Use of Private Cycles on Delivery

A number of enquiries have been received from Branches and Area Health and Safety Reps in relation to this issue and as to whether staff can use private cycles on delivery. For clarification please note that the position and policy of Royal Mail is set out in the latest Coronavirus Guidance – Frequently Asked Questions and Answers – Q&As on Page 16 as follows:

Q: Can postmen use cycles to convey to their first point of delivery?

A: No, cycles are not permitted for use on delivery unless by exception they are part of an approved duty structure implemented by the RMG planning team.

It should be noted that under Health and Safety Legislation, namely PUWER (the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998), Employers are responsible for the safety of all work equipment which is any machinery, appliance, apparatus, tool or installation for use at work, which would include vehicles and cycles etc., and this includes privately owned equipment which employees provide for their own use at work.  Employers would be duty bound to ensure the equipment safe, suitable, fit for the purpose it is used or provided for, ensure the work equipment is maintained in an efficient working order and in good repair and that those using the equipment are capable of using it safely. Any plan to introduce work equipment requires, under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (MHSWR) 1999, a full risk assessment to be carried out, in consultation with the Trade Union Safety Representative, in good time, with the Safety Representatives input taken fully into account.

Yours sincerely,

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 343/20 – Use of Private Cycles on Delivery

Latest Royal Mail Group Coronavirus Covid-19 Guidance/Q&A Document (Version 45)

I attach for your information Version 45 of the Royal Mail Group Coronavirus Covid-19 Guidance – Frequently Asked Questions and Answers document, issued by the business on Friday 26 June 2020.

The Health, Safety & Environment Department continues in dialogue with the Royal Mail Group Safety Health & Environment Team to raise additions and amendments to the Q&A document.

Any enquiries to this LTB should be directed to Dave Joyce National Health, Safety & Environment Officer.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 342/20 – Latest Royal Mail Group Coronavirus Covid-19 Guidance Q&A Document (Version 45)

Coronavirus Guidance Questions and Answers__v45

Financial Appeal for Michael Horne Family

Following the tragic death of CWU member Michael Horne whilst on duty on the 6th June 2020, the CWU has launched an appeal to help support the family with the funeral costs and to assist them through these difficult times.

Michael was a CWU member working for RMSS out of the Southampton Mail Centre and was out on delivery duties on the Isle of Wight when he tragically lost his life in a road traffic accident. Michael who turned 40 on 23rd of May this year leaves a young family behind, his wife Lorraine, a son aged 13 and daughter aged 6.

This appeal is being coordinated by our Wessex South Central Branch who will liaise with the family to ensure their wishes are respected.

If branches would like to make a donation the details of the account for the fund are as follows:

CWU Wessex South Central Branch 
Account Number: 33021344
Sort Code: 60-83-01
Reference: M Horne

Any enquiries on the above should be sent to the gsoffice@cwu.org. 

Yours sincerely,

Dave Ward
General Secretary

LTB 341/20

Greener Jobs Alliance (GJA) Newsletter No. 26 May-June 2020

The Greener Jobs Alliance was launched to promote skills training and job creation to meet the needs of Britain’s rapidly growing low carbon sectors and to green the whole economy.

The transition to a low carbon and resource efficient economy can drive sustainable economic recovery and job creation in every part of the country as well as making existing jobs more secure. But this requires a more strategic national and local approach to deliver the workforce skills needed and to stimulate demand for clean energy and energy efficiency services.

The Greener Jobs Alliance liaises at a national and local level to build the broadest possible support for the policies, investment, partnerships and commitments needed to drive the transition to a low carbon economy.

The Greener Jobs Alliance liaises with training bodies, colleges, universities, employers, local and national government, trade unions, housing associations, campaign and community groups – to build the policies, investment and partnerships needed to drive the transition to a low carbon economy.

The GJA runs a number of ‘free’ courses on the environment for Trade Union Reps in different parts of the UK which have been attended by a number of CWU Reps.

The GJA came into existence as a result of funding from Battersea and Wandsworth TUC.

Newsletter 26 covers; Cutting carbon, growing skills, GJA Briefing, Covid-19: Return to work, new Hazards guidance, CO2 at record highs despite lockdown, ITUC day of action and other topics.

