Royal Mail Review of Future Catering Provision

Further to LTB’s 427/20 and 441/20 Branches and representatives are informed that in parallel with the formal TUPE consultation activity with Quadrant/Compass Group, the department has also been in discussions with Royal Mail Group in respect of how any material adverse effects for our Quadrant members can be addressed as a result of their decision to dissolve the catering Joint Venture.

In this regard the department has had serious concern around the impacts on pension entitlements for those long standing Quadrant employees who have remained in the Royal Mail Pension Schemes, as this is not considered “in scope’ with regard to TUPE Regulations.

Historically at the time of the creation of the Catering Joint Venture in 1998 an arrangement was agreed on an exceptional basis, which enabled those employees who were subject to TUPE from Royal Mail (then the Post Office) to Granada and latterly Compass to continue in the RMPP.

The current RM Pension Plan rules however will not permit their continued membership in the scheme at the point of TUPE and at the point of transfer they will become deferred members of the RM Pension Plan. The department has therefore been keen to ensure that any impact on their pensions is mitigated as much as possible.

At the point of the TUPE transfer on the 1st October 2020 these employees (30 CWU Graded individuals) will be auto enrolled in the Compass Group Pension Scheme ‘CRISP’. Under the Compass Pension Scheme the employer will match the contribution rate paid by the employee up to 6%. This falls below the employer contribution rate that is paid in the Royal Mail Pension Scheme and as such it has been recognised this will have a detrimental impact on these particular individuals. Following extensive discussions RMG have therefore agreed that they will top up the Compass employer contribution rate by 7%. This means for those employees who pay the maximum employee contribution rate of 6% the employer contributions will be 13% instead of 6%.

It should be noted that this arrangement is applicable only to those individuals who are currently members of the RM Pension Scheme. However should the affected individuals choose to opt out of the Compass Pension Scheme ‘CRISP’ they will then be auto enrolled in the Government Nest Scheme and the RMG top up will not be applied. Employees who are currently aligned to Compass Pension arrangements will continue to benefit from existing arrangements and the transfer will not require

a change of scheme or change to the level of benefits. Employees in the NEST Government Scheme will continue as normal and this will be governed by Government legislation.

While the 13% does not quite match the RMPP contribution level anticipated when the new RM Pension plan is introduced (13.6%), the department believes that it does go a long way to mitigating the impact on the individuals affected by the dissolution of the Joint Venture and is the best position which could be reached through negotiation, which has been endorsed by the Postal Executive.

Royal Mail have however indicated that their position is that uprating of employer contributions would be for a period of 2 years. The CWU’s aspiration is that the uprating should be applied for a longer term and/or with a review and as such we have made strong representation in this regard. The issue will be subject to further discussion with the business and Branches and representatives will be updated as soon as further information is available.

RMG have also provided the following information in respect of those individuals who are currently in the Royal Mail Pension Plan:

Members will automatically be written to by PSC around 4 to 6 weeks after leaving service to advise them of preserved pension benefits. If they want to contact the administrator before then, they should contact the Pensions Helpline on 0345 603 0043. The only exceptions are: 

 If they are over 60 at LDOS, NRA 60 benefits (earned up to 31.3.2010) will come into payment automatically from that date; and 

 If they are over 65 at LDOS, NRA 65 benefits (earned after 1.4.2010) will come into payment from that date (together with NRA 60 benefits if not in payment already). 

Members aged 55 or over can put benefits into payment on a reduced basis. If they want to apply, they should contact the Pensions Helpline. 

All other Quadrant employees currently aligned to the Compass Group Pension Scheme will continue to receive the 6% employer contributions from Compass Group.

In addition to the above the department has also been seeking to ascertain with RMG whether the opportunity would exist for Quadrant members to transfer into a RM role. This has proved difficult as RMG advised that due to time available the ability for them to process any applications would in all likelihood exceed the 1st October TUPE transfer date. As part of the TUPE consultation, Quadrant have made employees aware of the opportunity to transfer and the department has been actively assisting members in exploring transfer opportunities in Royal Mail where an interest has been expressed. Royal Mail have agreed that should any Quadrant employee apply for a vacancy in Royal Mail by 25th September 2020 with a start date on or before 23rd October 2020, on an exceptional basis they will be able to maintain their continuity of service. It should be noted that all other terms and conditions would be based on those of a new starter in RMG.

