Campaign to save the Union Learning Fund (ULF)

Further to LTB 492/20, we would like to thank Branches who have raised their concerns about the announcement of the Government’s planned cessation of the ULF across all trade unions including the CWU.

We are working closely with our Communications, Media & Campaigns Dept., TUC and sister trade unions to kick-start a campaign highlighting the recklessness of such a measure with a view to reversing the decision. 

The following steps are planned in the short term to argue against the cuts which will have a very real and negative impact on the world of work and the wider economy:

• The TUC has issued an initial two documents which outline the benefits of union learning which is backed up with facts and figures (attached)
• Employers who benefit from an upskilled and confident workforce are being approached to sign supporting joint letters to Gavin Williamson (Secretary of State for Education). We are in the process of seeking support from our employers
• A petition has been launched seeking to reverse the government’s plans to cut the ULF which will mean hundreds of thousands of workers missing out on skills development and training

We ask, that as a first step, Branches bring this LTB and the associated TUC Briefing documents to the attention of our members and also push out the petition through all of your networks.  The petition can be found here:

https://www.megaphone.org.uk/petitions/uk-gov-don-t-cut-union-learning 

A Facebook live session will be held on Tuesday 20^th October at 6pm to update branches on the campaign and the impact of the announcement.

The CWU has a proud record of delivering incredible learning outcomes through the ULF to many thousands of our members. We are confident that our members and representatives understand this and will join the campaign to stop these cuts at a time when workers are facing extreme uncertainty.

Any queries to this LTB can be forwarded to equality&education@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,

Kate Hudson

Head of Equality, Education & Development

LTB 505/20
Save Union Learning – TUC briefing
Union learning in facts and figures

View Online

RE: ROYAL MAIL RE INTRODUCTION OF VAN SHARE POLICY – SICK PAY WHILST VOLUNTARY VAN SHARING

Further to LTB 489/20 dated 6th October 2020 in relation to the above and due to a

number of enquiries into both departments, the purpose of this Letter to Branches is to

inform members of the current situation with regard to sick pay whilst carrying out van

sharing.

As Branches and members will know, Royal Mail has taken the decision to arbitrarily

reintroduce van sharing on a voluntary basis for individuals from Monday of this week.

Whilst fully recognising the operational difficulties the single person only vehicle policy

has led to since its introduction during the National Lockdown period, it has without

doubt played a significant part in ensuring our member’s safety. Therefore, as the

number of confirmed Covid-19 cases along with the numbers of local & regional

lockdowns currently increases right throughout the UK, the CWU were not and are not

in a position to agree to or support the change to the previous single vehicle policy, as

it is simply the wrong time. In our view this could potentially increase the risk to

members of exposure to the virus.

Information issued by Government today included the following advice “It is difficult to

socially distance during car journeys. You should avoid sharing a car with someone from

outside your household or your support bubble unless you can practice social

distancing.”

Having heard directly from the company that they were reintroducing van sharing, albeit

on a voluntary basis, at a meeting on Friday 9th October 2020, we requested from senior

Royal Mail management that they commit to paying full sick pay to any member who

volunteers to van share, in the event they have to self-isolate. Despite the meeting

being attended by 5 directors / senior managers, they would not give the commitment

and guarantee we sought. We have asked Royal Mail to publish a communication stating

full sick pay will be paid in the circumstances where a member who volunteers to van

share has to self-isolate and also clearly stipulate any circumstances where sick pay will

not be paid.

This is important as a few weeks ago, Royal Mail sent a communication to their

managers which included the following “… We know most of our people continue to

follow the guidelines and behave in a responsible way. This is why Royal Mail

has adopted a supportive approach for employees who are required to selfisolate

due to Covid-19 by applying our normal sick pay policy. In most cases

this provides support above the statutory sick pay recommended by

government.

However, providing enhanced sick pay is dependent on the absence not being

caused by or aggravated by the employee. Where, in the reasonable view of

the company, there is evidence of an employee’s disregard for public health

guidance which then leads to them needing to self-isolate, Royal Mail Sick Pay

will not be paid….”

Clearly we want to ensure, despite our advice to the contrary, any individual who does

volunteer to van share will not fall into the category of “being caused or aggravated

by”, which is why we have requested Royal Mail make it clear full sick pay will be paid

and to be also clear, just as importantly, when sick pay will not be paid. This will allow

individuals to make an informed decision as to whether they want to van share or not.

At the meeting last Friday, we were informed we will have confirmation and the

communication will be published by Monday 12th October 2020. Neither has happened,

therefore we wanted to let you know the latest position and we will be writing to Royal

Mail calling on them to issue a communication stating full sick pay will be paid to anyone

who volunteers to van share, plus any absence of self isolation will not count towards

the attendance agreement.

