Royal Mail & CWU National Joint Communication Parcel Collect Enhancements – May 2022

As Branches will be aware, Royal Mail faces increasing competition both in the letters and parcels market which is dependent on the future success of Royal Mail to offer customers products that meet current and future needs, excellent customer quality of service, and value for money. Royal Mail and CWU are jointly committed to securing this objective by working together to understand and achieve industry leading performance in all aspects of delivery and collection, along with providing job security and improved terms and conditions for employees.

Having launched the Parcel Collect service in October 2020, Royal Mail is seeking to grow the product through improvements to the experience for both the customer and Delivery OPG’s. These improvements focus on making the service a more appealing way for our customers to post their parcels and to be made as easy as possible for our frontline Delivery OPG’s to carry out.

Currently, Royal Mail have 3 initiatives taking place regarding Parcel Collect:

• A PDA update to provide a highlighted LABEL icon against collections and items which have a Bring My Label request
• Technology changes to enable customers to access Parcel Collect through their own online portals, starting with Amazon
• Championing Parcel Collect initiative – OPG’s that perform Customer Service Point (CSP) roles will be asked to issue to customers a leaflet around Parcel Collect and where possible or as necessary to have a short, informal conversation with customers when they post parcels at the CSP to ensure they are aware that Parcel Collect maybe an option for them

Deployment & Process

PDA Update 

The label icon PDA update will be live in the May PDA software release.  This update sees no change to process, and as such there is no WTLL or training material specific to this change, however existing material (e.g. WPC training material, SOPs) have been updated to reflect the change. This process improvement has been developed with Workplace Coaches and in response to feedback from delivery OPG’s. 

Technology Changes To Enable Customers To Use Their Own Booking System Portal 

Amazon will be the first customer to utilise the new system and will begin to use it on a small scale (c.1k items/week) from 25^th April 2022. This will increase to c.32k items per day, which is an average of 1 parcel per walk every other day. However, there is currently a small technical issue which could result in some collections potentially appearing out of sequence on the PDA, if they materialise, they will appear at the front of the list and a solution is being developed for this potential issue. A WTLL brief has been shared which outlines the importance of checking all jobs at the start of the day to ensure none are missed.

Championing Parcel Collect 

In June a stock of leaflets will be sent to every CSPs and those who perform CSP roles are requested to hand out the leaflets to customers for those who require more information. This can, where necessary be supported by a short and informal conversation with the customer whilst dropping off Parcels. A WTLL brief will be shared which contains a script, together with a ‘frequently asked question’ reference sheet to help answer common questions from customers, and a role play video. In advance of the arrival of leaflets at CSPs sites and from the 9^th May, those who perform CSP roles can, when possible and necessary, draw to customer’s attention the Parcel Collection service via a short and informal conversation.

Review/ Summary

Royal Mail and the CWU both understand the importance of being able to offer doorstep collections service to customers as it provides convenience, leading to a positive shopping experience, and growing parcel volumes which assist in securing the future of Royal Mail. Royal Mail will share key measures at regular meetings with the CWU at National level and both parties will work together on the planning of future enhancements.

Any queries to the content of the above please contact the Outdoor Department reference 532, email address: njones@cwu.org

Yours sincerely, 

Mark Baulch                

CWU Assistant Secretary

LTB 214/22 – Joint Communication Parcel Collect Enhancements May 2022

Royal Mail & CWU National Joint Communication Parcel Collect Enhancements – May 2022

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RMG – Closure of Safety Audits Actions:

As all ASRs and WSRs will be aware, health and safety audits and inspections are vital to the wellbeing of the workforce. Safety audits are the process through which companies, organisations and employers ensure they are legally compliant with current health & safety laws and regulations. While its purpose is to ensure compliance, it also assesses how well the company is following processes and overall safety and health performance.

The HSE states large public and private sector organisations should have formal procedures in place for auditing and reporting on health and safety performance.  The HSE defines it as: “A collection of independent information on the efficiency, effectiveness and reliability of the total health & safety management system and drawing up plans for corrective action.” While its purpose is to ensure compliance, it also assesses how well the organisation is following processes and overall performance, assessing how well the risks are being controlled.

