Author: CWUE5

OFCOM ANNOUNCEMENT – USO REFORM 

OFCOM ANNOUNCEMENT – USO REFORM 

All branches will be aware that earlier today Ofcom has announced the outcome of their latest consultation is that Royal Mail’s Universal Service Obligation will be reformed as follows:

  • First Class items and all parcels will continue to be delivered every day, Monday to Saturday (RMG will continue to deliver parcels on a Sunday).
  • Non First Class letter items will be delivered every other weekday, Monday to Friday (not on Saturdays).
  • For First Class mail, the target will be moved from 93% of mail delivered next-day to 90% and for Second Class the target will be moved from 98.5% delivered within three days to 95%. Ofcom are also introducing new ‘back-stop’ targets, where 99% of mail must be delivered no more than two days late.

The CWU recognises that Royal Mail now operates in a permanently changed world of communications and that these reforms are necessary to build a sustainable future for employees and the business, alongside enabling investment in new growth areas and delivering major improvements to quality of service. 

Now that Ofcom have confirmed these changes, how and when they are implemented will now be subject to negotiations with the company, in line with the rebuilding Royal Mail part 1 and 2 agreements.

Branches are also aware that the Union has highlighted our concerns over the problems that our members have experienced in the pilot sites with Royal Mail’s current approach. Therefore, we have made it clear that the evidence of the pilots demonstrates that Ofcom’s and Royal Mail’s targeted savings are totally unrealistic and will not be achieved at the levels stated. 

Ultimately the financial savings that will arise from these changes will depend on the ability of our members to have an achievable daily workload and the need for Royal Mail to finally step up and deliver on the new quality of service targets that have been set by Ofcom.  Making both of the above points a reality will be integral to any agreement that the CWU reaches with the company and is also the only way that Royal Mail can be successful in the future.

We are confident that our recent agreements will allow us to fix these issues and ensure that USO change can now be delivered in a more pragmatic way with additional benefits for employees, customers and the company.

We can also go into these negotiations knowing that we have secured important commitments on job security that guarantees no compulsory redundancies will arise from USO Reform. 

Finally, we have attached our press release issued earlier today which also makes the point that the Government now need to intervene and change the way that Ofcom regulates the post and logistics sector, to ensure there is a level playing field with our competitors.  We know that the new owners are also committed to this objective and the union will now make the case politically for regulatory reform and we look forward to working with the new owners to achieve this. 

Please ensure that this LTB is distributed into all workplaces as soon as possible.

Any enquiries regarding Ofcom’s announcement should be addressed to the General Secretary’s Office, Dawn Lynch on dlynch@cwu.org and enquiries on the negotiation with Royal Mail and the operational aspects of this change should be addressed to Deputy General Secretary (Postal) Department, Hayley Ford on hford@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely

Dave Ward                     

General Secretary                                     

Martin Walsh 

Deputy General Secretary (Postal)   

PRESS RELEASE

CWU RESPONSE TO OFCOM ANNOUNCEMENT ON ROYAL MAIL UNIVERSAL SERVICE OBLIGATION

Responding to today’s announcement, CWU General Secretary Dave Ward said “The CWU understands the reasons for today’s announcement and accepts the need for change to the specification of the Universal Service Obligation (USO). The sustainability of the universal postal service is our utmost priority and we have long called for reforms that benefit both customers and postal workers, in order to secure the long-term future of Royal Mail.

However, Royal Mail has been trialling these changes in delivery offices across the country and there are clear problems on the ground. These changes are not a ‘one-stop solution’ for the problems in the postal service- the real culprit behind these issues is Royal Mail’s inability to properly recruit and retain staff, which has led to workloads piling up in delivery offices and vital letters being left behind. The new owners of Royal Mail must ensure that the culture of mismanagement and inferior pay and conditions for new staff does not continue under their leadership. In addition, we need to see the Government intervene with Ofcom, who have failed in their duty as a regulator, and ensure that there is a level-playing field when it comes to regulating parcel courier giants like Amazon.

It is in the interest of customers and postal workers that these changes are implemented in the right way and the CWU must be at the heart of this. We will continue working with both the new owners of Royal Mail and the Government to ensure that we are all able to benefit from a reliable and sustainable postal service for generations to come.

