Greener Jobs Alliance (GJA) Newsletter No. 323 – July – August 2021

 The Greener Jobs Alliance was launched to promote skills training and job creation to meet the needs of Britain’s rapidly growing low carbon sectors and to green the whole economy. The transition to a low carbon and resource efficient economy can drive sustainable economic recovery and job creation in every part of the country as well as making existing jobs more secure. But this requires a more strategic national and local approach to deliver the workforce skills needed and to stimulate demand for clean energy and energy efficiency services.

The Greener Jobs Alliance liaises at a national and local level to build the broadest possible support for the policies, investment, partnerships and commitments needed to drive the transition to a low carbon economy.

The Greener Jobs Alliance liaises with training bodies, colleges, universities, employers, local and national government, trade unions, housing associations, campaign and community groups – to build the policies, investment and partnerships needed to drive the transition to a low carbon economy.

The GJA runs a number of ‘free’ courses on the environment for Trade Union Reps in different parts of the UK which have been attended by a number of CWU Reps. See details below.

The GJA came into existence as a result of funding from Battersea and Wandsworth TUC.

The founder GJA Secretary and Newsletter editor was Graham Petersen who is well known to the CWU and has a long standing working relationship with the Union. He is a former TUC Tutor and Course Designer who created Safety Reps training courses and the successful TUC Occupational Health & Safety Diploma Course. He was the head of the Trade Union Studies Centre at South Thames College before retirement from the post and has been a visitor and guest speaker at CWU events and meetings. After 30 Editions, Graham stood down at the GJA AGM on 2 February and has handed over to Paul Atkin as newsletter editor and Tahir Latif as GJA Secretary. Graham remains a GJA Steering Group member and is now working part time for the Wales TUC having recently written a publication for them “Greener workplaces for a just transition – a Wales TUC toolkit for trade unionists”.

See attached copy of the GJA Newsletter No.33 for July-Aug 2021.

Contents GJA Newsletter July/August 2021 & Summary:

1. Editorial: Mind The Gap 

The popularity of a Green New Deal and Just Transition is driven by the prospect of millions of new jobs: their necessity by the terrifying reality of climate change impacts that are becoming more intense with every day that passes.

2. Climate Proof Your Workplace 

On September 22, the ITUC is holding the biggest global conversation about our future: the Global Day of Action to Climate and Employment Proof our Work. Sign up to join the conversation in 2021.

3. Climate Change Committee Report 

UK Government failures highlighted in latest CCC Report. The latest report from the All-Party Parliamentary Climate Change Committee – on how prepared the UK is to combat anticipated climate change impacts – delivers a withering assessment of the last 5 years of Conservative Government. The report warns ‘the UK will face significant further changes in climate to 2050 and beyond, even if the world is on a Paris-aligned emissions trajectory. By 2050 the heatwave summer of 2018 will be a typical summer, summer rainfall could fall by as much as 24% and winter rainfall increase by as much as 16%, changes that will impact our well-being, the natural environment, and the economy’.

4. Green Jobs For Scotland – Feast Or Famine? 

The Green Jobs Report commissioned by the STUC is the sort of document that should be being produced by Government as a Green paper. It considers what changes are needed if Scotland is to meet its decarbonisation needs, what job opportunities are associated with this, and what policies need to be put in place to ensure that these jobs provide Fair Work and enable effective voice demonstrated by high levels of union recognition and influence.

5. Scotland – Just Transition Tour 

Greenpeace UK, Friends of the Earth Scotland and Platform took a 13m wind turbine blade to Inverness, Aberdeen and Dundee to ask oil workers, local politicians and the general public to sign the blade calling for a Just Transition for oil workers. It went exactly as hoped, giving us a really unique opportunity to speak to oil workers, hear their stories, explain exactly what a just transition is and ask what workers and communities want it to look like.

6. COP 26 Actions 

As the days count down to the COP26 climate talks in Glasgow, activity is ramping across the COP26 coalition. Plans are now in place for simultaneous demonstrations in Glasgow and London on 6th November. These will be supported with as many other decentralised protests it’s possible to organise and meetings are being organised across the country to build for the biggest UK wide action on climate change yet. Trade unions are critical to getting members out to their nearest demo, and the COP26 coalition trade union caucus will be focussing its final four online meetings on this.

7. Education International Calls For Global Climate Education 

Education International, which represents 32.5 million educators in 178 countries has called for Universal Climate Change Education and called on all its members to get involved.

