Light Commercial Vehicle Driver Behaviour Technology 

Further to LTB 469/15 Branches will wish to note that we are due to meet with Royal Mail on the 10th September 2015 regarding a national agreement and the subsequent roll out of the vehicle in-cab technology to assist in significant fuel savings by influencing/changing driver behaviours/driving style. This is following the successful proof of concept trial that took place at Derby, Chesterfield, Leeds, Worksop, Kidderminster and Knutsford delivery offices during July and August.

 

In light of the information generated by the proof of concept and assurances received from Royal Mail regarding the use of the equipment we have agreed to the advance installation of the technology into 13k high mileage vehicles which will commence as from Monday 9th September 2015. In recognition of this Royal Mail have provided us with written confirmation that whilst hardware installations at the sites listed will go ahead, they will not commence use of the technology or turn on any of the functionality until we have concluded a national agreement endorsed by the Postal Executive.

 

The installation is expected to be finished during November 2015. Branches will be updated in due course of developments.

 

Any enquiries to Bob Gibson’s Office, quoting reference 300

Email address: Mstewart@cwu.org

 

Yours sincerely
Bob Gibson

CWU Assistant Secretary

Branches were advised in LTB 138/14 of developments associated with the allocation of additional surplus free shares to employees. 

The business have now advised the union that following the government’s announcement in June 2015 of its intention to gift a further 1% of shares to Royal Mail Group employees by way of a transfer of 10 million shares to the SIP Trust, that the Government Shareholder Executive have agreed to place the shares into the SIP Trust with an award date of the 5th October 2015.

 

We have been advised by Royal Mail that they will be communicating with employees from Friday 4th September 2015 in regard to the approach to the allocation of these further shares to employees. In addition to the shares referred to above, also included in this allocation will be a further 3 million shares that have been forfeited by leavers (e.g. resignations, dismissal etc) and currently are sitting in the SIP Trust.

 

We understand that the same SIP Trust rules will apply as with the previous award i.e. a 3 year forfeiture period and tax advantage after 5 years.

 

As previously communicated and advised, the Union’s position on the allocation of free shares to CWU members is that it is a matter for the individual member to determine whether or not they accept them. We understand the allocation will be done on the same basis as previously i.e. individuals have to opt out if they do not want to receive them. This position is and remains the union’s policy.

 

Against that backdrop and the rush by this Government to sell the public voice in Royal Mail the importance of the ‘Peoples Post campaign’ should be obvious to all. Equally, we will continue to explore the possibility of setting up a trust to ensure we maximise collective voting rights of CWU members within a privately owned Royal Mail Group. 

 

Further information on the trust approach will be issued in due course. Any enquiries on the above LTB should be directed to the DGS (P) Department.

 

Yours sincerely

 
 

Terry Pullinger​​​​​​

Deputy General Secretary (P)

CWU Occupational Health Priorities For RMG – Progressing Conference Policies: 

This is an update for Branches, Area Safety Reps and Regional Health and Safety Forums on progressing a number of Conference Policies on a range of Occupational Health issues covering physical and mental health, welfare and wellbeing.

 

On 19th March at a national joint event attended by the Royal Mail Group Safety Health and Environment Central HQ and Regional Teams plus the CWU HQ Health Safety and Environment Team and ALL CWU Area Health and Safety Reps (Called the ‘Fix Focus Grow’ National Event) in London, National Health, Safety and Environment Officer Dave Joyce set out CWU Policies, objectives and vision of where RMG needs to go on Occupational Health and what the CWU’s policies and key issues were for the business to tackle, the majority of these issues had been debated and carried in CWU Conference Motions or were subsequently carried in 2015 Conference Motions. The Royal Mail Group Head of Health Judith Grant presented the businesses Occupational Health agenda which built the majority of the issues into their forward plan. Further CWU/HQ – RMG/HQ meetings took place in April and May, prior to and after CWU Conference and correspondence was exchanged, confirming CWU objectives and RMG agreement to address the issues raised.

