AGREEMENT BETWEEN RMSS RELAY AND THE COMMUNICATION WORKERS UNION ON THE CONTENT AND SELECTION PROCESS FOR THE DRP DUTY 

Branches and representatives will be aware that in 2008 the department circulated the Agreement between Branch Direct and the Communication Workers Union on the Deployment of D.R.P. (LTB 256/08 refers).

Following the conclusion of the aforementioned agreement, major restructuring of the business took place following the loss of the Barclays contract and the business was rebranded from Branch Direct to RMSS Relay.

The restructuring activity resulted in a revised structure and reduced the number of sites with a managerial presence on site. Therefore where sites no longer had an on-site manager RMSS Relay and the CWU agreed to create two specialist roles with additional responsibilities and a separate allowance. The roles created were the Designated Responsible Person (DRP) and the Territorial Balance of Staff LA.

In 2010 RMSS Relay became a standalone business and has had great success through diversifying and broadening its customer base and ultimately this has enabled them to now provide on-site management in some smaller units. This has led to a need to jointly review the content of the 2008 agreement for specialist roles, as the Territorial Balance of Staff LA role has ceased and is no longer part of the structure.

Discussions have therefore been taking place between the department and the business on a revised agreement which has culminated in the attached document being concluded (Annex A). This document was endorsed by the Postal Executive at its meeting on the 20th October 2015 and replaces the existing agreement that was concluded in 2008.

In addition also attached for information purposes is a copy of the job description for the DRP role (Annex B).

Branches and representatives are requested to ensure that our RMSS Relay members are made aware of this LTB and its contents.

Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary, e-mail: dwyatt@cwu.org or shayman@cwu.org quoting reference number 218.02.

Yours sincerely

Davie Robertson

Assistant Secretary

 
COMMUNICATION WORKERS UNION

URGENT INFORMATION FOR MEMBERS

 Facebook: Dave Ward CWU @DaveWardGS

AGREEMENT BETWEEN RMSS RELAY AND THE COMMUNICATION WORKERS UNION ON THE CONTENT AND SELECTION PROCESS FOR THE DRP DUTY

BACKGROUND

IN 2008 A MAJOR RESTRUCTURING OF RMSS RELAY (KNOWN AS BRANCH DIRECT AT THE TIME) IMPLEMENTED A NEW OPERATIONAL MODEL FOLLOWING THE LOSS OF THE BARCLAYS CONTRACT. THIS REVISED STRUCTURE REDUCED THE NUMBER OF UNITS WITH ON-SITE MANAGERIAL PRESENCE.

AGAINST THIS BACKDROP RMSS RELAY AND THE CWU CREATED TWO SPECIALIST ROLES WITH A SEPARATE ALLOWANCE TO TAKE ON ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES WHERE SITES NO LONGER HAD AN ON-SITE MANAGER. THESE ROLES WERE THE DESIGNATED RESPONSIBLE PERSON (DRP) AND THE TERRITORIAL BALANCE OF STAFF LA.

SINCE THEN RMSS RELAY, SUPPORTED BY A PROGRESSIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CWU, HAS MADE GREAT PROGRESS AS A STANDALONE BUSINESS UNIT THROUGH DIVERSIFYING AND BROADENING ITS CUSTOMER BASE. THIS HAS ENABLED THEM TO GRADUALLY PROVIDE MORE MANAGEMENT SUPPORT IN ITS SMALLER SITES.

COMBINED WITH MANY CHANGES TO OPERATIONAL PROCESSES AND SYSTEMS OVER THAT PERIOD, THIS HAS LED TO A NEED TO JOINTLY REVIEW THE CONTENT OF THE 2008 AGREEMENT FOR SPECIALIST ROLES.

THE TERRITORIAL BALANCE OF STAFF LA ROLE HAS CEASED AND IS NO LONGER PART OF THE STRUCTURE. THEREFORE THIS REVIEW IS CONFINED TO THE DRP ROLE.

THIS DOCUMENT REPLACES THE 2008 AGREEMENT BETWEEN “BRANCH DIRECT AND THE COMMUNICATION WORKERS UNION ON THE DEPLOYMENT OF DRP AND TERRITORIAL BALANCE OF STAFF DUTIES IN THE RESTRUCTURED OPERATIONAL NETWORK”.

