The Royal Mail Group pay ballot opens on 6th August. Here is how you can vote 🗳️
NEC DECISION TO TRANSFER ROYAL MAIL ENGINGEERING & RMPFSL MEMBERS CURRENTLY IN T&FS BRANCHES TO POSTAL BRANCHES
NEC DECISION TO TRANSFER ROYAL MAIL ENGINGEERING & RMPFSL MEMBERS CURRENTLY IN T&FS BRANCHES TO POSTAL BRANCHES
Branches will be aware via LTB 037/25 dated 19th February that for historical reasons there are c.725 Royal Mail Postal & Technical Services (PTS) members aligned to T&FS Branches rather than Postal Branches.
Earlier this year, the NEC made the decision to transfer the PTS members into Postal Branches and a HQ Working Group was established, led by Andy Furey, Assistant Secretary, with the support of Andy Mercer, President, on behalf of the T&FS Executive, Alan Tate and Rob Wotherspoon, Postal Executive members.
The Working Group, which was supported by the SDGS and Membership Departments, was tasked with establishing exactly which T&FS Branches had Postal members and to identify the best fit in terms of a transfer to the most logical Postal Branch based on a number of factors. This work has now been completed, with input from the PTS Field Officials, and we are ready to action the transfers from 1st August 2025.
A meeting was held earlier today with the Branch Secretaries of the Postal Branches who will be receiving PTS members to explain that we anticipate a seamless transition and that there will be no impact upon IR or H&S structures, with the transfer being simply a union organisational matter. A letter is being sent to the receiving Branches confirming the details.
Additionally, a letter is being sent to all affected T&FS Branch Secretaries along with the details of the transferring members. Also, a home mailing is being sent directly to the PTS members who are transferring Branches to inform them of the reasons for the NEC decision and to let them know their new Postal Branch and the contact details for the Branch Secretary.
If there are any queries in relation to this activity, please email Andy Furey – afurey@cwu.org.
Yours sincerely,
Karen Rose
Deputy General Secretary (T&FS)
Martin Walsh
Deputy General Secretary (P)
ROYAL MAIL: DRUGS & ALCOHOL – FOR-CAUSE TESTING PILOT
ROYAL MAIL: DRUGS & ALCOHOL – FOR-CAUSE TESTING PILOT
Further to LTB 121/25 dated 23rdJune.
Firstly, we wish to advise Branches that the extended Pilot across the South East, South Central and Northern Ireland ROD areas has been operating for over a month now, with no reported problems or indeed any For-Cause tests. In fact, since the original Pilot commenced in Wales on 13th January, there have been just two tests, both of which were in Anglia, and they were both negative.
We have now agreed with Royal Mail that a formal joint review of the Pilot from across the six ROD areas will take place week commencing 15thSeptember. This timescale will allow for an informed discussion and accordingly the Pilot will remain in place until we agree next steps with Royal Mail. We will continue to monitor the progress of the Pilot and further developments will be reported.
Yours sincerely,
Andy Furey
Assistant Secretary
Davie Robertson
Assistant Secretary
Tony Bouch
Assistant Secretary
Post Office: Further Franchising Partners Announced for 18 Crowns
Post Office: Further Franchising Partners Announced for 18 Crowns
Further to LTBs 105/25, 107/25 and 147/25.
Post Office has today announced franchise partners for a further 18 Crown Offices (the list is attached to this LTB). As well as previously announced partners, the new list includes Rymans and WH Smith (some WHS stores are now trading under the name TG Jones).
Online meetings were held by management with the members in the 18 Crowns earlier today, and our Territorial Representatives were involved in order to provide support where necessary. There are no exact closure / transfer dates as yet, although all indications are that these will take place around mid-late October into November this year, bearing in mind there is a 90-day consultation period.
Branches are reminded that LTB 147/25 outlines the enhancements to the financial terms for Crown members for those not wanting to TUPE that we have secured via negotiations. If members have any questions regarding either the terms of the financial settlement, TUPE or bumping, they should contact their Territorial Rep in the first instance.
Members who decline to TUPE and opt to take an enhanced severance package (which thus far is the vast majority) will be required to take legal advice in connection with their Settlement Agreement and Post Office will contribute £500 plus VAT towards that advice.
It should be noted that there are 14 remaining Crowns where Post Office has yet to announce the franchise partners. We would anticipate that the members in these Crowns will be updated by Post Office during August.
Further developments will be reported.
Yours sincerely,
Andy Furey
Assistant Secretary
LTB 155/25 – Post Office Further Franchising Partners Announced for 18 Crowns
National Network Review (Network 25) – Deployment Date Update
National Network Review (Network 25) – Deployment Date Update
Branches and Representatives will be aware that LTB 139/25 issued on the 9th July 2025, provided notification of the deferral of the 28th July 2025 as the agreed target deployment date for the National Network Review (Network 25).
We can report that further discussions have taken place with Royal Mail and a revised deployment date has been agreed.
The Network Review will now be deployed on the 8th September 2025.
While we are confident that most VOC’s are ready to deploy, the aim will now be to ensure that any outstanding issues are resolved, through the IR Framework if necessary, and duty sets, and re-picks are concluded in readiness for the deployment date. The NWG will remain available to offer advice and assistance where necessary.
Branches and representatives are requested to ensure that our Network members are made aware of the contents of this LTB at the earliest opportunity.
Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary, email: jrodrigues@cwu.org quoting reference LTB 154/25.
