MPU Consolidation – CSS Machine Moves

 Further to the update provided in LTB 012/25 on the process for the progression of discussions on MPU consolidation, the department have received enquiries from the field in relation to the process and criteria relevant to consideration on the relocation and installation of CSS Machines within the Mail Centre Estate.

While all MPU Consolidation proposals and discussions should be progressed in line with the processes within the Joint Working Group Approach detailed in the 2021 National Agreement on Letter Automation Review, for the guidance of Safety and IR Representatives in any group discussions, please see attached the following documents:

• Updated National SAC1 – MPU CSS Removal Install
• Mail Centre and Hub Space Standards 2022
• Operation and Use of CSS – SWI
• CSS Footprint and Dimensions documentation

We trust that the documentation will provide the necessary guidance to assist in progressing discussions.

Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to jrodigues@CWU.org quoting LTB No. 019/25.

Yours sincerely

Davie Robertson
Assistant Secretary

LTB 019/25 – MPU Consolidation – CSS Machine Moves

National SAC 1 Template – MPU CSS Removal Install v3 (spreadsheet download)

Mail Centre and Hub Space Standards 2022 V1

Operation and Use of CSS SWI v1.1

CSS Footprint_250129_070751

2010-04-14 CSS 65 sqm_250129_070644

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SPECIAL RESTRUCTURING CONFERENCE AND SPECIAL RULES REVISION CONFERENCE 2025

Following the decision of the National Executive Council at the meeting held on 29^th and 30^th January 2025, it has been agreed that a Special Restructuring Conference and Special Rules Revision Conference will be held on the weekend of 28^th and 29^th June 2025 at the new Conference and Exhibition Centre, Winter Gardens in Blackpool.

We are currently liaising with the venue to provide a booking platform link where Branches can secure accredited accommodation in Blackpool.   We have been advised that this should be available early next week and once the details are known, a further LTB containing this information will be published.    Branches are advised to book as early as possible due to the time of year and the school holidays in Scotland commencing around this period.

Talks are ongoing in relation to the exact split of business between the two days in terms of the possible time needed for each Conference and more information will be provided to Branches and representatives in due course.

Branch delegation sizes will be in line with national rule 10.3. Further details will be issued regarding registration and the submission of motions and rule changes.

Any enquiries regarding this Letter to Branches should be addressed to Angela Niven in the Senior Deputy General Secretary Department on telephone number 020 89717237 or by e-mail to conferences@cwu.org

Yours sincerely

Tony Kearns
Senior Deputy General Secretary

25LTB018 – Special Restructuring Conference and Special Rules Revision Conference 2025

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OFCOM ANNOUNCEMENT ON THE FUTURE OF THE UNIVERSAL SERVICE 

All branches will have seen that OFCOM has announced their expected consultation today on the future of the USO.

The Unions response is attached to this LTB and we would ask all branches to ensure that this is conveyed to all CWU Representatives and every workplace.

The Unions position on the USO has also been explained previously and is set out in both the trial agreement and the recent agreement reached with EP Group.  This positions us strongly to deal with the issues of job security, benefits for our members and the need to fully restore Quality of Service.

The trials are an essential next step and will assist in testing Royal Mail’s assumptions, particularly on the operational impact and whether or not workload will be manageable for our members.

As part of this consultation we will ensure that feedback from our members is put in front of OFCOM and we will be encouraging the regulator to visit sorting offices and talk directly to the members involved in the Pilots.

During the consultation, we will also be making strong points that OFCOM’s own promotion of artificial competition has contributed to Royal Mail’s financial position.  We will continue to make the point that Royal Mail has been grossly mismanaged and that whilst we recognise that the company now operates in a permanently changed of world of communications, there needs to be a completely fresh approach to the way the company is run and a new vision that sets out a serious growth strategy in the development of new products and services.  In our view, this should include tailored services to the NHS and greeting card industry.  Further information will be provided in due course.

Yours sincerely                                                                                                                                             

DAVE WARD
GENERAL SECRETARY                             

MARTIN WALSH
DEPUTY GENERAL SECRETARY (POSTAL)

25LTB017 OFCOM ANNOUNCEMENT ON THE FUTURE OF THE UNIVERSAL SERVICE

CWU RESPONSE TO OFCOM ANNOUNCEMENT ON FUTURE OF ROYAL MAIL USO

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Below is the CWU press release in response to the OFCOM announcement on the future of the USO this morning.

Tonight’s CWU Live show is timed so well. National Officer Tony Bouch will join us live at 5pm to talk all things USO.

