Category: Uncategorized

HAVE YOU CHANGED YOUR DETAILS?

 

HAVE YOU CHANGED YOUR DETAILS?

 

One of the most common complaints we hear around the time of Ballots / Elections is “I didn’t get a ballot paper.”

Often the reason for this is because the member has not informed us that they have recently moved (Branch and National ballots are sent to members home addresses). It is each members,responsibility to inform the Branch Secretary when there is any change in address, name or office (Royal Mail do not notify CWU of any changes)

If you have changed your details, please contact The Branch Secretary by emailbranch.secretary@cwue5.org or by Telephone01733 382512 / 077854 60070

Or see your Unit Representative for a form 

 

Andy Beeby 

Branch Secretary

CWU Eastern Number Five Branch

Click on the links below

contact-details.docx

https://cwue5.org/update-your-contact-details/

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A NEW STRATEGY FOR MEMBERSHIP GROWTH


A NEW STRATEGY FOR MEMBERSHIP GROWTH

Dear Colleagues,

The purpose of this LTB is to advise branches that on the 28th February the NEC agreed a document setting out a new union wide approach to recruitment and organising.

The new approach is in line with the terms of Motion 50 agreed at last year’s general conference and is also a response to the growing need for the CWU to influence the sector our members work in and a wider world of work characterised by insecure, low cost employment models.

Whilst introducing significant changes, the new approach also recognises that a detailed strategy will take time to develop as part of an evolving process that will necessitate the whole Union working together in a very different and more collaborative way. This means there has to be a genuine willingness to think and work beyond constituency boundaries and harness the strengths and expertise that exists across the union. It also means that there has to be a real understanding that when it comes to the wider sector, the postal and T&FS constituencies start from very different places and the approach going forward will reflect this.

The key elements of the new approach are set out below:

  • Investment in a new Head of Recruitment and Organising to develop, oversee and manage a new strategy on a day to day basis.
  • The development of the detailed strategy to be supported by a new Recruitment and Organising Board comprising of the following – a Head of R&O, GS, SDGS, DGS (P), DGS (T), Head of Comms, Head of Research, and Head of Legal Services.
  • A realignment of postal organisers to work within the wider postal sector and target new companies.
  • The T&FS to continue with its current approach alongside improved reporting to the NEC and a clearer understanding going forward of the work within the sector that will be the responsibility of the central strategy team. This to be reviewed in 12 months against agreed criteria.
  • Improved reporting and analysis of all membership data.
  • The organisers to be utilised in a more flexible way to support targeted campaigns within the unions overall strategy.
  • Given the increased profile of the CWU and our innovative communications approach, the Head of Communications will undertake a review of all R&O materials to strengthen the CWU identity and brand.
  • Linking our recruitment and organising work to the CWUs and TUCs campaign on a New Deal for Workers.
  • The overall strategy to be coordinated around the following three areas:

*The main companies

*The wider communication and financial services sectors

*Digital platforms/New World of Work/Gig economy

  • A process to evaluate the work of our existing organisers.
  • A major national event later this year to launch the new strategy.
  • Greater clarity on the role of our new regional structure and branches in supporting recruitment and organising work. This to include a 2 way process to enable the widest possible opportunity for Regions and branches to input their ideas.
  • A comprehensive communications plan to explain the new approach and the reasons for this to our representatives and members.
  • The introduction of clear and transparent targets to measure the success or otherwise of our campaigns.
  • Agreed timelines to ensure we monitor progress and deliver on what has been agreed.
  • The SDGS to produce a plan on the investment required to support the new strategy as part of the redesign project, including a full breakdown of our existing expenditure in this area to maximise the effectiveness of this.

THE CONTEXT THE CWU NOW OPERATES WITHIN

The “Organising for the Future” booklet published to Branches last year clearly set out the major challenges we face and the wider context we are operating within. The importance of the whole union grasping this wider context simply cannot be ignored or overstated.

Firstly, alongside the fact we have lost almost 100k members since the 1995 merger, is the stark reality, in both constituencies, that our membership remains overwhelmingly in companies that arise out of the old General Post Office. In postal, less than 1% of our members come from outside of RM, POL, or the island operators. In Telecoms and Financial Services, whilst the membership is more diverse, more than 85% of our members are in BT, Santander, O2 (formally in BT) and EE (now part of the BT Group).

Secondly, in contrast to our decline, the wider communications sector has seen major growth in a non-unionised workforce, exploited by the emergence of new companies that rely mostly on insecure and low cost employment models.

