Checklist for Achieving Better Mental Health

Anxiety and depression are the most common mental health problems in the UK, with one in four of us experiencing problems every year.  The workplace can often exacerbate mental health problems.

The TUC has produced a useful checklist of five things you can do to help yourself and others.1.Firstly, talk to your friends and colleagues. Connecting with others is a good way to fight isolation and improve your mental health. Building good relationships raises your self-worth and combats a sense of isolation or “not fitting in”.

You shouldn’t rely on social media alone to build or maintain relationships with other people – physical contact is more important.

Try joining a colleagues during the lunch break or chat with your co-workers instead of using a iPhone, listening to music alone or using a computer, lap-top of tablet, etc.2.Secondly, get some fresh air and exercise. Exercise doesn’t only get you fit and improve physical health, it’s also a great way to improve mental health.  It releases endorphins – chemicals in your brain which make you feel more positive.  You can also feel a sense of achievement from setting and then reaching fitness goals.

You can exercise as part of your working day.  Try to include walking or cycling into the daily commute or use the lunch hour to go for a walk.  Some employers offer cycle to work schemes or discounted gym membership.3.Thirdly, get a good night’s sleep. Long-term sleep problems can lead to anxiety, depression and other serious mental health issues.  It can be difficult to get a good night’s sleep if you’re worrying about work.

Cutting out caffeine and alcohol, regular exercise and avoiding looking at screens at night are all easy ways to sleep better.

If you find yourself worrying about work at night, writing in a diary or making a note to deal with an issue later can also help.4.Fourthly, practice mindfulness. Mindfulness – paying attention to the present moment – can do wonders for one’s mental health.

Noticing your thoughts, feelings, and the world around you is the first step to mindfulness. Practising CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) techniques is an effective way to deal with anxieties and worries.

Taking part in a breakfast/lunchtime/after work yoga and meditation can help improve mental health or something like Tai chi, which combines deep breathing and relaxation with flowing movements which is practised around the world as a health-promoting exercise and help reduce stress, improve posture, balance and general mobility, and increase muscle strength in the legs.5.Fifthly, keep a healthy diet. Diet can affect our mental health but keeping to a healthy eating pattern at work can be difficult.

Planning your meals and bringing food from home is a great way to keep body and mind healthy.Keeping a good supply of nuts or fruits handy can also help decrease stress and replace sugary snacks.

Joining your colleagues for lunch is a great way to try new things and leave your work behind for a while.

If members have problems they should be encouraged to speak to their local Union Rep for support and advice.

Any enquiries regarding this Letter to Branches should be addressed to the Health, Safety & Environment Department on telephone number 020 8971 7365.

Yours Sincerely,

Dave Joyce

National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

20LTB066

20LTB066 Notes

DAVE WARD FORMER ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF EDUCATION AT ALVESCOT LODGE

I am writing to inform Branches of the sad news of the death of the former Assistant Secretary of Education at Alvescot Lodge – Dave Ward. I understand that Dave lost his battle against prostate cancer and passed away on 1st February 2020.

Dave was Branch Secretary of Horsham Branch for 10 years; he was also a member of the National Executive Committee before becoming Assistant Secretary of Education at Alvescot Lodge in 1990. Dave was a great comrade, Trade Unionist and Activist of our union in every sense of the word.

Dave’s funeral is taking place on Monday 24th February at 11.30 a.m., at the Glynn Valley Crematorium Bodmin, Cornwall.

I have written to Dave’s family offering the union’s condolences and sympathies at this very sad time.

Any enquiries on the above LTB should be addressed to gsoffice@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,

Dave Ward

General Secretary

20LTB065 DAVE WARD ALVESCOT

Postal Organising/Recruitment Strategy – Motion 81

Further to LTB 531/19 regarding the above circulated on 10th September 2019 which notified colleagues that the event scheduled for 9th October 2019 had been postponed.

Branches/colleagues will recall that the aim of the Seminar/Workshop was to aid the development of a wider strategy within the Postal Constituency to meet the objectives and mandate detailed in the terms of Motion 81 and increase the overall membership levels within the Postal Constituency concentrating on the non Union members employed by Royal Mail Group.

I am pleased to advise colleagues that the Seminar/Workshop has been rescheduled and will now take place on Thursday 26th March 2020 at the Holiday Inn, Liverpool City Centre, Lime Street, Liverpool L1 1NQ commencing at 10:00am and concluding no later than 16:00pm.

