Did you miss the live Q&A with Terry Pullinger earlier this week? Here’s a 3 minute recap.
Latest from the Branch
Dog Bites Through The Letterbox – Royal Mail/CWU Wins Appeal Court Case Over Ipswich Postman’s Dog Bite – Dog Owner Subsequently Pleads Guilty and Sentenced:
Dog Bites Through The Letterbox – Royal Mail/CWU Wins Appeal Court Case Over Ipswich Postman’s Dog Bite – Dog Owner Subsequently Pleads Guilty and Sentenced:
Introduction
In response to a number of requests for further details of the case I referred to in my speech at CWU Annual Conference on Motion 68, here is a detailed summary of the case in question for the information of Regions, Branches and Representatives.
Background – The Dog Attack
In May 2017 a postman and CWU member had part of his finger bitten off by owner Richard Watson’s ‘Boxer’ dog as he pushed mail through a letterbox in Ipswich. So began a four and a half years legal battle for justice for a CWU member.
Suffolk Police Refuse To Prosecute
For reasons best known to themselves and inexplicably, the Suffolk Police refused to prosecute the dog owner despite huge efforts jointly by Royal Mail and the CWU Health, Safety and Environment Department through representations to the Chief Constable, the local MP and the Police and Crime Commissioner.
Gathering the Evidence
The next stage was another long drawn out battle to get Suffolk Police to release case file documents, statements and evidence following which a ‘Private Prosecution’ was launched by Royal Mail lawyers under an agreement reached in 2014 between the Royal Mail Group Chairman and CWU.
Private Prosecution Commenced – Dog Owner Wrongly Acquitted
Royal Mail Group prosecuted the dog owner Richard Watson accused of being the owner of a dog which was dangerously out of control after the incident at his home on Sycamore Drive, Ipswich. However, Mr Watson was acquitted and cleared by a district judge Julie Cooper in February 2020 at Ipswich Magistrates’ Court when the judge, who clearly misunderstood the Dangerous Dogs Act law, wrongly dismissed the case and cleared the dog owner of committing a crime.
Royal Mail Win High Court Appeal
After discussions between Royal Mail and the CWU Health, Safety and Environment Department and our member, Royal Mail lodged an appeal and the case, after a long wait, came before the Appeal Court in London.
Two senior Appeal Court judges ruled that the Ipswich District Judge was wrong to dismiss the case and the case was sent back to Ipswich Magistrates Court.
Reviewing Royal Mail’s appeal, Lady Justice Carr and Mr. Justice Saini said they considered whether Mr. Murrell acted as a trespasser by putting his fingers through the letterbox rather than using a “posting-peg”.
They also considered if Mr. Watson had a defence to the case because Mr. Murrell “failed to use due diligence” or was a “trespasser”.
All of these points were dismissed by the judges.
The judges ruled the Ipswich District Judge was wrong to acquit the dog owner.
The Appeal Court Judges stated – “Parliament has chosen to put the burden on those who own (or are in charge of) a dog to ensure that effective steps are taken to ensure that the dog does not cause injury to anyone,” Lady Justice Carr and Mr. Justice Saini stated in their ruling.
“A postal worker in the position of Mr. Murrell is not a trespasser as a result of putting their fingers through a letterbox.”
Lady Justice Carr and Mr. Justice Saini said the ruling did not mean people could not leave dogs unattended, but rather “simple measures” could be taken, “such as the installation of a wire letterbox guard or adjustment to the height of the letterbox itself”.
Case Finally Concludes with Dog Owner’s Conviction at Ipswich Magistrates Court
After the successful Appeal Court judgement, dog owner Richard Watson’s case was remitted/sent back to Ipswich Magistrates’ Court from where the case was wrongly dismissed, in order for it to be properly tried.
