Royal Mail Group – Coronavirus Unit Risk Assessment Update Version 10:

See attached copy of the Royal Mail Group – Coronavirus Unit Risk Assessment Update Version 10. This updates LTB 021/2022 issued on 18 January 2022 and RMG Coronavirus Unit Risk Assessments Update V9.

In line with the ongoing commitment from Royal Mail Group to keep the CWU informed of any changes or updates made to the Coronavirus Unit Risk Assessments, CWU/HQ has been advised of the RMG Unit Risk Assessment approach which amalgamates the previously issued Functional Risk Assessments into one Risk Assessment that applies to all RMG sites.

This Risk Assessment incorporates the changes communicated in October 2021, December 2021 and January 2022.

The Unit Risk Assessment Version 10 attached, is based on the current key Government Covid-Secure controls (hand hygiene, ventilation, face coverings – mandatory or strongly recommended in England, and cleaning – touch points, vehicles, shared equipment etc.).

The updated Unit Risk Assessment V10 reflects the following:

• Face covering requirement – strongly recommended in England (communicated 20/01/2022).
• Devolved administration guidance in relation to physical distancing (where reasonable).

The Risk Assessment also refers to other controls such as testing and revised operational procedures which have been introduced e.g., contactless delivery.

Subjects Covered:

• Touch Points
• Contacts
• Handling Test Kits
• First Aid
• Mental Health, Stress and Anxiety
• Musculoskeletal Disorders
• Cleaning & Waste Disposal
• Hand Hygiene
• Signage
• Face Coverings
• Operational Procedures
• Ventilation
• Self-Isolation
• Testing
• Monitoring

The Unit Risk Assessment V10 has been circulated to all Royal Mail Group Unit Managers/PiCs this month.

An example copy is attached for ASR information and reference. The full working version is accessible on the RMG Intranet/Share Point site.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

22LTB047 Royal Mail Group – Coronavirus Unit Risk Assessment Update Version 10

Copy of Coronavirus Unit Risk Assessment v10.0

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PAUL MOORE – FORMER NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEMBER, CHAIR OF THE STANDING ORDERS COMMITTEE AND ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF GREATER LONDON COMBINED BRANCH

It is with deep sadness that I write to advise you that Paul Moore, Former National Executive Council member, Chair of the Standing Orders Committee and Assistant Secretary of Greater London Combined Branch, passed away on Tuesday 1^stFebruary after a period of serious illness.

Throughout the course of his long career Paul had made a great contribution in representing our members, the union and the wider Labour movement.

Paul played a major role in key national issues in our predecessor unions the POEU and NCU, as well as within the CWU.  He was a highly influential speaker at our conferences and played a crucial role in successful strikes that took place in Girobank and the BT engineers’ London contract dispute in 1997.

Paul was also very active in the wider Labour movement and was an elected Councillor in the GLC and a delegate to the Labour Conference for many years.  He will always be remembered as somebody who through his knowledge, experience and intellect, had a positive influence on many of today’s CWU representatives and leaders.

I know I speak on behalf of everybody who knew Paul, in saying he will be sorely missed and we offer our sincere condolences to his partner Susan, his sons Max and Felix and all his friends and colleagues.

Details of Paul’s funeral will be circulated in due course.

Any enquiries on the above LTB should be addressed to the General Secretary at jdunn@cwu.org

Yours sincerely

Dave Ward
General Secretary 

22LTB045 – Paul Moore

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POST OFFICE: PAY DISPUTE 2021/22

After ten months of complete silence from Post Office, they have now come clean and told their employees there will be a pay freeze for 2021/22.  This communication from Angela Williams, Group Chief People Officer, is attached for information.

In essence, the excuses proffered for a pay freeze are:

• The Government’s pay freeze policy for public sector workers
• The retail trading environment of Post Office

Neither of these claims hold up to scrutiny and as such are spurious.  By Post Office’s own admission, they are just “mindful” of the shareholders’ position “when we make our ownpay decisions”.  This proves the pay freeze is not a Government requirement and Post Office is attempting to hide behind Government’s flawed policies.  They have defeated their own arguments by admitting Post Office is not obliged to follow Government policy.

Despite the pandemic, we understand Post Office will declare a reasonably healthy profit once it finally publishes its 2020/21 Annual Report & Accounts.  Indeed, our members are acutely aware Post Offices remained open throughout the lockdowns when most other high street retailers were closed.  Basically, Post Office can afford to provide our members with a good pay rise and their excuses are absolutely hollow.  In fact, Post Office has consistently failed, including during the Acas talks, to provide any financial evidence to warrant the pay freeze policy and their communication fails to legitimise their stance and therefore in the absence of any real justification, the corporate jargon is utterly meaningless.

