NATIONAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN PARCELFORCE WORLDWIDE AND THE CWU – PILOT DEPLOYMENT AND USE OF DRIVER BEHAVIOUR TECHNOLOGY

Branches will be aware that Telemetry technology has been fitted to much of the Royal Mail Vehicle Fleet. In Distribution Isotrak is fitted to heavy LGV vehicles, Microlise to 7.5t MGV vehicles and Trimble has been fitted to the light fleet in Delivery.

Although these technologies have been established for a number of years in Royal Mail, Parcelforce had not sought to introduce Telemetry, however the business have now proposed to introduce Trimble to their fleet and all new vehicles will be fitted with the technology.

Discussions have therefore centred on a National agreement to support the deployment of the technology in Parcelforce, ensuring that the long established principles and protections established in previous agreements flow through to this deployment. This technology is now being fitted to vehicles in the PFW Solent Depot where the deployment will be piloted prior to onward roll out. This will be closely monitored by the Transport JWG. The onward plan is to fit the telemetry system to all new PFW vehicles as part of the current fleet replacement program.

Attached is a copy of the final National Agreement covering the deployment of Trimble in Parcelforce Worldwide.

The business aspiration is that the use of the self-correction aspects of the technology may produce a fuel efficiency benefit in the region of 10%.

The CWU will be fully involved in the deployment of this Agreement. The document includes the usual safeguards around visibility, the sharing of data and the caveat that the outputs should not be used for either individual performance or management of conduct.

Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary, email: dwyatt@cwu.orgquoting reference 102.12.

Yours sincerely

Davie Robertson

Assistant Secretary

LTB 354/21

Att: PFW Telemetry Agreement 25.08.21

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Royal Mail Group – Introduction of ‘Whole Workplace/Office’ Stress Risk Assessment Process Tool and Updated Stress Toolkit, Guidance and Joint Statement (Stress Toolkit Includes Individual Stress Risk Assessment Process Also)

Introduction and Background:

Mental health problems are widespread, at times disabling, yet often hidden. Research by the mental health charity the ‘Mental Health Foundation’ found that three quarters of UK adults had felt ‘overwhelmed or unable to cope’ in the previous year, with one in three having suicidal feelings as a result of stress.

The CWU Health Safety and Environment Department has been working with Royal Mail Group on introducing a revised, updated Stress Risk Assessment Process, Toolkit and Guidance for CWU members. Through this new approach RMG recognise work-related stressors as a potential hazard to health and are jointly committed to managing work related stress in a proactive manner to reduce the personal impact on RMG employees – now both for individuals and across whole workplaces, involving a process used to measure population based stressors when we assess all the staff in a workplace e.g., a Mail Processing Centre, a Delivery Office, a Distribution Centre, a Depot, a Hub, a Workshop, an Admin Unit etc., for example.

Work-related stress is recognised as one of the main ill health concerns in the workplace and the launch of the new Royal Mail Group/CWU agreed ‘Whole Workplace, Whole Office or Whole Work Group’ Stress Risk Assessment Tool adds a new dimension to the Royal Mail stress standard. Through this new additional process, collective workforce stress can be recognised and risk assessed. Working together, managers, CWU representatives and employees can jointly assess stress levels amongst the workforce in a workplace and develop solutions and ideas on how to tackle it effectively.

The management and reduction of stress is an important part of a changing culture in Royal Mail and if implemented properly can significantly reduce levels of mental and physical illness caused by work-related stress and anxiety.

Through the ‘Because Healthy Minds Matter’ Strategy, Royal Mail Group have committed to implement effective support strategies and tools that can make a positive difference to the Royal Mail Group workforce who are directly or indirectly affected by mental ill-health.

Royal Mail Group state that protecting the health, safety and welfare of employees remains the number one priority. Royal Mail Group are on record as recognising that workplace stress is a health and safety matter and acknowledge the importance of identifying and reducing workplace stressors.

This updated Stress Toolkit can be a major component in the vision for a workplace with good mental health for all and prevention is at the heart of it.

The RMG Updated Stress Toolkit (Copy Attached):

The new Group Stress Risk Assessment Tool and user guide become part of the Royal Mail Group (RMG) Stress Toolkit along with the Individual Stress Risk Assessment/Guided Conversation and ‘Preventing and Managing Stress Guidance’ designed to help prevent and manage workplace stress. The Stress Toolkit emphasises the importance of effective line management and the behaviours needed to successfully manage the causes of stress at work. It is now on the RMG Health and Wellbeing intranet pages (an electronic copy is attached to this LTB).

The Preventing and Managing Stress Guide (Part of the Stress Toolkit – Copy Attached):

This outlines roles and responsibility in Royal Mail for stress.

• Provides advice on signs and symptoms.
• Gives directions for carrying out a Stress Risk Assessment using the HSE principles.
• Provides guidance on when each of the risk assessments should be used.

The ‘Two-Level’ Stress Approach:

The new approach being jointly launched is very much focused on the ‘two level’ stress approach. This two-level Stress Risk Assessment process is supported by a helpline and website offering advice and wellbeing guidance called the ‘First Class Support’ service. The CWU very much welcomes this positive initiative which we helped shape through positive involvement and consultation at every stage and includes:

• The individual stress risk assessment called the ‘Guided Conversation for Stress’ and
• The ‘Whole Workplace/Office/Group Stress Risk Assessment using the full HSE Stress Management Standards Risk Assessment Indicator Tool Questionnaire.
• This two-level Stress Risk Assessment process is supported by a RMG ‘First Class Support’ helpline and a ‘Feeling First Class’ website offering advice and guidance.

