Latest from the Branch

The Equality Act 2010 and Casework Workshop

The Equality Act 2010 and Casework Workshop

The purpose of this LTB is to advise branches that a one-day workshop will take place on the 22nd October 2025 between 10:00 – 16:00 at Summer Lane, Birmingham, B19 3TH.

The workshop is designed to assist Representatives and Officials who have day-to-day dealings with disability related casework and is a mix of presentations with Q&A’s and will include:

  • What do we mean by a reasonable adjustment
  • Applying the Equality Act effectively in a case
  • Equality Act 2010 – Various case studies

Applications should be made via the membership Portal by the cut-off dates shown below.DateWorkshopCut off22/10/2025The Equality Act 2010 and Casework Workshop 25/09/2025

Any enquiries on this LTB should be directed to courseadmin@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,

Kate Hudson
Head of Equality, Education & Development

LTB 181/25 – The Equality Act 2010 and Casework Workshop

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60th Anniversary Race Relations Act – Series of Bitesize Sessions

60th Anniversary Race Relations Act – Series of Bitesize Sessions

The purpose of this LTB is to advise branches that the Equality, Education & Development Department are piloting a new opportunity to engage in some lite-learning with a series of bitesize education sessions dedicated to the 60th anniversary of the Race Relations Act.

The sessions will run for 30 minutes and will include an opportunity for questions and discussion at the end of each one.

Please note the conclusion of the bitesize series is an ‘in-person session’ that is scheduled to take place during Day 2 of our National Equality Event (see LTB 175/25). The guest speaker will be Amarjite Singh, TUC Wales.

The first three sessions will all start at 6pm.

  • Session 1, Thursday 25th September
  • Session 2, Thursday 2nd October
  • Session 3, Thursday 9th October
  • Final session in-person, Bournemouth

For further information and to register your interest please see the attached flyer and QR code. Alternatively, email us at equality&education@cwu.org and we will send you the link on the day of each session.

Yours sincerely, 

Kate Hudson
Head of Equality, Education & Development

LTB 180/25 – 60th Anniversary Race Relations Act Series of Bitesize Sessions

PDF Attachment: 08398 – 60th Anniversary of the Race Relations Act – sessions

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CWU RULE BOOK 2025

CWU RULE BOOK 2025

Please find attached a copy of the revised CWU Rule Book 2025 which incorporates the necessary changes required as a result of the rule amendments at the Special Rules Revision Conference held in Blackpool on 29th June 2025.

The new Rule Book is on the website and you can find by using the following link:

Any enquiries regarding this LTB should be addressed to Angela Niven on telephone number 020 8971 7237, or email address sdgs@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely,

Dave Ward

General Secretary

LTB 179/25 – CWU Rule Book 2025

Rule-Book-2025-Updated-August 2025 Final Version

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Post Office: Franchising Programme

Post Office: Franchising Programme

Further to LTBs 105/25, 107/25, 147/25, 155/25 and 171/25.  This morning, Post Office announced that the franchise partner for Inverness Crown Office will be Co-op.  An online meeting with the Inverness members took place with management this morning, and Richard Titterington, Territorial Rep (covering for Carole Bowmaker), was involved to provide support.  This means that Post Office has now made announcements regarding all 108 Crowns and has advised our members of the franchise partners, the details of which are attached.

Unwelcome Potential for Double TUPE – Eight Crowns

As reported in LTB171/25, members in eight Crowns are facing the possibility of a double TUPE, which we have strongly objected to.  Dave Ward, General Secretary, and I have had positive discussions today with the Post Office Chairman, CEO and Chief People Officer and a proposal has been put to us that would avoid the double TUPE position.  We believe there is merit in the Post Office proposal; however, the detail will need to be finalised before we are in a position to communicate more fully on this matter with the impacted members.  The affected Crowns, which are not due to be franchised until the 2nd week of November are as follows:CoshamPortsmouthKirkwallPrestwichMerthyr TydfilStornowayPort TalbotYate Sodbury

Further developments regarding this matter will be reported to our Territorial Reps and directly to the members.

Legal Advice from Unionline for Members’ Settlement Agreements

Members are reminded that if they decline to TUPE and opt to take an enhanced severance package, the union is happy to recommend the services of Unionline, who have extensive experience in assisting with Settlement Agreements.

At our request, Post Office has facilitated three online sessions this with Unionline to assist members in accessing these services.  At the time of writing, two of these sessions have taken place and there is a degree of interest from members in accessing support from Unionline.  The contact email address is postoffice@unionline.co.uk or if members would prefer to call Unionline – the number is 0300 333 0303 (option 2) – please ask to be directed to Diarmuid Deeney, Solicitor.

If members have any questions regarding either the terms of the financial settlement, TUPE or bumping, they should contact their Territorial Rep in the first instance.

