Post Office Crisis – Postcard Campaign
As branches are aware since we started our campaign against Post Office closures, job losses and pension cuts; the government has launched a public consultation on the future of the Post Office.
As set out in LTB 659/16, it is extremely important that we use this opportunity to get public support for the key demands in our dispute with the Post Office and put as much pressure as possible on the government.
We are therefore running a campaign to get tens of thousands of responses to the consultation calling for an end to the closure and franchise programme and for a new strategy for the Post Office based on growth, in particular with the establishment of a Post Bank. Branches will be receiving a campaign pack which includes postcards that we are asking people to add their name to, which we can then submit to the government in December. We would urge branches to make every effort to get as many postcards completed and returned to CWU Headquarters as soon as possible (these should not be sent to BEIS directly).
Our members in the Post Office are facing the closure of the defined benefit pension scheme – which will leave many of them tens of thousands of pounds worse off in retirement – thousands of job losses and the continued managed decline of the network putting job security at risk. As we have said previously, with the Post Office being entirely owned by the government, the union’s dispute with the Post Office has a political angle and together with industrial action it is extremely important that we put public pressure on the government in order to defend our members.
All branches are therefore asked to treat this campaign as a priority over the coming weeks and target large workplaces and any public meetings and events to get as many postcards signed as possible.
Finally, as Branches will have seen, the debate we secured on the future of the Post Office in parliament took place yesterday afternoon. The debate was positive for the union, with the Post Office and the government coming in for severe criticism from MPs from all parties who were pushing our key lines and many of whom had been working with the union locally. A transcript of the debate is available here: https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2016-11-17/debates/16111746000001/BackbenchBusiness
We will be continuing to put pressure on the government through parliament and would ask branches to continue to lobby MPs, particularly in Conservative constituencies.
Any queries on the contents of this LTB should be addressed to GSoffice@cwu.org and any requests for postcards should be made to mmurray@cwu.org.
Yours sincerely
Dave Ward Terry Pullinger
General Secretary Deputy General Secretary (Postal)
Email Attachments – Click to download
LTB 683/16 – Post Office Crisis – Postcard Campaign
Latest from the Branch
Suspect Letters/Packets Containing Drugs & Royal Mail Group Handover of Mail to Police Officers and HM Customs Officers Procedure & Guidance
Suspect Letters/Packets Containing Drugs & Royal Mail Group Handover of Mail to Police Officers and HM Customs Officers Procedure & Guidance:
To: All Branches
Dear Colleagues,
A small number of cases have come to our attention where individual members on sorting duties have come across letters or packets in the mail which they suspect contain illegal, prohibited drugs, due to the obviously strong pungent odour being given off by the item concerned. However when the items were referred to management, the incidents were not always handled correctly, in one case with a manager threatening a Postman/OPG member with Conduct Code action when he refused to deliver it and insisted, quite correctly, that the matter be referred to Royal Mail Security and the Police. The manager concerned handled the matter incorrectly and was unaware of the correct Royal Mail official procedures to follow. Clearly the manager in that case should have sought appropriate advice which did not happen. Our member, on the other hand did the right and proper thing in identifying the suspect package and referring it to management for the appropriate actions via Royal Mail Security and the Police.
This LTB therefore is to raise awareness amongst Representatives of the correct procedure, should our members identify a suspect package containing suspected drugs. The procedure is set out in the attached copy of the Royal Mail Guidance “RMG Handover of Mail to Police and Customs Procedure,” Version 6.0, dated November 2014, Reviewed November 2016, Section 3. This reads as follows:-
3. Prohibited Drugs in the Mail
3.1 The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 prohibits the import, export, supply and possession of controlled drugs. If a postal packet is suspected of containing prohibited drugs please have regard to the information below.
3.2 Overseas Packet into or out of the UK. Where a postal packet is suspected of containing prohibited drugs and the packet has come from abroad or is destined to go out of the United
Kingdom then the Postal Services Act 2000 allows the detention of the packet so that it can be handed over to a Customs Officer. The Customs Officer may open the postal packet in the presence of a Royal Mail employee. The suspect postal packet can be detained at any point in the Royal Mail pipeline.
3.3 UK Postal Packets. If Royal Mail staff identify a postal packet that is suspected of containing prohibited drugs and the packet has not come from abroad and is not destined to go out of the United Kingdom the Police and the Security Helpdesk (020 7239 6655) or out of hours, Central Postal Control on 0345 266 1060 should be contacted.
3.4 The Police Officer attending Royal Mail premises should be shown the suspect postal packet. Without opening it, the Police Officer should confirm whether the postal packet contains prohibited drugs. If there is a positive identification by the Police Officer or by a Police sniffer dog that prohibited drugs are present the Police should be informed that a controlled delivery can be facilitated by Royal Mail Security. Alternatively, they can remove the postal packet unopened after completing the receipt embedded below. (GS231 Receipt for Postal Item)
3.5 Where this is dealt with by CPC the actions taken will be entered on the CPC Log as a RM Security incident and reported to the Security Helpdesk.
3.6 If the Police Officer is unable to identify the contents of the unopened postal packet then Royal Mail Security can still arrange a controlled delivery.
3.7 A controlled delivery is one where either the Police deliver the postal packet as an agent of Royal Mail or the delivery is undertaken by a Royal Mail employee at a time known to the Police. Postal packets must not be delayed in order to facilitate a controlled delivery.
3.8 Should it be decided that a controlled delivery is the preferred course of action the Security Helpdesk should be contacted on 0207 239 6655 who may make further arrangements with the relevant Investigation Team Manager.
3.9 If the Police contact Royal Mail alleging that a specific postal packet is suspected of containing prohibited drugs then arrangements should be made for the Police to attend the relevant location and identify the postal packet. When the postal packet has been identified the process in 3.4 and 3.5 should be followed.
3.10 A postal packet which is suspected of containing prohibited drugs should not be opened at any time by a Royal Mail employee. Once a postal packet has been identified by an expert as containing prohibited drugs then the Police or Customs should be allowed to deal with the packet as they think fit. A Police Officer, Customs Officer or sniffer dog will be regarded as an expert for the purposes of the identification of prohibited drugs. ©
If incidents occur, CWU Reps should refer managers to the attached Royal Mail Guide and advise them to contact either the Security Helpdesk (020 7239 6655) or out of hours, Central Postal Control on 0345 266 1060 for further advice. Security help desk will then take control of the situation and give the appropriate advice, which invariably results in the matter being referred to the Police who may take the package or letter away for further investigation after issuing an official receipt. This is the normal process if an item is identified if it has progressed down the mail pipeline to either a Processing Centre or Delivery Office.
If a suspect drugs containing item is identified at an International Inward Office, the process is slightly different in that it would be referred to Customs Officers working on site within the office.
In conclusion, our members identifying such packages for further investigation have and should continue to do the right thing in reporting these matters and should be congratulated and commended for their attention to the matter and wanting the appropriate action taken. There should of course be no negative repercussions aimed at members for their vigilance in such cases when they occur.
