CWU SUCCESS IN POLITICAL FUND BALLOT

As branches will be aware, the CWU has successfully balloted our members to continue the CWU’s political fund, with 79.7% of members voting YES, on a 16.1% turnout.

This positive result for the union means that the CWU can continue to be a leading campaigner in the wider labour movement and play a significant role in shaping the political agenda of the new Labour government

Since the last ballot in 2014, the landscape of UK politics has been irrevocably shaped by a number of events. Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic, the collapse of the Tory Government, the cost-of-living crisis and four general elections. Throughout this time, we have seen attacks on both trade unions and working people increase in ferocity, including the introduction of more anti-trade union laws and this has impacted trade union membership across both the public and private sector.

Despite this, the CWU has always remained a leading voice in our political sphere and has achieved tangible results for our members, as our focus has always been on building the connection between our industrial and political work. The new Labour Government has introduced the Employment Rights Bill just last week, based on the New Deal for Workers campaign that the CWU started over eight years ago. These new rights in the workplace and the repealing of anti-trade union laws can be directly attributed to the CWU’s political fund and our ability to campaign effectively, in Westminster and beyond.

As we look to the future, we will continue to campaign for the new Government to go further on their promises to transform the world of work and introduce wider collective rights for workers and trade unions. The CWU will also continue to build wide-ranging political support for our members, particularly as we face a period of historic change in our sectors- whether it is the takeover of Royal Mail or the rapid advancement of technology in the Telecoms sector.

I would like to thank all members and branches who played a role in this ballot and thank you for your continued support for the CWU’s political work.

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

Yours Sincerely,           

Dave Ward                                                                                         

General Secretary                                        

LTB 335/24 – CWU SUCCESS IN POLITICAL FUND BALLOT

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RESULT OF THE CWU POLITICAL FUND REVIEW BALLOT 2024

Branches will be aware that the CWU’s Political Fund Review Ballot closed on the 15th October 2024. Following receipt of the attached report from the Independent Scrutineer it is confirmed that the results of the ballot are as follows:

Ballot papers despatched:                              161,887

Ballot papers returned:                                   26,099

Spoilt papers:                                                  40

Total number of papers to be counted           26,059

Votes cast YES:                                              20,777 (79.7%)

Votes cast NO:                                               5,282 (20.3%)

This represents a 16.1% return

Branches should ensure that the results of this ballot are brought to the urgent attention of their members through the usual channels.

A free copy of the Independent Scrutineers report is available on request from: Tony Kearns, Senior Deputy General Secretary, CWU HQ.

Please see the below notice, in compliance with our obligations under the law. 

CWU Formal Notice

EXEMPTION FROM CONTRIBUTING TO THE POLITICAL FUND- Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 (as amended)

A resolution approving the furtherance of political objects within the meaning of the above Act as an object of the union has been adopted by a ballot under the Act. Any payments in the furtherance of those objects will be made out of a separate fund, the political fund of the union.  

Every member of the union has a right to be exempt from contributing to that fund. A form of exemption notice can be obtained by or on behalf of any member either by application at, or by post from, the head office or any branch office of the union or from the Certification Office for Trade Unions and Employers Associations, by emailing info@certoffice.org. This form, when filled in, or a written request to the like effect should be handed or sent to the General Secretary.  

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland members are exempt from contributing to the Political Fund unless they give written notice that they wish to do so. A form of notice indicating the wish to contribute to the Political Fund may be obtained from any branch in Northern Ireland.  

In compliance with Article 59 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1995, members of branches in Northern Ireland are not required to make any contribution to the Political Fund unless they: 

1. have given notice in writing of their willingness to contribute to the fund; and
2. have not notified the Union in writing of withdrawal of such notice 

A copy of the full text of the CWU political rule is available from the General Secretary’s Department. To request a copy or if you have any further questions, please contact the General Secretary’s department at dlynch@cwu.org.

