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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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POST OFFICE: CHRISTMAS EVE TRADE DISPUTE – CROWN OFFICES – INDUSTRIAL ACTION BALLOT RESULT

POST OFFICE: CHRISTMAS EVE TRADE DISPUTE – CROWN OFFICES – INDUSTRIAL ACTION BALLOT RESULT

Further to LTB 666/18 dated 23rd November. 

Branches and our members in the Post Office will be aware we conducted an industrial action ballot of all Crown Office members in relation to the Christmas Eve trade dispute. The ballot closed today and the result is as follows:

Yes Votes 810 95.6%
No votes 37 4.4%
Spoilt papers 2
Turnout 50.6%

Associated with this LTB is a copy of the ballot result from the Independent Scrutineer – ERS. 

Our Crown Office members have returned a massive “Yes” vote to take strike action over Christmas Eve opening hours, although we have only just reached the threshold for turnout. 

The Postal Executive will now be considering next steps (given we have reached a negotiators’ agreement as reported in LTB 687/18 dated 7th December) at a Special PE meeting this afternoon and further developments in this regard will be reported. 

If you have any questions in relation to this LTB, please contact Lea Sheridan – lsheridan@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely

Andy Furey

Assistant Secretary

18LTB688 – Post Office – Christmas Eve Trade Dispute – Crown Offices – Industrial Action Ballot Result

Attachment 1 –  2018.12.10 Ballot Result – Independent Scrutineers Report

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POST OFFICE: CHRISTMAS EVE TRADE DISPUTE – NEGOTIATORS’ AGREEMENT

POST OFFICE: CHRISTMAS EVE TRADE DISPUTE – NEGOTIATORS’ AGREEMENT

Further to LTB 666/18 dated 23rd November. 

We have reached a negotiators’ agreement in respect of Christmas Eve opening hours with the Post Office via Acas talks which were held on Wednesday 5th December. The key features of the agreement reached are as follows: 

•  A 16:00 closure on Christmas Eve going forward with all members,   both full and part time, receiving a one-off compensation payment of £100, to be paid with January salaries.

• The principle of minimum staffing for Christmas Eve has been established, with anyone who works to 16:00 benefiting (for this year only) with 3.5 hours Time Off in Lieu.

• Resourcing for Christmas Eve will primarily be on the basis of volunteers where possible.

• Guiding Principles, ensuring the Branch Manager plans resourcing arrangements for Christmas Eve based on minimum staffing levels, have been agreed.

A Joint Statement with the Post Office is being published and is attached for your information.

The negotiators’ agreement will now be placed before a Special Postal Executive scheduled for the afternoon of Monday 10th December. It should be noted the key features reported above are consistent with Postal Executive policy and in particular the proposal we put to the Post Office to resolve this dispute. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Branches, Representatives and our members for their support in this dispute. 

Further developments will be reported.

If you have any questions in relation to this LTB, please contact Lea Sheridan – lsheridan@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely

Andy Furey

Assistant Secretary

18LTB687 – Post Office – Christmas Eve Trade Dispute – Negotiators’ Agreement

Attachment to 18LTB687 

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Automated Hours Data Capture (AHDC) and Resource Scheduler – Trials Update

Automated Hours Data Capture (AHDC) and Resource Scheduler – Trials Update

Branches and Representatives will be aware of the trial activity that has been taking place in relation to AHDC and Resource Scheduler (LTB’s 295/18 and 441/18 refer). The current status in relation to both of these trials is that they continue to be the subject of National review and discussion and that no agreements have been concluded in respect of deployment.

For the information of Branches we have however recently become aware of advertisements that have been issued by the business for managerial positions on the Enterprise Team which appear to indicate that both initiatives are to be deployed. Representation has therefore been made to the business on the basis of reaffirming that the commitments contained within the National Guiding Principles Agreement and the Terms of References for both initiatives have not been met and onward deployment has not been agreed. 

In response the business has acknowledged that the wording on the job advert appears more definite than the current understanding on the Joint Working Groups would support and have clarified that the adverts have been issued to generate enthusiasm amongst potential candidates. Equally, they have informed us that it would be made absolutely clear to candidates at the selection stage that both initiatives are still subject to joint activity, discussion and National agreement prior to any further roll out.