Please join the show and put your questions directly to Tony.

CWU RESPONSE TO OFCOM ANNOUNCEMENT ON FUTURE OF ROYAL MAIL USO.

Responding to today’s announcement, CWU General Secretary Dave Ward said “We recognise Royal Mail now operates in a permanently changed world of communications. The mix of letter decline and parcel growth does present a legitimate challenge to securing the future of the universal service obligation – something that remains a crucial part of our national infrastructure and a major contributor to the UK economy.

However, it’s also true that Royal Mail has been grossly mismanaged in recent years and the Board have deliberately manufactured circumstances to make a purely financial case for change. This includes abandoning customer quality, attacking postal workers terms and conditions and pursuing a pricing strategy designed to accelerate letter decline in favour of parcels.

The role of the regulator, OFCOM, must also be exposed. They have pursued a relentless drive to promote artificial competition in a declining market, allowing competitors to cherry pick profits through downstream access of Royal Mail’s network, thus inflating the cost of the last mile delivery.

In this environment, it is only the strength and support of our members that has defended the service and moved the company away from a 3 or 4 day uso proposal which would have devastating results for customers and jobs. The proposal being trialled in the UK sees first class letters and parcels continue to be delivered six days a week and second class delivered to the current specification, with the exception of Saturdays

The trials that we have agreed with Royal Mail are strictly conditional on the basis that we see a significant improvement in service reliability for customers, the terms and conditions for postal workers are improved – including improved attendance patterns and more Saturdays off, long term job security is agreed and a genuine platform for growing the company is created. Any failure to abide by these conditions will see our support withdrawn. This moment is a real test for many groups. OFCOM need to step up and allow Royal Mail to build innovation into this proposal that would include bespoke and advanced letter delivery services (The NHS and card industry as examples). Our members also want to see the Labour government take a real oversight and involvement to ensure that a key part of the UK infrastructure is protected. The prospective owners of Royal Mail – EP Group – have committed to restoring faith in the UK postal service – we will hold them to this.”

TUC DISABLED WORKERS CONFERENCE VISITORS – 3^RD – 4^THJUNE 2025

The TUC Disabled Workers Conference 2025 will be held from Tuesday 3rd – Wednesday 4^th June 2025 at the Bournemouth International Centre (BIC), Bournemouth.

The Conference sessions will be as follows:

Tuesday 3 June 2025                   10:00 am to 18:00pm  

Wednesday 4 June 2025              09.30 am to 17.30pm

The CWU are allowed a limited number of visitors to attend the above Conference and places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.  Due to the need for extra security at all TUC Conferences, names and addresses of those wanting visitor tickets must be supplied and tickets are not transferable.

Anyone interested in attending will need to contact their Branch initially for funding, to include a £15 visitor ticket fee. The easiest way to pay the £15 fee will be for us to transfer it directly from your Branch’s account through the rebate system, therefore please contact Angela Niven on conferences@cwu.org  with details of which Branch the individual belongs to on application.  Alternatively you can send a cheque (made payable to ‘CWU’) addressed to Angela Niven at CWU HQ with a covering letter.  Please note that places will not be reserved until the £15 fee is received.

Please let me know if you would like to attend the Conference as a visitor by no later than midday on Monday 10^thFebruary 2025

Any further enquiries with regards this please contact conferences@cwu.org or Angela Niven on 020 8971 7237.

Dave Ward

General Secretary

LTB 016/25 – TUC DISABLED WORKERS CONFERENCE – 3RD – 4TH JUNE 2025

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Health, Safety and Wellbeing Planner 2025

Branches, Representatives and members will be aware that the former Health, Safety and Environment Department traditionally issued LTBs throughout the year to highlight the appropriate external health, safety and wellbeing campaigns, activities and conference events.

Following the changes to the Union’s internal structures covering the work of the Health, Safety and Environment Department agreed at last year’s Annual Conference, going forward, it will now be the responsibility of the relevant departments within the union, in conjunction with the Central Services’ Health and Safety role, to review how best to communicate particular external health, safety, and wellbeing campaigns and activities.

The purpose of this LTB is to provide Branches and in particular our Regional and Divisional Safety Forums with an advanced index of external campaigns and events outlined for 2025 to assist in planning any activities and membership engagement in this area.  Also attached are some brief background details of each of the listed campaigns and activities.

Whilst the below is not in itself an exhaustive list, it nonetheless highlights the bulk of health, safety, and wellbeing campaigns and activities previously covered and communicated by the Health, Safety and Environment Department alongside others now added.

