Average Pay on Annual Leave (Holiday Pay) Royal Mail Group

Further to LTB 289/20 circulated on 4^th June 2020, Branches will recall that in conjunction with Unionline the Department sought to identify a number of lead claimants in England and Wales whose cases could then be considered ahead of a case management hearing on 30^th September 2020.

In advance of this activity the Department met with Unionline and CWU Legal Services on 23^rd September 2020 and steps were taken to refine the number of potential lead claimants that had put their names forward, whilst also taking into account both geography and workplace.

A preliminary hearing will now be held at the Bristol Tribunal on 5^th October 2020 at which the Judge will approve the final list of lead claimants and then set a date for a full hearing. This is now likely to be in 2021.

Branches should also note the previous advice issued regarding the submission of Employment Tribunals:

• For existing claims new periods of holiday leave are added without the need to submit further individual applications to amend, or further claims. The Tribunal has however noted that this is still happening and members are therefore urged not to make further holiday claims.

• For new claimants (i.e. those who are not already part of the case) once lodged in the normal way future periods of leave can be added without the need for individual amendment BUT these new claims must be lodged with the Bristol Employment Tribunal. 

The Union appreciates that this matter has been ongoing for some time and the frustration that this may have caused. Events have however been complicated by COVID-19 and this in turn has had a major impact upon the legal process. Colleagues are reminded that progressing this as one case with one hearing of lead claimants is better than having thousands of separate hearings across the country with various Judges making different decisions. Presenting one case will bring about a final resolution to this matter for all members.

For those members who have registered cases in Scotland and Northern Ireland the situation remains the same as outlined in the aforementioned LTB and is reproduced below for ease of reference.SCOTLAND 

Branches will recall that all employment tribunal claims in Scotland were originally sisted until 20^th April 2020. This was then extended by just over a week to 28^thApril 2020.

Following an update from Unionline in Scotland, unfortunately the position is that all Tribunal hearings scheduled to take place from the middle of March until 30^th June 2020 have now been cancelled.  These claims will be prioritised when the Tribunal list in person hearings again.

In the telephone case management discussions involving the respective parties, in order to reschedule cancelled hearings, the Tribunal has advised that these Employment Tribunal cases will now be listed for a final hearing through Jan 2021 until March 2021.

The cases are of course safely in the system and it is possible that the timeframe for final hearings will be reduced. However, rather than raise expectations, at the time of writing we have to work on the assumption that there is likely to be a significant delay in arranging a final hearing.  Unionline will be writing to the Tribunal this week to request that a telephone case management be arranged so that cases can start to be progressed.

NORTHERN IRELAND

The situation in Northern Ireland remains unchanged at present, with all cases awaiting the outcome of the case involving the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

The Union will continue to press Royal Mail Group to reach an acceptable agreement but their financial situation has undoubtedly had a bearing on how management view this matter.

Colleagues will be provided with a further update after the preliminary hearing on 5^thOctober 2020.

Any enquiries in relation to the content of this LTB should be addressed to the DGS(P) Department.

Yours sincerely,

Terry Pullinger

Deputy General Secretary (Postal)        

LTB 474/20 – Average Pay on Annual Leave (Holiday Pay) Royal Mail Group

Coronavirus – ‘Covid-19 Test Kits’ and ‘Antibody Test Kits’ – Mailings, Collections, Processing and Delivery – Updated/New Royal Mail Operations Risk Assessments (SAC1) & SSOWs:

This update Letter to Branches is being issued further to LTB 379/20 dated 16 July 2020 which should be read in conjunction with this.

Royal Mail Group and the CWU are proud to be playing a key role in the delivery and return of Covid-19 test kits which is an integral part of the Government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  This is a vital part of the national effort to combat the Coronavirus and CWU members are doing a great job in collecting, processing and delivering the test kits safely to the laboratories.

In April 2020 the Government selected Royal Mail Group and its unparalleled nationwide network to lead as the prime supplier on a number of products. To date Royal Mail and the CWU have worked together to adapt to the changing demands from Government as the pandemic unfolds. In a very short period Royal Mail Group and the CWU have established a network comprised of:

• Regional/Local Test Centres: Royal Mail Relay are collecting test kits from circa. 115 test sites up to 4 times daily.
• Home Collection Service: The Royal Mail core network has 394 delivery offices undertaking doorstep collections seven days a week.
• 30,000 plus Priority Postboxes: Have been labelled with collection times after 4pm.
• Nursing/Care Homes/Schools/GP Surgeries: Royal Mail are delivering circa. 2,700 boxes of test kits to important parts of our communities.

Both parties continue to work together to ensure that standard operating procedures are in place. In addition, Royal Mail and the CWU continue to work with the Chief Medical Officer to ensure that the operational processes put in place are effective and safe for all members and are supported by the necessary health & safety documentation and Safe Systems of Work (SSOW).

To meet the demand for Coronavirus infection testing into the autumn and winter the Government has asked Royal Mail Group to prepare for the expected significant increase in the number of test kits returned via Priority Post Boxes along with the newly introduced Coronavirus Antibody Test Kits. These Antibody tests are used to detect antibodies to the COVID-19 virus to see if it’s likely that those tested have had the virus before. The test works by testing for the presence of antibodies to see if the person tested has had the virus and has developed an immune response to the virus. Antibody tests differ to Coronavirus ‘Swab Tests’ which test to see if the person being tested currently has the virus. An antibody test doesn’t test if the person tested currently has the virus. There is no definitive evidence as yet with regards to whether those who have had the virus develop long-lasting immunity that would prevent them from getting the virus again. However, the tests answer the question of whether someone has had the virus before and importantly provides data for research and a greater understanding on the spread of the virus.

