RM/CWU National Dog Awareness Week 2021 – Monday 7 July – Saturday 10 July 2021:

Headline Statistics- 33,000 dog attacks on postmen and women in the last 10 years & 1000 dog bites through the letterbox in the last 5 years: 

As the nation prepares to return to a normal life without Covid-Secure lockdown restrictions, CWU Reps should use the forthcoming ‘RM/CWU Dog Awareness Week’ to ensure that the message to members is reinforced that they must stay vigilant at all times, be aware of dangerous dog risks!

Launching the 2021 Royal Mail/CWU National Dog Awareness Week – here are the headline messages and shocking statistics:

• The Headline Message for Dog Awareness Week 5 – 11 July is ‘Dog Attacks Remain a Major Safety Hazard and Concern For Postmen and Women across the UK’.
• There are now 12 Million Dogs in the Country with a huge increase in dogs purchased by new owners, locked down during the pandemic. Many of these dogs haven’t been trained or socialised. Many of these new owners now regret buying a dog and many of these new dogs could be a risk to postal workers.
• The Key Objectives are to remind both the Public to be aware of their responsibilities and to remind Postal Workers to be vigilant, keep safe and take no risks.
• The scale of the problem across the UK should never be underestimated!
• There have been 33,000 dog attacks on postmen and women in the last 10 years – over 80% take place at the front door or on the garden footpath or drive – some result in life changing injuries!
• 1000 dog bites have occurred through the letterbox in the last 5 years alone – many with devastating effects – many resulting in lost fingers!

Reps should be campaigning hard to reinforce the message to members to follow the Safe Systems of Work and the “AVOID”principles at all times:

“AVOID” and Stay Safe.

• Avoid interacting with any dogs. Over 80% of dog attacks happen at a customer’s door or in their garden so take no risks and never put your fingers through a letterbox. Never accept a dog owner’s assurances – always ask owners to restrain their dogs and step away.
• Value yourself – It could happen to you – don’t think it can’t!
• Observe – Check your Walk Log and mark your frame with yellow dots.
• Inform – Report all new dogs to your Manager. Report all incidents involving dogs no matter how minor*.
• Defend – Use your delivery equipment (pouch or trolley) to form a barrier and defend yourself if necessary.

(*IMPORTANT: All Dog Attacks Must Be Reported to the Manager, Police and Royal Mail Security Helpdesk – This is the only way to stop future dog attacks happening).

And Get The Message To Customers – Which Is:

Please Help Us Prevent Dog Attacks On Postal Workers By:

• SECURE YOUR DOG in another room before the postman or postwoman arrives and before opening the front door to collect items of mail and parcels.
• NEVER OPEN THE DOOR when your dog is behind you. Never allow young children to open the door whilst a dog is running lose in the house.
• OCCUPY YOUR DOG with food or a toy while mail is being delivered.
• INVEST in a letter cage or external delivery box, to stop bites through the letterbox.
• ENSURE YOUR DOG has a collar, tag, and an up-to-date microchip – the law requires both!

UK Dog Population Dramatic Increase Research!

Recently published research and data has reported the proportion of UK people buying or adopting dogs has increased dramatically in 2020/21, during the pandemic with the population of dogs in the UK now over 12 million.

The worrying indications from this recent research are that over half of these animals have been isolated and not socialised, never having left their home and never having met other humans outside their own households. Many of these new dog owners now regret buying a dog and now want rid of them. More than a third (33%) of people who bought a dog during lockdown fear their dogs will bite a stranger after lockdown ends as these dogs meet new people for the first time.

As we in the CWU know well – without responsible dog owners and without proper socialisation and training, these dogs can have serious behavioural problems, such as nervous behaviour, bad temperament, aggression and the risk of attacking people and postal workers is very real. There could therefore be major consequences for CWU members/Postal Workers making deliveries to homes and companies with these potentially aggressive dogs in the hands of irresponsible owners failing to control them – time will tell.

Members should be reminded to be vigilant at all times, take no risks and avoid any contact and interaction with dogs.  

Dog Awareness Week WTLLs/Huddles

See attached three WTLLs which will be used during Dog Awareness Week. These will be:

• One WTLL specifically for the Delivery Office workforce.
• One WTLL aimed at non-delivery office workers.
• One designed for Parcelforce workers.

Dog Awareness Week Resources

See attached RMG SHE Process for ordering stocks of the following:

‘Do You Have A Dog’ Post Cards

Dalmatian postcard which is designed to be posted to all households in an area as part of Dog Awareness week to ask customers to ensure their dogs are kept secure and under control when the postman/woman calls.

