POLITICAL FORUM AGENDA – 6th NOVEMBER 2025

Dear Colleagues,

Further to LTB208/25, please find attached the agenda for next week’s political forum.

As previously stated, the briefing represents an opportunity to reflect on our views on the first period of a Labour Government, the challenge posed from Reform and the far-right and the changes in our wider political environment.

This is the first political forum since Labour has been in power and this event is part of the implementation of our new National Political Network, which will help sustain and improve political engagement across the union, at this crucial time.

We will also be discussing the merits of a new electoral voting system (proportional representation), in line with policy agreed at our last General Conference. The NEC will take a view from this debate and then prepare a policy paper to go forward to the next General Conference on this issue. We want to emphasise that this is not a decision-making forum and while we recognise that we are giving a platform to speakers that will have very strong views on the pros and cons of electoral reform, ultimately the union will need further discussion and any final policy decision will need to be made by our Conference.

For branches who have not yet registered, please consider this one of your priority commitments and email politics@cwu.orgto confirm your branch’s attendance and the names of your delegates as soon as possible.

If you have any questions or need any further information, please email aobrien@cwu.org.

Yours Sincerely,

Dave Ward
General Secretary                           

25LTB238 – POLITICAL FORUM AGENDA 6th NOVEMBER 2025

Agenda for Political Forum 6/11/2025

1. Arrivals, tea and coffee (10:00-10:30)

1. President to open the forum (10:30-10:40)

1. General Secretary- political overview (10:40-11:00)

1. Discussion session (11:00-12:45)

2. Our relationship with the Labour Party, including an update on the Employment Rights Bill (11:00-11:45)
3. The rise of Reform/far-right politics (11:45-12:20)
4. Other initiatives- political education etc (12:20-12:45)
5. Break (12:45-13:15)
6. Session on electoral reform (13:15-14:40)
7. Speakers (13:15-13:55)
8. Discussion and debate (13:55-14:40)
9. GS Final Remarks (14:40-14:45)

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Election of CWU Delegates to the TUC Equality Conferences 2026

Please find attached the Regulations, Nomination Forms, and Candidate Consent and Biographical Details Form for the above conferences. The details of which are as follows:

TUC Women’s Conference 

Date:             4^th – 6^th March 2026

Venue:           Bournemouth International Centre, Bournemouth

 TUC Black Workers Conference 

Date:             24^th – 26^th April 2026

Venue:           Bournemouth International Centre, Bournemouth

TUC Disabled Workers Conference 

Date:             19^th – 20^th May 2026

Venue:           Bournemouth International Centre, Bournemouth

TUC LGBT+ Workers Conference 

Date:             25^th-26^th June 2026 (TBC)

Venue:           TBC

The Timetable for the elections is as follows:

Nominations open:                         3 November 2025 

Nominations close:                       17 November 2025 (14:00)

Dispatch ballot papers:                 19 November 2025

Ballot closes:                                 3 December 2025 (14:00)

Reminders: 

All candidates for election to the TUC Women’s Conference must be women.    All candidates require the nomination of their own Branch.

Any enquiries regarding this Letter to Branches should be addressed by email to lparrett@cwu.org or telephone number 020 8971 7222.

Yours sincerely,

Dave Ward

General Secretary

LTB 236/25

Att: Regulations 2026 (Download)

Att: Nomination Forms 2026 (Download)

Att: Candidates-and-Bio-Form-2026 (Download)

Artificial Intelligence – Bitesize Sessions

The purpose of this LTB is to advise branches that the Equality, Education & Development Department has been working with the T&FS Executive on a project to raise awareness on Artificial Intelligence (AI).

A number of bitesize sessions have now been finalised and are due to take place on the dates below. The sessions will be 60 minutes long and will include a Q&A session.

Artificial Intelligence and digital systems are reshaping every industry and has become more widespread in the workplace, it has the potential to alter job security, pay and working conditions. Without union intervention, these technologies will be designed and deployed solely in the interests of employers. It’s imperative that unions and workers have a voice in any advancement of new technologies.

The bitesize sessions will be run by Adam Cantwell-Corn, who is a policy lead for the TUC Tech Project, as well as Head of Campaigns and Policy for Connected by Data. Adam has been working with the Telecoms and Financial Services Executive to develop the practical skills to identify and negotiate the impact of AI on workers.

Session 1: Thursday 13^thNovember 10:00 – 11:00

This session will look at what Artificial Intelligence is (and what it isn’t). Look at some of the terminology that is being currently used and the different types of Artificial Intelligence.

