CWU Black Workers Conference – Tuesday 11th October 2016
Branches would wish to know that the agenda for the forthcoming CWU Black Workers Conference being held in Leicester on Tuesday 11th October 2016 has now been published on the website and can be accessed using the link below:

Click to access black-workers-agenda-2016.pdf

Hard copies of the agenda will be sent to Branch addresses of everyone that has registered using the online registration system.
Credential cards for delegates/visitors and voting cards for this conference will be issued on the morning of the conference at registration.  
Any enquiries regarding this LTB should be addressed to Angela Niven by telephoning 020 8971 7256 or by post to head office or by email to conferences@cwu.org
Yours sincerely,
 
 
A P Kearns
Senior Deputy General Secretary
Email Attachments – Click to download
LTB 567/16 – CWU Black Workers Conference – Tuesday 11th October 2016

Black Workers Conference Agenda Pad

The Health, Safety & Environment Department have been advised by the University of Salford about their upcoming Health and Safety Conference which is taking place17th November at Adelphi House in Manchester.
This is the third Annual Health and Safety Conference and Exhibition organised by the University of Salford and the event has a variety of expert speakers from across public, private, Trade Union and charity sectors making presentations. These include Shaun Davis, outgoing Royal Mail Group Director of Safety, Health and Wellbeing.
A wide number of topics will be covered on the day, and delegates can expect speakers to discuss challenges, successes and case studies around the interest areas as follows:-
The 2016 launched new 5-year HSE Strategy “Help Great Britain Work Well” focuses on six key strategic themes: the importance of highlighting and tackling the cost of work-related ill health; wider recognition of the business benefits of proportionate approaches to risk; simple guidance to help SMEs manage their health and safety responsibilities; ‘design-in’ effective risk management of new technology; promoting Britain’s health and safety approach worldwide.

In 2013/14 workplace injury and illness cost the UK £14.3 billion, with the majority of the financial burden falling on the individual, followed by the government and the employer. This huge cost can be reduced through more effective health and safety practices.

The 2016 HSE “Help Great Britain Work Well” strategy highlights the need to maintain the advancements made in safety practices, whilst focusing on giving health the same priority.

Further Information From:-
Eleanor Leach

Salford Professional Development

Adelphi House,

University of Salford,

Salford M3 6EN

Tel: 0161 295 0115

Email: eleanor@onecpd.co.uk
Agenda
09:00  
Registration & Refreshments  
10:00  
Opening Remarks from Chair
Carole Conroy, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Health, University of Salford
10:05  
Philip White, Chief Inspector of Construction, Health and Safety Executive  
‘Future priorities for the health and safety system in GB’
· An overview of the revised strategy for the health & safety system in GB  
· Realising the value of a world-class health and safety system  
10:50  
Shaun Davis, Group Director of Safety, Health and Wellbeing, Royal Mail Group  
· Achieving Improvement through Employee Engagement  
· Tools and techniques to engage and communicate with the workforce on health & Safety  
· Health and Wellbeing in the workplace  
11:15  
Refreshments & Networking Break  
11:35  
Tracey Ayton Harding, Head of Health and Safety (National Officer) – UNISON
· Innovation in securing, health and safety for the workplace during austerity  
· Good health and safety management makes good business sense  
· Trade union engagement is key to improving and maintaining standards  
12:00  
Becky Lee, Health, Safety & Wellbeing Manager, Staffordshire County Council
· Occupational health in the workplace  
· The Power of Wellbeing  
· 3 Key Ingredients to a Successful Wellbeing Strategy  
12:25  
Case Study
12:50  
Case Study
13:15  
Lunch & Networking  
14:15  
Case Study
14:40  
Case Study
15:05  
Steve Sumner, Health and Safety Teaching Fellow, University of Salford  
· Why manage H&S  
· What’s driving contracting out  
· How to procure safety, what to consider specify select monitor  
15:30  
Refreshments & Comfort break  
15:40  
Peter Kelly, Psychologist, European Agency for Safety and Health at Work  
· Discuss the psychosocial Risk campaign of EU OSHA  
· How psycho social issues remain important area for EU  
· Future direction of psycho social issues in a European context  
16:05  
Emma Mamo, Head of Workplace Wellbeing – Mind  
· Encouraging employers to produce an effective mental health strategy in the workplace  
· The skills required for a changing working environment  
· Overcoming the stigma to provide a supportive working culture  
16:30  
Closing Remarks from Chair
Carole Conroy, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Health, University of Salford
16:35  
Close of Conference
Bookings are made online at:- http://onecpd-booking.salford.ac.uk/#/code/TC001204
The cost of the Conference is £225 plus VAT.
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce

National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
Email Attachments – Click to download
Attachment 1 – LTB566/16 University of Salford/ONECPD – Third Annual – Future of Health and Safety Conference

EU REFERENDUM – CWU POSITION POST BREXIT 
Following the decision to leave the European Union, the NEC has discussed how the political and economic consequences of Brexit may impact upon CWU members and all working people.  
This is an ongoing debate and one which the trade union movement needs to be at the very forefront of if we are to influence future negotiations. The NEC, in respecting the decision of the Referendum, believes that the primary focus of the labour movement must be to unite around the core issues that affect our members’ everyday lives; from the world of work, to housing, living standards and health and public services. 
As part of this debate, the TUC Executive recently produced a paper entitled “Working people must not pay the price for the vote to leave”. The CWU NEC endorsed the general direction of this document and accepted that it was a valuable contribution to the ongoing debate. 
In addition, at the 2016 TUC Congress in Brighton last week, Composite Motion 1 detailed the post-Brexit policies which were adopted by the TUC in their campaign to protect and defend workers’ rights. The CWU formed part of the composite motion having submitted an amendment instructing the General Council to also protect pensioners’ rights by fighting to retain the ‘triple lock’ on the state pension. 
A crucial area the NEC agreed to focus on as part of our post-Brexit position, is to counter the unacceptable rise in race-related crimes and abuse which appear to be directly linked to the referendum campaign. The issue of immigration featured highly in the EU leave campaign – and it is the negative way this was portrayed which many believe has now lead to the upsurge in cases of hate crime. 
The threats and abuse have not been limited to EU nationals living in the UK but also towards non-EU nationals and British-born Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) people. Figures indicate that within a month of the referendum there had been more than 6,000 reports of hate crime made to the police. There have also been more serious incidents of violence which have recently been reported in the media. 
We have received a number of reports from CWU representatives of unacceptable comments being made in some of our own workplaces and the union is taking all necessary steps to investigate these matters and if required take appropriate action. 
In discussing this issue, the NEC has agreed we must again make clear to our branches, reps and members that the CWU will not, under any circumstances, tolerate any form of racial abuse, harassment or race-hate incidents against our members. To strengthen the union’s position, we have attached a workplace notice setting out CWU values and we would ask branches to immediately distribute this to all representatives and all workplaces. 
Additionally, the TUC has also issued information to support union reps combat racist abuse in the workplace and this is attached for your information. 
Finally, branches should continue to publicise details of the CWU Bullying and Harassment helpline number 0800 090 2303 http://www.cwu.org/departments-services/equal-opportunities/bullying-harassment/ – and contact the Equal Opportunities Department equalopportunities@cwu.org to advise of any specific incidents you would wish to report to us for our information or further investigation. 
Any enquires on this LTB should be addressed to the General Secretary’s Office at gsoffice@cwu.org. 
Yours sincerely,
 
Dave Ward

General Secretary
Email Attachments – Click to download
ATTACHMENT 1 – LTB 563/16 – EU REFERENDUM – CWU POSITION POST BREXIT

ATTACHMENT 2 – WORKING PEOPLE MUST NOT PAY THE PRICE (TUC)

ATTACHMENT 3 – COMBATTING RACIST ABUSE (TUC)