‘Dog Behind The Letter Box’ Cards 

This is the red coloured Alsatian Card/Leaflet which is used to identify to the postman/woman where a known dog resides. The Card/Leaflet is placed in the frame when prepping and can then be put with bundles as a reminder when going out on the round.

Posting Pegs

Plastic red coloured peg for posting mail through letter boxes in order to avoid dog bites through the letter box.

Unit Plasma Screens & RMTV Screen Shots

See attached copies of seven daily ‘screen shots’ which will be shown on a one per day basis during Dog Awareness Week.

Dog Awareness Week 2021 Internal Poster – “AVOID a dog attack by following the five steps”

Each Unit will receive two printed copies of the ‘Internal AVOID’ Dog Awareness Week poster which will either be the English (Inc. N.I.), Scottish or Welsh versions. The only difference in the country posters is the Royal Mail Cruciform which varies from country to country. The aim of the internal poster is to emphasise the five-point Dog Attack AVOID principles to every member (see above), presenting the well-known “AVOID” dog awareness message in a different looking poster. The poster refers to reported significant increase in dog ownership across the UK during the pandemic lockdown and aims to alert the outdoor delivery workforce to the fact that these dogs may not have been trained or socialised with people and therefore they pose a potential threat of attack and dog bites!

Dog Awareness Week 2021 External Poster – “33 Postmen and Women bitten every week – 5 key requests to customers”

Each Unit will receive four printed copies of the ‘External’ Dog Awareness Week poster which will either be the English (inc. N.I.), Scottish or Welsh versions. Additionally, there will be a Welsh Language version poster of which Welsh Units will receive four printed copies. The aim of the external poster is to capture the attention of the reader, focusing on the personal impact that a dog attack can have by showing the faces of 33 postmen and women which is the current number of postmen and women bitten every week.  The request of the public is the same as we have campaigned for the last 7 years with 5 key requests highlighted (see above).

It total there will be 16,000 posters distributed to all Royal Mail Delivery and other Units. A message will be sent to all non-delivery units, requesting that they share any unused posters with their local delivery unit. Royal Mail state that it is far cheaper and easier to send posters to all Units than trying to manage different volumes and internal/external posters to different parts of the business. The posters will be hosted on the Royal Mail SharePoint so that any Units that want additional posters will be able to download and print off additional copies required. Posters will be arriving in units from around the 29^th June ready to display in time for Dog Awareness Week commencing Monday 5 July 2021.

Attachments:

Posters:

• Dog Awareness Week 2021 Internal Poster
• Dog Awareness Week 2021 External Poster

Screen Shots

• Seven, daily Screen Shots.

WTLLs

• Three WTLLs/Huddles

Dog Cards

• Mail Shot ‘Have You Got A Dog’ Postcard
• Frames/Bundles ‘Dog Behind The Letterbox Card

Posting Peg

• Using a Posting Peg Leaflet/Images

Ordering Process For The Above items For Dog Awareness WeekThe Message for Customers is:

Ø  Be considerate and a responsible dog owner and work with Royal Mail and your local Postman or Postwoman.

Ø  Postal Workers have been heroes during the pandemic – keeping the postal service going and keeping the country connected.

Ø  Put the dog in another secure room before opening the door to collect the mail and parcels.

Ø  Don’t let children open the door, the dog can push past them and attack the postman with the child having little chance of controlling the dog.

Ø  Don’t let the dog roam free in the garden when the mail is being delivered – if you must do this then fit a postbox on the perimeter gate or fence.

Ø  If your dog attacks or snatches the mail when it comes through the door fit a letterbox cage to protect the postman’s fingers and protect your mail.

Ø  Finally – ensure your dog is microchipped and wears a collar and tag – it’s a legal requirement and you can be fined up to £5000 if you don’t.

The Message to Delivery Staff is:

Ø  Firstly, take no risks – zero tolerance is the Policy of Royal Mail and the CWU and we will pursue the prosecution of any owner who’s dog attacks and injures a Postal Worker.

Ø  The Dog population has increased to 12 million during the pandemic and many of the dogs are with new owners and haven’t been socialised and could pose a risk – we don’t yet know where they all are.

Ø  Never assume a dog won’t bite.

Ø  Never take the word of an owner that the dog won’t bite either.

Ø  Step back when delivering a parcel or packet.

Ø  At the Delivery Office make sure that all Dog Hazards are on the Walk Risk Assessment Platform (WRAP) and that the Walk Log is up to date and check it!

Ø  Mark the Preparation Sorting Frame with Yellow Dots indicating the addresses where there are dogs.

Ø  Mark the mail with a ‘D’ to remind you of addresses with dogs that could be a problem whilst you are on the delivery round.

