WEEKLY INFORMATION FROM THE COMMUNICATION WORKERS
09 November 2001 Number 43. Paragraphs 514 - 527
SUMMARY
GENERAL
514 Institute of
Employment Rights - Seminar on “TUPE” Revisited
515 Women’s Schools 2002
516 Individual Learning Accounts
517 CWU Focus Fund
(Formerly CWU Blind Babies’ Fund)
POSTAL
518 Royal Mail: Address
Interpretation Agreement
519 Royal Mail: Total
Productive Maintenance
520 Royal Mail: Second
Class Traffic Review
521 Postal Outdoor Department
522 Quadrant Pay 2001:
Ballot Result
523 Parcelforce Worldwide
Clerical Staff - Payment in Lieu of a Bonus Scheme
524 The Future of the Post Office
525 Postal Cadets
TELECOMS
526 Manpower’s
Response to CWU Annual Conference Policies - Propositions 37c & 42c
527 Attendance Review - businessAdvance
LETTERS TO BRANCHES
LTB/463 Royal Mail Christmas Arrangements 2001/02 (Martin Collins)
LTB/464 Anthrax Alert (Kevin Shaw)
LTB/465 FirstCall (Bill McClory)
LTB/466 Anthrax Alert (Kevin Shaw)
LTB/467 Disability Awareness Week (Jenny Ainsley)
LTB/468 BT Joint Statement (Jenny Ainsley)
LTB/469 Address Interpretation Agreement (Martin Collins)
LTB/470 PON: Branch Office Stations Arrangements School 2002
(Eric Lovett)
LTB/471 Cessation of Cleaners’ Bonus Scheme (Pat O’Hara)
LTB/472 Festival of EID (Martin Collins)
LTB/473 Scheduled Attendance: 18-Hour Limit (John Keggie, DGS{P})
LTB/474 BT Facilities: Use of Mailroom Facilities (Nigel Cotgrove)
LTB/475 Public Services: TUC Rally of Parliament (Billy Hayes, G.S.)
LTB/476 Unofficial Industrial Action: London East Mail Centre
(Billy Hayes, G.S.)
GENERAL
514 Institute of Employment Rights - Seminar on “TUPE” Revisited
The Institute of Employment Rights will be hosting a seminar on
“TUPE Revisited” on Thursday 14th February 2002 at 1.00pm -
4.30pm at the NATFHE Centre, Britannia Street, London WC1.
The seminar will be of particular interest to employment law
specialists and advisors wanting an authoritative update on this
already complex area of Law, and trade unionists hoping to take full
advantage of any proposed changes when representing their members.
Branches may wish to send delegates but any expenses must be met by
the Branch. The booking form will be dispatched with the hard copy
version which will be posted to Branches.
Any enquiries on this paragraph should be addressed to GS Department
quoting reference GS15.17.
515 Women’s Schools 2002
There will be two schools for Women members from 21-23 January and
23-25 January. The purpose of the schools is to encourage more women
to become active across all constituencies of the Union. The schools
are intended for very new or potential activists and will cover the
structure of the union, and equip women to take part in union debates
and encourage discussion and networking on issues of particular
concern to women.
The schools take place at the Elstead Hotel the Union’s Training
Centre in Bournemouth.
The Monday - Wednesday School commences at 2.00pm on the Monday
concluding at lunchtime on the Wednesday; the Wednesday - Friday
School commences at 2.00pm on the Wednesday concluding at mid-day on
the Friday.
An application form is attached which should be returned to the
Training Department at CWU HQ as a matter of urgency.
Any enquiries should be addressed to the Training Department at CWU HQ.
Eric Lovett, National Organising Secretary.
Att: G.29
516 Individual Learning Accounts
Branches attention is drawn to the attachments to this briefing
received from the TUC regarding Individual Learning Accounts.
The Organisation and Training Committee is currently considering this.
Any enquiries regarding this paragraph should be addressed to the
Organising Department at CWU HQ.
