Category: Uncategorized

RM/CWU National Terms of Reference – Uniform Trial New Lighter Weight Polo Shirt

RM/CWU National Terms of Reference – Uniform Trial New Lighter Weight Polo Shirt

Dear Colleagues,

In line with our ongoing talks with Royal Mail in relation to general uniform matters, the Outdoor Department has agreed a trial of a new lighter weight polo shirt (unisex).

Over the past number of months there has been a common theme throughout the recent Royal Mail/Dimensions Roadshows (and which was also raised at the Royal Mail uniform stall at this year’s CWU Conference) that the current polo shirt is too thick and heavy and that a lighter weight fabric would be more suitable.

Against this background and feedback, a Terms of Reference has been agreed between the CWU and Royal Mail to trial a new lighter weight polo shirt based on fabric 200gsm (as opposed to the current 250gsm) in order to review if the new lighter weight version of the polo shirt is more suitable and an improvement on the current issue.

As set out in the attached TOR, the trial of the new polo shirt will be limited to a small selection of workplaces in the North East (Tyneside Mail Centre and the Delivery Offices of Valley, Heaton and Gateshead) due to a limited level of stock of the new polo shirt.

Additionally, it has also been agreed that the trial will last for a period of 5 weeks from January to February 2019, as opposed to the normal 3 months, due to the required lead time needed with the supplier to move the uniform item from concept to deployment. The aim is to have the new polo shirt available by August 2019, subject to the trial feedback.

It should be noted that the trial will operate on the basis of ‘first come-first served’ for those members who wish to participate in the trial at the listed workplaces (with no impact or reduction to their normal uniform allocation arrangements).

It is hoped that the trial of a new lighter weight polo shirt is welcomed by Branches, and subject to the trial outputs, made available for general uniform order in midsummer of next year.

Any queries to the content of the above, please contact the Outdoor Department, reference: 500, email address: outdoorsecretary@cwu.org.

Yours Sincerely

Mark Baulch

Assistant Secretary

LTB – 691.18 – RM_CWU National Terms of Reference Uniform Trial – New Lighter Weight Polo Shirt

RM_CWU National Terms of Reference – Uniform Trial New Lighter Weight Polo Shirt


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Isle of Man (IOM) Post Office

Isle of Man (IOM) Post Office

 Colleagues will be aware that CWU members in the Isle of Man embarked upon two days of official Industrial Action to defend their pay, terms & conditions of employment and pensions.  In effect, the challenges our colleagues in the Isle of Man are facing mirror those that CWU members working for Royal Mail faced during the Four Pillars dispute, which was resolved earlier this year.

The messages of support and solidarity to our members in the Isle of Man from CWU Branches across the country have been very much appreciated by our colleagues.  Furthermore, the Postal Section of the CWU as well as the wider CWU membership is standing with them in seeking to prevent the race to the bottom mentality that the current Isle of Man Postal Board has adopted.  In light of the IOM Government debates and media interventions, we have to acknowledge that this dispute would appear to be as much with the IOM Government as with the IOM Post Office and could therefore be a long dispute.

Colleagues will note that following the magnificent ballot result, the strike was well supported and this can be seen clearly in the videos that have been circulated via the CWU website as well on social media.  As with any dispute, many Branches and Senior Field Officials have contacted the Department requesting details of what additional support can be provided and against this backdrop the Department are suggesting the following:

  • That CWU regions (in collaboration with their Divisional Representatives/PFW Regional Organisers and Branches) consider the possibility of funding delegations from each region to attend the Isle of Man during periods of further Industrial Action as a show of solidarity and support.

 

  • Continue with personal messages of support from Branches, Representatives and members on a regular basis including any further days of Industrial Action.

 

  • Consider providing financial assistance to our members in the Isle of Man by donating to the IOM Strike Fund which the Department is setting up with the assistance of the SDGS.

 

  • Provide physical letters from Branches to the IOM Branch articulating support.

The above are just a few suggestions of ways in which the wider Union can provide additional support to our colleagues in the Isle of Man so that they can continue to challenge the unacceptable proposals management have put on the table in order to get them back into meaningful negotiations and reach an acceptable settlement on all of the issues currently in dispute.

Any enquiries in relation to the content of this LTB should be addressed to the DGS(P) Department and further updates will be issued in due course.

Yours sincerely,

 

Terry Pullinger

Deputy General Secretary (Postal)                    

 18LTB701

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Royal Mail Group Managerial Structure 

Royal Mail Group Managerial Structure 

I understand that Royal Mail Group will be making an announcement today about their new operational structure. Whilst I say new, it will very much reflect the old structure with the same familiar faces.

This will be hugely disappointing news to all CWU activists and members who have unfortunately witnessed and experienced the significant damage to industrial and employee relations, resourcing and bullying culture this previous structure drove in Royal Mail. The announcement also carries a commitment to reintroduce a managerial area structure.

