POST OFFICE: PAY DISPUTE 2021/22 – STRIKE ACTION

I’m pleased to report the strike action around the Platinum Jubilee weekend was supported by members in overwhelming numbers.  We gained good media coverage with our reasons for the dispute featuring highly in all press articles with plenty of powerful quotes from the Union.  Once again, Post Office made no attempt whatsoever to justify or defend the pay freeze position.  Indeed, this was also the case in respect of internal comms in the lead-up to the strike days.

Below is a link to a CWU web article on the strikes, published yesterday.

Post Office Supply Chain & Admin strike hits hard

We also saw various politicians on picket lines and received support particularly on Twitter from MPs & MSPs.  Attached are two examples of Tweets posted in support of the strikes, including one from Tahir Ali, Labour MP for Birmingham, Hall Green, who attended the Birmingham CViT Depot/Cash Centre picket line yesterday.

An on-line meeting with our full-time Reps is scheduled for tomorrow to review the situation and to consider next steps.  Further developments will be reported following the deliberations of the Postal Executive.

Finally, may I thank all Branches and Reps for their efforts in helping to make the dispute effective.  Also, my thanks go to all of our Post Office members for supporting this crucial action.

Yours sincerely

Andy Furey
Assistant Secretary

22LTB248 Post Office – Pay Dispute 2021-22 – Strike Action

Attachment 1 to 22LTB248

View Online

REVISED OPERATIONAL STANDARDS GUIDE (PROCESSING)

Branches and representatives will be aware that LTB 018/22 communicated the Joint Statement between Royal Mail and the CWU on the National Operational Standards Guide (Processing) and a copy of an Operational Standards Guide (Processing Edition). Following circulation of the document however it was identified that an incorrect diagram relating to Bull Ring layout had inadvertently been included in the guide.

The issue was raised with the business and a revised guide has now been provided, a copy of which is attached for your information.

As detailed in LTB 018/22 the Guide includes visual layouts for each machine or work area along with the agreed operational standards, with regard to traffic type, setup etc. and where appropriate the agreed number of operators for each application. The guide also provides reference to where the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for each work area can be accessed.
As detailed previously the department were also successful in persuading the business to remove the references to minimum throughputs for each area, as these are entirely dependent on many variable factors that can affect these figures.

It is recognised that the Processing Estate is very diverse with regard to capacity and layout and that site specific arrangements will continue to apply in some units. However, the department receives numerous enquiries on correct layouts and working practices and we hope that the revised guide will provide an easy and available reference point, which should contribute to ensuring that all kit and equipment is used correctly across the Processing function.

Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary, email: dwyatt@cwu.org quoting reference: 714.02.

Yours sincerely

Davie Robertson
Assistant Secretary

246-22 – Revised Operational Standards Guide 06.06.22

Royal Mail Processing Standards Booklet_v20Standardsagreed

View Online

Road Traffic Accident/Collision Procedure Launch

Branches will recall a revised Road Traffic Accident Procedure was agreed with Royal Mail in September 2021, LTB 395/21 refers.  The agreement was the subject of a National Briefing and was ratified through a Branch Ballot on the 6^thDecember 2021.

At the time discussions were ongoing on the supporting standard letters and documentation and whilst it was anticipated that these would be agreed at pace, in the opinion of the departments it is fair to say Royal Mail have for one reason or another dragged their heels in terms of a launch and implementation of the agreement.

This process has now been concluded and attached to this LTB you will find a copy of the agreement itself, the standard letters used in the process and a copy of the redeployment scoping forms.

The agreement will be launched and implemented on 1^st June 2022. A training module has been developed in conjunction with the DGS(P) department and Branches will be further advised in regards to this aspect.

Whilst we are pleased at long last this agreement will be implemented, we are far from happy with Royal Mail’s response. They have steadfastly refused to hold a joint briefing and instead have taken the decision to brief employees and managers via a Work Time Listening and Learning session.

We do believe a joint launch and also the development of joint training to be the most effective way of implementing the agreement as this would assist in avoiding inconsistency of the approach and application of the agreement.  Accordingly, we are very conscious of any further delay and potential knock on effect to our members who may unfortunately be involved in a road traffic accident.

We do believe our training module will give our representatives a great understanding of the agreement.

Any enquiries regarding the content of this LTB please contact: The PTCS Department reference 420, email address: khay@cwu.org

 Yours sincerely,                                  Yours sincerely                       Yours sincerely

Carl Maden                                      Davie Robertson                Mark Baulch

Assistant Secretary                       Assistant Secretary           Assistant Secretary

Attachment 1: 22LTB245 Road Traffic Accident – Collision Procedure Launch

Attachment 2: Attachment 1 to 22LTB245 – RTACP 2022 Fully Signed

Attachment 3: Attachment 2 to 22LTB245 – RTACP 2022 Draft Letters v7

View Online

Impromptu interview with National Officer Mark Baulch. Please watch and share as widely as possible https://fb.watch/dsy5JmYyKk/

CWU 2023 Diary

We have extended the deadline for personalised diaries. 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 £3.00.

