Workers of the world unite; you have nothing to lose but your chains. Karl Marx.
Workers of the world unite; you have nothing to lose but your chains. Karl Marx.
UNI EUROPA YOUTH CONFERENCE 2019
The UNI Europa Youth Conference 2019 will take place in Zadar, Croatia from the 30th-31st October 2019.
Please find attached the Election Regulations, Nomination Forms and Candidates Consent and Biographical Details Form. These must be completed and returned by 12th August 2019.
It should be noted that to be eligible for election, candidates must be under 30 years of age.
The timetable for the election is as follows:
Nominations open 29 July 2019
Nominations close 12 August 2019 (14:00)
Dispatch ballot papers 16 August 2019
Ballot closes 30 August 2019 (14:00)
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
Communication Workers Union
Dave Joyce National Health & Safety Officer
150 The Broadway, Wimbledon, London SW19 1RX
24 July 2019
Dr Shaun Davis
MA, MBA, MA, MSc, MA
Chartered FIOSH, FIIRSM,
Chartered FCIPD, MIoD
Global Director of Safety, Health, Wellbeing & Sustainability
Royal Mail Group
Heathrow Worldwide Distribution Centre (HWDC)
Axis Park
Langley
Slough
Berkshire
SL3 8AQ
E: shaun.davis@royalmail.com
Dear Shaun,
Re: RMG Outdoor Workforce – Sun Safety and Working in Hot Weather Health Risk Controls:
Further to our meeting earlier this week, I write in relation to the above subject.
The UK Met Office have issued severe warnings and a heatwave will bring temperatures above 35C and forecasters expect temperatures to continue to rise throughout this week, culminating in what the Met Office have said will be the highest ever recorded temperatures in the UK with an all-time record of 38.5C/101F and this is only the start of what will be a very hot summer.
At our very constructive meeting, we discussed both long-term plans in relation to the need to make improvements to the uniform fabrics in relation to the provision of UV protection and also at the same time provide clothing that will cover up the whole body but still provide breathable, lightweight and cool clothing. We need to continue those discussions in conjunction with the National Uniform Manager, Royal Mail Assets and Procurement and our suppliers, currently Dimensions.
In the short-term however, it is imperative that Royal Mail Group (RM, PFWW, RMSS, RMPFS, RM Fleet etc.,) discharge their duty of care, in particular in relation to outdoor delivery staff and ensure full compliance at every office with the Severe Weather Risk Assessment (SWRA). In past years too many delivery units and other operational units just haven’t bothered to comply with the mandatory requirements of the SWRA and have unnecessarily exposed the workforce to risks of sunlight UV exposure and dehydration risks by sending people out regardless of the effects on a ‘see how it goes’ approach and the workforce has continued to ‘roast’ and suffer in the short-term with long term risks such as skin cancer being very real!
We need Delivery Office Managers and Area Operational Managers working closely with CWU Area Safety Reps and we need a commitment, top down from Royal Mail to put staff first on a health and safety first platform, repeatedly preached by RMG Headquarters, even if it means stopping deliveries, shortening deliveries, stopping absorption and other duty modifications. The message should be, do it, and support the workforce and DOMS in making the right decisions is what I am appealing for.
Skin cancer is the most common and fastest rising cancer in the UK, almost all of which is caused by over exposure to UV radiation from sunlight. No UK employer has anywhere near the number of outdoor workers that we have in Royal Mail Group. Therefore, the need to act is imperative for this organisation.
The HSE, NHS and all UK skin cancer charities continually tell employers to ensure that workers;
· Cover up with high UPF rated fabric clothing and a broad-rimmed hat
· Use a broad spectrum UVA Sunscreen – which Royal Mail Group should now start providing to staff
· Wear sunglasses
· Keep in the shade between 11:00am and 15:00pm
Additionally, other important advice is that during hot and humid weather, people are at higher risk of dehydration and heat related illnesses, including cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke and in severe cases of dehydration, heat stroke can result in shock, organ damage and even death.
Royal Mail Group must help keep the workforce hydrated by ensuring they are provided with water bottles and advice on keeping hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day, even when not thirsty. Royal Mail should start supplying re-fillable, environmentally friendly water bottles to staff which can carry the Royal Mail Group logo as well as important messages printed on them.
