Royal Mail have taken the decision to reintroduce shared vans on Monday. Listen to your unions response.
CWU Statement in Response to Gender Recognition Act (GRA) Reforms
CWU Statement in Response to Gender Recognition Act (GRA) Reforms
The CWU is releasing this statement in response to the recent Government announcement on the
GRA reforms to reaffirm its position of support for our trans members and the wider trans
community. The Tory Government has waited two years to declare its position in response to the
GRA reform consultation and to announce that it is not doing anything legally to support the trans
community is deeply disappointing.
We are absolutely clear in our policies that reform of the GRA is vitally important and the trans
community must be supported through this process – the current process remains outdated,
invasive and disrespectful to the trans community.
Any queries on this LTB should be directed to Equality&Education@cwu.org
Yours sincerely,
Kate Hudson
Head of Equality, Education & Development
20LTB488 – CWU Statement in Response to Gender Recognition Act (GRA) Reforms
National Clean Air Day – Thursday 8 October 2020:
National Clean Air Day – Thursday 8 October 2020:
Clean Air Day is a global, annual, air pollution campaign, normally in June but this year in October due to the Coronavirus Pandemic. It encourages everyone to think about what they can do to help improve air quality.
Air pollution harms the health of millions, but there are lots of simple things people and organisations can do to improve air quality and reduce our exposure to air pollution. Clean Air Day is a chance to find out more about air pollution (both indoor and outdoor), share information with friends, family and colleagues, and help to make the air cleaner and healthier for everyone.
Every year, air pollution causes up to 36,000 deaths in the UK. The World Health Organisation and the UK Government recognise that air pollution is the largest environmental health risk we face today. Poor air quality causes heart and lung diseases, is linked to low birth weight and children’s lung development and may even contribute to mental health issues.
By breathing cleaner air, the World Health Organization states that you can reduce the risk of stroke, heart disease, lung cancer and respiratory diseases such as asthma.
Clean Air Day is the UK’s largest air pollution campaign, engaging thousands of people at hundreds of events, and reaching millions more through the media. The campaign normally takes place on the third Thursday in June. However, due to COVID-19, this year Clean Air Day is taking place on 8 October 2020 and will be rolled out slightly differently. To keep people, families, friends and colleagues safe, the organisers have updated the campaign to be more virtual.
Led in the UK by the charity ‘Global Action Plan’, Clean Air Day brings together communities, businesses, schools, groups and organisations plus the health sector to:
- Improve public understanding of air pollution.
- Build awareness of how air pollution affects people’s health.
- Explain the easy actions we can all do to tackle air pollution, helping to protect the environment and our health.
In 2019 more than 3,700 organisations and hundreds of thousands of individuals took part in 614 events across the UK. The campaign generated more than 2000 media items, and 45,000 social media posts. See attached full report.
The charity behind Clean Air Day has developed new resources for 2020 which focus on being virtual and COVID-19 secure, and is encouraging organisations and individuals to get involved.
This year’s campaign theme and tagline is: ‘We all have a part to play in keeping our air clean – together let’s make October 8 the cleanest Clean Air Day yet’, following the improvement in air pollution seen earlier this year and the charity challenging government, businesses and local authorities to help keep air pollution down post lockdown.
The resources have been updated so that Clean Air Day 2020 can continue to be successful in providing information to people on air pollution and encouraging people to undertake low air pollution behaviours while being COVID-19 secure, with the charity focusing on making the tools and assets more virtual. These include digital leaflets and posters, school lesson plans, PR social media packs, ‘How to guides’ such as organising ‘School Streets’ or running socially distanced ‘walking buses’ and template letters to MPs.
In launching the event ‘Global Action Plan’ said “Together we can make October 8 the cleanest Clean Air Day yet, building on the shifts recently seen in low pollution behaviours. Organisations and individuals are invited to take part, recognising the role we all play in keeping our air clean.”