10. Building Capacity TUC Education

Climate action in the workplace is a timely new 15-minute online learning module and is a guide to what you need to do to organise members and begin a dialogue with management. It fits very well with the ITUCs Climate and Employment Proof Our Workplace (CEPOW) initiative.

11. Statistics Of The Month 

44% of the UK population think the country’s emissions have any impact on climate change. 68% of UK school students who would like to learn more about it.

12. Building The Greener Jobs Alliance 

GJA website is about to undergo a much needed overhaul.

Online Courses From Greener Jobs Alliance 

These can be done online personally at any time or collectively in meetings.

A Trade Union Guide To Just Transition 

• The meaning and history of the term just transition
• Why it should be a priority issue
• UK and international policies and case studies
• Ideas for developing an action plan

Climate Change Awareness 

Module 1: Climate Change Explained Module

Module 2: International Responses Module

Module 3: Trade Union Responses Module

Module 4: Getting Involved.

Air Quality – A Trade Union Issue 

Module 1: Causes & Health Impacts of Air Pollution

Module 2: The Law and Government Policy

Module 3:  Trade Union Responses & Campaigns.

Further details at:- www.greenerjobsalliance.co.uk

Attachment: GJA-Newsletter-33-July-Aug 2021

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 345/21 – Greener Jobs Alliance (GJA) Newsletter No. 323 – July – August 2021

Att: GJA-Newsletter-33-July-Aug-2021

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Virtual Special General Conference 2021 – Sunday 7^th – Tuesday 9^th November 2021

LTB 304/21 dated 23 July 2021 gave details of General Conference 2022. That LTB also stated that the NEC were aware that there are a number of policy areas around which we need debate and decisions made sooner than a conference in 2022 would allow for.  

We informed Branches that the NEC had agreed to hold a virtual, on-line event later this year for that purpose and that the process of planning the event was underway and further details would be forwarded to Branches shortly.

We are now able to publish the details around what issues will be discussed at that event and the format it will take.

With that in mind a decision has been taken to hold a Virtual Special General Conference in relation to the following areas of policy:-

• General Policy
• Recruitment & Organising
• Building Collectivism/New Deal for Workers
• Politics/Relationship with Labour
• CWU Anti-Racism Strategy

The General Conference Standing Orders Committee has now started working on the business of holding this virtual conference.

Branches should note that the Motion Guide and Motion form for submitting motions to the Virtual Special General Conference 2021 are attached.  Please note that only Motions that seek to create policy on the headings above will be accepted.

Entitlements

In relation to the Virtual Special General Conference 2021 all Branches and Regional Committees are entitled to submit a maximum of TWO Motions to the Virtual Special General Conference 2021 in relation to the headings above.

Branches and Regional Committees are advised that the closing date for submissions of Motions to the Virtual Special General Conference 2021 is Noon Monday 13^th September 2021. 

All Motions to The Virtual Special General Conference must be emailed to conferences@cwu.org and must arrive by Noon 13^th September 2021.

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

Motions will only be admitted to the agenda if they deal with matters under the headings as detailed above. Any motions seeking to deal with other business will be ruled out of order in line with normal procedures for a Special General Conference.

This Virtual Special General Conference has been called by the NEC under arrangements drawn up due to the suspension of Rule 10, Rule 15.1, 15.2 and 15.3. Appeals based on these Rules should be referred to the President. Appeals based on the Standing Orders should be referred to the SOC

Please note that all correspondence must be sent by e-mail to conferences@cwu.org and no other personal e-mail address.

Any queries regarding this Letter to Branches should be addressed to Angela Niven on 0208 971 7256 or by e-mail to conferences@cwu.org

Further details of the Virtual Special General Conference will follow.

Yours sincerely,

Tony Kearns

Senior Deputy General Secretary

LTB 344/21 – Virtual Special General Conference 2021- Sunday 7th–Tuesday 9th November 2021

Attachments:

Virtual Special General Conference Form 2021 (right click ‘save as’)
Virtual Special General Conference Guidance Notes

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Online Pilot Mental Health First Aid Courses

The purpose of this LTB is to advise Branches that we have arranged for a series of pilot “Mental Health First Aid” (MHFA) courses to supplement our September to December online programme.

Please note that this is not the TUC accredited CWU “Mental Health Awareness” course.

The Mental Health First Aid course provides an overview for representatives on issues relating to mental health triggers. It raises awareness on the impact these have on individuals and how best to signpost people who are struggling with mental well-being.

