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CWU Eastern No 5 supporting Peterborough Pride 21st August 2021
Peterborough Pride will be taking place on Saturday 21st August 2021, complete with Parade and Street Party! Join Eastern No5 for the Parade leaving The Key Theatre from 1pm (meeting from 12:30pm), followed by a Street Party at Cathedral Square from 1:30pm-6pm!
For further details Email branch.secretary@cwue5.org
Royal Mail/CWU National Joint Statement Covid-19 Pandemic – Next Steps in Easing Lockdown Restrictions in Royal Mail Group and Re-Introduction of Shared Vans and Large Goods Vehicles (LGVs) – Update
Royal Mail/CWU National Joint Statement Covid-19 Pandemic – Next Steps in Easing Lockdown Restrictions in Royal Mail Group and Re-Introduction of Shared Vans and Large Goods Vehicles (LGVs) – Update
Branches will be aware that LTB 301/21 Royal Mail/CWU National Joint Statement/Covid-19 Pandemic – Next Steps in Easing Lockdown Restrictions in Royal Mail Group and Re-Introduction of Shared Vans and Large Goods Vehicles (LGVs) provided information in respect of the changes associated to the easing of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions.
At the time of issue the Joint Statement highlighted the following and that measures in some of the devolved nations were still to be announced:
The return to Shared Vans and LGVs will therefore commence from (taking account of any individual and operational issues which must be jointly resolved in each unit beforehand) as follows:
o England w/c 19th July 2021.
o Northern Ireland w/c 26th July 2021 (subject to final confirmation on the 22nd July 2021).
o Wales 7th August 2021 (subject to final confirmation).
o Scotland 9th August 2021.
The attached Royal Mail Communication now provides an update in respect of the following:
Scotland
The position in Scotland has now been confirmed by the Scottish First Minister as follows, effective from 9 August 2021:
•In line with the approach used in England, the legal lockdown restrictions, regarding social distancing have been lifted enabling a return to permitted shared vans in RMG Scotland.
•Therefore, fully in line with the terms of the RMG/CWU Joint Statement of 20 July, Royal Mail Group and the CWU will adopt a gradual approach to the return to shared vans and LGVs, Managers in full consultation with CWU Area and Workplace Safety Reps, Delivery Reps and Distribution Reps, ensuring safe working instructions are applied and further infections are minimised. Both Managers and CWU Reps should commence discussions on Monday 9 August, based on the Joint Statement with a gradual re-introduction of shared vans and LGVs, dealing with any practical, operational and safety issues plus recognising any individual circumstances. Special consideration should be given to any Covid-19 high impact Offices.
•Face coverings remain mandatory in Royal Mail Group in Scotland.
Wales
•The situation in Wales is to be announced by the Welsh First Minister on 6 August. Whilst RMG await final confirmation of lockdown restriction changes for Wales, which are now expected to be effective from Saturday 7 August 2021, there remains no change. Therefore there is no return to shared vans plus mandatory masks and social distancing remains in place. RMG will await the outcome of the Welsh Government.
Northern Ireland
•Social distancing restrictions remain in place in Royal Mail Group in Northern Ireland.
•Facemasks remain mandatory in Royal Mail Group in Northern Ireland.
•There will not be a return to shared vans in Royal Mail Group in Northern Ireland currently and we await further updates from the Northern Ireland administration.
•Royal Mail Group in consultation with the CWU and Unite will review this again on 12 August 2021 in line with the next Northern Ireland Government review.
All changes will be undertaken in line with the principles contained in the Joint Statement issued via LTB 301/21, which ensures that a correct and supportive approach is adopted in all workplaces, which includes an agreed process for all the safety, operational, and individuals’ concerns and issues are being dealt with and resolved. Royal Mail Group and the CWU will adopt a gradual approach which aims to ensure that this will minimise further infections of the virus and any harm to the health of the workforce – maintaining our joint ‘safety first’ philosophy.
Both parties will continue to meet weekly at National level and review the measures outlined above in order to monitor arrangements. This will include the monitoring of any local trends and increases in the spread of the virus and seeking to resolve any operational or individual issues that may be raised by either party.
Any queries to the content of the above please contact:
Deliveries/Collections: Outdoor Department reference 600, email address: njones@cwu.org
Processing/Distribution/Parcelforce: Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary email: dwyatt@cwu.org, ref: 014.14
Yours sincerely
Mick Kavanagh – CWU Assistant Secretary (Acting)
Davie Robertson – CWU Assistant Secretary
Dave Joyce – National Health, Safety & Environment Officer, Health, Safety & Environment Dept.