Individual Stress Risk Assessment

In October 2016, Royal Mail Group together with the CWU and Unite CMA jointly launched the first Royal Mail Group Stress Toolkit, which includes guidance to help prevent and manage workplace stress including the ‘Guided Conversation’ which is an individual Stress Risk Assessment.

Group Stress Risk Assessment

Building on the earlier agreement and following trials at 15 Units in 2019, Royal Mail Group are now enhancing the ‘Stress Toolkit’ further by introducing the new ‘Group Stress Risk Assessment’ designed to assess collective work-related stress levels across all employees in a workplace, office, depot, hub, plant, workshop, centre or a workgroup.

Developed by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) as part of the HSE Stress Management Standards, the Group Stress Risk Assessment Tool has been designed to gather the opinions and feedback of the workforce as a whole in a given workplace, work unit, work groups or employee etc., through a survey, following which the responses are collated, aggregated and analysed to provide a collective, broad indication of the stress levels in that workplace and how well or badly the risks associated with work related stress are being managed or not. From there solutions and a remedial action plan can be developed and initiated. The objective is to get the most meaningful assessment and picture of stress levels and identification of the stressors and causes of stress in the workplace. In summary the results and outcomes of the stress survey will be jointly analysed and discussed by management and CWU Reps in order to jointly develop and introduce a remedial action by:

• Exploring problems and developing solutions.
• Developing and implementing action plan/s.
• Monitoring and reviewing action plans and assessing effectiveness.

Group Stress Risk Assessment Tool User Instructions (Part of the Stress Toolkit – Copy Attached) – Summary of CWU Reps Involvement:

Para 1. Background 

• The Trade Union Area Health and Safety Representative and other Representatives should be engaged and fully involved in the process.

Para 2. When should the Group Stress Risk Assessment Tool be completed? 

• The Stress Risk Assessment survey can be initiated following an Area Health and Safety Representative’s safety inspection report.
• The Stress Risk Assessment process can be discussed at the joint Health and Safety Committee

Para 3. Getting a good response rate 

• Use joint communications with Trade Union Area Health and Safety Representatives and other Union Representatives. 

Para 4. Checklist

• Step 1: Inform all relevant stakeholders, Trade Union Area Health and Safety Representatives and other Representatives who should form a working group to agree and plan activity, including who will become the survey coordinator responsible for leading activity.
• It is recommended that an existing formal channel such as the Health and Safety Committee Meeting, or an ad-hoc meeting/conference call is arranged to complete this activity.

Para 6. Analysing Results 

• It is important to appreciate that the results of the survey alone can only provide an indication of performance in managing work-related stress, and you will need to share and discuss the outcomes of the survey with employees and their Trade Union Area Health and Safety Representatives and other Representatives, and explore any issues raised in more detail. The intention is that all the data you collect can be used to promote a system of continuous improvement.

Appendix A: 

• A covering communication/message which can be provided along with the Stress Survey. This can be signed by the local or area manager and jointly signed with Union Representatives.

Appendix B: 

• Group Stress Risk Assessment Tool – Activity Plan.

Activity.

Point 2 – Inform Trade Union Area Health and Safety Representative and other Representatives.

Point 10 – Share survey reports with Trade Union Area Health and Safety Representative and other Representatives and discuss improvement activity plan.

Point 12 – Review progress against the plan involving Trade Union Area Health and Safety Representative and other Representatives.

HSE’s Management Standards represent a set of conditions that, if present:

• Demonstrate good practice through a step-by-step risk assessment approach.
• Allow assessment of the current situation using the survey tool and other techniques.
• Promote active discussion and employers/managers working in partnership with employees and the trade unions representatives, to help decide on practical improvements that can be made.
• Help simplify risk assessment for work-related stress by:
  • identifying the main risk factors.
  • helping employers focus on the underlying causes of stress and their prevention.
  • helping organisations in tackling the key causes of stress.

HSE Guidance On Stress and Stress Risk Assessment:

To help workplaces work together to address stress the HSE has identified six key areas (or risk factors) that can be causes of work related stress. These are:

• the demands of your job;
• your control over your work;
• the support you receive from managers and colleagues;
• your relationships at work;
• your role in the organisation;
• change and how it’s managed.

The Health and Safety Law:
All employers have a legal responsibility under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 to ensure the health safety and welfare at work of their employees. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) state that this includes minimising the risk of stress-related illness or injury to employees. There are lots of ways of doing this and can include having a structured safety programme, a workplace wellbeing programme and by carrying out Stress Risk Assessments.

The Royal Mail Group (RMG) 5-Year Mental Health Strategy:

Through the Royal Mail Group five-year strategy ‘Because Healthy Minds Matter’ launched in 2017, Royal Mail Group (RMG) have committed to implement effective support strategies and tools that can make a positive difference to the workforce who are directly or indirectly affected by mental ill-health. Royal Mail Group has also committed to protect the health, safety and welfare of employees, recognising that workplace stress is a health and safety issue and acknowledge the importance of identifying and reducing workplace stressors. (See attached copy of Joint Statement). The Royal Mail Group (RMG) 5-Year Mental Health Strategy to date has included:

• The signing of the Time to Change Pledge – jointly signed by RMG and CWU;
• Development of 5 mental health support videos with the Mental Health Foundation;
• Introduction of the Mental Health First Aid Awareness one-day course for all Managers, Physical First Aiders and CWU Health & Safety Reps;
• Launch of the five-year strategy and underpinning plan ‘Because Healthy Minds Matter;
• Creation of the ‘Because Healthy Minds Matter’ mental health e-learning;
• Mental health support ‘z-cards’ with CWU sent into all units;
• Launched Mental Health & Wellbeing Ambassadors;
• Agreed with CWU an approach to upskilling 5,500 Physical First Aiders to include Mental Health First Aid;
• Increased promotion of RMG’s ‘Feeling First Class,’ and ‘Employee Assistance’ programmes;
• Continued activity through mental health charity partnerships including the ‘Everyday People’ video.
• Launch of the RMG Stress Toolkit, individual stress risk assessment process.
• Introduced ‘Whole Office/Unit/Group’ Stress Risk Assessment process addition to the RMG Stress Toolkit.

