TUC Events “Bold Solutions – COP27 (UN Climate Change Conference), Trade Unions, the Climate crisis, a just transition to climate safety and workers’ rights, economic and energy crises and how we fix them.”
The TUC is organising two events – one in person and one online, coinciding with the COP 27 (UN Climate Change Conference), and bringing trade union and climate activists together to gather solutions – How do we combine our struggles for an equitable cost of living, a just transition to climate safety and workers’ rights? The TUC states that we urgently need a politics that builds a safe climate for future generations, a rapid and just transition alongside quality jobs, and an economy that rewards work, not wealth.
Note: COP27 is the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference. The conference is formally known as the ‘United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties’ and this is its 27th iteration. Given that the official title is a mouthful, it is shortened to COP27 which is short for the 27th Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC. It’s being held from 6 November until 18 November 2022in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.
The Climate Justice Coalition –COP27 Global Day of Action 12 November 2022(30 Demos Across UK and Ireland)
The Climate Justice Coalition is organising 30 demo events across Britain and Ireland to give solidarity with activists in Egypt, and make the links between the cost of living, energy and climate crisis.
The list of events is:
LONDON – Shell Building, Belvedere Rd 12:00 (The Trade Union Bloc meets at 11.30am Belvedere Road, alongside Jubilee Gardens, opposite the Shell Centre Building).
Note: COP27 is the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference. The conference is formally known as the ‘United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties’ and this is its 27th iteration. Given that the official title is a mouthful, it is shortened to COP27 which is short for the 27th Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC. It’s being held from 6 November until 18 November 2022in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.
Greener Jobs Alliance (GJA) Newsletter No. 42 – November 2022:
Introduction
The Greener Jobs Alliance (GJA) came into existence as a result of funding from Battersea and Wandsworth TUC. The GJA was launched to promote skills training and job creation to meet the needs of Britain’s rapidly growing low carbon sectors and to green the whole economy. The transition to a low carbon and resource efficient economy can drive sustainable economic recovery and job creation in every part of the country as well as making existing jobs more secure. But this requires a more strategic national and local approach to deliver the workforce skills needed and to stimulate demand for clean energy and energy efficiency services.
The Greener Jobs Alliance liaises at a national and local level to build the broadest possible support for the policies, investment, partnerships and commitments needed to drive the transition to a low carbon economy.
The Greener Jobs Alliance liaises with training bodies, colleges, universities, employers, local and national Government, trade unions, housing associations, campaign and community groups – to build the policies, investment and partnerships needed to drive the transition to a low carbon economy.
GJA ‘Free’ Courses:
The GJA runs a number of ‘free’ courses on the environment for Trade Union Reps in different parts of the UK which have been attended by a number of CWU Reps with details published in the newsletter.
The GJA now offer three ‘on-line’ courses as follows:
Climate Change Awareness
This short introductory course is aimed at trade unionists and anyone wishing to develop their understanding of the issues around climate change. The course is divided into 4 modules. The modules contain background information, short videos, graphs and illustrations.
Module 1: Climate Change Explained
Module 2: International Responses
Module 3: Trade Union Responses
Module 4: Getting Involved
At the end of each section, there are references and links to additional materials if you want to go further. There are no formal tests and you can work through the materials at your own pace but there are optional quizzes to check your understanding at the end of modules 1, 2 and 3.
A Trade Union Guide to Just Transition
Social justice must be at the heart of the development of a net-zero carbon economy. The course covers:
The meaning and history of the term just transition
Why it should be a priority issue
UK and international policies and case studies
Ideas for developing an action plan
It is aimed at trade unionists and anyone wishing to improve their understanding of why just transition should be central to climate change policy.
