Ken McKenzie Award for Lifelong Learning 2015 

The annual presentation of the Ken McKenzie award was mandated by Annual Conference in 2010 and is presented to a ULR (Union Learning Representative) or group of ULR’s who have made a significant contribution to lifelong learning within the CWU. The award will be presented at the CWU ULR National Networking Event in November 2015.

 

Last year it was awarded jointly to Nick Bury and Liz Phillips and as usual we received a good number of nominations of a very high quality.

 

I am now inviting applications from Branches for the 2015 Annual Ken McKenzie award for lifelong learning. The award will be made in recognition of exceptional achievements and contributions to lifelong learning by a CWU ULR or a group of CWU ULRs. Nominations can be made by Branches, Regional Learning Committees or Regional Committees by completing the attached nomination form.

 

Completed Nominations should be sent to:

 

Michelle Simpson, Education and Training Department, CWU, 150 The Broadway, Wimbledon, London, SW19 1RX or email learn@cwu.org

 

The closing date for nominations will be FRIDAY 9TH OCTOBER 2015.

 

The presentation of the award will be made at the Annual CWU ULR Event on 24th and 25th November 2015 in Nottingham.

 

Any queries relating to this LTB should be addressed to me via the Education and Training Department at learn@cwu.org

 

Best wishes.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

 

Trish Lavelle

Head of Education and Training

Network 15 Revision – Stage 1 Data Gathering 

Further to LTB 344/15 the department has been made aware that sites are at various phases in relation to the Stage 1 data gathering activity of the agreed Network 15 Revision process.

 

In order to ensure that there is timely participation in the data gathering activity, it has therefore been agreed with the business that a formal launch of the Stage 1 activity will take place on Monday 22nd June 2015.  

 

Against that backdrop all affected representatives are requested to ensure that engagement is taking place with management locally in relation to this activity in line with the terms of the Joint Statement communicated via LTB 344/15.

 

Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Terry Pullinger, Assistant Secretary, e-mail: dwyatt@cwu.org or shayman@cwu.org quoting reference number: 233.11

 

Yours sincerely

 

 

 

Terry Pullinger

Assistant Secretary

 

Royal Mail Group (excluding POL) Revised Transfer Policy and Process 

Branches will be aware of CWU HQ’s continuing dialogue with Royal Mail to update and improve the transfer process for individuals who wish to transfer location voluntarily within Royal Mail Group.

 

As a result of those discussions Royal Mail has transformed the infrastructure that provides the mechanics employees use to access the online application process. This is down to a project called Success Factors which is a system that not only provides the facility for job applications but can also administer a number of other internal business performance measures regarding personal development, training and individual qualifications.

 

Consequently the link which was previously issued has been changed and the screenshots previously provided have also been completely changed. The discussions have also resulted in an updated policy, which is attached, that our members will be able to utilise that provides the various screenshots making the process simpler and more user friendly.

 

The revised policy and online system has now gone live. All employees currently on the job alert system are in the process of being written to explaining the changes and how they go about updating their job alerts going forward.

 

The Union remains in dialogue with Royal Mail regarding the existing Transfer Policy, including issues such as the availability of full time jobs, recruitment and filling of vacancies which will be subject to further updates in due course.

 

Any enquiries to Bob Gibson’s Office, quoting reference 440.23

Email address: hnutley@cwu.org or mstewart@cwu.org

 

Any enquiries to Terry Pullinger’s Office, quoting reference 202

Email address: dwyatt@cwu.org or shayman@cwu.org

 

Yours sincerely​Yours sincerely

​​

Bob Gibson​Terry Pullinger

Assistant Secretary​Assistant Secretary

 

 
COMMUNICATION WORKERS UNION

URGENT INFORMATION FOR MEMBERS

 Facebook: Dave Ward CWU @DaveWardGS

 

 
COMMUNICATION WORKERS UNION 

URGENT INFORMATION FOR MEMBERS

 

ELECTION OF NATIONAL DELEGATIONS – 2015 

• TUC

• Labour Party

 

Further to LTB 359/15 dated 1st June 2015, please find below ballot results for the above named National Delegations.