ATTACHMENT 4 – CWU ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY

Dog Attacks – Daily Mirror and Independent Articles 1st August 2016 – Advice by Dr Roger Mugford, Animal Psychologist On ‘How Posties Should Avoid Dog Attacks’:
To: All Branches
Dear Colleagues,
The Health, Safety & Environment Department has received a number of enquiries from CWU Representatives and members in relation to an article on Dog Attacks which appeared in the National and Local press e.g. Daily Mirror on 31st July and the Independent 1st August followed by Local and Regional press and on line coverage over the last several weeks.
The article contained advice by Dr. Roger Mugford, an animal psychologist, who said that “the best thing for posties to do was befriend the dogs and keep them happy by always carrying a bag of treats. Then once a post man befriends a dog, they will be friends for life.”
Before going further, I think it is safe to say that Dr. Mugford has never been a Postman to our knowledge. 
In relation to the uninvited and unwanted advice he offers our members, both the CWU and Royal Mail do not subscribe to or support his suggestion or advice to Postmen and Women – that they should attempt to befriend all the dogs on their round in order to avoid attacks! We do not believe that such an approach would either be safe in many cases or would universally succeed. 
Additionally, Dr. Mugford’s advice is not advice or an approach that in our experience has been suggested by other dog psychologists or animal experts and dog welfare charities, many of whom have been involved in working with the CWU and Royal Mail during the course of the “Bite-Back” Campaign or during the joint RM/CWU annual Dog Awareness weeks. 
It is a simplistic, wishful thinking idea that bears no resemblance to reality out on the streets, performing a postal delivery round when our members don’t have the luxury or the time to attempt it or, as happens in most cases, they don’t have the chance to even think about it and our Delivery members cannot, in most cases, foresee dog attacks coming and finally of course don’t have the time or luxury of attempting to befriend dogs during the course of performing their deliveries. It would in many cases be inadvisable to even attempt befriending many of the aggressive uncontrolled dogs that launch unprovoked and unexpected attacks on Postmen and Women and of course, some customers don’t want their dogs befriending visitors. 
The biggest mistake Dr. Mugford makes is that the problem our members face is ‘on the other end of the lead’. The problem is irresponsible owners not controlling their dogs. Owners who don’t want their dogs befriending the Postman or Woman or anyone else coming near their property. The message is keep out and keep away in many cases. These Owners fail to train and socialise their dogs, isolating them and mistreating them in some cases and not understanding dogs’ territorial and pack nature. The initiative in ‘socialisation’ which is what Dr. Mugford is aiming at has come from the owner in the first instance – that’s where responsibility lies.
The CWU has no problem with dogs or dog ownership. It’s a good thing. But with dog ownership goes responsibility and compliance with the law of the land.
Most dogs and their owners (Royal Mail customers) are not a problem at all. However, there is a significant and sizable minority that is a big problem, causing 3,000 to 4,000 Dog Attacks a year and since the CWU achieved the change in the Dangerous Dogs Act Law, we are at last seeing many of these people prosecuted, taken to court and paying the penalty for the crimes of irresponsibility that have seen thousands of our members attacked, terrorised, badly injured and left with disabilities year on year.
The jointly agreed CWU and Royal Mail advice to Postal delivery staff is what we stick by and what is supported by many, many experts from many organisations. That is a zero tolerance, no risk approach, backed up by the revised Dangerous Dogs Act Law that the CWU campaign achieved with firm enforcement by the Police and the Courts. Alongside which we continue to raise awareness amongst the public and our membership and encourage responsible dog ownership and customers working with us to take basic sensible precautions to avoid dogs attacking Postal workers and of course Telecom workers also.
A copy of the offending press article is attached.
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce

National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
Email Attachments – Click to download
Attachment 1 – LTB562/16 Dog Attacks – Daily Mirror and Independent Articles

