CWU Website (www.cwu.org)
As you may or may not know, we have over the last few weeks been in the process of migrating the website to new web hosts. During this time we have been experiencing some problems and are working to correct and make the necessary changes and fixes to overcome them.
We would be grateful if colleagues could bear with us during this time and ask that if you or a member comes across any problem links or pages not loading properly or missing data that you email info@cwu.org . Please be aware that website issues are not dealt with by the IT department at head office.
We appreciate your patience and assistance at this time and would be grateful if you could forward this information onto members and colleagues in your branch.
Any queries on this LTB should be directed to Marcia Murry on mmurray@cwu.org.
Many thanks.
Yours sincerely,
Chris Webb

Head of Communications, Engagement and Media
Email Attachments – Click to download
LTB 008/16 – CWU Website (www.cwu.org)

Health And Safety In The Aftermath Of Flooding 
In light of the flooding that has taken place in parts of England, Wales and Scotland, the TUC has revised and republished its advice on flooding. This is attached. 
For many workplaces affected by flooding, staff will be returning to work. It is important that the recovery is handled as safely and effectively as possible so as not to create more risk. In previous floods people have been killed by asphyxiation caused by using inappropriate petrol or diesel generators or heaters indoors. 
The Guidance is attached it is also available on the TUC website, and in pdf format at:
https://www.tuc.org.uk/workplace-issues/health-and-safety/health-and-safety-flooded-areas 
Yours sincerely 
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
 
Email Attachments – Click to download
16LTB007 – Health and Safety In The Aftermath Of Flooding.doc

Flooding – Advice for unions.docx

WASPI – Women Against State Pension Inequality 

The department has been contacted by the above campaign group which has recently been set up to challenge what they perceive to be the unfair changes to the State Pension Age imposed on women born on or after 6th April 1951. They currently have a platform on Facebook and this can be found by searching WASPI – Women Against State Pension Inequality Campaign.  

 

They have also begun a petition which has already attracted over 100,000 signatures. The link for this can be found on the abovementioned Facebook page. Alternatively, you can navigate to the petition on the UK Government and Parliament online petition page.

 

Your anticipated support for the WASPI campaign is greatly appreciated.

 

Yours sincerely

 

 

 

Linda Roy​

National Equality Officer

Scale Payment Delivery Offices (SPDO’s) – POL Closures

The Outdoor Department has been in discussion with Royal Mail nationally regarding SPDOs and in particular closures as a consequence of POL serving notice to remove the Mailwork from Sub Post Office’s as part of a POL Transformation Programme.

 

As a consequence of the programme a significant number of Branches and CWU Representatives are being approached regarding the merger/closure of SPDO’s on a previously unprecedented basis, and as things currently stand the “National Agreed Framework for Dealing with Delivery Office Mergers/Closures” should be followed by both parties.

 

Andrea Bowmer has been appointed to lead for Royal Mail in dealing with this programme and the Outdoor department has nominated Mike Newport as her interface. Mike was previously the coordinator for the National SPDO Group and will be the contact point for Branches should approaches be made by the employer regarding closing/merging SPDOs. Mikes email address is as follows:-

 

mike.newport@cwuessex.org

 

In some instances proposals have been put to CWU representatives that are clearly outside of existing national agreements or are stretching them beyond the bounds of reasonability, and in some cases are attempting to introduce initiatives that have been discussed (not agreed) as part of the tentative “Future of Delivery” talks. There have also been invites to trial certain initiatives which have not been agreed with the department. Where any of this occurs Branches/CWU Representatives should inform a CWU Divisional Representative and invoke the national IR Framework without delay, as well as informing Mike Newport.

 

In order to get some structure around what is currently happening a meeting has been arranged for the 12th January 2016 where we hope to agree a terms of reference for both parties to work to going forward. Branches will be further updated in due course.

 

Any enquiries to Bob Gibson’s Office, quoting reference 535.17

Email address: outdoorsecretary@cwu.org

 

Yours sincerely

 

Bob Gibson

Click on the link below to view the document

Final DO MergerClosure Framework Agreement

Managerial Cover in Delivery Offices 

The CWU were approached last year by Royal Mail regarding a trial involving managerial cover in Delivery Offices. Whilst this trial is primarily aimed at managerial grades and the involvement of Unite/CMA the CWU received an invite to be involved in the trial which we accepted. Tony Williams CWU Divisional Representative NW/NW was nominated to represent the Outdoor Department/CWU in the trial.

