Royals al Mail & CWU National Joint Statement Increasing the Parcel (consumer) Collect Threshold

As Branches and Representatives are aware, the parcels market grows continually resulting in further supply and demand with RM customers. Due to the easing of lockdown, Covid-19 has completely changed the shape of ordering on-line with consumers also potentially, continuing to work from home. This may result in fewer visits to the Post Office or a Customer Service Point to either post or return parcels as they look for more convenient options. Equally, there is a demand from online retailers and marketplace sellers to expect a doorstep collection service for returns and outbound parcels. This growth in the market is being targeted by Royal Mail’s competitors.

Currently collections are limited to 5 items per address and 5 collection points per delivery. To grow the volumes Royal Mail is seeking to advertise to customers a removal of the threshold.  There will be intrinsic technology constraints to limit the maximum that can be booked for each delivery built into the system and in exceptional circumstances the availability of Parcel Collect can be switched off temporarily at Delivery Office level, or on a National basis. Where a customer requests a collection of more than 24 items they will be signposted to book an ad hoc collection as a lower cost option.

We have been in discussions with Royal Mail in relation to the attached Joint Statement, which has been endorsed by the Postal Executive, which ensures safeguards are in place that deal with the challenges of raising the current cap, from the current limit of 25 items to 50 items per delivery point. This is due to take place from the 23^rd August onwards.

In line with the existing guidelines and to reaffirm that it is the responsibility of Delivery Office Managers to check parcel collect orders, ensure that this workload is suitable for each delivery, make alternative arrangements where necessary to redistribute the workload via locally agreed arrangements and to the existing Standard Operating Procedure.

It is reaffirmed that Health & Safety and SSOW are of paramount importance to both Royal Mail and the CWU and the necessary SSOW will be updated and will be put in place.  All issues arising in this respect will be proper to the relevant RM safety experts and the CWU National Health & Safety Department.

Following the deployment of this change targeted for 23^rdAugust 2021 both parties will continue to monitor and review the volumes with the data being shared Nationally on a weekly basis in order to resolve any operational issues and the impact which may emanate from this change. There will also be a National Joint Review after 3 months from the launch date in order to assess the volume growth and assess the additional workload. During this 3-month period, the time associated with this change along with frequency of the task, will be subject to an IE study with any impact incorporated into the productivity measure and in the agreed planning and resourcing tools.

Although the cap will be increased to 50 items per delivery point, this will not be an advertised feature from Royal Mail, as they are currently running an advertising campaign in attempt to increase take up of the product.

Currently, customer volumes of parcels collected per walk range from 0 to 26 and the average is 2 per week. Over a 9-week period, 4 or more parcels were collected at one time at 5% of Units and 0.27% of walks. The change to the current limit is not expected to dramatically increase these levels but obviously overall, the aim is to grow the product and revenue from this service as traditional mail volumes fall.

Accordingly, we will continue to review the workload impacts of this change and continue to ensure that we pick up and resolve any difficulties within the operation that may arise resulting from the cap increase.

Any queries to the content of the above please contact the Outdoor Department reference 532 , email address: njones@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,

Mark Baulch                                                                                              

CWU Assistant Secretary

LTB – 342/21 – Increasing the Parcel Threshold

Att: Joint Statement – Increase in the Parcel Collect Threshold 17.08.21

View Online

RE: ROYAL MAIL GROUP – 2021 FREE FLU VACCINATION VOUCHER SCHEME

Initial discussions have taken place on this subject and Royal Mail Group has agreed that there will be a 2021 ‘Free Flu Vaccination Voucher Offer’ this year to all employees and the scheme has been further improved as this year there will be more choice and accessibility for members to receive a Flu vaccination. This is the fourth year RMG have offered a ‘free flu jab’ scheme to CWU Members.

This year, the RMG Flu Vouchers will be redeemable in 4,000 outlets across the UK and not limited to one Pharmacy Chain provider.

This year’s Flu Vouchers will be ‘digital’ and members will be given an access code number to obtain the Voucher on-line with simple guidance.

The 2021 RMG Flu Voucher Scheme Summary

• The NHS are extending the groups eligible for a free flu vaccination this year.
• Digital flu vaccination vouchers made available for all colleagues redeemable in 4,000 outlets which is double the amount available last year and will include pharmacies, supermarkets etc.
• On-site Flu Jab clinics are to be provided at 110 of Royal Mail Group’s largest Units 

(Royal Mail and Parcelforce).

• Agency staff will again be included this year.

Digital vouchers

All RMG employees will receive a letter to home by 1 October 2021 which will include a link to access a digital voucher online. Colleagues will be able to redeem their voucher at around 4,000 locations, e.g. pharmacies and supermarkets, which is over 2,200 more outlets than last year.