Once delivered, further evaluation will take place to consider any future online roll-out. Places are limited and Branches should apply on representative’s behalf in the usual way via the OLS system.

Successful applicants will be notified through our course administration process. They will then be contacted directly by MHFA tutors with joining instructions and any preliminary work that is required.

Attendees will be expected to attend the online course over 4 sessions:

Mon 25th, Tue 26th, Thu 28th & Fri 29th October 21 – start 3pm; finish 5.30pm (4 X 2.5 hours)

Mon 8th, Tue 9th, Thu 11th, Fri 12th November 21– start 3pm; finish 5.30pm (4 X 2.5 hours)

Branches are asked to ensure that students have appropriate PC / laptop equipment and a good internet connection.

The cut-off date for applications is 5pm 10th September 2021. Please be aware that numbers are limited. Paid release does not apply.

Any queries can be forwarded to courseadmin@cwu.org in the first instance.

Yours sincerely,

Kate Hudson

Head of Equality, Education & Development

LTB 343/21 – Online Pilot Mental Health First Aid Courses

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Royals al Mail & CWU National Joint Statement Increasing the Parcel (consumer) Collect Threshold

As Branches and Representatives are aware, the parcels market grows continually resulting in further supply and demand with RM customers. Due to the easing of lockdown, Covid-19 has completely changed the shape of ordering on-line with consumers also potentially, continuing to work from home. This may result in fewer visits to the Post Office or a Customer Service Point to either post or return parcels as they look for more convenient options. Equally, there is a demand from online retailers and marketplace sellers to expect a doorstep collection service for returns and outbound parcels. This growth in the market is being targeted by Royal Mail’s competitors.

Currently collections are limited to 5 items per address and 5 collection points per delivery. To grow the volumes Royal Mail is seeking to advertise to customers a removal of the threshold.  There will be intrinsic technology constraints to limit the maximum that can be booked for each delivery built into the system and in exceptional circumstances the availability of Parcel Collect can be switched off temporarily at Delivery Office level, or on a National basis. Where a customer requests a collection of more than 24 items they will be signposted to book an ad hoc collection as a lower cost option.

We have been in discussions with Royal Mail in relation to the attached Joint Statement, which has been endorsed by the Postal Executive, which ensures safeguards are in place that deal with the challenges of raising the current cap, from the current limit of 25 items to 50 items per delivery point. This is due to take place from the 23^rd August onwards.

In line with the existing guidelines and to reaffirm that it is the responsibility of Delivery Office Managers to check parcel collect orders, ensure that this workload is suitable for each delivery, make alternative arrangements where necessary to redistribute the workload via locally agreed arrangements and to the existing Standard Operating Procedure.

It is reaffirmed that Health & Safety and SSOW are of paramount importance to both Royal Mail and the CWU and the necessary SSOW will be updated and will be put in place.  All issues arising in this respect will be proper to the relevant RM safety experts and the CWU National Health & Safety Department.

Following the deployment of this change targeted for 23^rdAugust 2021 both parties will continue to monitor and review the volumes with the data being shared Nationally on a weekly basis in order to resolve any operational issues and the impact which may emanate from this change. There will also be a National Joint Review after 3 months from the launch date in order to assess the volume growth and assess the additional workload. During this 3-month period, the time associated with this change along with frequency of the task, will be subject to an IE study with any impact incorporated into the productivity measure and in the agreed planning and resourcing tools.

Although the cap will be increased to 50 items per delivery point, this will not be an advertised feature from Royal Mail, as they are currently running an advertising campaign in attempt to increase take up of the product.

Currently, customer volumes of parcels collected per walk range from 0 to 26 and the average is 2 per week. Over a 9-week period, 4 or more parcels were collected at one time at 5% of Units and 0.27% of walks. The change to the current limit is not expected to dramatically increase these levels but obviously overall, the aim is to grow the product and revenue from this service as traditional mail volumes fall.

Accordingly, we will continue to review the workload impacts of this change and continue to ensure that we pick up and resolve any difficulties within the operation that may arise resulting from the cap increase.

Any queries to the content of the above please contact the Outdoor Department reference 532 , email address: njones@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,

Mark Baulch                                                                                              

CWU Assistant Secretary

LTB – 342/21 – Increasing the Parcel Threshold

Att: Joint Statement – Increase in the Parcel Collect Threshold 17.08.21

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RE: ROYAL MAIL GROUP – 2021 FREE FLU VACCINATION VOUCHER SCHEME

Initial discussions have taken place on this subject and Royal Mail Group has agreed that there will be a 2021 ‘Free Flu Vaccination Voucher Offer’ this year to all employees and the scheme has been further improved as this year there will be more choice and accessibility for members to receive a Flu vaccination. This is the fourth year RMG have offered a ‘free flu jab’ scheme to CWU Members.

