£750 Pension Payments

Under the terms of the pension deal struck as part of the Four Pillars Agreement, RMG and the CWU agreed the introduction of a £750 payment to members of the Royal Mail Pension Plan (RMPP) which they can use towards the cost of obtaining financial advice on retirement. This LTB sets out the criteria to qualify for this payment and how it will be paid in practice.

As Branches will be aware, our Agreement provided for the introduction of a new Collective Defined Contribution (CDC) pension scheme that will provide all members with a decent wage and security in retirement. But while we wait to secure final legal and parliamentary approval for our new CDC Scheme, transitional pension arrangements took effect from 1st April 2018.

As a result of all the recent pension changes and in view of the existing knowledge gap on pensions, the Four Pillars Agreement recognised that “employees’ pension arrangements and choices will become more complicated in future, particularly in relation to the Normal Retirement Age (NRA) 65 benefits payable on retirement from the RMPP”. Until the new CDC Scheme is introduced, transitional support arrangements have therefore been put in place.

Who qualifies for the £750 payment?

Those qualifying for the £750 payment will be members of the Royal Mail Pension Plan (RMPP) who take their NRA 65 benefits (actuarially reduced by 5% per annum if taken after 55 but before 65) and leave the company during the transitional period.

To be a member of the RMPP you must have joined Royal Mail and the pension scheme before 1 April 2008.

The £750 payment can be used by eligible employees towards the cost of obtaining financial advice on retirement.

How will the payment be made?

The pension administration team will liaise with the payroll team to confirm when the eligibility criteria has been met (i.e. an RMPP member is drawing their NRA 65 pension and leaving the business) and the £750 payment will be triggered and paid automatically.

The payment does not need to be claimed by the individual employee and will be made (after deduction of income tax and national insurance) directly into the individual’s bank account.

Royal Mail has confirmed their systems are now “live” so the 200 or so payments triggered to date will be processed and paid. Future payment runs will then be made on a monthly basis.

Any further 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)   

18LTB534 ATT        

Lyme Disease and Tick Bites – Public Health England Warning – Steep Rise in Case Numbers:

To: All Branches

Dear Colleagues,

Earlier this year Public Health England published worrying figures indicating a steep rise in Lyme disease cases showing a 35% rise in confirmed cases over the previous year.

The Health, Safety & Environment Department has had reported cases of members unfortunately falling victim to tick bites and suffering from the effects of nasty serious infection. We are therefore taking the opportunity once again to raise awareness of the risk and warn members to be aware and take appropriate precautions to avoid tick bites plus what to do in the event of being bitten.

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection transmitted to humans by tick bites. It’s usually easier to treat if it’s diagnosed early. The ticks themselves have to be infected with the bacteria in order to pass it on, and not all bites result in the condition, but the UK sees around 3,000 cases a year and the numbers are on the rise with a significant increase.

BBC Health Video – Ticks and Lyme disease

Watch this video:- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/health-13447191/health-explained-what-is-lyme-disease

High Risk Tick Areas in the UK

UK areas known to have a particularly high population of ticks include Exmoor, the New Forest, the South Downs, the Lake District, the North York Moors, and the Scottish Highlands. Ticks are also relatively common in parts of Wiltshire, Berkshire, Surrey, West Sussex and Norfolk.

Lyme disease-carrying ticks can be found throughout the UK in urban parks and gardens as well as in the countryside. Typical habitats vary across Europe, but typically include deciduous and coniferous woodland, heathland, moorland, rough pasture, forests and urban parks. Ticks can also sometimes be found in private gardens, especially those with shady shrubberies or deep vegetation and a strong local wildlife population.

Symptoms of Lyme disease

Many people with early symptoms of Lyme disease develop a circular red skin rash around a tick bite. One of the clearest signs of Lyme infection are characteristic “bulls eye” lesions around the site of a tick bite, although in some countries this is also caused by a different type of tick-borne infection that requires different treatment. The rash can appear up to 3 months after being bitten by a tick and usually lasts for several weeks. Most rashes appear within the first 4 weeks. The rash is often described as looking like a bull’s-eye on a dartboard. The skin will be red and the edges may feel slightly raised. Not everyone with Lyme disease gets the rash however. Some people also have flu-like symptoms in the early stages, such as:

• a high temperature, or feeling hot and shivery

• headaches

• muscle and joint pain

• tiredness and loss of energy

What are ticks?

Ticks are related to spiders, mites and scorpions. There are many different species of tick living in Britain, each preferring to feed on the blood of different animal hosts. However they will bite humans. Ticks that may cause Lyme disease are found all over the UK, but high-risk areas include grassy and wooded areas in Southern England and the Scottish Highlands. It’s very important to be aware of ticks and to safely remove them as soon as possible, just in case they are infected (see attached images).