We also continue to offer branches bulk discount on pocket diaries only 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 Monday 23^rdSeptember.

Personalised branch diary orders only

Branch personalised diary orders must be returned by no later than Friday 10^th June. 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 together with further instructions.

Please complete your template(s) as soon as possible and note the return deadline is Wednesday 15^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 2022 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 w/c Monday 26^th September 2022.

Kind regards,

Chris Webb
Head of Communications, Engagement and Media

22LTB243 CWU 2023 Diary

Diary Order Form

Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash FY22 013 – Serious Dog Attack in Garden:

Background and Description – What Happened

Royal Mail Group’s Safety Team have issued RMG SHE Safety Flash FY22 013 following yet another recent serious dog attack, this time the victim was a postwoman/OPG member in Goole (East Yorkshire) who earlier this month received horrific injuries to her legs, arm, wrist and a fractured bone in the right hand during the savage attack.

In this case, the victim was a fairly new member of staff who had joined Royal Mail quite recently. The employee arrived at what is a large house in large surrounding gardens. On the front gates was a sign – “Warning Beware of The Dogs”. The postwoman saw and heard no dogs present. She rattled the gate and got no response. She then entered the garden and approached the house which was a little distance from the gate. As she neared the house, a very aggressive, large German Shepherd dog came from behind the house with a second dog and immediately launched a ferocious, violent attack on the member, knocking her to the ground and inflicting several serious bite wound and laceration injuries to the victim’s legs, arms, a wrist and a hand including a bone fracture. The dog was eventually pulled off and dragged away by the owner and returned to the property.

The Safety Flash has been released to once again raise awareness and raise the profile of the need for the delivery workforce to be vigilant and follow dog risk controls and safe systems of work in order to reduce the risk of dog attacks.

Delivery members should adopt a ‘zero tolerance’ approach, taking no risks and following the ‘AVOID’ acronym message. If a suspected dog risk exists at a premises, then the approach should be to ‘err on the side of caution’ as ‘it’s better to be safe than sorry.’

A Police investigation and an internal Royal Mail/CWU joint investigation are both underway. The CWU Area Health and Safety Representative is fully involved locally in the investigation and the CWU/HQ Health, Safety and Environment Department is involved nationally. We are in close contact with our Branch ASR and in regular contact also with the Royal Mail Security Investigation Team and Royal Mail Group Senior Lawyer and Legal Department, receiving regular updates.

Impact/Injury

The injured postwoman was taken to hospital via ambulance and received emergency surgery on the injuries resulting in multiple stitches plus medication to prevent serious infection. Hospital treatment continues.

Dog Awareness

As indicated in LTBs 134/22 and 150/22, a detailed staff WTLL Briefing on dog awareness was produced in consultation with the CWU Health, Safety & Environment Department to be delivered to the Delivery Office workforce in preparation for the reinstatement of PDA ‘Signed-For’ deliveries, reminding and raising awareness of all delivery staff to be vigilant at all times and to always take the safe course of action regarding dogs. Take no risks and take no assurances from dog owners either!

Reminder!

There are 3000 dog attacks on postmen and women every year. 1000 postmen and women have had a finger or part finger bitten off in the last 5 years through letterboxes. Members need to be vigilant and aware of the risks that dogs pose and take no chances. Royal Mail and CWU agree that the safety of our delivery workforce is paramount, and dog awareness must be taken seriously.

Remember:

• 3000 dog attacks on postmen and women every year!
• 1000 postmen and women have had a finger bitten off in the last 5 years – don’t put your fingers through the letter box!
• 5 people have been killed in dog attacks this year in the UK, averaging one a month, 4 of them children.
• 5 million households in the UK have acquired a pet during the 2-year pandemic according to the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association. That means the UK now has 17 million pet-owning homes – mostly dogs.

Raise Awareness – Be Vigilant

The aim of this LTB and the attachments is to raise awareness of the dog risk and to urge members on delivery to always stay vigilant in order to do what we can jointly to minimise the risk of dog attacks on members and to promote the staff dog awareness ‘AVOID’ acronym message. The ‘AVOID’ message, outlined in the attached briefing is crucially important at this time – the message is:-  ‘AVOID and Stay Safe’ –  Managers and Workplace Coaches have been requested to ensure that staff are thoroughly briefed on the importance of using ‘AVOID’ and being dog aware. All CWU Reps should support getting the message across to all members.