A joint Royal Mail/CWU review has been undertaken of the Coronavirus/Covid-19 Test Kits Risk Assessment and Safe System of Work (SSoW). From this amendments and improvements have been made to the safe working process in readiness for increasing numbers of test kits coming through the system as the Government ‘ramps-up’ the testing programme and additionally rolls out the Antibody Testing Programme alongside it. The amended collection and segregation SSoW process has been designed to deal with clearing large quantities of test kits from ‘Designated Post Boxes’ in a simpler, safer way.

As detailed in LTB 379/20, as the Coronavirus/Covid-19 test kit collection operation moves on and test kit numbers increase, the issue of maintaining compliance with the agreed high safety standards becomes crucial.

This matter has been raised by the CWU Health, Safety and Environment department and been subject to discussions at both the weekly RM/CWU National Joint Operations Skype meetings and on the RM/CWU National Joint Strategic Covid-19 Testing Kits Skype meetings.

It continues to be the agreed approach by Royal Mail HQ and CWU/HQ that we need to work collectively to improve safety compliance. Area Health and Safety Reps (ASRs) and Workplace Health and Safety Reps (WSRs) are asked (by both Royal Mail and CWU) to keep a close eye on this and carry out regular safety spot-checks, reporting any non-compliance to operational management and SHE Advisors/Business Partners.

Pre-Collection List Poster

Royal Mail and CWU/HQ have agreed that we must jointly ensure that all collection drivers, including collections on delivery, have the list of items necessary with them at all times when collecting from any post-box – see attached ‘Pre-Collection List’ Poster.

The ‘Collect – Before You Leave The Office’ Poster – lists the 8 items required before leaving the Unit – these are:

• Self-Seal Polythene Bags
• Green Mail Sacks
• PDA and Spare Battery
• Hand Sanitiser
• Gloves
• Waste Bag
• Suitable Face Covering Where Required
• Van Wipes (for touch points in the vehicle)

This poster has been issued to all offices via a ‘SharePoint’ link, and was supported by WTLL briefing material.  The local ‘Deployment Leads’ were tasked to follow up with each collection and delivery office to provide concurrence to the following question “Have the Pre-Collection List Posters been printed and displayed in my site?”. Unit Managers have to confirm that this is the case.

ASRs and WSRs are requested to ensure the poster is on display and brought to the attention of collections staff.

Collections staff should then follow the 3 key principles:

1. SPOT IT: UN3373 packaging and T24 label
2. BAG IT: SSOW must be followed (bag all kits) 
3. MOVE IT: Keep items separate from other streams and hand it over to a designated contact

DOM Safety Concurrence Check List

Each DOM is asked to complete and sign-off the below concurrence check-list questions to ensure they understand what is required to deliver on the Standard Operating Procedure and Safe Systems Of Work. You will see the question related to ‘Pre Collection list posters have been printed and displayed in my site’ listed which aligns to the safety standard Royal Mail has set out. 

Would ASRs and WSRs spot-check compliance with this requirement:·       I know who my ops project lead is and have their contact information.·       My site has a supply of CV19 labels and York cards (Contact Addressograph duty at Plant for stock).·       My site has a supply of green bags to relay the test kits to the plant  (1-2 required daily and are sourced from Plant).·       My site has a supply of polythene bags and I know how to order further stock.·       All collection drivers know to scan test kits as ‘Accepted at CSP’ before dispatch to Mail Centre.·       All collections drivers in my site have been trained and understand what they need to do (SSOW etc.).·       All collections drivers in my postcode sectors have a copy of the handout – Test Kit Handout: Collection and Delivery Colleagues.·       Pre Collection list posters have been printed and displayed in my site.·       All collection drivers know that green bags must be used for test kits once they have been identified.·       All collection drivers know that green bags must be kept separate from other mail streams.·       All collection drivers have been briefed on the handover process at the Mail Centre.·       All my collection roles in my area are aware of the location of their Priority Boxes.·       I am aware that all items will be collected Mon – Sat in accordance to current plate times.·       I know that my Priority Boxes will be labelled.·       I have resource in place to ensure collection from Priority Boxes is in place Mon – Sat.·       All of my collectors know that all Priority Boxes will still receive a Collected scan as usual.

The collection from designated post-boxes SSoW is for each Covid-19 test kit to be over-bagged in a secondary polythene bag to minimise risk of contamination. This is done by turning the bag inside out and pulling it over the test kit without contacting it with the hands. Gloves, which are supplied to collection staff, can be worn for this but they are not required. Sanitiser gel, disinfectant wipes and waste bags are also supplied to all collection staff performing this role and it’s important to ensure they do not leave the office without the full range of collection and protective kit and equipment.

Collecting Coronavirus COVID-19 Sample Test Kits from a Post Box – Revised Process

