Volume 8 Issue 22. Paragraphs 291 - 304 13 June 2003
WEEKLY INFORMATION FROM THE COMMUNICATION WORKERS UNION
SUMMARY
GENERAL
291 Anti-Virus Precautions
292 Vacancy - CWU
Assistant Secretary: Postal Outdoor
293 E-Mail Use ("Netiquette")
294 Election of Royal Mail
Divisional Representative Substitute - North Wales/North West.
Election of Royal Mail Divisional Chair - Anglia - South Central
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
295 'Women's Talk' - June
2003 Edition
HEALTH AND SAFETY
296 European Health and
Safety Week 2003 - Dangerous Substances
TELECOMS
297 Telewest Broadband
Engineers Vote Yes! for Recognition
298 Organisational Realignment
299 Job Descriptions
300 Attendance Management
in Network Field Operations - Christmas/New Year
FINANCIAL SERVICES
No items this week
POSTAL
301 Transport Review
302 Annual Conference
Decisions (Indoor Department) Section 9
303 Christmas Arrangements
- Royal Mail Non-Service Days
304 Address Interpretation
- MDEC Image Processing Failures/ICS Bonus Scheme
LETTERS TO BRANCHES
LTB/313 EUREST//Accenture Service 2003 Pay Claim (Sally Bridge)
LTB/314 EUREST 02 Formal Union Recognition (Sally Bridge)
LTB/315 Ballots at Annual Conference (Billy Hayes, G.S.)
LTB/316 Frames Boundary Trial Proposals (Ian Cuthbert)
LTB/317 Service Agility: Project Astral (Ian Cuthbert)
LTB/318 Transport Review (Terry Pullinger)
LTB/319 National Officer/National Executive Council Elections
2003 (Billy Hayes, G.S.)
LTB/320 Vacancy: CWU Assistant Secretary Postal Outdoor (Billy
Hayes, G.S.)
LTB/321 CWU Remote Sourcing Campaign (Jeannie Drake, DGS{T})
LTB/322 BT Pay (Jeannie Drake, DGS{T})
LTB/323 CHD Track and Trace Enabling Agreement (Andy Furey)
LTB/324 CS Field Service: Pipeline (Ian Cuthbert)
LTB/325 Overpayments Royal Mail (John Keggie, DGS{P})
LTB/326 Annual Bonus Payments LA's Service Delivery (John
Keggie, DGS{P})
LTB/327 RoMEC Pay 2003: Final Offer (Ray Ellis)
LTB/328 Statement Required for Labour Relations Act (Tony
Kearns, Senior DGS)
LTB/329 RoMEC Cleaners' Pay and Associated Figures (Dave Ward)
LTB/330 Election of Royal Mail Div.Rep (Sub), North
Wales/North West (Steve Baguley)
LTB/331 Burnley By-Election (Billy Hayes, G.S.)
LTB/332 Title not available (DGS{P})
LTB/333 Rail Network (Terry Pullinger)
LTB/334 Death of Tom Jackson (Billy Hayes, G.S.)
LTB/335 Agency Best Practice 3: Maternity Leave (Sally Bridge)
LTB/336 Tom Jackson, Former General Secretary of UPW/UCW:
Funeral Arrangements (Billy Hayes, G.S.)
LTB/337 BT SCP/Transport Directorate (Simon Sapper)
LTB/338 TIC Conference: Proposition 106C (Simon Sapper)
LTB/339 BT Directory: Site Closure Extensions (Sally Bridge)
LTB/340 EUREST Pay 2003 (Sally Bridge)
LTB/341 O2 Pay Claim (Dave Johnson)
LTB/342 Vertex Pay: Ballot Timetable (Sally Bridge)
LTB/343 Xsansa Pay 2003 (Harry Williams)
LTB/344 Catering Arrangements in BT Buildings/EUREST (Sally Bridge)
GENERAL
291
Anti-Virus Precautions
We have been receiving a growing number of enquiries from Branches
about the need to ensure the security of our computers, software and
information. Our reliance on electronic communications is continually
increasing and it is absolutely vital that we all adopt good
practices when sending/receiving emails or accessing the Internet.
There are a number of Anti-Virus packages on the market so there is
no excuse for investing in some form of protection. For example, CWU
Headquarters uses the McAfee Viruscan package.
You may not wish to use the McAfee product but, in any event, it is
absolutely essential for the benefit of all of us that you do take
sufficient steps to ensure that viruses, when received, are not
distributed to other people's computers.
