Robin – New Home for the RMG People App

Branches will recall LTB 279/25 issued 23^rdDecember, which reported on the Royal Mail Group decision to migrate their own communication platforms away from Workplace and the People App to a new platform called Robin.

Since then, the union has been made aware that as of today (2^nd March 2026), the People App will switch platforms and will only be available via Robin.

Accordingly, attached here is a communication issued by the business further reporting on this change, entitled Final countdown: The People App only available on Robin from 2 March. We also understand that in advance of this, RMG had also written individually to employees who had not signed up to Robin by February this year.

In offering this further update, Branches and members are reminded that guidance on how to navigate this new platform is set out in LTB 279/25.

Any enquiries relating to the content of this LTB should be referred to the DGSP department hford@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely,

Martin Walsh
Deputy General Secretary (Postal)

LTB 61.26 Robin – A new home for the RMG People App

LTB 61.26 Attachment 1

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Robin – New Home for the RMG People App

Branches will recall LTB 279/25 issued 23^rdDecember, which reported on the Royal Mail Group decision to migrate their own communication platforms away from Workplace and the People App to a new platform called Robin.

Since then, the union has been made aware that as of today (2^nd March 2026), the People App will switch platforms and will only be available via Robin.

Accordingly, attached here is a communication issued by the business further reporting on this change, entitled Final countdown: The People App only available on Robin from 2 March. We also understand that in advance of this, RMG had also written individually to employees who had not signed up to Robin by February this year.

In offering this further update, Branches and members are reminded that guidance on how to navigate this new platform is set out in LTB 279/25.

Any enquiries relating to the content of this LTB should be referred to the DGSP department hford@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely,

Martin Walsh
Deputy General Secretary (Postal)

LTB 61.26 Robin – A new home for the RMG People App

LTB 61.26 Attachment 1

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SPECIAL REPORT “LABOUR PARTY RELATIONSHIP”

With the publication of LTB 058/26 containing the Special Report “Labour Party Relationship” as permitted by Rule 10.6 it has been necessary to issue this LTB with further information on how the Special Report will be dealt with at General Conference. Attached to the LTB is the Motion to Amend form and the Guidance Notes.

The Special Report “Labour Party Relationship” will form the Political Fund Management Section of the General conference Agenda and only Motions to Amend the Special Report and the enabling motion from the NEC will be included in that section. Therefore, any branch or Regional Political Sub Committee who have submitted a motion containing content which would be included in the PFM section of the agenda MUST read the report and then submit a motion to amend the report should they wish to do so.

Motions submitted not seeking to amend the Special Report which includes content the General Conference SOC consider would be placed in the Political Fund Management section of the General Conference agenda will not be included in the published agenda, therefore it is important that Branches and Regional Political Sub Committees read the information attached to this LTB.

Entitlements

As the rulebook on entitlement to submit motions to a Special Report to General Conference is silent, the Standing Orders Committee has consulted the President for a ruling. The ruling was Branches and Regional Political Sub Committees would be entitled to submit ONE motion to amend the special report.

Branches and Regional Political Sub Committees will only be entitled to submit a motion to amend the Special Report to change or expand the policies contained within the report, not to introduce new business outside the purpose for which the report has been issued.

Branches and Regional Political Sub Committees are advised that while the closing date for Motions to General conference 2026 remains at Noon Thursday 5^th March 2026 the closing date for motions to amend the Special Report “Labour Party Relationship” will be Noon Monday 16^th March 2026.

Submission of motions and motions to amend the special report can be by post or email but must arrive by the appropriate closing date and time.

If sending motions by post, Branches and Regional Political Sub Committees must ensure they use a signed for service which guarantees delivery by the closing date and time.

Branches and Regional Political Sub Committees are reminded that the Standing Orders Committee will not alter or amend any of the motions to amend submitted therefore it is important that motions are checked before they are submitted.