Royal Mail Group ‘Helpline’ and other available employee assistance support:

• The RMG First Class Support Service is free, confidential and available 24/7 for all employees including direct access to counselling services. Call 0345 266 5060:
• RMG members can also visit rmgfirstclasssupport.co.uk or download the ‘Lifeworks’ app. New website/app users can ‘sign up’ using a unique invitation code, which is RMG- and then their payroll number, e.g., RMG-12345678.
• Digital services available via the Royal Mail Group Website and App include an instant online chat facility as well as various media content, toolkits, manager support articlesand health and wellbeing assessments and personal care programmes.
• CWU Reps, Health and Wellbeing Ambassadors, can work with employees and managers locally to provide mental and physical health promotion and signposting to support and a range of tools and services on the RMG Intranet to support mental health.

Attachments:

• Royal Mail Group (RMG) Whole Workplace/Office/Group Stress Risk Assessment Tool Launch – RMG/CWU Joint Statement
• Royal Mail Group (RMG) Launch of the Group Stress Risk Assessment Tool Communication
• Royal Mail Group (RMG) Stress Tool Kit (Zip File which includes):
  • RMG SHE – Preventing and Managing Workplace Stress Guidance
  • RMG SHE – Individual Stress Risk Assessment – Guided Conversation
  • RMG SHE – Group (Whole Workplace) Stress Risk Assessment Guidance, Questionnaire/Survey Tool, Collation Tool & Action Plan proforma.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 353/21 – Royal Mail Group Introduction of Whole Workplace Office Stress Risk Assessment Process Tool

1. Preventing and Managing Workplace Stress Guide

2. Guided Conversation for Stress

3. Group Stress Risk Assessment User Instructions

4. Stress Risk Assessment Questionnaire

5. Group Stress Risk Assessment Collation Tool TEMPLATE

6. Group Stress Risk Assessment Collation Tool EXAMPLE

7. Group Stress Risk Assessment Action Plan Template

Group Stress Risk Assessment Tool comms July 2021 updated 27.07.21

RMG Whole-Workplace-Office-Group Stress Risk Assessment Tool Joint State…

Election of CWU National Trustees – 2021

Further to LTB 326/21 dated 5^th August 2021, at the close of nominations on the 23^rd August 2021 the following have been received:

Postal Constituency – 2 Postal NEC MembersTony Bouch, Plymouth & East Cornwall 

Nominated by:  Plymouth & East Cornwall*ElectedMick Kavanagh, South Midlands Postal

Nominated by:  South Midlands Postal*Elected

Telecom & Financial Services Constituency – 2 TFS NEC MembersKaren Rose, South Wales 

Nominated by:  South Wales, Lincolnshire & South Yorks, Mid Wales, The Marches & North Staffs*ElectedDave Tee, Mid Wales, The Marches & North Staffs 

Nominated by:  Mid Wales, The Marches & North Staffs,  Lincolnshire & South Yorks, South Wales*Elected

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 352/21

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POST OFFICE: CROWN VR PROGRAMME

Further to LTB 300 dated 19^th July.

Branches are advised we have continued to engage with Post Office management with regards to the agreed VR exercise under MTSF, for a maximum of 120 VRs which is linked to Post Office’s commitment to a moratorium on Crown Office franchising/closures until the end of the year.

The closing date for the preference exercise was 4th August and in total 314 forms were returned from 104 Crowns.  Subsequently, we met with Lee Kelly, Employee Relations & Policy Director, along with Steve Blampied, Head of DMB Network, Ian Woollon, Operations Analyst and Jo Stammers, IR Manager on Monday 9th August to discuss the prioritisation of who would be offered VR.  Our initial focus was on the Crown offices where there has been the most acute decline in customer footfall since the start of the pandemic.  This approach meant that the Crowns that were able to lose the most amount of hours were prioritised for VR offers.  Consequently we have agreed for Phase 1 that 42 VR offers will be made from across 19 Crowns.  This consists of 23 full time and 19 part time duties and all of these VR offers have been identified in strict seniority order.

Two Joint Statements (attached) have now been agreed as follows:

• One specifically aimed at the 19 Crowns where the 42 VR offers will be made – the offers are due to be sent to members on the afternoon of Friday 20th August
• A slightly different version for the other 95 Crowns which don’t at this point in time have any VR offers agreed.

We have agreed that new duties will be introduced in the 19 Crowns that will lose jobs via the VR process and that crucially 4 weeks’ notice will be given of new attendance patterns.  In this regard, our Reps will be heavily involved in the duty construction and will be engaging with the members to ensure the best possible set of duties.  There is an anticipation that these new duties will commence from Monday 18th October.  With PILON applying in full, we have agreed the Last Day of Service for the 42 members offered VR will be 16th October.

A Phase 2 meeting has been arranged for Monday 23rd August to discuss the next group of Crowns where consideration will be given to identifying more VR offers.  In keeping with Phase 1, the emphasis will be on those Crowns that have seen the biggest customer decline (beyond the original 19 in Phase 1).  Further VR offers will arise from this analysis and we would expect these to be in seniority order once again in accordance with MTSF.

