Royal Mail Electric ‘Zero-Emission’ Vehicles Introduction – Trial Sites Update

To: All Branches

Dear Colleagues,

Further to LTB No 454/17, Royal Mail Fleet have informed us that following on from RM Group Property’s surveys at each of the proposed Delivery Offices and Fleet Workshops, Royal Mail Fleet have had to change a some of the sites (due to leasehold and power supply issues). The final list of DOs is below:-

Harehills DO

Gledhow Road

Leeds

LS8 5RA

Bexley Heath DO

2 Glengall Rd

Bexleyheath

DA7 4BS

Orpington DO

Vinson Close

Orpington

BR6 0PJ

Dartford MPU

50 West Hill

Dartford

DA1 1AA

E1 Whitechapel DO

206 Whitechapel Rd

London

E1 1AA

SW1 Victoria DO

30 Pensbury Place

London

SW8 4FA

N1 Islington DO

Eagle Wharf Road

London

N1 7ED

SE1 Southwark DO

Tower Bridge Business Park

London

SE1 5SE

Nottingham South DO

Unit 11

Clarke Road

Nottingham

NG2 3JJ

Derby DO

Midland Road

Derby

DE1 1AA

Bristol South DO

Kent Street

Bristol

BS3 3NR

Hockley DO

23 Hockley Hill

Birmingham

B18 5AP

Hythe DO

36 New Road, Hythe

Southampton

SO45 6BP

Belfast DO

20-22 DONEGALL QUAY

Belfast

BT1 1AA

Edinburgh Dell DO

3 Gorgie Park Road

Edinburgh

EH14 1NL

Cardiff DO

220 Penarth Road

Cardiff

CF11 8TA

NW1 Camden DO

1 Barnby Street,

Camden Town,

NW1 1AA

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce

National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

17LTB579 Royal Mail Electric ‘Zero-Emission’ Vehicles Introduction – Trial Sites Update

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Princess Royal Distribution Centre (PRDC): 95 Double Deck Trailer: Safety Alert

To: All Branches

Dear Colleagues,

This LTB is in response to an incident that took place on 19/10/17 at PRDC where the upper deck hydraulics on a Don Burr 95 DDT appear to have failed.

The Health, Safety and Environment Department has raised this at national level, and been in dialogue with the Head of Safety Heath & Environment Logistics, seeking safety assurances on behalf of our members. The investigation is still ongoing, but it appears to be a hydraulic valve problem. The trailer manufacturers Don Burr is involved in the investigation.

Assurances have been given that there is no risk to staff as long as they adhere to the Safe System of Work (SSoW) for the 95 York Double Deck Trailer.

One of the key safety messages of the SSOW being:

Never enter the trailer with the upper deck in the upper position unless yellow stops and flags are locked in place, and you are trained.

The attached Logistics Safety Alert (Log0007) has been issued, and should be briefed to ALL employees.

Branches will be kept advised and informed of developments.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce

National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

17LTB577 Princess Royal Distribution Centre (PRDC) 95 Double Deck Trailer Safety Alert

Safety Alert – 95 Double Deck Trailer Safety Brief

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Dear Colleague,

Following on from the High Court Decision, Moya Greene requested a meeting with Terry Pullinger, CWU’s Deputy General Secretary Postal and lead negotiator. This meeting took place on Wednesday 18th October and lasted 5 hours. During this meeting, Moya Greene expressed her and the company’s desire to resolve the issues of dispute.

Moya Greene said she would be leading Royal Mail’s negotiating team during the external mediation process and said this should demonstrate her commitment to resolving the dispute.

Terry Pullinger responded by saying the Royal Mail had to start listening to its workforce if they wanted to resolve this dispute. They had to change their position on Pay, Pensions, Resourcing, Part Time Workers rights, the way they treat their employees and their desire to make start and finishing times later, based on a cheaper work plan model. Terry informed Royal Mail that all of these issues needed to be addressed if they are going to stop a strike.

On Monday 23rd October, Professor Lynette Harris, the External ACAS Mediator was appointed. Her first role in carrying out the mediation process is to read the submissions from both Royal Mail and the CWU and to fully understand both sides positions in the dispute. Professor Harris will then meet Royal Mail and the CWU separately to listen to the rationale behind Royal Mail and the CWUs respective positions.

