Branches are reminded that places are still available for An Introduction to Austerity and the British Economy Course.
CWU Education and Training and the Marx Memorial Library & Workers’ School
Are pleased to offer the following short course aimed at CWU activists:
An Introduction to: Austerity and the British Economy

Friday 1st – Sunday 3rd July 2016

CWU Education and Training Centre, Alvescot Lodge, Oxfordshire
This course delivered over a residential weekend is aimed at trade union activists who want to understand more about ‘austerity’ policies and about why mainstream political parties are so wedded to them. It will help put austerity into context through exploring three modules:
• Understanding Austerity: What is it and why is it happening?

• What’s so different about Britain? Finance capital and the British economy

• Trade Unions, working class strategy and the British economy
The weekend will involve lectures, activities and presentations and will require participants to undertake pre course reading.
The course will be facilitated by Professor Mary Davis.
To secure your place please complete the booking form overleaf and send your booking fee of £30 made payable to ‘Communication Workers Union’ as soon as possible, as places will be strictly limited.
Applications should be sent to CWU Education and Training Centre, Alvescot Lodge, Alvescot, Bampton, Oxon, OX18 2PY
The closing date for applications is Tuesday 31 May 2016.
For further information please email Trish Lavelle at tlavelle@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,

Trish Lavelle

HEAD OF EDUCATION & TRAINING
Email Attachments – Click to download
LTB 286/16 – FINAL REMINDER – An Introduction to Austerity and the British Economy

Attachement 1 – Booking form

Planning is well underway for the 2016 Royal Mail/CWU Dog Awareness Week.
There is confirmed support from Battersea Dogs Home, The PDSA, National Dog Wardens Association and the National Police Chiefs Council along with others again for this year’s campaign.
To make Dog Awareness Week 2016 a success it is vital that we are able to make reference local cases of Postal Worker victims of dog bites to encourage the local press take and interest and run stories that raise awareness. These stories will include advice to customers which will help to reduce dog attacks on Postmen and Women occurring in the future. 
CWU HQ and Royal Mail HQ are jointly appealing to anyone who was bitten or attacked by a dog, particularly in the last year or so, to volunteer to have the details of their case used in the local media and to talk to a press reporter either in person or over the telephone. This could include a feature on radio or television or an article in a newspaper. 
The support of members willing to do this could mean the difference between an article being printed in the newspaper or not being run at all as the press and media always prefer to speak to someone who has experienced the type of incident the article is all about. 
Would Area Safety Reps, Area Delivery Reps and Branches please assist with encouraging members to come forward to support the campaign. 
Volunteers details should be forwarded directly to: Nick Burns RMG Safety Engagement Manager. Contact details:-
Mobile: 07801091380
Email: Nicholas.Burns@royalmail.com  
Thanks for your help and support. 
Yours sincerely 
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
 
Email Attachments – Click to download
· LTB 290/16 Royal Mail/CWU Dog Awareness Week 2016 – Mon 27 June to Fri 1 July – Appeal for Volunteer Dog Attack Victims to participate

Please see April edition of Safe and Well newsletters for both field and office based people.
What’s inside April’s Safe and Well
A focus on safety around the travelling ladders

A story of a field near miss on pcp

Launch of the Get Wasted (ucated) with focus on blue rope, new environmental cbt and a formwise asking people to tell us just why it’s a load of rubbish at TE sites.

Reminder on correct procedure for getting kit and tools and not to Bring Your Own (Visual Light Source refresh and general reminder, including boots)

Helping to clear up the process for getting the right eye care vouchers for safety

And updates on Health and Wellbeing include a refresh on Diabetes and the new Bare Bones of MSDs

TSO’s Near Miss – a timely intervention preventing a serious incident

In the Office version (pdf for size)
Near Miss: How close can a near miss be?

No Smoking A visual reminder of the potential risks

I really would like know… eChat on health and wellbeing

Let’s talk about.. Diabetes – what’s your type?

