ROYAL MAIL: DRUGS & ALCOHOL – FOR-CAUSE TESTING PILOT

Further to LTB 157/25 dated 30^thJuly.  The For-Cause Testing Pilot for Drugs & Alcohol has been operating now for just over nine months since the original Pilot commenced in January in Wales, with subsequent extensions into the Anglia, South West, South East, South Central and Northern Ireland ROD areas.  During this period, Royal Mail has reported there have been just four tests, only one of which was positive.  The individual concerned agreed to enter into the Support & Rehabilitation Programme and was therefore not taken down the conduct route, in accordance with our agreement for the Pilot.

Extension of Current For-Cause Testing Pilot into Scotland and North East

We met with Royal Mail on 17^thSeptember, as planned, to jointly review the Pilot from across the six ROD areas and during that meeting both parties agreed there would be a further extension of the Pilot, in terms of both duration and geography, with both the Scotland and North East ROD areas being included from January 2026 until the end of March.  The protections for our members will continue across the extended Pilot – i.e there will be no discipline arising from positive tests, provided members in these circumstances agree to participate in the Support and Rehabilitation programme.  The two previously agreed caveats will continue to apply – a positive drug/alcohol test on the roadside following an accident/incident where the police are involved, or an individual being found in the possession of illegal drugs in the workplace.  For ease of reference, attached at Appendix A Agreed Terms of Reference for the original Pilot, Appendix B Support & Rehabilitation Guide and Appendix CFor-Cause Testing Colleague Framework Pilot Approach.

Negotiations to Erect a National Agreement for For-Cause Testing for Drivers

Both parties have also committed to begin negotiations to erect a National Agreement on Drugs & Alcohol For-Cause Testing for introduction from Monday 6^th April 2026.  Crucially, the roll-out will apply to all driving roles including Parcelforce.  The Agreement will exclude non-driving roles and will focus on For-Cause Testing, which means there will be no random testing.  We will be scheduling a number of negotiating meetings with Royal Mail with the aim of concluding a National Agreement, which will be placed before the Postal Executive for endorsement once finalised.

The extended Pilot and the commitment to commence negotiations for a National Agreement has been endorsed by the Postal Executive and further developments will be reported.

Yours sincerely,

Andy Furey       
Assistant Secretary                                                                

Davie Robertson
Assistant Secretary

Tony Bouch
Assistant Secretary

LTB 224/25 – ROYAL MAIL DRUGS & ALCOHOL – FOR-CAUSE TESTING PILOT

Appendix A – Agreed Terms of Reference for the For-Cause (with signatures)

Appendix B – Colleague Guide Support and Rehabilitation Service – Final

Appendix C – For Cause Testing – Colleague Framework Final Version 23.1.25

View Online

Royal Mail Fleet Maintenance – Territorial Reps Elections

We are seeking nominations for the election of Royal Mail Fleet Territorial Reps in the areas listed below.

There are 5 Territorial Rep’s positions due to be filled covering workshops in the following areas:

• Midlands & Anglia
• London & South East
• North West, North Wales & Yorkshire
• Scotland, Northern Ireland & Tyneside
• South West & South Wales

For ease of reference, we have listed below the workshops covered by each area along with the corresponding CWU branches. The election cycle is for two years. 

Area 

Branches

Midlands & Anglia

Coventry, Crick, North & East Mids, Peterborough, Boston, Cambridge, West Mids, Leicester, Nottingham, Sheffield, Chesterfield, Lincoln, Grimsby, Norwich & Suffolk

Midlands MT, South Central MT, South Yorkshire & District Amal 

London & South East

Chelmsford, Harlow, Chichester, Walton on Thames, Croydon, SW London, Gatwick, East Sussex, Gillingham, Dartford, Milton Keynes, Hemel, Luton, North London, Body Shop, St Albans, Romford, East London, Thurrock, Uxbridge, Acton

