Greener Jobs Alliance (GJA) Newsletter No. 62 – July 2024:

Introduction & History – The GJA:

The Greener Jobs Alliance (GJA) came into existence as a result of funding from Battersea and Wandsworth TUC. The GJA was launched to promote skills training and job creation to meet the needs of Britain’s rapidly growing low carbon sectors and to green the whole economy. The transition to a low carbon and resource efficient economy can drive sustainable economic recovery and job creation in every part of the country as well as making existing jobs more secure. But this requires a more strategic national and local approach to deliver the workforce skills needed and to stimulate demand for clean energy and energy efficiency services.

The Greener Jobs Alliance liaises at a national and local level to build the broadest possible support for the policies, investment, partnerships and commitments needed to drive the transition to a low carbon economy.

The Greener Jobs Alliance liaises with training bodies, colleges, universities, employers, local and national Government, trade unions, housing associations, campaign and community groups – to build the policies, investment and partnerships needed to drive the transition to a low carbon economy.

GJA Founder Graham Petersen: 

The founder GJA Secretary and Newsletter editor was Graham Petersen who is well known to the CWU and has a long-standing working relationship with the Union. He is a former TUC tutor and course designer who created safety reps training courses and the successful TUC Occupational Health & Safety Diploma Course. He was the head of the Trade Union Studies Centre at South Thames College before retirement from the post and has been a visitor and guest speaker at CWU events and meetings. After 30 editions, Graham stood down at the GJA AGM and handed over to Paul Atkin as newsletter editor and Tahir Latif as GJA Secretary. Graham remains a GJA Steering Group member and is now working part time for the Wales TUC is the author of a publication for them entitled ‘Greener workplaces for a just transition – a Wales TUC toolkit for trade unionists’ which was circulated by the CWU Health, Safety and Environment Department.

GJA ‘Free’ Courses:

The GJA runs a number of ‘free’ courses on the environment for Trade Union Reps in different parts of the UK which have been attended by a number of CWU Reps with details published in the newsletter.

The GJA now offers three ‘on-line’ courses as follows:

1. Climate Change Awareness

This short introductory course is aimed at trade unionists and anyone wishing to develop their understanding of the issues around climate change.  The course is divided into 4 modules.  The modules contain background information, short videos, graphs and illustrations.

• Module 1: Climate Change Explained
• Module 2: International Responses
• Module 3: Trade Union Responses
• Module 4: Getting Involved

At the end of each section, there are references and links to additional materials if you want to go further. There are no formal tests and you can work through the materials at your own pace but there are optional quizzes to check your understanding at the end of modules 1, 2 and 3.

1. A Trade Union Guide to Just Transition

Social justice must be at the heart of the development of a net-zero carbon economy. The course covers:

• The meaning and history of the term just transition
• Why it should be a priority issue
• UK and international policies and case studies
• Ideas for developing an action plan

It is aimed at trade unionists and anyone wishing to improve their understanding of why just transition should be central to climate change policy.

1. Air Quality – a trade union issue

The following issues will be explored in this free online course. It is made up of 3 modules,

• Module 1: The Causes and Health Impacts of Air Pollution
• Module 2: The Law and Government Policy
• Module 3:  Trade Union Responses and Campaigns

Link to GJA on-line Courses: https://greenerjobsalliance.co.uk/courses/

• TUC green rep courses:

The TUC announced, earlier this year, a series of new ‘free’ to attend “green rep training courses for 2024 and these have been taking place in various locations since February as informed in previous LTBs.

All union reps and officers are welcome, new or experienced, and whether in any Union role. All trade unionists can benefit from understanding what the TU movement can do to protect and empower Union members during the climate crisis. Forthcoming face to face classroom courses are listed in the programme across the TUC Regions at:- www.tuc.org.uk/training/TUCcourses

 Paul Atkin Editorial GJA Newsletter Issue 62: “Three challenges for the new government”

Paul covers three areas. Firstly, following the UK Geneal Election outcome he calls on Labour to defend the UK’s climate consensus in the face of Tory/Reform opposition. Secondly, he refers to the situation in the USA, where there is the forthcoming US Presidential Election to think about and if Trump wins re-election in November, he has pledged to dump both domestic just transition plans and global cooperation through the Paris acord. Thirdly, Paul supports the calls from several Union’s Conference Motions calling for the £28 billion investment pledge to be restored, for union and community engagement through Just Transition Commissions and coordination through a National Climate Service are a solid basis for doing this.