Attachment 2 – doc1.docx

UNITY TRUST BANK CHARGING STRUCTURE 
We have been informed Unity Trust Bank have undertaken a review of their charging structure and will be introducing new changes from the end of September 2016.
Up until this point Unity Trust Bank charged the CWU one global figure as a commission charge and this has always been paid directly by CWU HQ. This covered the administration arrangements for all bank accounts used by the CWU regardless of their location. That is to say the admin charge covered all accounts whether they were HQ, Branch, Regional, etc.
Going forward Unity will be charging a reduced commission charge but will introduce a bank charge for each individual account, £25.00 per account.
The NEC has decided that the total cost of the commission fee and all of the account charges will be met by CWU HQ. However this is done on the basis that we pay for the number of bank accounts we currently have.
Branches should be aware that from 1st October 2016 onwards any new accounts that a Branch wishes to open for whatever reason will attract a charge of £25.00 per account and that all such new account charges will need to be met by the Branch opening the account.
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 561/16 – Unity Trust Bank Charging Structure

Slips, Trips, Falls & Severe Weather: Royal Mail Group/CWU Action and Activity Week 26th – 30th September 2016. (Next Week):
To: All Branches
Dear Colleagues,
Please see attached for your attention, Royal Mail Group safety briefing materials for the above action/activity week.
The focus of next week will be slips, trips and falls to our members and preparation for severe weather during the winter months.
Whilst notice of the activity week to CWU/HQ and hence the despatch of this LTB is very short for which RMG apologise, we are aware that Area Health and Safety Representatives have been engaged by RMG Regional SHE Advisors in order to support the forthcoming action week’s activities.
Managers will be required to:- 

• Deliver a WTLL;

• Display a Poster;

• Complete their Severe Weather Preparation lists and actions; 

• Review their WRAP controls and 

• Complete SMAT/Observations.
The Health, Safety and Environment Department fully supports the initiative and it is agreed that ASRs and WSRs will be fully involved and consulted with their input taken into account.
Please support this action week and activities, not only next week, which is the start of preparations but going forward over the coming winter also where ongoing engagement will be important.
Please support as best you can and where your diary allows by helping the Managers complete the activities and by advising our members on how to minimise their risks.
An ASR activity sheet has been produced by RMG with suggested ways that you can do this.
ASRs will be required to:-
Ask Staff:

• Have they seen and understood the WTLL and Poster issued for this Severe Weather/STF Week?

• Is their WRAP/Duty info up to date with all STF/Weather hazards?

• Are they comfortable with the personal precautions to take for:

• Snow / Ice

• Fog

• Rain

• High Temperatures
Ask front line managers:

• What Severe Weather/STF Week activities have they completed so far?

• Have they delivered the WTLL to staff for severe weather/STF?

• How many STF accidents have they had in the last 12 months?

• To share the Severe Weather Preparation Checklist and discuss the plans in place.

• Has a Yard Risk Assessment been completed as per Severe Weather prep list and SHE Calendar task?

• Have 3 SMATS/Observations been completed or planned—Indoor, Outdoor and Yard?

• Observe:

• Severe Weather materials (grit, spikeys etc.)

• Walk Logs/SSOW’s documentation
Ensure you record your Safety Inspections using the agreed local process.
For those with access to the SHE Knowledge Database intranet page, there is more information at this link: Link
Other materials are also attached. See listed below.
Attachments:-

1 Severe Weather & STF Week Slip, Trip and Fall Focus

2) Slips Trips and Falls Poster

3) Tasks for Area Safety Reps

4) Tasks for Operational Front Line Managers
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce

National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
 
 
Email Attachments – Click to download
Attachment 1 – LTB560/16 Slip, Trips, Falls & Severe Weather Activity Week 26th – 30th September 2016