At a meeting yesterday with Royal Mail Group, Interim Global Safety Director Phil Graham, Mr. Graham informed the Health, Safety & Environment Department that as from next week, week commencing Monday 9 May, Royal Mail Group HQ, through the Chief Operating Officer Grant McPherson will be asking all their unit managers to focus on any safety audit actions the unit still has open or overdue and to prioritise ‘closing them out’.  These are outstanding open audit actions from safety audits that took place throughout the 2021/22, last financial year. Royal Mail Group Chief Operating Officer Grant McPherson will be writing to all unit managers to emphasise the importance of prioritising the closing out of the safety actions from next Monday.

Grant McPherson has told managers in his communication (copy attached) that there is much Royal Mail needs to do to improve safety performance and it’s important that Royal Mail implements the standards that are there to control risks and keep people safe at work. He added that last year 1,120 safety audits were undertaken but he is shocked at the number of outstanding actions there still are.

It has been agreed with the Safety Director that all CWU ASRs and WSRs should be fully engaged, involved and consulted by the SHE Team Safety Advisors and the Unit Managers in this initiative which will concentrate primarily on the ‘high impact units’ with the higher risk actions requiring attention and higher number of important actions.

Would all ASRs please prioritise this important issue and engage with their counterpart SHE Team Safety Advisors and ‘high impact unit’ operational managers in their postcode constituency areas to discuss and monitor the closure of any open safety audit actions, ensuring priority higher risk issues are appropriately treated with the importance they deserve.  Your support in this key task would be appreciated and feedback in due course welcomed.

Please find attached file containing a list of all units, across all functions, listing the outstating and overdue ‘Safety Audit Actions’ requiring attention and closure.

Note: The list contains; Delivery Offices, Mail Centres, Distribution Centres, Fleet Workshops, Contact Centres, Parcelforce Depots, RMSS Depots, etc.

Attachments: 

• List of RMG Units with outstanding Audit Actions
• Communication to all Units Managers from COO Grant McPherson

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 215/22 – RMG – Closure of Safety Audits Actions

Att: Copy of Safety Insights Audit Actions – 2022-05-05

Att: Grant McPherson RM COO – Message To Unit Managers – Closing Health and Safety Audit Actions from Monday 9 May

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RMG – Sun Safety Week – RMG SHE Huddle FY22 022 & Posters, Briefing, Z-Card Pocket Leaflets, Water Bottles, Plasma Screen Message

Key Message: “Protect Yourself and Stay Safe in the Sun”. 

RMG – Sun Safety Week “Protect Yourself and Stay Safe in the Sun”

Royal Mail Group (RMG) have informed the Health, Safety & Environment Department yesterday that they will be running a ‘Sun Safety’ awareness week, next week, commencing Monday 9 May and will be circulating the attached documents and materials to all managers, in all functions, during ‘Sun Safety Week’.

The SHE Huddle, Posters, Z-Cards and Plasma Screens message are intended to act as a focal point and raise awareness during the week and act as an ongoing reminder of the dangers of sunlight UV (Ultraviolet radiation) rays, skin cancer and dehydration risks.

This initial initiative as we enter spring is to flag up the issue ahead of the potential of a hot summer and intense sunshine and high UV levels yet to come as the summer wears on. A copy of the managers briefing is attached.

The Royal Mail Logo water bottles are available for Unit managers/PiCs to order and these will also be promoted amongst the outdoor workforce.

Unit Managers/PiCs will be able to obtain a ‘pack of sun safety information’, including z-cards and posters to distribute and display in Units.

CWU “Sun Smart-Skin Safe” Campaign – Look after your skin and stay safe in the sun

The CWU Health, Safety and Environment Department will be supporting and working with RMG on their campaign and all ASRs and WSRs will be fully engaged and involved.

We as a Union will also be re-running our “Sun Smart-Skin Safe” campaign during the summer, according to the intensity of the forthcoming summer months and forecast UV ray levels.

Sunlight UV Ray exposure and the resultant skin cancer risk plus dehydration risk for outdoor workers are key issues 

As the summer, and hot, sunny weather approaches, and bearing in mind climate change etc., awareness of the workforce is crucial. Cancer Research UK tell us that since the early 1990s, Melanoma skin cancer incidence rates have more than doubled (140%) in the UK. Rates in females have around doubled (106%), and rates in males have almost tripled (186%) (2016-2018). Over the last decade, melanoma skin cancer incidence rates have increased by around a third (32%) in the UK. Most of our CWU members work outdoors and sun/UV Ray exposure and skin cancer is a concern.