On Friday 22 October 2021 dog owner Richard Watson pleaded guilty to an offence under S3 of the DDA 1991 and the Magistrates sentenced him to a 12 months’ community order, 150 hours of unpaid work, £1000 in costs to Royal Mail, a victim surcharge of £85 plus a contingent (suspended) destruction order was placed on the dog. The Magistrates additionally awarded a further £1500 costs to Royal Mail from central funds.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this case now establishes ‘case law’ which should avoid similar cases being thrown out of court without a proper trial. The Appeal Court ruling has also clearly defined the dog owner’s responsibilities to keep their dogs under control in such cases plus it dealt with the ‘spurious’ defences of ‘trespass’ and ‘due diligence’ used by defendants in similar cases.
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
Mental Health Awareness Week – 9-15 May 2022
Mental Health Awareness Week – 9-15 May 2022
The Mental Health Foundation announced that the 2022 Mental Health Awareness Week will run from Monday 9 May until Sunday 15 May 2022. The week will explore the experience of loneliness, its effect on our mental health and how we can all play a part in reducing loneliness in our communities and workplaces. A new study commissioned by Mental Health UK which took place last month has been published and the details are covered below.
Loneliness affects millions of people in the UK every year and is a key driver of poor mental health.
Research has found that loneliness has been exacerbated by the Covid pandemic. MHF has been tracking loneliness levels in the UK during the pandemic and found the experience has been much higher with devastating impact. Loneliness has been an important factor contributing to higher levels of distress, resulting from people’s sense of isolation and reduced ability to connect with others. Further findings were that loneliness was one of the leading issues that the public felt needed to be addressed.
The aim of Mental Health Awareness Week is to raise awareness of the impact of loneliness on people’s mental health and wellbeing and the practical steps that can be taken to address it. Reducing loneliness is a major step towards a mentally healthy society.
Loneliness is affecting more and more of us in the UK and has had a huge impact on physical and mental health during the pandemic. That’s why the loneliness theme was chosen for Mental Health Awareness Week 2022. Making the connection with other people and the community and in the workplace is fundamental to protecting people’s mental health and finding ways of tackling the epidemic of loneliness. Everyone can play a part in this. The week provides a valuable opportunity for people to talk about all aspects of mental health, with a focus on providing help and advice and we want CWU Reps to play an active part in that.
Loneliness and our mental health
Loneliness affects many of us at one time or another. We know that loneliness can be both the driver for and a product of poor mental health.
Our society is changing fast. The pandemic has given rise to a sense of loneliness and isolation undermining confidence in daily routines. In recent times, many of us have had far less access to loved ones.
Technology is enabling healthcare professionals to see more patients without the need to travel, but on the flip side of the coin, convenience and cost efficiencies are driving more and more activities online.
Our workplaces are also changing. With many adapting to home and hybrid working, we need to embrace this change while building and maintaining meaningful connections with our work colleagues.
Let’s Connect!
The message is – Let’s connectduring Mental Health Awareness Week, and together;
- Raise awareness of the links between poor mental health and loneliness
- Let’s talk – start the conversation and support each other
- Keep in touch with friends, family, colleagues
- Become a volunteer to support lonely people
- Every little bit counts in tackling loneliness, isolation, depression and distress and the barriers to making the connection.
We need you to:
- Raise awareness
Help people to understand links between loneliness and poor mental health, and actively check in on those around you at work and in your communities.
- Start the conversation
Foster conversations about mental health – see attached conversation guide ‘talking to someone about mental health.’
- Volunteer your time
Every little bit counts.
- Offer assistance and support
To those in need of advice, representation or sign-posting to professional help or counselling etc.
Mental Health UK New Research into loneliness at work – Loneliness and our mental health at work (Mental Health UK/YouGov Study) – 1 in 5 workers feel lonely at work
Mental Health UK teamed up with ‘YouGov’ to learn more about how loneliness is affecting workers in Great Britain right now by getting a snapshot into British workers’ experiences of loneliness at work right now. The study which was conducted last month (April 2022) involved a sample size of 2,023 adults about their experiences of loneliness in the workplace, and how it could affect their mental health. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+). The report includes some practical guidance on how to tackle loneliness in your workplace.
Loneliness can affect many of us at one time or another and we can encounter it in different walks of life. One in five workers feel lonely at work on a typical working day. This report contains information about loneliness at work, how loneliness can affect our mental health, and practical advice for supporting work colleagues who may be experiencing loneliness.