Recommendations will then be produced based on reaching common ground between the two parties in order to resolve the dispute.  Both Royal Mail and the CWU must then meet within one week to see if they both agree with all or some of the recommendations and will then see if agreement can be reached to resolve the dispute. If agreement can’t be reached based on the external mediators recommendations then both parties will have a final two week opportunity to resolve the dispute during the mediation process. If both parties at this stage have still not resolved the issues then the CWU can then announce strike action.

However, the CWU has always said to members its goal is to negotiate a good deal and not to strike for the sake of it. The High Court Judge asked Royal Mail in the High Court why would they go to the High Court seeking external mediation unless they were going to genuinely move their position in order to reach an agreement.  The fact remains that unless Royal Mail agree to the following, there will be a strike.

• A Pension solution for everyone and better than Royal Mail’s cash out scheme.

• A Pay Rise not linked to more strings dependent on later starts and further cuts to terms and conditions. The CWU will not also support performance related pay in future years.

• Progress on the shorter working week and the union’s ambition for a 35 hour gross working week.  The shorter working week will be on the same rate of pay for full timers and will result in a pay increase for part timers as the hourly rate increases. The shorter working week is vital due to automation advances resulting in less indoor workload.

• The CWU want part timers to have the full holiday pay for the hours they actually work not just their contracted hours.

• The CWU want to have workplaces audited over how resourcing is conducted including the full time/part time split and how many hours the part timer is actually having to work to complete their job.  This is aimed at ensuring part timers who are having to work daily and weekly above their contracted hours have their contracted hours increased instead of Royal Mail exploiting part timers in the workplace by keeping their contracted hours low.

• The CWU want an independent audit of workplaces to oversee the above review and also to identify and attempt to change the pressure put on the workplace which often leads to bullying in the workplace especially where undue pressure is applied in deliveries based on unrealistic and unworkable budget demands.

• The CWU want an extension to the legal guarantees which stops outsourcing, franchising, two tier workforce or the break-up of the company.  The Legal Guarantees were due to be reviewed in 2019 and the CWU want an extension until 2022.

• The CWU has rejected Royal Mail’s vision for the pipeline which has nothing to do with Royal Mail wanting to grow parcel traffic but everyone to do with it wanting to cut costs.

• Their desire to have later starts in deliveries and 17:00 last letter was based on Royal Mail saving millions on cancelling all flights which carried mail in England and Wales, designed to remove a significant amount of Area distribution jobs, reduce the late shift in Mail centres and RDCs and significantly push back delivery start and finish times as well as not allowing deliveries to leave the office until mid-day.

• The CWU has rejected and will not accept Royal Mail’s multi bundle delivery option which expects Delivery staff to merge from 3 bundles out on delivery (instead of indoors) whilst also attempting to deliver parcels and carrying a PDA.

• The CWU has also stated we will not accept walk ownership. Walk ownership is designed as the forerunner for franchising deliveries.  It removes the CWU from discussing revisions and puts the responsibility on the walk holder who is solely responsible for completing the walk without cutting off.  Walk ownership also removes seniority.

• The CWU also rejects Royal Mail’s option of teams covering the sick and annual leave of other team members at zero cost.

• The CWU want Royal Mail to reaffirm their support for the Delivery Menu of Options which allows for innovative duty patterns including 4 day weeks, 9 day fortnights and Wallingtons. This is due to the fact Royal Mail want to revert everyone to a standard 5-day week option.

• The CWU is concerned that Royal Mail want to use the outputs from PDA’s, Trimble and the new automated hours Data capture system to resource offices in the future and ensuring that individuals work every single second of the day and they want to use these new IT applications for conduct purposes.

These remain the central issues at the heart of this dispute and the reason why members voted in the biggest industrial action based ballot in decades by such overwhelming numbers. If Royal Mail don’t change their position there will be a strike. It is essential that members are aware that this dispute is anything but over.

The stakes remain high.  The yes vote and the unity of members to back the CWU has put pressure on Royal Mail.

Remember due to the yes vote and pressure from the two, Royal Mail has already dropped the plans for the following monthly pay, no sick leave for the first three days of sick leave, compulsory removal of legacy payments and have dropped the 1700 last letter.

So, we need to keep the pressure on Royal Mail and they must know that unless they move towards the unions position then there will be strike action. Whilst the timescales are tight there remains the opportunity to take strike action before Christmas if there is no agreement.

The CWU wants an agreement but after 18 months of talks we must also prepare for a strike. We must remain united and ready to support  the CWU and fight for a good agreement.

We will keep you updated as talks progress.

