DAVE JOYCE ANNUAL LEAVE

The purpose of this LTB is to advise Branches that Dave Joyce is now on annual leave until Tuesday 14^th April.

Ray Ellis, National Officer, will be covering Dave’s role as Head of Health and Safety during this period.  Please ensure that any enquiries on health and safety matters, including those on the Coronavirus crisis are directed to Ray Ellis rellis@cwu.org and Gerard Harkin gharkin@cwu.org in the normal way.  This includes enquiries in relation to LTB’s that have been issued by Dave in the last week or so.

Any enquiries on the LTB should be directed to the gsoffice@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely 

Dave Ward                                                               

General Secretary

20LTB169

Maintaining a National Postal Network and Saving Lives during the Coronavirus Pandemic

Branches will be aware that since the announcement of the Coronavirus pandemic and the fact that postal workers have been given ‘key worker’ status, the General Secretary and Deputy General Secretary (Postal) have been in dialogue with management at the highest level within Royal Mail Group. These talks have centred on how to continue to maintain a national emergency postal service whilst reacting to the ever changing narrative, the daily announcements from the Government, stopping the spread of the virus and saving lives.

However, as we are now over a week on from the announcement by Boris Johnson regarding a national lockdown and even further on from the Government’s declaration about the need for social distancing measures and the provision of PPE equipment for key workers (such as protective gloves and hand sanitiser) the union now harbour concerns that management are showing little urgency in addressing these major issues.

To say that Royal Mail Group management have been slow off the mark would be an understatement. Instead of attempting to find an agreed way forward at pace, they are making decisions sometimes days after the union has raised its concerns and even then in the form of half-baked communications directly to the frontline. We believe that their commercial focused approach is ill-conceived and not in the best interests of protecting our members and the wider public and that ultimately this may threaten lives.

Whilst our members and Representatives at all levels continue to do a superb job during such unusual times, it has become increasingly clear that those running the business appear to be focused more on the commercial impact on the company rather than the safety of those on the frontline. It is a disgrace that a whole host of units are still waiting for protective gloves and hand sanitiser to be supplied and that safe social distancing is still to be implemented in some workplaces.

Neither the public nor the CWU and its members can see how delivering a leaflet to advertise pizza can be considered an emergency or an essential measure necessary to maintain a national vital postal network during a time of national crisis. It is indeed clearly apparent that management are attempting to run exactly the same business as before and are trying to ensure that everything fits around that stance, rather than recognising the fact that these are unprecedented times and emergency measures and the safety of those on the frontline and the wider public must be the priority.

In the absence of recognition from senior managers that these are exceptional times that require emergency measures, and when such a laid back attitude threatens the very safety of our

members and indeed the general public, the union has taken the initiative.

On Monday evening the General Secretary and Deputy General Secretary (Postal) wrote an open letter to Rico Back, CEO of Royal Mail Group, to set out what the union believe is the right position for the company and the Government to immediately adopt during this crisis in relation to Royal Mail Group and the services it provides. Enclosed with the letter was a statement that concentrates on the need for an emergency network at this time and measures that we believe will save lives. A copy of the letter and statement are attached for the information of Branches.

Both the letter and statement have been unanimously endorsed by the Postal Executive and we believe that these emergency service principles should be introduced immediately. We would urge all Representatives to urgently raise these matters with management and give this LTB the widest possible circulation.

We are yet to receive a response from Royal Mail Group but we will be speaking with them today and will make the strongest possible representations. Branches will be updated once the business’s position is known and will be advised of the union’s latest stance.

In closing we would urge you all to stay safe and thank you for your continued support during this extremely difficult period.

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)

Dave Ward – General Secretary

Andy Furey – Assistant Secretary

Davie Robertson – Assistant Secretary

Mark Baulch – Assistant Secretary

Carl Maden – Acting Assistant Secretary

20LTB168 Maintaining a National Postal Network and Saving Lives during the Coronavirus Pandemic

20LTB168 Attachment 1 30.03.20 Ltr to Rico Back & Sally Ashford – RMG

20LTB168 Attachment 2 CWU Statement

Coronavirus: Driver CPC Requirement – Temporary Changes

Branches are advised that due to the current Coronavirus crisis, the Department of Transport (DfT) has put in place temporary changes in Professional Driver Qualification requirements for CPC. For absolute clarity the changes announced by the DfT apply to Great Britain only, as arrangements in Northern Ireland are devolved. However, the department has been informed by Royal Mail that the Northern Ireland Department for Infrastructure has also approved the same measure.

Most professional lorry and bus drivers must complete 35 hours periodic training every 5 years to maintain a Driver CPC card however during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak it has been recognised that it may be difficult for drivers to complete the required training.