• Collection staff will open the post box as per normal process and scan the barcode.
• Firstly, they’ll look to identify any COVID-19 sample kits in the box from either the purple address label or purple Covid 19 test kit label and the UN3373 mark on the back.
• When emptying post boxes they’ll visually check for any leaking packages and if any are found they’ll follow the specific instructions in the SSoW.
• Each test kit is to be bagged in a secondary polythene bag to minimise any risk of contamination. This is done by turning the polythene bag inside out and pulling it over the test kit without contacting it with the hands. The SSoW has illustrations on this.  If staff find it easier they can wear gloves for this, but they are not essential or required.
• The test kits are then placed in a T24 tray or in a mail bag and labelled ‘kits’. The tray/bag is then placed in the van so that they can be segregated and bagged easily when they reach the collection hub or mail centre/plant.
• If the post box is in a busy area for pedestrians or traffic or poorly lit and it would be safer etc., the collection staff, wearing gloves, can separate the test kits into a T24 tray, then take the tray to the van and over-bag them at the van.
• In cases where the post box is filled with significant volumes of test kits and where it’s not safe or practical, the collections staff can empty the post box into a separate mail bag as per a normal collection from a post box, label and isolate the bag and the test kits can then be segregated, re-bagged and labelled upon return to the collection hub or mail centre/plant, ready for the dedicated, onward despatch to the destination lab.
• The kits must be over-bagged before handing over to the next part of the pipeline and under no circumstances should a kit travel un-bagged to the tracked work area in a mail centre.
• All kits should be bagged at the earliest opportunity.
• Gloves should be disposed of in the rubbish bag and hands washed or cleaned with sanitising gel or disinfectant wipes.

Collecting COVID-19 Sample Kits from Home Collections 

• The customer will have taken their swab sample and assembled the packaging and wiped the outside of the outer packaging ready for collection.
• The collections staff member will knock on the door and move back at least 2 metres
• Ask the customer to place the parcel outside the door, check with them that they have cleaned the outer packaging.
• When the door has closed collect the parcel.
• If the outer packaging is not correctly sealed or is damaged the sample should not be collected and the customer/owner advised to order a new test kit.
• The test kit will be over-bagged as described for pillar box collections.
• The item is scanned and placed in a tray or bag.
• Hand over the COVID-19 sample kits separately on arrival at the mail centre.

If at any stage the collections members feel threatened or unsafe or in danger, they can walk away from the doorstep, leaving the test kit parcel. The Police (if required) can then be informed and the Security Helpdesk notified via the manager.

Dealing with Damaged Packages 

• If there is minor damage to the outer packaging with no obvious leakage to the COVID-19 kit, it can be over bagged as usual and placed with undamaged kits.
• If a sample container is found after the collection box has been cleared, and there is no leakage, it can be over bagged and placed with other COVID-19 test kits.
• If there is significant damage and a COVID-19 kit is found to be leaking, the process is to close the post box and immediately notify the line manager.

Coronavirus COVID-19 Antibody Tests

After successful trials in June/July, these new finger-prick blood tests were found to be 98.6% accurate.  The Government is rolling out the new test this month and are hopeful that the test will be available for use in a mass screening program by the end of the year. The UK Government announced that the finger-prick tests can tell within 20 minutes if a person has ever been exposed to the Coronavirus. The Department of Health and Social Care has stated that the tests will help Government scientists and doctors to better understand how Coronavirus is spreading across the country and to determine whether or not antibodies indicate immunity from reinfection or transmission.  Royal Mail is contracted to provide the delivery and returns service for these tests kits as per the Coronavirus COVID-19 infection test kits. The new antibody kits are sent to people who are not showing signs of infection from COVID-19.

Important

Although these test kits involve the collection of blood, the very small volume of blood involved (0.5ml – about a ¼ of a teaspoon) goes into a very small sample, tube, container where it mixes with a chemical clotting agent and quickly solidifies before being posted and therefore reduces and avoids the risk of spillage and contamination.

Collecting COVID-19 Antibody Sample Kits from a Post Box: 

• The post box is opened as per normal process and barcode scanned.
• When emptying post boxes the collection member will visually check for any leaking or contaminated packages and if found follow the instructions in the SSoW.
• The Coronavirus COVID-19 antibody sample kits will have the UN3373 mark on the outside of the ‘polylope’ and should be treated in the same way as other normal biological specimens.
• These antibody test kits do not require over-bagging unless the outer packaging has visible contamination. If there are signs of contamination, (i.e., blood on the outside of the packaging), then each kit is to be over-bagged in a secondary polythene bag to minimise any risk of contamination. This is done by turning the bag inside out and pulling it over the test kit without contacting it with the hands. Gloves can be worn if preferred and if found to be easier but they are not necessary or mandatory.
• Used gloves are disposed of in the provided rubbish bag without touching the outside with bare hands and then the hands are cleaned with sanitising gel or disinfectant wipe which are supplied by Royal Mail.
• The lancets (sharps) being used are retractable, protected and are single use and do not present a risk of stick injuries. In any case they are not to be returned with test kits by the customer.

See Attachments for your attention and assistance:

• Pre-Collection List Poster ‘Have You Got What You Need’
• Coronavirus COVID-19 Test Kit Mailings Delivery and Collections (Royal Mail Operations SSOW)
• Coronavirus COVID-19 Test Kit Mailings Delivery and Collections (Royal Mail Operations SAC1/Risk Assessment)
• Delivery, Collection and Processing of Coronavirus COVID-19 Antibody Testing (Royal Mail Operations SSOW)
• Delivery, Collection and Processing of Coronavirus COVID-19 Antibody Testing (Royal Mail Operations SAC1/Risk Assessment)

ASR/WSR Involvement

It is agreed between Royal Mail HQ and CWU/HQ that ASRs and WSRs will be fully involved and consulted in ensuring compliance with the Safe Systems of Work and any additional required local risk assessment arrangements additional to these generic standards. Safety spot checks and inspections to check compliance with the SSoW should take place and are both encouraged and welcomed by Royal Mail HQ.