UNITY IS STRENGTH

A STATEMENT BY THE LONDON DIVISIONAL COMMITTEE

BAME OFFICER REPORT.
As we are all aware the last few months have been quite busy for all the cwu reps because of the dispute with Royal mail. Its also been an opportunity to inform and educate members about the importance of the union membership. Many of the BAME members are quite new or part timers, less involved in union activities so they have been quite anxious about the dispute and the looming of strike action. Not always easy but Earnie Orviss, steve Clarke Luke Smith , Austin Goldsmith , Amanda Hill and all the other reps have done good job to explain and get members on board for ‘”yes” vote so well done to all involved ( forgive me for not mentioning everyone’s name’s).
I wrote letter to all the BAME members to inform and invite to raise awareness of the role of BAME issues and current dispute with Royal mail.
I have been trying to find information and to liaise with various minorities groups in Peterborough who stand for common goal of ‘unity and communal harmony’ and to help members where to seek advice if they face any problems.
As I gain my own knowledge and experience of various minorities members who work at Peterborough mail centre I am amazed at the variety of people from interesting diverse backgrounds which I would like to use to enrich the knowledge of wider members. I have faced some issues with lack of (nil) interest shown from senior management apart from weekend maneger Philp Rosier who has shown interest and granted me hour on Saturday for this role.
The information of BAME members is not up to date and confusing which needs to be sorted and mapping.
On 17th of October I went to black workers conference first time as BAME officer in Bristol it was well attended and many important issues, motions were discussed and debated ie the role of BAME should be recognized same as IR frame work. Race Advisory Committee should be given more saying to influence the Union policies. The plight of Royhinga Muslims of Myanmar and local campaign “justice for Judah”( please Google) Mr Judah Adunabi who faced police discrimination were highlighted. The black slave history of the city of Bristol and the current proud diverse communities of Bristol were told by CWU local South West branch Reps, guest speaker Mayor of Bristol Marvin Rees (descended of Jamaican slave now first elected black mayor in Europe) and local historian Dr Madge Dresser. RAC members CWU HQ equality officer Linda Roy and CWU general secretary Dave Ward also addressed conference. Dave Ward highlighted the work being carried out for the “redesign” of the union and reflected on shrinking of Royal mail and as a result drop in membership and the effect it’s having on CWU resources. He acknowledged the importance of having different committees ie LGBT, women’s, BAME etc who represents the interests of minority members and make CWU stronger.
Although not enough time but It was an opportunity to get to know other Activists for networking. Unfortunately I couldn’t vote on any motions as I wasn’t holding the voting cards.
I have printed and displayed posters in the mail centre to raise awareness of ‘Hate crime week’ and currently doing some research to display past stories to celebrate ‘Black history month’. Elected or not I shall continue working towards the greater interests of CWU. Many thanks for your support

Jasbir Singh.

HSE Public Consultation Document (CD285) on Proposed Amendments to the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012) – CWU Response

To: All Branches

Dear Colleagues,

Consultation Background

The HSE has published Public Consultation Document (CD285) in which it proposes to amend the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012) to implement a legislative change that was recommended by the ‘Post Implementation Review’ (PIR).

The proposal is to align the periods between medical examinations for workers engaged in licensed Asbestos work (currently 2-yearly) with those engaged in notifiable non-licensed Asbestos work (currently 3-yearly). In effect it would become 3-yearly for all.

Key Proposal

The consultation document (CD285) states that the proposal to change the frequency of medical examinations for workers engaged in licensed Asbestos work from 2-yearly to 3-yearly which they state is intended to streamline the medical surveillance requirements of the legislation, but that it does not represent a reduction in worker protection.

The CD explains that it will also be necessary to amend the Approved Code of Practice Managing and Working with Asbestos (HSE publication L143) to reflect the proposed change to the legislation.

In addition, it states that some of the other PIR recommendations can be achieved by amendments to guidance in other parts of L143.

Proposed Changes CWU Response

The CWU, TUC and all UK Trade Unions will be responding by rejecting and opposing the change. In short, the trade union view is that any harmonisation should be upwards to 2-Yearly for all and NOT downwards to 3-Yearly for all.

The Consultation closing date is 30 October 2017 and any Safety Rep, Branch or Regional Health and Safety Forum that wishes to respond should do so by that date.

Consultation Questions

CD285 seeks views on the proposed changes and includes a number of questions, divided into four parts:

1. The legal changes required to bring about the recommendation in the PIR report 2. The amended Approved Code of Practice 3. The amended guidance in the Approved Code of Practice 4. The impact on business of making the changes

CWU Response

See attached copy of the CWU/HQ response and a copy of the HSE Public Consultation Document (CD285).