The following Representatives are invited to attend the Seminar/Workshop:

• Postal Branch Secretaries (or their Substitute or appropriate Branch Officer)
• Royal Mail Divisional Representatives (a maximum of 2 from each Division)
• Territorial Engineering Representatives
• Parcelforce Regional Organisers
• Regional Secretaries

It should be noted that due to the capacity of the venue, Branches are only able to send one delegate. Your assistance in this regard would be appreciated.

Further details on the event and the activity that will take place on the day will be circulated in due course however the DGS(P) Department thought advance notification of this event would assist Branches/colleagues to make the necessary travel/accommodation arrangements as appropriate.

Any enquiries in relation to the content of this LTB should be addressed to the DGS(P) Department.

Yours sincerely,

Terry Pullinger
Deputy General Secretary Postal

20LTB064 – Postal Organising-Recruitment Strategy – Motion 81

DGSP Terry Pullinger on Royal Mail financial results

CWU comment on press article on this subject

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/business/2020/feb/06/royal-mail-shares-strike-threat

https://www.expressandstar.com/news/uk-news/2020/02/06/royal-mail-vows-to-plough-on-with-overhaul-as-strike-action-looms/

Coronavirus Outbreak – Update and Advice from Royal Mail Group, World Health Organisation (WHO) and Public Health England (PHE) for Postal Workers

This LTB is being issued and should be read in conjunction with LTBS 033/20, 043/20 and 054/20.

Please find attached a copy of the latest information issued by the Royal Mail Group Safety Health and Environment Team on the RMG ‘intranet’ yesterday in relation to the ongoing Coronavirus outbreak.

The Health, Safety & Environment Department continues monitor the situation and continues to be in daily contact with the Royal Mail Group Head of Health and the Safety, Health & Environment team regarding the Coronavirus Outbreak and the advice issued by international health organisations and experts including primarily the WHO, PHE, NHS, DHSC and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

RMG are keeping the situation under review and have issued a fourth communication yesterday (copy attached).  RMG continues to promote the ‘good hand hygiene’ message with soap and water.  Additionally, ‘Disposable Gloves’ as a barrier are being made available to anyone on request through their line manager which they recommended as an additional precaution.  They are ensuring managers know how to order gloves for employees and RMG HQ continue to monitor developments.

The Health, Safety & Environment Department has requested the provision of Hand Sanitizer Gel to the workforce.

In the meantime Royal Mail Group continue to reiterate the message from the UK’s Chief Medical Officer, PHE and NHS that ‘Hand hygiene’ is the first and most important line of defence.

“Can you catch Coronavirus from Parcels and Packages Posted from China to the UK?”‎

Since the Coronavirus Outbreak in China, the most frequently asked questions from CWU Members and Reps as well as Customers is:

“IS IT SAFE TO HANDLE OR RECEIVE A PACKAGE FROM CHINA OR ANY OTHER PLACE WHERE THERE IS AN IDENTIFIED CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK?‎”

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said:‎ “Yes, it is safe.  People receiving packages are not at risk of contracting the new Coronavirus. From experience with other coronaviruses, the WHO knows that these types of viruses don’t survive long on objects, such as letters or packages.‎”

Additionally at present the information from Public Health England(PHE), with whom Royal Mail Group are working closely with, is that ‘the risk of Coronavirus transmitting to people from the surfaces of things such as parcels and packages is low.’

Good work practices, including good hand hygiene‎, washing regularly with soap and water and the use of gloves, where required is the best defence against the risk of virus infections.

Disposable gloves are available to Royal Mail employee on request through their line manager and the gloves are a recommended additional health precaution.

Travel Advice

The Foreign Office is currently advising against all but essential travel to mainland China.  Major airlines have suspended all flights to and from the outbreak area in China.

With cases being diagnosed in a growing number of other Countries, the latest foreign travel advice should be checked at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice‎ and should be carefully considered before any international travel at this time.

In the interests of employee health Royal Mail Group are strongly recommending to all employees that they do not travel to or visit China.

Anyone who has recently returned from China and developed a fever, cough or difficulty breathing within the first 14 days should self-isolate and stay at home, call their GP or NHS 111 and report their recent travel.

