Cervical Screening Awareness Week 2022 – June 20 – 26

Cervical Screening Awareness Week is an annual event which will run from 20th to 26th June 2022. The week aims to highlight the importance of regular cervical screening for women’s health.

Cervical cancer is the most common form of cancer in women under 35 with two women in the UK per day dying from the disease. Regular cervical screening appointments can prevent up to 75% of instances of cervical cancer, saving 5000 lives per year. Despite this, many women are reluctant to have this test done with a quarter of women not responding to their screening invitation. Cervical Screening Awareness Week is organised by the charity Jo’s trust, a charity dedicated to women affected by cervical cancer or abnormalities.

Cervical Screening Awareness week aims to encourage all women to have regular cervical screening as well as to provide information and reassurance around any fears or embarrassment that women may have concerning taking the test.

During the week there will be information stands at GP surgeries, workplaces and sports centres, fundraising events and a social media campaign where women are urged to tell their stories relating to cervical cancer and cervical screening.

More information about Cervical Screening Awareness Week and information about cervical cancer and cervical screening itself can be found on the Jo’s Trust website www.jostrust.org.uk or from your local GP’s office.

Cervical Screening Saves Lives Campaign

The NHS and Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust report that Cervical Screening is one of the best ways women can protect themselves from cancer but one in three women don’t attend.

Cervical screening coverage for the total target age group (25 to 64 years) fell from 76% in 2010/11 to 71% in 2017/18, then increased slightly to 72% in 2019/20. 15.5 million women were eligible for cervical screening in 2019/20 and 11 million women were screened within the specified target period.

Public Health England (PHE) and NHS England launched a national campaign in 2019/20 to encourage all eligible women not to ignore their cervical screening invitation or if they have missed their last cervical screening appointment, to book an appointment with their GP practice. As the nation emerges from a two-year Covid pandemic, it’s time to get a screening appointment in the diary and to re-launch the awareness campaign.

Two women die every day from cervical cancer and Public Health England and the NHS have requested help to reduce this number.

Cervical screening can stop cancer before it starts. The NHS Cervical Screening Programme has made a significant impact on cervical cancer mortality since it was established in 1988 and screenings save an estimated 5,000 lives per year, which is why it’s vital that the CWU continues its support to encourage women members to attend their screening appointments.

The target audience is all eligible women aged 25 – 64, and in particular women aged 25 – 35 as they are the least likely to currently book their cervical screening check.

There are also some small sub-groups who are disproportionately less likely to participate – including women from ethnic minorities, people from lower socio-economic backgrounds, and lesbian and bisexual women. The campaign is designed to include these groups.

The Facts:

• 3,000 women a year are diagnosed with cervical cancer yet there are steps women can take to prevent it from affecting them. Despite this, in the UK 30% of women do not take up their invitation for cervical screening. Raising awareness of cervical cancer prevention remains more necessary than ever.
• Every day in the UK 9 women are diagnosed – 3000 a year and 2 women die of cervical cancer every day – 750 a year.
• Cervical cancer is a largely preventable disease.
• In the UK, cervical cancer is the most common cancer in women under 35.

The campaign aims:

• Highlight and Remind women of the risk of cervical cancer.
• Highlight the importance and preventative benefits of screening and the often misunderstood screening test.
• Dispel feelings of unease or embarrassment around getting screened.
• Encourage women to respond to their cervical screening invitations.
• Encourage women to consider booking an appointment if they have missed previous invitations.
• Tackle barriers to screening highlighted by research, issues such as fear and embarrassment.

Why support for the campaign is needed:

• Cervical screening saves lives – encourage women members to get screened if they are overdue a test.
• Don’t ignore cervical screening invitations.
• If you or someone you know has missed their last screening, book an appointment with the GP practice now.
• The more women we can encourage to get their screening done, the better. That’s why we need everyone’s help to spread the word.

