Following the RM/CWU Joint Statement circulated in August, this LTB intends to further support the understanding of Age and ID Verification Services. It is also jointly recognised that the introduction of these new services place frontline colleagues with further added responsibilities and challenges, accordingly where any instances or difficulties are being experienced by frontline colleagues these will be managed and treated in a fully supportive manner. Frontline colleagues will be provided with the necessary support along with any further training and coaching necessary to help them carry out this task.

There has been a particular focus on the safety aspects regarding the Age ID Verification product, and the importance the CWU places on the safety of our members. Hence our respective departments have worked closely on this matter.

The Health, Safety and Environment Department had a range of safety concerns for which reassurance was required in relation to this initiative. These being:

• Walk Safe being central to this initiative. This is a longstanding safety procedure to deal with the growing problem of the threat of violence and assault on delivery staff. Whilst satisfied with the preparation in delivery units whereby a notification or red flag identifies the requirement for age verification, assurances were required around the risk of confrontation on the doorstep. Dynamic risk assessment must allow staff to walk away from a threatening or potentially threatening confrontation.
• Just as the RMG SHE Team prioritises high impacting units (HIUs) in relation to dog attacks and slips, trips and falls, likewise there needs to be a focus on known high risk-high crime areas. The risk of verbal and physical assault must be taken seriously and risk assessed by managers in consultation with CWU Area Safety Reps. The RMG Security Team will have a role.
• There is already an increase in dog attacks with signed for delivery when opening the door, and the combination with this initiative may increase that risk with the requirement for age verification.
• Safety must be paramount in all communications and WTLLs regarding this initiative.
  In summary, there must be robust risk control measures in place. It is important that we got
  that assurance.

Those safety assurances have now been secured via discussions with the RMG Safety
Health and Environment (SHE) Team in liaison with the RM Programmes Team.

Please see below a summary of the controls in place to cover off the risks that the
CWU identified.

Risk of Confrontation

The guidance in ‘Walk Safe’ should be adhered to in order to reduce the risk of confrontation.
The workplace coach packs and FAQs that the project team developed have incorporated the
key message which is – if OPGs feel threatened, to remove themselves from the threat
and leave the item if necessary:

• It is important that, if at any stage a frontline colleague feels threatened or in danger,
  they should walk away from the doorstep (leaving the parcel if unable to take the
  parcel back) and inform the Security Helpdesk, your manager and the police (if
  required). You can contact the Security Helpdesk through your PDA menu or
  dial (0207 239 6655). Alternatively, you can dial 999 (extract from Work Place
  Coach training materials).
• When something is reported to the Security Helpdesk they are going to ask whether the
  incident relates to an Age Verification/ID Verification item. The project team has put in
  place weekly calls with the Security Helpdesk, starting from 8th November, to monitor
  this data and provide them with a regular platform to discuss any concerns post go-live.
• Any reported risks will be managed via the WRAP/USO suspensions process – obviously
  ASRs would be involved in this process where risks or incidents have been reported by
  staff.
• Another relevant control is the customer notification piece as it will not be a surprise to
  the customer that the post person is asking for ID – the customer will be notified at the
  point of purchase that they will be required to provide ID/proof of age for this
  product. They will be reminded again via text/email that ID is required as the item
  passes through our pipeline. Employees have also been provided with a ‘customer
  information card’ that they can reference if the customer needs further explanation.

Whilst the above has gone in the training pack, there will be further opportunities for the ‘Walk
Safe’ message to be reiterated to support the go-live next week. An additional communication
will go out to Delivery Offices with a link to the full Risk of Confrontation briefing.

Dog Attack Risk

An action has been captured on the SAC1 to raise awareness of this potential risk i.e., the
customer leaving the doorstep to retrieve ID. This isn’t featured in the WPC pack but the
planned message will be: Age ID/Verification: Dog at the property and customer needs to get
their ID. Politely ask the customer to close the door/secure the dog.

The Age/ID Verification product is currently only available to Amazon and the initial volumes
are expected to be low – Royal Mail Project Team will share the volume forecasts. Once the
product is live, the project team can take feedback from units/ASRs and if new risks are
identified we will revisit the SAC1 and consult you again on the proposed controls.

