Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Alert FY23 001 – Attention RM Fleet Workshop Technicians and Managers – Tail Lift Dangers and Safety Controls – “Don’t Work Under Unsupported Loads”:

Introduction, Background, Description and Overview: 

A Royal Mail Group Fleet workshop technician was working on an 18t HGV tail lift. The tail lift platform was at the time of the incident parked or stowed in its fully raised, upright position, flat against the back of the vehicle. The Technician removed the two tilt ram pins without first supporting the tail lift with any appropriate equipment to hold the very heavy component in place. The tail lift platform, with nothing securing it in place, subsequently dropped from vertical position to the open, horizontal position, striking the Technician heavily and causing significant, serious injuries.

This Safety Alert has been issued to remind the RMG Fleet Workshops workforce of the dangers of any type of unsupported loads when undertaking repairs and maintenance.

Impact/Injuries: 

Serious Back/Shoulder/Neck injuries.

Key Messages, Learning Points and Actions: 

• RMG Fleet staff must never place themselves, or undertake any maintenance and repair work, under or adjacent to an unsupported load such as a tail lift platform or for example under a vehicle supported only by a trolley jack.
• RMG Fleet staff should only undertake tasks they have been trained to perform.
• RMG Fleet staff must always follow safe working methods and systems of work and refer to the manufacturer’s maintenance and repair instructions and should seek advice from the Shift Supervisor or Workshop Manager if unfamiliar or in any doubt as to the task being undertaken.
• Axle Stands must always be used where applicable to support vehicles.
• For tail lift rams or vehicle cab tilt mechanisms – always provide additional support prior to removing any components which would allow the tail lift or cab etc. to fall freely.
• LOLER (Lifting Operations & Lifting Equipment Regulations) equipment must be subject to inspection and in date, otherwise they must be removed from use and do not use vehicle scissor type jacks in workshops (these are not LOLER compliant).

CWU RMG Fleet ASR Action:

• CWU Fleet ASRs please ensure that this Safety Alert is communicated and brought to the attention of all appropriate Workshop Reps, IR Reps and members and that actions above are deployed by PiCs/Managers/Technicians.
• ASRs to concentrate attention to this matter during Workplace Safety Inspections, Health and Safety Committee meetings and where necessary ensure a review Risk Assessment and Training is provided and undertaken.

Attachments: 

• Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Alert FY23 001
• HSE HSG261 Booklet – Health and safety in motor vehicle repair and associated industries
• HSE HSG345 Guide – Health and Safety Training

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 102/23 – Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Alert FY23 001 Tail Lift Dangers and Safety Controls Don’t Work Under Unsupported Loads

Att: SHE Alert FY23 001 – Don’t Work Under Unsupported Loads

Att: HSE-HSG261-Health and safety in motor vehicle repair and associated indu…

Att: HSE-INDG345-Health and Safety Training – A Brief Guide

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RMG DISPUTE; INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF CONDUCT CASES

Following the publication of the Business Recovery Transformation and Growth Agreement between CWU and RMG, Branches will be aware that an important element of the agreement is the joint commitment to undertake an Independent Review of all conduct cases.

As part of the Union’s preparation for the review, we are holding a Branch Secretaries meeting on Thursday 27^thApril at 11:00.  The meeting will be on Zoom and an appropriate link with necessary registration protocols will be issued direct to Branches tomorrow.

We would ask Branches with relevant conduct cases to ensure that this meeting is treated as a priority commitment.  We are happy for you to have more than one attendee or to substitute the Branch Secretary if they are not available.

Branches must also ensure, as a matter of urgency, that all necessary steps are taken in preparing cases of Representatives and Members who wish to be included in the review.  This information must be forwarded to the dedicated email address set out below:

Independent-Review@cwu.org

Once received, the union will then contact the Branch and provide an authority form for the individual to confirm that they are opting to have their case included in the Independent Review.

We look forward to seeing you on Thursday at 11:00.

Yours sincerely

Dave Ward
General Secretary                        

Andy Furey
A/Deputy General Secretary (Postal)

23LTB101 INDEPENDENT REVIEW ON ALL CONDUCT CASES ARISING FROM THE NATIONAL DISPUTE

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Greener Jobs Alliance (GJA) Newsletter No. 47 – April 2023:

Introduction:

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 ‘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 offer 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.

2. 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.

3. 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/

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 having recently written a publication for them ‘Greener workplaces for a just transition – a Wales TUC toolkit for trade unionists’ which was circulated by the CWU Health, Safety and Environment Department.

