RMG Driver/Road Safety – “Driving At A Safe Distance” Campaign” (RMG SHE Huddle/Briefing FY22 043): “Only A Fool Breaks The Two-Second Rule”

The Royal Mail Group Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) Team are launching a ‘Driving at a safe distance” driver and road safety communications campaign and staff briefing during this week, week commencing 1 August with the issue of RMG SHE Huddle/Briefing FY22 043 (copy attached). A Campaign slide/screen shot will also go out on the RMG Plasma screens, RMTV and on the RMG Intranet (copy attached).

Overview Message – The two-second rule:

The two-second rule is a ‘rule of thumb’ by which a driver can maintain a safe travelling distance at any speed. The rule is that a driver should ideally stay at least two seconds behind any vehicle that is directly in front of his or her vehicle. To use the rule, drivers should allow the vehicle in front to pass a fixed object such as a bridge, lamp post or road sign then count to two seconds. If the driver reaches the fixed object before counting to two seconds then they are too close and they need to drop back. REMEMBER – Only A Fool Breaks The 2-Second Rule.

The Highway Code: 

The Highway Code requires that drivers should:

• Leave enough space between their vehicle and the vehicle in front so that they are able to stop safely if the vehicle in front suddenly stops, and never get closer than the overall stopping distance.
• Allow a two-second gap between their vehicle and the vehicle in front, and this should be at least doubled to four-seconds on wet roads and up to ten times greater to twenty-seconds on icy roads and in poor visibility.
• Remember, large vehicles and motorcycles need a greater distance to stop.
• The gap should be wider as speeds increase.

Benefits of Driving at a Safe Distance: 

The obvious benefit is that by driving at a safe distance your vehicle won’t hit the rear of the vehicle in front if it should stop suddenly, but there are other benefits too:

• There will be a better, safer view of the road ahead and the driver keeping a safe distance will be better able to assess the situation ahead – driving too close means that the view is blocked by the vehicle in front.
• Having more time to react means being be able to drive more safely and smoothly, reducing how often and how harshly braking is required – which in turn reduces the risk of a collision with vehicles ahead or from behind and additionally it improves both all-round safety and fuel efficiency.

Most Common Cause of Road Traffic Collisions and Injuries:

The National Highways Agency and Police report that driving to close and rear end collisions is the most common cause of injuries from road traffic accidents. Being in a vehicle that is hit in the rear by another vehicle is the most likely way that a driver and passengers will be injured or killed in a collision, and any action that drivers can take to avoid this is always worthwhile.

Royal Mail and Parcelforce Drivers and Vehicles Involved in Rear End RTCs:

Last year Royal Mail Group (Royal Mail and Parcelforce) drivers were involved in 140 rear end collisions with other vehicles which led to other drivers and members of the public being injured, some seriously injured. These injuries typically occurred because Royal Mail and Parcelforce drivers were found to be driving too fast and/or too close to the vehicle in front at the time of the collision.

Prosecution:

Driving too close to another vehicle can lead to prosecution for ‘driving without due care and attention’. This offence carries a minimum fine of £100 and three penalty points, and in some cases more severe penalties and a court appearance.

What is a Safe Distance? 

The Highway Code contains ‘Typical Stopping Distances’ as a guide to the minimum distance drivers should leave whilst driving:

• Travelling at 30mph a driver should leave a minimum of 6 car lengths.
• Bear in mind though that these figures can vary depending on the condition of the vehicle (tyres/brakes), the attention of the driver, the road surface and weather conditions. (See attached SHE Huddle – Stopping Distances chart and highway code).

National Highways Agency Two-Second Rule Campaign and ‘Tailgating’ Cameras Trial:

In February, National Highways launched a campaign to tackle the issue of driving too close and tailgating which is a factor in around one in eight crashes on England’s motorways and major ‘A roads’. When launching the campaign National Highways stated that “In many cases it’s unintentional bad driving by drivers who don’t realise that they are infringing on another drivers space but not leaving enough space between you and the vehicle in front is not only very frightening for that driver, it could have devastating consequences in the event of a collision. The closer you get, the less time you have to react and to stop safely. So to avoid inadvertently getting too close to the vehicle in front.”

Prior to launching their campaign earlier this year, in 2021 the Agency ran a trial of new ‘tailgating cameras’ on a stretch of the M1 which captured 60,343 incidents of drivers, driving their vehicles too close to the vehicle in front, in just one year. 10,994 were repeat offenders. In launching their two-second rule campaign jointly with Northamptonshire Police, National Highways advised drivers as follows; “We would urge drivers to use the two-second rule and to always ‘stay safe, stay back.”