• 1 Face up to an attack from the Conservative/Reform rump.
• 2 Prepare to face up to the US going rogue.
• 3 Match investment to ambition and legal obligations.

 Read the full Editorial & GJA Newsletter Edition 62 (attached)

Contents GJA Newsletter 62:

• Editorial: Three challenges for the new government
• IEA: Rapid rollout of clean technologies makes energy cheaper, not more costly
• UN Survey shows strong global support for climate transition
• Landmark Horse Hill Victory – a watershed moment on Fossil Fuel extraction.
• TUC heatwave media campaign
• Adaptation Strategies: Labour Education, Climate Crisis and the UK Trade Union Movement. 
• Stronger Australian TUC transition stance
• Teaching our way to climate justice: UCU’s work on a fair transition for workers
• Key demand from UCU 
• NEU Launches Green Reps and Environment Officers Training Course
• Union conference round up. PCS. UNISON
• New Rules. UK Supreme Court. EU Nature Restoration. Canada Greenwash Rules show bums on fire
• Events. Communicating Climate Change. Fare Free London Meeting. Climate Militarism week of action. 

Peoples Climate Vote 2024.

The 2024 UN Survey shows strong global support for transition the biggest ever standalone public opinion survey on climate change, “the Peoples’ Climate Vote 2024”, shows;

• 80 percent of people globally want their governments to take stronger action to tackle the climate crisis.
• 86 percent – want to see their countries set aside geopolitical differences and work together on climate change.
• 72 percent in favour of a quick transition away from fossil fuels, and only 7 percent of people globally said their country should not transition at all.
• 53 percent said they were more worried than last year about climate change (59% in Least Developed countries).
• 69 percent of people globally said their big decisions like where to live or work were being impacted by climate change. This is higher in LDCs (74%) than Europe (52%) or North America (42%). [Link to full UN Report in the GJA Newsletter attached].

 Green Bites – Stats of The Month

 50%+ of Europe’s energy generated by renewables so far this year. (Eurelectric).

49 km a week reduced distance driven through an e-bikes incentive scheme in Victoria, British Columbia. This made the e-bike incentive more cost effective in terms of CO2 reduction per dollar invested than provincial car incentives. (The Energy Mix. Canada).

$4.6 Trillion  –  Cost of energy wasted every year through the structural inefficiencies of fossil fuels. That’s 40% of global energy costs. Another reason that the writing is on the wall for fossil fuels. (RMI – Rocky Mountain Institute).

100%  –   The proportion of the increase in peak demand that U.S. power grids are projecting through 2035 that could be absorbed by distributed energy resources (DERs) like batteries and electric vehicles if utilities seize the opportunity and engage more closely with customers. (Deloitte).

£35.8 billion  –   HMRC’s estimate of underpaid tax in 2023, up from £30.8 billion in 2022. Collecting this would pay for Labour’s former pledge of £28 billion a year for the energy transition, with quite a bit left over (and not trouble any interpretation of ”fiscal rules”).

1,301 –   The number of people who died from excessive heat during Hajj in Mecca this year, when temperatures rose above 50C. (HRMC).

 What is a just transition?

A just transition seeks to ensure that the substantial benefits of a green economy transition are shared widely, while also supporting those who stand to lose economically – be they countries, regions, industries, communities, workers or consumers.

A rapid increase in the speed and scale of actions required to reduce the risks of climate change will create new economic opportunities.

Whilst a just transition is mainly based on environmental considerations, it is also shaped by other structural changes affecting labour markets, such as globalisation, labour-saving technologies and the shift to services.

A just transition is an integral part of many of the global commitments adopted by countries. The Paris Agreement acknowledges “the imperatives of a just transition of the workforce and the creation of decent work and quality jobs in accordance with nationally defined development priorities” and highlights the importance of workers in responding to climate change.

Furthermore, the just transition concept links to 14 of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, explicitly drawing together SDGs No 12 – climate action, No 10 – reduced inequalities, No 8 – decent work and economic growth, and No 7 – affordable and clean energy.

Many countries have recognised the challenge that this transformation entails and are taking measures to protect those that are most vulnerable and affected by the changes, including across the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) regions.