In summary, the safety assurances sought on behalf of our members have been secured. The
risks are being controlled. Ongoing monitoring will take place. Feedback to the Health Safety
and Environment department from ASRs is vital. Meetings and dialogue will be ongoing with
the SHE Team, Programmes Team and Delivery Team. The Project Team will continue to
monitor and review and seek feedback as part of the deployment process. If new risks arise
the SAC1 will be revisited.

The Age and ID Verification product will be launched next week w/c Monday 4th November.

Attachments to this LTB:

• Age and ID Verification Safety Assessment and Concurrence (SAC1)
• Risk of Confrontation WTLL
• Age and ID Verification Services – Workplace Coach Training Pack
• Age and ID Verification Customer Handout (two sided card)
• Age and ID Verification FAQs
• Age and ID verification National Joint Statement

Any queries to the content of the above, please contact the Health, Safety & Environment
Department, Louise Pietrzykowska, email address: lpietrzykowska@cwu.org, reference number
C39.

Or:

The Outdoor Department, reference: 600, email address: outdoorsecretary@cwu.org.

Dave Joyce – National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

Mark Baulch – Assistant Secretary, Outdoor Postal Department

LTB 634.19 – Royal Mail – Age and ID Verification Services

Age Verification ID Verification – Safety Assessment + Concurrence (SAC1.._

Risk of Confrontation WTLL (v1.0)

WPC Training Pack 22 08 19

Age IDV Customer Handout

Age and IDV_FAQ

Royal Mail_CWU National Joint Statement – Age and ID Verification Products

Christmas Pay Supplement & Underpin Payment

During the Facebook live session yesterday evening a question was asked in relation to the Christmas Bonus payment and whether this is affected when official Industrial Action is taken during the Christmas pressure period.

The Christmas pressure period normally runs for a designated four week period and usually commences on the last Monday in November. Confirmation of the exact dates for this year is yet to be published.

Insofar as the Christmas pay supplement is concerned, eligibility criteria for official Industrial Action is reproduced below:

“For each day counted midnight to midnight (excluding bank holidays) on which an employee takes official industrial action, their supplement will be abated by 3%.  The abatement for industrial action will be measured inclusively from the day the action starts until the day normal work recommences”.

Attached are the current terms and eligibility criteria for the additional ‘underpin’ payment. Branches and members will note that there is no impact on this particular payment when official Industrial Action is taken.

Branches are requested to give this information the widest possible circulation and retain for future reference.

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)  

19LTB633 Christmas Pay Supplement & Underpin Payment

LTB 633.19 Attachment 1

CBRE (BT MAIL ROOMS) OUTSOURCING TO SWISS POST SOLUTIONS (SPS)

An announcement has been made to all BT Mail Room members that CBRE intend to outsource the BT Mail Rooms to Swiss Post Solutions (SPS) from 1st December 2019.
The rationale given is that CBRE’s operating model across a number of accounts includes the use of a series of strong, reliable and expert service delivery partners. CBRE say that it is common for the company to make use of these expert suppliers for specialist and complex services such as mail services as there are a number of challenges associated with self-delivery of this services.
The key challenges they see are:
• to provide improved opportunities for their colleagues to develop and grow
• to provide the best technology and systems to support the role
• to provide for a more flexible operating model to support the BT Workplace
Those CBRE members working across the country in the BT Mail Rooms have been informed of the intention to outsource via conference call and individual contact.
Branches with members affected by the announcement will be contacted with further information and proposed Roadshow dates when Swiss Post Solutions intend to meet the staff in scope.

Yours sincerely,

Brendan O’Brien
Assistant Secretary

LTB 631.2019 CBRE – BT MAIL ROOMS – OUTSOURCING TO SWISS POST SOLUTIONS (SPS) 30.10.2019

ROYAL MAIL: PENSIONS SERVICE CENTRE – TRANSFER OF ADDITIONAL WORK TO CAPITA

Further to LTB 247/19 dated 18th April. Branches will be aware that in October 2017 the Cabinet Office announced it had awarded the contract for the administration of the Royal Mail Statutory Pension Scheme (RMSPS) to Capita. As a consequence, on 30th September 2018, the following work transferred from the Royal Mail Pensions Service Centre (PSC) to Capita: 

• The calculation and payment of all pension benefits for those ex- employees  and their dependants whose total pension benefits were in the Royal Pension Statutory Pension Scheme (RMSPS), the government backed pension scheme established on 1st April 2012.