Free NHS vaccination

The flu jab will be available free of charge from the NHS for people where there is a risk of severe illness from catching flu, for those with certain defined conditions and expanded range of age groups.

On-site flu clinics in Royal Mail and Parcelforce largest units

On-site flu clinics will be available in 110 of our largest Royal Mail Group sites. The Units due to have an on-site flu clinic will be advised and over the next couple of weeks and will be provided with further information and support from RMG Occupational Health HQ.

Communications

There will be a joint communication and promotion campaign launched promoting the ‘Free Flu Voucher’ scheme through Royal Mail and the Unions raising awareness of the scheme and encouraging take-up. 

The communications campaign is planned to begin in September with the Flu Voucher letters arriving in early October. 

Communications will be aligned to the Government Flu Jab scheme for this year and include information for additional ‘at risk’ members of the population and age groups who will receive the vaccination free via the NHS. 

So a further improvement has been made in the scheme this year and hopefully this will encourage a greater take-up especially following the Coronavirus pandemic.

Considering the risk of flu and Covid-19 co-circulating this winter, we are encouraging all employees to have the flu jab to reduce their risk of getting flu, becoming unwell and passing it onto family, friends and colleagues.

Having the flu vaccine is the best defence against the virus and increases people’s chance of having better health outcomes. It is advised to have the jab as early as possible before the flu virus becomes widespread in the autumn and winter months across the UK.

Further details and communications will be issued in due course.

Attachment: 

RMG ‘Free Flu Vaccinations Communication

Yours sincerely 

Dave Joyce 

National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 341/21 – ROYAL MAIL GROUP – 2021 FREE FLU VACCINATION VOUCHER SCHEME

Att: Free flu vaccinations for all colleagues

View Online

Face Masks/Coverings in Royal Mail Group Customer Service Points in England

Following the Covid-19 regulatory rule changes announcement by the UK government with regards to England, Royal Mail Group have issued a management communication confirming that it is no longer mandatory for customers and visitors to wear a face mask/covering when entering a Customer Service Point in England.

RMG is however requesting that customers and visitors continue to do so.

An updated poster to has been produced to display in CSPs and this is available to download on the RMG Intranet page “SHE Coronavirus Document Library – Posters Section”.

Existing posters are to be replaced with this updated version.

Facemasks remain mandatory in Scotland, Northern Ireland Wales in Shops as laid down by the devolved administrations.

Yours sincerely,

Dave Joyce

National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 340/21

View Online

Close Contact, Self-Isolation Rule Change Update for England Announced (Updating advice in LTB 333/21): Close Contact, Self-Isolation Rules for Northern Ireland Announced

Further to LTB 333/21 issued on 12 August, a further announcement by the UK government has been made, further amending the Close Contact, Self-Isolation Rules for England. This updates the advice published in LTB 333/21.

The Northern Ireland administration have now announced their rules on the subject on close contact self-isolation also.

Royal Mail Group have accordingly issued management guidance and this is to update CWU Branches and Reps.

ENGLAND 

The further change to the rules for England only (as published in LTB 333/21) is in respect of those people who are already or currently self-isolating.  The rule now is that people who are fully vaccinated (that is they have had their two vaccinations jabs) and their self-isolation period began before 16 Augustand was due to end after 16 August, will now be able to end the self-isolation on 16 August and return to work, so long as they have no Covid-19 symptoms. Currently in the other the nations of the UK (Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) people should continue to self-isolate.

Under-18s will no longer have to self-isolate if they are identified as a close contact of someone with Covid-19. Instead, PCR tests will be used to test if someone is positive, as set out in LTB 333/21 although guidance is different across the nations.

NORTHERN IRELAND 

Northern Ireland Self-Isolation New Rules from Monday 16 August 2021 (announced yesterday 12.08.21)

• Fully-vaccinated (two vaccinations) people who are a close contact of a Covid-19 case will no longer have to self-isolate
• Close-contact people will still be advised to take a PCR test on day two and day eight.
• People who test positive, must continue to self-isolate, even if they do not have symptoms.

 Attachments:

• RMG Communication 12.08.21 on new Self-Isolation Rules for England(Update) and Northern Ireland.

Yours sincerely,

Dave Joyce 

National Health, Safety & Environment Officer 

LTB 339/21

Att: RMG Int.Com 12.8.21 – Further changes to self-isolation Rules England N…

View Online

CWU Consolidated Accounts 2020

The purpose of the LTB is to inform Branches that further to ERRATA LTB 313/21 dated 30^th July 2021 which invited questions to the 2021 CWU Accounts, that at the closing time for questions to be submitted, today (Friday 13^th August 2021) at 12 noon, no questions have been received.

