Average Pay on Leave (Holiday Pay Claims) – Non-Payment of Agreed Settlements

The Department has been made aware that a number of individual settlements agreed and signed via the COT3 have not yet been paid within the agreed timescale. For clarity this money should be paid to the claimant via the payroll system “no later than 21 working days following receipt by the respondent’s representative of this agreement duly signed by or on behalf of the claimant”.

The CWU sought advice from ACAS in relation to the issue of non-payments and this is reproduced below for the attention of those Branches with members who have not been paid within the agreed timescales.

If the settlement sum is not paid as agreed, the Claimant or their Representative should contact ACAS, or alternatively see www.acas.org.uk/COT3enforcement for information on the enforcement procedures under s.142 of the Tribunals Courts and Enforcement Act 2007. Please note that as from 6^th April 2016 a party may be liable to a financial penalty not exceeding £5000 if a payment due under the terms of the settlement is not made. 

Branches are also advised that a further meeting to pursue a collective agreement with Royal Mail Group has been arranged for 6^th November 2019. In the interim, I would like to thank you all for your continued hard work and reiterate that Branches are encouraged to continue to maximise the number of claims through ACAS.

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)  

19LTB606 – Average Pay on Leave (Holiday Pay Claims) Non-Payment of Agreed Settlements

Post Office Ltd (POL) – Free Flu Jab Vaccination Scheme 2019:

This is to inform all CWU Branches with Post Office Ltd (POL) ‎members that the provision of ‘Free Flu Jabs’ has been discussed and POL’s National Health and Safety Manager has confirmed that POL will again be providing ‘Free’ Flu Vaccination Vouchers for employees this year.

A communication has been sent out to POL Offices confirming that the Post Office will offer employees an opportunity to have a ‘Free Flu Vaccination.’

A communications article has been issued on the POL Intranet site and POL field team leaders are being contacted to ensure staff are aware of the flu jab scheme offer. Office managers are being contacted by the POL health and safety team and responses requesting Flu Vaccination Vouchers are being processed and non-responders are being chased up this week requesting prompt action from office managers in collecting names of those employees wishing to accept the offer of a ‘Free Flu Jab Voucher’ which will be ordered for those requesting them and despatched promptly. Members will have two months to use them in a high street pharmacy/chemist.

The attached flyer is also being circulated.

The POL Intranet Comms are available here:

https://poluk.sharepoint.com/sites/thehub/SitePages/Flu-vaccinations.aspx

Members taking up the opportunity of a ‘Free Flu Jab’ will be expected to attend for their flu jab in their own time and can use the ‘Free Flu Jab Voucher’ at listed pharmacies.

Any POL managers requiring further advice or information should call Martin Hopcroft Post Office Head of Health & Safety‎ on 07889 045810‎ or e-mail: martin.hopcroft@postoffice.co.uk.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

19LTB609 Post Office Ltd (POL) – Free Flu Jab Vaccination Scheme 2019

A5 Flu

LGBT+ 

At a recent NEC meeting, it was agreed that future references to LGBT matters shall now be referred to as LGBT+. The updating of this terminology is regarded as being much more inclusive of the diversity that exists within the rainbow spectrum.

This new terminology also allows for a degree of future proofing and we would be grateful if updates can be implemented accordingly in the Branches and Regions.

Our department would like to place on record our thanks to Helen Cooper, NEC LGBT+ National Lead, for her assistance in this matter.

Any queries on this LTB should be directed to the Equality, Education & Development Department.

Yours sincerely,

Kate Hudson
Head of Equality, Education & Development

19LTB605 – LGBT+

CWU Response to Government on Sexual Harassment in the Workplace 

The CWU has made the attached response to the Government Equalities Office consultation on Sexual Harassment in the Workplace.

Sexual harassment at work is a persistent and widespread problem, as evidenced by surveys and polls conducted by trade unions and women’s organisations and reported on previously in LTBs 634/17 and 391/2019.

The CWU’s submission supports the Government’s proposal to introduce a new preventative duty that requires employers to protect workers from sexual harassment in the workplace. We also support the proposal for a new Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) code of practice to underpin the duty. The submission calls for new powers for the EHRC to take enforcement action against companies that breach the duty, including the power to issue and enforce substantial fines.

The submission also expresses support for the TUC’s ‘#ThisIsNotWorking’ campaign and its call for a new, easily enforceable legal duty that would require employers to take all reasonable steps to protect workers from sexual harassment and victimisation. The CWU has joined the TUC’s ‘#ThisIsNotWorking’ alliance, which was launched earlier this year, along with nearly 40 other organisations including trade unions, charities and women’s rights organisations.

Bill Taylor
Head of Research

LTB 603.2019 – CWU Response to GEO Sexual Harassment at Work Oct 2019

CWU Response to GEO Sexual Harassment at Work Oct 2019

Royal Mail Fined Thousands for Unsafe Roadworks Offences across Somerset

Royal Mail appeared in court last week and was handed down huge fines running into thousands of pounds for roadworks offences committed across Somerset.

This comes after the company was taken to court by Somerset County Council for breaching several safety laws while working on roads across the county.

Offences included closing a road without notice and failing to comply with safety measures.

They appeared at Taunton Magistrates Court on October 9 and pleaded guilty to several charges.

The two cases involving Royal Mail were at:-

Gulway Mead, Tatworth

• Royal Mail incorrectly installed traffic management systems in breach of the safety code of practice and was fined £4,000.
• Royal Mail failed to use its best endeavors to co-operate with the highways authority due to incorrect noticing of street works and was fined £4,000.

Holloway Road, Lopen

• Royal Mail incorrectly installed traffic management systems in breach of safety provisions and was fined £4,000.
• Royal Mail failed to comply with a direction by SCC highways authority on safety measures and was fined £6,000.
• Royal Mail failed to use its best endeavors to co-operate with the highways authority and was fined £4,000.

In addition to the fines, a victim surcharge of £170 was applied to both cases and Royal Mail was made to pay £2,509.17 in costs.

Total: £24,679.17p

In a statement issued by Somerset County Council they said that the Local Authority owes it to residents and road users to take action when it is justified. These offences will have caused unnecessary disruption to the public or put safety at risk. This is not acceptable and we hope these prosecutions will send a clear message to other parties who work on the highway.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

19LTB602 Royal Mail Fined Thousands for Unsafe Roadworks Offences across Somerset