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WEEKLY INFORMATION FROM THE COMMUNICATION WORKERS UNION
SUMMARY

Volume 8 Issue 02. Paragraphs 23 - 38 17 January 2003

SUMMARY
GENERAL
23 National Discipline - Independent Review Body - Nominations
24 Health & Safety at Work Stage I Course
25 Health & Safety at Work Stage II Course
26 CWU Pay Handbook 2003
27 Financial Appeal for the Victims of Asbestos
28 Friction Dynamex
29 Institute of Employment Rights - Working Time Seminar - A Need for Better Regulation
30 Retired Members' Conference - 6 March 2003
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
31 CWU Lesbian and Gay Conference 2002
HEALTH AND SAFETY
No items this week
TELECOMS
32 Newgrid Half Hour Reduction - 36 Hour Week
FINANCIAL SERVICES
No items this week
POSTAL
33 Starting Post Training Trial
34 Royal Mail Service Delivery Reorganisation (Consultation)
35 Cycle Helmets & High Visibility Clothing Agreement
36 Proposed TPO Cessations - Transport Review
37 National Databank Maintenance Programme
38 Heathrow Worldwide Distribution Centre - International

ALL LETTERS TO BRANCHES ARE AVAILABLE IN ELECTRONIC VERSIONS UPON REQUEST TO THE BRANCH OFFICE AT cwunea@cwunea.org

LETTERS TO BRANCHES
LTB/6 SMT: Changes to Scheme (Ian Cuthbert)
LTB/7 MSFA Disagreements (John Keggie, DGS{P})
LTB/8 Watching the Watchers: Experiences of Remote Monitoring (Simon Sapper)
LTB/9 TDS Negotiations (Dave Ward)
LTB/10 Remote Sourcing: BT (Jeannie Drake (DGS{T})
LTB/11 RoMEC Ltd: Industrial Action Ballots (Ray Ellis)
LTB/12 Cycle Helmets & High Visibility Clothing Agreement (Dave Ward)
LTB/13 CHD: Pay, Terms and Conditions (Andy Furey)
LTB/14 NGCC Programme Phase & Announcement (Sally Bridge)
LTB/15 London Weighting/Recruitment and Retention (John Keggie, DGS{P})
LTB/16 Subscribe to the Institute of Employers (Billy Hayes, G.S.)
LTB/17 Transport Review (Terry Pullinger)
LTB/18 Ian Wingfield, Acting Political Officer (Billy Hayes, G.S.)

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GENERAL
23
National Discipline - Independent Review Body - Nominations
Annual Conference 2002 carried Proposition 121 to delete the then existing Rule 14 and replace with New Rule 14.
14.4 deals with the Independent Review Body and for ease of reference is reproduced in full:
14.4 Independent Review Body
1. There shall be the right of appeal against decisions of the National Discipline Committee to an Independent Review Body. In all cases of Appeal, the decision appealed against shall be suspended pending the hearing of the Appeal. An appeal against a decision of the National Discipline Committee can only be brought by a charged member.
2. The Independent Review Body shall consist of three members and an Independent Chair. There shall also be three named substitutes to replace the appropriate member of the Independent Review Body if they are not available.
3. The Committee shall be served by a Senior Officer appointed by the General Secretary.
4. The members of the Independent Review Body shall comprise one member elected by and from the Postal, Operator and Ancillary Constituency; one member elected by and from the Engineering and Postal Technical Services Constituency; and one member elected by and from the Clerical Constituency. The elections will be by the card vote procedure at Annual Conference.
5. The period of office of each member and substitute member of the Independent Review Body shall be 3 years.
6. The decision of the Independent Review Body shall be final and binding on the appellant and the Union.
7. The NEC shall prescribe Bye-laws regulating the procedure for the conduct of all cases before the Independent Review Body and may amend such Bye-laws from time to time.
There is a need to establish the review body, therefore, nominations are invited from branches on the following basis:
Postal Operator and Ancillary Constituency
1 member plus 1 substitute
Engineering and Postal Technical Services Constituency
1 member plus 1 substitute
Clerical Constituency
1 member plus 1 substitute
Nomination forms are available on request from the Organising Department. Completed nomination forms must be received at Headquarters by no later than first post 31 January 2003. If elections are necessary, a timetable will be published later.
Any enquiries on the election arrangements please direct to Steve Baguley, National Organising Secretary.
Any enquiries on the Independent Review Body please direct to Tony Kearns, Senior Deputy General Secretary.