Workplace Resources
Use the organising charity’s collection of workplace resources to inspire workplaces to create cleaner air on and beyond Clean Air Day. These include posters, clean van commitment, letters, texts, clean air recovery essentials, e-mail footer, pledge cards, ‘No-Idling’ leaflet, clean air travel, clean air travel choices, e-mail and intranet message, video conferencing background, press release, social media resources.
https://www.cleanairday.org.uk/free-resources/workplace
Clean Air Day Information
The basic facts on, air pollution and health, the ‘Clean Air Calculator’ and what you can do can be found here:
https://www.cleanairhub.org.uk/clean-air-information
The Clean Air Hub
A collection of everything you need to know about air pollution in one place from the organisers can be found here:
https://www.cleanairhub.org.uk/
The Clean Air Calculator
http://calculator.cleanairhub.org.uk/quiz
Air Pollution Monitoring Equipment – Offer to CWU Health and Safety Reps
Earlier this year Greener Jobs Alliance(GJC) and Trade Union Clean Air Network (TUCAN) jointly took a share in the procurement of air pollution monitoring equipment with Global Action Plan (GAP). The Personal Aerosol Monitor is a miniature battery-operated laser photometer that measures airborne particle mass concentration in units of milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m3). The equipment can measure to particulate matter of pm 2.5. TUCAN/GJA/GAP is now looking to loan it out to workplaces to support Trade Union Health and Safety Reps with workplace air pollution monitoring.
Any CWU Health and Safety Rep interested in a loan of the equipment for a couple of weeks can email Janet Newsham (Chair Hazards Campaign & TUCAN) and Janet will schedule a time for you to use the equipment and from there hopefully produce some reliable, quotable, statistical evidence.
Contact details:
Janet Newsham
Chair Hazards Campaign/TUCAN
Email: janet@gmhazards.org.uk
Mob: 07734317158
Global Action Plan Air Quality On-Line Survey
Global Action Plan(GAP) are organising an on-line survey seeking to determine the extent to which air quality is a significant issue in UK workplaces. Answers to the survey will be used to inform the charity’s project which is looking into clean air workplaces. All survey returns will remain anonymous. Please share the survey widely and encourage all CWU Reps to complete it. The survey can be completed at: www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/MBXYK8G.
Greener Jobs Alliance (GJA) and Trade Union Clean Air Network (TUCAN) Newsletters.
The latest editions of the GJA and TUCAN Newsletters have been circulated attached to LTBs 476/20 and 477/20.
‘Air Pollution’ (Asthma UK and British Lung Foundation Partnership) – Environment Bill Campaign
‘Air Pollution’ (Asthma UK and British Lung Foundation Partnership) have re-launched their campaign pushing for World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines for PM2.5 to be included in the Environment Bill. They have produced a new ‘campaign webpage’ with a ‘write to your MP action’ (with draft letters for people with and without a lung condition) which asks MPs to support WHO limits. There is also a new video, which you can see on the page, which focuses on real human voices and stories calling for WHO limits. They hope that this action will help to ensure that MPs across the country realise what a serious effect air pollution has on people with a lung condition and support the shared call for WHO limits. They are also appealing for personal and organisational help in promoting the campaign. There are a number of resources which can be used to raise awareness about the campaign on the website at the following link:- https://www.blf.org.uk/take-action/campaign/clean-air/environment-bill
What does pm2.5 mean?
PM2.5 refers to particles that have a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometres (more than 100 times thinner than a human hair) and remain suspended for longer. These particles are formed as a result of burning fuel and chemical reactions that take place in the atmosphere. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is an air pollutant that is a concern for people’s health when levels in air are high. PM2.5 are tiny particles in the air that reduce visibility and cause the air to appear hazy when levels are elevated. Breathing in particle pollution can be harmful to your health. Coarse (bigger) particles, called PM10, can irritate your eyes, nose, and throat. Fine (smaller) particles, called PM2.5, are more dangerous because they can get into the deep parts of your lungs — or even into your blood.
