Divisional Pension Training

The Postal Executive recently endorsed the content of a new training package on pensions. The training covers the new pension arrangements for RMG employees that took effect from the 1st April this year. Specifically the training covers:

• The closure of the Royal Mail Pension Plan (RMPP) and its impact on accrued pensions

• The structure of the new Defined Benefit Cash Balance Scheme (DBCBS)

• The changes to the Royal Mail Defined Contribution Plan (RMDCP) for members with 5 years’ service and for those with less than 5 years

• An introduction to the end state Collective Defined Contribution (CDC) Scheme with the defined benefit lump sum (DBLS)

• Guidance on the recent Royal Mail Pension booklet and associated forms.

As the content of the training has now been agreed, the CWU will be rolling out the training to our Divisions. Paul Kennedy and Phil Browne (both current pension scheme trustees) will be conducting the training on behalf of the CWU.

To facilitate the training, we are therefore asking each Divisional Committee and Regional Parcels Committee to consult with Paul to agree a date for a special Divisional/Regional Parcels Committee where the training will be provided. Branch Secretaries and Royal Mail Engineers should also be invited to attend.

For ease of reference, Paul’s contact details are set out below:

Paul Kennedy, Divisional Representative

Email: paul.a.kennedy@royalmail.co.uk

Office: 0121 503 4669

Mobile: 07702 526 665

The new pension arrangements that took effect on the 1st April 2018 affected all current pension scheme members in Royal Mail Group. It is therefore important that we explain the changes to all our key Divisional, Regional and Branch Representatives to try and raise awareness of the issue and ensure our members are clear about how the changes will affect them both now and in the future.

Your early assistance in this matter would therefore be greatly appreciated.

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)

18LTB367 – Divisional Pension Training

RM/CWU Joint Statement – LAT Product Growth Introduction Update

Dear Colleagues,

Branches and representatives will be aware that the 2018 Guiding Principles Agreement committed RM and the CWU to work together in relation to the introduction of Industry Leading LAT product offerings that would involve a Midnight last collection time with an agreed ratio of LAT traffic injected at the RDC locations no later than 01.30.

Cross departmental discussions have taken place with the business in relation to the necessary measures required to collect, process and distribute the items through the network in sufficient time to ensure that the delivery of the items can be completed by 19:00 in line with the national agreement.

In line with the above a Joint Statement has now been agreed and endorsed by the Postal Executive to enable the introduction of the new LAT products to commence from the 9th July 2018.

Colleagues are informed however that despite mitigating the upstream Pipeline/Network and processing elements as much as possible to ensure the product is delivered by 19:00, there are a small number of postcode areas where it is not possible to achieve this. As such in these exceptional circumstances it has been agreed that delivery of the items can be extended to 19:30. The affected Hub Locations/Postcodes are as follows:

 Altens DO –

AB10-12,99

Inverness DO –

IV1-3

Dundee West DO –

DD1-8

Perth DO –

PH1-4,10,14

Galashiels DO –

EH43-46, TD1-4, TD6-9

Dunbar DO –

TD5, TD10-14, EH31-35, EH39-42

Kirkcaldy DO –

KY1-3, 6-9

Falkirk DO –

FK1-16

The extension of the delivery window at the above offices has been jointly agreed on an exceptional basis and does not set any precedent in relation to future activity. There will be no extension or inclusion of any other units, outside of those locations listed above and this arrangement is considered a temporary measure and will remain the subject of ongoing National review.

Any queries in relation to the content of this LTB should be addressed to:

Deliveries & Collections: Mark Baulch, Assistant Secretary, e-mail: outdoorsecretary@cwu.org quoting reference: 530.

or

Mail Centre Processing & MC Collections/Network/ Area Distribution: Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary, e-mail: dwyatt@cwu.org or shayman@cwu.org quoting reference number: 709.02.

Yours sincerely

Mick Kavanagh – Acting Assistant Secretary

Davie Robertson – Assistant Secretary

LTB 372.18 – RM CWU Joint Statement LAT Product Growth Introduction Update

LAT Product 1930 Units Joint Statement – 27 06 18_Final

RMPFSL April 2018 Pay Review

Further to LTB339, following rejection of the previous pay offer from RMPFSL further talks have taken place and an improved offer has been received which the Postal Executive is recommending for acceptance in an individual member ballot of all members employed in RMPFSL, commencing on 11th July 2018.

The offer provides for:

• 2.5% increase in basic pay for all CWU represented grades (other than cleaners on entry and midpoint who have already received an increase on 1st April) from 1st April 2018, flowing through to London Weighting, Scottish Distant Island Allowance and Pensionable Allowances.

• £120 lump sum payment to cleaners (other than those on entry and midpoint who have already received an increase on 1st April) paid in December, consolidated into basic pay at the end of the year in March.

• Consolidation of addition to basic pay (ABP) for Engineers and Admin Grades from 1st April 2018.