The business has stressed that they are fully committed to the ‘Four Pillars Agreement’ and all aspects of it, similarly they have stressed that the reintroduction of this old structure will address the accountability issue which was so evidently lacking in the past.

I believe the appointment of this managerial structure is a backward step by Royal Mail Group and completely the wrong decision which has clearly not been determined in the spirit of mutual interest – with my counsel on any new structure clearly ignored. Of course we would not accept management dictating our structure and clearly we cannot dictate theirs, but I fully appreciate the negativity this announcement will drive.

The CWU Officers will now test how the accountability of managers (an issue that was at the core of the relationship and deployment structures of the Four Pillars Agreement) will be maintained and operate in this new structure.

In closing, my message is clear. The Four Pillars Agreement reached genuinely positioned us for the future and the positive mutual interest evolution of Royal Mail Group, whilst affording our members employment and standard of living security. We are fully committed to that Agreement and will fight to protect it with the same determination it was achieved with. We simply will not accept walking backwards into the future.

In the meantime we must continue to ensure at all levels of this Union and especially at local level, that we are the most relevant and strongest workplace Trade Union in the country.

Further updates will be provided as more details emerge. 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)      

18LTB702 RMG Managerial Structure         

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ONLINE REGISTRATION – CWU YOUNG WORKERS CONFERENCE AND CWU EQUALITY CONFERENCES 2019

ONLINE REGISTRATION – CWU YOUNG WORKERS CONFERENCE AND CWU EQUALITY CONFERENCES 2019

Further to LTB’s 621/18 and 658/18 regarding the Young Workers Conference and 683/18 regarding the Equality Conferences please be advised that the online registration has now been opened. Details of the venues where the conferences are taking place are contained within the LTB’s listed above.

The number of delegates a branch is entitled to send to the Young Workers Conference are decided using the formula contained within LTB 683/18. There are no restrictions on the number of observers allowed to attend.

For each of the Equality Conferences, branches are entitled to send two delegates and there are no restrictions on the number of observers that can attend.

Branch Secretaries are asked to register ALL delegates and observers that are attending the conferences using the CWU online registration process. It would be helpful if individuals did not register themselves but instead speak to their Branch Secretary who will know the process to complete the applications.

If you have forgotten the password then please contact Angela Niven on conferences@cwu.org and she will deal with this.The link to apply for the conferences is as follows: https://conference.cwu.org

Any enquiries regarding this LTB should be addressed to Chris Tapper or Angela Niven either by post to head office or by email toeventsregistration@cwu.org

Yours sincerely

Tony Kearns 

Senior Deputy General Secretary

18LTB700 – online registration for Young Workers Conference and Equality Conferences 2019

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TUC South West Region – Mental Health at Work Symposium – ‘The Role of Trade Unions’ – Tue 22 January 2019: (A Free of Charge Event)

TUC South West Region – Mental Health at Work Symposium – ‘The Role of Trade Unions’ – Tue 22 January 2019: (A Free of Charge Event)

To: All Branches

Dear Colleagues,

The TUC South West Region in conjunction with TUC Unionlearn are organising a ‘Mental Health at Work Symposium’ event focusing on the role of trade unions on Tuesday 22 January 2019, 10:30 – 15:30 GMT.

This event is sponsored by Unionlearn and is ‘free to attend’ for all union members, reps, officers, and organisers and a light lunch will be provided. Unionlearn and the TUC are not responsible for reimbursing any travel costs associated with attendance on the day.

Those interested in attending are advised to book early to guarantee a place.Bottom of Form

Event Information

This venue is located near Exeter Cathedral and is a 5 minute walk from Exeter Central Station.

Event Description

A mental health training day for trade union members, reps, officers, and organisers to learn more about:

  • how to support members 
  • negotiating and enabling better mental health at work practices and policies
  • the role of trade unions in developing mentally healthy workplaces
  • All attendees will be given a ‘goody bag’ of literature that they can take back to their branches and workplaces to use in their day to day roles and help improve wellbeing and mental health support in their work environments and union roles, including the new edition of the Mental Health at Work Handbook from TUC Education.

Sessions on the day include:

  • How a cancer diagnosis can affect mental wellbeing at work
  • Dealing with suicide 
  • Bullying and harassment 
  • Stress and the workplace 
  • Developing best practice and workplace policies on mental health
  • And more to be listed as confirmed 

Registration is online at:- https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/mental-health-at-work-symposium-the-role-of-trade-unions-tickets-52914161682

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

18LTB697 TUC South West Region – Mental Health at Work Symposium – ‘The Role of Trade Unions’

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ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2019 – PROGRAMME OF BUSINESS

ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2019 – PROGRAMME OF BUSINESS

At the NEC held on the 13th December 2019 the following programme of business was agreed for CWU Conference 2019:

Further information will be supplied regarding the closing date for the Submission of Motions, Prayer & crèche facilities.

