Royal Mail Group – Pension Salary Exchange (PSE)

Royal Mail has written to staff with details of a new way of making pension contributions, known as Pension Salary Exchange (PSE), which will save some of the cost of national insurance contributions.
Why is Royal Mail introducing PSE? The Royal Mail Pension Plan (RMPP) is, like most defined benefit schemes, contracted out of an element of National Insurance (NI) contributions. The government is ending contracting out in April 2016. This means NI contributions for RMPP members will increase from 10.6% to 12%. NI costs will also increase for the business. PSE is a way of reducing some of the cost.
How does PSE work? Instead of your pension contribution being deducted from your pay, Royal Mail will make your contribution directly to the pension scheme on your behalf and reduce your headline rate of pay by the same amount. This reduces the level of pay on which NI contributions must be made and therefore reduces the amount of NI paid.
Does this mean I am getting a pay cut? No. Your take home pay will increase as a result of PSE because of the reduction in NI contributions. Royal Mail intend to introduce PSE in August. From then until contracting out ends in April 2016 members of the RMPP will see an increase in take home pay. After April 2016 the increase in NI from 10.6% to 12% costs will reduce take home pay for members of the RMPP – but this reduction will be much less than would be the case without PSE. The Royal Mail Defined Contribution Plan (RMDCP) is not contracted out of any element of NI, so members already pay the full rate and will not have to pay more NI from April 2016. RMDCP members will see an increase in take home pay which will be ongoing.
Will PSE affect any pay related allowances or benefits? No. Future pay rises will be based on pre-exchange pay. Pay related allowances and overtime will also be based on pre-exchange rates, as will redundancy, Ill Health Retirement terms and death in service payments
Will PSE have any affect on my company pension? No. Exactly the same level of payment will be made into the scheme, so benefits are unaffected.
Will PSE affect my ability to borrow? When contacted for details for your earnings, Royal Mail will show your pre-exchange pay as well as your salary exchange pay. Most defined benefit schemes now operate on a basis of salary exchange so lenders are familiar with these schemes.
Is this a form of tax avoidance? No. The scheme will be specifically endorsed by HMRC. Many other defined benefit schemes have operated salary exchange for many years – the BT scheme covering CWU members in Telecoms is an example.
Is everyone included? No. Anyone earning less than £192 per week will not be included. This is to ensure no one can lose out on income related state benefits. If a person’s earnings vary around this level, they will be taken out of PSE for any pay period in which earnings fall below £192 per week.
Does everyone benefit from salary exchange? People who have already reached state pension age no longer pay NI and will see no change. Not everyone will benefit equally. Higher rate tax payers pay a lower rate of NI contribution so people earning above £40,400 a year will see much less of a saving than basic rate tax payers.
What is the union’s view? The introduction of PSE was discussed at the Pension Policy Committee –a joint body including Royal Mail and the unions. We believe it makes sense to introduce PSE, because it reduces the cost of the ending of contracting out for members of the RMPP and the business, and produces a net financial gain for the members of the RMDCP. If you have any further questions, the union has established a dedicated email address pse@cwu.org
Yours sincerely
Ray Ellis

Postal Regulation – Ofcom Announcement, 16th June 

As you may have seen in the media, Ofcom has today announced that it is conducting a fundamental review of the way it regulates Royal Mail in the wake of Whistl’s withdrawal from the letter delivery market last week.

 

While Ofcom has presented this in its press release as part of its work to secure the universal service, the focus of this review will be looking at whether Royal Mail should have less commercial freedom – and should now be subject to price controls – and how Ofcom can ensure that it becomes more efficient.

 

Given Ofcom’s stance on the postal market and its efforts to promote competition, it is not a surprise to us that it is looking to restrict Royal Mail and put pressure on it over efficiency following Whistl’s announcement.

 

Ofcom has said that it will publish its initial proposals and consult on these in July, with a view to introducing a new regulatory framework in 2016. The CWU will be responding to this consultation and we will update branches about how today’s announcement fits in with our campaign on regulation and Ofcom’s approach to the postal market at the briefing at the TUC on 19th June.