Key Messages, Learning Points and Activities – DOMs to take appropriate remedial action, brief and remind all delivery staff as follows:

• Ensure staff are being vigilant and aware that they should report all unsecure gates or properties where a dog resides to their manager, so that they can agree the necessary controls with customers to ensure the safety of delivery staff.
• Remind staff that they may need to be prepared to use their delivery equipment (pouch or trolley) to form a barrier to defend themselves if necessary.
• Remind staff to report all dog hazards to their manager, so that they can be assessed using the dog attack control matrix and appropriate action taken to reduce the risk.
• Postmen and women/OPGs unfamiliar with delivery walks need to be made aware and informed of any hazards such as dangerous dogs or hazardous delivery points and the temporary controls that are in place and addresses where there are delivery suspensions.
• Ensure that all USO delivery exceptions and suspensions, along with alternative delivery arrangements are identified on the delivery frame through the use of the special instruction card.
• Significant dog hazards must be recorded on the ‘Outdoor Risk Assessment/(WRAP replacement) and must be identified by a yellow dot on the frame.
• The USO Sharepoint should be used to request letters to be sent to notify customers of any concerns that need addressing.
• 1 in 3 properties in the UK now have a dog. Approximately 2.5 million dogs were purchased during the pandemic. So therefore the risk of attack has increased significantly.

DOM/PiC Actions:

1. Brief the Safety Flash to all staff as part of your next staff WTLL/huddle and display it on the SHE Safety Notice Board.
2. PiC to ensure that all staff have received training on avoiding dog attacks via Content on Demand.
3. Ensure all delivery postman/women employees have had the Delivery SSOW communicated to them in the last 12 months.
4. Ensure walk logs are reviewed, printed off [this will support the transfer of hazards into Outdoor Risk Assessment (ORA)], and yellow dots are in place on frames for all known dog hazards.
5. Visit the dog attack hazard intranet pages for ideas and material to reduce dog attacks. Units can order proactive dog attack postcards by contacting their local ALTS (Area Leadership Team Support).
6. Focus safety conversations on dog attacks, check that customer gates are in good condition and secure.
7. Managers to carry out offsite safety observations to ensure employees are working in line with this training.
8. Following Risk Assessment, suitable controls must be identified where loose dogs are known to be present on a property and the customer told to fit an external letterbox in order to maintain safe deliveries.

CWU ASR/WSR Actions

• Please ensure that this LTB, training, Safety Flash, briefing materials and images are communicated to all members.
• Carry out safety inspections.

Attachments: 

• Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash FY22 013 – Serious Dog Attack in Garden
• WTLL Dog Awareness Delivery Staff Briefing as RM re-instate ‘Signature Capture’ and embeds ‘Photo Capture on Delivery’
• Goole Postwoman Dog Attack Injury Images
• Scene of the Goole Dog Attack Image
• German Shepherd Images

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

22LTB242 Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash FY22 013 – Serious Dog Attack in Garden Goole DO Postwoman Dog Attack Injuries May 2022

SHE Flash FY22 013 – Dog Attack

Dog Awareness Brief V4 DJ

Goole DO Postwoman Dog Attack Injuries May 2022

Scene of the Goole Dog Attack May 2022

Doc1

View Online

A message to Telecom and Financial Services Branches – TUC Demo June 18th

 

The TUC demonstration on Saturday June 18th focuses on the cost of living crisis – something at the heart of our dispute with Openreach, BT and EE. 

 

The rally will also call for a new deal for workers in the UK – a campaign led by the CWU. 

 

We want to acknowledge and thank you for all the work you are undertaking to deliver a massive yes vote in the forthcoming industrial action ballot – it is brilliant to see the whole union coming together. 

 

The timing of this rally coincides with the first weekend of voting in the forthcoming national industrial action ballot. Alongside our communications and campaigning strategy, we will ensure that the ballot is centre stage in all we are doing on June 18th. The communications department will be using live and recorded footage of the rally to mobilise our members to deliver the biggest possible yes vote in the ballot. 

 

In short, this demonstration compliments the work we are doing industrially. 

 

It is absolutely crucial the CWU delivers the biggest possible turnout on June 18th and on this basis we ask branches to continue to do everything possible to grow the number of members, representatives, friends and family who are planning to attend. 

 

Once again, thank you for the incredible work you are doing. 

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Andy Kerr 

Deputy General Secretary (T&FS)

 

Dave Ward

General Secretary 

22LTB240 – A message to Telecom and Financial Services Branches – TUC Demo June 18th

View Online