Eastern no 5
Retired members elections 2018-2020
Results
Retired members secretary
Patrick Friskey
Retired members chair
Michael Shill
Retired members committee
Mick Goldsmith
Steven Jones
Frank Mastrullo
Richard Hewlett
Latest from the Branch
Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
On the 20th November an LTB was sent out to all branches concerning the above heading. In that LTB branches were informed that at a meeting on the 14th November 2017 the TUC Executive Committee discussed documents which included a commitment to undertake training for Trade Union Representatives via 7 one-day workshops that will take place between November 2017 and January 2018. These are in the following areas:
Glasgow, 22 November
Newcastle, 1 December
Liverpool, 14 December
Birmingham, 9 January 2018
London, 11 January 2018
Cardiff, 15 January 2018
Bristol, 16 January 2018
In this LTB, we were encouraging our branch secretaries to attend these seminars or send an appropriate representative on behalf of the branch. You were asked to contact Linda Roy, Assistant Secretary at CWU for more details. I can now inform you if you wish to attend any of these one-day workshops, you have to telephone the following number 0207 636 4030 as soon as possible.
Yours sincerely,
Linda Roy
Assistant Secretary
Processing Report November 2017
Processing Report November 2017
Recent Local Elections
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the processing members who supported me by voting for me to continue as the Area Processing Rep in the recent local elections. As I said in my election address, I am passionate about the union and will continue to do my best to represent members and help contribute to Eastern 5 Branch becoming a reputable branch within the union and a formidable part of the Division, trusted and respected by the other Branches and Reps. THANK YOU!
Christmas 2017
The Christmas agreement has been signed off and on display on the union board. There have been complications with the agreement this year when at first the business directors were adamant they would not pay SA rate for the pre-scheduled overtime booked during the 4 weeks of Christmas pressure. This changed to them saying they will pay the SA rate but only to staff working in mail centres.
At a CWU Divisional meeting, Processing and Distribution/Network Area Reps were asked not to sign their Christmas agreements until Delivery Offices were offered the same. The trouble with this proposal was after negotiations and threats of industrial framework disagreements if pre-scheduled overtime was not paid at SA rate, the business changed their stance and offered the SA rate the Processing and Distribution/Network Christmas agreements had already been agreed in principle.
At a further Divisional meeting, after a vote, it was agreed for mail centres to go ahead with their Christmas agreements and for the Divisional Reps to negotiate with the delivery directors SA rate for pre-scheduled overtime during the Christmas pressure period in delivery offices along the grounds of discrimination and a precedent had been set. I understand now, delivery offices will be getting SA rate for pre-scheduled overtime on days off and in the mornings but not on extended hours.
It also came to light the business released a Christmas document in September this year which stated staff would have to adhere to European Working Time Directive during the Christmas pressure period this year. Not, as in past years follow The Way Forward Agreement from the year 2000 which states the 24-hour rest period can be relaxed and staff can work beyond 70 hours in a week which has always been two weeks of 72 hours and two weeks of 80 hours.
The document the business sent out was not agreed with the CWU Nationally and therefore paragraph 1.2 of the 2017/18 Christmas agreement remains the same.
There was a typing error in the original Christmas agreement which went on display where in paragraph 3.2 it read 20th November, when it should have read the 27th. We had to make two amendments to reflect the error as we did need a paragraph in covering for week commencing 20th as casuals are being employed this week. Notices about the amendments went on display on the union board and the amended Christmas agreement is also on display.
National Industrial Dispute Update
The mediation process continued with meetings held every day last week.
What is clear is the Union’s massive ballot result and the strength of membership support has influenced the talks and changed the dynamics of the discussions.
In the face of the CWU’s successful campaign, the Union’s negotiating team are now talking to Royal Mail Group’s Senior Management who have the authority to reach settlement.