The affected population comprised of the following:

• Those who had left Royal Mail, Post Office Limited and associated employers (e.g. Quadrant, RoMEC) on or before 31st March 2012.

Those employees who are still employed by Royal Mail, Post Office and associated employers or who left on or after 1st April 2012 have benefits in both the RMSPS and the Royal Mail Pension Plan (RMPP).

The administration of the RMSPS benefits for these ‘dual members’ was retained by the Royal Mail Pensions Service Centre on a temporary basis, due to Capita’s state of readiness in September 2018. Therefore Royal Mail’s PSC has continued to calculate the benefits and has passed the necessary information to Capita to make payment of the RMSPS element.

Transfer of Additional Work to Capita

The plan was for the RMSPS element to transition in full to Capita on 29th March 2019, leading to Capita taking on responsibility for the calculation of RMSPS benefits, as well as payment. However, the Cabinet Office took the decision to delay this transition for a month – until the end of April. A further decision was taken in April to delay the transition once again and there has since been an ongoing assessment of Capita’s readiness to take over this work with the associated measurement of risk. In the meantime the work has stayed with Royal Mail’s PSC. Royal Mail senior managers in the PSC have fully engaged with both Capita and the Cabinet Office during this period to seek to mitigate the impact of the transition on members.

A decision was finally made by the Cabinet Office Transitions Board at its meeting on 24th October to proceed with the transition of the RMSPS element of joint member benefits to Capita over the weekend of 9th -10th November and Capita will administer that part of member benefits with effect from Monday 11 November. To be clear, this further transfer was in the original contract awarded to Capita by Government. Essentially it was delayed until Capita was in a position to take on the work. The caution shown by the Cabinet Office in delaying this further work going to Capita was welcomed due to the problems originally experienced. It can only be hoped that this further phase in transferring the work will be less problematic. Crucially there are no further transfers of work planned for the future. 

Branches should note that this further transfer doesn’t impact on jobs and nobody will be subject to TUPE as all transfers from Royal Mail to Capita were completed last year.

To Summarise, from Monday 11th November:

•  Capita will administer all of the RMSPS pension benefits 
•  Royal Mail PSC will continue to administer the RMPP pension benefits 

Branches and members should therefore be aware that our members in the RMSPS will now need to contact Capita for all queries regarding their pension. The contact details are as follows:

Email: enquiries@rmsps.co.uk

Telephone: 0333 222 0078

As far as we are aware, there won’t be any correspondence sent to members from the Cabinet Office regarding this transition of work. Therefore, Royal Mail’s PSC will be using the attached document to inform members of the change in administration if they are in the process of having their pensions calculated, or are just about to do so. Please note this document is in draft format – the transition date of Monday 11th November will be inserted into the final document. Branches & Representatives are urged to share this information with those members approaching the age of 60 who will be drawing their pension imminently. 

It should also be noted that there is a contingency plan in place should there be a problem with Capita loading the data successfully over the weekend of 9th & 10th November. If there is such an issue, Royal Mail PSC will be in a position to revert to administering the RMSPS service on a temporary basis from Monday 11th November. Branches will be informed via a further LTB if this is the case. 

We will be continuing to monitor Capita’s administrative performance via meetings with both Royal Mail and Capita management and also by continuing to note, collate and forward to Capita for resolution any complaints received from CWU members which come in via my office whether directly or through the Union’s general information email address.

If Branches are aware of any issues our members are experiencing with Capita, please contact lsheridan@cwu.org

Further developments will be reported.

Yours sincerely

Andy Furey
Assistant Secretary

19LTB630 Royal Mail – Pensions Service Centre – Transfer of Additional Work to Capita

Attachment 1 to LTB630-19

2019 DISPUTE RELATING TO HONOURING & DEPLOYING THE FOUR PILLARS OF SECURITY & PAY / GUIDING PRINCIPLES AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CWU & RMG – CWU PRESS RELEASE

Branches will be aware that the National Officers met with Royal Mail Group earlier today as part of the ongoing mediation process.