Aims and Objectives

➢ To review the duty content and job description for the DRP role, ensuring that it remains fit for purpose and reflects the current operational requirements of RMSS Relay.

➢ Agree the job specification and personal skills required that attract a skills allowance for the DRP role. Concluded and attached as Annex A.

➢ To create the opportunity for all members of the unit to express interest in any above core skill duty when they become available.

➢ To create a pool of adequately skilled individuals at local level for future job selection and duty coverage.

➢ To expand the opportunities for individuals to train and develop their skills in line with the role(s) they aspire to.

➢ To define the agreed process of vacant duty selection and re-sign arrangements for such duties.

 The Agreement

1. This agreement between RMSS Relay and the CWU sets out the agreed processes applicable to duties covered by CWU represented grades that are considered to require skills over and above a core OPG role.

2. Both parties agree that clearly understood procedures for developing skills and filling duties requiring skills above core, will help improve and maintain the efficiency and effectiveness of the operation. Equally, the agreement will ensure the process is unbiased to any individual, transparent, fair and ensures opportunity to all.

3. The agreement provides for robust arrangements, which offer operational flexibility and consistency via a larger grouping of skills within each unit with a greater number of individuals able and equipped to perform the more specialised roles in a unit.

Appointment

4. The DRP role will be selected in line with normal procedures for “selection by skills” under the Way Forward Agreement. Where a number of candidates possess the same skill level required for the role, seniority will be the determining factor.

5. The outcome of any test or determining process must be fully recorded and counselling notes prepared and delivered to all unsuccessful candidates.

6. Specialised jobs when vacant in each depot will be advertised, with a brief description of the agreed core skills or aptitude required. All employees in the depot will be entitled to apply. However, the nature of the work is likely to mean that only people who have been trained in advance for the duty (see below) are likely to be successful. The most suitable candidate as determined by the process will be selected, with seniority being the determining factor where two or more candidates are equally suitable.

.

7. To ensure adequate coverage exists in each depot for selected duties at times of annual leave and sick leave a locally agreed reserve list for each specialised duty will be established. Initially the number of reserves required will be agreed locally, applications for training will be invited and a training programme arranged. The intention will be to give everybody training who expresses interest in developing their skills to the jobs they aspire to within six months of an application being received where practicable. This will be subject to an assessment of likely requirements against the manpower plan. Where there is a need to prioritise such training the order will be agreed locally.  

8. Against this backdrop the most suitable person will fill vacant specialist duties in line with the principles of Para 4 above. Where an individual is unsuccessful in their application and following counselling, and where appropriate, training to meet the required skills will be offered (as per para 7 above).  

Appeal

9. Equally, unsuccessful candidates will be entitled to an appeal on the basis of (a) failure to follow the laid out process, or (b) direct discrimination on grounds of gender, race, or sexual orientation.  

10. Notification of any intention to appeal must be made within 5 working days, in writing and stating the reason for the appeal. The appeal will be heard by a manager who is at least one grade higher than the original decision maker and who is independent of the initial decision. An individual may be accompanied or represented by a friend or CWU Representative at the appeal.

Deployment

11. It is recognised that some types of selected duties can be demanding. If an employee needs a temporary change of attendance or duty, for personal or domestic reasons (which must be adequately explained), every effort will be made to meet the individual’s needs. This may mean that the individual needs to surrender the duty (with associated payments) for a short period of time until able to perform the duty once again.

12. Any questions of interpretation, implementation or application of this agreement shall be referred to the signatories of this agreement as a matter of urgency and will be dealt with inside the provisions of the IR framework.

Designated Responsible Person (DRP)

This agreement formalises and standardises existing DRP arrangements and sets agreed processes covering the following issues:

➢ Roles and Responsibility.

➢ Duty Creation.

➢ Duty Selection.

➢ Remuneration.

Roles and Responsibility

It is agreed that the role of the DRP is to provide administrative support and enhance customer service within the RMSS Relay unit. It will have no managerial responsibility for the unit or staff and all tasks associated with the role are deemed to be appropriate to CWU represented grades within RMSS Relay. Accordingly the following tasks are agreed as indicative to being proper to the role:

➢ Supporting the Unit Manager in basic admin controls for processes such as, recording of overtime, agency and vehicle requirements.