What’s your impact? How you can make a difference environmentally

Yours sincerely
 
Dave Joyce

National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
 
Email Attachments – Click to download

LTB 288/16 Safe & Well – April 2016

· Openreach H&S Update
· Issue 33 MS
· Issue 33

Annual Conference 2016 – Decisions
Please find attached copies of the decisions taken during Annual Conference.
Any enquiries regarding this Letter to Branches should be addressed to Chris Tapper or sent to ctapper@cwu.org
Yours sincerely
 
 
Tony Kearns
Senior Deputy General Secretary
 
Email Attachments – Click to download
Attachment 1 – Rules Revision Conference – Sunday 24.04.16

Attachment 2 – General Conrference – Monday 25.04.16

Attachment 3 – Postal Conference – Tuesday 26.04.16

Attachment 4 – Postal Conference – Wednesday 27.04.16

Attachment 5 – Postal Conference – Thursday 28.04.16

Attachment 6 – TFS Conference – Tuesday 26.04.16

Attachment 7 – TFS Conference – Wednesday 27.04.16

Attachment 8 – TFS Conference – Thursday 28.04.16

Trade Union Act 2016 

As you may be aware, the Trade Union Bill completed its final stages and was passed by both Houses of Parliament last week becoming the Trade Union Act 2016. The purpose of this LTB is to update you on the final version that was agreed in Parliament and what we will be doing in response to this.

 

As outlined in LTB 183/16, through the campaigning and political lobbying of the trade union and wider labour movement, the government was defeated on a number of important elements of the Bill in the House of Lords. This has resulted in some significant changes in the final Act, most notably:

 

i. the government will not be able to unilaterally end check-off for trade unions in the public sector as it originally proposed;

 

ii. trade unions will not be forced to ask members already paying the political levy to opt-in to this, a proposal that was designed to limit our ability to campaign on political issues;

 

iii. the government will be required to jump through a number of new hoops before it can impose a cap on facility time in the public sector;

 

iv. after increasing the turnout thresholds unions must achieve in a vote for industrial action, the government has agreed to commission an independent review into allowing e-balloting alongside postal voting.

 

While these do change some of the worst of the government’s original proposals, the Act remains a significant attack on trade unions and imposes new restrictions on a range of our activities. It will change the law on:

 

• thresholds we have to reach in industrial action ballots

• information we have to put on a ballot paper

• information we have to give to members following a ballot

• the time limits for taking industrial action in the event of a yes vote

• the notice period for taking industrial action

• picketing and the appointment of a picket supervisor

• details of picketing we have to give to the police

• new members joining the political levy

• information we report to the Certification Officer

• the powers of the Certification Officer to investigate trade unions

• the funding of the Certification Officer, which we will now need to pay for

 

It is important to be clear that these have not yet become law but that they will be given effect by the government shortly – the date of this is yet to be confirmed.

 

The union will now be considering the full implications of the Act and will be publishing further information on what this means for headquarters and branches in terms of future compliance.

 

Finally, we remain strongly opposed to the Act and we will be doing what we can to work with other unions to repeal and make it unworkable. The CWU has played a leading role in the union movement in campaigning against the proposals and we will continue to do so. To this end we will be discussing further strategies with other unions and branches will be kept up to date with developments on this.

 

Any queries about the contents of this LTB should be directed to gsoffice@cwu.org

 

Yours sincerely

 
Dave Ward

General Secretary

TERRY PULLINGER DEPUTY GENERAL SECRETARY (POSTAL) 

Further to LTB 266/16, we are pleased to report that Terry Pullinger is now out of hospital and recuperating at home. Terry and his family have asked us to pass on their sincere thanks for all the messages of support they have received during this difficult period. It is anticipated that Terry will now be off work for some time as he continues his recovery.

 

Therefore, we can advise that until further notice, Ray Ellis will assume full responsibilities of the DGS (P) role in an acting capacity. During this time Ray will continue to oversee the implementation of the Romec Integration Project. In turn, Carl Maden PEC member will assume full responsibilities as Acting Assistant Secretary covering Ray’s substantive role.

 

Finally, I am sure all Branches will join us in passing on our best wishes to Terry in making a full recovery and we look forward to him returning to his role in due course.  

 

Any enquiries on the above should be addressed to the General Secretary’s Department.

