Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash FY24 07 – ‘Safe Loading/Unloading of York Containers on Tail Lifts’ 

Introduction: 

Royal Mail Group’s Safety Team have issued ‘RMG SHE Safety Flash FY24 007’ with the aim of communicating a clear message to all drivers regarding the important need to firstly, always follow the Safe System of Work when loading and unloading York Containers on Tail Lifts and secondly, the equally important need to always follow the safe System of Work for York Containers and not to use faulty York Containers, as was the case in a recent incident whereby a York with no brake was loaded and dispatched on a vehicle instead of being removed from service and quarantined until repaired.

Background: 

A driver was unloading York Containers on a tail lift and he applied the Container brakes before lowering the tail lift. However, one of the York Containers rolled off of the tail lift, crashing to the ground. The driver failed to utilise the tail lift safety wheel stops (kick flaps), which would have prevented the York Container from rolling away and falling off the tail lift platform. On further inspection, following the incident, the York Container brake was found to be faulty and not working. Somebody had written ‘no brake’ on the back of the York Container and allowed it to remain in use, meaning that there was a failure to take this damaged and dangerous equipment out of service for repair.

Impact:

Minor damage to both the York Container and contents. Fortunately, the driver and other staff members were not struck and injured by the falling York Container which could have resulted in an unsuspecting employee sustaining serious injury and causing greater damage to other plant, equipment and machinery.

Key Messages, Learning Points and Procedures to follow in order avoid similar incidents: 

• Always follow the Loading & Unloading Vehicles SSOW.
• Always deploy the tail-lift safety stops (kick flaps) where available.
• Always follow the York & Mini York Containers SSoW.
• Always check equipment prior to use and remove from service any York Containers and other equipment that is damaged or faulty.

Managers Actions: 

• PiCs/Managers – Communicate, display and brief appropriate staff on this SHE Flash, bringing it to their attention.
• Display the SHE Flash on the SHE Noticeboard.
• Brief staff on the SSoW for Loading & Unloading Vehicles – Operation and Use of a Tail Lift.
• Brief staff on the SSoW for Operation of York and Mini-York Containers.
• Ensure staff are appropriately trained and informed.
• Ensure any damaged or faulty York Containers and other equipment is taken out of service and sent for repair.

CWU ASR/WSR Action:

• ASRs/WSRs please ensure that this Safety Flash is communicated, displayed and brought to the attention of the workforce in all Units.
• ASRs/WSRs to carry out spot check safety inspections including a check that the SHE Flash has been deployed and briefed to staff by PiCs/Managers.
• ASRs to check awareness of the workforce regarding loading/unloading of vehicles and York Containers operational use.
• On ASR Safety Inspections, ensure staff are briefed, raising awareness at every opportunity with members/workers/drivers and operators.

Attachment: 

• Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash FY24 007 – ‘Safe Loading/Unloading of York Containers on Tail Lifts’

THE GOLDEN RULE IS:  Always follow the ‘Mandatory’ Safe Systems of Work. 

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

24LTB166 Royal Mail Group SHE Safety Flash FY24 07 – Safe Loading Unloading of York Containers on Tail Lifts

SHE Flash FY24 007 Loading Of York Containers on Tail Lifts

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Network Window – Seasonal Variation Joint Communication Changes 

Branches and CWU members will recall that on 13^th February 2024 we issued LTB 065/24 which outlined changes that had been agreed with the business around Seasonal Variation for the Winter Low Season 2024 and subsequent Summer Low Season 2024 – as set out below:

• During the Summer 2024 period, during weeks 13 – 23 (24th June 2024 until 8th September 2024), full time employees will typically work at 35 hours, in line with the agreement, for 11 weeks. 
• This will mean that full time employees will start 14 minutes later and finish 10 minutes earlier, and part time employees will work 10 minutes less per day. 

Since that decision was communicated the CWU has continued to explore further opportunities with the business on mitigation of the Network Window changes, and as a result of those national discussions there has been a change to the above design to better support the introduction of the Network Window change on 17^th June 2024. This is summarised below:

• The first adjustment to the design relates to the start week of the Summer Low Season. This has been advanced by one week, and the overall duration retained at 11 weeks. This means that the Summer 2024 period will run during weeks 12 – 22 (17th June 2024 until 1st September 2024). Full time employees will typically work at 35 hours, for 11 weeks, during this period 
• The second adjustment to the design relates to the attendance time adjustment on the day by our employees. Instead of starting 14 minutes later and finish 10 minutes earlier, our Full Time employees will now start 9 minutes later and finish 15 minutes earlier (thus continuing to attend 24 minutes per day less than in mid season). Part time employees will start 5 minutes earlier and finish 15 minutes earlier (thus continuing to utilise 10 minutes per day) to ensure they align with the Full Timers. 

For clarity the above arrangements will not change the previous communication regarding the High Season for 2024 (Christmas period), which will run from Monday 18th November (week 34) and will end on Sunday 22nd December (week 38) – 5 weeks, thus meaning Full-timers (including 35-hour contracts) will see a 24 minutes per day variation increase applied before their start time. Part-timers will see a 10 minutes variation before their start time.