St. Bede’s Primary School Rotherham – Supporting Dog Awareness Week and Raising Awareness

Two pupils Ida and Paris have made this great little 5-minute dog awareness video to highlight the risks our superb postmen and women face every day with dog hazards. If all dog owners can follow the simple steps in the video, dog attacks on the posties will reduce. Well done girls and the local postman – Luke and his mother the St Bede’s Head Teacher Amanda Wassell. Our thanks to ASR Andrew Kipling, Ida, Paris, Luke and Amanda. Link to Video:- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wnEzSWgL68

See The Dog Awareness Week Interview With National Health, Safety & Environment Officer Dave Joyce on the CWU Website.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 273/21 – RM CWU National Dog Awareness Week 2021 – Monday 7 July – Saturday 10 July 2021

023790_ROYAL MAIL_DOG POST CARD Proof 1

Process for ordering dog posting cards 2020

RMDogAwareness-Poster EXTERNAL_ENGLISH

RMDogAwareness-Poster INTERNAL_ENGLISH

SHE Huddle FY21 022a Dog Awareness Non-Ops Colleagues

SHE Huddle FY21 022b Dog Awareness Delivery and Collections

SHE Huddle FY21 022c Dog Awareness Parcelforce

SP11554_Dog Behind Letterbox LoRes

Using a Posting Peg

Royal Mail Group Dog Attack Reporting Process:

As we approach the annual, national RMG/CWU ‘Dog Awareness Week and further to LTB 443/19, it has again come to our attention in the Health, Safety & Environment Department that many Delivery Office Managers are not aware of the correct, RMG Dog attack reporting process which was revised via national agreement and was introduced in July 2019. This has now been promulgated into the new format Royal Mail Safety Health and Environment Instruction 6.1. Attached for your information please find copies of:

• RMG SHE Instruction 6.1 Task and Workplace Risk Control Programme
• RMG SHE Instruction 6.1 Management of Dog Attacks Guidance Document
• RMG SHE Instruction 6.1 Dangerous Dog Reporting Process
• RMG SHE – Stay Safe – Dog Attack Risk Control Matrix v2.3

Dog Attacks continue to be the single highest accident and injury type in Royal Mail and result in many CWU members suffering significant injuries which in the most serious of cases can be life changing.

Detailed discussions continue to take place between the CWU Health, Safety & Environment Department and the Royal Mail Safety, Legal and Security teams to monitor and improve how dog attacks are reported, investigated and evidence is gathered to enable criminal investigations to become more timely and effective and to facilitate the prosecutions, where appropriate, of irresponsible dog owners and/or other appropriate remedial actions following attacks.

All dog attack reports MUST now be promptly made to the RMG Security Helpdesk who will capture the information and record the details in their ‘SHEILD’ (Security Hub Investigation Event Logging Directory) database system before allocating the incident to the investigation team for a swifter response, both in offering support and taking the matter forward. This approach will ensure that accurate and timely information is captured for all dog attacks, on any RMG employees, while allocating the right resource to help build stronger, better evidenced prosecution cases.

This process will far more effectively provide Royal Mail security investigators and lawyers with prompt notice of all dog attacks to enable them to firstly start gathering ‘fresh’ evidence, secondly make contact with the Police force involved in order to set up liaison on cases and to press them and the Crown Prosecution Services to prosecute irresponsible owners where appropriate and to ensure cases are not either dropped or are dealt with inappropriately, for example via a ‘community resolution’ or simple ‘Police warning’.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, this process is designed to ensure that Royal Mail’s lawyers can take out ‘Private Prosecutions’ against irresponsible dog owners, if need be, in cases where the Police or Crown Prosecution Service fail to prosecute for what RMG and CWU consider unacceptable reasons. To date, since the Health, Safety & Environment Department secured agreement with Royal Mail Group to take out private prosecutions, approximately 50 successful prosecutions of dog owners, securing criminal convictions, have taken place and more are currently proceeding through the courts.

The intelligence this approach provides will also enable the identification of high areas of risk and support the wider business approach of raising awareness with the public.

It will also provide evidence to support further opportunities to influence changes in the current legislation and enforcement which, going forward, we hope will safeguard and support members and reduce the number of these incidents.

As part of this year’s 2021 National RMG/CWU ‘Joint’ Dog Awareness Week we have agreed that this month, the revised dog attack reporting process, introduced two years ago, will be re-communicated.

The reporting process requires members who are dog attack victims and managers to follow some simple actions. This process will not change the way we report or investigate incidents but will add an addition to the current process.