 

The discussions since the appointment of the new head of health in Royal Mail Judith Grant have produced clear indications of good progress. Below is a summary of our key occupational health priorities that we have confirmed we wish to progress based on Conference Motions and feedback from Area Health and Safety Reps and CWU members. As such this is Union policy. The below list doesn’t cover everything but the key issues are here:-

 

1. Sun Safety:

– ​A joint RMG/CWU “Sun Smart-Skin Safe” Campaign. A new RMG Policy, accredited by a recognised Safety Professional organisation or Skin Cancer Charity.
– ​A Review of PPE/Clothing provision to ensure it has an Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) of 50+ which blocks more than 97.5% of the sun’s harmful rays by absorbing, blocking or reflecting UV radiation that causes sunburn and long term skin damage. 
– ​The free provision to all outdoor staff of Sunscreen Cream/Lotion with a minimum Sun Protection Factor (SPF) 30.
2. Stress Policy

A joint review of the RMG Stress Policy with the introduction of ‘cyclical’ periodic Stress Risk Assessments to be introduced, using the HSE model or similar.

 

3. Mental Health

– ​The joint development and introduction of a comprehensive RMG Mental Health Management and support Policy.
– ​Support and Participate in the EU Agency on Safety & Health at Work’s “Healthy Workplaces – Managing Stress and Psychosocial Risks At Work” Campaign and EU H&S Week in October.

– ​World Mental Health Day – Support and Participation.

– ​Mental Health First Aid Training to be provide to all managers, CWU ASRs and RMG First Aiders.

– ​RMG/CWU Joint Signing the ‘MIND’ and ‘Mental Health Rethink’ Mental Health Charities led “Time To Change” Pledge and to develop a joint ‘Action Plan’

– ​Working with ‘MIND’, ‘Mental Health Rethink’, ‘SAMARITANS’ and ‘SANE’ etc. 

 

4. Women and the Menopause at Work

Develop and Introduce a Policy or RMG Standard Management Guidance.

 

5. Ageing Workforce

Work with HSE and develop a Policy based on HSE Guidance and Liaison.

 

6. Rehabilitation Policy

Review the Strategy and Rehab Centres provisions. Include physical and mental health rehabilitation.

 

7. Feeling First Class

Review the RMG Work-Fit Initiatives Plan, Programme, plus run relevant health and awareness campaigns, e.g. Diabetes, Stroke, Heart Health, Blood Pressure, Work Cancers etc.

 

8. Benendin

Provide across the board ‘Free’ Benendin Hospital, Eyecare and Denplan for All employees (currently only available to Parcelforce employees).

 

9. ATOS/OHS

Discuss and develop an understanding of new initiatives and case management approaches ensuring that the approach better benefits individuals and encourages open participation.

 

11. Health Surveillance/Monitoring Policy

Develop an improved Health Surveillance/Monitoring Policy in compliance with:-

 

– ​Regulation 7 of the Working Time Regulations 1998, which imposes a duty on employers to offer night workers a free assessment of their health and capacity to carry out the work they are to be given, prior to them undertaking that work.
– ​Section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work etc., Act 1974 (general duties to carry out appropriate health surveillance.
– ​Regulation 6 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (Gen duty to carry out appropriate health surveillance Post-accident or during long-term illness; on forklift truck and other machinery operators; and on drivers to test for colour blindness.)  
– ​Regulation 5 of the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 (DSE Regulations) – duty on employers to ensure that an appropriate eye and eyesight test is carried out on employees by a competent person and pay for spectacles required to undertake their job.
Discussions continue on these issues which are on the RMG/CWU National Strategic Involvement Committees and Joint Health Board Agendas. Further progress updates will be made in due course.

 

RMG SHE Occupational Health & Wellbeing Workshops For CWU ASRs:

 

Three Royal Mail Group Occupational Health and Wellbeing one day Workshops have been organised for all CWU ASRs to attend where Royal Mail Group’s Head of Health will meet CWU ASRs face to face and will outline the Occupational Health and Wellbeing strategy and plans for Royal Mail Group going forward and to give updates on national initiatives, progressing the above listed CWU key issues and joint talks. The Workshops will emphasise the importance of RM/CWU joint working on Health and Wellbeing improvements and initiatives. There will be an open forum to raise questions on CWU ASR issues and concerns plus ongoing developments and programmes etc. The workshop events will cover priorities, standards, policies and improving processes and for getting prompt attention to health problems. (See LTB 535/15 for further details).