Yours Sincerely,

Tony Kearns

Senior Deputy General Secretary

LTB 334/24 – RESULT OF THE CWU POLITICAL FUND REVIEW BALLOT 2024

Attachment – Report of Voting – CWU Political Fund

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Health & Safety Policy Assistant

Salary: £57,162pa (£53,829 pensionable)

The CWU is a campaigning trade union at the forefront of workplace organising. Reporting to the General Secretary, we are seeking a policy assistant to provide central direction, guidance, advise and support to the relevant industrial sections representing CWU members on all health and safety matters aligned with legislative requirements and regulations as well as TUC directives.

This role that would suit someone who has experience of working in a health and safety role/environment covering large scale industries but specifically the telecommunications and postal industries

Key competencies

• A thorough knowledge of UK health and safety legislation, European health and safety regulations and the work of other outside health and safety agencies including HSC/HSE, TUC and other organisations
• Likely to hold a degree or a management or professional qualification in Health and Safety with a minimum of 3 – 5 years relevant professional health and safety experience in large scale industries

• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills to research, analyse and produce high quality written work
• Ability to network and negotiate to successful conclusions, influencing change and actions
• Pro-active in engagement and promotion of CWU H&S campaigns and national and area level.

More information on this role including a detailed job description/specification can be obtained by emailing hr@cwu.org and should be sought before submitting your CV.  Further information on the CWU can be obtained www.cwu.org

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCommunicationsUnion/

X: https://x.com/CWUnews

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cwunews

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cwunews

The closing date for receipt of CVs is 12noon Monday 4^thNovember although we reserve the right to end the closing date earlier subject to number of applications received.  Interviews are scheduled for Monday 18^th November 2024. 

We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and we will always endeavour to be as accommodating as possible.  If you would like to discuss any specific requirements, please email hr@cwu.org for a further discussion to be facilitated.

• CWU ASSISTANT SECRETARY TFS (2 POSITIONS)
• CWU ASSISTANT SECRETARY POSTAL (OUTDOOR)

ELECTION OF:  

• CWU ASSISTANT SECRETARY TFS (2 POSITIONS)
• CWU ASSISTANT SECRETARY POSTAL (OUTDOOR)

Nominations for the above positions closed at 14:00 on 10^th October 2024

Please find below a list of accepted nominations and respective nominating branches.CWU ASSISTANT SECRETARY TFS (2 POSITIONS)  Fiona Curtis, Northern Ireland Telecom*Elected

Nominating Branches: Algus NationalMid Wales, the Marches and North StaffsBootle Financial ServicesMidland CountiesCapitalMidland No.1Central Counties and Thames ValleyNorth AngliaEdinburgh, Dundee and BordersNorth Wales and Chester CombinedGlasgow and MotherwellNorthern Ireland TelecomsGreater MerseyPortsmouth, West Sussex and IOWGreat WesternPreston, Brook, Bury and RetailIsle of ManScotland No.1Lancs and CumbriaSomerset, Devon and CornwallLincolnshire and South YorksSouth East CentralManchester CombinedSouth WalesMeridianTyne and Wear ClericalMerseyUTAW NationalCWU ASSISTANT SECRETARY TFS                                        (2 POSITIONS)  Ken Woolley, Portsmouth, West Sussex and IOW*Elected

Nominating Branches:Algus NationalMidland CountiesBootle Financial ServicesMidland No.1CapitalNorth AngliaCentral Counties and Thames ValleyNorth Wales and Chester CombinedEdinburgh, Dundee and BordersNorthern Ireland TelecomsGlasgow and MotherwellPortsmouth, West Sussex and IOWGreat WesternPreston, Brook, Bury and RetailIsle of ManScotland No.1Lincolnshire and South YorksSomerset, Devon and CornwallManchester CombinedSouth East CentralMeridianSouth WalesMerseyTyne and Wear ClericalMid Wales, the Marches and North StaffsUTAW NationalCWU ASSISTANT SECRETARY POSTAL (OUTDOOR)  Tony Bouch, Plymouth and East Cornwall Amal*Elected