The DfT has therefore put in place temporary changes in Professional Driver Qualification requirements which mean that drivers whose Driver CPC card expires in the period from 1st March 2020 to 30th September 2020 can continue driving. Drivers will not be subject to enforcement action by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) in respect of the Driver CPC regulations. Police forces have been informed of this position.

Any driver stopped by an enforcement officer may be asked to show that they have previously recently held a Driver CPC, and as such Drivers should continue to carry their expired Driver CPC card if they have it.

The Professional Drivers that this measure applies to will be required to comply with Driver CPC rules from 1st October 2020. Attached for the information of Branches is the communication released by Royal Mail on the issue.

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

Yours sincerely

Davie Robertson 

Assistant Secretary

20LTB167

20LTB167 Attachment

Distribution of Coronavirus COVID 19 Testing Kits – SAC1 Health and Safety – Ongoing RM/CWU National Review

As detailed in LTB 161/20 the government has announced that Royal Mail will have a role in the distribution of Coronavirus testing kits to NHS and Social Care frontline staff currently in isolation and will be exclusively responsible for the collection of these kits.

Whilst the CWU welcomes the government’s decision to entrust this crucial task to the Royal Mail network, the priority of the CWU H&S Department is the health, safety and wellbeing of our members, the workforce. Appropriate consultation and discussions have been taking place at a senior level with the business.

In consultation with Government medical advisors and with the involvement of Dave Joyce, CWU Health, Safety & Environment Officer, the risk of carrying the NHS COVID – 19 testing kits has been assessed and controls put in place to ensure that handling them is safe. The packaging meets the United Nations standard for this type of specimen and so will not leak. As an additional precaution, in case the outside of the packaging has been contaminated, employees are instructed to cover them with a plastic bag, without touching them, the first time they are handled. All the safety controls identified have been included in the design of the processes and are described in the Operational Handouts that have been produced and communicated to managers and employees.

The attached documentation provides more details on the process and safety arrangements drawn up with input from the RMG Central SHE Team and RMG Occupational Health and Ergonomics Manager

Throughout the operational process colleagues are reminded to observe strict handwashing guidelines before and after handling mail. Royal Mail has confirmed that hand sanitiser is now available to all collections and delivery staff.  Gloves are available, and as an additional safety precaution we recommend gloves are worn by collection drivers

There will be ongoing RM/CWU review at national level, including a weekly conference to ensure oversight.  To this end, the CWU H&S Department requests Branch ASRs monitor arrangements in their Branch areas and localities, feeding back queries and questions to the CWU H&S Department. These queries and questions will be logged with the RMG Dangerous Goods Advisor, Governance and Compliance and will be discussed as part of the ongoing national review.

Yours sincerely

Ray Ellis
Acting Health & Safety Officer

20LTB166 Distribution of Coronavirus COVID 19 Testing Kits – SAC1 H&S

Coronavirus Testing Kits SAC1 (SHEI 5.3) (v2.3)

Dave Joyce Covid 19 Testing Kit Service v1

The aim of this post is to assist members that are concerned about self-isolation issues and pay related matters

If a family member shows signs of COVID-19 (as determined by NHS e.g. high-temp or new persistent dry cough) then you are to go into self-isolation for 14-days.

To get paid by Royal Mail you’ll need to get a medical note, this can be sourced by clicking on this link https://111.nhs.uk/isolation-note – without this then the second week would not attract pay as you would only have a 7-day self-certificated absence, without a medical note for the last 7-days.

If you show signs as described above, then its 7-days self-isolation, if you are better, then you return to work, if you feel unwell still you need to get medical advice.

Hope this has helped

https://111.nhs.uk/isolation-note

www.youtube.com/watch

Distribution of Coronavirus Testing Kits – RM Operational Documentation

Further to LTB 161/20 Branches and representatives will be aware that Royal Mail will be involved in the delivery, collection from priority postboxes and processing of Coronavirus Testing Kits on behalf of the Government/NHS. The CWU supports this initiative as a key public service initiative in support of NHS workers, deployed in line with the principles contained in the union’s letter to Rico Back of the 30th March 2020 on an Emergency Measures Response to the escalating Coronavirus Pandemic.

Attached for the information are the following operational documents that have been prepared and released by Royal Mail in preparation for the commencement of the initiative:

• Annex A: Managers Brief
• Annex B: Handout for Collections & Delivery
• Annex C: Handout for Processing
• Annex D: Handout for Inward Processing

Colleagues should note that while cross functional discussions have taken place with Royal Mail to understand the operational arrangements, the attached are business documents that we have not had any direct input into. In particular the references to the CWU and our representatives included in the Managers Brief were not discussed or agreed with the union in advance of publication.

Also attached at Annex E is additional information that has been supplied by the business in respect of the Covid-19 testing program, which may be of assistance to Branches and representatives when dealing with enquiries or any issues that are raised.

