2022 Dispute Relating to CWU Pay Claim for CWU Represented Grades Employed by Royal Mail Group Consisting of Royal Mail, Parcelforce and Fleet

Please find attached a copy of the declaration of the result for the recent industrial action ballot of the above CWU members employed by Royal Mail Group.

The current legislation requires the union to provide all persons entitled to vote in the ballot and the relevant employers “as soon as is reasonably practicable” after holding of the ballot the following information:

1. The number of individuals who were entitled to vote in the ballot.
2. The number of votes cast in the ballot.
3. The number of individuals answering “Yes” to the question, or as the case may be, to each question.
4. The number of individuals answering “No” to the question, or as the case may be, to each question.
5. The number of spoiled or otherwise invalid voting papers returned.
6. Whether or not the number of votes cast in the ballot is at least 50% of the number of individuals who were entitled to vote in the ballot.

Therefore the ballot result meets the required threshold.

Accordingly you must now take immediate steps to publicise the result to all relevant members, however it is essential that any communications regarding the result must as a minimum contain the information as detailed at items a) to f) inclusively above.

Branches are also reminded that only the National Executive Council has the authority to instruct members to take industrial action.

Further information regarding the next steps of the dispute will be circulated by the DGS (Postal) in due course.

Any enquiries regarding this Letter to Branches should be addressed to the Senior Deputy General Secretary’s Department on telephone number 020 8971 7237, or email address sdgs@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely,Terry PullingerTony KearnsDave WardDeputy General Secretary Postal            Senior Deputy General SecretaryGeneral Secretary

22LTB313

S1326_1_ROYAL MAIL

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Re: Severe Heat Red Weather Warning – RMP&FS Workforce:

This is a further update to LTBs 311/22, 310/22, 308/22, 306/22, 305/22 226/22 and 213/22.

Over the weekend and earlier this morning discussions have taken place with the RMG Interim Global Safety Director and RMP&FS senior Directors and Managers regarding the impact of the Met Office Red Warning hot weather alert on the RMP&FS workforce and services provided by RMP&FS across Royal Mail Group.

Further to the communication issued yesterday, Sunday 17 July 2022, an additional communication Was issued earlier today with the following key points communicated to all RMP&FS workers:-

• A Met Office red weather warning indicates that ‘dangerous weather is expected’ and that workers should take action to keep themselves and others safe from its impact.
• RMP&FS puts the safety of their people first and the Health and Safety team has been working in consultation with the CWU on a risk assessment that takes into account the Met Office advice.
• For any geographical area that has a Red weather warning, the Met Office website should be checked and during the time that the hourly temperature indicates Red (35 degrees C or above) all outdoor operational activity must be suspended. 
• For an Amber warning, suspension decisions should be reviewed and decided upon locally through the PFSL Risk Assessment
• For those areas impacted by weather warnings, once the temperature reaches 35 degrees C or above(forecasted 1pm) employees must stop work immediately and contact their line manager.
• Employees  should ensure they have plenty of water with them when travelling, these costs can be reimbursed via business expenses 
• If outdoors, employees should ensure they apply a high factor sunscreen at regular intervals during the day, cover up and wear a wide-brimmed hat
• The Met Office weather warnings will be monitored every hour during the day via Met Office Website (Weather and climate change – Met Office) and any updates will be communicated 
• All RMP&FS workers should return to their office if at any time they feel unwell due to the heat and intense sunlight.

See attached:

RMG/RMPFS Managers Red Weather Warning Update Communication dated 17 July 2022 and additional communication dated 18 July 2022 – issued by Stuart Davies Director of Property & Facilities Solutions Ltd (PFSL) and Phil Graham RMG Interim Safety Director

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
CWU National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

22LTB312 Severe Heat Red Weather Warning RMPFS Workforce

RMPFS – Red Weather Warning Communication Update Communication(V2)

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As you will be aware, we will be holding a press conference to announce the result of the strike ballot in Royal Mail Group at approx. 4pm today.

