Representatives National Briefing on the proposed agreement on Friday 30^thAugust, commencing at 11.00 hrsand concluding no later than 12.30 hrs. The briefing will also be used to further highlight recruitment within RMPFSL. Due to the short notice given and other current considerations, this Briefing will be a remote meeting via Zoom.

Following this National Briefing, further wider communications to members will be provided, which will further explain the details of the negotiators agreement.

Any enquiries on this LTB should be addressed to the PTCS Department, quoting reference number 320, email: hmaughan@cwu.org or the Outdoor Department, quoting reference number 120.12, email: Pharacz@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely,

Mark Baulch                                  

Assistant Secretary                                        

Bobby Weatherall

Acting Assistant Secretary

LTB 281/24 – RMPFSL Pay Claim 2024 Negotiators Agreement Reached

Att: Negoitators Agreement on Pay PFSL CWU 24-25_CWU

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ROYAL MAIL: PFSL – PENSION SALARY EXCHANGE (PSE) – NEST SCHEME

Branches are advised that our PFSL members in the NEST pension scheme will be receiving letters from Royal Mail shortly explaining that they are being auto-enrolled into Pensions Salary Exchange (PSE) and what the benefits are.  Essentially, PSE, which is already available for other Royal Mail Pension arrangements, allows for eligible employees who pay National Insurance contributions to increase the amount of money they take home each week or month, without changing their Pensionable Pay, the overall level of contributions made to their pension or other Employer benefits they receive.

The PSE for PFSL members will be launched from 7^th October and the benefits are explained fully in the comprehensive guide attached to this LTB.  Members do not have to do anything – they will be automatically enrolled from 7^th October.  The Postal Executive has endorsed this position.  There is though the ability to opt out of PSE – a form will be attached to the letter from Royal Mail and has to be returned by 13th September.

It should be noted that there are a group of members within the NEST scheme who unfortunately will not be eligible to take part in PSE as they do not earn enough per annum (for example, if they work part-time).  To minimise risk, Royal Mail has set a minimum PSE participation level of £13,200 p.a.  This position has been adopted to avoid negative impact upon certain state benefits and this will be explained to this group of members in a separate letter.  We will keep the £13,200 p.a. figure under review with Royal Mail.

We obviously welcome the extension of PSE to our PFSL members in the NEST scheme. We have also agreed in principle, with the company (via this year’s pay negotiations) a joint communication informing members of the pensions available in PFSL.  However, we remain disappointed that Royal Mail is thus far unwilling to offer the new pension scheme – The Collective Plan to our PFSL members.  Our aspiration and indeed the policy of the Union remains to ensure The Collective Plan is available to all CWU members working in PFSL and we continue to pursue this with PFSL and Royal Mail.

Yours sincerely,

Andy Furey              

Assistant Secretary     

Mark Baulch           

Assistant Secretary      

Bobby Weatherall

A/Assistant Secretary

LTB 280/24 – Royal Mail – PFSL – Pension Salary Exchange (PSE) – Nest Scheme

Attachment to LTB 280/24 – Guide

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Royal Mail Property & Facilities Solution Limited (RMPFSL) – July 2024 Underpayment

The Outdoor Department has been informed by Royal Mail Property & Facilities Solution Limited (RMPFSL) that, following one of its regular checks on pay, it has highlighted a small level of underpayment for cleaning grade employees in July 2024 against hours worked to that paid.

In drawing this to the Department’s attention, the company have set out the following details in terms of this matter and the corrective measures it will be taking:

We have identified some individuals that had a small level of underpayment in July 2024 based on total monthly hours worked. We are therefore writing to advise you of next steps.

• Make good any underpayments in August pay – approx. 700 cases
• Communicate in line with below on Wednesday 21^st August via manager internal comms and cleaning App (in advance of payslips being visible on Thursday PM).

Communication

Following an assessment of work schedule data held on PSP for July 2024 compared to July monthly hours worked we have identified that some employees were underpaid in July. We are therefore writing to advise you of the action being taken to rectify.

1. How did the underpayment occur?
   The number of working days in July resulted in hours performed in the calendar month exceeding paid hours for July
2. How will it be corrected?
   A basic pay adjustment will be paid to you in August payroll 
3. Will the basic pay adjustment affect other deductions or contributions?
   As with your Basic pay the payment is a ‘Gross’ value which is subject to standard deductions i.e. Tax, NI & Pension contributions
4. Will the basic pay adjustment be listed on my August payslip?
   Yes this will be listed as a payment on your August 2024 payslip under the description of ‘Arrears of Basic’
5. Will the basic pay adjustment be recovered?
   No, the payment will be made as a one payment with no recovery.’

As outlined in the above communication from RMPFSL, those individual members affected by this underpayment will be advised accordingly and have the correction made in their August pay.

Any enquiries to the content of this LTB should be directed to the Outdoor Department reference 120.12, email address: Pharacz@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely,

Mark Baulch                                                                                       

Assistant Secretary

LTB 279/24 – RMPFSL July 2024 Underpayment

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RAISING CONCERNS

We are pleased to inform Branches we have concluded negotiations with Royal Mail on a replacement for the Grievance and Bullying and Harassment Procedures. This was endorsed by the Postal Executive on the 16^th of July, following consultations with Field Representatives.

The starting point for our negotiations was the overwhelming perception of our members that both the Grievance and B&H procedures were no longer fit for purpose and being applied in their best interests.

The following bullet points were some of the reasons why we felt it necessary to negotiate a new approach which will address these problems.