Eric Lovett, National Organising Secretary
Att: G.28
517 CWU Focus Fund (Formerly CWU Blind Babies’ Fund)
At the Counters B.O.S.A. School held at the Elstead and Carrington
Hotels, CWU Education Centre, during the week commencing 15 to 19
October 2001, a collection of £205.00 was made for the CWU Focus
Fund. Many thanks to everybody who contributed so generously to this
worthwhile cause.
Any enquiries on the above paragraph should be addressed to Miss
Sally Bridge, Assistant Secretary, quoting Reference No. 1.6.
POSTAL
518 Royal Mail: Address Interpretation Agreement
Further to the Letter to Branches (LTB) number 469/01 dated 1st
November 2001, advised of the result of the ballot held on the above
mentioned Agreement.
In addition, it also contained a request for Branches to submit a
report detailing their reason(s) for rejection. To date the response
to this request has not been that great, and prior to the Union
approaching Royal Mail to seek to re-open negotiations, a broad
church of opinion would be most useful. It would also be of
assistance if the 50+ branches who did not return their ballot paper
could submit a report, indicating either their position on the
agreement or why they felt it was not necessary to return their
ballot paper.
It is the intention to meet with Royal Mail as soon as possible, and
to this end it would be appreciated if all reports/comments etc could
be sent to CWU HQ by no later than Friday 16th November. Branches and
Representatives are thanked in anticipation for their assistance in
this matter.
All enquiries regarding this paragraph should be addressed to Martin
Collins, Assistant Secretary, quoting reference number L.685.21.
519 Royal Mail: Total Productive Maintenance
Branches were advised in CWU Briefing number 31, dated the 17th
August 2001, that a revised TPM training package had been agreed for
deployment, Paragraph 356 referred. Branches were also advised that a
formal review of the new agreement would take place after it had been
in situ for three months.
Branches and Representatives are now invited to send in any
comments/views that they may have on the revised TPM Training Package
to the Indoor Department. The reports should be structured to provide
feedback on the actual package, its deployment and the training that
is provided, including its availability.
In addition, any general comments or views would also be welcomed.
It would be appreciated if all reports could be sent to CWU HQ by
Friday 23rd November 2001.
All enquiries regarding the above paragraph should be addressed to
Martin Collins, Assistant Secretary, quoting reference number L.350.01.
520 Royal Mail: Second Class Traffic Review
Branches and Representatives have been advised of developments
associated with the above mentioned subject in CWU Briefings numbers
31 and 40. The latter of these Briefings contained Attachment 57,
which were the Terms of Reference, that were agreed between the Union
and Royal Mail.
It has been brought to the Union’s attention that a Management
Briefing has been issued by Royal Mail, entitled “Cessation of
Day B Second Class.” It appears from the content of this
Briefing that Royal Mail are attempting to abrogate the terms of the
Agreement that has been reached to review the Second Class operation.
Paragraph 11 of the Terms of Reference is both clear and specific in
that any decision to introduce a re-engineered Second Class operation
will be covered by a National Framework Agreement.
As this is the case, and as the Union has a National Agreement
covering this trial, all branches must ensure that the full terms of
the Agreement that has been reached, are adhered to.
The Union is writing to Royal Mail advising them of the content of
this paragraph and Branches will be kept fully advised of
developments as and when they occur.
All enquiries regarding this paragraph should be addressed to Martin
Collins, Assistant Secretary, quoting reference number L.600.02 and
copied as appropriate.
521 Postal Outdoor Department
In view of the election of Dave Ward as the new Assistant Secretary
(Postal Outdoor), a meeting has been arranged to hand over
responsibilities between Billy Hayes, former Assistant Secretary, Pat
O’Hara, Acting Assistant Secretary and Dave Ward.
As previously advised, Dave Ward will be taking over full
responsibilities as Assistant Secretary as and from Monday, 5th
November. There may be cases and issues which have been dealt with on
a personal basis by each of the three individuals mentioned above.
Branches and Representatives should therefore note that any comment
that is necessary on any such subject should be advised to the Postal
Outdoor Department by no later than Monday, 10th December, after
which all matters in the Department will fall entirely within the
remit of Dave Ward.
Any enquiries should be sent to Dave Ward, Assistant Secretary,
Reference 780.01.