Would all CWU Area Representatives, Safety, Delivery, Distribution, Processing please note the attached guide and correct procedures and support and advise members and managers accordingly as and when required should incidents occur as outlined above and ensure the appropriate action is taken should members find themselves in a similar situation on discovering a suspected package or letter containing illegal, prohibited substances.
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
Email Attachments – Click to download
Attachment 1 – LTB680/16 Suspect Letters/Packets Containing Drugs
Attachment 2 – RMG Inviolability of Mail Guide for Ops v6 Nov 2014
New Royal Mail 2016 Peugeot Expert L2 H1 (Euro 6) Van Introduction – Technical, Operational and Safety Changes Information
New Royal Mail 2016 Peugeot Expert L2 H1 (Euro 6) Van Introduction – Technical, Operational and Safety Changes Information:
To: All Branches
Dear Colleagues,
Royal Mail are currently introducing the new 2016 Peugeot Expert L2 H1 (Euro 6) Van into the Royal Mail Fleet. The Health, Safety & Environment Department have been informed of a number of Technical, Operational and Safety changes to this vehicle in comparison with predecessor models and the following information in this LTB has been collated to give an update to Area and Workplace Health and Safety Representatives and Branches about the Changes as follows:-
Blind spot monitoring system.
Front & Rear parking sensors.
Grab Handles at the Side & Rear Doors Entry/Exit points.
An LED Lamp in the load area.
Hi Viz Safety Livery.
Front Fog Lamps.
Screenwashers/Headlamp Washers.
Tyre Size: 215/65/R16C – Load Rating 106/104T.
Tyre pressures PSI (F) 43 & (R) 50.
5 Bolt Steel Wheel Rims with Wheel Bolt Torque Setting 11daNm.
Fuel Tank Capacity 70 litres.
Adblue Tank capacity 22 litres.
Engine Oil Capacity 5.6 litres (inc. filter).
Under the bonnet:
Tyre size: 215/65/R16C – Load Rating 106/104T
Tyre pressures PSI (F) 43 & (R) 50
5 bolt steel wheel rims, Wheel Bolt Torque Setting 11daNm.
Fuel Tank capacity 70 litres.
Adblue Tank with Capacity of 22 litres.
Engine Oil capacity 5.6 litres (inc. filter)
Adblue filler positioned at the N/S B pillar and you open the N/S/F door to access it.
Bonnet Catch positioned N/S foot well.
Heavy Duty Battery & Alternator fitted as standard.
The attached PowerPoint document provides information that has been collated to give the Fleet Workshops and Operators an overview.
Also attached is a copy of the ‘Auto Express’ review article on the Peugeot Expert.
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
Email Attachments – Click to download
Attachment 1 – LTB679/16 New Royal Mail 2016 Peugeot Expert L2 H1 (Euro 6) Van Introduction
Membership Records – Updating Postal Branches Records
Membership Records – Updating Postal Branches Records
Branches will be aware of changes to legislation in respect of the new Trade Union Act 2016 and the Trade Union Admin Act, in particular the additional constraints placed upon the union when initiating Industrial Action Ballot requests.
We are currently considering and reviewing our membership data to ensure both HQ and branches are complying with any new legislation regarding Industrial Action requests. Postal Branches will recall that the last time we carried out a similar exercise was before the National Postal Industrial Action Ballot in 2013. Taking these facts into consideration and alongside the knowledge that the Independent Assurer will be performing a full audit of our records early in the New Year, we have decided to carry out a full check of our Postal membership data.
The exercise will begin this week with an analysis of our workplaces within Royal Mail Group, this will include a full run of all members currently paying their subscriptions by the Deduction at Source method (DAS) within Royal Mail workplaces. This will be completed by Monday 7th November 2016. Following this we are requesting that from Tuesday 8th November all Branch Secretary’s check their own data unit by unit and ensure all names and numbers are accurate. This exercise must be completed with any discrepancies sent to Martin Akerman Policy Advisor at makerman@cwu.org by Monday 21st November 2016.
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
Email Attachments – Click to download
LTB 640/16 – Membership Records – Updating Postal Branches Records
CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR ARRANGEMENTS 2016
CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR ARRANGEMENTS 2016
Dear Colleagues
Please find attached, as Appendix A to this document, for the information of Branches the agreement in respect of Christmas and New Year arrangements for 2016/17, which was endorsed by the Postal Executive at its meeting on the 15th November 2016.
The subject of evening Parcel Deliveries has been an issue of contention during these discussions and has contributed to a delay in concluding an agreement. Extensive discussions between the Outdoor department and the business have however resulted in agreement that the wording in the attached agreement for 2016/17 mirrors that of last year in relation to Parcel Deliveries.
In relation to Enquiry Office opening hours on the 31st December the business has confirmed that normal local Saturday arrangements will apply and no office will remain open beyond 18.00.
With regard to attendance arrangements all safeguards achieved in previous years have been retained in this year’s agreement. These include:
Improved wording on maximising employee aspirations for time off by utilising the full range of resourcing options (Para 3.5)
Acceptance that where agreed resourcing arrangements result in attendance beyond conditioned hours, staff may either elect to receive a lieu day or the appropriate overtime rate for the additional hours (Para 3.6)
That any resultant overtime on either Bank Holiday will attract normal Bank Holiday rates (option A or B) (Para 3.7)
That night operations will commence as appropriate on the 27th December and 2nd January (3rd January in Scotland) allowing discussions on a later start time where that is locally desirable.
In addition to the attached Christmas Arrangements the business has also supplied a copy of their Planning Document, XPD 8.4 Working Time Limits, which provides clarity in relation to the arrangements for hours that may be worked during the Christmas pressure period. A copy of the guidelines is attached as Appendix B to this document for information purposes.
Please note that in recent years arrangements for Network Drivers have been concluded in a specific agreement and this has remained the case for the 2016/17 arrangements. Branches should note that a Letter to Branches will be issued by the relevant department to communicate the arrangements for Network Drivers.
Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be directed to the relevant department:
Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary, email: dwyatt@cwu.org or shayman@cwu.org quoting reference number: 706A.07
and
Mark Baulch, Acting Assistant Secretary, email outdoorsecretary@cwu.org quoting reference number: 170
Yours sincerely
Davie Robertson Mark Baulch
Assistant Secretary Assistant Secretary
Email Attachments – Click to download
Lyn 674/16 – Christmas & New Year Arrangements 2016
Movement of Sorting Frames in Royal Mail Delivery Offices, Mail Processing Units, Mail Centres Etc – ‘Mandatory’ Procedure
Movement of Sorting Frames in Royal Mail Delivery Offices, Mail Processing Units, Mail Centres Etc – ‘Mandatory’ Procedure:
To: All Branches
Dear Colleagues,
Following a recent incident involving the breach of health and safety procedures in a Delivery Office by local managers, the CWU Health, Safety & Environment Department is re-issuing information and guidance to Branch Area Health and Safety Representatives and Branch Officials.