 “BRAKE” Road Safety Charity Supports the 2-Second Rule:

Brake, the road safety charity, said: “It’s vital that drivers leave enough distance between their vehicle and the vehicle in front in order to react in time to any sudden dangers. We’d urge everyone to respect the two-second rule to keep them, and others on the road, safe.”

Institute of Vehicle Recovery Supports the 2-Second Rule: 

The IVR said: “We fully support the ‘2 second rule’ campaign, which highlights the importance of keeping your distance whilst driving. These precautions can only make the road network safer.”

“RoSPA Royal Society for Prevention of Accidents Supports the 2-Second Rule:

RoSPA added: “Keeping a safe distance from the vehicle in front will also help to reduce a driver’s stress levels when behind the wheel. Use the 2-Second Rule: leave at least a two-second gap between you and the vehicle in front. Double this distance on wet roads and increase it even further on icy roads.

2-Second Rule – Short Video

An short but informative video can be watched on ‘youtube’ at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yE9MtjSohqY

Actions:

• Managers and PiCs to brief all drivers – delivering the SHE Huddle/Briefing FY22 043, raising awareness of the 2-second rule and avoiding driving too close.
• Drivers to remember the phrase “Only A Fool Breaks The Two-Second Rule.

The Aims and Benefits of the Campaign are:

To increase awareness amongst drivers and managers, improve driving standards, road safety and Highway Code compliance. The SHE Huddle/Briefing FY22 043 gives advice to help avoid RTC incidents and keep Royal Mail and Pacelforce drivers and other road users safe

CWU ASRs/WSRs: 

This campaign is supported by the CWU HQ Health, Safety & Environment Department. CWU ASR/WSR full support and participation is much appreciated by Royal Mail, Parcelforce Worldwide, RMSS, RMP&FS and CWU HQ. ASRs/WSRs should ensure that the briefing is delivered to drivers and ensure drivers are aware of the 2-second rule and the Highway Code rules.

Yours sincerely,

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

22LTB324

SHE Huddle FY22 043 Driving a Safe Distance

RMTV Campaign Screenshot

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Royal Mail’s Position Regarding Year Two Productivity Targets & Revision Activity in Delivery – Resourcing Calculator

Branches and Representatives will recall LTB 299, issued on the 7^th July, which reported on Royal Mail’s intention to impose ‘Year-Two’ productivity targets for both Table Top and Structural Revision units and to confirm the current position in terms of our agreement on productivity under the Pathway to Change Agreement.

Since then we have continued to receive reports into the Outdoor Department on new year-two improvement plans from Royal Mail being set out at local level. However, Royal Mail has now also changed local unit’s agreed year-one WIPWH (Weighted Items Per Work Hour) targets in the Resourcing Calculator.

The Resourcing Calculator was a jointly developed system by Royal Mail and the CWU and was designed to assist local units that underwent table-top revision activity in 2021, in terms of overall agreed productivity levels and targets based on WIPWH. It is, therefore, a matter of both disappointment and concern that Royal Mail has, (without agreement and outside of the wider commitments on productivity set out in the Pathway to Change agreement), now sought to replace agreed year-one levels within the Resourcing Calculator with completely un-agreed and unacceptable year-two targets.

Whilst the JWG on productivity recommended that unmeasured hours would be removed from the WIPWH calculation in year 2 revisions and that any improvement in WIPWH performance would count towards year 2 and 3 productivity targets, we do not agree to the way Royal Mail have removed unmeasured work hours and given new targets based on either the new measured target, or last year’s week 1 – 46 WIPWH performance rates. The unilateral change is a breach of the Pathway to Change Agreement.

Royal Mail have decided to take the unmeasured work hours from units by going back to weeks 27- 30, 2019 instead of the unit’s year 1 WIPWH performance target. Even though we disagree with Royal Mail’s decision to try and impose a unilateral change, the current evidence demonstrates that almost 40% of the 886 tabletop revisions units were always above 196 standard performance on measured work only but it was unmeasured and, in particular, collection hours, which resulted in disguising their true productivity.

We now believe that Royal Mail realise that on measured time only, that 347 units are above 196 standard performance but have changed what was originally agreed in the Pathway to Change Agreement and now want these units to maintain WIPWH above 196. This means that for 40 units, they would have to maintain WIPWH performance at above 260 WIPWH which is simply unachievable.

We are also aware that Royal Mail is further seeking to use the Resourcing Calculator in delivery units that performed structural revisions and again, replace the unit’s agreed revision Flightpath WIPWH level with an un-agreed year-two target. This is despite the fact that the National Joint Statement For The Deployment Rollout Of Resource Calculator, as set out in the ODM (Outdoor Department Memo) 04/22, issued on the 27^th  January states: ‘Both parties will jointly work together to test whether the resourcing calculator can be used for structural revision offices following their PIR. This is in recognition that the flightpath calculator (used to set a unit’s Adjusted WIPWH level) on structural revisions has changed the WIPWH target.’

