Redirection Card Changes to Procedures
 
Dear Colleagues,
Further to LTB 463/15 issued on 10th July regarding trial activity around the way design changes can be made to Redirection Cards to assist frontline OPGs, and where possible make it easier for them to undertake the task.
Following the trial being deemed a success in terms of feedback and a reduction in complaints at the respective trial offices, it has been agreed for the revised suite of changes to become part of the standard processes. As such the changes will reduce the number of Redirection cards with improved layout, a new local to local label, redesigned plastic wallet and simplified changes report.
The main changes will be as follows:
The Redirection Cards
There will only be 2 Redirection cards with an improved layout to highlight key sections

          Red Redirection card – for ALL Redirections
            Pink Redirection card – for Local to Local Redirections (THINK PINK).
The special instructions box has increased in size and will contain information previously denoted by the card colour, e.g. part family move

Start and End date is more prominent to ensure Redirections remain current and should never continue after the end date

All instructions have been reviewed and simplified where appropriate.

The Labels
The Intra ‘Local to Local’ office Redirections now also have a pink flash on the labels

The pink colour of these cards and labels are designed to highlight the urgency of dealing with these Redirections first as mail for intra office Redirections should be delivered on the same day and accounts for approximately 34% of all Redirections in a Unit.

Complaints Warning
A new “Attention Complaint” strip has been created to raise the profile of any Redirection where we have received complaints and highlighting the need to take extra care.

There is a blank area which should be used to write specific complaint detail to ensure we don’t repeat the error

The Wallet
There is now a front slot to store the Red or Pink Redirection card without the risk of it falling out when removing labels

The labels should be stored in the larger back pouch

There is a smaller slot on the front to insert the new “Attention Complaint” warning strip

As a result it has been approved that this new suite will be rolled out nationally for all new and replacement (renewal) Redirections with effect from Monday 11th July, 2016. Existing Redirection cards will remain as they currently are. If they are renewed, you will be issued with the new style card and at this time a new style wallet should then be selected.
Attached to the LTB is the WTLL Brief and the revised Standard Operating Procedures. The training for the revised processes will be undertaken and supported through the use of Workplace Coaches.
Any enquires should be addressed to outdoorsecretary@cwu.org quoting reference 530.
 
Yours Sincerely,
 
Mark Baulch
Acting CWU Assistant Secretary – Outdoor
Email Attachments – Click to download
LTB 414.16 Redirection Card Changes to Procedures

SOP D17.2 Prepare Redirections – New Cards

WTLL New Redirection Cards

CWU Equality Conferences 2016
At a meeting of the NEC on Thursday 30th June 2016 it was agreed that the dates for this year’s Equality Conferences were as follows:
 Black Workers Conference – Tuesday 11th October 2016

Disability Conference – Wednesday 12th October 2016

Women’s Conference – Tuesday 8th November 2016

LGBT Conference – Wednesday 9th November 2016

All conferences will be held at the Mercure Leicester The Grand Hotel, Granby Street, Leicester, LE1 6ES.
Further information will be issued regarding online registration, submission of motions and any special requirements in due course.
Any enquiries regarding this Letter to Branches should be addressed to Chris Tapper in the Senior Deputy General Secretary Department on telephone number 020 8971 7331 or email ctapper@cwu.org
Yours sincerely,
 
  
A P Kearns
Senior Deputy General Secretary

Romec Cleaners Bonus Scheme
Dear Colleague
Branches will be aware that the Romec Cleaners Bonus scheme has now expired in line with the Agreement on the Future Provision of FM Services to Royal Mail which contained the following statement.
“The current cleaners’ bonus scheme and the engineering training allowance will cease after March 2016 and recipients will receive a lump sum payment equivalent to their earnings from the scheme/allowance between April 2015 and March 2016. Discussions will take place on a new incentive scheme to reward over achievement against agreed efficiency and productivity levels.”
We can now confirm that the Bonus compensation for Cleaners is being paid at the end of this month (July) for both weekly paid and monthly paid cleaners. The lump sum compensation payment will be a lump sum payment equivalent to their earnings from the Bonus scheme between April 2015 and March 2016.
The issue of a new cleaner’s incentive scheme will be picked up at the earliest opportunity and Branches will be advised accordingly.
Any enquiries to Bob Gibson’s Office, quoting reference 120.12
Email address:outdoorsecretary@cwu.org
                                                                                                     