➢ Generation of standard unit reports, e.g, Quality of Service, Manpower Utilisation, Security, Health and Safety and Transport.

➢ Complying with Delivery Connect procedures through pre and debrief feedback to colleagues in the unit.

➢ Supporting the Unit Manager in transport functions relating to compliance with vehicle maintenance schedules and issue of keys to drivers.

➢ Dealing with enquiries from customers/helpdesk.

➢ Coaching colleagues.

Full discussions on the development of agreed training packages and standards will be concluded between RMSS Relay and the CWU nationally to ensure the role receives appropriate development.

Duty Creation

While in exceptional circumstances DRP roles may be self-contained, it is anticipated that in most cases these roles will be combined with driving or other operational activity to provide full time duties.

In such instances RMSS Relay management and the CWU will agree locally the most appropriate operational duty or duties to accommodate the DRP role. This principle will also be applied to any wider revision process undertaken in the Depot.

Duty Selection

DRP duties will be available to all RMSS Relay employees. Selection will be on the basis of agreed procedures. The candidate needs to meet the criteria outlined in the DRP job description and possess the basic skills required to perform the role, e.g. computer literacy. Appropriate training will be provided for the successful candidates prior to uptake of the responsibilities.

Remuneration

These positions are graded as OPG. All staff performing DRP duties receive the equivalent of the Royal Mail Workplace Coaching Allowance of £35.06 per week. This allowance will be paid 52 weeks per year, including during periods of annual leave and sick leave.

Davie Robertson​Alex Warner

Assistant Secretary​Managing Director

CWU​RMSS Relay

22nd October 2015​

ANNEX B

Job Description

Title:​​DRP role, Royal Mail Relay

Reporting to:​​Unit Manager or Shift Manager

Overview:

ROYAL MAIL SPECIALIST SERVICES OFFERS AN OVERNIGHT CONSOLIDATED OUT OF HOUR’S DELIVERY SERVICE TO THE FINANCIAL AND INSURANCE MARKET SECTORS, ENGINEERING PARTS AND RETAIL COLLECTION AND DELIVERY. OUR CUSTOMERS ARE BLUE CHIP COMPANIES, RETAIL AND ENGINEERING CUSTOMERS WHO PAY FOR, AND EXPECT, THE BEST POSSIBLE SERVICE.  

RMSS RELAY HAS BEEN OFFERING AN UNPARALLELED QUALITY OF SERVICE TO OUR CUSTOMERS, SINCE OUR INCEPTION IN 1999. WE ARE CONTINUALLY STRIVING TO BEAT OUR CUSTOMER’S EXPECTATIONS, AND ARE AT THE FOREFRONT WHEN IT COMES TO INNOVATION AND FORWARD THINKING. WE BELIEVE THAT BY DEVELOPING AND EMPOWERING OUR PEOPLE TO MAKE THE CRUCIAL OPERATIONAL DECISIONS WE CAN MAINTAIN OUR PLACE AS THE INDUSTRY LEADER.

 THE JOB:

➢ FIRST POINT OF CONTACT FOR ALL FRONTLINE STAFF, TO DEAL WITH ENQUIRIES OR TO ESCALATE IF UNABLE TO RESOLVE.

➢ ENSURE FULL COMPLIANCE OF PRE-BRIEF AND DE-BRIEF POLICIES AND PROCEDURES WORKING WITH A SMALL TEAM OF FRONTLINE STAFF IN THE DELIVERY/COLLECTION AND SORTATION PART OF THE OPERATION.

➢ SUPPORT THE TEAM TO ENSURE THAT QUALITY OF SERVICE TARGETS ARE MET AND EXCEEDED.

➢ CONFIRM WITH THE LINE MANAGER THAT ANY FRONTLINE EMPLOYEES WHO RETURN TO WORK FROM ABSENCE ARE FIT TO RESUME DUTIES.

➢ SUPPORT THE TEAM TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE TO SECURITY (INCLUDING KEYS ADMINISTRATION), HEALTH & SAFETY AND TRANSPORT.