 

Yours sincerely

 
 

 

Dave Ward

General Secretary

The CWU has again decided to run a digital photography competition as part of our informal learning project. This competition is open to all CWU members and their families. Last year’s winner was, Paul Fine who is a member of Plymouth & East Cornwall Branch.Our Learning Reps have enabled hundreds of our members to undertake Digital Photography and Photoshop courses. The opportunities offered by mobile and smart phones mean that many of our members have a digital camera in their pocket to record the world around them. This is an exciting opportunity for our members to share their skills and abilities and I encourage members and their families to take part. 

If members are interested in learning more about digital photography they can access a free online course from the list attached to this LTB.

The winning entries will be judged to be the most visually appealing interpretations of the brief, capturing on camera the spirit of the chosen theme and their overall impact and composition. Digital manipulation is acceptable but not necessary. To assist our judges please add a short explanation of how and why the photo was taken.

You can enter up to one photo in each of the following categories
1. In Search of Space

2. Love

3. The Wild Side of Life

4. The Spirit of Activism
The overall winner of the competition will win a £200 gift voucher.

Entries should be sent via email to learn@cwu.org by midnight on the 2nd October 2016. Entrants must supply their name and email address. We regret that we are unable to accept postal entries.

Terms & Conditions and a promotional poster are attached. If you have any queries please contact Simon Massen at smassen@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,
Trish Lavelle

Head of Education and Training
Email Attachments – Click to download
LTB 281/16 – CWU Digital Photography Competition 2016

Digital Photography Course 2016

Digital Photography Competition Terms 2016

Digital Photography Competition Poster 2016

In response to a number of enquiries received by the CWU/HQ Health, Safety and Environment Department, this is to inform Branches that an incident occurred at Romford Mail Centre involving a minor explosion and fire at 20:35pm on Wednesday 27th April.
The known facts are as follows, as confirmed by Royal Mail’s CPC and the Security and Dangerous Goods Team:
A package containing a Lithium Battery caught fire and exploded, in the secondary packet area of the Mail Centre last Wednesday, causing minor damage.
The Fire alarm was activated and the Mail Centre was evacuated at 20:40 in an efficient manner and there were no injuries of any kind.
The minor explosion and fire was quickly controlled and the packaging and surrounding materials were put out by use of fire extinguishers.
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) subsequently attended the scene and the Chief Fire Officer gave the all clear at 21:10hrs, following which the building was re-occupied and returned to normal working.
The item was subsequently contained within a 10ft x 10ft cordon as requested by the LFB and a forensic investigation team undertook an examination of the item concerned which was identified as a Lithium Battery enclosed in a parcel.
The internal Royal Mail Security and Dangerous Goods Team investigation is ongoing and the progress to date is as follows:
The item concerned has been identified as a Lithium Battery enclosed in a parcel which is a ‘Prohibited Item’ and should not have been put into the Postal system.
Despite the outer packaging, address and details being destroyed in the fire, investigators have determined that the item was believed to have been sold on eBay, the world famous on-line auction and marketplace website.
EBay were contacted by Royal Mail, requesting removal of Royal Mail as a preferred carrier for this type of item from any sellers, to which eBay immediately complied.
The Royal Mail Security and Dangerous Goods Team investigation has continued efforts to identify both the seller of the item and the distributor which has been difficult due to the fire damage to the offending item. However, various lines of enquiry are continuing in order to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed with a prosecution of the seller. One particular seller of these items, who may be the seller in question, has removed all similar items from the eBay website and this individual is a focus of attention and a person of interest. At this stage however the investigation continues.
Experts have recently identified shoddily made Lithium-ion batteries with faulty circuitry as the cause of a series of unrelated incidents involving new type self-balancing “hoverboard” scooters which have caught fire or exploded and before that faulty and poorly made counterfeit laptop batteries have been identified as the source of incidents or overheating units exploding and causing fires.
Such packages incorrectly posted, containing such goods are not always easily identified. Such incidents are rare but Members should be vigilant and report any suspect packages if they come to their attention and management should follow the “Stay Calm/Be Aware” guidance and call CPC for further advice and the Emergency Services as required.
Water Fire Extinguishers have little effect on Lithium Battery Fires but wetting the surrounding area can prevent fire spread as a precaution pending attendance by the Fire Service.
The CWU Branch Area Safety Representative is fully involved locally and I would like to record my thanks to the Romford and Dist Amal Branch for their due diligence in connection with the incident.
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce

National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
 
Email Attachments – Click to download
· Attachment 1 – 16LTB278 Romford Mail Centre Parcel Explosion & Fire Incident Wednesday 27.4.16.docx

World Asthma Month is an annual event organized by the Global Initiative for Asthma with a goal to improve asthma awareness and care around the world. The event takes place in May and will call attention to the health issue asthma sufferers deal with year round.
According to World Health Organization estimates, 300 million people suffer from asthma and it’s the most common chronic disease among children. WHO also notes that asthma affects people in all countries around the world regardless of development although most deaths occur in lower income countries.
Asthma is a chronic disease of the air passages (or bronchial) that lead to and from the lungs that makes breathing difficult. Usually there is inflammation, which results in a temporary narrowing of the passages that carry oxygen to the lungs.
Symptoms vary from person to person and in intensity, but generally include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest pain or pressure. Asthma sufferers often have recurrent attacks of breathlessness and wheezing. Symptoms may occur several times a Month or week and may become worse during physical activity or during the night.
During an attack, the lining of the bronchial tubes swell, causing airways to become narrow and reducing the flow of air in and out of the lungs. These attacks can cause sleeplessness, fatigue, reduced activity and absenteeism from work or school.
The basic causes of asthma are not completely understood, but risk factors for developing the disease include a genetic predisposition along with exposure to particles and substances that irritate the air passages and cause allergic reactions. Some irritants include dust in furnishings, pets, tobacco smoke, chemicals and air pollution.
Other causes include physical exercise, medications (aspirin and beta blockers), cold air and even emotional reactions such as stress, anger and fear.
Asthma is generally treated with two types of medications. Long-term control medicines help to reduce airway inflammation and prevent symptoms. The second are quick-relief medications which relieve asthma symptoms when they flare up.
There is no known cure for asthma but the best treatment is to control the disease by working closely with a physician, taking medications and avoiding triggers.
Education is a key part of controlling asthma and the World Asthma Foundation is helping to inform asthma sufferers, their families and the general public about the disease. The foundation’s website, http://www.worldasthmafoundation.org has continual news feeds and updates about asthma.
What is asthma?
Asthma is a long-term condition that affects the airways – the tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs. Someone with asthma has ‘sensitive’ airways that are inflamed and ready to react when they come into contact with something they don’t like. Asthma tends to run in families, especially when there’s also a history of allergies and/or smoking.
How does asthma affect the airways? 
When a person with asthma comes into contact with something that irritates their sensitive airways even more (an asthma trigger), it causes their body to react in three ways:

• the muscles around the walls of the airways tighten so that the airways become narrower

• the lining of the airways becomes inflamed and starts to swell

• sticky mucus or phlegm sometimes builds up, which can narrow the airways even more.