See attached May-June GJA Newsletter No. 26.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 339/20 – Greener Jobs Alliance (GJA) Newsletter No 26 May-June 2020

GJA-Newsletter-No26-MayJune 2020

Royal Mail Group – Fire Safety Focus Week 2020

Royal Mail Group has informed the Health, Safety & Environment Department that during the week of 29^th June 2020 the RMG SHE Team are asking all managers to complete a review of their fire risk assessment as part of a ‘Focus on Fire Week’. Attached is a copy of the slides which will be issued in the functional updates on the week commencing 29^th June and the slides that will be shown on workplace plasma screens.

Normally as part of this week RMG SHE would request that all sites complete their annual fire alarm evacuation test and training. However due the Coronavirus restrictions and guidance under social distancing, this task will be replaced with a request to ask employees some key questions about the fire evacuation procedures in their unit.  The request for this is not prescriptive as what is possible will be different at every site.

We are circulating the information and materials shared with us for your information. Please feel free to share this material with your Workplace Safety Reps as part of the week.  RMG SHE would normally request that Area Safety Reps engage with their area constituency units and get fully involved, supporting and assisting with the completion of Fire Risk Assessments which is one of the key tasks for the week.  However with the complications around Coronavirus, Covid-19, social distancing etc., the situation is anything but normal and the RMG SHE Team Director and Business Partners have asked that in the units where ASRs/WSRs are operating (in line with social distancing rules and precautions) if they can and wish to assist and take part in those units it would be very much appreciated.

The purpose of Fire Safety Week is to help raise awareness of the roles and responsibilities of the Person In Control and the important part they play in the management of fire safety on their sites. This is to ensure legal requirements are met and to ensure employees and visitors to the property are kept safe at all times.

Fire Safety Week highlights the requirement for an annual review of the Operational Fire Risk Assessment and ensures that all actions highlighted within this are undertaken and recorded as required.

The attached slides give some context around the types of issues PiCs can expect to deal with.  These are a selection of issues highlighted in the Technical Fire Risk Assessors.

Fire Risk Assessments

All employers must carry out and regularly review a fire risk assessment of their premises and keep it up to date. This will identify what is needed to do to prevent fires and keep the workforce and visitors safe.

Written records of fire risk assessment must be retained.

Carrying Out The Assessment

1. Identify the fire hazards.
2. Identify people at risk.
3. Evaluate, remove or reduce the risks.
4. Record your findings, prepare an emergency plan and provide training.
5. Review and update the fire risk assessment regularly.

Items to consider:

• emergency routes and exits
• fire detection and warning systems
• fire-fighting equipment
• the removal or safe storage of dangerous substances
• an emergency fire evacuation plan
• the needs of vulnerable people, for example the elderly, young children or those with disabilities
• providing information to employees and other people on the premises
• staff fire safety training

Fire Safety – Future Building Safety Regulations

The government has asked the HSE to establish a new building safety regulator in the wake of the Grenfell Tower disaster.

Most Fires Are Preventable

Those responsible for workplaces and other buildings to which the public have access can avoid them by taking responsibility for and adopting the right behaviours and procedures.

General Fire Safety Hazards

Fires need three things to start – a source of ignition (heat), a source of fuel (something that burns) and oxygen:

• Sources of ignition include heaters, lighting, naked flames, electrical equipment, smokers’ materials (cigarettes, matches etc.), and anything else that can get very hot or cause sparks.
• Sources of fuel include wood, paper, plastic, rubber or foam, loose packaging materials, waste rubbish and furniture.
• Sources of oxygen include the air around us.

Actions

Once the risks have been identified, appropriate action must be taken to control them. Consider whether the risks can be avoided altogether or, if this is not possible, how they can be reduced and managed. Also, employers must consider how to protect people if there is a fire:

• Carry out a fire safety risk assessment.
• Keep sources of ignition and flammable substances apart.
• Avoid accidental fires, e.g., make sure heaters cannot be knocked over.
• Ensure good housekeeping at all times, e.g., avoid a build-up of rubbish that could burn.
• Consider how to detect fires and how to warn people quickly if they start, e.g., installing smoke alarms and fire alarms or bells.
• Have the correct fire-fighting equipment for putting a fire out quickly.
• Keep fire exits and escape routes clearly marked and unobstructed at all times.
• Ensure workers receive appropriate training on procedures they need to follow, including fire drills.
• Review and update risk assessments regularly.

More Information

• The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) website has advice on the legislation, including premises-specific guidance documents designed to help you meet your responsibilities under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
• The Welsh Government website also provides information.
• The Scottish Government provides similar information to help you meet your responsibilities under the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005.
• The HSE website has guidance on fire safety in the construction industry.

The Law

• The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 covers general fire safety in England and Wales.
• In Scotland, requirements on general fire safety are covered in Part 3 of the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005, supported by the Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006.
• In the majority of premises, local fire and rescue authorities are responsible for enforcing this fire safety legislation. The HSE has enforcement responsibility on construction sites, for nuclear premises, and on ships under construction or undergoing repair.

What Are The Hazards?

Many substances found in the workplace can cause fires or explosions. These range from the obvious, e.g., flammable chemicals, petrol, cellulose paint thinners and welding gases, to the less obvious – engine oil, grease, packaging materials, dusts from wood, flour and sugar.

It is important to be aware of the risks and to control or get rid of them to prevent accidents.

What do I have To do?

To help prevent accidental fires or explosions, you first need to identify:

• What substances, materials, processes etc., have the potential to cause such an event, i.e., substances that burn or can explode and what might set them alight.
• The people who may be at risk/harmed.

Once risks have been identified, management should consider what measures are needed to reduce or remove the risk of people being harmed. This will include measures to prevent these incidents happening in the first place, as well as precautions that will protect people from harm if there is a fire or explosion.

Key points to remember

• Think about the risks of fire and explosions from the substances you use or create in your business and consider how you might remove or reduce the risks.
• Use supplier safety data sheets as a source of information about which substances might be flammable.
• Consider reducing the amount of flammable/explosive substances you store on site.
• Keep sources of ignition (e.g., naked flames, sparks) and substances that burn (e.g., vapour, dusts) apart.
• Get rid of flammable/explosive substances safely.
• Review risk assessments regularly.
• Maintain good housekeeping, e.g., avoid a build-up of rubbish, dust or grease that could start a fire or make one worse.

Employers/management also need to consider the presence of dangerous substances that can result in fires or explosions as part of your fire safety risk assessment. This is required under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (in England and Wales) and under Part 3 of the Fire (Scotland) Act.

The Fire and Rescue Authorities deal with general fire safety matters in workplaces apart from on construction sites including shipbuilding where these are dealt with by HSE or its agents. Enforcement responsibility for fire safety where dangerous substances are kept and used generally lies with HSE (or local authorities if they inspect the premises).

Any Management Enquiries Or Further Information Should Be Directed To:

Nicholas Burns – Safety Health and Environment Engagement Manager
Royal Mail Group Safety, Health and Environment

Mobile: 07801091380
Email: nicholas.burns@royalmail.com

Yours sincerely,

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 338/20 Royal Mail Group – Fire Safety Focus Week 2020

Fire Safety Focus

2020 Fire Safety 1

2020 Fire Safety 2

2020 Fire Safety 3

“Cutting Carbon, Growing Skills” – New Guide From The TUC’s Unionlearn

“Cutting Carbon, Growing Skills” (green skills for a just transition) – is a new guide from the TUC’s Unionlearn operation and shows how the trade union movement will be leading the way in supporting the fight against climate change, helping workers build the skills that will be part of the solution. The guide equips union reps with the essentials to engage their members and consult employers on greening their workplace. It includes:

• What is a just transition and why is it a trade union issue?
• How are new green jobs and skills vital to the economy?
• How can Union Reps play a part?
• What training is available from unions?

This new publication is an excellent resource for the coming years.

Climate change and environmental issues at work are increasingly moving up the trade union agenda. Unions are working together and forming partnerships to tackle what is seen by many as the biggest issue of the twenty-first century. And one aspect of this is the way that unions will work to ensure workers have an opportunity to develop the new skills needed for a low-carbon economy.

Developing green skills at work has the potential to offer a wide range of opportunities to workers across the UK, and the trade union movement will be leading the way in supporting the fight against climate change and helping workers build the skills that will be part of the solution.

The TUC is calling for a just transition for workers and this new publication from Unionlearn explains the facts around what just transition is and what unions are doing to ensure their members are not left behind. It also explores the role of the trade union reps, the training available and the skills that will be needed in the future.