• Firstly, the processes caused confusion – what is a B&H complaint and what is a grievance? Many of our members did not know the difference. It will now be the investigating Manager who decides the concern, removing the need for the individual to make this determination.
• The former procedures were time consuming – there were lots of process steps that did not add any value, but only added to a case taking longer
• Our members were left dissatisfied with the way their concern was dealt with or categorised including little or no investigation
• Two tier – B&H is seen as the more ‘superior’ process – grievance seen as less important
• There is no form for raising a grievance – many complaints were not even recorded.
• Informal resolution/mediation not always considered as an option before a concern is raised formally
• Lack of manager accountability to investigate – particularly perceived this way for grievance – managers were not held to account and often did not investigate.
• A constant fear of recriminations for colleagues – many cases ended up being dealt with ‘in bad faith’ and members facing disciplinary action

To improve this, we have negotiated a single approach for all concerns and complaints, which hopefully will lead to:

• All concerns and complaints being taken seriously, transparently and managed consistently through the same process, in a timely manner and with the same timescales.
• Managers will be held accountable for dealing with concerns raised.
• There will be greater visibility of case status which can be tracked by members to see what is happening with their concern at any time during the process.
• A single form for all concerns which is easy to complete and submitted through the People App, or alternatively via a call to the HRSC on 0345 6060603.
• Cases will be recorded in People Case Manager with a step-by-step guide for Managers.
• Contact by the investigating Manager within 5 days of the concern being raised with an invitation to a meeting within 14 days.

We genuinely believe the new single approach will be of positive benefit to our members, where all concerns will be taken seriously, and Managers will be tasked to resolve them as quickly as possible.

The plan is to introduce the new approach from 30^th September 2024.

In line with the Unions protocols on new agreements, we intend to consult with Branches via a Branch Ballot.

Ballot papers will be sent out tomorrow (20^th August) and should be returned by Monday 9^th September.

As part of the Consultation process, we will be holding an online briefing for all branches on Thursday 22^nd Augustcommencing @ 10:30am and concluding no later than 12:30pm.

If the agreement is endorsed, it is our intention to include this in the Postal agreements course as soon as possible along with an online version for our Reps to be brought up to speed.

https://cwu-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEqdO-rqjMtHNZaCnB6HJv2W5iqFcUYfUtC

Any enquiries to this LTB please contact: The PTCS Department, email address: khay@cwu.org or hmaughan@cwu.org

Bobby Weatherall

Acting Assistant Secretary

LTB 278/24

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Mental Health Workshop

Further to LTB 145/24 we would like to draw Branches attention to the following Mental Health Workshops.

• 2^nd or 23^rd of September – London Phoenix Centre (am or pm)

This will be the last of the current workshops so if any Rep would like to attend, we would encourage you to do so by using the following link to register your interest. As per the previous LTB we would find it extremely useful if you could provide some feedback to the department in order for us to help plan any future events.

Any queries to the content of the above please contact the PTCS dept reference 420 email address khay@cwu.org

Bobby Weatherall
Acting Assistant Secretary

LTB277

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NATIONAL YOUNG WORKERS EDUCATION EVENT, 27^th –  29^thSEPTEMBER 2024, CARDIFF

The purpose of the LTB is to invite and encourage Branches to send delegates to this year’s National Young Workers Education Event which will take place over the weekend of Friday 27th September through to Sunday 29^th September in Cardiff.

The venue for the event during the day will be held at The Holiday Inn, Castle Street, Cardiff.  Hotel accommodation has been arranged at the same venue which is within walking distance of Cardiff Station.

Event Format

This year’s event has been slightly reformatted to encourage a more themed approach to topics and has an extended agenda to include a day to focus on industrial matters. This ‘industrial day’ is in essence a reworking of the Branch Young Worker Officers Forum’s which has previously been a stand-alone event.  The day will involve a series of industrial panels giving young members the chance to engage with officers who deal with workplace issues affecting them.

Arrival & Registration

We are asking participants to arrive in Cardiff in time to for their appropriate panel, however they are welcome to attend all panels if they which to hear what is going on in other parts of the Union.  Registration for the main event will take place on Saturday morning and the event will conclude at lunchtime on Sunday 29^th September.  A full agenda will be issued nearer the date.  A flyer with more information is attached for circulation to young members.

Costs and Accommodation

The arrangements for the cost of delegates will be in line with the process that has been used for many years and is reflective of current pricing. The cost for Branches to send a delegate will be £290 and will include two nights bed and breakfast accommodation (as well as buffet lunches on the Saturday and Sunday and dinner on Friday evening).  Please note there will be food and a social event on the Saturday evening organised by the Wales Region and their Young Workers.

For more information and to secure a place for the weekend Branches should complete the attached form and send to Angela Niven at conferences@cwu.org as soon as possible so that we can assess the numbers of those attending for meals etc.

Branches must make payment for their delegate(s) attendance by sending a cheque made payable to “CWU” addressed to Angela Niven, SDGS Department at CWU HQ or by bank transfer to the General Fund Account No: 33019822 Sort Code 60-83-01 with ref “YWNEE”.

Any queries regarding this event should be addressed to the Young Workers Coordinator, Kerry Fleck, kfleck@cwu.org or 07704306418

Yours sincerely,

Dave Ward
General Secretary

24LTB276 – National Young Workers Event – 27th – 29th September 2024

Leaflet – 08152 – NYWEE 2024 overview v2 (003)

NYWEE24-Application-Form

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