Hazards Conference 2021 – ‘Fighting for the Fundamental Right to Safe and Healthy Work’ – Saturday 31st July – Sunday 1st August 2021 – An ‘On-Line’ Free Event For Safety Reps:

Final Reminder

This Year’s Hazards 2021 Conference will (as was the 2020 event) be an ‘online’ event, taking place on Saturday 31^st July/Sunday 1st August 2021 – the second time the event has gone on-line in its history, following on from the 2020 event due to the Covid-19 Pandemic.

All CWU Health and Safety Reps are welcome to participate in this event which is both recommended, supported and sponsored by the CWU Health, Safety & Environment Department.

The original 2020 and 2021 National Hazards Conferences were scheduled, as in past years, to take place at the now usual venue, the University of Keele, Stoke-on-Trent but like so many conference gatherings, it came as no surprise that the Hazards Campaign were forced to cancel the Conferences due to the Covid-19 Coronavirus pandemic and instead switch to on-line events instead.

CWU/HQ are therefore delighted that the Hazards Campaign have not given up and are again, as last year, instead putting on this abridged version of the conference with a one and a half day, on-line conference involving national and international speakers and plenty of interesting subject matter on the agenda.

Between 300 – 500 safety reps from all the UK’s Trade Unions, officers and activists have attended past conferences and in 2019 the Hazards Campaign celebrated 30 years of successful Hazards Conferences.

The Conference Agenda

This unique Zoom based online conference starts with an international plenary and is followed by four specific subject workshops with brilliant speakers and experts throughout the day.

Each Zoom workshop will start at the advertised time and will provide an opportunity to join in the discussions and together help formulate action plans to direct Hazards Campaign work priorities for the next 12 months.

SATURDAY 10:00–15:30

10.00–11.30 Opening Plenary with national and international speakers on the Fundamental Right to safe and healthy work –

Sharan Burrow General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation ITUC, Richard Wagstaff President NZCTU, Shavanah Taj, General Secretary Wales TUC and Shelly Asquith TUC National Health and Safety Officer.

11.45–12.45 Challenging work surveillance, micro-management and other draconian working practices – Dan Shears GMB, Prof. Phil Taylor Strathclyde University, Ian Hodson BFAWU and Bryan Simpson Unite Union.

13.15–14.15 Supporting workers and their families seeking justice and health and safety enforcement – Hilda Palmer FACK and Hazards Campaign, Louise Adamson FACK, Keith Cundall Irwin Mitchell Solicitors, Sam Atkinson FACK.

14.30–15.30 Challenging increased violence and abuse at work – Rob Miguel Unite Union, Kim Sunley Unison, Doug Russell USDAW, Sarah Woolley BFAWU.

SUNDAY 10:00–13:00

10.00–10.30 Plenary – UK Hazards Campaign chair Janet Newsham and Andy McDonald MP and shadow employment secretary.

10.30 – 11.30 and 11.45- 12.45 Two Workshops (pre-selected) from the following options:

1. Safety Reps organising creatively – Andrea Oakes LRD, Barry Faulkner Unite Union.
2. Investigating incidents and injuries in the workplace – Julie Weekes and Alan McShane TU Education.
3. Risk Assessment and the control hierarchy – Nigel Williams, Paul Pritchard TU Education and TU Education.
4. Work related stress and mental health harm – Alex Lancaster UCU, Paul Holleran GMB.
5. Addressing the air pollution in our working environments – John James TU Education and Hilda Palmer TUCAN/Hazards Campaign.
6. Sex and gender sensitive health and safety – Cath Roberts TU Education, Helen Lynn Alliance For Cancer Prevention.
7. Asbestos at work – Michael Phillips NASUWT, Harminder Bains Leigh Day Solicitors.
8. Hybrid Working – Ian Tasker Scottish Hazards, Tracy Edwards PCS.

12.45–13.00 Closing Plenary

Registration

To register please use these links:

Register for Saturday Session here: https://bit.ly/2SEWHDP

Register for Sunday session here: https://bit.ly/3iNMKhT

‘Free Event’ – Donations Welcome
The conference is ‘free of charge’ to participate but if delegates or their Union branch/organisation, would like to donate to the Hazards Campaign, all support would be most welcome. CWU/HQ will be sponsoring the event again this year.