London RMT, Portsmouth & District Postal, South Central MT, 

North West, North Wales & Yorkshire

North West Hub, York, Yorkshire, Leeds, Harrogate, Manchester, Darlington, Newcastle, Warrington, Chester, Wellington, North Wales, Hull, Scarborough, Skipton, Warrington Hub

Greater Manchester, Greater Mersey Amal Midlands MT, North West Central Amal, Newcastle Amal, Warrington Mail Centre, Leeds No.1 

Scotland, NoE & Northern Ireland

Aberdeen, Ballymoney, Cambuslang, Carlisle, Cookstown, Craigavon, Edinburgh, Elgin, Fraserburgh, Galashiels, Glasgow, Glenrothes, Inverclyde, Inverness, Kilmarnock, Lairg, Lerwick, Lochboisdale, Motherwell, Newtownabbey, Oban, Omagh, Perth, Portree, Preston, Stornoway, Stranraer, Tyneside, Wishaw, Preston

Greater Manchester, Northern Ireland Postal Amal, Scotland MT, Newcastle Amal 

South West South Wales

Barnstaple, Basingstoke, Bodmin, Bridgewater, Bristol, Cardiff, Carmathen, Exeter, Gloucester, Newport (Gwent), Newport (IOW), Oxford, Plymouth, Poole, Redruth, Southampton, Swindon Trowbridge, Guildford, Llanelli

Bristol & District Amal, Bournemouth & Dorset Amal, Cornwall Amal, Gloucestershire Amal, Plymouth & East Cornwall Portsmouth & District Postal, South Central MT, South East No5, South East Wales, South West No7, Wessex South Central, Western Counties, London RMT

Nomination forms for all of these positions are attached to this LTB. All candidates must have the nomination of their own Branch and completed nomination forms must be signed by the Branch Secretary and Branch Chair (or accredited deputies) and the nominee.

The time table for the submission of nominations is as follows:

Nominations Open: –           20^th October 2025

Nominations Close: –           3^rd November 2025 (14.00)

In the event that a ballot is required, a timetable will be notified in due course with all ballots being run in accordance with the CWU guidelines for Fleet Maintenance Territorial Representation which is attached for your information.

All enquiries regarding the content of this LTB should be addressed to the PTCS Department, quoting reference 220. Email address: hmaughan@cwu.org.

Bobby Weatherall

Acting Assistant Secretary

ERRATA LTB 225/ 25 – Royal Mail Fleet Maintenance – Territorial Reps Elections

Guidelines 2025

Nomination Form (Download)

View Online

ELECTION OF CWU ASSISTANT SECRETARY POSTAL 

Further to LTB 191/25 dated 4^th September 2025, the Nominations for the above position closed at 14:00 on 15^th October 2025.  Please find below the list of accepted nominations and the respective nominating branches.Andy FureyCWU Officers Branch*Elected

Nominating Branches:Bristol & District AmalNewcastle AmalBournemouth & Dorset AmalNorth West No1CWU Officers BranchNottingham & District AmalDarwen CapitaPlymouth & East Cornwall AmalEast London PostalScotland No 2Eastern No 4Southdowns Weald & RotherGlasgow & District AmalSouth & East Thames AmalHighland AmalSouth Central MTKent InvictaSouth East No 5Leeds No 1 AmalSouth West Wales AmalLondon PhoenixSouth Yorkshire & District AmalLondon Regional MTWessex South CentralLondon South West PostalWorcester & Hereford AmalMount Pleasant International 

Any enquiries regarding this Letter to Branches should be directed for the attention of Dave Wilshire on 0208 971 7368 or dwilshire@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely,

Dave Ward
General Secretary

25LTB222 ELECTION OF CWU ASSISTANT SECRETARY POSTAL

View Online

NATIONAL BRIEFING – UPDATE ON NEGOTIATIONS WITH ROYAL MAIL GROUP/EP GROUP

An online National Briefing will be held on Monday 20th October from 11:00-13:00.