Discussions are continuing between the CWU Health and Safety Department and the business to ensure that all necessary SSOW are in place and Branches will be updated accordingly.

Branches and representatives are requested to ensure that this LTB and the attached documentation is given the widest publication and brought to the attention of members as soon as possible.

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

Processing: Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary, email: dwyatt@cwu.org quoting reference: 014.14

or

Deliveries/Collections: Mark Baulch, Assistant Secretary, email outdoorsecretary@cwu.org quoting reference: 170

Yours sincerely

Davie Robertson – Assistant Secretary

Mark Baulch – Assistant Secretary

LTB16520

Annex A – Managers brief – Antigen test kits

Annex B Antigen test kit – handout for Collections and Delivery

Annex C Antigen test kit – handout for Processing

Annex D Antigen test kit – handout for Inward Processing

Annex E – Covid Testing Kit

Social Distancing – Guidance for Collection Operations

Dear Colleagues, Disclaimer : Although these are adequate guidelines to adhere to regards safety on duty please note this is a royal mail document and not CWU agreed. Thank you

Dear Colleagues,

Social Distancing – Guidance for Collection Operations The Government guidelines on social distancing are that people should stay two meters apart in order to prevent spreading or catching infection. Our operational goal is to look at how we can achieve that for our people. Please ensure you let staff know that these changes are being implemented through small touchpoint huddles – no WTLL to take place New Ways of Working One person, one van rule. (no coaching/training) There should be only one person in a Royal Mail vehicle at any one time.

Everyone should wash their hands when coming in to and leaving the office, as well as at regular times during the day

. Cease WTLL sessions, and implement small touchpoint huddles adhering to social distancing rules.

Arrange indoor and outdoor operations to adhere to the two metre social distancing guidelines * * * Guidance: Below is a list of options that can be used in different collection hubs to support localised solutions. This list is not exhaustive and there may be better options for your units. General: Look at staggering start times to reduce contact and helps with hand washing when people arrive / leave.

Stagger meal reliefs if taken indoors to reduce the number of attending the canteen at a given time.

Arrange the canteen to ensure seating is 2 meters apart or if the canteen is too small, shut the canteen so people need to take breaks out on delivery Indoor operations Locker/Keys & Tabs: Ensure there only one person in a Key/SD locker or confined room etc, unless there is sufficient room to operate whilst maintain the two-meter advised social distancing.

When handing out keys apply a marker two metres away from the counter. Instruct people to stand behind the line and wait for keys, log books etc to be placed on the counter then wait for the colleague behind the counter to step back two meters before collecting the items.

Put in place a verbal baton passing for collecting items at the locker to prevent a queue forming i.e. walk 1 goes up first then let’s walk 2 know they can go up (maintaining the distance guidance) Outdoor Operations General: There should be only one person in a RM vehicle at any one time. Ensure that there are two sets of keys in use for the vehicle if possible On Collection: Reduced collections may provide more vehicle opportunity for Delivery- scope collection vans not used until later in the day should be fully utilised were possible.

MC collection vehicles to be used for delivery fully utilising window before collections start

Look at combining an LAT duty with a collection duty

All other safeguarding SOPs on outdoor processes should continue to be followed.

Avoid stopping to greet/talking to people on route, acknowledge them from a distance with a nod or a wave. If you need to pass someone on collection, move in to a driveway/path until the person has passed and is two meters away

• Particular care needs to be taken around the elderly and other vulnerable people, they will be more at risk from our employees than our employees are from them. • Move to a staggered shift pattern. Where possible people should continue with their normal duty Letter & Parcel Boxes Please be mindful of any members of the public that may be in the vicinity, be polite and ask them to give you a safe distance to collect the mail. If someone is approaching to post mail, step a safe distance away from the box and ask them to post the mail and then move a safe distance away so you can continue with your task. POLs: Distancing rules will need to be adhered to when collecting parcels over the counter and the associated paperwork. There should be a marker on the customer side of the counter highlighting two metres distance.

Ask any customers in the vicinity to remain 2m until the process has been completed. The POL representative must look to remain two metres apart at all times, ask them to place the collection mails on the floor at the 2m point and place associated paperwork on top of it. The POL representative must then return behind the counter any you can continue with moving the mail to your vehicle.

Return any paperwork by following the same process. Business: When collecting from a business premises, follow the same guidelines as above, maintain the 2m social distance as appropriate. UTR All other safeguarding SOPs on CSP processes should continue to be followed.

Cease multiple people working on the same sorting frames When segregating mail colleagues should stand one person to one table and leave 2m clear between each individual.

Only one person to despatch at any time.

Stagger meal breaks around tie down to reduce the number of people in the aisle at any one time.

Load/unload assist duties to ensure social distancing guideline are met when unloading at collection hubs and segregating into direct yorks