522 Quadrant Pay 2001: Ballot Result
Reproduced below for the information of Branches are the results of
the Quadrant 2001 Pay Ballot:
Do you agree with the Postal Executive recommendation?
|
YES |
453 |
|
NO |
90 |
|
Spoilt Ballot Papers |
0 |
|
Total Ballot Papers Received |
523 |
|
Total Ballot Papers Dispatched |
1179 |
523 Parcelforce Worldwide Clerical Staff - Payment in Lieu of a
Bonus Scheme
Reproduced as an attachment to this paragraph for the information of
Branches is a copy of the Parcelforce Pay Directive with regards to
the above subject.
Any enquiries should be addressed to Terry Pullinger, Assistant
Secretary, quoting reference P.P.A.4.
Att:PE59
524 The Future of the Post Office
Branches will recall the debate that took place with respect to the
future of the Post Office and the Union’s relationship with the
Labour Party.
The purpose of this BOB paragraph is to update Branches on the
overall approach being taken in relation to the Post Office.
Annual Conference 2000 (General) carried the following Motion:
Category 1.10
This Conference instructs the incoming National Executive Council
that the threat of privatisation in full or part of the Postal
Industry remains a real one. Conference therefore re-iterates its
policy to oppose privatisation of any part of our industry.
Conference further agrees that should this or any future Labour
government implement such a programme then all support for the Labour
Party, financial and moral, will be withdrawn forthwith.
Action:
The CWU has continued to resist the privatisation of the Post Office
in whole or in part. Specifically, with regard to the outsourcing of
ROMEC, a campaign team was established, headed up by the Deputy
General Secretary (Postal). This continues to be the subject of a
report to Postal Branches. Legal advice has also been obtained in
relation to contractual matters with respect to our members’ conditions.
The Union has on hand John Hendy QC as Standing Counsel, to advise on
matters of employment law. John is an expert in this field. He also
gave a report to the NEC on the strike action which took place in
regard to privatisation within South Africa and the legal position in
the UK in respect of the same.
With regard to breaking the links with the Labour Party, discussions
have taken place within the Union on this matter. The rules of the
Union do not permit the ceasing of the links with the Labour Party
‘forthwith’ and no Branch has written to CWU Headquarters
to seek the actioning of this policy within the last few months.
The position of the NEC is that whilst we will continue to lobby
Government on the unacceptable developments, we would not campaign to
break our links with the Labour Party.
Emergency Motion carried at CWU General Conference 2001
“This Conference notes the reports that Consignia wish to set up
a cut-price, non-union operation to rival its existing services in a
major city such as Liverpool. We also note reports that the Labour
Government has the privatisation of the postal business as one of its
main policies after the election. Further, we note reports that
Consignia is considering contracting out key sorting and delivery
services to Siemens. This Conference therefore:
1.Reaffirms its total opposition to any form of privatisation of any
of the businesses with Consignia or any weakening of the current
monopoly provisions.
2.Believes that only a fully publicly owned postal service can
provide a universal service at a common, affordable price. Such a
service can only be provided by an increase in public investment in
the industry
3.Pledges to mount a massive public campaign aimed at winning support
for our position and to seek assistance from other unions faced with
privatisation in running it.
4.Agrees to submit motions to the TUC, Labour Party and individual
CLPs on the lines of the above policy.
5.Pledges to defend by all means necessary, including the use of
industrial action, any attempt by the employer to worsen existing
terms and conditions as a result of any privatisation measures.
The National Executive Council is instructed accordingly.”
Action:
The Union continues to oppose the privatisation of the industry.
Specifically, we have submitted to Postcomm our opposition to any
dilution of the monopoly of Royal Mail. This received the unanimous
endorsement of the NEC at their meeting on 27th September 2001.
Copies of our submissions to Postcomm are available from CWU Headquarters.
The Union has also forwarded the following submissions to Postcomm:
Financial Penalties - Statement of Policy
Proposed Interim Licence - Hays Commercial Services Ltd
Proposed Interim Licence: UK Mail Ltd
Proposed Interim Licence: Deya Ltd.