NHS Website “What is Cervical Screening (The Smear Test) Including a Video, please visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cervical-screening/

Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust –Helpline & ‘Ask The Expert’ Support: 

If anyone has a question, wants reliable information, confidential and professional support or just needs to hear a friendly voice then Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust are always ready, keen and willing to assist via their expertly staffed free helpline. You can contact them by phone or email. Call the Helpline on 0808 802 8000 (Helpline opening times vary).

Also available is the Jo’s Cervical Cancer Medical Panel who are all qualified medical professionals including GPs, Nurse Colposcopists, Gynaecologists and Gynaecological Oncologists. All the experts kindly volunteer their time and expertise. Enquiries and questions can be sent via the Website at this link: https://www.jostrust.org.uk/get-support/ask-expert

No question is too big or small and those calling can do so for themselves, a partner, a family member, a friend or colleague. 

Questions commonly asked are; what is a cervical screening/smear test, what do the results mean, fertility, coping with life after cancer, about HPV and vaccination, colposcopy, cervical cell changes, feeling worried about symptoms, trying to come to terms with a recent diagnosis, the next steps, finding support and needing to talk to someone.

‘Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust’ 

Established in 1999, Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust is the only UK charity dedicated to women, their families and friends affected by cervical cancer and cervical abnormalities. As Branches and Regions will know, the CWU Health, Safety & Environment Department established a close working relationship with ‘Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust’ in 2009 and has worked with the charity and supported their campaigns since then and proudly we are the only Trade Union listed with our Logo on their ‘Time To Test’ supporter’s page. The CWU has been active in campaigning on this issue for years, supporting Cervical Screening Awareness Week and we will be supporting it again this year, continuing our strong working links with ‘Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust’ as we have done in the past, supporting the ‘HPV Vaccination’ campaign, ‘Put Yourself in The Picture’ campaign, the ‘Smear For Smear’ campaign, and the ‘Time to Test’ campaign with the CWU Logo on the Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust Website. Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust was established in 1999 by James Maxwell after his wife Jo passed away from cervical cancer. I have met the late Jo Maxwell’s sister and the Jo’s Trust Chief Executive Robert Music on several occasions – both have thanked CWU for its support and we intend to continue that working relationship.

In line with CWU Conference Policy established with the carriage of Motion 38 (2009) and Motion 6 (2019) we will continue to support Cervical Screening Awareness raising campaigns and encourage Branches and Regions to cascade that support and awareness raising.

Contact Details for further information, resources and Helpline:

Address: Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust 7-14, Great Dover St, London SE1 4YR

Phone: 020 3096 8100

Helpline: 0808 802 8000

Email: info@jostrust.org.uk

Website: https://www.jostrust.org.uk/

Resources & Further information and support can be found at:

• NHS Website – “What is Cervical Screening (The Smear Test) Including a Video, please visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cervical-screening/
• Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust – https://www.jostrust.org.uk/
• Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust “Ask The Expert” – https://www.jostrust.org.uk/get-support/ask-expert

Attachments: 

• Cervical Cancer Factsheet
• Cervical Screening Saves Lives Poster
• Cervical Screening Nothing To worry About Poster
• Cervical Screening Lasts 5 Minutes Poster
• Cervical Cancer Know The Symptoms Poster

We hope all Branches and Regional Health and Safety Forums will support this important campaign.

[Previous Cervical Cancer Campaign LTBs & Resources: 937/10, 938/10, 1064/10, 171/11, 172/11, 200/11, 036/12, 036/14, 242/14, 062/15, 370/16, 228/19 360/19.]

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

22LTB272 Cervical Screening Awareness Week 2022 – June 20 – 26

Cervical-Cancer-Factsheet

Cervical-Screening-Saves-Lives-Poster-1

Cervical-Screening-Nothing-To-Worry-About-Poster-2

Cervical-Cancer-A-Smear-Test-Takes-5-Mins

Cervical-Cancer-Know-The-Symptoms

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https://youtu.be/W62awHw_rq8

Royal Mail Vauxhall Combo Van Serious Fire – Battery Power Lead Earthing Risk (RED TSB ISSUED):

Following a serious vehicle fire which destroyed a Vauxhall Combo van, an investigation by RM Fleet found that an incorrect battery had been supplied and fitted which was slightly taller than the correct standard battery. Additionally, the battery terminal plastic cover was missing from the battery lead. This caused the terminal to contact and arc to the underside of the vehicle bonnet and subsequently cause a fire.