 

Shortly afterwards we received a proposal from Royal Mail for OPGs to act as day off cover for line managers. The proposal was for OPGs to cover the managerial indoor tasks such as IPS & Prep supervision, when the line manger was taking a day off. The OPG would then complete the outdoor part of their own duty, which would have been prepped by OPG colleagues. It was also proposed that the OPG would receive Leadership Allowance for this role.

 

Whilst we were considering the proposal and discussing a Terms of Reference for a trial Royal Mail took the view, which we shared, that it would be difficult to get sufficient volunteers for the role and consequently the proposal was withdrawn.

 

However Royal Mail has continued to discuss the issue of managerial day off cover with Unite/CMA. Branches will wish to note that these discussions do not involve plans for OPGs to act as managers for part of their duty, and that there is no agreement with the CWU for OPGs to lapse part of their own job to cover managerial roles in the way outlined above. Any approaches of this nature should be reported to CWU Divisional Reps without delay, utilising the IR Framework if necessary.

 

CMA/Unite has agreed a trial of “Trainee Managers” and at this point in time we are not yet clear what this entails and how this role will differ from the current acting manager roles.

 

Any further developments will be reported in due course.

 

Any enquiries to Bob Gibson’s Office, quoting reference

Email address: outdoorsecretary@cwu.org

 

Yours sincerely
Bob Gibson

Health, Safety & Environment Department LTB’s Digest for 2015:
As in previous years the Health, Safety & Environment Dept are circulating, for the particular attention of Safety Representatives, a digest list of LTB’s issued by the Health, Safety & Environment Department for 2015.
I attach for your information a digest list of LTB’s issued by the Health, Safety & Environment Department during 2015 which the department issues annually as a reference document.
Copies of all back-number LTBs are available for downloading via the CWU Website or on request directly from the Health, Safety & Environment Department.
Copies of minutes of the NEC HS&E Committee are also available on request.
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
Email Attachments – Click to download
16ltb001-ltb-digest-2015

Eastern No 5 Branch Finances2015 End of Year Figures

 

1st QUARTER

 

Opening balance 1st January​​£39,841.78

Closing balance 31st January​​£37,903.58

Surplus/Deficit​​​​​£1,938.20 –

 

Opening balance 1st February​​£37,903.58

Closing balance 28th February​​£45,144.11

Surplus/Deficit​​​​​£7,240.53

 

Opening balance 1st March​​​£45,144.11

Closing balance 31st March​​​£42,880.34

Surplus/Deficit​​​​​£2,263.77 –

 

1st Quarter Surplus/Deficit​​​£3,038.56

 

2nd QUARTER

 

Opening balance 1st April​​​£42,880.34

Closing balance 30th April​​​£94,675.35​

Surplus/Deficit​​​​​£51,795.01​

 

Opening balance 1st May​​​£94,675.35​

Closing balance 31st May​​​£89,579.32​

Surplus/Deficit​​​​​£5,096.03 – ​

 

Opening balance 1st June​​​£89,579.32​

Closing balance 30th June​​​£91,247.97​

Surplus/Deficit​​​​​£1,668.65​

 

2nd Quarter Surplus/Deficit​​​£48,367.63​

 

3rd QUARTER

 

Opening balance 1st July​​​£91,247.97

Closing balance 31st July​​​£89,030.06

Surplus/Deficit​​​​​£2,217.91

 

Opening balance 1st August​​£89,030.06

Closing balance 31st August​​£88,514.81​

Surplus/Deficit​​​​​£515.25

 

Opening balance 1st September​​£88,514.81

Closing balance 30th September​​£81,669.48

Surplus/Deficit​​​​​£6,845.33

 

3rd Quarter Surplus/Deficit​​£9,578.49

 

4th QUARTER

 

Opening balance 1st October​​£81,669.48

Closing balance 31st October​​£72,958.27

Surplus/Deficit​​​​​£8,711.21

 

Opening balance 1st November​​£72,958.27

Closing balance 30th November​​£72,889.37

Surplus/Deficit​​​​​£68.90

 

Opening balance 1st December​​£72,889.37

Closing balance 31st December​​£73,396.38

Surplus/Deficit​​​​​£507.01

 

4th Quarter Surplus/Deficit​​​£8,273.10

 

2015 Surplus/Deficit​​​​£33,554.60

 

A full report will also be produced at the Branch AGM on January 17th. Hard copies will be available upon request and distributed to workplaces after the AGM.

