CWU Rules Revision Conference 2016 – Composite Rule Amendment 34 – Regional Safety Forums Entitlement to Submit Motions To Postal Industry Conference:
To: All Branches
Dear Colleagues,                   
At the 2016 CWU Rules Revision Conference, Composite Rule Amendment 34 was carried as follows:
‘Add New Rule 10.10.3
Regional Safety Forums shall be entitled to submit up to 2 motions to the General Issues Section of Postal industry Conference.’
The Postal Standing Orders Committee has considered the effect of the rules passed at this year’s Rules Revision Conference and in respect of the above Rule Change which has an effect on both The Postal Department and the Health, Safety & Environment Department, the obvious major change is that the Regional Health and Safety Forums now have the right to submit two motions to the General Issues Section of the Postal Industry Conference.
The Postal Standing Orders Committee has informed the Health, Safety & Environment Department that it has now included this change in the Postal Conference Motions Guide which will be circulated in November with the Motion submission forms.
The Postal Standing Orders Committee has requested that we bring to Regional Health and Safety Forum Chairs and Secretaries the following points:
The closing date for Postal Motions is midnight on 21st February 2017 and the Forums will need to ensure that they meet before this date to decide on Motions to be submitted.

Because of the constitution of the new rule, the Regional Health and Safety Forums can only submit Motions to section 2 of the Postal Conference and any motion which contains matters that are pertinent to sections 1, 3 or 4 will be automatically ruled out of order since the Forums have no entitlement to submit to those sections.

Should Regional Health and Safety Forums have any questions regarding the above please contact:-
Paddy Magill

Chair, Postal SOC

CWU Postal Standing Orders Committee

Tel: 07790296140

Email: pad@byash.freeserve.co.uk
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce

National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
 
Email Attachments – Click to download
Attachment 1 – 16LTB351 CWU Rules Revision Conference 2016 – Composite Rule Amendment 34.docx

THE FUTURE OF QUADRANT 

UPDATE ON THE ROYAL MAIL AND CWU JOINT DEVELOPMENT OF A VISION FOR CATERING SERVICES WITHIN ROYAL MAIL

Dear Colleagues

Branches will be aware that the future of Quadrant as the provider of Catering Services to our members in Royal Mail Group has been the subject of review by the business, which has led to a prolonged period of uncertainty for our Quadrant members.

The Quadrant contract was due for renewal in September 2013 and indications at the time were that Royal Mail had little enthusiasm for renewing or extending the contract and intended to go out to tender. As a result of sustained representations from the CWU the company reconsidered its position and extended the contract but for only 6 months.

Discussions continued through 2014 resulting in an agreed Terms of Reference for a Joint Review of Catering Services. That review has been conducted against the backdrop of reviewing the Quadrant contract, with recognition that providing catering, vending, and/or self messing facilities is seen as a valued contribution towards the wellbeing of Royal Mail Group employees and an important part of the overall employment package.

The aims of the review were to improve and sustain the long-term provision of catering facilities provided exclusively by Quadrant to the employees of Royal Mail and provide a stable platform on which to develop and market products and services in a way that encourages confidence and growth, without the necessity for repeated site reviews to respond to a continuing decline in takings.

The department is pleased to be able to inform Branches that we have now concluded that review which has culminated with a new 5 year contract for Quadrant, providing far greater stability and security for our members.

Following the commencement of the joint review activity Branches will be aware that the CWU electoral process resulted in Terry Pullinger assuming the role of DGS(P) and my own election as Assistant Secretary with responsibility for Quadrant. However, given that negotiations with Royal Mail had commenced during Terry’s tenure as Assistant Secretary and were nearing conclusion at the time of the changeover it was deemed pertinent by all parties that in order to ensure continuity Terry should complete those discussions.

The joint review activity to date has resulted in the attached agreed document, Update on the Royal Mail and CWU Joint Development of a Vision for Catering Services within Royal Mail.

Branches will note that Royal Mail has now agreed a new five year contract with Compass (the parent company of Quadrant) which was effective from 1st October 2015. The terms of the contract differ from previous arrangements and the contract will be subject to review in years 4 and 5. The cost of provision for catering has also been moved out of regional Royal Mail operational budgets and into a central budget. This will provide our Quadrant members with far greater stability and security for the immediate future, something which we are sure will be welcomed following the prolonged period of uncertainty they have experienced.