Session 2: Thursday 20^thNovember 10:00 – 11:00

This session will look at how Artificial Intelligence is being used more and more in the workplace. What Artificial Intelligence is currently being used for and the impacts it is having on workers. Also, what are the potential benefits and issues for CWU members.

The sessions are open to all CWU representatives who want to learn more about Artificial Intelligence, to register please email equality&education@cwu.org – a link will be sent to you by email before each session.

Yours sincerely,

Kate Hudson
Head of Equality, Education & Development

LTB 235/25 – Artificial Intelligence Bitesize Sessions

Attachment 1

Attachment 2

Attachment 3

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Membership Subscription Rates from 1st February 2026

The purpose of this LTB is to inform Branches that the NEC has agreed to a 3% increase on all membership subscriptions from 1st February 2026.

As Branches will be aware this is only the third increase in the subscriptions of active members in over a decade. Furthermore, the new subscription rate sees CWU membership cost maintain its position as one of the lowest amongst major UK trade unions – delivering excellent value for money for our members.

From 1 February 2026, indicative CWU Subscriptions will be as listed in the table below.

The NEC also took the decision to establish a working group to review, overhaul and simplify our subscription rates and formulas. We will actively engage Branches in this process. Further information on the review will be issued in due course.

Any enquiries relating to this LTB should be addressed to dwilshire@cwu.org or by telephone on number 0208 971 7368.

Yours sincerely,

Dave Ward

General Secretary

Tony Kearns

Senior Deputy General Secretary

LTB 234/25 – Membership Subscription Rates from 1st February 2026

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Core / Online Education & Training Programme 2026

The purpose of this LTB is to advise Branches that the NEC has endorsed a programme of courses for 2026.

Core Residential Programme

Arrangements have been made for our residential training programme to be delivered at GFTU, Quorn Grange Hotel, 88 Wood Lane, Quorn, LE12 8DB.

Representative’s accommodation costs on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis will be met centrally.

Branches are responsible for student travel and any other appropriate expenses.

Scheduled Programme 2026

The programme cuts across all the specialisms that our representatives perform incorporating both accredited and unaccredited courses:

Skills courses all include elements of industrial / employment relations, negotiating and organising

Health & Safety courses lead representatives through theory and practice of legislation and organising around Health and Safety

Equal Rights deal with equality and diversity in the workplace and wider society. Please note, to increase student opportunities the Women representatives in the CWU, LGBT+ in the CWU and BAME representatives in the CWU courses will be delivered online for 2026

Residential Programme 2026FromToCourseCut-off date12/01/202616/01/2026Essential Skills part 101/12/202519/01/202621/01/2026Branch Secretary’s part 108/12/202526/01/202630/01/2026Essential Skills part 115/12/202502/02/202606/02/2026Postal Agreements22/12/202509/02/202613/02/2026Essential Skills part 129/12/202523/02/202627/02/2026Introduction to Health & Safety part 112/01/202627/04/202601/05/2026Essential Skills part 216/03/202627/04/202601/05/2026Union Learning Reps 116/03/202608/06/202612/06/2026Introduction to Health & Safety part 127/04/202615/06/202619/06/2026TBC04/05/202622/06/202626/06/2026Essential Skills part 211/05/202629/06/202603/07/2026Introduction to Health & Safety part 118/05/202629/06/202603/07/2026Advanced Skills part 118/05/202606/07/202610/07/2026Essential Skills part 225/05/202620/07/202624/07/2026Essential Skills part 108/06/202627/07/202631/07/2026Introduction to Health & Safety part 215/06/202617/08/202619/08/2026Mental Health Awareness06/07/202607/09/202611/09/2026Postal Agreements27/07/202614/09/202618/09/2026Introduction to Health & Safety part 103/08/202628/09/202602/10/2026Introduction to Health & Safety part 217/08/202605/10/202607/10/2026TBC24/08/202626/10/202630/10/2026Advanced Skills part 214/09/202609/11/202613/11/2026Essential Skills part 128/09/2026

