BRANCH BALLOT PROCEDURES

Branches will be aware that when requested, CWU HQ has conducted ballots for Branch elections. Over the past few years an increasing number of Branches have used this option where they have required an election(s) to be held following the close of the nominations for a particular position(s).

There are still however a significant number of Branches who conduct their own elections.  Although most are experienced in the processes involved, given the number of new Branch Officials, it is important to ensure updated guidelines for ballot procedures are reissued to Branches. This is especially relevant as we near the time when elections will be held and ballots required.

Branch Committees are responsible for agreeing and ensuring the publication of their own ballot timetables and regulations, but there is a need for clarification to be provided for certain elements of the balloting procedure.

The previous guidance has therefore been amended and updated to ensure there is clarity around particular matters, with the attached guidelines for Branch balloting procedures being endorsed at the meeting of the NEC on 22/23 October 2025.

Branches should ensure these are brought to the attention of members of the Branch Committee and adopted as elections are held in the future.

Any enquiries should be addressed to dwilshire@cwu.org or on 0208 971 7368

Tony Kearns

Senior Deputy General Secretary

LTB 230/25 – Branch Ballot Procedures

Att: Branch Ballot Procedures September 2025

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JOINT STATEMENT BETWEEN ROYAL MAIL NATIONAL LOGISTICS AND THE CWU REGARDING BANK HOLIDAY RESOURCING FOR NETWORK PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS, CHRISTMAS 2025/26

Colleagues will recall that as an integral part of the 2007 Professional Drivers Agreement, Bank Holidays effectively became normal working days for Network LGV Drivers and while we have long had an understanding with the business that, where possible, attendance would be on a voluntary basis, in reality our members can be compelled to attend on those days where sufficient numbers fail to volunteer. In line with the PDA, all staff who attend are credited with a lieu day.

Branches and representatives will be aware that, in addition to the generic Christmas Arrangements Agreement, the department has in previous years reached agreement with Royal Mail Logistics on specific guidelines covering the resourcing of Network LGV duties across the Christmas and New Year Bank Holidays.

In line with previous arrangements, discussions have therefore taken place with the business and the attached Joint Statement has been concluded and endorsed by the Postal Executive.

The Joint Statement reaffirms the following commitments:

• Advance planning;
• A wholly voluntary approach to any attendance on Christmas Day;
• The use of the full range of resourcing options to reduce the burden on our members;
• A commitment to only run essential services on Bank Holidays;
• A commitment to minimise any mandatory attendance – no driver asked to attend on both the Boxing Day and New Year Bank Holidays.

Additionally, we have also secured wording concerning the business decision to offer a temporary minimum 8-hour paid shift for LGV external resource during the period 27^thOctober until 21^st December.   Royal Mail stated that they have had to do this to secure sufficient additional resource to cover increased workload during the peak period.

The department argued that Royal Mail was treating Agency drivers more favourably than employed drivers and following discussions we have secured the extension of the minimum attendance of 8-hours to Royal Mail Drivers performing duties less than 8-hours, subject to full compliance with Driver Hours and Working Time restrictions.

For Royal Mail Drivers any extension to 8 hours will be voluntary and will be dependent on coverage of available workload during the extended hours. To confirm, this is a temporary arrangement that does not alter any existing terms and conditions and applies only within the specified dates.

Much like in previous years, the department believes that the attached clarification provided in relation to the arrangements for 2025/26 will be welcomed by representatives and members.

Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary, email: jrodrigues@cwu.org quoting reference LTB 229/25.

Yours sincerely,

Davie Robertson
Assistant Secretary

LTB 229/25 – JS LGV Driver Christmas BH Arrangements

Att: Signed JS Network Christmas Arrangements 2025.2026

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This week on CWU Live, we come to you straight from the CWU Equalities Event where more than 150 delegates gathered for two days of powerful discussion, reflection, and action.

Head of Equality, Education and Development Kate Hudson takes us inside the event as we cover key debates and conversations with those leading change across our union.

We hear from our brilliant delegates on their views on crucial equality issues facing our movement today and explore how we can continue to empower our reps to better support every member.

We’re also joined by representatives from the Police Spies Out of Lives campaign, Suresh Grover of The Monitoring Group, and the mother of Ricky Reel, a teenager tragically murdered in a racist attack.

Watch now to find out more on what your union is doing to make a difference and push for change.

🎥 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAuGCPExlu8

Agenda Pad – CWU Young Workers Conference – 5^th November 2025

Branches would wish to know that the agenda for the CWU Young Workers Conference which is being held at the Mechanics Institute in Manchester on Wednesday 5^th November 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 2025-YOUNG-WORKERS-CONFERENCE-AGENDA.pdf

Branches are also reminded that Branch Secretaries should register delegates and observers by emailing conferences@cwu.org by no later than Monday 27^th October 2025.   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 Young Workers to attend General Conference 2026.