Yours sincerely,

Andy Furey 

Assistant Secretary

LTB 178/25 – Post Office – Franchising Programme

Attachment 2: Attachment to 25LTB178

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CWU REGIONAL STRUCTURE – ELECTION OF THE 5 REGIONAL OFFICIALS

CWU REGIONAL STRUCTURE – ELECTION OF THE 5 REGIONAL OFFICIALS

Branches will be aware that, as a result of the decisions taken at both the Special Restructuring Conference 2025 and the Special Rules Revision Conference 2025, there is now a requirement to elect the 5 Regional Officials.

The purpose of this LTB is to publish to branches the election arrangements that have been agreed by the NEC for these elections and to seek nominations for these positions from branches within each of the respective areas.

The timetable for the elections will be as follows:

Election Timetable 

Nominations open:                                    19 August 2025

Nominations close:                                    4 September 2025 (14.00)

Branch Ballot papers dispatched:          10 September 2025

Ballot closes:                                               24 September 2025 (14.00)

Election Arrangements

The elections will be conducted in accordance with the new CWU rule 7 which was agreed at the Special Rules Revision Conference held on the 29th June 2025 in Blackpool.

Please find attached to this LTB the election guidelines and the candidate guidelines to be used for these elections. Also attached are the relevant nomination forms. 

Only members of branches located within the respective paired former CWU regions (as at June 2025) will be entitled to stand for the Regional Official positions in that area. The area’s are as follows;

CWU Regional Areas:

  • Eastern & Midlands
  • London & South-East
  • North East & North West
  • Northern Ireland & Scotland
  • South West & Wales and the Marches

All candidates will require the nomination of their own branch which has been agreed at a branch meeting.

Following the closing of nominations, if elections are required then the ballot will be conducted on a Branch Ballot basis of all branches within the respective new area. 

As detailed in the new Regional Structure (Rule 7) – all CWU members in the Regional Area, who are employed in CWU recognised companies, will be eligible to stand for election and hold the Regional Official position.

The successful candidate shall be the individual who receives the highest number of votes cast.

The period of office for the Regional Official will be 18 months from September 2025 and the successful candidate will be engaged by the CWU on a secondment basis for their period of office subject to the qualifying terms set out in CWU rule 7 (as agreed at the Special Rules Revision Conference 2025).

Role of Regional Official Position  

The role of the Regional Official is as follows:  

  • The Regional Official will work under the direction of the General Secretary and the NEC and their responsibilities will include:
  • Develop and implementation of the new National Networks and support national non-industrial strategies of the union
  • Implement CWU strategies that further grows the CWU’s influence across the wider trade union movement
  • Involvement in all Regional Sub Committees within their Regional area
  • Implementing the CWU Political strategy
  • Solidifying the CWU links to our external political networks, including the Regional Labour Parties and Regional TUC

Any enquiries regarding this LTB should be made to Dave Wilshire, Senior Policy Advisor – email dwilshire@cwu.org

Dave Ward                                       

General Secretary                          

ERRATA LTB 172 – CWU Regional Structure – Election of the 5 Regional Officials

Att: Regional Area Form Download

Att: Guidelines for Regional Official 2025 PDF

Att: Candidate-Biographical-Detail-Consent-Form Download

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CWU Young Workers Conference – Wednesday 5thNovember 2025

CWU Young Workers Conference – Wednesday 5thNovember 2025

The CWU Young Workers Conference will be held on Wednesday 5th November 2025 at the Mechanics Institute, 103 Princess Street, Manchester M1 6DD.

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 National Young Workers Committee will be entitled to submit THREE motions 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 noon on Monday 6thOctober 2025.   Anything received after this date will not be accepted.   All sections of the form must be completed.

Branches, Regional Young Workers Sub Committee and the National 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 motion authors read the attached guidance notes carefully and 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 to both the Postal Industry and Telecoms & Financial Services conferences 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 Industrial 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 Leads 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 Sub Committee Leads to attend Young Workers Conference shall be from the General Fund.

Branches, Regional Young Workers Sub Committees and the National Young Workers Committee are also reminded that only Branch delegates may move motions standing in the name of their Branch or Regional Sub Committee. Members of the National Young Workers Committee may only speak on behalf of the National Young Workers Committee and not their Branch or Regional Young Workers Sub Committee.

Branch delegate entitlement to this Conference as agreed by the NEC is as follows:Number of Young MembersDelegate Entitlement1-2491250-4992500 and above3

Branches are  urged to make every effort  to  ensure that  their delegation  comprises members  who are either  30 and under  as  of  November 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 13THOctober 2025.

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 2026.

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 the nomination.

