Latest from the Branch

Romec members future is in the balance!

​Greater Manchester Branch               London Postal Engineering Branch  

 

Dear Colleagues

Romec members future is in the balance!

You are no doubt aware that a decision on the future of Romec is imminent. We understand that a decision is likely to be made later this month! A review of Romec is looking at 2 options – either outsourcing to a company called Cofely or bringing it back into Royal Mail. 

We believe that the decision has all but been made and our members willbe thrown to the ‘Wolves’

We believe that it is essential that we build a groundswell of support for our Romec members that will help ensure that Royal Mail do the right thing and bring Romec back in house. To this end we are asking all Postal Branches to sign up to the following ‘statement’ and consider circulating it to your members. Please let us have your views and support as soon as possible, we aim to circulate supporting Branches in the very near future.

CWU says NO to the Outsourcing of Romec

• Royal Mail is reviewing the future of Romec, a subsidiary which employs 2,000 CWU members in Cleaning, Engineering and Admin grades, who maintain Royal Mail buildings. 
• Royal Mail has told the union that its ‘preferred option’ is to hand over Romec – and everyone who works in Romec – to a company called Cofely, part of a huge multi-national conglomerate 
• If this happens our members will become employees of Cofely– without even the limited protection of TUPE laws. Their only other alternative would be to resign without compensation. 
• The CWU is arguing for Romec to be brought back under full Royal Mail control – as BT has done very successfully with its engineering and cleaning services. We believe this would give RM the best service while protecting the jobs, pay and other terms of our members – but we fear that Royal Mail has already made up its mind to get rid of Romec.
• Romec members are loyal to Royal Mail – many of them have long service – but it seems this loyalty is one way and the business wants to cast them aside. 
• Romec Cleaners are our lowest paid members – their basic pay is 2p an hour less than the national living wage. The terms for Cleaners in outside industry are so bad that this puts them in the top 10% for Cleaners wages. We believe their pay, and other terms and conditions will come under immediate attack if they are outsourced.
• The Agenda for Growth agreement gives our members in Royal Mail protection against outsourcing – but Romec isn’t covered by this because it’s a subsidiary company. The CWU can’t accept that Royal Mail can treat our members in Romecdifferently to how they have agreed, in a legally binding agreement, to treat our members in Royal Mail. 
• The whole RM membership must back our Romecmembers with the full strength of the union – an injury to one is an injury to all!

 

Please email your support to:

John Humphries branchsec@btconnect.com  ​​​Jim Mc Nicholls​mailhost@cwu-gmr.com

​London Postal Engineering Branch​​​​Greater Manchester Branch

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UN Anti-Racism Day demonstration

No. 147/15

Ref:   GS15.24

Date: 9th March 2015

 

TO: ​ALL BRANCHES

 

Dear Colleague

 

UN Anti-Racism Day demonstration

 

 

Attached is a leaflet from Stand Up to Racism supporting the national demonstration called for UN Anti-Racism Day on Saturday 21st March 2015. 

 

This event is supported by the CWU, TUC, and numerous other organisations.  Branches are encouraged to send contingents.

 

Any further enquiries regarding this LTB should be addressed to the General Secretary’s Office at gsoffice@cwu.org quoting the reference GS15.24/LTB 147/15.

 

Yours sincerely

 

W HAYES

General Secretary

​

 

 

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Revised Revision Process – 6 Phase Sign Off Document

 

 

 


No. 142/15
Ref: 230.05
Date: 9th March 2015

 

To: Branches with POSTAL Members

 

 

 

Dear Colleague,

 

Revised Revision Process – 6 Phase Sign Off Document

 

Following points raised regarding H&S involvement in the revised revision process at the recent National Delivery Revision Briefings, and in consultation with the CWU Walk Design Group we have now agreed changes with Royal Mail to the Delivery Revision 6 Phase Sign Off document that confirms H&S involvement. 

CWU H&S Representatives should be involved throughout the revision process and will now be required to sign off Phases 1, 3, 4 and 6. However this does not mean that day to day H&S issues which should be dealt with on a day to day basis become entangled in the revision process. This is not to say that revisions should be deployed in unsafe environments but we should retain a distinction between what are normal day to day issues that H&S Representatives have a responsibility to deal with and those that are specifically aligned to the delivery revision.

