RMPFSL Pay – Ballot Timetable 

 Further to LTB 281/24, we can confirm that the ballot timetable for the above ballot is as follows: 

• Ballot papers dispatched to home addresses from 12^th September(Second Class)
• Ballot closes on 3^rd October(Second Class)

 We would urge all Branches to encourage our members to participate in the ballot, and to return their ballot papers as soon as they can. 

We have also attached for your information the members’ bulletin which was sent to email addresses a few days ago.  

Any enquiries on this LTB should be addressed to the PTCS Department, quoting reference number 320, email: hmaughan@cwu.org or the Outdoor Department, quoting reference number 120.12, email: Pharacz@cwu.org. 

Yours sincerely, 

Mark Baulch
Assistant Secretary                        

Bobby Weatherall
Acting Assistant Secretary                         

LTB 300/24 – RMPFSL Pay – Ballot Timetable

Att: Members Bulletin RMPFSL Pay 2024

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ANDY KERR – FORMER DEPUTY GENERAL SECRETARY T&FS – FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS 

Further to LTB 284/24, please see below details of the funeral arrangements for Andy Kerr former DGS (T&FS).

Service on Wednesday 25^thSeptember 2024, 12 noon at: 

Clyde Coast & Garnock Valley Crematorium, 

A760 Largs Road,  

Dalry

North Ayrshire  

KA24 5LE  Website: www.clydecrematorium.co.uk

We believe a lot of our Branches and representatives will want to attend the service and pay their respects.  There may also be some Branches who are unable to make the journey to Scotland.  Therefore, there will also be a link to join the service remotely on 25^th September, which will be advised to Branches when we have the details.

Additionally, separate to the funeral, we will be organising an opportunity at a future date to come together at a memorial service in London, the details of which will be advised in due course.

The family have suggested people might like to wear something in a shade of blue to acknowledge Andy’s favourite colour.  

Donations in memory of Andy, in lieu of flowers, can be made to the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity Donate | The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.

Yours in solidarity                   

Dave Ward                                                                

General Secretary    

LTB 298/24 – ANDY KERR FORMER DEPUTY GENERAL SECRETARY TFS – FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS

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World Suicide Prevention Day 2024 – Tuesday 10^th September

Dear Colleagues,

The CWU has a long tradition of supporting Mental Health and Wellbeing.  Suicide is a major public health challenge with more than 700,000 deaths each year globally.  Each suicide has far-reaching social, emotional and economic consequences and deeply affects individuals and communities worldwide.

The theme for 2024 is ‘Changing the Narrative on Suicide’ with an associated call to action of ‘Start the Conversation’.

The CWU are continually striving to be a ‘suicide safer’ organisation.  Part of that process includes the continued training up of accredited MHFAiders and advanced MHFAiders to ensure that conversations can take place at any given time in workplaces where we have representation.

Since 2020 a cohort of CWU Mental Health First Aid instructors have been frequently training CWU members/Representatives in Mental Health First Aid on the 2-day MHFA England training course.

From April 2024 All newly trained CWU MHFAiders will now be encouraged to join the Association of Mental Health First Aiders, which is England’s first and only membership body for Mental Health First Aiders, where collaboration, connection and sharing of best practice can take place with like-minded individuals. https://www.aomhfa.org/

We are pleased to report that we have now trained over 500 CWU members in the MHFA England 2-day course.  We will continue to look at how we educate on suicide prevention whilst also developing/enhancing our postvention strategy.

It remains hugely important that as an active Trade Union we understand the important factors affecting mental ill health by being ready to:

• Identify the signs and symptoms for a range of mental health conditions.
• Provide immediate Mental Health First Aid to someone experiencing a mental health issue or crisis.
• Listen non-judgmentally and hold supportive conversations.
• Signpost people to professional help.

Attached to the LTB are a number of supporting materials and we would ask Branches to ensure that all Representatives and Members are made aware of the support and organisations that are available.