Accordingly, there are no answers to be sent to Branches on this matter.

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

LTB 338/21

View Online

Election of: Capita Territorial and Substitute Territorial Representatives (TVL Contract) – 2021

Nominations are invited from Branches with Members in the respective Capita Territories for the following Capita Territorial Representative & Substitute positions;

• Northern Territory
• Southern Territory

The term of office for the above positions is two years and the successful candidates will take up office on 23^rd September 2021.

A Nomination form is attached to this LTB. If additional forms are required they are available on request from the Senior Deputy General Secretary Department. Completed forms which must be signed by the Branch Secretary and Branch Chair or accredited deputies and the nominee, should be returned to Tony Kearns, Senior Deputy General Secretary, on the following email elections@cwu.org by 1^stSeptember 2021 (14:00).

The timetable for the election is as follows:

Nominations Open:                      16 August 2021

Nominations Close:                      1 September 2021 (14:00)

Ballot Papers Despatched:          8 September 2021

Ballot Close:                                   22 September 2021 (First Post)

If Ballots are required, these will be conducted on an individual member ballot basis of the relevant eligible CWU members and will be conducted in accordance with the election guidelines for CWU Senior Regional/Field officials, a copy of the guidelines are attached for your information.

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

LTB 337/21

Election Guidelines

Nomination Form

Nomination Form (Substitute)

View Online

Re: RM Property and Facilities Solutions Ltd and CWU Recognition & Industrial Relations Framework Agreement
National Briefing : Tuesday 31st August 2021

As advised in LTB 335/21 arrangements are being made to hold a National Briefing on Tuesday the 31st of August 2021 to discuss the above agreement.

The briefing will commence at 10.30 a.m. and will conclude no later than 13.30 p.m. and will be conducted via Zoom conference call.

Representatives should use the following link in order to access and attend the briefing.
https://cwu-org.zoom.us/j/88578457321?pwd=dGxFbGdyY3lIelRZd05BSUVLZDlOdz09

Meeting ID: 885 7845 7321
Passcode: 341074

One tap mobile
+442039017895,,88578457321#,,,,*341074# The United Kingdom
+442080806591,,88578457321#,,,,*341074# The United Kingdom

Dial by your location
+44 203 901 7895 The United Kingdom
+44 208 080 6591 The United Kingdom
+44 208 080 6592 The United Kingdom
+44 330 088 5830 The United Kingdom
+44 131 460 1196 The United Kingdom
+44 203 481 5237 The United Kingdom
+44 203 481 5240 The United Kingdom

Meeting ID: 885 7845 7321
Passcode: 341074

The following representatives are invited to attend the briefing

Up to two Branch Representatives
One Divisional Representative per Division
National RMPFS Representatives
Regional Representatives – Engineering
Regional Representatives – Cleaning
Parcelforce Regional Organisers
RMPFS Admin Representative

Branches will be aware the Agreement and associated documents were attached to LTB 335/21 and any Branch requiring further copies should contact the e-mail address below.

A full explanation and a Q & A session will be given at the briefing to enable Branches to consult with their members. It will be our intention following the briefing to conduct a branch ballot of all affected branches, details of which will be given at the briefing along with the publication of a further LTB.

Any enquiries regarding the content of this LTB should be addressed to the PTS Department quoting ref 320 e-mail address khay@cwu.org or to the Outdoor Department quoting ref 120 e-mail address outdoorsecretary@cwu.org

Yours sincerely          
                             
Carl Maden                                          
Assistant Secretary

Yours sincerely

Mark Baulch
Assistant Secretary

LTB 336/21 – ERRATA

View Online

RMPFSL IR Framework Agreement

We are pleased to report to Branches, that following long months of persistent negotiations, we have reached agreement on a new IR Framework for RMPFSL having sought to achieve the policies arising from the Policy Forum of September 20^th2018.

The instruction from the Forum was largely to protect the current level of representation for our Engineer/ Technical Services Members and to ensure that our Cleaning Members benefitted from a new relationship with our CWU Representatives in RMG and to enhance their involvement with the Local and Area CWU Reps regarding daily issues. We believe this is a key factor in improving the representation for our cleaning members and the support which they receive.

Both of the above aims have been accomplished.

Policies at the Forum included the following: 

RECOMMENDATION:

That the broad approach of retaining representation for technical grades based on the existing representative structure, whilst utilising the appropriate Royal Mail Group representative for representation of cleaners at the local/regional level be endorsed.