Evidently, the above proves there is no case for a pay freeze policy and that is why it is necessary for our members to deliver a Yes vote in the forthcoming strike ballot.

A CWU web article on Post Office’s pay freeze position can be accessed via:

Post Office ‘no pay rise’ message to staff provokes anger!

Yours sincerely

Andy Furey
Assistant Secretary

Attachment 1: 22LTB044 – Post Office – Pay Dispute 2021-22

Attachment 2: A message from Angela Williams – Update on Pay Awards

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RMG Coronavirus Update – Further Easing of Covid-19 Restrictions in Wales:

Further to LTBs 002/22, 031/22 and 033/22, the Welsh Government has announced the further additional easing of Covid-19 control measures and restrictions as outlined below:

From Friday 28 January 2022 in Wales

• The minimum period of self-isolation for those with Coronavirus has reduced from seven days to five full days.
• It is no longer necessary for employees who can work from home to do so.
• There is no longer a requirement for 2 metre social distancing in workplaces.

See attached message from Dr. Shaun Davis RMG Director of Safety‎ that was issued to all managers in Wales yesterday evening.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

22LTB043 RMG Coronavirus Update – Further Easing of Covid-19 Restrictions in Wales

Coronavirus update

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Mandatory Fair & Equal Course – Interim Delivery Measures

The purpose of this LTB is to advise Branches that the NEC has endorsed an interim approach to how the mandatory Fair & Equal course is delivered.

The primary reason for the change is that as a result of Further Education funding cuts, our College providers cannot deliver the course in its current format.

This raises a number of issues including our compliance with the policy of continued delivery of this crucial course. There is also a high demand for it to continue whilst future plans are being prepared and proposed.

Consequently, it is important to put interim measures in place to ensure high quality and consistent equality and diversity training for our representatives.

Therefore, between now and close of Conference 2022, the course will be delivered by CWU aligned qualified tutors who are willing to assist.

It should be noted that during this period, the course will be run “informally” meaning that there will be no recognised accreditation or qualification. However, the CWU will provide an “in-house” certificate of successful completion.

This interim measure will be reviewed post-conference 2022.

Regions and Branches are advised to request running the Fair & Equal course at local venues or via online platforms e.g. “zoom” by emailing courseadmin@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,

Kate Hudson
Head of Equality, Education & Development

22LTB 042 – Mandatory Fair & Equal Course – Interim Delivery Measures

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CWU Annual Conference – Bournemouth – 24^th-29^th April 2022

Bucket Collections

Branches are reminded that any requests for Bucket Collections during Annual Conference need to be put in writing to conferences@cwu.org   Written requests should include background material/information/full details on the organisation for which the collection is to be made.   The General Conference SOC will be advised accordingly and arrangements will be made for the collections.   The monies collected will be counted by the SDGS Department and a cheque will be made out to the appropriate bodies.

The number of bucket collections during conference will only exceptionally exceed two.

Distribution of Documents at General Conference

All requests for the distribution of documents on delegates’ seats shall, in the first instance, be referred in writing to the General Conference SOC, together with a copy of the document(s) concerned, for consideration. Please send any requests to conferences@cwu.org

Any documents that have been agreed for distribution on delegates’ seats at General conference shall be delivered to the General Conference Administration office by no  later than 5pm on the day prior to distribution.

Branches are reminded of the facility of the Conference Guide to publicise meetings and other events.

Seating at Conference

If any member of your delegation requires special seating due to special needs or a disability

they should email conferences@cwu.org as soon as possible stating the reason and the

conference(s) the member will be attending and no later than Friday 4th March 2022.   Branches need to be aware that allocated seating is only in the Windsor Hall.

Creche Facilities/Prayer Room

If a member at conference requires crèche facilities or a room for prayer we will try our best to facilitate this request if advance notice is given. Please send any requests to conferences@cwu.org

Any queries regarding this Letter to Branches should be addressed to Angela Niven on 020 8971 7256 or by email to conferences@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,

A P Kearns
Senior Deputy General Secretary

22LTB041 – Annual Conference – 24th-29th April 2022.doc

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CWU ‘Low Level Letterbox’ Campaign:

This is an update for Postal Branches on the continuing work and campaigning being undertaken by the Health, Safety & Environment department on this important subject, further to LTBs 98/19 and 142/2019, as well as in response to enquiries received regarding new housing developments which have low level letter boxes fitted.

The Communication Workers Union, on behalf of postmen and women, has campaigned to stop low-level letter boxes being installed in new-build houses for many years.

