WEEKLY INFORMATION FROM THE COMMUNICATION WORKERS UNION
Volume 7 Number 03. Paragraphs 37 - 58 25 January 2002
SUMMARY
GENERAL
37 Friction Dynamex Rally
38 Youth Advisory Committee:
Work with School Students
39 CWU Conference 2002: A
Guide to Fringe Events
40 TUC Congress Awards
41 POVS/CWU Health &
Safety Representation National Agreement Election of Area Safety Representatives
POSTAL
42 Starburst Trial
43 Indoor Schools Feedback
44 Introduction of Shorter
Working Week in Depots
45 Pay Directive
Consolidation of Bonus in Depots
46 Royal Mail Trial of
Reducing Packet Stamping
47 Errata to BOB No.1 Para
No.10: Mobile Phone Number Change - Andy Furey
48 Transaction
Services/Customer Management Training
49 Parcelforce IR Training
50 CHD (Cash in Transit
formerly CASHCO)
TELECOMS
51 EIN
52 Annual Performance
Reviews within BT Wholesale
53 BT Equal Ops Statistics
54 Parental Leave in BT -
ISIS Update
55 Network Build Resourcing
Pole Tester Posts
56 Project Operational Structure
57 Network Transport
Customer and Exchange PC Repair Skills and Attendance Patterns
HEALTH & SAFETY
58 Post Office/Consignia
Head of Health & Safety
LETTERS TO BRANCHES
LTB/18 Project Newgrid: Reduction in Working Week (Jeannie
Drake, DGS{T})
LTB/19 Customer Management Pay: October 2001 (Andy Furey)
LTB/20 Future of Concert/Assignees to BT (Bill McClory)
LTB/21 Transaction Services/Customer Management Training (Eric Lovett)
LTB/22 RoMEC Cleaners (Dave Ward, Outdoor Dept.)
LTB/23 New Delivery Specification: MORI Survey (Dave Ward,
Outdoor Dept.)
LTB/24 Newgrid Hours Reduction/Position Job Sharers (Jeannie
Drake, DGS{T})
LTB/25 RMSD Pay: ACAS (John Keggie, DGS{P})
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GENERAL
37 Friction Dynamex Rally
The Wales TUC have sent us correspondence from the T&GWU
regarding the above event.
The text of the letter is as follows:
"As you are aware, the Friction Dynamex Industrial Dispute has
still not been resolved and the striking workers are continuing to
operate the picket lines as they have done so since June 2001. The
T&G have mounted a long campaign in search for justice for the 87
sacked workers including the recent Lobby of Westminster.
With the crucial employment tribunal on the horizon it is vitally
important that we continue to maximise support for the dispute and
keep the media profile of the campaign at a prominent level.
With this in mind Region 4 is organising a major Rally and March to
coincide with the Labour Party's Spring Conference in Cardiff over
the weekend 1-3 February 2002.
A Rally at the Temple of Peace located at King Edward VIII Avenue in
Central Cardiff will commence at 10am Sunday 3rd February 2002.
Following addresses by several prominent speakers there will be a
march to the location of the Labour Conference at the Cardiff
International Arena.
I would appreciate it if you would inform all Wales TUC-affiliated
Trade Unions and Trade Councils of the Rally and invite them to send
delegations. Interested parties should contact either;
Keith Jones: Tel 029 20394521 Mobile 07970 785465 e-mail kejones@tgwu.org.uk
Glyn Conolly: Tel 029 20394521, Mobile 07974 131771 e-mail gconolly@tgwu.org.uk
I am sure you do not need me to emphasise the importance of this
Rally as an excellent opportunity to display the continued role of
Trade Unions in Wales as part of a strong and cohesive campaigning movement.
Thank you for your help, I know I can count on your continued help
and support.
Yours sincerely,
R J Hancock
Regional Secretary"
I hope you can give this event your full support.
Any enquiries should be sent to the GS Department quoting reference GS13.11.
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38 Youth Advisory Committee: Work with School Students
The Youth Advisory Committee had its programme of work agreed by the
NEC. Amongst its objectives is that the YAC should make contact with
the TUC and other relevant organisations to become involved in
talking to school students and to become a resource which can be
drawn upon for the same. In particular it was agreed to use any links
already established at the work place. The purpose of this briefing
paragraph is to ask branches and regions to identify existing CWU
initiatives so we can have some idea of where this aspiration is
already being met.
If branches and regions could please direct their response to my
office it would be much appreciated.
Simon Sapper, Assistant Secretary
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39 CWU Conference 2002: A Guide to Fringe Events
This year, on an experimental basis, CWU Head Office will be
producing a guide to Conference for delegates, visitors and
observers. The intention of the guide is to give a detailed factual
guide to what is happening both within the conference hall and on the fringes.
If branches, regions or any other organisation organising any sort of
activity whatsoever connected with the CWU Conference to take place
during Conference week itself would like details of their event
publicised in this way, copies should be sent, preferably in
electronic format to:
Simon Sapper, 150 The Broadway, Wimbledon SW19 1RX or emailed to Ssapper@cwu.org
Please note that inclusion in the guide is at the absolute discretion
of CWU Head Office, and inclusion in the guide will not imply or
signify endorsement of either the organisation or the content of the
event by the union at any level.
Organisers should include in their submissions details of the
sponsoring organisations, time, place and venue of the meeting,
whether any admission or entry fee is payable, from whom tickets or
further information can be obtained and confirmation that the venue
is accessible for those with disabilities.
The closing date for receipt of material to be considered for
publication is 5pm on Thursday 16 May 2002.
Any queries on this paragraph should be addressed to Simon Sapper.
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40 TUC Congress Awards Men's
Gold Badge 2002
The TUC are seeking nominations for the 2002 award of the Men's Gold
Badge. This award is made to the rank and file member who is
considered to have a notable record of Trade Union and Labour
movement activity over a period of years.
Those who have previously received the award are not eligible for
nomination nor are those who have at any time been paid full-time
Trade Union Officials.
Candidates for the award must be aged 70 years or under by the
opening of the 2002 Congress on 9 September 2002.
Women's Gold Badge 2002
The TUC are seeking nominations for the 2002 award of the Women's
Gold Badge. This award is made to the rank and file woman member who
is considered to have the best record of Trade Union Work over a
period of years.
Women who have previously received the award are not eligible for
nomination nor are those who have at any time been paid full-time
Trade Union Officials.
There is no upper age limit for candidates, but preference will be
given to women who are still active in their Trade Union.
The General Council appreciate that many of the nominees who have
been unsuccessful in past years have given conspicuous service to the
Trade Union movement and therefore they wish, to make it clear that
Unions are entitled to re-nominate women who have previously been
unsuccessful, as long as they are still eligible.
Awards for Youth 2002
The TUC are seeking nominations for the above award.
The award is designed to recognise the work and achievements of young
Trade Unionists.
Men and Women Trade Unionists who are under the age of 27 by the
opening of Congress, September 9 2002 are eligible for nomination
i.e. those born before September 9 1975 are not eligible.
Members who have at any time been paid Trade Union Officials are not eligible.
Nomination forms can be obtained from the Organising Department at
150 The Broadway, Wimbledon, London, SW19 1RX. Completed forms must
be returned by Monday 25 March 2002.
Steve Baguley, A/National Organising Secretary
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41 POVS/CWU Health & Safety Representation National Agreement
Election of Area Safety Representatives
Nominations are invited for the posts of:
Area Safety Representatives
Substitute Area Representatives
for the following 7 constituencies in Post Office (Consignia) Vehicle Services:
1.North 1
2.North 2
3.West 1
4.West 2
5.East 1 & East 3 (combined as one)
6.East 2
7.Northern Ireland (separated from North 1)
Note: Nominees should be employed in the Area they are nominated to represent.
Nomination Forms are available on request from the Organising
Department. Completed nomination forms, which must be signed by the
Branch Secretary, the Chair and the Nominee, should be returned by no
later than Friday 15 February 2002 to Eric Lovett, National
Organising Secretary.
If elections are necessary the timetable will be published later.
Any enquiries should be directed to Eric Lovett, National Organising Secretary.
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POSTAL
42 Starburst Trial
The latest Starburst Trial which is being overseen by Bob Gibson on
behalf of the Outdoor Dept. commenced at the following offices on the
7th January 2002:-
East Kilbride
Birch Park (York)
Aylesbury Central
Weymouth
Chelmsford
Camberwell
Eastbourne
The duration of the trial may vary from location to location
depending on the initial trial activity. A Terms of Reference has
been agreed for the trial, and it has been agreed that there will be
no extension of the trial beyond the units listed above unless agreed
nationally. Starburst has been successfully introduced at Sheerness
(Kent) following the original trial and has attracted considerable
interest from Royal Mail and the CWU resulting in the office being
inundated with requests to visit.
If CWU representatives wish to visit the office they should contact
Lionel Sampson SE Divisional Rep who is liasing with the office and
co-ordinating visits on behalf of the CWU. Lionel can be contacted on
07889 486713 or by e-mail on lysam@talk21.com
Any queries to Dave Ward, Outdoor Department, quoting ref 0.460.
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43 Indoor Schools Feedback
At the schools held in October/November of last year, concern was
expressed that once they had been concluded, the feedback provided
would only be paid lip service. I therefore gave an assurance that
following the schools the feedback would be documented to the Postal
Executive, published to Branches and Area Processing Representatives,
who in turn would then circulate it to Processing Shift/Workplace
Reps. A Compendium of the Feedback has been produced and has been
circulated, as promised, to the Area Processing Representatives and
it is attached* to this BOB paragraph for Branches' information. It
would be appreciated if Branches could ensure that the attached has
been forwarded to at least the Shift/Workplace Reps who attended the schools.
Any enquiries regarding the above paragraph should be addressed to
Martin Collins, Assistant Secretary, quoting reference number L.700.01
Att: PE.6*
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44 Introduction of Shorter Working Week in Depots
Attached* for the information of Branches is a document relating to
the introduction of shorter working week in Depots received from
Packages & Express Pay Directive. Any enquiries should be
addressed to Terry Pullinger, Assistant Secretary quoting reference
number P.PA4.
Att: PE.5
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45 Pay Directive Consolidation of Bonus in Depots
Attached* for the information of Branches is a copy of the pay
directive received from Packages & Express regarding the
consolidation of bonus in Depots. Any enquiries should be addressed
to Terry Pullinger, Assistant Secretary quoting reference number P.PA4.
Att:PE.4
46 Royal Mail Trial of Reducing Packet Stamping
Branches were advised in Annual Report Paragraph 9.17, that a trial
was being undertaken, in respect of the above. The object of trial
being to assess if there could be a reduction of the associated work
currently undertaken in Mail Centres to handle the Packet/Traffic
Stream; this to be achieved by utilising the Post Office Counter
Network to cancel/frank this traffic when it is received at the
counter and pre-sort the traffic into either first/second class streams.
Following Annual Conference a series of meetings took place with
Royal Mail, the Union being represented by Tony O'Grady and Phil
Waker, where they were provided with an evaluation of the activity so
far undertaken in the trial locations, namely Edinburgh, Southampton
and Watford Mail Centres. Following further meetings with Royal Mail
an exchange of correspondence took place between Royal Mail and CWU
HQ, the content of this correspondence is reproduced below:-
"Reduction in Hand Stamping
Thank you for the opportunity to meet with Tony O'Grady and Phil
Waker recently to discuss the Reduction in Handstamping initiative.
I updated Tony and Phil on the dates of the intended implementation
which are, during February 2002 the automated 'Horizon' label will go
live at Post Offices in the Edinburgh, Southampton and Watford Mail
Centre catchment areas for collection of mail. This will be a four
week pilot implementation with an intention to roll out nationally
this new process from March 2002 once the pilot implementation has
been completed.
We agreed that I would produce a terms of reference for monitoring
the pilot implementation which will be focused on achieving some
quality of service benefits through enhanced workplan compliance in
Mail Centres, and that we would review after two weeks of the pilot
implementation to try and identify any further improvements we could
make in support of the national roll out.
We also agreed that I would produce a 'framework' for deployment to
ensure consistency when area operations teams are identifying the
reductions in hours once this hand stamping process has been
automated at Post Offices. Again, the framework will focus on quality
of service benefits first. We hope to get input to this framework
prior to Christmas from some of the Edinburgh, Southampton and
Watford Area Representatives acting as an informal reference group.
I also promised to confirm who has the lead role within Post Office
Ltd and this is Chris Guy. Chris is the Consignia Client Manager
within the Post Office Ltd. Strategic Alliances section which is
based in, 2nd Floor South, Gavrelle House, 2-14 Bunhill Row, London,
EC1Y 8HQ.
Yours sincerely
Garry Giles,
Head of Access and Delivery Design"
The following reply was sent on behalf of the Union by Tony O'Grady
and Phil Waker:-
"Reduction in Hand Stamping Trial
Thank you for your letter to Martin Collins regarding the above trial.
Martin has asked me to write and ask you if you have had the
opportunity to produce a suggested Terms of Reference for the trial.
In relation to the trial, it does seem sensible to focus on Q of S
benefits first and to conduct a review two weeks into the trial.
With regard to the national roll out, while we recognise that you
would wish to make progress as quickly as possible, we do have some
doubts that we can evaluate the trial and start the roll out in
March, the month following the trial. It might be useful to speak
further about this when we look to agree the trial's Terms of Reference.
Finally, it would also seem sensible to get input from
representatives in the three trial areas. We would ask that this
informal reference group will include CWU Representatives."
Royal Mail have now responded to us but the content is far from
satisfactory and falls short of what the Union would expect having
previously highlighted the fact that the CWU required a comprehensive
Framework Agreement to cover the deployment of such an initiative.
The Union have been advised that the Businesses will still be seeking
to commence deployment of the Reduction in Hand Stamping initiative
on a national basis in the very near future.
In light of the above Branches/Representatives are advised that at
the time of drafting this paragraph no National Agreement has been
given to the extension/roll out of this initiative. Any approach by
Management to introduce this initiative in your Mail Centre catchment
area should therefore be processed via the IR Framework Agreement, in
line with the policy detailed above.
In the meantime I have written to Royal Mail requesting that an
urgent meeting be convened as soon as possible. Branch Secretaries
should ensure that the information contained in this paragraph is
brought to the attention of Area Processing Representatives and any
Post Office Network Representatives who could be affected, your
assistance in respect of this matter is appreciated.
All enquiries regarding the content of this paragraph should be
addressed to Martin Collins, Assistant Secretary quoting reference
L.600.38 and copied as appropriate.
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47 Errata to BOB No.1 Para No.10: Mobile Phone
Number Change - Andy Furey
Would all Branches please note that Tony Kearns' mobile phone number
was inadvertently published instead of Andy Furey's. The correct
mobile phone number for Andy Furey is 07764 470622. I apologise for
any inconvenience that this has caused.
Any queries to Andy Furey, A/Assistant Secretary, C&CH Dept.
quoting ref B.022
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48 Transaction Services/Customer Management Training
The Union will be running two workshops at its Training Centre, The
Elstead Hotel in Bournemouth, the details of which are as follows:
Transaction Services Workshop
This will commence at 9:00am on Monday 11th February and conclude on
the evening of Tuesday 12th February. Departures are on Wednesday morning.
Customer Management Workshop
This will commence at 9:00am on Wednesday 13th February and conclude
on the evening of Thursday 14th February. Departures are on Friday morning.
Sunday night accommodation is available for the Transaction Services
Workshop, as is Tuesday night accommodation for the Customer
Management Workshop. The Schools are aimed primarily at
representatives from "End State Sites" and will deal with
Conduct Code/Attendance Procedures/Business Initiatives and IR Structures.
An application form is attached* which should be returned to the
Training Department at CWU HQ as a matter of urgency.
Any enquiries regarding this paragraph should be addressed to the
Training Department at CWU HQ.
Eric Lovett, National Organising Secretary
Att: PE.3
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49 Parcelforce IR Training
The Union will be running two Schools dealing with Parcelforce IR at
the Elstead Hotel on the following dates:
4 - 8 March 2002
11 - 15 March 2002
The Schools will commence at 2.00pm on the Monday concluding on the
Friday morning. An application form is attached* which should be
returned to the Training Department as a matter of urgency.
Any enquiries regarding this paragraph should be addressed to the
Training Department at CWU HQ.
Att: PE.2
Eric Lovett, National Organising Secretary
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50 CHD (Cash in Transit formerly CASHCO)
The Union will be running two workshops at its Training Centre, The
Elstead Hotel in Bournemouth, the details of which are as follows:
Workshop one will commence at 9.00am on Monday 4 March and conclude
on Tuesday at 12.30pm departing same day.
Workshop two will commence at 9.00am on the Wednesday 6 March and
conclude on Thursday 7 March at 6.30pm departing Friday morning.
Sunday night accommodation is therefore reserved for students on
workshop one, as is Tuesday night accommodation for workshop two.
An application form is attached*. Applicants should indicate their
preference although this will not necessarily guarantee a place.
Applications should be returned to the Training Department at CWU HQ
as a matter of urgency.
Any enquiries regarding this paragraph should be addressed to the
Training Department at CWU HQ.
Steve Baguley, A/National Organising Secretary
Att: G.5
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TELECOMS
51 EIN
BT have made available the EIN of an individual alongside their
Intranet directory entry. This effectively means that everybody's EIN
is known to everyone else with access to the BT Intranet.
We have raised the question with BT that publication of someone's EIN
is compromising to their privacy.
The response we have received is as follows:
"We have looked into the issue of sensitivity of information
available on the Desktop Directory and we are implementing the policy
on EIN display as set out by BT Security. Your EIN is an internally
generated and held piece of information about you, replacing the use
of your National Insurance number. As such, BT Security do not deem
it as a secure piece of data and it is available from several sources
on the BT Intranet. By itself, an EIN cannot be used by anyone else
to book travel, change your contact details and so on - you need a
password or PIN in order to activate changes."
Even though the change has been badly handled, the explanation seems
reasonably coherent. However, it is an inescapable consequence of
this policy decision that the BT group do not now deem an EIN to be a
secure piece of information and that therefore people will not in
future be able to be disciplined on the basis that their EIN has been
relied upon as evidence of an offence that they are alleged to have
committed. This point has been made to the company and we await any
observations they may have on it. In the meantime any queries on this
security policy should be directed to my office at CWU headquarters.
Simon Sapper, Assistant Secretary
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52 Annual Performance Reviews within BT Wholesale
BT Wholesale have used the introduction of NewGRID as an opportunity
to establish consistency and uniformity across the old grade
hierarchies with regard to APRs.
As BT Wholesale approach the first full round of annual performance
reviews for the people affected by NewGRID, they have looked at the
remaining difference in process applied to people from the former
different hierarchies. That is, people from the former Engineering
Technical Grades have an annual review date of 30 September, and
those from the former Clerical & Related Grades have a 31 January
date. This is a legacy of the former grade structure which, they say,
does not fit with NewGRID and have decided to address the issue.
It has been decided that the most practical and simple solution was
to bring forward the Clerical & Related Grades review date to 30
September 2001. The effect will be that, for this APR year only,
people from the former Clerical & Related Grades will have a
review that covers an 8 month period only, that is, from 1 January
2001 to 30 September 2001. From hereon everyone in BT Wholesale
within the NewGrid structure will have a common review date of 30 September.
They have stated their desire to implement this change forthwith and
proceed with the normal requirement for all 30 September reviews to
have been completed by 30 November.
Branches should ensure that this was the case for their members
within BT Wholesale.
Brian Healy, Assistant Secretary
53 BT Equal Ops Statistics
Attached* for your information is a copy of stats received from BT
detailing gender, ethnic and DDA breakdown as well as
non-declarations of all BT employees.
The Telecoms Equal Ops team, together with Connect, is currently in
discussions with BT on the issue of monitoring. A further report will
be issued separately.
Any enquiries regarding this briefing should be addressed to
Michèle Emerson, Equal Opportunities Department, Ref: 3/19/6.
Att: G.4
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54 Parental Leave in BT - ISIS Update
As a result of changes to the law that came into effect on 10th
January 2002, which were reported in a previous BOB, BT's ISIS
document on Special Leave (PNL/EMP/C013) has been updated to
incorporate the changes. These changes are contained in section 5.4
Branches with BT members may wish to inform their members of the new
entitlements that they may have previously been excluded from.
The Union continues to pursue with BT the issue of payment for
parental leave.
Any enquiries regarding this briefing should be addressed to
Michèle Emerson, Equal Opportunities Department, Ref: 3/18/4.
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55 Network Build Resourcing Pole Tester Posts
Following on from the report to Branches in CWU Branch Officials'
Bulletin No.48, paragraph 600, the Executive has received further
notification that Network Build are coming to the end of the latest
phase to move Network Build B2s with PPP to C1 to C1 pole tester
vacancies in Network Access.
A total of 195 Build B2s on PPP have been interviewed (there are 6
further interviews to be held) and 28 people have been found suitable
against a management requirement of 84 to move to Access from Build.
There are thus a further 56 posts to fill and the approaches
management are proposing to take is as follows:
i) Out of the 201 people identified, 64 people were not called for
interview because of known medical reasons. A further 76 were
interviewed and found not suitable at interview, nearly all because
of health reasons and another 23 were found suitable but also quoted
health reasons. Management will be referring to the OHS, people who
have raised a medical issue relating to their ability to undertake
the pole tester role. The purpose will be to determine the
limitations the medical condition may have upon the individual taking
up either a pole tester or another role at C1. Should the referral
indicate the individual is suitable for pole testing work, management
will re-assess the individual for the role.
ii) Management are identifying more B2s with PPP for interview by
considering people whose home address is further away from the
location of the vacancy. They state this process should identify
about a further 100 people for interview.
Management will ask Network Build C1s if they are interested in
transferring on a voluntary basis to a Network Access pole tester
role, thus allowing their current role to be back-filled by a Network
Build B2 with Pay and Pension Protection to C1. Management will
commence these approaches week commencing 21 January 2002 and will be
reporting back to the Executive when it has a clear understanding of
the response to the voluntary transfers.
Brian Healy, Assistant Secretary
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56 Project Operational Structure
Further to the previous BOB paragraph, the Executive is in a position
to report on the revised Preference Exercise, much of which is in the
format that the Executive required.
i) Preference Exercise
You should have seen the detailed preference exercise process* which
lists the totality of the posts for each of the three Sectors and
enables members to pick the three posts for which they would want to
be considered. The exercise is due to commence on Monday 21 January
2002 in North and South and Tuesday 22 January in the Central patch,
to end on Friday 1 February 2002. It is appreciated that members may
want more detail regarding the available posts and so job
descriptions are being copied to their line managers (ie the
Programme Office Manager) to enable the manager to answer the queries
the team members may have. The pack will include details of the new
FMA - Overhead and National Surveillance Centre Control roles (North
only) and a briefing letter to the managers to explain their role.
ii) Cover
As yet the Executive has not received details of the cover
information requested. All sector managers have been requested to
ensure that the exercise to transfer people out of the PO and back to
the field is handled with sensitivity, particularly where the
individuals have been in the PO for more than 3 months.
iii) Admin numbers
The admin numbers have not been finally clarified but the latest
advice is that 17 posts have been created and Branches will be
advised how the posts will be filled early next week. A copy of the
job description is attached.
Brian Healy, Assistant Secretary
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57 Network Transport Customer and Exchange PC Repair Skills and
Attendance Patterns
The Executive in listening and debating with management the issue of
meeting customer requirements and the need for changing attendance
patterns, picked up the issue of skill levels. Information has been
sought and is attached* in the form of a spreadsheet in the advanced
distribution of the BOB. The Executive will shortly be meeting
Network Transport to discuss training. However, in the meantime
Branches are strongly urged to discuss the inconsistent approach to
the levels of trained members with local management. Branches are
asked to appraise the Executive of the outcome of any discussions.
Brian Healy, Assistant Secretary
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HEALTH & SAFETY
58 Post Office/Consignia Head of Health & Safety
Branches will be aware that for a number of years the Health, Safety
& Environment Department campaigned for the creation of this new
post, having responsibility across all businesses, and having direct
access to the Board. A good working relationship has been established
with the postholder Malcolm Davison, who has also attended a number
of briefings at the Elstead in Bournemouth attended by Branch Area
Safety Representatives from the various Businesses.
It is with regret that his Department has been advised that Malcolm
has resigned and will be leaving at the end of February 2002.
Branches will be kept advised and informed.
Kevin Shaw, Assistant Secretary
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EVENTS BULLETIN
Monday January 28 2002: A Chamber that Works,
18:00-19:30,Committee Room 6, House of Commons, Westminster. A
Hansard Society Democracy Forum to discuss the present and future
work of the Commons Chamber and how it could work in a more effective
way; and to consider Robin Cook's proposed reforms. Chair: Rt. Hon
Gillian Shephard MP (Vice Chair, Hansard Society). Speakers: Dr Tony
Wright (Chair, Public Administration Committee) Jenny Watson (Deputy
Chair, Equal Opportunities Commission). If you would like to attend,
please e-mail: hansard@hansard.lse.ac.uk
Fax (020) 7955 7492, or Tel: 020 7491 0051.
Tuesday 29th January 2002: Plugging the Pay Gap Conference,
NATFHE Conference Centre, London, 09.30 to 16:30 hrs. Speakers: Mary
Alexander UNIFI; Gail Cartmail MSF; Alison Clarke; Tess Gill Old
Square Chambers; Christine Gowdridge Maternity Alliance; Professor
Aileen McColgan Kings College London; Sheila Wild EOC. Despite having
equal pay legislation for the past 30 years, the pay gap in the UK
remains depressingly wide. We have one of the worst gender pay gaps
in Europe. In an effort to improve the situation the Labour
Government has made equality and family-friendly issues a central
theme of their legislative programme. But how effective has that
been? In February 2001 the EOC's Equal Pay Task Force issued a report
on how to reduce the pay gap. One of its main recommendations was the
introduction of mandatory pay reviews, something the government
continues to resist. Conference details from: 020 7498 6919, fax 020
7498 9080, email: ier@gn.apc.org
website: www.ier.org.uk
Thursday 31st January 2002: National Executive Committee
Meeting, at the CWU Headquarters, Wimbledon, London.
Thursday 31st January to Friday 1st February 2002: Change is
Possible - A two day conference about how we can transform public
services. with Margaret Hodge (DfES), Greg Dyke (BBC), Paul Corrigan
(DH), Yve Buckland (HDA), and Sue Page (Northumbria NHS Trust) at
Church House, Westminster, London, SW1. Details from: 020 7588 5151
or email emotional.literacy@antidote.org.uk
Monday February 4 2002: The Hansard Society Scotland Third
Annual Conference. The Parliament's First Session. A Vision
Fulfilled? 09.30 - 16:00, City Chambers, High Street, Edinburgh. The
Scottish Parliament is just over halfway through its first session
and this conference will bring together politicians and leading
commentators from business, the trade unions, the voluntary sector
and the Church to take stock of its work so far. It will provide a
platform for politicians and key players in Scotland to discuss what
they see as the priorities for Scotland in the coming year. Keynote
Speaker: Patricia Ferguson MSP, Minister for Parliamentary Business.
Other Speakers include:
Graham Blount, Scottish Churches Parliamentary Officer, Allan
Hogarth, Head of Media and Public Affairs, CBI Scotland Maureen
Macmillan MSP Joyce McMillan, Scottish Civic Forum Michael Russell
MSP, Margaret Smith MSP, Bill Speirs, General Secretary, STUC. To
book, email: HansardScotland@aol.com
or fax 0131 477 8562 or phone Margaret Braes on 0131 550 3797.
Tuesday 5th February 2002: Telecoms & Financial Services
Executive,10:00am, Rooms 1& 2, CWU HQ, Wimbledon, London.
Wednesday 6th February 2002: Postal Executive,10:30am, Room 3,
CWU HQ, Wimbledon, London.
Wednesday 6 February 2002:The French Working Class Today -
Myth or Reality? Seminar at the University of North London,
University of North London, Boardroom, Technology Tower(opposite
Holloway Rd tube station) contact Bernie Moss (b_moss@btinternet.com).
Wednesday 13th February 2002: The Labour Movement; Past,
Present and Future, The Amiel Melburn Trust annual lecture, with Tony
Benn, Chair: Rodney Bickerstaff. 19:00. Venue: Friends Meeting House,
Euston Road, London, NW1. Tickets £2/£1 Concessions;
Booking arrangements later.
Thursday 14th February 2002: TUPE Revisited. This seminar has
been organised to discuss new TUPE Regulations and their likely
impact on workers. Speaker Alan Johnson MP Minister for State
Employment Relations and Regions. Chair: Carolyn Jones, Director of
the Institute of Employment Rights, Heather Wakefield, Unison's
Senior Officer for Local Government and Stephen Cavalier Thompsons'
Solicitors. 13:00 - 16:30, at the NAFTHE Centre, Britannia Street,
London, WC1. For more information on the above phone 020 7498 6919,
fax 020 7498 9080, email ier@gn.apc.org
or see website www.ier.org.uk
Thursday 21st February 2002: Bridging the Academic/Vocational
Divide. Skills, Knowledge, Creativity and Enterprise Conference at
Cavendish Conference Centre, London. Subject: New initiatives in
schools, colleges and universities are focusing on preparing students
for the world of work and meeting the real needs of local and
national firms for highly skilled workers. These priorities are
embodied in the structure of the Learning and Skills Council; the new
employer led Sector Skills Councils (shortly to replace the NTO
network). This Conference will look at how Learning and Skills
Councils, Regional Development Agencies, National Training
Organisations, Employers, Colleges and Universities can collaborate
effectively to deliver vocational education, consider how vocational
initiatives can be used as a tool to widen participation and combat
social exclusion. Look at how Learning and Skills and training
providers can collaborate effectively to deliver vocational
education. Contact customer services on 020 7689 8808 for more
information or print out your booking form and fax to Neil Stewart
020 7689 8809.
Saturday 23rd February 2002: National Conference to mark the
Anniversary of Stephen Lawrence Report, National Assembly against
Racism, 09.30 - 17:00. At TUC Conference Centre, Congress House,
Great Russell Street, London, WC1. Speakers from family campaigns,
trade unions and community organisations campaigning against racism.
Speakers include Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London, Doreen Lawrence
and many more. Details contact 020 7247 9907 or 020 7247 3146.
Deadline for access requirements and crèche is 8th February 2002.
Wednesday 27th February 2002: Keyworker Conference, Church
House Conference Centre, Westminster. This one-day conference will
examine the housing crisis for keyworkers in South-East England.
Keynote speeches will be made by Housing Minister Sally Keeble and
London Mayor Ken Livingstone. Information contact Camilla John,
Commercial Events/Conferences Department on 020 7713 4961 or email: camilla.john@guardian.co.uk
If you have anything for the events page, please send in your
contribution. Details must arrive Monday, nine days before
publication (i.e. if possible not nine days before the event).
Include admission prices, times, a contact phone number, brief
summary describing the event, email/website address, in advance to:
Alison Moise, CWU House, Communications Department, 150 The Broadway,
Wimbledon, SW19 1RX; Tel: 020 8971 7267; email amoise@cwu.org
Listings are free, but inclusion is not guaranteed.