Finally, our Reps are being kept up to date with all developments as they occur in regard to this VR exercise.

Yours sincerely

Andy Furey

Assistant Secretary

LTB 351/21 – Post Office – Crown VR Programme

Attachment: Joint Statement 1

Attachment:  Joint Statement 2

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ROYAL MAIL: CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE – PATHWAY TO CHANGE – AGREEMENT FOR EXTENDED OPENING HOURS & RESOURCING ARRANGEMENTS

Branches will be aware that as part of delivering the Shorter Working Week in Customer Experience, we agreed to the concept of extended opening hours in order to provide an enhanced customer offer.

We have now agreed with CE management that the introduction of extended opening hours will be undertaken on a trial basis, with a pilot running until the end of January.  Attendance for the extended hours is on a purely voluntary basis and nobody will be forced to work longer hours or be required to change their attendance patterns.

In this regard, I am pleased that the take-up of volunteers has been more than enough to cover the period of the pilot. Initially, CE will provide Telephony services to the public for three of the largest campaigns (Account Helpline, Non-Account Helpline and Complaints) and from 6^th September, Redirections will be added to the pilot.  The opening times are as follows:

• Monday – Friday 7am until 8pm
• Saturday – 8am until 4pm
• Sunday* – 9am until 4pm

*all Sunday working is performed on overtime and this has been the case for a considerable period of time. 

Attached is a Joint Statement to our members confirming the above arrangements.  To support this pilot, we have also agreed with CE management the following resourcing arrangements:

• 15 permanent contracts to the longest serving Fixed Term Temporary Contract people so they are able to support the extended opening hours
• The extension of another 69 Fixed Term Contracts until mid-January 2022.

I would like to thank the “Resourcing and Opening Hours” Joint Working Group for their efforts and specifically Sue Owen, Plymouth Rep and Sara Wright, Doxford Rep.

In keeping with the need for regular engagement with our Reps, I’m pleased to report there has been a joint CE Reps/Management briefing this morning during which we reviewed the progress of the six Joint Working Groups and discussed next steps, which will include further Joint Statements.

Yours sincerely

Andy Furey

Assistant Secretary

LTB 350/21 – RM – CE – Pathway to Change – Agreement for Extended Opening Hours and Resourcing Arrangements

Attachment: JS – Customer Experience Extended hours pilot

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Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash (FY21 010) – Yard Safety – Reversing Tractor Unit and Trailer – Serious Injuries Accident:

(Also see RMG SHE Safety Flash FY20 012 – ‘Use of walkways in Yards’)

Audience:

All Royal Mail Group drivers who drive and operate HGVs, tractor units and trailers. All employees who access a yard.

Overview and Background:

Royal Mail Group Safety Health and Environment Group have issued ‘Safety Flash’, number FY21 010, (copy attached), which gives a summary of a recent RIDDOR serious injury accident, involving bone fractures. The SHE ‘Safety Flash’ is to form the basis of a Unit Briefing/Communication to ALL ROYAL MAIL DRIVERS operating large vehicles and all staff who access yards, in order to raise awareness of the potential risk of similar incidents which could cause a serious injury accident or death.

Issue: 

The ‘mandatory’ yard safety rules were not followed by the injured agency driver concerned.

Description of the Incident:

The incident occurred at a Royal Mail Distribution Centre site when an agency driver reversed a motive/tractor unit and trailer onto a loading bay, then exited the cab of his vehicle and then stood in the adjacent loading bay area, in the path of another reversing tractor unit and trailer with his back to the oncoming vehicle, beyond the sight of the driver, whereby he was struck and run over by the trailer. The injured driver should not have dwelt in the loading bay area and should have moved to a safe pedestrian walkway area after exiting his cab.

Impact and Effect:

Injuries from reversing LGV motive units and trailers can result in life-changing or fatal injuries and can expose Royal Mail and drivers to enforcement action/prosecution by the HSE.

Key Management Activities, Messages to Staff Learning Points:

• Communicate and display the SHE Safety Flash on the SHE notice board.
• Ensure yard safety controls are implemented, and safe behaviours enforced and promoted.
• Ensure a suitable and sufficient Yard Risk Assessment is completed and in place.
• Ensure the Yard Rules are in place, effective and communicated and briefed to all relevant drivers and staff including agency staff.
• Consider how rules and instructions are communicated to visiting drivers.
• Ensure pedestrian routes and designated areas are clearly identified.
• Ensure all staff are trained in yard safety (see Content on Demand).
• Complete First-Class Safety Conversations (SMATs) to promote good behaviours.

Attachment:

• Copy of RMG SHE Safety Flash FY21 010 – Yard Risks and Safety.

Conclusion – ASR Action

Would all CWU Area Health and Safety Reps please note and communicate the content of the Safety Flash, supporting the key messages, and reminding members of the importance of looking after their own safety when in yards where there is vehicle traffic which presents hazards and risks.

By law, pedestrians or vehicles must be able to use a traffic route without causing danger to the health or safety of people. However, no matter how well-designed and maintained a site is with suitable segregation of vehicles and people through separate pedestrian and vehicle traffic routes, in order to make workplace transport accidents less likely – it is only effective if the workforce complies with the rules and doesn’t ignore designated pedestrian routes, thoughtlessly placing themselves in mortal danger.