We will also be requesting extra measures are put in place to ensure Fleet members

are also protected and ensure measures are put in place for you to enforce your legal

right to see and read the safe systems of work and risk assessment to ensure you fully

understand what you need to do, and what PPE you should be wearing should you agree

to van share.

Although feedback from branches is showing that volunteer numbers overall are low,

for absolute clarity our advice remains that members should not volunteer to van share,

as we believe given the current situation with the crisis that this is the wrong time to

go back to sharing vehicles. This advice does not change, even if we were to receive

the assurances as above in relation to sick pay at this current moment in time.

We will be writing to Royal Mail and will keep you updated on any progress.

All enquiries regarding the content of this LTB should be addressed to the PTCS

Department, quoting reference 401. Email address: khay@cwu.org and Outdoor

Department quoting reference 600. Email address: outdoorsecretary@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely,

Carl Maden – Acting Assistant Secretary

Mark Baulch – Assistant Secretary

20LTB501

House of Commons Transport Select Committee Road Safety Report – ‘Driving While Using
a Mobile Phone’ Published:

In March 2019 the House of Commons Transport Select Committee of MPs launched an inquiry into road safety, looking at the Government’s current approach and considering what interventions would be most effective at reducing the number and severity of road traffic collisions in the UK. During the inquiry, the issue of driving while using a mobile phone was highlighted as a major area of concern. The Committee therefore focused part of its wider inquiry on the specific issue of road safety and mobile phones.

The Committee’s inquiry considered:-

• Use of mobile phones by drivers and the risks this poses.
• The adequacy of legislation relating to mobile phone use by motorists.
• How enforcement and education around mobile phone use can be improved.

Key facts and statistics are:-

• Driving while using a mobile phone impairs the ability to drive safely and increases the risk of a collision.
• Using a hand-held mobile phone or other device while driving has been illegal since 2003, but the practice is still widespread and can have catastrophic consequences.
• In 2017 there were 773 casualties, including 43 fatalities and 135 serious injuries, in road traffic collisions where a driver using a mobile phone was a contributory factor in the crash.

The Select Committee identified three key areas where the Government needed to take action:-

• How the offence is defined in law and the penalties associated with it;
• How the offence can be better enforced; and
• How the public can be made aware of the risks and consequences of driving while using a mobile phone.

The central messages from the inquiry were that:-

• If an offence is to be effective, it has to be well-defined and publicised so that motorists know what is and is not against the law.
• Drivers need to understand the serious safety risk that driving while using a mobile phone poses to them and others.
• The offence must be backed up with a high enough penalty for motorists to take it seriously.
• There must be a serious prospect of offenders being caught.

Conclusions and Recommendations Summary:

The risks of using a mobile phone

Using a mobile phone or other device while driving impairs a person’s ability to drive safely and makes a road traffic collision more likely. This is true whether a device is hand-held or being used hands-free. The Government plans to publish an analysis of mobile phone use while driving, in order to help it decide what more needs to be done to tackle this activity. (Paragraph 13).

Legislative reform

The legislation defining the offence of using a hand-held mobile phone or other device while driving was drafted in 2003 and excludes activities that are known to create precisely the same risks as those covered by the legislation. The Committee recommend that the Government redefine the offence of driving while using a mobile phone or other device so that it covers all hand-held usage, irrespective of whether this involves sending or receiving data, whether for a communicative purpose or not as it’s just as dangerous, and it therefore does not make sense for legislation to distinguish between these things. (Paragraph 18).

The law currently only proscribes using a hand-held mobile phone or other device while driving. A hands-free device can be used lawfully, creating the misleading impression that hands-free use is safe. The evidence shows that using a hands-free device creates the same risks of a collision as using a hand-held device, and it is therefore inappropriate for the law to condone it by omission. The Committee recommend that the Government explore options for extending the ban on driving while using a hand-held mobile phone or other device to hands-free devices. (Paragraph 19).

Increasing the penalties for driving while using a mobile phone in 2017 appears to have changed behaviour in the short-term, but there is already evidence that bad habits are creeping back in. The Committee recommend that the Government should review the current penalties that apply to this offence and consider whether they should be increased to better reflect the serious risks created by drivers committing this offence and make clear to offenders that there are serious consequences to being caught. (Paragraph 22).