RECOMMENDATION:    That the ROMEC IR Framework Agreement be updated and revised in line with the changes in RMPFSL and the wider business, the revised agreement to include access to mediation on the same basis as agreed in Royal Mail as part of the Agenda for Growth Agreement.

Please see below the ‘carried’ Recommendations –  12 and 13 for your information:RECOMMENDATION 12: 

CARRIED AS AMENDED That the broad approach of retaining representation for technical grades based on the existing representative structure whilst utilising the appropriate Royal Mail Group representative for representation of cleaners at the local/regional level be endorsed. COMPOSITE AMENDMENT 

Add to end of Recommendation 12: 

Section 6 

Paragraph 5 – Sentence 4 

After Royal Mail Divisional Representative add three RMPFS

Regional Representatives one North, one South, one West.

Nottingham and District Amal 

South Midlands Postal 

COMPOSITE AMENDMENT 

Add to end of Recommendation 12: 

Section 6 

Paragraph 5 – Sentence 7 

Insert after the sentence: “would be undertaken by two national

cleaning representatives” Insert: “Which would be elected from

within the cleaning structure of the Royal Mail Property & Facilities

Solutions CWU representatives”.

South East Wales Amal 

Glasgow & District Amal RECOMMENDATION 13: 

CARRIED AS AMENDED That the ROMEC IR Framework Agreement be updated and revised in line with the changes in RMPFSL and the wider business, the revised agreement to include access to mediation on the same basis as agreed in Royal Mail as part of the Agenda for Growth Agreement. Add to end of Recommendation 13: 

There should be Joint CWU Reps/RMPFS management training in current

and future agreements, in order for both sides to understand and

use agreements correctly.

London Postal Engineering 

Regrettably, despite continued attempts, CWU could not persuade RMPFSL to increase the National Representatives to two in Cleaning Services, having only utilised one Rep for a good number of years, as they saw no reason for an increase. Additionally, we have now cemented three regional cleaner’s Reps and one National Representative on full time release and with an appropriate level of financial reward for these roles. Accordingly, and for our part of course, we had to measure our position against our desire to also create a financial recompense package for our Senior Field Officials in this part of the company, which we have also achieved.

With regard to Engineering National Representatives, the company were of a similar view insomuch as they did not agree that two positions were warranted, and were holding out on that issue for the last six months.   Royal Mail were repeatedly quoting that the whole agreement rested on that element alone and notwithstanding that position, the negotiators held firm and maintained the two National Representatives in Engineering

FINAL STRUCTURES

Engineering:

2 National Reps (Full-time Release)

8 Regional Reps (Ad-Hoc Release)

Cleaning

1 National Rep (Full-time Release)

3 Regional Reps (Full-time Release)

RMG Area & Local Reps as required

A separate remuneration package has been agreed for National and Regional Cleaning Representatives, which was the absolute best that could be accomplished through negotiations after many months, including countless and thwarted proposals from our side, despite the sometimes bigoted attitude toward our Cleaning members from senior management. CWU have also convinced the company to invest in re-training and upskilling programmes for our Representatives on an ongoing basis, in order to ensure that these particular Representatives command the respect that a senior Field Official position deserves and their roles enhanced.

For our Engineering Representatives, it has been agreed that nobody shall be financially disadvantaged as result of holding these positions.

For all our Regional and National Representatives in RMPFSL, mobile phones, laptops and all travel expenses (whilst on Industrial Relations activities) has also been maintained, where travel is not provided.

Summary

After a series of difficult discussions with the company re-structuring at all levels, we believe that we have been able to achieve what we set out to do exceptionally well, under difficult circumstances.  Not only have we sustained, but enhanced the level of representation for our members in RMPFSL and in particular in Cleaning, as once again, our members will hopefully feel part of the CWU family after many years in isolation in many locations.

Please note: CWU are in the process of arranging a National Briefing and the details of this will be published in a further LTB that will be circulated in the next couple of working days.

Any queries to the content of the above please contact the Outdoor Department reference 120 email address: njones@cwu.org or the PTCS Department reference 320 email address: khay@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,

Mark Baulch                                                                                     

CWU Assistant Secretary

Alan Tate                                                         

CWU Assistant Secretary (Acting)

LTB 335-21 – RMPFSL IR Framework Agreement – 12.08.21

Att: IR Framework – PFSL CWU

Att: National CWU Representative Roles & Responsibilities

Att: Regional CWU Representative Roles & Responsibilities

View Online

2021 NATIONAL YOUNG WORKERS’ EDUCATION EVENT, 22-24 OCTOBER, NEWCASTLE

The purpose of this LTB is to invite and encourage Branches to send delegates to this year’s National Young Workers’ Education Event, which will take place over the weekend of Friday 22^nd October through to Sunday 24^th October and will be held at The County Hotel in Newcastle.