Air Quality – a trade union issue
The following issues will be explored in this free online course. It is made up of 3 modules,
Module 1: The Causes and Health Impacts of Air Pollution
The founder GJA Secretary and Newsletter editor was Graham Petersen who is well known to the CWU and has a long standing working relationship with the Union. He is a former TUC tutor and course designer who created safety reps training courses and the successful TUC Occupational Health & Safety Diploma Course. He was the head of the Trade Union Studies Centre at South Thames College before retirement from the post and has been a visitor and guest speaker at CWU events and meetings. After 30 editions, Graham stood down at the GJA AGM last year and has handed over to Paul Atkin as newsletter editor and Tahir Latif as GJA Secretary. Graham remains a GJA Steering Group member and is now working part time for the Wales TUC having recently written a publication for them ‘Greener workplaces for a just transition – a Wales TUC toolkit for trade unionists’ which was circulated by the CWU Health, Safety and Environment Department.
Paul Atkin Editorial GJA Newsletter Issue 42 – ‘Lost and Damaged’
In this edition Paul Atkin in his editorial focuses on the UN confirming that they see ‘no credible pathway’ to keep below a 1.5C average rise in global temperature! Pauls says we are now in a period of desperate damage limitation. It’s not 1.5C or let it rip because no other limit is worth the bother. The higher above 1.5C we allow it to get, the worse it will be. We have to fight for every gram of carbon reduction we can get as quickly as we can get it. In this, the COP process is inadequate but essential. So far it has shaved about half a degree off the projected temperature rise by 2100. Not enough, but we’d be sunk without it. There will be a huge fight at the current COP27 over loss and damage. Faced with increased pressure from the Global South, the US has agreed to talk about this, but not to commit any money. The contrast of this eye dropper meanness with their gushing spigots of cash for military expenditure reveals their priorities and shows us where the resources can come from. News that the UK failed to meet its September deadline for £260 million worth of aid to the Green Climate Fund (GCF) – aimed to help developing countries adapt and mitigate climate effects – sends the same careless and irresponsible message as new Tory PM Rishi Sunak’s evident reluctance to turn up at the COP27. It is characteristic of this Tory Government that it sees fighting climate change as counterposed to repairing the domestic economy, not the way to do it. The UN’s warning makes it clear that climate breakdown is not so much ‘above politics’, as foundational to any politics – and economics – that is relevant to the period we are in; so anything that doesn’t address it is becoming a form of displacement activity. With most people stating they would be proud to vote for a Party promoting renewable energy and insulation, we have the majority. Let’s mobilise it concludes Paul (GJA EditorPaul Atkin).
Contents Newsletter 42
Editorial: Lost and Damaged
Climate Campaigns letter to Cost of Living Campaigns
ITUC demands on COP27
Nov 12th Day of Action
TUC Bold Solutions Rally and Conference
Getting off gas
Social Justice and Pakistan Floods of 2022
UNISON Green Week
Five Strategies for Challenging the “Jobs vs. Environment” Frame
Debate: Green Socialist New Deal from Green Left
Climate Education initiative for former coalfield areas
Working with local authorities for publicly accountable social housing retrofitting
Fit for the Future – Why we need to make our education buildings greener, safer and healthier places and how to get started
Green Bites
COP27 Global Day of Action 12 November 2022 (30 Demos Across UK and Ireland)
The Climate Justice Coalition is organising 30 demo events across Britain and Ireland to give solidarity with activists in Egypt, and make the links between the cost of living, energy and climate crisis.
LONDON – Shell Building, Belvedere Rd 12:00 (The Trade Union Bloc meets at 11.30am Belvedere Road, alongside Jubilee Gardens, opposite the Shell Centre Building).
TUC Events “Bold Solutions – COP27 Trade Unions, The economic, climate and energy crises and how we fix them.” The TUC is organising two events – one in person and one online, coinciding with COP 27 and bringing trade union and climate activists together to gather solutions – How do we combine our struggles for an equitable cost of living, workers’ rights and a just transition to climate safety? We urgently need a politics that builds a safe climate for future generations, a rapid and just transition with quality jobs, and an economy that rewards work, not wealth.
