Category: Uncategorized

Dave Ward on LBC – Your support is needed

Dave Ward on LBC – Your support is needed

Dear colleagues,

Tomorrow (Tuesday 30th October) Dave Ward, General Secretary will once again have an hour-long slot on LBC Radio. The response to the last show was amazing with members and representatives massively supporting the work we did to promote the event.

It is now time to do the same and more. In the lead up to the show tomorrow we are asking you to take to social media using the hashtag #GetTheDaveOn and tag @CWUNews @LBC and @IainDale into your posts supporting a union voice being heard in the media.

We also ask that during the show you join us in promoting the union via #GetTheDaveOn but also phoning in with your question on 0345 60 60 973.

If we want more CWU voices in the media we have to take these opportunities and throw our weight behind them.

Thank you for all your support.

#TheCWU

0

The U word Episode one- Power of a Union

So here it is… #TheCWU have entered the podcasting world with – listen to Episode 1 of #TheUWord now

PLEASE SHARE THIS LINK AS WIDELY AS POSSIBLE

https://soundcloud.com/user-53225609/the-u-word-episode-1-power-of-a-union

0

Is it possible to vote socialism into power in ‘free-market democracy?’ Nicolas Lalaguna – Morning Star article – Thursday 26th October 2018

Is it possible to vote socialism into power in ‘free-market democracy?’

The revival of socialism has come with an unwelcome renewal of faith in the ‘democratic’ system. The system is anything but democratic, explains Nicolas Lalaguna – Morning Star article – Thursday 26th October 2018

For several years now there has been a resurgence of socialism and a subsequent political mainstreaming of progr

For me the question is, whether the ‘state’ in the ‘free-market democracy‘ model, is funda

This,

A few years later in 1931,

To put it another way, while

If both these statements

First, in a society where

Therefore, thirdly, in order

Next August will be the

Nearly 70 years later and on

By the time Douglas spoke

By the end of the 18th century

A few decades later in 1866,

Still, during the first half

And so, a century

In 2016, the estimates for

Arguably,

Is what we understand as the

The word most commonly

Today, propaganda, as

When the mass media uses

To paraphrase McLuhan. It is

Since the late 1970s there has

It is not particularly contro

The Sutton Tr

A system that prioritises

It is in this role that the

This brings us neatly to the

If it was just a case of propa

In the US in the 1960s and

0

SAVE THE POST OFFICE – WE NEED YOUR HELP

SAVE THE POST OFFICE – WE NEED YOUR HELP

Dear colleagues,

Today at 11:00 we launched www.saveourpostoffice.co.uk – this microsite will give us the ability to quickly gain support online for our campaign to protect Post Offices.

In the coming weeks we will be working with external partners, Labour and Momentum to ensure both of the tools on the website are used as widely as possible.

The site has two asks;

  1. For people to fill out a simple form which sends a letter off to their local MP
  2. Another simple form which will collect signatures for our petition to the Secretary of State

It is absolutely vital that we maximise the influence of our members across the whole union on this. We want people to sign-up, to sign their friends and families and to share the link via social media, WhatsApp and Email.

Going forward we will produce the petition in paper form to support other elements of our campaign.

Please write to your MP and sign the petition today. When sharing on social media please always share the web link www.saveourpostoffice.co.uk and use #SaveOurPostOffice

0

TUC – Diesel Exhaust In The Workplace Guide

TUC – Diesel Exhaust In The Workplace Guide:

To: All Branches

Dear Colleagues,

The TUC have today published a new Guide ‘Diesel Exhaust In The Workplace’ to assist Union Health and Safety Reps and Union Reps generally. A copy is attached.

Diesel Exhaust Emissions are a major workplace hazard. Although most of us are exposed to diesel exhaust during our journeys to work, some groups of people have very high exposures and it is becoming a significant health problem.

Emissions from diesel vehicles are far more harmful than those from petrol vehicles and diesel exhaust is now one of the biggest workplace killers after asbestos. The Health and Safety Executive also produce a free booklet on diesel exhaust that every employer should use. This is entitled ‘Control of Diesel Exhaust Emissions in The Workplace (HSG187)’. A copy is also attached.

