Royal Mail Group People App – Update

Further to LTB 532/20 circulated on 10^thNovember 2020, it is necessary to make Branches aware of some developments that have occurred in relation to the pilot site activity for the Royal Mail Group voluntary ‘People App’.

Pilot activity was initially scheduled to commence between the middle and end of November 2020, however on 19^th November the Business informed the DGS(P) Department that there would be a slight delay in getting the App into the Google and Apple Store by 30^th November 2020. They therefore made the decision to push the start of the pilot activity back until after Christmas, with a planned launch date of 11^th January 2021. They went on to state that:

“Even though the app won’t be available on the app stores, it will be ready to use via a URL link which you can use on a browser. We are going to ask our small beta group to start to use this on 30^th November. After Christmas we will then be able to expand to the pilot sites.”

The Postal Executive were notified of this development, as were the lead Field Officials who had participated in an earlier conference call.

However, on 16^th December 2020 an e-mail was received from management stating that:

“As of yesterday, we’ve been able to publish the app in the app stores and let our small group of users know about it. It appears that word of mouth has spread further afield then our original small group.”

Following feedback received from the Field, it became apparent that access to the People App was widespread and that the App had been shared extensively on social media by our members and indeed a number of CWU Representatives.

On behalf of the DGS(P) Department, Postal Executive member Katrina Quirke wrote to the Business on 17^th December 2020 to raise concerns about the widespread access and to request that the App was either removed from the App stores or that the access was limited to those in the pilot sites. A response was received later that evening from management stating that they were unwilling to do this.

On 5^th January 2021, Postal Executive members Katrina Quirke and David Wilshire attended a subsequent conference call with management in order to allow for further discussions. A set of slides were presented by management and these are attached for the information of Branches (see Attachment 1). These were also used in a presentation by the Business to the Lead Field Officials earlier today.

Branches will note that circa 30,000 people have already downloaded this voluntary App and at least one person has completed the download in 1576 units (although numbers are significantly higher in some workplaces).

Clearly the number of downloads now far exceeds the original target of 5,000 users from the original pilot locations. As a result, the Business now sees no value in limiting the App to just these original pilot workplaces and will be writing to these sites to inform them of this decision.

It may well be perceived that the Business acted disingenuously in this manner prior to Christmas, especially at a time when both parties were meant to be rebuilding trust. However, whilst the Postal Executive have taken a somewhat neutral position in relation to the People App, it is recognised that it would be unwise to discontinue our involvement and discussions regarding its ongoing development.

As a result, the approach of using Postal Executive member Katrina Quirke as the Lead will continue, thus ensuring that the Postal Department has an avenue to raise issues of concern, guarantee that there is no impact upon our collective agreements, protect the rights of individuals, be in a position to assess feedback from surveys and have ongoing input. The Business have indeed confirmed that:

• Regular catch ups and updates would work best, allowing for feedback to be shared and enabling Katrina to highlight any concerns regarding existing National and Local agreements, if necessary (further arrangements will be discussed with Katrina);
• They do not plan to implement any large scale changes to the App based on feedback received at this stage, but will continue to discuss the results and ideas they receive from the survey;
• The attached slides can be shared;
• The App will also operate in different languages, depending upon the language that the device is set up to use.

Further meetings are being arranged with the Business and future updates will be provided as and when new developments occur. Any enquiries in relation to the content of this LTB should be addressed to the DGS(P) Department.

Yours sincerely,

Terry Pullinger

Deputy General Secretary (Postal) 

LTB 017/21 – Royal Mail Group People App Update

LTB 017/21 – Attachment 1

As ballot papers start to land with members, here is a vital video message from DGSP Terry Pullinger. Please could you ensure that it is shared via your social media channels, whatsapp groups, emails etc

https://fb.watch/36oaLpkn6o/

Retained Parcel Sort Centres

The department has received a number of enquiries seeking clarity around the plan by the business to continue operating a number of the Seasonal Parcel Sort Centres outside of the peak period. Discussions have therefore taken place with the business to clarify the plan and ensure that the RM core network is fully utilised at all times prior to the movement of any workload, in line with the commitments in current agreements including the proposed Pathway to Change agreement currently out to ballot.

Branches will be aware during Peak 2020 that Royal Mail opened 10 Seasonal Parcel Sort Centres to accommodate the unprecedented parcel volumes and demand in the core network. This was in response to the ongoing Covid crisis, its effect on the density of online shopping and the reduction in capacity in the core Mail Centre/RDC network, due to social distancing and Covid-19 mitigation arrangements.