Health and Safety Executive workplace transport safety guidance states that where complete segregation is not possible, there is a need to have clearly marked pedestrian and vehicle traffic routes, using measures such as barriers and signs. There should be separate entrances and exits for vehicles and pedestrians, and vision panels should be installed on doors that open onto vehicle traffic routes. Where pedestrian and vehicle traffic routes cross, they should be clearly marked using measures such as dropped kerbs, barriers, deterrent paving etc., to help direct pedestrians to the appropriate crossing points.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 349/21 – Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash (FY21 010) – Yard Safety – Reversing Tractor Unit and Trailer – Serious Injuries Accident

SHE Flash FY21 010 Yard Safety

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High Blood Pressure Awareness Campaign – ‘Know Your Numbers! Week 2021’ – 6-12 September 2021

Blood Pressure UK – Know Your Numbers Week 2021 – ‘The Silent Killer’

This year Blood Pressure UK (The Blood Pressure Association) charity are launching their campaign and asking the nation “Do you know your risks of high blood pressure numbers?” ‘Know Your Numbers!’ raises awareness of high blood pressure, encouraging all UK adults to get a blood pressure check.

High blood pressure usually has no symptoms, which is why it is often referred to as the silent killer. The only way to know you have it is to have a check. Therefore, the charity, supported by CWU want to encourage ALL members of the union and their family members to check their blood pressure, so if detected, it can be easily treated thereby reducing your risk of a stroke or heart disease.

‘Know your Numbers Week’ is the UK’s biggest and most far reaching blood pressure testing event and awareness week. Each year, hundreds of ‘Pressure Stations’ offer free blood pressure checks across the UK, enabling thousands of people to get a free blood pressure check. It encourages adults across the UK to know their blood pressure numbers and take the necessary action to reach and maintain a healthy blood pressure.

You can find out more about ‘Know Your Numbers!’ via the charity’s website and contact details below or in the attached information and resources. ‘Know Your Numbers’ is the nation’s biggest blood pressure testing event.

High Blood Pressure In The UK

High blood pressure is the biggest known cause of disability and premature death in the UK through stroke, heart attack and heart disease. One in three adults in the UK has high blood pressure and every day 350 people have a preventable stroke or heart attack caused by the condition.

About High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure – also known as raised blood pressure or hypertension – increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes and kidney failure. If left uncontrolled, high blood pressure can also cause blindness, irregularities of the heartbeat and heart failure. The risk of developing these complications is higher in the presence of other cardiovascular risk factors such as diabetes. One in three adults worldwide has high blood pressure. The proportion increases with age, from 1 in 10 people in their 20s and 30s to 5 in 10 people in their 50s. Prevalence of high blood pressure is highest in some low-income countries in Africa, with over 40% of adults in many African countries thought to be affected.

However, high blood pressure is both preventable and treatable. In some developed countries, prevention and treatment of the condition, together with other cardiovascular risk factors, has brought about a reduction in deaths from heart disease. The risk of developing high blood pressure can be reduced by:

• reducing salt intake;
• eating a balanced diet;
• avoiding harmful use of alcohol;
• taking regular physical activity;
• maintaining a healthy body weight; and
• avoiding tobacco use.

The Statistics:

• 5 million
  1.5 million people have had a free blood pressure check during previous ‘Know Your Numbers Weeks’, the UK’s biggest blood pressure testing and awareness event.
• 120/80
  An ideal blood pressure is under 120/80mmHg. Do you Know Your Numbers?
• 6 million
  6 million people in the UK have high blood pressure and don’t know it. It could be you!
• 350
  Every day in the UK, 350 people have a stroke or heart attack that could have been prevented. So get your blood pressure checked!

The CWU Health, Safety & Environment Department fully supports Blood Pressure UK’s mission that every adult in the UK should know their blood pressure numbers in the same way they know their height and weight. When you Know Your Numbers! you can take steps to look after your blood pressure and lead a long and healthy life.

Campaign Goals: 

• Greater awareness
• Healthy behaviours
• Improved detection

Blood Pressure UK (The Blood Pressure Association) Charity

Is the UK’s leading blood pressure charity – lowering blood pressure to prevent stroke and heart attack since 2000. High blood pressure can be treated and prevented and the charity is there to help.

Attached for your information are two information leaflets from the Blood Pressure Association (Blood Pressure UK):

• Introducing high blood pressure booklet
• High Blood Pressure: A practical guide leaflet

Further Information:

Blood Pressure UK
Wolfson Institute
Charterhouse Square
London
EC1M 6BQ

Phone:

General Enquiries: 020 7882 6255
Helpline: 020 7882 6218
Email: info@bloodpressureuk.org
Website: http://www.bloodpressureuk.org/

Membership

Over 90% of Blood Pressure Association members say that being a member of Blood Pressure UK helps them to manage and reduce their blood pressure. People can join to help manage their blood pressure. Membership costs just £2.00 a month (or £24.00 a year), and members get:

• Three issues of BPUK members’ magazinePositive Pressure
• A range of free booklets and information sheets
• A bi-monthly email newsletter,’ePositive Pressure’
• PLUS – the booklet ‘A-Z of blood pressure’

The objective of ‘Know Your Numbers Week’ and the ongoing aim of Blood Pressure UK is to reduce heart attacks and strokes. Specific objectives of the campaign are:

• to raise awareness of the causes and consequences of high blood pressure;
• to provide information on how to prevent high blood pressure and related complications;
• to encourage adults to check their blood pressure and to follow the advice of health-care professionals;
• to encourage self-care to prevent high blood pressure;
• to create and enable healthy behaviours.