Any non-compliant offices or management queries can be reported directly to:- 

Francis Williams Royal Mail Head of Commercial and Field Programmes. Email:-  francis.williams@royalmail.com

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 469/20 – Coronavirus – Test Kits and Antibody Test Kits – Updated New Royal Mail Operations Risk Assessments (SAC1) & SSOWs

Att 1 Coronavirus Antibody Testing Kits SAC1 v1.1

Att 2 Coronavirus Testing Kits SAC1 v1.3

Att 3 COVID 19 Antibody Test Kit SSOW v1.1

Att 4 COVID 19 Test Kit SSOW Deliveries and Collections v1.4

Att 5 POSTBOX Collections drivers – pre collection list poster V4

Royal Mail Group – Latest Updated Coronavirus/Covid-19 – Frequently Asked Questions and Answers Guidance Document (Version 58)

I attach for your information Version 58 of the Royal Mail Group, Managers’ Coronavirus/Covid-19 Frequently Asked Questions and Answers Guidance document, issued by the business on 23 September2020.

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.

Attached is a copy of the version 58 Q&A document which has been shared with the Union. It 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 versions 56 and 57 are highlighted in ‘Yellow’.

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:

Royal Mail Group Coronavirus Guidance Questions and Answers V58

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 473/20 – Royal Mail Group – Latest Updated Coronavirus Covid-19 – Frequently Asked Questions and Answers Guidance Document (Version 58)

Coronavirus Guidance Questions and Answers v58

Royal Mail and CWU Joint Communication – Covid-19 Bespoke Weekend Priority Postbox Collections

Branches and representatives will be aware that in April 2020 the Government selected Royal Mail Group and its unparalleled nationwide network to lead as the Prime Supplier on a number of products relating to Covid-19 Testing Kits. To date Royal Mail and the CWU have continued to work together to adapt to the changing demands from Government as the pandemic unfolds.

The Government recently requested that Royal Mail provide a Covid-19 Bespoke Weekend Priority Postbox Collection service to meet the demand for testing into the Autumn and Winter period. While a Joint Statement is yet to be concluded in relation to the activity, scoping activity has commenced in regard to the operational and resourcing elements of providing this bespoke service.

Joint Communications have now been concluded to provide an update and a copy is attached for your information.

Colleagues will note that whilst the collection routes will be based in the Mail Centre, expressions of interest are invited from employees from all functions across the Mail Centre catchment area. The CWU preference would be for our members to have the first opportunity to express an interest in performing this bespoke weekend work and as such we would request that this LTB is publicised at the earliest opportunity.

Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to:

Processing/Distribution: Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary, email: dwyatt@cwu.orgquoting reference: 014.14. 

Deliveries/Collections: Mark Baulch, Assistant Secretary, email: outdoorsecretary@cwu.org quoting reference: 600.

Yours sincerely

Davie Robertson                               Mick Kavanagh

Assistant Secretary                           Assistant Secretary (Acting)

LTB 472/20

Attachment 1 – Joint Comms COVID Bespoke Weekend Postbox Collections 28.09.20

Truth about Zane Campaign

Branches will be aware that the CWU is actively supporting the Truth about Zane campaign. The campaign is seeking to secure an independent enquiry into the death of Zane who may have died as a result of a deadly nerve agent in his home in Surrey following flooding in 2014.

On the 10^th September 2020 the campaign took a significant step forward when the local Conservative council voted unanimously to back a motion which accused the Surrey coroner of a “cover-up”.

NEC Young worker member Luke Elgar who is liaising with the campaign on behalf of the CWU Nationally has recently written an article, which can be read on the CWU website, which updates branches on this important development:

https://www.cwu.org/blog/the-truth-about-zane-important-breakthrough-in-the-push-for-justice/

On the 21^st October 2020 a memorial is being hosted by the Fire Brigades Union. The memorial is being held on Zane’s birthday and speakers include Matt Wrack, Sir Keir Starmer, David Lammy MP and Professor Bill Scraton (Hillsborough The Truth). Information regarding the Zoom memorial can be found using the link: http://bit.ly/justiceforzane

Any queries on the contents of this LTB should be addressed to jdunn@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely,

Dave Ward

General Secretary

LTB 470/20 – Truth About Zane Campaign

Global Day Of Climate Action – ‘Fridays For Future (FFF)’ – Friday 25 September 2020:

‘Fridays For Future (FFF)’

‘Fridays For Future (FFF)’, is a global climate change movement that started in August 2018, when 15-year-old Greta Thunberg began a school strike for climate change in Sweden.

In the three weeks leading up to the Swedish election, she sat outside Swedish Parliament every school day, demanding urgent action on the climate crisis. She was tired of society’s unwillingness to see the climate crisis for what it is – ‘a crisis’. She was joined by others and numbers grew leading to a school strike until the Swedish policies provided a safe pathway to keep global warming under 2°C, in line with the Paris Agreement. This marked the beginning of a global movement and their call for action sparked an international awakening, with students and activists uniting around the globe to join the campaign and organise protests. ‘Fridays for Future’ is part of a hopeful new wave of change, inspiring millions of people to wake up to the threat of climate change to the world’s future.

We live in the midst of a pandemic, but climate change is just as much of a crisis as it was before. During the last few months, the Covid-19 pandemic has forced activists to find new ways of protest and use digital activism to demand climate action, as marches have not been appropriate. Friday the 25th of September will be a focal point and the first global action day of the year.

The coming months and years will be crucial in ensuring a safe pathway to achieving a below 1.5°C increase in global mean temperature, a target stated in the Paris Agreement.

If the world is to minimise the risks of triggering irreversible chain reactions beyond human control, action is needed now. The FFF’s ‘Friday For Future’ day is designed to reinforce that vital message – that the climate crisis mustn’t get forgotten in the shadow of the Coronavirus/Covid-19 pandemic but must remain being regarded as a priority. ‘Fridays For Future’ aims to raise awareness and keep campaigning and protesting as long as exploitation of nature is allowed to continue. This year, during the pandemic and to prevent the spread of the virus, where physical protest is inappropriate, the campaign instead will turn to digital action.

