Category: Uncategorized

Brexit

All branches will be aware of the result last night on Theresa May’s proposed Brexit deal which saw an historic defeat for the government on its flagship policy and resulted in Labour tabling a no confidence motion which will be heard later today.

 

The situation is very fluid and it’s important that we continue to set out the CWU’s position.

 

We have supported the call for a General Election and today we are calling for all Labour MPs to vote against the government on the no confidence motion this evening. We all know that the deal between the DUP and the Tory Party means this is unlikely to succeed. However, securing a general election and a change in government remains our priority and the best outcome for the country. We will continue to push for this whatever the outcome of tonight’s vote.

 

We took the decision yesterday to be very active in proceedings and you may have seen that our Head of Communications and his team gained access to College Green and were reporting live as events unfolded. We make this point because there were a number of really good interviews they were able to undertake, two of which (Vince Cable and Owen Jones) we are sharing again on the following links:

 

https://twitter.com/davewardgs/status/1085445457772535809?s=21

 

https://twitter.com/cwunews/status/1085287709021782021?s=21

 

https://twitter.com/cwunews/status/1085288708788637697?s=21

 

https://twitter.com/cwunews/status/1085294917474283520?s=21

 

https://twitter.com/cwunews/status/1085296371672981504?s=21

 

In the likely event that tonight’s no confidence vote goes down, we are firmly of the view that the defeat suffered by the government will open up opportunities for a different approach on Brexit and the government must take a different course in order to get a deal through.

 

In her statement last night, the Prime Minister made a calculated move to say she is now prepared to listen and reach out to other political parties in order to look at amendments to her deal that might gain overall support in Parliament, prior to going back to the EU.

 

It is clear that there is no majority for either a no deal or a hard right Brexit and the government must now face down the hard right Brexiteers within the Tory party and work with Labour in the interests of the country.

 

Should the no confidence vote be defeated attention will undoubtedly turn to the call for a second Referendum/People’s Vote. The NEC discussed the issue at length in November 2018 and branches will have seen the document we sent out on Brexit with LTB 684/18. As outlined in that document the CWU is not currently calling for a second Referendum and our position has been to try and unite our members around the campaign for a new deal for workers. As highlighted in the CWU’s interview with Vince Cable last night, it is difficult to see how we can bring people back together by simply re-running the arguments of the past two years.

 

The NEC will keep all developments under review and will discuss the overall situation again when it meets later this month. Finally, there is a link below to an interview I did earlier this morning with Chris Webb on my reflections on last night’s events and potential next steps.

 

https://twitter.com/davewardgs/status/1085470931122823168?s=21

 

Further information will follow in due course.

 

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

 

Yours sincerely

 

Dave Ward

General Secretary

19LTB022 – Brexit

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RM Uniform Trousers – “Posting Peg” Pocket: (Anti-Dog Bite Finger Injury Device)

RM Uniform Trousers – “Posting Peg” Pocket: (Anti-Dog Bite Finger Injury Device)

The National Joint Dog Attack Working Group has been considering the recent significant increase in finger injury and finger amputation dog bites through letter boxes along with feedback from members in delivery offices with high‎ dog attack numbers and re-examining the feedback from an earlier trial of postmen and postwomen’s trousers modified with an additional, specifically designed Posting Peg pocket added – the feedback from which was very positive. The Posting Peg pocket is a ‘ruler type’ design pocket usually found on workmen’s overalls.

In all of these finger bite through letter box injury cases, the victims broke the ‘Golden Rule’ of not putting their fingers though the letter box opening‎ and when asked why they hadn’t used the ‘Posting Peg’, many victims replied that they had forgotten it and had either left it back at the office, left it in the van or left it on the trolley so the Dog Awareness Working Group are of the view that a specific pocket for the ‘Posting Peg’, designed into the trousers, may overcome that problem and make it easier to carry as the Posting Peg is awkward to carry in the standard design pockets.

Discussions have taken place with Royal Mail Assets and the National Uniform Manager about the benefits of adding a ‘Posting Peg’ pocket, to the uniform trousers from which there are potential benefits and the cost of introducing this additional pocket is minimal.

Engagement sessions held at CWU National Conference, Uniform Roadshows and Courier questionnaire returns from the front line workforce have also regularly supported the idea of an additional ‘Posting Peg’ pocket.