Blood Pressure UK is the nation’s only charity dedicated to lowering the nation’s blood pressure to prevent stroke and heart disease. For further information on Blood Pressure UK’s ‘Know Your Numbers Week’ visit: http://www.bloodpressureuk.org/know-your-numbers/know-your-numbers-week/

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 348/21 – High Blood Pressure Awareness Campaign – Know Your Numbers Week 2021 – 6-12 September 2021

GeneralBPLeaflet

Introducing High Blood Pressure Booklet

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Post Office Ltd – 2021 Free Flu Vaccination Voucher Scheme and On-Site Clinics:

Post Office Ltd have confirmed in discussions with the CWU Health, Safety & Environment Department that as part of POL’s ongoing health promotion and employee support programme, POL will again, in 2021 be offering a ‘free flu voucher’ vaccination scheme for the workforce. This is the fourth year POL have offered a ‘free flu jab’ voucher scheme to CWU member grades. The POL flu voucher scheme offer to staff will open in early September on a date to be confirmed.

The 2021 POL 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 employees redeemable in 4,000 outlets which is over double the amount available last year and will include pharmacies, supermarkets etc.
• On-site flu jab clinics are to be provided at Post Office Limited’s 6 largest Supply Chain Units – see details below.

Digital Vouchers

All POL employees wishing to take up the flu jab scheme offer will be given a link to access a digital voucher online which is redeemable at over 4,000 locations, e.g. pharmacies and supermarkets.

DMB and Supply Chain employees wishing to opt in to the scheme are being collated by their branch and unit managers and field and admin teams are able to request vouchers through the team form recently sent out via a ‘ONE Article’ or from the flu article on the POL hub.

Requests for ‘digital vouchers’ are to be submitted by the end of August.

The vouchers will then be made available very soon and should be redeemed and used as soon as possible.

Free NHS Vaccination

The NHS has extended the availability of free NHS provided flu jabs, expanding the groups eligible for a free vaccination. Eligible members are advised to take advantage of the NHS free flu jab scheme if they qualify under the below groups, as follows:

• Those aged 50 years and over.
• Those under 50 years old in clinically ‘at risk’ groups.
• Pregnant women and carers.
• Close contacts of immunocompromised individuals.

On-Site Flu Clinics In Post Office Ltd Supply Chain Largest Units

On-site flu jab clinics will be available in the six largest Supply Chain sites (see below) where a nurse will be on site to administer flu jabs and finalised dates will be confirmed with the sites directly in the very near future, once arrangements are finalised. These six units have been advised and over the next couple of weeks will be provided with further information and support.

1. Glasgow CC & CViT
2. Birmingham CC & CViT
3. London CC & CViT
4. Hemel Hempstead
5. Swindon Stores
6. Sheffield

Communications

Post Office Ltd have issued a communication this week to all employees and POL HQ have asked all Directly Managed Branch (DMB) Office Managers and Supply Chain (CViT) and Stores Managers to confirm numbers of staff wishing to take up the flu jab offer so as to ensure individuals receive a voucher code. The target return date is 31 August.

Communications will be aligned to the Government Flu Jab Scheme for this year as summarised above.

Further improvement has been made in both the NHS and POL schemes 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 members to have the flu jab to reduce their risk of getting flu, becoming unwell and passing it onto family, friends and work 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.

Attachment: POL Flu Jab Communication 18.08.21

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 347/21 – Post Office Ltd – 2021 Free Flu Vaccination Voucher Scheme and On-Site Clinics

Att: Free flu vaccinations for all colleagues in POL 2021

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Royal Mail Group – 2021 Free Flu Vaccination Voucher Scheme and On-Site Clinics:

LTB 341/21 published initial information regarding the further improved, Royal Mail Group 2021 ‘Free Flu Vaccination Voucher Scheme’ offer to all employees. This is the fourth year RMG have offered a ‘free flu jab’ scheme to CWU Members.

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 over 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 etc.,) see details below.
• 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.

Free NHS Vaccination

The NHS has extended the availability of free NHS provided flu jabs, expanding the groups eligible for a free vaccination. Eligible members are advised to take advantage of the NHS scheme if they qualify under the below groups, as follows:

• Those aged 50 years and over.
• Those under 50 years old in clinically ‘at risk’ groups.
• Pregnant women and carers.
• Close contacts of immunocompromised individuals.

On-Site Flu Clinics In Royal Mail And Parcelforce Largest Units

On-site flu clinics will be available in 110 Royal Mail Group sites. These are made up of the 90 largest sites plus 20 high impact units as identified by the RMG Head of Occupational Health and Wellbeing. The units due to have an on-site flu clinic are being advised imminently and will be provided with further information and support from RMG Occupational Health HQ.

Note: The listed clinics are for the identified sites employees only and digital vouchers are available for all employees.