Thirdly, we rightly pride ourselves on being the strongest UK workplace trade union and for years and years we have set the high benchmark on pay, terms and conditions across the sector. But we know this is a constant battle against the race to the bottom, something which our members have become increasingly aware of. Therefore, as these pressures grow, signs of which are clear in both the RMG and BT right now, the only way we will ultimately maintain our own industrial strength is by being at the forefront of a wider fight to reverse membership decline and organise workers across the sector. This is also exactly the same debate and thinking that represents the only chance to reverse the fortunes of the wider trade union movement in society.

The truth is, taking on this fight by throwing the full weight of the union behind a fresh strategy, is the very essence of trade unionism and the core value of what the movement exists for.

 

CONCLUSION

In the last few years the union has worked hard through Redesign to finally tackle the issues that threaten the future of the CWU, the wider trade union movement and that are shaping the world of work in a very detrimental way.

We have set a clear direction for the union that has been overwhelmingly supported by Conference. On one hand, this has been about getting even closer to our frontline reps and members to ensure that protecting and enhancing their terms and conditions will always be at the heart of everything the CWU stands for. On the other hand, it has been about expanding and connecting the above thinking to the growing pressures that all workers face as a direct result of the political and economic forces that stand in our way.

The direction we have set is both challenging and ambitious in that it means we are serious about mobilising to rebuild the trade union movement, improve the lives of our members and all workers and to work towards fundamental political change.

Finally, whilst all branches will understand that there are no easy solutions to drive membership growth, we are confident that by working together in a more joined up way, we will ensure the CWU builds a more effective recruitment and organising strategy.

Further information on the New Strategy for Membership Growth will be sent to Branches in due course.

Any enquiries on the content of this LTB please forward to gsoffice@cwu.org

Yours sincerely

 

Dave Ward

General Secretary

19LTB147 – A new strategy for membership growth

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RMG/CWU Road Safety Campaign – Preventing Vehicle Rollaways – W/C 11 March 2019

RMG/CWU Road Safety Campaign – Preventing Vehicle Rollaways – W/C 11 March 2019

Dear Colleagues,

The background and importance of this Road Safety Communications Campaign is to raise awareness of the controls that are required when parking vehicles to prevent rollaways. Vehicle rollaways can cause serious injury or even fatality, and drivers could place themselves at risk of prosecution of a serious motoring offence if they fail to comply with the controls in place.

The idea is that by carrying out the Campaign activities during the week, it will help to raise the profile of road safety and keep drivers safe. The planned tasks for ASRs are to carry out Safety Inspections and speak to drivers.

ASRs are to be fully involved and consulted on joint RSW activities.

Facts and Figures

  • Rollaway incidents are on the increase, in 2017/18 we had 127 and YTD this year we have had 126.
  • There have been two serious incidents involving rollaways causing life changing injuries to both an employee and a third party.

Please note that this Road Safety Campaign was planned for deployment on 18 March, but at two day’s notice, Royal Mail Group Communications has pulled this forward and it will now be deployed next Monday 11th March.  I have informed the Royal Mail Global Director of Safety, Health, Environment and Sustainability that it is unacceptable for Royal Mail Group Communications to do this in relation to moving important Health and Safety Campaign dates at short notice and that we will not be able to fully support or commit to Campaigns under these circumstances.  The Royal Mail Group Road Safety Team has suggested in response that ASRs may wish to spread activities over the two weeks, w/c 11thMarch and w/c 18th March.

In conclusion, we are leaving this to ASRs to decide locally how they best wish to approach this, but we have made it clear that moving dates at short notice in future is not acceptable.

Yours sincerely

 

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

19LTB146 RMGCWU Road Safety Campaign – Preventing Vehicle Rollaways – Week Commencing 11 March 2019

HIT Posters

Leaflet Final Mar 2019 campaign

RS Campaign – Preventing Vehicle Rollaways – logistics handout Final 4

RSC Preventing Vehicle Rollaways Mar 2019 ASR activity plan Final 4

RSW Preventing Vehicle Rollaways – Managers Checklist Final 4

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New Safe Driver Checks Process

New Safe Driver Checks Process

Dear Colleagues,

Being a safe and qualified driver is a key part of many of the job roles at Royal Mail. Part of Royal Mail’s regulatory compliance is to conduct licence checks twice a year for all drivers and ensure they complete their licence details, health and other employment declarations.