We must not underestimate the dangers posed by viruses. There are a
number of precautions that we can take to make sure that our machines
and the valuable information they contain are safe from attack.
A policy will shortly be published governing this area but, in the
meantime, here are some basic rules which, if followed, will not only
help protect your machines but will limit or prevent damage to
colleagues' machines.
Virus Detection and Prevention Tips
Do not open any files attached to an email from an unknown,
suspicious or untrustworthy source.
Phil Bowerman, Head of IT
Pbowerma@cwu.org
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292
Vacancy - CWU Assistant Secretary: Postal Outdoor
Due to the election of Dave Ward to the position of Deputy General
Secretary (Postal) a vacancy exists for the National Officer position
of CWU Assistant Secretary, Postal Outdoor.
The vacancy will be filled in accordance with the Regulations agreed
by the National Executive Council, which are attached to this notice
for your information. The regulations will also be published on the
CWU website.
The timetable for the election is as follows:
Nominations open:
9 June 2003
Nominations close:
1 July 2003 (first post)
Acceptance of nomination(midday)
& submission of election address
8 July 2003
Despatch ballot papers:
29 July 2003
Close of ballot:
19 August 2003 (first post)
Result declared:
21 August 2003
In accordance with the regulations nomination forms for the above
election will be despatched to all relevant branches.
Any enquiries regarding the ballot should be directed to Steve
Baguley, National Organising Secretary.
Election Regulations - Summer 2003
1.These regulations have been determined by the National Executive
Council in accordance with the Rules of the Union to govern the
election for the CWU Assistant Secretary - Postal Outdoor. The
election will take place in Summer 2003 and the successful candidates
will take up office in October 2003 for a period of five years.
2.Nominations open on 9 June 2003. The National Organising
Secretary will provide formal notice of when the election will take place.
3.All relevant Branches shall be sent a nomination form for these
elections. All Branch nominations must be agreed at properly
constituted Branch meetings. Each Branch shall return nomination
forms to the National Organising Secretary, CWU to arrive no later
than first post 1 July 2003. Nominations received after that
date will not be accepted. Each Branch shall be responsible for the
correct completion of the nomination form. Further copies of the
nomination form may be applied for from The National Organising Secretary.
4.Members who are nominated as a candidate will be sent a letter
confirming receipt of a nomination, and the appropriate forms to be
completed giving their biographical details and the election address
together with a copy of these Regulations. Acceptance of nomination
and completed forms for biographical details and the election
address, together with a recent photograph must be received by noon
on 8 July 2003 by the National Organising Secretary CWU, 150 The
Broadway, Wimbledon, London SW19 1RX. Any biographical details or
election addresses or photographs received after that date will not
be accepted.
5.Each candidate must receive the nomination of five Branches by the
close of the nomination period in order to be eligible for election.
Except for current officers, who were formerly NCU Officers, the five
nominations must include the nomination of the candidate's own Branch.
6.Only candidates will be entitled to contact the National Organising
Secretary during the nomination period and ask whether 5 Branches
have nominated them. Candidates will only be entitled to ask about
their own nominations.
7.The National Organising Secretary will receive the Branch
nominations each candidate will be entitled to choose which five
nominations are published. This list of nominations will also be
published with the personal statement/biography outlined in Rule 7.7.7.
8.The full list of all Branch nominations received will be published
in alphabetical order to all the unions Branches via a Letter to
Branches (LTB). Candidates shall undertake not to include the full
list of their nominating Branches in their election address, and the
National Organising Secretary may delete any list, which is included
in the election address.
9. Each candidate shall have the right to prepare an election address
of not more than 500 words and to submit a recent photograph. The
National Organising Secretary shall delete words in excess of 500.
The content of the election address is the responsibility of the
individual candidate and the Union will not be held responsible for
any defamatory or libellous statements contained in the address.
10. The election addresses and individual photographs for all
candidates will be published and distributed with the ballot papers
to all members. Other than Branch publicity restricted to the
membership of their individual Branch any other publicity or
canvassing such as handouts, posters etc. for any or all candidates
will be the responsibility of the individual candidate who shall fund
any such publicity.
11.The method of recommending support for candidates to its own
Branch members will be a matter for each Branch. No Branch officer or
other workplace representative shall have any responsibility for the
circulation of publicity for any candidate other than the candidate
recommended by the Branch. All material produced by a Branch must
include the name of the Branch and the printer's name and address
where appropriate.