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24
Health & Safety at Work Stage I Course
A Health and Safety at Work Course Stage I has been organised to be held at the Elstead Hotel, Bournemouth. This course will be fully accredited with the National Open College Network. This is a fully integrated course.
The course will be held from 24 - 28 February 2003
Application forms needs to be submitted as soon as possible
This course will be residential. The cost of tuition, food and accommodation will be met from the General Fund. Branches are expected to meet the cost of travelling and subsistence payments. Branches requiring financial assistance from the General Fund to enable them to send students to the course must submit the request with the nomination, to enable the Trustees to consider the request in time. Special leave with pay will apply.
Nominations should be made on the Application Form for Union Courses and returned to Alvescot Lodge. If a member is refused a place, due to oversubscription, then indicate this on a subsequent application for another date.
Application forms should be returned to: Trish Lavelle, Head of Education & Training, CWU Education & Training Centre, Alvescot Lodge, Alvescot, Bampton, Oxon OX18 2PY. Telephone: 01993 843373 Fax: 01993 840960; e-mail: maxine-cwueducation@btinternet.com

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25
Health & Safety at Work Stage II Course
A Health and Safety at Work Course Stage II has been organised to be held at the Elstead Hotel, Bournemouth. This course will be fully accredited with the National Open College Network. This is a fully integrated course.
The course will be held from 17 - 21 March 2003
Application forms needs to be submitted as soon as possible
This course will be residential. The cost of tuition, food and accommodation will be met from the General Fund. Branches are expected to meet the cost of travelling and subsistence payments. Branches requiring financial assistance from the General Fund to enable them to send students to the course must submit the request with the nomination, to enable the Trustees to consider the request in time. Special leave with pay will apply.
Nominations should be made on the Application Form for Union Courses and returned to Alvescot Lodge. If a member is refused a place, due to oversubscription, then indicate this on a subsequent application for another date.
Application forms should be returned to: Trish Lavelle, Head of Education & Training, CWU Education & Training Centre, Alvescot Lodge, Alvescot, Bampton, Oxon OX18 2PY. Telephone: 01993 843373 Fax: 01993 840960; e-mail: maxine-cwueducation@btinternet.com

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26
CWU Pay Handbook 2003
The CWU Research Department has produced a first draft of a Pay Handbook which aims to provide a concise guide to the basic pay and conditions of CWU members across the range of jobs and companies where they are currently employed. The handbook will be updated annually and published around February each year - providing a regular snapshot of members' basic pay and conditions of service.
The handbook details the basic pay rates of CWU members in around 40 separate bargaining units. These are listed alphabetically, although all the key bargaining units within the Royal Mail and BT Groups have been recorded under these two broad company headings. The rates of pay cited are the latest available to CWU Research. Clearly, it would not be possible to provide a complete list of all members' terms and conditions in a handbook of this sort. What we have tried to do is provide a guide to basic pay rates, the key allowances, the most recent pay award and basic hours and leave.
In preparing the draft, we have made every effort to ensure that the information is as accurate and up-to-date as possible. But to ensure that the information included in the handbook is factually accurate prior to publication, we have placed the contents on the members' section of the CWU website (www.cwu.org (Please direct any queries regarding access to the members' only section of the website to Abigail Lawrence-Jones, Web Editor, via alawrence-jones@cwu.org)). This gives you an opportunity to check the relevant section(s) and offer any corrections and/or amendments to Jeremy Baugh, Head of Research, by no later than 31 January 2003.