RM Fleet issued a ‘RED’ Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) No 11/22 to implement a safety remedial action plan for all Vauxhall Combo battery dimensions/height to be checked and any batteries in excess of the correct maximum height to be changed in order to avoid contact with the underside of the vehicle bonnet.

See attached copy of the ‘Red TSB’ and images of the burnt out van.

Through the Red TSB process, RM Fleet Workshops are checking all Vauxhall Combo vans to ensure they are safe.

To support the campaign, would all ASRs ensure that drivers undertake their pre-use checks and observe whether there are any signs of contact and arcing between the battery terminals and bonnet underside. If so this should be reported to the RM Fleet workshops via a PMT1 and the van taken out of service for safety checking and repair.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

22LTB271 Royal Mail Vauxhall Combo Van Serious Fire – Battery Power Lead Earthing Risk (RED TSB ISSUED)

TSB 11 22 Red Vauxhall Combo Battery Check

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A crucial live reaction video from Terry Pullinger. Get it out in every whatsapp group in the UK and played in every office.

We will also bring you a full interview with Terry on the situation this Friday.

Facebook https://fb.watch/dFrgslRTWC/

YouTube https://youtu.be/GV_jMVLV15Q

Twitter https://twitter.com/cwunews/status/1537016477903364097?s=21&t=CTSGXLFA2_ef1p7INUpQDw

Royal Mail – Change Proposals

Further to my Facebook update provided to Postal Branches, Representatives and members yesterday afternoon (14^th June 2022).  In this update reference was made to the Royal Mail Group briefing material that was in general circulation: The Face to Face Briefing Programme — Communicating the Bigger Picture and the Change Proposals the company had tabled which the Union will be discussing with Royal Mail under the terms of the Pathway to Change Agreement.

In light of today’s decision by Royal Mail Group to impose an unagreed pay increase and in order to ensure that colleagues and members have to hand the most up to date information relating to both the managers briefing material and the actual proposals the company have tabled, please find attached to this LTB the following documents:

• Annex (A) Face to Face – Briefing Programme – Communicating the Bigger Picture.
• Annex (B) Royal Mail Group – Change Proposals Further Details.

Branches and Senior Field Officials should ensure that this LTB and associated Annexes should be circulated to all Area and Local Representatives.

Further updates will be provided to Branches, Representatives and CWU Postal Members on a regular basis

Any enquiries in relation to the content of this LTB should be addressed to the DGS(P) Department.

Yours sincerely,

Terry Pullinger
Deputy General Secretary (Postal)      

Annex A to LTB 268-22 Face to Face Briefing Programme slide deck v3

Annex B to LTB 268-22 RMG change proposals

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National Clean Air Day – Thursday 16 June 2022: Theme “Air Pollution Dirties Every Organ In Your Body”

Introduction: 

In the UK, air pollution is the largest environmental risk to public health. Clean Air Day is a global, annual, air pollution campaign in the month of June. It encourages everyone to think about what they can do to help improve air quality. Clean Air Day is in its sixth year, and the central aim is to help drive a positive shift in public knowledge and action. Clean Air Day is a chance to find out more about air pollution, share information, and make the air cleaner and healthier for everyone.

Clean Air Day is the UK’s largest air pollution campaign, engaging thousands of people at hundreds of events across the nation, and reaching millions more through the media. This takes place on the third Thursday in June and ‘Global Action Plan’ is re-launching it in its normal format, following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 when activities were restricted to a more virtual approach.

Led in the UK by the charity ‘Global Action Plan’, the sustainability charity that co-ordinates Clean Air Day, the UK’s largest campaign on air pollution, Clean Air Day brings together communities, businesses, schools, groups and organisations plus the health sector to:

• Improve public understanding of air pollution.
• Build awareness of how air pollution affects people’s health.
• Explain the easy actions we can all do to tackle air pollution, helping to protect the environment and peoples’ health.

