WEEKLY INFORMATION FROM THE COMMUNICATION WORKERS UNION
Volume 7 Issue 33. Paragraphs 437 - 445 30 August 2002
Summary
Equal Opportunities
437 2002 Disability Seminar
Financial Services
No items this week
General
438 Annual Conference 2003
- Bournemouth Hotel Accommodation
Health and Safety
439 Stress
440 CCA Notice
Postal
441 Royal Mail Weekly Pay
Arrangements During Holiday Weeks
442 Annual Conference
decisions (Postal Outdoor)
443 Use of Green Mailbags
for the Despatch of Special Delivery Items
Telecoms
444 NETWORK BUILD poling
and overhead review
445 BT Wholesale: Securing
our future - today
Letters to Branches
LTB/417 Policy Assistant vacancy , Counter & Clerical
Services - Postal Dept (Tony Kearns, SDGS)
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Equal Opportunities
437 2002 Disability Seminar
The 2002 Disability Seminar will be taking place on Saturday, 16
November at the MSF Centre, 33-37 Moreland Street, London EC1V SHA.
Registration will be at 10am and the seminar is due to finish by 4pm.
A nomination form for the Seminar, Attachment G30 is included as an
attachment*. Branches are advised that any release costs, travel
costs or expenses of delegates will have to be met out of Branch
funds. Lunch will be provided at the Seminar. Branches are asked to
bring this Seminar to the attention of interested members. A copy of
this information will be provided to the contact list and you may be
approached for assistance by members. Please give active
consideration to assisting members.
Any enquiries on the above should be addressed to Jenny Ainsley,
Assistant Secretary, quoting reference No. 1.50.1
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General
438 Annual Conference 2003 - Bournemouth Hotel Accommodation
We have been made aware that hotel bookings for Annual Conference may
be difficult next year because the weekend preceding Conference is
likely to be busy.
Branches are therefore advised to book as far in advance as possible.
Carol Alcock, Acting National Organising Secretary.
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Health and Safety
439 Stress
The Health and Safety Department is reminding Branches that European
Health and Safety week runs in Britain from the 14-20 October this
year to raise awareness of Health and Safety at work. The focus for
2002 is 'Psychosocial risks with special emphasis on stress'. The
week is run by the European Agency for Safety and Health and in Great
Britain by the Health and Safety Executive.
The CWU has campaigned over the years to make European Health and
Safety week a focal point for its Health and Safety Representatives.
The European Agency for Safety and Health has its own web page for
Safety Week, which can be found at http://osha.eu.int/ew2002.
The European Agency states that nearly one in three of Europe's
workers, which is more than forty million people, report that they
are affected by stress at work. Workplace Stress is responsible for
millions of lost working days every year. The figures speak for
themselves but far too many victims suffer in silence and too many
companies do not realise the extent to which stress can affect their
business performance. That is why this years European Week for Safety
at Work focuses on the prevention of Psychosocial Risks and the
Stress that they cause.
In Britain the Health and Safety Executive's European Week for Safety
Web Page can be found at www.hse.gov.uk/events/euro_week/index.htm
On the HSE Web Page there is a freephone number 0800 085 00 50 which
you can ring up and ask for a free action pack from the HSE. Head
Office also holds copies of this action pack which can be obtained by
ringing the Health and Safety Department on 020 8971 7365. The Action
Pack includes a newsletter, which is full of ideas and information,
posters, fact sheets, stickers, postcards and leaflets. All of these
are also available in PDF format to be downloaded from this web page.
There is also frequently asked questions, good practice awards,
information and other useful information for Safety Reps to use
during European Week for Safety and Health this year.
The TUC have a good site on: www.tuc.org.uk/h_and_s/index.cfm?mins=297
Last year European Health & Safety Week 2001 had the theme
"Success is no Accident" and looked at the issue of Trips,
Slips and Falls, which cause the most accidents. Accidents that
involve either a fall from heights and vehicles cause the most
fatalities. The vast majority of these accidents are considered
preventable through good risk management practice and compliance of
existing health and safety at work regulations.
During the week up and down the country CWU Safety Reps, Safety
Committees and Branches organised around the theme to raise awareness
of slips, trips and falls accidents and to point out there
preventability to members.
Postal Workers in Mount Pleasant Branch in London displayed posters
issued by the CWU and the HSE. Packs providing information and a
spotting the hazards and dangers practice picture were given to
everyone attending work time learning sessions on all shifts The Mail
centre Manager, Sector Operations Manager, the Area Safety Advisor
and the CWU Area Safety Representative carried out joint inspections
during this week. A joint report by the Safety Advisor and the CWU
Safety Representative outlining these actions has been sent to the
Health & Safety Executive European Week Feedback Department.
A highly successful day long event was held in Preston organised by
the North West BT Unions Co-ordinating Committee. Over 60 Safety
Representatives attended workshops and discussions on a range of
engineering and clerical issues as well as hearing speakers on the
Role of Safety Reps and Fire. A demonstration was given on the new
Belt No 11 in BT and also Safety Managers talking about Office and
Call Centre safety issues.
In Luton the Postal Branch of the CWU laid on incentives throughout
the week in all offices. This included competitions of spot the
hazard, general safety questions, best safety ideas, poster
campaigns, leaflet campaigns and safety inspections. They held a
Safety Day on the 16 October and on that date the judges toured all
of the offices to assess the level and standard of input.
The Stockport Amal Branch held a word search competition based on
safety keywords, they had a competition leaflet and had facts and
figures on health and safety. This produced an excellent response
from their branch members and a cash voucher was given as a prize.
They received a certificate from the Health & Safety Executive in
recognition of their ideas.
CWU Health & Safety Reps of Parcelforce Worldwide in East London
PDC in Stephenson Street London E16 set up a 24 hour Stand with
information and handouts to all operational staff, admin, engineers,
quadrant and drivers on Wednesday 17 October. Posters highlighting
the European Safety and Health Week were displayed throughout the
site to encourage all staff to participate. A qualified Manual
Handling Trainer was in attendance and asked staff at random to pick
up a parcel and in the event that they picked it up incorrectly he
showed them the correct technique to do so to prevent back injuries
followed by a video on lifting and handling. Staff were also shown
the video "what caused it". This video deals with four
accidents relating to trips, slips and manual handling accidents and
what corrective measures staff can take to prevent these accidents
happening again. Following the video a brain storming session took
place and staff were asked if they understood that accidents are
caused by unsafe acts and unsafe conditions. Senior Parcelforce
Managers were on site on the day and visited the Stand and stayed
throughout the presentation to encourage all staff to participate in
health and safety week.
Also Parcelforce Health & Safety Management held a competition
and a trophy was presented to the union for achieving the best
display. Units that took part were based in the Eastern Region
located between Nottingham to Norwich, the London area and as far
down as Shoreham in Essex to Canterbury in Kent. Normally there is
only one winner of any competition but the quality of the initiatives
were so good that the Safety Teams decided that two units deserve to
share the first prize. The winners of the European Week of Safety and
Health were Northampton LD, and ELPD, other units that received
special mention for their imagination and work that went into
initiatives were South Lambeth, Tonbridge LD, North London LD, Welwyn
Garden City LD, Shoreham LD, Charlton LD, East London LD, Canterbury
LD and West Thurrock.
The CWU Health & Safety Representatives in London Central joined
forces with the Area Safety Advisor to issue to all staff a handout
on European Health & Safety Week, pointing out that slips, trips
and fall are the largest cause of accidents in all sectors of work
and that in Royal Mail 30% of accidents are due to people slipping,
tripping, falling and knocking into obstructions. The Handout had a
picture of an office with numerous hazards and dangerous practices
and asked individuals to identify as many as they could to remind all
staff of safety standards and safe systems of work in order to avoid accidents.
The North Lancs. and Cumbria Branch ensured that all delivery
officers in the area received an action pack with other safety
information specific to their business. They also decided to target
the five delivery offices in their area with a high accident ratio.
The Branch was able to display on a Stand actions to reduce slips,
trips and falls and were also available to answer any safety related
questions. This road show was well received and following the week
the Branch set off a form to the HSE telling them of what they did
and received their certificate of acknowledgement.
In the South East of England Union Safety Reps representing Customer
Service engineers in BT conducted Joint Inspections with management
looking at tools and equipment on vehicles. BT Wholesale Union Safety
Reps and line managers conducted joint safety inspections during a
successful week.
Will Safety Committees and Branches that are organising events please
inform Head Office of these events. Also this year, the TUC have
retained Keighley-based community health organisation Worksafe to
plan and run the stress campaign in the build up to European Week.
Unions and individual branches and Safety Committees planning
activities should contact Worksafe at tuc@worksafe.org.uk
and let them know what they are doing so that the TUC can also
publicise details.
Any enquiries on this issue should be addressed to Kevin Shaw,
Assistant Secretary, quoting reference M2.
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440 CCA Notice
Branches will be aware that the CWU is running a joint campaign with
the Centre for Corporate Accountability in order to promote greater
work and public safety. Branches are encouraged directly to affiliate
to the CCA and receive copies of Corporate Crime Update. This is a
quarterly newsletter on Law Enforcement and Corporate Accountability
issues. The recent edition focuses on the issue of manslaughter after
work related deaths and provides up to date information on all
completed and on going prosecutions. Any queries on this issue should
be addressed to Kevin Shaw Assistant Secretary quoting Reference
Number C1. Att G29.
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Postal
441 Royal Mail Weekly Pay Arrangements During
Holiday Weeks
Further to previous BOB Number 31, Paragraph number 421, that Branch
Secretaries and Representatives are reminded that any feedback or
difficulties that occur with the new arrangements must be reported to
the Indoor Department no later than Monday 16th September 2002.
Please note the later date than previously circulated.
All enquiries regarding the content of this BOB Paragraph should be
addressed to Martin Collins, Assistant Secretary - Indoor, quoting
reference L.645.03.
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442 Annual Conference decisions (Postal Outdoor)
Reproduced below for the information of Branches and Representatives
are the terms of the motions and amendments that were carried against
the paragraphs that were published by the Outdoor Department in the
Annual Report. Management have been advised and the policies are
subject to ongoing negotiations:-
Paragraph 9.8: Delivery productivity measurement system (DPMS)
Add at end: except that any new measurement system must also
recognise any growth in large packet/parcel traffic and workload
measurement must be adjusted accordingly.
Paragraph 9.10: Christmas/New Year arrangements
Add at end: except that Christmas and New Year National negotiations
must be concluded by October 2002. Failure to reach agreement will
result in consideration for a ballot under rule 13.
Add at end: except that Christmas / New Year arrangements 2002
include the following:
All attendances on 26th December 2002 and 1st January 2003 are
voluntary, including night staff.
Add at end: except that delivery members when extending their
delivery beyond normal duty time, shall be entitled to be paid at
S.A. rate.
Add at end: except that the Postal Executive is instructed to secure
an agreement that releases the Christmas supplement on the basis of
employment (excluding agency or casual staff) across the four week
Christmas PBS period.
Paragraph 9.14: Delivery Specification
Composite amendment 9C
Add at end: except that no agreement will be given until such time as
a range of options for a new delivery span have been trailed.
Following the trials, and before any agreement is given, a report
will be published that covers that following:
a. Estimated job losses that are essential with each span
b. Effects of the weight on delivery of each span
c. Start and finish times
d. Saturday attendances
e. Methods of delivery
The above list is not exhaustive.
Any final agreement must be brought back to a Conference of the Union.
Add at end: except that no agreement be made on the proposed new
Royal Mail Delivery Specification unless it guarantees a five day
week for all delivery staff on the implementations of the tailored
delivery specification unless it guarantees a five-day week for all
delivery staff on the implementation of the tailored delivery
specification revisions.
Composite 9D
Add at end: except that any final agreement be subject to a special
report submitted to a special conference of the Union.
Paragraph 9.16: Fit to Deliver revisions (DELIVERY OFFICES)
Add at end: except that these units that have not completed and
introduced a phase one revision by 30th June 2002 will be referred to
CWU Headquarters via the Divisional representative(s). The referral
will be accompanied by a detailed report outlining the reasons why a
phase one has not been implemented in the unit. In the event that a
case demonstrates that management have delayed the implementation
i.e. because the unit is a high performer or the introduction of SWW
etc would cost more than any savings then CWU HQ will pursue that
individual unit's case for the introduction of SWW, MRH etc with RMSD
HQ. All units must be on a 40 hour working week by 1st October 2002.
Add at end: except that agreement will be achieved for all offices to
implement the 40 hour week with enhanced meal relief's by October 1st
2002 using all means necessary.
Add at end: except that agreement will be achieved for all offices to
implement the 40 hour week with enhanced meal relief's by October 1st
2002 using all means necessary.
Paragraph 9.20: PBS in Delivery Offices
Add at end: except that any productivity scheme, current or future,
must make provision for each of the unit reps to be trained to a
level that will ensure a full understanding of the bonus scheme.
Furthermore, adequate facility time will be agreed to ensure that the
unit rep can met DOM to conduct a weekly audit of all aspects of the
unit bonus scheme.
Add at end: except that the Postal Executive will ensure that the
abatements process allows for local representatives to have sight of
abatements made each day and the right to challenge that data before
it is entered into the Delivery Office Daily Report (DODR) system.
As part of the abatement process, tolerance levels for mail that did
not connect for that day's delivery should also be established, based
upon percentage values of total mail handled.
Missorts generated through the mechanisation process must be excluded
from any abatement arrangements. Furthermore, failure by the business
to calculate bonuses within a two week time frame at the end of each
accounting period will result in the full bonus identified on the PBS
UD7 being paid.
Add at end: except that should the review of PBS result in the
continuation of the abatement penalty criteria then all the abated
PBS bonuses will be paid directly into the national PBS pool
Add at end: except that as part of the continuing discussions the
Postal Executive is instructed to negotiate the facility for non-staff
savings to be shared with the membership on a 50/50 basis.
Add at end: except that any hours savings will be used to form part
of an "under the roof" bonus scheme where a delivery unit
is housed on the same site as a mail centre or distribution unit.
Add at end: except that any hours saving will be used to form part of
an "under the roof" bonus scheme where a delivery unit is
housed on the same site as a mail centre or distribution unit.
Paragraph 9.21: Postal Cadets
Composite Amendment 9G
Delete all after 'that' and replace with: the Postal Executive is
instructed to negotiate and finalise a new or revised Royal Mail
Service Delivery (RMSD) Postal Cadet Scheme for 16-18 year olds. This
would be funded by using part of the saving that are anticipated to
be made from the introduction of new operational procedures in all
areas of RMSD (eg. Tailored Delivery Service (TDS) Address
Interpretation (AI) etc).
Add at end: except that conference condemns the lack of progress by
RMSD in respect of establishing a training package for Postal cadets
following its unilateral withdrawal from the Postal Cadet Scheme back
in 2000. In view of this Conference agrees that the employment of
Cadets in each unit based upon the previous national Agreement of 4%
be adhered to. Branches to progress this policy through the IR
framework. Whilst those negotiations are ongoing the Postal Executive
is to pursue RMSD for a training agreement for Postal Cadets. Any
refusal by RMSD in relation to the employment of 16-18 year old
workers should be publicly highlighted accordingly.
Add at end: and that agreement be reached that Postal Cadets must be
employed on permanent, long term contracts.
Paragraph 9.23: ROMEC Cleaning services
Add at end: except that any revised relations structure must
recognise the nature and composition of cleaning grades with regard
to their geographic and demographic composition. It would seem
opportune also to take into consideration the union's policy of
external recruitment with a view to also providing effective
representation of members employed by external employers. To this end
the Postal Executive is instructed to prepare and present a report
setting out viable options that shall form the basis of a
"Special Report" to annual or special conference no later
than annual conference 2003.
Add at end: except that any agreement on an IR Framework for cleaning
grades will include the facility for cross business representation.
Add at end: except that no agreement is given to any new
representational structure until such time as full consultations are
held with regional safety forums in keeping with amendment 281
carried at the special postal group conference on Shaping for
Competitive Success in 2000.
Add at end: except that no agreement is given to any new
representational structure until such time as full consultations are
held with regional safety forums in keeping with amendment 281
carried at the special postal group conference on Shaping for
Competitive Success in 2000.
Paragraph 9.24: Royal Mail cycles: Safety & policy
Add at end: except that an agreement be sought with Royal Mail for
all members performing a cycle delivery duty to be allowed time
within their duty to check their cycle before commencing on delivery.
Paragraph 9.25: Scale Payment Delivery Office (SPDOs)
Add at end: except that the Postal Executive shall now enter into
negotiations with the Post Office (Consignia) to secure an inter-business
procedure, which is effective in protecting our members. Currently
POCL agents can harass our members in the SPDOs and be beyond
internal reproach. The procedure must ensure our members have
adequate protection that provides equilibrium with all other
workplaces that are controlled by Royal Mail. Furthermore, formal
approach to the employer will be made as a matter of urgency, with
progress reports communicated to the national SPDO group and branches.
Paragraph 9.26: Service Provision at Easter
Add at end: except that an agreement shall be negotiated for future
Easter arrangements that includes Easter Saturday as a non service day.
Add at end: except on the event of deliveries not being reinstated on
Good Friday's the Postal Executive is instructed to secure an
agreement that a percentage of the savings made by Royal Mail will be
paid back to members each year.
Delete all after "That" and insert: any national agreement
reached on staffing for service provisions Easter 2003 and beyond,
must include the facility for members not to attend for duty, without
claw back of hours, if their duty is scheduled to start prior to
midnight or Maundy Thursday before Good Friday.
Paragraph 9.27: Uniform Review
Add at end: except that an agreement be sought with Royal Mail that
in the event of a member being forced to purchase their own footwear
due to a medical reasons, Royal Mail will fully reimburse them for
the cost of the foot wear.
Add at end: except that the Union will conduct its own survey of
members attitudes to uniform issues. The results of this survey will
then be used to assist the renegotiation of aspects of the national
agreement on uniforms.
Oral Supplementary report on TDS
Add at end: except that the national officers and Postal Executive is
instructed to ensure that any agreement reached on TDS is based on
maximisation of full time employment (irrespective of any
preconceptions of staffing formats based on the use of the 'Ready
Recknor' or 'Pegasus'), whilst still providing opportunity for
current part time members who genuinely do not wish to move to full
time employment to retain that status wherever possible. Further all
revision proposals will be subject to the normal IR Procedure.
Add at end: except that the Divisional Steering Group will consist of
at least one Area Distribution Rep and one Area Processing rep. The
final overall mix to be determined within each Division concerned.
Add at end: except that there will be nine CWU planners (one per
division) to work alongside the nine Divisional Steering Groups.
Add at end: except that a CWU Area Delivery Planner will be
established on the basis of full time release for the duration of the
TDS roll out programme.
Add at end: except that Conference agrees with the sentiments
expressed in paragraph 3.2 of the Special report on Delivery
Specification, namely:-
Whilst it was recognised it may be too early to examine any potential
issues in detail at that point in time, it was accepted that the
Project Integration Strand is essential from the outset of the
project to ensure that the issues are dealt with in a co-ordinated
manner across the whole operation, in conjunction with each other and
not in isolation.
On that basis Conference agrees that a full joint review of any final
agreed Delivery Specification will take place annually prior to
publication of the Annual Report to Conference.
Add at end: except that Conference agrees Starburst is an important
strand in the Delivery Specification negotiations. However, before
Starburst is accepted as a working practice the Postal Executive is
instructed to clarify and achieve a National Agreement on working
practices, which involve the use of the Starburst Working Method such
as -
Delivery and payment of Door to Door for Starburst Groups
This list is not exhaustive. Conference also agrees that there shall
be no roll out of Starburst nationally until such time as a national
agreement covering the issues highlighted above is achieved.
Add at end: except that no delivery revision will be introduced until:
All the equipment required is in place
Add at end: except that no agreement will be given to pouching out on
Starburst duties and all such duties will be constructed to finish at
the Delivery Unit
Add at end: except that the Union's future policy on election
material must be based on bringing all units/branches/divisions up to
the best agreements. To this end no agreement will be given which
conflicts with this policy or worsens existing agreements.
Add at end: except that any agreement to increase the current level
of Door to Door items delivered each week must include a commitment to:
1. An increase in the payment structure to start at a minimum
rate of 2p per item.
2. All door to Door traffic must be included in delivery
revision and in particular call rates and workload.
Add at end: except that private cars on delivery will cease on the
introduction of a new Delivery Specification into delivery offices.
The cessation of the use of private cars will be in line with the
jointly agreed phasing programme of introducing the new Delivery
Specification into delivery offices.
Add at end: except that any final agreement will be put to an
individual ballot of all members affected.
Add at end: except that if the employer attempts to introduce a four
hour delivery span by executive action, then the Postal Executive is
instructed to defend our position by all means necessary.
Add at end: except that the final agreement shall contain a Delivery
Specification that allows flexibility for local negotiations to
construct duty structures that reflect conditions within the said
Delivery Unit.
Add at end: except that current attendance times, part time and full
time mix of staff, and duty patterns in SPDOs will not be altered
within TDS, unless agreed locally as part of the final negotiated
agreement of the SPDO concerned.
Add at end: except that no proposed agreement on a new Delivery
Specification will involve a worsened quality of service by a later
time of delivery in rural areas.
Add at end: except that the total meal/tea break entitlement for
delivery members will be a total of sixty minutes in each hour
attendance as part of any benefits package.
Add at end: except that all SPDOs will receive at the outset any
benefits achieved as a result of an agreement on TDS.
Any enquiries regarding this BOB paragraph should be addressed to
Dave Ward, Outdoor Department, quoting reference 780.12.
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443 Use of Green Mailbags for the Despatch of
Special Delivery Items
Branches were advised in BOB No 28, Paragraph 380 of the
correspondence between Royal Mail and the Indoor Department in
reference to the above. A copy of the latest letter from Phil Browne
to Royal Mail has been reproduced below for your information.
"Dear Mr Ashton-Jones
Use of Green Mailbags for the Despatch of Special Delivery Items
Further to Martin's letter to you dated the 18th July 2002, I
requested from you a copy of your proposed team brief on this
subject, prior to it being circulated to your respective management
teams. Our records indicate that to date we have not yet received a
copy of the proposed brief. As the brief will more than likely
contain information on the operational and supply aspect of the
reintroduction of the green bags. I would have thought that the
timely involvement of the CWU at National level would have been
welcomed by the business on such an issue.
As Martin stated in his letter of the 18th July (copy enclosed), our
representatives were advised that we were awaiting a copy of the
brief to be provided by yourself for the union's comment, as
indicated in your letter of the 10th July.
It will be my intention to advise branches of this correspondence and
in addition further advise them that any approach to re-introduce the
green bag systems of despatch for special delivery items should be
processed in accordance with the Terms of the IR Framework Agreement
until such time as the union is satisfied with your proposal.
In conclusion, therefore I look forward to receiving a copy of your
brief in the very near future, and hopefully the union will then be
able to confirm that the content is acceptable to the union and
comment accordingly.
Yours sincerely
Phil Browne
A/Assistant Secretary "
To date there has been no reply from Royal Mail, therefore if
Branches/Representatives are approached in relation to this issue
then they should proceed in line with the terms detailed in the
above-mentioned correspondence.
All enquiries regarding the content of this paragraph should be
addressed to Martin Collins, Assistant Secretary Indoor Department,
quoting reference number L.630.10.
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Telecoms
444 NETWORK BUILD poling and overhead review
A copy of a Briefing being released today (21 August 2002) to all
Network Build people and which gives an update on the Poling/Overhead
Review was sent to Branches.
This issue will be the subject of discussion with management in the
latter part of September.
Brian Healy, Assistant Secretary
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445 BT Wholesale: Securing Our Future - Today
Branches were notified in BOB No.31, paragraph 418, of a campaign to
be rolled out by BT Wholesale Security in September.
Concerns were raised by a Branch regarding security issues of the
many contractors who now work unsupervised in BT Buildings.
Management have confirmed that BT Wholesale Security have shared the
scheme with the other Lines of Business (LOB) Heads of Security and
they will be meeting BT Retail this week to run through the scheme in
more detail. In addition, contractors who work within Wholesale will
be briefed as part of the rollout with the rest of their team.
Brian Healy, Assistant Secretary
Judy Griffiths, Assistant Secretary (C).