 

The Workshops dates are:

 

7th September 10am-2pm – Nottingham Mail Centre

10th September 10am-2pm – Sheffield Mail Centre, Conference Room.

5th October 10am-2pm – London- 1 Broadgate, London, (near Liverpool Street Station)

 

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce

National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

Bespoke D2D Contract 

Branches will be aware that we have been in discussions with Royal Mail regarding D2D and in particular capturing new contracts and where possible bespoke contracts that require specific delivery arrangements.

 

Subsequently Royal Mail has captured a bespoke D2D contract that is due delivery from Tuesday 29th September 2015 and onwards over the rest of the week. Please note that this particular contract is NOT to be delivered on Monday 28th September.

 

The contract consists of 2.7m items for delivery in specific areas across the UK, however the areas have not been confirmed at this stage for commercial reasons and as soon as we know Branches will be notified via a further LTB.

 

This mailing is expected to be a standard sized item, less than 20g, and is for a telecoms company. The different element of this contract is that the customer does not want the mailing to go out until the Tuesday (onwards) i.e. must not be delivered on Monday. Local delivery units will need to ensure that the arrangements for dealing with this are communicated locally and agreed at the weekly resourcing meeting in advance.

 

The contract provides an opportunity to demonstrate flexibility and agility to sectors where Royal Mail would like to grow volume and where companies have significant marketing budgets but make heavy use of other communication channels. We are hoping that with a cost-effective offer and a robust joint plan in place Royal Mail will be able to generate more volume from these types of customer which fits in with our joint aspirations and ongoing focus on Door to Door.

 

The purpose of this LTB is to provide with Branches as much notice as possible of this impending contract.

 

Any enquiries to Bob Gibson’s Office, quoting reference 230.03

Email address: Mstewart@cwu.org

 

Yours sincerely
Bob Gibson

CWU LGBT Conference 2015 

Branches were advised in LTB 486/15 that motions for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Conference must be returned by midnight on Tuesday 2nd September 2015. This should have read Wednesday 2nd September 2015 and not Tuesday.

 

Branches should be aware that the online registration for all Equality Conferences is open and can be done using the following link: http://conference.cwu.org

 

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

CWU WELFARE FUND – REGULATIONS 

The NEC accepted Motion 65 submitted to General Conference 2015, the motion is reproduced below for ease of reference as is motion 128 submitted to General Conference 2014 that was also accepted by the NEC and is referred to in 65/2015.

 

 

MOTION 65 2015

 

Conference further to the acceptance of Motion 128 at General Conference 2014, to assist branches on National Welfare Fund applications.   

            

Conference notes with concern that no LTB has been issued and no progress appears to have been made.

 

Conference instructs the NEC to implement this policy within six month of the close of General Conference 2015.

 

 

 

MOTION 128 2014

 

Conferences recognises the current economic climate, is placing an increased strain on members and their families. More members are seeking the services of the National Welfare Fund, and branches need more support to assist members in vulnerable circumstances.

 

Conference calls for the NEC and Finance Committee to produce a comprehensive LTB to assist branches in National Welfare Applications to include:

 

1.​How should branches present applications, and what supporting paperwork is ​required?

2. ​What circumstances are covered by the fund?

3.​Clarification on the regulations of the fund

4. ​A realistic indication of timescales of this process

5.​A support list of useful contacts e.g. Rowland Hill Fund, CAB, Debt Charity’s, ​

​Bereavement Services, Macmillan Nurses, Samaritans, DWP,

​Contacts, etc.

 

​This list is not exhaustive

 

 

 

The NEC has now considered these motions and produced a new set of regulations laying out how applications to the Welfare Fund should be made. It is simply not possible to predict every single set of circumstances that may befall any of our members that could then lead to financial hardship and thus a request for assistance being made.

 

However, by laying out as clearly as we possibly can what is required to make an application and in particular regarding the supporting corroborative evidence needed, then that is all we can do to point both members and branches in the right direction.

