Postal Conference 2024 – Submission of Motions

Please find attached motion forms for Postal Conference 2024.  The purpose of this Letter to Branches is to remind those Branches/Co-ordinating Committees who do not have access to an email facility that they must contact head office direct to request hard copies of the forms to be despatched to them.  They should contact Angela Niven on 020 8971 7256.

We also take this opportunity to attach to this Letter to Branches the Motion Guide for submitting Motions to Postal Conference 2024.

Branches/Co-ordinating Committees are also reminded that the closing date for the submission of motions to Postal Conference is by noon onThursday 15^th February 2024 by email to postalmotions@cwu.org   No motions will be accepted that go to any other e-mail address as the conference guide to motions refers.

Any queries regarding this Letter to Branches should be addressed to Angela Niven at Head Office or on 020 8971 7256.

Yours sincerely,

A P Kearns
Senior Deputy General Secretary

23LTB310 – Postal Conference 2024 – Submission of Motions

Guide for Motions Postal 2024

Postal Motion Form 2024

View Online

Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash FY23 021 – ‘Dog Attacks’:

Introduction, Background and Description: 

Royal Mail Group’s Safety Team have issued ‘RMG SHE Safety Flash FY23 021’ following a very serious dog attack in which the victim postman/OPG sustained significant, serious injuries on 10 October 2023.

In summary (and as detailed in the attached RMG SHE Flash FY23 021 – entitled ‘Dog Attack’),  a large dog, known to the duty holder postman/OPG ferociously attacked and injured the victim. The postman/OPG had arrived at the property concerned with mail items to deliver. He saw the dog on a lead by the front door but could not see inside the door and if anyone was at the end of the lead or if the dog was secured and tied up. The postman/OPG opened the gate and entered the property, upon which the dog which was unsecured, leapt forward and launched a ferocious attack on him.

Despite this dog being known to the postman/OPG, it had not been reported to a line manager to be included on the ‘Offsite Risk Assessment’ (ORA).

Instead, the postman had wrongly come to an agreed arrangement with the customer/dog owner concerned which was to enter the property and leave the mail on the floor about ten feet away from the house front door, if the dog was present. This was a totally wrong approach and an inappropriate solution to agree with a customer.

Under RMG’s ‘zero-tolerance’ approach, the postman should never have entered the premises, if a large dog was seen to be present and loose or potentially loose. The customer should have either put the dog away and secured it in a room from where it couldn’t get out or if the customer/dog owner wishes to let their dog roam freely on their property, then they should fit an exterior mail box on the property’s perimeter fence or wall etc., in order to keep the postmen and women safe from possible dog bites and attacks.

The postman/OPG should never have accepted any assurances from the customer/dog owner or made any such ‘informal’, extraordinary arrangements with the customer/dog owner and he should not have entered a premises with this large dog in full view, whether it was on a chain, lead, rope, strap etc., or not.

Full details and learning points are contained in the ‘SHE Flash FY23 021- Dog Attack’, copy attached.

Impact/Injuries: 

The victim delivery postal worker received severe injuries to his right arm and upon being dragged/knocked to the ground, the dog inflicted severe, deep bite wounds to the victim’s head and skull. The victim was rushed to hospital for emergency treatment and apart from the physical injuries there will be shock and psychological injury following such a devastating attack.

Police Action:

The incident was correctly, promptly reported to RMG Security and the Police who are currently undertaking an investigation with the view of charging the dog owner with a criminal offence under Section 3 of the Dangerous Dogs Act.

Key Messages, Learning Points, Advice and Actions: 

Postmen/Postwomen OPGs – Stay Safe: 