In January 2019, following meetings and briefings in Westminster, Chelmsford MP Vicky Ford introduced a Private Members’ Bill in the UK Parliament, in support of the CWU campaign. The Bill, namely the ‘Low-Level Letter Boxes (Prohibition) Bill was heard before a full House of Commons on Wednesday 16 January 2019. The Bill was supported by all political parties and was unanimously accepted by the Government and MPs. Mrs. Ford subsequently withdrew the Bill, on the basis of an undertaking given by Government that they accepted the Bill’s intention and that it would be referred to the Building Regulations Advisory Committee who would include low-level letter boxes within their upcoming formal review of Building Regulations.

Following the first reading of the Bill, the Minister at the time Kit Malthouse MP was very supportive and committed the Government to prompt attention to the matter.

Since then however, progress has been painstakingly slow and of course the interruptions of ‘Brexit’ and the ‘Covid-19 Pandemic’ have indeed slowed that progress further.

See attached copy of the most recent letter received from the current Minister Lord Greenhalghfor your information. 

Although words of support from the Minister feature in the response to our ongoing representations, further in built delays in progressing the necessary Building Regulations changes are extremely disappointing.

Three years have gone by since MP Vicky Ford’s Bill was passed in the House of Commons with no material progress since then and now the present Minister Lord Greenhalgh, Minister of State for Building Safety, Fire and Communities, states that the ‘Low Level Letter Boxes’ issue is part of a research project, which will obviously add further to the delays!

That could mean another two years of delay – once the research project is completed, report considered, ministerial and Parliamentary scrutiny completed, regulatory amendments and sign off etc. That’s not good news for the CWU and our postal delivery worker members.

The Government’s target is for housing supply to reach 300,000 new homes built per year by the mid 2020’s.

With no ‘mandatory’ regulation controlling it in place, tens, possibly hundreds of thousands of those homes could potentially be built with low level letter boxes which cause so many problems for Royal Mail delivery workers.

On behalf of the CWU, the Health, Safety and Environment Department has had to challenge and fight each of these developments, brought to our attention on a piecemeal basis with representations to the local authorities, lobbying counsellors and local MPs, challenging developers and builders etc., hoping they’ll accept our case and change their plans. We have won a number of these battles to our great credit but it’s hard going at times and hard to keep pace with these home building developments which are sprouting up everywhere across the UK.

We’ve made it clear to the Minister again, that in the view of the CWU, there is no need for further research on this subject matter by the Ministry, as it has already been done by the EU in the past and this resulted in European Standard (EN13724) which sets a minimum height of 70cm for letter boxes (2 feet 3½ inches). There’s really no case for or good reason for further research to be repeated.

The current European Standard covering Private Letter Boxes sets out and specifies for ergonomic and safety reasons the height, positioning and design of letter boxes in order that the safe delivery of mail can be made by postal workers and others without the risk of injury.

EN 13724 ‘Postal Services – Apertures Of Private Letter Boxes And Letter Plates’ specifies the requirements and the test methods of the apertures for the delivery of letter post items when fitted in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. It takes into account security, impregnability, safety, ergonomics and performance for the recipient, and safety, ergonomics and efficiency for postal delivery personnel. It allows the daily delivery in good condition of a great majority of post items.

As a matter of information, it’s been the law in the Republic of Ireland since 1 January 2001!

We are going to have to let the process run its course and participate in the consultation when it takes place – then live in hope that the delays in getting an end result by way of legislative amendment are not substantial, although past experience of Parliamentary processes tells us otherwise.

The Minister’s closing remarks and warm words that; “Postal workers’ safety in the review of building regulations is included as part of Government’s commitment in bringing about the biggest improvement in building and fire safety for a generation” – are of course welcomed – but the big question remains – when will we see the needed legislative changes?

At least we are making progress, all be it slowly. We will continue our campaigning and keep the pressure on Government at every opportunity. Branches will continue to be updated.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

22LTB040 CWU ‘Low Level Letterbox’ Campaign

12290100

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Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash FY22 002 – Asbestos Incidents:

Overview

Asbestos incidents can cause serious harm to workers. Incidents can also lead to severe operational constraints and temporary unit closures.

Description, Issue and Impact/Effect 

There have been several recent incidents where asbestos containing materials (ACMs) have been disturbed in Royal Mail Group buildings.  When damaged or disturbed, tiny asbestos fibres can be released into the air and enter people’s lungs when breathing. Breathing in air containing asbestos fibres can damage the lungs and lead to fatal asbestos-related diseases, such as Asbestosis, Mesothelioma and lung cancer. Additionally, when a work activity causes the accidental release or escape of asbestos fibres into the air in a quantity sufficient to cause damage to the health of any person, it is reportable to the HSE under RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations).