The following information may assist for future reference:-
Following a Serious Structural Failure of a Sorting Frame and Dangerous Occurrence/Near Miss in 2012 a Joint Investigation was immediately initiated and a number of remedial actions were put in place including a national inspection programme of all Sorting Frames in all Offices. This revealed a significant number found to be in an unsafe condition and or configuration and all issues were subsequently rectified through a remedial action programme.
One of the agreed outcomes was a “MANDATORY” Instruction issued to all Operational Managers NOT TO MOVE SORTING FRAMES.
It was agreed that it is important that both basic and extended Sorting Frame configurations are moved, constructed, altered, re-configured safely, ONLY by competently trained Romec Engineers who have the approved tools, equipment and components and kit available to them to ensure that all frames are constructed to a safe, sound and robust standard and are moved safely (without being damaged or the Frame’s integrity weakened) to new agreed locations in the Office.
Romec Engineers have the agreed ‘Work Method Statements’ and ‘Safe Systems of Work’ for the installation, alteration or movement of existing or new Frames/Fittings or making changes to the location of existing Fittings as this clearly needs adequate risk assessment, controls, monitoring and safety checks when completed to safeguard the health, safety and welfare of the workforce bearing in mind past experiences.
Managers involved in incidents of moving Frames themselves, outside the Royal Mail Safety Standard should know better and there is no excuse for ignoring Royal Mail’s procedures and Instructions. Any similar incidents should be immediately reported and investigated and the matter dealt with appropriately by their superiors.
The CWU/HQ Health, Safety & Environment Department working with Royal Mail Operations HQ, spent a lot of time on this, getting it right in 2012. Additionally in 2012, it was also agreed with Royal Mail that DSMs and DOMs should liaise locally with ASRs/WSRs on these matters ensuring safety checks were carried out jointly.
ASRs/WSRs should point out to managers considering any office re-organisations/re-configurations to consult with all interested parties and stakeholders prior to proceeding with and changes, fully involving the CWU ASR and other Reps, Property team, Safety team, Delivery team, Programmes team etc., and they should be advised not to start moving kit and equipment, sorting frames etc., around Delivery Units or other Operational Units (MPUs/MCs etc.) outside of the recognised safety procedures.
See attached copy of the relevant Instructions and documents.
The relevant Health and Safety Legislation: Health and Safety At Work Act 1974
S2 States that it is the duty of every employer to ensure the health, safety and welfare at work of all his/her employees, providing a safe place and safe system of work, safe plant and equipment, regularly maintained, safe access and egress, safe handling, storage and transport of articles and substances, provision of information, instruction, training and supervision as is necessary to ensure health and safety at work of his employees.
PUWER 1998 (Provision of Use and Work Equipment Regulations)
The Regulations require employers to ensure that equipment provided at work is safe and suitable for use, maintained in a safe condition, inspected, used only by those informed, instructed and trained.
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
Email Attachments – Click to download
Attachment 1 – LTB675/16 Movement of Sorting Frames in Royal Mail Delivery Offices, Mails Processing Units, Mail Centres
Attachment 2 – Correct Methods For Movement of Sorting Fittings
Election of National Representative Positions – Vacant Positions 2016
Election of National Representative Positions – Vacant Positions 2016
CWU Youth Committee
Further to LTB 641/16 dated 31st October 2016, at the close of nominations the following have been received:
POSTAL CONSTITUENCY
NORTH EAST REGION – No Nominations Received
WALES REGION – No Nominations Received
LONDON REGION
Joel McCluskey
North/North West London
*Elected
TELECOM & FINANCIAL SERVICES CONSTITUENCY
NORTH WEST REGION – No Nominations Received
SCOTLAND REGION
Rebecca Watt
Scotland No 1
*Elected
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
Email Attachments – Click to download
LTB 677/16 – Election of National Representative Positions – CWU Youth Committee 2016
RMG National Road Safety Week, 21st – 27th November – Focus on Supporting the ‘BRAKE’ Annual Road Safety Week – CWU ASR Activities
RMG National Road Safety Week, 21st – 27th November – Focus on Supporting the ‘BRAKE’ Annual Road Safety Week – CWU ASR Activities
To: All Branches with Postal Members
Dear Colleagues,
This LTB is being issued further to LTBs 284/16, 532/16 and 545/16.
November is the month during which ‘BRAKE’ the road safety charity organise their annual, UK national roads safety week, so the Royal Mail November Quarterly Road Safety Week (RSW), working with the CWU and Unite/CMA will be focusing on jointly supporting the National ‘Brake’ Road Safety Week. This is to remind ASRs that the CWU fully supports the week which is based on full CWU ASR involvement, participation and support.
National Road Safety week is an initiative created and co-ordinated annually by “BRAKE” the Road Safety Charity, supporting and encouraging organisations, employers, fleet operators, Trade Unions and other organisations and communities to raise road safety awareness and prevent needless road deaths and casualties year-round. It also provides a focal point for professionals working in road safety to boost awareness and engagement in their work.
Brake founded Road Safety Week in 1997 as an annual event to raise awareness about road safety. The CWU Health, Safety & Environment Department has been actively supporting the campaign annually since 2003.
The CWU Health, Safety & Environment Department has, over that period been pressing the HSE to provide guidance and pressing Royal Mail to undertake Driver Risk Assessments. National Health and Safety Officer Dave Joyce was part of the DWP/HSE/TUC Joint Working Group, chaired by Royal Mail Group Chair Richard Dykes, that led to the publication of the HSE’s first “Driving At Work – Managing Work-Related Road Safety” Guidance (INDG382) in 2003 (copy attached) and the CWU Health, Safety & Environment Department worked jointly with Royal Mail to develop the first Royal Mail Driver Risk Assessment in 2005, updated in 2010 and re-launched in 2016.
Following discussions at the 2015 RMG/CWU Joint EU health and safety week national joint SHE Team/ASRs Event, the Joint Royal Mail Road Safety Taskforce was formed and set up in October last year (2015) following discussions and agreement between the CWU Health, Safety & Environment Department and the Royal Mail Group Director of Safety, Health, Environment and Wellbeing Shaun Davis and the RST has met 5 times during the last year, developing a number of Road Safety Initiatives such as Road Safety Week activities.
Every 30 seconds someone somewhere in the world is killed in a road crash. The misery of road death and injuries caused by vehicles is a shameful epidemic that we should all try to reduce. For any company with staff who drive for work – whether it’s a fleet of commercial vehicles, company cars – ignoring fleet driver and road safety can cost dearly. As well as being devastating to those involved, road crashes have massive financial, reputational and legal implications for organisations. For example, in the UK, the cost to employers of ‘at-work road crashes’ is estimated to be more than £2.7 billion a year. At the same time, Road Safety Week is the beginning of a campaign to reduce accidents and injuries as well as business costs through implementing road risk management programme of effective policies and procedures. Investing in fleet risk management therefore makes sound financial sense for all organisations with staff who drive for work.