 

Any queries about the contents of this LTB should be addressed to the GS Department.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

 

 

 

Ray Ellis ​Dave Ward ​

Acting Deputy General Secretary (P)​General Secretary

THE FUTURE OF THE POSTAL INDUSTRY – ALL BRANCH MEETING AND PARLIAMENTARY LOBBY OF MP’s: WEDNESDAY 8TH JULY 2015 

I write further to LTB 379/15 on the Government’s announcement last week to place 15% of the remaining shares in Royal Mail with a number of city institutions to be sold to institutional investors. I advised branches in that letter of our intention to hold a Parliamentary event prior to the summer recess.  

 

Preparations are now in hand to hold an event on ‘The Future of the Postal Industry’ and this will take place on Wednesday 8th July 2015. It is our intention to hold a meeting close to Parliament in a venue which can comfortably accommodate all branches – enabling CWU officers and representatives to maximise their opportunity in the afternoon to Lobby MPs in the House of Commons. The full details of the event are as follows:-

 

DATE: WEDNESDAY 8TH JULY 2015    

VENUE: THE LIBRARY, CENTRAL HALL

ADDRESS: STOREY’S GATE, WESTMINSTER SW1H 9NH

VENUE LINK: http://www.c-h-w.com/

TIME: 11.00AM – Refreshments from 10.30AM

 

Given that this is an important political event we are taking the opportunity to involve all branches from both constituencies. Therefore, you are all urged to prioritise this meeting and make every effort to attend.

 

We will issue an agenda and confirm all details nearer the date. In the meantime we thought it important to advise you of the meeting as early as possible, so you can make the necessary travel arrangements etc.

 

Any enquiries about the content of this LTB should be addressed to the General Secretary’s Office quoting the reference LTB387/15. 

 

 

Yours sincerely

 

​​​​​

 

Dave Ward​​​​​​

General Secretary

 
COMMUNICATION WORKERS UNION

URGENT INFORMATION FOR MEMBERS

Diabetes Week 2015 – 14 – 20 June 

Diabetes Week is a highlight in the Diabetes UK calendar. It’s a time when the organisation calls on support from everywhere to raise awareness of the condition, and raise funds for the charity’s work. Diabetes Week 2015 will take place from Sunday 14 to Saturday 20 June and the CWU Health, Safety & Environment Department is supporting

the week again this year.

 

This Diabetes Week Diabetes UK wants to remind everyone that you’re not on your own when it comes to Diabetes. Actually there’s a lot of people out there going through the same thing. And Diabetes UK is working for those people. And they have lots of ways they can help. 

 

Throughout the week, Diabetes UK will be talking about all of the ways they give support, advice, and chances to learn more about diabetes to help people be aware of the signs, symptoms and how to manage the condition well.

 

And Diabetes UK would like to hear feedback, hints, tips and stories of living life to the full. 

 

Measure Up – are you at risk of Diabetes?

 

Over two million people in the UK have Diabetes. Another 750,000 have diabetes but are completely unaware of it. Attached is information and leaflets to find out more. Diabetes is serious. If left untreated it can lead to blindness, kidney failure, heart disease and other life-threatening complications. Many people with diabetes have had it for between nine and 12 years before it is diagnosed. By this time many of these people will have started to develop some of the complications. But the good news is that if people can spot their diabetes early they can greatly reduce the risk of serious health problems. So those who suspect they have symptoms should go to their GP and get a test.

 

Type 1 v Type 2 Diabetes

 

There are two main types of diabetes.

 

Type 1 diabetes usually affects people under 40 and is treated with insulin injections, diet and regular physical activity.

 

Type 2 diabetes is usually found in white people over 40 years old and in black and Asian people and people from minority ethnic groups aged over 25 years. It can be treated with diet and physical activity alone – although most people will also need tablets and sometimes insulin injections. Over three quarters of people with diabetes have Type 2.

