Royal Mail: PFSL Pay Negotiations 2026 – Impasse Reached 

Further to LTBs 0144/26 dated 8^th May.Despite expressing our optimism that we could reach an Agreement after a couple more meetings with PFSL, unfortunately due to factors beyond our control, negotiations have come to an abrupt halt, and disappointingly management have consistently failed to respond in any meaningful way to our formal pay claim.  I do of course understand that members will be frustrated by the lack of progress, especially as all other CWU grades and business units across RMG have already received the pay increase from 1^st April 2026.  Accordingly, I wish to offer my appreciation to both PFSL members and Reps alike for their patience in this important matter.  I also wish to reassure everyone that this matter has been pursued as a priority by the union and we have endeavoured to move matters along in line with our Conference policies.

To put this impasse into perspective, the following is a timeline of prime activities and engagement.

• 3^rd March – Pay claim originally submitted to Neil Chaplain, Managing Director, Engineering as reported in LTB 067/26
• 22^nd May – the last time we met with Neil Chaplain and his team for pay negotiations (the meeting ended without a formal offer being made)
• 26^th May – comprehensive letter from myself to Neil Chaplain elaborating upon the position adopted by our negotiating team in the meeting above, specifically this related to the ongoing cost-of-living crisis and our Conference policies, particularly the issue of pensions and the fact that the majority of our PFSL members do not enjoy the benefits of being in the Collective Plan.

To be clear, the blatant inertia from PFSL management has been challenged at every step along the way and a series of letters have been sent to Neil Chaplain chasing him for a substantial reply to my representations as contained in the letter of 26^th May.  Over two months have now elapsed since this correspondence and yet PFSL are either unable or unwilling to formally respond.

I am sure our PFSL members, like our negotiating team, will be frustrated by this situation.  Frankly, our PFSL members deserve to be treated much better by RMG management and it is unacceptable that four months on from the pay review date management haven’t tabled a formal pay offer.  This position is unsustainable.  I have therefore today sent a further letter in the strongest possible terms to Neil Chaplain pointing out the persistent failures of PFSL in not engaging in a serious negotiation.  This correspondence has been copied to Kieran Judd, Chief People Officer, to demonstrate the seriousness of the situation.  Unfortunately, due to management’s annual leave we are unlikely to recommence pay negotiations until later this month.  This means that our members will not receive any arrears of pay (backdated to 1^st April 2026) until September’s salaries at the earliest, and in all probability, October is more realistic as any Agreement would have to go through our normal democratic process, including a consultative ballot of PFSL members.

Branches and Reps are reminded that we are fully committed to pursuing all Conference policies, particularly those surrounding the Collective Plan as the current pension arrangements across PFSL are derisory and as such our members in PFSL are undoubtedly second-class citizens in respect of pension benefits received from RMG.  This area in particular has been exposed in the talks that have taken place thus far, and has featured predominantly within my correspondence to management, as this is a critical area where we obviously need to make progress.

The Postal Executive has been kept abreast of the prevailing situation and is far from impressed by the attitude of PFSL management and I also met with our Senior Reps across the cleaning and engineering functions last Monday 27^th July to explain in more detail the obstacles we are encountering to making progress.

In closing, I wish to reiterate that I am grateful for the patience and resilience of our PFSL members, who are being treated very shabbily by management.  This is unacceptable to the Postal Executive and if required this matter will be escalated to higher authorities beyond PFSL management.  For the avoidance of doubt we are determined to get a fair and equitable outcome for our PFSL members and we won’t be accepting a mediocre offer just because of the time that has elapsed – this is a tactic that management deploy on occasion.  Therefore, even if it takes more time to get the right outcome, this will be the necessary approach adopted by the Postal Executive.

Further developments will be reported as appropriate.

Yours sincerely,

Andy Furey
Assistant Secretary

LTB217.26 Royal Mail PFSL Pay Negotiations 2026 – Impasse Reached

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CWU Young Workers Conference – Wednesday 21st October 2026

The CWU Young Workers Conference will be held on Wednesday 21^st October 2026at the Mechanics Institute, 103 Princess Street, Manchester M1 6DD.

Each Regional Young Workers Sub Committee will be entitled to submit ONEmotion to the Conference Agenda.

Each Branch will be entitled to submit ONEmotion to the Conference Agenda.

The National Young Workers Committee will be entitled to submit THREE motions to the Conference Agenda.

Motions should be submitted electronically to conferences@cwu.org using the template attached.

Motion forms must be returned by noon onMonday 21st September 2026.   Any Motions received after this date will not be accepted.   All sections of the form must be completed.

Branches, Regional Young Workers Sub Committees and the National Young Workers Committee are reminded that the Standing Orders Committee will not alter or amend any of the motions submitted therefore it is important that motion authors read the attached guidance notes carefully and motions are checked before they are submitted. The SOC will offer advice on motions and should be contacted prior to the closing date and submission of motions should submitting bodies wish to do so.

Motions will only be accepted if sent to the above email address.

As with previous Conferences, the agenda will be structured in such a way as to maximise debate and participation by delegates. There will be 2 sections to the agenda, one for motions

which would require the National Young Workers Committee to work with the NEC to progress, and one for motions that in the view of the Standing Orders Committee are of an industrial nature which would require the National Young Workers Committee to work with the Industrial executives to progress.

As there are no General or Industrial conferences scheduled in 2027 there will be no requirement to select any motions to go forward to the next General or Industrial Conferences.

Delegates

Branches can register delegates and visitors by no later than Friday 9^th Octoberby completing the link below.

Branch delegate entitlement to this Conference as agreed by the NEC is as follows:Number of Young MembersDelegate

entitlement1-2491250-4992500 and above3

Branches can register delegates and visitors by no later than Friday 9^th Octoberby completing the link below.

 In order that we can cater for any delegate with accessibility needs such as seating, etc., it is important that you advise us on the registration form of the name of the delegate(s) and the particular requirement by return but no later than Friday 9^thOctober 2026.

https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/cjHFcnSaYb

Any queries regarding the registration process should be directed to Kerry Fleck kfleck@cwu.org

Regional Young Workers sub committee Leads shall attend Young Workers Annual Conference in an ex-officio capacity with the right to speak and move motions on behalf of their Regional Young Workers Sub Committee but not to vote.   Funding for Regional Young Workers Sub Committee Leads to attend Young Workers Conference shall be from the General Fund.

Branches, Regional Young Workers Sub Committees and the National Young Workers Committee are also reminded that only Branch delegates may move motions standing in the name of their Branch or Regional Sub Committee. Members of the National Young Workers Committee may only speak on behalf of the National Young Workers Committee and not their Branch or Regional Young Workers Sub Committee.

Branches are urged to make every effort to ensure that their delegation comprises members who are either 30 and under as of November or who are serving Branch Young Workers. The expectation is that voting delegates aged over 30 will be present on an exceptional basis. 

Election of Delegates to General Conference

As there is no General Conference scheduled in 2027 there is no requirement at this conference to elect delegates to the next General Conference

Yours sincerely

Mick Kavanagh                                               Andy Mercer
President                                                       Vice President     

26LTB215 CWU Young Workers Conference Wednesday 21st October 2026Young 

Workers Motion Form 26     

Young Workers Guidance 2026

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