➢ ENSURE SCANNING PROCEDURES ARE COMPLETED VIA PRE-BRIEF AND DEBRIEF AND PROVIDE FEEDBACK TO TEAM MEMBERS, INCLUDING OUTSTANDING EXCEPTIONS.

➢ PROVIDE COACHING/MENTORING ASSISTANCE TO TEAM MEMBERS TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES.

➢ BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING THAT ALL VEHICLES ARE IN A ROADWORTHY CONDITION (WHERE THEY ARE NOT ENSURE PMT PROCESS IS ADMINISTERED CORRECTLY), AND MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES ARE ADHERED TO.

➢ BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TIMELY COMPLETION AND ACTIONING OF ALL RELEVANT REPORTS, FOR BOTH OPERATIONS AND STAFF.

➢ Working with customer service helpdesk – proactive and reactive CS issues.

➢ SUPPORT MANAGER WITH ADMINISTRATION OF OVERTIME, AGENCY AND VEHICLE REQUIREMENTS.

➢ Act as a contingency driver when need arises.

➢ Input to planning for implementation of new customers and changes to current operation.

➢ Interface with PFW at a local level.

➢ Complete a daily KPI update and reports.

➢ Complete the internal and external enforma sds.

➢ Administration of manpower plan and annual leave allocation.

➢ Administer fire alarm testing

➢ Carry out security spot checks, e.g. check site perimeter fencing, check tote boxes/satchels.

➢ Log near misses and report to line manager.

THE PERSON:

➢ GOOD OVERALL KNOWLEDGE OF THE RELAY NETWORK.

➢ GOOD IT SKILLS, WORD, EXCEL, POWERPOINT ETC.

➢ A DECISION MAKER WHO CAN THINK ON THEIR FEET AND USE THEIR OWN INITIATIVE TO SOLVE A PROBLEM.

➢ GOOD COMMUNICATION SKILLS, BOTH WRITTEN AND VERBAL.

➢ TAKE OWNERSHIP OF A PROBLEM AND SEE IT THROUGH TO SOLUTION.

➢ ABILITY TO BE FLEXIBLE AND ADAPTABLE.

➢ RESILIENT AND DEDICATED IN SEEING THINGS THROUGH.

➢ CARING AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE NEEDS OF OTHERS.

➢ CUSTOMER FOCUSED.

➢ GOOD UNDERSTANDING OF DELIVERY CONNECT AND PULL OF DAILY MI TO SUPPORT THE KPI’S OF THE RELAY OPERATION.

AdvanceD Engineering Apprenticeship scheme 
Please find attached a comprehensive Advanced Engineering Apprentice Scheme agreement. 

 
Background

 
After several years of lobbying by the union a commitment to re-establish an Engineering Apprentice programme was secured in the Engineering section of the Business Transformation Agreement 2010.

 
However, the Apprentice programme was subsequently launched without CWU involvement, which has created a number of problems in recent years, both for apprentices and for Royal Mail including differential treatment of external and internal recruits, lack of clarity over exit pay arrangements, lack of clarity over circumstances in which apprentices can cover engineering roles, and a national level disagreement over progression on completion of apprenticeship. 

 
The Agreement

 
The attached agreement regulates recruitment, learning and development, training, management, representation, placement, attendance, pay and progression for engineering apprentices. It moves the union from a position where we had been deliberately held at arm’s length to one in which the Apprentice programme is covered by a comprehensive agreement with the union covering all important aspects. 

 
Any enquiries should be addressed to PTCS department, quoting reference PTC/PD/dj/102. Email address: djeffery@cwu.org  

Yours sincerely

Ray Ellis                                               

Assistant Secretary

Time for Change’ in Mental Health – Royal Mail Group, CWU and ‘MIND’ Sign The Pledge.
 
Further to articles in CWU Voice, Royal Mail Courier and on both the Royal Mail and CWU Websites this is to confirm that CWU and Royal Mail have jointly pledged their full support for ‘MIND’ mental health campaign Time for Change last week, and promised to “challenge stigma and promote positive well-being in the workplace within Royal Mail Group.”
 
