New Deal for Workers update: TUC Organise festival, organising pledge and live session with Frances O’Grady 6pm, 9th July

The purpose of this LTB is to provide a short update to branches on our work on a New Deal for Workers and events taking place over the next few days.

Firstly, as branches will be aware, the TUC is currently running Organise 2020, an online festival on recruitment, organising and digital innovation for unions from 9-11th July. In part, this initiative is a response to the CWU’s call for a New Deal for Workers and the motions we have taken to TUC Congress in recent years to push for greater focus on growing the movement and for unions to work together to recruit new members and root out insecure employment.

A full list of sessions is at the following link and we would encourage branches to attend online sessions where possible: https://www.tuc.org.uk/sign-organise-2020-events

Secondly, the TUC has today published a joint pledge that all affiliates have signed, committing to growing membership particularly among young workers, for greater co-operation to end inter-union competition and to push common bargaining agendas within sectors to address insecure working practices. A copy of this is attached to this LTB. Again, this pledge has arisen in response to motions we have taken to TUC Congress and it has been produced by a Working Group on a New Deal for Workers that the TUC set up following Congress last year.

Importantly, unions have agreed that the TUC will put resources into supporting this work, that it will co-ordinate activity between unions within individual sectors and that the General Council will review progress and the work that has been done each year and publish the results. The CWU has been pushing for a step-change in unions working together to grow the movement and we need to use the pledge and these commitments to ensure this happens.

Finally, as branches will be aware, we will be holding a live session at 6pm tonight with Frances O’Grady, General Secretary of the TUC, on the movement’s response to covid-19, a new deal for workers and how we grow trade union membership. This will be streamed on the CWU’s Facebook page, Twitter and Youtube and we will be putting your questions to her. We would ask branches to share details of this with members and to engage with the session tonight.

We will keep branches updated on this work and any questions on the contents of this LTB should be addressed to gsoffice@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely,

Dave Ward
General Secretary

LTB 366/20 – New Deal for Workers update TUC Organise festival, organising pledge and live session with Frances O’Grady 6pm, 9th July

TUC Organising Pledge

Scale Payment Delivery Offices (SPDO) Relocations – CWU Proposed Closures/Relocations

You will be aware that the Outdoor Department has been in dialogue with Royal Mail for some time now regarding the SPDO estate and potential SPDO closures/relocations.

Due to the recent funding and IR issues that existed both as a consequence of the previous CEOs stance and the Covid-19 implications, additional proposed SPDO closures/relocations have not been pursued during this period, apart from the SPDOs where notice of Royal Mail withdrawal has been served on the Postmaster.

However, as funding for Postmaster’s compensation packages has now been secured for further relocations this financial year and as the Covid-19 restrictions are slowly being relaxed, Royal Mail are now looking to re-engage discussions at local level, which had previously been raised. Additionally, the Outdoor Department has now been supplied a further list of SPDOs that the business is looking at, to commence local discussions regarding closures and relocations of indoor operations.

Due to the commercial sensitivity of some of these discussions, we are unable to replicate the individually named SPDOs. As a consequence of this, Mike Newport who is dealing with SPDO matters on behalf of the Outdoor department, will be, or already has contacted the respective Area Delivery Rep or Branch where SPDOs appear on this new list of potential closures / relocations.

Royal Mail has also indicated that where the CWU may want management to consider additional proposed SPDO relocations, that the names of these SPDOs should be brought forward in order for this dialogue to commence accordingly and in line with the Nationally agreed process.

Given the above, we are advising Branches that if you want Royal Mail to consider additional SPDO relocations / closures proposed by the Branch, that names of these SPDOs should be forwarded to Mike Newport, who will then supply the information to Royal Mail. Mike can be contacted on 07884 454547or mike.newport@cwuessex.org;

Any queries to the content of the above please contact the Outdoor Department reference 535.17, email address: outdoorsecretary@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely,

Mark Baulch

CWU Assistant Secretary

LTB 365/20 – SPDO Relocations 09.07.20

Legal Services Department – Post

The Legal Services Department now has a limited number of staff working back at CWU HQ, as well as working from home. 

Branches can now commence posting documents and correspondence direct to the Legal Services Department.

We will continue to use the following email addresses but branches should now post large bundles of documents direct to CWU HQ. 

personalinjury@cwu.org

employmentlaw@cwu.org

Branches should note that the department is still operating a limited service, with reduced resources during this period.  Your patience is appreciated.