The talks have been difficult and protracted. The next couple of weeks will be crucial to determine whether a final Agreement can be reached if we are to secure our objective regarding our Four Pillars of Security and Pay to the point that we can genuinely build a bridge between our current Agreement and the next few years.
As part of the mediation process, the external Mediator is now due to provide a final summary report setting out:
• A summary of the final position of the parties.
• The external Mediator’s conclusions regarding any points of dispute.
• The Mediator’s recommended solution to the issues in dispute.
As the CWU has said from the outset of this process, no High Court Judge or third-party Mediator will resolve this dispute, ultimately it is a matter between the CWU and Royal Mail Group. Further talks are expected this week, and the Union will continue to vigorously pursue our campaign to secure members’ employment, standard of living and retirement security.
Mail Centre Issues
We have now completed the opportunity for part-time staff to increase their contractual hours on a temporary basis with the introduction of 32 x 39-hour full time duties, and 16 part-time contracts of 20 and 24 hours. We have also advertised and filled some specialist duties. We are in the process of agreeing how many specialist duties to advertise for the processing of the Spalding css which has come into the mail centre of a permanent basis. These will be advertised soon. We have been in talks with Management about having a revision after Christmas to look at making these temporary duties substantive. A lot will depend on when the implementation of the parcel sort machine will be. The terms and conditions of the temporary increase of contractual hours local agreement and relevant National agreements will come into force if the duties are made substantive.
WhatsApp Broadcast Group
My phone has recently crashed, and I lost a lot of numbers, if you were in the group but no longer receive the messages can you please resend me your number with your name and I’ll put you back in.
We have set up a CWU Eastern No5 members WhatsApp Broadcast Group where we can forward CWU Communications onto members.
A Broadcast Group is where members receive WhatsApp messages from my phone, you will not be able to see who is in the group, you will not be able to message each other either. No phone numbers are shared.
If you want to be in this group, then you will need the WhatsApp App on your phone.
Save my number Ernie Orviss 07887985430 Then send me a message me with your name requesting to be put in the group. I will forward you some of the previous messages and put you in the group, so you will receive all future messages.
EJ Orviss
Area Processing Representative
Date 24th November 2017
WhatsApp Broadcasts on BT Pensions Campaign
WhatsApp Broadcasts on BT Pensions Campaign
We have launched WhatsApp Broadcast lists for CWU representatives and members. This will enable us to communicate key messages on the BT Pensions campaign as quickly and directly as possible.
There are two separate lists – one for CWU representatives and one for CWU members.
If you would like to be added to the broadcast, please follow the simple instructions below.
If you are a CWU representative: Add WhatsApp to your phone. Save 07583725644 in your contacts. Text your name, workplace (if you have one), position and CWU Branch to 07583725644.
If you are a CWU member: Add WhatsApp to your phone. Save 07907502190 to your contacts. Text your name, workplace (if you have one) and CWU Branch to 07907502190.
Please do not send your details to both numbers. Members should use their own personal phones to sign up to this service and not one owned by the employer.
Please share this information with as many of your members as possible.
Any enquiries on the content of this LTB should be directed to Nicola Marshall at nmarshall@cwu.org
Yours sincerely
Andy Kerr Deputy
General Secretary (T&FS)
SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN THE WORKPLACE
SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN THE WORKPLACE
The issue of sexual harassment in the workplace has been headline news for several weeks and allegations ranging from inappropriate behaviour to rape have been levelled at celebrities and some MPs working in Westminster.
In response to these developments the CWU recognises that sexual harassment is not confined to Westminster and can be a significant issue in workplaces.
To reinforce this point we are publishing to Branches a major TUC survey and report undertaken in 2016 entitled “Still Just a Bit of Banter?” (Sexual Harassment in the Workplace 2016) copy attached. The Report focused on the treatment of women in the modern workplace and the key findings were as follows:-
• • More than half (52 per cent) of all women polled have experienced some form of sexual harassment.