 

The attached leaflets provide further information.

 

Those at risk!

 

People who are white and over 40 years old, or black, Asian or from a minority ethnic group and over 25 years old and have one or more of the following risk factors, should ask their GP for a test for diabetes:

• A close member of your family has Type 2 diabetes (parent or brother or sister).

• Are Overweight or have a waist of 31.5 inches or over for women; 35 inches (80cms) or over for Asian men and 37 inches (94cms) or over for white and black men.

• 80 per cent of people diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes are overweight. The more overweight and the more inactive you are the greater your risk. If you don’t know whether you’re overweight, ask your GP to measure your BMI.

• Have high blood pressure or had a heart attack or a stroke or circulation problems.

• Are a woman with polycystic ovary syndrome and are overweight.

• Have been told you have impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glycaemia.

• Are a woman and have had gestational diabetes.

• Have severe mental health problems.

 

The more risk factors that apply – the greater the individual’s risk of having diabetes.

 

The symptoms

 

The symptoms of untreated diabetes will usually be very obvious in people with Type 1 diabetes but not so clear or non-existent in people with Type 2 diabetes. If you’re older you may put the symptoms down to ‘getting on a bit’. Taking early action is key so if any of the following apply to you, ask your GP for a diabetes test:

 

• increased thirst

• going to the toilet all the time – especially at night

• extreme tiredness

• weight loss

• genital itching or regular episodes of thrush

• slow healing of wounds

• blurred vision.

 

The complications

 

Diabetes is serious because it can lead to life-threatening complications. These include:

 

• blindness

• kidney failure

• heart disease

• stroke

• nerve damage that can lead to amputations.

 

The risk of developing complications can be greatly reduced by getting diagnosed early and then controlling the diabetes. People can lead a full and healthy life with diabetes but the key is getting diagnosed as early as possible.

 

How to get involved in Diabetes Week 2015

 

There are plenty of ways to support Diabetes Week 2015.

 

1. Raise awareness

Help others seek support, advice and information by raising awareness of Diabetes Week. Order a supporter pack, full of posters and flyers to put up in workplaces and in the local community.

 

2. Join in

During Diabetes Week for those with the condition – think about how you manage your condition well and live life to the full. Then during the week join in the conversation by sharing hints, tips and stories. 

 

3. Survey

During the Week Diabetes UK will also be asking people to take part in a survey where people will have the opportunity to tell Diabetes UK about their knowledge of the condition, the education received and what types of support you’d like to receive from Diabetes UK in the future. 

 

4. Raise Funds

Diabetes UK will be kicking off Diabetes Week 2015 with the Big Collection. They will be collecting in 300 Tesco stores across the UK.

 

5. Supporters Pack

Support Diabetes Week 2015 by ordering a supporter pack, full of posters and flyers for you to put up in your workplace, at the following link:-

 

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/get_involved/diabetes-week/

 

Further Information

 

For Information and Resources on Diabetes Week please contact Diabetes UK at:-

 

diabetesweek@diabetes.org.uk

 

Diabetes UK Central Office

Macleod House,

10 Parkway, London NW1 7AA

Tel: 0345 123 2399*

Fax: 020 7424 1001

Email: info@diabetes.org.uk

 

The Diabetes UK Careline is on 0845 120 2960 or email careline@diabetes.org.uk for confidential support and information.

 

The Diabetes UK website at http://www.diabetes.org.uk

 

About Diabetes UK

 

Diabetes UK is the leading charity in the UK for people with diabetes, their family, friends and carers. Their mission is to improve the lives of people with the condition and to work towards a future without diabetes. They are a membership organisation – to join ring 0800 138 5605 or visit http://www.diabetes.org.uk/join

 

Diabetes UK Regional offices

 

