DES CARNEY – FORMER NATIONAL STANDING ORDERS COMMITTEE MEMBER/NATIONAL POSTAL CLEANERS REPRESENTATIVE – FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS
It was very sad news last week to hear that Des Carney, former National Standing Orders Committee member and National Cleaners Representative, had passed away following a long illness. We now have details of the funeral arrangements and these are set out below:
Tuesday 28th October
10.00 am Service
St Josephs RC Church
Mary Street
Heywood
OL10 1EG
11.15 at Heywood Cemetery
Rochdale Road East
Heywood
OL10 1RL
Wake to be held at: Success to Plough Pub Bolton Road, Rochdale, OL11 3LW (10 Min Walk from Cemetery).
As can be seen from the many tributes on Facebook, Des was an outstanding and lifelong Trade Unionist who made a real difference to the lives of the members he passionately represented in Rochdale, the North West and Nationally.
He joined the GPO, as it was back then, in 1977 and went on to become a representative of nearly 50 years standing. During that time, he held numerous union positions at Branch, Divisional and National level where he went on to become a highly respected Cleaners Representative and member of both the Postal and General Standing Orders Committee.
In later years Des became a very strong advocate for our retired members and was a regular and very effective speaker at our conferences throughout his union career.
On behalf of the CWU, we offer our sincere condolences to Des’s family and friends and we know he will be sorely missed by all those who knew him.
In so many different ways Des made a fantastic contribution to our union and he will always be remembered as a true comrade, great character and a stalwart of our organisation. Des was a thoroughly decent man and also a proud father and grandfather to a family he cherished. RIP Des Carney.
If anyone needs any further details or assistance with accommodation, please feel free to contact Gary Ingram or Saf Khan, see contact details below.
Just Can’t Wait Toilet Card Scheme & Toilet Map UK
Following on from LTB 052/25 issued on the 6th March regarding Prostate Cancer Awareness Month – Health & Wellbeing Communication, the purpose of this LTB is to again highlight and draw to Branches’ and members’ attention the ‘Just Can’t Wait’ toilet card scheme.
The ‘Just Can’t Wait’ card scheme started around 2017 and was simply designed to allow people with bladder and bowel conditions to discreetly access toilets in public places when needed urgently. This card can also be used for conditions such as Crohn’s disease, Colitis, Endometriosis, Adenomyosis, Menopause and other conditions that require urgent toilet access needs.
The card, which is available FREE to be downloaded digitally on Apple and Android phones, is now widely accepted at many cafes, shops, restaurants, entertainment venues and other businesses. Approximately 170,000 people carry the ‘Just Can’t Wait’ card across the country, which is also available in a plastic credit card size and design if preferred.
The card uses the universally acknowledged ‘WC’ signage, giving you the benefit of discrete and clear communication for those moments when you just can’t wait to use the toilet. This is particularly useful if you have speech difficulties or are not fluent in spoken English.
The ‘Just Can’t Wait’ card has been used successfully in recent years by many CWU members within Royal Mail and Parcelforce and who work outdoors. Accordingly, it was felt beneficial to again highlight the scheme for members and equally ask Branches and in particular our Regional and Divisional Safety Forums to draw members’ attention to the ‘Just Can’t Wait’ card.
Although the ‘Just Can’t Wait’ card does not guarantee access to a toilet, using this widely recognised card should prove helpful.
In addition to the above, it is also necessary to remind Branches and members that a number of the above medical conditions could be covered by the 2010 Equality Act (Disability Discrimination Act in the case of Northern Ireland), as such, individual reasonable adjustments applications could also be made under the Act to further support individual needs.
Finally, also set out here is a link to Toilet Map UK. This is a website which aims to be a complete, up-to-date, sustainable source of toilet locations. It’s the UK’s largest database of publicly-accessible toilets with over 14,000 facilities.
Toilet Map UK simply seeks to advise of all the publicly-accessible toilets, that means all toilets that the public can access without needing to be a customer.
This includes:
public toilets.
toilets in train stations, bus stations, service/petrol stations, tube stations, ferry terminals, airports and other transport networks.
shopping centre toilets.
toilets in public buildings, such as town halls, libraries, hospitals, museums and leisure centres.
toilets in other businesses where the business agrees that the public can use their toilets without having to buy anything. These are often part of Community Toilet Schemes (run by councils) and can include shops, cafes, supermarkets, restaurants, hotels and pubs.
Whilst previous LTBs have been issued covering the ‘Just Can’t Wait’ toilet card scheme, it is hoped that this information will be of further use and members who wish to discuss the details of this LTB further are encouraged to contact their relevant Branch, Area Safety Rep or Field Safety Rep in the first instance.
Any enquiries in relation to the content of this LTB should be addressed to the DGS(P) Department hford@cwu.org.
