MOTION 29 – CWU GENERAL CONFERENCE 2017

LTB 573/17 dated 25th October explained to Branches the reasons for the delay in processing this matter and additionally called for Branches to submit any views they might have that they would wish the Working Group to take into consideration.

CWU HQs received only 11 responses from Branches including 2 from individuals within the same branch and 1 letter from a Regional Retired Members Committee, 12 responses in total.

In line with the terms of the motion and the LTB these submission were not replied to individually, instead they formed part of the documentation provided to the Working Group and to the NEC as follows.

As Branches will recall the motion called for a Working Group to be set up as well as a timescale for this matter to be dealt with. As stated above the issue of the original timescale was dealt with in LTB 573/17.

The Working Group met on Thursday the 9th November 2017.

The participants in the meeting agreed a document that laid out the action points that needed to be taken to address the issues contained within the motion. The purpose of the document was to capture the actions that the group agreed were needed to move the issues forward. It was not to record verbatim every single argument put forward for or against a particular position. It was an action document intended to move issues on.

As a reminder the main issues to be addressed were contained in the 4 bullet points within motion 29, as follows.

• To enhance the work of the union, the aim will be to provide clarity on the role to be played by members who are retired and by those who retain other membership but are not in employment.

• Recognise that the interests of working members and retired members must be served differently.

• To identify what voting rights are appropriate for all categories of CWU membership whilst upholding the principle that retired members should not be able to vote for occupational/industrial positions.

• To identify what voting rights are appropriate for all categories of CWU membership whilst upholding the principle that retired members should not be able to vote for occupational/industrial positions

Clearly a major plank of the motion was the intention to redesign the role of retired members and retired members representatives within the CWU. The aspiration is to follow the wider union in becoming more campaign focussed on issues for the elderly whilst identifying those areas where support can be given to other aspects of work that the Union is involved in.

On a number of these issues the Working Group reached a consensus on how to move forward and on others, particularly with the issue of voting rights, neither the Working Group nor the RMAC was able to reach a consensus and this has been reported to the NEC.

Following the Working Group meeting the document was placed before the Retired Members Advisory Committee at their meeting on Tuesday the 28th November 2017, along with copies of all the submissions received. This was done to facilitate a wider discussion on the matters contained within motion 29 and for the RMAC members to express their views.

The document from the Working Group was then placed before the NEC at their November meeting (Thursday 30th November 2017). The purpose of presenting that document was to highlight to the NEC the issues under discussion as, eventually, these matters will be placed before the NEC for final decision, as per the motion itself and so are the property of the NEC.

The purpose of this LTB is to report to Branches what has taken place i.e. the Working Group has met, the RMAC has met to discuss the issue and the NEC have been documented on the matter.

Both the Working Group and the RMAC will now meet again in January to see if a consensus can be developed before finally placing this matter before the NEC in February 2018. Branches will be aware that the wording in the motion states that “The NEC will then agree a way forward that supports the principles listed in this Motion and will subsequently publish a report to Branches”. This will happen following the February NEC.

The purpose of the LTB therefore is to inform Branches that the Working Group has been constituted has met and will meet again in January. The RMAC has discussed the work of the group and will also do so again in January and that the NEC has been updated on these meetings and will receive, at its February 2018 meeting a final report from the Working Group and will identify a way forward and notify this to Branches.

Any questions 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

17LTB653

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Air Pollution – A Trade Union Issue, Free Half Day Course, Leeds, Friday 26th January 2018, 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 Leeds 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:

PCS Offices

3rd Floor

Town Centre House

Merrion Centre

Leeds LS2 8LY

Date: Friday 26th January 2018

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

17LTB651 Air Pollution – A Trade Union Issue, Free Half Day Course, Leeds, Friday 26th January 2018

Air Pollution – A Trade Union Issue

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Royal Mail Group – ‘Because Healthy Minds Matters’ – Mental Health Strategy – Launch of ‘Pocket Z-Cards’

To: All Branches with Postal Members

This LTB is being issued further to LTBs 508/17, 533/17 and 543/17. LTB No’s 508/17 and 533/17, issued on 18 September and 6 October 2017 respectively, detailed the launch of the new Royal Mail Group Safety ‘New 5-Year Mental Health Strategy – Because Healthy Minds Matter’ and set out the steps the strategy will initially follow, LTB 543/17 detailed a new Mental Health e-Learning Programme for managers which it had been agreed would also be available for CWU Area Health and Safety Reps and other Reps to access and complete. This is a basic introductory, on line, short learning module which can be followed up by ‘Mental Health First Aid Training’ which the Health, Safety & Environment Department has been promoting strongly and recommending to all CWU Reps since its launch in the UK by the Department of Health: National Institute of Mental Health in England (NIMHE) as part of a national approach to improving public mental health.

“Because Healthy Minds Matter” & “Zero Suicide Alliance” on line e-learning:

Attention all ASRs – We strongly recommend you complete the “Because Healthy Minds Matter” e-learning module. To access the “Because Healthy Minds Matter” e-learning follow this link:-https://spark.adobe.com/page/efxsW3rL2MaUS/ Also the ‘Zero Suicide Alliance’ suicide prevention on line e-learning (20 Mins). See LTB 627/17. It’s

available at: at: www.zerosuicidealliance.com

Launch of ‘Pocket Z-Cards’:

The next stage in the RMG strategy is the launch of the ‘Because Healthy Minds Matters’ ‘Pocket Z-Cards’ which have been distributed to all Royal Mail Group Offices and Workplaces for distribution to individual members of staff. Would all Area Health and Safety Reps ensure that the Pocket Z-Cards have arrived in their Offices, Centres, Plants, Depots etc and that they have been made available to members. A pdf version of the ‘Z-Card’ is attached for your information and the Health, Safety & Environment Department will be distributing the Cards to ASRs via Regional Health & Safety Forums.