Attached Comms
05 August 2021
Update of the lifting of Covid-19 Lockdown Restrictions in Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland Regarding Shared Vans, Face Coverings and Social Distancing:
This follows the communication issued on 23 July and the RMG/CWU Joint Statement dated 20 July.
Scotland
The position in Scotland has now been confirmed by the Scottish First Minister as follows, effective from 9 August 2021.
•In line with the approach used in England, the legal lockdown restrictions, regarding social distancing have been lifted enabling a return to permitted shared vans in RMG Scotland.
•Therefore, fully in line with the terms of the RMG/CWU Joint Statement of 20 July, Royal Mail Group and the CWU will adopt a gradual approach to the return to shared vans and LGVs, Managers in full consultation with CWU Area and Workplace Safety Reps, Delivery Reps and Distribution Reps, ensuring safe working instructions are applied and further infections are minimised. Both Managers and CWU Reps should commence discussions on Monday 9 August, based on the joint statement with a gradual re-introduction of shared vans and LGVs, dealing with any practical, operational and safety issues plus recognising any individual circumstances. Special consideration should be given to any Covid-19 high impact Offices.
•Face coverings remain mandatory in Royal Mail Group in Scotland.
Wales
•The situation in Wales is to be announced by the Welsh First Minister on 6 August. Whilst RMG await final confirmation of lockdown restriction changes for Wales, which are now expected to be effective from Saturday 7 August 2021, there remains no change. Therefore there is no return to shared vans plus mandatory masks and social distancing remain in place. RMG will await the outcome of the Welsh Government.
Northern Ireland
•Social distancing restrictions remain in place in Royal Mail Group in Northern Ireland.
•Facemasks remain mandatory in Royal Mail Group in Northern Ireland
•There will not be a return to shared vans in Royal Mail Group in Northern Ireland currently and we await further updates from the Northern Ireland administration.
•Royal Mail Group in consultation with the CWU and Unite will review this again on 12 August 2021 in line with the next Northern Ireland Government review.
As a result of the lifting of social distancing legal restrictions in England, Scotland and Wales Royal Mail, CWU and Unite will continue to discuss how that impacts on the wider operational tasks, with a view of working together and consider operational tasks that are currently restricted.
By way of a reminder:
•A further Royal Mail Group/CWU and Unite joint communications will follow – once England and the devolved nations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland make further announcements on Covid-secure controls.
•Royal Mail Group will continue to reflect Government (central and devolved nations) and their agencies advice and guidance.
•Royal Mail Group will support Government messaging through internal communications and engagement strategy.
•Royal Mail Group risk management and risk assessment procedures will be jointly reviewed and be regularly monitored with full CWU and Unite ASR/WSR involvement and engagement across all Units.
•Royal Mail Group will retain contingency measures. Infection rate data will be monitored and Shared Vans/LGVs may be removed and other controls put in place should the infection rate rise to a level considered to require that course of action, if assessed to be a necessary infection control measure either locally or nationally.
•Royal Mail Group strategy will continue to review World Health Organization (WHO) Covid-19 guidance.
•Further Royal Mail Group, CWU and Unite joint communications will follow as the devolved nations update their positions on such things as face coverings, social distancing and other Covid-secure controls.
The National Joint Statement of 20 July should be read in conjunction with the previous CWU Joint Statements and Joint Communications (plus attachments) on returning to Van Sharing, issued on 11th and 17th June 2021 and the joint commitments to Health & Safety, approach to Individuals, along with the Operational issues contained within these National documents which must be fully applied in all workplaces.
Royal Mail Group, CWU and Unite will continue to meet regularly at National level and review the measures outlined above in order to monitor infection rates, and any local trends and increases in the spread of the virus, along with resolving any operational or individual issues that are raised by either party.
Election of CWU National Trustees 2021
Election of CWU National Trustees 2021
The NEC has agreed the arrangements for the election of the CWU National Trustees.
Please note that the term of office for these positions is from September 2021 to the end of April 2023.
Accordingly please find enclosed the Regulations, Nomination Forms and Candidate Consent and Biographical Details Form for these positions.
The Timetable for the election is as follows:
Nominations open 9 August 2021
Nominations close 23 August 2021
Dispatch ballot papers 26 August 2021
Ballot closes 9 September 2021
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,
Tony Kearns
Senior Deputy General Secretary
CWU Trustee Election Regulations 2021
CWU Trustee Nomination Forms 2021
CWU NEC & National Representative Elections 2021
CWU NEC & National Representative Elections 2021
Please find attached a copy of the Independent Scrutineer’s report for the above elections.