Colleagues will also be aware our Quadrant members also received the allocation of Christmas Stamps enjoyed by their Royal Mail colleagues and we had requested that this benefit was continued by Royal Mail. While Royal Mail have indicated that they are unwilling to continue to fund this benefit on an ongoing basis, they have agreed that they will issue stamps to all current transferring Quadrant employees for this year only in recognition of the contribution they have made during the Covid crisis. Eligibility to receive the stamps will be that Quadrant employees who have transferred to Compass Group must be in post when the stamps are issued. This benefit will not be extended to any new employees recruited by Compass Group for the Royal Mail contract after the date of transfer.

The protracted contract negotiations between RMG and Compass Group have resulted in the department having to deal with the TUPE consultation process and associated representations to RMG in what has been an extremely tight timeline. We do believe however that to date we have managed to mitigate as

much as possible the material impact to our Quadrant members and provide some assurance around their future employment.

Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary, email: dwyatt@cwu.org quoting reference: 311.02

Yours sincerely

Davie Robertson 

Assistant Secretary

20LTB458

POST OFFICE: 41 PROPOSED JOB LOSSES ACROSS ADMIN AND SUPPLY CHAIN – AGREED PREFERENCE EXERCISE

Further to LTB454/20 dated 16th September 2020.

Branches will be aware the Post Office announced earlier this week c.41 potential job losses amongst CWU Represented grades across a number of sites/locations in Admin and Supply Chain.

Following the first formal consultation meeting on Tuesday, we wrote to the Post Office seeking further clarification on various aspects of the proposals and also to provide management with feedback (received via our Reps and members) following the briefings to members on Wednesday morning.

A further meeting is being arranged to continue our negotiations; however to be clear, we have not agreed these proposed job losses. What has been agreed is the non-binding VR preference form in line with MtSF. The preference form is being provided to members in the affected areas from today and the closing date is Friday 2nd October. The agreed form and associated Joint Statement to support the preference exercise is attached to this LTB for your information.

Further information will be provided in due course. In the meantime, if members have any questions relating to the preference exercise, they are encouraged to contact their Representative in the first instance.

Yours sincerely

Andy Furey
Assistant Secretary

Attachment 1: 20LTB457- Post Office – 41 Proposed Job Losses Across Admin and Supply Chain – Agreed Preference Exercise

Attachment 2: CWU Joint Preference Form_

CWU Submission to BEIS Committee on Post Pandemic Economic Growth

The purpose of this LTB is to circulate a copy of the submission produced by the Research Department to the BEIS Select Committee inquiry on Post Pandemic Economic Growth, which has been agreed by the NEC.

The inquiry is looking at the options available to Government to secure our economic recovery from the impact of Covid-19, covering investment, industrial strategy, jobs, skills, and sustainable growth. The document calls for a number of measures in line with the CWU’s labour market and economic policy objectives, including:

• A new deal for workers with a significant improvement in employment standards and workplace rights.
• An end to insecure employment and poverty rates of pay, backed up by a genuine commitment to labour market enforcement.
• Investment in the UK’s communications infrastructure and a Government commitment to genuinely universal full-fibre broadband access and the continuation of a high quality universal postal network.
• A better recovery from the coronavirus pandemic to create a stronger, fairer, greener economy and to stop mass unemployment, in line with the TUC’s ‘Better Recovery’ proposals.

The union has been pushing these issues independently and through the TUC with the government over the summer and with motions to TUC Congress on a new deal for workers and a democratic economy which were attached to LTB 442/20.

We are holding a session on a New Deal for Workers at the CWU engagement event and will be communicating with branches about the next steps for the campaign and our wider political demands following this.

Any queries on the contents of this LTB should be addressed to jdunn@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely

Dave Ward

General Secretary

20LTB456 CWU Submission BEIS Committee on Post Pandemic Growth 2020

CWU Submission to BEIS Inquiry Post-Pandemic Economic Growth

CWU Submission to HM Treasury and UKSA on Reform of the RPI

The CWU has made the attached submission to the HM Treasury and UK Statistics Authority (UKSA) consultation on reform of the Retail Prices Index (RPI) methodology, which has been endorsed by the NEC.