World Mental Health Day 2025 – Friday 10th October
Dear Colleagues,
World Mental Health Day is coming up on Friday 10th October. The theme this year, set by the World Federation for Mental Health, is: “Access to Services – Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies.”
This year’s theme is especially important to consider from a workplace context.
Workplace incidents or traumatic events can occur on any work site, any road, or in any workplace and these impactful events can directly affect our mental health.
It is also important to raise awareness of the fact that trauma or distress doesn’t always show straight away, symptoms may appear weeks or months later.
Risk factors for trauma may include exposure to critical incidents and accidents, sudden loss, violence or overwhelming stress. Knowing the signs of trauma and what to do next is vital, as there are things we can do individually to protect ourselves and others from feeling overwhelmed.
Workplace posters shared with this LTB include tips to manage ‘Overwhelm’ and ‘Doomscrolling’.
‘Overwhelm’ is becoming overwhelmed by a feeling or event, which affects you very strongly, to a point where you do not know how to deal with it.
‘Doomscrolling’ doomscrolling is the habit of consuming negative news online repeatedly until it starts to significantly impact our emotional wellbeing.
The term doomscrolling itself became popular during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The application of self-care can include switching off from social media. Mental Health First Aid England refer to this as a ‘digital detox’, which involves setting a time limit and establishing boundaries about the time you spend online to improve mental health and reduce feelings of anxiety and inadequacy.
For anyone who is struggling, CWU MHFAiders are trained to listen, support, and signpost.
Our MHFAiders are never alone in their role. Through the Association of Mental Health First Aiders and CWU regional mental health support networks, they can remain part of a national community staying connected, supported, and confident in making a difference.
On MHFAider Day 2025, we will aim to shine a spotlight on their impact and celebrate the ripple effect they create.
Linking back to this year’s theme for World Mental Health Day 2025 World Mental Health Day – October 10th it is important to raise awareness of the fact that the 2-day CWU Mental Health First Aid course provides training to all learners to aid a better understanding of:
What a traumatic event is
What Crisis First Aid looks like for traumatic events
What protective factors are available for supporting our Metal Health.
CWU Mental Health First Aid training will again be available in 2026. To further support branches, we can now also offer a Health & and Safety 1-day workshop in partnership with 5asideCHESS looking at trauma informed training, which can be delivered alongside our continued CWU Mental Health First Aid training. Work with us – 5asideCHESS
Please remember there is always hope, clicking on the following link can take you to your nearest support service.
It is becoming increasingly clear that to address the rise of the far right in the UK the trade union movement must develop its own distinct and powerful anti-racism campaign and this must be focused in our workplaces and communities. The CWU is taking a lead on this work alongside other trade union and work is already underway by Kate Hudson and our Equality and Education Department.
We want to widen the debate on this as much as possible and will be reaching out to branches for input in the coming weeks. We want to create a strategy the whole union is bought into.
Ahead of this, we are launching a new initiative to counter the way that right-wing forces are looking to use football to reach working class people and sew division. This includes even Reform launch a football shirt that is being worn at grounds across the country.
In response to this we are launching a new football shirt under the banner of ‘The Working Class United’. The shirt will cost £30 with all profits split between the organisations Show Racism the Red Card and Fans Supporting Foodbanks.
We have also worked hard on the detail of the shirt design. In the 1970’s Coventry City wore an iconic two-tone shirt inspired by the band The Specials. We have produced our own version of this shirt with a modern and CWU flavour to it.
We are working with several high-profile figures to promote this initiative and we will host a launch event in the coming weeks.
For now, we wanted our branches to be the first to see the design and have the opportunity to purchase the shirt.
Photos of the design are attached and a link to buy the shirt is below.
It is becoming increasingly clear that to address the rise of the far right in the UK the trade union movement must develop its own distinct and powerful anti-racism campaign and this must be focused in our workplaces and communities. The CWU is taking a lead on this work alongside other trade union and work is already underway by Kate Hudson and our Equality and Education Department.
We want to widen the debate on this as much as possible and will be reaching out to branches for input in the coming weeks. We want to create a strategy the whole union is bought into.
Ahead of this, we are launching a new initiative to counter the way that right-wing forces are looking to use football to reach working class people and sew division. This includes even Reform launch a football shirt that is being worn at grounds across the country.
In response to this we are launching a new football shirt under the banner of ‘The Working Class United’. The shirt will cost £30 with all profits split between the organisations Show Racism the Red Card and Fans Supporting Foodbanks.
We have also worked hard on the detail of the shirt design. In the 1970’s Coventry City wore an iconic two-tone shirt inspired by the band The Specials. We have produced our own version of this shirt with a modern and CWU flavour to it.
We are working with several high-profile figures to promote this initiative and we will host a launch event in the coming weeks.
For now, we wanted our branches to be the first to see the design and have the opportunity to purchase the shirt.
Photos of the design are attached and a link to buy the shirt is below.
