RM & CWU National Agreement Covering the Use of PDA Outdoor Actuals

Branches and Representatives will be aware of the discussions that been have been ongoing with Royal Mail regarding the use of technology in delivery for a number of years. The process started and was part of the Agenda for Growth Agreement in 2013 which contained a commitment for the use of technology and PDA data to understand all elements of the operation along with commercial opportunities for new products as a result.

Following the above in 2014 we entered into a trial of PDA – Service View information which was contained in LTB 296/14 dated 7th May 2014, however upon reviewing the trial it became clear that the Service View system/technology that Royal Mail had at that time was not fit for purpose and therefore the software to run the system was ceased.

Since then Royal Mail has invested significantly in this type of technology and we have been in discussions regarding PDA devices having the App software applied, which was renamed as PDA Outdoor Actual initiative. The system go live date began in May 2017 and was contained within LTB 251/17.

During this time, agreed trials of the data and the dashboard format this produces took place in eight offices originally in the phase 1 deployment rollout in order to refine what data can be obtained, and more importantly how the information can be used and who has access to it. There has also been an extended trial in the Merseyside and Cheshire DL area with full CWU involvement, which overall has provided some positive feedback. Having successfully completed 11 months of testing the application and the dashboards, which CWU Nationally has also been fully involved with, it has now been agreed that this is ready to progressively roll out to all delivery and collection units.

Following extensive discussions with Royal Mail for several weeks we have now ensured that we have jointly agreed the appropriate words and actions regarding this National Deployment, whilst also ensuring that the PDA Outdoor Actual Agreement builds on the commitments and is also fully consistent with the spirit and intent of the 2018 Guiding Principles Agreement.

In addition, the use of PDA Data has also been agreed as one of the methods, along with the IWT, that can be used to assess options for the planning and achievement of the first hour reduction to the current working week by October 2018 in line with 16.1.1 of the 2018 Guiding Principles Agreement, and how this is achieved in all units. The need therefore to complete National roll-out over the next month or so along with the local involvement is important if we are to be able to ensure the first hour reduction off the working week is met to the agreed timescales as there is a need to validate some months of trend data in order to target where the hour is reduced within the operation if it is from the outdoor element.

Branches and Representatives will also note that contained within the agreement, we have included a joint commitment that both parties will continue to review and jointly monitor the usage of the data going forward, along with any efficiency improvements derived in relation to assessing how this can also assist the joint commitment for further reductions and flight path to achieve the 35 hour working week by 2022, as per the national agreement or before that date in connection with technological and operational change. We believe therefore that the use of the system and the data it produces can be a major lever to achieve further hours reductions in order to effectuate the 35 hour working week.

This roll out will also provide a valuable insight into operational route certainty and the consistency of service provision to customers, whilst also providing the opportunity for new commercial product offerings;

• Compatibility of the planned delivery time through Final Mile Optimisation technology and the integration of actual delivery time from PDA data to assist with the below.

• Estimated Delivery Window (4hrs) / Predicted Time of Delivery (what is possible).

• Inflight options for customer delivery preferences.

• Enhanced collection services.

These items listed above are already part of current development and deployment, as new products and services are developed/ progressed further they will be subject to ongoing joint discussions relating to Future Job Design and Ways of Working included in the talks for a new delivery agreement.

From a CWU member’s perspective, Outdoor Data Capture can also help to jointly understand actual workloads and provide a platform to ensure that all outdoor activity can be planned more efficiently and balanced to provide a fair, manageable, achievable and sustainable workload for them. This can also include understanding whether any instances of lapsing and absorption are fair, proportionate and appropriate. These issues have constantly been the cause of unacceptable management behaviour and industrial unrest over many years and we believe that the correct usage of the data along with a supportive management approach in conjunction with the forthcoming outdoor route and revision planning tools can capacitate delivery route workloads to be balanced in the future. This is in order to ensure individuals have a fair and manageable workload and to ensure that these issues are finally tackled once and for all by providing visibility and fairness.

It is important to stress that PDA data is captured automatically on a daily basis across all outdoor routes and this will only be made available to view the day after the event on a dashboard report. Reporting will not be in real time. The data will be presented in summary view first, highlighting key information for the unit with the ability to drill down into route detail by exception using tabular displays.

The agreement also contains the necessary safeguards for our members in terms of that the data will not be used for capability or conduct cases against individuals:

“This new technology is not being introduced to track individuals or to be used for individual performance management and therefore it is confirmed that the data generated will not be used for this.