“Fridays For Future (FFF)” state that no effective measures have been taken to lower worldwide greenhouse gas emissions in a sustainable and just manner as yet. In a statement launching the ‘Global Day of Climate Action’ the message from “Fridays For Future (FFF)” was “To actually experience the climate crisis makes you understand the urgency of the situation. Millions are losing their homes and livelihoods, this can no longer exist in a vacuum. We need world leaders to prioritise humanity over greed. The youth are going to come together, over and over again – each time more strategic and united than ever before”.

The Paris Agreement:

The Paris Agreement sets out a global framework to avoid dangerous climate change by limiting global warming to well below 2°C and pursuing efforts to limit it to 1.5°C. It also aims to strengthen countries’ ability to deal with the impacts of climate change and support them in their efforts. This is an agreement within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), dealing with greenhouse-gas-emissions mitigation, adaptation, and finance, signed in 2015 with 196 Signatories. Under the Paris Agreement, each country must determine, plan, and regularly report on the contribution that it undertakes to mitigate global warming. The Paris deal is the world’s first comprehensive climate agreement.

Governments agreed to come together every 5 years to assess the collective progress towards the long-term goals and inform Parties in updating and enhancing their nationally determined contributions, to report to each other and the public on how they are implementing climate action and to track progress towards their commitments under the Agreement through a robust transparency and accountability system.

Earlier this year 189 UNFCCC signatories met for Governments to submit long-term climate 2050 plans as well as shorter-term 2030 goals. The long-term 2050 goals are to decarbonise their economies, and to set shorter term targets lasting until 2030. The only significant countries that are emitters of airborne toxins which were not party to this were Iran and Turkey.

EU’s role

The EU has been at the forefront of international efforts to fight climate change. It was instrumental in brokering the Paris Agreement and continues to show global leadership.

The EU’s nationally determined contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40% by 2030 compared to 1990, under its wider 2030 climate and energy framework. All key EU legislation for implementing this target was adopted by the end of 2018.

Global carbon dioxide emissions by jurisdiction.

• China (29.4%)
• United States (14.3%)
• European Economic Area (9.8%)
• India (6.8%)
• Russia (4.9%)
• Japan (3.5%)
• Other (31.3%)

USA Position

On June 1, 2017, the US president announced that the USA would cease all participation in the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change mitigation, and begin negotiations to re-enter the agreement “on terms that are fair to the United States, its businesses, its workers, its people, its taxpayers,” or form a new agreement adding that the Paris accord will undermine (the U.S.) economy,” and “puts (the U.S.) at a permanent disadvantage. Trump stated that the withdrawal would be in accordance with his America First policy. In accordance with Article 28 of the Paris Agreement, a country cannot give notice of withdrawal from the agreement before three years of its start date in the relevant country, which was on November 4, 2016 in the case of the United States. On November 4, 2019, the administration gave a formal notice of intention to withdraw, which takes 12 months to take effect. So, the earliest possible effective withdrawal date by the United States cannot be before November 4, 2020, four years after the Agreement came into effect in the United States and one day after the 2020 U.S. presidential election.

Climate Change Linked to Natural $1bn-plus disasters Last Year

With increasing global surface temperatures, the possibility of more droughts and increased intensity of storms will likely occur. As more water vapour is evaporated into the atmosphere it becomes fuel for more powerful storms to develop. The British charity Christian Aid reported that climate change amplified 15 extreme weather disasters which caused human devastation and at least a billion dollars in damage in each case, and seven of the events cost over $10 billion each. The charity state that the great tragedy of climate change is that it is the poorest and most vulnerable who suffer the most, despite doing the least to cause it. However as the disasters have shown, no continent is immune from global warming and its impacts as extreme weather including floods, storms, droughts and wildfires struck every inhabited continent in the past year, causing devastation and loss of life:

• Australian Bushfires destroyed 700 homes ($100 billion)
• California wildfires laid waste to farming areas. ($25 billion),
• Typhoons Hagibis and Faxai in Japan($15 billion)
• Flooding in the American Midwest($12.5 billion).
• Cyclone Idai ($2 billion) – and ultimately cost 1,300 lives in southern Africa.
• Cyclone Fani struck India and Bangladesh killing 1,900 ($18 billion)
• Hurricane Dorian hit the US east coast killing 673. ($11 billion)
• Typhoon Lekima in China ($10 billion)
• Flooding in China ($10 billion)
• This year over 7 tornados hit the US with devastation, deaths and floods ($11 billion)
• Floods in Argentina and Uruguay in January this year forced 11,000 people from their homes.

Environmental Defence Fund (EDF)

The Environmental Defence Fund (EDF) based in the USA state that scientists are detecting a stronger link between the planet’s warming and its changing weather pattern. They say that though it can be hard to pinpoint whether climate change intensified a particular weather event, the trajectory is clear — hotter, dangerous, heat waves, drier droughts, bigger storm surges and greater snowfall. Higher temperatures also boost evaporation, which dries out the soil in summer — intensifying drought over many areas. As more evaporation leads to more moisture in the atmosphere, rainfall intensifies. For example, the rainfall from Hurricane Harvey was 15 percent more intense and three times as likely to occur due to human-induced climate change. The EDF state that we can expect to see a higher frequency of Category 4 and 5 storms, also, as temperatures continue to rise. Clouds that can dump a lot of rain are more common in a warmer atmosphere.