Note: COP27 is the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference. The conference is formally known as the ‘United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties’ and this is its 27th iteration. Given that the official title is a mouthful, it is shortened to COP27 which is short for the 27th Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC. It’s being held from 6 November until 18 November 2022in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.
Quote of the Month:
“This is the undeniable truth of our age. It is cheaper to save the planet than destroy it.”
(Ed Miliband MP)
Attachments:
See attached copy of the GJA Newsletter No.42 for November 2022.
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
UK National Work Stress Network Conference, 11 to 13th November 2022, Nottingham:
The UK National Work-Stress Network is holding its very popular Annual Conference on Friday 11 November 2022 – Sunday 13 November 2022 at the Double Tree Hilton, Nuthall Road, Nottingham NG8 6AZ. The conference will focus on the tools and strategies needed by trade unionists to support their members, protect themselves and get employers engaged in tackling work stress in order to our make workplaces a safer place for all.
The UK National Work-Stress Network knows that as workers, union reps and stewards you have been ‘under pressure’ in unprecedented times, so this conference seeks to explore your issues and provide information and advice that you may find useful to take back with you. The final full list of speakers and workshops will be confirmed shortly. Those who have attended the UK National Work-Stress Network Annual Conference previously will be aware of the organiser’s record for providing an interesting event with excellent speakers with a stimulating range of topical workshops.
Delegate Cost is £350 Residential Conference Rate and £250 non Residential Rate.
The UK National Work-Stress Network
The UK National Work-Stress Network is committed to the eradication of the causes of work-related stress and associated illnesses. It campaigns to advance this aim through its involvement with the Hazards Campaign; and in conjunction with the TUC, European organisations, within UK Trades Union structures.
The Network calls for:
Employers, company directors and managers at all levels to acknowledge their duty of care and for their acceptance of their health and safety responsibilities to the workforce;
legislation and enforcement procedures to outlaw all forms of workplace stress, bullying and victimisation; also to ensure full corporate liability for workplace injury; and the creation of a caring, supportive workplace culture with ‘Dignity at Work’ for all and for worker sensitive procedures for all.
The Network consists of many hundreds of like-minded people, some of whom have suffered the consequences of work-related stress. Amongst their numbers are experienced caseworkers, counsellors, occupational health workers, trades union lay and paid officers and those who are just determined to see effective management which recognises the needs of the workforce as well as of business.
The UK National Work Stress Network Handbook and Guide – Sponsored by CWU
This handbook was produced by the UK National Work Stress Network and consists of unpaid volunteers bringing together workplace trade union and health and safety representatives, academics, safety professionals and others to campaign for the better protection of workers against stress-related mental and physical illnesses caused by poorly controlled workplace psycho-social hazards.
The handbook examines:The problem
The extent of work-related stress illness
The cost of work-related stress illnesses to the individual, society and the economy
The causes of work-related stress
The effects of stress on the mental and physical health of workers
Obstacles to progress
The law
The solution
Preventing work stress (the role of government, employers, trade unions and individuals)
HSE Health and Work Conference 2022 – 15 November 2022, 9.00am – 3.15pm
The Health, Safety & Environment Department at CWU HQ has received an invitation from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for CWU Health and Safety Reps and other Reps where interested to attend the HSE’s one-day, on-line, Health and Work Conference 2022 on Tuesday 15 November 2022, 9.00am – 3.15pm.
This is an interactive, free, all-day event that will take place virtually on-line and is part of the HSE’s approach to inspire and promote better prevention, management and control of the common risks and causes of occupational ill-health across Great Britain.
Building on the success of last year’s conference, which saw huge demand, the HSE has increased the capacity five-fold to provide 5,000 spaces for delegates.
At the conference the HSE will unveil how it is supporting the Government’s response to the Health is Everyone’s Business (HiEB) strategy, as well as discussions on topics including work related stress and mental health, occupational health, musculoskeletal disorders, and occupational lung disease.
