Proportionality and Representation – 2021 Interim Report

As part of our ongoing commitment to report annual proportionality data, the Equality, Education and Development department has produced the attached interim report for branches attention.

The report includes data gathered on the 3rd November 2021 and sets out the make- up of our activist base, specifically looking at sex, ethnic background, age, part time workers and representatives who hold multiple roles in the union.

The data that has been used is based on what was contained in the membership database which relies on information provided by members, branches and HQ departments, as such it is the most precise data available but cannot claim to be one hundred per cent accurate or complete.

Moving forward we aim to work more closely with our Equality leads and wider union structures to help us improve the quality of our membership diversity data. This in turn will help us better understand what we look like as a union and provide us with the intelligence we need to target our proportionality and equality organising and campaigning efforts.

The next full data report will be produced in early 2022, prior to CWU Annual Conference. This report will contain all CWU officer and representative positions.

Any queries on this LTB should be directed to equality&education@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,

Kate Hudson 
Head of Equality, Education & Development

LTB 521/21 – Proportionality and Representation – 2021 Interim Report

Diversity Activists Data 2021 (002)

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Re: CWU-TUC Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Course – For Experienced Health and Safety Reps:

The TUC Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety is a course aimed at experienced safety reps to help develop their knowledge of standards for occupational health and safety, develop their understanding of health and safety law, principle and practice, tackle health, safety, welfare and environmental issues within the workplace, undertake detailed health and safety project work, extend key health and safety skills and build health and safety organisation within the workplace.

In conjunction with the CWU Health, Safety & Environment Department, the CWU Equality, Education & Development Department is pleased and proud to be once again offering and running this excellent course in 2022.  

LTB 462/21 sets out our Core Residential Education & Training programme for 2022. Branch Secretaries need to apply on the Representatives’ behalf to courseadmin@cwu.org giving the names and membership numbers please.

You will note that the 4 week Occupational Health & Safety Course held over 4 weeks with incorporated distance learning has been incorporated into the schedule.

Reproduced below is an outline of the course curriculum.

I would be extremely grateful if you could alert your CWU H&S networks about this course which has an application cut-off date of 5^th December 21.

THE TUC/CWU OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY DIPLOMA COURSE – An advanced health and safety programme for senior and experienced health and safety representatives.

This course is delivered via four residential 5 day blocks plus distance and online learning.  It is aimed at senior and experienced health and safety representatives.

Written assignments, a major project and essays will be a requirement of this course and full support will be given to assist with essential study skills.

COURSE PROGRAMME 

During the intensive 4 week programme you will receive a comprehensive grounding in: 

WEEK 1

• Study Skills
• Analytical and researching methods and skills
• Essay writing
• Presentational skills including PowerPoint
• Union effect on health & safety
• Carrying out health & safety surveys
• Historical context of health and safety
• Course Essay Week 1

WEEK 2

• Analysing Surveys with Statistics
• Campaigns
• International links in health & safety
• Communications
• New methods of working
• Risk Management
• Maintaining health & safety in the workplace
• Analysis of the impact of health & safety
• HSG65 and Managing health & safety policy development
• Implementing the Principles of Prevention
• Workplace health & safety activities
• Course Essay Week 2

WEEK 3

• Planning, implementing and evaluating risk assessments
• Measuring health and safety performance
• Human factors and behavioural safety
• Working with statistics and Noise Calculations
• Health and safety audits
• Injuries at work
• Effective Occupational health services/ rehabilitation
• Greening the workplace and the environment
• Planning research project essay and PowerPoint

WEEK 4

• Legal systems and health and safety
• Criminal legal system
• Civil legal system
• Law Reports
• How Law is made
• European Health and Safety Law
• European Principles
• ILO Standards
• Final Project research, preparation and presentations
• Personal Action and Development Plan

This course is designed to ensure that everyone gets the chance to participate fully through working in small groups, taking part in group discussions, role play and practical exercises, as well as written assignments, projects, presentations and essays.  

NOTE

Please note that you should have completed Health and Safety Stages 1, 2 and 3 or the Intermediate Health and Safety Parts 1 & 2 to attend this course.  

RELEASE

Please note that this course should attract PAID RELEASE for Safety Representatives where the CWU is recognised but there may be restrictions on which representatives can attend.

WHAT QUALIFICATION WILL BE AWARDED? 

On completion of the course successful candidates will receive the TUC Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety.

