DGSP Terry Pullinger rounds up an excellent two day senior officials briefing https://www.facebook.com/981299138616232/posts/3325649027514553/?vh=e&extid=SbaPassxxm1Bq4BZ&d=n
Latest from the Branch
Royal Mail Review of Future Catering Provision – Quadrant TUPE Consultation
Royal Mail Review of Future Catering Provision – Quadrant TUPE Consultation
Further to LTB 427/20 Branches and representatives are advised that consultation activity has been progressing with Quadrant in relation to the transfer of employees to Compass Group.
Via the formal TUPE consultation process a number of questions have already been raised by the department and through written exchanges Quadrant/Compass Group have confirmed the following:
- There will be no changes in respect of collective bargaining and individual representation for members on transfer to Compass Group and the CWU remain the recognised trade union for non-managerial roles engaged on the Royal Mail Contract. Equally, it has been confirmed that there will be no change to the IR Structure as a result of the TUPE Process.
- Compass Group have also confirmed that RMG CWU representatives will be able to provide continued representation to affected CWU members following the transfer.
- Union subscriptions will continue to be deducted in the same way they are processed currently.
- Currently agreed Terms & Conditions relating to all Pay Ranges, Allowances and Overtime will be unaffected by the transfer to Compass Group.
- All new employees engaged in the Royal Mail contract will be employed on the same T&Cs and contractual arrangements as those who TUPE across. There will be no two-tier workforce
- The 1% increase in basic pay across all pay ranges and the resultant adjustment to Overtime rates agreed as part of the 2020 Quadrant Pay Review, will be honoured and enacted on the 1st October 2020.
- All CWU/ Quadrant National agreements remain unaffected and will remain in place following the transfer to Compass Group. Both parties are currently compiling a list of all current National Agreements.
- Current duty arrangements and attendance patterns will be maintained at the point of transfer and future change proposals will be subject to consultation and negotiation.
- Existing annual leave entitlements, sick leave entitlements and Maternity/Paternity leave arrangements will remain unaffected by the transfer.
- Staff will receive is a welcome booklet which will provide an overview of Compass Group, their values and commitments.
- The CWU will be made of tariff/menu changes, although these are not a matter for consultation with the CWU. The next Tariff increase is scheduled for 1st October 2021.
- On 1st October 2020, there will be no change to uniform provision or equipment. In the New Year there will be a rebranding of the canteens. This will involve new uniform, name badges etc. All employees will be invited to ‘One Amazing Day’ which will commence in January/February 2021. This will include the new look and feel of the brand, badges and uniform. Information will be shared with the CWU as it becomes available.
- Employees currently aligned to Compass Pension arrangements will continue to benefit from existing arrangements and the transfer will not require a change of scheme or change to the level of benefits. Employees in the NEST government scheme will continue as normal and this will be governed by Government legislation.
In addition to the formal TUPE consultation activity with Compass Group the department as outlined in LTB 427/20 the department has also commenced discussions with Royal Mail Group to agree arrangements to ensure that the decision to dissolve the Joint Venture does not have any material adverse effect on our Quadrant members. Those discussions are ongoing and an update will be provided in due course.Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary, email: dwyatt@cwu.orgquoting reference: 311.02
Yours sincerely,
Davie Robertson
Assistant Secretary
Coronavirus/Covid-19 Pandemic – Royal Mail Group – Reminder To Operational Managers of Key Preventative Advice and The NHS ‘Test and Trace’ Service:
Coronavirus/Covid-19 Pandemic – Royal Mail Group – Reminder To Operational Managers of Key Preventative Advice and The NHS ‘Test and Trace’ Service:
For the information all CWU Reps in Royal Mail I attach a copy of a ‘reminder’ to all operational managers and their teams in Royal Mail Group of the importance of following key Coronavirus/Covid-19 preventative advice and the NHS ‘Test and Trace’ service.
The RMG Reminder Communication sets out the following advice:
Staying Safe and Covid-19 Compliant.
This important communication stresses the important point that although we continue to see an easing of restrictions for staying safe during the Covid-19 pandemic, it is important to be reminded of the key preventative public health guidance and temporary operational measures which remain in place.
Social Distancing and Hand Hygiene
The best way for members to protect themselves is by following public health advice, by maintaining social distancing and practicing good hand hygiene.
NHS ‘Test and Trace’ Service
The advice is that anyone who develops symptoms of coronavirus should self-isolate at home and request to be tested via www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test.