The current National Royal Mail/CWU Joint Dog Attack High Impact Units Campaign has also seen this suggestion for a ‘Posting Peg’ pocket requested by many CWU delivery members.

The National Uniform Manager has confirmed to the Health, Safety & Environment Department that Royal Mail is currently out to tender for the uniform supply contract, the outcome of which will be the awarding of a new contract from April 2020. As a result of this, the design brief for delivery staff trousers includes the need for a posting peg pocket in the design.

As a final footnote to this, the following should not be forgotten; The Law (Dangerous Dogs Act) requires dog owners to keep their dogs under control at all times and to prevent their animals from attacking and injuring postal workers and others on both private property as well as in public places. This law change was won by the CWU after a 7 year campaign. Dog bites through the letter box are a criminal offence. Owners should prevent their dogs attacking the letterbox or if not, then they can fit a letterbox cage or an outside letter box which are options to prevent attacks. Additionally the Posting Peg is not suitable for all items of mail and indeed all types of letter boxes but is a tool provided to be used appropriately by postmen and women which the Union fully supports. However, there are occasions where some managers try to blame members for attacks through the letter box which is totally wrong‎ and should not be the case as the dog owner has committed a criminal offence against the postal worker.

In conclusion, the current trend of finger injuries is worrying and anything that can be done to reduce the trend is worth considering. The change to be introduced‎ to the trousers design by the National Uniform Manager Sam Dixon is therefore welcomed.

Yours sincerely

 

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

19LTB021 RM Uniform Trousers – Posting Peg Pocket (Anti-Dog Bite Finger Injury Device)

Attachment 1 – Posting Peg Pocket

Attachment 2 – Uniform Trial

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General Conference 2019 – Obituary List 

General Conference 2019 – Obituary List 

It is the practice to include in the General Conference Agenda a reference to those members who have served the Union in many different capacities and who have sadly died since the previous Conference.

Please let us know the names of those members of your Branch whom you wish to have included in the Obituary List.

Following the decision of the National Executive Council, the Obituary list to be published in the General Conference Agenda shall include the names of all members who have died in the previous twelve months, as notified by branches.

To enable the list to be prepared for inclusion in the Agenda all names must be received no later than Friday 15th February 2019.Unfortunately, any names received after this date will not be able to be included. Notification should be either by letter addressed to Angela Niven at Headquarters or by email to conferences@cwu.orgInformation supplied should include initials, surname and branch.

Any queries on this paragraph should be addressed to Angela Niven, CWU Headquarters.

Yours sincerely,

 

Tony Kearns
Senior Deputy General Secretary

19LTB019

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Royal Mail Group (RMG) Safety Health and Environment (SHE) Team Re-Organisation Announcement:

Royal Mail Group (RMG) Safety Health and Environment (SHE) Team Re-Organisation Announcement:

 

Dear Colleagues,

This LTB is to update Branches, Regional Health and Safety Forums and Health and Safety Reps further to LTB 620/18 issued on 6 November 2018.

The Health Safety and Environment Department was notified last November by Dr. Shaun Davis Royal Mail Group Global Director of Safety, Health, Wellbeing and Sustainability of the decision to undertake a re-organisation of the RMG SHE Team which would firstly track changes announced by the new CEO for the structure of the main Royal Mail business within RM Group, secondly take into account the transfer of the RMP&FS Risk and Compliance Team into the SHE Team and thirdly, respond to the CEO’s cost cutting targets which will see the loss of 21 posts from the SHE Team (13 SHE Advisors and 8 Senior Management posts).

Details of the new revised RMG SHE structure which goes live on 1st April 2019 is attached for your information and reference.

Yours sincerely

 

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

19LTB018 RMG Safety Health and Environment (SHE) Team Re-Organisation Announcement

18LTB620 Royal Mail Group (RMG) Safety Health & Environment (SHE) Team Re-Organisation Announcement

1. SHE Team (2019-2020).jan

Copy of SHEBP Postcode Allocation.final.v1

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Four Pillars Agreement: OPG 35 Hour Full-Time Duty Deployment – RM/CWU Joint Communication

Four Pillars Agreement: OPG 35 Hour Full-Time Duty Deployment – RM/CWU Joint Communication

LTB 589/18 issued on 16th October 2018 made clear that the Union was aware that the introduction of the new full-time employees from October 2018 on 35 hour contracts would not be without its challenges, both from a functional and operational perspective.