Through information and case studies, along with signposting to courses and resources, this booklet aims to be a practical guide to union reps and members that will give them the tools needed to be part of the solution, as the world faces up to the climate crisis.

Throughout Cutting Carbon, Growing Skills, there are stories of initiatives run by unions and reps that show what can be done, and this will encourage others to follow their lead by organising activities and projects or develop skills of their own.

The TUC hopes the booklet will inspire a new generation of reps to get involved with environmental issues in their workplaces and support working people benefit from a just transition where clean, green jobs support the growth of a low-carbon economy that will see trade unions leading the way.

Climate change is the greatest challenge of our time. The TUC Congress motion ‘Climate crisis and a just transition’ passed in 2019 recognised that “The Earth’s temperature has already risen by one degree above pre-industrial levels. The autumn IPCC report warned that we only have 12 years to keep global warming to a maximum of 1.5 degrees. Net zero cannot be achieved without urgent investment in new, low-carbon energy generation. Congress believes climate change is a trade union issue. The future of our planet is at risk if we don’t organise now to force governments to cut emissions in line with the IPCC report.” (The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is an intergovernmental body of the United Nations that is dedicated to providing the world with objective, scientific information relevant to understanding the scientific basis of the risk of human-induced climate change, its natural, political, and economic impacts and risks, and possible response options).

In July 2019, the TUC issued a statement supporting the decarbonisation of the economy. The statement also made it clear that this transition away from fossil fuels could not be done at the expense of workers.

A copy of “Cutting Carbon, Growing Skills” (green skills for a just transition) is attached.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 340/20 – Cutting Carbon, Growing Skills – New Guide From The TUC’s Unionlearn

TUC-Unionlearn Cutting Carbon Growing Skills – Green Skills for a Just .._

ROYAL MAIL & CWU NATIONAL JOINT STATEMENT ON THE NATIONAL DEPLOYMENT OF TRAFFIC TRANSFORMATION

Branches will recall that in February 2017, Terms of Reference were agreed between Royal Mail and the CWU on Trial Activity Relating to the Traffic Transformation (TT) Initiative (LTB 159/17 refers).

The objective of the trial was to develop and test potential technical and manual traffic recording models, including PDA’s to support traffic recording, as it was jointly recognised that the business existing methods for measuring the volume of mail were complicated and produced inaccurate information that could impact on resourcing and QofS.

The TOR provided the framework for joint trial activity that would take place during the financial year 2017/18, to analyse whether the objectives could be achieved by replacing an amount of manual recording currently performed by MIST stations, with modelled volume numbers. In addition, technical solutions would automatically collect customer declared and machine-sourced traffic data. Where manual recording was still required, the revised solution entailed the use of PDAs rather than the current MIST system.

Subsequently an Addendum to the initial TOR was agreed and communicated which extended the trial sites along with the timescales, due to technical delays on the new PDA Traffic Measurement Application (LTB 097/18 refers).

Since that time progress was delayed both by system delays and the industrial relations environment which prevailed over the last year. During this period both systems have continued to operate concurrently.

In early 2020 Royal Mail informed the union of their intention to switch off MIST and DIRT and migrate solely to the Traffic Transformation methodology from the 1st April 2020. The CWU Nationally sought clarity and assurances on a number of points and asked that the switch be delayed. However earlier this week the business announced that it was their imminent intention to switch off MIST and DIRT.

Following urgent talks between the CWU and Royal Mail it has now been agreed that as of 29th June 2020 the new Traffic Transformation solution will be switched on with the current process (MIST and DIRT) no longer being used for traffic recording.

The attached Joint Statement agreed with the business and endorsed by the Postal Executive today, sets out further measures to address the resultant changes created by the switchover.

The move to TT will be followed by a 3-month period of Early Life Support (ELS) where the project will be supporting front-line teams with any technical or operational issues. During this period both parties will continue to work closely together to ensure that any issues that are raised can be dealt with and resolved at the earliest opportunity.

As Traffic Transformation has been in place and operating in parallel to MIST stations since 2017/18 in Processing Plants the switch off of MIST and DIRT will be light touch and there will be no change to the current operational arrangements and local working arrangements for OPGs, other than the removal of MIST stations.

