Following your feedback we are delighted to today launch a new App for members and the wider trade union movement. You will now be able to access the best of our online communications in one place. No more searching Facebook for videos, Soundcloud for podcasts or Twitter for statements.
The App is free for all members and you can download it by simply searching for ‘Affiliate the CWU App’ in your App Store or via the links below.
Please note, the app download and sign up process must be completed on your phone and not on a desktop computer. To access a download guide and further information on your system requirements for download, please visit: www.cwu.org/affiliate
It is absolutely crucial that as many members as possible download and use the App. We’ll have exclusive content, polls, podcast, videos and articles in the coming weeks.
Download it now and ask your colleagues to do the same. If you have any issues with the downloading process simply email mmurray@cwu.org and we will help you out.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
Yours sincerely,
Dave Ward General Secretary
Chris Webb Head of Communications, Engagement & Media
Postal Apprentices – CWU Membership/Recruitment & Subscription Rates
Branches will be aware from the contents of LTB 401/21 circulated on 20th September 2021 that the initial tranche of Postal Apprentices have started their employment and can now be recruited to/or join the CWU.
It was previously reported that the usual subscription rates that are applicable to adult recruits 18 years of age and above will apply to Postal Apprentices but that in respect of the rates for the 16/17-year-old age group, the Union are currently working with Royal Mail Group to update the PSP System to accommodate the new subscription rates for our younger colleagues. These discussions have also involved the Membership Department at CWU Headquarters.
It has now been confirmed that as an interim solution from Monday 27th September 2021 and whilst Royal Mail Group update the PSP system, an additional column will be added to the file that is supplied to the Royal Mail Group processing team in order to identify those who are 16 and 17 years old and set the membership rate as outlined below which was agreed in consultation with the SDGS Department:
All 16 year olds who Opt IN to the Levy Plan 6 pay £1.57 per week (Those who Opt OUT of the Levy will pay £1.37 per week).
All 17 year olds who Opt IN to the Levy Plan 5 pay £1.93 per week (Those who Opt OUT of the Levy will pay £1.73 per week).
This will replace the need for a direct debit form to be completed and provides the method for ensuring that those aged 16 and 17 can join the CWU and pay their subscriptions through deduction at source.
In closing I would like to place on record my thanks and appreciation to both Matt Edwards and Laura Wright in the CWU Headquarters Membership Department for their help and assistance in resolving this matter.
Any enquiries in relation to the content of this LTB should be addressed to the DGS(P) Department.
We are writing to advise Branches of the tragic and very sad news reported in the media of the death of Lacey and John Paul Bennett whose father Jason Bennett is a CWU member employed at the Sheffield City Delivery Office. Lacey and John Paul’s mother Terri Harris and Connie Gent, a friend of Lacey, were also tragic victims.
In conjunction with the South Yorkshire & District Amal Branch, CWU HQ have set up an appeal fund where Branches can make a donation. This appeal is to assist the family and Jason at this very difficult time.
Donations from branches should be made via a bank transfer to the CWU’s General Fund, please ensure that the following reference is used with the donation “LACEY AND JOHN PAUL BENNETT DONATION”.
Any enquiries on the above should be address to jdunn@cwu.org.
Further to LTB 365/21 dated 3rd September 2021 at the close of the ballot on 21st September the following result was declared:
95 Ballot papers issued 42 ballot papers returned
Total possible votes 1413
Total Votes in favour of the agreement 685
Total votes against the agreement 0
Thank you to all Branches that took part in the ballot.
Next Steps A timetable will be set in due course for the nomination process for individuals to fill the roles and any consequential elections which need to take place to enable the implementation of the new RMPFS I.R. Framework.
Any enquiries regarding the content of this LTB should be addressed to the PTCS/Outdoor Departments, quoting reference number 301/120.12, email: khay@cwu.org or outdoorsecretary@cwu.org.
Election of National Representative Positions – 2021
CWU Retired Members Committee – Vacancies
Further to LTB 358/21 dated 26thAugust 2021, please find below the result of the ballot which closed today.
2 Retired members living in EnglandRodney DowningSouth East No 538,347John FarnanEastern No 652,966*ElectedDamian IbisonSouth West Middlesex Amal22,863John KavanaghSouth Midlands Postal27,154Sean (John) RyanEast London Postal41,816*ElectedColin WinsbyGreat Western31,961
Please find attached a copy of the branch breakdown for this ballot.
Any enquiries regarding this Letter to Branches should be addressed to the Senior Deputy General Secretary’s Department on telephone number 020 8971 7237, or email address sdgs@cwu.org.
DEMONSTRATION TORY PARTY CONFERENCE| UNITE AGAINST THE TORIES – SUNDAY 3RD OCTOBER 2021
PROTEST AGAINST | CORRUPTION | CRONYISM | FIRE & REHIRE | PRIVATISATION OF THE NHS | LOW PAY PROTEST FOR | NEW DEAL FOR WORKERS | SAFER WORKPLACES | RIGHT TO FOOD | BETTER PUBLIC SERVICES
This year the Tory Party will be holding their annual conference in Manchester on 3 October – 6 October and the People’s Assembly, supported by Trade Unions, including the CWU, are holding a major national demonstration on Sunday 3rd October. Details of the demonstration are set out below.
National Demonstration | Sunday 3rd October 2021
Assemble: 12 noon, Oxford Rd, near Whitworth Park, Manchester, M14 4PW
(Just look out for the large CWU balloons)
All Branches are urged to do all they can to attend this event and to encourage and assist as many of our members as possible to attend on the day.
The Union will be providing merchandise and flags for the event and Branches are also encouraged to bring their banners to create a show of strength from the CWU.