In light of this, the Union had been pressing the business to agree and conclude a set of directives and/or guidelines to support its introduction and as a result a number of meetings have taken place with the company concluding with the attached Joint Communication being agreed between both parties.

The key points within the Joint Communication are as follows:

  • Future revision activity will be planned on agreed workload that will continue to determine duty sets. However, it is jointly recognised that existing full-time employees will continue to be based on 38 hours (this will be adjusted as we progress through the SWW flight-path).
  • Where we have situations where workload justifies an increase of hours beyond 35 hours, then the local CWU Representative and Manager will agree the most suitable options through their Weekly Resourcing meetings. Options can include;
  • For ad-hoc/ irregular hours the use of overtime as per current arrangements.
  • SA hours attached to the duty.
  • Through a variation of contract from 35 hours up to 38 hours, reviewed every 6 months using the same criteria applied under the Job Security Agreement.
  • In addition we have also agreed that no OPG who has carried Annual Leave over from previous years loses out in the recalculation of leave going forwards.

Finally, the Joint Communication also addresses a number of additional points which have been subject to enquiry in the Postal Department following the previous LTB being published.

Whilst we totally understand this matter gives the impression of a more complicated design when revising duties, in essence it is no different than when considering part-time members in a revised duty set. So to be clear, no member on the new full-time contract is or should be expected to do 38 hours work in 35 hours and the options above deal with that.

It is absolutely essential that we keep our eye on the prize, as we deal with the major changes to our operations going forward the 35 hour week will increase in its importance in protecting our members, protecting jobs and defining a manageable day’s work.

Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to the DGS(P) Department quoting reference 24000.

Yours sincerely

 

Terry Pullinger

Deputy General Secretary (Postal)

19LTB14- Four Pillars Agreement OPG 35 Hour Full-Time Duty Deployment – RMCWU Joint Communication

LTB 14.19 Attachment 1 – RM_CWU Final Version_35 FTE associated issues

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Royal Mail/Dimensions Uniform, PPE Protective Clothing and Footwear ‘Roadshows’ Workplace Visits January & February 2019: (Round 2)

Royal Mail/Dimensions Uniform, PPE Protective Clothing and Footwear ‘Roadshows’ Workplace Visits January & February 2019: (Round 2)

 

Dear Colleagues,

As all Branch Area Health and Safety Representatives will recall, last July/August a very successful trial of Royal Mail/Dimensions Uniform, PPE Protective Clothing and Footwear ‘Roadshow’ Workplace Visits were undertaken and a second round of these visits are now to be undertaken. Royal Mail, Dimensions and the CWU/HQ Health, Safety & Environment Department would very much appreciate the support of Area Health and Safety Representatives and their attendance at the Roadshow visits in ASR Branch areas to give support and engage with the RM Uniform/Dimensions team and members.

Following on from the Royal Mail Assets Stand at last year’s CWU Conference, the National Uniform Manager and Dimensions Representatives conducted a ‘trial of Roadshow visits to eight offices during July/August 2018 including five Delivery Offices, a Mail Centre, an RDC and a Fleet Workshop. The visits were well received and it was agreed then that follow up visits would be made this year and thus round two will now take place.

The idea will be to take along some samples and details of the clothing and footwear range, to talk to frontline staff about the ordering, re-ordering and returns processes, distribute the pocket information “Z-Cards” and generally talk about the range and to answer queries and take feedback.

As the previous visits went so well, Royal Mail Assets will look to continue further visits during 2019.

ASRs are encouraged to visit the offices involved in this round of Roadshows if your area is involved and attend the events, raising any issues with Royal Mail’s National Uniform Manager Sam Dixon and the Dimensions Reps as well as supporting the visits in a joint approach, getting feedback from members on any issues they have.

I would like you to spread the word and encourage your local Unit Reps and front line members to attend the Roadshow visits please. Your support is much appreciated.

Posters will be sent out to each site to display in order to raise awareness amongst the workforce of the impending visit, (blank copy attached).

The offices involved in this second round of Roadshow Visits (and times) are as

follows:-

Your feedback on the Roadshow visits to the Health, Safety and Environment Department would be appreciated.