Yours Sincerely
                                
Bob Gibson

CWU Assistant Secretary – Outdoor   
Email Attachments – Click to download
LTB 412.16 Romec Cleaners Bonus Scheme

CWU Website – (www.cwu.org)Dear Colleagues,
Further to previous communications, we can now confirm that a full review of the main union website is underway. This will include a full re-design, content changes and a complete overhaul in the focus of the site.
We are currently negotiating with several potential companies with a view to securing a developer that understands Trade Unions but is also able to produce a product the whole union can make use of, from the General Secretary to the newest member. We want the website to be the shop window for the union.
We will, of course, be undertaking an extensive consultation on the new website with all CWU HQ Departments but the purpose of this LTB is to formally invite comments, ideas and suggestions from CWU Branches.
Any feedback should be directed by email to Marcia Murray mmurray@cwu.org
Kind regards
 
Chris Webb
Head of Communications, Engagement and Media
Email Attachments – Click to download
LTB 410-16 – CWU Website (www.cwu.org)

Important Information – Major changes to the Education and Training Programme:Union Skills 1, 2 and 3 courses
Dear Colleagues,
Branches will recall LTB 97/16 which provided guidance regarding resourcing of future training courses as well as advice on how to maximise the benefit of courses on offer. It also advised that a new strategy and timely alterations to our programme would be required along with an opportunity to revise and update our core programme.

The areas of the core programme that required initial focus and most significant changes are outlined below:
• Union Skills 1, 2, 3 These courses are currently delivered over three 5 day weeks. We are now going to deliver this with a combination of classroom based and online learning via CWU Left Click over 12 days in total
• There will be two days for (Day 1); online pre-course and (Day 2); bridging work/training which will be supported via Branch ULRs locally, interspersed with two full 5 day weeks in the classroom either regionally or residentially
• This part of the programme has been re-named, “Essential Skills for CWU Reps Part 1 and 2” and it is important to note that branches will have to apply for reps to attend the whole programme rather than one week or other
• The Essential Skills for CWU Reps Part 1 and 2 will have to be completed by students in a single academic year i.e. 1 August to 31 July

Regional Learning Committee Officers and Branch Lead ULRs are currently being briefed on the changes, as well as the significant role they will play in supporting reps through this new process. It must be noted that any input they provide has been designed to sit squarely within their statutory rights and ACAS Codes of Practice. 
Where branches do not have ULRs currently, or access to Learning Centres / appropriate branch IT equipment for this purpose is limited, it is important to advise our course administrator, Maxine Todd, at the application stage so that contingency arrangements can be arranged. 
New Programme
Because of these changes, it has been necessary to reschedule some of our courses and attached is a newly amended version of the Alvescot Lodge Education and Training programme which has been agreed by the NEC and will now run from 1 August 2016 – 31 July 2017.
Regional Courses
These changes will apply to regional and residential courses equally. Therefore, branches and regions should bear this in mind when scheduling Regional Essential Skills for Reps Courses with the department.
Release Arrangements
Paid Release has now been agreed by both BT and Royal Mail for these new programmes for these courses as follows. For employers where we are recognised, release should apply where the training is relevant to the representatives duties and further advice on this can be provided by the Education & Training department:
• 1 day for Pre-course activities to be completed locally supported by a ULR