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

Dave Ward

General Secretary

LTB 226/25 – Agenda Pad – CWU Young Workers Conference – 5th November 2025

2025 YOUNG WORKERS CONFERENCE AGENDA

Download – Nomination Form 2026

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ROYAL MAIL: DRUGS & ALCOHOL – FOR-CAUSE TESTING PILOT

Further to LTB 157/25 dated 30^thJuly.  The For-Cause Testing Pilot for Drugs & Alcohol has been operating now for just over nine months since the original Pilot commenced in January in Wales, with subsequent extensions into the Anglia, South West, South East, South Central and Northern Ireland ROD areas.  During this period, Royal Mail has reported there have been just four tests, only one of which was positive.  The individual concerned agreed to enter into the Support & Rehabilitation Programme and was therefore not taken down the conduct route, in accordance with our agreement for the Pilot.

Extension of Current For-Cause Testing Pilot into Scotland and North East

We met with Royal Mail on 17^thSeptember, as planned, to jointly review the Pilot from across the six ROD areas and during that meeting both parties agreed there would be a further extension of the Pilot, in terms of both duration and geography, with both the Scotland and North East ROD areas being included from January 2026 until the end of March.  The protections for our members will continue across the extended Pilot – i.e there will be no discipline arising from positive tests, provided members in these circumstances agree to participate in the Support and Rehabilitation programme.  The two previously agreed caveats will continue to apply – a positive drug/alcohol test on the roadside following an accident/incident where the police are involved, or an individual being found in the possession of illegal drugs in the workplace.  For ease of reference, attached at Appendix A Agreed Terms of Reference for the original Pilot, Appendix B Support & Rehabilitation Guide and Appendix CFor-Cause Testing Colleague Framework Pilot Approach.

Negotiations to Erect a National Agreement for For-Cause Testing for Drivers

Both parties have also committed to begin negotiations to erect a National Agreement on Drugs & Alcohol For-Cause Testing for introduction from Monday 6^th April 2026.  Crucially, the roll-out will apply to all driving roles including Parcelforce.  The Agreement will exclude non-driving roles and will focus on For-Cause Testing, which means there will be no random testing.  We will be scheduling a number of negotiating meetings with Royal Mail with the aim of concluding a National Agreement, which will be placed before the Postal Executive for endorsement once finalised.

The extended Pilot and the commitment to commence negotiations for a National Agreement has been endorsed by the Postal Executive and further developments will be reported.

Yours sincerely,

Andy Furey       
Assistant Secretary                                                                

Davie Robertson
Assistant Secretary

Tony Bouch
Assistant Secretary

LTB 224/25 – ROYAL MAIL DRUGS & ALCOHOL – FOR-CAUSE TESTING PILOT

Appendix A – Agreed Terms of Reference for the For-Cause (with signatures)

Appendix B – Colleague Guide Support and Rehabilitation Service – Final

Appendix C – For Cause Testing – Colleague Framework Final Version 23.1.25

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Royal Mail Fleet Maintenance – Territorial Reps Elections

We are seeking nominations for the election of Royal Mail Fleet Territorial Reps in the areas listed below.

There are 5 Territorial Rep’s positions due to be filled covering workshops in the following areas:

• Midlands & Anglia
• London & South East
• North West, North Wales & Yorkshire
• Scotland, Northern Ireland & Tyneside
• South West & South Wales

For ease of reference, we have listed below the workshops covered by each area along with the corresponding CWU branches. The election cycle is for two years. 

Area 

Branches

Midlands & Anglia

Coventry, Crick, North & East Mids, Peterborough, Boston, Cambridge, West Mids, Leicester, Nottingham, Sheffield, Chesterfield, Lincoln, Grimsby, Norwich & Suffolk

Midlands MT, South Central MT, South Yorkshire & District Amal 

London & South East

Chelmsford, Harlow, Chichester, Walton on Thames, Croydon, SW London, Gatwick, East Sussex, Gillingham, Dartford, Milton Keynes, Hemel, Luton, North London, Body Shop, St Albans, Romford, East London, Thurrock, Uxbridge, Acton

London RMT, Portsmouth & District Postal, South Central MT, 

North West, North Wales & Yorkshire

North West Hub, York, Yorkshire, Leeds, Harrogate, Manchester, Darlington, Newcastle, Warrington, Chester, Wellington, North Wales, Hull, Scarborough, Skipton, Warrington Hub

Greater Manchester, Greater Mersey Amal Midlands MT, North West Central Amal, Newcastle Amal, Warrington Mail Centre, Leeds No.1 