In line with section 17 of the 2018 Guiding Principles Agreement on data usage both parties recognise that new technology will improve Royal Mail’s performance and the service provided to customers. It is agreed that all individuals have a right to privacy at work and it is accepted that there is a mutual obligation of confidence and trust applied to every contract of employment and that all parties should act in a way so as not to break that relationship.

It is recognised that the use of technology may increase levels of individual visibility and it is agreed that this new technology is not being deployed for, or will be used as, a disciplinary tool. As such it will not enhance the ability of managers, or the evidence available, to take disciplinary action.”

Additionally data will not be displayed relating to an individual or individual’s route, and data from other delivery units will not be shared or displayed outside of the relevant delivery unit.

The following are also detailed in the agreement and in our clear opinion, are vital to protect our members going forward.

• Joint CWU/RM – DL/Div rep launch events also involving area reps.

• Ability to ensure compliance with meal reliefs if taken during outdoor activity.

• PDA Data Use / Weekly Resourcing Meetings – pragmatic approach and in line with all current National agreements including the IR framework where appropriate.

• Employee Engagement.

• CWU Representatives Access & Training.

• Link to New Delivery Agreement – maintenance of current structural Attendance patterns including S/A until March 2019, unless joint CWU/RM confidence to use data otherwise for revision purposes.

Additionally both parties have agreed that the data being produced and visibility of the Outdoor Workload is a significant development for all concerned within Royal Mail and that there will naturally be a number of sensitivities as a result of its deployment. Therefore the rollout of the dashboard and its usage should be used to build confidence in data use and not ruin it in advance of the forthcoming discussions regarding the new National delivery agreement.

It is therefore jointly understood and recognised by both parties that the agreed introduction and evolvement of the dashboard along with the data produced is a learning process for all. We will continue to closely monitor the deployment of PDA Outdoor Actuals through the implementation process, and National Monthly review meetings will take place between both parties in regards to both its application and how the data is being used in order to ensure that both the spirit and intent of the Agreement are being applied correctly and fairly. Please note that the dates of the events listed at Annex A in the National Agreement may be subject to change.

Any queries to the content of the above, please contact the Outdoor Department, reference 530, email address: outdoorsecretary@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely,

 

Mark Baulch

CWU Assistant Secretary

LTB 261.18 – RM CWU National Agreement Covering the Use of PDA Outdoor Actuals

PDA OA RM CWU NATIONAL AGREEMENT COVERING THE USE OF PDA OUTDOOR ACTUALS_FINAL 3rd May

CWU CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNTS 2017 

LTB 236/18 contained the published questions tabled regarding the above. That LTB also contained a question from the Greater Mersey and SW Lancs Branch that we informed Branches we would answer upon return from Annual Conference.

The question and the answers to it are reproduced below.

“Please could you give a separate breakdown of expenditure of the following committees: NEC, T&FS Industrial Executive and Postal Industrial Executive to include any substitution costs, subsistence, travel costs and central billing.”

Substitution costs incurred within the Postal Industrial Executive totalled £25,526.

Central Billing costs within the Postal Constituency were £789,904 but these were offset by a reduction in the collection charge from Royal Mail of £423,575.

Subsistence costs were, on Postal Executive business £121,633, on TFSE business £19,389 and on NEC business £135,120.

Mileage costs were, on Postal Executive Business £51,215, on TFSE business £7,022 and on NEC business £51,716.

Travel costs were, on Postal Executive business £74,643, on TFSE business £13,893 and on NEC business were £76,643.

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

18LTB254

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REDESIGN CONSULTATION WITH BRANCHES – REMINDER

As you will be aware, the NEC would like the widest and fullest possible participation from Branches in the Redesign consultation issued in LTB 158/18 – CWU Redesign booklet – questions.

Thank you to the Branches who have already sent in responses. If your Branch has not yet responded please can you ensure you allow enough time to speak with your representatives and submit your responses by the closing date of Friday 11 May 2018.

Please submit your responses via this link:

www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/G62LN97

Or submit via email to redesign@cwu.org

Please refer any queries relating to this LTB or the consultation to redesign@cwu.org

Yours sincerely

Dave Ward – General Secretary  

Tony Kearns – Senior Deputy General Secretary

 18LTB252 – Redesign consultation with branches reminder

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REDESIGN CONSULTATION WITH BRANCHES REMINDER – ERRATA

Please note that the email address for enquiries regarding this LTB 252-18 was incorrectly issued as redesign@cwu.org and should in fact be re-design@cwu.org . Apologies for any confusion and please amend you records accordingly.