• 5 days for Essential Skills for Reps Part 1

• 1 day for Bridging activities to be completed locally supported by a ULR

• 5 days for Essential Skills for Reps Part 2
Branches should endeavour to give as much notice as possible to the employer of the dates required for release. A good benchmark to work to is between 4 to 6 weeks. Because these are new and different arrangements, branches should let the department know at the earliest opportunity if there are any issues or difficulties with regard to release.
Advice for Branches
During the transitional period where we move from the old system to the new, we would ask that branches and reps familiarise themselves with the new advice set out below to help us avoid any confusion.
If you or a representative from your branch have already applied for and been allocated a place on a Union Skills 1 course starting before 1st August 2016

Your Union Skills 1 course will proceed as planned. However, you will be asked to complete the online bridging activities prior to attending Essential Skills for Reps part 2. Your tutor will have information about this for you when you attend Union Skills 1 and the department will send you an enrolment key for “CWU Left Click”. We will notify your branch ULR so that a day can be arranged for you to complete the online bridging activities with the support of the ULR. Your branch will have to submit an application for Essential Skills for Reps Part 2 to be completed prior to 31 July 2017.
If you or a representative from your Branch has already applied for and been allocated a place on a Union Skills 2 Course starting before 1st August 2016

Your Union Skills 2 course will proceed as planned. There is no further action necessary. Your next course should be Advanced Skills for Reps Parts 1 and 2.
If you have already applied for a Union Skills 1 course starting on or after 1st August 2016

The Education & Training department will be writing to you with details of the changes to the course. We will be writing to ask your branch to confirm that you will be attending Essential Skills for Reps Parts I and 2 and clarifying the dates for the second part of the course. You will be sent an enrolment key for your pre-course activities which you will find on “CWU Left Click”. There is a single day’s release provided for you to undertake this in a local learning centre or workplace with the support of a ULR. Your branch Lead ULR has now been notified that you are registered for this course and will be contacting you regarding the date and venue for your pre-course activities.
If you have completed a Union Skills 1 previously and already applied for a Union Skills 2 course starting on or after 1st August 2016

The Education & Training department will be writing to you with details of the changes to the course. We will be writing to ask your branch to confirm that you will now be attending Essential Skills for Reps Part 2 and confirming the dates for the second part of the course. You will be sent an enrolment key for your bridging activities which you will find on “CWU Left Click”. There is a single day’s release provided for you to undertake this in a local learning centre or workplace with the support of a ULR. Your branch Lead ULR has now been notified that you are registered for this course and will be contacting you regarding the date and venue for your bridging activities.
If you have completed a Union Skills 1 and 2 and have submitted an application for Union Skills 3 course which was scheduled to take place on or after 1st August 2016

Please note that this course is no longer part of the CWU programme. We will be writing to you cancelling this course and we would advise that the next course that you attend should be Advanced Skills for Reps Parts 1 and 2. Branches should submit an application form in the usual manner.
This LTB focuses on the changes to Union Skills 1, 2 and 3 and further advice will be issued relating to our Advanced Skills programme in the near future.
Finally, can I thank branches and representatives for their assistance in this matter and request that any queries be referred to the department via our Course Administrator mtodd@cwu.org in the first instance.
Yours sincerely,

TRISH LAVELLE

Head of Education & Training
Email Attachments – Click to download
LTB 409/16 – Important Information – Major changes to the Education and Training Programme:

E&T Programme

Election of CWU National Trustees (Vacant Position – TFS) – 2016          
The NEC has agreed the arrangements for the election of the vacant position for the CWU National Trustees (TFS Constituency).
The term of office for this position will be from July 2016 to April 2017.
Accordingly please find enclosed the regulations, nomination forms and candidate consent and biographical detail forms for these positions.
The Timetable for the election is as follows:
Nominations open 7 July 2016 
Nominations close 18 July 2016 (14:00)
Despatch ballot papers 19 July 2016

Ballot closes 29 July 2016 (14:00)
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
Email Attachments – Click to download
LTB 407/16 – Election of CWU National Trustees (Vacant Position – TFS) 2016