We have been in discussions for some months now with Royal Mail looking at, and understanding how new technology via the PDA can capture all of the above information. Presently, this is done by a manual paper-based process twice a year and we are fully aware that this at times can be complicated and time consuming.

As part of our ongoing effort to simplify this process and make compliance tasks easier to achieve, we have agreed to introduce the new ‘Safe Driver Check Process’ and attached to this LTB is a Joint Statement between Royal Mail and the CWU that covers its use. The new Safe Driver Process will move licence checks, health declarations and other employment for drivers of small vehicles (below 3.5T) to an annual check through an App on the PDA.

The following are some of the safeguards and assurances we have secured to ensure this new approach is compliant with the GDPR Legislation:

  • The new process means that driver data will be stored securely, centrally and electronically on PSP rather than in paper form.
  • The Safe Driver App allows Royal Mail drivers to input their Driver Licence details (without the need for the driver to obtain a DVLA code), health, other employment and training declarations directly into their PDA.
  • This information will be automatically transferred into the People Systems Portal (PSP). This will allow automatic licence checking with the DVLA database and ensure secure, centralised, digital storage of the individual’s information.
  • Individual mandates are valid for 3 years and will be securely held centrally within PSP. The licence data will be automatically checked with the DVLA database once a year.
  • Managers will not have access to the DVLA database, instead they will view a relevant PSP report sent to them that only includes the people within their direct line of management.
  • The PSP report will highlight anyone within the unit who has not yet submitted their information, any anomalies with the DVLA database, the expiry date of individual licences, or where an individual’s declaration necessitates a further discussion.
  • Only the line manager of an individual will have sight of their relevant information. Individual data sourced from either the PDA/PSP or the DVLA database will not be published or shared with a wider audience.
  • Outside of this annual activity, all Royal Mail drivers will still have a responsibility to make their manager aware of any relevant changes to their driving licence provision or the onset of a health condition or other employment.
  • All data will be destroyed at an agreed point of an individual leaving Royal Mail employment.

A phased deployment will commence on 11th March and 18th March 2019, and should take no more than three weeks for each unit to complete and capture drivers’ data. People may have further questions relating to the data gathering process, and these will be addressed in forthcoming communications within the Work Time Listening & Learning sessions. 

Any enquiries as to the content of this LTB should be addressed to the relevant Department:

Outdoor Department, reference 300.02, email address: outdoorsecretary@cwu.org.

Or

Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary, email: dwyatt@cwu.org or shayman@cwu.org quoting reference number: 202.09.

Yours sincerely,

Mark Baulch – Assistant Secretary                

Davie Robertson – Assistant Secretary 

LTB 145.19 – New Safe Driver Checks Process

RM_CWU Joint Statement – New Safe Driver Checks Process


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Updated ‎Urgent Security Newsflash Issued Following The Discovery of Three Suspect Packages & Viable Improvised Explosive Devices at London Transport Hubs – And a Further Item at Glasgow University:

Updated ‎Urgent Security Newsflash Issued Following The Discovery of Three Suspect Packages & Viable Improvised Explosive Devices at London Transport Hubs – And a Further Item at Glasgow University:

Further to LTB 139/19, please find attached a copy of an updated, Urgent Brief (CPC 005) which was sent to all Operational Offices (Mail Centres, Hubs and Delivery Offices) by Royal Mail Central Postal Control (CPC) last night.

This slightly updates the original brief (CPC 004) sent out which management in all Offices would have received following the 5 March IED incidents at Heathrow Airport, London City Airport and Waterloo Railway Station.

Police in Scotland have confirmed that a further suspect packet incident which they managed at Glasgow University yesterday on 6 March is linked to the three London incidents on 5th March so the CPC amended ‘Action Flash’ was sent out with some minor changes having been made to the message (see attached) to include reference to the Glasgow University package.

The Glasgow packaging, markings and the type of device recovered are very similar to the three discovered on the 5th March.

The key messages and descriptions, photographs and details remain valid and all CWU Reps are asked as a priority to cascade this information to our members to remain vigilant and to look out for similar suspicious packages if any similar parcels are discovered – report them immediately.

A fifth suspect IED Package was reported at Essex University yesterday and was investigated by Essex Police who later confirmed it to be a false alarm.

Thanks for your attention and support.

Yours sincerely

 

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

19LTB144 Updated ‎Urgent Security Newsflash Following Further Suspect Package IED at Glasgow University

Urgent Brief (CPC 005) – Suspect Packages and IEDs


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CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT LEAN ACADEMY (CILA)

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT LEAN ACADEMY (CILA)

Branches and representatives may be aware of a managerial programme entitled Continuous Improvement Lean Academy (CILA).