We will of course report to Branches and Representatives any developments in relation to the outputs of the National reviews at the appropriate time. However, in the meantime you are asked to ensure that should any attempts be made to progress to deployment for either of these initiatives that the relevant department is made aware as a matter of urgency.

Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to:

Processing/RDC’s/Logistics: Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary, email: dwyatt@cwu.org or shayman@cwu.org quoting reference number: (AHDC) 730.13 or (Resource Scheduler) 730.13.

Or

Delivery: Mark Baulch, Assistant Secretary, email: outdoorsecretary@cwu.org quoting reference number: 230.03.

Yours sincerely

Davie Robertson – Assistant Secretary

Mark Baulch – Assistant Secretary

LTB 685.18 – Automated Hours Data Capture (AHDC) and Resource Scheduler Trials Update

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Brexit briefing – December 2018

Brexit briefing – December 2018

Attached to this LTB is a briefing paper on Brexit which is based on a document that was agreed at the NEC on 29thNovember. The purpose of the briefing paper is to provide an overview of recent developments for branches and to set out the CWU’s position.

It outlines the key details of the Draft Withdrawal Agreement and the Draft Political Declaration agreed between the government and the EU. These are of course now being debated in Parliament and the document outlines the next steps and what may happen after the vote in Parliament next week.

This is clearly a dynamic situation with new developments coming on a daily basis and we will keep branches updated on these going forward.

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

Yours sincerely  

Dave Ward

General Secretary

18LTB684 – Brexit Briefing

Brexit briefing

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CWU Equality Conferences 2019

CWU Equality Conferences 2019

Further to the LTB’s issued on the 7th November 2018 the following dates and venues have now been agreed by the NEC:

Please note that the closing date for the submission of motions to all Equality conferences is midnight on the 10th December and that all correspondence must be sent to conferences@cwu.org and no other personal email address.

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

Yours sincerely,

Tony Kearns
Senior Deputy General Secretary

18LTB683

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Royal Mail – Operating Methods for the Transport of Loaded & Empty RSCs, York Containers & Mini-York Containers in Royal Mail Vehicles: “Mandatory”  

Royal Mail – Operating Methods for the Transport of Loaded & Empty RSCs, York Containers & Mini-York Containers in Royal Mail Vehicles: “Mandatory”  

To: All Branches

Dear Colleagues,

The Health, Safety & Environment Department has received a number of enquiries from Reps regarding the safe loading plan and transportation of Mini-Yorks and we are therefore circulating the Royal Mail “Mandatory” guidance on load control, loading plans and safety for containers on Royal Mail vehicles and trailers. This set of instructions supersedes all previous loading instructions and compliance with this Policy/Guidance is “Mandatory”.

This ‘Mandatory Guidance’ was produced ‘jointly’ by Royal Mail and the CWU, to ensure that a uniform method of load control is in existence throughout the transport sections within the Royal Mail business.

This Policy should be the definitive reference, but must also be considered when performing site specific Workplace and Yard Risk Assessments and following SSoWs.

Additionally, on all new curtain sided vehicles the strapping positions for York containers has been revised, whereby an additional cleat has been fitted and some extra eyes in the webbing. This has proved to be more secure than the existing method, especially in stop/start conditions or where there is a high frequency of sleeping policemen. It is available as a retro fit should the need arise.

Mini-Yorks are covered on pages 30-33.

Mk4 York Containers are on Page 34.

Only trained/instructed staff should operate dock levellers, tail lifts and mechanical handling equipment. Those not trained or instructed should not operate the equipment under any circumstances.

Under no circumstances must any Mechanical Handling Equipment be driven over Bridging Plates or Tail Lifts.