Yours sincerely

 

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

19LTB013 Royal Mail Dimensions Uniform, PPE Protective Clothing and Footwear Roadshows

RM Dimensions visiting poster

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Royal Mail/Dimensions Uniform ‘Roadshow’ Workplace Visits – January & February 2019

Royal Mail/Dimensions Uniform ‘Roadshow’ Workplace Visits – January & February 2019

Dear Colleagues,

Branches will recall that last year a number of Uniform Roadshow events where held by Royal Mail and their uniform supplier Dimensions (the details of which were set out in LTB 395 dated the 9th of July 2018).

Following positive feedback received by Branches and members and in line with further representation made by the Outdoor Department, Royal Mail have agreed to hold further such uniform events over a number of months starting with Roadshow events during January and February for the following workplaces:

1. Guildford DO – 29th January (06:00am-10:00am)

2. Medway Mail Centre – 29th January (20:00pm-Midnight)

3. Dartford DO – 30th January (06:00am-10:00am)

4. Burnley DO – 12th February (07:00am-10:00am)

5. Peterborough Mail Centre – 13th February (20:00pm-Midnight)

6. Dundee Central DO – 26th February (06:00am-10:00am)

7. Aberdeen Mail Centre – 26th February (17:00pm-21:00pm)

8. Stirling DO – 27th February (06:00am-10:00am)

Whilst these Roadshow events enable members to raise any enquires in terms of uniform matters, they also aim to give individual members more information on such issues as ‘how to self-order uniform’, ‘how to return unwanted items’ and the ‘process to follow for orders which are over the individual’s uniform allocation’.

In setting out this further list of workplace visits for January and February, it can be confirmed that a number of the above listed Offices have been nominated by CWU Branches and Royal Mail have confirmed that new dates and Roadshow events will be planned for later on in the year. Therefore, if Branches also wish to request a Uniform Roadshow visit for a particular workplace in addition to those listed, they are invited to do so by writing into the Outdoor Department and these requests will be raised with Royal Mail.

Whilst the details of this LTB are self-explanatory, any enquires or requests for Uniform Roadshow visits to a workplace should be directed to the Outdoor Department, reference 500, email address: outdoorsecretary@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely,

 

Mark Baulch

Assistant Secretary

LTB 012.19 – Royal Mail_Dimensions Uniform Roadshow Workplace Visits – January and February 2019

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Royal Mail/Dimensions Uniform ‘Roadshow’ Workplace Visits – January & February 2019

Royal Mail/Dimensions Uniform ‘Roadshow’ Workplace Visits – January & February 2019

Dear Colleagues,

Branches will recall that last year a number of Uniform Roadshow events where held by Royal Mail and their uniform supplier Dimensions (the details of which were set out in LTB 395 dated the 9th of July 2018).

Following positive feedback received by Branches and members and in line with further representation made by the Outdoor Department, Royal Mail have agreed to hold further such uniform events over a number of months starting with Roadshow events during January and February for the following workplaces:

1. Guildford DO – 29th January (06:00am-10:00am)

2. Medway Mail Centre – 29th January (20:00pm-Midnight)

3. Dartford DO – 30th January (06:00am-10:00am)

4. Burnley DO – 12th February (07:00am-10:00am)

5. Peterborough Mail Centre – 13th February (20:00pm-Midnight)

6. Dundee Central DO – 26th February (06:00am-10:00am)

7. Aberdeen Mail Centre – 26th February (17:00pm-21:00pm)

8. Stirling DO – 27th February (06:00am-10:00am)

Whilst these Roadshow events enable members to raise any enquires in terms of uniform matters, they also aim to give individual members more information on such issues as ‘how to self-order uniform’, ‘how to return unwanted items’ and the ‘process to follow for orders which are over the individual’s uniform allocation’.

In setting out this further list of workplace visits for January and February, it can be confirmed that a number of the above listed Offices have been nominated by CWU Branches and Royal Mail have confirmed that new dates and Roadshow events will be planned for later on in the year. Therefore, if Branches also wish to request a Uniform Roadshow visit for a particular workplace in addition to those listed, they are invited to do so by writing into the Outdoor Department and these requests will be raised with Royal Mail.

Whilst the details of this LTB are self-explanatory, any enquires or requests for Uniform Roadshow visits to a workplace should be directed to the Outdoor Department, reference 500, email address: outdoorsecretary@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely,

 

Mark Baulch

Assistant Secretary

LTB 012.19 – Royal Mail_Dimensions Uniform Roadshow Workplace Visits – January and February 2019

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