Time for Change is a nationwide initiative by leading charities ‘MIND’ and ‘Rethink Mental Health’ and its key aim is to “empower people with mental health problems to feel confident talking about the issue”.
 
With funding from the Department of Health, National Lottery and the Comic Relief organisation, this project has opened up a wide range of activities, engaging people in all sectors and communities, all parts of the UK and among every age group.
 
 
Signing up to Time for Change on behalf of Royal Mail was chief executive Moya Greene, while CWU national health, safety and environment officer Dave Joyce represented the CWU.
 
 
This represents joint commitment backed up by a robust action plan. From a CWU perspective, this joint pledge marks a significant step towards the aims set out in this year’s General Conference Resolution 37, which set our union’s policy on stress and mental health in the workplace.
 
 
The current estimates by experts in the field indicate that as many as one-in-four of the UK population suffer, or have suffered some form of mental health disorder – and that 70 per cent of these may be work-related. Indications are that the numbers are moving nearer to 1 in 3.
 
The agreed action plan, seeks to raise awareness and create a culture of allowing people to speak openly about mental health issues including stress, anxiety and depression and get help and support.
 
The CWU wants: 

– Royal Mail to meet the Terms of Motion 37(2015), 

– A concerted awareness raising campaign, 

– Mental Health First Aid Training for CWU Area Health and Safety Reps, Managers and
 
First Aiders, 

– Support and compassion not persecution and victimisation, 

– Reasonable adjustments, 

– Rehabilitation not medical severance, 

– and an effective Employee assistance programme (EAP) with Mental Health treated 

more like Physical Health.
Motion 37 General Conference 2015:
 
“The pressure and cumulative effect of an increasingly demanding work culture in the UK continues to generate high levels of work-related stress and mental ill-health.
 
It is estimated that nearly three-in-10 employees will experience a mental health problem in any one year.
 
Conference instructs the NEC to campaign and support:
 
· The promotion of messages about better work-life balance
· Acknowledgement of the association between work and related stress and mental 

health.
· Mechanisms to support staff who experience mental health problems
· A culture of openness about time constraints and workload.
· Better training of managers on the identification of work stress and its effects.
· Promoting a culture of ‘working smart, not long’ as outlined above
· Manageable workloads
· Workplace and work environment monitoring, audits and inspections
· Monitoring performance indicators and sickness absence
· Improvements in staff satisfaction
· Provision of time to attend counselling and support services
· Activities that promote good mental health
· Raising awareness and combat the stigma of those who suffer from mental ill- 

health/workplace stress
· Utilisation of expert advice/help either through the NHS of UK charities”
Find out more about the campaign by visiting Time for Change: http://www.time-to-change.org.uk/

Yours sincerely

 
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety& Environment Officer

Trade Union Bill – Westminster Rally, 2nd November 

As you will be aware, the government’s‎ Trade Union Bill which constitutes a significant and wide ranging attack on trade unions, ‎is currently before Parliament. 

The purpose of this LTB is to ask all CWU Branches to ensure they are in attendance at the major TUC Rally and lobby against the Bill, which takes place on the 2nd November in Central Hall Westminster, commencing at 11.00 hrs.

The Bill sets out restrictions on industrial action, picketing, political campaigning and facility time, while prohibiting check-off in the public sector and allowing employers to use agency workers as strike-breakers. The combination of measures in the Bill will fundamentally change the way that we are able to stand up for our members’ interests and amounts to an attempt to ‎kill off the labour movement as a force in this country. Therefore, it is essential that we organise a big turnout on the day and we expect all CWU Branches to treat this as a priority commitment. We will be asking Regional Secretaries to confirm directly with Branches their attendance.

Targeted lobbying of Tory MPs will also take place following the rally and we have been liaising with CWU Regional Secretaries on the specific MPs we have been asked to lobby as part of the overall TUC campaign.

Further details of TUC and CWU campaign activities will follow next week, including a full briefing on all elements of the Bill. In advance of the rally we will also publicise a meeting point for CWU Branches. Any enquiries in relation to the content of this LTB should be addressed to the GSoffice@cwu.org. 