The switch off of MIST will have an impact on LA workload in Bookrooms and National discussions will address that impact and the Joint Statement ensures that the full terms of MTSF will apply to any change. Andy Furey’s department will progress these discussions on behalf of our LA members in Mail Centres. Broadly we are anticipating approximately 20 job losses amongst LA members and this will be on the basis of 1 job loss per Mail Centre. Talks have been arranged for next week to deal with the headcount reduction and new ways of working.

Branches and representatives will note that the change in system will result in a rebasing of reported traffic at each site. Nationally on balance the change will result in a minor increase in reported workload. Within that though there are some sites where the change is larger which mainly results from issues other than the change of recording system. Discussions have however ensured that any analysis is on a like for like basis and the Joint Statement confirms that the 2019-20 traffic figures will also be rebased.

The Joint Statement also ensures a Framework for additional national talks to identify and resolve any issues created by the rebasing and conclude an agreed traffic challenge process. The JS also reaffirms the commitment to all current resourcing processes and agreement across all of the affected functions.

These discussions have effectively gone to the wire and the departments would like to apologise for the extremely short notice. However, our focus has remained on securing an agreement to provide necessary clarifications and assurances to support the change

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

Processing: Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary, email: dwyatt@cwu.org quoting reference 053

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

LA’s: Andy Furey, Assistant Secretary, email:lsheridan@cwu.org quoting reference 3000

Yours sincerely,

Davie Robertson 

Assistant Secretary

Mark Baulch 
Assistant Secretary

Andy Furey
Assistant Secretary

LTB 336/20
Final JS National Roll Out of Traffic Transformation (signed) – 26.06.20

RM/CWU – National Joint Statement For Customer Service Point Opening Hours and Review Process Resulting From The Coronavirus Pandemic

Further discussions have taken place with Royal Mail over the last few days regarding the issue of CSP Opening Times. Accordingly, the joint statement which is attached has been endorsed today by the Postal Executive. This allows for us to move forward on this issue jointly with the company and also gives us the ability to review the situation Nationally on a regular basis starting with the first review w/c 6th July. The review approach will allow us to evaluate first time delivery and volume data along with taking into account any local difficulties which are being experienced in order to bring about changes in addition to the national template.

The Joint Statement contains the following commitments:

• It is acknowledged that as a consequence of Covid 19, the long-term impact of this may result in variations to the service provision that was in place prior to the changes introduced on 6th April. This will be kept under regular review using the process, the data set, and joint feedback outlined below.
• Both parties are committed to ensuring that any employee issues resulting from the amended opening hours in CSP’s are addressed in line with existing agreements and processes.
• Whilst there will continue to be a temporary reduction of CSP hours during the crisis, it is now the right time to commence the implementation of an interim plan which will begin to increase CSP opening hours, starting on Saturday 27th June 2020. This will allow customers extended access to the CSPs, so they can collect their items and use other CSP services over more hours across the full week. Royal Mail and the CWU have jointly reviewed information in relation to CSPs and customer visits. The information confirms there has started to be an increase in customers collecting their items from CSPs. Therefore, extending opening hours will help improve service for customers, whilst maintaining safety arrangements within the CSP itself, continuing to protect customers and colleagues.
• It is also recognised that there needs to be flexibility applied as there may be a requirement to review individual CSP opening times where there are reported safety or customer issues with the current arrangements. Any safety issues with the opening hours or arrangements should be dealt with jointly and reviewed nationally.
• The CSP opening times will be jointly monitored on an ongoing basis between Royal Mail and CWU Nationally, with the first review w/c 6th July 2020. Both parties will continue to review the CSP opening times and the impact on service and this will also be carried out in line with the necessary Government and Public Health England advice and guidance. It is agreed that the next review will include the data and necessary information to scope the viability for a further phased increase in opening hours for Thursday & Friday daytime opening hours. Upon completion of this we will then continue to jointly review weekday evening opening hours and scope the viability for further increases to opening times across the week as part of this National review process.
• There has been firm guidance on the safety and social distancing measures that have been put in place across the CSPs both internally and externally. These safety measures need to continue for the foreseeable future and enhanced where necessary to reinforce social distancing along with other key aspects, keeping customers and CSP representatives safe. Everyone working in the CSPs will be further briefed on the interim changes to CSP opening hours as these progress.• Separate National discussions will also take place to evaluate the current variations in terms of service provision and opening hours on offer across CSP’s in order to examine and evaluate the impact on staff and potential benefits of standardisation. These discussions will also take account of the impact of new delivery products and services being rolled out.