Yours sincerely,
Davie Robertson
Assistant Secretary
LTB 154/25 – National Network Review (Network 25) – Deployment Date Update
Royal Mail Property & Facility Solutions
Royal Mail Property & Facility Solutions
Election of:
- Regional Cleaning Representative – North Region
Further to LTB 138/25 dated 8th July 2025 regarding the above vacancy
At the close of nominations today at 14.00pm the following nomination has been received.Susan SmithLeeds No 1 Amal*Elected
Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Bobby Weatherall, Acting Assistant Secretary, email khay@cwu.orgor hmaughan@cwu.org
Yours sincerely,
Bobby Weatherall
Acting Assistant Secretary
Election of Divisional Representative Vacancies
Election of Divisional Representative Vacancies
Election of:
- Royal Mail Divisional Representative – Midland
- Royal Mail Divisional Representative (Substitute) – London
Further to LTB 132/25 dated 3rd July 2025 in regard to the above vacancies, at the close of nominations today at 14:00, the following nominations have been received:Royal Mail Divisional Representative – MidlandSteve BlowerNottingham & District Amal*ElectedRoyal Mail Divisional Representative (Substitute) – LondonKevin CareyNorthern/North West London*Elected
Any enquiries in relation to this LTB 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 152/25 – Election of Divisional Representative Vacancies
CONSULTATIVE BALLOT –REBUILDING ROYAL MAIL PART 1 (EP GROUP/CWU AGREEMENT 2024) AND 2 (3 YEAR PAY SETTLEMENT 2025-2027)
CONSULTATIVE BALLOT –REBUILDING ROYAL MAIL PART 1 (EP GROUP/CWU AGREEMENT 2024) AND 2 (3 YEAR PAY SETTLEMENT 2025-2027)
The timetable for the consultative ballot is detailed below. Ballot Papers will be dispatched 2nd Class to all members’ home addresses for them to be returned electronically.
- Ballot Papers Dispatched Wednesday 6th August 2025
- Ballot Closes at 14:00 Tuesday 26th August 2025
- Result announced Tuesday 26thAugust 2025
Online Voting
To return their vote using the online electronic voting system, members will receive personalised correspondence which will enable them to cast their vote.
The online voting process uses a secure voting site administered by Civica (Independent scrutineers) specifically for this ballot.
The process for voting is based on a simple, easy to use format that is routinely used by other Unions and the Labour Party
However, in advance of the ballot we will share an example ballot paper and instructions for Branches and members on how to complete their vote.
Any enquiries in relation to the content of this LTB should be addressed to the SDGS Department (lparrett@cwu.org)
Yours sincerely,
Martin Walsh
Deputy General Secretary (Postal)
Agreed the timetable for the forthcoming ballot on Royal Mail Group Pay
The Postal Executive has agreed the following timetable for the forthcoming ballot on Royal Mail Group Pay:
Ballot Opens – 6th August
Ballot Closes – 26th August
The CWU recommends that members vote YES.
Samaritans Awareness Day – Thursday 24th July 2025
Samaritans Awareness Day – Thursday 24th July 2025
‘TALK TO US’ MONTH 24/7SAMARITANS AWARENESS DAY 2025
The above date is chosen because of the pledge to listen 24/7. The Samaritans have proven for many years that they are a lifeline for many, offering a listening ear and confidential support for anyone struggling to cope. Throughout July, the Talk to Us campaign highlights the importance of talking about mental health issues and encourages people to reach out for help whenever they need it. Follow this link for further information: Samaritans Awareness Day
The Samaritans is a charity that prevents suicide through human connection.
The British Standards Institution (BSI) recently opened a public consultation for a new British Standard on suicide awareness. The public consultation ran for 8 weeks, closing on 16th July 2025. The British Standards Institution is the UK’s National Standards Body who work with many different stakeholders to develop British, European and international standards. The BSI will be releasing the UK’s first standard in late 2025 (BS 30480) which will be dedicated to suicide awareness and education. It will provide comprehensive guidelines to help organisations plan for, respond to, and support people affected by suicide.
This landmark initiative is welcomed and comes amid growing recognition of the mental health crisis in the UK. There remains an urgent need, however, for structured and compassionate responses from employers.
The CWU has now responded to the BSI consultation after surveying over 100 CWU trained Mental Health First Aiders (MHFAiders). The findings of our CWU survey highlighted the following:
- 85% of our surveyed CWU MHFAiders have provided mental health support more than once in the last 12 months.
- 39% of our surveyed CWU MHFAiders have provided emergency support to a colleague in a mental health crisis in the last 12 months.
- 3% percent of our surveyed CWU MHFAiders believe that the impact of suicide is not well understood by their employer.
- 3% of our surveyed CWU MHFAiders have provided support to someone outside of normal work hours in the last 12 months.
Today and every day, every 10 seconds, Samaritans answer a call for help.
In November 1953, the first ever call was answered to what was to become the Samaritans’ helpline. This single act of humanity became a service involving tens of thousands of Samaritans who together over the years have answered more than 134 million calls for help.
There are over 200 Samaritans branches and locations across the UK and Ireland.
The Samaritans regularly undertake work in prisons, schools, hospitals and on the rail network to support people going through difficult times and train others to do the same.
Recent Samaritans policy and research can be accessed by clicking on the link below:
Policy and Research | Samaritans
Samaritans Awareness Day – 24/7social media materials can be accessed by clicking on the link below:
Downloadable Materials | Talk To Us Campaign | Samaritans Campaigns
This LTB is shared on behalf of CWU Central Services.
If you have any questions or need any further information, please contact –
Jamie McGovern, FRSPH MIIAI at jmcgovern@cwu.org.
LTB 150/25 – SAMARITANS TALK TO US AWARENESS DAY 24 7 pdf version
CWU Eastern No5 Branch 