Attachment 2 – Severe Weather & STF Week Slip, Trip and Fall Focus

Attachment 3 – Slips Trips and Falls Poster

Attachment 4 – Tasks for Area Safety Reps

Attachment 5 – Tasks for Operational Front Line Managers

Creating a CWU Brand
 
Dear Colleagues, 
Since taking up the role in January, I have spent a considerable amount of time meeting Regions, Branches, representatives and most crucially members. 
I have been exposed to varying quality of communications, engagement and media activity locally. One thing that has stuck me is how many different ‘brands’ we have across our union. We have different colours, logos and templates being used. 
It is absolutely critical that if we are to establish our brand as one of the more prominent in the Trade Union movement, we must have consistency.
With this in mind, the communications department are more than willing to assist branches with the development of Branch/Regional/Industrial Committee templates, notice board displays, logos and anything else design related. 
The department is in place not only to serve the needs of CWU HQ but also our branches and representatives – I would urge you to make maximum use of this. 
If you have any requirements in line with the above please direct them to Marcia Murray mmurray@cwu.org

Kind regards, 
 
Chris Webb
Head of Communications, Engagement and Media
Email Attachments – Click to download
LTB 559/16 – Creating a CWU Brand

LAST CALL – BLACK AND ETHNIC MINORITY MEMBERS LEADERSHIP 2
Dear Colleagues,
The CWU is committed to encouraging more BME members to get involved in the union at all levels because we believe this makes us stronger and more relevant in the workplace.
Aims of the programme:
This course is designed to:

Help BME members become more active in the CWU

Provide an opportunity to build effective support and networks for BME activists

Develop new ideas for how BME members can work at the heart of the CWU

Assist BME activists to develop leadership and organisational skills

Develop mentoring skills for BME activists

Help you progress as an activist in the CWU
Who should attend?

BME activists who have already attended the Black & Ethnic Minority Members Leadership 1 course are encouraged to attend this course to further their development in the CWU.
This course is designed to ensure that everyone gets the chance to participate fully through working in small groups, taking part in group discussions, role play and practical exercises.
Release

This course does not attract paid release from the employers that we work with.
Dates

The following Black and Ethnic Minority Members Leadership 2 course is currently scheduled to take place at the CWU Education and Training Centre at Alvescot Lodge.
Friday 14th – Sunday 16th October 2016 (Closing date for applications have been extended to Monday 26th September)
Any enquiries regarding this LTB should be addressed in the first instance to the Education and Training Department on 01993 843373 or via e-mail to mtodd@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,
Trish Lavelle

Head of Education & Training
Email Attachments – Click to download
LTB 558/16 – LAST CALL – BLACK AND ETHNIC MINORITY MEMBERS LEADERSHIP 2

 2016 has been one of the hottest year’s on record according to the Met Office, with temperatures, mid-September hitting the mid-80’s Fahrenheit of 30+ Celsius.
 
The TUC has published a New Report calling on employers to make sure that staff working outdoors are properly protected from the sun and the summer heat. Going forward and planning for future summer time working, the report endorses the CWU messages from our ‘Sun Safe-Skin Smart’ Campaign, that CWU has been running since 2004.
 
The new, updated report, entitled “Cool it” TUC guide for Trade Union Activists on Dealing with High Temperatures in the Workplace) covers both indoor and outdoor workers, but for those working outside, it says that those working in high temperatures, exposed to intense sunlight are at risk of sunstroke, sunburn and even skin cancer.
 
The 12 Page Report contains 5 Sections as Follows:-
Section one – Introduction 3

Section two – The legal position 4

Section three – The scale of the problem. 6

Section four – Advice for safety representatives Indoor work 8

Section five – Advice for safety representatives Outdoor work 10

 
Working in hot weather can also lead to dehydration, tiredness, muscle cramps, rashes, fainting, and – in the most severe cases – loss of consciousness.
 
The TUC suggests that employers and managers should work with their Trade Union Health and Safety Reps and introduce the following measures to protect their staff who work outdoors when the temperatures rise:
Allow staff to take frequent breaks and provide a supply of drinking water.

Review working times so that outside work is done in the morning and afternoon, rather than between 11am-3pm when temperatures are highest.

Provide canopies or covering over open areas such as building sites, and provide shaded areas for breaks.

Ensure that outdoor workers are supplied with sunscreen and are given advice on the need to protect themselves from the heat and sun.

