POST OFFICE: WESTMINSTER HALL DEBATE – EFFECT OF POST OFFICE CLOSURES ON LOCAL COMMUNITIES

I wish to advise Branches that the House of Commons Library annual Post Office network report was published on 18^th October:

https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-7550/CBP-7550.pdf

We were pleased to note the reference to our moratorium on Crown Office franchising within the research document, along with a link to our associated web story from 16^th July.  The relevant paragraph (on page 10) is:

“In an attempt to preserve Crown post offices, The Communication Workers Union (CWU) agreed a moratorium with the post office in July 2021 stopping any closures or franchises for the rest of 2021. However, they remain concerned that closures or further franchising will continue in 2022.”

Westminster Hall Debate – Effect of Post Office Closures on Local Communities

On Tuesday 19^th October, Marion Fellows SNP MP for Motherwell and Wishaw and Chair of the APPG for Post Offices hosted a Westminster Hall debate on the “Effect of Post Office Closures on Local Communities”.  There were 13 contributors to the debate from across the major parties and some crucial issues were raised and serious questions put to the Minister, Paul Scully.

The focus was on the decline of the network through the franchising/closure of Crown Offices and the unplanned closure of sub offices as Postmasters simply can’t afford to run Post Office services with the current level of remuneration and are therefore left with no choice but to hand back the keys.  Andy Slaughter, Labour MP for Hammersmith asked the following question during the debate:

“Why is it impossible to find locations or postmasters for these places? I think the answer stares us in the face. It is that the terms and conditions that the Post Office is prepared to offer and the efforts it is prepared to put in are not sufficient to regenerate the network.”

In addition, Chi Onwurah, Labour MP for Newcastle Upon Tyne Central and Shadow Minister posed the following question:

“What recent discussions has the Minister had with Post Office Ltd on the incomes of sub-postmasters, and what steps he is taking to minimise the risk of further closures?”

We also welcomed Marion Fellows’ mention of the CWU in her opening statement and later in the debate when she broached the subject of our agreed moratorium for Crown Office franchising/closures which runs until 31^st December.  Marion put the following question to the Minister:

“A moratorium on the closure of Crown post offices, which was negotiated by the Communication Workers Union, is due to end next year. Will the Minister please confirm that it will continue? Will he also speak to other Departments within Government to find out what other services they can put into post offices, with charges that will help sub-postmasters’ remuneration?”

The idea of the Post Office being run as a community hub, which the Union has been advocating for many years, was raised during an intervention by Rachael Maskall, Labour MP for York Central:

“…we have lost our Crown post office—it is now placed in a WH Smith, which is far more inaccessible than it was previously. Does she [Marion Fellows] agree that, before any post office closure, there should be a community consultation about how that estate could be repurposed as a community service?”

The issue of “temporary” closures and the fact these closures tend to be for a significant period, leading to the loss of vital services in the community, also featured highly in the debate, along with the importance of Post Office offering banking services to communities (and particularly customers who are digitally excluded) in the wake of the continuing demise of High Street Banks.

Concerns were again raised about the Post Office’s relationship with WH Smith, which Andy Slaughter described as a “rather unhappy liaison” and compared it to “a marriage of two failing enterprises trying to support each other, and not a very happy one”.

The Horizon scandal was also mentioned and Chi Onwurah highlighted the union’s view on this matter when she commented:

“Last year I welcomed the announcement of a £227 million investment, including a £50 million subsidy to support the rural post office network. However, the CWU rightly stated that it is unlikely that this investment will be sufficient given the amount the post office will have to raise to cover future legal claims associated with the Horizon scandal, which remains the greatest public scandal that our country has suffered, and the implications of which are still being felt by many current and former sub-postmasters who are struggling to gain the compensation the Minister seemed to promise.”

Chi Onwurah also asked the Minister:

“What steps is the Minister taking to maintain the financial viability of the Post Office, and will considerations be made for the continuation of the subsidy beyond 2022?”