If you have any further enquiries regarding the above then please contact Tony Rupa, Head of Legal Services, via email trupa@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,

Tony Rupa

HEAD OF LEGAL SERVICES

LTB 364/20 Legal Services Department – Post

View Online

Royal Mail Group/CWU Dog Awareness Week 2020 – Monday 6 July to Saturday 11 July – Dave Joyce CWU National Health, Safety & Environment Officer Press Statement:

See below press statement issued for the 2020 Dog Awareness Week Campaign regarding the above which remains a very important issue to the Union and its front line outdoor postal membership. The Press Statement can be forwarded to local and regional press and media, local radio and TV stations and be used in local CWU publications or CWU Websites etc., to spread the word. Many thanks for your support and assistance.

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Subject: Royal Mail Group/CWU Dog Awareness Week 2020 – Monday 6 July to Saturday 11 July

Thursday 2nd July 2020

Royal Mail Group/CWU Dog Awareness Week 2020 – Monday 6 July to Saturday 11 July

Postmen and women at Royal Mail deliver six days a week to around 30 million addresses across the UK and dog attacks are a significant hazard with over 49 postmen and women attacked each week across the UK, some leading to a permanent and disabling injury.

2,500 dog attacks have taken place on postmen and women across the UK in the past year. Despite joint dog awareness campaigns run by Royal Mail and the Communication Workers Union, dog attacks remain unacceptably high.

83% of attacks on postal workers happened at the front door or in the garden and we are appealing to all dog owners to think TWICE when the postman or woman calls to deliver mail and parcels.

Royal Mail is appealing to dog owners to ensure they understand the impact of dog attacks on postmen and women who are only doing their job.

Royal Mail knows that not all dogs are dangerous, in fact most don’t present a problem but if a dog feels it or its’ territory is being threatened it will be defensive.

CWU National Health, Safety and Environment Officer Dave Joyce said “Some irresponsible dog owners failure to control their animals remains a major concern for postal workers and the public with around 2,500 more recorded dog attacks last year on postmen and women amongst which were some very serious maulings and injury incidents.”

“The number of dog attacks in UK society continues to rise, with yearly hospital admissions for dog bites increasing by 80% over the last decade.”

“Seven postal workers are attacked by dogs every working day of the year which is unacceptable and the whole idea of Dog Awareness Week is to highlight the problem and the repercussions for dog owners and the victims, many of whom are seriously injured. “

“As our members deliver more parcels, packets, express, tracked and signed-for deliveries, as a result of booming internet sales, during the Coronavirus pandemic lockdown they still face Dog hazards. Parcel traffic has increased 50% and postmen and women continue to collect and deliver thousands of Covid-19 test kits to/from the public and testing labs daily as part of our fantastic contribution to the nation’s safety and wellbeing. We need the public to fully appreciate the essential ‘lifeline’ service postal workers provide and for dog owners to think about the safety of postal workers in return.”

“We want dog owners to simply control and contain their animals when the postman or postwoman calls. Some customers are sadly failing in their responsibility to Postal workers. We want people to simply take a minute to think about securing their dogs in a safe place before opening the door. In many cases this doesn’t happen and as a result, too many dog attacks occur. 83% of them occur on the doorstep or garden path.  This must stop – we want dog owners to work with us and support Postal workers who they rely on to deliver their goods, medical provisions and other important items. For those who act irresponsibly, we need the Police and courts to clamp down on bad ownership, using the full force of the law to hold these people to account for the devastating, life changing injuries they cause to postmen and women, which continues to be all too familiar.”

“Dog owners need to fully understand that their actions usually are the cause of a dog being dangerous and simple precautions can prevent the pain for everyone concerned. No matter what breed of dog is involved, the dog can present a substantial danger to postal workers.  We are appealing to all customers who are dog owners to work with us and think TWICE when the postman calls. Put the dog away in a secure room before opening the door to collect their deliveries.”

“There are tough court penalties and a criminal record for irresponsible dog owners including prison and unlimited fines so it’s in their best interest in more ways than one to make sure the dog doesn’t bite the postman/woman.”

“One owner from Romford, Essex paid fines and costs of £9,000 after his dog injured a postwoman’s fingers as she put letters through the door. Another owner from Oxford was handed a 16-month suspended prison sentence and banned from owning dogs for life after his dog badly injured a postman’s hand. A dog owner in Sheffield was sent to prison for four and a half months after his two dogs got out and savaged a postmen.”