Scotland, NoE & Northern Ireland

Aberdeen, Ballymoney, Cambuslang, Carlisle, Cookstown, Craigavon, Edinburgh, Elgin, Fraserburgh, Galashiels, Glasgow, Glenrothes, Inverclyde, Inverness, Kilmarnock, Lairg, Lerwick, Lochboisdale, Motherwell, Newtownabbey, Oban, Omagh, Perth, Portree, Preston, Stornoway, Stranraer, Tyneside, Wishaw, Preston

Greater Manchester, Northern Ireland Postal Amal, Scotland MT, Newcastle Amal 

South West South Wales

Barnstaple, Basingstoke, Bodmin, Bridgewater, Bristol, Cardiff, Carmathen, Exeter, Gloucester, Newport (Gwent), Newport (IOW), Oxford, Plymouth, Poole, Redruth, Southampton, Swindon Trowbridge, Guildford, Llanelli

Bristol & District Amal, Bournemouth & Dorset Amal, Cornwall Amal, Gloucestershire Amal, Plymouth & East Cornwall Portsmouth & District Postal, South Central MT, South East No5, South East Wales, South West No7, Wessex South Central, Western Counties, London RMT

Nomination forms for all of these positions are attached to this LTB. All candidates must have the nomination of their own Branch and completed nomination forms must be signed by the Branch Secretary and Branch Chair (or accredited deputies) and the nominee.

The time table for the submission of nominations is as follows:

Nominations Open: –           20^th October 2025

Nominations Close: –           3^rd November 2025 (14.00)

In the event that a ballot is required, a timetable will be notified in due course with all ballots being run in accordance with the CWU guidelines for Fleet Maintenance Territorial Representation which is attached for your information.

All enquiries regarding the content of this LTB should be addressed to the PTCS Department, quoting reference 220. Email address: hmaughan@cwu.org.

Bobby Weatherall

Acting Assistant Secretary

ERRATA LTB 225/ 25 – Royal Mail Fleet Maintenance – Territorial Reps Elections

Guidelines 2025

Nomination Form (Download)

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ELECTION OF CWU ASSISTANT SECRETARY POSTAL 

Further to LTB 191/25 dated 4^th September 2025, the Nominations for the above position closed at 14:00 on 15^th October 2025.  Please find below the list of accepted nominations and the respective nominating branches.Andy FureyCWU Officers Branch*Elected

Nominating Branches:Bristol & District AmalNewcastle AmalBournemouth & Dorset AmalNorth West No1CWU Officers BranchNottingham & District AmalDarwen CapitaPlymouth & East Cornwall AmalEast London PostalScotland No 2Eastern No 4Southdowns Weald & RotherGlasgow & District AmalSouth & East Thames AmalHighland AmalSouth Central MTKent InvictaSouth East No 5Leeds No 1 AmalSouth West Wales AmalLondon PhoenixSouth Yorkshire & District AmalLondon Regional MTWessex South CentralLondon South West PostalWorcester & Hereford AmalMount Pleasant International 

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

Yours sincerely,

Dave Ward
General Secretary

25LTB222 ELECTION OF CWU ASSISTANT SECRETARY POSTAL

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NATIONAL BRIEFING – UPDATE ON NEGOTIATIONS WITH ROYAL MAIL GROUP/EP GROUP

An online National Briefing will be held on Monday 20th October from 11:00-13:00.

It is crucial we deliver a full and comprehensive update on:

• New Entrants’ Terms and Conditions
• CWU / EP Agreement
• USO
• Quality of Service / OFCOM fine
• Compensation for CWU members and representatives targeted during and after 2022 dispute
• Membership engagement plan

We ask all senior representatives to treat this as a priority engagement and stand down all other planned work.

Following the national briefing we will be embarking on an extensive membership engagement exercise which will include workplace meetings, written updates, and a live broadcast.

The link for the national briefing will be shared privately with Branches before the end of the week.

Yours sincerely

Martin Walsh                                                               Dave Ward
Deputy General Secretary (Postal)                      General Secretary       

25LTB223 NATIONAL BRIEFING – UPDATE ON NEGOTIATIONS WITH ROYAL MAIL GROUP EP GROUP

Election of:

• Royal Mail Divisional Representative (Substitute) – Midland

Further to LTB 203/25 dated 18^thSeptember 2025, please find detailed below the ballot result for the above election that closed first post today.Jason CornwallNorth Staffordshire Postal310Darren JonesLeicestershire229Stuart McLeanNottingham & District Amal689*ElectedSajid ShaikhBirmingham & District Amal392Jason SteathamWolverhampton & District Amal625

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

Yours sincerely,

Dave Ward

General Secretary

LTB 221/25 – Election of Royal Mail Divisional Representative (Substitute) – Midland

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