It is vitally important that following a dog attack, managers must call the ‘Security Helpdesk’ to report all dog attacks. The ‘Security Helpdesk’ will obtain information allowing them to record it into their ‘SHEILD’ database system. Finally, all dog attacks must be recorded into the USO (Universal Service Obligation) SharePoint site.

To simplify and remove duplication, the old ‘DART’ and ‘DARP’ process were withdrawn 2 years ago as RMG Security will be holding all the required information in their ‘SHIELD’ system.

Important Note: All injuries from dog attacks still need an ERICA report form entry to be completed and submitted.

The dog attack reporting process is attached for your information and attention.

If you require any further information on these changes, please contact your RMG SHE Advisor/Business Partner.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 272/21 – Royal Mail Group Dog Attack Reporting Process

Dangerous Dog Reporting Process (SHEI 6.1) v1.6

Management of Dog Attack Guidance (SHEI 6.1) v1.5

SHEI 6.1 Task and Workplace Risk Control Programmes (v 1.2)

StaySafe – Dog Attack Risk Control Matrix (SHEI 6.1) v2 3

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Royal Mail – ‘Dog Attack Compensation Scheme’ and Claim Form:

As we approach the annual, national RMG/CWU ‘Dog Awareness Week and further to LTB 498/18, it has again come to our attention in the Health, Safety & Environment Department that many Branch Reps and members who are injured in dog attacks and are subsequently off work sick are not aware of, and do not make applications under the Royal Mail Dog Attack Compensation Scheme.

If injured and off work sick as a result of a dog attack, benefits are available to members under the Royal Mail ‘Dog Attack Compensation Scheme’. The scheme pays compensation amounting to the difference between full rate sick pay and an individual’s average weekly earnings over the previous 13 weeks prior to the dog attack incident.

This is paid out regardless of any personal injury litigation compensation which may be recovered by the Union solicitors acting for the member.

A Royal Mail – ‘Dog Attack Compensation Scheme’ claim form is attached which branches can print off and keep available in the branch office for members when needed.

The form can also be located on PSP. If a manager requires a copy of the form they can type in ‘Dog Attack Compensation’ and the form will appear under the searches.

Royal Mail ‘Dog Attack Compensation Scheme’ Conditions are:

• 1 week minimum sick absence must be incurred in order to qualify to submit a claim.
• A maximum of 13 weeks average earnings will be paid out whilst an individual is off work sick following an attack.
• Christmas and summer pressure periods and annual leave periods will be excluded from the average earnings calculation.

Remember:

• Report all dog attacks to management.
• Following dog attack injuries, suspend deliveries.
• Report all dog attacks to the Security Helpdesk 020 7239 6655 or email: securityhelpdesk@royalmail.com.
• Record details of every dog attack on the ‘USO SharePoint site’.
• Record all dog attack injuries on ‘ERICA’.
• Report all dog attacks to the Police and get a ‘Crime Number’.
• Report all dog attacks to the Local Authority Dog Warden or officer responsible for Dog Nuisance and Anti-Social Behaviour issues.
• Update WRAP and Walk Log.
• If the member is injured, complete a CWU LS3 Form and submit it to the Union’s Legal Services Department who will instruct the Union’s lawyers.
• Make an application under the Royal Mail Dog Attack Compensation Scheme (application form attached).

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 271/21 – Royal Mail – ‘Dog Attack Compensation Scheme’ and Claim Form

Dog-Attack-Compensation-Claim-Form

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HWDC – Mobile Walk In Covid-19 Vaccination Clinic Offering First and Second Doses to All Adults Over 18 – Thursday 1st July (8am-5pm) & Saturday 3rd July 2pm-10pm):

Following discussions involving Royal Mail and Slough Borough Council/NHS, Slough Council have agreed to bring their mobile Vaccination Bus to HWDC and the local authority will visit HWDC as follows:

• Thursday 1st July 8am -5pm
• Saturday 3^rd July 2pm -10pm

The Vaccination Bus will administer the ‘Pfizer Vaccine’.

These times and days have been agreed locally with the council in order to provide the best opportunity to capture as many Royal Mail International workers as possible, at a convenient time and location, who wish to take up the opportunity to get vaccinated.

The clinicians have agreed to provide either the first or second dose.

The 2pm – 10pm late finish session on Saturday 3 July will provide the opportunity for night shift workers to get vaccinated.

The attached poster will be displayed in HWDC and next week’s Vaccination Bus visit will be communicated to the workforce.

Summary:

The walk-in Vaccination Bus will offer first and second doses to all adults over 18. No appointments are necessary. This opportunity is on offer to all members over 18 years of age working at HWDC, Royal Mail International, Langley. Dates are THURSDAY 1ST JULY 8AM-5PM and SATURDAY 3RD JULY 2PM-10PM. Members should eat and drink water before the vaccination. Those wanting their second dose need to have a vaccine from the same manufacturer as the first, unless told otherwise. There should be a minimum of 8 weeks in between doses.