Diesel engine exhaust emissions are a mixture of hundreds of different compounds produced by engines using diesel as fuel. Over 20 chemicals known or suspected of causing cancer have been found in diesel exhaust.

Diesel Exhaust is a carcinogen. That is a chemical known to cause cancer. The international body that classed it as a carcinogen said that people who are regularly exposed to diesel exhaust fumes at work can be up to 40 per cent more likely to develop lung cancer.

The Health and Safety at Work Act says that all employers must make a “suitable and sufficient assessment” of the risks to health from anything in the workplace. After the risk assessment is done, the employer has to take any necessary steps to prevent or adequately control exposure to any hazards.

Once the control measures are in place the employer must ensure that they are working. That means regular checking of equipment and processes.

For some workers the exposure happens outside the workplace. This is a particular problem for drivers, couriers and people who spend a lot of time on busy roads.

This new TUC guidance is intended to help union health and safety representatives to get the health risks from diesel exhaust exposure to be controlled in the workplace.

It contains information on:

  • What and where diesel exhaust is 
  • What the health risks are 
  • What the law says 
  • What your employer should be doing 
  • Monitoring 
  • A simple checklist for workplace representatives.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

18LTB606 TUC – Diesel Exhaust In The Workplace Guide

Diesel exhaust laid out Oct 2018

HSE Control of Diesel Exhaust Emissions In The Workplace (HSG187)

View Online

0

CWU Special General Conference 2018 – Standing Order Report 

CWU Special General Conference 2018 – Standing Order Report 

Please find attached the following:

  • General Conference SOC Report Supplementary No.1 

Branches are reminded that credentials and voting cards and any further Standing Orders Reports will be available to pick up from the registration desk in the Solent Hall Foyer in the Bournemouth International Centre from 2.30pm – 5.30pm on Friday 1st November 2018.

Branches are also reminded that speakers cards need to be completed and returned prior to conference to enable the information to be input onto the system.

Any enquiries regarding this Letter to Branches should be addressed to Chris Tapper or sent to ctapper@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,

Tony Kearns
Senior Deputy General Secretary

18LTB605

SOR No.1

View Online

0

Our Post Office members desperately need your support.

Hi All,

Our Post Office members desperately need your support. Today we’ve launched http://www.saveourpostoffice.co.uk

Please share this as widely as possible and ask your friends and families to use the tools to write to their MPs and sign our petition.

Also share these graphics on social media #TheCWU

We really need your help on this.

0

NATIONAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN ROYAL MAIL AND THE CWU –DEPLOYMENT AND USE OF DRIVER BEHAVIOUR TECHNOLOGY IN THE LIGHT COMMERCIAL FLEET

NATIONAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN ROYAL MAIL AND THE CWU –DEPLOYMENT AND USE OF DRIVER BEHAVIOUR TECHNOLOGY IN THE LIGHT COMMERCIAL FLEET

Further to LTB 630/15, The National Agreement – LCV Driver Behaviour Technology (attached) advised Branches that the post trial discussions had concluded with an installation programme to some 13,000 vehicles in approximately 1300 locations. The main aim of the agreement is designed to improve driver safety and reduce road accidents whilst aiming to achieve a 10% MPG improvement.

Branches will also be aware of the following motion submitted by the North East Divisional Committee to Annual Conference in 2016 that was Statement / Accept;

This Conference instructs the Postal Executive that a review takes place of the Trimble Agreement, and that a new paragraph is inserted that categorically states that Trimble will not be used for office revisions.

During the course of this debate, reference was also made relating to operational savings on vehicle costs such as component parts (Brakes/Steering/Suspension/Tyre Wear) and the positive impact this would have on vehicle maintenance. Such efficiency discussions did not however include Office Efficiencies or Revisions; as such a process is covered off by other existing National Agreements. The department has met with RM on a number of occasions in order to re-confirm the purpose of this technology which is designed to support individuals; by achieving a shared objective within the confines of a positive experience that will identify opportunities for development through real time coaching. Disappointingly, RM have resisted all efforts to construct a paragraph that complies with the motion and continue to insist that such data should be used to support discussions around Revision Activity.