Our understanding of the programme is that it focusses on management leadership behaviours in general but also discusses some lean management tools, which enable managers to consider what improvements they are going to focus on their plants. The business view is that part of the day job for the plant management team is to develop improvement plans and this training helps them do it the right way.

For absolute clarity this a managerial activity and the CWU has therefore had not had any input into the programme that has been developed, nor have we agreed to the participation of representatives in any associated workshops.

Historically the department initially received enquiries from the field in 2018 in relation to involvement of representatives in the activity and representation was made to the business. At that point we made it absolutely clear to the business that our view was that the issues of Employee Engagement/Continuous Improvement were proper to discussions between the DGS(P) and the appropriate RM representative and as such we would be referring the matter accordingly.

Since that time the subject has been discussed at NPG meetings and our belief was that while the CILA programme was still being used for managerial training/support our representatives were not being asked to participate in the activity.

We have now been advised from the field that representatives are once again being invited to attend workshops associated to CILA and that there may be some suggestion by management that this is a joint venture.

The advice of the department is that our position is unchanged, this is not a joint venture and we have not agreed to the participation of representatives in the activity/workshops. Representation has therefore once again been made to the business in relation to this issue and as such the department would advise that our representatives should politely decline any invitation to attend the CILA workshops.

Equally, it is reaffirmed that that any managerial proposals emanating from the CILA activity should be progressed in line with our National agreements and the IR Framework.

Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary, email: dwyatt@cwu.org or shayman@cwu.org quoting reference number: 711.06

Yours sincerely

Davie Robertson
Assistant Secretary

LTB 143-19 – Continuous Improvement Lean Acadamy (CILA) – 06.03.19

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POST OFFICE: FRANCHISING OF 74 CROWN OFFICES TO WH SMITH – UNION DE-RECOGNITION

POST OFFICE: FRANCHISING OF 74 CROWN OFFICES TO WH SMITH – UNION DE-RECOGNITION

Further to LTB 095/19 dated 12th February. As previously reported, at the recent discussions with Post Office and WHS regarding the “measures” transferring across with Crown Office members under TUPE to WHS, agreement could not be reached on formal CWU recognition for these members. As a consequence, following our last meeting on the “measures”, and after taking legal advice, I wrote formally to Anthony Lawrence, Group HR Director, WHS on 12th February to outline our strong arguments as to why Union recognition should transfer with the members under TUPE legislation. 

Unfortunately I did not receive a response to my letter and I therefore sent a further letter to Anthony Lawrence on 27th February. I have now received a response which can only be interpreted as WHS de-recognising this Union due to a legal interpretation on their part, which we believe to be spurious. Basically, WHS is claiming the Post Office operation within a WHS store is not a “distinct” entity and therefore TUPE in regards to Trade Union recognition doesn’t apply. 

It is extremely disappointing that the Post Office is choosing franchise partners who do not want to recognise the CWU which is essentially creating a de-recognition of Trade Unions, something we cannot tolerate and we are determined to challenge this ill-conceived position. Obviously our members transferring will want the CWU to be formally recognised yet WHS are turning their face away from this position.

We will be taking further legal advice regarding the legal technicality that WHS is hiding behind and further developments in this regard will be reported. Also, a document will be placed before the Postal Executive at the next statutory meeting in order to determine future policy and our next steps.

In the meantime, we will be highlighting WHS’s stance in regard to Union de-recognition at our political event in Westminster next Monday 11th March (refer to LTB 129/19 for full details). We will also be raising this serious matter with Gill Furniss MP, Shadow BEIS Minister. 

Finally, our Post Office Representatives are urged to bring this situation to the attention of those members facing franchising as they need to be aware of all facts which will help them to determine whether they take the Settlement Agreement or TUPE.

Further developments will be reported.

Yours sincerely

 

Andy Furey

Assistant Secretary

19LTB141 Post Office – Franchising of 74 Crown Offices to WH Smith – Union De-Recognition


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ROYAL MAIL – INTRODUCTION OF APPRENTICES IN HR SERVICES

ROYAL MAIL – INTRODUCTION OF APPRENTICES IN HR SERVICES

Branches will be aware this week is National Apprenticeship week. It is therefore timely to report on a positive set of discussions with HR Services management regarding the introduction of an Apprenticeship programme across various specialist areas in HR Services including Pay, Pensions, Recruitment, Advice Centre, PSP Support and Learning in Pond Street Sheffield. It should be noted that this initiative is aimed at relatively new employees and replaces the previously agreed NVQ arrangements.