While scientists aren’t certain about whether climate change has led to more hurricanes, they are confident that rising sea levels are leading to higher storm surges and more floods.

Around half of sea-level rise since 1900 comes from the expansion of warming oceans, triggered by human-caused global warming. (Like all liquids, water generally expands as it heats up.) The rest of the rise comes from melting glaciers and ice sheets. There is more moisture in a warmer atmosphere, which can lead to record snowfall and may be linked to climate change. Scientists are studying a possible connection between a warming Arctic and cold spells in the eastern United States. The idea is that a rapidly warming Arctic can weaken the jet stream, allowing frigid polar air to travel farther south.

ClientEarth

ClientEarth and other environmental organisations are this month calling on members of the European Parliament to support ambitious measures in new EU climate laws, including an emission reduction target of 65%.

They are also challenging Europe’s largest and most climate-damaging power plant, this week launching a legal challenge against Europe’s largest power plant, Belchatow and two of its mines. Belchatow is a giant Coal plant in Central Poland, burning 45 million tonnes of lignite, the dirtiest form of coal, every year – an entire tonne every second.

Earlier this year ClientEarth in combination with residents, other environmental organisations and Polish farmers won a long legal battle to block the building of a new coal fired power station at Polnoc in Poland, after a ruling from the Polish Supreme Administrative Court.

ClientEarth lawyers have also launched a court fight to block a major new coal mine in Poland.  The Zloczew open-cast mine would be Poland’s deepest ever and, for the first time, use explosives to access the lignite (the dirtiest form of coal) beneath the surface. The process is set to displace seven billion tonnes of rock, putting the surrounding area at major risk of tremors – as well as serious water and air pollution. A project of state-owned energy company PGE, the Zloczew mine would result in the displacement and destruction of 33 villages, including highly specialised modern farms, homes, schools, shops, chapels and fire stations.

Greener Jobs Alliance

The Greener Jobs Alliance (GJA) was formed as a partnership body inclusive of trade unions, student organisations, campaigning groups and a policy think tank. It campaigns around the issue of jobs and the skills needed to transition to a low-carbon economy. The founding members of the GJA are the University and College Union, Trades Union Congress, Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth, National Union of Students, People & Planet, and the Institute of Public Policy Research. The GJA promotes 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.

The GJA came into existence as a result of funding from Battersea and Wandsworth TUC. The GJA Newsletter editor is Graham Petersen, also the GJA Secretary. Graham 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. He was the head of the Trade Union Studies Centre at South Thames College before retirement from the post. The GJA has a close working relationship with the CWU Health, Safety & Environment Department and CWU Safety Reps.

The Trade Union Clean Air Network (TUCAN)

The Trade Union Clean Air Network (TUCAN), has been set up to push for workers and trade unions to have greater recognition on air pollution issues. Alongside the dangers of climate change has been the damage caused by the unhealthy air that we breathe. With contaminants such as nitrous oxide, particulate matter from diesel fumes, ground level ozone and dusts such as silica from construction work, plastics and rubber, the workforce is being exposed to a toxic cocktail. This includes those who work in offices or shops with pollution that seeps into their workplace air, outdoor workers, and for the millions of workers commuting as part of their jobs.

TUCAN calls for all local, regional, national and international air pollution policies to include a commitment to address the occupational health dangers to both outdoor and indoor workers. Unions must be consulted on the risks and control measures needed. TUCAN’s Air pollution campaign is based on workers’ and unions’ input as the only way to ensure that any changes made won’t diminish the standard of living of anyone affected now or into the future. This type of change is called just transition and is necessary to ensure workers and their families don’t suffer the consequences from bad air or solutions that unfairly penalise them and to prevent workers and communities being dumped into economic misery in the name of progress. The Greener Jobs Alliance has produced an on-line training package on ‘Just Transition.’ TUCAN also has close working links with the CWU Health, Safety and Environment Department and CWU Safety Reps.

TUC and the CBI Urge Government to Invest in Creation of a Million New Green Jobs

Both the TUC and the CBI are urging the government to invest now to create over a million new green jobs in response to rising unemployment and the COVID-19 crisis. As the Tories’ ‘furlough scheme’ comes to an end, the TUC is calling for a new ‘Job Protection’ and ‘Upskilling’ Plan. New support for businesses must come with strings attached, unions say, to promote decent work, protect jobs and give union rights. Meanwhile, the CBI, the employers’ organisation, says we face ‘two seemingly separate yet fundamental problems: Covid-19 – the biggest health crisis in living memory – and climate change, the defining challenge of the modern era.’

Earlier this year, on 21 July, Prime Minister Johnson announced a £350m ‘green funding package’ to support efforts to drive down carbon emissions from heavy industry, construction, space and transport. He said it would “fuel a green, sustainable recovery from the Covid-19 crisis.” He added, “We’ve made great strides towards our net zero target over the last year.”

Meanwhile, out in the real world, the Committee on Climate Change says meagre progress has been made over the last year to build the foundations for the transition to a net zero emissions economy. Exhausted from trying to get the Prime Minister to act, the government’s independent advisers have now resorted to direct appeals to Ministers. On 8 July, the Chancellor announced a £3 billion ‘green stimulus’ package. But analysis reveals that the package provides a fraction of what’s required for a national home insulation programme. It is far less than for new road building, and is dwarfed by similar efforts in France and Germany. Johnson’s latest £350m pledge comes in small packages that innovators must bid for. Many of the projects are, of course, essential for a green future: £10m for work on more efficient electric motors; developing recyclable steel; innovative, greener materials in heavy industry; clean hydrogen power that doesn’t rely on methane for the hydrogen; and scaling up carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology. But competitive bids for small innovation packages is no substitute for government-led equity stakes in key businesses and technologies. Ministers Gavin Williamson MP (Education) and Alok Sharma MP (Business and Energy) have each had letters from the Greener Jobs Alliance asking how they intend to ensure green skills are mainstreamed into their departmental strategies.