Due to the implementation of the heightened Covid-19 lockdown arrangements across the UK following the Christmas/New Year period, Royal Mail’s commercial forecast predicted continued high volumes. In addition to reduce the level of risk to Royal Mail employees, social distancing arrangements are likely to remain in force for some time to come.

Given this the business have taken the decision to retain a reduced number of Parcel Sort Centres over the coming weeks. The requirement for the additional capacity will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and will be stood down as and when the volume can be safely accommodated within the core network.

Royal Mail’s current plan is to continue to operate the Parcel Sort Centres at Milton Keynes, Atherstone and Northampton to support the operation. Operations at Sheffield will cease and the operation at Tetris will be managed out over the coming days.

Clearly the extended use of the PSC’s incurs additional costs. Discussions with Royal Mail have confirmed the intention is to only use the PSC’s where traffic volume exceed the capacity within

the core network. The three sites will therefore not have designated workload and will only handle surplus workload which cannot be safely processed within the Mail Centre/RDC estate.

Any anticipated requirement to divert workload to the Parcel Sort Centres should be a standard agenda item at Weekly Resourcing Meetings at all plants, with the joint aspiration being to maximise the utilisation of the core network.

Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary, email: dwyatt@cwu.org quoting reference: 014.14

Yours sincerely,

Davie Robertson

Assistant Secretary

LTB 020/21

POST OFFICE: PRODUCT SPECIALIST BONUS SCHEME – QUARTER 3 PAYMENT

Branches are advised that we have reached an agreement with the Post Office for bonus payments for Travel and Mails Product Specialists for the October-December quarter. The agreement provides for a maximum possible £250 bonus for both the Mails Product Specialists and the Travel Product Specialists. As per the arrangements for the previous Quarter (Q2), these payments have been agreed despite the absence of targets as a consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The following Joint Statement has been published:

Joint Statement

Product Specialist (PS): Quarter 3 Bonus Payment

The Coronavirus pandemic has continued to challenge our ability to set meaningful targets. We hopefully will have an update soon, but in the interim period, we need to continue a similar approach to payments as has been the case earlier in the year.

Following a review of our position after Quarter 3 (the period between October and December), the following payments will be made in January salaries:

• Travel Product Specialists – £250
• Express Mails Specialists – £250

We think this approach is fair and reflects your efforts throughout our busiest trading period.

As we’ve mentioned before, we are still planning to set targets for quarters 1,2 and 3 retrospectively and this may mean some PS will be entitled to top-up bonus payments should their overall performance have warranted higher bonus than paid for quarters 1 and 2. Also, potentially some payments made may have been too high, and therefore future quarterly payments could be reduced accordingly.

We will continue to keep this under review as we progress throughout the final quarter of the year and further discussions will take place between us to jointly review targets and ongoing performance.

Thank you again for your on-going hard work during these difficult times.

Steve Blampied                                                                                             Andy Furey
Head of Directly Managed & WHS branch network                                  Assistant Secretary
Post Office                                                                                                    CWU

I’m sure our Product Specialist members, who are doing their very best in these challenging circumstances, will welcome the Q3 payments.

Yours sincerely

Andy Furey
Assistant Secretary

LTB 019/21 – Post Office – Product Specialist Bonus Scheme – Quarter 3 Payment

LGBT+ History Month : Understanding, Identity & Awareness / IDAHOBIT Course

As part of our preparations for LGBT+ History Month which runs throughout February, the Eastern Region has organised a special webinar which is open for the whole of the CWU to enjoy. This is taking place on Thursday 18^th February at 6.30pm live on the Eastern Region Facebook page.

The aim of the event will be to shine a light on the different identities within the LGBT+ spectrum and the region has a number of its own activists who will feature sharing their own experiences as members of the LGBT+ community.

A flyer is attached which provides more information on registration. Any queries in relation to the webinar should be sent to Paul Moffatt, Regional Secretary easternregion@cwu.org

In addition to the above as part of the LGBT+ History Month we can confirm that the department has organised an IDAHOBIT (International Day Against Homophobia Bi & Transphobia) course that will be held on 23-24 February 2021. This is an excellent course and is open to all CWU members and representatives.

Anyone wishing to register for the course should in the first instance contact their Branch Secretary and email courseadmin@cwu.org – please note this course does not attract paid release.

