CWU RMPFS REPRESENTATIVES – ENGINEERING AND ADMIN GRADES – RESULT FOR VACANT CWU POSITIONS

Further to LTB 537/21 dated 10^thDecember 2021 regarding vacant nominations for the RMPFS Engineering & Admin Grade Field Officials, at the close of nominations on the 22^ndDecember 2021 the following were received:

REGIONAL POSITIONSNORTH EAST  Ian JacksonNorth East Branch*ElectedEAST ANGLIA  Paul RaynerCentral Counties & Thames Valley Branch*ElectedSOUTH WEST & WALES  Christopher CoatesGreat Western Branch*ElectedTHAMES VALLEY LONDON & SOUTH EASTNo nominations receivedWORKPLACE REP – LEEDS ADMIN CENTRENo nominations received

Congratulations to the representatives elected and we will be working with branches to fill the remaining vacancies.

Any enquiries regarding this LTB should be addressed to the PTS Department quoting Ref. 320 at e-mail address: khay@cwu.org

Yours sincerely

Carl Maden                               

Assistant Secretary

LTB 004/22 – CWU RMPFS Representatives – Engineering and Admin Grades – Result for Vacant CWU Positions

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The New Covid 19 Rules for the UK

The CWU Health Safety and Environment Department continues to constantly monitor the position across the UK.

Further Covid restrictions were introduced in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland from 26 December.

There are currently no new measures for England, but the prime minister has said he “can’t rule out” further restrictions.

What are the Covid rules in Scotland?

From 26 December, there are limits on the size of live public events for three weeks:

• Indoors – 100 standing or 200 seated
• Outdoors – 500 seated or standing

This means the cancellation of many Hogmanay events, including Edinburgh’s main celebrations.

Football matches will be effectively spectator-free, and non-professional indoor contact sports will stop. Life events like weddings are not included.

From 27 December nightclubs will be closed for three weeks.

Pubs, bars and other hospitality venues will return to table service only. One-metre social distancing is advised in these settings, with no more than three households in each group.

Other measures include:

• People asked to limit social contact to two other households either side of Christmas – and to use lateral flow tests before meeting
• Shops and businesses to take measures to limit the spread of Covid
• Care home visits limited to two households (who need to be tested)
• Employers have a legal duty to let staff work from home
• Face coverings compulsory on public transport and most indoor spaces
• All over-18s required to prove their vaccine statusor show a negative test at many venues

What Covid tests do I need if I travel abroad?

What’s happening in Wales?

There are new measures from 0600 GMT on 26 December:

• Social distancing of 2m in all premises open to the public and workplaces, where reasonable
• Gatherings limited to six people in premises such as hospitality venues, cinemas and theatres
• Licensed premises to take additional measures to protect customers and staff, including table service and collecting contact details
• Face coverings required in hospitality settings, apart from when seated
• Large events not allowed – with maximum numbers of 30 at an indoor event and 50 outdoors
• Large sporting events will be played behind closed doors. For smaller sporting events, up to 50 spectators are allowed. There is an exception for events involving children.
• From 27 Decembernightclubs will be closed

Other measures include:

• NHS Covid Pass needed for entry to cinemas, theatres and concert halls, and many other events
• Working from home wherever possible
• Compulsory face coverings in schools, on public transport, and in shops and hospitals
• Advice to wear masks in pubs and restaurants, when not eating or drinking

What are the Covid rules in Northern Ireland?

From 0600 GMT on 26 December:

• Nightclubs will be closed
• Dancing in all hospitality venues will not be allowed
• All indoor standing events will not be allowed

From 0600 GMT on 27 December:

• Hospitality venues including pubs, cafes and restaurants will be table service only
• In hospitality venues a maximum of six people (or 10 from a single household) allowed at a table (excluding children aged 12 and under)
• Businesses must take measures to achieve 2m social distancing and limit the spread of Covid in office spaces
• Businesses to promote use of face coverings
• These measures do not apply to weddings or civil partnership celebrations.

Household mixing should also be limited to a maximum of three households, the government says.

Other measures include:

• Face coverings compulsory in shops, indoor-seated venues and visitor attractions, public transport and some other settings
• Post-primary pupils must wear a face covering inside school buildings, as well as on school transport. Staff are encouraged to wear masks in school areas where they can’t socially distance.
• Covid passport scheme for venues including bars and cinemas

What are the Covid rules in England?

Boris Johnson said introducing tougher measures in England was not currently justified.

However, he urged people to wear a mask indoors when required to do so, keep fresh air circulating, and take a test when visiting elderly or vulnerable relatives.

People need to show that they’re vaccinated, have recently tested negative (or are exempt) to gain entry to nightclubs and many other venues.

Face coverings are compulsory in most indoor public venues, including theatres and cinemas – as well as on public transport and in places like shops and hairdressers. Masks are not needed in pubs or restaurants, or venues like gyms where it’s “not practical”.