 Whilst Paul Scully in his response to the debate did not answer all of the points raised directly, he did however provide some reassurances to those affected by the Horizon scandal when he said:

“I am really pleased to be back in my place after the recent reshuffle because it gives me the opportunity to continue the work to make sure that everybody affected by the Horizon scandal gets justice and gets fully compensated, and that we can work towards that. It will take time.”

In view of the above, perhaps the Minister can now deliver this commitment by making sure the 550 Postmasters who were part of the original Group litigation are properly compensated, which the Government has been resistant to thus far.

In regards to Postmaster remuneration, the Minister gave the usual stock answer which was this is “an operational matter for the Post Office”. He added “but we have to recognise the importance of supporting postmasters to give them the future we talked about. I was pleased to see that it [Post Office] listened carefully to the feedback it received on the proposed changes, and I welcome the recent improvements it announced last month”.  In our view, these “improvements” fall way short of what is required to help Postmasters continue to provide vital Post Office services to the communities which need them.

The Hansard transcript of the debate can be accessed via the following link:

https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2021-10-19/debates/A78F36B3-46E9-4352-A8A2-3A3CAC55C389/PostOfficeClosures

A parliamentary Research paper was also published just prior to the debate entitled “Effect of post office closures on local Communities”.  The document can be accessed from the House of Commons Library via the following link:

https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CDP-2021-0156/CDP-2021-0156.pdf

In closing, we wish to thank Marion Fellows for instigating this debate.  We work closely with Marion as Chair of the APPG and have seen first-hand how committed Marion is in doing everything possible to ensure a long-term future for the Post Office and the communities it serves.

If you have any questions in relation to this LTB, please contact Lea Sheridan – lsheridan@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely

Andy Furey                             

Assistant Secretary     

LTB 446/21 – Post Office – Westminster Hall Debate – Effect of Post Office Closures on Local Communities           

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Employment Tribunal Claim (Second) Withdrawal Letters Circulated to Employment Tribunal Applicants and Back Pay Arrangements

Further to LTB 412/21 circulated on 29^th September 2021, at the time of writing this update in excess of 50,000 CWU members have received back pay as a result of the Average Holiday Pay Agreement. This figure included the majority of colleagues who after having submitted an ET claim, had returned the necessary letter withdrawing their claim by the first cut-off date and were then included in the regularity calculation for the initial back pay on 8^th October 2021 for weekly paid.

Unfortunately, approximately 2,500 members did not respond to the initial correspondence. Therefore, a second letter was circulated from the CWU Legal Services Department to these people requesting that they return their letters by 8^th October 2021 so that any back pay they may be entitled to could be calculated by Royal Mail Group and paid on the 22^nd October 2021.

Whilst around 1800 members responded to the second letter, over 700 responses are still outstanding and these members will be sent a third letter in early November 2021.

There has been a significant increase in the associated workload involved in processing this data both at CWU Headquarters and for Royal Mail Group. There has also been a large volume of enquiries that have been received. As a result, it has been agreed to defer the next date for back pay to those that have withdrawn and meet the qualifying criteria to 12^thNovember 2021. This will include members who have withdrawn Employment Tribunals and missed the cut-off date for the initial payment and those who have responded to the second letter by 5^th November 2021.

Whilst members will be disappointed by this delay, this has been unavoidable but will help to ensure that there is adequate time for all data to be processed by Royal Mail Group. Those members who fail to respond by the cut-off date of 5^thNovember 2021 will not be included in the regularity calculation for the next payment of back pay and will have to wait for a future payment date to be agreed.

Finally, all members are also assured that the previously published dates for the first interim holiday payment is unaffected and remains as 26^thNovember 2021 for weekly paid and 30^th November 2021 for monthly paid.  Branches will recall that the interim payments are not dependent upon the withdrawal of a current Employment Tribunal case and that everybody will be included in the regularity calculation.