Royal Mail have since informed the department that an additional 11,835 Trimble devices have been purchased for installation into offices which they consider currently need the telemetry devices to maximise the benefits achieved. The companies plan is to start using the additional units during week commencing 22nd October. RM are happy to re-affirm the terms of the current National Agreement as contained in LTB 630/15 regarding all other commitments around driver performance data and that the technology will not be used as a disciplinary tool or source of information to be used in conduct cases. We should also be mindful of the fact that this technology being factory fitted as standard on vehicles. 

Given the impasse outlined above the department will now be referring the issue to external mediation in line with 5.4 of the Agenda for Growth agreement and would advise Branches that whilst the main objective of this initiative is to improve driver safety, we do not accept that Trimble data should be used for Office Revisions, therefore Branches should not recognise

any such approach and are requested to use the IR Framework to address any such discussions around this subject.

Any queries to the content of the above, please contact the Outdoor Department, reference: 300, email address: outdoorsecretary@cwu.org.

Mark Baulch

Assistant Secretary

LTB 597.18 – National Agreement between Royal Mail & CWU – Deployment and Use of Driver Behaviour Technology in the Light Commercial Fleet

15LTB630

0

POST OFFICE: TWO YEAR COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT – PAY

POST OFFICE: TWO YEAR COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT – PAY

Branches will be aware that our Post Office members are facing very difficult times, with the constant attack on their jobs and on the future of the Crown Office Network. This was of course exacerbated with the recent announcement of further franchising to WHSmith of 74 Crowns.

Despite this dire situation, we clearly needed to resolve pay for our members, especially as the pay date was 1st April 2018. Indeed, for those members contemplating the possibility of being TUPEd to WHSmith or conversely taking a Settlement Agreement, it should be noted that both pay increases are guaranteed for TUPE purposes and crucially will flow through to the compensation monies linked to a Settlement Agreement.

I would therefore like to advise Branches that the Postal Executive has unanimously endorsed a two year Pay Agreement for all Post Office members as follows:

• 2.8% consolidated pay increase from 1st April 2018 flowing through to all allowances including London Weighting and overtime rates. 

• 2.5% consolidated pay increase from 1st April 2019 flowing through to all allowances including London Weighting and overtime rates. 

• Improved annual leave entitlements from 1st April 2018 as follows:

Current Entitlements  New Entitlements 
25 days annual leave for all new starters  25 days annual leave for all new starters (no change) 
28 days annual leave after 10 years’ service  28 days annual leave after 5 years’ service 
30 days annual leave after 15 years’ service  30 days annual leave after 10 years’ service 

The principle of a revised Incentive Scheme for Crown Office members with £100 lead-in payment. Negotiations to conclude this matter will need to be undertaken; however, many of the key aspects have already been

agreed, including the move away from quarterly payments to an annual payment, following the conclusion of the financial year.

• Harmonisation of bonus potential for Postal Assistants with Crew members, making for an increased opportunity of £900 p.a vs the current £750 (a 20% increase in value). This helps our lowest paid members.

• The next pay review date is 1st April 2020.

A Joint Statement that is also being published today is attached to this LTB for your information.

Next Steps – Members’ Consultative Ballot Timetable 

The Pay Agreement will now be the subject of an individual members’ ballot; the timetable is as follows:

• Ballot papers dispatched Wednesday 24th October (2ndclass post)

• Ballot closes and result declared Wednesday 7th November

Assuming a YES vote in this consultative ballot, the pay increase and all arrears will be made with December salaries. The Post Office is unable to process the increase and arrears in November salaries due to the implications for the payroll system of the recent Salary Exchange Agreement.

This pay agreement is the best that can be achieved through negotiation and as such is worthy of members’ support. Consequently, the Postal Executive has no hesitation in recommending this two year Pay Agreement to Branches and our members.

Further developments will be reported.

Any enquires in relation to this LTB should be directed to Lea Sheridan on 020 8971 7361 or lsheridan@cwu.org 

Yours sincerely

Andy Furey

Assistant Secretary

LTB600-18 Post Office -Two Year Collective Agreement – Pay

Attachment 1 to LTB600-18


0

Create a website or blog at WordPress.com

Up ↑