Whilst we have pushed Royal Mail hard for a firmer up front commitment to restore in full the pre-Covid opening hours in all CSP’s, this has not been possible to achieve and they are averse to this. This is due to the ongoing continuation and uncertainty of the pandemic, along with changing Government advice, plus customer trends and footfall into CSP’s and the continuing operational difficulties and challenges resulting from the social distancing measures currently in place within the operation.

Given these circumstances the approach outlined in the Joint Statement along with the commitments contained within it as part of an ongoing review provides the basis of progressing this issue and we would ask that any issues that are being experienced are dealt with jointly and raised to us in order to inform the ongoing National Review.

Any queries to the content of the above please contact the Outdoor Department reference 600, email address: outdoorsecretary@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely,

Mark Baulch

CWU Assistant Secretary

LTB 335-20 – Joint Statement for CSP Opening Hours and Review Process
CSP National Joint Statement- Opening hours and Review Process

Royal Mail Customer Service Points (CSPs)/Callers Offices and Reception Areas – Coronavirus Covid-19 Health and Safety – Installation of Screens to Support Social Distancing Standards:

This LTB is to update Branches, Regions, Divisions and Area Health and Safety Reps on the information published in LTB No. 324/2020 on the installation of screens in Mail Centre and Delivery Office Customer Service Points (CSPs)/Callers Offices and Reception Areas.

In the latest Government statement the Prime Minister announced that, from 4 July, a “one metre plus” rule will be introduced for when it’s not possible to stay 2 metres apart and added that the distance could be lowered with “mitigations”, so the reduced distance was without a higher risk of transmission, referring amongst other things to the installation of screens.

The Health, Safety and Environment Department has been pursuing safety, security and social distancing improvements within Royal Mail. Government and PHE (Public Health England) Coronavirus/Covid-19 preventative guidelines have been raised with Royal Mail who have accepted that risk control measures must be implemented in CSPs and Receptions. The issue of screens has been central to this issue raised, to protect members working in customer facing roles from Covid-19, along with: wall signage, floor signage, posters, contactless payment facilities where possible, PPE, hand sanitiser and cleaning arrangements.

Please see the attached spreadsheet which lists the office locations and three-week installation programme.

In total there are 138 offices which have now been identified by Royal Mail where screens are required to improve safety, infection control and reduce risks in CSPs across the estate. In summary these are broken down as follows, listing those offices with screens and identifying those with a requirement for a screen to be installed:-Type of OfficeCurrently have a screen installedDo not currently have a screen installedOverallMail Centre102434Delivery Office1094104Overall20118138

All new screens will be installed over a 3-week period commencing from 29^th June onwards as detailed in column ‘O’ of the attached spreadsheet.

In relation to Parcelforce offices, all depots have either fixed screens or temporary screens fitted to Customer Service Reception/Callers Office counters as well as key control lockers, where fixed screens where not already in place.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

20LTB334 Royal Mail Customer Service Points Callers Offices and Reception Areas

Copy of Copy of CSP Without Screens List Final – Programme

BT PAY 2020 – BALLOT RESULT

I am writing to inform branches of the result of the BT pay ballot which has now closed.  The pay award is for all Team Members (NewGRID Grades) and other NewGRID grades on Workforce 2020 contracts which your Executive was recommending acceptance.

As you know, the offer was as follows:

• A 1.5% increase in pay from 1^st July 2020 fully consolidated and pensionable, and flowing through to pay related allowances.  
• The next pay review date of 1^st April 2021 to remain unchanged.

The CWU ballot of affected members has now concluded, and I can advise you that the result of the ballot was as follows:

• Accepting the pay offer: 63% of valid votes
• Rejecting the pay offer: 37% of valid votes

Of the ballot papers dispatched, 55% were returned.

The CWU has now confirmed acceptance of the pay offer to the company and this will be implemented on 1^st July 2020.

An individual branch breakdown will be provided to each branch tomorrow.  The briefing sent to members is attached.

Yours sincerely,

Andy Kerr

Deputy General Secretary (T&FS)

LTB 333/20

TB 125.20 Ballot Result