‘Greener UK’ – and the Environment Bill
‘Greener UK’ is a coalition of 13 major environmental organisations (RSPB, National Trust, Wildlife Trusts, WWF, Campaign For Better Transport, Campaign to Protect Rural England, ClientEarth, E3G, Friends of The Earth, Green Alliance, Greenpeace, WWT, Woodland Trust) with a combined public membership of 8 million. The coalition was launched in 2016 – united in the belief of the need to restore and enhance the UK’s environment with a vision of making a greener UK a reality. They say it’s now 200 days since the government’s ‘flagship’ Environment Bill was seen in parliament and ministers need to bring the bill back urgently and commit to more ambitious clean air laws. Tweet support – the hashtag is: #BringBacktheBill.
Clean Air Day Organisers – ‘Global Action Plan’ – Further Information
‘Global Action Plan’ are a UK Charity registered in England and Wales number 1026148, and in Scotland number SC041260. ‘Global Action Plan’ is a charity that’s working for a green and thriving planet where we can live happily without ruining the Earth we depend on. They aim to help people live more sustainable lifestyles, make connections between what’s good for people and good for the planet, work with young people on reducing consumerism and increasing wellbeing, bring business and people together to work on a sustainable future and help young people develop the skills and knowledge to tackle environmental issues which is good for the planet and for everyone’s future too.
For further information:
Global Action Plan
201 Borough High Street
London SE1 1JA
020 3817 7636
Email: team@globalactionplan.org.uk
Other Useful ‘Clean Air’ Website Links:
https://www.globalactionplan.org.uk/clean-air/clean-air-day
https://www.cleanairday.org.uk/scotland
https://www.transform-our-world.org/clean-air-day
Attachments:
- Global Action Plan ‘Clean Air Day 2019 Report
- TUCAN Air Pollution Guidance for Trade Union Reps
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
POST OFFICE: HORIZON SCANDAL – POST OFFICE RESPONSE TO CCRC
POST OFFICE: HORIZON SCANDAL – POST OFFICE RESPONSE TO CCRC
Further to LTB 482/20 dated 1st October, Branches will recall that the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) referred 47 cases of former Postmasters prosecuted by the Post Office in relation to the Horizon computer system to the Court of Appeal. Earlier today, the Post Office announced that it will not oppose 44 of the 47 appeals in which it acted as prosecutor, meaning that in all likelihood these victims of terrible injustice will have their convictions quashed and hopefully they will be fully exonerated and will receive decent compensation for the long drawn out misery they have suffered.
The Court of Appeal however still needs to make this decision, as explained via the following Tweet from the CCRC earlier today:
“Certainly seems encouraging for those who’ve been told Post Office will not oppose their appeals. However, it’s important to keep in mind that it’s the Court of Appeal that will decide whether or not to quash the convictions referred to it by @ccrcupdate”
Nick Wallis, the leading journalist who has been following the Horizon scandal for ten years and was instrumental in bringing about broadcasts such as the BBC Panorama programme “Scandal at the Post Office” and the BBC Radio 4 series “The Great Post Office Trial” Tweeted the following this morning:
“I understand the Post Office have decided to contest 3 of the 47 cases referred to the Court of Appeal by the Criminal Cases Review Commission. That essentially means 44 people have wrongly been given criminal convictions by the Post Office’s own admission. #PostOfficeScandal”
The full press statement from the Post Office can be accessed via the following link:
As a consequence of these developments, please see below a link to a CWU web article:
It should be noted that the 47 cases referred by the CCRC relate to England and Wales only and the Scottish CCRC (SCCRC) is also considering whether to send cases to the Court of Appeal in Scotland. A BBC article outlining this position was published on Wednesday:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-54339004
Furthermore, below is a link to an ITV story published today:
Clearly, the Horizon scandal is one of the biggest ever miscarriages of justice and those Senior Directors and Managers in the Post Office who were directly responsible need to be held to account. It is therefore disappointing that the Inquiry to be led by retired judge Sir Wyn Williams will not be statutory and it will not be able to legally compel those responsible to give evidence. The Union will continue to campaign and lobby for justice.