As previously set out in LTB 299/22, attached for ease of reference, the current position remains that units that underwent table top revisions in 2021 should only apply the agreed year-one WIPWH levels as set out in previous Joint Statements and Agreements.

Equally, there is no agreement on the use of the Resourcing Calculator in delivery units that performed structural revisions, as set out in the National Joint Statement for The Deployment Rollout Of The Resource Calculator, issued in the Memo ODM 04/22, also attached.

Again, for those units which introduced structural revisions, there is no agreement in place to change a unit’s revision Flightpath WIPWH target.

Whilst we have already written to Royal Mail nationally on these wider points over the past few weeks and have made it clear that we expect our National agreements to be jointly honoured and that these issues are part of the wider Current National Dispute Resolution Procedure. Branches and Representatives are advised to progress any savings or revision proposals that are not in line and consistent with our National Agreements through the IR Framework and the dispute resolution process.

From a National CWU perspective and to be absolutely clear we have not agreed to any Revision proposals or programme of revisions activity, either through a structural or table top approach. Neither have we agreed on any year-two revised WIPWH productivity levels. 

Any queries to the content of the above please contact the Outdoor Department reference 555, email address: njones@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely,

Mark Baulch
CWU Assistant Secretary

LTB 323-22 – Year Two Productivity Targets & Revision Activity 28.07.22

Joint Statement National Deployment Of The Resource Calculator

LTB 299-22 – Two Year Productivity Targets – 07.07.22_

MEMO ODM-04-22 – Roll Out of Resource Calculator 27.01.22

Resource Calculator

Brilliant session with Dave and Terry. Now we must throw the kitchen sink at getting the vote out.

Let’s do this.

Facebook https://fb.watch/exjkdJaR1T/

YouTube https://youtu.be/BmfdFz5rVxc

Twitter https://twitter.com/cwunews/status/1552360776823754753?s=21&t=29FuM7mGo-vlBA5d7w_q2w

Safety, Health & Wellbeing Live Event (South) – 28-29 September 2022 – Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre:

The Health, Safety and Environment Department have been notified by the organisers of the following event which may be of interest to CWU Health and Safety Reps.

The ‘Safety, Health and Wellbeing Live’ South Event takes place in Farnborough on 28-29 September 2022. This is a ‘free’ to attend event, organised by ‘Safety, Health and Wellbeing Live’ in conjunction with HSE, IOSH, IIRSM, BSC and others.

In addition to the huge health and safety exhibition, the SHW Live Event will also deliver an expert-led programme of health and safety seminars and educational content within the SHW Keynote Theatre and SHW Knowledge Hub.

High-profile speakers will deliver the seminars and panels throughout the course of the two-day event. The comprehensive programme provides key insights into health, safety and wellbeing issues facing employers, employees and workplaces.

Venue:

Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre
Etps Rd,
Farnborough
GU14 6FD

Opening times 

Wednesday 28th September 9.30-16.00
Thursday 29th September 9.30-15.30

Included in Seminar Programme:

• Changing Workplace Health Culture
• HSE Inspector Calls – What To Expect
• Falls
• Post Pandemic Working And The Challenge To Health and Wellbeing
• How To Ensure Health And Safety Training Is Engaging
• Human Factors In Incident Investigation
• Changing Landscape Of Health, Safety & Wellbeing Education

A programme of seminars to choose from will be in the final timetable, hosted by speakers from HSE, IOSH, NEBOSH, British Safety Council, IIRSM, Pinsent Masons Solicitors and Beachcrofts Solicitors.

Registration: https://shwl-2022-south.reg.buzz/

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

22LTB322 Safety, Health & Wellbeing Live Event (South) – 28-29 September 2022 – Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre

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Tackling Racism & Inequality at Work session that was run by the TUC recently. You are welcome to share it amongst your own networks.

 

An excellent session with national officer Mark Baulch for our delivery members. Please get it out there as far and wide as possible.

Ballot papers land on Thursday.

Facebook https://fb.watch/eutMJET431/

YouTube https://youtu.be/IevgTBeDr74

Twitter https://twitter.com/cwunews/status/1551571192095461376?s=21&t=5b75fl_C79OPUXWXCXaY6w

JOINT STATEMENT: AVERAGE PAY ON ANNUAL LEAVE (HOLIDAY PAY) IN ROYAL MAIL GROUP – LGV DRIVERS

Further to previous updates that have been provided and LTB 283/22, Branches and Representatives will be aware that extensive discussions have been taking place with the business to address the long-standing issues relating to the calculation of LGV Holiday Pay.