Nominating Branches:Birmingham District AmalEdinburgh, Dundee and BordersBournemouth and Dorset AmalEssex AmalBradford and District AmalGlasgow and District AmalBristol and District AmalGlasgow and MotherwellCentral Counties and Thames ValleyGloucestershire AmalCheshire No.1 AmalGrampian and Shetland AmalColchester and DistrictGreat WesternCornwall AmalGreater Manchester AmalCroydon and Sutton AmalGreater Mersey AmalDerbyshire AmalGwent AmalDoncaster and District AmalHarrow and District AmalEast London PostalHull and East Ridings AmalEastern No.3Kingston AreaEastern No.4Leeds No.1 AmalEastern No.5London PhoenixEastern No.6London Regional MTLondon South West PostalSouth Central PostalMid Wales the Marches and North StaffsSouth East London Postal and CountersMidland No.1South East No.5Newcastle AmalSouth East Wales AmalNorth AngliaSouth Midlands PostalNorth EastSouth WalesNorth Wales and MarchesSouth West No.7North West Central AmalSouth West Wales AmalNorth West No.1South Yorkshire and DistrictNorthern Home Counties PostalSouthdowns, Weald and RotherNorthern Ireland Postal AmalSuffolk AmalNorthern/North West LondonUTAW NationalNottingham and District AmalWarrington Mail CentrePlymouth and East Cornwall AmalWest London PostalPortsmouth and District PostalWest YorkshireRomford AmalWestern CountiesScotland No.2Wolverhampton and District AmalShropshire and Mid WalesWorcester and Hereford AmalSomerset, Devon and CornwallYork and District AmalSouth and East Thames Amal

Any enquiries regarding this Letter to Branches should be directed to Senior Deputy General Secretary for the attention of Dave Wilshire on 0208 971 7368, or dwilshire@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,

Tony Kearns
Senior Deputy General Secretary

24LTB332 – Assistant Secretaries TFS and Assistant Secretary Postal Outdoor

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POST OFFICE: CHAIRMAN’S STRATEGIC REVIEW – FUTURE OF THE POST OFFICE

Branches are advised that Nigel Railton, the Interim Chair of Post Office (formerly CEO at Camelot and appointed at Post Office on 1^stMay by Kemi Badenoch) instigated a formal Strategic Review of Post Office, due to conclude by October.  A Business & Trade Dept press release on Railton’s appointment stated he will “be invited to give Ministers his views on the future direction of the Post Office”.  Furthermore, Badenoch stated he will “fix the issues of the past whilst transforming the company for the future”.

Our Post Office members are aware that there have been some well-informed press articles in this week’s national press that indicate significant numbers of job losses are being planned by Post Office as a result of the Chairman’s Strategic Review.  These articles are obviously very troubling for our members who are now facing an uncertain future.  As would be expected we have received enquires as to what the Union’s stance is on this matter.

We are clear that the immediate focus needs to be on reducing costs amongst the multiple layers of senior managers that have incrementally increased in recent years.  In fact, there appears to have been an explosion of managerial jobs and it would be fair to say that empire building is rife.  There is also concern that many “managers” do not even have line manager responsibilities.  Obviously, Post Office’s bloated management structure is unsustainable, as indeed are the unnecessary and multiple tiers of management that slows down decision making, accountability and in all probability creates duplications by the operation of silo working.

Equally, the Union is adamant that there should be no attack on front line operational jobs that are customer facing or those necessary jobs that provide crucial support for Postmasters.  This includes cash provisioning via Supply Chain which must remain an in-house operation.  The Union would naturally oppose outsourcing of key jobs and roles and if necessary this would include industrial action.

The Chairman’s Strategic Review is evidently a challenge to the Union and our members, particularly as it focuses on cost reduction.  However, it should be understood by all concerned that the grotesque mismanagement of Post Office in recent years, and in particular the approach taken to litigation surrounding the Horizon scandal, has led to the squandering of hundreds of millions of pounds in legal fees in a futile attempt to defend the indefensible.  This included a robust defense of Horizon itself when Post Office sought to defeat the Group Litigation claim by the Justice for SubPostmasters Alliance.