It is crucial we deliver a full and comprehensive update on:

• New Entrants’ Terms and Conditions
• CWU / EP Agreement
• USO
• Quality of Service / OFCOM fine
• Compensation for CWU members and representatives targeted during and after 2022 dispute
• Membership engagement plan

We ask all senior representatives to treat this as a priority engagement and stand down all other planned work.

Following the national briefing we will be embarking on an extensive membership engagement exercise which will include workplace meetings, written updates, and a live broadcast.

The link for the national briefing will be shared privately with Branches before the end of the week.

Yours sincerely

Martin Walsh                                                               Dave Ward
Deputy General Secretary (Postal)                      General Secretary       

25LTB223 NATIONAL BRIEFING – UPDATE ON NEGOTIATIONS WITH ROYAL MAIL GROUP EP GROUP

Election of:

• Royal Mail Divisional Representative (Substitute) – Midland

Further to LTB 203/25 dated 18^thSeptember 2025, please find detailed below the ballot result for the above election that closed first post today.Jason CornwallNorth Staffordshire Postal310Darren JonesLeicestershire229Stuart McLeanNottingham & District Amal689*ElectedSajid ShaikhBirmingham & District Amal392Jason SteathamWolverhampton & District Amal625

Any enquiries regarding this Letter to Branches should be directed for the attention of Dave Wilshire on 0208 971 7368 or dwilshire@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely,

Dave Ward

General Secretary

LTB 221/25 – Election of Royal Mail Divisional Representative (Substitute) – Midland

View Online

DES CARNEY – FORMER NATIONAL STANDING ORDERS COMMITTEE MEMBER/NATIONAL POSTAL CLEANERS REPRESENTATIVE – FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS

It was very sad news last week to hear that Des Carney, former National Standing Orders Committee member and National Cleaners Representative, had passed away following a long illness.  We now have details of the funeral arrangements and these are set out below:

Tuesday 28^th October 

10.00 am Service 

St Josephs RC Church

Mary Street

Heywood

OL10 1EG

11.15 at Heywood Cemetery 

Rochdale Road East

Heywood

OL10 1RL

Wake to be held at: Success to Plough Pub Bolton Road, Rochdale, OL11 3LW (10 Min Walk from Cemetery).

As can be seen from the many tributes on Facebook, Des was an outstanding and lifelong Trade Unionist who made a real difference to the lives of the members he passionately represented in Rochdale, the North West and Nationally. 

He joined the GPO, as it was back then, in 1977 and went on to become a representative of nearly 50 years standing.  During that time, he held numerous union positions at Branch, Divisional and National level where he went on to become a highly respected Cleaners Representative and member of both the Postal and General Standing Orders Committee.

In later years Des became a very strong advocate for our retired members and was a regular and very effective speaker at our conferences throughout his union career.

On behalf of the CWU, we offer our sincere condolences to Des’s family and friends and we know he will be sorely missed by all those who knew him.

In so many different ways Des made a fantastic contribution to our union and he will always be remembered as a true comrade, great character and a stalwart of our organisation.  Des was a thoroughly decent man and also a proud father and grandfather to a family he cherished.  RIP Des Carney.

If anyone needs any further details or assistance with accommodation, please feel free to contact Gary Ingram or Saf Khan, see contact details below.

Gary Ingram    Mobile – 07941376060  Email- gary.ingram@hotmail.co.uk

Saf Khan         Mobile – 07983552670  Email- skhan@cwu.org 

Yours sincerely

Dave Ward

General Secretary

LTB 220/25 – (ERRATA) DES CARNEY – FORMER NATIONAL STANDING ORDERS COMMITTEE MEMBER – FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS

View Online

Just Can’t Wait Toilet Card Scheme & Toilet Map UK

Following on from LTB 052/25 issued on the 6^th March regarding Prostate Cancer Awareness Month – Health & Wellbeing Communication, the purpose of this LTB is to again highlight and draw to Branches’ and members’ attention the ‘Just Can’t Wait’ toilet card scheme.