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

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

Yours sincerely,

Dave Ward

General Secretary

LTB177 – CWU Young Workers Conference – Wednesday 5th November 2025

Young Workers Guidance 2025

Young Workers Motion Form 25

Nomination Form 2026

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CWU Retired Members Conference – Wednesday 15thOctober 2025

CWU Retired Members Conference – Wednesday 15thOctober 2025

The CWU Retired Members Conference will be held on Wednesday 15th October 2025 at the offices of CWU Birmingham District Amal Branch, 47 Summer Lane, Hockley, Birmingham B19 3TH.

a) Delegates 

Only Branches with Retired members Sections are entitled to send Delegates.

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

Delegate Entitlement1-2491250-4992500 and above3

Branch Secretaries should register delegates and observers by emailing conferences@cwu.org

by Monday 6th October 2025. Confirmation of request 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 7237   Branches who do not have this facility may request paper motion forms by contacting the Angela Niven on 020 8971 7237.

Retired Members Regional Sub Committee Leads shall attend the Retired Members conference with the right to speak and move motions on behalf of their Retired Members Regional Sub Committee but not to vote. Funding for Retired Members Regional Sub Committee Leads to attend Retired Members Conference shall be from the General Fund.

In order that we can cater for any delegate with special needs such as seating, dietary requirements 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 Monday 22nd September 2025.

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 7237   Branches who do not have this facility may request paper motion forms by contacting the Angela Niven on 020 8971 7237.

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

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

Branches, Regional Sub Committees and the National Retired Members 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.

Motion forms must be returned by NOON Monday 15thSeptember 2025.   Anything received after this date will not be accepted.   All sections of the form must be completed.

If Motions are being sent electronically, they will only be accepted 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 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 2026.

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 National 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 National Retired Members’ Committee and/or any Regional Sub Committee.

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

Yours sincerely,

D Ward

General Secretary

25LTB176 – CWU Retired Members Conference – Wednesday 15th October 2025

RM Guidance 25

RM Motion 25

RM Nomination Form 25

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National Equality Event – 15th & 16th October 2025

National Equality Event – 15th & 16th October 2025

We are pleased to confirm that this year’s National Equality Event will take place as follows:

Date:               Wednesday 15th and Thursday 16th October 2025

Venue:            Hilton Bournemouth, Terrace Road, Bournemouth, BH2 5EL

Times:            The event will start with registration on the 15th October between 12:00 and 13:00 and will conclude at 16:00 on the 16th October.

Given the nature of the event, Branches are asked to give priority in the first instance to representatives who have responsibility for roles linked to equality, however, our industrial representatives are also very welcome to join us.

Accommodation: 

Accommodation is being held at a choice of two hotels as follows:

  1. Hilton Bournemouth, Terrace Road, Bournemouth BH2 5EL
  2. Hampton by Hilton Bournemouth, Upper Terrace Road, Bournemouth BH2 5NW

Booking arrangements:

Bookings can be made via the hotel websites by using the following links: 

  1. Hilton Bournemouth Reservations – Hilton Bournemouth
  2. Hampton by Hilton  Reservations – Hampton by Hilton

Accommodation rates: (preferential CWU rates for nights of Tuesday 14th and Wednesday 15th)

  1. Hilton Bournemouth 
    Rooms are charged @ £140.00 per room, per night (NB: there is a minimum 2-night stay to qualify for CWU rate) including VAT, single occupancy (£10 supplement for double occupancy) inclusive of breakfast and Wi-Fi.
  2. Hampton by Hilton
    Rooms are charged @ £139.00 per room, per night including VAT, single occupancy, complimentary buffet breakfast and Wi-Fi.

{Rooms will be held at this rate until 14th September 2025 or when the rooms are all sold, after which time they will be released and the preferential rate will not be available}.

Parking & Transportation:

Complimentary car parking is available at both hotels.

To qualify all registration plate details must be submitted to the hotel in advance. Car parking cannot be guaranteed and is available on a ‘first-come, first-served basis. 

Registration

The agenda will be shared nearer the time but in the meantime, we would ask that Branches confirm their delegation details and accessibility requirements by emailing equality&education@cwu.org 

We look forward to seeing you in Bournemouth.

Yours sincerely, 

Kate Hudson
Head of Equality, Education & Development

LTB 175/25 – National Equality Event – 15th & 16th October 2025

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TUC new publications and biennial Health & Safety Reps survey

TUC new publications and biennial Health & Safety Reps survey.

The seventh edition of the TUC’s best-selling ‘hazards at work’ book is now available to order.

The book explains the way unions organise to improve health, safety and welfare, how the law has changed in recent years and gives full details of the key legal provisions and how they are enforced. As in previous editions, the ever-popular core of the book is the 24-chapter section on the common hazards and causes of ill health at work, and how to assess and prevent them.

Hazards at Work is an A4 size, 400-page, single-volume softback, with a section on people in ‘special’ categories, such as young workers, zero-hours workers, agency workers and disabled workers. The book Contains HSE and other guidance, extensive checklists, case studies, web resources and a full index to help you find statutes and regulations. Single copies cost £25 and are directly available from tuceducation@tuc.org.uk.