TUC Report – “How to plan fair and successful paths to net zero emissions”

The TUC strongly supports the UK government target of a ‘net zero carbon’ economy by 2050, but we believe that meeting it requires a reset of the way we live and work, developing new, innovative industrial sectors and providing new jobs. Recognising that climate change is the most pressing existential threat facing the planet, the TUC has produced a report ‘Voice and Place: How to plan fair and successful paths to net zero emissions’ which demonstrates the expert knowledge of trade union full time and lay officials, using that knowledge to provide practical and achievable policy recommendations whilst also highlighting, yet again, why trade union voice should become an established feature of UK industrial policy, as it is in the industrial policies of so many of our continental neighbours on how to achieve a just transition to a net zero economy across the regions and nations.

Read the Report here

Wales TUC Report – ‘A Green Recovery and a Just Transition’ 

In their report, ‘A green recovery and a just transition’ the Wales TUC call for a massive economic stimulus and set out a plan to achieve a ‘just transition’ to a net-zero economy for workers and communities in Wales. Building the recovery from Coronavirus represents a once in a generation challenge. But it is also an opportunity to take the urgent action needed to build a greener and fairer economy in Wales. One that protects jobs, our health and the planet. Workers must have a central voice in planning the recovery and the transition to a net-zero economy to ensure this happens. The report sets out a five-point plan for a ‘just transition’ to net-zero, calling for:

• A clear and funded pathway to net-zero that maximises the opportunities to protect and create jobs in Wales.
• The workers most affected by the move to a net-zero economy to be given a central voice in planning the transition.
• All new jobs in the green economy to offer ‘fair work’ with good pay, skills, pensions, health and safety and trade union recognition.
• Workplace ‘transition agreements’ to be agreed between employers and unions to ensure a fair transition. Also support for union-led sustainability initiatives in every workplace.
• Increased funding for learning and skills to prepare workers for the transition and provide a clear pathway to new jobs.

Research recently carried out for the Wales TUC by Transition Economics shows that almost 60,000 jobs could be created in Wales in the next two years through government investment in key infrastructure projects. Read the Report here:-https://www.tuc.org.uk/green

Links – Further Information:

“Fridays For Future(FFF)” Website For Further Information:-https://fridaysforfuture.org/september25/

Environmental Defence Fund:-https://www.edf.org

ClientEarth:- https://www.clientearth.org/climate/

Greener Jobs Alliance (GJA):- http://www.greenerjobsalliance.co.uk/

Trade Union Clean Air Network (TUCAN):- http://www.greenerjobsalliance.co.uk/air-pollution/

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 468/20 – Global Day Of Climate Action – Fridays For Future (FFF) – Friday 25 September 2020

CWU Union Learning Representatives Networking Event 2020

#CWULearn20; #NewChallenges

This year’s networking event will take place on the 3rd – 4th November 2020.

Due to the ongoing Covid 19 situation this year’s event will be held over Zoom.

This event will ensure that our ULRs can discharge their legally recognised responsibilities to great effect
through networking with other educationalists.

Over the two days, delegates will explore new and innovative ideas on learning and enhance their skills so
that they can facilitate both new and ongoing learning opportunities in their workplaces.

This year’s theme is “New Challenges” and will focus heavily on keeping learning open to members
through the pandemic and beyond.

There will be opportunities:

· To meet with other CWU Union Learning Representatives
· To attend virtual workshops & stalls
· To hear from high profile guest speakers
· To learn about the latest CWU learning developments
· And to celebrate your achievements!

Registration
Branches are asked to book ULR delegate places by email to learn@cwu.org with contact details including
name, Branch, contact number and email.

We will send out Zoom links in the run up to the event.

In order to allocate delegates to workshops the deadline for applications is Thursday 29th October 2020.

Since there will be no travel or subsistence expenses we are hoping this will encourage branches to increase
their delegations this year. All ULRs and any branch officers or reps with an interest in education are invited
to attend.

This event is being supported by the CWU and the Union Learning Fund.

Release
This event should attract paid release for those accredited ULRs working for employers where the CWU is
recognised. The event is specifically designed to meet the aims of ULR legislation and is fully supported
through the Government Department for Business Innovation and Skills. The ACAS Code of Practice
applies.

Any enquiries regarding this LTB should be addressed to learn@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,

Kate Hudson
Head of Equality, Training & Development

LTB 467/20 – Union Learning Representatives Networking Event 2020

ELECTION OF CWU NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES POSITIONS

• CWU Young Workers Committee

The above elections were scheduled to take place during May/June 2020 however as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent closure of CWU HQ it was not possible to conduct these elections in the usual way.

Following discussions between the GS Department, SDGS department and the National President and Vice President a document was placed before the September 2020 NEC which once agreed now allows the union to conduct the elections for the Young Workers Committee albeit with revised and specifically designed election arrangements.

Clearly the democratic principles of the CWU are founded on our ability to ensure that the elections are conducted in a fair and equitable way and specifically that members of the union, via their own branch nomination, are given the opportunity to put themselves forward as a candidate. These guiding principles have been included in the revised arrangements a summary of which is set out below in advance of the election process.

Election Timetable 

It is necessary for the election timetable to be significantly longer than normal to allow branches sufficient time to seek nominations from their members and to then subsequently agree on which candidates(s) they intend to nominate for election and, once the list of candidates is known to then decide which candidate(s) will receive the branch vote.

