Workers of the world unite; you have nothing to lose but your chains. Karl Marx.
CALENDAR OF PRIDE EVENTS 2018
Please find attached to this LTB dates of PRIDE Events being held next year 2018.
Please note these are the only dates we have to hand at this moment in time. I look forward to seeing branches attending the PRIDE events.
Yours sincerely
Linda Roy
Assistant Secretary
LTB 609 – Calendar of PRIDE Events 2018
10th November 2017
Dear Colleagues
CWU 4 Pillars of Security – Mediation Update
Both parties have worked in a professional and determined manner this week clarifying the philosophical and financial gaps between our respective positions.
Accepting the natural hunger for more information, it would be inappropriate and out with the protocols of the mediation process to give more detail at this stage.
The 89.1% YES vote not only reflected the depth of members’ feelings but was a massive testament to the strength and solidary of this Union at every level. The vote also provided CWU negoatiators with a powerful mandate to take into further talks and the current process of mediation.
As we have said from the outset, the pressure is on Royal Mail Group to shift its position and meet our key objectives around Pay and the Four Pillars of Security.
The recent Union activity helps us to keep up the pressure on Royal Mail Group and demonstrated loud and clear that the anger and strength of feeling shown by the original ballot result was not a flash in the pan or some emotional spasm, it is real and will be the source of ongoing industrial instability and low morale unless Royal Mail Group snap out of their denial and address it by making the right Agreement with the CWU.
Further talks have been scheduled for all of next week.
Royal Mail Group – Menopause – Supporting Menopausal Women At Work through a Suitable and Sufficient Policy, Procedure, Management & Guidance: Motion 93(2015), Motion 85(2013,) Motion 93(2012), Motion 100(2005)] – Update Report:
To: All Branches
Dear Colleagues,
A number of Motions have been carried at CWU Conference in recent years (copies attached) and the Health, Safety & Environment Department has been actively pursuing the terms of the Motions on supporting women workers through the menopause and this is an update report to Branches and Reps on the outcome and progress of recent meetings and discussions.
Tripartite meetings have taken place with Professor Amanda Griffiths of Nottingham University who is an expert in the field, having undertaken a lot of work and research on the subject. Indeed Professor Griffiths advised the TUC on the production of the TUC Guide on ‘Supporting Women Through The Menopause At Work’. Discussions were also held with Jeremy Bevan HSE Leader of the Vulnerable Workers Team, who Branches and Safety Reps will recall was a guest speaker at a CWU Conference Health and Safety Fringe Meeting in the past.
TUC/University of Nottingham Study by Professor Amanda Griffiths
After raising the matter and CWU Conference Motions with the TUC, via the National Officer’s position on the TUC Union Health and Safety Specialists Committee, a study was commissioned and the TUC Guidance was published in 2011 based on a University of Nottingham Study by Professor Amanda Griffiths, specialist in the area having undertaken a lot of work and research (copy attached).
Professor Amanda Griffiths’ study has shown that nearly half of women going through the menopause have difficulty coping with symptoms at work yet two thirds say they would not dream of disclosing their menopausal status to their bosses, male or female. The study points out that there are 3.5 million women over the age of 50 working full-time and the challenge of the menopause is fast becoming an occupational health issue and should be treated as such, with more support from employers, recommends the study. If women don’t feel they can speak openly, then they won’t get the support they need. The study concludes that support for menopausal women can be increased, through more awareness, more flexible working hours and, crucially, improvements in workplace temperature control and ventilation. If a woman needs to take a break and have a rest they should be able to ask for it. It should be understood that a woman may need a fan, to sit by an open window or have time out
occasionally. The report was shared with the Royal Mail Group Director of Safety, Health, Wellbeing & Sustainability and the Head of Health and fully discussed as a basis for a way forward.
Royal Mail Group “Managing Short Term Absence & Informal Absence Review Guide”
The CWU Health Safety and Environment Department pointed out that line managers need to be trained and informed in order to be aware of how the menopause can affect work and what adjustments may be necessary to support women who are experiencing the menopause.
The Royal Mail Group “Managing Short Term Absence & Informal Absence Review Guide” has a new additional paragraph inserted which should help managers deal with absences relating to the menopause. The paragraph headed “Managing an employee’s return to work” states – “Employees may find it difficult to discuss their health concerns particularly for conditions that are of a personal nature, such as irritable bowel syndrome, the menopause or gender related health issues. Managers should allow time and listen to the employee when having these conversations.” The emphasis is on the manager to listen and understand that this is a condition to a certain age group of women where they may not be able to perform elements of their duty on a particular day but may be able to perform some other work within the office for example. This is a small but positive step, coupled with the fact that members can ask to be interviewed by someone of the same sex, it is a positive move in the right direction. (Copy attached).