Branches will understand that this remains a complicated process and your patience and assistance is appreciated.

Yours sincerely,

Terry Pullinger

Deputy General Secretary (Postal)      

LTB 445/21 – Employment Tribunal Claim (Second) Withdrawal Letters Circulated to Employment Tribunal Applicants and Back Pay Arrangements

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Employment Tribunal Claim (Second) Withdrawal Letters Circulated to Employment Tribunal Applicants and Back Pay Arrangements

Further to LTB 412/21 circulated on 29th September 2021, at the time of writing this update in excess of 50,000 CWU members have received back pay as a result of the Average Holiday Pay Agreement. This figure included the majority of colleagues who after having submitted an ET claim, had returned the necessary letter withdrawing their claim by the first cut-off date and were then included in the regularity calculation for the initial back pay on 8th October 2021 for weekly paid.

Unfortunately, approximately 2,500 members did not respond to the initial correspondence. Therefore, a second letter was circulated from the CWU Legal Services Department to these people requesting that they return their letters by 8th October 2021 so that any back pay they may be entitled to could be calculated by Royal Mail Group and paid on the 22nd October 2021.

Whilst around 1800 members responded to the second letter, over 700 responses are still outstanding and these members will be sent a third letter in early November 2021.

There has been a significant increase in the associated workload involved in processing this data both at CWU Headquarters and for Royal Mail Group. There has also been a large volume of enquiries that have been received. As a result, it has been agreed to defer the next date for back pay to those that have withdrawn and meet the qualifying criteria to 12th November 2021. This will include members who have withdrawn Employment Tribunals and missed the cut-off date for the initial payment and those who have responded to the second letter by 5th November 2021.
 
Whilst members will be disappointed by this delay, this has been unavoidable but will help to ensure that there is adequate time for all data to be processed by Royal Mail Group. Those members who fail to respond by the cut-off date of 5th November 2021 will not be included in the regularity calculation for the next payment of back pay and will have to wait for a future payment date to be agreed.

Finally, all members are also assured that the previously published dates for the first interim holiday payment is unaffected and remains as 26th November 2021 for weekly paid and 30th November 2021 for monthly paid. Branches will recall that the interim payments are not dependent upon the withdrawal of a current Employment Tribunal case and that everybody will be included in the regularity calculation.
 
Branches will understand that this remains a complicated process and your patience and assistance is appreciated.

Yours sincerely,
 
Terry Pullinger
Deputy General Secretary (Postal)

Royal Mail & CWU National Joint Statement – Capture Photo on Delivery – Phase 1 Deployment

As Branches are aware, Royal Mail faces an increasingly competitive landscape both in the letters and parcels market. The future success of Royal Mail is dependent upon the ability to offer customers products that meet current and future needs, excellent customer and quality of service, and value for money. Royal Mail and CWU are jointly committed to securing this objective by working together to understand and achieve industry leading customer service in all aspects of delivery & collection and in order to improve our member’s terms and conditions whilst providing job security.

Increasingly, large Account Customers are asking carriers to capture a photographic image as proof of delivery and in a post COVID world, they see this as a better alternative to replace the need to capture a signature. Their rationale for wanting this capability is that it helps to reduce denial of receipts. Other competitors already offer this capability as do Parcelforce. To retain and grow the market share, Royal Mail and the CWU are committed to act quickly and to enable this capability within the Royal Mail Core Network. 

Deployment Phases 

Phase 1 – Pre-Peak 

Royal Mail has secured new business from a leading fashion brand and has given this customer a commitment that the capability to capture a photographic image at the doorstep will be deployed pre-Peak, on the Tracked 24 & 48 product. This capability is expected to go live from the 4th November 2021 and will be enabled on our new PDAs.