UKSA has recommended that the methodology used for CPIH (Consumer Prices Index including housing costs) is imposed on the RPI, saying this will make RPI more statistically robust.

The CWU’s submission opposes UKSA’s proposal, arguing that RPI is the most suitable measure of inflation for assessing the rising cost of living for working households.

CPIH is typically lower than RPI, and the formula used in CPIH has been criticised for downward bias.  The proposal could therefore put at risk the ability of trade unions to secure pay settlements that reflect the actual rise in the cost of living experienced by working households.  The change is also expected to significantly reduce the value of Defined Benefit pensions, two thirds of which are currently uprated each year in line with RPI.

As agreed by the NEC in endorsing this submission, the CWU will consider all potential avenues to put pressure on the Government to reject the UKSA proposals, including campaigning and lobbying with the TUC and other organisations who oppose the change to RPI.

Any enquiries in relation to the content of this LTB should be addressed to the Head of Research (email: btaylor@cwu.org).

Yours sincerely

Bill Taylor

Head of Research

LTB 455-20 CWU submission Treasury and UKSA on RPI reform 2020

CWU Response to Treasury UKSA RPI Consultation 17 August 2020

Recording of session with DGSP Terry Pullinger https://www.facebook.com/ThecommunicationsUnion/videos/1020694135048966/?vh=e&extid=FSL6GZNpHux627Yf&d=n

Please make sure all members see this.

As many of you are aware, from past report’s that, I’ve been updating the branch on the WASPI (Women Against State Pension Inequality) on their activities.
On the 21st July 2020, WASPI took their case to the High Court and lost. They appealed against that decision, and was informed, their appeal would be held in the Autumn.
Today, 15th September 2020, In the High Court, their appeal was lost.
Attached for your information are two PDF files, one giving a full report, and the other giving today’s outcome their appeal

Thanks.

Dick Hewlett

Please click on the link below

delve-and-glynn-v-sswp-judgment.pdf

delve-and-glynn-v-sos-for-work-and-pensions-press-summary.pdf

Royal Mail Group Night Worker Health Promotion Initiative and Free Health Assessment 2020

For the information of Branches and Area Health and Safety Reps, please see attached communications issued this week by the Royal Mail Group Safety Health and Environment, Occupational Health Team to promote night worker health and signpost those workers to the availability of a free health assessment if employees would like one which can be arranged via their line manager and the RMG occupational health service. Due to the current pandemic situation, the approach has changed this year from sending a home mailing questionnaire to night workers. This will be reviewed for 2021.

Under the Working Time Regulations 1998, a ‘night worker’ is an employee whose regular work hours includes at least three hours of the night time. Under this legislation, night time is between 11pm to 6am unless otherwise agreed. While working at night doesn’t necessarily pose any significant health risks, it may worsen some existing health conditions including epilepsy, depression, anxiety and diabetes. Employers are required by law to offer all night workers a health assessment. It must be ‘free’ and carried out before they become night workers and periodically thereafter. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) enforces the night worker health assessment requirement detailed in the Working Time Regulations 1998. The health assessment helps employers to identify where night shifts are causing workers health risks. After completion, it also helps to decide how best to make reasonable adjustments.

In line with the requirements of the legislation, during the month of September Royal Mail Group are offering night workers the opportunity to take up a regular “free health assessment” via a screening questionnaire that has been compiled with guidance from Royal Mail’s occupational health service provider. The night worker health assessment is designed to identify any risk factors associated with medical condition(s) and then allow advice to be obtained on how to manage them effectively. Night shift workers can receive a health assessment by request via their line manager who will then make a referral to the occupational health service by 28^thSeptember. A health questionnaire will then be e-mailed to the night worker concerned to complete and return direct to the occupational health service provider. All assessments are in confidence. Participation is voluntary and if there are no health concerns, employees and line managers will receive a report to confirm this. As part of the exercise, the Royal Mail Group Occupational Health Service is distributing health advice to night workers which also contains advice on physical activity, diet, social interaction and the steps workers can take to help maintain and improve their health and minimise any adverse effects.