Processing Report         Christmas 2015

 

I would like to take this opportunity to wish Everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

 

Christmas 2015

Early reports would suggest that we have had a good Christmas and remained within budget. There are not the usual amounts of overtime volunteers for next week so to safe guard the operation the business have booked casuals in Sunday 27th 1400 to 2200, Monday 28th 2200 to 0600 Tuesday, all volunteers are in during this period. Next week all the pre-scheduled overtime has brought in between 0600 Tuesday 29th to 1800 Thursday 31st and casuals have been booked for Tuesday and Wednesday, all catch overtime will be in when casuals are in.

Para: Ongoing

 

Christmas raffle in aid of the long term sick

The Christmas Raffle in aid of the long term sick was drawn on Tuesday. There were thirty three prizes ranging from a 1st prize of a days special leave A to toiletries which included a cut crystal bowl, ice cream maker, travel case, bottles of spirits/wine/beer and chocolates. Notices have gone on display around the building showing the winning numbers.

£1011.00 was raised by the ticket sales which will be divided between the members on long term sick.

I would like to thank all the CWU Reps who put a lot of effort into selling the tickets, the Managers, members of staff and CWU Reps who donated the prizes for the draw and all the people who purchased tickets to support this worthy cause.

Para: Noted

 

Processing Duty Structure

As of week commencing January 4th I will be withdrawn along with John Sambells (Late Shift Manager) to work on producing a processing duty structure which will include the processing element of work in both the collection and distribution halls.

Para: Ongoing

 

Quality

As we enter into the last few months of the financial year Royal Mail is concerned about their quality targets and therefore are investing money into improving it for the remainder of the year. The business will be adding 130 hours on each of Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 1700 to 0600 to the resourcing plan for quality checks. The likelihood is that casuals will be employed to perform manual work allowing trained staff to perform the quality checks. The business will also be diverting out 20k of 2c parcels to Greenford MC on Monday and Tuesdays 4th, 5th, 11th and 12th January. There will be a full uptake of processing overtime when casuals are employed and we divert out.

 

Annual Leave Agreement

Nothing new to report

Para: Ongoing.

 

Parcel Sort Machine

Nothing new to report

Para: Ongoing.

 

Nationally Agreed York Mover (Tug)

Nothing new to report

Para: Ongoing.

 

Finger Scanners

Nothing new to report

Para: Ongoing.

 

New Conduct Code

Nothing new to report

Para: Ongoing.

 

EJ Orviss

Area Processing Representative

Area.processing@cwue5.org                                    

Date 23rd December 2015

REVISED CWU EXPENSES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Further to LTB 787/15, dated 10th December 2015.

Branches will be aware from the revised CWU Expenses Policies and Procedures, as issued in the above LTB, that the Union would be standardising the CWU Expense Claim Forms for use throughout all branches.

In order to ensure that we remain compliant with HMRC we are issuing standard forms which should be used for all claims from 1st January 2016. The use of these forms is mandatory.

For ease of reference the following forms are attached:

Branch Expense Claim Form (Daily Claim)
Branch Expense Claim Form (Weekly Claim)
Branch Representative Payment Form (Non-Travel & Subsistence)

For further information regarding the above is contained in Section 3 of the Revised Policy.

Any enquiries regarding this LTB 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

Attachment 1: Branch Expense Claim Form (Daily Claim)
Attachment 2: Branch Expenses Claim Form (Weekly)
Attachment 3: Branch Representative Payment Form (Non-Travel & Subsistence)
LTB 821/15 – Revised CWU Expenses Policies and Procedures