LTB 141/25 – OFCOM ANNOUNCEMENT USO REFORM

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NATIONAL YOUNG WORKERS EDUCATION EVENT, 29th – 31stAUGUST QUORN GRANGE HOTEL 

NATIONAL YOUNG WORKERS EDUCATION EVENT, 29th – 31stAUGUST QUORN GRANGE HOTEL 

The purpose of this LTB is to invite and encourage Branches to send delegates to this year’s National Young Workers Education Event which will take place over the weekend of Friday, 29th through to Sunday, 31st August in Quorn.

The venue for the event during the day will be held at GFTU Quorn Grange Hotel, Quorn. Hotel accommodation has been arranged at the same venue and in nearby hotels.

Event Format 

As with the approach taken last year this event now combines our Branch Young Worker Officer Forum alongside our National Education Event into a Young Workers Education weekend. An outline agenda is attached and a full agenda will be issued nearer the date.

Arrival & Registration 

We are asking participants to arrive in Quorn on Friday, 29th August in time for their appropriate panel, see outline agenda, however they are welcome to attend all panels if they wish to hear what is going on in other parts of the Union.  Registration for the main event will take place on Saturday morning and the event will conclude at 1.30pm on Sunday, 31st August.

The arrangements for the cost of delegates will be in line with the process that has been used for many years and is reflective of current pricing. The cost for Branches to send a delegate will be £300 and will include two nights’ accommodation and all meals.

Please note the social event on the Saturday evening includes an educational performance ‘Battle Lines’ from The Banner Theatre which has been sponsored by the CWU Regions.

For more information and to secure a place for the weekend Branches should complete the attached form and send to Angela Niven at conferences@cwu.org as soon as possible so that we can assess the numbers of those attending for meals, etc.

Branches must make payment for their delegate(s) attendance by sending a cheque made payable to “CWU” addressed to Angela Niven, SDGS Department at CWU HQ or by bank transfer to the General Fund Account No: 33019822 Sort Code 60-83-01 with ref “YWNEE”. 

Any queries regarding this event should be addressed to the Young Workers Coordinator, Kerry Fleck, kfleck@cwu.org or 07704 306418.

Yours sincerely                                  

Dave Ward                                                                 

General Secretary                                                     

LTB 140/25 – NATIONAL YOUNG WORKERS EVENT 29TH – 30TH AUGUST QUORN GRANGE HOTEL       

Attachment: National Education Weekend 2025 – Poster and Info 
            
Attachment – Application Form – Word Document Download             

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National Network Review (Network 25) – Deployment Date Update

National Network Review (Network 25) – Deployment Date Update

Further to LTB 128/25 which referred to the 28th July 2025 as the agreed target deployment date for the National Network Review (Network 25). The department have been approached by the business regarding this date and the following statement has been agreed.

Colleagues will be aware that Royal Mail Distribution and the CWU had agreed that the 28th July 2025would be the target deployment date for the 2025 Network/Linehaul Review. This date was agreed based on the best estimate at the time. Following a meeting of the national parties both parties have agreed that due to some logistical issues it would be prudent to defer the deployment date. Discussions at national level are continuing and a revised date will be confirmed and communicated in the coming days. We would request that re-sign activity continues in readiness for the deployment of the review.

We encourage all representatives to utilise the delay in the deployment date to ensure that any outstanding issues are resolved, and that duty sets and re-picks are concluded. The NWG will remain available to offer advice and assistance where necessary.

Branches and representatives are requested to ensure that our Network members are made aware of the contents of this LTB at the earliest opportunity.

Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary, email: jrodrigues@cwu.org quoting reference LTB 139/25.

Yours sincerely

Davie Robertson
Assistant Secretary

LTB 139/25 – National Network Review (Network 25) Deployment Date Update

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Royal Mail Property & Facility Solutions

Royal Mail Property & Facility Solutions

Election of

  • Regional Cleaning Representative – North Region

Due to the departure from the Business of the Regional Cleaning Rep North, nominations are now invited from branches within the relevant region for the above position.

This position is being elected on an interim basis ahead of the full RMPFS nominations due to be advertised early in 2026 and the successful candidates will take up office at the conclusion of the election period.

A Nomination form is attached to this LTB and the completed form must be signed by the Branch Secretary and Branch Chair or accredited deputies and the nominee.