Attachment 1 – Election Regulations

Attachment 2 – Nomination Form

Attachment 3 – Candidate Consent & Biographical Details Form

REMINDER AND FINAL CALL – CWU Scholarship Fund calling for applications for the BA (Hons) International Labour and Trade Union Studies: Ruskin College Oxford
Dear Colleague,
I would like to remind Branches that we are still seeking applications for the BA (Hons) International Labour and Trade Union Studies course at Ruskin College.
I am pleased to report that the National Executive Committee has agreed to support two CWU Scholarship Fund bursaries for CWU activists to study for an initial two years towards the achievement of a certificate in higher education on the above course.
The course commences in September 2016 (date to be confirmed) and is delivered through short residential weekends at Ruskin College supplemented by distance learning. Further and more detailed information about the course is attached.
The NEC will review the level of funding available to provide continued support beyond the initial two year period in 2018.
This course will be of particular interest to CWU activists who have already completed a Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety, Diploma in Employment Law or the Diploma in Contemporary Trade Union Studies.
The criteria for applying for one of the bursaries are as follows:
Applicants will not hold a higher level or HE qualification e.g. a Degree or above

Applicants will be CWU activists with a proven record of participation in the union

Applicants will not usually have received previous support from the CWU Scholarship Fund

Applicants must be able to demonstrate how the bursary will assist them and how it will benefit the CWU and/or the wider labour movement

The bursary will cover the costs of tuition fees and accommodation for the two successful applicants; however, it will not cover the costs of travel and expenses. It is therefore advised that applicants request any additional support that they may need from their respective Branches.
In order to apply please complete the attached application form.
IMPORTANT: Please return your completed form to Michelle Simpson in the Education and Training Department by Wednesday 13 July 2016 – PLEASE DO NOT SEND THE FORM TO RUSKIN COLLEGE. We will send on the successful applications to the college on your behalf.
We expect to be in a position to notify successful applicants in early August.
 
Successful applicants will need to complete an interview process with Ruskin College.
Any enquiries regarding this LTB should be addressed to Trish Lavelle, Head of Education & Training, either by e-mail: tlavelle@cwu.org or telephone on 020 8971 7340.
Yours sincerely,
 
Trish Lavelle
Head of Education and Training
Email Attachments – Click to download
LTB 408-16 – Reminder And Final Call – CWU Scholarship Fund

Application Form

Course Information

SOCIAL MEDIA UPDATE – CWU FACEBOOK GROUP
 

Dear colleagues,
Over the last six months, we have made significant strides in the CWUs presence on various social media platforms. We have made some excellent, high profile contacts as well as raising the unions’ profile.
In addition to this, we have held several online Q&A sessions, with the latest being viewed ‘live’ by over 7,000 CWU members. We are committed to continuing to better our online performance and more details on this will be shared in the coming months.
The purpose of this LTB is to inform Branches that we have decided to close the National CWU Facebook Group. Discussions on this have taken place across many months with presentations being made to the NEC, our Conference Fringe meeting and several regional and local forums.
This has not been a simple decision because clearly, the group has a significant following. On balance, though, it is, without doubt, the right thing to do for the following reasons;
The culture of the group does not reflect the values of our Trade Union. Several times, posts have been aggressive, contained foul language and led to complaints from members.

Employers have the opportunity to view online pages and members are putting themselves in a very dangerous position with some of the posts that have been made on the group.

The CWU cannot get any vital messages across in a sea of inappropriate posts, images and videos – this stops the union communicating with our members.

The group can also be viewed by media and the public – with this in mind, it is vital that we present a professional image.

This is in no way about shutting down debate. The new CWU Facebook page allows debate but it will be moderated, simply to remove foul and abusive language alongside any totally irrelevant, off topic posts.
The aim is to fully close the Facebook Group by September with the time between now and then being used to migrate members to the new page.
 