There is normally a delegate fee for attending the Hazards Conference so this year Hazards are inviting delegates to make a donation to the Hazards Conference fund by either going to the Hazards Website at: https://www.peoplesfundraising.com/donation/GMHC-donation-pageor by bank transfer to ‘ Hazards conference’, Account 20090430, Sort Code 608301 and using your name as reference. All money received will be used to support organising the Hazards Conference.

Further Information

Contact Janet Newsham Tel: 07734317158 Email: janet@gmhazards.org.uk

Conference ‘Flyer’

See attached ‘flyer’.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

21LTB310 Hazards Conference 2021 – ‘Fighting for the Fundamental Right to Safe and Healthy Work’ – Saturday 31st July – Sunday 1st August 2021

Hazards-Campaign-Conference-Flyer-2021

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Election of National Representative Positions – 2021

• Postal Standing Orders Committee
• Telecoms & Financial Services Standing Orders Committee

Further to LTB 262/21 dated 24^th June 2021, please find detailed below the result of the ballots that closed today.

Postal SOC (4 Members)                           Phil Ewer58,210John Gaby66,384*ElectedScott Haslam74,100*ElectedPaddy Magill94,479*ElectedTony Sneddon76,199*Elected

Telecoms & Financial Services SOC (6 Members at least 2 delegates must be Women)Rob Alldritt36,858*ElectedCraig Anderson33,189*ElectedJohn Ballard11,724Joanne Shaftoe36,227*ElectedJoyce Stevenson37,220*ElectedPhil Thomas36,180*ElectedTrish Vollans35,370*Elected

Please find attached a copy of the branch breakdown for these ballots.

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

21LTB309

SOC Returns

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ROYAL MAIL: FINANCE SERVICES AND HR STRATEGY & SERVICES – ANNUAL BONUS PAYMENTS 2020/21

Branches are advised that we have reached an agreement with Royal Mail to pay the following bonuses to CWU members in Finance Services and HR Strategy & Services:

• Finance Services:          £834 (83.66% from a potential of £1,000)
• HR Strategy & Services: £588 (78.4% from a potential of £750)

These payments, which are pro-rata for part-timers, will be made with August salaries.

Our members in Legal Services will be receiving the same payment as those in HR Strategy & Services.

The two Joint Statements attached to this LTB are being published today.

Whilst the payment of these bonuses are normally made with the July salaries, I’m sure our members will be pleased with the slightly delayed outcome, especially as the payments are superior to those paid over the last couple of years.

I am pleased that Royal Mail has recognised the hard work and commitment demonstrated by our members during 2020/21 in what has been an exceptionally challenging year.

If you have any questions in relation to this LTB, please contact Lea Sheridan – lsheridan@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely

Andy Furey                   

Assistant Secretary     

Attachment 1: 21LTB308 Royal Mail – Finance Services and HR Strategy & Services – Annual Bonus Payments 2020-21    

Attachment 2: Attachment 1 to 21LTB308   

Attachment 3: Attachment 2 to 21LTB308    

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SUBJECT ACCESS REQUESTS

Branches will be aware of the introduction of General Data Protection Act 2018 (GDPR) / Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA).  This legislation applies to the CWU at all levels, including Branch, Region and National (HQ).

One aspect of this legislation is that individuals have the right to access and receive a copy of their personal data, and other supplementary information.  This is commonly referred to as a subject access request or ‘SAR’.

Subject access requests received by the CWU will normally be from CWU members or ex-members, but can also be from other individuals the CWU may have had dealings with.

The legislation states that an organisation should “Respond without delay and within one month of receipt of the request.”  The legislation also says that organisations should perform a reasonable search for the requested information.  It also states that organisations can only refuse to provide the information if an exemption or restriction applies, or if the request is manifestly unfounded or excessive, but these exemptions will apply in only very limited cases.

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is the regulator tasked with GDPR/DPA enforcement and has already issued many enforcement orders and levied hundreds of fines against UK organisations, the vast majority of which were in the low thousands for fairly minor infractions.  However, there have been a handful of major fines that have hit the upper threshold of what’s possible.  Some of these fines have been for none-compliance with Subject Access Requests.

As the ICO stated in one such enforcement notice, “Anyone who requests their personal information from a UK-based company or organisation is legally entitled to have that request answered, in full, under UK data protection law. This is called the right of subject access. Where organisations fail to meet their obligations, the ICO can issue an enforcement notice compelling them to do so. It’s a criminal offence not to comply with it.” 

In addition to ICO enforcement action, individuals have the right to seek compensation for a failure to comply with the rules.

The fines that can be imposed can be significant. Under the DPA, the maximum fine the ICO is entitled to levy against a data controller that has breached the legislation is £500,000.

Under the GDPR, the ICO can impose up fines of up to 20 million Euros or 4% of group worldwide turnover (whichever is greater) against both data controllers and data processors. The following is a non-exhaustive list of GDPR provisions which, if infringed, may attract a top level fine:

“the basic processing conditions including in respect of obtaining consent; 

• infringement of the rights of data subjects;
• international transfers of personal data; and
• failure to implement or adhere to a subject access request process.”

So it is of vital importance that when the CWU receives a subject access request, that we comply with the request as quickly and as comprehensively as we can.

The purpose of this LTB is to remind Branches of their responsibilities in this area and to point out that Branches can play their part in this process by recognising a SAR if they receive one at Branch level and forwarding it to the CWU Data Protection Officer (details below) for processing.

It is vitally important that Branches act promptly on receipt of a request from the CWU Data Protection Officer.

This will require the Branch to collate all records (correspondence, case files etc) and forward them to the CWU Data Protection Officer without delay. This applies to all relevant records either in electronic or paper format.  Not every single mention of the subject is required but anything that has personal information about them should be included.

A similar exercise will also be carried out at HQ, checking with the Membership department, Legal department, etc.

Any references to third parties (i.e. other than the ‘Subject’ and the CWU) will be redacted before it goes out to the subject (i.e. the requestor).

We appreciate that we are all very busy and have better things to spend our time on, however, the legislation exists and our failure to comply could result in action being taken against the union. It is vital therefore that the above process is applied in every case.

For further information on the contents of this LTB, please contact the CWU Data Protection Officer: Denis Lenihan, Data Protection Officer & Information Manager, Research Department, email: dlenihan@cwu.org  Work mobile: 07874 628 423  Office Direct line: 020 8971 7279.

Yours sincerely,

Tony Kearns
Senior Deputy General Secretary

21LTB307

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JOINT STATEMENT RM RELAY AND THE COMMUNICATION WORKERS UNION – Pathway to Change Agreement – Deployment of Technology and the SWW in Relay Depots

Branches and representatives will be aware of the activity that has been taking place in relation to the Pathway to Change agreement across the various Royal Mail Group functions.

In line with the aforementioned, the department has also been in discussions with Royal Mail Specialist Services (Relay) in relation to revision activity to release the SWW for members based in that business unit.

The discussions have been difficult due the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on the bespoke service offerings that Relay provide. To compound the difficulties further pressures were put on the negotiations when it was unexpectedly announced in April 2021 that Relay had not retained the DHSC test kit contract and that work would be moving to a competitor (City Sprint) from 31st May 2021. Fortunately, this decision was subsequently reversed and Relay was awarded the contract. 

Both of the above issues built added complexities into what had been intense discussions with the business to conclude an agreed programme of revision activity to release the 2nd hour of the SWW. 

The department are able to report that a Joint Statement has now been concluded and endorsed by the Postal Executive, a copy of which is attached for information.

Relay had expressed a desire early in discussions to utilise technology more to optimise the effectiveness of their operation, by using Geoplan technology to deploy route and performance optimisation processes. This Depot Optimiser technology would replace the current Paragon system for the purposes of route revisions and duty construction. Pilot activity for the introduction of this technology is therefore the basis for the SWW activity.

Although Geoplan will be used solely as a route revision tool rather than as a means of managing workload in real time, it should be noted that the usual protections in terms of data management, privacy and discipline have been included in the document.

The pilot activity will take place at the Relay Thurrock and Wednesbury depots, which will be overseen by the Relay Joint Working Group to ensure that any technical issues can be identified and addressed and that drivers remain supported.

The pilot activity will be subject to review and agreement at National level prior to any further deployment.

The Joint Statement contains a three-step process in respect of the pilot activity and guidelines for local negotiations should deployment be agreed:

The following will be the enablers for the 2nd hour of the SWW: 

1. Thurrock and Wednesbury Depot pilots reviewed and deployed.

2. Revision deployment plan/timeline for remaining Relay Depots agreed.

3. Commitment to Productivity Flightpath in years 2 and 3 including the ongoing use of Geoplan technology.

The pilot activity will establish the workload baseline for future productivity improvements in respect of years 2 and 3, in line with the principles of The Pathway to Change agreement, which includes a flightpath to achieve 100 BSI by year 3. 

Commitment is also given that the JWG will monitor the Geoplan technology and review synergy opportunities to move workload through utilisation of the Parcelforce/RM locations, which could provide a more efficient footprint for the Relay operation where applicable.

Any proposed changes will be carried out in line with existing procedures and National agreements, including MTSF. 

The SWW benefit will be released for all Relay depot grade employees on the deployment date of the two pilot depot revisions.

Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary, email: dwyatt@cwu.orgquoting reference: 054.06.

Yours sincerely

Davie Robertson

Assistant Secretary

LTB 306/21

Att: Joint Statement SWW RMSS 27.07.21

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POST OFFICE: HORIZON SCANDAL – FORMER POSTMASTERS TO RECEIVE INTERIM COMPENSATION PAYMENTS OF UP TO £100K

Branches are advised that the Government announced yesterday that former Postmasters wrongly convicted of offences in relation to the Horizon IT system whose convictions have been quashed are to receive up to £100k each in “interim” compensation ahead of final compensation settlements being agreed with them.  Paul Scully, Post Office Minister said:

“The suffering and distress these postmasters and their families have gone through cannot be overstated. While nothing will make up for the years of pain they faced after this appalling injustice, I hope this initial step provides a measure of comfort.”

Currently there are a total of 59 former Postmasters whose convictions have been overturned, with many more likely to emerge in the coming months.  Final settlements are likely to cost the Government tens of millions of pounds.

This latest development provides more reasons why there should be full accountability for those responsible for these injustices especially as the taxpayer will be picking up the bill for this terrible miscarriage of justice.

Sir Wyn Williams Horizon Inquiry 

We continue to engage with Sir Wyn Williams’ inquiry into the Horizon scandal and the union has now applied for “Core Participant” status for this inquiry which means an entity with a significant interest.  A Core Participant will:

• be provided with disclosure of evidence which the Chair considers is relevant to their participation in the Inquiry…
• have the opportunity to make opening and closing statements via their recognised legal representatives…
• be able to suggest lines of questioning at oral hearings via Counsel to the Inquiry
• be able to apply through their recognised legal representatives to the Chair to ask questions of witnesses during a hearing
• be provided with advance copies of the Inquiry’s reports (including the final report) prior to publication.

A number of news articles were published yesterday in relation to this development including the following:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-57928397

https://www.postofficetrial.com/2021/07/government-to-make-interim-payments-of.html

https://news.sky.com/story/horizon-it-scandal-govt-reveals-compensation-for-cleared-sub-postmasters-12361373

In conclusion, whilst this news has been cautiously welcomed by those who have been waiting for many years for justice, this is just an initial step and the victims of this scandal must be fully compensated without further delay.  Indeed, Neil Hudgell, of Hudgell solicitors who represented many of the Postmasters whose convictions have been overturned said yesterday:

“This cannot be a delaying gesture though. This is money to which these clients are entitled. With regards to how final settlements are agreed, we want them to come to the table and be meaningful in what they put forward”.

Further developments will be reported.

Yours sincerely

Andy Furey

Assistant Secretary

Attachment LTB 305/21 – Post Office – Horizon Scandal – Former Postmasters to Receive Interim Compensation Payments of up to £100k

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CWU ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2022

Branches will be aware that following the decisions made at the Special Redesign Conference in 2018 it was agreed that there would be a requirement to hold an Equality Day during the period of Annual Conference.  Annual Conference 2020 would have been the first of the biennial 6 day conferences which would have incorporated a 3-day General Conference that included an additional day dedicated to Equality issues.

However, conference in 2020 which was due to be held in Bournemouth did not take place due to the ongoing pandemic, but we managed to roll forward the deposits paid to the Bournemouth International Centre from 2020 to a future date. Given the lack of availability and that we still need to hold a 6-day conference event the BIC could only provide us with one date at the end of April. Therefore, it has been agreed at the NEC in June 2021 that Annual Conference will take place in Bournemouth from Sunday 24^th April 2022 to Friday 29^th April 2022.

Further information with regards the programme of business for the week will be published at a later date.

With regards Annual Conference 2023 we currently have no provisional bookings in place but we will need to assess the availability, suitability and costs involved in moving conference to a northern venue, work will commence on this immediately.

Additionally, the NEC are aware that there are a number of policy areas around which we need discussion and decisions made sooner than a conference in 2022 allows.  The NEC have agreed to hold a virtual, on-line event later this year for that purpose.  We are in the process of planning this event and further details will be forwarded to Branches shortly.

Any queries regarding this Letter to Branches should be addressed to Angela Niven on 020 8971 7256 or by email to conferences@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely,

Tony Kearns

Senior Deputy General Secretary

LTB 304/21

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Royal Mail Uniform & Footwear Range: Special Measure Arrangements

Dear Colleagues,

Over the past number of weeks, we have received several enquires into the Outdoor Department from Branches, representatives and members regarding the possibility of Royal Mail offering any special measure arrangements both for the general uniform range and/or footwear.

The purpose of this Letter to Branches is to confirm that Royal Mail do in fact have in place a special measure process for those who require it for both standard uniform items and a limited selection of footwear.

In the case of uniform garments, individuals would be required to complete a ‘Special Measure – Non Standard Form’ (copy attached for ease of reference) which will need to be submitted by their relevant Line Manager.

It can further be confirmed that these arrangements equally apply to the new uniform range and individual members are advised that any need for special measures can be raised and submitted as part of their initial order for the new uniform; noting that the new uniform ordering process is now fully underway within Delivery Units.

In the case of footwear, individuals will be required to complete a ‘Special Measures Footwear Form’ (copy also attached for ease of reference) which can be submitted by the individual themselves, directly to Royal Mail uniforms (email address: uniform@royalmail.com).

In the outlined above information, Branches should note the further details shared by Royal Mail on its approach towards special measures for footwear:

‘The majority of occupational footwear suppliers do not provide a “true” half size shoe, rather than making the shoe a half size longer they will make the space inside the shoe bigger as the majority of people who tend to go up a half size is usually because they require a wider fit rather than extra length.

We do offer wide & standard width footwear within the range, therefore the recommendation is to try both sizes either side i.e. if they have taken an 8.5, they should try the 8 & 9’s in the alternative styles, we also provide removable standard insoles which can be replaced with a thicker insole again making the room inside the shoe smaller.’

Whilst it is hoped that the above details are of direct use and assistance to Branches, representatives and members alike, any individual particular enquiries or requirements on Special Measure Arrangements should in the first instance be raised with Royal Mail Uniform, either via their Helpline number: 01332 697118 or by email: uniform@royalmail.com.

Any queries to the content of the above please contact the Outdoor Department reference 500, email address: njones@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,

Mark Baulch                                                                                              

CWU Assistant Secretary

LTB 303/21 – Royal Mail Uniform Special Measure Arrangements

Special Measures Footwear Form (right click ‘save as’)

Special Measure – Non Standard Form (right click ‘save as’)

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Lifelong Learning – CWU Learning Centre Guidance (Covid-19)

The purpose of this LTB is to provide Branches with guidance on local delivery of CWU arranged lifelong learning courses and workshops as we approach the lifting of restrictions within each of the devolved nations and crown dependencies.

The overriding principle must be that where there are government or administrative guidelines in place these must be adhered to at all times.

Given the continued rise in the number of Covid19 infections being reported it is clear that where CWUarranged “lifelong learning” for members’ is planned within learning centres or appropriate training rooms, it is essential that everyone needs to remain vigilant and proceed with caution.

The CWU Health, Safety & Environment Dept. has secured positions whereby employers should be operating safely policed by our Safety Reps.

It is essential that these approaches are adhered to within learning centres on employers’ premises. In addition, it is equally essential that appropriate risk assessments must also be carried out in CWU premises prior to any courses taking place.

To this end, whether within employers or Branch premises, we are content that learning centres can begin to be utilised for lifelong learning courses and workshops on specific government advised dates. This is on the
understanding that whatever precautions are in place, particularly those of the employer on employer premises, must be adhered to at all times.

Please note that this LTB does not supersede LTB 260/21 referring to the Core Activist / Representative programme due to be delivered online for the duration of this calendar year.

Your assistance and patience with these developments are very much appreciated.

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

Yours sincerely,

Kate Hudson
Head of Equality, Education & Development

LTB 302/21 – Lifelong Learning CWU Learning Centre Guidance Covid-19

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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)

Dear Colleagues,

Further to previous LTB and communications, and as a consequence of both HM Government’s and the UK devolved Authorities announcements, discussions and drafts have been exchanged during the course of the last week with Royal Mail which have culminated in a National Joint statement in regard to the above being concluded.

Subsequent to announcements by HM Government on the easing of lockdown and restrictions within society and the implication of this advice within the workplace the operational arrangements can best be described as extremely difficult.  The situation and clarity necessary to provide guidance has been exacerbated and made even more problematic due to the different measures, details and timescales of easing of restrictions across the UK.

Therefore, to capture all of these elements coherently in an agreed National Joint document with the employer has been difficult to achieve.  However, we believe that in the attached Joint Statement this has been achieved through working jointly, with the full involvement of both the CWU Health Safety & Environmental and Postal Departments.  The Joint Statement, which has been endorsed by the Postal Executive, builds on and reinforces the commitments contained within the previously agreed documents in relation to the return to van sharing.

In addition, the Joint Statement also ensures that a correct and supportive approach is adopted in all workplaces and includes an agreed process for all the Safety, operational and individuals’ concerns and issues being dealt with and resolved.

Accordingly, 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.

The Joint Statement is extensive in its content and will require careful reading by all concerned but the salient points are as follows:

• Royal Mail Group will re-introduce shared vans and LGVs subject to the respective legislative changes appropriate to that part of the United Kingdom along with appropriate safety controls and safe working instructions being applied, in consultation with CWU Area and Workplace Safety, Delivery and Distribution Representatives.
• 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:
  • England w/c 19^th July 2021.
  • Northern Ireland w/c 26^th July 2021 (subject to final confirmation on the 22^nd July 2021).
  • Wales 7^th August 2021 (subject to final confirmation).
  • Scotland 9^th August 2021.
• Meanwhile all current workplace social distancing controls and safe working practices will remain in place across the UK until further notice.
• Royal Mail Group will fully recognise individual circumstances (medical, mental health, stress, anxiety etc.) in respect of those unable to share vehicles and make reasonable adjustments as appropriate.
• Risk controls remain important to minimise the potential risk of Covid-19 virus transmission.
• Routine twice weekly voluntary Lateral Flow Device (LFD) Testing for all individuals is strongly advised and encouraged, particularly if van/vehicle sharing. Testing will be actively encouraged to support both the workplace and the community. Both parties continue to encourage all members/employees to participate in the opportunity to test them self as this provides assurance to themselves, family members and work colleagues that they are virus free.
• Royal Mail Group will not require self-isolating workers to come to work and will fully support those workers feeling unwell in not attending work.
• In England, all employees are strongly encouraged to continue to use face coverings when sharing a van or LGV and when working inside, particularly in enclosed, crowded workspaces (wearing the Royal Mail Group Branded 3-ply face covering or equivalent).
• In Northern Ireland face coverings remain mandatory until 26^th July 2021.
• In Scotland and Wales face coverings remain mandatory until further notice.
• Royal Mail Group retains the right to ‘mandate’ face coverings in line with a risk assessment review and based on infection rate data.
• The Department for Business, Energy, Innovation and Skills (BEIS) and the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) guidance on safe working will be taken into account in preparing risk assessments which Royal Mail Group are already required to make under pre-pandemic health and safety laws.

• Vehicle cabs must be kept clean and touchpoints must be cleaned both before and after each use.  
• Vehicles must be ventilated when in shared use.
• All managers must be fully up to speed with the content of the risk assessment and the controls that must be deployed to ensure van sharing is safe (including deployment of and adherence to the associated Safe Working Instruction). Managers must also follow the processes in place to monitor the use of shared vans and ensure alignment to the risk controls.
• Royal Mail Group will continue to operate a ‘contactless delivery’ approach.
• Royal Mail Group will strongly emphasise “Hands; Face; Space; Ventilate; Clean and Test”.
• Royal Mail Group and CWU will strongly encourage and support vaccination – the personal decision being made by the individual in line with the health care professional.
• Royal Mail Group through Royal Mail Property & Facilities Solutions and Royal Mail Fleet will ensure high standards of building and vehicle cleanliness, sanitisation, touch point cleaning and ventilation.
• Royal Mail Property & Facilities Solutions will identify poorly ventilated buildings and take steps to improve ventilation.
• 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 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.

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,

Mark Baulch
CWU Assistant Secretary

Davie Robertson        
CWU Assistant Secretary

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

Health, Safety & Environment Dept.

LTB 301/21 – Next Steps in Easing Lockdown Restrictions in RMG and Re-Introduction of Shared Vans and Large Goods Vehicles – 20.07.21

Att: RM-CWU-Next-Steps-in Easing-Lockdown- (SD-DJ) v7 – 20.07.21 

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