Please remember talking about feelings doesn’t have to be scary.

https://www.samaritans.org/branches/dunfermline/news/world-suicide-prevention-day-tuesday-10-september-2024/

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

Yours sincerely,

Martin Walsh

Deputy General Secretary (Postal)

LTB 299/24 – World Suicide Prevention Day 2024 – Tuesday 10th September

Attachment 1 – st_john_ambulance_mhfaider_poster

Attachment 2 – suicide-safer-language-9

Attachment 3 – listening-tips-poster

Attachment 4 – self-harm-conversation-tips

Attachment 5 – mental-health-and-suicide-conversation-tips

Attachment 6 – POSTVENTION PLANNING- WHY WE NEED IT AND WHAT IT IS…

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Union Learning Representative’s Networking Event – 30^th & 31^stOctober 2024

 The purpose of this LTB is to advise Branches that this year’s Union Learning Representative’s (ULR) Networking Event will take place on Wednesday 30^th and Thursday 31^stOctober 2024 at:

Crowne Plaza Newcastle

Stephenson Quarter

Hawthorn Square, Forth Street

Newcastle Upon Tyne

NE1 3SA

 Branches will be aware that ULR legislation provides for networking with other ULRs and organisations that deliver education and training opportunities to our members and representatives.

The event will start with registration on 30^th October between 12.30 and 13.30and will conclude at 15.00 on 31^stOctober.  Please note that lunch will not be provided on the first day.

A final agenda will be issued in due course but will include:

• Keynote speakers 
• Practical activities and workshops to support learning in the workplace
• And a celebration of your collective achievements!

The agenda will be shared nearer the time but in the meantime, we would ask that Branches confirm their delegation details, accessibility requirements and any dietary requirements by emailing equality&education@cwu.org

The closing date for providing dietary requirements is 14^th October.

Please note that Branches are responsible for delegates’ travel and authorised expenditure for this event.  

 Accommodation: 

 It is important that Branches book places early at the Crowne Plaza Newcastle, as they will be holding a number of rooms at a special rate on a ‘first come, first served’ basis until 24^thSeptember 2024.

Booking arrangements:

Bookings can be made via the hotel website by using the following link:

CWU ULR Education Event 30.10.24 For clarity, once you choose the dates, you will see the preferential CWU rates confirmed. 

Please note that a credit card is required to reserve the room – no charge will be made to your account, it is just to reserve the room.

Accommodation rates: (preferential CWU rates for nights of Wednesday 30^th and Thursday 31^st October)

 Rooms are charged @ £115 for single occupancy per room, per night, inclusive of full English breakfast & complimentary use of the leisure facilities.  {Rooms will be held at this rate until 24^th September, after which time they will be released and the preferential rate will not be available}.

 Parking & Transportation:

The Hotel is a 5 min walk just behind Newcastle Central Station. Further Parking & Transportation details can be found using this link: Crowne Plaza Newcastle – Stephenson Quarter Map & Driving Directions (ihg.com)

Release

This event should attract paid release for accredited ULRs working for employers where the CWU is recognised.  The event is specifically designed to meet the aims of ULR legislation and is fully supported through the Government Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy.  The ACAS Code of Practice applies.

Any enquiries regarding this LTB should be addressed to the Equality, Education & Development Department by email to equality&education@cwu.org

#CWULearn24 

 Yours sincerely,

Kate Hudson

Head of Equality, Education & Development

LTB 295/24 – Union Learning Representatives Networking Event – 30th and 31st October 2024

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UPDATE: New Entrants’ Terms and Conditions

All Branches will recall that at the National Briefing on Recruitment and Organsing held on 10th July, we announced that we would be offering a reduced union subscription rate for new entrants who have been employed since 1st December 2022.

The reason for the initial reduced subscription is in recognition of the fact that Royal Mail imposed the new terms and conditions without agreement with the CWU. Royal Mail’s rationale for introducing the new terms and conditions is to reduce the costs of recruiting new staff but also because the union refused to have compulsory Sunday working for our members.