Managers’ Actions are to deliver the attached WTLL brief during September and provide the attached ‘Health Advice for Shift Workers’ information sheet/hand-out to all night workers. Managers must inform night workers they are entitled to receive a voluntary night worker health assessment if they wish and the manager must submit any requests by making a referral to the occupational health service via a provided on-line link by 28^th September 2020. Night workers requesting a health-check assessment will be e-mailed a health questionnaire to complete electronically and return directly to the occupational health service for assessment.

Support available: 

The Royal Mail Group ‘Feeling First Class’ portal has helpful support content on both mental and physical health. Visit www.feelingfirstclass.co.uk (code FFC1 to register) and download the app from iTunes or the Google Play store.  Call the ‘First Class Support’ Helpline on 0800 688 8777, visit www.rmgfirstclasssupport.co.uk or download the ‘Lifeworks’ app. New users are required to ‘sign up’ using a unique invitation code, which is ‘RMG-‘ and their payroll number, for example RMG-12345678.

ASRs

Would ASRs ensure that managers have delivered the WTLL and that our night worker members are firstly, fully aware of the availability of the annual health assessment, secondly that they have received the health and wellbeing advice and thirdly that they are aware of the support services available to them should they require it for any reason.

Attachments:

• RMG Night Workers Health Assessment & Advice WTLL/Huddle 2020
• RMG Health Advice For Night Workers Handout 2020
• RMG Night Workers Health RMG Intranet Article 2020

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 452/20 – Royal Mail Group Night Worker Health Promotion Initiative and Free Health Assessment 2020

RMG Health Advice for Night Workers (2020)

RMG Night Worker Health (2020) – RMG Intranet Story

Sept20 Night Worker Health 2020 SHE Huddle FINAL

CWU/RM Joint National Agreed Framework for Dealing with Delivery Office

Mergers / Closures

Branches will be aware that the Department have been pursuing a new agreement on the subject of dealing with Delivery Office Closures, as instructed by Annual Conference 2017 – Motion 28.

The main issue of concern and difficulty expressed by Branches and representatives with the current existing National DO closures/mergers agreement, is that the involvement process does not kick in until Royal Mail has made the business case decision to close or merge delivery units. Therefore, the resultant local discussions are effectively to move forward the issues that result from the decisions taken by Royal Mail and not influence this before it is made, and this in many examples has led to a “fait accompli” situation.

Accordingly, as part of the National Four Pillars Agreement, highlighted in section 19.3.1 and in order for us to progress the conference policy, we insisted on a commitment from Royal Mail to review the current National agreement and in line with this, a Joint working group with Royal Mail was established which was headed up on behalf of the Outdoor department by Mick Kavanagh, along with Divisional Reps and also involving representatives from the field, who have had recent experience of dealing with closures.

The attached National agreement covers everything tasked to the department by Conference and delivers a comprehensive framework, that allows for the fullest possible consultation in every aspect of a potential Closure/Merger, from the initial thinking, to the effect of a closure some way down the line.

We believe that the agreement builds in significant improved safeguards to those within the current framework and enables our Field Officials, Local Branches and representatives to gain much better understating of the rationale behind any such proposed moves, whilst allowing full input and discussions at all stages, along with the opportunity to influence the outcome prior to any decision or announcement.

This National framework agreement which has been endorsed by the Postal Executive will therefore replace the existing National Agreement and be used with immediate effect.

There are a number of Delivery Offices involved within a bulk lease expiry and high level scoping has identified 12 units across the UK, of which there may be potential merger impacts.

Accordingly, the respective SDLs will be contacting the appropriate Divisional Reps during the course of next week in order to initiate consultation on the sites appropriate to their areas and localities.

Any queries to the content of the above please contact the Outdoor Department reference 555,  email address: outdoorsecretary@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely,

Mark Baulch                                      

CWU Assistant Secretary

LTB 451/20 – National Agreed Framework for Dealing with Delivery Office Mergers Closures

Framework for Dealing with Delivery Office Mergers and closures_Signature Copy_Sep20

DO Mergers Framework National Joint Statement_200915

Annex 1 – DO Mergers Framework_Final S.I. Materials – 15.09.20 – pdf

Annex 2 – Consultation – Detailed Design – 15.09.20

Annex 3 – Deployment – Implementation – 15.09.20