With your help, I am confident that we can make the Pay Handbook an accurate and indispensable guide to members' basic pay and conditions.
Thanks for your assistance.
Jeremy Baugh, Head of Research

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27
Financial Appeal for the Victims of Asbestos
The TUC is supporting an appeal from the Occupational and Environmental Diseases Association for funds to continue its work for the victims of asbestos-related diseases. OEDA needs to raise a further £17,000 this financial year. This year, five thousand people will die of exposure to asbestos. Victims and their families need help navigating the complexities of coroners' courts, the benefit system and insurers. Although Unions provide assistance with compensation cases, often people have to rely on advocates such as OEDA to help with benefit claims, inquests and background research. With financial support from trade unions, Nancy Tait and her small team at OEDA can provide that help to victims and their families.
Unfortunately, the London Borough Grants Authority which has provided funding for many years, has re-evaluated its grant giving criteria and have ended their funding this year and OEDA is turning to the other champions of asbestos victims, the trade union movement, for help.
Then TUC has made an initial contribution of £1,000 and Branches are asked to consider making a donation towards helping OEDA make a difference.
Donations should be made payable to OEDA and sent to OEDA, Mire House, 66 Abbey Road, Enfield, EN1 2QH
0208 360 6413.
Any enquiries on this BOB paragraph should be sent to the General Secretary's Department quoting the Reference GS 13.1

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28
Friction Dynamex
The TGWU members at Friction Dynamex in Caernarfon have won an historic victory in their dispute with the company. An Employment Tribunal ruled in November that the 87 workers were unfairly dismissed by their employer whilst undertaking lawful industrial action.
This is, of course, an important ruling both for the TGWU members at Friction Dynamex and for the wider labour movement. The Employment Tribunal decision reinforces the right of workers not to be dismissed for undertaking lawful industrial action and makes it more difficult for any employer seeking to dismiss workers during a strike.
To celebrate this victory the TGWU is holding a march and rally in Caernarfon on Saturday 25th January, assembling at 12.00 noon.
I do hope as many members as possible can join the TGWU at their celebrations in Caernarfon to mark the successful outcome of this dispute.
Any enquiries on the BOB Paragraph should be sent to the General Secretary's Department quoting the Reference GS 13.11.

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29
Institute of Employment Rights - Working Time Seminar - A Need for Better Regulation
The Institute of Employment Rights is holding a seminar on Working Time - The Need for Better Regulation on Wednesday 5th March at the NATFHE Centre, Britannia Street, London WC1 commencing at 1.30 p.m. and concluding at 4.30 p.m.
Branches will be aware that the Union is affiliated to the IER. CWU Headquarters will be represented at this Seminar. However, Branches may wish to send delegates at their own expense.
An application form will be despatched with the hard copy version which will be posted to Branches.
Any enquiries on this paragraph should be addressed to the General Secretary's Department.

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30
Retired Members' Conference - 6 March 2003
Motions
As you will be aware, the closing date for motions to this Conference is 10 February 2003. Branches are reminded that should they wish to submit motions to the Retired Members' Conference this should be done through the Regional Committees. Two motions will then be selected by each Region for submission to the agenda.
Delegates
As last year, delegate entitlement to this Conference is on the basis of four retired members per Region. Branches should therefore forward nominations for delegates names direct to their Regional Secretaries. The Conference will be held at head office.
Observers
There will be the potential for 25 observers to attend the conference, this number includes any Regional or Branch Secretaries who may wish to be present. Places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis taking into account regional representation and names should be submitted either by email to cmccudden@cwu.org or in writing to Carmel McCudden at head office no later than 10 February 2003. All observers should ensure they have their membership card with them in order to gain access to the Conference.
Simon Sapper, Officer, General Conference Standing Orders Committee

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EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
31
CWU Lesbian and Gay Conference 2002
Included with this BOB as Attachment G2* is a copy of the report issued to participants in the above Conference.
If you require a copy of the Living Wills document referred to please contact Alan Crisp on 020 8971 7205, by fax 020 8254 8511 or by email on acrisp@cwu.org.
Any enquiries on the above should be addressed to Michèle Emerson, Acting Assistant Secretary, quoting reference No. 1.30.25