Clearly Post Office is in a long-term crisis of its own making and this situation has been exacerbated by the inertia and the lack of innovation shown by the Board in recent years.  Indeed, what is abundantly clear is that internal fighting amongst the leadership of Post Office and the obsession with Nick Read, former CEO, to receive more money via pay rises and enhanced bonuses has been the focus rather than trying to make the business a viable concern in the future.

Therefore, the Union is adamant that our members must not be associated victims of Horizon and their jobs mustn’t be viewed as collateral damage by the new Leadership of Post Office.  Whilst there is a case for reforming Post Office and definitely growing products and services, we must do everything necessary to ensure that our members’ jobs are safeguarded for the future.  It follows that our members may have to be prepared to fight for their jobs.

Finally, Post Office, at a very senior level has already confirmed it actively wants to engage with the Union and arrangements are being made to ensure we have regular dialogue over the coming weeks and months.  During these discussions we will naturally be seeking to influence the outcomes arising from Strategic Review, with the dual aims of protecting our members’ jobs, whilst ensuring Post Office has a sustainable future.  Post Office, for its part, has declared its determination to bring about a long-term commercial success for Postmasters and in doing so provide better renumeration which in turn will protect the social value for communities.  The Union fully supports better pay for Postmasters which is absolutely vital to stop further closures.  A Post Office communication from Neil Brocklehurst, Acting CEO regarding the Strategic Review is attached for information.

Further developments will be reported.

Yours sincerely

Andy Furey
Assistant Secretary

Attachment 1: 24LTB331 PO- Chairman’s Strategic Review – Future of the Post Office

Attachment 2: Attachment to 24LTB331

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CWU NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL (NEC) – 2024

CWU POSTAL INDUSTRIAL EXECUTIVE – 2024 

Further to LTB 253/24 and 309/24 please find below the list of nominations for the NEC including the Equality Strands, Retired Member Sector and the NEC Postal Young Workers positions.

Additionally, please see below the nominations received for the Postal Constituency NEC positions and the nominations for the Postal Constituency Industrial Executive positions.

The list of the nominations for the Telecom and Financial Services Constituency positions will be published on 15^th October 2024.NEC NOMINATIONS EQUALITY STRAND POSITIONSWomen Jean SharrocksNorth EastElectedLGBT+   *Ballot RequiredMaria ExallGreater London CombinedRosalind WhiteHighland AmalBAME Ali MoosaMidland No.1Elected Disability  Mark Anthony BastianiLondon South West PostalElectedRETIRED MEMBERS SECTOR Norman CandyLondon PhoenixElected
POSTAL CONSTITUENCY NEC NOMINATIONSNOMINATIONS FOR POSTAL CONSTITUENCY CHAIRMick KavanaghSouth Midlands PostalElected NOMINATIONS FOR POSTAL CONSTITUENCY – NEC REPRESENTATIVE Katrina QuirkeSouth East Wales AmalElected (Women Quota)Angela WhitterCroydon and Sutton AmalElected (Women Quota) *Ballot Required  Mahmood AliBirmingham District Amal Owain BeaumontScotland No.2 Ian CorrinGreater Mersey Amal Luke ElgarEssex Amal Darren GlebockiNottingham and District Amal Stephen HalliwellNewcastle Amal Andrew HatchPlymouth and East Cornwall Amal Andrew HoppingSouth Central Postal Saf KhanNorth West No.1 Mole MeadeSouth East London Postal and Counters Matthew RiddallSouth and East Thames Amal Alan TateLondon Regional Motor Transport Bobby WeatherallNorthern Ireland Postal Amal Lee WenbanSouth East London Postal and Counters Rob WotherspoonBristol and District Amal NOMINATIONS FOR POSTAL CONSTITUENCY – NEC YOUNG WORKER  Benjamin SpencerWessex South CentralElectedNOMINATIONS FOR POSTAL CONSTITUENCY – POSTAL INDUSTRIAL EXECUTIVE *Ballot Required  Mahmood AliBirmingham District Amal Owain BeaumontScotland No.2 Ian CorrinGreater Mersey Amal Luke ElgarEssex Amal Darren GlebockiNottingham and District Amal Stephen HalliwellNewcastle Amal Andrew HatchPlymouth and East Cornwall Amal Andrew HoppingSouth Central Postal Steve JonesLondon Postal Engineering Saf KhanNorth West No.1 Mole MeadeSouth East London Postal and Counters Matthew RiddallSouth and East Thames Amal Alan TateLondon Regional Motor Transport Bobby WeatherallNorthern Ireland Postal Amal Lee WenbanSouth East London Postal and Counters Rob WotherspoonBristol and District Amal 