The process to capture a photo on delivery will be event driven on the PDA, as with the Safeplace image capture process. The PDA will have new screens built to guide Delivery colleagues through the process when a photo is required and will be completed with the door open. If there are multiple parcels for delivery, only one photo of all parcels is required.

Phase 2 – January to April 2022 

Royal Mail will seek to extend this capability to all Account Customers and where signatures are currently requested.

The following issues are all captured within the Joint Statement for your information and perusal:

Introduction of Photo on Delivery 

For both Phase 1 & Phase 2, Royal Mail will ensure that all delivery units are fully briefed on the changes, including training given by Workplace Coaches. Once the delivery staff and wider business has been fully briefed a change will be deployed to the PDA, which will notify the requirement to take a photo after the item has been scanned. This Joint Statement refers to Phase 1 only (deployment pre-peak). A separate National Joint Statement will be agreed and issued to cover all aspects associated with Phase 2, once further joint scoping work has been concluded.

 Health & Safety and Safe Systems of Work 

It is reaffirmed that Health & Safety and SSOW are of paramount importance to both Royal Mail and the CWU, and the Delivery SAC will be updated and will be in place. Any issues arising in this respect will be proper to the relevant RM safety experts and the CWU National Health Safety, and Environment Department.

 Review/ Summary 

Royal Mail and the CWU both understand the importance of being able to offer consumers a first class digital experience to enhance the trust that already exists on the doorstep.

The CWU and RM will work together on the planning of the second phase. There will also be a National Joint Review from the launch date of the first phase and before the phase 2 deployment, in order to assess the volume growth and other issues that are captured in the Joint Statement.

Any queries to the content of the above please contact the Outdoor Department reference 230.03, email address: njones@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely,

Mark Baulch                                                                                       

CWU Assistant Secretary

LTB 444/21 – Royal Mail CWU National Joint Statement Capture Photo on Delivery Phase 1 Deployment MB

Att: JS – Capture Photo on Delivery Final

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Some interesting updates for reps and members from national officers here:

Terry Pullinger https://www.cwu.org/news/protecting-jobs-fighting-for-our-members-and-growing-royal-mail/

Mark Baulch https://www.cwu.org/news/were-delivering-change-but-management-must-improve-on-toolsets-and-timings/

Davie Robertson https://www.cwu.org/news/keeping-the-pipeline-pumped-new-hubs-and-driver-training-opportunities/

All three also available on the CWU App.

Please share as widely as possible.

Royal Mail Employment Tribunal Holiday Pay Claims

Since the publication of LTB 412/21 dated 29th September 2021, which detailed the cut off dates and payment dates for members to receive their appropriate back pay payments, members and some branches have been contacting the Legal Services Department, Unionline and the Tribunal Office in Bristol seeking clarification regarding such payments.

PLEASE NOTE that the sole responsibility for calculating all payments due to members in line with the National Agreement rests with Royal Mail.

If any member has a query regarding their payment calculation, then Branches should make members aware of the Holiday Pay Queries process, as detailed in the Joint Statement between CWU & RMG published in LTB 412/21.

Therefore, members and Branches should not contact the Tribunal Office in Bristol, Unionline or the CWU Legal Services Department with enquiries regarding the level of back payments due and when such payments are to be made, as none of the above have access to such information.

Members should only contact the CWU Legal Services Department if they have submitted an Employment Tribunal application regarding a Holiday Pay claim to indicate if they wish to either withdraw their Tribunal claim or if they wish to continue with their claim. We will then notify the Bristol Tribunal office and Royal Mail accordingly.

The Legal Services Department has now sent out two separate mail shots to members’ home addresses regarding the process for withdrawing their ET claims. If any member has not received the correspondence, please contact the department via email at employmentlawholpay@cwu.org  

Any member, who wishes to continue with their Employment Tribunal Holiday Pay claim, can do so, on the understanding that the CWU will not provide any further legal representation, in line with the terms of the National Agreement. 