Managing road risk is also a fundamental part of an employer’s legal and moral duty of care towards its employees and members of the public. Driving is the riskiest activity most employees engage in. Road crashes account for 39% of work-related deaths in the European Union.
The Royal Mail Safety Team and CWU Health and Safety Department have agreed to work together on fleet and driver safety, raising awareness and standards, gaining buy-in, managing and reducing the risk to drivers, vehicles, and journeys; and continually improve fleet and driver safety.
Royal Mail will deliver some key messages through a number of channels including the RMTV, local screens, a poster, Courier, WTLL session and Activity Plans which have been jointly developed and agreed. These are attached.
There will be 3 RM/CWU/Unite.CMA activity plans for Road Safety Week:-
An Activity Plan for Front Line Managers which focuses on completing 4 key activities throughout the week.
An Activity Plan for all other managers which asks Manager to focus their SMATs or Observations on the
completion of the front line manager activity plans and to support the ‘National Brake Road Safety Week.’
An Activity Plan for CWU Area Safety Reps which asks the ASRs to focus their Safety Inspections on the completion of the front line manager activity plans which support the ‘National Brake Road Safety Week.
Please see attached the Royal Mail road safety week activity plans materials.
The Royal Mail Group Regional Safety Health and Environment (SHE) Teams covering Royal Mail, Parcelforce, RMSS have been asked to liaise with the ASRs from both Unions to discuss participation and support with the road safety week’s activities.
ASRs were asked to follow the ASR activity guide and schedule for the week.
During Road Safety Week ASRs are asked to focus their daily Workplace Safety Inspections on a number of Units, preferably high impacting units and liaise with line managers to agree which high impacting units should be focused on and visited/Inspected during the November National Road Safety Week (RSW).
ASR activities are:-
General:
Assist the Front Line Managers in delivering the WTLL jointly.
Carry out a Safety Inspection
Ask Drivers:
Have they received the WTLL briefing for Road Safety Week?
Do they understand and agree with, the principles covered?
Have they seen the Road Safety Week poster?
Use the additional materials to talk to a few drivers about Road Safety Week material. e.g.
What did they get up to over the weekend? Did they have a drink? Show them the ’morning after calculator’
When did they last have their eyesight checked? Show them the eyesight film
How much sleep did they get last night? Show them the fatigue film
Do they need any additional support, coaching, information or training?
Ask Front Line Managers:
What activities have they completed for Road Safety Week?
Have they delivered the WTLL and displayed the poster?
Have they completed a Driver/Vehicle SMAT?
Observe Vehicles and Drivers:
Are vehicles in good working order, clean and tidy?
Are they safely parked?
Did drivers carry out vehicle checks?
Did they wear their seatbelts?
Remind drivers about not using mobile phones whilst at the wheel.
Finally ASRs should:-
Ensure they’ve recorded their daily Safety Inspections using the agreed process and forms.
Collate and summarise the findings and forward it to the Local, Area, Sector, Plant Managers, SHE Team in the area to provide feedback on the Road Safety Week Activities.
Would ASRs please ensure all their Inspection visit reports are completed and submitted as above and can I thank all ASRs and WSRs for their support.
Finally, the important Safety Issues listed above are not just for Road Safety Week alone! And need to be monitored and be part of Safety Inspections and spot checks on a regular periodic basis, flagging up all shortcomings asap. Road Safety Week provides a high profile special focus on these important Road, Driver and Vehicle Safety matters. ASRs may wish to further discuss the above with the local SHE Team Managers and Advisors and at Health and Safety Joint Committees to suggest some further ongoing joint attention and initiatives to concentrate attention to issues highlighted during the week. The Regional SHE Teams will liaise and work with CWU ASRs in order to ensure full involvement and participation by ASRs and WSRs and from their discussions, organise support for the week’s activities.
The RMG National Road Safety Manager has sent out a communication via the Regions and Business Units Internal Communications managers requesting that front line manager’s activities are supported by the Local/Area/Sector Managers in RM and PFW.
ASRs should contact local SHE team members and Local/Area/Sectors Managers to discuss the activities plan ASAP.
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
Email Attachments – Click to download
Att.1
ROYAL MAIL MATERIALS HANDLING CONTAINERISATION UPDATE & CHRISTMAS ARRANGEMENTS 2016 – HEALTH & SAFETY ASPECTS
ROYAL MAIL MATERIALS HANDLING CONTAINERISATION UPDATE & CHRISTMAS ARRANGEMENTS 2016 – HEALTH & SAFETY ASPECTS
To: All Branches with Postal Members
Dear Colleagues,
Below is a summary update on Materials Handling containerisation arrangements for the 2016 Christmas period. The contents of this LTB have been discussed and agreed with Royal Mail HQ, Central Assets/Containers Team:-
1.York Containers
Royal Mail have purchased an additional 67,500 new York Containers and these, along with 180,000 York Containers held in storage, will be injected into the system via the Parcel Sort Centres and Amazon. All will be in the network by early December. A total fleet of around 500,000 Yorks will now be in service during the Christmas pressure period.
Royal Mail will be looking for Yorks to be filled with the maximum 7 layers of 4 trays (28 Max), wherever possible subject to safe systems of work, weight constraints of the Container and subsequently the vehicle weight limits on to which they will be loaded so as to comply with Safe Systems of Work and Road Traffic Act Legislation.
York Containers primarily carry mainly trays, mailbags and parcels in ALP (Auto-Level Packet) Sleeves. They do have other uses, referred to below.
All of the new Yorks are the latest version of the MK3 York introduced in previous years. All MK3 Yorks have now been reworked (Details See Appendix 1).
1a. ALP Sleeves
Royal Mail, over the last two years purchased 93,000 new ALP Sleeves all of which were released into the network. A further 50,000 ALP Sleeves were purchased this year. These, along with 20,225 which were previously held in storage, have all now been put into the network.
2. RSCs Rigid Stackable Container
4,000 RSC’s will be released from storage between November and Christmas into the RDC network.
RSCs are not intended to go inside mail centres and delivery offices and are primarily for the Distribution Centre’s network and warehouse environments where there is sufficient space and where risk assessment and Safe Systems of Work requirements apply, in respect of workplace transport hazards from FLTs and crush hazards etc. Specific PPE regulations requirements also apply in these work environments, e.g., high visibility clothing and protective footwear. RSCs may only be used in risk controlled working environments as per the Safe Systems of Work.
3. FSC Folding Steel Containers
Royal Mail has purchased 3,000 new FSC’s this year (A folding version of the RSC).
7,000 new folding stackable containers (FSCs) were introduced 2011.
3,000 were also purchased and introduced in 2014.
These will be used in a closed loop operation wherever possible to ensure most cost effective benefits are gained.
Safe Systems of Work (SSoW) are located on a plate on the side of the container. (See Appendix 8).
Regions should not receive FSCs, However, if received they should be returned to the local RDC as soon as possible.