UK Society and workplaces have changed in recent years. Employers and work colleagues have embraced flexible ways of working for the better, allowing for greater face time with friends, family, and housemates outside of work – but what has this meant for our connections at work?
What is loneliness?
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), ‘loneliness’ is “the pain we feel when our social connections do not meet our needs”, while ‘social isolation’ is “the state of having a smaller number of social contacts, which may contribute to loneliness.”
Loneliness affects many people at one time or another. The research found that one in five (20%) workers feel lonely at work on a typical working day. We know that loneliness can be both the driver for and a product of poor mental health. Almost a quarter of workers (23%) agreed that feeling lonely at work has affected their mental health.
Talking about loneliness at work
When asked about the factors that could prevent them from talking about loneliness at work, 53% agreed ‘Lack of own time or capacity within work hours to discuss this with others’, while 50% agreed that ‘a culture at work which does not actively encourage people to talk about mental health’and ‘feeling that my line manager or senior leader does not have time to meet with me, or won’t be able to support me’ as key reasons that could prevent them from opening up about the topic at work. Mental Health UK state that they know it can often feel tricky to know how to approach a chat about mental health at work, or to find the ‘right’ words once you do. MHUK have produced a “Conversation Guide” designed to help in this respect (copy attached).
How do you start a mental health conversation?
Find a quiet place with an informal atmosphere where possible. A conversation about mental health shouldn’t feel like a formal interview. Actively listen to the person by giving them your undivided attention. Leave any questions or comments until the person has finished, so you don’t interrupt them. Follow the attached MHUK guide.
Home and hybrid working
During the pandemic, some workers were encouraged to work from home unless they could not do so like the majority of CWU members. Just under half of British workers (46%) have a fixed working location (such as an office), while 23% are ‘hybrid’ or ‘agile’ workers (i.e. a mixture of home and location-based working), 18% are home-based (i.e. working from home full-time), and 9% are field-based (i.e. based away from home, but at a variety of locations). Regionally, fixed location working is most common in the Midlands (54%), home working is most common in Wales (23%) and hybrid or agile working is most common in London (35%).
Supporting younger workers
Those aged 18-24 are twice as likely to feel lonely at work than others (39% vs 18%). In fact, the older the age group the researchers spoke to, the lower their likelihood of feeling lonely in the workplace. 41% of 18–24-year-old workers and 30% of 25–34-year-old workers agreed that loneliness at work has affected their mental health, in contrast to 17% of those aged 45-54 and 15% of those aged 55+. Workers aged 45-54 feel most confident letting colleagues know when they’re feeling lonely or isolated at work (49%), while 59% of workers aged 18-24 do not feel confident letting colleagues know when they’re feeling lonely or isolated at work – just 34% do. 39% agreed that ‘insensitivity from other colleagues around culture and faith’ could impact on their mental health at work.
Loneliness and the factors which may impact mental health
When asked about the factors which could impact on peoples’ mental health at work,
- 45% of British workers agreed that ‘lack of contact time with my immediate team’ could,
- 43% agreed that ‘the cost of engaging with my colleagues physically’ could, and
- 42% agreed that ‘lack of contact time with my line manager or senior leader’ could.
Younger workers agreed more strongly that lack of contact time with colleagues could impact on their mental health at work.
- 54% of workers aged 25-34 agreed ‘lack of contact time with their line manager or senior leader’ could impact on their mental health at work.
- 55% of workers aged 18-24 and aged 25-34 agreed ‘lack of contact time with their immediate team’ could impact on their mental health at work.
- 52% of workers aged 18-24 agreed ‘lack of contact time with colleagues outside of their immediate team’ could impact on their mental health at work.
- 49% of workers aged 18-24 and aged 25-34 agreed ‘lack of physical space to work from and/or meet colleagues (e.g. an office) ’could impact on their mental health at work.