Royal Mail Group in consultation with the CWU Health, Safety and Environment Department will continue to monitor the situation closely and will act on Public Health England advice which is updated daily.  There will be further updates if the advice changes.

Remember – Maintain Good Basic Hygiene

The NHS and Doctors advise everyone to maintain good basic hand and personal hygiene standards, washing hands regularly to minimise the risk of any infection as this virus outbreak develops. Use sanitizer gel, use gloves when working as an added barrier precaution.

Any enquiries regarding this Letter to Branches should be addressed to the Health, Safety & Environment Department on telephone number 020 8971 7365.

Yours sincerely,

Dave Joyce

National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

20LTB063

20LTB063 Attachment

CWU Annual Conference – Bournemouth – 19^th – 24^th April 2020

Bucket Collections

Branches are reminded that any requests for Bucket Collections during Annual Conference need to be put in writing to conferences@cwu.org   Written requests should include background material/information/full details on the organisation for which the collection is to be made.   The General Conference SOC will be advised accordingly and arrangements will be made for the collections.   The monies collected will be counted by the SDGS Department and a cheque will be made out to the appropriate bodies.

The number of bucket collections during conference will only exceptionally exceed two.

Distribution of Documents at General Conference

All requests for the distribution of documents on delegates’ seats shall, in the first instance, be referred in writing to the General Conference SOC, together with a copy of the document(s) concerned, for consideration.   Please send any requests to conferences@cwu.org

Any documents that have been agreed for distribution on delegates’ seats at General conference shall be delivered to the General Conference Administration office by no later than 5pm on the day prior to distribution.

Branches are reminded of the facility of the Conference Guide to publicise meetings and other events.

Seating at Conference

If any member of your delegation requires special seating due to special needs or a disability

they should email conferences@cwu.org as soon as possible stating the reason and the

conference(s) the member will be attending and no later than Friday 27^th March 2020.   Branches need to be aware that allocated seating is only in the Windsor Hall.

Creche Facilities/Prayer Room

If a member at conference requires crèche facilities or a room for prayer we will try our best to facilitate this request if advance notice is given. Please send any requests to conferences@cwu.org

Any queries regarding this Letter to Branches should be addressed to Angela Niven on 020 8971 7256 or by email to conferences@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,

A P Kearns

Senior Deputy General Secretary

20lLTB062 – CWU Annual Conference – 19th -24th April 2020

Urgent Update on The CWU’s decision to ballot the membership for strike action

Dear Colleague

Royal Mail over the last three weeks have made a calculated decision to move ahead with their Business strategy without agreement.

Approximately 30 offices across the Country have been given notice that revisions including MPU closures and Post Box Strategy Revisions will be introduced within the next 4 to 6 weeks.

Royal Mail’s decision to introduce these unagreed plans, means there are a significant number of OPGs who don’t know if they have a job and if they do in which location within 4 to 6 weeks.

In London , Camden MPU has been given notice it will be closing in 4 weeks and the work transfered to Greenford Mail Centre. The staff at Camden MPU do not know where they will be working in 4 weeks time and if they have a job , what they will be performing.

This is totally unacceptable. Royal Mail should be ashamed with themselves.

In fact , Royal Mail have adopted a new charm offensive spinning and trying to justify their decision to introduce unagreed change on revisions.

However the cold and stark reality is that there decision to push ahead with unagreed change leaves post workers in those sites with an uncertain future.

We understand that Royal Mail will be announcing more executive action over the next few weeks. Royal Mail are currently targeting , MPU closures , Post Box Strategy , VRs linked to a Mail Centre realignment , moving delivery starts back and removal of improved attendances in Delivery.

At the same time running parallel to this Royal Mail are also introducing their Journey Transformation Agenda by imposition and not negotiation.

This includes introducing in Swindon and Crewe the removal of larger parcels ( Above Shoe Box size )from the core delivery and moving it later.

There end game plan is that approximately one in every six deliveries will become a later driver who will deliver the larger parcels for not only the office they work but the catchment areas which the Later Acceptance Office currently delivers for.

The driver will move later in the day and deliver all the larger parcels for a number of offices. The remaining 5 walks will be asked to absorb the drivers delivery. Additionally Royal Mail plan to reduce replenishment van duties.