• The European Union’s Just Transition Mechanism is integral to the EU’s Green Deal, targeted at ensuring “a fair transition to a climate-neutral economy, leaving no one behind” and aims to mobilise at least €150 billion over the period 2021-2027;
• The Solidarity and Just Transition Silesia Declaration signed by 50 countries at COP24, which states that: “a just transition of the workforce and the creation of decent work and quality jobs are crucial to ensure an effective and inclusive transition”;
• Climate Action for Jobs Initiative, co-led by the International Labour Organisation, Spain and Peru, with 46 countries committing to develop “national plans for a just transition and create decent green jobs”.
• The UNFCCC Gender Action plan, whereby parties to the UNFCCC have recognized the importance of involving women and men equally in the development and implementation of national climate policies that are gender-responsive.

Quote of the Month

“The only question is, how much longer are we going to let sociopath executives destroy life

on Earth and increasingly threaten billions of lives for their profit. Every increment of heating

is worth fighting to stop, because every increment of heating will further damage

habitability and kill more humans and other beings.” 

Climate Scientist Peter Kalmu

 Much more in the GJA Newsletter No 62, July 2024 attached.

 Attachment: 

• GJA Newsletter No.62 for July 2024.

Yours sincerely,

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 242/24 – Greener-Jobs-Alliance-GJA-Newsletter-No.-62-July-2024

LTB 242/24 – Attachment GJA-Newsletter-62-July-2024

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ROYAL MAIL: RMCPP – THE COLLECTIVE PLAN 

Further to LTB 238/24 dated 4^th July.

On Monday 8^th July a Joint Live Event was presented to Managers and Representatives.  This included a slide presentation (attached) followed by a Q&A session.  The link to the recording of the presentation is below:

Teams Live Pensions Recording on Vimeo

On 9^th July there was a further WTLL signposting the benefits of the Collective Plan.  Attached is the material used in the WTLL, which is informative as it includes some key questions from the Live Event.

We have also published a web article in regard to this key development – see link below:

CWU: New Pension scheme for all will commence from October

The first of the Divisional Pensions Training events, as reported in the web article, took place for the Midlands Division in Birmingham last week.  The session was very successful in terms of raising knowledge around this complex subject matter.  A session took place on Thursday 11^th July for the North Wales/North West Division in the Mechanics Institute, Manchester. Next week the Scotland Division and South East Division are holding their training on Tuesday (16^th) in Perth and Thursday (18^th) in Brighton.

More information on The Collective Plan can be found at:

www.myroyalmail.com/collective-plan.

If members have questions, they can click on “Pensions Helpdesk” and are taken to a form to fill in which will be answered within 5 working days.  Also, in the same section there is a link to the FAQs which are comprehensive and the plan is to add to these as we move towards the introduction date in October.

Any enquiries in relation to the content of this LTB should be directed to Martin Walsh, DGSP – hford@cwu.org or Andy Furey, Assistant Secretary  – afurey@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely,

Martin Walsh        

Deputy General Secretary (P)                  

Andy Furey

Assistant Secretary

LTB-241/24 – ROYAL-MAIL-RMCPP-THE-COLLECTIVE-PLAN

LTB 241/24 – Attachment 1 The Collective Plan_Live Event_Slide_deck v5 (Powerpoint)

LTB 241/24 – Attachment 2 Collective Plan WTLL 9 July FINAL

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BILLY MCCLORY – FORMER NCU/CWU NATIONAL OFFICER

It is with deep sadness that I write to advise you that Billy McClory former NCU/CWU National Officer passed away last week after a short illness.

Billy’s career started in our predecessor union the NCU working in BT from 1968 to 1978 and then CPSA from 1978 to 1985.  He subsequently became an Officer of the National Communications Union and Communications Workers Union from 1985 until his retirement in June 2008. 

Billy was also a BT pension trustee for over 31 years and was known for his considerable knowledge and expertise on all pension issues.  He was a much-valued ex-trustee of the NCUSSS for 31 years, 15 years of which he served as Chair, until he declined to accept a further nomination in January 2023 to spend more time with his family and grandson.

Billy also played a major role in many of the key national issues the union faced over many years within the NCU, as well as the CWU.  

Throughout the course of his long career Billy made a great contribution in representing our members, the union and the wider Labour movement and he was held in the highest esteem by all those who worked with him. 