Today’s development is another key milestone for Postmaster victims of the Horizon scandal. However, there are people who were in high positions of authority within the Post Office who are culpable in this matter and this must be exposed in order that full justice is secured for those who were wronged.
Further developments will be reported.
Any enquiries in relation to the content of this LTB should be directed to Andy Furey’s Department.
Yours sincerely,
Andy Furey
Assistant Secretary
LTB 486/20 – POST OFFICE HORIZON SCANDAL – POST OFFICE RESPONSE TO CCRC
RMG Free Flu Voucher Scheme 2020
RMG Free Flu Voucher Scheme 2020
Following a number of enquiries into both departments, we can confirm that PFSL staff are
definitely included in the RMG Flu Voucher Scheme. Whilst of course it is a voluntary benefit, we
encourage our members to take up the offer.
Please refer to LTB 478/20 dated 30th September for further details if required.
Any queries to the content of the above please contact the Outdoor Department reference: 600
email address: outdoorsecretary@cwu.org or khay@cwu.org reference 420.
Yours sincerely,
Mick Kavanagh – Assistant Secretary (Acting)
Carl Maden – Assistant Secretary (Acting)
Royal Mail Group – Latest Updated Coronavirus/Covid-19 – Frequently Asked Questions and Answers Guidance Document (Version 59)
Royal Mail Group – Latest Updated Coronavirus/Covid-19 – Frequently Asked Questions and Answers Guidance Document (Version 59)
I attach for your information Version 59 of the Royal Mail Group, Managers’ Coronavirus/Covid-19 Frequently Asked Questions and Answers Guidance document, issued by the business on 30 September 2020.
At the commencement of the Coronavirus/Covid-19 outbreak, Royal Mail Group established a ‘Business Pandemic Team’ which includes all national heads of department and this team meets regularly to review the situation across Royal Mail Group and to issue update Questions and Answers information communications to all managers, which is cascaded throughout the business.
Attached is a copy of the version 59 Q&A document which has been shared with the Union. It is hereby circulated for information and reference purposes for CWU Health and Safety and Branch IR Reps.
The Q&A documents are circulated to all RMG managers and are also available to access through a link on the Royal Mail Group ‘Intranet’, in the ‘Managers Update Messages’ section.
Please note that changes and additions from the last versions 57 and 58 are highlighted in ‘Yellow’.
The Health, Safety & Environment Department continues in dialogue with the Royal Mail Group Safety Health & Environment Team to raise additions and amendments to the Q&A document.
Any enquiries to this LTB or feedback on the RMG Q&A document should be directed to Dave Joyce CWU National Health, Safety & Environment Officer.
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
Black History Month
Black History Month
The CWU is commemorating Black History Month and remembering the contribution of Black men and women and more recently other ethnic BAME groups.
We are delighted to confirm that we have put together, in conjunction with our National BAME NEC representative Ali Moosa, a series of events that will be run over the coming weeks, as part of this year’s Black History Month celebrations.
The Black History Month events programme list and dates are as follows:
Wednesday 21st October 2020 at 6.30pm – Panel Session on Role of the Commonwealth during WWI & WWII (further details including registration will be circulated soon).
Wednesday 28th October 2020 – Launch of ‘My Journey’ video. This will be a series of short videos merged into a short film that will highlight the often difficult journeys that member’s families have had in coming to the UK decades ago.
Film Night. We will be communicating the details of the film night nearer the time but essentially we will announce a film/documentary and ask people to watch it. During the viewing an online discussion will commence using various platforms (Facebook, Twitter etc) with a dedicated hashtag inviting members to comment and discuss the programme.
We would urge Branches to encourage members to participate in these events.