As part of the NHS Test and Trace service, a call handler may make contact by phone, email or text with anyone who has been identified as being at a high risk of contracting the virus and instruct them to self-isolate for 14 days from the date of their last contact with the confirmed case individual.
To be at high risk of contracting the virus, current public health advice is that the individual will have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive. Close contact means face to face contact less than 1 metre away or spending more than 15 minutes within 2 metres of someone.
Unless instructed by NHS Test and Trace or a public health authority to be tested, or if an individual has symptoms, you do not need to be tested and can remain in work – practicing social distancing and good hand hygiene.
THE TEST AND TRACE PROCESS – HOW IT WORKS
If any employee is unsure what to do, they should use the online coronavirus service (https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19/).
All managers should continue to monitor that the following preventative steps remain in place:
- Workplace posters, floor markings, distance markers and one-way routes to adhere to social distancing rules.
- Hand washing is taking place and wipes and hand sanitiser are being used appropriately.
- Agreed and communicated temporary operational adjustments have been made.
- Additional Supplies Register App is updated daily to ensure masks, gloves, wipes and hand sanitiser are available.
Managers should keep updated on coronavirus guidance and communicationsand share key messaging with employees.
Further Information and Support For Managers
Managers should call the advice and support team on 0345 6043657 or e-mail contact coronavirus.support@royalmail.com.
A ‘Positive Coronavirus Case Manager Pack’ is available on the Royal Mail ‘intranet coronavirus library.’
See attached copy of the communication dated 26.8.20
FOOTNOTE
Developments over the weekend of 6/7 September have re-emphasised the need for the above important message to Royal Mail Group Managers. Government Health Secretary Matt Hancock stated that the Government were ‘concerned’ after the daily number of UK Coronavirus cases reached its highest level since May. Official figures show a large rise in new Coronavirus/Covid-19 infections cases with Saturday’s figure of 1,813 infections and Sunday’s number of 2,988. This is the highest daily total since 23 May. The Minister stated that everyone needed to do all they can to prevent the huge rises in case numbers happening across Europe being repeated in the UK. He confirmed that the new positive tests were predominantly among younger people, but warned that this could lead to a rise across the population as a whole, as had occurred elsewhere and stressed the importance of avoiding transmission of the illness to those most vulnerable in society. Whilst more people were being tested, the proportion of positive tests were going up as well. The minister stressed the importance of everyone observing ‘social distancing’ and insisted that workplaces and schools are ‘Covid-Secure’. The minister also confirmed that the Government would take whatever action is necessary.
What we aren’t seeing is a rise in the number of people in hospital, which is good news. However, no one wants more Covid-19 cases because the worry is that they start to seep into the vulnerable and older population who are more likely to be seriously ill. Clearly there is a vitally important need to be very vigilant and the numbers are a stark reminder that there is no room for complacency as Covid-19 has not gone away yet and is very much still with us!Hand hygiene and social distancing are as important now as they ever have been.
Yours sincerely,
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
LTB 440/20 – Covid-19 RMG Reminder To Operational Managers of Key Preventative Advice
Preventative advice and Test and Trace reminder for operational managers
CWU ONLINE FESTIVAL/ENGAGEMENT EVENT – 28TH, 29TH AND 30TH SEPTEMBER 2020
CWU ONLINE FESTIVAL/ENGAGEMENT EVENT – 28TH, 29TH AND 30TH SEPTEMBER 2020
Further to LTB 426/20 please find attached more detailed information on the programme for the event and the registration process.
Please ensure that this is circulated to all representatives and that you commence registration as outlined in the programme.
Any enquiries on the above should be sent to the General Secretary’s Office jdunn@cwu.org.
Yours sincerely,
Dave Ward
General Secretary
LTB 436/20 – CWU ONLINE FESTIVAL ENGAGEMENT EVENT
Attachment – Online Engagement Festival Programme/Registration
PODCAST WITH CWU NATIONAL OFFICERS 8/9/20
PODCAST WITH CWU NATIONAL OFFICERS
Mark Baulch, Davie Robertson and Carl Maden give members an update on the national talks and their priorities ahead of the negotiations resuming next week.
Royal Mail Group – 2020 Free Flu Voucher Offer
Royal Mail Group – 2020 Free Flu Voucher Offer
Discussions have taken place on the above and Royal Mail Group has agreed there will be a 2020 ‘Free Flu Voucher Offer’ this year to all employees.
