An important update for CWU members in Royal Mail Group.
Core / Online Education & Training Programme 2023
Core / Online Education & Training Programme 2023
The purpose of this LTB is to advise Branches that the NEC has endorsed a programme of courses for 2023.
Core Residential Programme
Arrangements have been made for our residential training programme to be delivered at 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.Jan 16th – 20thOccupational Health Week 4Carried overJan 23rd – 27thEmployment Law Week 4Carried overMar 6th – 10thAdvanced Skills Part 123/01/2023Mar 20th – 24thEssential Skills Part 106/02/2023Apr 3rd – 5thWomen’s Leadership20/02/2023Apr 11th -13thPublic Speaking23/01/2023Apr 17th – 21stPostal Agreements & Procedures06/03/2023April 23rd – 27thNo course, CWU ConferenceMay 2nd – 4thBAME Leadership 127/02/2023May 15th – 17thIDAHOBIT03/04/2023May 22nd – 26thEssential Skills Part 210/04/2023May 31st – 1stGFTU – Standing up for a better workplace17/04/2023 June 26th – 28thBranch Secretaries15/05/2023June 26th – 30thEssential Skills Part 115/05/2023July 3rd – 7thAdvanced Skills Part 222/05/2023July 10 – 12thMental Health Awareness29/05/2023July 17th – 21stUnion Learning Reps Part 105/06/2023Aug 29th – 31stNeurodiversity17/07/2023Sept 4th – 8thEqual Rights Part 124/07/2023Sept 11th – 15thIntermediate Health & Safety Part 124/07/2023Sept 18th – 22ndEssential Skills Part 207/08/2023Sept 25th – 29thIntroduction To Health & Safety Part 114/08/2023Oct 2nd – 6thEssential Skills Part 121/08/2023Oct 9th – 13thUnion Learning Reps Part 228/08/2023Oct 10th – 11thGFTU – Standing up for a better workplace28/08/2023Oct 16th – 20thPostal Agreements & Procedures04/09/2023Oct 23rd – 25thBAME Leadership 218/09/2023Oct 25th – 27thChairing Meetings18/09/2023Oct 30th – 3rdPostal Agreements & Procedures25/09/2023Nov 6th – 10thEqual Rights Part 202/10/2023Nov 13th – 17thIntroduction To Health & Safety Part 209/10/2023Nov 20th – 24thEssential Skills Part 216/10/2023Nov 27th – 1stIntermediate Health & Safety Part 223/10/2023
Online Programme
Given that this method of delivery during the pandemic has been extremely well received, we have arranged to offer a smaller programme of online education, enabling students to access courses using this method.
Online course schedule – Provider to be advised on applicationDatesCourseCut Off dateFeb 6th – 10thIntermediate Health & Safety Part 110/01/2023Feb 13th – 17thIntroduction to Health & Safety Part 116/01/2023Feb 20th – 24thPostal Agreements & Procedures16/01/2023Feb 27th – 3rdEssential Skills Part 116/01/2023Mar 13th – 17thPostal Agreements & Procedures30/01/2023Mar 30th – 31stGrievance & Discipline (Unrecognised areas)13/02/2023Apr 17th – 21stIntermediate Health & Safety Part 206/03/2023April 23rd – 27thNo course, CWU ConferenceMay 15th – 19thIntroduction to Health & Safety Part 203/04/2023 June 5th – 9thIntroduction to Health & Safety Part 124/04/2023June 12th – 16thEssential Skills Part 201/05/2023June 19th – 23rdPostal Agreements & Procedures08/05/2023July 24th – 28thEssential Skills Part 112/06/2023Oct 9th – 13thIntroduction To Health & Safety Part 228/08/2023Oct 12th – 13thGrievance & Discipline (Unrecognised areas)28/08/2023Oct 23rd – 24thFinancial Secretaries/Treasurers11/09/2023Nov 20th – 24thEssential Skills Part 216/10/2023
Scotland Programme
The Programme in Scotland will be delivered Online by City of Glasgow College.DatesCourseCut Off dateFeb 13th – 17thIntroduction to Health & Safety Part 116/01/2023Feb 20th – 24thPostal Agreements & Procedures16/01/2023April 7thGood FridayApr 17th – 21stEssential Skills Part 206/03/2023April 23rd – 27thNo course, CWU ConferenceMay 15th – 19thIntroduction To Health & Safety Part 203/04/2023Sept 18th – 22ndIntermediate Health & Safety Part 207/08/2023Sept 25th – 29thEssential Skills Part 114/08/2023Oct 16th – 20thPostal Agreements & Procedures04/09/2023Oct 30th – 3rdIntermediate Health & Safety Part 225/09/2023Nov 13th – 17thEssential Skills Part 209/10/2023