Enforcement

If motorists do not believe there will be consequences from breaking the law then many of them will continue to do so. Enforcing the law is essential to ensuring that motorists do not illegally use their mobile phone while driving. There must be a credible threat of offenders being caught. It is concerning that the number of offences resulting in Fixed Penalty Notices, driver retraining or court action have fallen by more than two thirds since 2011, while the number of people killed or seriously injured in collisions where mobile phone use is a factor in the collision has risen. The Committee recommend that the Government engage with Police forces and Police and Crime Commissioners to explore options for improving the enforcement of this offence including the use of technology alongside public awareness campaigns. (Paragraph 28).

Public Awareness

If using a mobile phone while driving is to become as socially unacceptable as drink driving, there needs to be a step change in the Government’s approach to public education. The Committee recommend that the Government set out a plan for devising and implementing a public education campaign about the risks of using a mobile phone while driving, and the penalties for being caught doing so. (Paragraph 34).

Government and public sector drivers

As well as setting policy and enacting legislation the Government can lead by example and encourage behaviour change across the public sector and Government supply chain. The Committee recommend that the Government demonstrate its recognition of the risks of using a mobile phone while driving whether hand-held or hands-free by producing guidance on the dangers of driving while using a mobile phone and instructing drivers directly in its employ not to use a mobile phone or other device whether hand-held or hands-free while driving, and explore the possibility of making this a requirement for the wider public sector and Government contractors. (Paragraph 37).

The Select Committee’s Report sets out its findings and recommendations in the above areas, for consideration by Ministers. A copy is attached for the information of Branches, Regions and Health and Safety Representatives.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

19LTB501 House of Commons Transport Select Committee Road Safety Report – ‘Driving While Using a Mobile Phone’ Published

HoC Transport Select Committee Report – Road Safety Driving Whilst Using.._

Post Office Ltd (POL) – 2020 ‘Free’ Flu Inoculation Voucher Scheme Offer To All Staff – Joint Campaign:

The Health, Safety & Environment Department at CWU headquarters has today received the finalised arrangements from Post Office Ltd, for their 2020 ‘Free’ Flu Inoculation (Flu Jab) Voucher Scheme offer to all POL staff and as in the past two years, it has been agreed that there will again be a joint campaign promoted by POL and CWU to encourage all POL members to accept and take up the offer.

The flu can be a painful viral infection for those infected. The UK public health authorities and the NHS estimate that the flu kills on average around 15,000 people across the UK annually. Anyone can catch the flu and spread it to others. Getting a flu jab is the best way to protect yourself, your family and your work colleagues.

The CWU is encouraging members to utilise the ‘POL Flu Jab offer’ which is now available to them ‘free of charge’ and can be obtained from leading high street pharmacies via an on-line voucher scheme this year. We therefore want to ask all our POL CWU reps to circulate this LTB to reinforce the message and remind all members how important a vaccination is this year, encouraging them to take up the offer, whilst also checking if they meet the criteria for a vaccination through the NHS.

POL’s initial plan for 2020 was to issue paper flu vouchers again, as in past years, however, due to concerns about availability of paper vouchers this year, POL has decided to switch to an ‘online voucher scheme’ for 2020. Some technical problems accessing the pharmacy booking page have slightly delayed the announcement but POL have informed CWU headquarters that the problems were resolved last Friday.

This scheme will enable all POL members to obtain a voucher and to book an appointment on line and then get a ‘Free of Charge Flu Jab’ at a high street pharmacy including Lloyds, major supermarkets and a number of independent pharmacies. The online scheme has been extended by POL and vouchers will now be available and redeemable until March 2021, rather than the original date of 31 December 2020.

POL Flu Jab Scheme briefings and communications have been sent out to admin and field teams, DMBs and Supply Chain. POL headquarters is asking managers to discuss the ‘Free Flu Jab’ scheme with their teams and obtain names and email addresses for the Health and Safety Team who are pulling together the programme with Optima Health. They will check again later this month to ensure that anyone who changes their mind or has been missed will have their details added to the list and will receive the online voucher code.

The POL ‘Free Flu Jab’ scheme has become very popular over recent years and last year there was a circa 60% take up by those members not normally eligible through the NHS.

In POL Supply Chain, larger populated sites will be visited by a nurse who will provide the vaccination to members on site. Dates are being provided to managers to share with members and posters will be displayed on noticeboards inviting members to book an appointment on a designated date.  Any members who are unable to book an appointment with the nurse will be offered the opportunity to request an online voucher. An email address will be requested so that a company voucher code can be sent with instructions on how to obtain a vaccine at a range of high street pharmacies.