Yours sincerely

Dave Ward – General Secretary  

Tony Kearns – Senior Deputy General Secretary

 18LTB252 – Redesign consultation with branches reminder – ERRATA

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WINDRUSH SCANDAL

There were two emergency motions on the ‎Windrush scandal at CWU Conference this week. The motions highlighted the abhorrent and, we believe, racist approach of the government in detaining, deporting and denying access to services like the NHS to British citizens who came to the UK decades ago as part of the ‘Windrush generation’.

The motions called on the union to undertake a range of campaigning activities to ensure that their rights are defended, that the hostile approach is immediately reversed and that the government is held to account. After an impassioned debate in which a number of our reps spoke about the impact of the ‘hostile environment’ the government has created on their lives, the motions were both agreed unanimously and we will be working to carry out the instructions as a matter of urgency.

In response to the debate, in supporting the motions on behalf of the NEC, our SDGS Tony Kearns asked that any CWU members who have been affected by the scandal contact the Legal department for support. We would request that branches publicise this offer of assistance from the union to their members as widely as possible. Additionally, if any of our members do require assistance, you can also contact the General Secretary’s department.

The CWU has a proud record of anti-racist campaigning and ‎we believe the actions of the government with the Windrush scandal have been completely unacceptable in any civilised society. We will be strongly campaigning against the government’s approach and supporting any CWU members who have been affected by this.

Any enquiries on the above LTB should be addressed the General Secretary’s Office gsoffice@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely

Dave Ward

General Secretary

18LTB251 Windrush Scandal

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APPRENTICESHIPS IN ROYAL MAIL AND THE PROTECTION OF MEMBERS’ INFORMATION

It has been brought to our attention that Royal Mail management are approaching branch ULRs and / or education providers to obtain information about members who are taking apprenticeships through CWU learning projects. Some managers, despite giving reassurances that they would not share the information more widely throughout the company, have gone on to do precisely that.

As all ULRs will know, learner confidentiality has always, and quite necessarily, been at the heart of what we do. It is essential, not only to maintain the trust of our members but also to stay within data protection laws, that we do not share personal learning information without the explicit consent of the person concerned.

We have been seeking to engage Royal Mail on the issue of apprenticeships and a properly managed exchange of information would obviously need to form a part of this – but an unagreed fishing exercise is not the appropriate way to approach this and we therefore instruct our ULRs and the education providers they work with not to share any personal learner information until the concerns outlined above have been addressed and they receive confirmation of this from the CWU.

Any queries to the content of the above, please contact pdovey@cwu.org

Yours sincerely, 

Ray Ellis – CWU National Officer  

Trish Lavelle – CWU Head Of Education & Training

LtB Royal Mail Apprenticeships

Final day:

North Wales put a motion to conference to instruct the PEC to agree a joint training package with the business around “cutting off?” in deliveries. Their view is members are treated entirely different when not being able to complete their delivery. those willing to extend are praised but those choosing not to extend but cut off are often bullied. The training package will ensure Reps and managers are aware of all procedures in the conduct code (annex 1) covering non completion of delivery.

Terry pullinger spoke at length about conversations he’s had with the business around managers who are intent on bullying staff instead of having reasonable conversations. Terry reaffirmed that he’s been given assurances any such managers are not welcome in the business by Sue Whalley.

Bristol and district Amal moved a motion with concerns around the new grievance procedure. The new agreement gives the business 10 days to respond where the previous agreement give them 5 working days. The new agreement has timescales looser than ACAS guidelines and the paper form is replaced with a form now only on psp (managers computers) They instructed conference to agree new timescales with the business. Ray Ellis CWU assistant secretary opposed the motion but it was supported and agreed.

Highland Amal moved a motion to ‘re examine the b&h procedure as the process tends to be all about sweeping complaints under the carpet. this motion was supported and agreed.

South Central Postal raised a motion with concerns around members being taken off driving due to minor collisions. The branch said it wasn’t in the spirit of the RTA ( road traffic accident) agreement and our emphasis must be to keep drivers driving.

this motion was supported and agreed.

Newcastle amal branch instructed conference to seek agreement that both overtime and SA rate is always above the basic hourly rate. this was supported and carried.