Online Programme 2026FromToCourseCut-off date16/02/202620/02/2026Introduction to Health & Safety part 105/01/202602/03/202606/03/2026Intermediate Health & Safety part 119/01/202609/03/202610/03/2026Discipline & Grievance (UTAW)26/01/202630/03/202631/03/2026Mental Health Awareness16/02/202620/04/202624/04/2026Essential Skills part 109/03/202605/05/202606/05/2026Mental Health Awareness24/03/202618/05/202622/05/2026Introduction to Health & Safety part 206/04/202601/06/202605/06/2026Introduction to Health & Safety part 120/04/202615/06/202616/06/2026Women in the CWU04/05/202618/06/202619/06/2026BAME Representatives in the CWU07/05/202622/06/202626/06/2026Postal Agreements11/05/202613/07/202614/07/2026Discipline & Grievance (UTAW)01/06/202613/07/202617/07/2026Essential Skills part 101/06/202603/08/202604/08/2026Mental Health Awareness22/06/202603/08/202607/08/2026Intermediate Health & Safety part 222/06/202610/08/202614/08/2026Equal Rights part 129/06/202607/09/202611/09/2026Essential Skills part 227/07/202621/09/202625/09/2026Introduction to Health & Safety part 210/08/202605/10/202606/10/2026LGBT+ in the CWU24/08/202612/10/202616/10/2026Postal Agreements31/08/202619/10/202623/10/2026Equal Rights part 207/09/202602/11/202606/11/2026Essential Skills part 121/09/202616/11/202617/11/2026Mental Health Awareness05/10/2026

All of the above is subject to the necessary funding being available.

Full details of each course can be found on our website here https://education.cwu.org/education/rep-courses

Application Process

Branch Secretary’s and Branch Admins should continue to use the CWU Portal, please make sure applicants emails are up to date.

Release & Notice

Paid release should normally apply where the union is recognised and/or in line with any existing agreements.

Online courses

Online learners must preferably have access to a good PC or laptop. Tablets can be used but have some limitation in our experience. Attending training courses using a mobile phone is not possible.

There must be a stable internet connection from where the learning is taking place.

Colleges will also be in contact before the course to advise of any additional requirements.

We would appreciate Branches / ULRs assistance in ensuring any applicants are prepared in line with the above points. If any representative encounters difficulties getting set up with IT equipment in preparation for course attendance, please advise their Branch Secretary, Union Learning Rep or the Equality, Education & Development department as soon as possible. 

Any queries relating to this LTB should be directed to courseadmin@cwu.org       

Yours sincerely,

Kate Hudson
Head of Equality, Education & Development

LTB 233/25 – Core Online Education Training Programme 2026

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Salary Sacrifice – POAL

The recent increase in the national minimum wage has resulted in a number of companies having to review the purchase of annual leave and that of which is taken out through My Bundle.

The reason for this is employers are under a legal requirement to ensure that an individual’s

pay does not fall below the minimum wage after the deductions for salary sacrifice have been made. This is why Royal Mail took the decision in April to step in and pay for the purchase of annual leave and for My Bundle items ahead of any pay rise, to potentially avoid being in breach of the minimum wage legislation.

This is a particular problem where individuals purchase annual leave and have several My Bundle purchases at the same time.

We are in discussions with Royal Mail to still allow access to additional annual leave, even when an individual does not qualify for salary sacrifice. Where individuals are above the minimum wage figure, they would be eligible for salary sacrifice for the purchase of annual leave.

Whilst negotiations are continuing it is advised that for the purposes of selecting leave for next year, individuals should follow the same allocation as last year, including any purchased leave.

In terms of any items purchased via My Bundle and paid via a salary sacrifice, Royal Mail are carrying out a review of the benefits, the result of which will be announced in due course.

A further update on this issue will be provided in due course.

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 (Postal)

LTB 232/25 – Salary Sacrifice -POAL

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CWU NATIONAL WELFARE FUND – REGULATIONS 

Branches will be aware that following their election in the latter part of 2024, the National Trustees started their term of office from the beginning of January 2025.

Having now had ten months in their role, the Trustees in conjunction with the Finance department, have dealt with numerous applications for claims from the National Welfare Fund.   During this period, it has become apparent that some of the applications have not been in line with the previously circulated CWU Welfare fund regulations.

The main issues concern the following:

• Cases where insufficient supporting evidence is provided making it difficult for the Trustees to make an informed decision
• Applications where no evidence at all has been provided to support a claim.
• Requesting payments for members in extreme levels of debt without directing them to other organisations who can assist.
• Claims for members not actually suffering any genuine hardship.
• Requesting payments to replace the stoppage of money by the employer without using the agreed internal process to rectify the problem.

Each of the above not only results in additional workload but causes a delay to those claims where a payment is necessary.

Branches will be aware that the current CWU Welfare Fund regulations were last circulated ten years ago, during which time many new Branch officials have been elected. The result is a variety of experience in relation to submitting claims to the National welfare fund, with some Branch officials not being as experienced as others.

The Finance Department and CWU Trustees have therefore conducted a review of the CWU Welfare fund regulations, to ensure they are brought up to date, are unambiguous and are reflective of the purpose for which the fund was established. Branches will be aware that the CWU as a Trade Union is not authorised to give financial advice to any member as part of the Welfare Fund application process. This point is reiterated in the amended regulations.