Yours sincerely

Dave Ward

General Secretary

ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2016 

The NEC at its September meeting agreed the timetable for the 2016 CWU Conference. It also took into consideration that under National Rule 15.1.1 during 2016 the CWU are due to hold a Rules Revision Conference. This will be held on Sunday 24th April 2016. The programme for Conference 2016 is detailed below:

Sunday 24th April​-​Rules Revision Conference​(am/pm)

Monday 25th April​-​General Conference​(am/pm)

Tuesday 26th April​-​Telecoms Industry Conference​(am/pm)

​Postal Industry Conference​(am/pm)

Wednesday 27th April​-​Telecoms Industry Conference​(am/pm)

​Postal Industry Conference​(am/pm)

Thursday 28th April ​-​Telecoms Industry Conference​(am)

​Postal Industry Conference​(till 4pm)

Any enquiries regarding this LTB should be addressed to Chris Tapper, Senior Deputy General Secretary’s Department on 020 8971 7331 or email to ctapper@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,

A P Kearns

Senior Deputy General Secretary

Transfer of Work to Royal Mail from Parcelforce 

The department were recently informed by the business that the Royal Mail network will be receiving some additional tracked traffic, which is due to a change in contract arrangements that currently exist between Parcelforce Worldwide and an international customer.

Discussions have taken place with the business and have culminated in an agreed Joint Statement for the transfer of this work, which was endorsed by the Postal Executive at its meeting on 20th October 2015. For reasons of commercial confidentiality the Joint Statement cannot be published, however we can confirm the salient points are as follows:

➢ Service change is targeted to commence 2nd November 2015

➢ The international tracked items from the customer involved will be received in the UK by Parcelforce Worldwide

➢ The items that are within specification, i.e. less than 20kg in weight, will then be dispatched to the National Distribution Centre (NDC) for onward distribution and delivery within the RM network  

➢ It is estimated that the amount of items transferred from Parcelforce to Royal Mail network will be between 10k and 36K (peak) daily

➢ The items that are not within specification, i.e. 20kg and over, will continue to be delivered by Parcelforce in line with current arrangements

➢ Any necessary mechanical handling equipment changes at NDC are currently being progressed with full CWU H&S involvement

➢ Any necessary change activity to duty arrangements at NDC will be progressed at pace in line with the IR Framework

Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary, e-mail: dwyatt@cwu.org or shayman@cwu.org quoting reference number 711.09.

Yours sincerely

Davie Robertson

Assistant Secretary

Royal Mail Area Representative and Royal Mail Area Representative Substitute Elections – 2015 

Branches will be aware that in line with the previously published arrangements the Senior Deputy General Secretary is required to publish a standard election timetable for the RM Area Rep/Substitute positions (The timetable applies to positions that cover more than one branch area, i.e. those RM Area Rep elections, which are currently organised by the Regional Secretary). Accordingly the timetable for the 2015 RM Area Rep elections is as follows:

Nominations Open:​3rd November 2015

Nominations Close:​17th November 2015

In line with the above policy I have asked Regional Secretaries to co-ordinate these elections and to contact branches and advise them of the arrangements for the elections within their respective areas.

Branches are reminded that candidates must have received the nomination of their own branch and if ballots are required we will advise the respective branches of the ballot timetable in due course.

Branches should also note that any ballots will be conducted on an individual member basis of those members eligible to vote and that the costs incurred for the ballots would have to be met from the relevant Branch(s) funds. The Regional Secretary will discuss the detail of this with the Branches.

Also please note that it has been agreed that any candidates taking part in a ballot will be entitled to submit the following biographical and election information:

1. Biographical Details up to a maximum of 100 words.

2. An Election Statement of no more than 300 words.

Please note that the biographical details and election address will need to be provided to the respective Regional Secretary by the close of nominations on 17th November 2015. Any information received after this date will not be included with the ballot information.

In addition any elections will be conducted in line with the attached Guidelines and I would also take this opportunity to remind branches and candidates that they have a responsibility to treat fellow candidates with respect and they must ensure that no election material is published that could be deemed as either offensive or abusive.

Please note that elections for Area Representatives that fall wholly within one Branch boundary are the responsibility of the Branch, however if required, assistance can be sought from the Regional Secretary regarding these elections.

Any enquiries regarding this LTB 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