Virtual Special General Conference 2021 – Sunday 7^th – Tuesday 9^th November 2021

LTB 304/21 dated 23 July 2021 gave details of General Conference 2022. That LTB also stated that the NEC were aware that there are a number of policy areas around which we need debate and decisions made sooner than a conference in 2022 would allow for.  

We informed Branches that the NEC had agreed to hold a virtual, on-line event later this year for that purpose and that the process of planning the event was underway and further details would be forwarded to Branches shortly.

We are now able to publish the details around what issues will be discussed at that event and the format it will take.

With that in mind a decision has been taken to hold a Virtual Special General Conference in relation to the following areas of policy:-

• General Policy
• Recruitment & Organising
• Building Collectivism/New Deal for Workers
• Politics/Relationship with Labour
• CWU Anti-Racism Strategy

The General Conference Standing Orders Committee has now started working on the business of holding this virtual conference.

Branches should note that the Motion Guide and Motion form for submitting motions to the Virtual Special General Conference 2021 are attached.  Please note that only Motions that seek to create policy on the headings above will be accepted.

Entitlements

In relation to the Virtual Special General Conference 2021 all Branches and Regional Committees are entitled to submit a maximum of TWO Motions to the Virtual Special General Conference 2021 in relation to the headings above.

Branches and Regional Committees are advised that the closing date for submissions of Motions to the Virtual Special General Conference 2021 is Noon Monday 13^th September 2021. 

All Motions to The Virtual Special General Conference must be emailed to conferences@cwu.org and must arrive by Noon 13^th September 2021.

Branches, Regions, and the NEC are reminded that the Standing Orders Committee will not alter or amend any of the Motions submitted therefore it is important that the wording of the Motions is checked before they are submitted. 

Motions will only be admitted to the agenda if they deal with matters under the headings as detailed above. Any motions seeking to deal with other business will be ruled out of order in line with normal procedures for a Special General Conference.

This Virtual Special General Conference has been called by the NEC under arrangements drawn up due to the suspension of Rule 10, Rule 15.1, 15.2 and 15.3. Appeals based on these Rules should be referred to the President. Appeals based on the Standing Orders should be referred to the SOC

Please note that all correspondence must be sent by e-mail to conferences@cwu.org and no other personal e-mail address.

Any queries regarding this Letter to Branches should be addressed to Angela Niven on 0208 971 7256 or by e-mail to conferences@cwu.org

Further details of the Virtual Special General Conference will follow.

Yours sincerely,

Tony Kearns

Senior Deputy General Secretary

LTB 344/21 – Virtual Special General Conference 2021- Sunday 7th–Tuesday 9th November 2021

Attachments:

Virtual Special General Conference Form 2021 (right click ‘save as’)
Virtual Special General Conference Guidance Notes

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Online Pilot Mental Health First Aid Courses

The purpose of this LTB is to advise Branches that we have arranged for a series of pilot “Mental Health First Aid” (MHFA) courses to supplement our September to December online programme.

Please note that this is not the TUC accredited CWU “Mental Health Awareness” course.

The Mental Health First Aid course provides an overview for representatives on issues relating to mental health triggers. It raises awareness on the impact these have on individuals and how best to signpost people who are struggling with mental well-being.

Once delivered, further evaluation will take place to consider any future online roll-out. Places are limited and Branches should apply on representative’s behalf in the usual way via the OLS system.

Successful applicants will be notified through our course administration process. They will then be contacted directly by MHFA tutors with joining instructions and any preliminary work that is required.

Attendees will be expected to attend the online course over 4 sessions:

Mon 25th, Tue 26th, Thu 28th & Fri 29th October 21 – start 3pm; finish 5.30pm (4 X 2.5 hours)

Mon 8th, Tue 9th, Thu 11th, Fri 12th November 21– start 3pm; finish 5.30pm (4 X 2.5 hours)

Branches are asked to ensure that students have appropriate PC / laptop equipment and a good internet connection.

The cut-off date for applications is 5pm 10th September 2021. Please be aware that numbers are limited. Paid release does not apply.

Any queries can be forwarded to courseadmin@cwu.org in the first instance.

Yours sincerely,

Kate Hudson

Head of Equality, Education & Development

LTB 343/21 – Online Pilot Mental Health First Aid Courses

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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

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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

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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

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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…

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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

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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)

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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
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+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

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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

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