In 2019 more than 3,700 organisations and hundreds of thousands of individuals took part in 614 events across the UK. The campaign generated more than 2000 media items, and 45,000 social media posts. During the pandemic in 2020 and 2021 there were still hundreds of events and thousands of news and broadcast items and 95% of people surveyed in 2020 and 2021 supported the view that air pollution should be a priority for the UK.

“Air Pollution Dirties Every Organ In Your Body”

‘Global Action Plan’, have confirmed the 2022 ‘Clean Air Day’ campaign theme as “Air Pollution Dirties Every Organ In Your Body”highlighting how air pollution moves from your lungs into your blood and can cause lung disease, heart disease, dementia and strokes, but the charity states that it’s solvable and together everyone can do something to cut pollution to benefit our health and planet.

Air pollution harms the health of millions, but there are lots of simple things people and organisations can do to improve air quality and reduce our exposure to air pollution. Clean Air Day is a chance to raise awareness and find out more about air pollution (both indoor and outdoor), share information with friends, family, union members and work colleagues, and help to make the air cleaner and healthier for everyone.

According to official UK Government statistics, every year, air pollution causes up to 36,000 deaths in the UK.  The annual mortality of human-made air pollution in the UK is roughly equivalent to between 28,000 and 36,000 deaths every year. It is estimated that between 2017 and 2025 the total cost to the NHS and social care system of air pollutants (fine particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide), will be £1.6 billion.

The World Health Organisation and the UK Government recognise that air pollution is the largest environmental health risk we face today. Poor air quality causes heart and lung diseases, is linked to low birth weight and children’s lung development and may even contribute to mental health issues.

The World Health Organisation states that breathing cleaner air reduces the risk of stroke, heart disease, lung cancer and respiratory diseases such as asthma.

Air pollution can harm every organ in the body and shorten lives, contribute towards chronic illness and put people more at risk from infections when polluted air is breathed in as it can inflame the lining of the lungs and move into the bloodstream, affecting every organ in the body. This can lead to lung disease, heart disease, dementia and strokes.

2022 Campaign Primary Objectives: 

The primary objectives for the 2022 ‘Clean Air Day’ campaign include:

• Raising awareness of the issue and spreading the word.
• Talking to others about the harm to health of air pollution.
• Walking those short distance trips and leaving the car at home, whenever you can.
• Asking local and national decision makers to make it easier for people to walk more and have clean air in the community.

Global Action Plan is communicating the primary action of walking short trips instead of driving which is a great way to reconnect with the local community, breathe cleaner air, get some exercise and improve personal health. The charity is also promoting many other clean air actions this year. The prioritisation of walking enables focus on an action that can have major impact.

The ‘Clean Air Hub’ – Clean Air Day Information & Resources

A collection of everything you need to know about air pollution in one place from the organising charity ‘Global Action Plan’. The basic facts on air pollution and health and the organiser’s ‘Clean Air Calculator’ plus suggestions on what you can do are all available plus the range of ‘Clean Air Day’ free resources are available here on these three links:

• https://www.cleanairhub.org.uk/
• https://www.cleanairhub.org.uk/clean-air-information
• https://cleanairday.org.uk/free-resources

Workplace/Business Resources:

Also available to use on the organising charity ’Global Action Plan’ website is a collection of workplace resources to inspire workplaces to create cleaner air on and beyond Clean Air Day. Posters, leaflets, letters, texts, e-mail footer, pledge cards, ‘No-Idling’ leaflet, clean air travel, clean air travel choices, e-mail and intranet message, video conferencing background, press release, social media resources etc. These can be accessed at:

https://www.cleanairday.org.uk/free-resources/workplace

The Clean Air & Pollution Calculator

The Air Pollution Calculator, brought to you by Global Action Plan. This tool enables you to calculate how your activity contributes to pollution levels and learn how you can make a difference for Clean Air Day 2021 and beyond:

http://calculator.cleanairhub.org.uk/quiz

Air Pollution and Health Inequalities

Although air pollution can be harmful to everyone, some people are more affected because they live in a polluted area and are exposed to higher levels of air pollution. Big cities and towns experience greater pollution levels (particularly nitrogen dioxide). There’s more about air pollution & health inequalities on the ‘Clean Air Hub’:

https://www.cleanairhub.org.uk/

Air Pollution Monitoring Equipment – Offer to CWU Health and Safety Reps

The Greener Jobs Alliance (GJC) and Trade Union Clean Air Network (TUCAN) jointly took a share in the procurement of air pollution monitoring equipment with Global Action Plan (GAP). The Personal Aerosol Monitor is a miniature battery-operated laser photometer that measures airborne particle mass concentration in units of milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m3). The equipment can measure to particulate matter of pm 2.5. TUCAN/GJA/GAP will loan the kit out to workplaces to support Trade Union Health and Safety Reps with workplace air pollution monitoring. Any CWU Health and Safety Rep interested in a loan of the equipment for a couple of weeks can email Janet Newsham (Chair Hazards Campaign & TUCAN) and Janet will schedule a time for you to use the equipment and from there hopefully produce some reliable, quotable, statistical evidence.

Contact details: Janet Newsham Chair Hazards Campaign/TUCAN
Email: janet@gmhazards.org.uk
Mob: 07734317158

Greener Jobs Alliance (GJA) and Trade Union Clean Air Network (TUCAN) Newsletters.

The latest editions of the GJA and TUCAN Newsletters have been circulated attached via Letters To Branches 231/22 and 262/22.

Wales TUC – Greener Workplaces Toolkit For Union Reps (Written BY Graham Petersen)

The aim of this toolkit is to provide information to help union officers and reps who want to take action on the climate emergency and negotiate for greener and fairer workplaces. It is designed to support the voice of workers and their unions. It provides information, tools and ideas to help union reps to campaign, organise and raise awareness. It also includes negotiating and bargaining checklists on different areas of workplace sustainability. It aims to ensure that workers, through their unions, have a central voice in the changes that will be needed in every workplace to ensure a just transition to a greener and fairer workplace can be achieved. The resources in this booklet are designed to be used on TUC and union training courses, as well as to support green action (a copy is attached).

‘Air Pollution’ (Asthma and Lung UK) – Take Action Environment Bill Campaign

Asthma and Lung UK (formerly Asthma UK the British Lung Foundation) are appealing for personal and organisational help in promoting their campaign. They say “Air pollution is a health emergency. Across the UK it is at lethal levels and too little is being done to tackle it.”

The two campaigning charities point out the following:

• 36,000 early deaths attributed to air pollution every year in the UK.
• 1 in every 5 people will have a lung condition in their lifetime.
• 4 million people in the UK living with asthma.
• In the UK, respiratory care simply isn’t good enough.
• Even before Covid-19, NHS hospital admissions for lung conditions were rising three times faster than average admissions.
• Lung disease is now the third most common cause of death, costing the NHS more than £9 billion every year. So this issue needs to be at the top of the health agenda.
• People living with lung conditions are often overlooked and being left behind. Their condition isn’t accurately diagnosed at an early stage – and even when they are diagnosed, they’re not given the care they need.

Asthma and Lung UK have launched a new strategy, committing to transform the nation’s lung health by challenging misconceptions about lung conditions, driving greater investment in respiratory research, and campaigning for cleaner air and better care for people with lung conditions such as asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The charity, which supports the 12 million people in the UK who will have a lung condition in their lifetime through its helpline, support groups, tailored website health advice and campaigning and research work, now has a new name and logo. The two former lung charities have come together to create one organisation fighting for people’s right to breathe. Asthma and Lung UK says its new strategy and brand is urgently needed to shine a spotlight on the ‘shameful’ state of the UK’s lung health,