In addition it should be recognised that a great deal of joint activity has taken place with Royal Mail to ascertain what it is that our members want from the provision of catering facilities and how the current options provided may be improved going forward. The data gathered has been of great assistance in our discussions and we would like to thank everyone who participated in the survey that took place.  

The business is investing in canteen facilities at a number of sites to make them more appealing and user friendly for our members, which we are sure will be welcomed. Commitments have also been secured to further activity in regard to vending options, development of attractive and diverse menu options and the provision of local menus.

Equally, a tripartite arrangement has been agreed that will allow for far more transparent discussions on relevant issues. This ongoing progress will be jointly monitored through the establishment of a new Catering Forum. The Catering Forum will meet at least quarterly and will include representatives from the CWU, Quadrant and Royal Mail. While the commitment and principle currently exists to inaugurate the Catering Forum, discussions are continuing in relation to a Terms of Reference to support the activity.  

The department believes that the attached document provides a genuine platform for the Union and Royal Mail to continue working together and with Quadrant, to develop a renewed approach to the provision of catering facilities for our members.

Branches should note however that while the suspension of the ‘Use it or Lose It’ process for two years will afford our Quadrant members some respite and also provide a genuine opportunity to focus on achieving growth, it must also be recognised that the situation in regard to catering provision remains very challenging. It is therefore vitally important that our members continue to be encouraged to support the catering facilities that are available and would request that every effort is made by Branches and representatives to convey this message at every opportunity.

Branches and representatives are requested to ensure that our Royal Mail and Quadrant members are made aware of this LTB and the attached update at the earliest opportunity.

Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary, email: dwyatt@cwu.org or shayman@cwu.org quoting reference number: 311.02.

Yours sincerely,

Davie Robertson

Assistant Secretary

 UPDATE ON THE ROYAL MAIL AND CWU JOINT DEVELOPMENT OF A VISION FOR CATERING SERVICES WITHIN ROYAL MAIL.

This briefing provides an update on progress on the Joint Review of catering facilities undertaken by Royal Mail and the CWU, announced on 16 October 2014. The aim of the review was to improve and sustain the long-term provision of catering facilities for the employees of Royal Mail.

The review has been conducted against the backdrop of reviewing the Quadrant contract, with recognition that providing catering, vending, and/or self messing facilities is seen as a valued contribution towards the wellbeing of Royal Mail Group employees and an important part of the overall employment package.

The aims of the review were to; improve and sustain the long-term provision of catering facilities provided exclusively by Quadrant to the employees of Royal Mail; to provide a stable platform on which to develop and market products and services in a way that encourages confidence and growth, without the necessity for repeated site reviews to respond to continuing decline in takings. The objective therefore is to create a business and financial model approach that enables complete central focus on providing a catering solution which delivers the spirit and intent of this vision.

In our last update we reported on the issues raised through externally facilitated focus group research and our commitment to trial new canteen formats at Greenford MC, Newcastle MC and Southampton MC.

Since then, Ipsos MORI have conducted a survey of Royal Mail employeesto test and quantify the findings of the focus groups. 1,449 employees completed the survey providing a cross section of views across units with canteen facilities and those with vending only.

The survey results supported the findings of the focus group research. We have been working with Quadrant to address the issues raised and to improve the catering service overall.

RMG and the CWU are pleased to update on our progress since the last Joint Statement.

Key Objective

Progress

Commitment for Royal Mall and the CWU to work together to develop a new specification for catering and vending

• Both Royal Mail and the CWU are pleased with the level of mutual co-operation throughout the review. Each has contributed in a constructive manner towards improving the catering service for the benefit of Royal Mail employees.

• The research findings have formed the basis for the new specifications for catering and vending.

To review and establish consensus on the purpose, role and extent of the catering subsidy

• Feedback from Royal Mail employees confirmed the value they place on the catering service; thus, the clear purpose of and role for the catering service is to serve Royal Mail employees.

• Royal Mail has agreed a newfive year contract for catering with Compass effective from 1st October 2015, with years 4 and 5 being subject to satisfactory performance by Quadrant.