Royal Mail Group – Work with King’s College London and the University of Nottingham
Further to our discussions with the RMG Head of Health on CWU Conference Policy and Motions with reference to improving managers’ training and understanding of the menopause in the workplace and how to deal with it, recent studies have suggested that menopausal women would like their managers to be more aware of menopause at work and more understanding and sympathetic. Royal Mail Group has agreed to work with a team of researchers from King’s College London and the University of Nottingham who are currently conducting a “Menopause@Work” Project. The project aims to develop and test a new training brief which is a 30 minute online training for line managers and supervisors to increase their awareness and understanding of the menopause at work and how to support staff.
Royal Mail Group has committed to take part in this research project, identifying and inviting a mixed sample of 100 managers to contribute. Participation is completely voluntary and the details of managers taking part will be kept confidential. The only information is an email address, so that the participant can be sent the training and follow up questionnaire after the training. The survey will be available via an on line link, and will close on Sunday 12th November 2017. Four weeks after completion, participants will receive a brief follow up survey to provide feedback on training and any increased awareness of the menopause.
The results of the study will be disseminated in various ways to help inform other experts, interested parties, and the general public. For example, this may include an academic journal paper, presentations at conferences, and reports to the funder. It will also be used to improve the training or ways to create a new training program in the future and from this will support the development of Royal Mail’s approach, training and guidance.
The link to the survey will be shared via email with 100 managers in the sample this week. A further update report will be provided.
Further Research Reports and Guidance
For your information and reference find attached the following:-
University of Leicester Research ‘Workplace Menopause Study’.
EIS guidance – “Supporting older women members”.
Wales TUC Report “The menopause: a workplace issue – report of a Wales TUC survey investigating the menopause in the workplace”.
All have been shared and discussed with RMG as part of the ongoing joint work (copies attached).
Attachments:
1. Motion 93(2015), Motion 85(2013,) Motion 93(2012), Motion 100(2005)
2. TUC Report ‘Supporting Women Through The Menopause’
3. RMG Managing Short Term Absence and Informal Absence Review Guide
4. University of Leicester Research ‘Workplace Menopause Study’
5. EIS guidance – “Supporting older women members”
6. Wales TUC Report “The menopause: a workplace issue – report of a Wales TUC survey investigating the menopause in the workplace”
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
17LTB610 Royal Mail Group – Menopause – Supporting Menopausal Women At Work
CWU Conference 2013 Motion 85 2012 Motion 93
TUC – Supporting_Women_Through_the_Menopause
Managing Short Term Absence and Informal Absence Review Discussions Guide
University of Leicester Research Workplace Menopause Study
EIS Guidance – Supporting Older Women Members
BT PENSION REVIEW – BT TO COMMENCE FORMAL CONSULTATION
BT has issued a communication today advising that a formal “60-day consultation” process will start next week on 15 November. This formal consultation is required before BT can make any significant changes, which are unlikely to take effect before 1st April 2018.
The consultation will set out BT’s proposals for changes to the BT Pension Scheme and the BT Retirement Saving Scheme.
Nothing has been agreed with the CWU.
The CWU’s strong preference was to reach a recommended deal with BT prior to any formal consultation process. We wanted to take the time necessary to conclude a complex set of discussions. However, BT has decided to start the consultation next week even though we are not in a position to recommend an agreement.
Starting the 60-day consultation will not prevent us from pursuing our agenda.
We remain resolute in our opposition to closure of the BT Pension Scheme.
Any changes to the BT Pension Scheme for future service must take into account members’ pension expectations.
The BT Retirement Saving Scheme must be improved as part of this review.
Both the BT Pension Scheme (BTPS) and BT retirement Saving Scheme (BTRSS) are in scope for the review. The BTPS was closed to new members in April 2001 and the BTRSS is the pension scheme that people employed after this date can join.
We will continue to keep members advised of developments and will consult members on the outcome of negotiations.
In the meantime, please ensure that you make your views clear to your local CWU Branch or email btpensions@cwu.org Please note that the CWU is unable to give financial advice.
Yours sincerely,
Andy Kerr
Deputy General Secretary (T&FS)
CWU Humanitarian Aid Christmas card
The purpose of this LTB is to inform Branches that the Union’s charity, CWUHA has, this year, commissioned a special Christmas card for the purpose of fundraising for their various projects in Eastern Europe, Africa and the UK.