Index of Health, Safety and Wellbeing Activities/Campaigns in 2025:

•  Time to Talk Day – 6^th February
• Prostate Cancer Awareness Month – March
• Bowel Cancer Awareness Month – April
• Stress Awareness Month – April
• International Workers Memorial Day (IWMD) – 28^th April
• Skin Cancer Awareness Month – May
• World Ovarian Cancer Day – 8^thMay
• No Falls Week – 12^th to 16^th May
• Mental Health Awareness Week – 12^th to 18^th May
• NHS National Blood Donation Week – TBC but normally held in June.
• World Environment Day – 5^thJune
• Men’s Health Week – 9^th to 15^thJune
• National Clean Air Day – 20^thJune
• Talk To Us Month – July
• Alcohol Awareness Week – 7^th to 13^th July
• Scottish Hazards Conference – TBC but normally held in August
• National Financial Awareness Day – 14^th August
• NHSBT National Organ Donation Week – TBC but normally held in September
• World Suicide Prevention Day – 10^th September
• Pension Awareness Day – 15^thSeptember
• National Hazards Conference – 5^th to 7^th September
• Gas Safety Week – 9^th to 15^thSeptember
• MacMillan Coffee Morning – 27^thSeptember
• World Heart Day – 29^thSeptember
• Menopause Awareness Month – October
• Breast Cancer Awareness Month – October
• Stoptober – October
• ADHD Awareness Month – October
• Back Care Awareness Week – 7^thto 11^th October
• World Mental Health Day – 10^thOctober
• Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day – 15^thOctober
• UK National Work Stress Network Conference – TBC but normally held in November
• Movember – November
• National Stress Awareness Day – 1^st November
• Talk Money Week – 3^rd to 7^thNovember
• Road Safety Week – 17^th to 23^rdNovember
• National Grief Awareness Week – 1^st to 7^th December
• Christmas Jumper Day – 11^th

It should be noted that many of the above activities and events are collaborations between different organisations and groups and are sponsored and promoted by government, local and other government bodies and in some cases international organisations such as the UN.  As such, few are supported by a generic website or source of further information.  Therefore, where Branches, Regional and Divisional Safety Forums are seeking additional information and supporting materials regarding any of the outlined activities and campaigns above, can they please contact Louise Pietrzykowska lpietrzykowska@cwu.org

It is hoped that sharing this advanced index will be of direct use and assistance to Branches and Safety Forums in terms of any pre-planning in this area.

Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to the DGS(P) Department.

Yours sincerely,

Martin Walsh

Deputy General Secretary (Postal)

LTB 015/25 – Health, Safety and Wellbeing Planner 2025

Attachment to LTB 015-25 HSW Planner 2025

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Important: Anti-Racism Rally Saturday 1^stFebruary, Central London

Branches should note that Stand Up to Racism has called an anti-racist/anti far right (TUC supported) Rally for Saturday 1^stFebruary 2025 in Central London. This is a counter demonstration to one being organised by supporters of Tommy Robinson.

We thank those who attended the last rally and call on Branches to demonstrate again a show of strength against racism and the politics of division. We know there is so much more that unites us than divides us.

Stand Up to Racism are organising coaches from all over the UK – 34 different coach points – and we would encourage anyone interested in attending to check the SUTR website.

Yours sincerely,

Dave Ward
General Secretary

Kate Hudson
Head of Equality, Education & Development

25LTB014 – Important – Anti-Racism Rally Saturday 1st February Central London

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Royal Mail / CWU Joint Communication Covering the Review of the 30-Minutes Flexibility Agreement: Joint Review Output (Business Recovery, Transformation and Growth Agreement – Appendix 1)

Dear Colleagues,

Branches and Representatives will recall LTB 026/24, issued on 18^th January 2024, which outlined the background to the Joint Communication covering the commitments set out in the Business Recovery, Transformation and Growth Agreement Appendix 1, Section 2: 30-Minutes Flexibility Agreement.

To recap, the commitments outlined in the BRT&G Agreement are set out below:

In parallel with the seasonal variation approach the Joint Agreement between Royal Mail and the CWU committed to Jointly Review the approach to the use of 30 Minutes Flexibility, previously agreed in the 2007 Pay & Modernisation Agreement and in line with the 2013 Joint Statement covering Fairness, Dignity & Respect in Delivery. This joint review will be to understand how this approach can address workload changes at a route level on a daily basis and develop a revised agreement which will support the efficient delivery of the USO. 