People should work from home “if they can” and are advised to take lateral flow tests before entering any “high-risk setting”, such as a crowded place.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 002/21 – The New Covid 19 Rules for the UK

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Health, Safety & Environment Department LTB Digest List for 2021:

As in previous years the Health, Safety & Environment Department is circulating, for the particular attention of Safety Representatives, a digest list of LTBs issued by the Health, Safety & Environment Department during 2021.

The department issues this digest list annually as a reference document.

Copies of all back-number LTBs are available for downloading via the CWU Website or on request directly from the Health, Safety & Environment Department.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 001/22 – Health, Safety & Environment Department LTB Digest for 2021

LTBs JAN – DEC 2021

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Resourcing Across Royal Mail

It is unbelievable after everything that people working for Royal Mail during one of the most testing times in our history hear that the field managerial structure are out there claiming they are reporting a National message that notice will be given on all fixed term contracts and Scheduled Attendance.

It beggars belief after all the problems you have had at local level recruiting and retaining urgently needed staff and struggling with our Quality of Service in some areas (much maligned in the national press) that such an approach should be taking place at all times, the day before Christmas Eve.

To be absolutely clear none of this has been agreed at National level and we have received no written proposal on the approach therefore we consider this Executive Action which breaches many of our national agreements.

We will be making representation at national level to resolve this and change the managerial position but in the meantime any local approaches to cease fixed term contracts (other than extra Christmas resource which is agreed locally as no longer required) or to give notice on agreed Scheduled Attendance as part of normal agreed duty structures and earnings packages, should be the subject of an immediate disagreement in line with the IR Framework.

This is a brief message due to the alleged threat of people being given notice today and we will of course give further information from our national intervention as and when we have it.

I apologise again for having to report this to you, it is an incredibly insensitive and strategically naïve piece of management, totally at odds with the trust culture we have been trying to build and the many other initiatives we have been jointly deploying to empower decision making locally and not nationally driven diktat.

On behalf of the Union we thank our representatives and members for everything you have done, you deserve much better than this and we will make the strongest possible representation to ensure you do. 

The Postal Executive and all senior field officials have been fully briefed earlier today so please contact your Area, Divisional and Branch Representatives for assistance in line with the IR Framework if you encounter an aggressive managerial activity in this regard.

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

Yours sincerely,

Terry Pullinger
Deputy General Secretary (Postal)

LTB 581-21 Resourcing Across Royal Mail

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JOINT STATEMENT BETWEEN PARCELFORCE WORLDWIDE AND THE CWU ON THE INTRODUCTION OF DRIVER BUDDIES

Much like other areas of RMG, Parcelforce have been experiencing issues with regard to attracting new employees in what is an extremely competitive market place. Even where the company is able to attract new drivers there have been issues relating to retention with some new recruits deciding to leave shortly after being employed.

Given this, the Table of Success, Transport Working Group (TWG) has been looking at initiatives which could improve the on-boarding experience for new recruits and provide additional support for new entrants on a peer to peer basis.

Discussions have now concluded with a Joint Statement on a “Driver Buddie” scheme to provide a further opportunity for a new recruit to be supported by an experienced colleague after the initial induction training has been completed. This Joint Statement has now been endorsed by the Postal Executive and is attached for the information of Branches.

As with most parcel carriers the on the road aspect of the job is the simplest, however the Under the Roof (UTR) activity, including vehicle prep, loading and in particular the various options now available with regard to route setting (REX) can be daunting and additional one to one support could be extremely beneficial in assisting new employees to familiarise themselves with the necessary processes.

Driver Buddies will be volunteers and adjustments will be made to their daily workload to ensure that they are not disadvantaged where they agree to support a colleague. Participating will have no impact on earning packages including allowances or Scheduled Attendance. Driver Buddies would be on hand to meet the new recruit and answer questions or provide guidance.

Volunteers will be sought in each depot and more than one Buddy position may be deployed especially in high recruitment areas.

In the view of the TWG and the department this development may provide invaluable support for new recruits and make the early experience in the Depot more rewarding.

The department would ask that the contents of this LTB are brought to the attention of PFW Representatives and members.

Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary, email: dwyatt@cwu.org quoting reference: 116.01.

Yours sincerely

Davie Robertson
Assistant Secretary

LTB 579-21

JOINT STATEMENT BETWEEN PARCELFORCE WORLDWIDE AND THE CWU ON THE INTRODUCTION OF DRIVER BUDDIES

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POST OFFICE – PAY 2021/22: TRADE DISPUTE – MEETING WITH ACAS 5^TH JANUARY

Further to LTB564 dated 20^thDecember.

Branches will be aware a trade dispute now exists between the Union and Post Office due to Nick Read, CEO’s pay freeze position for 2021/22.