As stated, the above has been agreed between RM & CWU nationally to seek to support the overall impact linked to Network Window on start/finish times and the above changes will mean further mitigation is made to the overall impact which will be subject to a formal National Post Implementation Review.

Attached to this LTB is a copy of the Joint Communication that has been issued to all RM managers and for the attention of CWU Representatives and Branches to ensure it is cascaded to CWU members.

Any enquiries in relation to the content of this LTB should be addressed to the DGS(P) Department hford@cwu.org or Outdoor Postal Department pharacz@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely,

Martin Walsh                                                                                       

Deputy General Secretary (Postal)                                      

Mark Baulch

Assistant Secretary

LTB 165/24 – Network Window Seasonal Variation Joint Communication Changes

LTB 165/24 Attachment – RM CWU Joint Communication SV_Summer 24 Low Season Adjustment_Final Version

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Guide to Independent Living booklets and other resources have been sent out today (29/2/24) to each workplace in the branch for members to use. As we get older our caring responsibilities change and any help, advice and support is welcome.

Please click the link below to find support in your area.

https://www.carechoices.co.uk/publication-type/regional-care-services-directories/

Better Backs Campaign” – Move York Containers Safety – One at a Time
(Avoid back, joints and limb injuries, known as musculoskeletal disorders – MSDs)

“Better Backs – Move One York At A Time Campaign”

The Health, Safety and Environment Department has over recent months been receiving an increasing number of reports from CWU ASRs and Reps that Plant Managers/Persons In Charge (PICs) in Hubs, Distribution Centres and Mail Centres have been encouraging staff to ‘breach’ Royal Mail’s long-standing ‘Mandatory’ York Containers Safe System of Work V3.3 ‘the latest version’ by moving two York Containers at a time.  There have also been ‘false suggestions’ that the Union has agreed to such a working practice which is completely untrue.

Royal Mail ‘Mandatory’ York Containers Safe System of Work V3.3

The Royal Mail ‘Mandatory’ York Containers Safe System of Work V3.3 for the operation and use of York Containers and Mini-York Containers states as follows:

• Page 3 “This Safe System of Work must be followed at all times”.
• Page 10 “Only push one York Container at a time and push the York Container from the brake end using the yellow handles”.
• Note: The moving of multiple, empty, nested York Containers (maximum three Yorks), one person activity and the moving of multiple empty assembled York Containers (maximum five Yorks), two-person activity are covered on pages 9 and 10 of the Safe System of Work.

Doctor Corinne Parsons – Royal Mail National Occupational Health and Ergonomics Manager

In 2019, Doctor Corinne Parsons, Royal Mail Group National Occupational Health and Ergonomics Manager carried out a Study and Risk Assessment of the impact of York Container work activities in relation to the practice of moving two York Containers at once at the former National Distribution Centre.  Her findings, conclusions and recommendations were are follows:

• Due to the twisted postures and high proportion of workers attributing aches and pains due to the practice of moving two York Containers together, this activity should not be adopted as a normal working practice.

Doctor Parsons’ study of staff moving two York Containers at a time at the former NDC, found that:

• 68% of those surveyed reported pain and discomfort affecting muscles, joints, neck and back.
• 77% suffered this discomfort for more than three months.
• 95% said that they suffered constant or intermittent musculoskeletal pain.
• 35% said it affected their ability to work effectively.
• 25% of staff had taken time off due to the pain caused.

HSE Guidance

HSE Guidance published on the HSE website at the following link: https://www.hse.gov.uk1/food/roll-cages-wheeled-racks.htm states as follows for all roll-cages, safe working advice is that workers should “only move one roll container/cage at a time”.

Campaign Materials

• Campaign Poster/Leaflet – PDF Copy attached Version 1 animated image
• Campaign Poster/Leaflet – PDF Copy attached Version 2 photo image

Hard copy printed versions of the above posters/leaflets can be ordered in A3, A4, A5 sizes from Louise Pietrzykowska (lpietrzykowska@cwu.org) in the Health, Safety and Environment department or downloaded and printed regionally.

ASR/WSR/Branch Reps Action

We are launching this Campaign to firstly put the record straight and to secondly put our members’ health and safety first. Would all ASRs, WSRs, Branch and Regional Representatives please support the Campaign by displaying posters and distributing the leaflets to our members at the earliest opportunity.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

24LTB163 Better Backs Campaign – Move York Containers Safety – One at a Time

08067 – Better back campaign – animated version -v2

08067 – Better back campaign – photographic version – v2

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For the Immediate Attention of:

Postal Branches with Eurest (ex Quadrant) Members

Divisional Representatives

Dear Colleagues,

EUREST (EX QUADRANT) PAY CLAIM 2024-BALLOT RESULT

Reproduced below for the information of Branches is the result of the above ballot, which has been received from Tony Kearns, Senior Deputy General Secretary:

Ballot Papers Issued       125

Votes for Acceptance       52

Votes Against                     1

Spoils                                   0

The ballot has therefore resulted in a return of approximately 42% with 98% voting in favour of the agreement.