Management enquiries only to Carole Pearce Royal Mail Group Senior Operations Solutions Manager:- Tel:  07860847584 Email: Carole.pearce@royalmail.com

Would all HWDC Reps please ensure this is widely communicated to all members at HWDC, encouraging maximum take up.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 270/21 – HWDC – Mobile Walk In Covid-19 Vaccination Clinic Offering First and Second Doses to All Adults Over 18

Royal Mail International NHS Vaccination poster

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COVID-19 Daily Close-Contact Testing Study Using Lateral Flow Rapid Home Testing Kits – New NHS Study To Offer Daily Rapid/Serial Testing To Close Contacts Of Positive COVID-19 Cases:

Under current Government rules, anyone who has been contacted by NHS Test and Trace after coming into contact with a Covid-19 positive case must self-isolate at home for a 10-day period, regardless of whether they themselves are showing symptoms of the virus. Those rules remain in place unchanged.

A new study is being led by Public Health England and NHS England ‘Test and Trace’ to help increase understanding of how effective daily home testing could be for people who are close contacts of positive COVID-19 cases.

This new study works as follows; People identified as being a close contact* of a person with COVID-19 and who do not have symptoms may be contacted by NHS England Test & Trace by phone asking them to voluntarily take part in the study and if they agree, they will be sent seven days’ worth of lateral flow tests (LFTs), and two Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests. The participating contacts are required to test themselves each morning for seven days with the simple testing process. Participating people who test negative and develop no symptoms will be exempt from the legal requirement to self-isolate that day and each subsequent day they test negative and can therefore leave their home to carry out essential activities including going to work. In Royal Mail Group Units (Royal Mail, Parcelforce etc.) this could mean that a small number of members may be ‘randomly’ invited to voluntarily participate in the study and continue to attend work whilst others will be required by law to self-isolate, following close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 positive case.

Government medical and scientific experts have been clear in their advice that this virus isn’t going to disappear. Protecting the Royal Mail Group workforce has been, and remains, the number one priority for Royal Mail Group, the CWU and Unite, throughout this pandemic. This new study could offer a viable alternative to self-isolation for people who are contacts of positive COVID-19 cases, and one that would allow people to carry on going to work and living their lives, while still ensuring that chains of transmission are stopped.

It’s important that everyone continues to follow the ‘Hands – Face – Space – Fresh air’ Government expert guidance, e.g., washing and sanitising hands regularly, wearing a face covering, maintaining social distancing, use of ventilation and ensuring high levels of cleaning in the workplace, vehicles and shared equipment.

Everyone is encouraged to get regularly tested, as around 1 in 3 people with COVID-19 do not have symptoms. Testing is free and results are available in around 30 minutes with the rapid LFD test kits. Everyone in Royal Mail Group (Royal Mail, Parcelforce, Engineering, Fleet, RMP&FS, RMSS, RMCE etc.) can participate in the RMG/CWU agreed workforce testing scheme through which members can collect free, rapid, LFD test kits from their workplace in order to take them home and perform twice-weekly tests in the privacy of their own home. To collect a test kit pack please speak to your line manager or your CWU Rep and if you have any queries post a comment via the Workplace LFD group or email: hometests@royalmail.com.

(*This applies to those living in England, over 18, not in full-time education and not under the quarantine rules for arriving in England).

More information on this study can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/daily-contact-testing-study

(It has been agreed that both RMG and CWU will be issuing similar communications on this matter – as above).

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 269/21 – New NHS Study To Offer Daily Rapid Serial Testing To Close Contacts Of Positive COVID-19 Cases

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Grab a Jab’ – Covid-19 Vaccine Drop-In Centres Open Across England Under Newly Launched Government Initiative For All Over-18’s:

Hundreds of drop-in sites opened over the weekend, with details of the scheme and vaccine drop-in clinics locations posted on the NHS/Gov.UK website.

The new Government/NHS initiative has been launched in a bid to boost the number of people getting jabbed. The ‘Grab a Jab’ campaign means that all adults in England are now able to get a Covid-19 vaccination without an appointment at hundreds of walk-in sites set up for the first time across the country over the weekend, amid rising Covid-19 Delta variant cases.

Those aged 18 and over can turn up at the NHS drop-in sites in the ‘Grab a Jab’ campaign, which include football stadiums, theatres, supermarket car parks and shopping centres. Among the sports grounds involved in the initiative are the Newcastle Eagles basketball arena, Watford FC’s Vicarage Road ground, Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium, the Spurs football ground and Edgbaston cricket ground.