Any queries on this LTB should be directed to Equality&Education@cwu.org
Kate Hudson
Head of Equality, Education & Development
POST OFFICE: HORIZON SCANDAL – INQUIRY DETAILS
POST OFFICE: HORIZON SCANDAL – INQUIRY DETAILS
Further to LTB480/20 Dated 29th September.
Following the Government’s announcement on Tuesday regarding the Horizon Inquiry, yesterday we received further information from the Inquiry Secretariat in the form of an email which is reproduced below for your information:
Dear Sirs,
Yesterday Sir Wyn Williams FLSW was announced as the Chair of the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry, as a result of which he will make findings and recommendations for publication in 2021.
Sir Wyn is committed to hearing from the postmasters, and/or their representative parties, working with the contemporary Horizon terminals and software to ensure his inquiry addresses the current service offer from the Post Office Limited to postmasters.
Sir Wyn would also like to hear from any individuals and third parties who have been or are currently involved in dispute management between the Post Office Limited and Postmasters in relation to Horizon IT, to ensure his inquiry provides a clear account of the implementation and failings of Horizon over its lifetime. Sir Wyn welcomes any information you consider relevant to the inquiry and that this will be evaluated alongside the responses to a formal call for evidence and the postmaster survey mentioned further below.
The inquiry will also hear from the affected individuals and groups of the longstanding Horizon dispute to ensure his inquiry acknowledges the human impact of this matter. Sir Wyn will ensure there is dedicated space to receive this evidence through planned engagements. The detail for these engagements will be released in due course.
There will also be a formal call for evidence in November 2020, and the postmaster survey (due in early 2021) mentioned further below. Taken
together, these engagements and other meetings should provide the range of evidence necessary to the Inquiry’s terms of reference.
Overview of the inquiry
The inquiry will provide a public summary of the key events and failings that occurred at the Post Office Limited in relation to the Horizon IT system.
The terms of reference commit to build upon the findings of the Horizon and Common Issues trials by establishing a clear account of the implementation and failings of Horizon over its lifecycle. The Inquiry will assess whether lessons have been learned and the changes that are being made.
Additionally, the Inquiry will examine whether the current governance and whistleblowing controls are sufficient.
Engagement
Sir Wyn will engage with both current and former postmasters, the Post Office Limited, Fujitsu, and the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy. The Inquiry will also seek evidence from those third parties who have represented postmasters’ interests, or who have been involved in mediation and/or dispute resolution processes with the Post Office Limited. Engagement with these groups will be via a combination of formal and informal consultations and information requests.
To obtain the relevant evidence and support Sir Wyn Williams’ engagement aims, the Inquiry will be launching a Call for Evidence in November 2020. This will be open for 12 weeks, and in early 2021 a survey will be distributed to current postmasters. The Survey will be open for 12 weeks.
The Inquiry will engage with former postmasters to obtain their accounts and testimonies, which will assist with providing a public record of the impact that the Horizon IT matter has had.
Sir Wyn Williams and his Secretariat will engage with stakeholders through correspondence (email, post, and telephone appointments) as well as face to face (where possible and consistent with applicable law and COVID guidance) and virtual meetings.
Outreach
The Secretariat will be in touch again in due course to arrange a time and date to discuss next steps, and to hear from you directly on Inquiry matters.
Governance
The inquiry will be led by Sir Wyn Williams, as the Independent Chair he will be supported by a dedicated Secretariat and up to four Independent Advisers. These Independent Advisers will support Sir Wyn Williams by providing advice on the sources, content and interpretation of evidence received (other than the
findings in Mr Justice Fraser’s judgments). They may also provide independent scrutiny and challenge in relation to emerging findings and recommendations.
As you would expect, we will be working with Bill Taylor, Head of Research and Andrew Towers, Head of Political Strategy, alongside Mark Baker, Postmasters Branch Secretary to co-ordinate our activities going forward, which will include submissions to the Inquiry. It should be noted there is nothing in the above email about accountability, or penalties for those culpable and compensation for those wronged. However, from our perspective this position will not inhibit the content of any submissions we make.