 

TUC

 

Postal Constituency

 

Lay Members (5 Members to be Elected)

 

 

Bob McGuire​80,549​*Elected​

James McKechnie​61,297​*Elected

Ian Murphy​42,100

Sean Ryan​​46,615

Sajid Shaikh​52,692​*Elected

Amarjite Singh​77,568​*Elected

Tony Sneddon​50,742​

Ian Taylor​57,074​*Elected

Rob Wotherspoon​43,348​

 

​

LABOUR PARTY

 

Postal Constituency

 

Lay Members (5 Members to be Elected)

 

 

Bruce Devenport​32,236​

Kye Dudd​42,504

Peter Firmin​30,527

Hugh Gaffney​78,653​*Elected

Sajid Shaikh​66,050​*Elected​

Amarjite Singh​82,486​*Elected

Alan Tate​65,800​*Elected​

Mark Walsh​​82,425​*Elected​​

​

 

 

Telecom & Financial Services Constituency  

 

Lay Members (3 Members to be Elected)

 

Jonathan Bellshaw​32,531​*Elected

Francis Banks​39,876​*Elected​

Brian Kenny​40,472​*Elected

Duncan Strivens​16,220

​

Please find attached a copy of the branch breakdown for these ballots.

 

Any enquiries regarding this LTB should be addressed to 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

NATIONAL BRIEFING – FRIDAY 19TH JUNE 2015 

We have attached to this LTB the Agenda for tomorrows briefing which prioritises the fast moving events affecting the future of the postal industry.  

 

Although the briefing will be focused on taking stock of competition, privatisation and regulation issues and how the CWU will respond to these, the agenda also provides the opportunity for an update on other industrial matters currently being dealt with by the Officers.

 

Finally, you will note from the agenda that a Royal Mail speaker, Gary Burgess, the Delivery Director, will give the company’s perspective and an update on the impact of Whistl pulling out of their UK delivery operation.   

 

Given the amount of developments since Annual Conference, it is important that all Branches are in attendance and that we fully discuss the approach the Union needs to take.  

 

We look forward to seeing you all at the briefing.

 

Any enquiries about the content of this LTB should be addressed to the GS Department. 

 

 

Yours sincerely

 

​

 

Dave Ward​​Ray Ellis ​

General Secretary​Acting Deputy General Secretary (Postal)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

National Briefing on Friday 19th June – 11.00 – 13.30

Agenda

 

1. Session 1 – 11.00 – 12.30

 

• Introduction and update on competition and privatisation developments – General Secretary

• Whistl – Royal Mail perspective (Gary Burgess)

• Maintaining our focus on growth and defending the legal protections – Acting Deputy General Secretary (Postal)

• Taking the CWU campaign forward – General Secretary

• Questions and contributions from the floor

 

2. Session 2 – 12.30 – 13.30

 

• Industrial Officer’s reports

– Ray Ellis

– Bob Gibson

– Terry Pullinger

• Questions and contributions from the floor

 

3. Any Other Business

 

Briefing closes 13.30

 

Royal Mail Group – Pension Salary Exchange (PSE)