Any enquiries regarding this LTB should be addressed to Chris Tapper by telephoning 020 8971 7256 or by post to head office or by email toconferences@cwu.org

Yours sincerely

A P Kearns

Senior Deputy General Secretary

18LTB698 ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2019 – PROGRAMME OF BUSINESS

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Rumours and Speculation – BT Fleet Solutions

Rumours and Speculation – BT Fleet Solutions

Further to LTB 636/2018 the CWU Fleet National Team met with branches yesterday and discussed the issues raised by members following the release of the Sky News article and the rumour and speculation it created.

The branches were very vocal in reporting the feelings of BT Fleet Solutions members and these comments are currently being relayed to BT.

Further briefings will be issued in due course.

Any enquiries on the content of this briefing can be sent to this office on: ldefontaine@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely,

Brendan O’Brien

Assistant Secretary

LTB 693.2018 – Rumours and Speculation – BT Fleet Solutions 12.12.18.doc

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ELECTION OF NATIONAL DELEGATIONS 2019 Labour Party Women’s Conference 2019

ELECTION OF NATIONAL DELEGATIONS 2019

  • Labour Party Women’s Conference 2019

Further to LTB 660/18, dated 20th November 2018, please see below ballot results for the National Delegations which closed on the 11thDecember 2018.

Postal Constituency

Lay Members ( 4 Members )

Rachel Daley Bristol & District Amal 46,091 *Elected
Katie Dunning West London Postal 81,165 *Elected
Kate Hudson South Midlands Postal 85,562 *Elected
Michelle Reid-Hay Grampian & Shetland Amal 27,081  
Laura Snell Eastern No 4 54,104 *Elected
Arlene Whittaker Mount Pleasant 33,022  

Telecom & Financial Services Constituency

Lay Members (3 Members)

Sylvia Beckett Capital 18,676 *Elected
Sonia Campbell Midland No 1 3,067
Jaime Monsma Midland No 1 4,550
Jean Sharrocks North East 23,311 *Elected
Trish Vollans West Yorkshire 21,401 *Elected

Please find attached a branch analysis of the ballot results.

Any enquiries regarding this Letter to Branches should be addressed to the Senior Deputy General Secretary’s Department on telephone number 020 8971 7237, or email address sdgs@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely,

Tony Kearns
Senior Deputy General Secretary

18LTB690

Postal Ballot Returns

TFS Ballot Returns

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The U Word Podcast – Episode Two – The Media Today    

The U Word Podcast – Episode Two – The Media Today   

Here we are again!

Following on from our successful pilot and first episode of The U Word we are back with another show. This time we focus on the changing world of the media. Interviews with senior figures such as Iain Dale, Michael Crick and Kevin Maguire feature in amongst chat with our General Secretary, Dave Ward. We also see the introduction of our new co-host Lucy – welcome to the team!

So, you can listen to the podcast here https://soundcloud.com/user-53225609/theuwordepisode2

Please help us reach as many people as possible by giving the link a share.

Happy listening!

#TheUWord #TheCWU

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POST OFFICE: CHRISTMAS EVE TRADE DISPUTE – NATIONAL AGREEMENT ENDORSED BY THE POSTAL EXECUTIVE

POST OFFICE: CHRISTMAS EVE TRADE DISPUTE – NATIONAL AGREEMENT ENDORSED BY THE POSTAL EXECUTIVE

Further to LTB 688/18 dated 10th December. Two key developments are being reported via this LTB. 

Firstly Branches will be aware that the result of the industrial action ballot of Crown Office members in regards to Christmas Eve opening hours was a 95.6% Yes vote. Branches will also be aware that a National Agreement had been reached with the Post Office via Acas to resolve this dispute (refer to LTB 687/18) and this will now be subject to a membership consultative ballot, the details of which are below.

National Agreement – Recommended to Members

At a Special PE meeting held this afternoon, the Postal Executive unanimously endorsed the negotiators’ agreement, noting that it was the best possible agreement achievable via negotiation. The Postal Executive is now recommending ratification of the agreement via a consultative ballot of Crown Office members.

Ballot papers will be despatched to our Crown members tomorrow by first class post and the ballot closes on Friday 21st December. These dates have been dictated by the prevailing timescales. 

Industrial Action – Notice Served in Parallel with Consultative Ballot

As a consequence of the ballot result, the Postal Executive has also endorsed notice being served to the Post Office for industrial action on Christmas Eve in Crown Offices between the hours of 12:30 and 16:00. We have therefore served the 14 days legal notice on the Post Office for strike action. We will however be running in parallel the consultative ballot of our members and recommending the National Agreement.

The Postal Executive believes the National Agreement to resolve this trade dispute is worthy of membership support and in the event that the members ratify the Agreement via the consultative ballot, the formal notice for strike action on Christmas Eve will be withdrawn. Obviously this won’t happen until Friday 21st December when the consultative ballot closes. 

Further developments will be reported.

Yours sincerely

Andy Furey

Assistant Secretary

18LTB689 Post Office – Christmas Eve Trade Dispute – National Agreement Endorsed by the Postal Executive


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