 

It is also not possible to state with any certainty how long it will take to process claims. All claims have to be placed before the Trustees to reach a decision on an award (if appropriate). Given that the Trustees are also Industrial and National Executive members they face a heavy workload and so some time delay is to be expected and indeed if the full and proper consideration is to be given to each case, on its own merits, then time is required to ensure the cases are given the respect our members deserve.  

 

Additionally the Trustees have no control over the volume or timing of cases as presented, however they have and will continue to endeavour to deal with applications as speedily as is practicably possible.

 

Branches should also note the maximum amount of money that can be awarded has by necessity had to be reduced, as the economic situation facing our members worsens we see an increase in the number and type of claims being presented. Couple this with a fall off in the traditional sources of income that put cash into the Welfare Fund i.e. affinity partnership deals, this change will ensure we help as many of our members as it is possible to do.

 

We all have to acknowledge that this is not an easy subject to deal with, it is extremely emotive and relies on those making a decision to strike a balance between being as fair, but as dispassionate as they can be in these circumstances.

 

The NEC believes that the attached regulations address this point and in doing so addresses the conference policy.

 

Finally Motion 128 2014 also sought a list of useful contacts for other organisation that can help in the circumstances that the Welfare Fund deals with it. Please find this list below. In order to assist branches we have also attached a further document that gives a brief overview of precisely what each of these organisations exists to deal with, we believe this will enable branches to guide our members to seek alternative support and advice if the specific circumstances warrant it.

 

• Money Advice Service

• BT Benevolent Fund

• Rowland Hill Fund

• Citizens Advice Bureau

• Macmillan

• SSAFA (Soldiers Sailors Airman Families Association)

• Samaritans

• Department of Welfare and Pensions (DWP)

 

• Shelter

• Crisis

• Centrepoint

• Stepchange

 

NOTE: The CWU does not imply any support or accept any responsibility for the outcomes of members dealing with any charities or other organisations listed, these are a matter of personal choice to contact, engage or follow any advice given.

 

The NEC hopes that branches will appreciate the difficulties involved in trying to address all the concerns raised around the issue of the Welfare Fund, we believe we have gone as far as we can in offering the advice, guidance and other options needed to assist members in difficult times.

 

Branches should note that these new regulations will be applied to all claims made to the Welfare Fund that arrive in CWU HQ from the 1st September 2015.

 

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

 

Network 15 Revision Update 

Further to LTB 394/15 which provided formal notification in respect of the Network 15 Revision Stage 1 Data Gathering, a meeting of the Network Working Group (NWG) took place on Monday, 10th August 2015 to discuss the outputs generated from the activity that had taken place.

 

The department can now report that in line with Stage 2 of the agreed process (LTB 344/15 refers) the department have requested further information and clarification from the business in respect of the data that has been obtained and that the NWG discussions are currently ongoing.

 

Given the aforementioned Branches and representatives are therefore informed that until advised otherwise by the department local engagement in relation to the Network 15 revision should not take place and that there is to be no progression to Stage 3 of the process at this current time.

 

The department will provide a further update in due course.

 

Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Joe Malone, Acting Assistant Secretary, e-mail: dwyatt@cwu.org or shayman@cwu.org quoting reference number: 233.11

 

Yours sincerely

 

 

Joe Malone

Acting Assistant Secretary

 

RE: FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR MR PAUL SHARPE NATIONAL CHAIRMAN OF THE FORMER UCW 

I write further to LTB 536/15 in which I advised Branches of the sad passing of Paul Sharpe National Chairman of the former UCW. We can now advise Branches that the Funeral Arrangements are as follows: –  

 

The Funeral will take place at 11.15.am on Thursday 27th August 2015.  

 

Bretby Crematorium

Caernarvon Chapel

Geary Lane

Bretby

Burton on Trent

Staffordshire

DE15 0QE

 

Parking is available at the Crematorium.

 

The family have requested that no flowers should be sent.  

 

If you have any enquiries on this LTB, these should be addressed to the General Secretary’s Office at gsoffice@cwu.org quoting the reference GS1.3/LTB 544/15.

 

Yours sincerely

​​​ ​​

 

Dave Ward​​​​​​

General Secretary