“Worryingly there continues to be a number of very serious dog attacks on Postal Workers in both Royal Mail delivery and Parcelforce delivery this last year, some of which could easily have ended in fatalities if it wasn’t for the intervention of the owners and good Samaritans”.

Top tips for dog owners

Here are some ideas to help your postman or woman deliver your post in safety:

• Ensure your dog is out of the way before the postman or woman arrives. Place your pet in a secure room or the back garden.
• If you have a back garden, please close off the access, in case your dog could get round to the front when the postman or woman calls.
• Dog attacks can happen when you’ve opened the door to collect a parcel. Please keep your dog in another room before answering the door.
• Make sure children don’t open the door, as dogs can push by them and attack.
• Give your dog some food or a toy to occupy them while your mail is being delivered.
• Wait 10 minutes after your mail has arrived before you let your pet back out. Keep everything as calm and low-key as possible.
• If your dog likes to attack your letter box as the mail comes through – fit  a wire letterbox cage/receptacle. It will protect your post, and your postman or woman’s fingers.
• If it’s not practical for you to keep your dog away from a postman or woman delivering your mail, please consider fitting a secure mailbox on the edge of your property.
• Please ensure your dog is microchipped, wearing a collar and tag and that your contact details on the tag and microchip are up to date. These are both legal requirements for dog owners and failure to comply can result in a heavy fine.

ENDS

Yours sincerely,

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 362/20 – RMG CWU Dog Awareness Week 2020 – CWU National Health, Safety & Environment Officer Press Statement

Joint Statement between Royal Mail and the CWU – Local Revision Activity

Branches and Representatives will be aware that the National Joint Statement, circulated via LTB 352/20 outlined the framework for phased National discussions to develop a joint strategy for Royal Mail Group, to rebuild trust and address the challenges the business is facing.

One of the key elements in the Joint Statement designed to rebuild trust was the immediate commitment to National discussions to develop, agree and deploy new local revision activity. The Joint Statement prioritises this commitment with a timeline for completion within the first two weeks of talks.

We have been made aware since the publication of the Joint Statement that managerial proposals on revision activity are being tabled at various locations across the Delivery, Processing and Distribution functions.

For the avoidance of doubt, National talks are now due to commence which will establish the agreed detail and content of revision activity in each function, the agreed processes for re-engagement and the timelines for any agreed program of revision activity. This detail/guidance will be communicated when the talks on this element of the Joint Statement have been concluded. Representatives should therefore await further notification before engaging in local discussions relating to any revision proposals that are received.

Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to:

Processing & Distribution: Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary, email: dwyatt@cwu.orgquoting reference 054.05.

or

Deliveries: Mark Baulch, Assistant Secretary, email: outdoordepartment@cwu.org quoting reference: 230.03.

Yours sincerely

Davie Robertson                 Mark Baulch

Assistant Secretary               Assistant Secretary

LTB 361/20

Royal Mail, Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) Safety Flash – ‘Moving Blocks of 5 Nested York Roll Containers in Breach of the SSoW’ – Member Injured

RM SHE Safety Flash FY20-010 has been issued on 29 June after a driver was injured whilst attempting to move a block of 5 Nested Yorks onto a trailer without the assistance of a second person, in breach of the ‘Mandatory’ York and Mini-York Containers Safe System of Work.

The Safe System of Work instructions and manual handling training documentation allow for one person to move blocks of up to 3 nested York Containers and for two persons to move blocks of up to 5 nested York Containers.

Individuals attempting to move 5 nested York Containers single-handedly is incorrect and poor manual handling technique which risks causing musculoskeletal injury. Any individual presented with blocks of 5 York Containers to manoeuvre or load/unload to/from vehicles and trailers should seek assistance or break down the blocks to a maximum of 3 at a time. This message is to be communicated to indoor staff and drivers and the Safety Flash is to be displayed on notice boards.

The key activities for Managers are:

• To communicate the Safety Flash to all indoor staff and drivers.
• To display the Safety Flash on notice boards.
• To ensure Workplace Coaches and Advanced Driver Coaches demonstrate good manual handling technique for moving nested York’s (3 and 5 nested Yorks) when delivering Manual Handling refreshers.
• To undertake regular observations onsite to review the handling practices of nested Yorks.