Delegates at the event will see how health and work is evolving not just in response to the pandemic, but also around the actions needed to be taken collectively by employers, employees, regulators and others to prevent harm caused by work-related ill-health.
The HSE state that the event will provide an opportunity for businesses, public and third sector organisations, health professionals and others to engage directly with HSE regulatory inspectors, scientists and health topic specialists, as well as hear from the HSE Chief Executive.
There will also be the chance to choose from a selection of workshops on priority areas of health and work.
The day will include discussions around work related stress and mental health, occupational health, musculoskeletal disorders, occupational lung disease, COSHH and much more.
The HSE advise that spaces are limited, so those interested in attending should register early.
Health and Work Conference 2022 Agenda (Please note agenda timings are subject to change).
Tuesday 15th November 2022, 09:00 – 15:15
09:00 Event registration/sign-in
09:30 Welcome Ali Wellens — Head of Health and Work Branch, HSE
09:40 Keynote
09:50 HIEB Panel Discussion
Rick Brunt — Director for Engagement and Policy, HSE
Angela Matthews — Head of Policy and Research, Business Disability Forum
Paul Wilson — Director of Policy, Federation for Small Businesses
Ruth Wilkinson — Head of Health and Safety, Institution of Occupational Safety and Health
This interactive panel discussion brings together the Health and Safety Executive’s Director for Engagement and Policy Division, Rick Brunt, and members of the HSE’s Health is Everyone’s Business Task and Finish Group to discuss:
the benefits of the non-statutory guidance (particularly to Small and Medium Enterprises)
what this guidance means for businesses
how you can apply this guidance in your workplace
10:50 Break
11:00 Elective Workshops
Managing Musculoskeletal Disorders – Back to Basics!
This session will explore the main causes of musculoskeletal disorders (static work, repetitive work and physical strain); manual handling (including employer’s legal duties under the Manual Handling Regulations), upper limb disorders, risk assessment tools and using display screen equipment.
Matt Birtles — Principal Ergonomist, HSE
Chris Quarrie — Specialist Inspector in Human Factors and Ergonomics, HSE
Protecting Respiratory Health
This session emphasises the importance of protecting respiratory health in the workplace. Exploring the origins of the HSEs statistical evidence base, what that evidence base tells us and how that has translated into HSE activity over the previous months.
We then turn our focus to the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) hierarchy of control, steps which all employers must consider in sequence to control the risks of exposure to substances harmful to health within the workplace. The application of engineering controls to reduce occupational exposure is one of those steps and we will look at local exhaust ventilation (LEV), exploring its importance in the protection of respiratory health and how you can make best use of this engineering control and the standard for good maintenance.
Dave Marshall — Policy Advisor, HSE
Duncan Smith — HM Principal Occupational Hygiene Specialist Inspector, HSE
Lucy Darnton — Statistician, HSE
Tracy Hamilton — Head of Respiratory Interventions and COSHH, HSE
Consent Authorisation for Ionising Radiation Practices – The New Approach
This session will be run by HSE Specialist Inspectors (Radiation), supported by the HSE radiation policy team. The session will be a walk through the new process for consent authorisations under the Ionising Radiation Regulations 2017 (IRR17). The new process will be introduced in 2023. Employers requiring consent from the HSE will need to prepare a Safety Assessment. Starting in effect with a blank sheet of paper participants will walk through the outline content of a Safety Assessment.
James Taylor — Principal Specialist Inspector (Radiation), HSE
Deepa Gopalakrishnan — Policy Advisor, HSE
The signs, symptoms and management of work-related stress
Stress is a major cause of sickness absence in the workplace. This session aims to raise awareness of work-related stress and mental health, explains the legal duties placed on employers and introduces the HSE Management Standards approach to tackling work-related stress. The session also covers the ‘Working Minds’ campaign, specifically aimed at smaller businesses to help them recognise the signs of stress and make tackling issues routine.