We will stream the result live on the CWU Facebook, YouTube and Twitter channels.

The session can be viewed by simply going to the national accounts above at 4pm or via the direct links below:

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/326448956186549/videos/1411076889373293

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHvzZLQIcjY

Please get this information out to every member.

See you all at 4!

Re: Severe Heat Red Weather Warning – Distribution and Collections Drivers:

This is a further update to LTBs 310/22, 308/22, 306/22, 305/22 226/22 and 213/22.

This LTB should be read in conjunction with LTB 310/22 and the attachment to that LTB.

Following a number of enquiries from ASRs and Branches regarding Collections
and Distributions Drivers, the issue was subject to further discussions this morning with Royal Mail Directors and from there a further additional message has now been issued to
All managers from the Operations Director Ricky McAulay and Safety Director Phil
Graham (see copy attached).

Further to the previous message to all Managers regarding the Met Office’s red weather warning, in place for Monday 18 and Tuesday 19 July, the additional message issued today to Managers confirms that the guidance issued applies to all staff – and includes all collections and distribution drivers (including drivers of 7.5 tonne trucks).

Managers should check the Met Office website and recall all colleagues including drivers to the office if the temperature reaches 35 degrees C or above.

Drivers should return to their base as soon as possible, and be given further guidance based on the Severe Weather Risk Assessment which should be undertaken in consultation with CWU ASRs and WSRs.

Managers have been told to work with the affected workforce and CWU Safety Reps in periods of high temperatures and allow staff to make personal judgements throughout the day.

All workers should be advised to cover up, drink plenty of water, take breaks in the shade, apply sunscreen – and return to the office if at any time they feel unwell due to the heat and intense sunlight.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
CWU National Health, Safety & Environment Officer 

LTB 311-22 – Severe Heat Met Office Red Weather Warning For 18 and 19 July 2022

Red weather warning – collections and distribution drivers including 7.5.._

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Re: Severe Heat – Met Office Red Weather Warning For 18 and 19 July 2022 – Royal Mail Group Message To All Managers/PiCs from Ricky McAulay RM Operations Development Director and Phil Graham RMG Interim Safety Director:

This LTB reiterates the e-mail sent directly to all CWU ASRs yesterday morning, Sunday 16 July 2022.

I would firstly refer all Branches to the contents of LTBs 308/22, 306/22, 305/22 226/22 and 213/22.

Consultation discussions have been taking place with Royal Mail Group on Friday, Saturday and Sunday regarding the current heat wave red warning issued by the UK Met Office and the implications for the Royal Mail Group workforce as a whole, both indoor and outdoor but for the outdoor workforce in particular who will be most affected.

A communication was issued yesterday by Royal Mail Group Directors on the imminent Met Office “Red Weather Warning” and the need for the implementation of the ‘Severe Weather Risk Assessment’ (SWRA) process in all Offices on a daily basis.

A copy of the Royal Mail Group communication is attached for your urgent and priority attention. (Note: Parcelforce Worldwide and Royal Mail Property and Facilities Solutions have issued their own badged versions of the communication).

The communication sets out the businesses’ approach to dealing with the Red Warning heat wave situation and gives a clear national steer to managers /PiCs with full CWU ASR/WSR involvement locally.

When temperatures reach the Met Office ‘Red level Warning’ temperature limit of 35C or 95F, all outdoor work will stop at that point and everyone must be back at the Office.

When ‘Amber level Warnings’ are in place, a SWRA local risk assessment is to be carried out and decisions on delivery and collection adjustments as necessary decided upon locally.

As an example, a lot of Delivery Offices will be going out 2 hours earlier and finishing at mid-day. Other examples of possible adjustments are; reducing weight, reducing delivery spans and cutting off, reducing/limiting walking distances, using vans with mico-loops, shortening delivery walks/rounds etc, etc – to be decided on locally in consultation with CWU Reps through the SWRA process.