How to spot and remove ticks

Tick bites aren’t always painful. You may not notice a tick unless you see it on your skin. Regularly check your skin and your children’s or pets’ skin after being outdoors.

To remove a tick safely:

• Use fine-tipped tweezers or a tick-removal tool – you can buy these from some pharmacies, vets and pet shops.

• Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible.

• Slowly pull upwards, taking care not to squeeze or crush the tick. Dispose of it when you’ve removed it.

• Clean the bite with antiseptic or soap and water.

• If you’ve been bitten by a tick or visited an area recently where infected ticks are found and you become unwell with flu-like symptoms – such as feeling hot and shivery, headaches, aching muscles or feeling sick, or a circular red rash develops – See a G.P. and don’t delay. Tell the doctor that you’ve been in forests or grassy areas.

Treatment from your GP

• Your GP will ask about your symptoms and consider any rash or recent tick bites you know about.

• Lyme disease can be difficult to diagnose. It has similar symptoms to other conditions and there is not always an obvious rash.

• Two types of blood test are available to help confirm or rule out Lyme disease. However, these tests are not always accurate in the early stages of the disease.

• You may need to be re-tested if you still have Lyme disease symptoms after a negative result.

• If your GP thinks you might have Lyme disease, they’ll prescribe a 3-week course of antibiotics. It’s important to finish the course, even if you start to feel better.

• Some people with severe symptoms will be referred to a specialist in hospital for injections of stronger antibiotics.

• Most people with Lyme disease get better after antibiotic treatment. This can take months for some people, but the symptoms should improve over time.

• People with symptoms of Lyme disease that last a long time after treatment may be referred to a specialist in hospital for advice and more blood tests.

• Call 111 If you can’t speak to your G.P. and don’t know what to do next.

Ongoing symptoms

A few people who are diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease continue to have symptoms – like tiredness, aches and loss of energy – that can last for years. These symptoms are often compared to ‘Fibromyalgia’ and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. It’s not clear why this happens to some people and not others. This means there is also no agreed treatment. Speak to your doctor if your symptoms come back after treatment with antibiotics or don’t start to improve.

Important

Don’t take up online website offers of tests and treatment for Lyme disease. Speak to your doctor for advice before buying tests or treatments online.

How to avoid tick bites

To reduce the risk of being bitten:

• Cover your skin while walking outdoors in the countryside and tuck your trousers into your socks.

• Use insect repellent on your clothes and skin – products containing DEET are best.

• Stick to paths whenever possible.

• Wear light-coloured clothing so ticks are easier to spot and brush off.

Lyme Disease facts

• Lyme disease is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi.

• It can be transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected tick.

• It has a clinical diagnosis.

• It cannot be confidently ruled out by any current test.

• It can be difficult to diagnose

• Lyme disease symptoms overlap with those of many other diseases.

• Early symptoms may include headache, fatigue, fever, facial palsy and a skin rash called erythema migrans.

• It may spread to affect the whole body including eyes, joints, heart and brain.

• If inadequately treated or treated late, it may be difficult to cure.

• Lyme disease is treated with antibiotics.

• Lyme disease was named in 1975, after a number of cases occurred in Old Lyme, Connecticut, USA.

• Lyme disease is not a new disease, it was known in Europe under different names in the early 20th century and was carried by Neolithic “Ötzi the Iceman”.

• Lyme disease is not spelt Lymes disease, Limes disease or Lime disease.

• Lyme disease may also be called Lyme Borreliosis.

• Lyme disease-carrying ticks can be found throughout the UK in urban parks and gardens as well as in the countryside.

• Lyme disease has lots of unknowns, see JLA Process.

Attachments:

• Ticks & Lyme Disease Leaflet

• Lyme Disease Poster 1

• Lyme Disease Poster 3

• Tick Images

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

18LTB539 Lyme Disease & Tick Bites – Public Health England Warning – Steep Rise in Case Numbers

LymeDisease-Poster_1

LymeDisease-Poster_3

Tick Images

Ticks Lyme Disease Leaflet

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CWU Disability Awareness for Reps Workshop

 Dear Colleague,

You may recall that the following policy was set at Disability Conference 2016 and in pursuance of meeting its terms a draft course has been developed, trialed to and endorsed by members of the Disability Advisory Committee and the Equal Opps Department:

That this Conference instructs the Disability Advisory Committee to pursue the following policy: Conference instructs the DAC to work closely with the NEC and the Education Department to develop a one day awareness course on disability for representatives. These courses to be run in the field, so making it accessible for all. Nottingham and District Amal

Some minor amendment, as suggested during delivery of the pilot, was adopted and the workshop is now available for local / regional field delivery.

It should be noted that the workshop is informal, unaccredited and does not attract formal paid release. However, it may be successfully argued locally that where the trade union is recognized by the employer, this CWU approved training is relevant to any representative’s duties and therefore paid release may apply.