Diabetes UK, Central Office Telephone 020 7424 1000 Email info@diabetes.org.uk

Diabetes UK Cymru Telephone 029 2066 8276

Diabetes UK Eastern Telephone 01376 501390

Diabetes UK East Midlands Telephone 0115 950 7147

Diabetes UK London Telephone 020 7424 1116

Diabetes UK Northern Ireland Telephone 028 9066 6646

Diabetes UK Northern & Yorkshire Telephone 01325 488606

Diabetes UK North West Telephone 01925 653281

Diabetes UK Scotland Telephone 0141 332 2700

Diabetes UK South East Telephone 01372 720148

Diabetes UK South West Telephone 01823 324007

Diabetes UK West Midlands Telephone 01922 614500

 Yours sincerely

 

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
 

 Men’s Health Week 2015 – 15th to 21st June – Focus on Healthy Living for Men

 

Further to LTB 376/15, this is to remind Branches, Health and Safety Reps and Regional Health and Safety Forums that Men’s Health Week runs from today 15 June to 21 June.

 

Men’s Health Forum leads Men’s Health Week in England and Wales and the CWU has a long standing relationship with MHF. 

 

HEALTHY LIVING FOR MEN

 

Men’s Health Week 2015 focuses on healthy living challenging men to:

 

▪ Look after their relationships and wellbeing

▪ Don’t smoke

▪ Drink sensibly

▪ Be active and exercise

▪ Watch their weight

▪ Watch their blood pressure

▪ Skin & Sun Safety

▪ Back protection

▪ Stress

▪ Turn up to their NHS Health Check

WHY THIS TOPIC – WHY HEALTHY LIVING FOR MEN?

Men are less likely to lead a healthy lifestyle. They are more likely to smoke, drink alcohol to hazardous levels and be overweight or obese. These lifestyles can lead into serious diseases such as cancer, heart diseases, stokes, diabetes etc., the risk of which can be reduced by leading a healthy lifestyle and doing the right things at home and at work.

 

Why Is This Important?

One in five men dies before the age of 65. That’s 20% of men who won’t reach retirement age. Additionally:

▪ The mortality rates in the UK for males were 619 deaths per 100,000 compared to 451 per 100,000 for women

▪ The biggest single cause of death in men is cancer. Men have a 37% higher risk of dying from cancer and a 67% higher chance of dying from cancers that affect both men and women

▪ 75% of premature deaths from coronary heart disease are male 

 

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is vital for avoiding serious diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease. Yet men are far more likely to lead an unhealthy lifestyle:

 

▪ Men are more likely than women to smoke, smoke more cigarettes per day and smoke hand-rolled tobacco. 22% of men reported smoking compared to 17% of women

▪ Men are more likely than women to drink alcohol and drink at hazardous levels. 14% of men reported drinking an alcoholic drink on five or more days in a week compared to 9% of women

▪ 67% of men are overweight or obese

▪ Men are more likely than women to eat too much salt, red meat and processed meat

▪ Men are more likely than women to eat too little fruit and too little vegetables

▪ 67% of men reported they met the government recommendations for physical activity

▪ Participation in activity amongst men declines with age. 83% of men aged 16-24 met the recommendations for physical activity, compared with 57% aged 65-74.

Lifestyle and Health Impacts

 

Whilst men are often reluctant to opt for healthier choices, unhealthy lifestyles can lead to dramatic consequences for male health. Men who have unhealthy lifestyles are more likely to:

 

▪ Suffer from mental health issues

▪ Be at risk from heart attack

▪ Be at risk of two or more health factors

▪ Suffer from diabetes, chronic liver disease and cancer

 

This issue has significant problems across the UK. 75% of premature deaths from coronary heart disease are male.

 

Men have a 37% higher risk of dying from cancer and a 67% higher chance of dying from cancers that affect both men and women. 

 

There are also wider implications in terms of cost. ASH estimates that the total cost of smoking to society is approximately £12.9 billion a year. Obesity is estimated to cost £27 billion a year.

 

A Growing Problem

 

The majority of men are now overweight or obese. And although the number of males reported to be smoking has declined, the use of hand rolled cigarettes has increased alongside drinking alcohol and eating unhealthily. 

