COVID–19 Test Kits Initiatives Update

Branches and representatives will be aware that Covid-19 testing services are now being made available via different access points. In this regard the CWU has been engaging with RMG on a cross departmental basis, to ensure that the services that are being provided for key workers, through various initiatives on behalf of the Government/NHS, are collected and processed quickly and safely.

Attached for information at Annex A is a Joint Communication, which provides an update in respect of the current status of the Covid-19 testing initiatives.

As detailed in the attached update colleagues will note that one of the initiatives being provided by Royal Mail on behalf of the Government/NHS is a Home Collection service. Currently the Royal Mail owned eCourier service are collecting Covid-19 Test Kits from home addresses and delivering them to Mail Centres, for onward processing and delivery by Royal Mail to laboratories.

Due to the expanding demand for Home Collection test kits consideration is being given to the introduction of the collection element by Royal Mail employees, as eCourier have limited capacity to provide the service. Discussions have therefore been taking place with the business in this regard and pilot activity has been agreed to be undertaken in the TR area. The pilot agreement is included at Annex B. Branches and representatives will be kept updated in relation to the pilot and in regard to the operational arrangements for the deployment of the service on a wider basis going forward.

The Safe Systems of Work for the home collection of these items is also attached as below:

Annex C: Delivery & Collection Service
Annex D: Doorstep Collection Service

Equally, as demand for the Home Collection service increases additional Mail Centres/RDC’s will be coming on line and utilising the Tracked Returns process. Attached for assistance are the relevant SSoW and Standard Operating Procedures for the Processing function:

Annex E: SSOW Processing
Annex F: CV2 Outward Primary Sort RM Tracked
Annex G: CV3 Process and Scan Tracked Returns 24 Covid19 Test Packs 
Annex H: CV4 Delivery to Covid19 Test Pack Lab

We appreciate that members will have concerns in relation to the handling of the test kits and we believe that every effort has been made to ensure that maximum protections are being provided. However, all activity relating to testing initiatives will continued to be monitored at National level.

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

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

Delivery & Collections: Mark Baulch, Assistant Secretary, email: outdoorsecretary@cwu.org quoting reference 600

Health & Safety: Ray Ellis, Acting Head of Health & Safety, quoting reference E1/20. 

Yours sincerely,

Davie Robertson 
Assistant Secretary

Mark Baulch 
Assistant Secretary

Ray Ellis
Acting Head of Health & Safety

LTB 242/20
Annex A – Joint Communication Test Kits – 05.05.20
Annex B – COVID Home Collection_TR Document_Final
Annex C – COVID 19 Test Kit SSOW Deliveries and Collections
Annex D – COVID 19 Test Kit SSOW Doorstep Collections
Annex E- COVID 19 Test Kit SSOW Processing
Annex F – CV2 Outward Primary Sort RM Tracked
Annex G – CV3 Process and Scan Tracked Returns 24 Covid19 Test Packs
Annex H- CV4 Delivery to Covid19 Test Pack Lab

A couple of videos for branches to share on Deaf Awareness Week

Further Updated Guidance on Assistance available to Members and their Dependants during the COVID-19 Crisis

Further to LTB 221/20, attached for the information of Branches is another fully updated document from the Research Department illustrating the latest guidance on the various assistance measures put in place to support individuals and their dependants during the current COVID-19 crisis.

Branches should note that the revised text is again highlighted in red on the attached Report for ease of reference.

I am optimistic that the attached amended information will provide a useful reference point to Branches and Representatives in continuing to assist our members and families however Branches should note that the information contained within this LTB is for guidance only, as qualification for any form of assistance is dependent on individual(s) circumstances.

The Department will continue to liaise with the Research Department to ensure that further guidance on assistance and additional updates are circulated as they 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)                

20LTB221 Updated Guidance on Assistance available to Members and their Dependants during the Covid-19 Crisis

LTB 221.20 ATTACHMENT 1

Temporary USO Changes – Operational Guidelines

Further to LTB 238/20 published this afternoon on the commitments secured around the temporary changes to the USO regarding the non-delivery of letters on a Saturday until the 13th of June, for the information of Branches and Representatives, attached are the operational Guidelines agreed with the business.

Building on the commitments contained within the correspondence included in LTB 238/20 these guidelines clarify the safeguards and the process for discussions and should be used to guide local engagement on any proposed changes.

Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Mark Baulch, Assistant Secretary, email: outdoorsecretary@cwu.org quoting reference: 230.03.

or

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

Yours sincerely

Mark Baulch – Assistant Secretary 

Davie Robertson – Assistant Secretary 

LTB 239.20 – Temporary USO Changes – Operational Guidelines

Final – Operational Guidelines -Interim Changes to Delivery and Saturday Parcels Services 1 May 2020

Quadrant Furlough

The department were recently informed by Quadrant Catering that, in line with the policy of Compass Group, due to impact that the Covid-19 crisis has had on footfall and revenue in Quadrant Canteens that they intended to Furlough in the region of 80 frontline employees.

The department immediately sought legal advice on the proposal and engaged with the company to ensure that any Furlough arrangements fully protected the affected membership and ensured continuity of service at our Quadrant units. In doing so, we have sought to address potential issues that may be created by the activity and through discussions persuaded Quadrant to apply an equitable process.