There are a number of resources which can be used to raise awareness about the campaign on their excellent website at the following link:

https://www.blf.org.uk/take-action/campaign/clean-air/environment-bill

NHS/Health Education England E-Learning on Air Pollution

On this excellent website is a bite-sized session to give health and care professionals an overview of air pollution – including key evidence, data and signposting to trusted resources to help prevent illness, protect health and promote wellbeing:

https://portal.e-lfh.org.uk/Component/Details/603166

About The Charity ‘Global Action Plan’ – The Clean Air Day Organisers and Further Information:

‘Global Action Plan’ is an environmental charity working towards a green and thriving planet where everyone can enjoy happy and healthy lives within the Earth’s limits without ruining the Earth we depend on. They aim to help people live more sustainable lifestyles, make connections between what’s good for people and good for the planet, work with young people on reducing consumerism and increasing wellbeing, bring business and people together to work on a sustainable future and help young people develop the skills and knowledge to tackle environmental issues which is good for the planet and for everyone’s future too. They tackle the root causes of our climate and nature crises through research, campaigns and collective action that reconnect human and planetary health. GAP focuses on issues where the connection between the health of people and the planet is most tangible. This allows GAP to show the deep interrelationship and drive solutions that prioritise wellbeing for all. The Charity’s key focus issue is air pollution. ‘Global Action Plan’ are a UK Charity registered in England and Wales number 1026148, and in Scotland number SC041260.

Further information:

Global Action Plan
201 Borough High Street
London SE1 1JA
Tel: 020 3817 7636
Email: team@globalactionplan.org.uk

Website: https://www.actionforcleanair.org.uk/campaigns/clean-air-day

Attachments:

• ‘Global Action Plan’ Posters/Resources
• TUCAN Air Pollution Guidance for Trade Union Reps
• Wales TUC – Greener Workplaces Toolkit For Union Reps (Written By Graham Petersen)

Note: The information and resources in this LTB and attachments are to raise awareness and for ongoing reference, information and support beyond the Clean Air Day focal point which is organised to help build widespread, long term support for environmental clean air initiatives. It’s not just for one day!

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

22LTB267 National Clean Air Day – Thursday 16 June 2022 Theme “Air Pollution Dirties Every Organ In Your Body”

Multi posters pdf versions 2022

TUCAN-Air-Polution-Guidance-for-Trade-Union-Reps

TUC-Wales-Greener-Workplaces-Toolkit-For-Union-Reps-May21

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2022 NATIONAL YOUNG WORKERS FORUM, 30^THJUNE – 1^ST JULY, BIRMINGHAM

The National Young Workers Forum will be held on Thursday 30^th Juneand Friday 1^st July at the offices of CWU Birmingham District Amal Branch, 47 Summer Lane, Hockley, Birmingham, B19 3TH.

This is set to be an exciting and dynamic few days with presentations and guest speakers. For this reason branches are encouraged to send their young workers as delegates to this event.   A timetable for the event is attached.

In order that we know the numbers of those in attendance and also for catering purposes, branches are asked to register their delegates that will be attending by emailing eventsregistration@cwu.org providing name, branch, position held and membership number by Friday 24^thJune 2022.

Accommodation for delegates will need to be booked directly with hotels but the nearest hotels to Summer Lane are as follows:

Holiday Inn Express Snow Hill, 1 Snow Hill Plaza, B4 6HY

https://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/gb/en/birmingham/bhxsh/hoteldetail?cm_mmc=GoogleMaps-_-EX-_-GB-_-BHXSH

Hampton By Hilton,

https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/bhxbnhx-hampton-birmingham-jewellery-quarter/?SEO_id=GMB-EMEA-HX-BHXBNHX

Yours sincerely,

Dave Ward
General Secretary

22LTB266 – 2022 National Young Workers Forum, 30th June-1st July, Birmingham

NYW Forum 2022 – Agenda

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LRD New Booklet Published – Stress and Mental Health at Work – A Guide for Trade Unions and Working People:

The Labour Research Department (LRD) have notified the CWU Health Safety & Environment Department that they have published and launched a new ‘essential booklet’ entitled ‘Stress and Mental Health at Work – A Guide For Trade Unions and Working People’, containing important information that will help Union Reps protect members in the workplace.