Dangers of UV Rays

The short-term risks of sun exposure are sunburn and sunstroke and premature ageing of the skin and wrinkling.

The FIVE S’s of Sun Safety

Here is some important advice regarding following the 5 S’s.

The main cause of skin cancer is exposure to sunlight or sunbeds. Remember, it is not just sunbathing that puts people at risk, but just being in the sun without adequate protection. If you’re an outdoor worker and/or take part in outdoor hobbies, activities or sport you will be at greater risk.

Sunburn increases the risk of skin cancer and a sun tan isn’t healthy! It indicates that the skin has been damaged and that damage stays there increasing a person’s risk of skin cancer.

To keep safe and make sure you NEVER BURN you should follow the 5 S’s of Sun Safety:

• SHOULDERS – COVER UP – The Royal Mail clothing fabrics are ‘UV protective’ so always try and keep your shoulders and body covered up.
• SUN HAT – Always wear a broad-brimmed hat that shades your face, neck and ears – Royal Mail provide these as part of the uniform so order one and use it.
• SUNSCREEN – Apply a good quality SPF 30+/min 3-star rating sunscreen with broad spectrum UVA protection, to exposed areas of skin – making sure you use enough and reapply every 2 hours.
• SUNGLASSES – Wear wrap-around sunglasses with UV protection to give your eyes adequate protection from the sun’s rays.
• SHADE – Always seek shade whenever you can, particularly during the hottest time of the day between 11am-3pm and when you have breaks if your job keeps you out in it.

Avoid Dehydration

Be wary of dehydration – the lack of sufficient water in the body. The best way to beat dehydration is to drink before you get thirsty. If you wait until after you’re thirsty, you’re already dehydrated. Water is important to the body at all times, but especially in warm weather. It keeps the body from overheating. When you exercise or work, your muscles generate heat. To keep from burning up, your body needs to get rid of that heat. The main way the body discards heat in warm weather is through sweat. As sweat evaporates, it cools the tissues beneath. Lots of sweating reduces the body’s water level, and this loss of fluid affects normal bodily functions so you need to replace the fluid. Take water with you when working outside and drink plenty.

Early Detection – “early detection saves lives so act quickly and seek advice”

Detecting skin cancers early save lives – FACT! Particularly in the case of Melanoma, the deadliest form of the disease. It is important to check your skin regularly for signs of change, and consult your doctor immediately if you detect any changes particularly with moles, or if you’re unsure of any unusual marks, patches, sores or spots, no matter how small they are – get the GP to check it out.

CWU “Sun Smart – Skin Safe” Safety Campaign Material

Branches and Regions can order the CWU ‘Sun Smart-Skin Safe’ posters and pocket Fact Cards from the Health, Safety & Environment Department: Tel: 0208 971 7365.

ASRs/WSRs Actions 

With the support of all ASRs, WSRs and all our Reps and Officials, the Health, Safety & Environment Department wants to take the opportunity to warn members about the risks associated with hot weather, dehydration, sun stroke and skin cancer through sunlight/UV Ray exposure.

Attachments:

• RMG SHE Huddle FY22 022 Sun Safety
• May 2022 Sun Safety Managers Briefing
• RMG Plasma Screen Shot
• RMG/CWU/IOSH ‘Stay Safe in The Sun’ Z-Card Pocket Leaflet
• CWU Sun Smart-Skin Safe Poster
• CWU Sun Smart-Skin Safe Fact Card

Look after your skin, stay safe in the sun! – Don’t become a statistic and enjoy the sun SAFELY.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 213/22 – RMG Sun Safety Week RMG SHE Huddle FY22 022 & Posters Briefing Z-Card Pocket Leaflets Water Bottles Plasma Screen Message

Att: SHE Huddle FY22 022 Sun Safety

Att: May Sun Safety 2022 article

Att: RM_PLASMAS_Sun Safety_2022

Att: POL2724c – Royal Mail zcard 2pp A4

Att: CWU-Sun-Smart-Poster

Att: Sun-Smart-Skin-Safe-Fact-Card

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Terry Pullinger on Royal Mail talks and the next steps.