This year, the RMG Flu Vouchers will be redeemable in 4,000 outlets across the UK and not limited to one Pharmacy Chain provider.

This year’s Flu Vouchers will be ‘digital’ and members will be given an access code number to obtain the Voucher on-line with simple guidance.

The 2021 RMG Flu Voucher Scheme Summary

• The NHS are extending the groups eligible for a free flu vaccination this year.
• Digital flu vaccination vouchers made available for all colleagues redeemable in 4,000 outlets which is double the amount available last year and will include pharmacies, supermarkets etc.
• On-site Flu Jab clinics are to be provided at 110 of Royal Mail Group’s largest Units 

(Royal Mail and Parcelforce).

• Agency staff will again be included this year.

Digital vouchers

All RMG employees will receive a letter to home by 1 October 2021 which will include a link to access a digital voucher online. Colleagues will be able to redeem their voucher at around 4,000 locations, e.g. pharmacies and supermarkets, which is over 2,200 more outlets than last year.

Free NHS vaccination

The flu jab will be available free of charge from the NHS for people where there is a risk of severe illness from catching flu, for those with certain defined conditions and expanded range of age groups.

On-site flu clinics in Royal Mail and Parcelforce largest units

On-site flu clinics will be available in 110 of our largest Royal Mail Group sites. The Units due to have an on-site flu clinic will be advised and over the next couple of weeks and will be provided with further information and support from RMG Occupational Health HQ.

Communications

There will be a joint communication and promotion campaign launched promoting the ‘Free Flu Voucher’ scheme through Royal Mail and the Unions raising awareness of the scheme and encouraging take-up. 

The communications campaign is planned to begin in September with the Flu Voucher letters arriving in early October. 

Communications will be aligned to the Government Flu Jab scheme for this year and include information for additional ‘at risk’ members of the population and age groups who will receive the vaccination free via the NHS. 

So a further improvement has been made in the scheme this year and hopefully this will encourage a greater take-up especially following the Coronavirus pandemic.

Considering the risk of flu and Covid-19 co-circulating this winter, we are encouraging all employees to have the flu jab to reduce their risk of getting flu, becoming unwell and passing it onto family, friends and colleagues.

Having the flu vaccine is the best defence against the virus and increases people’s chance of having better health outcomes. It is advised to have the jab as early as possible before the flu virus becomes widespread in the autumn and winter months across the UK.

Further details and communications will be issued in due course.

Attachment: 

RMG ‘Free Flu Vaccinations Communication

Yours sincerely 

Dave Joyce 

National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 341/21 – ROYAL MAIL GROUP – 2021 FREE FLU VACCINATION VOUCHER SCHEME

Att: Free flu vaccinations for all colleagues

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Face Masks/Coverings in Royal Mail Group Customer Service Points in England

Following the Covid-19 regulatory rule changes announcement by the UK government with regards to England, Royal Mail Group have issued a management communication confirming that it is no longer mandatory for customers and visitors to wear a face mask/covering when entering a Customer Service Point in England.

RMG is however requesting that customers and visitors continue to do so.

An updated poster to has been produced to display in CSPs and this is available to download on the RMG Intranet page “SHE Coronavirus Document Library – Posters Section”.

Existing posters are to be replaced with this updated version.

Facemasks remain mandatory in Scotland, Northern Ireland Wales in Shops as laid down by the devolved administrations.

Yours sincerely,

Dave Joyce

National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 340/21

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Close Contact, Self-Isolation Rule Change Update for England Announced (Updating advice in LTB 333/21): Close Contact, Self-Isolation Rules for Northern Ireland Announced

Further to LTB 333/21 issued on 12 August, a further announcement by the UK government has been made, further amending the Close Contact, Self-Isolation Rules for England. This updates the advice published in LTB 333/21.

The Northern Ireland administration have now announced their rules on the subject on close contact self-isolation also.

Royal Mail Group have accordingly issued management guidance and this is to update CWU Branches and Reps.

ENGLAND 

The further change to the rules for England only (as published in LTB 333/21) is in respect of those people who are already or currently self-isolating.  The rule now is that people who are fully vaccinated (that is they have had their two vaccinations jabs) and their self-isolation period began before 16 Augustand was due to end after 16 August, will now be able to end the self-isolation on 16 August and return to work, so long as they have no Covid-19 symptoms. Currently in the other the nations of the UK (Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) people should continue to self-isolate.