“Work-related stress and poor mental health risk becoming a health and safety crisis for Great Britain’s workplaces,” the HSE (Health and Safety Executive) has warned. LRD say that their new booklet aims to provide Union Reps with information, advice and practical examples of how unions and reps have dealt with work-related stress across a range of industrial and service sectors and in a variety of workplaces. As well as how the Covid pandemic has exacerbated an existing mental health crisis in Britain’s workplaces, and among homeworkers, and union demands to “build back better” mental health at work.

Stress can have a devastating impact on workers’ mental health.  This booklet aims to provide practical advice for Union Reps, activists and workers.

This LRD booklet:

• Explains what stress is, looking at the different types of stress and explores the extent of work-related stress;
• Looks at the causes of stress at work and its consequences, both in financial terms and in terms of ill-health for organisations and for workers;
• Examines how the Covid pandemic has exacerbated an existing mental health crisis in Britain’s workplaces;
• Outlines the law in this area, looking at how Safety Reps can use health and safety and equality law to tackle problems plus looks at recent case law;
• Summarises the HSE Stress Management Standards and guidance for both employers and Union Reps on using the standards.
• Examines the impact of the government’s policies, public spending cuts and cost of living;
• Examines guidance from other relevant organisations;
• Looks at Trade Union action to prevent stress, and, examines how unions are taking action to protect workers;
• Finally, it sets out how employers can provide support for workers suffering from mental ill health.

In the booklets’ introduction section on page 3, reference is made to the TUC Safety Reps survey, in which 2,100 Safety Reps from various Unions contributed. The survey found that:

• Stress has been far and away the most frequently cited top-five concern by Safety Reps since the surveys began in 1998.
• The latest Safety Reps’ survey found stress continues to be the most widespread concern cited by 70% of Safety Reps participating in the survey.

The booklet’s introduction on pages 3 and 4 also makes reference to the HSE’s new campaign “Working Minds”, launched in November 2021 which aims to help employers recognise the signs of work-related stress and make tackling it routine. The HSE is calling for a culture change across UK workplaces to ensure that psychosocial risks are treated the same as physical risks in health and safety risk management. (See LTB 495/21).

Note:

Reference is made to the Royal Mail Group/CWU Stress Risk Assessment Agreement on pages 47 and 48 of the booklet.

This LRD book is an excellent resource for developing workplace policies, negotiating and representing trade union members, workplace and trade union courses and dealing with personal anxiety, stress and mental health problems at work.

Copies of this new LRD booklet can be ordered at a reduced price for LRD affiliates and a bulk discount rate is also available. Full details are in the attached order form. Orders can be made by post/cheque or on line, by e-mail or over the telephone.  For further information about buying ‘Stress and mental health at work – a guide for trade unions and working people’ – contact Shenaz at LRD on 020 7902 9803 or email at shenaz@lrd.org.uk

Note:

The Health, Safety and Environment Department would also draw Branches attention to LTB 247/18 ‘UK National Work Stress Network – New Work Stress Guide Handbook’ which is sponsored and recommended to CWU Reps by the CWU Health, Safety & Environment Department. 

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

22LTB263 LRD New Booklet Published – Stress and Mental Health at Work – A Guide for Trade Unions and Working People

LRD-Stress-And-Mental-Health-Booklet-Order-Form(2022)

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An important update for Royal Mail Group members from DGSP Terry Pullinger

• potential ballot timetable
• pay
• separate talks on change in line with our agreements
• Royal Mail comms
• The need to meet every member again before ballots land.

Facebook https://fb.watch/dEhAfrR6j2/

Twitter https://twitter.com/cwunews/status/1536691925067173890?s=21&t=pgDLy_5yE7ggWnx7JbPaog

YouTube https://youtu.be/5H7XUYTkVng