It is important that CWU Representatives responsible for IR issues and those responsible for H&S issues retain a collaborative approach to the deployment of ongoing delivery revision activity to ensure we are deploying revisions that are sound, reliable, workable and safe for our members.

Any enquiries to Bob Gibson’s Office, quoting reference 230.05

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

 

 

Yours sincerely

Bob Gibson

CWU Assistant Secretary – Outdoor

 

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Other Time off – Management Support Booklet

TO ALL BRANCHES WITH POSTAL MEMBERS

 

 

Dear Colleague

 

RE: Other Time off – Management Support Booklet

 

Branches and Representatives will wish to be aware of the attached booklet which Royal Mail is issuing this week to support managers in responding to requests for “Other Time Off”.

This is a Royal Mail document but the union has been consulted on the content. We continue to have some reservations on the wording of the “bereavement” bullet point on page 3 but it should be emphasised that if there is any conflict with the relevant Royal Mail policy statement(s) the policy statement continues to hold the field.

Overall I think the general tone of the booklet is positive but if any problems are experienced these should be reported to my department.

Any enquiries should be addressed to Ray Ellis’s department, quoting reference PTC/RE/dj/402. Email address: rellis@cwu.org

 

Yours sincerely

Ray Ellis,

Assistant Secretary

Click on the link below to view

other time off

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National Representative Positions – Vacant Positions (2015) – Election Results 

 

 

 

 

To: All Branches  

 

 

 

Dear Colleague

 

National Representative Positions – Vacant Positions (2015) – Election Results

 

Further to LTB 107/15 dated 18th February 2015, please see below ballot results for the Advisory Committee Positions and TUC Equality Conference listed below.

 

1.​CWU Equal Opportunities Advisory Committees

 

• CWU Race Advisory Committee
• CWU Lesbian and Gay Bisexual and Transgender Advisory Committee
• CWU Disability Advisory Committee

 

2.​CWU Delegates to TUC Equality Conference (s) – 2015   

 

• TUC Women’s Conference

 

 

RACE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

 

Postal Constituency 1 Lay Member to be elected) 

 

Adam Alarakhia ​15,987

Mark Bastiani ​25,973​

Jaykumar Bhundia ​1,433

Asghar Khan ​36,114​*Elected

Dennis Smith ​11,681

 

T&FS Constituency (1 Lay Member to be elected) 

 

Sonia Campbell ​7,373

Peter Pascall ​14,380​*Elected

 

 

LGBT ADVISORY COMMITTEE

 

POSTAL CONSTITUENCY (2 LAY MEMBERSTO BE ELECTED)

 

Jaykumar Bhundia ​22,631

Theresa Clark ​55,958​*Elected

Merlin Reader ​45,113​*Elected

Wojciech Trafidlo ​32,291​

 

DISABILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE

 

Postal Constituency (1 Lay Member to be elected) 

 

Mark Bastiani ​16,755

Anthony Cartwright ​2,125

Amanda Dewdney​4,746

Leif Findlay ​6,587

Des Gibbons ​19,944​*Elected

Annemarie McCall ​17,711

Tony Pedel ​13,612

Lee Starr-Elliott ​7,990

 

 

TUC WOMEN’S CONFERENCE  

 

T&FS Constituency (1 Lay Member to be elected)

 

VICKI CORNELIUS​6,800

Maureen Kane​12,930​*Elected

JEAN SHARROCKS ​3,986

 

 

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

 

Yours sincerely,

 

 

Tony Kearns

Senior Deputy General Secretary

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TO ALL BRANCHES WITH POSTAL MEMBERS

TO ALL BRANCHES WITH POSTAL MEMBERS

 

 

Dear Colleagues

 

Re: Royal Mail Apprentice Opportunities – (30) Fleet Vehicle Technicians & (12) Processing Engineers

 

This LTB is to bring to your attention that Royal Mail and the union have agreed to recruit 30 apprentice vehicle technicians and 12 advanced engineering apprentices.   These apprenticeships will be highlighted on RMTV and feature in the Courier.

 

They are open to both internal and external candidates and the union would encourage those members who feel they are qualified to apply. We would also encourage members to bring these opportunities to the attention of their friends and families.