The above also applies to members in Scotland and Northern Ireland, who have submitted Holiday Pay claims to their respective Tribunal offices.

Any enquiries in relation to the content of this LTB should be sent by email to employmentlawholpay@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,

Tony Rupa

Head of Legal Services

LTB 441/21 – Royal Mail Employment Tribunal Holiday Pay Claims

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POST OFFICE: COVID-19 UPDATE – JOINT STATEMENT

Branches are advised that the following Joint Statement has been agreed in relation to Covid-19 and specifically the easing of some of the associated safety controls such as the wearing of face coverings which we believe is now appropriate in the current circumstances:

JOINT STATEMENT POST OFFICE, CWU AND UNITE

COVID 19 Update

 The Post Office, CWU and Unite continue to work together to ensure we prioritise making the workplace as Covid-secure as possible and provide colleagues with the most up to date information regarding COVID 19.

The Government, backed by medical and scientific evidence, set out a step by step roadmap, easing restrictions in order to provide a route back to a normal way of life underpinned by the Covid-19 vaccination and testing programme. The Post Office, CWU and Unite have maintained at each stage a cautious approach with regards to PPE and testing to maintain a consistent approach across all four devolved powers within the UK.

Confirmed cases within Post Office have dropped significantly since January 2021. Whilst carefully monitoring this number and tracking the UK Governments guidance collectively Post Office, CWU and Unite believe that it is now safe to start easing some of the COVID 19 safety controls, with the built in safeguard of being ready to react and re-introduce Covid-secure controls should the need arise if the infections should increase in the workplace and/or nationally.

Face coverings no longer need to be worn behind the counter when safety screens are in place, however, for consistency across the nations face coverings or visors will still be required when working on the public side of the office and in communal areas such as meeting rooms, welfare facilities, corridors etc where social distancing is difficult. Colleagues should continue to follow good practices such as keeping hands clean, maintaining social distancing where possible and making use of the lateral flow tests that are available for all colleagues. It will remain a personal choice to wear a face covering behind counters should colleagues choose to do so and PPE and face coverings will continue to be made available. Vulnerable colleagues should continue to undertake the relevant risk assessments.

We will continue to monitor case numbers and Government guidance with the aim to keep infection rates under control in the workplace as best we can but if infection rates should rise to a level of concern, or if outbreaks occur, restrictions can and will be re-imposed in order to help stop the spread and transmissions as far as is practicable this includes the reintroduction of face coverings.

If you are unsure or need further clarification on the above, please speak to your manager or union rep who will advise you. You can also find further details on the Hub Coronavirus microsite. Steve Blampied

Head of DMB Network

Post OfficeAndy Furey

CWU Assistant SecretaryPhil Savage

Unite

Branches and Representatives are urged to bring this LTB and associated Joint Statement to the attention of our Crown Office members.

Yours sincerely

Andy Furey

Assistant Secretary

LTB 440/21 – Post Office – Covid-19 Update – Joint Statement

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RM/CWU TERMS OF REFERENCE – OPTIMISING THE COLLECTIONS OPERATION INCLUDING REVIEW OF UTR/EMP ACTIVITY

In 2014 the PEC endorsed and agreed to a trial regarding Collection Hub Optimisation and Enhanced Mail Preparation as outlined in LTB 452/14. The trial never produced any agreed outputs. 

Branches and representatives will be aware however that as part of the Pathway to Change Agreement, the following was stated:

Both parties will jointly develop and agree the approach to the ongoing changing dynamics of declining letters and growth in parcels within the collection function. This approach will consider the collection approach for low volume letter postboxes, the increased use of priority postboxes, the expansion of the parcel postbox network and the growth in consumer collection services.

Therefore, discussions have been taking place with the business in relation to activity to improve the flow and presentation of collections into Mail Centres, support the optimisation of Processing capacity and reduce congestion.