The Z-Cards reminds members that everyone can all be affected by a mental health condition either directly or indirectly and reminds us all of the importance of talking and getting support. The Z-Cards outline ways to get support from your Royal Mail and reminds us all to “ACT.”(Three simple steps that you can take that could help to start making things better).

A – Acknowledge: If you or someone else close to you isn’t their usual self.

C – Communicate: If you’re not feeling ok speak to someone about it. If you’re worried about someone else ask them if they’re ok and encourage them to talk.

T – Take Action: Find out what support is available and encourage others to do the same. Act and things can start to get better.

Royal Mail Group Plans

Mental health problems are widespread, at times disabling, yet often hidden. One in four adults experience at least one diagnosable MH condition in any given year. People in all walks of life can be affected and at any point in their lives. There is a strong relationship between employee wellbeing and engagement, performance and attendance. RMG is one of the UK’s largest employers and have given a strong commitment to effective support strategies and tools that can make a positive difference to RMG employees who are directly or indirectly affected by mental health issues. Preventative action and early intervention are the most effective ways to support mental health. Many people remain in work whilst experiencing MH conditions, studies suggest this has a positive effect in most cases and so awareness and support are vital. RMG plans to improve the way the organisation thinks about mental health focus on the following key areas, in which everyone plays a part, and can be summarised as:

· Increase MH awareness;

· Decrease MH stigma;

· Signpost those in need to support and tools, and;

· Know where to go in a crisis.

Advice – What You As Reps and Members Can Do

We can all support colleagues at work and family and friends at home through the simple steps of ACT. If you are worried about someone else ask them if they are okay and encourage them to talk. Take time to listen. Take Action – Find out what support is available and encourage others to do the same. ‘ACT’ and things can start to get better. Be part of making a change by way you think, feel and talk about mental health conditions with colleagues, family and friends.

For individuals the advice is – ‘Don’t suffer in silence’

Statistics

• 1 in 4 People will experience a mental health condition in their lifetime.

• 70% of employees don’t feel able to speak candidly about mental health concerns.

• 76% of suicides are by men and suicide is the most common cause of death in men under 45.

The RMG Wellbeing Toolkit

This is available via the intranet link below and contains links to the following resources:

Feeling First Class – www.feelingfirstclass.co.uk is a wellbeing website for employees (FFC1 to register). Contains proactive health advice and Online Stress Tool.

First Class Support – 24/7 free and confidential phone line (0800 6888777) and website www.rmgfirstclasssupport.co.uk, providing

Feeling First Class – Stress – Access to stress guidance and the ‘Guided Conversation for Stress’ on how to support an employee experiencing distress.

First Class Mental Health – Useful information to support the wellbeing of colleagues including, Mental Health Support Guide: Suicide; five Mental Health Foundation videos; information on the ‘Time to Change’ pledge and links to helpful websites. There is also a link to Success Factors for managers to book onto a one day Mental Health Awareness course.

First Class Fitness – A link to the RMG gyms website – http://royalmailfitness.co.uk

First Class Lifestyle – Links to useful websites and downloadable PDFs on health topics such as smoking, diet and alcohol.

Wellbeing Communications – Occupational Health guidance documents can be accessed from the toolkit and PSP.

RMG’s in house charity, the Rowland Hill Fund – also provides support to members in financial crisis or in need of practical help. The Rowland Hill Fund is at the following link: www.rowlandhillfund.org RHF helps Royal Mail Group employees, pensioners and their immediate families with financial and practical support. You can also contact their confidential helpline via 0800 6888777.

Resources are available from RMG’s charity partners:-

MIND: www.mind.org.uk or Helpline 0300 123 3393

Samaritans: www.samaritans.org or 24 Hr Helpline: 116 123 – “Whatever you’re going through, call free any time, from any phone on 116 123. Remember ‘small talk saves lives’.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce

National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

17LTB649 Royal Mail Group – ‘Because Healthy Minds Matters’ – Mental Health Strategy – Launch of ‘Pocket Z-Cards’

RM Mental Health Day Z card

General Conference 2018 – Sunday 22nd/Monday 23rd April 2018

Attached with this Letter to Branches are motion forms for General Conference 2018. Branches should note that the motion guide for submitting motions to General Conference 2018 has been attached.

Entitlements

In relation to the General Conference 2018, all Branches are entitled to submit three motions to General Conference. Regional Committees are entitled to submit three motions to the General Conference however one of the motions must be from the Regional Women’s Committee. Regional Health and Safety Forums are entitled to submit three motions on Health, Safety and Environmental matters.

In addition, branches and regional committees may also submit one rule amendment for the Rules Section of the agenda.

Branches/Regional Committees/Regional Health and Safety Forums are also reminded that the closing date for the submission of motions to General Conference is Tuesday 6th February 2018. Submission of motions can be by post or email but must arrive by midnight.

If sending Motions by post, Branches must ensure they use a signed for service which guarantees delivery by the closing date and time.

Branches/Regions/Health and Safety Forums/Minority Conferences and the NEC are reminded that the Standing Orders Committee will not alter or amend any of the motions submitted therefore it is important that motions are checked before they are submitted.

Please note that all correspondence must be sent by email to conferences@cwu.org and no other personal email address.

Any queries regarding this Letter to Branches should be addressed to Angela Niven on 020 8971 7256 or by email to conferences@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,

A P Kearns

Senior Deputy General Secretary

17LTB646

General Conference Motion Form 2018

General Motion Guide 2018

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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

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

643.2017

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