Some areas are affected by the Red Warning more than others and the Red Warning does not apply to many parts of the UK. The Manager/PiC needs to check the Met Office Website which indicates the geographic area where the Red Warning is in place. The Website also gives hourly temperature forecasts and up to date information on any changing warnings levels and affected areas. An hour by hour forecast is given and temperatures get worse as the day goes on, in later afternoon in most cases.

Personal Judgement and if Unwell due to the Heat, Return To The Office

The communication instructs Managers to make sure they work with their staff and CWU Safety Reps in periods of high temperatures and to allow staff to make personal judgements throughout the day and return to the office if at any time they feel unwell due to the heat and intense sunlight.

“Severe Weather Risk Assessment” (SWRA) 

The SWRA is to be completed daily with ASR/WSR involvement. Managers must carry out a Severe Weather Risk Assessment (SWRA) in consultation with the CWU ASR/WSR to assess the controls required for the conditions the workforce are experiencing that day and ‎where the heat, temperature and the periods of sun exposure have increased 

significantly as at present, take appropriate action to mitigate any risks.

Vulnerable Workers and Pregnant Workers

Vulnerable workers with underlying health issues and pregnant workers are to be individually risk assessed to ensure their health and wellbeing is protected.

“Stay Safe in the Sun”

For outdoor delivery and collection workers/CWU members, it is vitally important to remember that working outdoors in hot sunny weather poses health risks such as sunlight/UV ray exposure, dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Managers have been reminded to convey the key “Stay Safe in the Sun” messages and guidance to the workforce.

CWU ASR/WSR involvement and consultation

Full CWU ASR/WSR involvement and consultation is part of the SWRA process. The Manager must consult the CWU ASR/WSR on the assessment and controls as set out in the assessment process and take account of the ASR/WSR input. The red weather warning communication re-emphasises the CWU ASR/WSR involvement.

ASR/WSR ACTION:

• Ensure all Units carry out daily Severe Weather Risk Assessments during the heatwave in consultation with the ASR/WSR and that appropriate fit for purpose risk control actions are taken.
• Any non-compliance by Unit managers should be progressed by the ASR via the nationally agreed Health and Safety Disputes/Escalations process as set out in RMG SHE Standard 5.1. 
• Convey the ‘Sun Safety’ messages to members repeatedly as follows; –  Cover Up/Keep the dangerous sun rays off your skin. Use Sunscreen/sunblock on any exposed skin and avoid sunburn which can lead to skin cancer. Take extra breaks in the shade. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated. Sunburn and Dehydration are dangerous. Outdoor staff to make personal judgements throughout the day and return to the office if at any time they feel 

unwell due to the heat and intense sunlight.

• Ensure that all vulnerable workers with underlying health issues and pregnant workers are individually risk assessed to ensure their health and wellbeing is protected whilst working in the current weather.

Attachments:  

• Message from Ricky McAulay and Phil Graham – red weather warning 16.07.22
• RMG SHE Huddle FY22 022 ‘Sun Safety

Regards and Best Wishes.

Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce CWU National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 310-22 – Severe Heat Met Office Red Weather Warning For 18 and 19 July 2022

Message from Ricky McAulay and Phil Graham – red weather warning 16 July.._

SHE-Huddle-FY22-022-Sun-Safety-1

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Communication Workers Union
Dave Joyce National Health & Safety Officer
150 The Broadway, Wimbledon, London SW19 1RX
Tel: 020 8971 7365/7308 E-Mail: djoyce@cwu.org
17 July 2022

IMPORTANT

To All ASRs – Special Attention

Dear Colleagues,

RE: Severe Heat – Met Office Red Weather Warning 18-19 July 2022 – Royal Mail Group Message To All
Managers/PiCs from Ricky McAulay RM Operations Development Director and Phil Graham RMG Interim
Safety Director:

I would firstly refer you all to the contents of LTBs 308/22, 306/22, 305/22 226/22 and 213/22.

Consultation discussions have been taking place with Royal Mail Group on Friday, Saturday and Sunday regarding the
current heat wave red warning from the UK Met Office and the implications for the Royal Mail Group workforce as a
whole indoor and outdoor but for the outdoor workforce in particular who will be most affected.