The ‘Just Can’t Wait’ card scheme started around 2017 and was simply designed to allow people with bladder and bowel conditions to discreetly access toilets in public places when needed urgently.  This card can also be used for conditions such as Crohn’s disease, Colitis, Endometriosis, Adenomyosis, Menopause and other conditions that require urgent toilet access needs.

The card, which is available FREE to be downloaded digitally on Apple and Android phones, is now widely accepted at many cafes, shops, restaurants, entertainment venues and other businesses.  Approximately 170,000 people carry the ‘Just Can’t Wait’ card across the country, which is also available in a plastic credit card size and design if preferred.

The card uses the universally acknowledged ‘WC’ signage, giving you the benefit of discrete and clear communication for those moments when you just can’t wait to use the toilet.  This is particularly useful if you have speech difficulties or are not fluent in spoken English.

The ‘Just Can’t Wait’ card has been used successfully in recent years by many CWU members within Royal Mail and Parcelforce and who work outdoors.  Accordingly, it was felt beneficial to again highlight the scheme for members and equally ask Branches and in particular our Regional and Divisional Safety Forums to draw members’ attention to the ‘Just Can’t Wait’ card.

Although the ‘Just Can’t Wait’ card does not guarantee access to a toilet, using this widely recognised card should prove helpful.

This card is promoted on the following websites:

Free Just Cant Wait Card | Bladder & Bowel Community

Using public toilets | Macmillan Cancer Support

In addition to the above, it is also necessary to remind Branches and members that a number of the above medical conditions could be covered by the 2010 Equality Act (Disability Discrimination Act in the case of Northern Ireland), as such, individual reasonable adjustments applications could also be made under the Act to further support individual needs.

Finally, also set out here is a link to Toilet Map UK.  This is a website which aims to be a complete, up-to-date, sustainable source of toilet locations.  It’s the UK’s largest database of publicly-accessible toilets with over 14,000 facilities.

https://www.toiletmap.org.uk/loos/319be340e8d51ca7c2bd210d

Toilet Map UK simply seeks to advise of all the publicly-accessible toilets, that means all toilets that the public can access without needing to be a customer.

This includes:

• public toilets.
• toilets in train stations, bus stations, service/petrol stations, tube stations, ferry terminals, airports and other transport networks.
• shopping centre toilets.
• toilets in public buildings, such as town halls, libraries, hospitals, museums and leisure centres.
• toilets in other businesses where the business agrees that the public can use their toilets without having to buy anything. These are often part of Community Toilet Schemes (run by councils) and can include shops, cafes, supermarkets, restaurants, hotels and pubs.

Whilst previous LTBs have been issued covering the ‘Just Can’t Wait’ toilet card scheme, it is hoped that this information will be of further use and members who wish to discuss the details of this LTB further are encouraged to contact their relevant Branch, Area Safety Rep or Field Safety Rep in the first instance.

Any enquiries in relation to the content of this LTB should be addressed to the DGS(P) Department hford@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely,

Martin Walsh
Deputy General Secretary (Postal)

LTB 219-25 – Just Can’t Wait Toilet Card Scheme & Toilet Map UK

View Online

LIVE AT 5pm – ROYAL MAIL GROUP PENSIONS SPECIAL

Join us tonight at 5pm as Andy Furey and Lionel Sampson talk us through the vital issue of pensions and take your questions on this issue.

World Mental Health Day 2025 – Friday 10^th October

Dear Colleagues,

World Mental Health Day is coming up on Friday 10th October. The theme this year, set by the World Federation for Mental Health, is: “Access to Services – Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies.”

This year’s theme is especially important to consider from a workplace context.

Workplace incidents or traumatic events can occur on any work site, any road, or in any workplace and these impactful events can directly affect our mental health.