This weekend will be the first in-person event held for the Young Workers since January 2020 and it is important that all Branches use their best endeavours to send a delegate. We will be working with our Regional Secretaries to maximise attendance. The event will start promptly at 6pm on Friday 22^nd October (although delegates will be welcome to check into the hotel from 3pm) and will end at lunchtime on Sunday 24^th October. A full agenda will be issued nearer the time.

In consultation with the management of the venue, we will ensure that the event is arranged with all necessary Covid precautions in place.  The health and safety aspects have been fully discussed with the Young Workers’ Committee and further guidance will be issued on this in due course.  However, ultimately, it will be a matter for individuals to decide whether they are happy to take part in the event in person.

The arrangements for the cost of delegates will be in line with the process that has been used for many years, albeit reflective of current pricing.  The cost for Branches to send a delegate will be £300 and includes two nights’ bed and breakfast accommodation (The County Hotel, Neville St, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 5DF) as well as all activities, buffet lunches and dinners.

For more information and to secure places for the weekend, Branches should email delegate names to Lauren Townsend at: rodept@cwu.org as soon as possible.

Yours sincerely,

Dave Ward

General Secretary

LTB 334/21 – National Young Workers’ Education Event, 22-24 October, Newcastle

View Online

COVID-19 ‘CLOSE-CONTACT’ SELF-ISOLATION RULE CHANGES

Introduction

The UK Government for England and devolved administrations of Scotland and Wales have announced changes to the rules and regulations regarding self-isolation when individuals are identified by NHS Test and Trace as being a “close contact” of a positive Covid-19 case.

The changes take place from the following dates:

• Wales from 7 August 2021
• Scotland from 9 August 2021 
• England from 16 August 2021

Royal Mail Group have today issued a communication on the rule changes and self-isolation flow charts for England, Wales and Scotland.

An announcement from Northern Ireland is awaited. A copy of the communication and flow charts are attached. 

In short – as long as an individual has no symptoms, is a fully vaccinated adult (having had the two vaccinations – ‘double-jabbed’) or is under-18, they will no longer have to self-isolate if they are identified as a close contact of someone with Covid-19. Instead, PCR tests will be used to test if someone is positive although the guidance is slightly different across the UK nations.

Information on accessing a PCR test is available at this Gov.UK Link:

https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test#:~:text=You%20can%20order%20a%20PCR,a%20PCR%20test%20appointment

Summary of changes (See Attached Flowcharts for England, Wales & Scotland) 

Wales from 7 August 2021 and England from 16 August 2021

You do not need to self-isolate as a close contact of a confirmed case if you meet all of the following criteria:

• you are fully vaccinated and 14 days have passed since your second vaccination. Young people under 18 and are exempt under the new rules.
• you take a PCR test as soon as possible (you can remain in work while awaiting the result of the PCR test).
• you do not develop Covid-19 symptoms. If symptoms develop at any stage, you must self-isolate immediately and book a PCR test, in line with existing arrangements.

Scotland from 9 August 2021 

You do not need to self-isolate as a close contact if you meet all of the following criteria:

• you are fully vaccinated and 14 days have passed since your second dose of vaccination. Young people under the age of 17 will also be able to end self-isolation if they test negative, while those under five years old will be “encouraged” but not required to take a test.
• you have had a negative PCR test since being advised to isolate as a close contact. (You must remain in self-isolation while awaiting the result of the PCR test). 
• you do not develop Covid-19 symptoms. If symptoms develop at any stage, you must self-isolate immediately and book a PCR test, in line with existing arrangements.

Northern Ireland 

We await the outcome of the review on 12 August 2021. 

FAQs 

• What if I have had one or no vaccinations? 

You should continue to self-isolate for 10 days and request a test if you get symptoms.

• What if I have symptoms of Covid-19? 

You should self-isolate and request a PCR test as usual.

• What if I test positive for Covid-19? 

You should self-isolate for at least 10 days and can return to work if you feel well enough after 10 days.

• What if I am already self-isolating? 

If you are already within the 10-day self-isolation period, then you should continue to self-isolate for the full 10 days. 

Attachments:

• RMG Communication on new Self-Isolation Rules.
• Self-Isolation Flow Charts for England, Wales and Scotland.

Yours Sincerely 

Dave Joyce

National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 333/21

Self-Isolation Rule Changes RMG Int.Com 11.08.21

Close Contact Self Isolation Flow Charts (Eng.Wales&Scot)

View Online