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TELECOMS
32
Newgrid Half Hour Reduction - 36 Hour Week
The Union has been clarifying the proposals of how Wholesale Finance, Legal & Business Services, HR and Strategy units intend to manage the forthcoming reduction of the working week to 36 hours from 1 January 2003.
In summary, the main functions within Wholesale Finance, Legal and Business Services, HR and Strategy will operate the reductions as follows:
Former Clerical Grades
It is expected that all former clerical grades (outside of London) will continue to operate within their locally agreed flexible working hours agreement, which will be adjusted to take into account a working week of 36 hours.
Alarm Monitoring Centre - Shift Rota
Building upon last year, there will be quarterly periods introduced allowing the maximum of 8 hours accrued time to be carried over, with the remainder being taken, subject to personal and operational requirements. The time accrued is logged electronically with a record of the time taken and the outstanding amounts due.
Brian Healy
Assistant Secretary
Judy Griffiths
Assistant Secretary (C)

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POSTAL
33
Starting Post Training Trial
Reproduced below for the information of Branches/Representatives is a letter that was circulated to all Divisional Representatives advising them of developments associated with the above subject:
"20th December 2002
To: All Divisional Representatives
Dear Colleague
Starting Post Training Trial
Royal Mail Service Delivery trialled an updated standard induction course brief in October/November for all permanent and temporary recruits in the following postcode areas: LS, HG, WF, DN, S, HU, LN, BS, TA, BA, UB, KT, West and East London.
The aim of the induction training review was to firstly update the Starting Post Course and secondly to strip away the non-essential material that was being used so that more focus is given on the key information needed for the new entrant's role. The scheduling of classroom learning and supported "on the job training" will also ensure that the new entrants are brought into the workplace earlier.
Another key point of the trial is the introduction of separate tailored training courses for the three functions, which incorporate a greater use of practical exercises. The training hourage itself however, has not been reduced.
Whilst the aim of re-scheduling classroom training was considered to be a good idea and the trialling of the new arrangements had the Union's support, the issue of concern was that there needed to be full Union consultation and involvement during the trial.
Royal Mail Service Delivery's original intention was not to extend the trial and to roll it out nationally regardless of the results.
At a meeting on 2nd December 2002 it was agreed to run further trial courses in January, w/c 6th January and w/c 13th January, dependant on the number of new entrants coming in at this time and the Union has been given an assurance that there will be full involvement of the Area Representatives in all functions.
The revised brief is still to be delivered during the first week of induction training and there will still be the opportunity for the CWU to give a talk to new entrants as currently happens.
Delivery Training
The delivery classroom training will now be split between the first two days and the last day of the first week with practical training taking place on days three and four.
Distribution Training
Classroom training will only take place on the first and last day of the first week, reducing the classroom training by one day. Practical training taking place on days two, three and four.
Processing Training
Classroom training will take place on days one and two so like distribution, classroom training has been reduced by one day. Practical training taking place on days three, four and five apart from one hour at the end of days three and four and one hour at the beginning of day five, when they will return to the classroom for a review.
In respect of the timing of the training the Union has argued and it has been accepted that this should continue to follow the (9.00am to 5.00pm) office hours pattern unless there are exceptional circumstances to warrant a departure. In the same way as with all trials, it is essential that we obtain feedback in respect of the revised format to identify what improvements, if any, there are over the original training programme. We also need to determine whether the updated brief, which is being tested together with the training aids, proves to be effective in practice.
The trials to take place in the New Year are at the following locations:
6th and 13th January (Delivery) at Leeds Mail Centre
6th January (Processing) at Milton Keynes Mail Centre.
I would appreciate a report from you by the 21st January 2003 as, if successful, management are proposing full deployment to take place in February 2003. The trial will be overseen by Phil Browne, Executive Council and you should contact Phil if you have any difficulties.
Yours sincerely
Martin Collins, Assistant Secretary"
In addition to the two areas named in the letter, we have been advised that two further delivery offices will now be used in the pilots. These are Doncaster and Sheffield and the trial will commence in these offices in week commencing 13th January.
Branches/Representatives should note the content of the letter to the Divisional Representatives and further information regarding this issue will be circulated in due course. In the meantime Branches/Representatives should forward any comments they may have on the trial FAO Phil Browne, Postal Executive.
All enquiries regarding the content of the paragraph should be addressed to Martin Collins - Assistant Secretary, Indoor, quoting reference number L700.03(a)