These reactions cause the airways to become narrower and irritated – making it difficult to breathe and leading to asthma symptoms, such as chest tightness, wheezing, or coughing.
Who gets asthma?
In the UK, around 5.4 million people are currently receiving treatment for asthma. That’s one in every 12 adults and one in every 11 children. Asthma affects more boys than girls. Asthma in adults is more common in women than men. Asthma can sometimes be defined as a type, such as ‘occupational’ or ‘severe’.
Can asthma be cured?
Asthma UK are striving to find a cure, but currently there is no cure for asthma. The good news, though, is that there are lots of safe and effective treatments available to manage the symptoms. Sufferers just need to work with their GP or asthma nurse to find the ones that work well for them, and get into good habits so they take them regularly, exactly as prescribed, so they can get the benefits.
Is asthma a serious condition?
Tragically, three people die every month in the UK because of asthma attacks and research shows that two thirds of asthma deaths are preventable. The reassuring fact is that most people with asthma who get the right treatment – and take it correctly – can manage their symptoms and get on with what they want to do in life.
Managing your asthma at work
There are steps that you can take to help you to manage your asthma at work and make sure you’re getting the support you need. If you decide to tell your employer about your asthma, they can make reasonable adjustments to help you do your job. This may include finding out what your workplace triggers are and trying to make sure you can avoid them, if possible. Your employer can only make reasonable adjustments if you tell them about your condition. Tell your colleagues about your asthma, and what they need to do if you have an asthma attack. Make sure you always have your reliever inhaler (usually blue Ventolin) with you at work, and that it’s easy to get hold of when you need it. Carry your written asthma action plan with you.
The employer should have someone with a first aid qualification on site. Make sure you know who they are, and that they know what to do if you have an asthma attack.
Asthma as a disability – The Equality Act 2010
The Equality Act 2010 protects people from being discriminated against because of age, gender, race, religion, or disability. The definition of disability, which is a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010, is: “a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term (i.e. has lasted or is likely to last for at least 12 months) adverse effect on a person’s ability to carry out normal Month-to-Month activities.”
Asthma UK advise that the conditions covered by this definition include everything from severe asthma to depression, Down’s syndrome to hearing impairment, and multiple sclerosis to epilepsy. If a worker has a medical condition such as asthma they may not consider themself to be disabled, but may need support or special arrangements in the work place. Reasonable adjustments to help an Asthmatic stay in work can take many different forms and may include:
• providing equipment

• allowing time off (for assessment or treatment)

• making alterations to premises

• modifying duties

• adjustments to working environments, for example, controlling dust and fumes levels, 

• changing practices, policies and procedure

• a phased return to work after illness, perhaps working flexible hours or part-time

• transferring to individuals to a more suitable role
Five step plan to help Asthmatics breathe better and feel better with asthma.
1. Get moving– Whether you want to dance, play football or chase after the kids, don’t let your asthma stop you being physically active. If getting active causes asthma symptoms, tell your doctor so you can get the right treatment.

2. Eat well– A healthy diet with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables (and not too many take-aways!) is good for your lungs as well as your waistline. There’s no need to avoid dairy foods unless you have a diagnosed dairy food allergy or intolerance.

3. Aim for a healthy bodyweight– Being overweight can make asthma harder to manage, plus lead to sleeping problems or reflux. If you are overweight, losing just 1 or 2 stones could make you feel better and breathe more easily. Start by talking to your doctor.

4. Speak up if you need to– Asthma can be harder to manage if you have depression or anxiety, and asthma can also affect your mental health. If your asthma is getting you down or you feel anxious, talk to your doctor.

5. Go smoke-free– Smoking and asthma is a dangerous combination. Smoking, or breathing in other people’s smoke damages your lungs and stops your asthma puffers working properly. Your doctor or pharmacist can help, or contact Call the free Smokefree National Helpline to speak to a trained, expert adviser. Call now: 0300 123 1044.
Taking care of your asthma also involves:
• Seeing your doctor for regular asthma check-ups

• Following an up-to-date written asthma action plan, prepared with your doctor

• Taking your preventative medicines regularly, as prescribed

• Checking your inhaler technique with your pharmacist or GP practice Asthma nurse

• Understanding what triggers your asthma and how to manage this
For Further Help Advice and Assistance – Get in Touch With “ASTHMA UK”.
Helpline – For independent, confidential advice and support call the Asthma UK Experts on 0300 222 5800 (open 9-5, Mon – Fri).
General enquiries

Asthma UK Supporter Care Team

18 Mansell Street

London

E1 8AA

Tel: 0300 222 5800

Email: info@asthma.org.uk
Yours sincerely

  

Dave Joyce

National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
Email Attachments – Click to download
· Attachment 1 – 16LTB279 World Asthma Awareness Month – May 2016.docx
· Attachment 2 – Asthma – All About Asthma Booklet (Asthma UK).pdf
· Attachment 3 – Asthma – Asthma Attack Card (Athma UK).pdf
· Attachment 4 – Asthma – Asthma UK Child Action Plan.pdf
· Attachment 5 – Asthma – Athma UK Adult Action Plan.pdf