The cards are priced at £10 per pack of ten and the proceeds will go towards the charity’s 2018 projects, which include the continued funding of teachers and pupils for the CWUHA-supported school in Tanzania; phase 2 of the Phoenix Centre Project for disabled children; our third annual football tournament for disadvantaged children; the refurbishment of a rundown children’s hospital ward and furnishing bedrooms and supplying sports equipment for a large orphanage in Moldova that cares for 500 children.
In addition the CWUHA will be looking at ways to continue their support for Syrian refugees and offering holidays of a lifetime to underprivileged children.
The CWUHA projects require continued financial assistance and they rely on the generosity of branches and their members. I would urge all branches to affiliate to the CWUHA and encourage you and your members to affiliate as individuals. Please see the attached affiliation forms.
The Charity would like to thank and credit David Gibbon from the Durham County Amal Branch for the amazing photo of an artic fox and the CWU Communications Department for designing and producing the card.
If you wish to support the CWU Humanitarian Aid by placing an order for some of these cards, please contact Trish Vollans at trish.vollans@openreach.co.uk or Carl Webb at northwestregion@cwu.org.
If you have any enquiries on the content of this LTB please forward to gsoffice@cwu.org
Yours sincerely
Dave Ward
General Secretary
Political Forum – Wednesday 6th December, Birmingham & District Amal Branch, 11am – 3pm
The purpose of this LTB is to notify branches that we will be holding the CWU annual political forum on 6th December at the:-
Birmingham & District Amal Branch
47 Summer Lane
Hockley
Birmingham
B19 3TH
This is an important opportunity to discuss the union’s political strategy and our work in the Labour Party and all Branch and Regional Political Officers are asked to attend this.
At the event we will be discussing the union’s key political campaigns and policies – including demands on our industries and our call for a New Deal for Workers – and briefing branches and activists on steps to drive these forward. We will also be providing resources on our campaigns and a push to encourage members to get involved in and join the Labour Party. A full agenda will be published shortly.
Any queries on the contents of this LTB should be sent to gsoffice@cwu.org.
Yours sincerely
Dave Ward
General Secretary
NDC – Safety Footwear Trials
To: All Branches with RMG Members
Dear Colleagues,
In response to various enquiries, it was agreed earlier this year to undertake a range of trials on new footwear makes, designs and styles in an effort to develop and re-design the range into a modern, fit for purpose range in order to encourage more staff to wear them, to meet individuals needs and preferences and to provide an improved, safe, ergonomically sound, durable and fit for purpose footwear range that staff are eager to wear.
Part of these trials involves 162 members at NDC (National Distribution Centre) Northampton who are taking part in the footwear trials of 9 types/designs of shoes and boots, including new trainer types and standard types of shoes and boots with those involved selecting from the new options and feeding back to the joint RMG/CWU committee.
The footwear types being trialed have been allocated to the members involved so RMG knows who receives what type, make and style and RMG has matched the trial product against what they have ordered in the past i.e. if they had previously had trainers RMG have allocated them a new trainers trial style.
The delivery has been phased in with some new styles taking longer to arrive as they are completely new.
Included in the NDC Trials is the option to trial the Parcelforce footwear, previously only supplied to PFW staff.
Footwear Types and Styles on trial:- Product
Feature VariantsRY06 Easyflex boot
Waterproof including Composite Toe CapEasyflex Trainer
Non Waterproof including Composite Toe CapTaormina shoe
In all black – Non Waterproof including Composite Toe CapYours sincerely
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
Collection From The Black Worker’s Conference 2017
At the Black Worker’s Conference held in Bristol on the 17th October 2017, the sum of £1,580 was raised and this will be donated to the Syrian Refugees.
Thank you for all the donations received from the branches.
Yours sincerely
Linda Roy
Assistant Secretary
Swing Bar Barrier Gate Serious Accident to Keighley Postman Driver – Crown Court Case Against Site Owners Outcome – Guilty of Health and Safety Offences
To: All Branches
Dear Colleagues,
LTB 605/16 dated 14 October 2016 , reported to Branches, Health and Safety Reps and Regional Health and Safety Forums that on the 9th August 2016 a Keighley Delivery Office Postman and CWU member received serious injuries when his van collided with an unsecured ‘Swing Arm Barrier Gate’ which penetrated the Windscreen of his Royal Mail Vauxhall Combo delivery van and struck him in the face and head causing very serious injuries as he was leaving a sports centre premises after completing his deliveries to the address. The member narrowly avoided death and was fortunate to survive the accident. He was rushed to hospital where he underwent major surgery. Several operations and long term treatment for his injuries followed. (See Attached Photographs of the Accident Scene and Collision).
The CWU Health, Safety & Environment Department held meetings and exchanged correspondence with both Bradford Council and the HSE to press for the owners of the premises to be prosecuted for Health and Safety Offences and a prosecution of the site owners eventually proceeded.