The signed nomination form should be returned by email to elections@cwu.orgto be received by 24th July 2025 (14.00)

Any enquiries regarding this Letter to Branches should be addressed to the Senior Deputy General Secretary’s Department on telephone number 0208 971 7237 or email address sdgs@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,

Tony Kearns
Senior Deputy General Secretary

LTB138 Nomination RMPSFdocx

Nomination Form Election Guidelines july 2025

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SPECIAL RESTRUCTURING CONFERENCE/SPECIAL RULES REVISION CONFERENCE 2025 – DECISIONS AND CARD VOTE

SPECIAL RESTRUCTURING CONFERENCE/SPECIAL RULES REVISION CONFERENCE 2025 – DECISIONS AND CARD VOTE 

Please find attached copies of the decisions taken during the Special Restructuring and the Special Rules Revision Conferences and the results of the Card Vote that was taken.

Any enquiries regarding this Letter to Branches should be addressed to Angela Niven, Senior Deputy General Secretary’s Department on telephone number 020 8971 7237, or email address conferences@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,

A P Kearns

Senior Deputy General Secretary

LTB 137/25 – Special Restructuring and Special Rules Revision Conferences – Decisions and Card Vote

Att: 01. Special Restructuring Conference – Sat 28.06.2

Att: 02. Special Rules Conference – Sun 29.06.29

Att: 01. Card Vote 1 – Motion 18 – Restructuring Conference 2025 28.06.25

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National Briefing – Friday 11th July 2025

National Briefing – Friday 11th July 2025

Following the announcement that we have reached a national agreement with Royal Mail Group on pay, terms and conditions, we are calling an in person briefing on Friday 11th   July (11am-3pm).

The venue for the briefing is below:

Legends Lounge 

Brentford Football Club

Gtech Stadium

Brentford

TW8 0RU

We understand that Friday is not an ideal day for a national briefing and that London is busy at this point in time, however we are sure given the importance of this event that Branches will make use of the various travel options to this venue and book accommodation accordingly.

The briefing will cover a full update on the national agreement, the ballot timetable and the role we need every Branch to play in the coming weeks.

Delegations should include Field Officials, Branch Secretaries, Area Representatives and their equivalents in Parcelforce, Engineering and Fleet.

We look forward to seeing you at the briefing.

Yours sincerely,                                                              

Martin Walsh           

Deputy General Secretary (Postal)                                                                 

Dave Ward

General Secretary

LTB 133/25 – National Briefing Friday 11 July 2025

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Election of: Royal Mail Divisional Representative – Midland Royal Mail Divisional Representative (Substitute) London

Election of:

  • Royal Mail Divisional Representative – Midland
  • Royal Mail Divisional Representative (Substitute) London

Due to the retirement of one of the Midland Divisional Representatives (Paul Kennedy) and the London Divisional Representative Substitute (John Simkins).  Nominations are now invited from Branches within the relevant Divisions for the above positions.

These positions are being elected on an interim basis ahead of the full divisional nominations due to be advertised early in 2026 and successful candidates will take up office at the conclusion of the election period.

Nomination forms are attached to this LTB and completed forms must be signed by the Branch Secretary and Branch Chair or accredited deputies and the nominee.

The signed nomination form should be returned by email to elections@cwu.orgto be received by 24th July 2025 (14.00)

Any enquiries regarding this Letter to Branches should be addressed to the Senior Deputy General Secretary’s Department on telephone number 0208 971 7237 or email address sdgs@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,

Tony Kearns
Senior Deputy General Secretary

25LTB132 – Election of RM Divisional Representative and Sub Divisional Representative

Guidelines 2025

Div Rep – 2025- Nomination Form

Div Rep Sub – 2025- Nomination Form

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AGREEMENT REACHED – REBUILDING ROYAL MAIL PART 1 AND PART 2 

AGREEMENT REACHED – REBUILDING ROYAL MAIL PART 1 AND PART 2 

As explained in today’s National Briefing, please find attached a communication regarding the agreement ‘Rebuilding Royal Mail part 2’ which has been unanimously agreed by the Postal Executive.  This agreement contains a straightforward three year pay deal, alongside building on the commitments made in the original EP Group/CWU agreement of the 18thDecember 2024.

We will now embark on a series of further communications with our reps and members and it is important that our members fully understand the direct link between the December 2024 agreement and the Rebuilding Royal Mail part 2 agreement.