• 82% of attacks happen at a customer’s door or in their garden so take no risks!
• Never put your fingers through a letterbox – use a posting peg whenever you can.
• Always be vigilant. Monitor your surroundings for dogs, look out for tell-tale signs of dogs at a property, for example, beware of the dog warning signs, dog beds, toys, chewed items, bones, food and water bowls, dog mess etc.
• If there’s a gate to the property, rattle it and wait a few seconds to see if a dog is present. Listen and look for signs of a dog’s presence.
• Do not enter a garden if you feel at risk or fear that there is or may be a dog present and roaming free on the property. Remember, Dogs are naturally territorial and defensive. Territorial displays are a normal part of their behavioral traits. While any dog may show territorial responses, certain dogs have been bred and trained for guarding and watchful behaviors.
• Never accept dog owner’s assurances that a dog will not bite or harm you – always ask owners to restrain and secure their dogs or put them away. Step back and away from an owner with a dog to avoid any protective, defensive reaction from the dog – staying out of the dog’s space.
• Where a dog is present do not hand items over to the owner or for example over a fence or gate and do not pass them into the customer/dog’s space.
• Use your pouch or trolley as a barrier between you and a dog, if approached unexpectedly.
• Never feed or stroke dogs and certainly never tease or antagonise a dog.
• Report all dogs, incidents, near misses etc., on your duty to your manager for it to be entered on the ORA system and check Walk Logs.
• If you are attacked, you must report it, even minor incidents – first to your manager and then to RMG Security and the Police. You could help stop future attacks happening by doing this and supporting prosecution of irresponsible dog owners. Under the revised Dangerous Dogs Act, postal workers have legal protection from dog attacks on private property.
• Dog ownership has recently increased and research suggests that there are now approximately 12 million dogs in the UK, with a third of households owning a dog. That means one in three properties that mail deliveries are made to in the UK will have one or more dogs.

Managers/PiCs/COMs – 

• When performing Safety Conversations with staff, ensure dangerous dogs are covered.
• Make sure employees are regularly briefed on dog attack risks.
• Agency staff also need to be briefed on dog attack risks and safety precautions when carrying out deliveries.
• Remind staff to adopt a ‘zero-tolerance’ approach.
• Remind staff not to put fingers through the letterbox. Over 400 postal staff are bitten through the letterbox every year and 1000 postal staff have had a finger or part finger bitten off or severely injured in the last 5 years with many individuals left with permanent disability.
• Maintain the ORA and Walk Logs with all dog risks.
• Ensure that all dog incidents are recorded and reported with the appropriate action followed as per the ‘One Page Managers Guide For Reporting Dog Attacks’ (copy attached).
• Ensure that staff know where to access, the ‘Delivery Safe System of Work.’
• Ensure that staff report all significant dog hazards (dogs showing aggression, snatching letters behind letterbox or loose on a property or in a public space) to a manager so they can be recorded on the ORA (Offsite Risk Assessment) and duty Walk Log. The manager should then take appropriate action. Mangers must refer to the ‘One Page Managers Guide For Reporting Dog Attacks’ (copy attached). Ensure actions have been completed.

CWU ASR/WSR Action:

• ASRs/WSRs please ensure that this Safety Flash is communicated and brought to the attention of all appropriate delivery members in Royal Mail and Parcelforce and that the SHE Flash actions are deployed by PiCs/Managers.
• ASRs to concentrate attention on this matter during Workplace Safety Inspections and ensure delivery members are briefed.
• Ensure the Delivery SSoW is followed and monitored.
• Ensure all dog hazards are recorded on the ORA.
• Ensure managers record and report all dog attack incidents and follow the ‘One Page Managers Guide For Reporting Dog Attacks’ (copy attached).
• Ensure that the ASR is promptly notified of all dog attacks and an ERICA copy is provided to the ASR without delay.
• Ensure that members who are victims of dog attacks and incur over one week’s sick leaved complete an RMG Dog Attack Compensation Scheme Claim Form (copy attached) which will protect them from loss of earnings, ensuring they receive ‘average earnings’ rather than ‘basic pay’ whilst recovering from their injuries.
• Ensure that members who are victims of dog attacks receive a CWU LS3 Claim Form for Legal Assistance (copy attached).

Attachments: 

• Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash FY23 021 – ‘Dog Attack’.
• RMG One Page Managers Guide for Reporting Dog Attacks.

Footnote and Warning: 

It is worth noting and warning delivery members that there have been a number of serious dog attacks resulting in severe injuries on postmen and women in recent months, in various parts of the country plus the overall number of dog attacks on postal workers continues to increase. As such, members should be warned against complacency and advised strongly of the need to be vigilant and on their guard at all times, taking no unnecessary risks with their personal safety and wellbeing. Always, take a safe course of action when presented with a choice.