However, prior to our meeting a letter was received from the business (on 28^th October at 17:20) followed by a press release this morning that we can only conclude was designed as an attempt to totally undermine the Union and therefore minimise the possibility of an agreed way forward.

In response the CWU today issued the attached press release which clarifies the Union’s position on this matter.

A special meeting of the Postal Executive will be held tomorrow morning to provide colleagues with an update and to urgently consider our response and approach to this latest development. Further updates will be circulated to Branches in due course.

In addition, I can confirm that the Facebook Live Question and Answer session will take place as scheduled at 18:00 tomorrow. Branches are asked to advertise this event and circulate the contents of this LTB as widely as possible.

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)     

19LTB629 2019 DISPUTE RELATING TO HONOURING DEPLOYING THE FOUR PILLARS OF SECURITY PAY GUIDING PRINCIPLES AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CWU RMG C

LTB 629.19 Attachment 1 CWU Press Release

CWU Membership Forms

As set out in LTB 073/19 we are required to include an “opt in” option to the Political Fund alongside a further “opt in” for receiving communications in line with GDPR on all our membership application forms.

These changes are enshrined in legislation and must be complied with at all times. We have also added a version number on all forms (V2).

During recent weeks it has been brought to our attention that some branches are still using the old forms. This must cease immediately and the forms must be destroyed.

As you will appreciate during these difficult times, if we fail to comply with the legislation and are subsequently fined, you will understand the financial implication this will have on the union moving forward.

It is therefore extremely important that the new membership forms are being used and you can continue to receive the new forms either via the website, contacting Membership Records – Laura Wright (lwright@cwu.org), T&FSE department – Ray Walsh (rwalsh@cwu.org), Postal department – Zubeida Mussa (zmussa@cwu.org) or joinunion@cwu.org

Any queries on the content of this LTB should be directed to Jo Thair in the SDGS department (jthair@cwu.org).

Yours sincerely,

Tony Kearns
Senior Deputy General Secretary

19LTB628 – CWU Membership Forms

ROBERT ALAN LLOYD OBE – FORMER NEC MEMBER & RETIRED MEMBERS SECRETARY

I am writing to inform you of the sad news that Robert Alan Lloyd passed away on Sunday 13th October 2019, aged 83. Alan started his working life as a cable jointer for the General Post Office and British Telecom. He joined the old Swansea Engineering branch, which was in the NCU in 1958. He became the Branch Chair in 1965, a position he held for over 20 years in addition to being the Branch Secretary for three years which later merged with Pontypridd to become the Welsh Valleys in 2005. In 2002 Alan was awarded the union’s Gold Badge Award. 

As well as taking part in union activities, Alan had been a keen Labour supporter since 1956 and he served as a Labour Councillor from 1967 to 2012. During this period he also served as Lord Mayor of Swansea for one year.

Alan was the first to be awarded an honorary membership to the Congress of the Council of Europe; he was the President of the International Union of Local Authorities and Founder President of the United Cities and Local Government. In recognition of his services to local government and democracy in Wales and overseas, Alan was awarded the OBE in 2013.

Alan made a huge contribution over many years both to the CWU, its predecessor unions and to the wider trade union and labour movement. He was very well respected and I know that he will be sorely missed by his friends and colleagues.

At this sad time our thoughts are of course with Alan’s wife Lillian, their surviving sons Paul and Clive and the rest of their family. I will on behalf of the CWU convey our deepest sympathy and condolences to his wife and other family members. 

Alan’s funeral arrangements are as follows:- Friday 1st November at 12.30pm 

at the Swansea Crematorium,

Cemetery Lodge Heol Pentre, Felen,

Morriston, Swansea, SA6 6BY

Followed by a gathering at The Liberty Stadium,

Neath Road, Landore, SA12 FA

Please note that the family have requested no flowers but would welcome donations to the British Heart Foundation. Please contact Eugene Caparros, Branch Secretary of South Wales (office@cwusouthwales.com) for further information regarding donations.

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

Yours sincerely

Dave Ward

General Secretary

19LTB627 – Robert Alan Lloyd – FORMER NEC & RETIRED MEMBERS SECRETARY