Paul Atkin Editorial GJA Newsletter Issue 47 – ‘Editorial: “Meet the New Plan – Same as The Old Plan”:

Editor Paul Atkin critiques the Tory Government’s “Powering Up Britain Report” which attempts to address the policy deficiencies which led to the Government’s High Court defeat in September. Green activists and environmental groups brought the action, arguing the Government climate change strategy did not spell out how carbon emissions cuts would be achieved. The high court ordered the Government to outline exactly how its net zero policies will achieve emissions targets after the court agreed that the Government’s flagship climate change strategy had illegally failed to include the policies it needed to deliver the promised emissions cuts. Atkin concludes that Minister Grant Shapps’s update is still based primarily on techno fixes based on untested, hopeful technology instead of putting more effort in to renewable energy initiatives.

The plans would at least call time on new oil and gas exploration in the North Sea, unblock onshore wind, invest ten times as much into port infrastructure for floating offshore wind as the Tories have earmarked, ensure a zero emissions standard for new build homes and put serious money into insulation; which would make more of a dent in carbon emissions and fuel poverty. They would also seek to match the state subsidy given to investors by the US and EU to prevent deindustrialisation in sectors like automotive and steel manufacture.

Contents GJA Newsletter 47:

• Editorial: Meet the New Plan – Same as the Old Plan
• OUR POWER Report GJA Supporters Meeting
• XR Big One Demo Events
• TUC report launch – Public transport fit for the climate emergency
• Gigafactories Update
• Battery Recycling
• GJA AGM 2023
• The Climate Crisis is a Class Issue
• Making the case for a National Climate Service
• Worker-led Transition Project Officers
• Carbon Budget Shortfall
• Climate Perks
• NEU Conference Result
• Climate Justice Coalition Trade Union Conference
• Alliance for Finance
• Costing the Earth
• Building Cathedrals
• Green Bites

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 Sustainable Development Goals, explicitly drawing together SDGs 12 – climate action, 10 – reduced inequalities, 8 – decent work and economic growth, and 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 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.

GJA Annual General Meeting:

This GJA AGM was held on Tuesday 14 March 2023 with a number of Guest Speakers; Niall Toru (Friends of the Earth) – National Climate Service, Hannah David (PCS) – Green Bargaining Officer and Hannah Markova (TUC). The GJA Plan of Action 2023 was debated. A full report is on page 6 of Newsletter 47 (attached).

GJA Newsletter Snippets:

Grade 1 listed York Minster Cathedral, a registered English Heritage Site, will install a total of 199 solar panels which will be placed upon the roof of South Quire Aisle, a part of the cathedral which originally dates from 1361. This will generate around 75,000kW/h of power annually. One of the globe’s most iconic cathedrals, York Minster, is set to install the solar PV panels following approvals by City of York Council (CoYC) and the Cathedrals Fabric Commission for England. As well as contributing to meeting daytime power demand, surplus power generated by the panels will be stored in underground batteries and used to power the cathedral’s evening services and events. This solar development will contribute to the Church of England’s decarbonisation target, aiming to be net zero by 2030.

Quote of the Month:

“A prime minister who, in the middle of an accelerating climate crisis, is happy to have the
electricity grid upgraded to heat his new swimming pool is one who may defend the
interests of fellow members of the 1% by any means necessary. The catastrophic carbon
footprints of the super-rich ought to be one of the issues of our age.
But super rich Rishi Sunak (Total Worth £750 Million) seems more interested in sending climate activists to jail.”

Andy Beckett (The Guardian)

Attachment:

• See attached copy of the GJA Newsletter No.47 for April 2023.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

23LTB100 Greener Jobs Alliance (GJA) Newsletter No. 47 – April 2023

GJA-Newsletter-47-April-2023

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BUSINESS RECOVERY, TRANSFORMATION AND GROWTH NATIONAL AGREEMENT – MEMBERS MEETINGS AND REQUESTS FOR OFFICERS / POSTAL EXECUTIVE ATTENDANCE

Further to the national briefing held in Bristol last Friday (21 April), Branches and Representatives should note the Postal Executive is due to consider a ballot timetable at a meeting on 26 April 2023.

Once a ballot timetable is agreed there will only be a finite period of time for Branches to complete their own democratic process and hold membership meetings.

The Officers and Postal Executive recognise the importance of assisting Branches where required and are committed to attending as many meetings of members as possible.

To ensure that a coordinated approach is taken Branches should ensure that any requests for Officers or Postal Executive members to attend meetings is made via the Deputy General Secretary (Postal) Department (DGS[P]).