A communication has now been issued by Royal Mail Group Directors on the imminent Met Office “Red Weather
Warning” and implementation of the ‘Severe Weather Risk Assessment’ (SWRA) process. A copy of the communication
is attached for your urgent and priority attention.

This communication sets out the businesses’ approach to dealing with the Red Warning heat wave situation and gives
a clear national steer to managers /PiCs with full the CWU ASR/WSR involvement locally.

When temperatures reach the Met Office ‘Red level Warning’ temperature limit of 35C or 95F, all outdoor work will
stop at that point and everyone must be back at the Office.

When ‘Amber level Warnings’ are in place, the SWRA local risk assessment is to be made and decisions on delivery
adjustments decided upon locally.

As an example, a lot of Delivery Offices will be going out 2 hours earlier and finishing at mid-day. Other example
possible adjustments are; reducing weight, reducing delivery spans and cutting off, reducing/limiting walking
distances, using vans with mico-loops, shortening delivery walks/rounds etc, etc – to be decided on locally in
consultation with CWU Reps.

Some areas are effected more than others and the Manager/PiC needs to check the Met Office Website which
indicates the geographic area where the Red Warning is in place. The Website also gives hourly temperature
situations and up to date information on any changing warnings levels, temperature and affected areas. An
hour by hour forecast is given as temperatures get worse as the day goes on, in later afternoon.

Personal Judgement and if Unwell due to the Heat Return To The Office

The communication instructs Managers to make sure they work with their staff and CWU Safety Reps in periods
of high temperatures and to allow staff to make personal judgements throughout the day and return to the
office if at any time they feel unwell due to the heat and intense sunlight.
“Severe Weather Risk Assessment” (SWRA)
The SWRA is to be completed daily with ASR/WSR involvement. Managers must carry out a Severe Risk
Assessment (SWRA) in consultation with the CWU ASR to assess the controls required for the conditions the
workforce are experiencing and ‎where the heat, temperature and the periods of sun exposure have increased
significantly as at present, take appropriate action to mitigate any risks.

Vulnerable Workers and Pregnant Workers

Vulnerable workers with underlying health issues and pregnant workers are to be individually risk assessed to
ensure their health and wellbeing is protected.
“Stay Safe in the Sun”
For outdoor delivery and collection CWU members it is vitally important to remember that working outdoors in
hot sunny weather poses health risks such as sunlight/UV ray exposure, dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat
stroke. Managers have been reminded to convey the key “Stay Safe in the Sun” messages and guidance to the
workforce.
CWU ASR/WSR involvement and consultation
Full CWU ASR/WSR involvement and consultation is part of the SWRA process. The Manager must consult the
CWU ASR/WSR on the assessment and controls as set out in the assessment process and take account of the
ASR/WSR input. The red weather warning communication re-emphasises the CWU ASR/WSR involvement.
ASR/WSR ACTION:
Ø Ensure all Units carry out daily Severe Weather Risk Assessments during the heatwave in
consultation with the ASR/WSR and that appropriate fit for purpose risk control actions are
taken.
Ø Any non-compliance by Unit managers should be progressed by the ASR via the nationally
agreed Health and Safety Disputes/Escalations process as set out in RMG SHE Standard 5.1.
Ø Convey the ‘Sun Safety’ messages to members repeatedly – Cover Up/Keep the dangerous
sun off your skin. Use Sunscreen/sunblock on any exposed skin and avoid sunburn which can
lead to skin cancer. Take extra breaks in the shade. Drink plenty of water throughout the day
to stay hydrated. Sunburn and Dehydration are dangerous.

Attachments:

Ø Message from Ricky McAulay and Phil Graham – red weather warning 16.07.22
Ø RMG SHE Huddle FY22 022 ‘Sun Safety

Note: Parcelforce and RMP&FS versions of the communication are also being issued to reinforce the message
and they will be circulated in due course.

Regards and Best Wishes.