For DMBs, branch managers have been asking members if they would like an online voucher for a flu vaccination. Members have also been asked to initially check whether they meet the criteria for a flu vaccination from the local NHS. If not, then DMB members can inform the branch manager that they would like to request a voucher from the POL Health and Safety Team. Branch managers have been asked to provide names with email addresses to the Health and Safety Team as soon as possible. A POL voucher code will be sent to e-mail addresses with a link to instructions on how to obtain the flu jab voucher.

The NHS Flu Vaccination Programme is being expanded throughout the UK this year, increasing the availability to additional groups of vulnerable people amongst the UK population in order to help protect vulnerable people and reduce the risks to people during the ongoing Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic. Members should therefore check with their GP surgery if they are eligible for an NHS free vaccination from their local NHS clinic, local pharmacy or GP surgery. The links below provide details from each of the UK’s government health minister’s plans to expand the NHS flu vaccination programme this year.

• England: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/flu-influenza-vaccine/
• Northern Ireland: https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/news/flu-vaccination-programme-be-expanded
• Wales: https://gov.wales/wales-announces-largest-ever-flu-vaccine-programme
• Scotland: https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/immunisation/vaccines/flu-vaccine

Those members wishing to take up the offer, which we strongly recommend, should request a voucher from the Health and Safety Team by completing and submitting the online form as soon as possible. A POL voucher code will then be sent to the individual’s Post Office e-mail address with a link to instructions on how to obtain the flu jab vaccine. The Link is:- https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=sks8ayZvr0WXs_3tKnpg-WBCzbVjOz9Hiij9ARkkOXZUMENYVVhORTVaR01HSEZXWkw1WEROMkZFTC4u

Further information can be obtained from: HealthandSafetyTeam@postoffice.co.uk

Any management enquiries should be directed to Martin Hopcroft Post Office Ltd Head of Health & Safety Email: martin.hopcroft@postoffice.co.uk

The attached poster/flyer is also being circulated within POL.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

20LTB500 Post Office Ltd (POL) – 2020 ‘Free’ Flu Inoculation Voucher Scheme Offer To All Staff – Joint Campaign

UK_FLU_0419_0073-GP-Flu_Awareness_Leaflet

ALUN OWEN – TRAGIC DEATH OF AN OPENREACH ENGINEER

I am writing to advise Branches of the sad news that Alun Owen an Openreach Engineer and member of the CWU in North Wales tragically lost his life whilst at work on Tuesday 6 October 2020.  Our thoughts are with Alun’s family, friends and workmates at this difficult time.

It is believed that Alun fell into the river near Abergwyngregyn and the Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.  The Union will do everything possible to help Alun’s family.

When further information becomes available we will update Branches.

Any enquiries from Branches regarding this LTB should be referred to my office in the first instance.

Yours sincerely

Dave Jukes
Assistant Secretary

LTB 499.2020

Royal Mail Group – Latest Updated Coronavirus/Covid-19 – Frequently Asked Questions and Answers Guidance Document (Version 60)

I attach for your information Version 60 of the Royal Mail Group, Managers’ Coronavirus/Covid-19 Frequently Asked Questions and Answers Guidance document, issued by the business on 6 October 2020.

At the commencement of the Coronavirus/Covid-19 outbreak, Royal Mail Group established a ‘Business Pandemic Team’ which includes all national heads of department and this team meets regularly to review the situation across Royal Mail Group and to issue update Questions and Answers information communications to all managers, which is cascaded throughout the business.

The Coronavirus Guidance, version 60 Q&A document has been shared with the Union’s Health, Safety & Environment Department and is hereby circulated for information and reference purposes for CWU Health and Safety and Branch IR Reps.

The Q&A documents are circulated to all RMG managers and are also available to access through a link on the Royal Mail Group ‘Intranet’, in the ‘Managers Update Messages’ section.

Please note that changes and additions from the last version, number 59, are highlighted in ‘Yellow’.

Please also note that these Q & A documents are ‘Royal Mail Group’ documents and the contents are not agreed with the CWU. On page 4 reference is made to Royal Mail’s decision to re-introduce ‘Shared Vans’ on a voluntary basis, subject to identified exclusions. This has not been agreed with the CWU and the Union remains opposed to such a policy change at this present time. Please refer to LTB 489/20.

The Health, Safety & Environment Department continues in dialogue with the Royal Mail Group Safety Health & Environment Team to raise additions and amendments to the Q&A document.

Any enquiries to this LTB or feedback on the RMG Q&A document should be directed to Dave Joyce CWU National Health, Safety & Environment Officer.

Attachment:

Coronavirus Guidance Questions and Answers v60

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

20LTB498 Royal Mail Group – Latest Updated Coronavirus Covid-19 – Frequently Asked Questions and Answers Guidance Document (Version 60)

Coronavirus Guidance Questions and Answers v60