Learning Points

• Where asbestos remediation works have been carried out, it does not indicate that it is free of asbestos containing materials. If there is any uncertainty, the PiC should ask the contractor to STOP and contact the RMP&FS National Service Centre prior to any work being undertaken on the fabric of the building.
• Only Asbestos Consultants and Licensed Asbestos Removal Contractors (LARCS) are permitted to sample or work on presumed or known asbestos materials.

Key Management Activities and Messages 

1. Prior to allowing any work to proceed, contractors must check the Asbestos Register within the Site Log Book. All pre 2000 Royal Mail buildings will have an Asbestos Register held on site within the Site Logbook. Contractors must not start any works until they have seen this register.
2. If the work on site is intrusive, a Project Asbestos Plan (PAP) PFS2_026Ac must be produced and available on site. A PAP is a live document which demonstrates how asbestos risks will be managed, including any asbestos containing material that will remain following any remediation works. A copy must be held on site and the Site Manager/PiC must be aware of its contents.
3. Anyone carrying out work on the Royal Mail Group estate must ensure the asbestos management control measures are followed, to prevent future asbestos disturbance incidents.

Area Health and Safety Reps 

Would all CWU Area Health and Safety Reps please note and communicate the content of the Safety Flash, supporting the key messages and learning points.

Attachment: 

RMG SHE Safety Flash FY22 002 – Asbestos Incidents

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

22LTB039 Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash FY22 002 – Asbestos Incidents

SHE Flash FY22 002 – Asbestos Incidents

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POST OFFICE: PAY 2021/22 – LEGAL TRADE DISPUTE – BALLOT FOR STRIKE ACTION

Further to LTB034/22 dated 24^thJanuary.  Branches are advised that Post Office has completely failed at any point over the last ten months to provide an explanation to our members as to why they believe a pay freeze is appropriate.  This is astonishing as it indicates they are not confident of their position.  It is also extremely disrespectful to our members, who are entitled to understand why Post Office is treating them in such a heartless way.  As a consequence, I have written directly to our members at their home addresses to expose this situation.  My communication is attached for your information.

A meeting was held with our full-time Representatives last week and I am pleased to report that all Reps are fully committed to this pay dispute and have undertaken to engage with members via local circulars and directly via face-to-face meetings.  Early indications point to the members (Key Workers) being extremely angry with Post Office and feeling totally let down, especially as our membership has continued to provide front-line services throughout the pandemic.  This has included our Supply Chain members who have constantly delivered to 11,500 Post Offices.  The operation has also been supported by our Admin members which includes direct customer interface via call handling.

There is no doubt that Post Office can provide a reasonable pay rise for our members, therefore it is not a question of affordability.  Indeed, during the Acas talks, not once did Post Office say they were unable to fund a pay increase.  It is simply a case of Nick Read, CEO believing he can walk all over our members.  I’m certain he will receive a rude awakening when the members return a good Yes vote.

Arrangements are in hand to determine the ballot timetable and we would anticipate being able to provide details within the next week following Postal Executive consideration.  Additionally, our membership records Department are already preparing the necessary information for Branches to undertake an audit and verification exercise.  Further details on this will be provided at the earliest opportunity.

Finally, Branch Secretaries with PO members are asked to liaise with our Reps to ascertain precisely what campaigning activities are planned so that support can be provided.

Yours sincerely

Andy Furey
Assistant Secretary

22LTB038 Post Office – Pay 2021-22 – Legal Trade Dispute – Ballot For Strike Action

Attachment 1 to 22LTB038

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NATIONAL GROW THE UNION CAMPAIGN – NATIONAL BRIEFING ON THURSDAY 10^TH FEBRUARY 2022

As reported in LTB 575-21 a national briefing for all CWU branches will take place on Thursday 10 February.

The briefing will be held at TUC Headquarters, Congress House, London commencing at 10am.  Attendance is on the basis of 3 delegates per branch, Senior Field Officials and Senior IR Representatives.

The Government has recently lifted plan B restrictions meaning such events can take place in person.  We understand that branches may want to account for any ongoing Covid-19 related concerns in how they select their delegation.

This is an extremely important briefing and in addition to setting out our plans for the National GROW Campaign, the leadership of the union will be providing crucial information on the wider context to the campaign and the direction we must take to support our representatives and members and secure the future of the CWU as an independent union.

A final agenda will be circulated nearer the date.

Attached is a revised and updated briefing document on the GROW the union campaign, prepared by the Organising Department.

Any enquiries regarding this LTB should be addressed to the General Secretary’s office by email to jdunn@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely

DAVE WARD
General Secretary

22LTB019 NATIONAL BRIEFING GROW THE UNION CAMPAIGN REVISED TIMETABLE

National GROW the Union Campaign March 2022 Briefing

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