North Region – 52 SitesNorth/SouthSectorPC AreaLocation (Office)NorthCheshire and MerseysideCHChester Mail CentreNorthCheshire and MerseysideSYShrewsbury Mail CentreNorthCheshire and MerseysideWANorth West HubNorthCheshire and MerseysideWAWarrington DONorthCheshire and MerseysideWAWarrington Mail CentreNorthCheshire and MerseysideWNLeigh DONorthCheshire and MerseysideWNWigan DONorthEast and North ScotlandABAberdeen Mail CentreNorthEast and North ScotlandEHEdinburgh Mail CentreNorthEast Mids and PeterboroughCBCambridge DONorthEast Mids and PeterboroughDEDerby Mail CentreNorthEast Mids and PeterboroughDENottingham East Mids AirportNorthEast Mids and PeterboroughNGNottingham Mail CentreNorthEast Mids and PeterboroughPEPeterborough Mail CentreNorthNI and W of ScotlandBTBelfast South & Central DONorthNI and W of ScotlandBTNorthern Ireland Mail CentreNorthNI and W of ScotlandGGlasgow Mail CentreNorthNI and W of ScotlandMLScottish Distribution CentreNorthNorth East and CumbriaCACarlisle Mail CentreNorthNorth East and CumbriaNETyneside Mail CentreNorthNorth East and CumbriaSRContact Centre DoxfordNorthNorth East and CumbriaSRSunderland DONorthNorth East and CumbriaTSStockton DONorthNorth West EnglandBLBolton North DONorthNorth West EnglandFYBlackpool & Poulton DONorthNorth West EnglandMManchester Mail CentreNorthNorth West EnglandOLOldham DONorthNorth West EnglandPRPreston Mail CentreNorthNorth West EnglandSKStockport CDONorthSouth MidlandsCVPFW Coventry LDNorthSouth MidlandsCVPFW International HubNorthSouth MidlandsCVPFW National HubNorthSouth MidlandsLELeicester DONorthSouth MidlandsMKBedford DONorthSouth MidlandsMKPFW Milton Keynes LDNorthSouth MidlandsNNCrow Lane DONorthSouth MidlandsNNNational Distribution CentreNorthSouth MidlandsNNSouth Midlands Mail CentreNorthSouth Yorkshire and LincsDNDoncaster DONorthSouth Yorkshire and LincsHUHull Malmo Road DONorthSouth Yorkshire and LincsLNLincoln DONorthSouth Yorkshire and LincsSContact Centre DearneNorthSouth Yorkshire and LincsSFuture WalkNorthSouth Yorkshire and LincsSRoyal Mail SheffieldNorthSouth Yorkshire and LincsSSheffield Mail CentreNorthWest MidlandsBBirmingham Mail CentreNorthWest MidlandsWRWorcester Mail CentreNorthWest MidlandsWVNorth West Midlands Mail CentreNorthYorkshireHDHuddersfield DONorthYorkshireLSLeeds Mail CentreNorthYorkshireWFWakefield DONorthYorkshireWFYorkshire Distribution Centre

South Region – 58 SitesNorth/SouthSectorPC AreaLocation (Office)SouthCentral and East LondonECMount Pleasant Mail CentreSouthCentral and East LondonECRoyal Mail FarringdonSouthCentral and East LondonECW1 DO Mount PleasantSouthCentral and East LondonRMRomford Mail CentreSouthCroydon and SEBNBrighton DOSouthCroydon and SEBNHove DOSouthCroydon and SECRCroydon DOSouthCroydon and SECRCroydon Mail CentreSouthCroydon and SERHGatwick Mail CentreSouthCroydon and SESEGreenwich SDOSouthEssex and AngliaCMChelmsford Mail CentreSouthEssex and AngliaCOColchester DOSouthEssex and AngliaIPIpswich DOSouthEssex and AngliaNRNorwich Mail CentreSouthEssex and AngliaSSSouthend MLOSouthHome Counties NorthALSt Albans DOSouthHome Counties NorthALWelwyn Garden City PDOSouthHome Counties NorthHPHome Counties North Mail CentreSouthHome Counties NorthLULuton DOSouthHome Counties NorthSGStevenage DOSouthHome Counties NorthWDRickmansworth PDOSouthHome Counties SouthSWRoyal Mail Pensbury PlaceSouthHome Counties SouthTWJubilee Mail CentreSouthMedwayCTCanterbury DOSouthMedwayDADartford DOSouthMedwayMEMedway Mail CentreSouthMedwayTNTonbridge DOSouthSouth CoastBHDorset Mail CentreSouthSouth CoastPOPortsmouth MPUSouthSouth CoastSOSouthampton Mail CentreSouthSouth CoastSOWinchester DOSouthSouth WalesCFAberdare DOSouthSouth WalesCFCardiff Mail CentreSouthSouth WalesSASwansea Mail CentreSouthSouth WestBABath DOSouthSouth WestBSBristol Mail CentreSouthSouth WestBSSW Distribution CentreSouthSouth WestBSWestbury on Trym DOSouthSouth WestEXExeter Mail CentreSouthSouth WestGLCheltenham DOSouthSouth WestGLTewkesbury DOSouthSouth WestPLPlymouth Mail CentreSouthSouth WestPLRoyal Mail Plymouth Contact CentreSouthSouth WestTRFalmouth DOSouthThames ValleyHAEdgware DOSouthThames ValleyNWNW1 DOSouthThames ValleyNWPFW London Central LDSouthThames ValleyNWPrincess Royal Dist. CentreSouthThames ValleyNWWest London Delivery CentreSouthThames ValleyRGReading DOSouthThames ValleyRGWest Reading DOSouthThames ValleySLHeathrow Worldwide Dist CentreSouthThames ValleySLInternational Logistics CentreSouthThames ValleySLSlough Mail CentreSouthThames ValleySNSwindon Mail CentreSouthThames ValleyUBGreenford Mail CentreSouthThames ValleyUBNortholt DOSouthThames ValleyUBUxbridge DO

 Communications

There will be a joint communication and promotion campaign launched promoting the ‘Free Flu Voucher’ scheme to all employees from 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 as summarised above.

So a further improvement has been made in both the NHS and RMG schemes 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 members to have the flu jab to reduce their risk of getting flu, becoming unwell and passing it onto family, friends and work 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.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 346/21 – Royal Mail Group – 2021 Free Flu Vaccination Voucher Scheme and On-Site Clinics

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Greener Jobs Alliance (GJA) Newsletter No. 323 – July – August 2021

 The Greener Jobs Alliance was launched to promote skills training and job creation to meet the needs of Britain’s rapidly growing low carbon sectors and to green the whole economy. The transition to a low carbon and resource efficient economy can drive sustainable economic recovery and job creation in every part of the country as well as making existing jobs more secure. But this requires a more strategic national and local approach to deliver the workforce skills needed and to stimulate demand for clean energy and energy efficiency services.