Branches are requested to ensure that members are made aware of the result of this ballot.

The Department has informed Eurest of the result and unfortunately despite previous assurances, Eurest have informed us that they are unable to make arrangements for the increases to be applied to May salaries. Therefore, arrangements are being put in place for the increased rates of pay including the full back dating to 1st April 2024 to be paid to members in their June salaries.

Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary, email: sbanbury@cwu.org quoting reference: 301.13.

Yours sincerely,

Davie Robertson
Assistant Secretary

LTB 160.24 – Quadrant Pay Ballot Result 2024

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TO: BRANCHES WITH MEMBERS EMPLOYED BY PARCELFORCE WORLDWIDE (INCLUDING RMSS)

Dear Colleagues,

Further to LTB 150/24 dated 3^rd May 2024, at the close of nominations today the following has been received:-

SUBSTITUTE AREA HEALTH & SAFETY REPRESENTATIVE

Central Region Jaspreet SinghSouth Midlands Postal*Elected

Any enquiries regarding this Letter to Branches should be addressed to the Senior Deputy General Secretary’s Department on telephone number 0208 971 7237 or email address sdgs@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,

Tony Kearns

Senior Deputy General Secretary

LTB 162/24 – PARCELFORCE SUB AREA HEALTH & SAFETY REP – CENTRAL REGION

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Your Voice in the Workplace – May 2024

Please find attached the May Workplace Bulletin.

It is crucial that Branches are printing and distributing the monthly bulletin in every workplace. We have received some feedback from members that they have not seen other issues. The purpose of this publication is to ensure the union is pushing written content directly into the workplace so your role in that process is integral.

Thank you for your support and please contact us if you have ideas for future issues of the publication.

Click to access 08104-your-voice-RMG-issue-4-may-2up.pdf

Yours sincerely,

Martin Walsh
Deputy General Secretary (Postal)

Chris Webb
Head of Communications

24LTB161 Your Voice in the Workplace – May 2024

08104-your-voice-RMG-issue-4-may-2up

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Royal Mail Fleet Pay Agreement Update

The following is designed to provide an update on the ballot timetable for the Pay Agreement and our engagement strategy with members and Branches. We have agreed the following ballot timetable with the independent scrutineers:

• Ballot papers will be dispatched on 22nd May 2024.
• Ballot closes on 12th June 2024.

Within the ballot papers will be a communication explaining the agreement and a copy of the pay agreement.

We are also, within this LTB, attaching a briefing document and the agreement.

On Friday 17th May at 18:00 we will be holding a Fleet CWU Members zoom call to explain the agreement.

Membership meetings have already commenced with Fleet Workshops involving Postal Executive Members and will continue until the close of the ballot timescale. We believe it is essential that our members have all the information they need to ensure they can make an informed decision.

The Postal Executive are convinced that this is the best negotiated pay agreement which can be reached and that Fleet members should VOTE YES to this agreement.

Yours sincerely,

Martin Walsh

Deputy General Secretary (Postal)

LTB 158-24 – Royal Mail Fleet Pay Agreement Update

Attachment: Fleet BRTGA pay May 2024

Attachment: Fleet Agreement – The Key Points

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IDS TAKEOVER BID UPDATE

Branches will be aware that it was announced yesterday that EP Group, through its vehicle Vesa Equity, have made a further bid for the entire ownership of International Distribution Services, which includes Royal Mail Group and GLS. We expect EP Group to progress this bid in the next 14 days, where we understand conversations will take place with shareholders.

The IDS Board has stated that they are “minded to recommend the offer”. We have attached their statement and the CWU’s press statement on the matter to this LTB.

We also expect the government to investigate this takeover under the National Security and Investment Act, though as of yet, we are unsure of the length and scope of this investigation.

At our recent CWU Conference, we passed an emergency motion on the conditions of any takeover of the company. This motion is also attached to this LTB. We will enact this policy in the coming weeks and have already contacted the government on the takeover. We are also engaged in ongoing conversations with the Labour Party on these matters.

We have been invited to meet with Vesa Equity to discuss our concerns on the takeover bid and this meeting will take place as soon as possible, in accordance with all regulatory and legal requirements.

We will update you further next week on our communication and engagement strategy for our reps and members on this issue, as well as providing further updates on the process.

If you have any questions, please contact jdunn@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely

Dave Ward

General Secretary

Martin Walsh

Deputy General Secretary (Postal) 

LTB 157/24 – IDS TAKEOVER BID

Revised Possible Cash Offer and PUSU Extension

Emergency Motion – Potential Takeover of Royal Mail 

CWU Press on IDS takeover

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6PM TONIGHT – CWU LIVE ON THE ROYAL MAIL TAKEOVER

Dear Members,

Tonight at 6pm Dave Ward and Martin Walsh will update members on the developments today on the Royal Mail takeover bid. 

This session is an important part of our plan to re-engage in every workplace in the UK. 

Please tune in at 6pm and ask your colleagues to do the same. 

Watch live and on catch up via this link: https://www.youtube.com/live/zxh8XXwH_-o?si=3U5Bbynaqkr63PcA

#TheCWU