ASRs and WSRs are requested to check via their safety inspections and spot checks that the Safety Flash and Safe System of Work are being complied with and if not – report the matter to management and the Safety Advisor, include it on the next Safety Inspection report and raise it at the appropriate next joint Health and Safety Committee.

Attachments:

• RMG SHE Safety Flash FY20-010
• York and Mini York Containers SSoW

Yours sincerely,

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 360/20 – RMG SHE Safety Flash – Moving Blocks of 5 Nested York Roll Containers in Breach of the SSoW

SHE Flash FY20 010 – Moving Nested Yorks

York and Mini-York Safe System Of Work v3.1

Dog Attacks on Royal Mail Postal Workers ‘remain unacceptably high’ – Day One Dog Awareness
Week 2020 – Royal Mail Press Release

Today is the first day of Royal Mail/CWU Dog Awareness Week 2020 and Royal Mail have issued a press release along with the 2019/20 dog attack figures and helpful top-tips for dog owners to prevent dog attacks on postal workers in the UK.

The Royal Mail press release sets out the fact that over 47 Postal workers in the UK are attacked by dogs each week and some lead to a permanent and disabling injury. In the past year alone just under 2,500 dog attacks have taken place on postmen and women and dog attacks remain unacceptably high despite the joint RM/CWU dog awareness campaigns that have been running for eight years.

Statistics

78% of dog attacks happen at the front door. There has been a 7% increase in attacks across the UK over the last 2 years. Some areas saw huge increases this year – for example – Glasgow 81% increase this year with 73 attacks over the last two years in total, Chelmsford 122% increase and 48 attacks over the last two years, Cardiff 65% increase with 61 attacks over the last two years, South East London 107% increase with 46 attacks over the last two years to pick out just a few.

Coronavirus has understandably caused a rise in postal parcel deliveries. This is why we need to take whatever steps needed to keep our postmen and women members approaching homes safe and protected. Everyone needs to understand that even friendly dogs might not be appreciated by busy, hard-working postal workers. Royal Mail and the Union state that despite the evidence of hefty fines issued for dog attacks, more needs to be done by the Police and courts to clamp down on bad ownership, using the full force of the law to hold these people to account for the devastating, life changing injuries they cause to postmen and women, which continues to be all too familiar.

The Postcode by Postcode Dog Attack Statistics produced by Royal Mail will be issued under cover of a separate LTB.

Extract From The Press Release:

Dave Joyce, CWU National Health, Safety and Environment Officer, “As our members deliver more parcels, packets, express, tracked and signed-for deliveries, as a result of booming internet sales during the Coronavirus pandemic lockdown, they still face dog hazards. Parcel traffic has increased 50% and postmen and women continue to collect and deliver thousands of Covid-19 test kits to/from the public and testing labs daily as part of our fantastic contribution to the nation’s safety and wellbeing. We need the public to fully appreciate the essential ‘lifeline’ service postal workers provide and for dog owners to think about the safety of postal workers in return.”

Top tips for dog owners

Here are some top tips the Union and Royal Mail are promoting to dog owners to help postman or woman deliver the post in safety:

• Ensure your dog is out of the way before the postman or woman arrives. Place your pet in a secure room or the back garden.
• If you have a back garden, please close off the access, in case your dog could get round to the front when the postman or woman calls.
• Dog attacks can happen when you’ve opened the door to collect a parcel. Please keep your dog in another room before answering the door.
• Make sure children don’t open the door, as dogs can push by them and attack.
• Give your dog some food or a toy to occupy them while your mail is being delivered.
• Wait 10 minutes after your mail has arrived before you let your pet back out. Keep everything as calm and low-key as possible.
• If your dog likes to attack your letter box as the mail comes through – fit a wire letterbox cage/receptacle. It will protect your post, and your postman or woman’s fingers.
• If it’s not practical for you to keep your dog away from a postman or woman delivering your mail, please consider fitting a secure mailbox on the edge of your property.
• Please ensure your dog is microchipped, wearing a collar and tag and that your contact details on the tag and microchip are up to date. These are both legal requirements for dog owners and failure to comply can result in a heavy fine.