FURTHER INFORMATION 

For any further information contact Lee Wakeman CWU/HQ E,E&D Dept Email lwakeman@cwu.org or Tel/Mobile 07738724679 

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce

CWU National Health, Safety & Environment Officer 

LTB 520/21 – Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Course

Att: LTB 462/21 – Residential-Online-Education-Training-Programme-2022

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Application Process Residential / Online Education & Training Programme 2022

LTB 462/21 provided information to Branches relating to the planned education and training programme for 2022.

Following a number of queries from Branches, the purpose of this LTB is to clarify that due to matters beyond our control courses are currently not listed on OLS.

Therefore, for the time being Branch Secretaries should email applications to courseadmin@cwu.orgcontaining the following:

* Name of Officer/Rep
* Membership number
* Email
* Name of course
* Date of course

Where applications are being made for both Residential and online versions of the same course, Branch Secretaries should indicate the preference order by stating Choice A and Choice B.

As previously, all applicants MUST be registered on the OLS as a Role holder or applications will not be able to be processed.

We hope to restore the OLS application process as soon as possible and will keep Branches informed accordingly. Please bear with us at this time.

Release & Notice

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

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

Yours sincerely,

Kate Hudson
Head of Equality, Education & Development

LTB 519/21 – Application Process Residential Online Education & Training Programme 2022

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RMPFS Engineering and Admin Grades CWU Officials Nomination Results

Further to LTB 478/2021 dated 10th November 2020 regarding nominations for the RMPFS Engineering and Admin Grades Field Officials, at the close of nominations on the 29th November the following were received:

NATIONAL POSTIONS
North Region
Ged Garside Greater Manchester Branch                                                   *Elected

South Region
Kevin Gilbert Midland Counties Branch                                                      *Elected

REGIONAL POSTITIONS
SCOTLAND
Thomas Todd Glasgow & Motherwell Branch                                            *Elected

NORTH EAST
No Nominations

MIDLANDS
Chris English Greater Mersey & SW Lancs Branch                                   *Elected

SOUTH WEST & WALES
No Nominations

NORTHERN IRELAND
Stephen Murphy Northern Ireland Telecom Branch                                *Elected

NORTH WEST
Brian Southern Greater Manchester Branch *Elected

EAST ANGLIA
No Nominations

THAMES VALLEY, LDN & STH EAST
No Nominations

WORKPLACE REPRESENTATIVE – LEEDS ADMIN CENTRE

No Nominations

We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate those who were successful and also to inform Branches that we will be re-advertising the vacant positions in due course.

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 518/21

CWU Young Workers Conference – Thursday 27^thJanuary 2022

The CWU Young Workers Conference will be held on Thursday 27^th January 2022 at the offices of The Birmingham District Amal Branch, 47 Summer Lane, Hockley, Birmingham, B19 3TH.

Each Regional Young Workers Sub Committee will be entitled to submit ONE motion to the Conference Agenda.

Each Branch will be entitled to submit ONE motion to the Conference Agenda.

The Young Workers Committee will be entitled to submit THREEmotions to the Conference Agenda.

Motions should be submitted electronically to conferences@cwu.org using the template attached.  Branches or Regions who do not have this facility may request paper motion forms by contacting Angela Niven on 020 8971 7256.

Motion forms must be returned by midnight on Tuesday 4^thJanuary 2022.   Anything received after this date will not be accepted.   All sections of the form must be completed.

Branches, Regions and the Young Workers Committee are reminded that the Standing Orders Committee will not alter or amend any of the motions submitted therefore it is important that motions are checked before they are submitted.

If motions are being sent electronically they will only be accepted if sent to the above email address.

As with previous Conferences, the agenda will be structured in such a way as to maximise debate and participation by delegates. There will be 2 sections to the agenda, one for motions

which are eligible for consideration for submission to General Conference, and one for motions that in the view of the Standing Orders Committee are of an industrial nature which are eligible for submission to the Industrial Conferences.

Branches will be aware that the Young Workers Conference has the entitlement under the rules of the union to submit two motions to stand in the name of the conference to General Conference.   The Young Workers Conference may also submit one motion for either the Postal Industry or Telecoms Industry conference from Section 1.

The motions selected for General Conference must contain policy that lies within the responsibility of the NEC, likewise Industrial motions must be able to be carried out by the relevant Industry Executive (Motions for the Telecoms Conference must also refer to a specific business-see attached motion guide).