The Workplace (Health Safety and Welfare) at Work Regulations 1992 set out the law on water provision for workers. Regulation 22 requires an adequate supply of drinking water for all persons at work in the workplace which shall be readily accessible at suitable places for reasons of health and safety and there shall also be provided a sufficient number of suitable drinking vessels. If re-fillable, containers should be suitably enclosed to prevent contamination and refilled at least once a day. Bottled water/water dispensing systems may be provided as a supplementary source of drinking water.
It must not be forgotten that the workplace for outdoor workers is ‘any place or places that a worker works or frequents or incidentally to it during the course of their duties’ as set down in health and safety regulations.
Temperatures today have reached 33C/91F and tomorrow will pass 38.5C/101F. Tomorrow AOMs and DOMs should be taking affirmative action to reduce risks to staff by modifying, reducing or cancelling deliveries and a clear message needs to be communicated from National Level as soon as possible.
RMG needs to immediately issue instructions to action the Severe Weather Risk Assessment making positive changes to outdoor duties.
I look forward to your response.
Yours sincerely
From Dave Joyce | National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
IDAHOBIT AWARENESS COURSE – NOVEMBER 2019, ALVESCOT LODGE
(International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia)
IDAHOBIT day is celebrated annually on 17th May 2019 and recognises gender and sexual diversities around the world. For many decades trade unions have been in the forefront of the battle for equality in the workplace and in society. Through campaigning, awareness raising and representing those who suffer discrimination, the CWU makes a real difference.
This course aims to:
It will be an activity based course centred on small group work, discussion and presentations. The course is aimed at anyone who wishes to increase their understanding of LGBT+ issues and will be particularly suitable for Equality Reps, LGBT+ activists and any CWU activist who wishes to better understand how the union can support LGBT+ workers.
Dates: The IDAHOBIT Awareness course is currently scheduled to take place at the CWU Education and Training Centre at Alvescot Lodge from Monday 25th – Wednesday 27th November 2019.
The course will start at 13:30 on the Monday and finish at approx. 12:00 on the Wednesday. (Closing date for applications: Friday 11th October 2019.
To book your place: Contact your Branch Secretary, as your Branch will have to approve your application.
Expenses: If your Branch nominates you for this course they will usually cover your travel and any legitimate expenses and release costs from work if applicable. This can vary, so always check with your Branch Secretary in advance.
Completed application forms should be addressed to: Maxine Todd, CWU Education and Training Centre, Alvescot Lodge, Alvescot, Bampton, Oxon, OX18 2PY, or emailed to mtodd@cwu.org
Any queries relating to this LTB should be directed to Fevzi Hussein fhussein@cwu.org in the first instance.
Yours sincerely,
Lee Wakeman
Acting Head of Equality, Training and Development
Safe & Well – July 2019
Dear Colleagues,
Please see attached the July 2019 edition of the Safe and Well newsletter with contributions from our USRs and field teams. This includes a big focus on driver safety to support the launch of the SD/FND safety focus for the quarter, in depth on noise reporting and coverage of incidents. There is also a shared best practice from MBNL re knives and recent incidents they’ve seen.
This edition is set to go to all of Openreach (rather than pure field) as a trial and also because many of the topics this month are for everyone.
Group’s HSW monthly message is always promoted in Safe & Well.
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
19LTB449 Safe & Well – July 2019
Safe and Well Issue 72 July 2019
Postal Industrial Conference 2019 – Motion 142
Further to LTB 336/19 circulated to Branches on 4th June 2019.
Branches/colleagues will recall that the terms of Motion 142 made specific reference to the proposed CDC scheme and the principle of same sex relationships having the beneficiary wishes respected as detailed on Expression of Wish forms.
I am pleased to be able to report to Branches that following an exchange of correspondence with Royal Mail Group, a reply has been received confirming that although the rules of CDC scheme are yet to be written, it is their intention that the principle of equal treatment of the scheme’s members will flow through accordingly.
This development was reported to the Postal Executive at its meeting held on the 23rd July 2019 where the Executive agreed that the terms of Motion 142 had now been secured in full and that the item was discharged.
Branches will also recall that LTB 336/19 made reference to the concerns that were raised in the Motion regarding CWU members in the Postal Constituency experiencing difficulty in submitting an Expression of Wish form who are in same sex relationships. For ease of reference the relevant paragraph is reproduced below:
However in view of the concerns raised in Motion 142, any CWU member in the Postal Constituency who has experienced any difficulties in relation to submitting an Expression of Wish form who are in a same sex relationship should provide the details to the DGS(P) Department so they can be raised with the business accordingly.