Jennifer Webster — Registered Occupational Psychologist, HSE
Elizabeth Goodwill — Head of Work related Stress and Mental Health Policy Team, HSE
Occupational Health: Keeping well at work
During this session we will show you how existing evidence, bespoke research and key partners all helped develop and deliver the principles to support the non-statutory guidance which will help to support disabled workers and those with long term health conditions in the workplace. The HSE’s Principal Medical Adviser will be taking you through the importance of quality health surveillance and the HSE’s expectations of occupational health providers in a post-Covid environment. The HSE’s Occupational Health Inspectors will be providing advice on how to access quality occupational health support, and expectations.
Moya Woolley — Occupational Health Policy Team Leader, HSE
Julie Wood — HM Principal Specialist Inspector (Occupational Health), HSE
Steve Forman — Principal Medical Adviser, HSE
12:25 Lunch
13:25 Elective Workshops
Managing Musculoskeletal Disorders – Back to Basics!
This session will explore the main causes of musculoskeletal disorders (static work, repetitive work and physical strain); Manual handling (including employer’s legal duties under the Manual Handling Regulations), upper limb disorders, risk assessment tools and using display screen equipment.
Matt Birtles — Principal Ergonomist, HSE
Chris Quarrie — Specialist Inspector in Human Factors and Ergonomics, HSE
Protecting Respiratory Health
This session emphasises the importance of protecting respiratory health in the workplace. Exploring the origins of the HSEs statistical evidence base, what that evidence base tells us and how, that has translated into HSE activity over the previous months.
We then turn our focus to the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) hierarchy of control, steps which all employers must consider in sequence to control the risks of exposure to substances harmful to health within the workplace. The application of engineering controls to reduce occupational exposure is one of those steps and we will look at local exhaust ventilation (LEV), exploring its importance in the protection of respiratory health and how you can make best use of this engineering control and the standard for good maintenance.
Dave Marshall — Policy Advisor, HSE
Duncan Smith — HM Principal Occupational Hygiene Specialist Inspector, HSE
Lucy Darnton — Statistician, HSE
Tracy Hamilton — Head of Respiratory Interventions and COSHH, HSE
Consent Authorisation for Ionising Radiation Practices – The New Approach
This session will be run by HSE Specialist Inspectors (Radiation), supported by the HSE radiation policy team. The session will be a walk through the new process for consent authorisations under the Ionising Radiation Regulations 2017 (IRR17). The new process will be introduced in 2023. Employers requiring consent from HSE will need to prepare a Safety Assessment. Starting in effect with a blank sheet of paper participants will walk through the outline content of a Safety Assessment.
James Taylor — Principal Specialist Inspector (Radiation), HSE
Deepa Gopalakrishnan — Policy Advisor, HSE
The signs, symptoms and management of work-related stress
Stress is a major cause of sickness absence in the workplace.
This session aims to raise awareness of work-related stress and mental health, explains the legal duties placed on employers and introduces the HSE Management Standards approach to tackling work-related stress. The session also covers the ‘Working Minds’ campaign, specifically aimed at smaller businesses to help them recognise the signs of stress and make tackling issues routine.
Jennifer Webster — Registered Occupational Psychologist, HSE
Elizabeth Goodwill — Head of Work related Stress and Mental Health Policy Team, HSE
Occupational Health: Keeping well at work
During this session we will show you how existing evidence, bespoke research and key partners all helped develop and deliver the principles to support the non-statutory guidance which will help to support disabled workers and those with long term health conditions in the workplace. The HSE’s Principal Medical Adviser will be taking you through the importance of quality health surveillance and the HSE’s expectations of occupational health providers in a post-Covid environment. The HSE’s Occupational Health Inspectors will be providing advice on how to access quality occupational health support, and expectations.