The Greener Jobs Alliance liaises at a national and local level to build the broadest possible support for the policies, investment, partnerships and commitments needed to drive the transition to a low carbon economy.

The Greener Jobs Alliance liaises with training bodies, colleges, universities, employers, local and national government, trade unions, housing associations, campaign and community groups – to build the policies, investment and partnerships needed to drive the transition to a low carbon economy.

The GJA runs a number of ‘free’ courses on the environment for Trade Union Reps in different parts of the UK which have been attended by a number of CWU Reps. See details below.

The GJA came into existence as a result of funding from Battersea and Wandsworth TUC.

The founder GJA Secretary and Newsletter editor was Graham Petersen who is well known to the CWU and has a long standing working relationship with the Union. He is a former TUC Tutor and Course Designer who created Safety Reps training courses and the successful TUC Occupational Health & Safety Diploma Course. He was the head of the Trade Union Studies Centre at South Thames College before retirement from the post and has been a visitor and guest speaker at CWU events and meetings. After 30 Editions, Graham stood down at the GJA AGM on 2 February and has handed over to Paul Atkin as newsletter editor and Tahir Latif as GJA Secretary. Graham remains a GJA Steering Group member and is now working part time for the Wales TUC having recently written a publication for them “Greener workplaces for a just transition – a Wales TUC toolkit for trade unionists”.

See attached copy of the GJA Newsletter No.33 for July-Aug 2021.

Contents GJA Newsletter July/August 2021 & Summary:

1. Editorial: Mind The Gap 

The popularity of a Green New Deal and Just Transition is driven by the prospect of millions of new jobs: their necessity by the terrifying reality of climate change impacts that are becoming more intense with every day that passes.

2. Climate Proof Your Workplace 

On September 22, the ITUC is holding the biggest global conversation about our future: the Global Day of Action to Climate and Employment Proof our Work. Sign up to join the conversation in 2021.

3. Climate Change Committee Report 

UK Government failures highlighted in latest CCC Report. The latest report from the All-Party Parliamentary Climate Change Committee – on how prepared the UK is to combat anticipated climate change impacts – delivers a withering assessment of the last 5 years of Conservative Government. The report warns ‘the UK will face significant further changes in climate to 2050 and beyond, even if the world is on a Paris-aligned emissions trajectory. By 2050 the heatwave summer of 2018 will be a typical summer, summer rainfall could fall by as much as 24% and winter rainfall increase by as much as 16%, changes that will impact our well-being, the natural environment, and the economy’.

4. Green Jobs For Scotland – Feast Or Famine? 

The Green Jobs Report commissioned by the STUC is the sort of document that should be being produced by Government as a Green paper. It considers what changes are needed if Scotland is to meet its decarbonisation needs, what job opportunities are associated with this, and what policies need to be put in place to ensure that these jobs provide Fair Work and enable effective voice demonstrated by high levels of union recognition and influence.

5. Scotland – Just Transition Tour 

Greenpeace UK, Friends of the Earth Scotland and Platform took a 13m wind turbine blade to Inverness, Aberdeen and Dundee to ask oil workers, local politicians and the general public to sign the blade calling for a Just Transition for oil workers. It went exactly as hoped, giving us a really unique opportunity to speak to oil workers, hear their stories, explain exactly what a just transition is and ask what workers and communities want it to look like.

6. COP 26 Actions 

As the days count down to the COP26 climate talks in Glasgow, activity is ramping across the COP26 coalition. Plans are now in place for simultaneous demonstrations in Glasgow and London on 6th November. These will be supported with as many other decentralised protests it’s possible to organise and meetings are being organised across the country to build for the biggest UK wide action on climate change yet. Trade unions are critical to getting members out to their nearest demo, and the COP26 coalition trade union caucus will be focussing its final four online meetings on this.

7. Education International Calls For Global Climate Education 

Education International, which represents 32.5 million educators in 178 countries has called for Universal Climate Change Education and called on all its members to get involved.

10. Building Capacity TUC Education

Climate action in the workplace is a timely new 15-minute online learning module and is a guide to what you need to do to organise members and begin a dialogue with management. It fits very well with the ITUCs Climate and Employment Proof Our Workplace (CEPOW) initiative.

11. Statistics Of The Month 

44% of the UK population think the country’s emissions have any impact on climate change. 68% of UK school students who would like to learn more about it.

12. Building The Greener Jobs Alliance 

GJA website is about to undergo a much needed overhaul.

Online Courses From Greener Jobs Alliance 

These can be done online personally at any time or collectively in meetings.

A Trade Union Guide To Just Transition 

• The meaning and history of the term just transition
• Why it should be a priority issue
• UK and international policies and case studies
• Ideas for developing an action plan

Climate Change Awareness 

Module 1: Climate Change Explained Module

Module 2: International Responses Module

Module 3: Trade Union Responses Module

Module 4: Getting Involved.

Air Quality – A Trade Union Issue 

Module 1: Causes & Health Impacts of Air Pollution

Module 2: The Law and Government Policy

Module 3:  Trade Union Responses & Campaigns.

Further details at:- www.greenerjobsalliance.co.uk

Attachment: GJA-Newsletter-33-July-Aug 2021

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 345/21 – Greener Jobs Alliance (GJA) Newsletter No. 323 – July – August 2021

Att: GJA-Newsletter-33-July-Aug-2021

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