The review will gather information relating to how the existing policy is being applied and what arrangements are in place in units, particularly where this approach has been formalised and adopted. The review will also consider and determine how SI/SO data can be used with applying this flexible arrangement. 

In line with the Joint Communication, the agreed and limited review process was enacted in January, which was supported by Divisional Reps and Royal Mail RODs. This required local CWU Reps and COMs to complete a short electronic survey across 48 units, 4 per ROD area, which were jointly selected. The list of Delivery units involved per ROD area is set out below in the attached Annex.

Whilst the aim was for all completed electronic surveys to be returned by February and for the review to be concluded by March, this process took far longer than planned due to delays in receipt of the replies. Equally, there were further delays in terms of aligning diaries to jointly review the feedback and then conclude an agreed position, as well as a set of words in terms of the final Joint Review itself.

In terms of the units selected, this was done based on previous responses linked to the Quality of Service & Resourcing Checklist In Line With The RMG/CWU Joint Statement – June 2023: Section 2.5 Improving Quality Of Service & USO Compliance, whereby units confirmed whether they did or did not use the 30-Minutes Flex. It is more than noteworthy to point out that the selected 48 sites were chosen on a 50/50 basis, i.e. 24 sites were selected because in the June 2023 QoS & Resourcing Checklist they said they used the 30-Minutes Flex and 24 said they did not. During the survey process, it was highlighted that only 10 units confirmed that they did use the arrangement, out of the 47 units which did submit feedback.

However, the required Joint Review has now been concluded in terms of the 30-Minutes Flexibility Agreement and in line with the outlined commitments. Set out below are the key outputs of this Review:

Difficulties with the Existing Agreement

From a Royal Mail operational perspective, taking into account the results of the Survey, the agreement is problematic for a number of reasons:

• The decision to flex up on a ‘swings and roundabouts’ basis is optional on the staff. Many choose either not to flex up at all or to receive overtime payment instead, if they do. This can lead to cut offs, which undermine USO achievement or require overtime which might otherwise be offset by underworked time elsewhere in the week, thereby impairing productivity;
• Because there is no systemised recording of the scheme centrally, there is no visibility centrally of which sites are operating the policy or not;
• The approach relies on local record keeping;
• The parameters are not clear enough, leading to ambiguity over how to enact it and difficulties ensuring consistent application of the policy. For example, does the requirement to balance time either way over the next 5 working days relate to the next 5 business working days or the next 5 working days of that individual? 

From a CWU perspective, there are additional considerations:

• The 30-Minutes Flex is designed to support the USO, but its application does not distinguish between USO products and other product services;
• Current USO and achievability issues for deliveries mean that choosing when to use 30-Minutes Flex arrangements is difficult and may be used to back fill structural and foreseeable resources shortfalls;
• The ability to repay time worked at a preferable / mutually suitable time for the OPG is difficult.

Proposed Adaptation to the Existing Agreement

Despite the limitations of the existing scheme, it is acknowledged that the current operational setting does not provide the optimum platform from which to adapt the scheme. There are several key initiatives which have recently landed, or are in train, which Royal Mail Operations wish to bed in further before adaptations to the existing 30-Minutes Flex scheme are considered:

• Seasonal Variation remains in its infancy, nine months after first deploying;
• Network Window has just enacted a huge change to delivery start and finish times;
• The business is developing capabilities to link SISO OT data to PSP payroll;
• Wider USO reform and any future changes to the operational design.

This Joint Report therefore proposes that the business bed in the above changes before considering potential amendments to the existing agreement. The business and CWU will continue to consider the value of refining the existing scheme.

Propose how SISO data can be used to apply this flexible arrangement

Any considerations in this regard would again need to be considered and take full account of possible future changes to the operational design from any USO reform.

As Branches will note, the Joint Review has concluded that there are wider and ongoing current operational areas and initiatives that need to be addressed in advance of any possible changes to the current 30-Minutes Flex Agreement. Therefore, whilst the terms of the BRT&G Agreement Appendix 1, Section 2 have been met, the Joint Review itself has not brought forward any revised proposed arrangement in this regard for the reasons outlined.