Royal Mail has written to staff with details of a new way of making pension contributions, known as Pension Salary Exchange (PSE), which will save some of the cost of national insurance contributions.
Why is Royal Mail introducing PSE? The Royal Mail Pension Plan (RMPP) is, like most defined benefit schemes, contracted out of an element of National Insurance (NI) contributions. The government is ending contracting out in April 2016. This means NI contributions for RMPP members will increase from 10.6% to 12%. NI costs will also increase for the business. PSE is a way of reducing some of the cost.
How does PSE work? Instead of your pension contribution being deducted from your pay, Royal Mail will make your contribution directly to the pension scheme on your behalf and reduce your headline rate of pay by the same amount. This reduces the level of pay on which NI contributions must be made and therefore reduces the amount of NI paid.
Does this mean I am getting a pay cut? No. Your take home pay will increase as a result of PSE because of the reduction in NI contributions. Royal Mail intend to introduce PSE in August. From then until contracting out ends in April 2016 members of the RMPP will see an increase in take home pay. After April 2016 the increase in NI from 10.6% to 12% costs will reduce take home pay for members of the RMPP – but this reduction will be much less than would be the case without PSE. The Royal Mail Defined Contribution Plan (RMDCP) is not contracted out of any element of NI, so members already pay the full rate and will not have to pay more NI from April 2016. RMDCP members will see an increase in take home pay which will be ongoing.
Will PSE affect any pay related allowances or benefits? No. Future pay rises will be based on pre-exchange pay. Pay related allowances and overtime will also be based on pre-exchange rates, as will redundancy, Ill Health Retirement terms and death in service payments
Will PSE have any affect on my company pension? No. Exactly the same level of payment will be made into the scheme, so benefits are unaffected.
Will PSE affect my ability to borrow? When contacted for details for your earnings, Royal Mail will show your pre-exchange pay as well as your salary exchange pay. Most defined benefit schemes now operate on a basis of salary exchange so lenders are familiar with these schemes.
Is this a form of tax avoidance? No. The scheme will be specifically endorsed by HMRC. Many other defined benefit schemes have operated salary exchange for many years – the BT scheme covering CWU members in Telecoms is an example.
Is everyone included? No. Anyone earning less than £192 per week will not be included. This is to ensure no one can lose out on income related state benefits. If a person’s earnings vary around this level, they will be taken out of PSE for any pay period in which earnings fall below £192 per week.
Does everyone benefit from salary exchange? People who have already reached state pension age no longer pay NI and will see no change. Not everyone will benefit equally. Higher rate tax payers pay a lower rate of NI contribution so people earning above £40,400 a year will see much less of a saving than basic rate tax payers.
What is the union’s view? The introduction of PSE was discussed at the Pension Policy Committee –a joint body including Royal Mail and the unions. We believe it makes sense to introduce PSE, because it reduces the cost of the ending of contracting out for members of the RMPP and the business, and produces a net financial gain for the members of the RMDCP. If you have any further questions, the union has established a dedicated email address pse@cwu.org
Yours sincerely
Ray Ellis

Postal Regulation – Ofcom Announcement, 16th June 

As you may have seen in the media, Ofcom has today announced that it is conducting a fundamental review of the way it regulates Royal Mail in the wake of Whistl’s withdrawal from the letter delivery market last week.

 

While Ofcom has presented this in its press release as part of its work to secure the universal service, the focus of this review will be looking at whether Royal Mail should have less commercial freedom – and should now be subject to price controls – and how Ofcom can ensure that it becomes more efficient.

 

Given Ofcom’s stance on the postal market and its efforts to promote competition, it is not a surprise to us that it is looking to restrict Royal Mail and put pressure on it over efficiency following Whistl’s announcement.

 

Ofcom has said that it will publish its initial proposals and consult on these in July, with a view to introducing a new regulatory framework in 2016. The CWU will be responding to this consultation and we will update branches about how today’s announcement fits in with our campaign on regulation and Ofcom’s approach to the postal market at the briefing at the TUC on 19th June.

 

Any queries about the contents of this LTB should be addressed to the GS Department.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

 

 

 

Ray Ellis ​Dave Ward ​

Acting Deputy General Secretary (P)​General Secretary

THE FUTURE OF THE POSTAL INDUSTRY – ALL BRANCH MEETING AND PARLIAMENTARY LOBBY OF MP’s: WEDNESDAY 8TH JULY 2015 

I write further to LTB 379/15 on the Government’s announcement last week to place 15% of the remaining shares in Royal Mail with a number of city institutions to be sold to institutional investors. I advised branches in that letter of our intention to hold a Parliamentary event prior to the summer recess.  