• RMG recognises a catering operation on the scale currently offered requires an employer subsidy,which is budgeted at £8.4m in 2016/17.

Commitment by Royal Mail to review how the cost to the business of providing this new service specification over and above till receipts – i.e. a subsidy – is accounted

• Responding to feedback from Royal Mail employees, Compass will be paid a management fee for running the service rather than the current dividend arrangement. This fee has been benchmarked against other catering service contracts to ensure value for money. The cost of provision has been moved out of regional operational budgets and into a central budget.

To inform the development of a superior offering based on excellent quality of service, a flexible and responsive quality product offering/range, and a new focus/review of restaurant ambience and regional/local innovation

• Quadrant will benefit from a dedicated Head Chef charged with developing attractive and diverse menu options for Royal Mail employees.

• Three trial canteen and welfare formats opened earlier in the year at Greenford MC, Southampton MC and Newcastle MC are now fully open and their progress is being actively monitored and refined by user groups to provide lessons that may be applied more widely across the Royal Mail estate. RM plans to upgrade a further 9 sites by the end of March 2017.

• A further initiative, “24 vending”, has been trialled in Cambridge DO which stocks sandwiches, fruit and meals to heat in addition to traditional vending products. This format will be in a further 13 sites by the end of April 2016.

• Quadrant will also introduce local menu options designed to meet local tastes and cultural requirements appropriate to the needs of Royal Mail employees in each individual location.

• Developments in vending include a commitment for newer machines, an updated product range and a new vending promise on reliability, change and refunds.

To design an approach that enables regular joint review of the future service and of further development opportunities

• Quarterly food tasting sessions will be held with Royal Mail employees, food quality will be monitored through quality audits.

• Quadrant has made a commitment to on-going customer feedback through their “Did we Make you Smile” surveys.

• There will be monthly review meetings between Quadrant and Royal Mail and the CWU at catered sites.

• Vending product ranges will be reviewed with each unit each month.

To take due account of the requirements of current Quadrant employees for continued job security and employment standards going forward

• The new 5-year contract reflects Royal Mail’s commitment to providing a quality catering service to its employees and Quadrant employees can likewise take comfort from this commitment.

These are exciting developments and demonstrate a joint commitment to consolidate and develop the catering service in a sustainable and customer focused manner. To enable this to happen we need to recognise that both; the ‘Use it or Lose it’ process has been on hold for some time, and that some current Quadrant units are beyond economic viability,despite how much effort is put in to encourage higher sales, including no price increase for the last two years. There needs to be a period of stability in the remaining units to encourage investment and development of the new vision for catering that this joint approach represents. Accordingly, we have agreed the following measures:

• A limited number of lowperforming breakfast bar units (in terms of cost of provision per employee or very low sales) will close through a joint review in line with the spirit of ‘Use it or Lose it’ criteria, subject to the provision of self messing facilities and quality vending that at least match those in similar sized units elsewhere and alternative provision being available nearby. The exact list will be discussed and agreed between Royal Mail and the CWU nationally.

• Quadrant will conduct a joint optimisation exercise with the CWU to compare the efficiency of the remaining units on a like for like basis and where there are significant differences a staffing review will be conducted to design a plan to bring lower performing units into line with those that are more efficient. To be clear this activity is about revisions on how the provision is provided and not about the cessation of provision.

• The CWU and Royal Mail to jointly discussconverting the shops at four Mail Centres (Bristol MC, Manchester MC, Cardiff MC & North West Midlands MC) to the ‘24’ self-service format.

• Save as above, there will be no ‘Use it or Lose it’ reviews for two years effective from October 2015 to enable the new arrangements to bed in.

• All of the above will be conducted in line with current national agreements.  

There will be a period of consultation with employees in units affected by any of the above proposed changes, and every effort will be made to address local concerns in so far as they can be in line with the overall intentions of this agreed way forward.

The new approach to catering heralded by this joint review will be jointly monitored through the establishment of a new Catering Forum. It will meet at least quarterly and will include Representatives of CWU, Quadrant and Royal Mail. The Terms of Reference will be agreed and circulated.