We cover:

• The ‘offer’ from Royal Mail
• How the talks went
• The £400m payment to shareholders
• The strings Royal Mail are trying to attach to Pay
• The change our members have already taken
• The LIVE Q&A for members which will take place on Monday at 7pm
• The need to get the message out.
• DGSP Terry Pullinger.

Facebook https://fb.watch/cPBtXCE4d1/

Twitter https://twitter.com/cwunews/status/1522218269628796930?s=21&t=PLo_SiA0kr-QE_6Ev2B0dA

YouTube https://youtu.be/9ama999IQKk

Please share.

Royal Mail Group – Latest Updated Coronavirus/Covid-19 – Frequently Asked Questions and Answers Guidance Document (Version 19)

I attach for your information a copy of the Royal Mail Group, Managers’ Coronavirus/Covid-19 Frequently Asked Questions and Answers Guidance document, Version 19, issued by the business on 3 May 2022.

At the commencement of the Coronavirus/Covid-19 outbreak, Royal Mail Group established a ‘Business Pandemic Team’ which includes all national heads of department and this team meets regularly to review the situation across Royal Mail Group and to issue update Questions and Answers information communications to all managers, which is in turn cascaded throughout the business.

The Q&A documents are circulated to all RMG managers and are also available to access through a link on the Royal Mail Group ‘Intranet’, in the ‘Managers Update Messages’ section on the RMG Coronavirus portal.

The Coronavirus Guidance, Version 19 Q&A document has been shared with the Union’s Health, Safety & Environment Department. It is not a document agreed with the Union but is circulated for useful information and reference purposes for CWU Regions, Health and Safety Reps, Branch Reps, Divisional IR Reps and members.

Important Changes made in the latest version (copy attached), are listed below:

Page 1 – RMP&FS responsive (intense and precautionary, building cleans – post-Covid-19 confirmed cases) are removed.

Page 6 – RM Fleet vehicle cleans/sanitisation (post-Covid-19 confirmed cases) are removed.

These changes are made following the removal of all Covid-19 controls and regulations by the Central Government for England and by the devolved administrations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland earlier this year and the gradual return by Royal Mail Group to Business as Usual (BAU) operations. Should there be future confirmed outbreaks identified, RMG will seek advice from the regional public health bodies on the need for deep cleaning of workplaces, vehicles and equipment.

Version 19 Contents List: 

1. Shared Vans
2. Social Distancing
3. Face Coverings
4. Self-Isolation, Testing, Vulnerable Colleagues and Enforcement Visits
5. Cleaning, Facilities & CSP Cash Handling
6. Operations

Any enquiries regarding this LTB or feedback on the RMG Q&A document should be directed to Dave Joyce CWU National Health, Safety & Environment Officer. Issues received in connection with the attached which are appropriate to other CWU/HQ Departments will be passed on to the appropriate National Officer.

Attachment:

• RMG Coronavirus Guidance Questions and Answers V19

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 212/22 – Royal Mail Group – Latest Updated Coronavirus Covid-19 – Frequently Asked Questions and Answers Guidance Document (Version 19)

Att: Coronavirus Guidance Questions v19.1

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Trade Union Clean Air Network (TUCAN) On-Line Meeting Friday, 6 May 11:00 – 13:00:

The Trade Union Clean Air Network have informed us that they are hosting an on-line meeting tomorrow Friday, 6 May 2022 11:00 – 13:00 to which CWU Health and Safety Reps have an open invitation.

To join the ‘Zoom Meeting’ go to the following link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3630106422?pwd=WUx1RWt4MXJsellDay9ocGFsM1VXQT09

Meeting ID: 363 010 6422
Passcode: 389508

Agenda:

• Report from last meeting
• Update on actions taken from COP26 to COP27
• Report on the Air monitoring
• What’s happening across the UK
• TUR project in the NW
• TUCAN priorities and campaigns
• Clean Air Day June

About TUCAN:

The ‘Trade Union Clean Air Network’ (TUCAN) is linked to the ‘Greener Jobs Alliance’ (GJA) and the Hazards Campaign and is supported by the CWU. TUCAN continues to highlight the importance of treating air pollution as an occupational health emergency. TUCAN calls for Unions to be at the forefront of local and national campaigns, as well as those in their own sectors of employment.