Confirmation of the ballot timetable will be issued shortly.

Please ensure the attached communication is distributed immediately to all representatives and in all workplaces as soon as possible.

Any enquiries regarding this LTB should be addressed to Deputy General Secretary (Postal) Department, Hayley Ford on hford@cwu.org.

Yours Sincerely,

Martin Walsh                                                                Dave Ward
Deputy General Secretary (Postal)                General Secretary      

25LTB131 AGREEMENT REACHED REBUILDING ROYAL MAIL PART 1 AND PART 2

08363 – Rebuilding Royal Mail A step towards a better future

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RMG/CWU National Dog Awareness Week (DAW) – 30th June to 6th July 2025

RMG/CWU National Dog Awareness Week (DAW) – 30th June to 6th July 2025

Further Activities and Throughout the Year

Following on from LTB 127/25 issued this week, which covered the national launch of the Royal Mail Group/CWU National Dog Awareness Week (DAW) 2025.

The purpose of this LTB is to highlight additional DAW activities and to equally offer the opportunity to report on some of the all year round work of the CWU, its Safety Forums and Safety Reps in seeking to reduce dog attacks and incidents both with Royal Mail Group and other organisations.

RMG/CWU DAW Additional Activities 2025

Listed here are some further activities to those previously outlined in LTB 127/25: –

  • RMtv DAW

Attached in a Zip File is a series of 6 ‘plasma screens’ shots that have been featured on RMtv during the week with the content building on the AVOID message.  These ‘plasma screens’ have also been placed on Royal Mail’s SharePoint and are available for workplaces to print and display them locally.

  • A for AVOID.
  • V for Value Yourself.
  • O for Observe.
  • I for Inform.
  • D for Defend.
  • RMG DAW Press Statement

Also attached for information is Royal Mail’s Press Statement covering DAW.  This Press Statement issued earlier in the week confirms that 2,197 dog attacks on staff were reported up to the year ending 31stMarch, marking a 2% increase compared to the previous year.  The statement also confirmed that this number equates to an average of 42 attacks every week across the UK with some leading to permanent and disabling injuries.

The Press Statement also lists the top ten highest postcode areas for reported dog attacks and incidents on postal workers from March 2024 to March 2025.

  • DAW Postmark

All this week, Royal Mail will be using a DAW postmark on all stamped mail; an example of this is attached.  It aims to further promote the RMG external web address that customers can visit to get more information on responsible dog ownership.

  • Paws for Thought

In collaboration with the Pet Education Partnership, the CWU is currently working on delivering online education webinars under the ‘Paws for Thought’ theme to educate key stage 1 & 2 school children on how to keep postal workers safe from possible dog attacks when they call with a delivery especially during school holidays.

The Pet Education Partnership is a joint initiative between the UK’s leading animal welfare organisations: PDSA, RSPCA, Blue Cross, Cats Protection, Dogs Trust, Woodgreen, USPCA and SSPCA.  Their shared vision is to make animal welfare & safety education accessible to every child aged between 5 and 11 in the UK with the ultimate goal of incorporating it into the curriculum.

  • The Wales Dog Safety Partnership (WDSP)

Branches and Safety Reps will recall previous information issued earlier this year in terms of the ongoing work of the CWU in Wales due to significant increases in hospital admissions due to dog bites and incidents.  A problem not just for our members but for the wider community.

Accordingly, the CWU has been working with the Welsh Government, Welsh Police, Royal Mail Group, Welsh Local Enforcing Authorities and numerous other organisations to set up the Wales Dog Safety Partnership (WDSP), which was formally launched in January of this year.

Building on this, the CWU are meeting with Police Forces in Wales in July and has met with academic researchers from Swansea & Cardiff University who are keen to enter into a Dog Safety Partnership with the union and others to promote both education and awareness on the dog attack risk issue in South Wales.

  • Animal Threat Level Assessment System (ATLAS)

In 2019, the Animal Threat Level Assessment System (ATLAS) was set up through joint work in the Merseyside area with the CWU and Merseyside Dog Safety Partnership (MDSP).

The ATLAS system is designed to build on the current Royal Mail Group Risk Assessment process, which actively encourages the engagement of both Council Dog Wardens and the Police and aims to improve the reporting of near-miss and pre-bite events with dangerous dogs between these enforcement agencies.