The vaccine hubs are open to people having their first dose but can also provide second jabs for the over-40s who had their first at least eight weeks ago, or at least 12 weeks ago for the under-40s.

The vaccination clinic sites are being publicised locally via the media, or people can find their nearest site on-line so they can choose the location most convenient for them. Details of all the walk-in clinic locations are available on the NHS website where you simply type in

your postcode at this NHS link: – https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-walk-in-coronavirus-covid-19-vaccination-site/

In addition to mass vaccination centres, there are mobile vaccination centres on special buses offering jabs in Dudley, Colchester, Ipswich and several other towns.

The latest Government figures show that circa 44 million people – 84% of the adult population have received a first dose of a Coronavirus jab and 32 million (or 3 in 5 people) have had two doses. A total of 63 million jabs have been delivered by the NHS (England). The UK is said to be well on the way to the whole country getting the fullest possible protection.

The Government aims to have offered a first dose to all adults by 19 July and to have at least 65% of all adults fully vaccinated by then, the date when the final stage of lockdown easing is scheduled to go ahead, having been postponed from 21 June.

The Government is urging anyone who has yet to take up the offer to head to their nearest walk-in centre to get what could be the life-saving vaccine which is reported to be effective in protecting against the ‘Delta variant’.

Attachment:

Copy of Royal Mail Group Manager’s Update – Message From Dr. Shaun Davis

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 268/21 – Grab a Jab – Covid-19 Vaccine Drop-In Centres Open Across England Under Newly Launched Government Initiative For All Over-18s

28th June Managers Update Grab a jab

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Expert Research Surveys Published on The Dramatic Increase In The UK Dog Population and Dogs Purchased During The Pandemic – Concluding that Behavioural Perspective Results are ‘Alarming.’

Two new research survey reports have been published on the dramatic UK dog population increase and on British dog owners who bought or adopted a dog during the pandemic. Pet wellness experts ‘Itch’ and ‘Burns Pet Nutrition’ have both published research data they commissioned. The Pet Food Manufacturers Association (PFMA) have also published their annual dog population data for 2021.

UK Dog Population Dramatic Increase!

The proportion of people buying or adopting dogs has increased dramatically in 2020/21. The Pet Food Manufacturers Association (PFMA) has also published their annual data stating that population of dogs in the UK is now estimated at over 12 million in 2020/21. Additionally, at any given time, there are estimated to be over 100,000 stray dogs – and countless cats – without homes in the UK.  With the UK population spending much more time at home during the Coronavirus pandemic lockdown and loneliness at a high, lockdown might have seemed like the perfect time to buy or adopt a dog and many people did just that and puppy sales have been at a record all-time high this last year and a half.

The Research Results

The recently published research by pet wellness experts ‘Itch’ confirmed the huge increase in puppy and adopted dog numbers, stressing that the pandemic may have had some major consequences for these dogs, due to the people staying at home and lockdown restrictions meaning that many dogs have not been exercised or socialised in the way that they normally would have been and which is a crucial element of their development.

The worrying indications from this recent research are that over half of these animals have been isolated and not socialised, never having left their home and never having met other humans outside their own households. Over a third of these new dog owners now also regret buying a dog and now want to get rid of them.

Without responsible dog owners and without proper socialisation and training, these dogs can have serious behavioural problems, such as nervous behaviour, bad temperament, aggression and the risk of attacking people and other dogs is very real. There could therefore be major consequences from these dogs that have been isolated and possibly developed aggressive behaviour. This could well lead to risks and problems for CWU members – postal workers making deliveries to homes and companies as well as telecom workers visiting customer premises plus other workers, the public and children could now potentially face an increasing number of aggressive dogs in the hands of irresponsible owners, failing to control them – time will tell.

The ‘Pet Wellness Experts Itch’ Research Survey Discovered The Following:

• 35% – More than a third of the new dog owners have never taken the dog to the park.
• 63% – more than three in five never even left their own home.
• 42% – two out of five pups are yet to be introduced to another dog.
• 50% – have never met a child.
• 51% – have never met another human outside of their own household.
• 71% – of new owners are concerned their dog will have separation-related issues once life returns to normal.
• 40% – had experienced regret over their decision to purchase a puppy, with many admitting they hadn’t realised the amount of work that goes into raising and caring for a dog.
• 32% – are considering putting their dog up for adoption post-pandemic as many admit they hadn’t realised the amount of work that goes into raising and caring for a dog.