A Terms of Reference has been concluded which has been endorsed by the Postal Executive to enable activity to progress, a copy of which is attached for your information.

As part of an initial study and modelling activity approach, it has been agreed to conduct a joint review across selected and agreed Collection Sectors within four Mail Centre catchment areas. This will allow us to jointly identify and develop improved methods and processes to enhance the flow and presentation of mail from Collections into Mail Centres. This will be achieved by understanding what takes place in all Delivery & Collection Hubs currently and whether they are able to fully containerise all mails prior to despatch and if there could be consolidation of the number of units performing those operations. The activity will also include an evaluation of the optimisation and efficiency opportunities that may be available, along with assessing the people/employee, environmental, safety, quality of service and commercial benefits this may provide.

The four Mail Centres that will form part of the review and exercise will be:

•  Plymouth
•  Sheffield
•  Nottingham
•  London Central

The rationale for the selection of the trial sites is that the CWU leads on the National Collections JWG cover those respective catchment areas, which means we will be able to fully engage in the data gathering and modelling activity and thus have the knowledge and expertise to lead the local JWG.

The review across four Collections Sectors within the nominated Mail Centre catchment areas will be to jointly identify what UTR/EMP operations are in place and develop enhanced methods and processes to improve the flow and presentation of mail from Collections into Mail Centres.

This activity will include:

• Reviewing how many units are actively performing UTR and EMP work on a regular basis.
• Whether UTR/EMP takes place on every day from the units.
• Are the segregation methods compliant with the Service Level Agreement.
• What volumes are generated across all Collection Hubs.
• How do mails connect via all Collection Hubs to the Mail Centre.
• What Road Services are used across all Collection Hubs.
• How are the units managed and operated.
• Reviewing the distribution of mails to Collections Hubs and whether it takes place at the same time as the Collection operation.
• Whether Collection Hubs undertake other work or activity at the same time, for example Customer Service Points and/or Delivery LAT products.
• Modelling activity to determine whether there could be a reduction of Collection units and a review of their locations and if so what the overall impact on the Mail Centre would be as a combined result of arrival profile and presentation of mails, accepting any collective changes should not make the service worse.

The above list is not exhaustive and will form part of the formal reviews carried out by the Collections Joint Working Group.

Given the ongoing pressures in relation to the deployment of revisions linked to the Pathway to Change Agreement, the phased approach and timescales have been agreed to ensure the activity and data gathering is undertaken in a controlled manner. This will then inform future discussions and next steps as part of the National reviews that will take place.

Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to the relevant department:

Deliveries/Collections: Outdoor Department, email: njones@cwu.org quoting reference: 532. 

Distribution/Processing: Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary, email: dwyatt@cwu.org quoting reference: 714.14. 

Yours sincerely

Davie Robertson       

Assistant Secretary                                                 

Mark Baulch

Assistant Secretary                                                      

LTB 433/21

Att: Optimising the Collections Operation 12.10.21

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Royal Mail and Parcelforce Deliveries and Collections to/from Care Homes following the 11 November coming into force of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (Coronavirus) Regulations 2021:

Introduction:

Discussions have been taking place with Royal Mail Group (covering both the Royal Mail and Parcelforce workforce) in relation to the impact on collections and deliveries to the nation’s circa 18,000 care homes from 11 November 2021 when new legislation comes in to force in England, namely ‘The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (Coronavirus) Regulations 2021.’

Background:

New Government legislation will come into effect in England on 11 November 2021 relating to care homes which makes it a legal requirement that anyone entering a registered care home premises must be fully Covid-19 vaccinated, providing proof of vaccination or exemption before being allowed to enter the premises. The new law primarily affects those employed in care homes but also equally applies to visitors and those not directly employed by the care home but for example undertaking maintenance, repairs or services – including deliveries and postal collection and delivery services.