Branches should submit requests to both fkelk@cwu.org and acorbett@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely

Dave Ward                                       Andy Furey
General Secretary                          Acting Deputy General Secretary (Postal)

LTB 099-23 – BUSINESS RECOVERY, TRANSFORMATION AND GROWTH NATIONAL AGREEMENT – MEMBERS MEETINGS AND REQUESTS FOR OFFICERS POSTAL EXECUTIVE ATTENDANCE

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We will be launching a series of detailed communications and engagement sessions next week.

Here, we sat down with General Secretary Dave Ward and quickly walked through some of the key points of the agreement.

• pay
• job security
• allowances
• later starts
• flexibility
• conduct issues
• culture
• parcelforce
• and more

Please ask members to consider giving this podcast a listen ahead of more detailed and broken down comms next week.

What your action has achieved

The agreement in full

Face to Face Briefing for Area Delivery Representatives and Area Distribution Reps (With Central Collection Responsibilities) To Be Held on 25^th April 2023

Dear Colleagues,

Further to the National Briefing on 21^stApril 2023, please note that there will be a Briefing next week for all ADRs in order to discuss the proposed RMG/CWU Business Recovery Transformation & Growth Agreement.  

Please see the following details below:
Date:      Tuesday 25^thApril 2023
Time:      10.30am – 2:30pm
Venue:   Birmingham Branch Office,
CWU, 47 Summer Lane, Hockley, Birmingham B19 3TH

Please also note the following:

A reminder to Branches that they are responsible for the travel and other associated costs for this type of meeting and, where an ADR has responsibility for an area which covers more than one Branch, these costs should be shared proportionately. However, if a Branch has any particular financial difficulties for these specific briefings and a case for assistance is made to this department this will be given the fullest consideration. Any such requests should be made prior to the meeting taking place.

Any queries to the content of the above please contact the Outdoor Department reference 535, email address: njones@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,

Mark Baulch
CWU Assistant Secretary

LTB 097/23 – ADR Briefing – Birmingham 25.04.23

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Royal Mail Group: National Briefing – Friday 21^st April

A National Briefing will be held on Friday 21^st April 2023 to provide Branches with an update in regard to our negotiations with Royal Mail Group and next steps.

The Briefing will commence at 11:00and conclude no later than 15:00 at:

The Dolman Hall
Ashton Gate Stadium
Ashton Rd
Bristol
BS3 2EJ

Tea and coffee will be available from 10.30.

All Branches are requested to make this a priority engagement and attendance arrangements should be in accordance with normal protocols for National Briefings whilst ensuring the importance of our proportionality requirements.

Attached is a brief paper to illustrate the bus services that go near to the Stadium as well as the nearest railway station.  Branches should also note that Central Bristol has a clean air zone and the link below provides details of the applicable charges:

https://www.bristol.gov.uk/residents/streets-travel/bristols-caz/charges-and-vehicle-checker

Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to the DGS(P) Department – fkelk@cwu.org or acorbett@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,

Andy Furey
A/Deputy General Secretary (Postal)

Dave Ward
General Secretary 

LTB 096/23 Royal Mail Group National Briefing – 21 April 23 – Travel

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CWU 2024 Diary

We are now taking orders for CWU 2024 diaries.  Please find attached an electronic diary order form.

We continue to offer branches personalised diaries at no extra cost.  Branches can personalise an area on the front cover of the CWU pocket diary and also have the option to have a personalised page (printed on one side only) which will be inserted near the front of the pocket diary.

The CWU pocket diary is priced at £2.00 and the A5 desk diary is priced at £4.00. 

We continue to offer branches bulk discount on pocket diaries on orders of 1,000 or more for £1.50 per diary.

Branches ordering unaltered diaries should return their completed order form by no later than Friday 22^ndSeptember. 

Personalised branch diary orders only

Branch personalised diary orders must be returned by no later than Friday 19^th May. On receipt of your order form you will be emailed the appropriate template(s), please ensure to include your email address as this is where your template(s) will be sent with further information. 

Please complete your template(s) as soon as possible and note the return deadline is

Friday 9^th June. Due to strict deadlines any orders or proofs received after the dates provided may not be processed. 

If you would like to use your 2023 diary template(s) and there are no changes, please advise Marcia Murray.

Orders will be based on the following:

Minimum order to personalise front cover: 250 units

Minimum order to insert page: 500 units

Minimum order to personalise front cover and insert page: 500 units                                                  

All completed order forms and enquiries on this LTB should be sent to Marcia Murray by email to mmurray@cwu.org

The diaries will be dispatched from w/c Monday 25^th September 2023.

Kind regards,

Chris Webb
Head of Communications, Engagement and Media

LTB 095/23 – CWU 2024 DIARY

Att: DIARY ORDER FORM

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