Yours sincerely,

Kate Hudson                                                                            

Head of Equality, Education & Development                                

LTB 018/21 – LGBT+ History Month Understanding Identity & Awareness IDAHOBIT Course

Attachment – LGBT Event – Eastern Region – Flyer

View Online

Royal Mail Group – Latest Updated Coronavirus/Covid-19 – Frequently Asked Questions and Answers Guidance Document (Version 78)

I attach for your information Version 78 of the Royal Mail Group, Managers’ Coronavirus/Covid-19 Frequently Asked Questions and Answers Guidance document, issued by the business on 11 January 2021.

At the commencement of the Coronavirus/Covid-19 outbreak, Royal Mail Group established a ‘Business Pandemic Team’ which includes all national heads of department and this team meets regularly to review the situation across Royal Mail Group and to issue update Questions and Answers information communications to all managers, which is cascaded throughout the business.

The Coronavirus Guidance, version 78 Q&A document has been shared with the Union’s Health, Safety & Environment Department and is hereby circulated for information and reference purposes for CWU Regions, Health and Safety Reps, Branch and Divisional IR Reps.

The Q&A documents are circulated to all RMG managers and are also available to access through a link on the Royal Mail Group ‘Intranet’, in the ‘Managers Update Messages’ section.

Please note that changes and additions from the previous version are highlighted in ‘Yellow’ i.e. caring for dependants, sick pay and clinically extremely vulnerable.

NOTE: Please also note that these Q & A documents are ‘Royal Mail Group’ advice documents and not all of the contents are agreed with the CWU.

Contents List:

1. HEALTH

1. Prevention
2. Self-isolation, testing and reporting
3. Cleaning and consumables
4. Travel
5. Support and advice
6. POLICY 

1. General guidance
2. Travel/and annual holiday
3. Caring for dependants
4. Sick pay
5. Attendance process
6. Vulnerable employees
7. OPERATIONAL

4. General Ops advice
5. NHS testing kits
6. Operational processes and reporting changes
7. Delivering and collecting from customers
8. Fleet and vehicles
9. ADVICE FOR CUSTOMERS 

Any enquiries to this LTB or feedback on the RMG Q&A document should be directed to Dave Joyce CWU National Health, Safety & Environment Officer. Issues received in connection with the attached which are appropriate to other CWU/HQ Departments will be passed on the appropriate National Officer.

Attachment:

• Coronavirus Guidance Questions and Answers V78

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 016/21 – Royal Mail Group – Latest Updated Coronavirus Covid-19 – Frequently Asked Questions and Answers Guidance Document (Version 78)

Coronavirus Guidance Questions and Answers v78

Here’s the link to an excellent session with our delivery members. Please share as widely as possible.

https://fb.watch/2-2Tt_Dzpt/

CWU NATIONAL WELFARE FUND

Please find below the branch breakdown of CWU National Welfare Fund donations that were made in 2020.BRANCHREASON

AMOUNTColchester & DistrictIllness£1,000Colchester & DistrictDomestic£750Croydon & Sutton AmalDomestic£1,000Essex AmalDomestic£750Glasgow & MotherwellIllness£1,000Greater London CombinedBereavement£1,000Highland AmalIllness£1,000LeicestershireDomestic£500London South West PostalBereavement£500MerseyIllness£1,000North Staffordshire PostalDomestic£500North Staffordshire PostalIllness£600North West No. 1Domestic£250Portsmouth & District PostalIllness£1,000Portsmouth & District PostalIllness£750Scotland No. 2Domestic£500Scotland No. 2Illness£1,000Scotland No. 2Domestic£750Scotland No. 2Bereavement£1,000Scotland No. 2Domestic£1,000South Central PostalBereavement£1,000South Central PostalDomestic£1,000South Central PostalBereavement£1,000South East Wales AmalBereavement£500South Midlands PostalBereavement£1,000South Midlands PostalIllness£300South Midlands PostalDomestic£1,000South Midlands PostalDomestic£450South WalesDomestic£1,000South WalesDomestic£500South Yorkshire & DistrictBereavement£1,000South Yorkshire & DistrictBereavement£1,000Total£25,600

Any enquiries regarding this LTB should be addressed to the Senior Deputy General Secretary’s Department on telephone number 020 8971 7237 or email address sdgs@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely,

Tony Kearns

Senior Deputy General Secretary

LTB 015/21

Great session with our Parcelforce, Processing, Distribution and Logistics members tonight. Please share the recording

https://fb.watch/2ZNrbkEWuK/

Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010: Scottish Government Justice Directorate – Guidance – Update Published:

This update is being issued further to LTBs 444/19 dated 22 July 2019, 553/19 dated 24 September 2019 and 568/19 dated 30 September 2019 which should be read in conjunction with this update LTB.