Wales Programme
The Programme in Wales will be delivered by Adult Learning Wales at venues to be confirmed.DatesCourseCut Off dateFeb 13th – 17thIntroduction to Health & Safety Part 116/01/2023Feb 20th – 24thPostal Agreements & Procedures16/01/2023Apr 17th – 21stEssential Skills Part 106/03/2023April 23rd – 27thNo course, CWU ConferenceMay 15th – 19thIntroduction To Health & Safety Part 203/04/2023Sept 18th – 22ndIntermediate Health & Safety Part 207/08/2023Sept 25th – 29thEssential Skills Part 214/08/2023Oct 16th – 20thPostal Agreements & Procedures04/09/2023Oct 30th – 3rdIntermediate Health & Safety Part 225/09/2023Nov 13th – 17thEssential Skills Part 209/10/2023
IT, Infrastructure and Learning Differences
Having tested online delivery of samples on both accredited and unaccredited courses, it is crucial that the student is set up appropriately and in good time before the training commences.
The learner 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 will not be allowed.
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.
Additionally, upon application, please ensure that we are aware in good time of any adjustments that may need to be arranged, such as issues relating to dyslexia or sight / hearing differences.
Interim Application Process
Due to unforeseen circumstances the OLS course application process is not in use at present. Branch Secretaries should email applications to courseadmin@cwu.orgcontaining the following:
Name of Officer/Representative
Membership number
Name of course
Date of course
Home postcode
As previously, all applicants MUST be registered on the OLS as a role holder or applications will not be able to be processed.
We hope to restore the OLS application process as soon as possible and will keep Branches informed accordingly.
Release & Notice
Paid release should normally apply where the union is recognised and/or in line with any existing agreements.
Prospectus
The CWU Course Prospectus for 2023 is currently being finalised and will be issued shortly by LTB. The prospectus will assist branches and students in planning their training requirements for the coming year and gives an overview of course content.
Please forward any enquiries relating to this LTB to courseadmin@cwu.org in the first instance.
Yours sincerely,
Kate Hudson
Head of Equality, Education & Development
CWU/RMG DISPUTES – MEMBERSHIP COMMUNICATION
CWU/RMG DISPUTES – MEMBERSHIP COMMUNICATION
All branches will be aware we wrote to the RMG CEO at the weekend seeking meaningful negotiations to resolve our current disputes. The CEO has now replied and refuses to discuss anything other than the RMG so-called “best and final” offer – showing no willingness to reach an agreement – other than on his terms.
Please find attached an important communication to members that we are asking you to urgently share across all workplaces.
The union will continue to press for serious negotiations and will expose the company’s position to the media.
In the meantime, it is the job of every Representative to prepare for this week’s strike action.
Yours sincerely
Dave Ward Andy Furey
General Secretary Acting Deputy General Secretary (Postal)
22LTB468 CWU DISPUTES MEMBERSHIP COMMUNICATION
A MESSAGE TO ALL CWU MEMBERS – SUPPORT THE STRIKES 29/11/22
A MESSAGE TO ALL CWU MEMBERS – SUPPORT THE STRIKES
Dear members,
Thank you for your outstanding support for the strike action last week. In the face of serious intimidation from the employer – the strike was rock solid. This Wednesday and Thursday we must go again.