Royal Mail and the CWU would like to thank everyone who has provided input to inform the catering review thus far and look forward to the continuing co-operation of all interested in ensuring that the catering service meets the needs of Royal Mail employees.
Terry Pullinger

Deputy GeneralSecretary (Postal)

Communication Workers Union

Taz Arif

Director of Workplace

Royal Mail – Group Property

Dated: 30th May 2016

CWU Scholarship Fund calling for applications for the BA (Hons) International Labour and Trade Union Studies: Ruskin College OxfordDear Colleague,
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 346/16 – CWU Scholarship Fund calling for applications for the BA (Hons) International Labour and Trade Union Studies: Ruskin College Oxford

Attachment 1 – Application Form

Attachment 2 – Course Information

Royal Mail Pay 2016 

Following further meetings with Royal Mail, a pay offer was received from the business on 26th May 2016 which was considered by the Postal Executive at a meeting on 31st May.

In line with the pay policy carried at the March Policy Forum, the offer provides for a straight forward 1 year, no strings deal in the form of a 1.6% increase in basic pay, pay supplements, skills and unsocial attendance allowances, London Weighting, Scottish Distant Island allowance, overtime and scheduled attendance rates backdated to 4th April for weekly paid staff (1st April for monthly paid).

The 1.6% offer reflects inflation as measured by the March Retail Price Index (RPI) in line with the principle consistently adopted by the union that RPI rather than CPI should be the key cost of living benchmark in pay negotiations. The offer means that members’ earnings will keep pace with inflation (it’s worth noting that the April RPI fell to 1.3%).

The view of the pay negotiating team, endorsed by the Postal Executive at its meeting yesterday is that the offer represents an acceptable conclusion to the 2016 pay talks that meets the policies we have adopted for a clean, 1 year, no strings deal. The offer will therefore be recommended for acceptance in an individual members’ ballot. Ballot papers will be issued from 9th June; the ballot will close on 30th June.

Any enquiries in relation to the content of this LTB should be addressed to the DGSP Department quoting reference 60000.

Yours Sincerely,
 

Ray Ellis

Acting Deputy General Secretary (Postal)

Re: Royal Mail – PiC (Person In Charge) Cover in the Event of Industrial Action by

Unite/CMA Members – Health & Safety Duty of Care

The Health, Safety & Environment Department have had a number of enquiries from Area

Health and Safety Reps regarding the impending Unite/CMA Industrial Action scheduled

to take place from mid-day Tuesday 31 May to mid-day Wednesday 1 June in respect of

there being no Person in Charge present in operational units and therefore compromising

Royal Mail’s health and safety legal duties,  duty of care, risk management, ensuring the

safety of the workforce and dealing with emergency situations etc.

This has been discussed with Royal Mail and the Royal Mail Group, Logistics Head of Health

and Safety has detailed the approach being taken by Royal Mail as follows:-

“During any periods of Industrial Action where there may be a short period where the PiC is

not on site. How this is managed is Referenced in the RM PiC Handbook, extract below;

In recognition of this, and to mitigate any risk, we have created a Safety One Pager, which

will be issued to all those who are supporting during this time.  In each region, either a Head

of SHE or SHE Manager will be available on the phone (numbers have been published), and I

(Lisa Durrant Mail Group, Logistics Head of Health and Safety will be in CPC (Central Postal

Control). I hope this helps, and gives you sufficient reassurance to allay any fears amongst

your members. As ever, happy to discuss further if necessary.” Regards Lisa Durrant

Attached for your information:-

Ø  Copy of the above reference communication from Royal Mail Group, Logistics Head of

Health and Safety.

Ø  Copy of the Safety ‘One Pager’ Guidance.

Yours Sincerely

Dave Joyce

National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

Click on the link below to view the attachment

safety-one-pager-may2016 (1)

Unite/Royal Mail Pay Dispute 

Branches will be aware that Unite/CMA will be holding an official one-day strike starting at midday on Tuesday 31st May and ending at midday on Wednesday 1st June.

The letter issued by Unite to their members says they will be “holding a picket line in major sites with a strong Unite presence”. Clearly this is a situation we have not faced in recent times – the last occasion managers took strike action in Royal Mail was back in 1979. While recognising the history of previous disputes, the CWU fully supports Unite and its members in their efforts to secure a satisfactory settlement to this dispute.