As a result of our discussions and a joint review, we have now reached agreement to introduce a series of Apprenticeship Schemes for approximately 28 existing members in HR Services. As you would expect, the various Apprenticeship Schemes will be run by qualified external providers.

We have communicated a Joint Statement directly to our members in HR Services via Royal Mail’s “Service Matters” publication. The JS is attached to this LTB for your information. We have also recently concluded the final plans specifically for apprentices within the Pensions team; however, due to the complexities in this area, this took a little longer to organise than in the other areas.

I am therefore pleased to report we have agreed to progress 8 members through the Workplace Apprenticeship in the Pensions Administration unit with the launch of this programme planned for 1 April. An addendum to the original Joint Statement has also been agreed to include the Pensions unit and is attached to this LTB. This addendum has been published in the latest addition of “Service Matters”.

Importantly, the approach agreed to the introduction of this Apprenticeship Scheme is aimed at up-skilling and developing current employees and therefore crucially the members’ pay and the contractual number of hours of work is fully in line with the Four Pillars Agreement which introduced for these grades a 34 hour net working week from October 2018.

A total of 28 apprentices are planned to be in place across the various functions in HR Services by next month including the 8 in Pensions admin. I’m sure Branches will agree this is a positive development and it is good to be able to report we have reached agreement with Royal Mail for them to invest in developing the skills of our members.

Yours sincerely

 

Andy Furey

Assistant Secretary

19LTB140 – Royal Mail – Introduction of Apprentices in HR Services

Attachment 1. Apprenticeship JS

Attachment 2. Addendum to Joint Statement Regarding the Introduction of HR Services Apprenticeship Scheme

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Royal Mail – Urgent Security Newsflash Issued Following The Discovery of Three Suspect Packages & Viable Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) at Transport Hubs – Heathrow Airport, London City Airport and Waterloo Station:

Royal Mail – Urgent Security Newsflash Issued Following The Discovery of Three Suspect Packages & Viable Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) at Transport Hubs – Heathrow Airport, London City Airport and Waterloo Station:

Branches will have seen the breaking news appearing through the media last night and this morning on TV, Radio and in National Newspapers reporting the discovery of 3 IEDs.

Yesterday afternoon, the Royal Mail National Protective Security Manager briefed the National Health, Safety and Environment Department and assured us that Royal Mail’s Security Team is working closely with the Police and others.

The Police are investigating three small improvised explosive devices which have been sent in the mail, addressed to transport hubs including airports and a train station. A small fire was started when one of these packages was opened.

The Suspect Packages were posted in Brown Jiffy Bags, contained inside white outer plastic envelopes and bearing Dublin, Republic of Ireland Postmarks and they each had two Valentine’s Day Stamps affixed bearing hearts and the message ‘love Ireland’. (See attached RM Security Urgent Newsflash and photographs of the items).

All CWU Reps are asked to support the Royal Mail cascade of this information‎‎, asking members to be vigilant and keep a keen look out for any similar items in the Postal system which should be reported immediately and treated as a ‘Suspect Package’ as per the RMG “Stay Calm/Be Aware” process and if in any doubt Persons in Charge (PiC) and Managers should call Royal Mail Central Postal Control (CPC) for guidance. CPC are available to support Offices and they have been fully briefed‎.

One of the three items briefly caught light when opened and a full scale ‎joint Police investigation is underway‎ involving both the UK and ROI Police forces and Security Services.

‎AN Post, the Postal Services provider in the Republic of Ireland is working closely with Royal Mail and has issued an Alert within their operation to look out for similar suspect packages entering their system, addressed to the UK.

Likewise, All ROI mail comes in to the UK via Atherstone and so the management and staff were briefed there as a priority to be on the lookout. Additionally the Belfast Mail Centre management and staff were briefed and measures have been taken regarding screening of mail items bound for the UK.

Therefore, please urge members to remain vigilant at all times.

The characteristics of the packages found so far are:

Contained in a white self-sealing C5 outer polylope/plastic postal bag or envelope, bearing two x Euro 1 Republic of Ireland (AnPost) postage stamps with a heart motif and cancellation marks. ‎ The address was handwritten in block capital letters in black ink‎. Inside the postal bag is a brown A5 Jiffy bag. The addresses were transport hub related (Heathrow Airport, London City Airport and Waterloo Rail Station.