Yours sincerely
DJ

ROYAL MAIL: FINANCE & HR (INCLUDING LEGAL) – ANNUAL BONUS PAYMENTS 2021/22 AND FUTURE ARRANGEMENTS

Branches are advised that we have reached an agreement with Adrian Porter, Director of Reward and Performance, to pay the following bonuses to CWU members in both Finance & HR (including Legal):

• Finance £400
• HR & Legal £331.55

These payments, which are pro-rata for part-timers, will be made with July salaries.  Joint Statements to this effect are attached to this LTB and are being published today.

The bonus payments above are less than we would have hoped for.  This is due to a number of measures associated with the Balanced Scorecard not being met.  As a consequence, we have been able to negotiate revised arrangements for the current financial year and beyond.  In essence the maximum bonus that could be paid to our Finance/HR members has been fixed for a number of years since the inception of the schemes and as such the value has effectively reduced.

Against this backdrop we have agreed with Royal Mail to double the value of the scheme from the start of this financial year as follows:

• Finance – New potential maximum bonus £2000 (up from £1000)
• HR (including Legal) – New potential maximum bonus £1500 (up from £750)

It should be noted that the enhanced bonus monies available are linked to the achievement of various measures associated to the Balanced Scorecard.

Naturally our members will be pleased with the doubling of the potential monies available, especially as it is normal to receive better payments than this year. Whilst we are aware the members will be disappointed with the outturn for the last year, hopefully the prospect of earning a significantly better bonus in the future will ameliorate the situation overall.

Against the prevailing environment across Royal Mail, the Postal Executive is supportive of these enhanced arrangements and has endorsed the package including the bonus payments for the last year.

Finally, I am pleased that Royal Mail has recognised the need to improve the value of the bonus payments going forward and I look forward to reporting on more favourable figures for our members in the future.

Yours sincerely

Andy Furey

Assistant Secretary

22LTB309 Royal Mail – Finance & HRS (including Legal) – Annual Bonus Payments 2021-22

Attachment 1 to 22LTB309 – Finance

Attachment 2 to 22LTB309 – HRS&S

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Royal Mail Group Safety Director Message To All Managers -“Amber Extreme Heatwave Warning” and “Level 3 Heat Health Alert Warning” issued by Government Agencies”

The CWU HQ Health Safety and Environment Dept. has raised concerns with RMG Interim Global Safety Director, requesting that Unit managers be again reminded of their risk assessment obligations. This LTB is being issued further to LTBs 213/22, 226/22, 305/22 and 306/22.

• The attached message has been sent to all managers across Royal Mail Group today from the Royal Mail Group Interim Global Safety Director.
• Managers have been requested to brief/share SHE Huddle FY22 022 Sun Safety with the workforce. Copy attached also.

Heatwave Temperature Warning:

The Met Office has issued an “Amber Extreme Heatwave Warning” for Sunday 17 July, Monday 18 July and Tuesday 19 July, highlighting adverse health effects for the public as temperatures have the potential to break records. Alongside this the UK Health Security Agency have issued a “Level 3 Heat Health Alert” in order to prepare the NHS, health professionals and emergency responders.

The Met Office forecast is that the temperatures over this period could exceed 35C or 95F and may extend beyond the 3 day period concerned.

Outdoor workers who have a lot of overall exposure to the sun (even without burning) are at increased risk of skin and eye damage, skin cancer and dehydration. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun can cause damage to the skin and lead to skin cancer.

Given that the extremely hot heatwave weather and record high temperatures are expected to continue, the CWU Health, Safety and Environment Department have requested  special attention be given to ensuring that Unit and area level operational Managers in Royal Mail and Parcelforce are focussed on the Sun Safety messages and that Unit Managers complete a Severe Weather Risk Assessment for “Sun” daily to avoid unnecessary staff sun burn/sun stress/dehydration conditions which could lead to injury, illness or death.

Managers must carry out a Severe Risk Assessment in consultation with the CWU ASR ‎where the temperature and the periods of sun exposure have increased significantly as at present.