Anglia division and Eastern number 3 and 4 raised a composite motion (when more than one branch raises the same motion) to instruct conference to enter into negotiations before October 31st 2018 so that S.A. holiday payments (Xmas, boxing and new years day) is paid in the proper timescales as last year many people were still chasing up payments into the new year. They also instructed conference to reach agreement that all pre scheduled over the Xmas pressure period is paid at S.A. rate. This motion was supported and carried.

In Terry Pullingers closing speech at conference he thanked many people including the negotiatiors and staff at CWU and all the local reps but saved the biggest thanks of all to each and every member. Terry said it’s all our responsibility to go back into our workplaces and talk up this union and be proud to be part of the best and most powerful industrial trade union in the UK. He said when all the other trade union officials hear the name CWU at the TUC, their ears instantly prick up as is the strength and weight of our support from members. Terry sent out a final message to Royal Mail and all the senior managers sitting in the observers isle “THIS UNION COMES IN PEACE BUT IF IT’S NOT PEACE AND AGREEMENTS THE BUSINESS ASPIRES TO , WE HAVE A BIG BASTARD STICK TO BEAT YOU WITH”

this concludes my final daily report from conference 2018.

Lee Walsh

Letter Section Secretary

Branch Treasurer

Peterborough Delivery Representative

Newcastle Amal branch instructed conference to force Royal Mail to restrict the amount of d2d to one lot over the Xmas pressure period. this was opposed for various reasons which included “turning business away isn’t in the interests of our members and “having d2d at Xmas doesn’t change your finish time.

South East Amal instructed conference to agree a new policy with the business to set up a working party to include women’s Reps to monitor the recruitment in royal mail deliveries. currently only 15% of workers in royal mail are women.

Women’s conference instructed conference to make it compulsory for royal mail to have a list of toilet facilities attached to every walk log for women members. lots of discussion around the many issues our women members face which include women’s monthly cycles, the menopause and the problems with speaking to someone about such issues. Personally I thought this debate opened the eyes of many people including myself and we as a union should be more considerate and acommading in dealing with such issues.

5 different branches submitted an instruction to conference to agree a new updated policy around severe weather conditions. We all know how difficult it become only recently in our own Branch with the severe snow and bad weather. This motion was overwhelming supported.

Kent Invicta raised concerns around quadrant members. Royal Mail own 51% of quadrant yet their staff are on minimum wage. Kent wanted conference to ballot quadrant but Davie Robinson PEC raised concerns about getting a yes vote with the membership but said the top table would be putting pressure on the business in pay talks regarding quadrant members.

Durham county Amal instructed conference to force the business to get a minimum font size on Chinese packets as members eyes are being strained every day by sorting and delivering them. This motion was overwhelming supported.

South East number 5 instructed conference that the current transfer policy is no longer fit for purpose. members are unable to transfer despite numerous requests. This was supported and conference instructed to negotiate a new agreement.

cheers lee

Lee Walsh

Letter Section Secretary

Branch Treasurer

Peterborough Delivery Representative

CWU Conference 2018 – Health, Safety and Environment Department Fringe Meeting Monday 23rd April 2018:

To: All Branches

Dear Colleagues,

Over one hundred and twenty Communication Workers Union health and safety reps and branch officials packed the Health, Safety and Environment Fringe Meeting at the CWU’s Annual Conference in Bournemouth on Monday 23rd April 2018.

This year the delegates were delighted to hear from the excellent guest speaker Andrew Kingscott from the HSE Transport and Public Services Unit, Engagement and Policy Division at HSE Headquarters.

Opening the meeting, CWU NEC Health, Safety and Environment Committee Chair Shelly Banbury introduced CWU Health Safety and Environment National Officer Dave Joyce and Andrew Kingscott from the Health and Safety Executive HQ.

Dave Joyce started off by saying that we were celebrating 40 years of Trade Union Safety Representatives and the introduction of the SRSC Regulations. He said that Trade Unions came out of the struggle for proper Health and Safety at Work and that the Health and Safety at Work Act was one of the most important pieces of legislation ever to be introduced.

Dave also reminded the meeting that Workers Memorial Day would take place after Conference on Saturday 28th April and called for delegates to support Workers Memorial Day events, remembering those killed at work and committing ourselves to fight for the living and to protect health and safety.

Dave also informed the meeting of health and safety fines recently imposed. Although high – they were nowhere near as significant as those imposed on Royal Mail and BT, both £40 Million plus for regulatory offences. He said there were big gaps that needed to be addressed by the courts.