If any member discovers a suspicious item matching this description, follow the Royal Mail Stay Calm/Be Aware guidelines for managing suspect parcels:

http://staycalm.online/on-site/incident/suspect-items/‎

Or

Contact CPC on 0345 266 1060

  • Ensure the item has been set down carefully on the nearest flat surface – the floor will do.
  • Do not try to cover it or put it in a bag.
  • Do not bend, squeeze, flex or pinch the item.
  • Warn colleagues and people in the immediate vicinity that a suspect package has been found and that you are in the process reporting it and determining if there is any danger.
  • Alert your manager who will call the CPC or the Police and advise staff on next steps‎.

The Police will be keeping Royal Mail Security updated and informed of any further developments in their investigations and Royal Mail Security are continuing to work with the authorities to protect against further items entering the Royal Mail pipeline. Royal Mail Security will be liaising with the Health Safety and Environment Department on any further developments in due course and we will update Branches accordingly.

Yours sincerely

 

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

19LTB139 Urgent Security Newsflash Issued Following The Discovery of Three Suspect Packages & Viable Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs)

Briefing note transport hub suspect packet series


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CWU Celebrates Landmark Low Level Letter Box Victory as Government Prepares to Change Building Regulations To Help Postal Workers: 

CWU Celebrates Landmark Low Level Letter Box Victory as Government Prepares to Change Building Regulations To Help Postal Workers: 

‎The CWU is today celebrating a landmark victory for its postal worker members.

Branches and Regions will be aware of the re-launched, high-profile campaign which has gained huge publicity over recent months.

After years of campaigning to ban low level letter Boxes, the Union intensified its campaign earlier this year lobbying MPs, government ministers, local authorities, public advisory bodies, trade associations and developers etc.

The issue rose to prominence in January when a Private Member’s Ten Minute Rule Bill sponsored by the CWU and Royal Mail, with cross-party endorsement, was presented to a packed House of Commons by Chelmsford MP Vicky Ford and received the support of all political parties.

The campaign to prevent low level letter boxes is a top priority of the Communications Workers Union and the Health, Safety & Environment Department has been campaigning for changes to Building Regulations for some time, so that the fitting of low level letter boxes is prevented in new developments, refurbishments and door replacements.

The CWU knows that bending or stooping to deliver to clusters of low level letter boxes presents many potential problems to postmen and women with the risk of back, arm and joint injuries, repetitive strain injuries, trapped fingers, and dog bites as well as the risk of damage to packets and the risk of theft for customers. Back injury is the primary cause of sickness in Royal Mail which recorded nearly 17,000 back related absence spells last year. Dog bites through letter boxes is a common occurrence and in many cases results in finger and part finger amputations.

Having won the unanimous support of Members of Parliament, the good news that emerged today is that the ‘Building Regulations Advisory Committee’ has formally endorsed the Union’s call for change and has recommended to the Minister the inclusion in part ‘M’ of the revised, updated Building Regulations, a new minimum height for letter boxes within the upcoming formal review of UK Building Regulations later this year. This will mean that a minimum letter box height will at long last become Law and low level boxes will be outlawed on all new developments, refurbishments and replacements.

The Government has a target of one million new homes to be completed by the end on 2020 and large developments with low level letter boxes are an obvious concern and a nightmare for postal workers. The Union has had to tackle the problem by challenging builders piecemeal when they install low level letterboxes in big numbers and we’ve had to do that without the force of the law behind us. Today’s news from the House of Commons couldn’t have come at a better time.

Emma Clancy, Chairperson of the Building Regulations Advisory Committee (BRAC)‎ has written to the minister supporting an amendment to the Building Regulations, acknowledging the Union’s campaign, stating that the BRAC recognises that there are potential occupational health and ergonomic issues with low level letter boxes‎ and that they support an amendment to Regulations to include a minimum letter box height.

The housing Minister Kit Malthouse has subsequently indicated his support for the change and we now hope it can be pushed through quickly.

This is an extremely important development and positive change for the health and safety of postal workers out on deliverers six days a week, 52 weeks of the year and a huge step forward for sensible change.

This is great news for CWU delivery members. Further reports will be made when the regulatory changes are progressed over the coming months.

Yours sincerely

 

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

19LTB142 CWU Celebrates Landmark Low Level Letter Box Victory as Government Prepares to Change Building Regulations To Help Postal Workers

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