As with previous Conferences, the motions for submission to the General Conference agenda and the Industrial motions for the Industry Conferences will be decided from amongst those motions adopted at the Conference.  Ballot(s) to select the motions will be held at the Conference.

Delegates

Details for registering delegates and observers will be issued in a further LTB. Any queries regarding the registration process should be directed to conferences@cwu.org

Regional Young Workers Sub Committee Secretaries shall attend Young Workers Annual Conference in an ex-officio capacity with the right to speak and move motions on behalf of their Regional Young Workers Sub Committee but not to vote.   Funding for Regional Young Workers Committee Secretaries to attend Young Workers Annual Conference shall be from the General Fund.

Branch delegate entitlement to this Conference as agreed by the NEC is as follows:Number of Young Members    Delegate

     entitlement1-249        1250-499        2500 and above        3

Branches are  urged to make every effort  to  ensure that  their delegation  comprises members  who are either  30 and under  as  of  October or who are serving Branch Young Workers.  The expectation is that voting delegates aged over 30 will be present on an exceptional basis. 

In order that we can cater for any delegate with special needs such as seating, etc., it is important that you advise us in writing of the name of the delegate(s) and the particular requirement by return but no later than Tuesday 4^thJanuary 2022.

Election of Delegates to General Conference

As you will know, the Young Workers Conference will select two delegates to represent the Young Workers Members to attend General Conference 2022.

The Standing Orders for the Young Workers Conference will advise a ballot to select these two delegates and it will be conducted during Conference itself.  Nominees must be members of the Union and have the support of their branch and/or Regional Young Workers Sub Committee.

Additionally, individuals must be willing to accept nomination.

The exception to this are members of the Young Workers Committee themselves who may be proposed for these positions but need to have the nomination of the Young Workers Committee and/or any Regional Young Workers Sub Committee.

Branches and Regional Young Workers Committees should forward any nominees on the attached form for this ballot to conferences@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,

A P Kearns

Senior Deputy General Secretary

LTB 515/21

Young Workers Guidance 2022

Young Workers Motion Form

Nomination Form

30 and under count – 29th Nov

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CWU Retired Members Conference – Tuesday 25^thJanuary 2022

Following on from the success of the virtual conferences that have been held this year it has been agreed by the NEC that the CWU Retired Members Conference will be held as a virtual event on Tuesday 25^th January 2022.

a) Delegates 

Each Branch is entitled to send three delegates. Branches are asked to send the names of their delegates attending to eventsregistration@cwu.org on the attached form. This must be done no later than Friday 14^thJanuary 2022.

Retired Members Regional Committee Secretaries shall attend the Retired Members conference with the right to speak and move motions on behalf of their Retired Members Regional Committee but not to vote.

Details of how Observers can participate in the conference via a YouTube link will be sent out nearer the date.

b) Motions

Each Branch is entitled to submit one motion for consideration to be included on the agenda of the Conference. Motions should be submitted electronically to conferences@cwu.org using the attached template. Confirmation of receipt of motion will be sent to branches within 72 hours. Should confirmation not be received within this time branches are asked to contact

Angela Niven on 020 8971 7256   Branches who do not have this facility may request paper motion forms by contacting the Angela Niven on 020 8971 7256.

Branches, Regions and the Committee are reminded that the Standing Orders Committee will not alter or amend any of the motions submitted therefore it is important that motions are checked before they are submitted.

Each Retired Members Regional Committee is entitled to submit one Motion to the Retired Members Conference.

The Retired Members Committee are entitled to submit up to threemotions to the Conference, standing in their name.

Motion forms must be returned by midnight on Tuesday 4^thJanuary 2022.   Anything received after this date will not be accepted.   All sections of the form must be completed.

As with previous Conferences, the agenda will be structured in such a way as to maximise debate and participation by delegates. There will be 2 sections to the agenda, one for motions which are eligible for consideration for submission to General Conference, and one for motions that in the view of the Standing Orders Committee would not be admissible to the General Conference agenda.

Branches will be aware that the Retired Members’ Conference has the entitlement under the rules of the union to submit 2 motions to stand in the name of the conference to General Conference. It is therefore important that if branches wish their motions to be in this category, they must contain policy that is capable of being discharged by the NEC, as opposed to either of the Industrial Executives.

The 2 motions for submission to the General Conference agenda will be decided from amongst those motions adopted at the Conference. A ballot to select the 2 motions will be held at the Conference.

c) Election of Delegates to General Conference

As you will know, the Retired Members’ Conference will select two delegates to represent the Retired Members to attend General Conference 2022.