The contents are listed as follows:-

Page 4 Section 1 Operating Principles – Curtain Sided Vehicles
Page 5 Section 2 Operating Principles – Side loading of Curtain Sided Vehicles
Page 7 Section 3 Operating Principles – Box Vehicles
Page 8 Section 4 Load security diagrams RSCs & Yorks
Page 12 Section 5 Loading Methods – Yorks – Using a Dock Leveller – Fore & Aft method
Page 13 Section 5a Loading Methods – Yorks – Using a tail lift-Block of 13 Method
Page 14 Section 6 Loading Methods – Yorks – using a tail lift
Page 15 Section 7 Loading Methods – Yorks – Latest Strapping Type
Page 16 Section 8 Load Security diagrams
Page 20 Section 9 Loading Methods – Mixed Loads
Page 20 Section 10 Mixed loads security diagrams
Page 22 Section 11 Moving empty Yorks
Page 23 Section 11.1 Loading 550cf~740cf vehicles using a Dock Leveller
Page 24 Section 11.2 Loading 550cf~740cf vehicles using a tail lift
Page 24 Section 11.3 Unloading 550cf~740cf vehicles using Dock Leveller
Page 25 Section 11.4 Unloading 550cf~740cf vehicles using a tail lift
Page 25 Section 11.5 Loading vehicles over 740cf using a dock leveller
Page 26 Section 11.6 Loading vehicles over 740cf using tail lift
Page 28 Section 11.7 Unloading vehicles over 740cf using a dock Leveller
Page 27 Section 11.8 Unloading vehicles over 1400cf using a tail lift
Page 27 Section 12 Nested Yorks security diagram
Page 28 Section 13 Vehicle Capacities
Pages 29-31 Section 14 Loading plan for Mini-Yorks (updated August 2015)
Page 32 Section 15 Mk 4 Parcel York Loading – Nested (updated Oct 2017)

Attachments:

  • Royal Mail – Operating Methods for the Transport of Loaded & Empty RSCs, York Containers & Mini-York Containers in Royal Mail Vehicles: “Mandatory”
  • Loading and Unloading of Royal Mail Vehicles Safe System of Work
  • Mk4 York Container SSoW 

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

18LTB681 Operating Methods for the Transport of York & Mini-York Containers in RM Vehicles

Loading Unloading Vehicles (Royal Mail Operations) SSOW v1.0

Transport of Yorks and RSCs SSOW v.1.3

York Container Mk 4 Additional Requirements SSoW v2.1

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POST OFFICE – “SAVE OUR POST OFFICE” – NATIONAL CAMPAIGN DAY SATURDAY 1ST DECEMBER

POST OFFICE – “SAVE OUR POST OFFICE” – NATIONAL CAMPAIGN DAY SATURDAY 1ST DECEMBER

Further to LTB 632/18 dated 9th November. We would like to thank Regional Secretaries, Political Officers, Branches, Postal Executive members, Representatives, Members and headquarters staff for the hard work and effort which went into organising and participating in the National Campaign day last Saturday 1st December for the “Save Our Post Office” campaign. 

Many successful events were held across the country, with excellent turnouts despite the persistent rain. Our social media pages, WhatsApp Groups and website featured many photos and videos from the day and we achieved a very good level of media and press coverage (both local and national) on Saturday and over the weekend. We wish to record our particular thanks to the Communications team for their help in providing all the materials and for their assistance for what turned out to be an exceptionally good campaign day.

Our activists and members also engaged with politicians, local councillors and council leaders during the events on Saturday and we will continue to raise the profile of this important campaign politically over the coming weeks.

Over 6,000 signatures for our “Save Our Post Office” petition have now been submitted to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Greg Clarke via our Microsite www.saveourpostoffice.co.uk and we will be collating all hard copies of petitions completed on Saturday and sending these directly to the Minister. In addition, 1,815 MPs have been emailed via our Microsite urging the MP to “act to stop the ‘franchising’ of 74 Crown post offices to WHSmith”. These numbers are clearly encouraging although we do need to build upon them. 

Once again thank you for your support. Further developments regarding our plans for future campaign activities will be communicated at the earliest opportunity.

Yours sincerely

Andy Furey -Assistant Secretary           

Terry Pullinger – DGS(P)  

Dave Ward – General Secretary

18LTB 680 – POST OFFICE – SAVE OUR POST OFFICE – NATIONAL CAMPAIGN DAY SATURDAY 1ST DECEMBER

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