The CWU wrote to Royal Mail Group CEO Simon Thompson at the weekend, to seek serious negotiations to end this dispute. He has now replied and refuses to discuss anything other than the Royal Mail Group ‘best and final offer’ – showing no willingness to reach an agreement – other than on his terms.
Their so called ‘best and final offer’ would destroy your jobs, terms, conditions, and the service:
MASS JOB LOSSES AND COMPULSORY REDUNDANCIES
You are being asked to pay for their gross mismanagement of the company’s finances.
The number of job losses associated with Royal Mail Group’s plans represent the biggest assault on any group of UK workers in decades. Unless we stick together, Royal Mail Group will force compulsory redundancies and will employ unlimited numbers of self-employed workers and new entrants on lower terms and conditions. They aren’t bringing these people in to work alongside you; they are bringing them in to replace you. There is no union or worker in the country that would accept this position.
PAY
On pay, they keep claiming they are offering 9% (substantially worse for Parcelforce and Fleet members) – you know this is not true and have seen right through it. We cannot and will not accept an offer that doesn’t include backpay and is linked to you surrendering your terms and conditions.
Royal Mail Group continue to display outrageous double standards on the question of affordability. Just today, we have revealed that managers will receive up to 20% of their salary in a bonus payment if they push through all these changes. One rule for them and one rule for you.
DESTROYING THE SERVICE
Their decision to vacate the AM delivery period will mean drastically later starts in every single business and function – destroying a 500-year-old service and your unique relationship with your customers.
INTIMIDATION
Royal Mail Group’s desperate strategy and attacks on our members and representatives is all part of the union and worker busting tactics. They want you to feel demoralised. They want you to feel as if the action is not working. We will continue to expose their lack of honesty and integrity in every media interview we do in the coming days.
WIDENING THE DISPUTE
We can also announce we are widening the pressure points. On December 6th we have set up a meeting with major Royal Mail Group shareholders. We will use this meeting to dismantle Royal Mail Group’s reckless plans and set out the unions vision for the future of the company.
December 9th is the next strike day after this week. We are going to call a national rally in London on this day. We want every single branch to bus you all to London. Tens of thousands of postal workers outside Royal Mail HQ – demanding his resignation. Media interest in this is already red hot.
We are also working on the idea of a CWU leaflet that we will ask members, families, and supporters to deliver to every household in the UK.
STAND TOGETHER
We know how hard this is, but you all know what’s at stake.
We are at a crossroads. The company are raging a war against their own employees. The CEO himself is creating a huge mental health crisis across the company and their reckless approach is destroying the service we are so proud to provide.
The only way through this is to stick together. Let’s deliver the biggest support for strike action yet.
Solidarity
Dave Ward
General Secretary
Andy Furey
Acting Deputy General Secretary (Postal)
POST OFFICE: PAY DISPUTE 2021/22 & 2022/23 – NOTICE SERVED FOR STRIKE ACTION (CROWNS/ADMIN) & ACTION SHORT OF A STRIKE (SUPPLY CHAIN)
POST OFFICE: PAY DISPUTE 2021/22 & 2022/23 – NOTICE SERVED FOR STRIKE ACTION (CROWNS/ADMIN) & ACTION SHORT OF A STRIKE (SUPPLY CHAIN)
Branches are advised the Postal Executive has today authorised strike action and action short of a strike for our Post Office members. The two-week legal notification has been served on Post Office today as follows:
Crowns & Admin – Strike Action
- 48 hours’ strike action commencing at or after 06.00 on Monday 12th December 2022 and before 20.00 on Tuesday 13th December 2022.
Supply Chain – Action Short of a Strike
- Overtime and Scheduled Attendance ban for two weeks from Midnight on Monday 12th December until 23.59 on Saturday 24th December
The Union remains available for negotiations, either directly with Post Office or via Acas. Hopefully Post Office will agree to meaningful negotiations, which is evidently required to resolve this dispute.
It should be noted that the action described above has been discussed with our full-time IR Reps who fully support the strategy.
Further developments will be reported.