It is also important to raise awareness of the fact that trauma or distress doesn’t always show straight away, symptoms may appear weeks or months later.

Types of mental health problems | coping with trauma | Mind

Risk factors for trauma may include exposure to critical incidents and accidents, sudden loss, violence or overwhelming stress. Knowing the signs of trauma and what to do next is vital, as there are things we can do individually to protect ourselves and others from feeling overwhelmed.

Workplace posters shared with this LTB include tips to manage ‘Overwhelm’ and ‘Doomscrolling’.

‘Overwhelm’ is becoming overwhelmed by a feeling or event, which affects you very strongly, to a point where you do not know how to deal with it.

‘Doomscrolling’ doomscrolling is the habit of consuming negative news online repeatedly until it starts to significantly impact our emotional wellbeing.

The term doomscrolling itself became popular during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The application of self-care can include switching off from social media. Mental Health First Aid England refer to this as a ‘digital detox’, which involves setting a time limit and establishing boundaries about the time you spend online to improve mental health and reduce feelings of anxiety and inadequacy.

For anyone who is struggling, CWU MHFAiders are trained to listen, support, and signpost.

In November the CWU will support the first MHFAider® Day in England. MHFAider Day 2025 · MHFA England

Our MHFAiders are never alone in their role. Through the Association of Mental Health First Aiders and CWU regional mental health support networks, they can remain part of a national community staying connected, supported, and confident in making a difference.

On MHFAider Day 2025, we will aim to shine a spotlight on their impact and celebrate the ripple effect they create.

Linking back to this year’s theme for World Mental Health Day 2025 World Mental Health Day – October 10th it is important to raise awareness of the fact that the 2-day CWU Mental Health First Aid course provides training to all learners to aid a better understanding of:

• What a traumatic event is
• What Crisis First Aid looks like for traumatic events
• What protective factors are available for supporting our Metal Health.

CWU Mental Health First Aid training will again be available in 2026. To further support branches, we can now also offer a Health & and Safety 1-day workshop in partnership with 5asideCHESS looking at trauma informed training, which can be delivered alongside our continued CWU Mental Health First Aid training. Work with us – 5asideCHESS

Please remember there is always hope, clicking on the following link can take you to your nearest support service.

Mental Health Support Network provided by Chasing the Stigma | Hub of hope

This LTB is shared on behalf of CWU Central Services.

If you have any questions or need any further information, please contact-

Jamie McGovern FRSPH MIIAI 

CWU Health & Safety Policy Assistant at jmcgovern@cwu.org.

LTB 218/25 – WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY 2025 pdf

Att: WMHD25_overwhelm_poster

Att: WMHD25

Att: MIND Printable poster WMHD 25

View Online

It is becoming increasingly clear that to address the rise of the far right in the UK the trade union movement must develop its own distinct and powerful anti-racism campaign and this must be focused in our workplaces and communities. The CWU is taking a lead on this work alongside other trade union and work is already underway by Kate Hudson and our Equality and Education Department.

We want to widen the debate on this as much as possible and will be reaching out to branches for input in the coming weeks. We want to create a strategy the whole union is bought into.

Ahead of this, we are launching a new initiative to counter the way that right-wing forces are looking to use football to reach working class people and sew division. This includes even Reform launch a football shirt that is being worn at grounds across the country.

In response to this we are launching a new football shirt under the banner of ‘The Working Class United’. The shirt will cost £30 with all profits split between the organisations Show Racism the Red Card and Fans Supporting Foodbanks.

We have also worked hard on the detail of the shirt design. In the 1970’s Coventry City wore an iconic two-tone shirt inspired by the band The Specials. We have produced our own version of this shirt with a modern and CWU flavour to it.

We are working with several high-profile figures to promote this initiative and we will host a launch event in the coming weeks.

For now, we wanted our branches to be the first to see the design and have the opportunity to purchase the shirt.