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce

National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

17LTB574 HSE Public Consultation Document (CD285) on Proposed Amendments to the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012) – CWU Response

HSE Public Consultation Document CD285 Asbestos Regulations CWU Response

CD285 Consultation On Proposals To Amend The Control Of Asbestos Regulations 2012

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MOTION 29 CWU GENERAL CONFERENCE 2017

Motion 29 was carried at CWU General Conference 2017, for ease of reference a copy of that motion is produced below.

This Conference values the work retired members do on behalf of the union and wants them to remain active and engaged and play their part in the success of the CWU as an independent trade union.

However, following the publication of LTB’s 664/16 and 723/16, Conference recognises that concerns have been raised about the NEC decision to endorse the President’s ruling on retired members’ voting entitlements.

Conference further recognises that there are inconsistencies across Branches in the application of retired members’ voting rights and that concerns equally exist regarding whether or not it is right for retired members to vote for occupational/industrial positions at Branch level, when they are no longer in employment.

In light of the aforementioned developments, Conference agrees that as part of the Re-design Project, the NEC will aim to build a consensus on a way forward on these issues, in line with the following principles:-

· To enhance the work of the union, the aim will be to provide clarity on the role to be played by members who are retired and by those who retain other membership but are not in employment

· Recognise that the interests of working members and retired members must be served differently.

· Recognise that succession planning and progression within the union is important to the development and longevity of our organisation.

· To identify what voting rights are appropriate for all categories of CWU membership whilst upholding the principle that retired members should not be able to vote for occupational/industrial positions.

The NEC is instructed to establish a small working group with the aim of producing a report to the NEC no later than the end of July 2017. The NEC will then agree a way forward that supports the principles listed in this Motion and will subsequently publish a report to Branches no later than the end of September 2017. The working group will ensure that there is opportunity for all views to be represented and will include members of the RMAC. The report will also identify any required rule changes and provide for the most expedient, practical and cost effective way to place these before Branches for endorsement.

As can be seen from the wording of the motion the intention was to have a report on this matter to Branches by the end of September 2017.

The purpose of this LTB is to inform Branches of why this hasn’t happened and to outline what has taken place, and how we will deal with this issue going forward.

Firstly, the working group is to be made up of (amongst others) members of the RMAC. The election process for the RMAC, following nominations, was not complete until mid-June 2017.

Following this a meeting of the RMAC was held on Wednesday 9th August 2017 with the specific aim of discussing the contents of Motion 29. That meeting discussed the contents of Motion 29 and laid out, in report form, those issues then needed to be addressed by the working group as part of prosecuting the terms of the motion. At that point the intention was to hold 2 meetings of the working group to carry out the more detailed work required.

Unfortunately, no sooner had that meeting take place then work began in earnest around the CWU “4 Pillars” campaign within Royal mail.

Key to this was ensuring that the ballot process was undertaken as scrupulously as possible in order that we reduced the risk of having a ballot declared invalid by the courts. This is a major piece of work undertaken under the remit of the SDGS Department and as such meant that a number of other issues, including the issue of Motion 29, had to be delayed.

Whilst this is frustrating for all concerned there is no question that the serious matters that needed to be attended to demanded that we prioritise this work as part of the wider and ongoing campaign. Difficult as this was we believe making this issue a priority was the correct course of action to take despite the fact that this then seriously delayed our ability to act on other issues.

No sooner had the ballot process ended, with the declaration of the result, Royal Mail then began a process that culminated in the CWU being summoned to the High Court. Once again there is no question that this matter also needed the attention of a number of people at CWU HQ and yet again other matters were subject to delay.

The delay to the process to deal with the terms of Motion 29 are a source of regret, however we believe Branches will understand the overriding need to ensure that the issues that led to the delay are accepted and acknowledged as a priority issue for the CWU given the impact the dispute has for our 111,000 plus members in Royal Mail. There was no alternative but to treat these matters as a priority.

The decision of the Court however means that a window of opportunity has now opened up to address Motion 29, alongside other issues.

Accordingly the working group constituted under Motion 29, that includes 2 members of the RMAC, will now meet in the first full week in November to address the relevant issues.

We understand the frustration felt and voiced by some of our retired members on the delay that has occurred. The NEC and those involved at CWU HQ share that sense of frustration and remain as committed to resolving these issues as we were when the NEC moved Motion 29 at CWU General Conference.