A submission is also being prepared with regard to Productivity
within the Post Office to be forwarded to Postcomm.
A submission by CWU Headquarters was also made to Government
Ministers in regard to liberalisation of postal services in Europe.
At the European Union Council of Ministers meeting held on 15 October
2001, agreement was reached on the previously deadlocked European
Postal Directive. The agreement means EU Member States will have to
open up to competition:
from 1 January 2003, letters, including direct mail, weighing more
than 100 grams (or costing more than three times the price of a
standard letter)
This still has to be endorsed by the European Parliament, but the
extent of Ministerial support for the agreed compromise would
indicate that the European Parliament will probably give its support.
With respect to campaigning, a leaflet was inserted in the October
issue of The Voice and a feature has been published in the
November/December issue.
A motion was submitted to the Trades Union Congress 2001 but because
of the events surrounding September 11th, this motion was not heard.
We have since requested the TUC to hold a one day congress to discuss
the issue of public services.
No motion was submitted to the Labour Party Conference 2001 for
tactical reasons.
A Campaign and Communications Team has now been set up at CWU
Headquarters and a professional lobbying organisation is also in the
process of being engaged to put forward the Union’s case.
Industrial action will be considered in the light of paragraph 5 of
the Emergency Motion carried at CWU General Conference 2001:
In line with CWU Annual Conference policy the matter will continue to
be reported to Branches through the General Secretary’s office.
With respect to the specific industrial issues, the Postal Executive
Council has determined that a group will be convened, made up of the following:
General Secretary, Deputy General Secretary (Postal), an Assistant
Secretary and appropriate members of the Postal Executive, together
with the following people drawn from the field:
1 from Packages and Express/Logistics Services, 1 from Royal Mail
Service Delivery, 1 from Post Office Networks, 1 Technical Services
representative and 1 from the Service Group covering the affected
Admin Area. Nominations should be sent to the Deputy General
Secretary (Postal) to arrive not later than Friday November 16th.
A full report will be made to both the Postal Executive and the
National Executive Council on any Branch comments on the foregoing.
Any enquiries on the policy should be addressed to the General
Secretary quoting the reference GS. 10.0 or enquiries relating to
industrial matters should be addressed to the Deputy General
Secretary (Postal).
525 Postal Cadets
Further to CWU Briefing No.12, paragraph 132, Royal Mail have agreed
to postpone their withdrawal from the Postal Cadet agreement.
Their letter is reproduced below:
“Dear Pat
Postal Cadet Scheme
I write to confirm the understandings which we reached earlier today.
We agreed to extend the final date for withdrawal of the cadet scheme
by one month to 1 January. We will use the time gained to add more
detail to our outline thinking around NVQs etc. and will be in touch
to arrange a further meeting within the next few weeks.
I enclose a copy of the “Guide to Your Career” wallchart to
which we are subscribing along with display details. As I have
already mentioned, I believe that this demonstrates our commitment to
the continued recruitment of young people.
Yours sincerely
Trevor Cramphorn, Head of Resourcing & Employee Deployment”
Any enquiries to Dave Ward, Outdoor Dept, quoting ref 0.200.
TELECOMS
526 Manpower’s Response to CWU Annual Conference Policies -
Propositions 37c & 42c
Branches are advised that the policy contained within the T&FSE
Propositions 37c and 42c was represented to all agency suppliers with
BT contracts and a response has neen received from Manpower.
Proposition 37c - National Minimum Wage Differentials
Manpower’s response was that it could not accept the proposition
put forward by the CWU Conference in respect of differentials with
the national minimum wage. Manpower indicated that their philosophy
was to optimise wage rates for their employees within the terms of
the Company’s commercial arrangements with their clients,
including BT. Manpower stated that they were committed to ongoing
flexibility of pay rates to ensure that their rates were competitive
in all occasions at which they operate at all times. Manpower also
stated that their rates of pay were almost invariably well in excess
of the national minimum wage.