AVOID & STAY SAFE 

A – Avoid interacting with all dogs – don’t take risks!

V – Value yourself; don’t put yourself at risk.

O – Observe; keep your Walk Log up to date.

I – Inform others of potential risks to stop them being attacked – don’t ignore minor incidents! – report it! It may be far worse next time!

D – Defend yourself if necessary, using your delivery equipment and support investigations and prosecutions – too many injured members refuse to support prosecutions and give evidence, leaving dog owners who are guilty of criminal offences to get away scot-free!

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 309/23 – Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash FY23 021 – ‘Dog Attacks’

Att: SHE Flash FY23 021 – Dog Attack

Att: One Page Manager Guide for Reporting Dog Attacks v1.1

Att: RMG-Dog-Attack-Compensation-Claim-Form – Word Doc

Att: LS3 Claim Form

View Online

Rules Revision Conference 2024 – Submission of Rule Proposals

Attached with this Letter to Branches are Rule Proposal forms for the Rules Revision Conference 2024.

Branches should note that the Motion Guide for submitting rule proposals to the Rules Revision Conference 2024 has been attached.  

Entitlements

In relation to the Rules Revision Conference 2024 all Branches and Regional Committees are entitled to submit up to three proposals to the Rules Revision Conference 2024.

Branches and Regional Committees are reminded that the closing date for submissions of Rules Proposals to the Rules Revision Conference 2024 is noon Thursday 14^th March 2024.  Submission of Rules Proposals can be posted or emailed but must arrive by noon.

If sending Proposals by post, Branches must ensure they use a signed for service which guarantees delivery by the closing date and time.

Branches, Regions, and the NEC are reminded that the Standing Orders Committee will not alter or amend any of the Rule Proposals submitted therefore it is important that proposal authors read the attached guidance notes carefully and Rule Proposals are checked before they are submitted.

Please note that all proposals must be sent by e-mail to ruleamendments@cwu.org and no other personal e-mail address.

Any queries regarding this Letter to Branches should be addressed to Angela Niven on 020 8971 7256 or by e-mail to conferences@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,

A P Kearns

Senior Deputy General Secretary

LTB 308/23 – Rules Revision Conference 2024 – Submission of Rule Proposals

Att: Rules Revision Guidance Notes 2024

Att: RR Proposal Form 24

View Online

General Conference 2024 – Submission of Motions

Attached with this Letter to Branches are motion forms for General Conference 2024.  Branches should note that the motion guide for submitting motions to General Conference 2024 has been attached. Submitting bodies are advised to read the guidance notes carefully prior to submitting motions to ensure your motions meet the criteria for submission.

Entitlements In relation to the General Conference 2024:

• All Branches are entitled to submit three motions to General Conference.
• Regional Committees are entitled to submit three motions to the General Conference – however one of the motions must be from the Regional Equality Sub-Committee.
• Regional Health and Safety Sub-Committees are entitled to submit three motions on Health, Safety and Environmental matters to the Health Safety and Environment section of the agenda.

Branches/Regional Committees/Regional Health and Safety Sub-Committees are also reminded that the closing date for the submission of motions to General Conference is noon on Thursday 1^stFebruary 2024.

Motions submitted by email and any other email correspondence must be sent to generalmotions@cwu.org and no other personal email address.

Submitting bodies ***Please note the new email address***

If sending Motions by post, Branches must ensure they use a signed for service which guarantees delivery by the closing date and time.

Motions received will be acknowledged within 72 hours. If you do not receive notification of the receipt of your motions, contact generalmotions@cwu.org or call Angela Niven at head office on 020 8971 7256 to confirm receipt.

Branches/Regions/Health and Safety Sub-Committees/Minority Conferences and the NEC are reminded that the Standing Orders Committee will not alter or amend any of the motions submitted therefore it is important that motion authors read the attached guidance notes carefully and motions are checked before they are submitted. 