Any enquiries regarding this LTB should be addressed to Michelle Simpson or Neil Coleby by telephoning 0208 971 7340 (Michelle) or 07801 364088 (Neil) or by email to learn@cwu.org

Yours sincerely

Trish Lavelle
Head of Education & Training

LTB 535 – CWU Disability Awareness for Reps Workshop

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Get involved with the CWU

An introduction from Terry Pullinger, the CWU Deputy General Secretary

Thinking about becoming involved with the CWU?

But you’re unsure if you have the skills needed.

If you can answer yes to the following 4 questions you have all you need to get started

1 Do you want to help your colleagues at work?

2 Do you think it’s right that you and your work colleagues should have a say over what happens in your workplace?

3 Do you believe in fairness, equality, dignity and respect at work?

4 Would you like to learn new skills and use these to help others?

When deciding you want be involved you are not expected to know everything about the CWU. That’s why the CWU will work with you to help you gain the necessary skills and confidence to enable you to gradually develop and become active.

As well as being given training to help you build up the skills you need, you’ll get the support you need from reps across the CWU, within your region and from specialist departments from within the CWU.

Structure and roles within the communication workers union Royal Mail

There are a number of roles available for member of the CWU both at a local and national level – below is a list of how the CWU is structured:

• Postal Executive

• Divisional Reps

• Area Reps

• Local Reps

These positions sit in with the Industrial Relations Framework Agreement between Royal Mail and the CWU.

Role of the Postal Executive Members

The Postal Executive members deal with issues on a national basis for example they will be involved in negotiating National Agreements with Royal Mail on a range of issues. They also develop national strategy for the CWU.

Role of the Divisional Reps

The Divisional Reps are responsible for a number of branches who form a Divisional Committee. The Divisional Reps will deal with disagreements between the local branches and Royal Mail. They will also deal with discipline and grievance cases at the appeal stage.

Role of the Area Rep

There are 3 Area Reps within an Area:

• Processing Area Rep

• Delivery Area Rep

• Distribution Area Rep

The Area Reps deal with all issues which arise at that level. They also assist local Reps where needed. Area Reps will also deal with discipline and grievance cases, as well as negotiating locally, on issues such as duty revisions, Christmas arrangements etc.

Role of the Local Rep

The local rep will work in Deliveries, Processing or Distribution. The local rep will deal with day to day issues which arise in the Office or on shift. They can also deal with 1st stage discipline or grievance cases, and will be involved in local negotiations for example on duty revisions etc.

Parcelforce

There are a number of roles available for member of the CWU both at a local and national level – below is a flow chart of how the CWU is structured:

• Postal Executive

• Regional Organisers – Area Organiser Northern Ireland

• Area Rep Coventry Hub and International

• Depot Reps

• Hub Reps

• Admin Reps

These positions sit in with the Industrial Relations Framework Agreement between Parcelforce and the CWU.

Role of the Postal Executive Members

The Postal Executive members deal with issues on a national basis for example they will be involved in negotiating National Agreements with Royal on a range of issues. They also develop national strategy for the CWU

Role of the Regional Organisers and Area Organiser Northern Ireland

The Regional Organisers and Area Organiser Northern Ireland are responsible for a number of branches within each Region. The Regional Organiser and Area Organiser Northern Ireland will deal with disagreements between the local branches and Parcelforce. They will also deal with discipline and grievance cases at the appeal stage.

Area Rep Coventry

The Area Rep deals with issues which arise in both Coventry Hub and the international operation in Coventry. The Area Rep will deal with issue in both sections; they will also deal with discipline and grievance cases.

Depot Reps – Hub Reps – Admin Reps

These Reps deal with the day to day issues in their workplaces. For example negotiations in relation to shift patterns. They will also deal with 1st stage disciplines and grievances.

There are also a number of other positions which sit outside of the Industrial Relations Framework Agreement which are just as important:

• Branch Secretary

• Treasurer

• Branch Organiser

• Area Health and Safety Rep

• Local Health and Safety Rep

• Equality Officer

• Women’s Officer

• Youth Officer

• Black and Ethnic Minority Officer

• Branch Chair

• Lead Union Learning Rep

• Local Union Learning Rep

Role of the Branch Secretary

The branch secretary co-ordinates the activity of the Area and Local Reps. The role can also deal with administrating legal cases. Organising and Recruitment of new members is also a large part of the role. The role of Branch Secretary can vary from Branch to Branch so if in doubt contact your local Branch to find out in detail the work they carry out.