The Delivery Offices in the wider catchment area will lose this workload completely , meaning that there will be a requirement for reductions in duties , attendances and hours.

Royal Mail’s end game is to have 3 parcel hubs across the UK which will automate the larger parcels to circa 200 to 300 offices.

This is completely game changing and will have an impact on every office, every function and will lead to significant job reductions and new ways of working.

Royal Mail are trying to impose this far reaching plan on the workforce. This is simply unacceptable.

Additionally Royal Mail have decided to introduce Automated Hours Data Capture into a number of offices including PRDC by imposition.

Royal Mail say on their Communications that it simply designed to replace having to sign in and out with a pen and paper.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Royal Mail want to introduce automated signing in and out and link it to the hours you actually get paid and your attendance times.

In fact in Greenford Mail Centre a manager attempted to use the data from the automated hours data capture to change part timers starts time by 30 minutes and removal of scheduled attendance.

Royal Mail are trying to con its workforce by deliberately not telling employees that the only way that the cost of introducing the equipment for automated signing in and out is by linking it to what is paid in overtime , SA and eventually to use it to resource introduce revisions and annualised hours.

Royal Mail are also imposing Resource Scheduler which is designed to produce a different duty schedule for offices on a weekly or seasonal basis.

The imposition of AHDC and Resource Scheduler is part of Royal Mail’s wider strategy called Enterprise which is designed to link PDA’s , AHDC , Traffic Transformation together to produce a new duty list for a delivery office per week or for a period and reduce overtime , rest day working , part timers hours above contracts , change start times and remove improved attendances.

This policy is ultimately designed to reduce the unions ability to consult and negotiate on duties and resourcing as the computer and systems are designed to introduce the change.

It is against this backdrop that the CWU has been left with no other alternative than to ballot the membership for strike action.

The ballot timetable is that ballot papers will be dispatched on 3rd March and the result will be announced on 17th March.

All industrial action ballot results are important but rarely have we seen Royal Mail management deciding to virtually de-recognise the CWU and impose what they want without any safeguards for members as we see now happening .

The CWU have been perfectly reasonable and said that we would talk with Royal Mail about the issues they want providing they halted the executive action.

To date all Royal Mail have done is threaten to introduce more executive action.

It is therefore essential that members vote once again to support your union who is fighting to stop Royal Mail’s imposing change on the workforce which will have far reaching effects on jobs and terms and conditions.

Over the next few weeks all reps will be hold membership meetings to inform you of the reasons to vote yes in the Industrial Action Ballot.

However perhaps the biggest reason to vote yes is to inform Royal Mail that imposition is never the answer to introducing change on the workforce. This union cannot never allow Royal Mail to impose change on the membership.

By voting yes , the membership will once again demonstrate that they stand by their union and demand negotiation on their future terms and conditions and not dictation.

Please vote yes and make your voice heard to Royal Mail that we will never be defeated.

A statement by the London Divisional Committee

Four Pillars – Honouring our Agreement: Industrial Action Ballot Timetable

Further to the National Briefing held on Tuesday 17th December 2019 and the update provided in LTB 30/20 circulated in January, the Postal Executive met today to discuss a ballot timetable for Industrial Action to support the CWU’s strategy going forward in respect of the ongoing dispute with Royal Mail Group.

Working in close consultation with the SDGS Department, the Postal Executive endorsed the following ballot timetable for all appropriate CWU grades in the Royal Mail Group:

Membership Verification: to commence 6th February 2020 and be completed by 20th February 2020.

Issue Industrial Action Notice to Ballot: 25th February 2020.

Ballot Opens: 3rd March 2020.

Ballot Closes: 17th March 2020.

Ballot Result: 17th March 2020.

While the Union has spelt out the above timetable, Branches should note that the CWU remain available for negotiations with Royal Mail Group providing the company works with us to create the right environment for positive negotiations and cease their current programme/policy of deploying unagreed change by Executive Action.

Any enquiries in relation to the content of this LTB should be addressed to the DGS(P) Department.

Yours sincerely,

Terry Pullinger Dave Ward Carl Maden
Deputy General Secretary (Postal) General Secretary / Assistant Secretary

Andy Furey Davie Robertson Mark Baulch
Assistant Secretary Assistant Secretary Assistant Secretary

20LTB059 – Four Pillars – Honouring our Agreement Industrial Action Ballot Timetable