Under-18s will no longer have to self-isolate if they are identified as a close contact of someone with Covid-19. Instead, PCR tests will be used to test if someone is positive, as set out in LTB 333/21 although guidance is different across the nations.

NORTHERN IRELAND 

Northern Ireland Self-Isolation New Rules from Monday 16 August 2021 (announced yesterday 12.08.21)

• Fully-vaccinated (two vaccinations) people who are a close contact of a Covid-19 case will no longer have to self-isolate
• Close-contact people will still be advised to take a PCR test on day two and day eight.
• People who test positive, must continue to self-isolate, even if they do not have symptoms.

 Attachments:

• RMG Communication 12.08.21 on new Self-Isolation Rules for England(Update) and Northern Ireland.

Yours sincerely,

Dave Joyce 

National Health, Safety & Environment Officer 

LTB 339/21

Att: RMG Int.Com 12.8.21 – Further changes to self-isolation Rules England N…

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CWU Consolidated Accounts 2020

The purpose of the LTB is to inform Branches that further to ERRATA LTB 313/21 dated 30^th July 2021 which invited questions to the 2021 CWU Accounts, that at the closing time for questions to be submitted, today (Friday 13^th August 2021) at 12 noon, no questions have been received.

Accordingly, there are no answers to be sent to Branches on this matter.

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

LTB 338/21

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Election of: Capita Territorial and Substitute Territorial Representatives (TVL Contract) – 2021

Nominations are invited from Branches with Members in the respective Capita Territories for the following Capita Territorial Representative & Substitute positions;

• Northern Territory
• Southern Territory

The term of office for the above positions is two years and the successful candidates will take up office on 23^rd September 2021.

A Nomination form is attached to this LTB. If additional forms are required they are available on request from the Senior Deputy General Secretary Department. Completed forms which must be signed by the Branch Secretary and Branch Chair or accredited deputies and the nominee, should be returned to Tony Kearns, Senior Deputy General Secretary, on the following email elections@cwu.org by 1^stSeptember 2021 (14:00).

The timetable for the election is as follows:

Nominations Open:                      16 August 2021

Nominations Close:                      1 September 2021 (14:00)

Ballot Papers Despatched:          8 September 2021

Ballot Close:                                   22 September 2021 (First Post)

If Ballots are required, these will be conducted on an individual member ballot basis of the relevant eligible CWU members and will be conducted in accordance with the election guidelines for CWU Senior Regional/Field officials, a copy of the guidelines are attached for your information.

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

LTB 337/21

Election Guidelines

Nomination Form

Nomination Form (Substitute)

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Re: RM Property and Facilities Solutions Ltd and CWU Recognition & Industrial Relations Framework Agreement
National Briefing : Tuesday 31st August 2021

As advised in LTB 335/21 arrangements are being made to hold a National Briefing on Tuesday the 31st of August 2021 to discuss the above agreement.

The briefing will commence at 10.30 a.m. and will conclude no later than 13.30 p.m. and will be conducted via Zoom conference call.

Representatives should use the following link in order to access and attend the briefing.
https://cwu-org.zoom.us/j/88578457321?pwd=dGxFbGdyY3lIelRZd05BSUVLZDlOdz09

Meeting ID: 885 7845 7321
Passcode: 341074

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Meeting ID: 885 7845 7321
Passcode: 341074

The following representatives are invited to attend the briefing

Up to two Branch Representatives
One Divisional Representative per Division
National RMPFS Representatives
Regional Representatives – Engineering
Regional Representatives – Cleaning
Parcelforce Regional Organisers
RMPFS Admin Representative

Branches will be aware the Agreement and associated documents were attached to LTB 335/21 and any Branch requiring further copies should contact the e-mail address below.

A full explanation and a Q & A session will be given at the briefing to enable Branches to consult with their members. It will be our intention following the briefing to conduct a branch ballot of all affected branches, details of which will be given at the briefing along with the publication of a further LTB.

Any enquiries regarding the content of this LTB should be addressed to the PTS Department quoting ref 320 e-mail address khay@cwu.org or to the Outdoor Department quoting ref 120 e-mail address outdoorsecretary@cwu.org

Yours sincerely          
                             
Carl Maden                                          
Assistant Secretary

Yours sincerely

Mark Baulch
Assistant Secretary

LTB 336/21 – ERRATA

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