An updated version of the Safety Reps‘brown book’ which contains the regulations, codes of practice and guidance from the Safety Reps and Safety Committees’ Regulations 1977 is now also available to order from the TUC. This new book has been redesigned for easier navigation and comprehension, making it a more practical resource for trade union safety representatives.  The new edition incorporates both the Safety Representatives and Safety Committees’ Regulations 1977 and the Health and Safety (Consultation with Employees) Regulations 1996, ensuring comprehensive guidance on worker consultation. Single copies cost £7 and are directly available from tuceducation@tuc.org.uk.

The brown book provides the legal backing that union safety representatives need to confidently address health and safety issues in the workplace. It is the essential tool for Safety Reps, and the updated version is designed to equip every representative with the knowledge and evidence necessary to effectively perform their role.

There are discounts on bulk orders available when ordering both books from the TUC. The importance and value of both books for CWU Health & Safety Representatives was previously referenced in LTB No 142/25

Please contact jmcgovern@cwu.org for details on CWU discounts that can apply.

The TUC also run a survey where they ask union health and safety reps about their role and experience over the last two years. They have recently launched their 2024-2025 survey.

We actively encourage CWU health & safety Reps to complete the survey via the link below.

The CWU has historically taken part in this survey in large numbers.

The value of each & every contribution can be measured by reading the comprehensive 38-page report attached to this LTB. This report is from the last biennial TUC Safety reps survey that ran from 6 December 2022 to 14 February 2023 and attracted a record 3,046 respondents.

Responses are analysed by the Labour Research Department on behalf of the TUC.

The 2024-2025 TUC survey results will be shared in a future LTB

TUC Education will be hosting Safety Reps Connect event on Tuesday 11th Novemberin Leeds.

It will be a free, one-day conference for union health and safety reps to hear from speakers, attend workshops and network with other reps. To register for the event, or to learn more about the event click the link below.

Safety Reps Connect 2025 – Home

This LTB is shared on behalf of CWU Central Services.

If you have any questions or need any further information, please contact-

Jamie McGovern FRSPH MIIAI 

CWU Health & Safety Policy Assistant at jmcgovern@cwu.org.

LTB 173-25 TUC New publications and biennial safety reps survey

TUC Safety Reps Survey 22-23

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NATIONAL YOUNG WORKERS EDUCATION EVENT, 29th – 31st AUGUSTQUORN GRANGE HOTEL 

NATIONAL YOUNG WORKERS EDUCATION EVENT, 29th – 31st AUGUSTQUORN GRANGE HOTEL 

The purpose of this LTB is to invite and encourage Branches to send delegates to this year’s National Young Workers Education Event which will take place over the weekend of Friday, 29th through to Sunday, 31st August in Quorn.

The venue for the event during the day will be held at GFTU Quorn Grange Hotel, Quorn. Hotel accommodation has been arranged at the same venue and in nearby hotels.

Event Format 

As with the approach taken last year this event now combines our Branch Young Worker Officer Forum alongside our National Education Event into a Young Workers Education weekend. An outline agenda is attached and a full agenda will be issued nearer the date.

Arrival & Registration 

We are asking participants to arrive in Quorn on Friday, 29th August in time for their appropriate panel, see outline agenda, however they are welcome to attend all panels if they wish to hear what is going on in other parts of the Union.  Registration for the main event will take place on Saturday morning and the event will conclude at 1.30pm on Sunday, 31st August.

The arrangements for the cost of delegates will be in line with the process that has been used for many years and is reflective of current pricing. The cost for Branches to send a delegate will be £300 and will include two nights’ accommodation and all meals.

Please note the social event on the Saturday evening includes an educational performance ‘Battle Lines’ from The Banner Theatre which has been sponsored by the CWU Regions.

For more information and to secure a place for the weekend Branches should complete the attached form and send to Angela Niven at conferences@cwu.org as soon as possible so that we can assess the numbers of those attending for meals, etc.

Branches must make payment for their delegate(s) attendance by sending a cheque made payable to “CWU” addressed to Angela Niven, SDGS Department at CWU HQ or by bank transfer to the General Fund Account No: 33019822 Sort Code 60-83-01 with ref “YWNEE”. 

Any queries regarding this event should be addressed to the Young Workers Coordinator, Kerry Fleck, kfleck@cwu.orgor 07704 306418.

Yours sincerely

Dave Ward

General Secretary  

LTB 140/25 – NATIONAL YOUNG WORKERS EVENT 29TH – 30TH AUGUST QUORN GRANGE HOTEL

Attachment – NYWEE25 -Application Form (download)

Attachment: PDF national education weekend 2025

Attachment: 08394 – NYWEE 2025 Agenda A4 – v2

Attachment: Poster

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