 

THE MEN’S HEALTH MANIFESTO

 

The Men’s Health Manifesto challenges men and health providers on these issues.

 

A copy of the Manifesto is attached.

MEN’S HEALTH WEEK 2015 RESOURCE PACK – HEALTHY LIVING FOR MEN

 

The MHF week resource ‘pack’ brings together the essential information for Men’s Health Week. One in five men dies before the age of 65. MHF say that ‘together, we can change that’. Led by the Men’s Health Forum in England and Wales, this year’s Men’s Health Week runs from the 15th to 21st June and aims to highlight issues around healthy living for men. 

 

The resource pack is available at:-

 

https://www.menshealthforum.org.uk/mens-health-week-2015-resource-pack-healthy-living

 

MHF want individuals, including CWU Health and Safety Reps to contact them and let them know what you think about the resource pack.

 

HEALTH INFORMATION FOR MEN

 

MHF provide quality information that meets the NHS Information Standard.

 

• Male Health: Food FAQs

• Male Health: Fitness FAQs

• Male Health: Alcohol FAQs

• Male Health: Smoking FAQs

 

Copies are attached.

 

MEN’S HEALTH MAN MANUALS

 

As well as the resource pack, MHF produce their excellent range of men’s health ‘Man Manuals’ which are available to order all year round.

The Health, Safety & Environment Department has circulated copies of three Men’s Health Forum mini Man Manuals to Health and Safety Reps and Regional Health and Safety Forums. These cover the ‘Healthy Living For Men’ Men’s Health Week focus issues. They are:-

 

• The Man Manual – Men’s Health Made Easy

• Man Manual – Challenges & Choices

• Beat Stress Feel Better – Men’s Health Made Easy

 

Any Branch wishing to order further manuals can do so at the following link:-

 

https://www.menshealthforum.org.uk/mhw

 

MHF/MIND/NMHDU – MEN’S MENTAL HEALTH REPORT & GUIDANCE

 

Previously circulated when first published in 2011, a copy of this excellent report produced jointly by Men’s Health Forum, MIND and the National Mental Health Development Unit is attached along with a MHF Stress at Work Poster.

 

MEN’S HEALTH WEEK POSTERS

 

These are available/downloadable at:-

 

https://www.menshealthforum.org.uk/mens-health-week-2015-posters

 

Copies of two versions are attached from the full range.

 

SIGN UP FOR NEWS FROM THE MEN’S HEALTH FORUM – MEN’S HEALTH WEEK 2015

 

Get the MHF newsletters, news and information sent to you by signing up. It’s the easiest way to keep up to date with MHF’s men’s health policy and best practice work and with the latest health information for men.

 

Sign up at:-

 

https://www.menshealthforum.org.uk/sign-news-mens-health-forum

 

MEN’S HEALTH FORUM (MHF) CONTACT DETAILS FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

 

The Men’s Health Forum

32-36 Loman Street

London, SE1 0EH

Tel: 020 7922 7908

 

THE MEN’S HEALTH FORUM (MHF)

 

The Men’s Health Forum is a charity that works to improve men’s health services and the health of men. In the UK, one man in five dies before he reaches 65 and the MHF works with individuals and organisations to change that. Through their advice, research and campaigning MHF aim to reduce the tragic deaths of men and boys who simply die too young because of preventable health problems. MHF believes that there is an urgent need to tackle the unnecessarily and unacceptably poor health and wellbeing of men and boys. The health of the whole population should be improved through an approach that takes full account of the needs of both sexes. Men and boys should be able to live healthy and fulfilling lives, whatever their backgrounds. MHF works to achieve this through:

 

• Policy development, research and lobbying

• Supporting other organisations and services to engage more effectively with boys and men on health issues

• Providing authoritative and unique health information for men – here at Male Health

• Leading the annual national Men’s Health Week

• Publishing the award-winning range of mini manual health booklets for men

• Working with MPs and government

• Developing innovative and imaginative best practice projects

• Training service providers and others

• Collaborating with the widest possible range of interested organisations and individuals.