Yours sincerely
Andy Furey
Acting Deputy General Secretary (Postal)
Proportionality – 2022 Report
Proportionality – 2022 Report
As part of our ongoing commitment to report annual proportionality data, the Equality, Education and Development department has produced the attached 2022 proportionality report for branch’s attention.
Unlike previous reports, we are excited to announce that this year’s data includes the diversity make up for all CWU positions at branch, regional and national level.
In addition, for the very first time we have begun reporting on membership and activism rates for CWU members who identify as having a disability, as such this report sets out the make-up of our activist base, specifically looking at sex, ethnic background, age and disability.
The information used in the attached report has been gathered from the On-Line Service (OLS) membership database and is a sample taken from the period of March/April 2022. Any data illustrating 2021 figures were gathered in November 2021.
During the last data gathering process, 90% of branches updated their branch activism data, as such the data used is the most accurate available but cannot claim to be one hundred per cent accurate or complete.
The next full data report will be produced in early 2023, prior to CWU Annual Conference.
Any queries on this LTB should be directed to equality&education@cwu.org
Yours sincerely,
Kate Hudson
Head of Equality, Education & Development
22LTB 466 – Proportionality 2022 Report
BREAKING: CWU make further attempt to resolve ongoing Royal Mail Group with offer of urgent negotiations 27/11/22
🚨 BREAKING: CWU make further attempt to resolve ongoing Royal Mail Group with offer of urgent negotiations.
The ball is firmly in the court of Royal Mail Group CEO, Simon Thompson.
Please share the letter below as far and wide as possible.
…….
Dear Simon
As you know your proposed agreement has been unanimously rejected by the union’s Postal Executive.
The number of job losses associated with your plans for the future are completely unacceptable and represent the biggest assault on any group of UK workers in decades.
Only 18 months ago your employees and our members were praised as key workers that kept the country and the company going during the pandemic. It is outrageous that you now want to force through mass job losses, including compulsory redundancies, as part of what can only be described as an asset stripping plan.
It is also totally immoral and potentially illegal, for you and the Board to implement these proposals by choosing to simultaneously recruit unlimited numbers of self- employed drivers and new entrants on significantly inferior pay, terms and conditions, rather than retaining loyal and hardworking Royal Mail employees who still want a job.
There is no union or worker in the country that would accept this position.
Your proposals will also lead to the destruction of a 500-hundred-year old public service and the end of the Royal Mail brand as we know it.
Imposing up to 3 hour later starts means you are abandoning the a.m. delivery period, forever denying the opportunity to develop new products and services. This amounts to the company deliberately running down customer services and turning Royal Mail into just another gig economy employer.
On pay, you keep claiming that what you are offering is worth 9%, you know this is not true and our members have seen right through it.
It is now incumbent upon you to re-engage in intensive negotiations with the union to resolve this dispute – this is what your employees, our members and the public expect of the CEO. Nothing else can be more important. This means you personally investing the time required to reach agreement. No more picking and choosing when you attend the negotiations.
The CWU remains committed to a negotiated settlement and will make ourselves available for talks later today and on Monday and Tuesday.
During our ACAS talks, the union put forward an alternative plan for the future, which you and your team acknowledged had a lot of merit. It was also stated by your team that the RMG Board had a similar view. We now want to put our plan in front of the RMG Board and I will be writing separately to the Chair Keith Williams and all Board members on this.
In the meantime, let’s talk later today and make ourselves available as soon as possible for further direct negotiations or talks facilitated by ACAS.
Yours sincerely
Dave Ward
General Secretary
CC: Marina Glasgow, Keith Williams and Stuart McDonald
2022 Dispute Relating to Royal Mail Group Breaking the “Pathway to Change” and Associated National Agreements and Protections for CWU Represented Grades Employed by Royal Mail Group Consisting of Royal Mail, Parcelforce and Fleet
2022 Dispute Relating to Royal Mail Group Breaking the “Pathway to Change” and Associated National Agreements and Protections for CWU Represented Grades Employed by Royal Mail Group Consisting of Royal Mail, Parcelforce and Fleet
Branches and Representatives will know that negotiations have been continuing with Royal Mail Group on our disputes. Having rejected the latest offer as not meeting the aspirations of our members and in order to keep the pressure on it was important that the union today served the statutory notice of discontinuous strike action to RMG.