It’s extremely worrying that 63% of ‘lockdown pups’ haven’t been in an environment other than their own home yet. When it comes to socialisation, the experts warn that owners only have a small window to get it done. The socialisation period needs to be done and dusted by the 16^th week or thereabouts. These ‘pandemic’ dogs will therefore need special attention.

Experts warn that the two main behavioural issues ‘lockdown dogs’ will come to experience when this pandemic is over are separation related problems and behaviour issues linked to a lack of socialisation over the first few months of their young lives.

The study expert panel or researchers conclude that from a behavioural perspective, the results of this research are ‘alarming.’

The ‘Burns Pet Nutrition’ Commissioned Research Survey Found:

• 25% – A quarter of the new dog owners are considering getting rid of their dogs because of behavioural problems and problems controlling them.
• 33% – A third of people who bought a dog during lockdown fear their dogs will bite a stranger post lockdown as they meet new people for the first time.

Dog Rescue and Re-homing Centres and Animal Charities

The RSPCA along with a large number of dog rescue and re-homing centres and animal charities across the UK are also reporting that the easing of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions across the UK has coincided with a rush of enquiries from people wanting to surrender and get rid of their dogs because they don’t have time for them. The fear is that rescue centres across the UK could soon be at breaking point.

The RSPCA are concerned about the developing situation and are bracing themselves for a major dog welfare crisis this year as they expect to see huge numbers of dogs relinquished to rescue centres, sold online or even abandoned; with struggling charities forced to pick up the pieces. The charity stated that some new owners never thought about post-lockdown and how they’ll care for their new dog when they return to work or how they’ll continue to care for them if their personal circumstances are affected by a recession, money worries or vet bills. Quite a few dogs have been surrendered into rescue because people just can’t afford to pay for them. There are also concerns that many dogs that have got used to having their owners at home or have never experienced being by themselves may struggle to adapt once lockdown measures are eased and people begin to migrate back to work. One of the major reasons dogs are relinquished is due to behaviour problems and research suggests that separation-related anxiety may affect 85% of dogs.

DOG AWARENESS WEEK MONDAY 7 JULY – SATURDAY 10 JULY 2021

As things are preparing to return to normal and the nation returns to a life without Covid-Secure restrictions, CWU Reps should use the forthcoming ‘RM/CWU Dog Awareness Week 7 – 10 July 2021’ to ensure that the message to members is reinforced that they must stay vigilant at all times and be aware of the dangerous dog risks. They should follow the Safe Systems of Work and the ‘AVOID’ principles at all times, take no risks and avoid any contact and interaction with dogs.  Separate LTBs, website articles, RMTV items, posters, comms and WTLLs are being published on Dog Awareness Week.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 267/21 – Expert Research Surveys Published on The Dramatic Increase In The UK Dog Population and Dogs Purchased During The Pandemic

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ROYAL MAIL: MDEC TRANSFORMATION – PATHWAY TO CHANGE AGREEMENT – £60 BONUS CONSOLIDATION AND PLYMOUTH REVISION

Further to LTB 225/21 dated 2^nd June.

An agreement has now been reached confirming the consolidation of £60 from the bonus scheme into base salaries (pro-rata for part-timers) for MDEC members across all three sites. This position has been triggered by the Plymouth revision. The £60, with arrears backdated to 1^st April, will be paid with July salaries.

Crucially, members who wish to take a redundancy package in accordance with MTSF, will see the value of their compensation monies improved to fully take account of the bonus consolidation.

The following Joint Statement has been agreed:

JOINT STATEMENT FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PLYMOUTH MDEC

REVISION AND PAYMENT OF THE £60 CONSOLIDATION TO PAY AND RESUMPTION/REVISION OF THE BONUS SCHEME WITH THE NEW BANDING PAYMENTS

 We are pleased to confirm that from Monday 28th June the Plymouth MDEC revision will be implemented following local agreement.

 As per the National Agreement reached in March 2021, the Plymouth MDEC revision will trigger the following across all MDEC sites: –

•  Consolidate £60 per month from bonus into basic pay and this, together with arrears, will be backdated to 1st April 2021 (pro-rata for part-timers). This will be paid in July salaries.
• The introduction of the new MDEC bonus scheme bandings from the 2nd August.

 The introduction of the new MDEC bonus scheme will remove the current temporary solution in Plymouth and replace the scheme in Stoke and Farnworth MDECs. The new bonus bandings will then be jointly reviewed after 1, 3 and 5 months.

This pay consolidation will also flow through in the calculation for final payments for all those that have accepted their VR offers across all sites.

 We continue to work closely to resolve the redeployment options for colleagues at all three MDEC sites. Finally, we would like to thank you for your understanding in this matter.