The link to the full Terms of Reference to the Inquiry is as follows:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/post-office-horizon-it-inquiry-2020/terms-of-reference
Finally, a web article on this matter has been published and can be accessed via the following link.
https://www.cwu.org/news/post-office-horizon-scandal-sir-wyn-williams-to-head-inquiry/
Further developments will be reported.
Yours sincerely
Andy Furey
Assistant Secretary
ELECTION OF NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE POSITIONS – 2020
ELECTION OF NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE POSITIONS – 2020
- CWU Young Workers Committee
Further to LTB 465/20 dated 24th September, as previously advised the NEC has now agreed the 2020 election arrangements for the National positions listed above. Accordingly please find attached the regulations, nomination forms and candidate consent and biographical details form.
Branches are asked to print the attached forms, complete and sign them and send the forms back electronically to elections@cwu.org by the advertised deadline.
Nominations are on the basis of one member coming from the TFS Constituency and one member coming from the Postal Constituency for each of the 10 CWU regions. Additionally all candidates must be aged 29 or under at the time of the election.
The term of office for the CWU Young Workers Committee will be from 1st January 2021 for a two-year period.
Branches will also wish to note that:
- Each candidate needs the nomination of their own branch.
- The election is by means of a branch ballot within each respective constituency i.e. branches with members in the Postal Constituency will vote for the 10 Postal members of the committee and branches with members in the TFS Constituency will vote for the ten 10 TFS members.
The Timetable for the election is as follows:
Nominations Open: 1 October 2020
Nominations Close: 31 October 2020
Ballot opens: 7 November 2020
Ballot closes: 28 November 2020
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
CWU Young Workers Regulations 2020
Nomination Form – Postal Constituency
POST OFFICE: HORIZON SCANDAL – RETIRED HIGH COURT JUDGE LEADS INQUIRY
POST OFFICE: HORIZON SCANDAL – RETIRED HIGH COURT JUDGE LEADS INQUIRY
Further to LTB 337/20 Dated 26th June.
Branches and members will recall that on 10th June, Paul Scully MP, Small Business and Postal Affairs Minister, announced there would be an “Independent Review” into the Horizon scandal and subsequently there were numerous calls from MPs and also Darren Jones, Chair of the BEIS Select Committee, calling for this to be a judge-led statutory inquiry rather than a “review”. Also, EDM 593 which currently has 77 signatures reiterated this call.
Today the Government has announced that this “review” will now be called an “inquiry” although disappointingly it remains non-statutory, meaning it will lack the subpoena powers and ability to take evidence under oath that are afforded to statutory inquiries.
The inquiry will though be chaired by Sir Wyn Williams, a retired High Court Judge. The Terms of Reference for the inquiry has also been expanded which is a positive. The Government claims this change is following feedback from former Postmasters.
The link to the full press release from BEIS is below and the key headlines are as follows:
- Sir Wyn Williams will lead the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry, which will start its work immediately
- inquiry will establish a clear account of the implementation and failings of Horizon over its lifetime
- it will also now gather available relevant evidence from this period from Post Office Ltd, Fujitsu and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/retired-high-court-judge-to-lead-post-office-horizon-it-inquiry
We obviously welcome this development and whilst the Government has in our opinion not gone far enough by failing to make this a statutory inquiry, we are pleased to see the appointment of an experienced retired High Court Judge. We would now hope this appointment will ensure the factors leading to the terrible injustices suffered by many Postmasters cannot happen again. We also intend to press Sir Wyn Williams to fully hold to account those senior Post Office Directors who have inflicted so much misery on so many.
Further developments will be reported.
Yours sincerely
Andy Furey
Assistant Secretary
LTB 480/20 – Post Office – Horizon Scandal – Retired High Court Judge Leads Inquiry
CWU Eastern No5 Branch 