I know I speak on behalf of all those who knew Billy in saying he will be sorely missed by his many friends and colleagues within the union and we offer our sincere condolences to his family.

Further details on the funeral arrangements will follow in due course.  Any enquiries on the above LTB should be addressed to the General Secretary at jdunn@cwu.org

Yours sincerely

Dave Ward

General Secretary

LTB 244/24 – BILLY MCCLORY – FORMER NCU-CWU NATIONAL OFFICER

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Royal Mail Communication – Closure of Week 35 Annual Leave Period – W/C 25^th November – 24^th December 2024 

Branches and Representatives will be aware that Royal Mail issued a briefing by Ricky McAulay, UK Operations Director, on 10^th July 2024 communicating Royal Mail’s unilateral decision to close week commencing 25^th November 2024 (Week 35) for the purposes of annual leave, as well as closing off all annual leave up to Christmas.

The company had previously informed the CWU that they were considering doing so and a meeting took place on 1^st July 2024. During this meeting we raised significant concerns over the proposal, both in relation to the decision to change leave arrangements midway through a leave year (when leave had been selected and authorised) and with the suggestion that the agreed and authorised leave for Week 35 may be cancelled.

We further registered our opposition to the approach outlined by the business and proposed as an alternative that the process for reallocating leave be entirely voluntary for individuals and that leave already signed up to should be honoured. The business agreed to reflect on their position. No further response was received until Royal Mail advised the union of its intention to press on with these plans and RM Coms were sent over immediately before they were issued to the field.

In a communication released to RODs, the following approach was outlined with regard to leave already booked for week 35:

People that already have that week booked off should be spoken to in person. Message is that week is now closed and can they move that week. Some will be travelling abroad/going on holiday/caring for people etc and say they cannot/don’t want to move that week. We have been clear that all travel will be honoured. Where a person does not want to change their leave, you are asked to be sympathetic to their request.

In the view of the CWU, the Royal Mail position is completely unacceptable and the outlined request to ‘be sympathetic’is certainly not reflected in the WTLL Briefing documents, which we have seen and which are being issued within workplaces. Accordingly, the union is now making representations at the highest level to address this Executive Action on the part of the company.

In the meantime, where any member wishes to volunteer to select an alternative leave week, as it is beneficial to them, then of course they are at liberty to do so. However, we do not believe that any member approached about changing leave already booked for Week 35 is under any obligation to provide proof that they have booked a holiday or have made special arrangements for leave already authorised.  Therefore, should members wish to retain authorised leave for that week, and up to Christmas, then they should be permitted to do so and this should be honoured by Royal Mail.

We would ask, where any request to retain authorised leave is refused, that these instances are highlighted to the respective department via the relevant CWU Representatives.

Further updates will be provided as high-level discussions progress.

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

Processing / Distribution – Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary, email: jrodrigues@cwu.org.

Delivery – Mark Baulch, Assistant Secretary, email: pharacz@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely,

Davie Robertson                                                                    

Assistant Secretary

Mark Baulch

Assistant Secretary                                                                  

LTB 243/24 – Closure of Week 35 Annual Leave Period – 25th Nov to 24th Dec 2024

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• Royal Mail Division Chair – Scotland (Vacancy)

Election of:

• Royal Mail Division Chair – Scotland (Vacancy)

Branches will be aware that the current Divisional Chair for Scotland has now left the business.

Nominations are therefore invited from Branches within the Scottish Divisional for the position of Divisional Chair.

The term of office for this position will be until April 2026.

A nomination form is attached to this LTB and completed forms must be signed by the Branch Secretary and Branch chair or accredited deputies and the nominee, and should be returned by email to branchballots@cwu.org to be received by 18^th July 2024 (14.00)

The timetable for the election is as follows:-

Nominations Open:               4  July 2024

Nominations Close:               18  July 2024

Ballot Papers Despatched:    23 July 2024

Ballot Close:                           6 August 2024

If a ballot in required for this position it will be conducted on a branch ballot basis so therefore paragraphs 10 & 11 of the attached guidelines are not applicable on this occasion.