Please can you ensure that the results are brought to the attention of the members of your Branch.
The detailed Branch analysis will follow as soon as it is available.
Any enquiries regarding this matter should be directed to the Senior Deputy General Secretary’s department for the attention of Peter Metcalfe:
Telephone: 0208 971 7368
Email: pmetcalfe@cwu.org
Yours sincerely,
Tony Kearns
Senior Deputy General Secretary
Att: ROV CWU Officers, NEC & Industrial Executives Elections 2021
POST OFFICE: HORIZON SCANDAL – CORE PARTICIPANT STATUS CONFIRMED
POST OFFICE: HORIZON SCANDAL – CORE PARTICIPANT STATUS CONFIRMED
Further to LTB305/21 dated 23rd July. Branches are advised we have now received formal confirmation from Sir Wyn Williams, Chair of the Horizon IT Inquiry that the CWU has been designated as a “Core Participant” for the purposes of the inquiry.
Sir Wyn notes the following in his confirmation letter:
“The matters which are likely to be of particular interest to the CWU include the extent of any organisational and cultural changes implemented within Post Office Limited (“POL”) since the conclusion of the Post Office Group Litigation, together with the suitability of existing arrangements between POL and subpostmasters to enable the latter to operate their businesses effectively.”
We are obviously pleased with this development and have already started working with the Research Department on a further written submission to the inquiry and will also be in contact with Sir Wyn Williams’ team to discuss and agree next steps in terms of our participation in the next phase of this critical inquiry.
Further developments will be reported.
Yours sincerely
Andy Furey
Assistant Secretary
Attachment 1: 21LTB324 Post Office – Horizon Scandal – Core Participant Status Confirmed
CWU & COVID-19 – SUPPORTING OUR NHS
CWU & COVID-19 – SUPPORTING OUR NHS
Today we are proud to launch our short CWU film and campaign in support of the NHS.
In it, we hear personal testimony of the devastating impacts of COVID-19 on our members and how NHS workers went above and beyond for them in their darkest moments. We also spoke to a 999 call operator and CWU member about their experience of working during the pandemic.
What is absolutely clear from these stories is how much NHS workers have done for us over the past 16 months. Now is the time for us to begin repaying them.
Watch the video on Facebook: https://fb.watch/7allPH90bc/ or
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CWUnews/status/1422885715772379144?s=20
In the coming weeks we will be launching a campaign to raise awareness and funds to support NHS workers.
The idea for the campaign came from Ian Pointer (CWU Area Delivery Rep Nottingham), who is featured in the video and who courageously fought and won his own life threatening battle with Covid. We don’t want the contribution of NHS workers to ever be forgotten or taken for granted. By extending the collectivism that is at the heart of the CWU, we can ensure that this never happens. Let’s thank our NHS. Please share our video.
Yours sincerely
Dave Ward
General Secretary
JOINT STATEMENT BETWEEN ROYAL MAIL AND THE CWU ON PARTICIPATION IN A TYRE TRIAL FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES
JOINT STATEMENT BETWEEN ROYAL MAIL AND THE CWU ON PARTICIPATION IN A TYRE TRIAL FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES
Further to LTB 509/19 and 641/17 Joint Statement on Optimise Prime – Road to Zero Emissions. Those documents advised that Royal Mail Fleet had purchased 100 Peugeot Partner LE2 Electric vehicles and was also followed by the Optimise Prime Project, as a result of an increase in funding for new vehicles by an additional £40m. Royal Mail is now involved in what is considered the world’s biggest trial of commercial EVs that brings together leading companies in Hitachi technology giants, UK electricity distribution partners and key household operators Centrica, Uber and Royal Mail with £16m of Electricity Network Innovation Competition (NIC) funding awarded by Ofgem to the project.
The decarbonisation journey has resulted in zero tailpipe emissions for a number of our collection and delivery fleet with a desired completion date for a complete change in the fleet profile in advance of 2030. Royal Mail has recently been approached by Transport for London to participate in a trial to explore the potential for a specialist tyre designed for electric vehicles. The trial relates to a new compound for tyres which claims to produce fewer micro-particles compared to standard tyres purchased by Royal Mail Fleet. ENSO, the company involved, claim to have developed a new sustainable tyre for Electric Vehicles (EVs) that are made from non-carcinogenic materials and are also fully recyclable. The Standard tyre is constructed of a number of different materials including synthetic rubber, natural rubber, fabric and wire along with carbon black and other chemical compounds.
The Innovators tyres (ENSO) will be fitted to 15 electric Peugeot Partners and potentially up to 5 diesel Peugeot Partners. ENSO Tyres Ltd which is a British company will supply and fit their tyres and will measure the weight loss on these tyres compared to the diesel van tyres. This will give them an indication of the wear rate and particulate matter emitted through real-life use. Any improved range claimed by ENSO will also be measured as part of the trial.
All costs including the provision of the tyre fitting team, the tyres, tyre fitting equipment, logistics and emission and tyre data monitoring will be covered by the Innovator. The tyres need to be monitored and weighed every 6 weeks at which mileage data and electricity consumed will also be provided by the Fleet Innovation and Environment Manager for the 15 electric Peugeot Partners.
The selected Royal Mail office for the trial is West London Delivery Centre. This site has a designated safe working area that a Royal Mail Fleet Support Vehicle currently uses which is also suitable for the Innovators Medium Panel (Ford Transit) Van. The vehicles therefore do not have to leave the site and the work could be carried out in downtime with zero impact on the Royal Mail operation.
Participation in the project helps demonstrate our commitment to improving the air quality in the communities we operate in and will also help to inform future purchasing decisions. The trial will last no longer than 9 months but no less than 6 months.
The trial activity will involve:
15 electric Peugeot Partners
Up to 5 diesel Peugeot Partners
Mileage data and energy consumption data will be shared every 6 weeks by the Fleet Innovation & Environment Manager. The Innovator will visit West London Delivery Centre every 6 weeks to monitor and weigh the tyres of the 15 electric Peugeot Partner and up to 5 diesel Peugeot Partners which will be completed during down time so no adverse impact to duties or any Collections or Delivery. The trial activity will be the subject to an ongoing monthly review including a full commitment to protection of personal data. The final summary and results of the trial will be shared within the operation by the Joint Working Group. Local Managers, CWU representatives and drivers involved in the trial will feed into this process.
Any queries to the content of the above please contact the Outdoor Department reference 300, email address: njones@cwu.org
Yours sincerely,
Mark Baulch
CWU Assistant Secretary
LTB 322-21 Participation in Tyre Trial
Joint Statement – Participation in a Tyre Trial For Electric Vehicles – final
Election of National Representative Positions – 2021 Postal Standing Orders Committee – Vacancies
Election of National Representative Positions – 2021
- Postal Standing Orders Committee – Vacancies
Further to LTB 262/21 dated 24th June 2021, at the close of the nomination period the following Postal Standing Orders Committee positions remain vacant:
- 2 Positions – 1 of whom must be a Woman and 1 of whom must be Bame
The NEC has agreed the election arrangements for the National positions listed above. Accordingly please find attached the relevant election regulations, appendices and nomination forms.
In accordance with the CWU policy of improving proportionality at all levels of the union branches will wish to note that Women and BAME quotas have now been included in the composition of the Standing Orders Committee positions.
Additionally branches are advised that the elections for the SOC in 2021 will be conducted using revised arrangements, a summary of which is set out below:
Election Timetable
It is necessary for the election timetable to be significantly longer than normal to allow branches sufficient time to seek nominations from their members and to then subsequently agree on which candidates(s) they intend to nominate for election and, once the list of candidates is known to then decide which candidate(s) will receive the branch vote.
Nomination Process
In respect of seeking nominations branches will need to put in place a robust system and use all reasonable methods at their disposal to publish suitable notification throughout the branch area giving members the opportunity to submit their name for nomination to the position should they choose to do so. Following this the branch would need to put in place arrangements to hold a membership meeting to decide which candidate(s) will receive the branch nomination.
On the basis that no face to face member meetings are currently allowed then this would need to be conducted via a suitable video conference platform such as Zoom or Skype, etc. that provides the opportunity for large numbers of members to take part if required.
Additionally branches will need to allow for members who do not have video conference capability to join the meeting by phone again if they choose to do so.
The timeline for the meeting would need to be agreed in advance and notification provided to members at least 7 days prior to the meeting taking place.
Dispatch and Return of Nomination Forms to CWU HQ
Nomination forms will be sent to branches electronically (attached to this LTB) and it will be our intention to set up a specific dedicated election email address where branches should return completed nomination forms to. The details of this will be included on the nomination form.