Dave informed the meeting that the HSE has just published its 2018/19 Business Plan which follows the HSE 5-Year Strategy “Helping Great Britain Work Well” and outlined the priority areas in the strategy which he pointed out were very relevant to CWU members; Work Stress, MSDS and Lung Disease. He then introduced the guest speaker.

Andrew Kingscott then addressed the meeting and gave a power point presentation.

Andrew said that he enjoys working with Trade Unions and has 26 year’s experience as an operational Health and Safety Inspector with the HSE with a good knowledge of the HSE front line work.

He is now in HSE Headquarters leading on sector based work and was previously involved in the HSE’s first Corporate Manslaughter prosecution. He said that the HSE was not scared to enforce the law.

Andrew said that we don’t tend to celebrate our successes and that there are pockets of good practices that he seeks to share with others.

All HSE strategies are on the HSE website covering 21 sectors.

He praised the good publications that the CWU had made available to the fringe meeting.

Andrew then talked about the strategy for Helping Britain Work Well. He spoke about tackling ill health and a Health Priority Plan with three priorities:

• Occupational Lung Disease;

• Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD) and

• Work-related Stress.

Andrew spoke about the Utilities Sector Plan where the HSE will lead and engage with others to improve workplace health and safety by supporting and promoting strategic industry initiatives that show leadership in tackling key problems and also work with key stakeholders, such as BT and Openreach and the Mast and Tower Safety Group.

On the HSE Transport Sector Plan he said this would include improving poorly secured loads, reducing the rate of ill health caused by MSDs and increasing engagement with work-related road risk.

The Chair then invited questions from the Delegates as follows:

Question: Are HSE inspections proactive or reactive?

Answer: Some are proactive but the HSE needs to know they are going to the right place. There are high risk areas such as food, agriculture and construction that are visited more. Much work is done on the back of reactive work.

Question: There is a big disparity between fines for Health and Safety breaches and financial ones. An example of an incident in Falmouth was given where very small fines were given when the matter came to court which was a serious injustice.

Answer: A lot of training goes into HSE inspectors to make sure that evidence is gathered and a good job is done. It was now more down to prosecution to make a submission of culpability and there are set tariffs on fines. He would have a look at that example of Falmouth.

Question: On proactive inspections, 10 years ago the HSE audited Royal Mail systems such as dog attacks, this no longer takes place and the feeling is that the HSE is failing.

Answer: Andrew said he would take that on board. The need was to balance priorities. He would take away the CWU publication on dogs to look at this situation.

Question: Where is the HSE going post Brexit?

Answer: Andrew doesn’t see any step backwards on Health and Safety legislation. No one was working on this.

Question: On HSE re-inspections why doesn’t the HSE inspector ask for a CWU Rep to be present?

Answer: Unfortunately this can happen but it is wrong, Andrew ensures that inspectors know to talk to safety reps on site.

Question: Does the HSE self-fund?

Answer: The HSE as a regulator does self-fund and seeks to recover costs through Fee For Intervention (FFI). It works on the same principle as “polluter pays”.

Dave Joyce summed up the meeting and thanked Andrew Kingscott for attending and for his interesting and informative talk to the CWU Health and Safety Fringe meeting.

On the question of Brexit, Dave hoped that Health and Safety legislation doesn’t change but he warned that Unions and the TUC will need to be ready for a battle to protect Health and Safety legislation.

Dave also said that the best way to achieve health and safety compliance is through enforcement and regulation and that the CWU will continue to support the return to a pro-active enforcement strategy by the HSE.

Dave also said that HSE funding had been slashed by Government and it was ridiculous that the HSE had to become a ‘commercial organisation’ to raise their own funds.

On the question of fines Dave said that progress had been made on increasing health and safety fines because of pressure by the Unions but were still too far short of competition and regulatory fines. The CWU would continue to campaign for appropriate fines.

Dave concluded that yet again the Health Safety and Environment Department’s Fringe Meeting had been the best attended fringe meeting at CWU conference and he thanked all the delegates for their support and participation.

The Chair closed the meeting by thanking everyone for attending.

[Report by Steve Mann Policy Assistant, CWU Health, Safety & Environment Department]

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

18LTB249 CWU Conference 2018 – Health, Safety and Environment Department Fringe Meeting Monday 23rd April 2018

HSE – AC presentation CWU – Utilities incl 23 April edit

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