At a meeting on 22^nd//23^rd October the NEC endorsed the attached revised set of CWU Welfare fund regulations. Branches must now operate in line with these regulations when considering and submitting applications to the National Welfare fund. In addition, the list of contacts for support and advice has also been updated and is also attached to assist in signposting these organisations to members.

The NEC hope that both documents will provide useful reference points that Branches can check prior to submitting future claims to the CWU Welfare fund, thereby ensuring claims are not unnecessarily delayed.

Any enquiries should be addressed to dwilshire@cwu.org or on 0208 9717 368

Tony Kearns

Senior Deputy General Secretary

LTB 231/25 – CWU National Welfare – Regulations

Att: Welfare Fund Regulations

Att: Updated Welfare Contacts for support and advice

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BRANCH BALLOT PROCEDURES

Branches will be aware that when requested, CWU HQ has conducted ballots for Branch elections. Over the past few years an increasing number of Branches have used this option where they have required an election(s) to be held following the close of the nominations for a particular position(s).

There are still however a significant number of Branches who conduct their own elections.  Although most are experienced in the processes involved, given the number of new Branch Officials, it is important to ensure updated guidelines for ballot procedures are reissued to Branches. This is especially relevant as we near the time when elections will be held and ballots required.

Branch Committees are responsible for agreeing and ensuring the publication of their own ballot timetables and regulations, but there is a need for clarification to be provided for certain elements of the balloting procedure.

The previous guidance has therefore been amended and updated to ensure there is clarity around particular matters, with the attached guidelines for Branch balloting procedures being endorsed at the meeting of the NEC on 22/23 October 2025.

Branches should ensure these are brought to the attention of members of the Branch Committee and adopted as elections are held in the future.

Any enquiries should be addressed to dwilshire@cwu.org or on 0208 971 7368

Tony Kearns

Senior Deputy General Secretary

LTB 230/25 – Branch Ballot Procedures

Att: Branch Ballot Procedures September 2025

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JOINT STATEMENT BETWEEN ROYAL MAIL NATIONAL LOGISTICS AND THE CWU REGARDING BANK HOLIDAY RESOURCING FOR NETWORK PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS, CHRISTMAS 2025/26

Colleagues will recall that as an integral part of the 2007 Professional Drivers Agreement, Bank Holidays effectively became normal working days for Network LGV Drivers and while we have long had an understanding with the business that, where possible, attendance would be on a voluntary basis, in reality our members can be compelled to attend on those days where sufficient numbers fail to volunteer. In line with the PDA, all staff who attend are credited with a lieu day.

Branches and representatives will be aware that, in addition to the generic Christmas Arrangements Agreement, the department has in previous years reached agreement with Royal Mail Logistics on specific guidelines covering the resourcing of Network LGV duties across the Christmas and New Year Bank Holidays.

In line with previous arrangements, discussions have therefore taken place with the business and the attached Joint Statement has been concluded and endorsed by the Postal Executive.

The Joint Statement reaffirms the following commitments:

• Advance planning;
• A wholly voluntary approach to any attendance on Christmas Day;
• The use of the full range of resourcing options to reduce the burden on our members;
• A commitment to only run essential services on Bank Holidays;
• A commitment to minimise any mandatory attendance – no driver asked to attend on both the Boxing Day and New Year Bank Holidays.

Additionally, we have also secured wording concerning the business decision to offer a temporary minimum 8-hour paid shift for LGV external resource during the period 27^thOctober until 21^st December.   Royal Mail stated that they have had to do this to secure sufficient additional resource to cover increased workload during the peak period.

The department argued that Royal Mail was treating Agency drivers more favourably than employed drivers and following discussions we have secured the extension of the minimum attendance of 8-hours to Royal Mail Drivers performing duties less than 8-hours, subject to full compliance with Driver Hours and Working Time restrictions.

For Royal Mail Drivers any extension to 8 hours will be voluntary and will be dependent on coverage of available workload during the extended hours. To confirm, this is a temporary arrangement that does not alter any existing terms and conditions and applies only within the specified dates.

Much like in previous years, the department believes that the attached clarification provided in relation to the arrangements for 2025/26 will be welcomed by representatives and members.

Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary, email: jrodrigues@cwu.org quoting reference LTB 229/25.

Yours sincerely,

Davie Robertson
Assistant Secretary

LTB 229/25 – JS LGV Driver Christmas BH Arrangements

Att: Signed JS Network Christmas Arrangements 2025.2026

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