The Standing Orders for the Retired Members’ Conference will advise a ballot to select these two delegates will be conducted during Conference itself.

Additionally, individuals must be willing to accept nomination, and must have the nomination of their own branch and/or the Retired Members’ Committee, to be eligible.

The exception to this are members of the Retired Members’ Committee themselves who may be proposed for these positions but need to have the nomination of the Retired Members’  Committee and/or any Regional Committee.

d) Voting

Only Branches with a Retired Members Section will be entitled to vote.

Voting at the conference will be by an electronic card vote.   The card vote will be based on the Branch Retired membership figures.    The election of the two Retired Members delegates attending conference and the two motions going to conference will be done by poll/survey.

Any enquiries regarding this LTB should be addressed to Angela Niven either by email to conferences@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,

A P Kearns

Senior Deputy General Secretary

LTB 514/21

Att: Guidance Notes 2022

Att: Motion form 2022

Att: Retired Count and Section 2022

Att: Nomination Form 2022

Att: REGISTRATION FORM

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Quality of Service for all Royal Mail USO and Commercial Products

Earlier this month, RMG and CWU agreed two significant interventions to address the growing concerns regarding the operational challenges affecting Quality of Service, one was Post Implementation Reviews of Structural Revisions and the other was regarding targeted Quality of Service Activity.

Below are quotes from these important initiatives;

‘Both Royal Mail and CWU fully recognise the sheer scale of the structural revision activity that has taken place this year.  Both parties reinforce that the key principles of the Revision and the PIR process is to ensure all units adhere to efficient, fair and achievable workloads for all delivery staff, whilst also ensuring that the Delivery specification and USO are achieved, along with all new products and services.’

‘In line with the Joint commitments along with the aims and objectives contained within the Pathway to Change Agreement both Royal Mail and CWU are fully committed to working together in order to ensure that there is Excellent customer and Quality of Service in all delivery units. Both Parties are also fully committed to ensure that service levels are achieved for all products and services and there is also full USO compliance in place’.

‘we have now agreed a National Terms of Reference for the activity, which fully involves the CWU in the process and ensures that any issues or changes are dealt with in line with our agreements including the IR Framework’.

In addition, RMG are taking all necessary steps to improve and speed up recruitment and fill vacancies.

So to be absolutely clear;

Royal Mail Group is committed to the USO and the delivery, collection and processing of letters, packets and parcels with equal status of importance and where we are experiencing challenges it is important that any required contingencies are agreed locally and must include all commercial and USO products and not priorities T24 and T48 parcels.

It is also very important to state (consistent with our Pathway to Change Agreement) that RMG are privileged to be the UK’s USO provider, obligated to deliver to every single address in the UK without favour and continues to see letters as an important part of our future and fully recognises that the USO letters market has a wider social and economic value to UK society.

We fully appreciate the fantastic efforts of the workforce in meeting customer and societal needs throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and the major change programme we have commenced but it really is important to ensure that we continue to work together to deal with the ongoing operational challenges we face and plan for the best possible service to customers across all of our products.

Terry Pullinger                                                       

DGSP (Postal)                                                  

Communications Workers Union       

Achim Dünnwald   

Chief Operations Officer

Royal Mail Group

Any enquiries in relation to the content of this LTB should be addressed to the DGS(P) Department or appropriate occupational National Officer.

Yours sincerely,

Terry Pullinger

Deputy General Secretary (Postal)

LTB 513/21 – Quality of Service for all Royal Mail USO and Commercial Products

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Christmas/Peak and New Year’s Operational Arrangements

We are receiving numerous enquiries into both departments in regards to this year’s Christmas/Peak and New year’s operational arrangements.

The purpose of this LTB is therefore to clarify the current position with regard to discussions with the business, as Royal Mail have issued a Christmas 2021 & New Year 2022 Document into the operation.

Discussions have taken place between RM/CWU regarding Christmas Arrangements for some months now and after presenting them with a draft document some weeks ago, we have today, received an unacceptable response document from Royal Mail, which will require further discussions to take place.

Given the timescales involved and the proximity to Christmas it is understandable that Branches, Representatives and members will want to know what their working and attendance arrangements will be over the Christmas and New Year Festive period to allow them to plan accordingly.

Unfortunately, there are several issues which still remain unresolved, including the attendance arrangements for the weekend of Saturday 1^st January 2022(New Year’s Day) and the resultant Bank Holiday in England on Monday the 3^rd January (Scotland 3^rd and 4^thJanuary) and the associated issues which flow from that.