4. Cardboard RSCs
As originally reported in LTB 632/05 and successfully utilised during successive Christmas pressure periods since 2005, Cardboard RSCs were introduced to provide additional storage for Mailsort Christmas deferred mailings, empty bags and empty trays. These are used primarily in the RDC Network over the Christmas period and are being introduced for the storage of empty bags; empty trays and Mailsort 3 Christmas deferred mailing items during the Christmas pressure period. They will also be used for some bagged Customer Postings.
These are folding, heavy duty cardboard containers with the base fixed to a standard wooden pallet.
3,600 Cardboard RSCs have been held in storage and are available as a contingency for an additional container during the Christmas peak period and intended:
For use for Deferred Mailings during the Christmas peak period.
For use anywhere in Royal Mail’s network and at customer premises.
For storage of empty bags and trays to release RSCs into the network.
For conveyance of empty Bags to customers.
For empty Bags, empty Trays and Bags of Mail.
Cardboard RSCs are intended to be:
A reusable container.
Used indoors and in the RDC network, but NOT for external storage where they may get wet.
Folded flat when being stored empty.
Cardboard RSCs are:
NOT compatible with the standard Steel RSC and must not be stacked with any other container type.
NOT to be used for Bundled/strapexed mail, Trayed Mail, small loose parcels or any heavy items.
Cardboard RSCs must be kept under the roof and not exposed to outside elements or humidity. A minimum four uses per cardboard RSC must be achieved. Damaged cardboard RSCs must be cannibalised to maintain serviceable stocks. Vehicles can accommodate more empty cardboard RSCs than steel RSCs per trip. Prioritise the repatriation of serviceable cardboard RSCs ahead of steel RSCs. Cardboard RSCs are produced by, ‘DS Smith’. They are constructed of triple ply corrugated cardboard and are approximately 1.2m wide x 1m deep x 950mm High. They consist of 3 parts: A cardboard tray mounted on a standard 1200 x 1000 mm wooden pallet. A folding sleeve which folds to fit inside the base tray and can be assembled to construct the Pallet Box. A Cardboard lid which fits over the sleeve when assembled and over the Base Tray when the sleeve is folded flat inside the Base Tray. They have a carrying capacity of 650kg as a single or double stack. The Approximate weight filled with empty trays is 85 kg – filled with bags of mail 340 kg. Cardboard RSCs may only be stacked as follows:
3 high when assembled and loaded with empty bags and empty trays.
2 high when assembled and loaded with mail.
IF IN DOUBT OF THE CONTENTS – ONLY STACK 2 HIGH.
10 high when delivered new, strapped and unused.
8 high when empty and folded flat.
Cardboard RSCs may be moved by:
MHE stacked 2 high assembled and 8 high when empty and folded flat.
Using a Forklift, a Powered or a Hand Pallet Lifter.
Cardboard RSCs may be secured and moved by vehicle.
The Cardboard RSC SSoW (V7) – (See Appendix 2)
‘A’ Frame Roll Container
As originally reported in LTBs 838/06 and 840/06, a supermarket type “Roll Cage” was introduced in 2006 by Royal Mail Group Procurement Operational Equipment Team, manufactured by “Palletower” and Cargo Pak.
Currently 16,000 are in Mail Centres and DO’s for use in the operational environment to free up much needed York’s.
They are fitted with 2 front independent foot operated castor brakes.
Risk assessments have been carried out and Safe Systems of Work documents are available for each type of cage (See Appendixes 7 and 8).
(a) The A Frame containers are only to be used in the DO/MC/RDC Environment,
(b) They cannot be used for transporting mail items to and from the DO/MC/RDC,
(c) They cannot be used for Movement outside the DO/MC/RDC,
(d) They cannot be used for Movement on uneven grounds/floors,
(e) The A Frame containers are not be used to transport Mail, Packets, Parcels, Pouches etc., to and from the DO/MC/RDC to vehicles in the yard,
(f) A Frames must not be overloaded.
When moving and repositioning A Frames:-
Follow the SSoW at all times,
Only move one cage at a time,
Move the cage no faster than walking speed,
Always push the cage as this is ergonomically better than pulling it,
Seek help if necessary,
Stack heavier items at the bottom to lower the centre of gravity, position storage ‘A’ Frames in suitable areas, where possible close to where they are most needed and readily accessed as required,
Eliminate unnecessary materials handling.
‘A’ Frame/Roll (DORC) Container SSoW (See Appendix 6). Joint Statement (See appendix 7).
York Container – Cardboard Sleeves
This Year Royal Mail have centrally purchased a further 50,000 New Red ALP sleeves with 13,000 still to be put into the network over the next few weeks.
However, as Royal Mail move further into the busiest period at Christmas, and Parcel volumes begin to peak, the need to move Parcels through the network quickly becomes critical and demand for ALP Sleeves increases. Despite the fact that Royal Mail have put 240,164 additional York Containers and 163,225 additional ALP Sleeve in to the network over the last four years, additional to the existing 200,000 York’s in circulation with over half of those containing an ALP Sleeve, Royal Mail have informed us that with increasing parcel volumes, there may be problems with sites struggling to get sufficient numbers of ALP Sleeves to meet their operational requirements. The Central Container Team will continue to push the Regions to ensure that they clear their Delivery Offices every day and repatriations from gaining sites take place but they may still struggle to meet the demand at key locations. Royal Mail have assured CWU/HQ that they will do everything possible to ensure that Regions repatriate as many York Containers and ALP Sleeves as possible out of their Delivery Offices but unfortunately the business is now seeing the continued increase in parcel volumes and traffic. As a result Regions will probably struggle to get sufficient ALP Sleeves back into their Parcel Sort Centre operations and losing Mail Centres to meet demand. As and when critical, emergency situations are reached in Offices, Royal Mail have proposed and CWU/HQ have agreed that as a Christmas contingency only, the use of Cardboard Sleeves/York Inserts will be permitted as a last resort – with agreement with the RM CPC / Container Team as follows:-
(a) As a contingency at Mail Centre’s, PSCs and RDC’s for outward dispatches
(b) For Outward dispatches by Mail Centres and Parcel Sort Centres.
(c) For 2nd class parcel dispatches from Mail Centres to PSC’s.
(c) Before this contingency is implemented however the site must ensure that all efforts have been made to get ALPs back from their DO’s and that permission has sought and been given by the RM Container Team.
IMPORTANT: – If Cardboard Sleeves/York Inserts are used as a contingency, the site must ensure that:-
(a) the CWU Area Safety Representative and Area Processing Representative are consulted should this contingency need to be implemented.
(b) that the SSoW is followed at all times, rotating duties if necessary and
(c) that the mandatory cross-members and false bases must be fitted and used correctly in Cardboard Sleeved York Containers. Any offices found not to be compliant with this instruction will be asked to investigate reasons why this has happened and furnish a report on remedial action taken with the report shared with the CWU Area Safety Representative. Such breaches of the SSoW by Management will be viewed as serious!