Any enquiries regarding this LTB should be addressed to the Senior Deputy General Secretary’s Department on telephone number 0208 971 7237 or email address sdgs@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely,

Tony Kearns
Senior Deputy General Secretary

24LTB237 – Election of Royal Mail Division Chair Scotland Vacancy

237 – Guidelines 2024

237 – CWU Nomination Form

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CWU REPS POLO SHIRTS – FINAL BULK ORDERS

The first batch of CWU branded polo shirts have been a big success. Branches from across the UK have purchased them and reps are now wearing them in workplaces.

We are now in a position to take one final bulk order to enable Branches to take advantage of the purchasing power of HQ.

Each top has an embroidered CWU Reps logo and a QR code which directs people straight to the Join CWU web page. We believe this makes it very simple for reps to assist prospective members in joining the CWU, alongside increasing the visibility of the union.

The garments are available in both navy and CWU pink. They are also available in both men’s and women’s fits.

The cost is set at £12.50 for each polo with a small additional fee for bulk posting them to Branches.

We would actively encourage you to purchase these tops for representatives across your branch areas.

Branches wishing to order the polo shirts should email Marcia Murray mmurray@cwu.org – setting out the size of your orders, size and fit requirements and colour preferences.

We ask that branches do this before the close of play on Friday 19th July.

Images of the tops can be found via this link https://www.cwu.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Rep-T.png

Yours sincerely,

Dave Ward
General Secretary

Chris Webb
Head of Communications

24LTB236 CWU REPS POLO SHIRTS – FINAL BULK ORDERS

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GENERAL ELECTION 2024 – VOTE LABOUR

Please see attached an advanced copy of a letter that is being sent to CWU members’ home addresses, setting out the reasons why we are asking our members to vote Labour in the General Election.

The letter focuses on Labour’s plans to introduce a new deal for working people – a campaign which the CWU initiated both within the TUC and the Labour party. 

 

The letter will also help CWU representatives answer any questions from our members and reaffirms the reasons why trade unions engage in politics.

 

The letter should arrive at home addresses from tomorrow. 

 

Please ensure that all your Branch representatives receive a copy of the advance letter today.

 

Copies of both the Postal and Telecoms and Financial Services letters are attached. They are identical aside from the signatories. 

 

Yours sincerely

                                              
Dave Ward                                                                       
General Secretary                   

24LTB230 GENERAL ELECTION 2024 – VOTE LABOUR

General Election – Vote Labour Mailing – dw mw – v1

General Election – Vote Labour Mailing – dw kr – v1

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IDS (RMG) TAKEOVER BID – INDIVIDUAL MEMBER COMMUNICATION

Further to LTB 225/24, please find attached an advanced copy of the letter that is being sent to members’ home addresses with information on the IDS (RMG) takeover process and the union’s response.

The letter should arrive from tomorrow.

We are asking Branches to send the advanced copy to all area and local representatives, to assist them in answering any questions from members on the takeover bid, following the publication of EP Groups offer document on Monday.

Yours sincerely

Dave Ward
General Secretary

Martin Walsh
Deputy General Secretary (P)

24LTB229 IDS (RMG) TAKEOVER BID – INDIVIDUAL MEMBER COMMS

08127 – RMG TAKEOVER BID – v1

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CWU LGBT+ and Allies Networking Event – Registration Reminder! 

Further to LTB187/24 we are writing to remind Branches to register for the LGBT+ and Allies Networking Event due to take place on 16^th August 2024. The event will take place in conjunction with Chester Pride.  

Day 1: Friday 16th August 2024 – The Networking event will run from 13:00 – 17:00 and take place at Doubletree by Hilton Hotel & Spa Chester, Warrington Road, Chester, CH2 3PD.  

Day 2: Saturday 17^th August 2024 – will include attending Chester Pride, taking place at Box 7, Unity Centre, Cuppin Street, Chester CH1 2BN. Further information will follow regarding a CWU meeting point and times. 

Those wishing to stay at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Spa, Chester are reminded that you have until the 5^th July 2024 to take advantage of the special CWU discounted rate for a overnight stay.  

Bookings can be made via the hotel website by clicking on this link: BOOK NOW 

Branches can register for the networking event by emailing equality&education@cwu.org   

I look forward to seeing you at the event.

Yours sincerely, 

Kate Hudson 
Head of Equality, Education & Development 

24LTB 226 – CWU LGBT+ and Allies Networking Event – Registration Reminder!

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