As part of the BRT&G Agreement we are in discussions with Royal Mail on how we can improve new entrants’ terms and conditions.

Prior to the BRT&G Agreement Royal Mail did not want those employed from 1st December 2022 to be the subject of collective bargaining or within a union.

There are circa 17,000 new entrants who have joined Royal Mail since 1st December 2022. Current attrition rates for new entrants are at 16% nationally but is much higher in certain areas. In addition, up to 25% of new entrants who leave Royal Mail do so within 90 days of joining.

There are a number of reasons why attrition rates are higher for new entrants. These include:

• Royal Mail advertise for new entrants up to 40 hours but the vast majority are employed on part-time hours.

• Where new entrants are having to work all or most Sundays.

• Where they do not get suitable training and support especially at least 6 weeks on a fixed walk.

On a wider level, we believe it is also down to the lower rate of pay and terms and conditions.

New entrants’ hourly rate is just 54p more than the national living wage and £1.17 above the national minimum wage. They do not receive RRIS, inner or outer London weighting, the delivery supplement, they do not have paid meal reliefs and are monthly paid.

As part of our discussions with Royal Mail we want to improve new entrants’ terms and conditions and this is part of our strategy – to offer a temporary reduced union subscription to new entrants. Once we have improved their terms and conditions, we will give them 3 months’ notice that they will move to full rate.

CWU membership have now updated their membership system to ensure that there is a drop-down menu which allows for anyone who has joined Royal Mail since 1st December 2022 to go to the reduced rate.

The new rate of £9.41 (without political levy) and £10.28 (with political levy), will be introduced from week commencing 9th September. We are going to launch communications publicly next week about the campaign.

We are also going to ask Divisional Reps and Regional Secretaries to support Branches in communicating the union’s strategy of lower union fees to maximise membership numbers to provide the strength to improve their terms and conditions.

Finally, Branches who have already recruited new entrants should contact membership to ensure that they benefit from the introductory union subscription rate.

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

Yours sincerely,

Martin Walsh
Deputy General Secretary (P)

LTB 296/24 – UPDATE New Entrants’ Terms and Conditions

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Your Voice in the Workplace – September 2024 

Please find attached the September Workplace Bulletin.

We will be sending you out a limited print run (approx. 10 per cent of branch membership) of this Edition, which should reach you by the end of this week for distribution to your reps to take into workplaces.

You also have the link to print immediate copies and/or to print off more copies.

It is crucial that branches are distributing the monthly bulletin in every workplace. The purpose is to ensure members are receiving written content from the union directly into their workplaces, so your role in that process is integral.

Thank you for your support and please contact us with your feedback on the Bulletin.

Click to access 08160-your-voice-RMG-issue-7-Sept-2up.pdf

Yours sincerely,

Martin Walsh
Deputy General Secretary (Postal)

Chris Webb
Head of Communications

24LTB294 Your Voice in the Workplace September 2024

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Ofcom Future of the Universal Service

Ofcom today produced an update on the responses they received from their original consultation launched in January 2024.  Ofcom also set out the next steps including considering Royal Mail’s proposal for USO reform.

Ofcom’s paper indicates that they will publish a consultation on Royal Mail’s proposed changes in early 2025 with a view to publishing a decision statement in the Summer of 2025.

We have ongoing discussions with Royal Mail on the proposed USO change alongside a growth strategy for parcels.

The CWU have expressed our concerns over the current quality of service in Delivery Offices, which we believe is down to unmanageable workloads and resourcing problems.

We will now consider Ofcom’s latest paper and also engage with Royal Mail.

The CWU will then provide a further update to Branches and members on USO reform.

Yours sincerely,

Martin Walsh
Deputy General Secretary (P)                                

Dave Ward
General Secretary

LTB 293-24 – Ofcom Future of the Universal Service

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INTERNAL MOVEMENTS WITHIN ROYAL MAIL

Please see attached a letter from Andrew Smith, Head of Industrial Relations on behalf of
Royal Mail.