Arrangements were concluded and endorsed by the Postal Executive earlier this week and the department were awaiting confirmation from the business on the timing of their comms to ensure that the respective communications were coordinated. Unfortunately, we understand that the business progressed local briefings prior to the National notification, which is regrettable.

To ensure that no individual is considered surplus, at affected sites Furlough will be enacted on a rotational basis. Quadrant have informed us that they have produced a rota, which will be communicated verbally to all affected units today. This will be followed by individual letters being sent out to affected employees next week.

Quadrant will Furlough each of the affected employees on a rotational 4 week period commencing Monday 4th May 2020.

The Furlough would only apply to units:

1) Where all employees in a unit can be furloughed
2) Where current levels of sickness allow
3) Where there had been the ability to produce a rota to accommodate Furlough
4) Where RMG have decided to close the sites e.g. Call Centres (yet to be confirmed by RMG) 4) Where there has been a significant sales decline

If RMG decide to close the Call Centres all staff will be furloughed in those sites for a period of 8 weeks.

The Furlough will take place in two tranches of 40 employees. However, should Call Centres be closed the numbers being Furloughed will be 100 and this will increase the two tranches to 50 employees. . The catering units where staff are Furloughed will still provide the takeaway service, as is currently available.

In respect of Furlough pay Quadrant have confirmed that they will top up the Government 80% by 20% in order that all affected employees receive their usual basic pay. The business has also confirmed that affected individuals will continue to be entitled to all of the non-discretionary benefits of their contract, and annual leave will continue to accrue in the usual way. It is expected that individuals will return to work on their current terms of employment at the end of the Furlough period (or before if the situation changes) and there will be no break in service.

In respect of 12 week shielded employees who can produce a Government/NHS letter, these will also be Furloughed on the terms above. Quadrant will be making contact with those affected on an individual basis.

In addition to the above the department made representation that due to the need to fulfil operational requirements there will be some Quadrant employees who will remain at work throughout the Covid- 19 crisis. Following discussion it has been agreed that there should be some recognition for the work that these individuals will continue to perform in what are very difficult and exceptional circumstances. Therefore employees who are not Furloughed will receive 1 days additional leave (for this year only) to be taken in line with usual leave authorisation protocols.

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

LTB 236/20

Deaf Awareness Week 4th – 8th May 2020

We are pleased to announce that Deaf Awareness Week (DAW) commences next Monday on 4th May and will run throughout the week.

We have been working closely with our NEC Lead for Disability, Mark Anthony Bastiani and our Regional Disability Lead for the South West – Lee Starr-Elliott, who have both been pivotal in assisting us to prepare the vlog resources that are going to be released during Deaf Awareness Week. Our appreciation is extended to our Communications, Engagement and Media Department.

We would ask all our Regional Disability Leads to play an active role in circulating as many resources around deaf awareness during DAW.

Any queries on this LTB should be directed to Equality&Education@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,

Kate Hudson
Head of Equality, Education & Development 

20LTB 235 – Deaf Awareness Week 4-8 May 2020

RIVUS FLEET SOLUTIONS – PHASE 2 FURLOUGHING GARAGE NETWORK & HEAD OFFICE OPERATIONS

Further to LTB 192/2020 the National Team has been informed of additional furloughing taking place across the garage network and Head Office Operations at Aquarius.

GARAGES 

As reported previously, Rivus advised that they would review the situation moving forwards and have now confirmed that due to continuing reduction of work volume there has been a need to furlough more employees. As such a further 66 employees are now being furloughed in addition to the original 133 which were in phase 1. The second phase of furloughing will commence on 1^st May 2020.

The same process is being followed as per the initial furloughing and volunteers are being sought in the first instance.

We have also received confirmation that Stirling garage has been closed temporarily due to the reduction in workload and employees will be furloughed. The union is seeking further details on the reduction of work in Stirling

HEAD OFFICE OPERATIONS

In addition to the reduction of workload across the garage network we have also been informed of the need to a furlough employees working at Head Office Operations at Aquarius. Rivus have confirmed that 14 employees will be furloughed in early May. We fully recognise this is a very worrying and uncertain time for members and their families but want to assure you we are in regular discussions with the company on these matters and will keep you informed accordingly of any developments.

The company FAQ’s are attached for your information.

Yours sincerely,

Allan Eldred

Assistant Secretary

LTB 234/20

Attachment 1 – FAQ’s

Equality & Education – Opportunity, Development and a New Direction

I am delighted to issue the booklet, “Equality & Education – Opportunity, Development and a New Direction” to provide an important overview on how we are building our strategy into the future.

Since taking up the role in September I had been looking forward to Annual Conference and having the opportunity to speak with many of you, I was particularly disappointed that our very first “Equality Day” had to be postponed, but clearly the current situation took precedent and my thoughts are with everyone affected.

However, as trade unionists we must continue to be positive, learn from these challenging times and use any lessons to advance and promote our future plans.

I am confident that working together we can all play a part in delivering our future plans, aims and objectives

This document is now available for Branches to download HERE

Any queries on this LTB should be directed to equality&education@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,

Kate Hudson
Head of Equality, Education & Development 

LTB 233/20 – Equality & Education – Opportunity, Development and a New Direction