Photos of the design are attached and a link to buy the shirt is below.

https://swaz.co.uk/product/swaz-cwu-premium-shirt/

Any enquires on this LTB should be directed to Marcia Murray mmurray@cwu.org

Yours Sincerely,

Dave Ward      
General Secretary                          

Chris Webb                    
Head of Communications                   

Kate Hudson                                 
Head of Equality and Education

LTB 217/25 – LAUNCH OF THE WORKING-CLASS UNITED FOOTBALL SHIRT

View Online

LAUNCH OF THE WORKING-CLASS UNITED FOOTBALL SHIRT

It is becoming increasingly clear that to address the rise of the far right in the UK the trade union movement must develop its own distinct and powerful anti-racism campaign and this must be focused in our workplaces and communities. The CWU is taking a lead on this work alongside other trade union and work is already underway by Kate Hudson and our Equality and Education Department.

We want to widen the debate on this as much as possible and will be reaching out to branches for input in the coming weeks. We want to create a strategy the whole union is bought into.

Ahead of this, we are launching a new initiative to counter the way that right-wing forces are looking to use football to reach working class people and sew division. This includes even Reform launch a football shirt that is being worn at grounds across the country.

In response to this we are launching a new football shirt under the banner of ‘The Working Class United’. The shirt will cost £30 with all profits split between the organisations Show Racism the Red Card and Fans Supporting Foodbanks.

We have also worked hard on the detail of the shirt design. In the 1970’s Coventry City wore an iconic two-tone shirt inspired by the band The Specials. We have produced our own version of this shirt with a modern and CWU flavour to it.

We are working with several high-profile figures to promote this initiative and we will host a launch event in the coming weeks.

For now, we wanted our branches to be the first to see the design and have the opportunity to purchase the shirt.

Photos of the design are attached and a link to buy the shirt is below.

https://swaz.co.uk/product/swaz-cwu-premium-shirt/

Any enquires on this LTB should be directed to Marcia Murray mmurray@cwu.org

Yours Sincerely,

Dave Ward      
General Secretary                          

Chris Webb                    
Head of Communications                   

Kate Hudson                                 
Head of Equality and Education

LTB 217/25 – LAUNCH OF THE WORKING-CLASS UNITED FOOTBALL SHIRT

View Online

It is becoming increasingly clear that to address the rise of the far right in the UK the trade union movement must develop its own distinct and powerful anti-racism campaign and this must be focused in our workplaces and communities. The CWU is taking a lead on this work alongside other trade union and work is already underway by Kate Hudson and our Equality and Education Department.

We want to widen the debate on this as much as possible and will be reaching out to branches for input in the coming weeks. We want to create a strategy the whole union is bought into.

Ahead of this, we are launching a new initiative to counter the way that right-wing forces are looking to use football to reach working class people and sew division. This includes even Reform launch a football shirt that is being worn at grounds across the country.

In response to this we are launching a new football shirt under the banner of ‘The Working Class United’. The shirt will cost £30 with all profits split between the organisations Show Racism the Red Card and Fans Supporting Foodbanks.

We have also worked hard on the detail of the shirt design. In the 1970’s Coventry City wore an iconic two-tone shirt inspired by the band The Specials. We have produced our own version of this shirt with a modern and CWU flavour to it.

We are working with several high-profile figures to promote this initiative and we will host a launch event in the coming weeks.

For now, we wanted our branches to be the first to see the design and have the opportunity to purchase the shirt.

Photos of the design are attached and a link to buy the shirt is below.

https://swaz.co.uk/product/swaz-cwu-premium-shirt/

Any enquires on this LTB should be directed to Marcia Murray mmurray@cwu.org

Yours Sincerely,

Dave Ward      
General Secretary                          

Chris Webb                    
Head of Communications                   

Kate Hudson                                 
Head of Equality and Education

LTB 217/25 – LAUNCH OF THE WORKING-CLASS UNITED FOOTBALL SHIRT

View Online