Moya Woolley — Occupational Health Policy Team Leader, HSE
Julie Wood — HM Principal Specialist Inspector (Occupational Health), HSE
Steve Forman — Principal Medical Adviser, HSE
14:50 Break
15:00 Closing address – Sarah Albon — Chief Executive, HSE
Register for the HSE Health and Work Conference here:
NATIONAL DISPUTES – CWU/ROYAL MAIL GROUP JOINT STATEMENT
Further to LTB 431/22, please find attached a Joint Statement, which confirms we are now entering a serious phase of negotiations to resolve our Pay and Change disputes.
The Joint Statement also confirms that the CEO has committed to negotiating on all aspects of Pay and Change, including their redundancy plans for 10,000 job losses. The Joint Statement also confirms that the Pay and Change offer tabled on Monday 31st October and the subsequent letter to Parcelforce members, will now both be the subject of further discussion and negotiation.
You will see that the Joint Statement commits the Royal Mail Group to a number of actions that are designed to deescalate tensions and avoid flashpoints in all workplaces. This includes a pausing of all activity with employees in relation to redundancies, alongside a commitment to start offering overtime opportunities again to our members. This is a significant moment given the attacks that have taken place on the union and our members and demonstrates that strategy set out earlier this week was exactly the right one.
Please ensure the terms of the Joint Statement are circulated to members in all workplaces.
Any enquiries on the above should be addressed to General Secretary at jdunn@cwu.org and Andy Furey, Acting Deputy General Secretary (Postal) at hford@cwu.org.
Yours sincerely
Dave Ward Andy Furey General Secretary Acting Deputy General Secretary (Postal)
Mark Baulch Carl Maden Davie Robertson Assistant Secretary Assistant Secretary Assistant Secretary
As you may be aware, it was announced at this year’s TUC Congress that Maria Exall has been elected to the position of President of the TUC for the coming year. She will also chair the TUC’s general council and executive committee.
Maria has been a CWU member and an active trade unionist for over 40 years. Having previously worked as a care worker and in mental health, Maria joined the CWU as a telecommunications engineer in 1988 and quickly became an active rep.
A member of the CWU National Executive Council for fourteen years, Maria has consistently championed women in the union and actively campaigned for more women to be recruited into engineering roles.
Maria has also been an active political campaigner and currently serves as the vice-chair of Labour Unions (TULO)– the liaison organisation between the Labour Party and the Labour-affiliated trade unions, as well as being a dedicated Labour activist.
In addition to being the first out LGBT+ President of the TUC, Maria has been tirelessly campaigning for the rights of the LGBT+ community for decades and chairs the TUC LGBT+ committee, representing this caucus on the TUC general council and executive committee.
In addition to Maria’s election, we are also pleased to acknowledge Pauline Rourke’s election as President of the STUC earlier this year. Representing over 500,000 trade union members across Scotland, Pauline brings a passion for equality in the workplace and a breadth of experience to the role.
Having joined BT in 1979, Pauline was a trade unionist from day one. As a union representative, Pauline has successfully defended workers, won legal battles, and fought to improve workers conditions and pay. Pauline has served on the STUC General Council for eleven years whilst also sitting on the STUC Women’s Committee and the Scottish Labour Executive Committee, as well as holding many positions within the union.
In 2015, she was awarded the STUC Meritorious Award by the STUC Women’s Committee for her outstanding work, on behalf of the trade union movement and women trade unionists in Scotland.
As the first woman to hold the position of STUC President, Pauline continues ground-breaking work within the wider trade union movement.
The election of both Maria Exall and Pauline Rourke to the presidencies of the TUC and STUC is not only a great personal honour but a great honour for the CWU and our members in the Telecoms industry. At a time where the trade union movement is facing many challenges and the CWU faces difficult industrial disputes, we are proud to have such incredible representation at the highest structures within our movement. With working people in Scotland and England facing more challenges than ever this winter, it has never been more important to have vocal trade unionists campaigning for the change so desperately needed in our society.