Nomination Process

In respect of seeking nominations branches will need to put in place a robust system and use all reasonable methods at their disposal to publish suitable notification throughout the branch area giving members the opportunity to submit their name for nomination to the position should they choose to do so.  Following this the branch would need to put in place arrangements to hold a membership meeting to decide which candidate(s) will receive the branch nomination.

On the basis that no face to face member meetings are currently allowed then this would need to be conducted via a suitable video conference platform such as Zoom or Skype, etc. that provides the opportunity for large numbers of members to take part if required.

Additionally branches will need to allow for members who do not have video conference capability to join the meeting by phone again if they choose to do so.

The timeline for the meeting would need to be agreed in advance and notification provided to members at least 7 days prior to the meeting taking place.

Dispatch and Return of Nomination Forms to CWU HQ

Nomination forms will be sent to branches electronically via an LTB and it will be our intention to set up a specific dedicated election email address where branches should return completed nomination forms to.

Nomination Forms will need to be returned by the advertised closing date to be included in the list of candidates. 

The revised system will avoid the necessity to return forms in the post system which of course may be subject to delay during the current Covid-19 crisis.

Dispatch and Return of Voting Papers

The respective constituency based voting papers will be sent by email direct to branches at the email address which we hold on file.  Branches should return the completed voting papers by email to the advertised CWU election email address.  Notification will be sent to branches confirming receipt of the voting paper, however it will the responsibility of the branch to ensure that voting papers are returned to the correct email address.

To be included in the ballot voting papers will need to have been returned by the advertised closing date and time.

Branch Voting Recommendations

Clearly we are in unique and challenging times and whilst branches would normally arrange mandating meetings to decide which candidates to vote for in the respective elections we do not believe that this is either practical or necessary during the current crisis.  Therefore, on this occasion this decision can be made by the Branch Committee and the decision subsequently notified to members of their branch accordingly.

Election Timetable and Term of Office 

The election timetable for the above will be as follows:

Nominations Open:                1 October 2020

Nominations Close:                 31 October 2020

Ballot opens:                              7 November 2020

Ballot closes:                              28 November 2020

The term of Office for the above positions will commence from 1^st January 2021 for a period of 2 years.

Any enquiries regarding this Letter to Branches should be addressed to the Senior Deputy General Secretary’s Department on telephone number 020 8971 7237, or email address sdgs@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely,

Tony Kearns

Senior Deputy General Secretary

LTB 465/20

View Online

CAPITA TVL: FORMAL PAY OFFER REJECTED

Further to LTBs 016/20 and 220/20 dated 10th January and 23rd April respectively.

Branches are advised that despite the obvious practical constraints due to Covid-19, we have continued our pay negotiations with Capita TVL management throughout the summer period.

The following Joint Statement has been agreed and published in respect of our ongoing pay negotiations and is designed to update members on the current situation. In this regard, there is a 2% offer on the table; however this has been rejected and further details are provided below.

Capita and CWU Pay Negotiations

We are mindful that an update on our pay negotiations is needed. Clearly, we are in the most abnormal year any of us have ever experienced and this has impacted on the traditional way we conduct negotiations. We do though have a good and constructive working relationship which has helped us considerably during our various discussions over the course of the pandemic.

Capita has made a formal 2% pay offer from 1 January 2020 for 12 months, which it believes to be fair in the circumstances. Capita has also introduced the Real Living Wage for the lowest paid staff from 1 April this year, although the policy means there is no pay award for those earning in excess of £28,000 p.a. The CWU, on behalf of its members, has however rejected this offer as it falls short on a number of levels. Despite both parties being keen to find a mutually agreeable way forward, unfortunately we are at an impasse.

Whilst some progress has been made, we are sorry we are unable to be more positive at this stage. We are considering next steps including raising this matter through the agreed Disputes Procedure.

However, at this stage the TVL team are not confident of any further offer being made. We know you will be disappointed by this news; however, both parties are doing what they feel is right in the prevailing situation. We are though committed to reaching an agreement. To this end, further discussions will be held to see if this is possible and of course your pay rise would be backdated to 1 January 2020.

Both parties would like to thank you for your patience in this matter and reassure you that we wish to establish an agreement that you would support as soon as possible.

Yours sincerely

Paul Johnston                                                         Andy Furey
Partnership Director                                             Assistant Secretary
Capita TVL                                                              CWU

As referenced in the Joint Statement, the current offer still falls short of our aspirations as it fails to address a number of the key components of our pay claim which are as follows:

• Improvements to the employers’ pension contribution rates

• A one hour reduction in the 37.5 hour net working week

• 3% minimum pay increase for those members who, on moving up to the Real Living Wage, would receive a pay rise of less than 3%

• 3% minimum pay increase for all members whose basic hourly pay rate is greater than the Real Living Wage

• The introduction of the Real Living Wage hourly pay rate of £9.30 from 1st January 2020 rather than 1st April 2020

• Capita TVL commits to automatically introducing further increases in the Real Living Wage each year to take account of the Living Wage Foundation’s recommendation.

For ease of reference LTB 016/20 which expands upon the above key components is attached.

Further developments will be reported following our additional discussions with management which are in the process of being scheduled. We are also in the process of arranging a meeting with our Capita Reps on the TVL contract as membership engagement going forward is critical.

Yours sincerely,

Andy Furey
Assistant Secretary

Attachment 1: LTB 464/20 – Capita TVL – Formal Pay Offer Rejected

Attachment 2: LTB 016/20 Capita TVL – Formal Pay Claim 1st January 2020