NATIONAL DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE (NDC)
 
Further to LTB 069/17 published under the name of Dave Ward, General Secretary.
 
I am writing to advise Branches that an interim review has been carried out and a number of changes to the NDC Byelaws have been agreed by the NEC at its meeting held on the 25th May 2017.
 
In determining my approach to the review I have taken an overview of all the cases referred to the NDC since 2010. These total 97 cases, of which 37 involve two reps from the same branch, 9 resulted in a sanction and 4 were currently ongoing, with the remainder either withdrawn or there was no prima facie case to answer. 
 
I was convinced that a large percentage of the cases that were raised under National Rule 14, were not serious breaches of National Rules, but were, indeed, a breakdown of relationships with individuals at branch level. I, therefore, took the view that we needed to put in place a procedure which allows for a swift intervention at local level, thus avoiding the need to progress every case to a full NDC hearing.
 
I, therefore, proposed and the NEC agreed that we put in place a system which allows for an initial vetting of the complaint, which can then be classified as either a dispute or a disciplinary issue, depending on the nature of the complaint. There was enough evidence to suggest that there was no need to elevate the vast majority of these complaints to a full NDC hearing and that there was an opportunity to resolve these issues at local level via an informal resolution procedure. The aim of the new procedure is to create an environment where a quick and equitable solution can be found, with only the more serious breaches of the National Rules being processed to a full NDC hearing.
 
These initial changes to the byelaws do not alter the formal NDC process that is contained within National Rule 14. What they provide is a process which will allow for an informal resolution to commence prior to any charge being considered by the full NDC and in the event a solution cannot be reached then the informal resolution process will cease and the case will revert to the full NDC for consideration.
 
The NEC have also agreed a change to the make-up of the NDC which will provide greater flexibility and also ensure we have the correct gender balance within the NDC panel members.
 
New Byelaws
 
Byelaw 2
 
At its first meeting after their election the NEC will appoint six of its members, two of which must be female, who will serve as NDC Panel Members. Any three members will constitute a Disciplinary Committee with the full authority to deal with and determine on all matters calling for disciplinary action under the rules.
 
Delete existing Byelaw 2 (a) and renumber the existing paragraphs accordingly.
 
Byelaw 3
 
Within seven days of notification from the General Secretary’s Department details of the charge will be considered by the National President or Vice President and the NDC Officer who will determine if the nature of the charge is classified as either a dispute or a disciplinary issue.
 
Disciplinary issues should, in the main, be incidents of a serious breach of national rules.
 
If it is determined that the charge is a dispute then it will be dealt with via informal resolution at local level with the assistance of an appropriate CWU representative appointed by the NDC Officer. The aim will be to conduct a meeting with all parties concerned within 14 days.
 
Informal resolution will only take place when both parties have confirmed that there are no outstanding employers’ procedures contemplated or in progress against either of the parties.
 
In the event a resolution is achieved at local level the matter will conclude at this point.
 
In the event a resolution is not achieved the charge will revert to the NDC Officer, who along with the National President or Vice President, will consider the details of the informal resolution and will decide one of the following actions.
 
Revert case back to local level for further discussions

 
Make an assessment of the charge and in light of the attempted informal resolution make a recommendation for a solution

 
Forward charge to General Secretary’s Department to be dealt with under current NDC byelaws.

 
The information contained within the informal resolution report shall remain confidential on a without prejudice basis and must not be used as part of the NDC process.
 
All existing paragraphs under Byelaw 3 are to be renumbered accordingly.
 
It is our intention to trial the new informal resolution process whilst at the same time continuing to review all aspects of National Rule 14, with the aim of submitting a proposed rule change to Annual Conference 2018.
 
NDC Byelaws affected by the change, are shown below for your information:
NATIONAL DISCIPLINE COMMITTEE – BYELAWS
 
GENERAL

 
These byelaws are made by the National Executive Council (NEC) pursuant to Rule 14, Section 3, paragraph 3 of the Union’s Rules and may be amended or rescinded at any time by resolution of the NEC.

 
At its first meeting after their election, the NEC shall appoint three of its members to constitute a Disciplinary Committee, with full authority to deal with and determine all matters calling for disciplinary action under the rules.

 
There shall be named substitutes to replace any or all members of the National Discipline Committee if they are not available.

 
A member of the NEC who has any direct personal interest in the outcome of the proceedings shall not be permitted to participate in any such case.

 
It shall not be necessary for the NDC members deciding the prima facie case to be the same members as those who subsequently hear the case in full.

 
No member of the NDC hearing a case shall participate in the decision on that case unless they have been present throughout the hearing.

 
Upon receipt of the notification of a charge against a member, the General Secretary shall ensure that the charge is put to the individual and their Branch without delay.

 
If you have any queries regarding the above, please contact Tony Rupa, Assistant Secretary/NDC Officer, Communication Workers Union, 150 The Broadway, Wimbledon, London, SW19 1RX. Telephone 0208 971 7444 or via email trupa@cwu.org
 
Yours sincerely
 
 
Tony Rupa
Assistant Secretary
NDC Officer
Email Attachments – Click to download
LTB 295/17 – NATIONAL DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE (NDC)

BAME Officers – One Day Event – Reminder
 
Further to LTB 228/17, dated 20th April 2017, I have not had much of a response to the LTB, therefore, I am sending out this reminder of the BAME Officers – One Day Event. 
 
Can Branches please inform newly elected BAME Officers who may wish to attend this one day event. Unfortunately, if I do not have enough people attending, I will have to cancel this date.
 
This is a course for those who did not attend the one day BAME Officers event last time and have attended BAME leadership courses over the last year. 
 
Details for the event are as follows:
 
Date: 27th June 2017

Venue: CWU HQ, Conference Rooms 2&3
Time: 10.30 am – 3.30 pm

 
It will be an opportunity to meet members of the Race Advisory Committee and to gain some valuable guidance to maximise work around this role. Equally as important, some exercises will be set up to allow a two-way process, so that we can establish how our BAME Officers see the role working.
 
Those who are interested in attending will need to request expenses etc from their Branch.
 
Please RSVP with the names of BAME Officers attending to equalopportunities@cwu.org
 
Any enquiries regarding this LTB should be referred to the Equal Opportunities Department.
 
Yours sincerely
 
 
 
Linda Roy
Assistant Secretary
Email Attachments – Click to download
LTB 294/17 – BAME Officers – One Day Event – Reminder

MEMBERSHIP RECORDS
It is now extremely important that we step up our work in anticipation of the need to put in place arrangements to implement the terms of Motion E5 carried at this year’s Postal Conference. The emergency motion set a timescale of August 2017 to conclude an agreement around the 4 Pillars campaign. The negotiations relating to this are ongoing and updates will continue to be communicated by Terry Pullinger DGSP.
We have already contacted Branches via LTB’s 285/17 and 289/17, as part of the way we review and prepare aspects of our membership records to ensure we are able to carry out that part of the Emergency Motion E5 that deals with the issue of industrial action.
The purpose of this LTB is that in the event those discussions are unable to conclude with an agreement we will have to plan for the prospect of an Industrial Action ballot. Branches will recall that in 2013 we placed additional resource (Martin Akerman) into the SDGS department to oversee and co-ordinate that activity. We can confirm that the arrangements will remain exactly the same for this project.
Accordingly and with immediate effect we require all branches to identify a dedicated individual who will be the contact point between the branch and the SDGS department to make certain our membership records are updated and remain correct.
We need to emphasise that this is an extremely important activity that will be essential to us implementing the 4 Pillars campaign and any resultant industrial action ballot.
From this point on there will be an extremely close working relationship between the DGS(P) and SDGS departments on this issue to ensure this union acts as one in moving forward at such an important time.
We now require that Branches identify the individual to act as the contact point and that the name and contact details of that person should be sent to makerman@cwu.org by no later than Friday 30th June 2017.
A large amount of good work has taken place amongst our members to gain support for the 4 Pillars campaign and the actions required that are contained within this LTB are an equally important aspect of the campaign.
We look forward to receiving the information requested and would like to thank Branches in advance for their assistance on this important matter.  
Any enquiries 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
TERRY PULLINGER
DEPUTY GENERAL SECRETARY (POSTAL)
 
 
Email Attachments – Click to download
LTB 292/17 – Membership Records

CWU Four Pillars of Security Campaign – Communication Material
In support of the union’s critical campaign to secure Four Pillars of Security, I am writing to Branches with details of our wider communication strategy and to highlight forthcoming campaign material for the widest possible circulation through Branches.
Campaign Video
A video of the DGS(P) has now been circulated setting out the union’s key messages around the Four Pillars of Security campaign. Branches and Representatives can access the video either through the CWU website or by clicking on the link below. Please note that you do not need to have a Facebook account to watch videos produced by the CWU. Simply click on the link below and the video will open in your computer browser:
https://www.facebook.com/ThecommunicationsUnion/videos/1408820039197471/
Leaflets and Posters
Next week Branches will receive copies of an A5 leaflet (summarising the CWU’s key arguments) for distribution to all members in all units. In addition, Branches will be sent A3 posters for circulation and display in as many Royal Mail workplaces as possible.
Four Pillars of Security Merchandise
In line with LTB 279/17, Branches are reminded to purchase CWU Four Pillars of Security merchandise to help visually promote the campaign

.Campaign Bulletins
As well as the video, leaflets and posters, Branches, Divisional, Regional and Area Representatives will also receive via email regular, one page Bulletins which will focus on the key issues in the campaign, highlight the CWU’s main messages and update you about ongoing campaign activity. The first Bulletin (Bulletin No.1) will be sent out to Branches, Divisional, Regional and Area Representatives early next week. It is imperative that every Branch ensures that each Bulletin is forwarded to Unit/Local Representatives via email without delay.
WhatsApp Groups
As well as utilising all the traditional methods of campaign communication, the Department is working with the Communications Department to look at setting up WhatsApp groups for Postal Branches to provide a fast, direct channel for publicising and circulating all our Four Pillars of Security campaign material.
Unit Representative Briefings
Arrangements are currently being made to hold a number of regional briefings for CWU Representatives to put the case for the Four Pillars of Security and to win the strongest possible backing from Local Representatives and members. Details of the briefings (with dates, times and venues) will be confirmed in the near future and the information circulated to Branches in due course.
Communication is Key
It is clear the union faces serious challenges trying to secure the Four Pillars of Security and deliver our objectives around pensions, a shorter working week, extending our Agreements and redesigning Royal Mail to deliver future growth in the business. But how well we communicate our campaign messages will be absolutely key to determining the degree and strength of membership support. I therefore strongly urge all Postal Branches to ensure the widest possible circulation of all our campaign material (videos, leaflets, posters and Bulletins) to maximise engagement and support from our members going forward.
Any enquiries in relation to the content of this LTB should be addressed to the DGS(P) Department in the first instance
Yours sincerely
Terry Pullinger
Deputy General Secretary (Postal)
 

Membership Records – On Line Services (OLS)
Branches will be aware that the existing procedure when using the OLS for changing Members details is that nobody outside CWU Headquarters can currently alter a member’s workplace.
These changes can only be completed by contacting the relevant member of staff in the membership records department.
A number of Branches have raised this issue with us over a protracted of time. We have considered the points raised by Branches and as a result we have taken the decision to update our Online Services System to allow branches to change their own members workplaces within their own branch area.  
To be clear, branches will not be entitled or able to alter the workplaces of any member who is not in their branch. To make these changes branches will need to continue to contact the membership records department to proceed with these changes.
We are currently scoping the project and once we have the updates to the system in place and tested them thoroughly, we will provide branches with an implementation date in order that they can begin to utilise the additional process. We expect this to be, subject to supplier delivering on time, at the end of June 2017. 
Any enquires should be addressed to makerman@cwu.org.
Yours sincerely,
 
TONY KEARNS

SENIOR DEPUTY GENERAL SECRETARY
Email Attachments – Click to download
LTB 289/17 – Membership Records – On Line Services (OLS)