Last month the site owners, Silsden Community Sports Club, pleaded guilty to health and safety regulation breaches at Bradford Crown Court, for failing to secure the swing bar barrier gate which subsequently swung into the path of the Royal Mail van.
The fact that this prosecution proceeded in the first place came about due to pressure by the CWU Health, Safety and Environment Department on the enforcing authorities to prosecute the site owners.
There was some reluctance by the Local Authority to prosecute, because of the type of organisation the defendants were. Silsden Community Sports Club serves the local community with little money and assets, depending on grants, donations and volunteer workers, the Club provides local facilities and amenities on a ‘not for profit’ basis, rather like a charity and is run by volunteers.
Nevertheless, we are pleased the prosecution went ahead and that Silsden Sports Club were found guilty as there is no excuse for ignoring safety legal obligations and compliance which in this case could have led to a fatality.
The outcome of the case that the Judge fined the Club a nominal £140 instead of a six figure fine plus costs and a restitution order which would have been the outcome had the Club owners been a large commercial company or organisation. For example, North Lincolnshire Council were fined £200,000 in a similar case. The Judge in this case also refused to grant Bradford Council their prosecution costs of £4,000, leaving them out of pocket.
The Judge said that he was following the ‘Mandatory’ Sentencing Council Guidance to the courts. This means that the court is required to take into account the “means” of the offenders and the court can’t set fines the offenders simply can’t pay. The court must take into account the size of the organisation in determining the sentence. It must look at turnover and profits identified in accounts and annual reports and the overall financial circumstances as well as the potential impact of offenders ability to improve safety conditions, make improvements and restitution etc.
A Civil Litigation, Claim for Damages for the member is being handled by the Union’s Solicitors and this will be a different thing altogether and will not face any limitations with the claim being taken against the Club’s Insurers. The payout will be based on a quantified, expertly valued and negotiated amount by the Solicitors and Barristers involved, either via a negotiated out of court settlement or if need be, via the civil courts.
The seriousness of the risk posed by unsecured ‘Swing Arm Barrier Gates’ cannot be underestimated. Apart from the 2016 Keighley case, in June 2011 a Somerset Delivery Office Postman was killed in a collision with a swing arm barrier gate at a farm and in 2012 a man died when his vehicle drove into an unsecured swing arm barrier gate at a car park in Lincolnshire.
The HSE issued a Warning and Advice, following the growing number of people killed or seriously injured in collisions with swing arm barrier gates in car parks (copy attached).
HSE Guidance states that ‘Duty Holders’ need to ensure that Swing Arm Barrier gates do not pose a hazard to drivers and must secure the gate, ensuring that suitable precautions are in place to control any risks and avoid collisions with vehicles, by making sure the gates are locked back open and are shut to suitable fixing posts preferably with a padlock so they cannot swing open and present an impalement risk.
A Swing Arm Barrier Gate typically comprises of a supported, horizontal bar or beam hinged at a vertical pillar. The bar is manually moved to open or close off access to an opening in a premises, car park exit/entrance.
Accidents have occurred when barriers have been inadequately secured so that they have partially opened and presented a least visible end on profile of the protruding barrier which has impaled an oncoming vehicle. The end profile of the barrier may not be clearly visible to an oncoming driver. Other incidents have occurred as a barrier has swung into the path of an oncoming vehicle. Unsecured barriers can swing open due to the wind, gravity, vibration or as a result of vandalism.
Royal Mail issued a Safety Alert following the Keighley accident (copy attached) for the Attention of all Royal Mail Van drivers regarding the dangers posed by unsecured swing arm barriers gates.
Would all CWU Branches and Safety Reps continue to raise awareness of the risks with Swing Arm Barrier Gates and bring the Royal Mail SHE Safety Alert and HSE Advice to Members who are Drivers!
In 2016, there was evidence to suggest that the Royal Mail Safety Alert had not been effectively briefed out and brought to the attention of our members nor displayed on Notice Boards. Would Safety Reps please ensure that this Safety Alert has been communicated to drivers so they are fully aware of the dangers of unsecured Swing Arm Barrier Gates.
Owners and operators of premises with Swing Arm Barrier Gates are must lock back these gates and are failing in their general duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act if they don’t do that simple task. Drivers should report any premises they deliver to or collect from where this is a problem in order that Royal Mail can take it up with the site owners.
As the Accident Scene and Accident Investigation Photographs demonstrate, Swing Arm Barrier Gates can be difficult to see when approaching them head-on and when not secured back especially in bad weather or poor light. The HSE advise that the end profile of the swing-arm barrier may not be clearly visible to an oncoming driver!
Attachments:
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