In 2019, the Scottish Government’s Public Audit and Post-legislative Scrutiny Committee undertook post-legislative scrutiny to assess the effectiveness of the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010. The Committee’s main conclusions and recommendations strongly supported the written and oral evidence given during televised evidence sessions – given by the CWU National Health, Safety & Environment Officer on behalf of the Union during the inquiry.

The Scottish Government’s Public Audit and Post-legislative Scrutiny Committee concluded that:

• The Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010 has had limited effect in preventing or reducing the number of dog attacks in Scotland.
• The current dog control law is not fit for purpose.
• The Scottish Government undertakes a comprehensive review of all dog control legislation without delay, with a view to introducing modernised, fit for purpose, consolidated dog control legislation.
• In the interim, the Scottish Government should improve the implementation of the 2010 Act.
• 31 Recommendations were made in the Inquiry Report.

Following the Inquiry, the CWU National Health, Safety & Environment Officer met the Scottish Government Minister Ash Denham (Minister for Community Safety) and has subsequently had a number of meetings/discussions with Jim Wilson Scottish Government Justice Directorate/ Head of Communities and Public Services to discuss dog control. Both Ash Denham and Jim Wilson reiterated and emphasised that the Scottish Government is committed to responsible dog ownership to help keep communities safe.

The 2010 Act came into force on 26 February 2011, and statutory guidance was issued ahead of implementation of the legislation. The Guidance is provided in accordance with the duty upon the Scottish Ministers under section 12(1) of the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010 to issue guidance to local authorities in relation to the exercise of their functions and the functions of authorised officers under the 2010 Act.

The key purpose of the 2010 Act was to promote more responsible ownership of dogs and ensure that dogs which are out of control are brought and kept under control in Scotland. The focus of the legislation continues to be on the “deed not the breed” approach in tackling irresponsible dog ownership.

The Scottish Government considers that as local authorities have had nearly a decade of experience of use in their 2010 Act powers, it is an appropriate time to issue updated guidance that reflects experience and practical use of the legislation.  This updated guidance therefore includes examples of best practice of local authorities’ use of their powers.

The guidance has been prepared with the assistance and input of the Scottish Government led dog control and dangerous dogs working group, whose members include Police Scotland, REHIS, Society of Chief Environmental Officers, SCSN, National Dog Warden Association and COSLA (Convention of Scottish Local Authorities).

The new updated guidance will be kept under review and should there be any dog control legislative changes during the next parliamentary term, (which continues to be under consideration), the statutory guidance will be subject to further review and update.

Scenario 7 in the guidance makes reference to scenarios where public and private sector workers require access to private property in the course of their duties such as postal workers who deliver mail and BT workers and others and sets out the circumstances whereby overly protective and territorial aggressive behaviour towards the worker by a dog can result in an authorised officer (local authority) serving a ’Dog Control Notice (DCN)’ under section 1 of the 2010 Act. Dog owners must take responsibility to ensure that workers who deliver a vital service for their communities are not subjected to having to deal with threatening or aggressive dogs when undertaking their duties on private property. Dependant on the severity of the incident, e.g., which includes serious, threatening and aggressive behaviour by a dog which is dangerously out of control, and in all cases of physical attack and injury sustained by a dog bite/attack, this must be reported to the Police who will investigate the matter under the provisions of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.

A Dog Control Notice (DCN) – is a notice issued by a local authority authorised officer (e.g., a Dog Warden) as a preventative measure, issued to a dog owner whose dog has been found to be aggressive, threatening and not under control.  The DCN outlines the measures the owner must take to make sure the dog is controlled in a manner which ensures the safety of others and poses no threat, thereby preventing further incidents and preventing attacks. This could include a requirement to place the dog in secure premises, erect or repair fencing, keeping it inside, keeping the dog on a lead, muzzling the dog, attending and completing suitable training course etc. Failure to comply with a DCN is an offence and can incur a fine of up to £1,000 and the owner can be disqualified from owning/keeping dogs. (As stated above – in cases where a dog is dangerously out of control and injury is sustained by a dog bite/dog attack, the matter is proper to the Police who will investigate the matter under the provisions of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991).

Further updates will be reported to Branches if and when developments take place.

Attachment:

Scottish Government – Updated Guidance on the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010 (December 2020)

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 014/21 – Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010 Scottish Government Justice Directorate – Guidance – Update Published

Dogs-updated-guidance-control-dogs-scotland-act-2010 (Issued 2020)