This letter confirms that any individual who is on terms and conditions pre 1st December 2022 will remain on those terms if they move/transfer to another office within Royal Mail.
In addition, they retain their terms and conditions if they go from full time to part time.

Furthermore, the confirmation provided will now mean vacancies within a unit will be
advertised internally rather than going straight to external recruitment. We are now
discussing with Royal Mail how this is applied retrospectively to anyone who has moved
units or reduced their hours since 1st December 2022.

Discussions continue concerning resolving the issue of part timers who increase their hours
up to full time being able to remain on their current contract of employment. These
discussions are being covered in our meetings on USO reform and new entrants’ terms and
conditions.

We hope to be in a position to update you on the above shortly. In the meantime, please
can Branches ensure that this LTB and attachment is given the widest publicity.

Any enquiries in relation to the content of this LTB should be addressed to the DGSP
Department.

Yours sincerely,

Martin Walsh
Deputy General Secretary (Postal)

LTB 290.24 Internal Movements Within RM

LTB 290.24 Attachment 1

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ROYAL MAIL GROUP: PENSIONS TRAINING – CONFERENCE MOTION 11 

We are pleased to report that all 10 training workshops have now been completed. All reports received confirm that the sessions have been hugely successful and well received by all concerned. Accordingly, we wish to thank Paul Kennedy Divisional Representative who delivered the training for all his endeavours in this regard.

We are aware that some Reps have been unable to attend their session. We are therefore planning to have a mop up session to provide a new and further opportunity to receive the training. The date and venue are as follows:

• Monday 16th September – Venue: Birmingham District Amal, CWU, 47 Summer Lane, Hockley, Birmingham, B19 3TH

This session is open to all who would have been eligible to attend the earlier sessions. Any travel or overnight expenses incurred will be the responsibility of the Branch.

It is obviously necessary to monitor attendance at this session so that we have a manageable number of attendees. Therefore if anyone wishes to attend, please advise Samantha Nicholas at snicholas@cwu.orgproviding your name, Branch & Representative role by next Wednesday 11^thSeptember. In the event we are oversubscribed with Reps wanting to attend, consideration will be given to arranging a further session.

Lastly, Royal Mail have been positive in supporting this crucial activity. In this regard Angela Gough, Director of Corporate Pensions and Emma Weston-Green, Head of RMCPP Executive and Scheme Secretary will also be presenting at the session primarily around the introduction of the new Collective Plan. This is a valuable contribution that is complementary to Paul Kennedy’s activities.

Any queries in relation to this LTB should be directed to Samantha Nicholas at snicholas@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,

Andy Furey
Assistant Secretary 

Attachment 1: 24LTB289 RM – Pensions Training – Conference Motion 11

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National Equality Event, Newcastle – 21^st & 22^nd October 2024 

**Preferential Hotel Room Rates Extended until 20^th September 2024**

Further to LTB 283/24, which confirmed the details for our National Equality Event, we are writing to encourage Branches to take advantage of the preferential room rates negotiated by the department, outlined again for your benefit below.

Booking arrangements: Bookings can be made via the hotel website by using the following link:

CWU Equality Event 21.10.24

For clarity, once you choose the dates, you will see the preferential CWU rates confirmed. 

Please note that a credit card is required to reserve the room – no charge will be made to your  account, it is just to reserve the room.

Accommodation rates: (preferential CWU rates for nights of Monday 21stand Tuesday 22nd

October), Rooms are charged @ £110 for standard rooms or King Rooms @ £125 for single occupancy per room, per night, both inclusive of full English breakfast & complimentary use of the leisure facilities. {Rooms will be held at this rate until 20th September, after which time they will be released and the preferential rate will not be available}.  The rates above cannot be guaranteed beyond 20^th September. 

Please be reminded to confirm your delegation details and any dietary requirements by emailing equality&education@cwu.org  The closing date for providing dietary requirements is 1^st October.

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

Yours sincerely,

Kate Hudson

Head of Equality, Education & Development

LTB 288/24 – National Equality Event, Newcastle – 21st & 22nd October 2024

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