Branches are encouraged to share the following link to our new page with all members. https://www.facebook.com/ThecommunicationsUnion
Once we have all of our social media strands up and running then the debate can start about driving our key messages back to where they really matter – the workplace.
Any enquiries to this LTB should be directed to Marcia Murray mmurray@cwu.org
 
Kind regards
 
Chris Webb
Head of Communications, Engagement and Media
Email Attachments – Click to download
LTB 405-16 – Social Media Update – CWU Facebook Group

 Pay and Overtime Issues

Further to LTBs 395/16 and 398/16, Royal Mail have notified the Union of a potential problem relating to payment for overtime worked on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th July 2016.  

In their communication issued to managers, Royal Mail say they are shutting down PSP to make changes to the payroll system to process the April 2016 pay award and back pay. As a result, PSP will be locked to all users from 8pm on Friday 8th July 2016 until Tuesday 12th July 2016. During this period it will not be possible to input to PSP.

For weekly paid staff the shutdown of PSP means there will be a one week delay in payment for overtime worked on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th July 2016.

The closure of PSP between the 8th-12th July 2016 will also mean delays to processing other transactions. Because of the system changes Royal Mail say their payroll teams will be unable to process Employee Change Requests (ECRs) or Assigned Allowances (HR17s) to the usual timescales. ECRs and HR17s submitted between now until Friday 15th July 2016 will be reflected in pay received on Friday 22nd July 2016.

Royal Mail have said that once the PSP system changes have been made, any overtime/allowances earned from Monday 4th April 2016 onward for weekly paid employees and from Friday 1st April 2016 for CWU monthly paid staff will be automatically adjusted and paid at the increased rate. The arrears in pay will also reduce the impact of any weekend overtime being paid late.

Royal Mail’s decision to close PSP at short notice is disappointing. Despite investing millions in a new payroll system, the business is nervous about the scale of processing the pay award and back pay and the potential impact on the system. CWU has sought urgent clarification as to why the business has taken the action this year and what exceptional arrangements could be put in place to ensure members don’t suffer any detriment.  

The business has pointed out that similar action was taken in 2014 when it was necessary to calculate back pay. Royal Mail believes that closing PSP is the safest way of avoiding potential disruption to the whole payroll system. The business is not offering any exceptional arrangements because it believes that to do so might also create problems with the system.  

Further enquiries on this LTB should be directed to Ray Ellis in the DSG(P) Department.

Yours Sincerely,
Ray Ellis

Acting Deputy General Secretary (Postal)

Light Commercial Vehicle Driver Behaviour Technology – TRIMBLE
 
Dear Colleague
Further to LTB’s 555/15 and 630/15 regarding the conclusion of the proof of concept trial and related discussions, a joint review of the National Agreement took place between the CWU and Royal Mail on the 10th May 2016 in Farringdon. That meeting concluded with both parties committed to ensuring that the CWU will be fully involved in the ongoing deployment at all levels, which was agreed as essential if the benefits of this project are to be realised. 
This involvement will include all aspects of the initiative including implementation, monitoring, assessment and profile adjustment where agreed necessary. It also includes training opportunities for a number of nominated CWU representatives, providing them with a full system overview. This training will be on the basis of 2 CWU reps per region (6 in total) with a joint preference for one representative from IR and one representative from the ASR community who will work jointly on this issue within their respective Regions. The purpose is for all local matters to be raised to this level in the first instance, where decisions can be taken quickly on matters of adjustment or assessment including monitoring. Where such monitoring proves to be in breach of the National Agreement such as the consideration/sight of reports that should have been removed from the available suite or that a clear breach of the agreement has occurred these should be escalated immediately to the Outdoor department via an issues log.
In line with the above it would be appreciated if Branches/Regions could give this matter their urgent consideration and forward their nominations to this department no later than Monday 18th July2016. The go live date for CWU Representatives training on the system, which will be provided by Trimble, will be notified once the CWU Representatives have been agreed.
Any enquiries to Bob Gibson’s Office, quoting reference 300
Email address:outdoorsecretary@cwu.org
 
Yours Sincerely
                                  
Bob Gibson                               
CWU Assistant Secretary – Outdoor   
Email Attachments – Click to download
LTB 400/16 – Light Commercial Vehicle Driver Behaviour Technology – TRIMBLE