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34
Royal Mail Service Delivery Reorganisation (Consultation)
Branches were advised in LTB number 558/02 dated 5th December 2002, of developments associated with the reorganisation that was taking place within Service Delivery.
Attached* to the this LTB was a letter sent to the DGS(P) by Mark Callanan, National Head of Personnel. In light of the content of this correspondence, and the impact on CWU clerical grades employed within Service Delivery, the following letter was sent to Royal Mail:-
"Mr M Callanan
National Head of Personnel, Royal Mail
35 Rathbone Place
London W1T 1HQ
Dear Mr Callanan
Royal Mail (Service Delivery) Reorganisation - Consultation
Thank you for your letter regarding the reorganisation of Royal Mail Group plc, involving various changes to the managerial structure, which has been passed to me for action as the officer responsible.
Unfortunately, we have some major concerns with regard to the affect on admin grades, as outlined in your letter, which need addressing before any further developments take place. Our concerns are as follows:

As a first step, I would suggest that you send us the more detailed information that we understand you now have and that we meet with you, Dale Haddon and/or David Gerrard as a matter of urgency.
Yours sincerely
Martin Collins, Assistant Secretary"
cc J Keggie, CWU DGS(P)
P Waker, CWU NEC
J Loftus, CWU NEC
D Haddon, Royal Mail
D Gerrard, Royal Mail
Branches should bring the content of this paragraph to the attention of the appropriate Unit/Area Representatives. In addition, it should be noted that no agreement should be given to any reduction in administration grade staffing levels attributed to reorganisation, until advised otherwise by CWU Headquarters. Your urgent co-operation with the above request would be appreciated.
All enquiries regarding the content of the above paragraph should be addressed to Martin Collins, Assistant Secretary - Indoor Department, quoting reference number L.400.05.

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35
Cycle Helmets & High Visibility Clothing Agreement
Annual Conference 2001 adopted the following policy in respect of the wearing of cycle helmets for Royal Mail Deliveries:-
Add at end: except that Conference recognises the change in attitude from Royal Mail Service Delivery with regards to the provision of cycle helmets for cycle delivery staff. The Postal Executive is instructed to ensure a Code of Practice, which will be subject to membership ratification, is agreed to encourage cycle delivery staff to wear cycle helmets. Furthermore after a period of one year after ratification of the code of practice it will be compulsory for all cycle delivery members to wear a cycle helmet which will be provided free of charge by employer whilst out on delivery.
Last year an agreement was reached on the introduction of cycle helmets in four delivery units and these trials proved to be successful. We have since been working to achieve the terms of this policy, firstly to get Royal Mail to accept that they should provide helmets for all cyclists and then to construct a suitable National Agreement/Code of Practice. Whilst, through the work of Dave Joyce in particular, we did get a decision to place an order for the supply of good quality helmets it has proved difficult to achieve acceptable terms for the code of practice.
However, at its January meeting, the Postal Executive Committee endorsed the terms of a National Agreement/Code of Practice for improving cycle safety by the introduction of cycle helmets and high visibility garments.
The Agreement is attached* to this BOB together with a letter from Royal Mail's Head of Safety and will be subject to a Branch ballot. It is anticipated that the closing date for the ballot will be 19th February 2003. It is planned that the Special Issue will be published on Thursday 16th January 2003. Branches should therefore make arrangements to consult the membership in time to return the ballot paper.
Any enquiries to Dave Ward's Dept. Ref. 310.01
Att: PE2