Any enquiries regarding this Letter to Branches should be directed to the Senior Deputy General Secretary for the attention of David Wilshire on 0208 9717368 or at dwilshire@cwu.org

Yours sincerely

Tony Kearns

Senior Deputy General Secretary

LTB 330/24 – Elections of CWU National Executive Council and Postal Industrial Executive

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Royal Mail: Pensions – The Collective Plan Successfully Launched

Further to LTB 324/24 dated 3^rdOctober. The Collective Plan was successfully launched on Monday 7^thOctober and all payroll processes are in place to reflect the 6% employee contribution.

Branches and Representatives are advised that pensionable pay is different in the Collective Plan to the previous schemes. This will have a relatively minor impact on the amount of money associated with pension contributions and in turn this will have a small impact on take-home pay for most people.

In the Collective Plan, more elements of pay are pensionable, so most members in some circumstances will see an increase in their Pensionable Pay. This means members impacted will see a small increase in their contributions, and a small decrease in their take-home pay after tax relief. However, crucially, Royal Mail’s contribution and the benefit members receive from the Collective Plan are also based on this new, higher, Pensionable Pay.  This is explained further in the attached slides produced by Royal Mail.  Branches are urged to refer to these slides when receiving enquiries from members about changes to their take-home pay.

• those who joined Royal Mail after 2008 and were in the RMDCP
• those who joined Royal Mail before 1987, were in Section B of RMPP and contributed to DBCB
• those who joined Royal Mail between 1987 – 2008, were in Section C of RMPP and contributed to DBCB
• those who joined Royal Mail between 2008 – 2024, were in Section F of RMPP and contributed to DBCB

Branches and Representatives may also receive enquires from members as to why their AVCs have not been taken from payroll this week.  The explanation for this is that the member hasn’t instructed Royal Mail to start a fresh AVC as part of the Collective Plan, which is the requirement of the Trustees.  Essentially, as previously advised, AVCs linked to former schemes have now ceased and new AVCs will have to be set up (this can be done via the People App).

Please ask members to visit the Royal Mail Collective Plan website for further information and FAQs: www.myroyalmail.com/collective-plan

Yours sincerely,

Martin Walsh    

Deputy General Secretary (Postal)       

Andy Furey

Assistant Secretary

LTB 329/24 – Royal Mail Pensions – The Collective Plan Successfully Launched

LTB 329/24 – Attachment 1 Understanding Pensionable Pay

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Agenda Pad – CWU Retired Members Conference – 30^th October 2024

Branches would wish to know that the agenda for the CWU Retired Members Conference which is being held at the CWU Birmingham Branch Offices on Wednesday 30^th October has now been published on the website and can be accessed by opening the attachment or pasting the link into your browser:

Click to access RETIRED-AGENDA-OCTOBER-2024.pdf

Branches are also reminded that Branch Secretaries should register delegates and observers by emailing conferences@cwu.org by no later than 25^th October 2024.   Confirmation of requests will be sent to branches within 72 hours.   Should confirmation not be received within this time branches are asked to contact Angela Niven on 020 8971 7237.

Attached is also a nomination form relating to the ballot that takes place at the conference to determine the two delegates to represent the Retired Members to attend General Conference 2025.

All individuals must be willing to accept nomination, and must have the nomination of their own branch and/or the Retired Members’ Committee, to be eligible.   The exception to this are members of the Retired Members’ Committee themselves who may be proposed for these positions but need to have the nomination of the Retired Members’ Committee and/or any Regional Committee.