The strike will cover all duties and scheduled attendance commencing between the period at or after 04:00 on Friday 9th December 2022 and before 04:00 on Saturday 10th December 2022. The industrial action will be discontinuous.
The strike will cover all duties and scheduled attendance commencing between the period at or after 00:01 on Sunday 11th December 2022 and before 20:00 on Sunday 11th December 2022. The industrial action will be discontinuous.
Any enquiries in relation to the content of this LTB should be addressed to the DGS(P) Department.
Yours sincerely,
Andy Furey
Acting Deputy General Secretary (Postal)
Royal Mail Area Representative & Royal Mail Area Representative Substitute Elections – 2022
Royal Mail Area Representative & Royal Mail Area Representative Substitute Elections – 2022
Branches will be aware that the Senior Deputy General Secretary is required to publish a standard election timetable for the RM Area Rep/Substitute positions. The timetable applies to positions that cover more than one branch area, i.e. those RM Area Rep elections, which are currently organised by the Regional Secretary. Accordingly the timetable for the 2022 RM Area Rep elections is as follows:
Nominations Open: 25th November 2022
Nominations Close: 16th December 2022 (3-week nomination period)
In line with the above policy, I have asked Regional Secretaries to co-ordinate these elections and to contact branches and advise them of the arrangements for the positions which are subject to election within their respective areas.
Branches are reminded that candidates must have received the nomination of their own branch and if ballots are required, we will advise the respective branches of the ballot timetable in due course.
Branches should also note that any ballots will be conducted on an individual member basis of those members eligible to vote and that the costs incurred for the ballots would have to be met from the relevant Branch(s) funds. The Regional Secretary will discuss the detail of this with the Branches.
Due to the current unprecedented circumstances in relation to the National Industrial Action taking place throughout the Union, Branches should note that any ballots for these elections that occur may be deferred until the New Year.
Also, please note that it has been agreed that any candidates taking part in a ballot will be entitled to submit the following biographical and election information:
- Biographical Details up to a maximum of 100 words.
- An Election Statement of no more than 300 words.
Please note that the biographical details and election address will need to be provided to the respective Regional Secretary by the close of nominations on 16th December 2022. Any information received after this date will not be included with the ballot information.
In addition, any elections will be conducted in line with the attached Guidelines and I would also take this opportunity to remind branches and candidates that they have a responsibility to treat fellow candidates with respect and they must ensure that no election material is published that could be deemed as either offensive or abusive.
Please note that elections for Area Representatives that fall wholly within one Branch boundary are the responsibility of the Branch, however if required, assistance can be sought from the Regional Secretary regarding these elections.
Any enquiries regarding this LTB should be addressed to the Senior Deputy General Secretary’s Department on telephone number 020 8971 7237 or email address sdgs@cwu.org.
Yours sincerely,
Tony Kearns
Senior Deputy General Secretary
Election of CWU Delegates to the TUC Equality Conferences 2023
Election of CWU Delegates to the TUC Equality Conferences 2023
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: 8th – 10th March 2023
Venue: TUC Congress House, London
TUC Disabled Workers Conference
Date: TBC
Venue: TBC
TUC Black Workers Conference
Date: 21st – 23rd April 2023
Venue: TUC Congress House, London
TUC LGBT+ Workers Conference
Date: 29th – 30th June 2023
Venue: TUC Congress House, London
The Timetable for the elections is as follows:
Nominations open: 24 November 2022
Nominations close: 8 December 2022 (14:00)
Dispatch ballot papers from: 10 December 2022
Ballot closes: 22 December 2022 (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 to the Senior Deputy General Secretary’s Department on telephone number 020 8971 7237, or email address sdgs@cwu.org.
Yours sincerely,
Tony Kearns
Senior Deputy General Secretary
22LTB463 – Election of CWU Delegates to the TUC Equality Conferences 2023.doc
CWU Eastern No5 Branch 