See Attached Copy of the Royal Mail Dog Awareness Week Press Release

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

20LTB359 Dog Attacks on Royal Mail Postal Workers ‘remain unacceptably high’ – Day One Dog Awareness Week 2020

National Dog Awareness Week 2020 Press Release FINAL

Re: Coronavirus COVID-19: Supporting Members Returning to Work

Further to LTB 298/20, dated 12th June 2020, the Government(s) have announced the date for the end of shielding will be 31st July 2020 in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland and 16th August 2020 in Wales, therefore further discussions have taken place with Royal Mail.

The purpose of this LTB is to let branches and members know a similar four-step process will be in place for the extremely vulnerable category whether it is shielding for yourself or another member of your household.

• Step 1 – Follow up call to start discussion and where appropriate, set up a further call/meeting to establish and agree return to work
• Step 2 – Further call/meeting with the employee
• Step 3 – Outcome of return to work review discussion including OH Advice whereappropriate
• Step 4 – Case review and final outcome

For members who are shielding (self) the communication with your manager will need to be by telephone as members have to continue shielding until the set date and therefore cannot meet face to face.

The department received reports managers in some areas were attempting to ignore the four-step process and just use the normal return to work process, LTB 318/20 dated 17th June 2020 confirmed the four-step process.

A further statement has been agreed with Royal Mail which confirms the four-step process will be used. This is attached at Appendix A.

If agreed adjustments are not put in place, members will not be forced to return to work and will remain away from the workplace until the adjustments have been completed.

If followed correctly, the process above should ensure a safe return to work, with full involvement of CWU members and their representatives, ensuring concerns have been taken into account and any required adjustments made.

We encourage branches to ensure this LTB is given the widest possible circulation to all Members.

Attached at Appendix B and C are the forms managers will use in discussion for steps 1 and 2.

All enquiries regarding the content of this LTB should be addressed to the PTCS Department, quoting reference 420. Email address: khay@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,

Carl Maden
Assistant Secretary (Acting)

LTB 357/20
APPENDIX A
Appendix B – Step 1 Return to work shielding furlough employees
Appendix C -Step 2 Return to Work Review Form (Shielding Furlough Employees)

Department for Transport (DOT) and Health and Safety Executive (HSE) – Letter To All UK Businesses reminding them of their obligations under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, to provide suitable toilet and washing facilities to drivers visiting their premises:

See attached letter jointly issued by the DOT and HSE in response to representations made by the TUC, CWU and other Trade Union regarding ongoing problems being experienced by driver members performing work or undertaking collections, deliveries, haulage etc.

This letter has been produced by the Department for Transport (DOT) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), to reassure drivers, and to remind businesses of their obligations under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, to provide suitable toilet and hand washing facilities to drivers visiting their premises. The letter will be of assistance to CWU Branch Reps and Health and Safety Reps as well as local management in making representations to customer businesses to ensure facilities are made available to CWU members. It can also be used to support outdoor postal delivery members whether they are delivering and collecting by vehicle or otherwise where difficulties are being experienced. With more businesses and companies opening up as the country comes out of lockdown, this letter can hopefully be of great use and assistance.

The DOT/HSE state that businesses (employers) which make or receive deliveries, should ensure that drivers have easy and safe access to toilets and hand washing facilities to support their health and wellbeing whilst carrying out their important work, which supports the economy.

The letter emphasises that “Preventing access is against the law.” Regulations 20 and 21 state that suitable and sufficient sanitary conveniences and washing facilities shall be provided at readily accessible places and that hot and cold running water and soap must be available to use. Whilst this obligation for business is not new, ensuring that hygiene facilities are made available to visiting drivers is especially important during the current COVID-19 crisis, to avoid unwanted public health implications and to help tackle the spread of the virus, at a time when there are fewer locations operating with facilities that drivers can access.

HSE guidance states that drivers must have access to welfare facilities located in the premises they visit as part of their work. The responsibility in law to provide access rests with the person in control of the premises.

The letter is signed by Minister Baroness Vere of Norbiton Parliamentary under Secretary of State Department for Transport and Sarah Albon, CEO of the HSE.

More information on infection control is available from:

Public Health England on their website at:- www.gov.uk/government/organisations/public-health-england

Public Health Wales: www.wales.nhs.uk

Health Protection Scotland: www.hps.scot.nhs.uk

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

20LTB355 Department for Transport (DOT) and Health and Safety Executive (HSE) – Letter To All UK Businesses

dft-hse-letter-access-to-hygiene-facilities-for-drivers-etc