Please note that all correspondence must be sent by email to conferences@cwu.organd no other personal email address.

Any queries regarding this Letter to Branches should be addressed to Angela Niven on 020 8971 7237 or by email to conferences@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,

Dave Ward
General Secretary

26LTB60

Special-Report -Motion-Guide-2026_

CWU-Motion to Amend-Form 2026

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DRP Extended

The purpose of this LTB is to advise Branches, Reps and members that we have agreed with Royal Mail an extension of the two DRPs on USO and Equalisation until 16^th March 2026. This will run in line with the process agreed with the Government.

Please see below the agreed statement.

Royal Mail and the CWU agree to extend both Achieving National Agreement procedures 

This week, the two Achieving National Agreement procedures for the deployment of Universal Service reform and Equalisation were due to conclude. 

We can confirm that we have agreed with Royal Mail to extend the two processes until 16^th March 2026. Discussions have been constructive and we look forward to continuing the talks to hopefully reach agreement on both topics as soon as possible. 

We will provide an update in due course. 

Whilst this is positive news and there has been a level of progress in the talks, several issues still need to be resolved before we can reach an agreement.

Any enquiries relating to the content of this LTB should be referred to the DGSP department hford@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely,

Martin Walsh

Deputy General Secretary (Postal)

LTB 56/26 – DRP Extended

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SPECIAL REPORT TO CWU CONFERENCE: LABOUR PARTY RELATIONSHIP

As branches will be aware, the CWU’s affiliation to Labour has been subject to an increase in scrutiny and debate in recent months, given the issues with the current Labour government.

Although the government has introduced many positive changes, including the Employment Rights Act, it is clear that there have been too many mistakes, both political and legislative. These mistakes have given rise to Reform and the real threat of a deeply anti-union government taking shape in a few years time. This is therefore a crucial time to ensure that we are able to create an effective political strategy that reaches out to our members who have become disillusioned with politics and one that can fully exert our influence on the government to ensure it is working in the true interests of working-class people.

The wider movement, including the trade union movement, must also be able to recognise where we have not been able to connect with working-class people and why we need to build a more dynamic movement that can organise across sectors, particularly in the private sector.

This is a crucial political moment for all trade unions and their members. We must rise to the challenges we are facing to build political and industrial power for working people. This can only be done if our branches and membership have a greater understanding of the strategy the union is pursuing.  

Therefore, it is within this context that the NEC has submitted a Special Report to our upcoming CWU Conference to enable a wider and more informed debate about the changing UK political environment.

The purpose of the Special Report is to lay out an assessment of the current Labour government and the next steps in the CWU’s continued affiliation to the Labour Party and in achieving the wider trade union movement’s political goals. This includes acknowledging the need for a clear change of direction, given the failure of the current labour leadership and a comprehensive, class-focused approach to resolving the political division that has spread across our society.

Between now and the CWU Conference we are committed to engaging with branches, reps and members on the content and direction set out in this report.  This will include a briefing of all CWU branches, details of which will be sent out in due course. 

The SOC will be issuing an LTB later today about how branches can submit amendments to this report and further details on how the report will be debated at Conference.

If you have any further questions, please contact the General Secretary’s Department at dlynch@cwu.org

Yours sincerely

Dave Ward                                                   

General Secretary                                     

LTB 058/26 – SPECIAL REPORT TO CWU CONFERENCE – LABOUR PARTY RELATIONSHIP

Att: Special Report- NEC LP Relationship

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REVISED NATIONAL RULEBOOK – FEBRUARY 2026

Further to LTB 262/25 circulated to Branches on 26 November 2025, Branches will be aware that the positive measures contained within the Employment Rights Act have resulted in changes being required to the model political fund rule for Unions (except for Northern Ireland).  

Unions have therefore had to review their respective political fund rules to ensure they reflect the alterations from the Employment Rights Act, as well as capturing other aspects specific to each Union.

A Special NEC meeting on 9 February endorsed the new political fund rule following preliminary authorisation from the Certification Officer on 28 January 2026. Formal authority was then sought for the rule and this was provided by the Certification Officer on 13 February 2026

Additionally, following a further meeting with the Standing orders committee, some further small amendments have been made to rule 10.5, relating to Regional Sub Committees and the submission of motions to General Conference. These were agreed by the NEC at a meeting on 25 / 26 February 2026 in line with Rule 15.4.1.  

The National Rule book has been amended accordingly to account for the new political fund rule as well as rule 10.5. This is attached for the information of Branches.

Any further enquiries with regards this please contact aniven@cwu.org or Angela Niven on 020 8971 7237.

Yours sincerely

Dave Ward                                                     

General Secretary    

LTB 059/26 – Revised rule book February 2026

Att: Rule-Book-2026-Updated-February 2026

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SPECIAL REPORT TO CWU CONFERENCE: LABOUR PARTY RELATIONSHIP

As branches will be aware, the CWU’s affiliation to Labour has been subject to an increase in scrutiny and debate in recent months, given the issues with the current Labour government.

Although the government has introduced many positive changes, including the Employment Rights Act, it is clear that there have been too many mistakes, both political and legislative. These mistakes have given rise to Reform and the real threat of a deeply anti-union government taking shape in a few years time. This is therefore a crucial time to ensure that we are able to create an effective political strategy that reaches out to our members who have become disillusioned with politics and one that can fully exert our influence on the government to ensure it is working in the true interests of working-class people.

The wider movement, including the trade union movement, must also be able to recognise where we have not been able to connect with working-class people and why we need to build a more dynamic movement that can organise across sectors, particularly in the private sector.

This is a crucial political moment for all trade unions and their members. We must rise to the challenges we are facing to build political and industrial power for working people. This can only be done if our branches and membership have a greater understanding of the strategy the union is pursuing.  

Therefore, it is within this context that the NEC has submitted a Special Report to our upcoming CWU Conference to enable a wider and more informed debate about the changing UK political environment.

The purpose of the Special Report is to lay out an assessment of the current Labour government and the next steps in the CWU’s continued affiliation to the Labour Party and in achieving the wider trade union movement’s political goals. This includes acknowledging the need for a clear change of direction, given the failure of the current labour leadership and a comprehensive, class-focused approach to resolving the political division that has spread across our society.

Between now and the CWU Conference we are committed to engaging with branches, reps and members on the content and direction set out in this report.  This will include a briefing of all CWU branches, details of which will be sent out in due course. 

The SOC will be issuing an LTB later today about how branches can submit amendments to this report and further details on how the report will be debated at Conference.

If you have any further questions, please contact the General Secretary’s Department at dlynch@cwu.org

Yours sincerely

Dave Ward                                                   

General Secretary                                     

LTB 058/26 – SPECIAL REPORT TO CWU CONFERENCE – LABOUR PARTY RELATIONSHIP

Att: Special Report- NEC LP Relationship

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ROYAL MAIL – IMPORTANT PARLIAMENTARY AND GOVERNMENT DEVELOPMENTS 

Further to LTB 56/26 which updated branches on the current talks with Royal Mail, the purpose of this LTB is to set out further Royal Mail developments with parliament and Government.

Branches will be aware that the leaders of Royal Mail have now been called to give evidence in front of the Business and Trade Parliamentary Select Committee and explain their ongoing quality of service failures.   We can now confirm that the Select Committee hearing will take place on the 24^th March and that Ofcom and CWU have also been invited to give evidence.  

It is important to recognise the significance of these latest developments. Initially, the company were just asked to provide answers in writing to a series of questions on quality of service failures – now they must also face the scrutiny of a Select Committee hearing.  Branches may have also seen that Royal Mail’s response was to say that the hearing will give them the opportunity to explain why change is necessary. 

The CWU welcomes this latest development, particularly that CWU and Ofcom will also now be able to give evidence.

The union’s evidence will focus on what’s really happening on the ground, including how our members are treated and the reasons why service quality has been a long-term problem – rather than Royal Mail’s claim that these are short-term issues.  In essence our submission will broadly cover the following areas:

• Why this is a Royal Mail self-inflicted customer quality and recruitment crisis, caused by their imposed/failed revisions and their decision to impose low wages and poor conditions for new starters in 2022.
• How the company has pursued a deliberate strategy to devalue a postal workers job, which combined with a toxic managerial ethos, has created chaos and demoralisation in almost every workplace across the country.
• Why there needs to be regulatory change and a level playing field to ensure fair competition between Royal Mail and its competitors.
• What needs to be done to align the interests of customers, workers, Royal Mail, Ofcom and Government on a positive vision for the future.

Further meeting with the Secretary of State 

We can also report that a further tripartite meeting has been arranged between the Secretary of State, Daniel Kretinsky and the CWU on the 19^th March.  This meeting will be a report back session on the Governments proposal for both parties to engage in four weeks of intense talks to resolve all outstanding issues. 

Next Steps

The CWU will continue to push for the voices of frontline postal workers to be heard by politicians, the public, the media and the company. 

As part of this we will be undertaking the activities listed below and engaging branches, representatives and members in supporting each of these actions.

• We will ask members to speak out about what’s really happening in their local offices and to write directly to the Chair of the Select Committee Liam Byrne byrne.mp@parliament.uk
• Next week we will ask members to send a digital postcard directly to their MP’s.
• We are organising a lobby of parliament for the middle of March and will mobilise branches and representatives to attend on the day (further details of this event will follow in due course).
• In the coming weeks we will be undertaking direct online and face to face briefings with MPs.

In addition to the above activities, we have attached an MP’s brief that branches and representatives can also use to engage your local MP’s.The union will also be sending this brief directly to all MP’s.  Further briefing information for MP’s and our submission to the Select Committee is also being prepared and will be sent out to branches in due course.

Finally, please ensure the content of this LTB is distributed to our members in every workplace and advise that we will be updating our members directly next week.

Any enquiries on the content of this LTB should be addressed to the General Secretary’s Office, Dawn Lynch on dlynch@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely

Dave Ward       

General Secretary                                                                                      

Martin Walsh                                                  

Deputy General Secretary (Postal)

LTB 057/26 – ROYAL MAIL – IMPORTANT PARLIAMENTARY AND GOVERNMENT DEVELOPMENTS

Attachment: Royal Mail Issues Briefing Feb 2026

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Please find below the link to a news item from the BBC this morning, it seems following the letter from The Business and Trade Committee to Royal Mail giving them two weeks to reply in writing to explain the delays in service. The Business & Trade Committee have decided even though the date set for a reply is next Monday, they are not happy with what’s happening , so they have now called Royal Mail Executives to face the committee.

 

This has come about by MPs and members of the public complaining  about the service, this pressure  can only help with the ongoing negotiations on USO and Equalisation of hours for the new starters.

 

https://www.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9dnx445w4do.

 

ROYAL MAIL LGV Apprentices 2026

The department has been in discussions with Royal Mail regarding the 2026 LGV Apprentices Program. Colleagues will recall we had previously agreed and launched an LGV Driver Apprenticeship as part of the Driver Academy process in 2021. While discussions had concluded on the detail the department was awaiting notification of the timeline, however we have become aware that Royal Mail have commenced the activity and the roles are currently being advertised. These positions are open to internal candidates and members can apply using the QR Code at the bottom of the LTB or via the Links attached.

Although the apprenticeship advert is currently live, through our discussions we have been able to extend the closing date from Monday 2^ndMarch to Thursday 5^th March, if you would like to be considered for the apprenticeship you will need to apply before the closing date of 5^thMarch 2026.

We have confirmed with the business they will follow the process covering the previously agreed LGV Recruitment defined in the Driver Academy activity in 2021 which was confirmed in LTB 034/25 Royal Mail LGV Apprentices 2025, with the pay rates updated to the current levels, which are highlighted below:

Pay rates and grades below, Rates effective from 01^st April 2025LGV Driver Class C National£24,476.00£29,523.00LGV Driver Class C Outer London£26,573.00£33,529.00LGV Driver Class C Inner London£27,707.00£34,959.00

The above rates are inclusive of paid meal relief and are NMW compliant and will be uplifted by the agreed CWU pay increase due in April 2026.

The LGV Apprenticeship Scheme will be open to external and internal candidates over 21 years of age and with 1 to 2 years driving experience and will offer the opportunity to join Royal Mail and attain the Apprentice qualification, a C&E Licence, DCPC and be ready to progress to a Professional Driver role within 13 months.

The apprenticeship will include modular learning, Driver training and on the job training over the 13-month period.  The attainment of the LGV C&E Licence will be scheduled in the early months of the course.

• All Apprentices will be recruited on a 36.25 hour net contract in line with the terms and conditions for the LGV Professional Driver Grade. To confirm the additional 1 hour paid relief is included in the annual pay amount.
• Apprentices will also qualify for Underpin payments as appropriate.
• Pay rates will increase in line with future pay agreements.
• On attainment of the LGV C&E Licence and sign off from a Royal Mail Advanced Driver Coach pay will be varied to 75% of the National LGV C&E Pay along with this the OT rate will be increased
• Where applicable, the appropriate LGV OT rate will be applied for any extra duty performed, in accordance with apprenticeship, driver’s hours and working time guidelines.
• Apprentices who successfully complete their Royal Mail LGV Apprentice Scheme training will be offered permanent Royal Mail employment contracts at LGV grade. If the offer of permanent employment is accepted, the previous 12 months’ employment will be treated as service and qualify these individuals for sick pay, pension membership and all other entitlements linked to completing 12 months’ service.
• All other LGV terms and conditions of employment, except where amended by this agreement will continue to apply to all LGV Apprentices.

The department can confirm in line with LTB 034/25 issued on 18^th February 2025 the apprenticeship opportunity is open to current internal employees, however it must be noted, should they apply and be successful they would be accepting the Driver Apprenticeship Scheme Terms and Conditions including Pay Rates.

The LGV Apprenticeship scheme will be managed and monitored by GTG. For clarification the business has confirmed they will not be running an internal Driver Academy Training process.

The locations and numbers per VOC for the apprenticeship program are below:ADMLocation No of Roles Scotland & NI SDC4 Preston4 Newcastle2 Manchester2 North YDC7 North West SH10 Central West MSH10 Coventry5 Central East EMA7 South WestSWDC5 South East PRDC4Total60

We would advise when applying for this role, the program can be challenging, however the conclusion of the course does result in the attainment of a professional Class1 (LGV) license and a role within National Distribution. It must be noted when taking up the apprenticeship that this is a commitment to the driver career path and that we cannot guarantee an automatic return to your previous role should you subsequently decide that you no longer wish to pursue this opportunity. Please find attached – LGV Apprenticeship FAQs –Internal Applicants only.

We do believe the apprenticeship opportunity will be welcomed by our members many of whom would like to take the opportunity to progress to Professional Driver roles. Branches are asked to ensure that the contents of this LTB are brought to the attention of our members across Royal Mail Group.

Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary, email: jrodrigues@cwu.org  or jmansell@cwu.org  quoting reference LTB 054/26.

Yours sincerely,

Davie Robertson

Assistant Secretary

LTB 054/26 – Royal Mail LGV Apprenticeships 2026

Att: FAQs LGV Apprenticeships – Internal Applicants 2025

Att: LGV Apprentice Advert links

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