Once the Christmas pressure period is finished, the contingency use of Cardboard Sleeve inserts will be withdrawn and Offices will revert back to Business as usual with Cardboard Sleeves used on the agreed Amazon Contract only and the parcel operation must revert back to using ALP Sleeves for Inward transfers to DOs and Outward dispatches to Mail Centres and Regional Distribution Centres.
The cardboard MUST be in good order; the cross member and base must be inserted following the SSoW.
Under no circumstances is damaged cardboard to be used and must be discarded locally.
The current, agreed York Container SSoW includes section on the use of Cardboard Sleeves, extract below:-
“Additional Requirements for York Container Cardboard Sleeves
Only to be used for Approved Contracts (Not permitted for any other mail stream)
In addition, Cardboard sleeves can be used in exceptional circumstances only with the approval of CPC / Container Team.
DO NOT use sleeves for packets weighing more than 10kg
Use the false base and cross support at all times.
When sorting from a sleeve, open the lower part of the sleeve to improve access to packets at the bottom.
When sorting from a sleeve, position the York to minimise twisting – use your feet to turn and not your body.
DO NOT tip bags into cardboard sleeves.
Before moving the York, close the sleeve to retain the contents.”
See LTB 735/06 entitled York Container Cardboard Sleeves and Cardboard Sleeves CPC Opsflash 118 – (Attached as Appendixes 3 and 4).
(a). Parcels of a Shoe Box Size or larger.
In previous years both Royal Mail and Amazon had concerns about the shortage of York Containers across the Network and additional costs incurred by losing approximately 15% of York fill capacity when inserting Cardboard Sleeve false bases into York Containers. In line with the York Container SSoW V3, York Containers will be filled with parcels/packets larger than shoe box size without any form of Cardboard Sleeve or False Base etc. This approach is only applied to larger items and will not be removed for smaller packet items, i.e, those smaller than a shoe box size. Those packets will continue to be loaded into York Containers with either an ALP Sleeve (preferable) or a full Cardboard Sleeve with a cross-member and false basis fitted. This was jointly examined and found to be the best approach.
York Container SSoW Version 3 states under the heading of ‘Approved Loads’ as follows:-
‘Loose strapped bundles, Boxes, provided they are of sufficient dimensions, such as they will be retained by the load retention straps and container framework.’
This approach has been ergonomically tested and approved prior to concluding the York Container SSoW. It makes both safety and business sense to apply this
Principle for larger parcels which are not suitable for loose loading into sleeved Yorks in many cases.
(b) Shrink-Wrap/Cling-Film
The existing agreed national policy remains as follows “There is no agreement what-so-ever to use “Shrink-Wrap/Cling-Film” on York Containers under any circumstances. Also, Opsflash – CPC (2008) No 167 instructs all sites that have received new trays delivered on pallets and shrink wrapped to remove and dispose of the shrink wrap immediately. There are NO circumstances where the Shrink-Wrapping of Yorks is acceptable. This practice must not be allowed at any RM site.
Loose Loading of Mail Bags – Xmas 2016
Further to enquiries and concerns raised by Branches and Area Safety Reps in previous years regarding possible loose loading, Royal Mail have confirmed they will be taking a number of steps to ensure that loose loading of mail should only take place in exceptional circumstances.
If loose loading has to occur, local CWU Reps will be consulted and the Manual Handling/Loose Loading SSOW will be adhered to.
Clear instructions have been issued by Royal Mail HQ CPC that should any service which is normally containerised, have to be loose loaded then the dispatching unit must inform the receiving unit in advance so that they can provide any additional staff resources and working arrangements which may be necessary to ensure health and safety standards are maintained.
Extract from Loose loading Core Risk Assessment:-
It is a Royal Mail goal that no manual handling task will exceed risk level 2. Mail Bags average 7kg, Maximum gross weight 11kg. Lifting frequency up to 7 bags/min over a 30 min period (then rest). Vehicle doors are adequately maintained and must be in good working order.
Priority Services bags could exceed 11kgs but they should be clearly labelled with the weight so that special consideration can be given to lifting. NB: No Priority Services bag exceeding 11kgs should contain more than 1 item. All equipment is used in accordance with the appropriate Safe System of Work. All staff to have received manual handling training and instruction or refresher during the past 3 years. All staff to understand and operate the appropriate Safe System of Work. If there are any tasks that are not listed, the manager must consult the safety team for further advice. No pregnant worker or person under 18 should undertake tasks greater than risk level 1.
Plastic Letter Trays
Royal Mail has purchased 900,000 Trays and all will be released from stores During October, November and December.
Crates and Skates
These are arranged by local hire only.
This piece of equipment was first brought to the attention of the Health, Safety & Environment Department in 2005. Any proposed use should be first discussed with the RM National Containerisation Manager and CPC before use. Any safety issues that Branch ASRs have with this equipment should be raised with this Department and it will be taken up with Royal Mail.
The equipment comprises a wheeled base and a number of large Trays which can be stacked onto the base for storage. They are purely for storage purposes, to be used on site, but not to be used to transport mails on vehicles.
See attached Photos and Safe System of Work (SSoW) for Crates & Skates – (Appendix 5).
Tray Dollys Mk1, Mk2 & Mk3
Please refer to LTB 760/15.
Royal Mail have formally notified the CWU Health, Safety & Environment Department that all Tray Dollys are withdrawn from service and should not be used at any Office for any operation or storage either during the Xmas pressure period or at any other time.
New Blue Bags for International Dispatches
1.7 million new blue bags for international dispatches have been purchased this year and will be fed into Mail Centers via direct delivery before the end of October ready for the DSL Operation
Pallets – Transportation, Processing, Unloading and Stacking of Pallets.
This year Royal Mail has faced an increased requirement from bulk customers to accept and process palletized loads, including shrinks/stretch wrapped palletized traffic.
The SSoWs have therefore been reviewed in order to ensure sufficient up to date information and instruction is available to allow Offices and managers to control safety risks for the specific tasks and ensure the correct work methods are adopted and materials handling equipment deployed for this increasing area of work to ensure it can be completed safely. The new, updated SSoW and associated, embedded SSoWs are attached. This included embedded documents – Pallet Truck SSow, DDT SSoW, Paletising of Trays SSoW, Manual Handling SSoW. (See Appendix 9).
Repair of Faulty & Damaged Containers
All damaged containers must be withdrawn and repaired before being brought back into service. The following instructions relate to the repair of the individual containers:
(a) Letter Trays
Royal Mail has an agreement with AAC Ltd for the recycling of RM Letter Trays, for which Royal Mail receives payment. For this to be cost effective AAC Ltd will only accept complete trailer loads of trays, equating to 5200 trays. This process describes the use of a collection point to ensure that trays are recycled and do not build up in offices.
Trays must be removed from use if damaged and not suitable for use if, for example:
There are any obvious physical defects such as breakages or holes (other than those designed).
The tray sides or bottom are split.
The handle is damaged (e.g. split).
The label holder is damaged in such a way as to render it unusable.
The tray is NOT deemed damaged if only:
The barcode or barcode clip is missing.