• Increase in stand by and call out payments for BFM staff to match payments to BES Engineers backdated to 1st  April 2018.

• Introduction of overtime multiplier for cleaning grades from 1st April 2018 as follows:

Weekday overtime x 1.2 hourly rate

Saturday overtime x 1.5 hourly rate

Sunday overtime x 2 hourly rate

• Cleaners remaining on weekly pay to move to monthly pay over a six month period beginning February 2019, using the standard Royal Mail transitional process.

Summary

The annual cash value of the offer for a cleaner on full point including the £120 lump sum is £595.47, equivalent to 3.25% of basic pay. The significant improvement in overtime rates deals with a major issue of concern for cleaning members in a positive way going forward.

The value of ABP for Engineering and Admin Grades is 0.93% of basic pay. Whilst consolidation does not improve the cash value of the offer on basic pay, it produces benefit by increasing the hourly rates for overtime and pension purposes.

Harmonisation of standby/call out payments between BFM and BES Staff significantly improves rates for BFM staff on call out.

Overall against a difficult negotiating background the Postal Executive believes that this is an offer worth recommending to our members, which will clear the way for a more considered review of the pay and terms and conditions package next year following a proposed RMPFSL Policy Forum in the autumn.

All enquiries regarding the content of this LTB should be addressed to the PTCS Department, quoting reference 301. Email address: khawkins@cwu.org

Or

To the Outdoor Department quoting reference 120.12, email address: outdoorsecretary@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely

Ray Ellis – Assistant Secretary

Mick Kavanagh – Acting Assistant Secretary

18LTB371

PROCESSING ENGINEERS SHORTER WORKING WEEK: JOINT STATEMENT

Attached is a Joint Statement from Royal Mail and CWU on implementation of a one hour reduction in working time for processing engineers from 1st October 2018.

The enablers for the reduction in working time are those agreed for all Mail Centre employees in the relevant section of the Four Pillars agreement and much of the wording of the joint statement is taken directly from the agreement. The key paragraph is that dealing with the implications for existing attendance patterns, “it is anticipated that the reduction in working time can be achieved without significant change to existing attendance patterns”.

Discussions will take place on a local basis with a weekly review of process by territorial reps to ensure completion in good time for implementation on 1st October 2018

All enquiries regarding the content of this LTB should be addressed to the PTCS Department, quoting reference 102. Email address: khawkins@cwu.org.

Yours Sincerely,

Ray Ellis

Assistant Secretary

LTB370

LTB370 Processing Engineers SWW – Joint Statement

#OurNHS70 demo – London 30 June

The purpose of this LTB is to notify branches of the ‘Our NHS 70 – Free, for all, forever’ celebration and demonstration taking place in London from midday on Saturday 30th June.

The demo is being organised by the People’s Assembly, and a number of Unions representing health workers, and involves a march from Portland Place, London W1A 1AA (nearest tubes: Oxford Circus / Great Portland St) to Downing Street, Whitehall. Look out for CWU balloons where the CWU contingent will gather.

Details for the demo and of transport from around the country are available here: www.thepeoplesassembly.org.uk/nhs70transport

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

Yours sincerely

Dave Ward

General Secretary

18LTB369 – OurNHS70 demo – London 30th June

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House of Commons, Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Parliamentary Select Committee – Dangerous Dogs Legislation Inquiry – Oral Evidence Dave Joyce CWU – Wednesday 27 June 2018

To: All Branches

Dear Colleagues,

On 11 May the House of Commons, Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee launched an inquiry into the legislation on dangerous dogs.

The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 was introduced to protect the public from dangerous dog attacks. In 2014, the Act was extended to include attacks on private property and also brought in tougher penalties and new extended Police dog seizure powers along with Community Protection Notices, amongst other improvements, following the CWU’s successful 7-year ‘Bite Back’ Campaign.

Despite the positive changes to the Dangerous Dog Laws, there has been substantial debate about the effectiveness of this dog control legislation with a number of criticisms and concerns raised by the CWU Health, Safety & Environment Department particularly around inconsistencies with enforcement of the Law by the Police and Local Authorities as well as interpretation of the Law by Police forces, Crown Prosecution Services and the Courts and finally, inconsistent and lenient Court Sentences despite two sets of guidance from the Sentencing Council.

3000 Postal Workers are attacked by Dogs at work annually. Forty people (members of the public, adults and children) have been killed in dog attacks or died as a result of an attack since 2005. The number of yearly hospital admissions due to dog attacks has also risen by 76% in the last decade in England and Wales and 80% in Scotland, indicating the continuation of a very serious situation in the UK.

The Government is responsible for protecting the public, including Postal and Telecom Workers from dangerous animals, so it is essential that laws evolve, are fit for purpose and work.

The House of Commons EFRA Select Committee of MPs is investigating whether the Government’s current approach is having the desired effect or not, and whether any changes to the Law are needed to ensure that the public and workers are properly protected and additionally that animal welfare concerns are properly addressed.

The Inquiry Terms of Reference are to address the following questions:

1 How effective is the Government’s current approach to protecting the public from dangerous dog attacks?

2 What changes, if any, should be made to the current approach and legislation?

3 How can local authorities and Police forces be best supported in reducing the number of dangerous dog-related incidents?

4 What lessons could the UK learn from other countries dealing with similar issues?

CWU National Health and Safety Officer Dave Joyce has been requested to give oral evidence to the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee on 27 June. The meeting will be held in the House of Commons, Palace of Westminster annex, Portcullis House in the Grimond Room and will begin at 09.30am with Dave Joyce scheduled to give evidence at approximately 10.30am. The Committee meets in public for such sessions and CWU Representatives and Members are free to attend. The proceedings may also be broadcast on the Parliament TV Channel.

Queues may develop at entrances to the Parliamentary Estate during busy times, so I would advise anyone wishing to attend to enter through the Portcullis House search point and allow half an hour to pass through the airport-style security. No identification or additional documentation will be required. Once inside the building, security or visitor staff will be able to direct you to the Grimmond Room.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

18LTB366 House of Commons, Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Parliamentary Select Committee – Dangerous Dogs Legislation Inquiry – Oral Evidence Dave Joyce CWU – Wednesday 27 June 2018

Parliamentary Estate Map

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JOINT STATEMENT BETWEEN ROYAL MAIL AND THE CWU

REAFFIRMING OUR COMMITMENT TO AGREED TRIAL AND DEPLOYMENT PROCESSES AND PRINCIPLES IN MAIL CENTRES AND RDC’S

Branches and representatives will be aware that the following commitment is given in Section 16.2 Processing (Mail Centres & RDCs) of the Guiding Principles of Employment Security and Mutual Interest Approach to Future Challenges and Opportunities agreement:

Building on the robust processes established through the Trial Coordination Working Group, Royal Mail and the CWU will continue to support and trial and where agreed deploy new initiatives, method improvements and new equipment supported by appropriate Terms of Reference. The timely progression of these initiatives will continue to be supported by the Trials Joint Working Group. Both parties also commit to a review of the status of recent and current agreed trial activity with the Processing and Logistics (RDC) functions to ensure that they progress towards agreed milestones and that the next steps are supported and addressed through governance at the Joint National Processing & Logistics Group Meetings.

Following discussions with the business a Joint Statement has been concluded to progress the above activity, a copy of which is attached for your information.

Colleagues will note that the attached Joint Statement builds on the previously agreed processes in relation to the Joint Trial Coordination Working Group activity and provides clear, joined up guidance in regard to the progression of trial and deployment activity.

The department believes that the attached Joint Statement will be welcomed by representatives and provide them with additional reassurance that all such activity should be agreed and jointly undertaken.

Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary, email: dwyatt@cwu.org or shayman@cwu.org quoting reference number: 711.08

Yours sincerely

Davie Robertson

Assistant Secretary

LTB 362-18 – Trial Review Activity – 25.06.18 

Joint Statement – Reaffirming Our Commitment To Agreed Trial and Deployment Processes and Principles 20.06.18

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Safe & Well – June 2018

To: All Branches

Dear Colleagues,

Please see attached the June edition of Safe and Well newsletter with contributions from our USRs and field teams. This edition is a slightly slimline version this month after last month’s bonanza issue.

Just to flag up, there will be something regarding the recent fall from height in a future edition.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

18LTB365 Safe & Well – June 2018

Safe and Well Issue 59 June 2018

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Openreach Engineer – Fatal Fall From Height – Ladder Accident

To: BT Branches

Dear Colleagues,

Many of you will already be aware of the recent tragic death of an Openreach engineer.

On the 17 May the engineer had fallen from a ladder, erected against a wall, whilst working at a customer’s premises. The engineer was taken to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital and later transferred to Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge where he sadly died on Wednesday 13th June. We have not had official confirmation of the cause of death.

A full accident investigation has been conducted by members of the Openreach Health and Safety team and Union Safety Representatives. It found that all the necessary PPE was correctly worn and that process and training were correctly followed.

In particular can we remind you that this is a distressing time for the individual’s family so please think very carefully about the impact of anything that you may post on social media.

Our thoughts are with the family and friends at this difficult time.

This communication has also been sent by Openreach to their GMs and they will be encouraged to discuss this with their managers and team members.

Openreach are taking this approach as they recognise that this is an incredibly sensitive situation and individuals will naturally be concerned and may wish to ask additional questions so adopting a verbal approach will allow further discussion and as much as possible provide assurance for team members.

All enquiries should be addressed to Steve Mann in the CWU/HQ Health Safety and Environment Department smann@cwu.org

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

18LTB364 Openreach Engineer – Fatal Fall From Height – Ladder Accident

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