Workers of the world unite; you have nothing to lose but your chains. Karl Marx.
Please can our friends and comrades share the information below
In these challenging times someone in UK might need one of them.
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/family/gender-violence/domestic-violence-and-abuse-getting-help/
JOINT STATEMENT BETWEEN ROYAL MAIL LOGISTICS AND THE CWU ON DIRECT VISION STANDARDS FOR THE GREATER LONDON BOUNDARY
Branches and representatives are advised that the department were recently informed by Royal Mail Logistics that Transport for London (TfL) are introducing a new standard for vehicles called ‘Direct Vision Standards’ (DVS) within the Greater London Boundary. The new standard was due to come into force on 26th October 2020 but has now been deferred to February 2021 as a result of the Covid- 19 crisis.
The DVS changes are designed to improve driver visibility of all pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists and will entail installation of the following required safety equipment on vehicles over 12 tonne GWT:
Royal Mail have advised the department they currently have 471 in scope vehicles that operate within the Greater London Boundary which will need to adopt the revised TfL standard.
Discussions have therefore been taking place which have concluded in a Joint Statement being agreed to enable activity to take place in relation to the required changes. A copy of the document which has been endorsed by the Postal Executive is attached for information.
Colleagues will note that The Vehicle Group has been selected to retrofit the non-compliant vehicles from the end of April 2020 and this is due to be completed by end August 2020. Due to the specialist nature of the retrofit it is not possible at this time to undertake this work in house.
All drivers must be trained on the kit and equipment before driving a retrofitted vehicle. The Advanced Driver Coaches will deliver the training and provide support to the drivers using The Vehicle Group’s training video and materials which will be provided.
The activity will be jointly reviewed at the end of installation and again three months after the deployment of the retrofitted vehicles, with the Network Working Group monitoring the impact of the changes.
Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary, email: dwyatt@cwu.org quoting reference 202.12
Yours sincerely,
Davie Robertson
Assistant Secretary
LTB 218/20
Annex JS – TFL Changes Direct Vision Standard – 22.04.20
Legal Services Department
During the current COVID-19 pandemic we are only able to provide a reduced service to our members whilst working from home.
The Courts and Tribunal services are also operating a very limited service with many personal injury compensation claims and employment tribunal applications being placed on hold, or alternative dates are being arranged for hearings to be completed.
The whole of the legal system is being affected by the current situation and in order to protect our members’ position the following advice should be followed.
New Employment Tribunal Applications
Members should continue this process by first registering online a claim via ACAS Early Conciliation Scheme, as per usual.
Applications to the Employment Tribunal (again online), should be made using form ET1.
Copies of all correspondence should be sent to the Legal Services Department using the following email address: employmentlaw@cwu.org
Existing Employment Tribunal Claims
Members and Branches should continue to send copies of all relevant correspondence via the same email address as above.
New and Existing Personal Injury Claims
Members and Branches should continue to send all relevant correspondence to the Legal Services Department using the following email address: personalinjury@cwu.org
I am also aware that correspondence relating to all legal services issues may have been sent to CWU HQ, just prior to the office going into lockdown on Friday 20th March 2020 and, as such, would not have been processed.
Therefore, could Branches please resend copies of all such correspondence, via the email addresses listed above. If Branches have sent original LS3 forms and have not retained a copy, members are advised to submit a fresh claim via our CWU website, click on Unionline, to make a claim. Alternatively, members can go direct to the Unionline website to register a personal injury claim at https://unionline.co.uk/personal-injury-enquiry-cwu/
Any correspondence sent via the post since the above date has not been dealt with due to the closure of CWU HQ.
Our staff at Unionline are also working from home and are processing all aspects of our members’ claims. If any member, or Branch Officer, requires an update please contact the Legal Services Department, in the first instance, (via our employment and personal injury email addresses detailed above) and we will deal with the enquiry.
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
Updated COVID-19 Response from Postal Administrations and Trade Unions around the World
Further to LTB 204/20, attached for the information of Branches is the latest, fully updated, documentation illustrating the approach being taken by other Postal Administrations and Trade Unions from around the world in relation to the provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), social distancing measures, services that are considered to be a priority, the frequency of delivery, the Post Office Network and the delivery of essential items to the public.
Branches should note that this latest documentation contains information from additional countries such as Canada, Chile, Mexico, Brazil, Portugal and Malaysia, as well as some progress reports on events in those countries previously listed. The amendments to the previous paperwork are highlighted in red for ease of reference and it remains the Department’s intention to continue to liaise with the Research Department to ensure that further developments are reported in a timely manner throughout the COVID-19 crisis.