This year, redeemable Lloyds Pharmacy Flu Vouchers together with a covering ‘joint’ letter will be sent directly to all employees’ homes, along with guidance which will be backed up by re-printable vouchers available in the workplace if required.
New recruits and Agency staff will again be included in the ‘Free Flu Jab’ scheme this year.
Any member who lives 15 miles or over from a Lloyds Pharmacy can use an alternative pharmacy/chemist shop company which is more conveniently located to obtain their flu jab and they will be reimbursed on provision of a receipt, paid via T&S. Prior authorisation from their manager is required.
The Flu Voucher Scheme will be launched week commencing 28 September when the Vouchers will be mailed out. The Vouchers will be redeemable from 1st October 2020 to 31st December 2020 and a Lloyds Pharmacy appointment booking portal will be available (details to be confirmed).
There will be a multi-media communication and promotion campaign launched promoting the ‘Free Flu Voucher’ scheme through Royal Mail and the Trade Unions raising awareness of the scheme and encouraging take-up.
The Royal Mail Group communications campaign is planned to begin this week when the attached ‘heads up’ communication will be released on the Royal Mail Group internal intranet and on the ‘myroyalmail.com’ website. A copy is attached.
Communications will be aligned to the Government Flu Jab scheme for this year and include information for additional ‘at risk’ members of the population and age groups who will receive the vaccination free via the NHS.
The home mailing of the Flu Vouchers this year is a further improvement in the scheme and hopefully this will encourage a greater take-up especially following the Coronavirus pandemic.
Further details will be issued in due course.
Yours sincerelyDave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment OfficerCarl Maden
CWU Assistant Secretary (Acting) PTCS Department
LABOUR PARTY CONFERENCE 2020
LABOUR PARTY CONFERENCE 2020
Branches may be aware that the National Executive of the Labour Party met in May and decided to cancel this year’s Labour Party Conference owing to the Coronavirus crisis. In recent weeks, the Party has replaced the Conference with a virtual event titled ‘Labour Connected.’ We understand that this decision was not taken lightly, but was made in the best interest of staff and attendees owing to the ongoing coronavirus crisis.
The online ‘Connected’ event will run from Saturday, 19th September to Tuesday, 22nd September. This event will not be a decision-making conference, and there will be no formal delegations. ‘Women Connected’ will launch on Saturday as an opportunity for women in the Labour Party to discuss and debate policy ideas and topical issues and take part in training sessions.
In a letter to Party members, the new Labour General Secretary noted: ‘From your home, you can see inspiring speeches and take part in invaluable training, hear from key figures in our movement at panels and rallies, join in the debate at policy discussions and connect with a range of businesses, charities, think tanks and trade unions in our virtual expo.’
As there are no formal delegations, it is up to individual members to register for the event. There is no requirement to do so, and members can pick and choose the sessions they wish to attend. Senior members of the Union will be making contributions throughout the event, so we advise branches to look out for our promotion regarding these events to ensure a strong CWU attendance.
The link for signing up is available here, but members should also check social media and follow links there if easier: https://login.labevents.org/Register.aspx
Any further queries should be directed to Liam Young in the General Secretary’s office via lyoung@cwu.org.
Yours sincerely
Dave Ward
General Secretary
CWU Education Workshops with Poets, Prattlers and Pandemonialists
This autumn the CWU are running a series of 8 online writing and performance workshops. The workshops are free and open to all members. They are delivered by the critically acclaimed Poets, Prattlers and Pandemonialists and are designed to be both entertaining and instructive.
Please share widely to make sure no-one misses out.
The first workshop runs from 5-7pm on 17th September.
Please send applications to learn@cwu.org
Full details
17th Sept: What Could I Write About? Lists, repetition and recipes for creating poetry.
24th Sept: Building Blocks For Poetry I. Syllable counting and the natural world.
1st Oct: Building Blocks For Poetry II. To rhyme or not to rhyme.
8th Oct: The Poets Toolkit. Demystifying and experimenting with basic poetry terms.
15th Oct: The Tried & The Tested. Explaining traditional poetic structures.
Half Term
5th Nov: Going Rogue. Free verse and experimental poetry.
12th Nov: Now What? Publishing your poems.
19th Nov: You Wouldn’t Get Me Up There! Performance
Update on the talks from DGSP Terry Pullinger. Video 4/9/20
An update on the talks from DGSP Terry Pullinger. Please share as widely as possible
CWU Eastern No5 Branch 