 

MHF works across a number of health and related issues including cancer, workplace health, mental health and access to services.

Men visit their GP 20% less frequently than women and are also much less likely to use pharmacy, smoking cessation, weight management and health trainer services. MHF’s work focuses particularly on those groups of men with the worst health and they are striving to ensure that they take account of the diversity of men and their needs. Successes include MHF campaigns for a screening programme for abdominal aortic aneurysms in older men and for the National Chlamydia Screening Programme to target young men as well as women. As a direct result of MHF’s work, Department of Health policy on pharmacy requires services to address the needs of men and national cancer policy also takes account of gender differences.

 

The Men’s Health Forum was founded by the Royal College of Nursing in 1994 and became an independent charity in 2001. 

 

In 2013 MHF were appointed as a strategic partner of the Department of Health, NHS England and Public Health England. 

 

This programme sees MHF working alongside government to help health providers and third sector organisations improve the health of men and boys. The Men’s Health Forum (England and Wales) is a registered charity (No 1087375).

 

Yours sincerely

 
 

Dave Joyce

National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

Lobby of Westminster – UCU #lovefe Campaign: 16 June 2015

On the 26th February 2015 the Coalition Government announced that funding cuts in adult further education of 24% would be imposed during 2015-16. The University and College Union (UCU) estimates that these appalling cuts could lead to a loss of more than 400,000 college students in 2015/16 alone. The severe and sudden cut to the adult skills budget has put huge pressure on a number of colleges across England which has resulted in the proposed closure of several TUC centres and Branches will recall the carriage of Motion E7 at this year’s General Conference where reference was made to this issue during debate.

This LTB draws Branches attention to the UCU #lovefe campaign to save adult education from the proposed 24% cuts to the England lifelong learning budget and publicises the fact that UCU will be holding a lobby of parliament at Westminster on the afternoon of Tuesday 16 June 2015. Newly elected MPs will be asked to stop the cuts and commit to properly funded lifelong learning. In order to make the lobby as effective as possible, the UCU needs to know how many MPs they will be engaging with. CWU Branches may wish to participate and enter details as advised below to help the UCU gather the appropriate information.

Details of the lobby are:

• Assemble: 2pm, Parliament Square and then lobby and meeting with speakers between 3pm-5pm at Houses of Parliament.

To attend the lobby, please contact the UCU by navigating to http://fefunding.org.uk/attending-the-lobby/ and completing the online form. The UCU will be able to provide a template letter to contact MPs and book appointments for the lobby. Any questions relating to this can be directed to info@fefunding.org.uk

In the meantime Branches are urged to encourage members to sign and circulate the UCU led petition which states that:

“We note the decision of the government to cut the English adult further education budget for 2015/16, once funding for apprenticeships is excluded, by 24%. This enormous cut in funding will decimate further education provision, leave millions of the most vulnerable adults without access to any opportunity to improve their education or retrain and put thousands of FE jobs at risk. We call upon the government not to implement these cuts and to instead invest properly in lifelong learning opportunities for all.”

The online petition can be found at http://fefunding.org.uk/sign-the-petition/ any queries relating to this LTB should be forwarded to lwakeman@cwu.org in the first instance.

 

Best wishes,

 

 

TRISH LAVELLE

Head of Education and Training

On the 26th February 2015 the Coalition Government announced that funding cuts in adult further education of 24% would be imposed during 2015-16. The University and College Union (UCU) estimates that these appalling cuts could lead to a loss of more than 400,000 college students in 2015/16 alone. The severe and sudden cut to the adult skills budget has put huge pressure on a number of colleges across England which has resulted in the proposed closure of several TUC centres and Branches will recall the carriage of Motion E7 at this year’s General Conference where reference was made to this issue during debate.