Summary of ATLAS

  • The ATLAS poster with a QR code is displayed in the workplace and members simply scan the code to access a short form to report a concern about a dangerous dog.
  • Once the form is completed, it is automatically sent to the relevant CWU Area Safety Rep who has agreed to manage ATLAS within the region or area, who then forwards it to the relevant Council Authority or Police Force.
  • This should then result in the Council’s animal Technical Officer (or Dog Warden) responding to an animal hazard within 24 hours of receipt of a copy of the ATLAS.

A good example of the benefit of ATLAS can be highlighted by a particular and recent case, whereby a member raised a concern regarding the risk of fingers being bitten through the letterbox at a property.  An ATLAS report was submitted on Tuesday, actioned on Wednesday and by Friday, the householder had fitted an external letterbox.

Whilst speedy outcomes like this do require the full cooperation of the public since its recent launch in Wales, there have been over 80 ATLAS reports submitted by members in 2 months, resulting in numerous Council interventions and 2 Police Force interventions.

  • Service Level Agreement (Police/RMG/CWU)

This month saw further progress on our in-principle pledges for Service Level Agreement (SLA) partnerships with the Lancashire Police & Cheshire Police Force, RMG and the CWU.

SLAs aim to build trust in postal workers to have confidence in the police that any dog attack incident will be taken seriously with individual concerns listened to and that action taken shall be quick, to ensure the safety of themselves and the wider community.

These agreements are drawn up to assist both postal workers and the Police to deal with such incidents in a balanced and prompt manner, allowing early preventative measures without unnecessary prosecution, avoiding future more serious incidents, whilst holding serious or repeat offenders to account.

This Service Level Agreement now reached reflects the wider RMG and CWU commitment to establish as many SLAs with Police Forces across the UK and to promote partnership with CWU ASRs and RMG SHE Teams, so they can utilise all processes available to tackle irresponsible dog ownership.

In setting out the above and to help promote these activities and wider take-up across the whole union, any Branch or Safety Forum seeking more details on these initiatives are invited to contact the DGS(P) Department for more information.

Dog Attacks – Statistics March 2024 to 2025

In setting out the above and whilst recognising the ongoing work and activity, the facts remain that dog attacks have slightly increased from March 2024 to March of this year.  Reflecting, if necessary, that this continues to be a major safety hazard and concern for all our members who work on Deliveries, Collections and in Parcelforce.

The final attachment to this LTB is an Excel File which lists the dog attack figures by postcode and from 2013/14 to date.  The Excel File also includes information on increases and decreases in reported attacks per postcode during the same period.

With this year’s National Dog Awareness Week drawing to a close, it is right to place on record our thanks and appreciation to all our Reps, Branches and Safety Forums for their continuing work undertaken all year round in this vital area of seeking to reduce dog attacks and incidents on our members within Royal Mail and Parcelforce.

Any enquiries in relation to the content of this LTB should be addressed to the DGS(P) Department.

Yours sincerely,

Martin Walsh
Deputy General Secretary (Postal)     

LTB 130-25 – RMG-CWU National Dog Awareness Week (DAW) – 30th June to 6th July 2025 Further Activities and Throughout the Year

Attachment 1 – RMtv Plasma Screens

Attachment 4 – Copy of Dog Attacks by Postcode

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National Network Review (Network 25) Update – Deployment Date 

National Network Review (Network 25) Update – Deployment Date 

Further to LTB 033/25 please find attached for your information a letter from Nick Dunn National Distribution Director which communicates the 28th July 2025 as the agreed target deployment date for the National Network Review (Network 25).

The aim will now be to ensure that any outstanding issues are resolved, through the IR Framework if necessary, and duty sets and re-picks are concluded where possible in readiness for the deployment date, in line with the terms of the attached letter. The NWG will remain available to offer advice and assistance where necessary.

Branches and representatives are requested to ensure that our Network members are made aware of the contents of this LTB at the earliest opportunity.

Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary, email: jrodrigues@cwu.org quoting reference LTB 128/25.

Yours sincerely

Davie Robertson
Assistant Secretary

LTB 128.25 – National Network Review (Network 25) Update Deployment Date

NDunn Letter Network Review Deployment Date 30062025

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