Treasurer

The Treasurer is responsible for the up keep of the Branch Finances on a day to day basis. The Treasurer also plans the finances on an annual basis to ensure that the branch can operate and support members

Area Health and Safety Rep

The Area Health and Safety Reps are trained to the highest level to ensure that CWU members work in a safe environment. They also deal with any issues flagged up by the local Health and Safety Reps

Local Health and Safety Reps

Again these reps are highly trained they look after safety in their local offices or shifts. Any issues of a safety nature which cannot be dealt with by the local health and safety rep are referred to the Area Health and Safety Rep

Equality Officer

The equality Officer is responsible for co-ordinating all issues of an equality nature. The Women’s Officer, Black and Ethnic Minorities Officer and the Youth Officer, all deal with issues relating to their position and work closely with the Equality Officer.

Branch Chair

The Branch Chair or Chairperson is responsible for ensuring the rules of the union are observed, they are also required to chair meetings of the Branch.

Lead Union Learning Rep

Coordinating the work and training (in consultation with the Branch Secretary) of the Branches ULRs (Union Learning Rep) Being Lead Negotiator on learning issues for the Branch with employers, learning providers and other appropriate bodies

Union Learning Rep

Encourage and support learning in the workplace and wider community as well as help people gain the confidence to learn. Develop learning centres or learning access points where sustainable

TRAINING IS GIVEN AT ALL LEVELS TO ENSURE THAT OUR REPS HAVE THE TOOLS TO CARRY OUT THIER REPRESENTATIVE ROLES

The above is just a flavour of the responsibilities of some CWU Reps if you require more detail please contact your local branch www.cwu.org/cwu-branches.html

GDPR

Branches will be aware that the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) was introduced on 25th May 2018. The GDPR expands the rights of individuals to control how their personal data is collected and processed and places a range of new obligations on organisations to be more accountable for data protection. It is imperative that all organisations are fully compliant of these new rules.

Royal Mail Group has already notified the CWU that in order to comply with these new regulations, personal data must only be shared with those who are authorised or have a legitimate reason. They have further confirmed that managers will assume accredited CWU Representatives (who are authorised to represent CWU members when dealing with workplace issues) will receive information on the following matters:

• Health and Safety

• Revision Planning

• New Recruits

There are also special categories of personal data that are classed as confidential and should no longer be shared in the same way, for example:

• Health Records

• NI Numbers

• Bullying and Harassment Cases

• Union Membership etc.

Whilst we are still able to receive certain levels of information, the use of what is typically described as “Confidential” will require the application of encryption to the email being sent by RMG, using a communication protocol called Transport Layer Security (TLS). If the recipient’s mail can support TLS, the email will be released and travel through the encryption channel, if not then the email will be retained and default to ‘Strictly Confidential’. The recipient must then access a security portal (Mimecast) in order to retrieve/respond to the email. The portal deployed by RMG to provide email risk

management has the ability to store corporate data and protect against sophisticated spear phishing and other advanced threats.

For our Representatives in the field to be able to bypass this encryption and receive protected personal data, email exchanges can take place using a RMG domain name (e.g. firstname.surname@royalmail.com) and password, which Royal Mail Group will encourage.

Members can still receive information to their personal email addresses as long as the same protocols of security are adhered to. Additionally, if personal email accounts are being used, then there will be a requirement on that individual to confirm that the email account is not shared or open to other members of their family.

For ease of operation going forward, there is a requirement to construct an agreed Code of Practice around how data is shared between CWU and RMG as soon as possible that is unambiguous and not open to local interpretation. RMG have issued their own GDPR update to all managers with employees in CWU represented grades (attached for information).

The GDPR is an important legal change and any information acquired by either the CWU or RMG must be in line with the new requirements as detailed above or risk the penalty of a heavy fine along with a number of legal consequences.

If Branches have any comments relating to the application of GDPR within their locality, it would be appreciated if they could be forwarded to Alan Tate, Postal Executive, (atate@cwu.org) who is leading on this issue on behalf of the DGS(P) Department.

Yours sincerely,

 

Terry Pullinger

Deputy General Secretary (Postal)

18LTB529 – GDPR

LTB 529.18 Attachment 1 – RMG GDPR Update – 03.07.18

Royal Mail Group – Flu Inoculation Voucher Campaign:

To: All Branches

Dear Colleagues,

Further to LTBs 488/18 and 497/18 a number of questions were raised.

Two of the main enquiries are answered as follows:-

• New Recruits are included in the ‘Free Flu Jab’ scheme.

• Any member 15 miles or over from a Lloyds Pharmacy can use an alternative company Chemist more conveniently located to obtain the Flu Jab and will be reimbursed on provision of a receipt, paid via T&S.

There were also requests for two NHS posters; ‘Catch it. Bin it. Kill it.’ and ‘Guidance for Hand-Washing’ which are attached to this LTB.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

18LTB525 Royal Mail Group – Flu Inoculation Voucher Campaign

NHS Winter Health

Wash_Your_Hands

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