I trust Branches will continue to find this wide-ranging analysis helpful and informative and that the ongoing situation in other countries will continue to be of use as further policy is developed.
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 219/20 – Updated COVID-19 Response from Postal Administrations and Trade Unions around the World
NATIONAL POSTAL WORKERS DAY – 29TH APRIL 2020
We are writing to inform you that the CWU have designated Wednesday 29th April 2020 as National Postal Workers Day. As you know we hold this event annually and create an opportunity to promote the fantastic work our members do all year round, but it is particularly pertinent this year during this crisis.
Nationally, the union will be undertaking a significant programme of work, including media articles, social media engagement, videos and working with MPs and the wider trade union movement.
Alongside engaging with this work, we are also calling on branches to develop your own local strategies to mark the day. To support this, posters have been dispatched to every postal branch and by the end of this week we will share graphics and model press releases which you can use to work the media locally in your areas.
This event will mark the ninth annual National Postal Workers Day, when the nation celebrates the hard work and dedication of hundreds of thousands of postal workers, who collect, sort and deliver letters, parcels and packets to 29 million addresses, 6 days a week.
We are living in unprecedented times but two things always remain constant – the strength of this union at all levels and the role our members play in every community in the UK – let’s celebrate both on 29th April.
Yours sincerely,
Dave Ward Terry Pullinger
General Secretary Deputy General Secretary (P)
Updated Guidance on Assistance available to Members and their Dependants during the COVID-19 Crisis
LTB 207/20 provided Branches with documentation from the Research Department that had been produced to outline the various assistance measures put in place to support both individuals and their families during the current COVID-19 crisis and throughout these worrying times.
This report has now been updated to include facilities that may be accessed by members and their dependants in relation to utility bills and credit card loans and repayments. For ease of reference the revised text has been highlighted in red on the attached report.
I trust the attached information will be a further useful aid to Branches and Representatives in assisting our members and families at this unprecedented time. Once again, Branches should note that the information in this LTB is for guidance only as qualification for any form of assistance is dependent on individual(s) circumstances.
The Department will however endeavour to continue providing colleagues with further guidance on assistance and further updates that may become available during the current crisis.
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)
BRANCH SESSION ON ASSET REVIEW – TUESDAY 21ST APRIL 2PM
Further to LTB 210/20 we are writing to share the details of an informal CWU Branch engagement session on the Asset Review. The meeting will be held via the video app Zoom at 14:00 tomorrow (Tuesday 21st April).
You will need to download the Zoom app on your laptop, tablet or smart phone and simply follow the instructions below to join the meeting. If you are using Zoom for the first time, we would recommend that you join a few minutes early so you can make sure your camera (which can be switched off if you prefer) and audio are working.
We would recommend a maximum of two delegates per branch so the video call is manageable. There will be an opportunity for branches to put questions during the session and we will explain this prior to the start of the meeting.
We look forward to seeing you all tomorrow.
Join Zoom Meeting :
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89648601795?pwd=hKIQRNKSAjpTHWeMaCnEXLocR82TWA
Password: 059729
Yours sincerely,
Dave Ward
General Secretary
Tony Kearns
Senior Deputy General Secretary
LTB 213/20 -Branch session on Asset Review – Tuesday 21st April 2pm
Temporary Relaxation Occupational Driver Medicals – Licence Renewals
Please find attached for information an update that has been issued on the Gov.UK website in relation to the temporary removal of the routine D4 medical associated to occupational licence renewals (Annex A)
Branches and representatives will note that the temporary change applies to drivers whose licences are due to expire or have expired since 1st January 2020. Under the scheme, drivers will be able to receive a temporary 1 year licence, providing they do not have any medical conditions that affect their driving and their current licence expires in 2020. Drivers with health issues will still need to declare these, and those with health issues that prevent them from driving safely will not have their licence renewed.
Attached for the information of Branches are the comms released by the business this morning on the issue (Annex B)
The department has received numerous enquiries during the Covid 19 crisis regarding occupational licence renewals and the difficulties in fulfilling the medical requirements, as such we believe that the temporary change will be welcomed by our Professional Driver grades. We would therefore request that every effort is made to ensure this LTB is publicised, in order that our members are made aware of the updated position.
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
POST OFFICE: CONSULTATIVE BALLOT RESULT – WEEKLY TO MONTHLY PAY
Further to LTB 173/18 dated 26th March. The consultative ballot of members regarding the Post Office’s imposition of monthly pay closed today. I am pleased to advise Branches that our members voted overwhelmingly in favour of accepting the compensation agreed. The ballot result is as follows:VOTES ACCEPTING THE COMPENSATION
471
97% VOTES REJECTING THE COMPENSATION
14
3% TURNOUT
70%
This matter has clearly taken some time to conclude, due mainly to the fact the Post Office initially refused to negotiate a Collective Agreement to compensate members for the inconvenience of transferring to monthly pay and the resultant Employment Tribunal “test case” last year. However, I am pleased we have now reached a satisfactory conclusion and that our members have accepted the agreement reached via ACAS and the terms of the associated compensation.