It is becoming increasingly clear that to address the rise of the far right in the UK the trade union movement must develop its own distinct and powerful anti-racism campaign and this must be focused in our workplaces and communities. The CWU is taking a lead on this work alongside other trade union and work is already underway by Kate Hudson and our Equality and Education Department.
We want to widen the debate on this as much as possible and will be reaching out to branches for input in the coming weeks. We want to create a strategy the whole union is bought into.
Ahead of this, we are launching a new initiative to counter the way that right-wing forces are looking to use football to reach working class people and sew division. This includes even Reform launch a football shirt that is being worn at grounds across the country.
In response to this we are launching a new football shirt under the banner of ‘The Working Class United’. The shirt will cost £30 with all profits split between the organisations Show Racism the Red Card and Fans Supporting Foodbanks.
We have also worked hard on the detail of the shirt design. In the 1970’s Coventry City wore an iconic two-tone shirt inspired by the band The Specials. We have produced our own version of this shirt with a modern and CWU flavour to it.
We are working with several high-profile figures to promote this initiative and we will host a launch event in the coming weeks.
For now, we wanted our branches to be the first to see the design and have the opportunity to purchase the shirt.
Photos of the design are attached and a link to buy the shirt is below.
UPDATE ON REBUILDING ROYAL MAIL – OUTSTANDING SECTION 5 ISSUES
Over recent weeks and months negotiations have taken place with Royal Mail Group on all elements of section 5 of the Rebuilding Royal Mail part 1 agreement, including equalising new entrants’ terms and conditions and the future of the USO.
Given the complexity of the negotiations, they have taken longer than first anticipated. This is primarily due to both parties being unable to reach agreement on USO reform. Whilst we would have wanted to be able to move this issue forward, we have been clear to Royal Mail that there are serious problems in the pilot units, and we cannot agree to their Optimised Delivery Model.
We are pleased that Royal Mail / EP Group have taken a step back and have now fully confirmed there will be no further pilot units or roll out of the USO until the new year / a national agreement has been reached with the CWU. We welcome this approach as it is markedly different to what we saw under the previous senior management team who oversaw the destruction of the service through a relentless programme of executive action.
We have agreed with Royal Mail to ensure our immediate focus will also be to support all the current pilot units and ensure these units are fully resourced and achieving all quality-of-service targets. We want to thank our members in the pilot units for the support and understanding in recent months.
We will use this period to reach a comprehensive agreement on the USO that delivers on quality of service and improves the work / life balance for our members.
The protracted nature of these negotiations has also impacted on other areas of the agreement including agreeing the first step in equalising new entrants’ terms and conditions.
Following discussions last week, we can confirm that EP Group will now be taking the lead on these talks, and they will intensify from next week. The CWU position is that any settlement we reach will have to be backdated to September to ensure we deliver on the terms of the Rebuilding Royal Mail Part 1 agreement.
We are fully aware that the true test of our agreement and of the new owners of Royal Mail is whether you are seeing and feeling change in the workplace. We know that is not currently the case. However, in the coming weeks, a number of initiatives and communications will be shared which we believe will begin a full re-set of employee and industrial relations. We want to see real and meaningful actions from Royal Mail and EP Group and through the negotiations we are determined to ensure this is what will be delivered.
Finally, we will keep you updated with any developments from the negotiations.
Any enquiries on the content of this LTB should be addressed to the Deputy General Secretary (Postal) department, Hayley Ford on hford@cwu.org.
Branches are advised that discussions have been ongoing with Royal Mail for some time with regards to a Peak/Christmas Arrangements document for 2025. In recent years discussions have become protracted and delayed a resolution and given the business has stated that 2025 will potentially see traffic volumes during peak break RM records, we have pressed the business to ensure that agreed arrangements were concluded earlier this year, to help ensure that better strategic involvement takes place at the local / area levels.
Attached for the information of Branches and Representatives are the agreed Peak/ Christmas arrangements for 2025. The document follows the tried and tested format of previous years and largely mirrors the arrangements from last year, with only minor updates, which do not change the substance of the content.
Regarding the Attendance and Resourcing arrangements, there are no additional Non/USO days this year so section 3 mirrors last year’s arrangements and retains all of the established principles and protections.
The document confirms the Christmas Supplement and the additional £100 ex Colleague Share payment will be made as usual and are unaffected by the Peak Incentive Scheme. The traditional paragraphs on Scheduled Attendance, SA Holiday Pay and Temporary Variation to Contract have been retained unaltered in the final draft.
Further talks will take place with the business regarding the 35 USO pilot offices, covering what guidance is needed to support them during Peak. In addition, discussions continue on the 2025 Peak and Bank Holiday Resourcing arrangements for Network Professional Drivers. Further updates on both issues will be provided as talks develop.
Whilst those discussions continue, we believe that the publication of the attached arrangements much earlier than in previous years will be welcomed and will provide guidance to Reps and Branches.
Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to:
CWU Eastern No5 Branch 