Managers have been reminded to convey the key “Stay Safe in the Sun” messages and guidance to the workforce.

For outdoor delivery and collection CWU members it is vitally important to remember that working outdoors in hot sunny weather poses health risks such as sunlight/UV ray exposure, dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Managers  must use the “Severe Weather Risk Assessment” (SWRA) tool to assess the controls required for the conditions the workforce are experiencing.

Full CWU ASR/WSR involvement and consultation is part of the SWRA process. The Manager must consult the CWU ASR/WSR on the assessment and controls as set out in the assessment process and take account of the ASR/WSR input.

ASR/WSR ACTION:

• ENSURE ALL UNITS CARRY OUR DAILY SEVERE WEATHER RISK ASSESSMENTS DURING THE HEATWAVE HOT WEATHER IN CONSULTATION WITH YOURSELF AND YOUR WSRs AND THAT APPROPRIATE ACTIONS ARE TAKEN WHERE NECESSARY.
• ANY NON-COMPLIANCE BY OPERATIONAL MANAGERS SHOULD BE PROGRESSED BY THE ASR VIA THE NATIONALLY AGREED RMG SHE STANDARD 5.1 ‘DISPUTES ESCALATION PROCESS’.
• CONVEY THE MESSAGE TO MEMBERS – COVER UP/KEEP THE DANGEROUS SUN OFF YOUR SKIN. SHORT SLEEVED T-SHIRTS AND SHORT TROUSERS INCREASE SKIN EXPOSURE. USE SUNSCREEN. NEVER LET YOUR SKIN BURN IN THE SUN. DRINK PLENTY OF WATER.

Attachments:

• Message From Phil Graham RMG Safety Director
• Safety, Health & Environment (SHE) Huddle FY22-022

‎Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 308-22 – Royal Mail Group Safety Director Message To All Managers -Amber Extreme Heatwave Warning and Level 3 Heat Health Alert Warning issued by Government Agencies

July 14th Amber heatwave warning

SHE-Huddle-FY22-022-Sun-Safety-1

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POST OFFICE: PAY DISPUTE 2021/22 – STRIKE ACTION

Firstly, may I thank all of our Crown members who supported the strike on Monday 11th July in such overwhelming numbers. Also my appreciation goes to our Reps and Branches for supporting our members along with their efforts in raising the profile of the dispute across local media and of course amongst the wider movement.

Once again I’m pleased to report we gained good media coverage with our reasons for the dispute featuring in all press articles with plenty of powerful quotes from the union. Unsurprisingly as has been the case previously Post Office made no attempt whatsoever to justify or defend their pay freeze policy. Indeed this was also the case in respect of internal communications in the lead-up to the strike.

Admin & Supply Chain Strike – Thursday 14th July

Tomorrow our Admin & Supply Chain members will be on strike (third occasion). From all reports received we are anticipating another excellent response from members who understandably are angry with the dismissive attitude of Post Office. To put this into perspective, Post Office are quick to self-publicise how much money is transacted across the Post Office network each month. Only this week they have highlighted cash deposits and withdrawals for June remained steady at over £3 billion and this was the fourth successive month where over £3 billion had been transacted.

Clearly Post Office is making a lot of money on the back of “cash”. Indeed the statistics above are important as our Crew members primarily deliver and collect these monies from Post Offices supported by our Cash Centre members who process significant volumes of cash. It follows that our members should be sharing in this success and their efforts should be recognised in a tangible way with a fair pay rise.

The bottom line is Supply Chain members provide vital support services for the 11,500 network of Post Offices with the transacting of cash integral to the long term viability. Without our members performing such an important support role, this, success wouldn’t happen. In essence Post Office can evidently afford to provide a decent pay rise but they are simply choosing not to do so. This situation is not lost on our members and that is why tomorrow’s strike is necessary.

Finally Branches and Reps are encouraged to support our Supply Chain picket lines.

Further developments will be reported.

Yours sincerely

Andy Furey
Assistant Secretary

22LTB307 Post Office Pay Dispute 2021-22 Strike Action

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