Both parties have now engaged with David Prince, Chief Conciliator, Acas and a meeting has been arranged for Wednesday 5^th January during which we hope Post Office will adopt a more reasonable approach and progress can be made towards an agreement.

The reaction of our members to the pay freeze attitude of Post Office is one of complete dismay.  There is a strong feeling of being disrespected by Nick Read, especially as our members, as key workers, have continued to deliver an amazing service throughout the pandemic, yet senior Directors are failing to recognise in a tangible way their efforts, which are often performed against the backdrop of very difficult circumstances.

Two CWU web articles highlighting Post Office’s unacceptable position and the resultant Acas meeting can be accessed via the following links:

Post Office strike vote warning

Post Office pay dispute – union calls ‘chutzpah’ on bosses’ double standards

Further developments will be reported.

Yours sincerely

Andy Furey
Assistant Secretary

Attachment 1: 21LTB580 Post Office – Pay 2021-22 – Trade Dispute – Meeting with ACAS 5th January

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POST OFFICE – GOVERNMENT AMENDMENTS TO SICK ABSENCE REPORTING

Branches and our Post Office members are advised that Government guidance regarding sick absence reporting has been amended as a consequence of the current wave of Covid-19 and the associated pressure on GP surgeries.  The Government announcement, which was made last week, can be accessed via the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/taking-sick-leave

In essence, employees are now only required to provide an official certificate for sick absence if they are off work for more than 28 days (compared with the previous arrangement of 7 days).  Essentially, this means our members, for absences of 28 days or less will be required to complete a Self-Certification form rather than visit their GP for a “fit note” for sick absences longer than 7 days.

Absences prior to 10^thDecember, still require a GP “fit note” from day 8 and those post that date fall under the new 28-day rule.

Post Office has advised us the People Hub advice and guidance is being updated in recognition of these changes, with clear signposting for members about the new rules.  Additionally, line managers will be provided with the appropriate information to share with members reporting sick.

Any membership queries in relation to this change should be referred to the relevant Representative.

Further developments will be reported if changes to these arrangements occur.

Yours sincerely

Andy Furey
Assistant Secretary

21LTB578 Post Office – Government Amendments to Sick Absence Reporting

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Re: Changes to Sickness Reporting – Latest Government Advice

Members will probably be aware the Government have change the rules for sickness reporting and self-certification. The link to the Government advice is https://www.gov.uk/taking-sick-leave

Normally, members will provide a ‘self-certificate’ for the first seven days and after this period, members who are still off on sick leave will be required to provide a ‘fit note’ from a GP or other medical professional. However, to support the booster programme, the Government have changed this.

Temporary change to fit notes.

If members have been on sick leave from or after 10 December 2021, the self-certificate, normally for seven days, can now be used for 28 days of sickness (including non-working days). Any absence over 28 days will require a fit-note.

If your sickness absence started prior to 10 December 2021, you continue to provide a fit note after 7 days (including non-working days).

These changes are to give GP’s more time to work on the Coronavirus (Covid-19) booster programme.

If you are concerned about your health condition, you should continue to contact / see your GP.

Changes to Self-Isolation – ENGLAND ONLY

The Government have recently announced changes to the self-isolation process. At the time of writing, this is for ENGLAND ONLY, however, other devolved Governments may follow suit.

The change is a move from 10 days’ self-isolation to 7 days’ self-isolation as long as on the final two days of the seven, you have negative lateral flow test results.

We know in some areas Management have refused to allow members back to work who have qualified for the shorter isolation period. As it is part of the Government advice, we do not expect anyone to be refused returning to work, subject to meeting the criteria.

We wanted to get a joint statement with Royal Mail on this issue, however this has not been possible.

Any enquiries regarding the content of this LTB should be addressed to Kerry Hay khay@cwu.org for the PTCS department quoting reference number 420.

Yours sincerely,

Carl Maden
Assistant Secretary

21LTB576

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FRANK BOLGER – CWU AREA PROCESSING REP

It is with deep sadness that I write to advise you that Frank Bolger Area Processing Rep from the Nottingham and District Amal Branch, passed away last Sunday following a sudden illness.

Frank was an ex-miner who joined Royal Mail in 1989 and held various positions within the Branch before being elected Area Processing Rep in 2009. This was a position he held unopposed until his untimely death last weekend.

Frank was totally committed to representing our members and the CWU and as Branches may have seen from the lovely tributes already posted on Facebook, he was so well regarded by the members in Nottingham Mail Centre and Representatives across the union. 

I know I speak on behalf of everybody who knew Frank; in saying, he was a thoroughly decent man and a great trade unionist who will be sorely missed.

We offer our sincere condolences to all his family, friends and colleagues.

Details of Frank’s funeral will be circulated in due course.

Any enquiries on the above LTB should be addressed to the General Secretary at jdunn@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely

Dave Ward

General Secretary

LTB 574/21 – FRANK BOLGER – CWU AREA PROCESSING REP

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