 

Preparations are now in hand to hold an event on ‘The Future of the Postal Industry’ and this will take place on Wednesday 8th July 2015. It is our intention to hold a meeting close to Parliament in a venue which can comfortably accommodate all branches – enabling CWU officers and representatives to maximise their opportunity in the afternoon to Lobby MPs in the House of Commons. The full details of the event are as follows:-

 

DATE: WEDNESDAY 8TH JULY 2015    

VENUE: THE LIBRARY, CENTRAL HALL

ADDRESS: STOREY’S GATE, WESTMINSTER SW1H 9NH

VENUE LINK: http://www.c-h-w.com/

TIME: 11.00AM – Refreshments from 10.30AM

 

Given that this is an important political event we are taking the opportunity to involve all branches from both constituencies. Therefore, you are all urged to prioritise this meeting and make every effort to attend.

 

We will issue an agenda and confirm all details nearer the date. In the meantime we thought it important to advise you of the meeting as early as possible, so you can make the necessary travel arrangements etc.

 

Any enquiries about the content of this LTB should be addressed to the General Secretary’s Office quoting the reference LTB387/15. 

 

 

Yours sincerely

 

​​​​​

 

Dave Ward​​​​​​

General Secretary

 
COMMUNICATION WORKERS UNION

URGENT INFORMATION FOR MEMBERS

Diabetes Week 2015 – 14 – 20 June 

Diabetes Week is a highlight in the Diabetes UK calendar. It’s a time when the organisation calls on support from everywhere to raise awareness of the condition, and raise funds for the charity’s work. Diabetes Week 2015 will take place from Sunday 14 to Saturday 20 June and the CWU Health, Safety & Environment Department is supporting

the week again this year.

 

This Diabetes Week Diabetes UK wants to remind everyone that you’re not on your own when it comes to Diabetes. Actually there’s a lot of people out there going through the same thing. And Diabetes UK is working for those people. And they have lots of ways they can help. 

 

Throughout the week, Diabetes UK will be talking about all of the ways they give support, advice, and chances to learn more about diabetes to help people be aware of the signs, symptoms and how to manage the condition well.

 

And Diabetes UK would like to hear feedback, hints, tips and stories of living life to the full. 

 

Measure Up – are you at risk of Diabetes?

 

Over two million people in the UK have Diabetes. Another 750,000 have diabetes but are completely unaware of it. Attached is information and leaflets to find out more. Diabetes is serious. If left untreated it can lead to blindness, kidney failure, heart disease and other life-threatening complications. Many people with diabetes have had it for between nine and 12 years before it is diagnosed. By this time many of these people will have started to develop some of the complications. But the good news is that if people can spot their diabetes early they can greatly reduce the risk of serious health problems. So those who suspect they have symptoms should go to their GP and get a test.

 

Type 1 v Type 2 Diabetes

 

There are two main types of diabetes.

 

Type 1 diabetes usually affects people under 40 and is treated with insulin injections, diet and regular physical activity.

 

Type 2 diabetes is usually found in white people over 40 years old and in black and Asian people and people from minority ethnic groups aged over 25 years. It can be treated with diet and physical activity alone – although most people will also need tablets and sometimes insulin injections. Over three quarters of people with diabetes have Type 2.

 

The attached leaflets provide further information.

 

Those at risk!

 

People who are white and over 40 years old, or black, Asian or from a minority ethnic group and over 25 years old and have one or more of the following risk factors, should ask their GP for a test for diabetes:

• A close member of your family has Type 2 diabetes (parent or brother or sister).

• Are Overweight or have a waist of 31.5 inches or over for women; 35 inches (80cms) or over for Asian men and 37 inches (94cms) or over for white and black men.

• 80 per cent of people diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes are overweight. The more overweight and the more inactive you are the greater your risk. If you don’t know whether you’re overweight, ask your GP to measure your BMI.