Next Steps
The Post Office will now write individually to all former weekly paid members (in post as of 9thFebruary 2018) to advise them of the amount of compensation they will receive with April salaries (refer to LTB 173/18 for full details of the compensation calculations). For those members who took the interest free loan offered by the Post Office at the time of the transfer to monthly pay, the details of their outstanding loan will be outlined within this letter. If the amount of compensation for an individual member exceeds their outstanding loan, the balance will be paid in cash with April salaries.
I have today written to members’ home addresses to inform them of the ballot result. Once again I would like to thank our members for their patience during these lengthy and complex negotiations with thanks also to our Representatives for their support.
Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be directed to Lea Sheridan on 020 8971 7361 or lsheridan@cwu.org.
Yours sincerely
Andy Furey
Assistant Secretary
18LTB208 – Post Office – Consultative Ballot Result – Weekly to Monthly Pay
CWU REDESIGN PROJECT – ASSET REVIEW
All branches will be aware that in January 2020, we issued LTB 022/20 which explained that as part of the asset review the NEC had taken in principle decisions to sell Alvescot Lodge and the Elstead Hotel. The purpose of this LTB is to advise branches that at its meeting on the 16th April, the NEC unanimously agreed 3 recommendations that moved forward our redesign project and concludes the review of our assets.
We have attached to this LTB a full report on the conclusion of the review, including the agreed recommendations to accept an offer for the immediate sale of Alvescot Lodge and to proceed with the sale of the Elstead Hotel at the earliest viable opportunity.
With regard to CWU Headquarters (150 The Broadway), we have concluded that we should remain in Wimbledon for the foreseeable future. This is the right decision in the current environment and will ensure that the union still has by far its biggest asset in place for the future. However, the plan for our Headquarters will now involve a substantial reduction in our existing operating space (around 50%) and once the internal reorganisation of our headquarters structure has been completed, we will be seeking to generate a significant additional income by renting out the remainder of the building.
All branches will be aware that the asset review is a key component of our plan to achieve financial stability, alongside the staff changes we have implemented on pensions, our headquarters voluntary redundancy programme and the review of Unionline. It is essential that we continue to press forward with the overall redesign project and this is more necessary than ever, given the extraordinary times we are witnessing with the Covid-19 pandemic, continuing trends on membership and other financial factors that are referenced in the attached report.
To support the decisions on our asset review, the NEC also agreed a paper which set out viable options for interim residential training. Furthermore, Kate Hudson, the Head of Equality, Education and Development, will be providing branches with a full update on how we will develop our plans going forward. This will include an ongoing commitment to residential training, as part of a more blended approach, including utilising regional facilities, with the aim of reaching more representatives than we are currently able to. Additionally, the work we are undertaking on our new support package for representatives, is designed to facilitate the approach Kate is taking by setting out clear training and education entitlements for all representatives.
To fully explain the rationale behind the NEC decisions, we will be holding a branch video conference meeting next week and the details and format for this will be sent out in due course. This will also include a session led by Kate Hudson explaining how we will develop our overall strategy going forward.
We can confirm that we have met with our staff at Alvescot Lodge and informed them of the sale. This is against the background that we have previously agreed a voluntary redundancy package with staff. Furthermore, in the report you will see that the buyer for Alvescot Lodge is an organisation that runs an educational/residential facility for autistic children and we are in discussions with the buyer to see whether there may be any opportunities on future employment for our existing staff.
In the meantime, we would like to place on record our thanks to all our staff who have provided a great service at Alvescot Lodge over many years and for the dignified way they have conducted themselves during this very difficult time and on hearing the decision. We fully understand that our branches and representatives, as we do, hold our staff and Alvescot Lodge in the highest regard and we want you to know this has not been an easy decision for the NEC to take. However, taking all relevant circumstances into account and after considering all available options, the NEC is in no doubt that it is acting in the best interests of the overall membership, the terms of the redesign project and the need to sustain the CWU as an independent trade union.
Any enquiries on the asset review to the SDGS Department sdgs@cwu.org and enquiries on the redesign project to the GS Department gsoffice@cwu.org.
Yours sincerely
Dave Ward – General Secretary
Tony Kearns – Senior Deputy General Secretary
CWU Eastern No5 Branch 