We are now pleased to announce that discussions have concluded and a Joint Statement has been agreed, which has been endorsed by the Postal Executive. A copy of the Joint Statement is attached for your information (Annex A).

Colleagues will be aware that LGV Drivers have a single rate for all overtime, whether it is classed as pre-scheduled or ad-hoc. Pre-scheduled overtime has been covered by the 2014 National agreement and is paid on annual leave, whereas ad-hoc overtime was not covered by this agreement. For ease of reference a copy of the Pay Directive associated to the 2014 Improved Holiday Pay agreement and criteria for payments is attached (Annex B).

With the introduction of the 2021 agreement in relation to Regular Overtime Holiday Pay (Annex C), a complication regarding LGV holiday pay was identified due to the fact that each VOC has had a different system of recording overtime. Some VOCs have paid all overtime under the terms of the 2014 National agreement, whilst others have recorded the two types of overtime separately. It has not been easy to distinguish between the two on a historical basis.

The attached Joint Statement now provides an agreed definition for both pre-scheduled and ad-hoc overtime and, more importantly, an agreed verification process for calculating the historical arrears payments to our members. Due to the time that has passed, this now includes not just the four back pay periods but also the two interim blocks.

The verification process will be completed on a VOC by VOC basis, starting with the two interim periods covering:

• 27^th September 2021 to 27^th March 2022;
• 29^th March 2021 to 26^th September 2021.

Once the above has been completed, activity will then progress to the four additional back-pay periods:

• 28^th September 2020 to 28^th March 2021;
• 30^th March 2020 to 27^th September 2020;
• 30^th September 2019 to 29^th March 2020;
• 1^st April 2019 to 29^th September 2019.

This approach is designed to build some momentum due to the fact that the most recent data is the most reliable.

The VOC manager and CWU Representative will have to be satisfied that the verification process has been completed correctly prior to the submission of the data for these periods.

Going forward, from Monday 26^thSeptember 2022, there will be changes to the inputting of overtime for LGV drivers, to reflect the agreed differentials and this should prevent similar problems from occurring in the future.

As the longer-term IT solution has been implemented in the rest of RMG covered by the National agreement, RMG are unable to add LGV drivers to the automated system part way through a financial year, due to the complications this would cause. It was therefore necessary to also reach agreement for a further two interim payments for our LGV members to cover the following periods and this is also reflected in the Joint Statement:

• 28^th March 2022 to 25^th September 2022;
• 26^th September 2022 to 26^th March 2023.

Branches and Representatives will appreciate that due to the length of time taken to resolve the issues relating to LGV Holiday Pay, there are likely to be voluminous enquiries from individuals about their payments, as such the Joint Statement also contains an agreed enquiry process.

Divisional, Area Distribution and LGV Representatives were briefed on Friday 22^nd July 2022 in relation to the Joint Statement and activity to take place.

We thank Branches and Representatives for their patience, during what have been protracted and difficult negotiations in regard to this issue and we are sure that you will be pleased that our LGV members can have confidence that their regularity calculations are now going to be completed. We would ask that our LGV members are made aware of this LTB and the attached Joint Statement at the earliest opportunity.

Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary, email: dwyatt@cwu.org quoting reference: 202.09.

Yours sincerely,Terry Pullinger

DGS(P)Davie Robertson

Assistant Secretary

319-22 JS LGV Holiday Pay – 25.07.22

319-22 Annex A – Final LGV Holiday Pay Agreement

319-22 Annex B – Pay Directive 18-2014 – Introduction of Improved Holiday Pay 2014

319-22 Annex C – Attachment-to-LTB-245-21-Final-VERSION-AMENDED-160621-Negotiators-Agreement-public-summary-of-holiday-pay-deal

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Residential Essential Skills One course

The purpose of this LTB is to advise Branches that an additional Residential Essential Skills One course has been scheduled for the 26^th – 30^th of September 2022, at The Elstead Hotel, 12-14 Knyveton Road, Bournemouth BH1 3QP.

Representative’s accommodation costs on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis will be met centrally.

Branches are responsible for student travel and any other appropriate expenses.

Branch Secretaries should email applications to courseadmin@cwu.org containing the following:

• Name of Officer/Representative
  Membership number

Applications close on Monday 15^th of August, applicants MUST be registered as “Role” holders on the OLS with an up to date email address.

Release & Notice
Paid release should normally apply where the union is recognised and/or in line with any existing agreements.

Please forward any enquiries relating to this LTB to courseadmin@cwu.org in the first instance.

Yours sincerely,

Kate Hudson
Head of Equality, Education & Development

22LTB 318 – Residential Essential Skills One Course

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