Any queries regarding this Letter to Branches should be addressed to Angela Niven on 020 8971 7256 or by email to generalmotions@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,

A P Kearns

Senior Deputy General Secretary

LTB 307/23 – General Conference 2024 – Submission of Motions

Att: General Conference Motion Guide 2024

Att: General Conference Motion Form 2024

HS Motion form GC 2024

View Online

JANE LOFTUS – CWU PRESIDENT – ARRANGEMENTS

We have been informed by Jane’s family that the arrangements for a Service to celebrate the life of Jane Loftus, CWU President, will be held at Springwood Crematorium, Springwood Avenue, Liverpool L25 7UN on the 24th November commencing at 2pm.

Given that there will be a limited capacity for the amount of people within the crematorium, the family are requesting that this be firstly restricted to family and close friends – however, arrangements have been made for a sound system to relay the service in the main foyer and outside for everyone to join in. We would ask that those who attend from the CWU are mindful of the family’s request on this issue.

The family have also arranged for the service to be viewed online with a direct link for people who are unable to attend. https://watch.obitus.com/8KxZF6

Username jebu1122

Password 386348

After the service there will also be the chance to celebrate Jane’s life at the Shankly Hotel, Millennium House, 60 Victoria St, Liverpool L1 6JD.

Flowers – the family have requested no flowers, however they would be grateful for donations be sent to ‘Stand up to Racism’ a cause that was so close to Jane’s heart and one of her last requests. For anyone who wishes to donate please use the following link. https://standuptoracism.org.uk/?form=donate

Yours sincerely

Dave Ward
General Secretary        

Tony Kearns
Senior Deputy General Secretary

23LTB289 JANE LOFTUS CWU PRESIDENT ARRANGEMENTS

View Online

Global Action Plan ‘Open Letter’ Signed By CWU Calling on all Political Parties to Prioritise Clean Air Policies in their General Election Manifestoes:

The CWU has proactively supported the Trade Union Clean Air Network, Global Action Plan, National Clean Air Day and the Greener Jobs Alliance since the inception of these organisation networks in the collective support of achieving better air quality, reducing air pollution and emissions as key components in combatting environmental degradation.

The ‘Global Action Network’ has thanked the CWU for its continual support of annual national ‘Clean Air Day’ and in seeing the campaign shared far and wide this year and for helping to create such a great impact!

To take the campaigning to the next level, Global Action Plan and partners are now directly calling for political action to achieve better air quality. As an organisation that cares about and stands up for clean air, the Communication Workers Union has signed an Open Letter calling for all political parties to prioritise clean air policies in their manifestoes for the forthcoming 2024 General Election which must take place before the 17 December 2024. A large number of clean air champions and significant national and professional bodies have signed the letter.

‘Global Action Plan’, a charitable trust has joined forces with the newly founded ‘Health Equals’, part of the Health Foundation Charity which has TUC support, to drive home the message that clean air is an essential building block of health, without which the UK cannot prosper. The ‘Open Letter’ contains the ‘Global Action Plan’ evidence-based case for action on clean air and four specific policies for political parties to include within their 2024 election manifestoes – the important agenda setting statements that political parties use to show the direction they would take if successful in the general election.

The four specific policy asks included in the Open Letter have been co-developed with a mixed working group and have been peer reviewed by the NHS, UKHSA, Local Government Organisation, and Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. The policy asks were discussed at a Parliamentary Roundtable at the Labour Party Conference and have been shared with parliamentarians and civil servants in draft form. ‘Global Action Plan’ are confident that these asks:

• Will have an impact on air quality and improve public health.
• Are achievable and well-evidenced.
• Are politically viable and likely to have impact.

The Letter calls on all political parties to recognise the importance of clean air and take meaningful action to address air pollution. The letter, signed by 40 organisations, has been sent to party leaders, parliamentarians, and manifesto writers in a united bid to encourage a stronger commitment to clean air policies in the run-up to the general election.

Air pollution is the greatest environmental threat to human health, associated with up to 43,000 deaths and millions of cases of ill health in the UK each year.

The letter asks political parties to commit to four core clean air policies:

• A Clean Air Act with enhanced air quality targets and the legal right to breathe clean air.
• A public engagement campaign on air quality and health.
• Investment in walking, wheeling and cycling infrastructure and facilities.
• The establishment of Clean Air Frameworks to bring together local authorities and health and social care teams to work together on clean air initiatives.