We have made it clear to Royal Mail that we do not accept that our members should be compelled to work on either Saturday the 1^st of January or Monday the 3^rd (3rd/4^th in Scotland). The Company have now, very late in the day, encouraged and requested that Ofcom should conduct a published consultation process, which states;

Royal Mail has requested that Ofcom issue a direction to make 1 January 2022 an ‘exception’ because this date falls on a Saturday. 1 January is generally a public holiday. However, in 2022, when this date falls on a Saturday, the following Monday has been designated as the official public holiday. This would mean that, in the absence of a direction from Ofcom, Saturday 1 January 2022 would be a normal working day on which Royal Mail would be required to deliver and collect letters. Royal Mail’s request is that Ofcom grants this exception in addition to it observing the non-working day on Monday 3 January 2022.

Offcom has stated they support granting the exception for USO deliveries and collections and a decision is due to be announced on the 13^th December.

Notwithstanding the above, we have made it clear to Royal Mail that we are not in agreement and supportive of the Companies’ approach to the New Year Bank Holiday(s) and that they have failed to deal with the issue in good time with the Regulator despite the fact the precedent was set and the dispensation was granted in 2010/11. We have also made it clear that we cannot wait until the 13^th of December which is just over a week before Christmas to deal with the issue and this needs to be reflected in any agreed set of National Guidelines. Further to this and should the regulator not grant the dispensation for the USO, the CWU will not agree a position which would entail mandatory attendance of our members who are covered by this agreement on either Saturday 1^st January or Monday 3^rdJanuary (Tuesday 4^th January in Scotland) 2022 and that in the event of this happening, there will need to be agreed contingency arrangements which may include incentives for any individuals who may wish to volunteer to attend on those days.

We have requested that an urgent meeting with Royal Mail is arranged early next week and further developments will be reported to Branches in due course.

Any queries to the content of the above please contact the Outdoor Department reference 170, email address: njones@cwu.org

Yours sincerely, 

Mark Baulch

CWU Assistant Secretary

Davie Robertson         

CWU Assistant Secretary                                                              

LTB 512/21 – Christmas and NYE Operational Arrangements 26-11-21

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NATIONAL POSTAL WORKERS DAY

On Monday 13th December we will celebrate National Postal Workers Day. For several years now, we have successfully used this day to thank postal workers for the service they deliver as key workers and also to raise the profile of any campaigns we have been running at the time.

This year, we will once again ask politicians, media outlets and the public to thank their postal workers both in person and online.

We will be communicating directly with all MPs asking them to use their social media channels to promote the work of our members. We ask branches to supplement this activity locally – with your MPs but also councils, CLPs and community groups.

We have already received a high level of media interest in the day and we will be using those opportunities to showcase how vital the work of our members is.

We have produced various forms of branding and these can be found in the link below. We ask all branches to engage members, local media and the wider community in this day by any means possible.

Our hashtag for the day will be #PostalWorkersDay

We will of course share further information in due course but for now, Branches should ensure the above activities are commenced.

LINK TO RESOURCES https://www.cwu.org/national-postal-workers-day-2021/

Yours sincerely

Terry Pullinger
Deputy General Secretary (Postal)

Dave Ward
General Secretary  

21LTB511- National Postal Workers Day

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NATIONAL POSTAL WORKERS DAY

On Monday 13th December we will celebrate National Postal Workers Day. For several years now, we have successfully used this day to thank postal workers for the service they deliver as key workers and also to raise the profile of any campaigns we have been running at the time.

This year, we will once again ask politicians, media outlets and the public to thank their postal workers both in person and online.

We will be communicating directly with all MPs asking them to use their social media channels to promote the work of our members. We ask branches to supplement this activity locally – with your MPs but also councils, CLPs and community groups.

We have already received a high level of media interest in the day and we will be using those opportunities to showcase how vital the work of our members is.

We have produced various forms of branding and these can be found in the link below. We ask all branches to engage members, local media and the wider community in this day by any means possible.

Our hashtag for the day will be #PostalWorkersDay

We will of course share further information in due course but for now, Branches should ensure the above activities are commenced.

LINK TO RESOURCES https://www.cwu.org/national-postal-workers-day-2021/

Yours sincerely

Terry Pullinger
Deputy General Secretary (Postal)

Dave Ward
General Secretary