Branches/colleagues are reassured that while the Motion has been discharged by the Postal Executive as an agenda item for future meetings any CWU members in the Postal Constituency in same sex relationships who are/have experienced any difficulty in the submission of their Expression of Wish form should bring this to the attention of the DGS(P) Department so that it can be raised with the business and addressed accordingly.
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
Mental Health First Aiders: Workplace Considerations’ – IOSH (the Institution of Occupational Safety & Health):
IOSH (the Institution of Occupational Safety & Health), one of the UK’s leading Health and Safety Professional organisations has produced a report and guidance entitled ‘Mental Health First Aiders: Workplace Considerations’ which considers the adoption and implementation of Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) as an intervention and summarises some of its pros and cons for organisations and employers regarding the introduction of MHFA, from its recent IOSH funded research.
IOSH research in 2018 found that MHFA appeared to be a “useful vehicle” for raising awareness around mental health issues and HSE research last year also concluded that “There is consistent evidence that MHFA training raises employees’ awareness of mental ill-health conditions.” Also, a Public Health England (PHE) and RAND Europe evaluation concluded that MHFA ranked highly in relation to evidence based interventions.
Research on workplace wellbeing interventions is still at an early stage however and MHFA England is working with the HSE and the Centre for Mental Health on the development of new research to further look into the impact of MHFA on the person trained and those they support in the workplace.
The key point and key conclusion of this IOSH Report is that appointing Mental Health First Aiders (MHFAs) must not be seen as the primary control for dealing with poor mental health in the workplace. The founding principle of good occupational safety and health (OSH) practice is prevention. Employers taking preventative measures is a legal duty – to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the people they employ. Management systems and controls must be effective against workplace stressors and ill-treatment. Action must also be taken routinely to de-stigmatise mental ill-health throughout the organisation, promoting and supporting positive mental wellbeing.
Mental Health First Aiders on the other hand are a recovery control and an additional measure. They are not there to provide any treatment, counselling or professional guidance but are importantly there for people in distress and to focus on encouraging the person experiencing mental health issues, stress, anxiety etc., to talk, to accept what they are feeling and then to seek professional medical help. The Mental Health First Aider merely listens and initially helps the person experiencing mental or emotional distress to take personal ownership. The Mental Health First Aider will then ‘signpost’ or point to where that person can obtain specialist help and advice, encouraging them to act.
These two key factors are two sides of the same coin in the implementation of a ‘holistic’ mental health management system approach to tackle the causes of mental ill health as well as ensuring support for those in need. A growing number of organisations are now seeing Mental Health First Aiders (MHFAs) as one important aspect of their full arrangements for managing and promoting mental wellbeing.
The short, interesting report covers a number of other points around MHFA on structuring a system, design, volunteers, promotion, support, access and monitoring and will be useful in discussions with our employers.
The report concludes that all workers and managers would benefit from knowing how to identify the early symptoms of common mental disorders, whether caused domestically or at work. Early referral to a Mental Health First Aider, before the onset of a chronic condition, may mean subsequent medical assistance is applied earlier and has a better chance of being effective more quickly.
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
19LTB447 Mental Health First Aiders Workplace Considerations – IOSH (the Institution of Occupational Safety & Health) I
Peugeot Expert Vehicles – Side Loading Door Detachment Incidents:
Royal Mail have experienced several side loading doors coming off the rails on the Peugeot Expert vehicles with a number of incidents reported by ASRs to the Health, Safety & Environment Department. These incidents were reported to Royal Mail Group Fleet and subsequently investigated. The cause of the problem was identified as a design fault in the door rails that allows the door rollers to dislocate from the rail.
Manufacturer Peugeot recognised the failures and have initiated a recall to replace the side loading door rails on a range of these vehicles. The recall remedial action work is being carried out by both RM Fleet Workshops and in some cases by Peugeot Dealers.
Due to the possible injury risk to drivers and staff loading/unloading the vans that could occur if the door falls out of its rails, a Technical Services Bulletin (TSB) has been issued and the work will be completed across the fleet before the end of December 2019.
In the range of vehicles some may require top and centre rails replaced and a small range only require the centre rail replaced on both side loading doors on the offside and nearside of the vehicle.
Copy of the ‘Red’ TSB 15/19 is attached along with the repair outline.
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
19LTB446 Peugeot Expert Vehicles – Side Loading Door Detachment Incidents
TSB 15 19 Red Peugeot Expert SLD centre and top side door rails replacement
CWU Eastern No5 Branch 