Proposition 42c - National Pay Rates
Following representation to Conference policy contained in T&FSE
Proposition 42c, Manpower advised that they do not believe that
either a national pay rate or annual pay bargaining is consistent
with the necessary flexibility or the requirement of their
contractual undertaking to BT. Manpower stated that, as discussed
with the CWU, the process of securing pay reviews at BT sites
includes presenting a detailed business case to their client and were
more than happy for the CWU to present evidence to Manpower that will
support such cases.
In turn, Manpower agreed to advise the CWU of all pay increases and
any reviews to be submitted on the understanding that the detail must
remain confidential until any increases are approved.
Manpower were also happy to explore ways in which they could offer
greater opportunities for progress to higher grades for Manpower
staff on assignments to BT, and stated that they remain committed to
a constructive relationship with the CWU, building on the principles
of partnership discussed with the Union.
The TFSE Agency Team agreed to take account of the response from
Manpower in future deliberations on the subjects.
Any enquiries to this paragraph should be addressed to Sally Bridge,
Assistant Secretary, quoting Ref. 12.2
527 Attendance Review - businessAdvance
As has previously reported, the Executive has been in discussion with
businessAdvance management on attendance patterns. It has now been
agreed that a survey of members’ preferences will take place
followed by negotiations with RDA committees on the results.
I reproduce below the text of the communication sent to members:
“ARTEC Preference survey
To:All New Grid Personnel in businessAdvance
(This survey is aimed at those on daytime duties and not those on
ROTA duties)
Dear All,
In order to give some indication as to the future needs of our teams
and to match our operational needs, it has been decided to run a
preference survey to gauge people’s opinions. At this stage
nothing has been decided on the final outcome, as it is still being
negotiated with the Union, however, to ensure that we are prepared
for the next half hour reduction, we are seeking everyone’s
views in advance.
Option 4 details have still to be finalised but if you wish to
explore this area, please indicate your preference and as and when
more detail is available you will be informed.
Please could you complete the boxes below, indicating your first
choice of pattern then your second, third etc, by entering 1,2,3 or 4
in the relevant boxes.
This information is for guidance only and is not binding on either
party - the final decision will be decided locally once all the
options have been finalised and formally agreed.
Modified proposal in line with operational/customer and people needs.
Option 1
No change to existing working pattern with extra half hour reduction
being taken on weekday evenings rotating through Monday - Friday.
Note: The option also exists to accrue the hours and the time to be
taken off within an 8-week period.
Option 2
Four day week offered with the following hours of attendance.
Week 1: 0800 - 1800 with 1 hour lunch
Week 2: 0830 - 1830 with 1 hour lunch
Including a scheduled Saturday attendance, 0800 - 1200 once every
eight weeks
Day off to rotate, Monday through to Friday. Note: Scheduled Saturday
will be arranged not to fall on a Saturday where the preceding Friday
and following Monday are scheduled days off, thus giving a clear long weekend.
The further half hour reduction, to reduce hours to 36 per week, to
be implemented as follows: 1800 hours finish and 1830 hours finish to
be reduced by half hour on the day before the scheduled day off, i.e.
1730 hours and 1800 hours respectively.
Option 3
Freedom to move to an alternative pattern of attendance, i.e. 5 day
week, 9 day fortnight, 14 day 3 week.
Please also indicate below your preference by ticking the relevant box
Freedom to move to 5 day week
Freedom to move to 9 day fortnight
Freedom to move to 14 day 3 week
Note: Half hour reduction being taken on weekday evenings rotating
through Monday - Friday.
The option also exists to accrue the hours and the time to be taken
off within an 8-week period.
Option 4
Flexible Working Hours to be investigated. However, to include cover
to at least 1800 hours Monday - Friday and a requirement for at least
1 in 8.5 day Saturday attendance.
Note: Please could you also indicate below your preferred start time
from 0800 hours onwards.
Submitted by Name
OUC
(Clerical people - To be managed within existing Flexitime arrangements.
However, the above options could be made available to individuals if requested).
The above options would be available to all people across businessAdvance.
With regard to the requirement for Saturday working, there is no
target set for people to sign up, the only deciding factor will be
personal choice and operational needs.
Denis Rolph
Head of businessAdvance Projects”