Attachments:
- Mental Health UK – Mental Health Awareness Week Poster 1
- Mental Health UK – Mental Health Awareness Week/CWU Poster 2
- Mental Health UK – Mental Health Awareness Week – Lets Connect Flyer
- Mental Health UK – Conversation Guide: Talking to someone about mental health can be tricky. This Guide helps in how to have that first chat about mental health, or to find the ‘right’ words once you do.
Samaritans
For people in distress and urgently needing someone to talk to, Samaritans will listen, won’t judge or tell a person what to do, will offer help, support and guidance 24/7. Members can call them any time, day or night – whatever they’re going through, they can call Samaritans any time, from any phone for FREE. CALL 116 123.
Our thanks to the Mental Health Foundation, MIND, Samaritans and Mental Health UK.
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
22LTB219 Mental Health Awareness Week – 9-15 May 2022
MH awareness week campaign poster (MIND)
Mental-Health-UK-Coversation-Guide-Talking-to-someone-about-mental-healt…
FUTURE OF CATERING
FUTURE OF CATERING
Branches are informed that that the department has been in discussion with Royal Mail since Autumn 2021 in relation to their vision of what catering within Royal Mail Group will look like in the future.
You will be aware that many assurances were given in relation to Royal Mail’s commitment to subsidised catering at the time of the Dissolution of the Quadrant Joint Venture in September 2020. However, it has become evident that in the period since the dissolution of the Joint Venture the commercial reality driven by the Covid pandemic has fundamentally reset the bar with regard to canteen usage. During the period where social distancing measures were in place across workplaces, there were huge restrictions on the level of service that could be offered and reduced numbers in workplaces resulted in a significant decline in footfall. Unfortunately, as restrictions have been reduced or removed, catering performance has not returned to pre-Covid levels.
To some degree, this may be down to the fact that our members were forced to find alternative catering outlets during the Covid period and that these have now become the norm. In addition, some sites changing working practices, i.e. home working arrangements for some Royal Mail employees, has also had a huge impact.
Given the above, it quickly became apparent that the business was focussing on a further review of the level of service provision at a number of sites. Through discussions, it was clear that the focus and scope of this review was more far-reaching than in previous reviews, where the focus had been solely on Delivery-based breakfast bars and that the intention for this review was to analyse all current catered units, including Mail Centre canteens.
Therefore, the basis on which the department entered these discussions was that we would not be agreeing to service reduction or site closures centrally and that any proposals that the business wished to formally submit at the end of the process would be progressed through the IR Framework. The CWU has maintained throughout discussions that we would not accept a generic approach to the reduction of service and would want the opportunity to work through and fully consider each separate proposal on the respective merits.
While maintaining the above principle with regard to proposals made by Royal Mail, we believed that it would be prudent to engage with them in order to ensure that a process is in place for the consultation activity they will be undertaking.
The department have therefore held several meetings over recent months reviewing the Royal Mail proposals and have worked through all the data per unit to further understand the impact of any proposed change and what this would mean for our members, both in Eurest and Royal Mail. This process has proved beneficial and the department has had some success in amending the original Royal Mail plan.
On 9th May 2022, Royal Mail formally notified Eurest / Compass of the changes that they were considering and released comms in relation to the commencement of the consultation activity at sites, the content of which is copied at Annex A for your information.
The proposed rollout plan is also attached for information (Annex B) and this will include a regional online session with Divisional and local representatives to ensure everyone has the same information, as the rollout plan is not regionally based. Then locally, discussions will take place with the CWU in relation to their individual unit. This will involve the sharing of all sales and footfall data on which Royal Mail have based their proposals, which will enable the local representatives to counter propose any changes to their unit.
We have also concluded and agreed a dispute process for the activity, which is attached for information (Annex C). This varies from the standard agreed DRP process within the IR Framework, as local operational Royal Mail Management have no authority to change the decision. The revised process ensures that each stage of the process is meaningful and to assist with these discussions a member of the Royal Mail project team, who has the authority to overturn the business decision, will be present at each stage of the process.
Given the potential impacts with regard to headcount reduction in catering units, discussions have also taken place with Eurest to understand and ensure the correct process of workforce planning takes place with our Eurest members, which has been confirmed.
The department will be available to support Representatives and Branches, if required, during the consultation period.
Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary, email: dwyatt@cwu.orgquoting reference: 311.02.
Yours sincerely,
Davie Robertson
Assistant Secretary
LTB 218/22 – Future of Catering
Live Q&A with DGSP Terry Pullinger 9/5/22
A great live Q&A with DGSP Terry Pullinger tonight.
Please share the links of the recording.
Facebook https://fb.watch/cV9-MjGygn/
Twitter https://twitter.com/cwunews/status/1523724547312078848?s=21&t=6E_X-oEdeQ7LcLSsXvJuaQ
YouTube https://youtu.be/odl2yyeThQQ
CONSULTATION REMINDER: FOR SUSTAINABLE GROWTH IN THE NON-RECOGNISED SECTOR
CONSULTATION REMINDER: FOR SUSTAINABLE GROWTH IN THE NON-RECOGNISED SECTOR
Consultation link: https://survey.alchemer.eu/s3/90445009/Securing-the-future-of-the-CWU
The purpose of this LTB is to remind Branches which have not already done so to please complete and share the above consultation, which was originally sent in LTB 157/22 on 4th April.
In line with conference policy we have launched a major listening and engagement exercise within every region to encourage thinking about the barriers we face when it comes to organising in areas where CWU doesn’t yet have recognition and to share ideas about how we can best make changes to overcome these. Input is welcomed from every branch, officer and representative.
The future of the CWU as a strong, independent trade union ultimately depends not only on our ability to recruit and retain members where we have recognition but also on prioritising efforts to identify areas for new membership growth and broader union expansion where there is currently no union recognition.
Work will continue, following March’s National GROW Campaign, to ensure that an ongoing culture of recruitment and organising is embedded across all union structures and remains a high priority. Follow-ups to ensure the 13 Measures of Success workbooks are being completed as required by all branches will also provide the union centrally with a wealth of invaluable data and information to help us further shape what ‘future-proofing’ the CWU really needs to look like.
The consultation link will remain live until Friday 10th June, at which point we will collate all responses and present a report of the findings and draft proposals to the NEC, before holding a National Briefing to present these union-wide. Please take 10 minutes as soon as possible over the next month to complete the consultation, have your say, and share the link with any and all interested parties within your branch for their input too.
For any questions in relation to the contents of this LTB please email: rodept@cwu.org
Yours sincerely
RAY ELLIS
Head of Recruitment, Organising & Membership Growth
LTB 217/22 – CONSULTATION REMINDER- FOR SUSTAINABLE GROWTH IN THE NON-RECOGNISED SECTOR
POST OFFICE: PAY DISPUTE 2021/22 – NATIONAL BRIEFING
POST OFFICE: PAY DISPUTE 2021/22 – NATIONAL BRIEFING
Branches are advised that a National Briefing to discuss the current legal trade dispute and the status of negotiations with Post Office will be held as follows:
Tuesday 17th May
12:00 – 2:30pm
Birmingham & District Amal Branch Office
47 Summer Lane, Hockley, Birmingham B19 3TH
The meeting will receive a report on the initial strike day – 3rd May and an update on the current position along with next steps. A Q&A session will be held.
The following Representatives are invited:
- Branch Secretaries with Post Office members
- Regional Secretaries & Political Officers
- One Divisional Rep from each Division
- Supply Chain Unit Reps (both Cash Centres and Depots)
- Full-time Post Office Reps
The primary objective of the briefing will be to discuss how we can focus our attention on how best to engage with the media and politicians with the aim of raising the profile of the dispute beyond the Post Office. This approach is in accordance with the following policy contained within Emergency Motion E4 carried at Postal Conference:
“Branches will also ensure that they instigate local campaigning activities in regard to media and politicians to support the aims of the dispute.”
I’m pleased to advise that the Comms Team will also be on hand to provide our Reps with tips, help and any support they may need when engaging with the local press, as well as giving an overview of media engagement in general.
Yours sincerely
Andy Furey
Assistant Secretary
LTB 216/22 – Post Office – Pay Dispute 2021-22 National Briefing
CWU Eastern No5 Branch 