The Agreed Procedure For All Deliveries and Collections From Care Homes:

In order to maintain a ‘consistent’ approach to these customers, the safety and wellbeing of our members and to avoid any conflict with care home owners, management and operators, Royal Mail Group (Royal Mail and Parcelforce) have agreed the following policy and approach from 11 November 2021:

• Royal Mail and Parcelforce workers will not enter care homes.
• All deliveries and collections will be made outside care homes.
• All workers delivering to or collecting from care homes will be informed of the forthcoming regulations so they understand the impact on deliveries and collections.
• Royal Mail does not expect any employee to provide evidence of their vaccination status.
• Deliveries taking place to one or more external boxes at care homes can continue.
• Local Managers must contact care home site managers to discuss the implications of the new legislation and agree delivery/collection arrangements from 11 November 2021. These discussions should also fully involve local CWU Representatives of any operational changes which may impact their units resulting from the regulations.
• If care home staff do not come outside to collect their mail and parcels – Royal Mail and Parcelforce workers must not enter the premises even if a reception area is near the entrance. The mail/parcels must be returned to the office and then delivery attempted again the following day. If staff are unable to deliver again, then this will be reported to the office manager who will contact the care home to discuss the collection/delivery arrangements.
• The normal P739 Card procedure will apply where care home staff fail to come outside the care home to accept ‘signed-for’ items.
• Collections as with deliveries must also be undertaken from the outside at an external point.

TUC and UK Trade Unions Policy

The TUC and all UK Trade Unions, including those Unions representing care home workers are strongly opposed to these new regulations which they see as counter-productive.

Attachments:

• Managers’ Brief: Guidance for Deliveries to Care Homes in England from 11 November 2021
• WTLL Staff Briefing/Huddle (Royal Mail & Parcelforce) Delivery To Care Homes in England Legislative Changes from 11 November 2021

Any Enquiries or operational issues in relation to this LTB should be directed to the appropriate department.

Yours Sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

Mark Baulch
Assistant Secretary
Outdoor Department

Davie Robertson
Assistant Secretary
Processing, Logistics, Parcelforce, International, Quadrant Department

LTB 437/21 – Royal Mail and Parcelforce Deliveries and Collections to from Care Homes from 11 November 2021

Att: Managers’ Brief – delivery to care homes (290921)

Att: Huddle – delivery to care homes (290921v3)

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Rivus Fleet Solutions National Team (NT) Elections

As you will be aware, BT Fleet was sold to a venture capitalist company called Aurelius and is now trading under the name, Rivus Fleet Solutions (RFS), which is the company Aurelius established to run what was BT Fleet.

The Previous Election of the National Team (NT) was carried out prior to BT disposing of the fleet business and was therefore run along the same lines as other BT NT Elections.  This is now changing.

In past elections the process was;

– 2 representatives from what was the BT Fleet Garage Network nominated by BT branches and elected through BT branch voting strength. 1 representative from what was the BT Fleet Administration Centre nominated by Midland No. 1 branch as the branch responsible for the geography in which the building sits.

– The elections are held every two years.

The new process will be;

– 2 representatives from the Rivus Garage Network nominated by branches with members working in the RFS garage network and elected by email ballot of Rivus Fleet Solutions members in the RFS garage network.

– 1 representative from The Rivus Support Centre nominated by Midland No. 1 branch as the branch responsible for the geography in which the building sits.

– The elections will be held every 2 years.

The purpose of this LTB therefore is to invite branches with members in the RFS garage network to nominate up to two representatives from members who work in the RFS garages.  Only one person from any one RFS garage is permitted.  Any nominations from branches without members in the Rivus garage network will be excluded.

Nominations should be sent via email to jquaife@cwu.org and be received by mid-day on Wednesday 20th October.  Should more than two nominations be received an election as outlined above, will follow.

A briefing to Rivus Fleet Solutions members is attached for your information.

Yours sincerely

Allan Eldred
Assistant Secretary

LTB 434/21

Att: Briefing 180/21

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