Indeed should any branch wish to make a submission to be considered by the working group then these would be gratefully received, if you would like to do this please could your views be submitted by no later than Monday 7th November 2017.

A further update to branches, in lieu of a final report from the working group, will be made following the meeting in early November.

Finally can we thank all those concerned for the patience they have exercised at this difficult time and we would request that the contents of this LTB are brought to the attention of your Retired Members Section as soon as is practicably possible.

Any comments or 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

17LTB573

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Royal Mail Fiat Doblo Van Fire – Urgent Action Royal Mail Fleet Technical Services (TSB) 16/17 Fiat Doblo Fuel Pipe Checks

To: All Branches with members in RM Group

Dear Colleagues,

This is to update Branches and ASRs regarding the Fiat Doblo Van Fire which occurred in the Merseyside, involving a van being operated out of Bootle DO at the beginning of October. Following the fire a thorough investigation was carried out by the Royal Mail Fleet Engineers in conjunction with Fiat Vehicle Manufacturers and this has resulted in the publication/circulation of an “Urgent Action” Royal Mail Fleet Technical Services (TSB), number 16/17, headed ‘Fiat Doblo Fuel Pipe Checks’ (copy attached). TSB 16/17 was previously issued by Royal Mail Fleet to provide Royal Mail Fleet Workshops with instructions to check the fuel pipes in the engine bay on all Fiat Doblo petrol vehicles as a matter of urgency to prevent a potential fire risk. This TSB has been updated to inform all affected Fleet Workshops with the latest recommendations from Fiat and Royal Mail Fleet Engineering on this TSB action (copy attached). This updated TSB 16/17 is also available on the Royal Mail FMS Technical SharePoint intranet site in the TSB 2017 section.

The conclusion from the investigation and checks which have been undertaken is that there is no widespread fire risk danger to Fiat Doblo Van drivers.

Royal Mail Fleet operates 498 Petrol Fiat Doblo Vans within it entire group fleet of 46,000 vehicles. The Fiat Doblo Van has been in service since 2015.

The Royal Mail Group Head of Fleet Engineering assures the CWU Health, Safety, Safety and Environment Department that there is no inherent risk of fire but RM Fleet are still carrying out a check of all petrol Fiat Doblo Vans for completeness and as a precaution.

See attached copy of TSB 16/17.

Yours sincerely,

Dave Joyce

National Health & Safety Officer

17LTB570 Royal Mail Fiat Doblo Van Fire – Urgent Action Royal Mail Fleet Technical Services (TSB) 16 17 Fiat Doblo Fuel Pipe Checks

TSB 16 17 Doblo 1.4 Petrol Fuel Pipes VARIATION

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Royal Mail – Panther Easyflex Trainer Style Footwear Trials Update

To: All Branches

Dear Colleagues,

This is an update further to LTB561/17 and my letter to all ASRs regarding the “Panther Easyflex” Trainer trials.

The Health, Safety and Environment Department would like to thank all those many ASRs that forwarded comments on the above trial footwear and the ordering/re-ordering process problems. All comments and input has been summarised and passed to the Royal Mail Assets Team and will be discussed in due course.

As previously explained, the key issue is to work towards getting a better range of Royal Mail footwear and in doing so getting more members wearing officially provided, fit for purpose, good condition, safe and healthy footwear which hopefully will contribute to reducing the risks of foot and joint problems as well as common slip injuries. We have also ensured that ASRs are fully involved in these objective s.

In response to the two main issues raised about obtaining a good level of trial questionnaire feedback responses from members, this has been discussed with Royal Mail and I’m pleased to be able to advise Branches and ASRs that:

◦ The closing date has been extended for the trial questionnaire feedback responses and,

◦ Measures have now been put in place whereby the trial survey return forms can now be printed and posted rather than just done online which was proving unpopular with many individual members who requested the option of a paper survey feedback return.

Additionally, in my discussions with Royal Mail Assets and Royal Mail’s footwear suppliers ‘Dimensions’, it has been agreed that a new simple, quick reference, handbook/pamphlet guide to ordering/re-ordering/replacing footwear with the new footwear range is to be produced for Managers, Union Reps and members, in order to overcome the common complaints and problems constantly reported to the Union. Branches and Reps will be updated on this in due course.

Your help in urging members who are trialling the new footwear designs to complete the feed-back forms would be very much appreciated as it will help get footwear right.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce

National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

17LTB568 Royal Mail – Panther Easyflex Trainer Style Footwear Trials Update

Panther Easyflex Survey – Hardcopy

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