The CWU delegation will be led by the North West Region and for any further enquiries on the above, please contact Carl Webb North West Regional Secretary at northwestregion@cwu.org
Royal Mail Survey – Class C1, C and C+E Class Licences
Branches and representatives will be aware that the Pathway to Change Agreement contained commitments in relation to fast tracking discussions on the terms of a Driver Recruitment and Development program to reduce reliance on external resource and restore agreed resourcing arrangements. This commitment was also included in the Joint Statement between RM National Distribution and the CWU on the Deployment of the 2020/21 National Network Revision (LTB 056/21 refers). Over the course of 2021 two recruitment exercises have taken place to significantly increase the internal National Logistics Professional Driver workforce.
Colleagues will also be aware from the extensive media coverage that has taken place recently that there is currently a National shortage of Professional Driver grades, this is affecting Royal Mail along with other businesses. In order to maximise driving resource for peak the business are therefore seeking to understand how many internal employees have the correct licenses who may be willing to drive for the business but require the Driver, Certificate of Professional Competence (DCPC), in order that appropriate courses can be planned.
Following discussions with the department the business have now advised that they will be undertaking a survey of all RMG employees. This will enable them to understand the correct licence holders who would be interested in driving LGV or MGV vehicles for National or Local Distribution during the Christmas peak period, and whether DCPC training is required.
The only licence categories included in the survey are:
Class C1 MGV
Class C LGV (Rigid/17t)
Class C+E LGV (Articulated)
Please note that C1E licence categories do not hold the required qualification to drive a LGV vehicle.
The survey will also inform ongoing discussions on the level and type of support necessary to ensure CPC attainment is not a barrier to internal progression going forward.
While the survey is voluntary, the department would encourage our members to participate if they hold the required category of licence and would be interested in driving for the business during the Christmas peak period. It should be made clear that the survey does not constitute a job offer.
Please note that the survey should not be completed by drivers who already hold substantive Area Distribution or Network Professional Driver roles.
For absolute clarity the survey relates only to DCPC requirements and not driver training to attain the listed licence categories. Separate discussions are being progressed on Driver Training packages and Branches will be updated when an agreement has been concluded.
The survey is being cascaded by Royal Mail via Workplace from today, 20th September 2021. No responses can be registered after 3rd October 2021, so interested members should ensure that the survey is completed by this date. Members may access the survey via the following QR code or link: If you are Class C1, Class C or Class C+E licence holder and would be interested in driving for National or Local Distribution during the peak period, please can you complete the survey that can be accessed by using your camera to scan the QR code below or by visiting slido.com and entering #545385
Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary, email: dwyatt@cwu.orgquoting reference 211.07.
Postal Apprentices – CWU Membership/Recruitment (Subscription Rates)
Colleagues will be aware that the initial tranche of Postal Apprentices have commenced employment and are now able to join/be recruited to the CWU. A number of enquires have been received in the DGS(P) Department relating to the subscription rates that will be applied to both adult and potential members aged 16/17.
It is confirmed that the usual rates applicable to adult recruits 18 years of age and above will apply to Postal Apprentices.
I can also report that after consultation with the SDGS Department the following subscription rates will apply to potential members aged 16/17.
all 16 year olds who Opt IN to the Levy Plan 6 pay £1.57 per week (Those who Opt OUT of the Levy will pay £1.37 per week).
all 17 year olds who Opt IN to the Levy Plan 5 pay £1.93 per week (Those who Opt OUT of the Levy will pay £1.73 per week).
In respect of the rates for the 16/17-year-old age group, the Union are currently working with Royal Mail to update the PSP System to accommodate the new subscription rates for our younger colleagues and we expect the uplift to be completed over the next few weeks. We are also in dialogue with the business about a possible interim solution to collect these subscription rates from pay however as an alternative option in the short-term the attached form may be used as a direct debit from the members’ bank account.
Branches and Representatives will be advised of further developments once they occur. Any enquiries in relation to the content of this LTB should be addressed to the DGS(P) Department.
We are pleased to announce that the CWU App is available to be downloaded on Apple and Android devices. You can download it directly via the links below or by searching for ‘Affiliate the CWU App’ in either the App Store or Google Play Store.
To access a download guide and further information on your system requirements for download, please visit: www.cwu.org/affiliate
The App offers us a unique opportunity to have the best of our online communication tools all in one place. We have the ability to showcase articles, videos, podcasts, events, polls and send push notifications to all members.
Branches will note that the App has two feeds – the Affiliate news feed and My CWU. The Affiliate news feed will host wider trade union movement content and give us the opportunity to share news of workers in dispute, wins in other unions and debate how we grow our movement.
The My CWU feed will focus directly on our members in the workplace. Members will be able to choose the information they want to see based on the constituency and region they work in. We are working directly with our Regional Secretaries to encourage as much regional content as possible to flow onto the App.
This is phase one of the App launch and phase two will include members being able to update their own address and wider membership details. Phase two will also identify how we can utilise the App for increasing membership of the union.
The launch of Affiliate is a major develop for not only our union but the wider trade union movement. Once the App has been in circulation for a few weeks we will be calling a national briefing to go through the project in greater detail. In the meantime, we ask every CWU branch to put in place plans to ask as many of their members as possible to download the App immediately. It is only by having thousands of our members engaged with the App that we can match and exceed the financial muscle of the equivalent forms of communication from employers.
We are confident that this is another strong tool and one which will further enhance the experience for CWU members. Our thanks go to our Communications Department and in particular, Deputy Head of Communications, Amie Retallick who has led this long-term project.
Any questions on this LTB should be directed to the Communications Department: mmurray@cwu.org
Yours sincerely,
Dave Ward Chris Webb General Secretary Head of Communications Engagagement & Media
CWU Eastern No5 Branch 