This LTB draws Branches attention to the UCU #lovefe campaign to save adult education from the proposed 24% cuts to the England lifelong learning budget and publicises the fact that UCU will be holding a lobby of parliament at Westminster on the afternoon of Tuesday 16 June 2015. Newly elected MPs will be asked to stop the cuts and commit to properly funded lifelong learning. In order to make the lobby as effective as possible, the UCU needs to know how many MPs they will be engaging with. CWU Branches may wish to participate and enter details as advised below to help the UCU gather the appropriate information.

Details of the lobby are:

• Assemble: 2pm, Parliament Square and then lobby and meeting with speakers between 3pm-5pm at Houses of Parliament.

To attend the lobby, please contact the UCU by navigating to http://fefunding.org.uk/attending-the-lobby/ and completing the online form. The UCU will be able to provide a template letter to contact MPs and book appointments for the lobby. Any questions relating to this can be directed to info@fefunding.org.uk

In the meantime Branches are urged to encourage members to sign and circulate the UCU led petition which states that:

“We note the decision of the government to cut the English adult further education budget for 2015/16, once funding for apprenticeships is excluded, by 24%. This enormous cut in funding will decimate further education provision, leave millions of the most vulnerable adults without access to any opportunity to improve their education or retrain and put thousands of FE jobs at risk. We call upon the government not to implement these cuts and to instead invest properly in lifelong learning opportunities for all.”

The online petition can be found at http://fefunding.org.uk/sign-the-petition/ any queries relating to this LTB should be forwarded to lwakeman@cwu.org in the first instance.

 

Best wishes,

 

 

TRISH LAVELLE

Head of Education and Training

Election of: 

• CWU Deputy General Secretary (Postal)

• CWU Postal Executive (Postal Grades) – Rerun Ballot

 

Further to LTB 339/15, dated 15 May 2015

 

1. CWU Deputy General Secretary (Postal)

 

Nominations for the above position closed at 14:00 on 11 June 2015.

 

Please find below a list of accepted nominations and respective nominating branches.

 

Ray Ellis ​CWU Officers Branch​(Ballot Required)

 

Nominating Branches

 

CWU Officers Branch

London West End Amal

Birmingham District Amal

Meridian

Central and West Lancs

Mid Wales, The Marches and North Staffs

Central Counties and Thames Valley

Midland No.1

Cheshire No.1 Amal

Midland No.7

Colchester and District

Newcastle Amal

Darwen Capita

North East

East Lancs Amal

North West Central Amal

East London Postal

North West No.1

East Midlands

Northern Ireland Combined

Eastern No.3

Northern Ireland East

Eastern No.6

Northern/North West London

Gloucestershire Amal

Scotland MT

Great Western

Somerset, Devon and Cornwall

Greater Manchester

South Central MT

Jersey

South East Anglia

Leicester and Midshires

South East London Postal and Counters

London 7

South Midlands Postal

London North Western C&C

South Yorkshire

London Postal Engineering

West Yorkshire

London RMT

Wolverhampton and District Amal

London South West Postal

 

 

 

 

 

Terry Pullinger ​CWU Officers Branch ​(Ballot Required)

 

Nominating Branches​

 

CWU Officers Branch

Northern Home Counties

Bournemouth and Dorset Amal

Northern Ireland West

Bradford and District

Nottingham and District Amal

Bristol and District Amal

Portsmouth and District

Cleveland Amal

Romford Amal

Cornwall Amal

Scotland No.2

County Durham Amal

Scotland No.5

Croydon and Sutton Amal

Shropshire and Mid Wales

Doncaster and District

South and East Thames Amal

Eastern No.5

South East No.5

Essex Amal

South East Wales Amal

Glasgow and District Amal

South West 7

Guernsey

South West Middlesex Amal

Gwent Amal

South West Wales Amal

Hull and East Riding Amal

South Yorks and District Amal

Isle of Man

Southdowns, Weald and Rother

Kent Invicta

Suffolk Amal

Kingston Area

Wessex South Central

Leeds No.1 Amal

Western Counties

Merseyside Amal

Worcester and Hereford Amal

North Lancs and Cumbria

York and District Amal

North Wales and Marches

 

 

 

2. CWU Postal Executive (Postal Grades) – Re-run Ballot

 

Branches are reminded that the ballot for the above election will be conducted in conjunction with the DGSP Ballot. For ease of reference the candidates and balloting arrangements for this election are contained in LTB 339/15.

 

The timetable for the above ballots is as follows:

 

Ballot Papers despatched:​23 June 2015

Ballot Closes:​​14 July 2015

 

Any enquiries regarding the above should be directed to the Senior Deputy General Secretary’s Department for the attention of Peter Metcalfe.

 

Yours sincerely

 

 

Tony Kearns

Senior Deputy General Secretary

FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS ON ROYAL MAIL PRIVATISATION AND WHISTL 

The Government announced late yesterday afternoon that 15% of the shares in Royal Mail (half of its remaining stake) has been placed with a number of city institutions to be sold to institutional investors. The process for this took place overnight and this is clearly a further demonstration of the Government’s total disregard for a public voice in the company. It brings to the fore the very real threat to the continuation of daily delivery services and the Universal Service Obligation in the UK. Furthermore, the haste in which this has been carried out clearly denies any debate or scrutiny of the government’s proposals.  

 

We understand that the Chancellor also confirmed in a speech last night that a further 1% of shares would go to employees. At this stage we have no further detail on this.

 

In response to these developments the union has made it clear that public or private the CWU is going nowhere and prospective institutional investors should know that we will defend our members’ terms and conditions by all means necessary. These events strengthen our determination to campaign for stronger legislation to protect daily deliveries and the universal service.

 

In a separate development yesterday Whistl confirmed that following its 30-day consultation the company is pulling out of its entire UK delivery operation.

 

It can be seen from the aforementioned that events within the postal sector are moving at a very fast pace and it is more important than ever that the union has a co-ordinated and effective response and our approach to this will be fully discussed at next week’s briefing on the 19th June.  

 

Finally, we can also confirm that the Union will be holding a parliamentary event before the summer recess and further details on this will follow in due course. Although the parliamentary event will focus on postal industry issues, it will be our intention to open up this event to CWU Branches across both constituencies.

 

Any enquiries about the content of this LTB should be addressed to the GS Department quoting the reference LTB379/15. 

 

Yours sincerely

 

​​​​​

Dave Ward​​​​​​

General Secretary

END AUSTERITY NOW – DEMONSTRATION AND MARCH 20TH JUNE
You may be aware the anti-austerity campaign group, the People’s Assembly is holding a national demonstration and march in London on the 20th June to protest against the government’s agenda of privatisation and spending cuts. The union is affiliated to the People’s Assembly, as endorsed at this year’s General Conference.
The campaign is being backed by the CWU and other unions including Unite, PCS, Unison and the RMT and aims to make clear the strength of opposition to the government’s plans. In the wake of the general election, with a majority Conservative government now determined to attack trade union rights, this has become all the more important.
In particular the campaign highlights the need for: a fairer economy; more and better jobs; protection for public services; and a solution to the housing crisis. The CWU will have a bloc on the march and we will be protesting on these issues and the causes we are campaigning on, notably agency workers, the race to the bottom on terms and conditions and the recent announcement for the final stage of privatisation in Royal Mail.
The demonstration and march will start from the Bank of England at midday and is expected to end at Parliament Square between 4pm-5pm. As General Secretary I will be speaking at the demonstration at the Bank of England before the march calling for the labour movement to re-assert union values in society today and for a rebalancing of forces in the world of work.
Details about the event, including coaches that have been organised from around the country, are available here http://www.thepeoplesassembly.org.uk/.
Given the challenges facing the CWU and wider society I would urge all CWU branches to have a presence at the event and to encourage as many members as possible to come along and make their voices heard. Many of us were deeply disappointed to wake up to a Conservative government on 8th May – it’s time for the movement to fight back.
Any enquiries about the content of this LTB should be addressed to the GS department quoting the reference LTB378/15.
 
Yours sincerely
 
 
 
 
DAVE WARD

General Secretary