Attachment:

• TUCAN Spring Newsletter

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 210/22 – Trade Union Clean Air Network (TUCAN) On-Line Meeting Friday 6 May 11am – 1pm

Att: TUCAN-Newsletter-Spring-2022

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Greener Jobs Alliance (GJA) Newsletter – ‘Energy Special Edition’ – April 2022:

Introduction

The Greener Jobs Alliance 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.

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. See details below.

The GJA came into existence as a result of funding from Battersea and Wandsworth TUC.

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’.

See Attached Copy Of The GJA Newsletter – ‘Energy Special Edition’ – April 2022:

In the previous Newsletter No.37, the GJA editor Paul Atkin wrote a piece entitled “The Price of Gas” talking about the violent upward twist in the cost of living from the spikes in oil and gas prices resulting from the recovery from the Covid recession, overlaid by the impact of the Ukraine war, leading countries in Europe sharply accelerating plans to shift to renewables and gas prices rising from £13.50 per Kilowatt hour last January to as much as £290 per KWh now!

Following the release of the UK Government’s energy strategy, the Greener Jobs Alliance has produced an “Energy Special” Newsletter – copy attached.

In this “Energy Special” GJA Newsletter editor Paul Atkin focuses on the Government’s claims in its new energy strategy that it will provide cleaner and more affordable energy this decade – something we’ve all heard before says Paul adding; “The Government’s 2011 plan “Planning our Electric Future for affordable and low carbonelectricity” was cut two years later, watering down sustainable building standards and so here we are again and the new strategy states that the Government will “accelerate the deployment of wind, new nuclear, solar and hydrogen, whilst supporting the production of domestic oil and gas”; – all at the same time. Just like that! Absent from the plan is insulating our building stock which would create jobs and save energy. The £6.6 billion earmarked “to improve energy efficiency and decarbonise heating over this parliament” is nowhere near enough to upgrade the half a million homes the Government has targeted, let alone the 19 million homes that need it.” 

Contents:

• Energy Strategy; 12 Wasted Years
• IEA 10-point Plan
• Stats of the month
• Corporate Courts vs the climate

Quote of the Month “The truly dangerous radicals are the countries that are increasing the production of fossil fuels. Investing in new fossil fuel infrastructure is moral and economic madness”. António Guterres, UN Secretary General.

Attachment: 

• GJA-Newsletter -“Energy Special”-April 2022

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 209/22 – Greener Jobs Alliance (GJA) Newsletter – ‘Energy Special Edition’ – April 2022

Att: Greener-Jobs-Alliance-Energy-Special

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Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash FY22 012 – Serious Slip, Trip & Fall Accident in a Garden – Metal ‘Arrowhead/Spearhead’ Railing Fence Spike Penetrated Postman’s Leg:

Background and Description – What Happened:

Royal Mail Group’s Safety Team have issued RMG SHE Safety Flash FY22 012 following a serious injury slip, trip and fall accident.

The accident and injury occurred when a postman/OPG member was taking a ‘short-cut’ from one delivery point to the next customer’s delivery point. He attempted to step over a 2 feet high metal railing type fence which had sharp arrow head or spear head design tops. In doing so he slipped, falling on to the fence and one of the metal arrowhead/spearhead railings penetrated his leg.

Impact/Injury:

The injured postman sustained a serious leg laceration and suffered shock. He was attended at the scene by a rapid response paramedic team who administered a drip before he was taken to hospital by ambulance to receive emergency treatment on his leg wound which required multiple stitches.

Key Messages, Learning Points and DOM/PiC Actions:

• Never take short cuts and stay on the recognised, established footpath.
• Always follow the RMG Deliveries Safe System of Work (SSoW).
• Unit managers to brief the contents of the Safety Flash to all delivery employees and check that they are aware of and have been briefed on the Deliveries SSoW.
• Unit managers to ensure all delivery postmen/women employees have had the Delivery SSOW communicated to them in the last 12 months.
• Unit managers to incorporate the above learning points in their ‘First Class Safety Conversations.’

CWU ASR/WSR Action:

Please ensure that this Safety Flash, images and Delivery SSoW are communicated to all members.

Attachments: 

• Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash FY22 012 – Slips, Trips and Falls Injury
• Royal Mail Group Delivery Safe System of Work (SSoW)

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 208/22 – Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash FY22 012 – Serious Slip, Trip & Fall Accident in a Garden

Att: SHE Flash FY22 012 – Slip and Trip

Att: Delivery (Royal Mail Operations) SSOW 1.8 

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