In light of legal advice, the CWU are issuing the following guidance to Branches:

• Members should report to work as normal.

• Members should not undertake the work of managers – or be asked to undertake the work of those taking part in official industrial action.

• Members are reminded that management cannot require them to work outside of their contractual duties.

On the question relating to the Person in Charge (PIC), LTB 337/16 issued earlier today by Dave Joyce, sets out the approach Royal Mail will be taking based on current guidance.

In the meantime, Branches are asked to give this LTB and the advice it contains the widest possible circulation.

Any enquiries on this LTB should be addressed to Ray Ellis, DGS(P) Department, quoting reference 13000.

Yours sincerely

​​​

​​​                                

Dave Ward​​​​Ray Ellis

General Secretary​​​Acting Deputy General Secretary (Postal)

Ofcom Review into Royal Mail – Update on People’s Post Campaign 

As you may have seen, Ofcom published a number of proposals this morning in the latest stage of its review of the way Royal Mail is regulated. The union’s press statement which was issued in response to this is attached.

Ofcom launched its review following the withdrawal of Whistl from the delivery market and in the wake of this it originally intended to introduce a number of stronger measures to further promote competition, potentially re-introduce damaging price controls and impose efficiency targets.

In its announcement today Ofcom has not gone as far on new regulatory measures as anticipated and we believe this is a direct result of the People’s Post campaign and the increased scrutiny this has placed on Ofcom’s actions. It is important that you convey to our members the role our campaign has played in softening some elements of Ofcom’s approach.

However, while it has held back from introducing specific targets on efficiency, Ofcom has again called on Royal Mail to adopt “flexible” employment models and is emphasising the need for Royal Mail to take further steps to improve efficiency. Ofcom has also failed to limit unfair cherry-picking competition or introduce protections for customers from poor practices by competitors in the parcels industry.

The CWU is highlighting the aforementioned in our public response to today’s announcement, with particular emphasis on saying that Ofcom’s approach to efficiency places unnecessary pressure on our members and represents an undercutter’s charter for all workers in the industry.

These developments underline the importance of the People’s Post campaign and the need for us to continue to put Ofcom and the Government under pressure. The next stage of this campaign is the public rally in Birmingham on 4th June and we would urge all Branches to send a delegation and make this a priority commitment.

Further information on Ofcom’s announcement will follow in due course.

Yours sincerely

​​​​

Dave Ward​​​​​​Ray Ellis

General Secretary​​​​​Acting Deputy General Secretary (P)

CWU criticises Ofcom for an undercutter’s charter for workers in the postal industry

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) which represents 130,000 employees in the postal industry responded to Ofcom’s review of the regulation of Royal Mail, which was published this morning, by criticising the regulator for again pushing for insecure and inferior employment standards in the postal industry.

The CWU cautiously welcomed the fact that Ofcom had publicly recognised the need to put the protection of daily deliveries at the heart of regulation, in line with the union’s People’s Post campaign, by opting not not to introduce new forms of price controls on Royal Mail.

However, it also highlighted the fact that Ofcom was storing up problems by leaving in place cherry-picking competition in a market under pressure from e-substitution and that it had failed to take any action to protect consumers in the parcels industry.

Dave Ward, General Secretary of the CWU, said ‘Ofcom is again telling postal workers that they have to work harder, faster and cheaper in a report that represents an undercutter’s charter for people working in the postal industry.

‘It is completely unacceptable for a regulator to be calling for the adoption of insecure and so-called “flexible” employment models piling pressure on 130,000 jobs in Royal Mail. The role of the body in charge of the industry should be to safeguard employment standards rather than taking its cue from city investors and pushing for a race to the bottom.’

Ray Ellis, Deputy General Secretary (Postal) of the CWU, said ‘We welcome the fact that Ofcom has backed off of repeating previous mistakes with regulation having pushed Royal Mail to the brink of insolvency in 2011. But it has left in place cherry-picking competition in a letters market in long term decline and has done nothing to protect consumers in a parcels market that is like the wild-west for service standards.’

The CWU will be holding a major public rally as the next stage of its People’s Post campaign in Birmingham on 4th June when it will be calling for new protections on employment, an end to unfair competition and Royal Mail to be brought back into public ownership.