The policy proposals were co-developed by the ‘Clean Air Advisory Group’, set up earlier this year by ‘Global Action Plan’ and ‘Health Equals’, with the goal of driving forward political action on clean air and improved health outcomes. The group scrutinised and peer reviewed a range of clean air policies to settle on a final four that are practical, possible and will make a difference to public health in the UK.

The ‘Clean Air Advisory Group’ (CAAG) is a collaborative group of seven charities and NGOs managed in partnership by ‘Health Equals’ and ‘Global Action Plan’. Members of the group include the ‘Centre for Mental Health’, the ‘Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health’ (RCPCH), ‘Sustrans’ (Sustainable Transport Charity), the ‘Race Equality Foundation’, and the ‘Wildlife Trust’. The CAAG seeks to: increase public and political recognition of air quality as a building block of health, co-develop impactful policy asks, and demonstrate the case for prioritising clean air in political agendas.

The ‘Global Action Network’ and ‘Health Equals’ have thanked CWU for our support of the ‘Open Letter’, calling on all parties and politicians to prioritise clean air polices in their manifestoes.

Please find a copy of the letter attached along with a copy of the supporting press release and poster which have been published and released to the press and media yesterday.

Clean air is a core building block of health. Following the lack of recognition of environmental issues or preventative health measures in the Government’s Autumn Statement, the collective message cannot come at a more important time.

Attachments:

• Clean Air Manifesto Commitment Request to Political Parties Open Letter.
• Supporting Press Release.
• Supporting Poster.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

23LTB306 Global Action Plan ‘Open Letter’ For Clean Air Policies in General Election Manifestoes

Clean Air in Manifestoes, 2023

Press Release – Global Action Plan leads call for bold action on clean a…

~$P Poster – Cleaning Up The Air Benefits Us All – Manifesto Commitment …

View Online

Royal Mail Group Estate – Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC):

As many will be aware, the building material ‘Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete’ (RAAC) has been widely reported on, in the news, in recent months with public concern growing about this construction fabric, which is fully understandable given the potential safety and health issues involved with it especially as many schools, hospitals and public buildings have been found to contain it.

The question now being raised with the CWU HQ Health, Safety and Environment Department by CWU Reps, Branches and members is – is there any RAAC in Royal Mail Group estate buildings and if so, what is Royal Mail Group, and particularly Property and Facilities Services doing to ensure it’s safe and not a risk to the workforce?

The issue was raised initially in early October with a meeting and correspondence taking place with Elizabeth Lloyd Royal Mail Group Director Health and Safety, Stuart Davies Director of Property & Facilities Management RMG P&FS and Clare Brooks Property Risk and Assurance Lead RMG P&FS.

When we met the Business, they fully acknowledged our concerns and Royal Mail Group have now outlined their strategy and confirmed they have commenced a building inspection programme in addition to the other routine property inspections such as asbestos re-inspections, fire risk assessments etc. The building inspection programme includes assessing the condition and location of any RAAC panels and fabric. They have confirmed that the business continues to take safety of the workforce seriously and will work jointly at local level engaging with CWU and Unite/CMA Union representatives and will follow expert advice and undertake any remedial works required to keep the workforce safe.

Royal Mail Group have engaged competent chartered structural engineers to undertake building fabric surveys and investigate the presence and condition of RAAC. These competent organisations will provide recommendations for any remedial works required, should RAAC be identified. A similar building fabric ‘High Aluminium Concrete’ (HAC) may also exist in some buildings and this will likewise be investigated and checked if found. The business will follow all current guidance on this risk and take appropriate action based upon the expert recommendations. This is the same process that is undertaken for any other property compliance inspection which is undertaken regularly within the properties. Royal Mail Group have assured the CWU HQ Health, Safety & Environment Department that they will follow all expert advice and continue to undertake any remediation works required to provide the workforce with a safe working environment, and that CWU ASRs and Unit representatives will be engaged in the activities to mitigate and remediate any risks and be kept fully informed.

The Royal Mail Group Director of Health and Safety has given CWU HQ a written assurance that the business takes its health and safety responsibilities very seriously and is following the “identify, assess and manage” guidance issued by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to manage the risk of RAAC in the Royal Mail Group Estate. Royal Mail Group are aware of the possibility of it being present and have contingency plans in place to address it if it is found. The Director has added that Royal Mail Group is aware of the need to be particularly careful in areas where asbestos containing materials are present. The Director has assured CWU HQ that the business’s asbestos management procedures are thorough and all the surveying teams (building and structural) are provided with the building’s asbestos registers, as well as other property hazard information required to enable a comprehensive, suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks.

The Director of Health and Safety and Director of Property and Facilities Services will remain in touch with the CWU HQ Health, Safety and Environment Department on this and other health and safety matters going forward.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 305/23 – Royal Mail Group Estate – Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC)

View Online

TUC BLACK WORKERS CONFERENCE VISITORS – 26^TH – 28^TH APRIL 2024

The TUC Black Workers Conference 2024 is being held from Friday 26^th – Sunday 28^th April 2024 at the TUC, Congress House, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3LS.  The Conference sessions will be as follows:

Friday 26^th April                  14.15 – 17.30

Saturday 27^th April              09.30 – 17.30

Sunday 28^th April                 09.15 – 13.00

The CWU are allowed a limited number of visitors to attend the above Conference and places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.  Due to the need for extra security at all TUC Conferences, names and addresses of those wanting visitor tickets must be supplied and tickets are not transferable.

Anyone interested in attending will need to contact their Branch initially for funding, to include a £15 visitor ticket fee. The easiest way to pay the £15 fee will be for us to transfer it directly from your Branch’s account through the rebate system, therefore please contact Angela Niven on conferences@cwu.org  with details of which Branch the individual belongs to on application.  Alternatively you can send a cheque (made payable to ‘CWU’) addressed to Angela Niven at CWU HQ with a covering letter.  Please note that places will not be reserved until the £15 fee is received.

Please let me know if you would like to attend the Conference as a visitor by no later than midday on Friday 22^nd December 2023.

Any further enquiries with regards this please contact conferences@cwu.org or Angela Niven on 020 8971 7256.

Dave Ward
General Secretary

23LTB301 – TUC Black Workers Conference Visitors – 26th – 28th April 2024

View Online

CWU Young Workers Conference – Wednesday 31^st January 2024

The CWU Young Workers Conference will be held on Wednesday 31^st January 2024 at the Mechanics Institute, 103 Princess Street, Manchester M1 6DD.

Each Regional Young Workers Sub Committee will be entitled to submit ONE motion to the Conference Agenda.

Each Branch will be entitled to submit ONE motion to the Conference Agenda.

The Young Workers Committee will be entitled to submit THREEmotions to the Conference Agenda.

Motions should be submitted electronically to conferences@cwu.org using the template attached.  Branches or Regions who do not have this facility may request paper motion forms by contacting Angela Niven on 020 8971 7256.

Motion forms must be returned by noon on Thursday 4^th January 2024.   Anything received after this date will not be accepted.   All sections of the form must be completed.

Branches, Regions and the Young Workers Committee are reminded that the Standing Orders Committee will not alter or amend any of the motions submitted therefore it is important that motion authors read the attached guidance notes carefully and motions are checked before they are submitted.

If motions are being sent electronically they will only be accepted if sent to the above email address.

As with previous Conferences, the agenda will be structured in such a way as to maximise debate and participation by delegates. There will be 2 sections to the agenda, one for motions which are eligible for consideration for submission to General Conference, and one for motions that in the view of the Standing Orders Committee are of an industrial nature which are eligible for submission to the Industrial Conferences.

Branches will be aware that the Young Workers Conference has the entitlement under the rules of the union to submit two motions to stand in the name of the conference to General Conference.   The Young Workers Conference may also submit one motion for either the Postal Industry or Telecoms Industry conference from Section 1.

The motions selected for General Conference must contain policy that lies within the responsibility of the NEC, likewise Industrial motions must be able to be carried out by the relevant Industry Executive (Motions for the Telecoms Conference must also refer to a specific business-see attached motion guide).

As with previous Conferences, the motions for submission to the General Conference agenda and the Industrial motions for the Industry Conferences will be decided from amongst those motions adopted at the Conference.  Ballot(s) to select the motions will be held at the Conference.

Delegates

Details for registering delegates and observers will be issued in a further LTB.  Any queries regarding the registration process should be directed to conferences@cwu.org

Regional Young Workers Sub Committee Secretaries shall attend Young Workers Annual Conference in an ex-officio capacity with the right to speak and move motions on behalf of their Regional Young Workers Sub Committee but not to vote.   Funding for Regional Young Workers Committee Secretaries to attend Young Workers Annual Conference shall be from the General Fund.

Branches, Regions and the Young Workers Committee are also reminded that only Branch delegates may move motions standing in the name of their Branch or Region. Members of the Young Workers Committee may only speak on behalf of the Young Workers Committee and not their Branch or Region.

Branch delegate entitlement to this Conference as agreed by the NEC is as follows:Number of Young MembersDelegate
entitlement1-2491250-4992500 and above3

Branches are  urged to make every effort  to  ensure that  their delegation  comprises members  who are either  30 and under  as  of  November or who are serving Branch Young Workers.  The expectation is that voting delegates aged over 30 will be present on an exceptional basis. 

In order that we can cater for any delegate with special needs such as seating, etc., it is important that you advise us in writing of the name of the delegate(s) and the particular requirement by return but no later than Thursday 4^th January 2024.

Election of Delegates to General Conference

As you will know, the Young Workers Conference will select two delegates to represent the Young Workers Members to attend General Conference 2024.

The Standing Orders for the Young Workers Conference will advise a ballot to select these two delegates and it will be conducted during Conference itself.  Nominees must be members of the Union and have the support of their branch and/or Regional Young Workers Sub Committee.

Additionally, individuals must be willing to accept nomination.

The exception to this are members of the Young Workers Committee themselves who may be proposed for these positions but need to have the nomination of the Young Workers Committee and/or any Regional Young Workers Sub Committee.

Branches and Regional Young Workers Committees should forward any nominees on the attached form for this ballot to conferences@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,

A P Kearns
Senior Deputy General Secretary

23LTB297 – CWU Young Workers Conference – Wednesday 31st January 2024

Young Workers Guidance 2024

Young Workers Motion Form

Nomination Form 2024

Copy of Under 30 Count 

View Online

New Pavement Parking Law Introduction December 2023 – Drivers to face £100 Fine For Contravention:

Introduction:

For the information of CWU drivers both on duty, driving fleet vehicles and whilst off duty driving their private vehicles, this LTB is to update members on the imminent introduction of new legislation in various parts of the UK banning parking on the pavement, to be enforced with a £100 penalty fine when the law goes live next month.

Scotland New Ban and Fines:

Drivers in some areas of Scotland will not be able to park their cars on the pavement from 11 December 2023. Those who do will be given either a Fixed Penalty Notice of £100 or their vehicle will be removed to a car pound incurring additional charges.

It’s important to note that from this date, all 32 councils in Scotland will be able to enforce the new parking rules. Each council has the authority to decide whether to enforce the new rules.

According to the Scottish Government’s legislation, if the driver pays the fine within 14 days – beginning with the date the notice was given – drivers will only need to pay £50. However, those who fail to pay before the issuing of the penalty notice could also face an increase in their penalty by as much as 50%.

There are three ‘key changes’ in relation to parking under the new rules – these include:

• A ban on pavement parking.
• A ban on double-parking (more than 50cm from the edge of a carriageway).
• A ban on parking at dropped kerbs installed for pedestrian or cycle usage.

Some Local Authorities will allow a .grace period. early in 2024 where warning notices will be issued for the action. Once the grace period has ended drivers will be given the penalty notice fines.

Scotland originally announced its intention to ban pavement parking and dropped kerbs in 2019, but this became delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. The former Transport Secretary Michael Matheson, later announced the ban would not be enforced before this year.

The Scottish Government state that the ban sets out to tackle ‘‘inconsiderate and obstructive” parking and aims to make pavements and roads more accessible for everybody.