We congratulate both Pauline and Maria on their elections and wish them well for the year ahead.
Any enquiries on the above LTB should be addressed to the General Secretary’s Office at jdunn@cwu.org
It is with deep sadness that I write to advise you that Linda Roy, our former Head of Equality has passed away on Thursday 27th October.
Linda made a great contribution to our Union over many years and was one of the first women to be elected as a National Officer from the postal side.
Linda was a very strong advocate and role model for women at all levels within the CWU, she also fought tirelessly for equality and against all forms of discrimination and prejudice throughout her long career, including in her wider trade union and labour movement role.
I know I speak on behalf of all of those who knew Linda, in saying she will be sorely missed by her many friends and colleagues both within and outside the union and we offer our sincere condolences to her husband Alex and Linda’s family.
Further details on the funeral arrangements will follow in due course.
Any enquiries on the above LTB should be addressed to the General Secretary at jdunn@cwu.org.
National Disputes – CWU / Royal Mail Group Joint Statement
RMG and CWU recognise that it is crucial to the future of the company and the long-term job security of its employees (CWU members) that we reach agreement to resolve the current pay and change disputes.
There will now be an intensive period of negotiations on all aspects of pay and change, including proposals on the overarching approach to revisions / re-alignments, Voluntary Redundancy Pay, MtSF and the wider approach to redundancy. This will be facilitated by ACAS from Monday 7th November to Tuesday, 15th November led by the RMG CEO, the CWU General Secretary and their respective teams.
To enable the right environment for constructive negotiations, RMG confirm the following will apply until at least the 15th November:
• The pay and change offer tabled on Monday, 31st October (including Parcelforce Pay and Change Update letter of the 2nd November) will now be subject to further discussion and negotiation including revision activity • Managerial revision planning activity will continue. However, all activity with employees in relation to MTSF and redundancies linked to revision activities will be paused. • Where available based on workload, employees will be offered overtime opportunities using our normal practices.
RMG have confirmed that the only communications activity they will undertake are those that were already underway covering their latest position on change issues. CWU will communicate with their members on how they intend to move the dispute forward to a resolution.
To create space for constructive talks, both parties have committed to a de-escalation of tension to avoid flashpoints and restoring calmness in the workplace.
Simon Thompson CEO, Royal Mail Group
Dave Ward General Secretary, CWU
Zareena Brown Chief People Officer, Royal Mail Group
National Disputes – CWU / Royal Mail Group Joint Statement
RMG and CWU recognise that it is crucial to the future of the company and the long-term job security of its employees (CWU members) that we reach agreement to resolve the current pay and change disputes.
There will now be an intensive period of negotiations on all aspects of pay and change, including proposals on the overarching approach to revisions / re-alignments, Voluntary Redundancy Pay, MtSF and the wider approach to redundancy. This will be facilitated by ACAS from Monday 7th November to Tuesday, 15th November led by the RMG CEO, the CWU General Secretary and their respective teams.
To enable the right environment for constructive negotiations, RMG confirm the following will apply until at least the 15th November:
• The pay and change offer tabled on Monday, 31st October (including Parcelforce Pay and Change Update letter of the 2nd November) will now be subject to further discussion and negotiation including revision activity • Managerial revision planning activity will continue. However, all activity with employees in relation to MTSF and redundancies linked to revision activities will be paused. • Where available based on workload, employees will be offered overtime opportunities using our normal practices.
RMG have confirmed that the only communications activity they will undertake are those that were already underway covering their latest position on change issues. CWU will communicate with their members on how they intend to move the dispute forward to a resolution.
To create space for constructive talks, both parties have committed to a de-escalation of tension to avoid flashpoints and restoring calmness in the workplace.
Simon Thompson CEO, Royal Mail Group
Dave Ward General Secretary, CWU
Zareena Brown Chief People Officer, Royal Mail Group
CWU Eastern No5 Branch 