Any enquiries to the content of this LTB should be directed to the Outdoor Department, email address: Pharacz@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely,

Tony Bouch
Assistant Secretary

AnnexROD AreaUnit SelectedROD AreaUnit SelectedWALESBridgend (CF)SOUTH CENTRALThe Queen ElizabethPontypoolReadingHaverfordwestSloughMid Rhondda GanolSandownSCOTLANDMilngavieNORTH WESTKendalJohnstoneSouthportErskineHuytonLockerbieLiverpool NorthLONDONCatfordNORTH EASTNorthallertonWalton on ThamesYork CentralUpper EdmontonWetherbyHanwellWombwellMIDLANDSCarltonSOUTH MIDLANDSChatterisWorcesterBrackleyEveshamNuneatonQuintonLeamingtonN. IRELANDBelfast SouthSOUTH EASTEast GrinsteadArmaghCanterburyBallymoneySt LeonardsNewtownardsHeathfieldSOUTH WESTExmouth DOANGLIAColchester DOTruro DOIpswich DOWarminster DOBenfleet DOWestbury DOBiggleswade DO

LTB 013-25 – JC 30-Minutes Flexibility Agreement – Joint Review Output (BRTG App 1)

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MPU Consolidation Programme – CWU Update

Dear Colleagues,

The CWU Nationally has recently been shared information relating to the business scoping MPUs as an associated impact of USO reform and CSS operations, which at the times was shared with CWU Divisional Representatives to pass on to the relevant reps locally.

Those discussions have continued and the business has confirmed, as part of the proposal and where there is the requirement, to relocate CSS machines from MPUs to the Parent Mail Centres, where space permits and both workplan compliance and USO Service levels can be maintained or improved.

The business’ original plan was for 39 MPUs to consolidate into 24 plants. As part of the scoping exercise, it has been confirmed that based on the outputs so far 34 MPUs have been identified as meeting the criteria of space constraints and as such being able to be relocated. Further discussions will take place on the MPUs within the Manchester catchment area.

We know that in some locations the business has issued local communications already, which led to significant challenges being raised by the CWU to the company. That has now led to the attached formal correspondence from the business being received and confirms that, in relation to the people impact and all operational changes, engagement will take place via the relevant Mail Centre Working Group and in line with the 2021 National Agreement covering the Review of Letter Machines (copy attached).

Therefore, we ask all CWU Representatives in the affected MPUs to ensure that the Local Joint Working Group meets urgently and to ensure all functions are fully involved in the planning, integration and the deployment of all activities linked to any machine removals / changes, ensuring that agreed solutions are in place and all issues have been fully addressed. This will include the CWU Area Health & Safety Reps to ensure all issues relating to safety will be reviewed and addressed.

Finally, attached is the business WTLL brief that has been issued. Whilst it is helpful that there are no machine reductions, given the change of locations, it has been agreed that MTSF Appendix 5 will apply in full and, where appropriate, any VR terms are going to be the terms appropriate at the point of termination.

Therefore, we are confident, now that the business has agreed the above agreement is appliable and that MTSF applies in full, that CWU Representatives engaging within the process will welcome the above clarification to ensure that all matters from the MPU consolidation activity are done to protect our affected members.

Any enquiries to the content of this LTB should be directed to the Outdoor Department, email address: Pharacz@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely,

Tony Bouch
Assistant Secretary

Davie Robertson
Assistant Secretary

LTB 012-25 – MPU Consolidation Programme – CWU Update

National Agreement Letter Automation Review 04.06.21

CSS intial WTLL v0.2

MPU Consolidation

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Postal Department – Restructuring 

Following on from the decisions carried at Annual Conference 2024 and a reduced Postal Executive (17 lay members to 14 lay members), the Postal Executive have discussed how we can better align the areas of responsibility amongst Postal Officers. Furthermore, how we review workload across the postal departments to function in a better way for the benefit of our members and to avoid duplication based on a reduced Postal Executive.

Branches, Representatives and members are therefore advised of the below organisational changes which will come into effect from Monday 3^rdFebruary 2025. It would be appreciated if colleagues could please ensure that any future correspondence is sent to the appropriate department as set out below.

We have jointly agreed to reallocate the following commitments and associated workload:

• Collections will move to the Outdoor Department.
• RMPFSL cleaners will move to the PTCS Department.
• Mail Centre engineers will move to the Processing, Distribution, Parcelforce, International and Eurest Department.

In addition, discussions have been taking place between the DGS(P) and DGS(T) on

progressing the transfer of postal members, tagged and aligned to T&FS Branches,

into Postal Branches. This activity will be led by Andy Furey, Assistant Secretary and supported by Postal Executive members.

Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to the DGS(P) department.

Yours sincerely, 

Martin Walsh

Deputy General Secretary (Postal)

LTB 11/25 – Postal Department Restructuring

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