London Ban and Fines:

In the Capital City London, Pparking on pavements is already punishable if it causes an obstruction, and is included in the Highway Code. In particular, a parking ban is already in place across 32 London boroughs and the city under the Greater London (General Purposes) Act 1974. If a driver is caught parking on the pavement, they can be charged with “unnecessary obstruction of any part of the highway” with drivers receiving a £70 fine.

Northern Ireland Restrictions and Fines:

In Northern Ireland, where parking restrictions are marked on the road, for example yellow lines, those restrictions also apply to the pavement. Therefore, parking tickets (PCNs) can be issued to vehicles which are parked in contravention of the restrictions. Pavement parking is not permitted at any time along the length of urban clearways and parking tickets (PCNs) can be issued to vehicles parked in contravention. Apart from urban clearways, there is no general ban on pavement parking. Where there are no parking restrictions marked on the road, parking tickets (PCNs) cannot be issued to vehicles on the pavement. If, however, a problem of obstruction arises as a result of vehicles parked on a pavement, that situation is a matter for, and can be dealt with by, the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

Wales:

The Welsh Government has proposed changes that will allow local authorities to enforce against pavement parking where it is causing an unnecessary obstruction to people on the pavement. This will allow local authorities to act without having to implement traffic regulation orders. Currently this power is held by the Police alone who don’t enforce against parking on the pavement. Guidelines will be issued to local authorities setting out exactly what this means. A ministerial spokesperson stated that “The Welsh Government is aware of the real blight for communities caused by pavement parking and is looking at ways to address this problem as part of our wider response to the climate emergency, the air quality crisis and the obesity epidemic”.

UK Considering National Ban and Fines:

The whole of the UK could soon follow London and Scotland in making parking on pavements illegal. The Department for Transport (DfT) has announced it’s considering bringing the rest of the country in line with the London rules – which could land drivers with a Fixed Penalty Notice fine. Parking on the pavement is not illegal in England, outside of London at present. Drivers can, however, still get a fine for doing so in some instances, which makes the law a grey area.

Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) – Local Authority Bylaw Powers: 

There are different rules for different parts of the country, and local authorities can restrict pavement parking on individual streets, or by area, by making a ‘Traffic Regulation Order’ (TRO). A Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) is an official order (bylaw) made by a local authority that details the nature and extent of traffic restrictions in a certain area. These restrictions can relate to parking, bus lanes, moving traffic and littering from vehicles. 

Highway Code Rules:

Since 1974, Highway Code rule 244 has stated that drivers “MUST NOT park partially or wholly on the pavement in London and should not do so elsewhere unless signs permit it. The Highway Code states drivers should not park on the pavement, meaning it is advisory and not, therefore, backed up by any legislation. Rule 242 however states that “You MUST NOT leave your vehicle or trailer in a dangerous position or where it causes any unnecessary obstruction of the road.” This is a must not, meaning if your vehicle is reported or seen by a Police Officer and judged to be either in a dangerous position or causing an unnecessary obstruction of the road, the driver can be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice.

The RAC Advise as follows:

Outside of London, the RAC advise drivers to use common sense when faced with no other option but to park on the pavement. If you are parking along a narrow road, where parking wholly on the road would stop other cars, and particularly emergency vehicles, from getting through, then it is a sensible option to park partially on a pavement, providing there are no parking restrictions and providing you are not blocking a wheelchair user or pram from using the pavement. If there are restrictions, or your parking would cause wheelchair users or people with prams to have to walk into the road, then you should find somewhere else to park. 

“Living Streets” Charity Campaign:

Living Streets is a UK wide charity formed in 1929 whose mission is to achieve a nation where walking is the natural choice for everyday local journeys. Their strategy is to achieve a better walking environment and inspire people to walk more. The early days of their campaigning led to the UK’s first zebra crossing and the introduction of speed limits. On their ‘Anti-Pavement Parking Campaign’ they state “We want a default pavement parking ban with an exception allowing pavement parking on specially designated streets. We need safe and accessible pavements to encourage people of all ages to walk more, and we are currently working with the Welsh Government to stop this dangerous practice.”

Further information here:- https://www.livingstreets.org.uk/get-involved/campaign-with-us/ban-pavement-parking-in-wales

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

23LTB304 New Pavement Parking Law Introduction December 2023 – Drivers to face £100 Fine For Contravention

View Online