Any enquiries regarding this LTB should be addressed to Angela Niven by telephoning 020 8971 7256 or by post to head office or by email to conferences@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,

A P Kearns

Senior Deputy General Secretary

LTB 328/24 – Agenda Pad – CWU Retired Members Conference – 30th October 2024

Attachment: RETIRED AGENDA OCTOBER 2024

Attachment: RM Nomination Form 24

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Your Voice in the Workplace –October 2024 

Please find attached the October Workplace Bulletin.

We will be sending you out a limited print run (approx. 10 per cent of branch membership) of this Edition, which should reach you by next week for distribution to your reps to take into workplaces.

You also have the link to print immediate copies and/or to print off more copies.

It is crucial that branches are distributing the monthly bulletin in every workplace. The purpose is to ensure members are receiving written content from the union directly into their workplaces, so your role in that process is integral.

Thank you for your support and please contact us with your feedback on the Bulletin.

Click to access 08194-your-voice-RMG-issue-8-Oct-2up.pdf

Yours sincerely,

Martin Walsh
Deputy General Secretary (Postal)

Chris Webb
Head of Communications

24LTB326 Your Voice in the Workplace –October 2024

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TERMS OF REFERENCE BETWEEN PARCELFORCE WORLDWIDE AND THE CWU ON A TRIAL OF A HYBRID REWARD MECHANISM/C&D DRIVER PRODUCTIVITY INCENTIVE SCHEME 

Attached for the information of Branches, Parcelforce Representatives and members is a Terms of Reference covering further trial activity on a Hybrid Reward Mechanism/C&D Driver Productivity Incentive Scheme.

Discussions have continued with the business to develop alternative options and resolve the issues which were prevalent during the previous trial and the learnings suggested a number of variations of an incentive scheme to test the optimal mechanism for rewarding performance in times of both higher and lower volume levels.

The revised scheme has a number of improvements:

• These relate to an upgraded version of the Parcelforce Route Balancer tool (PRB) and firm guidelines for its use, to improve the accuracy of the Gateway figure and the item reward figure.
• A reaffirmation of the commitment that internal routes should be fully utilised before traffic is assigned to external resource.
• Improved information and pre-advice to ensure drivers are aware of the level of opportunity and the level of achievement each day. This will include consideration of a Depot Champion Role.

This scheme is not directly linked to the achievement of customer ETA (estimated time of arrival) windows, however there is an expectation all delivery and collection customer service levels need to be maintained in line with customer specification.  Where there is any negative impact on quality performance in the participating depots it will be reviewed as a matter of urgency as part of the joint working group activity. This may include early withdrawal of depots from the trial where quality cannot be maintained.

The participating sites below have been selected to reflect the different depot types:

• Gloucester (Cluster) 
• Leicester
• London SW
• London SE
• Glasgow 
• Deeside 

The individual route payment calculations will be checked by the Operations Manager at the end of the week and signed off by the Regional Operations Leader (ROL) to provide a robust audit trail for the incentive scheme payments.

Arrangements are being made with Parcelforce for a launch call early next week for Representatives from the participating sites to ensure that the scheme and the opportunities it will provide with regard to earning opportunities for our members are fully understood. It is anticipated the new scheme will be launched from Monday 14^th October.

The department would request that Branches bring the contents of this LTB to the attention of our members in the trial sites and across the wider Parcelforce membership.

Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary, email: sbanbury@cwu.org quoting reference LTB 327/24.

Yours sincerely

Davie Robertson                                                                    

Assistant Secretary

LTB 327/24 – TERMS OF REFERENCE BETWEEN PARCELFORCE WORLDWIDE AND THE CWU ON A TRIAL OF A HYBRID REWARD MECHANISM – CD DRIVER PRODUCTIVITY INCENTIVE SCHEME

TERMS OF REFERENCE BETWEEN PARCELFORCE WORLDWIDE AND THE CWU ON A TRIAL OF A HYBRID REWARD MECHANISM – CD DRIVER PRODUCTIVITY INCENTIVE SCHEME

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