The tray bottom is bowed.
Only the corners are chipped and then only if the break does not leave a jagged or pointed edge.
Ensure the damage sustained to trays meets the criteria described above. All Mail Centres and Delivery Offices should have a process for identifying damaged trays and for isolating them from operational use. Delivery Offices should label the trays as damaged and send them to their local Mail Centre for consolidation and recycling.
All damaged trays should be loaded to RSCs. The trays should be nested, where possible 8 to a layer and 9 layers high, where the height of the trays does not exceed the height of the RSC sides. RSCs of damaged trays should be labelled as shown below and then sent to the local RDC for onward movement to NDC. Spare capacity on existing runs only should be utilised.
DAMANAGED TRAYS:
SEND TO AAC via NDC
NDC consolidate the RSCs of damaged trays and, when a trailer is loaded to capacity, forwards them to AAC Ltd.
(b) York Containers
Examples of damage:
Sharp, jagged or pointed hazards.
Anything, which prevents proper assembly.
Anything, which prevents proper movement.
Temporary or amateur repairs.
Broken welds.
Excessive corrosion.
Damaged or missing wheels.
Missing wheel retaining nuts, pins or clips.
Poor brake operation.
Damaged or defective towing arrangements.
Missing or damaged straps or clips.
The repair process is as follows:
A number of sites have been nominated to receive a scheduled visit by a York repair team (currently Romec).
Some sites also act as a consolidation site looking after a catchment area of other offices. For example SDC in Wishaw receives all of the damaged/strapless Yorks in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
A contact at each site has been developed and a location for the storage and repair of Yorks identified.
Each Thursday a count of damaged Yorks is submitted by each site to the royalmail mhe_cpc e-mail inbox and the figures are used to plan a schedule for the following week’s site visits. Some offices may have a team that visits every day whilst others will be visited by mobile teams as required. The minimum requirement is that there be 50 Yorks needing repair on site.
A repairer can replace anything up to 100 straps per day but, if there are structural repairs also needing to be done, the overall number can reduce substantially. The repairer will check each damaged York for other possible problems and does not solely rely on the fault noted by Royal Mail staff.
Damaged Yorks may be moved, on existing services, from non-repairing sites to a consolidation site (see repair process above) to await repair. Damaged Yorks should be labelled accordingly so that the receiving site is aware.
Damaged Yorks must not, however, be used to form part of a movement order to another site and should never be sent to a customer. Neither should damaged Yorks knowingly be used to convey mail through the Network.
Some straps have given the appearance of losing their elasticity but tests have been carried out at the manufacturers and replicated by our engineers in Swindon and the results show that this does not affect load retention or the safety of the York. It is not, therefore, necessary to replace such straps.
Short Strap repairs, can be carried out locally at any site for more information contact container.control@royalmail.com
(c) RSC and FSC
Examples of damage to an RSC/FSC are as follows;
Sharp, jagged or pointed hazards
Anything which prevents proper assembly or movement.
Temporary or amateur repairs.
Broken welds.
Broken side wires bent inwards or outwards.
Excessive corrosion.
Mis-aligned feet or spigots which hinder stacking.
In these circumstances, an Out of Service label must be attached and the nature of the problem noted on the label.
Damaged RSCs/FSC’s should be moved to a designated area to await repair. They may only be stacked if the uprights are intact and make contact with the RSC/FSC above at all 4 corners. They may not be stacked if to do so would leave an unstable stack. If in doubt – DO NOT STACK.
Damaged RSCs/FSC’s must be forwarded to NDC for onward movement to MK Stores for repair. Movements of damaged RSCs should be agreed with the local Container Equipment Manager beforehand.
(d) Auto Levelling Packet Sleeves
A minimum of 25 sleeves will be presented for repair in a single consignment. Sleeves are to be packed in Rigid Stackable Containers (each containing 25 sleeves).
Clearly labelled damaged RSCs are to be returned to SWDC for onward movement back to the manufacturers Jacon.
(e) York Cardboard Sleeves
Cardboard Sleeves are not repairable. Any damaged sleeves must be disposed of by local arrangement.
Any re-usable parts of cardboard sleeves must be returned to Amazon; whether by direct transfer or via the nearest RDC.
Cardboard inserts to be stored / transferred in York’s or palletized on at Regional Distribution Centre’s using good pallets.
If held/stored onsite ahead of transfer they must be kept undercover or protected from the weather.
All component parts must be in good order (certainly not water damaged or torn) and ready to use. Any not meeting these criteria should be disposed of locally.
Yorks must be individually packed i.e., no mixed component parts please. Yorks to separately contain X Member/Sides/Bases which must be stacked neatly.
Any transfers arriving at Amazon that do not meet these criteria may be refused by the Amazon Team.
(f) Cardboard RSCs
Any damage needs to be checked. The following damage would render the Cardboard RSC unusable:
Water damaged/wet cardboard.
Tears greater than 25%/¼ of the length of any one side or along any seam.
Tears in 2 adjoining corners of the tray or lid.
Staples in the seam undone with exposed points.
Broken Pallet Base such that the wooden planks are broken or the corner blocks are damaged such that they would not support a load.
The following would not necessarily render the Cardboard RSC unusable:
Small holes in the side walls, for example made by fork lift tines.
Small tears, i.e., less than 25%/¼ of the length of any one side or along any Seam. One tear in the corner of the tray or lid.
If there is any doubt as to the safe condition of the Cardboard RSC, then it must be considered damaged. Any damage which renders the sleeve unusable needs to be reported and the damaged part (i.e., the lid, sleeve or tray) marked with a cross from a thick marker pen. Only the damaged part needs be marked as the undamaged parts may be used as spares.
Transport and transfer equipment must meet the receiving customer’s safety requirements.
(g) Wheeled Container Repair Process (Other than York & Mini-York Containers)
The following process should be used to keep wheeled containers functional:
1. When a wheeled container (other than a York or Mini York) is found to be faulty, remove it from operational service and label it accordingly.
2. Log the fault with the Properties & Facilities Helpdesk on 0870 850 1000, who will give a reference number. The helpdesk will then contact Romec, who allocates the work to the local coordinator. A Romec engineer then plans and completes the repair.
3. If the repair is not economical, the engineer condemns the equipment and advises the Unit Manager. The Unit Manager then decides if they want it replaced, and completes a Requisition Form ECF01 and sends it to the Asset Support Team.
4. When the repair is completed, Romec invoice through the Inter Business Agreement, which is funded from the central assets budget. Area budgets are not affected.
(h) General note on containers:
If there are any surplus containers on site that are not damaged and you are unsure of where to send them, you should consult your Regional Head of Assets for Yorks, Trays and Sleeves or your Container Equipment Manager for RSCs.