Nomination Forms will need to be returned by the advertised closing date to be included in the list of candidates.
The revised system will avoid the necessity to return forms in the post system which of course may be subject to delay during the current Covid-19 crisis.
Dispatch and Return of Voting Papers
The respective constituency based voting papers will be sent by email direct to branches at the email address which we hold on file. Branches should return the completed voting papers by email to the advertised CWU election email address. Notification will be sent to branches confirming receipt of the voting paper, however it will the responsibility of the branch to ensure that voting papers are returned to the correct email address.
To be included in the ballot voting papers will need to have been returned by the advertised closing date and time.
Branch Voting Recommendations
Clearly we are in unique and challenging times and whilst branches would normally arrange mandating meetings to decide which candidates to vote for in the respective elections we do not believe that this is either practical or necessary during the current crisis. Therefore, on this occasion this decision can be made by the Branch Committee and the decision subsequently notified to members of their branch accordingly.
Election Timetable and Term of Office
The election timetable for the above will be as follows:
Nominations open: 5 August 2021
Nominations close: 26 August 2021 (14:00)
Despatch ballot papers: 2 September 2021
Ballots closes: 21 September 2021 (14:00)
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,
Tony Kearns
Senior Deputy General Secretary
Regulations – SOC Vacancies 2021
Nomination Form SOC Vacancies 2021
Election of National Representative Positions – 2021 CWU Retired Members Committee – Vacancies
Election of National Representative Positions – 2021
- CWU Retired Members Committee – Vacancies
Further to LTB 241/21 dated 14 June 2021, at the close of the nomination period the following Retired Members Committee positions remain vacant:
2 positions from England
1 position from Wales
The NEC has agreed the 2021 election arrangements for the National positions listed above. Accordingly please find attached the regulations and nomination form.
Branches are advised that the elections for the Retired Members Committee Vacancies will be conducted using revised arrangements, a summary of which is set out below:
Election Timetable
It is necessary for the election timetable to be significantly longer than normal to allow branches sufficient time to seek nominations from their members and to then subsequently agree on which candidates(s) they intend to nominate for election and, once the list of candidates is known to then decide which candidate(s) will receive the branch vote.
Nomination Process
In respect of seeking nominations branches will need to put in place a robust system and use all reasonable methods at their disposal to publish suitable notification throughout the branch area giving members the opportunity to submit their name for nomination to the position should they choose to do so. Following this the branch would need to put in place arrangements to hold a membership meeting to decide which candidate(s) will receive the branch nomination.
On the basis that no face to face member meetings are currently allowed then this would need to be conducted via a suitable video conference platform such as Zoom or Skype, etc. that provides the opportunity for large numbers of members to take part if required.
Additionally branches will need to allow for members who do not have video conference capability to join the meeting by phone again if they choose to do so.
The timeline for the meeting would need to be agreed in advance and notification provided to members at least 7 days prior to the meeting taking place.
Dispatch and Return of Nomination Forms to CWU HQ
Nomination forms will be sent to branches electronically (attached to this LTB) and it will be our intention to set up a specific dedicated election email address where branches should return completed nomination forms to. The details of this will be included on the nomination form.
Nomination Forms will need to be returned by the advertised closing date to be included in the list of candidates.
The revised system will avoid the necessity to return forms in the post system which of course may be subject to delay during the current Covid-19 crisis.
Dispatch and Return of Voting Papers
The respective constituency based voting papers will be sent by email direct to branches at the email address which we hold on file. Branches should return the completed voting papers by email to the advertised CWU election email address. Notification will be sent to branches confirming receipt of the voting paper, however it will the responsibility of the branch to ensure that voting papers are returned to the correct email address.
To be included in the ballot voting papers will need to have been returned by the advertised closing date and time.
Branch Voting Recommendations
Clearly we are in unique and challenging times and whilst branches would normally arrange mandating meetings to decide which candidates to vote for in the respective elections we do not believe that this is either practical or necessary during the current crisis. Therefore, on this occasion this decision can be made by the Branch Committee and the decision subsequently notified to members of their branch accordingly.
Election Timetable and Term of Office
The election timetable for the above will be as follows:
Nominations open: 5 August 2021
Nominations close: 26 August 2021 (14:00)
Despatch ballot papers: 2 September 2021
Ballots closes: 21 September 2021 (14:00)
Branches will wish to note that the term of office for the 2021 Retired Members Committee will run from July 2021 for two years.
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,
Tony Kearns
Senior Deputy General Secretary
CWU Eastern No5 Branch 