 

These jobs are only available via the Royal Mail web site.  The details of all the locations, roles and application process can be found by following this link:

 

http://www.royalmailgroup.com/careers/apprenticeships/apply-now

 

Any enquiries should be addressed to Ray Ellis’s department, quoting reference PTC/RE/dj/235. Email address: rellis@cwu.org

 

Yours sincerely

 

Ray Ellis,

Assistant Secretary

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Union Busting at the Heart of Government

TO:    ALL BRANCHES

 

Dear Colleague

 

Union Busting at the Heart of Government

 

PCS is currently working with the TUC to campaign against union-busting attacks by Conservative ministers upon the PCS. Some of the tactics used have included deep cuts in facility time for PCS reps at all levels and specific union busting in HM Revenue and Customs where a coordinated management plan has been exposed including the encouragement of a rival staff association.

 

The action of these Conservative ministers shows how a Conservative government will attack union rights if they form a government after the general election.

 

PCS is asking for support in their campaign against union busting in the civil service, you can get involved by signing the e-action online which will send a letter to your MP.

 

You can find more information on the campaign through the PCS website here.

 

Any further enquiries regarding this LTB should be addressed to the General Secretary’s Office at gsoffice@cwu.org quoting the reference GS17.4/LTB 134/15.

 

Yours sincerely

 

W HAYES

General Secretary

                            

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Cable Stitch – Ian Williams CWU Report into Vince Cable

TO:    ALL BRANCHES

 

Dear Colleague

 

 

Cable Stitch – Ian Williams

 

 

The CWU commissioned Ian Williams (regular columnist in the Tribune magazine) to write a report on Vince Cable MP, looking into his career and involvement in the privatisation of Royal Mail.

During the CWU’s political event on Tuesday 24th February 2015, copies of ‘Cable Stitch’ were available for branch representatives in attendance.

Please now find attached three hard copies as well as an electronic copy.

Any further enquiries regarding this LTB including requests for further copies should be addressed to the General Secretary’s Office at gsoffice@cwu.org quoting the reference GS14.0/LTB /15.

Yours sincerely

 

W HAYES

General Secretary

Click on the link below to read the report

Cable Stitch

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2015 National Youth Education Event, 30 October – 1 November

To All Branches

Dear Colleague,

2015 National Youth Education Event, 30 October – 1 November

This is to inform branches that this year’s National Youth Education Event has been confirmed to take place over the weekend of 30 Oct – 1 Nov 2015 and will take place at the Aston University in Birmingham (Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham, B4 7ET).

The event brings together young (under the age of 30) activists over the course of a weekend in which they gain knowledge, skills and confidence about their role in the union and the union’s work in general.

The event will start at 6pm on Friday 30 October and will end at lunchtime on Sunday 1 November. A timetable will be issued nearer the time.

The cost to send a delegate will be £250. This cost, will include two nights accommodation, six meals (breakfast, lunch & evening meal over two days) and as much tea, coffee and pastries as anyone can reasonably eat and drink and of course the many activities and workshops that will be on offer.  We therefore are of the view that it represents good value for money, and is no more expensive than a number of the NYEEs we have held in the past.  This figure, of course, excludes travelling costs. It should be noted that late cancellations will have to be covered by the branch – so if a delegate is not able to attend and has to cancel we would appreciate at least 1 week’s notice. Exceptional circumstances will be considered on an individual basis.

The value of the National Youth Education Event can be seen by the way in which past participants have increased in confidence and skills and have made increasingly valuable and high level contributions to the union.  Indeed, past participants have found themselves as Branch Officers, Regional Youth Committee Chairs, workplace or area representatives, National Officers of the union, or chairing European-wide trade union meetings through our international organisation UNI.

It is the ideal event to send newly elected Branch Youth Officers where they can seek support and advice on their new role and equip them with ideas, skills and confidence to progress youth activity in their branches.

Please find attached an application form that participants should fill in and get signed off by the branch; this should then be sent to Jo Thair at CWU Head Office either by post or by email to jthair@cwu.org.

Branches are also asked to put forward any suggestions for workshops topics. These can be emailed to Jo (jthair@cwu.org).

Branches are thanked in anticipation of their assistance and any queries on this LTB should be directed to my office at CWU Headquarters.

Yours sincerely,

Simon Sapper

Assistant Secretary

APPLICATION TO ATTEND

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