Contacts & Phone Numbers
Should Area Safety Representatives wish to discuss any issues or questions in relation to Container Control or Container Equipment, the following field managers can be contacted for all Royal Mail Container related issues:-
National Team Contacts
Head of Container Equipment Mark Fletcher 07889 124741
National Container Supply & Development Manager Jason Wood 07801 095 605
Container Manager CPC Des O’Neill 07587657827
Container Manager Scotland and NI Ian MacDonald 07436560875
Belfast, SDC, Edinburgh, Perth, Inverness and
Aberdeen
Container Manager North of England David Wetherill 07894392782
Tyneside, Darlington, Preston, Chorley,
Carlisle, Manchester, Stockport, Leeds,
Bradford, York, YDC, Sheffield, Doncaster and
Hull
Container Manager East Midlands and Anglia Martin Taylor 07841 076428
Nottingham, East Midlands Airport, Derby,
Coventry Parcelforce hub, South Midlands, Coventry,
Leicester, Pete bough, Cambridge, Norwich and Ipswich
Container Manager Essex and Home Counties Sid Rajan 07802 921737
HCN, NHCDC, Greenford, PRDC, Jubilee, Guilford and
Woking
Container Manager London and South East Ajay Ladva 07872 004964
Chelmsford, Southend, Medway, SEDC, Canterbury,
Tonbridge, Croydon, Gatwick, London Central,
South Warwick, Victoria, Romford and Whitechapel
Container Manager West Midlands and N/Wales Clare Smith 07872816461
Warrington, Crewe, NWRDC, Chester, Shrewsbury,
Birmingham, Worcester, North West Midlands and NDC
Container Manager South West and South Wales Chris Rogers 07860 172019
Cardiff, Bridgend, Swansea, Bristol, SWDC, Gloucester,
Swindon, Southampton, Dorset, Exeter, Plymouth and
Truro
Container Manager International Nalin Mandalia 07715480197
HWDC and LAMU
Health & Safety Processes
From a Health and Safety point of view the CWU Health, Safety & Environment Department will proceed to continue our joint work with Dennis Welton Royal Mail Head of Central Postal Control, Mark Fletcher Royal Mail National Containers Manager, Jason Wood National Container Supply and Development Manager and the Principal RME Project Manager as well as the RMG Safety, Health and Environment Team.
IR Aspects
The IR aspects of the Xmas pressure period are dealt with by Assistant Secretaries Bob Gibson Outdoor Dept, Davie Robertson Indoor/P&E Dept and Andy Furey C&CS Dept. All Operational enquiries should be addressed to the appropriate Operational Officer.
Appendixes:-
York Container Mk 3 updated version.
Cardboard RSC – SSoW (V7)
LTB 735/06 – York Container Cardboard Sleeves – Withdrawal from Use
Cardboard Sleeves – CPC Opsflash 118
Crates and Skates SSoW & Photos (Renta Crate)
Roll Cage/’A’ Frame SSoW (DORC)
Roll Cage/’A’ Frame ‘Joint Statement’ (DORC)
FSC – SSoW
Pallets – SSoW (for Transportation, Processing, Unloading & Palletising of Trays SSoW, MH SSoW).
Stacking of Pallets. – Embedded Docs – Pallet Trucks SSoW, DDT SSoW,
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
Email Attachments – Click to download
LTB 667/16 ROYAL MAIL MATERIALS HANDLING CONTAINERISATION UPDATE & CHRISTMAS ARRANGEMENTS 2016 – HEALTH & SAFETY ASPECTS
CWU Youth Conference – Saturday 21st January 2017
CWU Youth Conference – Saturday 21st January 2017
The CWU Youth Conference will be held on Saturday 21st January 2017 at The Mechanics Centre Ltd, 103 Princess Street (Major Street Entrance), Manchester, M1 6DD.
a) Motions
Each Regional Youth Committee will be entitled to submit ONE motion to the Conference Agenda.
Each Branch will be entitled to submit ONE motion to the Conference Agenda.
The Youth Committee will be entitled to submit THREE motions to the Conference Agenda.
Motions should be submitted electronically to conferences@cwu.org using the template attached. Branches or Regions who do not have this facility may request paper motion forms by contacting Angela Niven on 020 8971 7256.
Motion forms must be returned by Tuesday 6th December 2016. Anything received after this date will not be accepted. All sections of the form must be completed.
Branches, Regions and the Advisory Committee 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.
If motions are being sent electronically they will only be accepted if sent to the above email address.
As with previous Conferences, the agenda will be structured in such a way as to maximise debate and participation by delegates. There will be 2 sections to the agenda, one for motions which are eligible for consideration for submission to General Conference, and one for motions that in the view of the Standing Orders Committee are of an industrial nature which are eligible for submission to the Industrial Conferences.
Branches will be aware that the Youth Conference has the entitlement under the rules of the union to submit 2 motions to stand in the name of the conference to General Conference. The Youth Conference may also submit one motion for either the Postal Industry or Telecoms Industry conference from Section 1.
The motions selected for General Conference must contain policy that lies within the responsibility of the NEC, likewise Industrial motions must be able to be carried out by the relevant Industry Executive (Motions for the Telecoms Conference must also refer to a specific business-see attached motion guide).
As with previous Conferences, the motions for submission to the General Conference agenda and the Industrial motions for the Industry Conferences will be decided from amongst those motions adopted at the Conference. Ballot(s) to select the motions will be held at the Conference.
b) Delegates
Details for registering delegates and observers will be issued in a further LTB. Any queries regarding the registration process should be directed to conferences@cwu.org
Regional Youth Committee Secretaries shall attend Youth Annual Conference in an ex-officio capacity with the right to speak and move Motions on behalf of their Regional Youth Committee but not to vote. Funding for Regional Youth Committee Secretaries to attend Youth Annual Conference shall be from the General Fund.
Branch delegate entitlement to this Conference as agreed by the NEC is as follows:
Number of Young Members
Delegate
entitlement
1-249
1
250-499
2
500 and above
3
Branches are urged to make every effort to ensure that their delegation comprises members who are either 30 and under as of October or who are serving Branch Youth Officers. The expectation is that voting delegates aged over 30 will be present on an exceptional basis.
In order that we can cater for any delegate with special needs such as seating, etc., it is important that you advise us in writing of the name of the delegate(s) and the particular requirement by return but no later than Friday 6th January 2017.
c) Election of Delegates to General Conference
As you will know, the Youth Conference will select two delegates to represent the Youth Members to attend General Conference 2017.
The Standing Orders for the Youth Conference will advise a ballot to select these two delegates and it will be conducted during Conference itself. Nominees must be members of the Union and have the support of their branch and/or Regional Youth Committee.
Additionally, individuals must be willing to accept nomination.
The exception to this are members of the Youth Committee themselves who may be proposed for these positions but need to have the nomination of the Youth Committee and/or any Regional Youth Committee.
Branches and Regional Youth Committees should forward any nominees on the attached form for this ballot to conferences@cwu.org
Yours sincerely,
A P Kearns
Senior Deputy General Secretary
Email Attachments – Click to download
LTB 672/16 – CWU Youth Conference – Saturday 21st January 2017
CWU Eastern No5 Branch 