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36
Proposed TPO Cessations - Transport Review
Published as an attachment* to this paragraph for the information of all Branches/Representatives are 2 briefings that have been communicated to employees who are directly affected by the business proposal to cease 2 TPO groups. The briefing took place to TPO members on Monday 13th January 2003, following the formal notification to CWU HQ of the proposed cessation of the East Anglian, South East and the South Wales TPOs.
Branches/Representatives are further advised that a meeting of Senior Representatives from the TPOs and the Assistant Secretary, Indoor Dept., will be held on Friday 17th January 2003 to discuss in more detail the proposed cessation of these TPOs and further proposals in respect of the network as a whole.
Branches will be kept updated on all further developments in respect of this issue by the publication of further BOB paragraphs or LTBs as appropriate. It would be appreciated that in the meantime, Branches ensure that the CWU members affected by this announcement are made fully aware of the involvement of National CWU and their Senior Representatives in these developments.
All enquiries regarding the content of this paragraph should be addressed to Martin Collins, Assistant Secretary - Indoor Dept., quoting reference L.760.02
Att: PE3

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37
National Databank Maintenance Programme
Branches were advised in BOB number 39, dated 11th October 2002, of developments associated with the above subject, paragraph 550 referred.
Royal Mail have now written to the Union advising us that the initial activity undertaken had been unsuccessful in that the information that had been collected was statistically insufficient and that they would be restarting the programme early in the new year having ceased the study throughout the Christmas period (November/December).
I subsequently wrote to Royal Mail requesting that I be provided with further detail of the new study and the sites that were to be used. Reproduced below is the list of the study sites and the activity that will be undertaken.
Study activity will have now commenced in some of the locations but should be concluded by the end of February.

January 2003 Databank Maintenance Programme
Proj No Activity Study Sites
1 Hardy Wheeled Containers
2 63 Box Impact Flat Fittings
3 SOP- Seg Stamp Sort Posted Packets Shrewsbury, SEAMaC
4 160 Box IMPEX
5 200 Box LSM
6 40 Box IMP
7 Inward Bag Opening
7.1 Automated Bag Table Doncaster
7.2 Conventional Bag Table Bolton, Derby, Nottingham, Watford, Romford, Teeside
7.3 Containers - Mech Bag Opening Birmingham, Crewe, Exeter, Portsmouth, Southampton, Tyneside
7.4 Mailsort Bags Reading, Ipswich, Milton Keynes, Northampton, Stockport, Inverness, Aberdeen
8 48 Box Essex Flat Fitting
9 Addressograph York Labels
10 Simplified Sorting Croydon, Edinburgh, Bradford, Belfast, Bristol
10.1 Packets
10.2 Flats
10.3 Letters
11 Machine PV Review
11.1 Check studies against SOP including:
11.1a Hazard Box Checks LSM IMP
11.1b 1c in 2c Checks CFC IMP
11.2 Plan changes
11.3 Automation Doubles Detection
12 DBF Dressing
13 Seated Sorting - Impact Fittings
14 Addressograph Replacement
15 Oversize/Large packet sorting Liverpool, Oxford, Edinburgh, Glasgow
16 Tray Sorting
17 Outward Concentration MOR Packet Sort Peterborough, Bristol
18 Inward Concentration MOR Packet Sort Coventry, Wolverhampton, Peterborough
19 Dressing & Undressing of YORK Sleeved Containers Peterborough, Wolverhampton
20 Business Reply Computerisation - CA26

Branch Secretaries are requested to bring the content of this paragraph to the immediate attention of the appropriate area/unit representatives.
All enquiries regarding the content of this paragraph should be addressed to Martin Collins, Assistant Secretary - Indoor Dept., quoting reference L530.04.

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38
Heathrow Worldwide Distribution Centre - International
Branches will be aware that the new international centre at Langley is due to commence operations in the near future and in view of the fact that the office is fully automated each piece of kit needs to be commissioned in the normal way prior to going live. I have made it clear to the business that should they need to divert traffic for commissioning purposes from any International Office/Mail Centre, the local CWU should be consulted prior and the appropriate agreement to facilitate this, put in place.
Although management have agreed this, it has been brought to my attention that on occasions management have said the diversions have been agreed at national level, therefore there is no need for a local arrangement. Following my representations, I do not expect there will be any recurrence of this, but any branch that does experience difficulties as outlined should contact headquarters without delay.
All enquiries regarding the content of this paragraph should be addressed to Martin Collins, Assistant Secretary - Indoor Dept., quoting reference L640.20(o).

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