Subject: ‘Change for Good – Behavioural Reset – Launch of Royal Mails Business Standards 

Unfortunately, due to the ongoing issues with the IT system at Union Headquarters, we have been unable to report to Branches on this Royal Mail initiative.

Royal Mail have embarked on a project called change for good and it is Royal Mail’s attempt to re-engage and re-connect with the workforce and to begin a behavioural re-set following the dispute in 2022/2023

It should be said, the CWU were not asked to agree this initiative and as such we have informed the Business of our concerns and why we are unable to endorse this particular project.

Having said this, as a general principle we do welcome initiatives which attempt to improve and redress the Bullying and Harassment culture which currently exists within the Business. We do have some serious concerns that not everyone in the Business shares the same desire to achieve the cultural change which is so desperately needed.

We also believe, given the increased pressures being applied on our members in regards to workload and the Network Review at the moment, the timing of this initiative could have been better and we have counselled the Business on the potential of a negative response from our members. Similarly, Royal Mail have chosen this time and this project as a vehicle to launch the 2024 version of the Business standards, which of course they often do at various times.

However, on this occasion they have decided to change the way in which they communicate these Standards. In previous years they have either posted the Business Standards booklet to employees home addresses or used work time listening and learning sessions in order to inform Employees of any updates or changes, but this year they have placed the booklet on the Royal Mail Peoples app and then requested that all Employees read these and also do attest that they will abide by the standards contained in the document.

We have written to Royal Mail to voice our concerns with this change and we need to make sure all our members are aware of the possible repercussions of signing to say they will abide by the standards.

We are not in a position to advise members not to sign as this could put members in a difficult position. However, members will be asked to sign to they understand the contents of the booklet. This is purely business policy as it is in many other UK businesses. 

We have attached to this LTB the Business standards booklet along with the WTLL change for good presentation for information purposes as well as the response we have sent the Business in regards to the attestation.

Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Bobby Weatherall, Acting Assistant Secretary, email: hmaughan@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,

Bobby Weatherall 

Acting Assistant Secretary

LTB 126 – Subject Change for Good – Behavioural Reset – Launch of Royal Mails Business Standards

Chnage for good WTLL

Our Business Standards_Feb2024

Behavioural Reset CWU Briefing

Email to Kieran Hallan

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Network Window Exception Appeal Process

Branches and Representatives will be aware of the commitments in the BRT&G (Business Recovery, Transformation & Growth) Agreement regarding Network Window and the ongoing discussions with Royal Mail to try to conclude an agreed approach in relation to the Exceptions Process.

Unfortunately, these discussions have been very difficult and this process has been further hindered and delayed due to the IT issues within CWU Headquarters, which has meant that previous drafts covering the Exceptions Process became time expired.

However, we have now subsequently concentrated on agreeing a set of words concerning an Appeals Process under Network Window, which has now been endorsed by the Postal Executive and is attached.

This Appeal Process confirms that the following key approach will apply to ensure that the Line Manager’s decisions are fair and justified and that employee has been treated in line with the general principles set out, alongside legal obligations:

• Employees can raise an appeal to the initial outcome given. Employees will have to set out their rationale for an appeal and submit it to their Line Manager within 5 working days from the initial outcome given. 
• For changes up to 30 minutes appeals will be submitted and reviewed using a paper-based template. CWU representatives will be able to support their appeal by adding their written comments to the employee’s rationale and/or helping them construct their written appeal as appropriate.
• For changes 31 minutes and over, appeals can be heard via Microsoft Teams as an alternative option for those who choose this. Individuals choosing this method to appeal can be accompanied by a nominated trade union representative or friend. In order to ensure that appeals are completed by the 26^th April 2024.

In setting out this Appeal Process, we are very aware of the timelines and the delay in this matter. Indeed, it was our aim to have concluded an overall approach and set of words that cover the full Exceptions Process, but this has not been possible due to the reasons outlined above. However, we are equally aware, based on information now shared by Royal Mail, that there is circa 750 members who have appealed against their exception’s decision, therefore we believe that finalising this Joint Guidance was necessary and will support our members and Reps in the process.

Any enquiries regarding the content of this LTB should be addressed to the Outdoor Department, quoting reference number 580, email: Pharacz@cwu.org or Processing, Logistics, Parcelforce, International & Eurest Department, quoting reference number 054.06, email: sbanbury@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely,

Mark Baulch
Assistant Secretary                                                         

Davie Robertson
Assistant Secretary 

LTB 127/24 Network Window Exception Appeal Process

Joint Exception Appeal Process for Delivery and Collections

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CWU Education Programme – Update

The purpose of this LTB is to advise branches that as part of our ongoing review of courses and resources we have modernised a number of courses which has resulted in changes to the National Programme for 2024.

The BAME Leadership course will now be known as “BAME Representatives in the CWU” and has been rewritten. The new course will take place on the 30^th September – 2^nd October,

The IDAHOBIT course will now be replaced by a new course “LGBT+ in the CWU”. The new course will take place on the 28^th – 30^th October.

The Women’s Leadership course will now be known as “Women Representatives in the CWU” and has been rewritten and successfully run in March, we are hoping to schedule a further course later this year.

In addition, branches should note that the Pre-Course and Bridging activities for the Essential Skills and Advances Skills courses are temporarily suspended as they are being reviewed and updated.  Once this work has taken place Regional Learning Leads and ULRs will be briefed accordingly.StartFinishCourseCutt off30/09/202402/10/2024BAME Representatives in the CWU20/08/202428/10/202430/10/2024LGBT+ in the CWU11/09/2024

The courses will be available shortly on the CWU Portal, all will be held at Quorn Grange, Loughborough.  Any enquiries on this LTB should be directed to cwueducation@googlemail.com

Yours sincerely,

Kate Hudson
Head of Equality, Education & Development

CWU Education Programme – Update

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CWU Conference 2024 – Rules Revision Conference Agenda Pad

Branches would wish to know that the Agenda Pad for the Rules Revision Conference has now been placed on the website.

Click here for the link for the agenda

Any enquiries regarding this Letter to Branches should be addressed to Angela Niven aniven@cwu.org

Yours sincerely

Tony Kearns
Senior Deputy General Secretary

24LTB123 – Rules Revision Conference Agenda Pad

21140 NEW CWU 08070 Rules Revision Conference Booklet COMBINED gb

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If your area is heading to the polls on Thursday 2 May to vote in local elections. Across the country, councillors, mayors and police and crime commissioners will be elected.

We’re encouraging you to vote by post. It’s the only way to make absolutely sure that you’ll have your say in any election. 

We know that you might have every intention of heading to the polling station, but we also know that life can get in the way sometimes. 

Don’t let life get in the way of having your say. Sign up for a postal vote today.

https://www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote

The deadline to register for a postal vote is Wednesday 17 April at 5pm – get a job off your plate, register now:Get your postal vote

Once registered, you’ll receive your ballot paper in the post. Remember to send your ballot paper back in time for polling day, otherwise it will not be counted.

CWU Conference 2024 – General “Special Restructuring” Conference

Branches would wish to know that the Agenda Pad for the General “Special Restructuring” Conference has now been placed on the website.

The link for the agenda is as below:

Click to access 21141-CWU-08071-Special-Restructuring-Conference-Agenda-COMBINED-INDD-gb.pdf

Any enquiries regarding this Letter to Branches should be addressed to Angela Niven aniven@cwu.org

Yours sincerely

Tony Kearns

Senior Deputy General Secretary

LTB 122/24 – General Special Restructuring Conference Agenda Pad

Attachment: Special Restructuring Conference Agenda Pad PDF

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CWU Conference 2024 – Rules Revision Standing Order Report 

Please find attached the following:

• Rules Revision Standing Orders Report Supplementary No.1

Branches are reminded that credentials and voting cards and any further Standing Orders Reports will be available to pick up from the registration desk in the Windsor Hall Foyer in the Bournemouth International Centre from 3.00 pm – 6.00 pm on Saturday 20th April 2024.

Branches are also reminded that speakers cards need to be completed and returned prior to conference to enable the information to be input onto the system.

Any enquiries regarding this Letter to Branches should be addressed to Angela Niven or sent to aniven@cwu.org

Yours sincerely

Tony Kearns
Senior Deputy General Secretary

24LTB12024-Rules Revision Standing-Orders-Report 1

RR SOR1 2024

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CWU Conference 2024 – Telecom and Financial Services Standing Order Reports

Please find attached the following:

• TFS SOC Report Supplementary No.1
• TFS SOC Report Supplementary No.2

Branches are reminded that credentials and voting cards and any further Standing Orders Reports will be available to pick up from the registration desk in the Windsor Hall Foyer in the Bournemouth International Centre from 3.00 pm – 6.00 pm on Saturday 20th April 2024.

Branches are also reminded that speakers cards need to be completed and returned prior to conference to enable the information to be input onto the system.

Any enquiries regarding this Letter to Branches should be addressed to Angela Niven or sent to aniven@cwu.org

Yours sincerely

Tony Kearns

Senior Deputy General Secretary

LTB 119/24 – Telecom-and-Financial-Services-Standing-Orders-Reports

Att: TFS 2024 – SOR No.1

Att: TFSE 2024 – SOR No.2 

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Your Voice in the Workplace – April 2024

Please find attached the April Workplace Bulletin.

It is crucial that Branches are printing and distributing the monthly bulletin in every workplace. We have received some feedback from members that they have not seen other issues. The purpose of this publication is to ensure the union is pushing written content directly into the workplace so your role in that process is integral.

Thank you for your support and please contact us if you have ideas for future issues of the publication.

Click to access Your-Voice-RMG-03-April-2024-2up.pdf

Yours sincerely,

Martin Walsh
Deputy General Secretary (Postal)

Chris Webb
Head of Communications

24LTB118 – Your Voice in the Workplace – April 2024

Your Voice RMG 03 April 2024 – 2up

LTB 117/24 – 2% Pay Rise

LETTER TO BRANCHES

Urgent Information for Members

5^th April 2024

TO ALL CWU BRANCHES

Dear Colleagues,

2% Pay Rise

We have been advised by Royal Mail that in line with the Business Recovery, Transformation and Growth agreement all CWU graded employees (with the exception of Fleet) will have the consolidated 2% pay rise applying from 1^st April.  Payment will be made on Friday 5^th April 2024 as per the normal pay cycle.

The 2% increase will apply to base pay and flow through to overtime, scheduled attendance, basic pay supplements, functional supplements and allowances (except RRIS, legacy and reserved rights payments) skills and unsocial hours allowances, London weighting and Scottish Distant Islands allowance.

The next pay review will be 1^st April 2025.

Any enquiries in relation to the content of this LTB should be addressed to the Deputy General Secretary’s Office hford@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely,

Martin Walsh

Deputy General Secretary (Postal)