• • Nearly two thirds of young women (age 18-24) have experienced some form of sexual harassment.
• • 32 per cent of women have been subject to unwelcome jokes of a sexual nature.
• • 28 per cent of women have been subject to comments of a sexual nature about their body or clothes.
• • Nearly one quarter of women have experienced unwanted touching (such as a hand on the knee or lower back).
• • One fifth of women have experienced unwanted sexual advances.
• • More than one in ten women reported experiencing unwanted sexual touching or attempts to kiss them.
• • In the vast majority of cases, the perpetrator was a male colleague, with nearly one in five reporting that their direct manager or someone else with direct authority over them was the perpetrator.
• • Four out of five women did not report the sexual harassment to their employer.
• • Crucially for trade unions, only 1 per cent of those polled who had experienced sexual harassment reported it to their union.
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At a meeting on the 14th November 2017, the TUC Executive Committee discussed a further document which included a commitment to undertake training for trade union representatives via 7 one day workshops that will take place between November 2017 and January 2018. These are in the following areas:
• Glasgow, 22nd November
• Newcastle, 1st December
• Liverpool, 14th December
• Birmingham, 9th January 2018
• London, 11th January
• Cardiff, 15th January
• Bristol, 16th January
We are encouraging our Branch Secretaries to attend these seminars or send an appropriate representative on behalf of the Branch. If you contact Linda Roy Assistant Secretary at CWU Headquarters more details will be provided.
In light of these developments the union will now review our own approach to tackling sexual harassment in the workplace, including support for representatives in dealing with cases with the employer and consideration of whether the issue of sexual harassment is adequately covered in our own Rule Book and internal procedures as both an employer and as a trade union organisation. These matters will be fully discussed at the NEC meeting on the 30th November 2017.
In the meantime, we would ask all Branch Secretaries to share the TUC Report and along with this LTB bring these to attention of all CWU Representatives. We must be clear that sexual harassment in any shape or form is completely unacceptable and that we all have a role to play in making workplaces safe and inclusive for all workers.
Any enquiries relating to the TUC Report should be addressed to General Secretaries Office gsoffice@cwu.org, any enquires on CWU policy and the TUC Seminars to the Equality Department lroy@cwu.org.
Yours sincerely
Dave Ward – General Secretary
Linda Roy – Head of Equal Opportunities
ALAN TUFFIN – FORMER GENERAL SECRETARY – UCW
ALAN TUFFIN – FORMER GENERAL SECRETARY – UCW
Further to LTB 622/17 we have now been advised of the funeral arrangements for Alan Tuffin former General Secretary UCW, who sadly passed away on Friday 10th November 2017.
Alan’s funeral will be held on Friday 8th December 2017.
The full details are as follows:-
The Oaks Havant Crematorium
Barton Road
Havant
Hampshire
PO9 5NA
Only family flowers are requested. However, the family has asked that instead of flowers donations can be made to the CWUHA (CWU Humanitarian Aid). Cheques should be made payable to ‘’CWUHA’ and sent to:
Carl Webb
CWUHA
302a Barlow Moor Rd
Chorlton Park
Manchester
M21 8AY
Or payments can be made via BACs:
Bank: Unity Trust
Sort Code: 608301
Acc no: 20031169
Any further enquiries regarding this LTB should be addressed to the General Secretary’s Office at gsoffice@cwu.org quoting the reference GS1.1.
Yours sincerely
Dave Ward
General Secretary
CWU WEBSITE: An update on progress
CWU WEBSITE
Following the launch of the new CWU website we are now in a position to update you on some statistical feedback as well as outlining further advances in how we plan to communicate with our representatives and members online.
The old site struggled at times and became an unorganised and unattractive platform.
The new website focuses on three key user groups; our members, potential members and visitors (the press and public).
We have seen an excellent upturn in visitors since the launch, with headline figures being eight times as many overall visitors to the website, eight times more visits to the news area of the website and critically twice as many visits to the ‘join us’ area.