 Any questions can be referred to your line manager or CWU representative or alternatively email MDECquestions@royalmail.com

Andy Furey                                                Kevin Thompson

CWU Assistant Secretary                              Head of Pipeline Performance and CI

My thanks go to the Plymouth MDEC Reps who have worked hard to deliver the agreed revision which in turn has enabled the delivery of the national agreement in respect of bonus consolidation. This latest development is in addition to the Shorter Working Week which has already been delivered from 1^st May.

Branches and MDEC Representatives are encouraged to bring this development to the attention of the members concerned. 

Any queries in relation to this LTB should be sent to Lea Sheridan lsheridan@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely

Andy Furey

Assistant Secretary

LTB 266/21 – Royal Mail – MDEC Transformation – Pathway to Change Agreement – £60 Bonus Consolidation and Plymouth Revision

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ROYAL MAIL: PATHWAY TO CHANGE – CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE (CE) – EXTENDED OPENING HOURS PILOT

Further to LTB 238/21 dated 11^th June.  Branches are advised that following discussions with CE management, we have agreed a way forward with regards to a pilot for extended opening hours across the sites.  It should be noted that participants for the pilot are being sought on a purely voluntary basis.  This position has emanated out of the “Resourcing and Opening Hours” Joint Working Group linked to the Pathway to Change – delivering the Shorter Working Week and the agreed roadmap of changes involving joint consideration of the need to enhance the customer offering.

The following Joint Statement has been agreed:

Dear Colleague,

 Being There review – Extended Opening Hours Pilot: Invitation to Volunteer

As you will have seen from the recent joint statement, there are some important changes being discussed for CE and we want to give you the chance to be part of this from the beginning.  Our refocus plan includes extending our opening hours, so it makes sense to look at our Being There review at the same time.  We promised we would review our shift patterns from the original Being There project to see what has worked well and what can be improved, although a combination of the pandemic and our temporary Home/Office working arrangements has unfortunately delayed this.

 Our Joint Working Group has started to discuss ‘Being There 2’ and we all felt it would be helpful to gather valuable insight from you.

 Although we have stats showing the number of customers who currently try to contact us outside of our current opening times, we know this number will change once we advertise our revised hours and customers become more aware of improved service opportunities.  We would therefore like to run a pilot.  The purpose of the pilot is to:

 Open and advertise new opening hours from 7am-8pmMonday-Friday, 8am-4pm Saturday and 9am-4pm Sunday.

• Establish the volume on our 4 largest areas – Non-Account Helpline, Account Helpline, Complaints and Redirections.
• Evidence demand which will feed into the ‘Being There’ review
• Help us understand customer demand better which will inform what our new operating blueprint should look like.

 We are looking for volunteers who would like to take part and help us gather the data we need.  This would involve working different shift patterns for the duration of the pilot which we aim to start in mid-August and expect this to run until late January.  Following this, those volunteering will be included in the wider ‘Being There’ review with your colleagues and therefore, rest assured that participation in the pilot would not represent a commitment, from you, to any future shift.

 We are currently working on the shifts that will provide coverage for the pilot and these will be ready shortly.  We will also, over the next 2 weeks, be directly talking to all of you that work on the above 4 mentioned campaigns about this opportunity.  In the meantime, if you are skilled to work on any of these 4 campaigns (even if you don’t regularly work in these areas), are interested in helping and are able to cover some of these extended hours (for the period of the pilot), please email CE.Enquiries.Inbox@royalmail.com within the next 2 weeks.  Similarly, if you have any questions please also email.  For those of you that are Part Time, you may also be able to assist in covering some of these hours and we want to hear from you too.  In addition, please note that Sunday attendance, via scheduled hours, attracts an additional rate of 0.485.

 We believe these proposed changes can be attractive and will provide fresh opportunities for people to enhance their work-life balance through new innovative attendances.  We do of course appreciate that change can be worrying for some; therefore, we wish to reassure you that we are looking to introduce change via agreement and ideally through the use of volunteers.  You are therefore encouraged to seriously consider if these extended opening hours can help you realise better attendance patterns, including potentially fewer attendances per week.  

 With best wishes

Susan Howlett                                                       Andy Furey  

CE Director                                                           CWU Assistant Secretary

Our CE Reps were briefed on the above developments during a meeting on Friday 25^th June and they fully supported the outcome above reached via the Resourcing Joint Working Group.  It follows that regular engagement with our Reps and management will be ongoing during the course of this pilot and we will jointly review the results in the New Year.

Yours sincerely

Andy Furey

Assistant Secretary

LTB 265/21 – Royal Mail – Pathway to Change – Customer Experience (CE) – Extended Opening Hours Pilot

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