Provide lightweight brimmed hats for all outdoor workers and make sure that any protective clothing is lightweight, long-sleeved and comfortable, but dense enough to prevent UV rays from getting through.

Provide information on avoiding exposure to harmful UV radiation, ensuring that advice is available in other languages for migrant workers.

 
The TUC report finds that heat can also be a problem for workers whose job involves driving. This is dangerous as any driver suffering from fatigue is a major risk to both themselves and other people. Employers should provide cars, vans or lorries with air conditioning, or, if a driver is likely to be stuck in traffic for any length of time, make sure they are not driving for too long in very hot weather.
 
Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the UK. There are around 100,000 new cases of skin cancer every year in this country, with over 2,500 deaths.
 
The vast majority of these cases are caused by exposure to sunlight and it is estimated that 90% of all skin cancer deaths could be prevented if people properly controlled their exposure to the sun’s UV radiation. It is not known how many of these are a result of outside working, although research for the HSE suggested that 4.5% of cases were work related.
 
In launching this new guidance the TUC General Secretary made the point that ‘Some UK employers treat farmyard animals better than workers! and at least animals get shelter and a supply of water in the heat.’
 
Working outdoors in sweltering conditions can be unbearable and dangerous and employers must ensure their staff are protected as much as possible, with regular breaks, lots of fluids, plenty of Sunscreen and the right protective clothing. – ROYAL MAIL TAKE NOTE!
 
A copy of the report is attached.
 
Yours Sincerely
 
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
 
 
Attachments:

“Cool it” New updated TUC guide for Trade Union Activists on Dealing With High Temperatures in the Workplace)

Working in High Temperatures Q&As

 
Email Attachments – Click to download
16LTB553 Cool It – New updated TUC guide for Trade Union Activists on Dealing With High Temperatures in the Workplace – Including Indoor and Outdoor Work

LTB 553 Working in High Temperatures Q&As

LTB 553 – TUC – Cool it – Guide on High Temperatures in the Workplace IndoorOutdo…

CWU Equality Conferences 2016
Further to LTB 501/16 I have been advised by the hotel that the hotel is almost fully booked for the October dates (11th/12th October) and the rooms at the special rate have now sold out. There is a limited availability now for the November dates (8th/9th November) which will be on a “first come, first serve” basis and it is advisable that Branches book as soon as possible if they have not done so already.
The rates are as follows:
Single occupancy charged @ £105, bed and breakfast
This is pre-payable at the time of booking and is non-refundable, non-transferable. Bookings can be made by calling reservations on 0844 815 9012 choosing option 3 “events” and quoting the following references:
Women’s Conference/LGBT Conference – Ref ACCO071116
Alternative Accommodation
The Mercure Leicester Grand Hotel is situated in the city centre and there are a number of hotels close by within walking distance which have suitable rates for all budgets.
http://www.ramada.co.uk/hotels/united-kingdom/leicester/ramada-encore-leicester-city-centre/hotel-overview
http://www.premierinn.com/
http://www.belmonthotel.co.uk/our-dine-restaurants-in-leicester-city-centre/
Please note the reference above does not apply to any of these hotels and only the Mercure. 
Crèche 
If anyone requires a crèche, could you please email conferences@cwu.org as quickly as possible with details and for what conference in order that arrangements can be made.
Prayer Room 
Please email conferences@cwu.org as soon as possible if a delegate requires a prayer room so that arrangements can be made for a quiet room to be made available. Please state the conference that the facility will be required.
Signer Requests 
If anyone needs a signer please email conferences@cwu.org as soon as possible stating the conference the delegate will be attending.
Further information will be issued regarding online registration in due course.
Any enquiries regarding this Letter to Branches should be addressed to Angela Niven in the Senior Deputy General Secretary Department by email to conferences@cwu.org
Yours sincerely,
 
A P Kearns
Senior Deputy General Secretary
Email Attachments – Click to download
LTB 556/16 – CWU Equality Conferences 2016