• Have high blood pressure or had a heart attack or a stroke or circulation problems.

• Are a woman with polycystic ovary syndrome and are overweight.

• Have been told you have impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glycaemia.

• Are a woman and have had gestational diabetes.

• Have severe mental health problems.

 

The more risk factors that apply – the greater the individual’s risk of having diabetes.

 

The symptoms

 

The symptoms of untreated diabetes will usually be very obvious in people with Type 1 diabetes but not so clear or non-existent in people with Type 2 diabetes. If you’re older you may put the symptoms down to ‘getting on a bit’. Taking early action is key so if any of the following apply to you, ask your GP for a diabetes test:

 

• increased thirst

• going to the toilet all the time – especially at night

• extreme tiredness

• weight loss

• genital itching or regular episodes of thrush

• slow healing of wounds

• blurred vision.

 

The complications

 

Diabetes is serious because it can lead to life-threatening complications. These include:

 

• blindness

• kidney failure

• heart disease

• stroke

• nerve damage that can lead to amputations.

 

The risk of developing complications can be greatly reduced by getting diagnosed early and then controlling the diabetes. People can lead a full and healthy life with diabetes but the key is getting diagnosed as early as possible.

 

How to get involved in Diabetes Week 2015

 

There are plenty of ways to support Diabetes Week 2015.

 

1. Raise awareness

Help others seek support, advice and information by raising awareness of Diabetes Week. Order a supporter pack, full of posters and flyers to put up in workplaces and in the local community.

 

2. Join in

During Diabetes Week for those with the condition – think about how you manage your condition well and live life to the full. Then during the week join in the conversation by sharing hints, tips and stories. 

 

3. Survey

During the Week Diabetes UK will also be asking people to take part in a survey where people will have the opportunity to tell Diabetes UK about their knowledge of the condition, the education received and what types of support you’d like to receive from Diabetes UK in the future. 

 

4. Raise Funds

Diabetes UK will be kicking off Diabetes Week 2015 with the Big Collection. They will be collecting in 300 Tesco stores across the UK.

 

5. Supporters Pack

Support Diabetes Week 2015 by ordering a supporter pack, full of posters and flyers for you to put up in your workplace, at the following link:-

 

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/get_involved/diabetes-week/

 

Further Information

 

For Information and Resources on Diabetes Week please contact Diabetes UK at:-

 

diabetesweek@diabetes.org.uk

 

Diabetes UK Central Office

Macleod House,

10 Parkway, London NW1 7AA

Tel: 0345 123 2399*

Fax: 020 7424 1001

Email: info@diabetes.org.uk

 

The Diabetes UK Careline is on 0845 120 2960 or email careline@diabetes.org.uk for confidential support and information.

 

The Diabetes UK website at http://www.diabetes.org.uk

 

About Diabetes UK

 

Diabetes UK is the leading charity in the UK for people with diabetes, their family, friends and carers. Their mission is to improve the lives of people with the condition and to work towards a future without diabetes. They are a membership organisation – to join ring 0800 138 5605 or visit http://www.diabetes.org.uk/join

 

Diabetes UK Regional offices

 

Diabetes UK, Central Office Telephone 020 7424 1000 Email info@diabetes.org.uk

Diabetes UK Cymru Telephone 029 2066 8276

Diabetes UK Eastern Telephone 01376 501390

Diabetes UK East Midlands Telephone 0115 950 7147

Diabetes UK London Telephone 020 7424 1116

Diabetes UK Northern Ireland Telephone 028 9066 6646

Diabetes UK Northern & Yorkshire Telephone 01325 488606

Diabetes UK North West Telephone 01925 653281

Diabetes UK Scotland Telephone 0141 332 2700

Diabetes UK South East Telephone 01372 720148

Diabetes UK South West Telephone 01823 324007

Diabetes UK West Midlands Telephone 01922 614500

 Yours sincerely

 

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer