CWU CALL FOR INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION INTO THE UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOUR OF THE RMG CEO AND THE COMPANY AND RMG PICKET LINE ALLEGATIONS

We understand that Royal Mail Group published last week a letter that was sent to the General Secretary from their legal counsel concerning serious allegations on picket line behaviour.

Please find attached to this LTB our response.  It is important that this is shared with our representatives and members in all workplaces.

The key points of the union’s response are as follows:-

• The company has not provided any evidence whatsoever to the union to support the allegations they have made.
• The CWU have made clear, as always, that we do not condone the type of behaviour Royal Mail reference, in their unfounded allegations.
• We make clear that whilst there may have been some unacceptable behaviour in an extremely small minority of cases, the union’s representatives and members have conducted themselves in a respectful, good natured and peaceful way, despite aggressive and severe provocation from Royal Mail managers.
• We have condemned the actions of the CEO for deliberately utilising his workplace social media platform to launch psychological attacks on our members, impacting on their mental health.
• We have condemned the company for shamefully engaging in worker and union busting tactics, led by Grant McPherson and a senior management team.
• As mentioned in the media last week, the CWU is now formally calling for an independent investigation into the unacceptable behaviour of the CEO and the Royal Mail Group and the company’s picket line allegations. We have offered the company the opportunity to agree a Terms of Reference for this.
• We have made clear that for any CWU member or representative facing conduct charges, we have no confidence that they will receive a fair hearing because of the prejudicial actions of the employer, led from the very top of the company.

It is essential that you convey the content of this LTB to all CWU members and representatives through workplace meetings and that you explain the actions the union are now taking in calling for an independent investigation.

Any enquiries on the above should be addressed to the General Secretary/Acting Deputy General Secretary at jdunn@cwu.org/hford@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely

Dave Ward                                                    Andy Furey
General Secretary                                      Acting Deputy General Secretary (Postal)    

22LTB483 CWU CALL FOR INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION INTO THE UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOUR OF THE RMG CEO AND THE COMPANY AND ROYAL MAIL PICKET LINE ALLEGATIONS

5.12.22 Matt Newman RM Legal Counsel

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RMG Driver/Road Safety Briefing/Communication W/C 05.12.22 – ‘SHE Huddle FY22 069 Drink and Drug Driving’

Introduction

The Royal Mail Group Road Safety Manager‎ has informed the CWU HQ Health, Safety and Environment Department that the RMG Safety Health and Environment Team will be issuing a national driver/road safety briefing/communication SHE huddle, this week commencing Monday 5 December reminding the workforce about driving under the influence of ‘Drink and Drugs’ and this will be based on the attached SHE Huddle FY22 069 ‘Drink/Drug Driving’ which will be supported by a ‘None For The Road’ – Don’t Drink or Dug Drive slide on the RMTV Plasma screens throughout the business to support the road safety message to drivers.

Background

Regrettably and quite shockingly, recent evidence suggests that drink/drug driving is on the increase, despite decades of public road safety campaigns highlighting the dangers and consequences – hence this campaign.

Roadside drink and drug testing, backed up by severe court penalties and driving bans, plus campaigns highlighting accidents and injuries collectively built up the social unacceptability of drink/drug driving. Roadside testing for drug driving was subsequently introduced to identify drivers impaired by drugs. Drink and drugs sadly continues to be a problem on the roads with recent evidence suggesting it’s increasing with the UK Police confirming findings of a sharp increase in numbers last year.  Some facts:

• 8,000 killed or seriously injured by drivers impaired by drink or drugs.
• 24% of people killed were impaired by drink or drugs.
• 1 in 10 people driving for work, fail random drink and drug tests.

Police forces across the country are also launching a month-long annual ‘Drink and Drugs’ campaign today.

Drugs and Alcohol Effects on Driving 

Slows reaction times, impairs judgement, affects concentration, causes fatigue, leads to risk taking and erratic behaviour, causes confusion, muscle paralysis, hallucinations, agitation, panic attacks, memory impairment, blurred vision and drowsiness, reduces coordination and the ability to think clearly – Impairs ability to drive safely! 

Impairment through drink or drugs means a driver and passengers are more likely to die or be seriously injured in a collision. 

Prosecution and Penalties

Minimum 12 months’ driving ban, unlimited fine, up to 6 months in prison, licence endorsed for 11 years and causing death by dangerous driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs results in up to 14 years in prison.

Other impacts:  

• May affect employment and employability.
• Increased car insurance costs.
• Difficulty obtaining Visa e.g., for travel to USA.

Morning After Effect 

Watch out for the morning after effect. Many drivers get caught out because alcohol stays in the system longer than most people think with many driving to work after a night’s sleep thinking the alcohol has cleared their system when it hasn’t!

Prescription and Over The Counter Drugs 

Drivers should take care with prescription or ‘over the counter’ drugs – check for any warnings that they may affect driving by causing drowsiness. If in any doubt, check with a doctor or pharmacist.

Supporting Information 

See supporting information on the Royal Mail screens and intranet.  Royal Mail Group support is available to help anyone with a problem with alcohol or drug dependency. All support is treated in strict confidence. Employees themselves or their managers can make a referral to the occupational health service by calling 0345 266 5060 or visiting www.rmgfirstclasssupport.co.uk or downloading the ‘Lifeworks’ App. New users of the website/App can sign up using a unique invitation code which is ‘RMG-‘ and their pay number, e.g., RMG-12345678. Full guidance and signposting to external support services is available in the Alcohol and Drugs Guide via the health policy and information pages on PSP.

Managers Actions

• Managers to brief drivers on the SHE Huddle FY22 069 content attached.
• Drivers to ensure that they drive in accordance with the Royal Mail Driving SSoW and the law.

ASR Action

Would ASRs support the briefing and ensure it is delivered in all units and cascade information.

Attachments:

• RMG SHE Huddle FY22 069 Driver Distraction
• RMTV/Plasma Screens Awareness Campaign Slide
• Road Safety Drinking & Driving Fact Sheet from RoSPA
• RMG Driving SSoW

(To All CWU Members – do have a safe and peaceful Christmas and New Year festive season. Our Best Wishes To You All.)

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

22LTB481 RMG Driver Road Safety Briefing Communication WC 05.12.22 – ‘SHE Huddle FY22 069 Drink and Drug Driving’

SHE Huddle FY22 069 Drink and Drug Driving

None For The Road

ROSPA-Road-Safety-Drinking-and-Driving-Factsheet

Driving-Royal-Mail-Operations-SSOW-v1.3

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https://fb.watch/h9VWJMxG6e/

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https://fb.watch/h9W2WH0PFF/

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https://fb.watch/h9WfU-tuPc/

ROYAL MAIL PROPERTY & FACILITIES SOLUTIONS – DISPUTE ON PAY AND ASSOCIATED ISSUES

Branches will be aware of the notified industrial action due to take place on Monday the 5^th December for RMPFSL Members.

The Postal Executive have taken the decision to stand down the action on the 5^th December and to notify the Business of our intention to take action on 15^thDecember 2022.

The notice served on RMPFSL today is for All duties which start at or after 04.00 hrs. Thursday 15^th December 2022 and before 04.00 hrs. Friday 16^thDecember 2022

It is vital we now communicate further with our Reps, Branches and members to ensure everyone is aware of the action being stood down as well as ensuring everyone is fully prepared for the strike action on the 15^thDecember.

Detailed communications in relation the PFSL Dispute will be issued to Representatives and Branches in due course.

Any queries regarding the content of this LTB should be addressed to the PTCS Department quoting reference number 312– email snicholas@cwu.org or the Outdoor Department quoting reference 120.12email address njones@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,

Carl Maden                                           Mark Baulch
Assistant Secretary                          Assistant Secretary

Attachment 1: 22LTB478 – Royal Mail – Property & Facilities Solutions – Dispute on Pay and Associated issues

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EXECUTIVE ACTION: ROYAL MAIL – SUSPENSION OF FACE TO FACE APPEALS

We have received an email from Royal Mail informing us of executive action being taken in relation to all appeals now being heard virtually.

Branches, Representatives and Members will be aware of the very lengthy battle we had in reinstating the ability to have a face to face appeal following the lockdown rules during the pandemic.

We have attached for your reference and information the correspondence received from Royal Mail along with our formal response.

You will note the reason given for the suspension of face to face appeals by Royal Mail is the continued period of industrial action being taken by the CWU and its members.  Independent case managers are now apparently too busy delivering or driving vans in order to hear appeals in person. We do not believe this is their role.

Branches will note from our response, we believe virtual appeals to be discriminatory and detrimental to at least some of our members, especially those living with disabilities including poor mental health and/or who are covered by the Equality Act.

There is nothing in the email from Royal Mail which makes us think any circumstances have changed since we reached agreement on the joint statement on the 12^th of August to reinstate face to face appeals and therefore believe they should continue.

The other purpose of publishing our response is to assist any member who feels they are suffering a detriment as a result of a virtual appeal and who will be making an application for an employment tribunal via the early conciliation process and ACAS, may wish to use the letter as part of the process to show virtual appeals have not been agreed

Our advice to members and representatives is to continue making requests for face to face appeals in line with the joint statement of August the 12^thand should any member feel they have suffered a detriment to enter the early conciliation process.

The joint statement is attached for ease of reference.

Any enquiries to this LTB please contact: The PTCS Department reference 420, email address: snicholas@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,

Carl Maden
Assistant Secretary

Attachment 1: 22LTB479 – Executive Action – Royal Mail Suspension of Face to Face Appeals

Attachment 2: Attachment 1 to 22LTB479

Attachment 3: Attachment 2 to 22LTB479

Attachment 4: Attachment 3 to 22LTB479

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