These numbers indicate significant progress but there is clearly more work to do and this will continue into the New Year.
We are mindful of the need for urgent improvements online in two key areas;
1. Our offer to CWU representatives (storage of key agreements, advice and support).
2. The need to update our other websites – Education and Training and Young Workers.
We are pleased to announce that work has commenced on a new website for our representatives. This will be launched in February 2018.
Additionally, work is close to being finalised for the launch of the new Young Workers and Education and Training sites. We are hoping that both of these will be ready within the next month.
We thank all branches for their patience during this transitional period.
Any enquiries relating to the content of this LTB should be directed to Marcia Murray mmurray@cwu.org.
Yours sincerely
Dave Ward – General Secretary
Chris Webb – Head of Communications
Election of National Representative Positions – 2018
Election of National Representative Positions – 2018
• Women’s Advisory Committee
• Race Advisory Committee
• Lesbian and Gay Bisexual and Transgender Advisory Committee
• Disability Advisory Committee
• Members Auditors
• Independent Review Body
Further to LTB 593/17 dated 3rd November 2017, at the close of nominations on the 20th November, the following have been received:
WOMEN’S ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Postal – 7 Lay Members Ballot Required
Clare Drummond
Greater ManchesterMorag Gillies
Glasgow District AmalElizabeth Harrington
South Central PostalSelina Hills
Eastern No 4Kath Kelly
Newcastle AmalHelen Ogilvie
Scotland No 2Laura Snell
Eastern No 4Vicki Turner
Leeds No 1
Telecom & Financial Services – 6 Lay Members Ballot Required
Sylvia Beckett
Capital, East Midlands, Tyne & Wear ClericalMelanie Gorrie
Scotland No 1, Capital , East Midlands, Tyne & Wear ClericalKaren Kendrick
Manchester Combined, Capital , East Midlands, Mersey, North East, Tyne & Wear ClericalJaime Monsma
Midland No 1Jacky Morrey
Mid Wales The Marches & North Staffs, Capital, East Midlands, Tyne & Wear ClericalJean Sharrocks
North East, Capital, East Midlands, Tyne & Wear Clerical, West Yorkshire,Trish Vollens
West Yorkshire, Capital, East Midlands, North East, Tyne & Wear Clerical,
RACE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Postal – 7 Lay Members Ballot Required
Adam Alarakhia
LeicestershireGreg Amissah
North Lancs & CumbriaMark Anthony Bastiani
London South WestTrevor Berry
Kent InvictaJay Bhundia
South West Middlesex AmalDean L Farah
South East Wales AmalLinford Gibbons
Nottingham District AmalMorag Gillies
Glasgow District AmalAsghar Khan
Leeds No 1 AmalSaf Khan
North West No 1Prince Kingsley-Faborode
South Central PostalBola Omoyeni
South Midlands PostalSharon Pratt
South West No 7Sajid Shaikh
Birmingham District Amal
Telecom & Financial Services – 6 Lay Members
Sylvia Beckett
Capital, East Midlands Lincolnshire & South Yorkshire, Tyne & Wear Clerical*ElectedColin Bell
South London, Surrey & Nth Hampshire*ElectedPeter Pascall
Mersey*Elected
LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL & TRANSGENDER ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Postal – 7 Lay Members
Jay Bhundia
South West Middlesex Amal*ElectedEleanor Burns
South East Wales Amal*ElectedWilliam Byrne
Glasgow District Amal*ElectedHelen Cooper
Western Counties*ElectedSuzanne Dorritt
Newcastle Amal*ElectedMorag Gillies
Glasgow District Amal*ElectedChris Hurley
Leeds No 1 Amal*Elected
Telecom & Financial Services – 6 Lay Members
John Monk
London & West*ElectedJason Reynolds
Capital, East Midlands, Tyne & Wear Clerical*ElectedJean Sharrocks
North East, Capital East Midlands, Tyne & Wear Clerical*Elected
DISABILTIES ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Postal – 7 Lay Members Ballot Required
Adam Alarakhia
LeicestershireMark Anthony Bastiani
London South WestJay Bhundia
South West Middlesex AmalDale-Marie Bliben
South Central PostalWilliam Byrne
Glasgow District AmalDes Gibbons
Nottingham District AmalMorag Gillies
Glasgow District AmalRichard Hirtsch
Leeds No 1 AmalBill Johnston
Scotland No 2Anthony Pedel
York & District AmalTony Sneddon
Scotland No 5Lee Starr-Elliott
Bristol & DistrictTony Waterhouse
Worcester & Hereford Amal
Telecom & Financial Services – 6 Lay Members
Jonathan Bellshaw
Lincolnshire & South Yorks, Capital, East Midlands, North East, Tyne & Wear Clerical*ElectedSimon Cropper
West Yorkshire*ElectedNatalie Fleming
Northern Ireland Telecoms, Capital, East Midlands, Lincolnshire & South Yorks, Tyne & Wear Clerical*ElectedPeter Sharrocks
North East, Capital , East Midlands, Lincolnshire & South Yorks, Tyne & Wear Clerical, West Yorkshire*Elected
MEMBERS AUDITORS
2 Lay Members
Paul Clays
York & District Amal*Elected
INDEPENDENT REVIEW BODY
Postal – 1 Lay Member, 1 Substitute
Lay Member
Sajid Shaikh
Birmingham District Amal*Elected
Substitute
No Nominations Received.
Telecoms & Financial Services – 1 Lay Member, 1 Substitute
Lay Member
Rob Alldritt
Mersey*Elected
Substitute
No Nominations Received.
The Timetable for the ballots is as follows:
Despatch ballot papers: 27 November 2017
Ballot closes: 11 December 2017 (14:00)
Any enquiries regarding this Letter to Branches should be addressed to the Senior Deputy General Secretary Department on telephone number 020 8971 7237 or email address sdgs@cwu.org.
Yours sincerely,
Tony Kearns
Senior Deputy General Secretary
Air Pollution – A Trade Union Issue, Free Half Day Course, Manchester, Friday, 1st December 2017, from 1.00pm – 4.00pm (Organised jointly by the Hazards Campaign & Greener Jobs Alliance)
Air Pollution – A Trade Union Issue, Free Half Day Course, Manchester, Friday, 1st December 2017, from 1.00pm – 4.00pm (Organised jointly by the Hazards Campaign & Greener Jobs Alliance)
To: All Branches
Dear Colleagues,
The Hazards Campaign and Greener Jobs Alliance are jointly providing this free of charge half day course in Manchester entitled ‘Air Pollution – A Trade Union Issue’ and CWU Health and Safety and Other Reps can register for a place. Numbers are limited so apply as soon as possible.
Air pollution in the UK is a public health emergency. Over 40,000 people die each year from causes linked to the air that they breathe – more than obesity and alcohol combined.
Workers are exposed to and create pollution to fulfil contractual obligations to employers. It is an occupational health issue that employers take little responsibility for.
Attending this course will help you to:
• Examine why air pollution is both a workplace issue and a public health one
• Find out about air pollution busting Citizen Science techniques
• Create action plans to deal with workplace exposures
• Create action plans to meaningfully engage in air pollution with local councils
• Share experience, knowledge and ideas
Venue: UNISON Regional Office
Arena Point 1
Hunts Bank
Manchester M3 1UN
Date: Friday 1st December 2017
Time: 1pm – 4pm
Lunch
Registration: To register for a ‘Free’ place please e-mail: janet@gmhazards.org.uk
For further information please call Janet Newsham on Tel: 0161 6367558
A ‘Free’ Lunch will be provided.
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
CWU Eastern No5 Branch 