12. The Independent Person, in accordance with all legislation,
designated as the printer of all ballot material is under instruction
to refer any request from a candidate or Branch to undertake printing
on their behalf, to the Independent Scrutineer and General Secretary.
Printing for a Branch, or candidate, can only be undertaken by the
Independent Person with the written authority of both the Independent
Scrutineer and the General Secretary.
13.Candidates may not use information held by the union on its
national records for workplace or home addresses for members for the
purposes of distributing any publicity material. Any complaint that a
member has used such information may be investigated by the
Independent Scrutineer, and if as a result, the complaint is upheld,
may take appropriate action in accordance with para.22 of these Regulations.
14.Voting will be by individual member by the marking of a ballot
paper by the member entitled to vote. The ballot will be fully postal
in accordance with current legislation.
15.Each member entitled to vote shall be allowed to do so without
interference, constraint or undue pressure, in secret, and so far as
is reasonably practicable, without incurring any direct cost to the member.
16.So far as is reasonably practicable, all members entitled to vote
will receive a ballot paper at the address notified in writing to the
CWU. The ballot papers will be dispatched, so far as is reasonably
practicable, from 29 July 2003. For votes to be valid, members
must mark the ballot paper in accordance with the instruction, and
return it sealed in the prepaid envelope provided to the address
nominated by the Independent Scrutineer and appearing on the envelope.
17.All members included in the Register maintained by the Union as at 31
June 2003 are entitled to vote. Whilst every effort will be made
so far as is reasonably practicable to ensure that each member will
receive a ballot paper through the post, the requirement of the
security of the ballot prevents the issue of a second ballot paper to
a member in any circumstance.
18.The last time for receipt of ballot papers at the address
nominated by the Scrutineer will be first post 19 August 2003.
Any ballot papers received after that time will not be counted.
19.Returned ballot papers will remain unopened in their envelopes
until the close of ballot. Two lay CWU members (who do not hold any
elected or appointed position) will be selected as Observers. The
Observers together with the National Organising Secretary will attend
the start of the count of the ballot papers. Their sole
responsibility will be to ensure that the envelops are unopened prior
to the commencement of the count, after which the Scrutineer shall
arrange to count the number of valid votes cast for each candidate.
The Scrutineer will declare the results of the election on 21
August 2003 or as soon as possible thereafter.
20.The CWU is committed to free and democratic elections and will
actively oppose racism and sexism and all forms of discrimination
based on race, creed, religion, age, disability, sex or sexual
orientation in industry, the Union and Society. Members and
candidates must not behave in a discriminatory manner or circulate
any material that may be offensive to any other member or candidate.
21.No full-time officer of the Union as defined under the rules,
shall publicly endorse, at any official Union organised meeting or
conference or in writing, any candidate for election.
22.A member, candidate or Branch may make a complaint regarding the
ballot on the grounds that there has been a breach of Union Rules or
of these Regulations. The complaint must be submitted in writing to
the Independent Scrutineer no later than four weeks of the
declaration of the results. The Scrutineer shall investigate the
complaint, and if as a result, the complaint is upheld may declare
the election void or the election of any particular person void or
any appropriate candidate disqualified. In addition they may
invalidate any vote or any number of votes previously counted, or
include any vote or any number of votes not previously counted and
thereby re-determine the results of the election. The decision of the
Scrutineer shall be final and binding.
23.These Regulations shall be distributed to all Branches in advance
of the nomination process for the purpose of being brought to the
attention of the membership. The Regulations shall be sent to each
candidate on receipt of their nomination, and to any other individual
member who applies to either the Union or to Electoral Reform (Ballot
Services) Limited.
24.Any matter not covered by the Rules of the CWU, or by decision of
the NEC prior to the ballot, shall be determined by the Scrutineer in
the light of the prevailing practice of the former NCU or UCW, as may
be relevant to the constituency involving the complaint.
25.The Scrutineer appointed in accordance with the Trade Union and
Labour Relations Act 1992, as amended, shall be Electoral Reform
(Ballot Services) Limited Independence House 33 Clarendon Road London
N8 ONW. In addition to carrying out duties in accordance with the
Act, the Scrutineer shall make whatever enquiries or investigations
they consider appropriate in order to ensure that, as far as
possible, the ballot has been carried out in accordance with these
Regulations. The decision of the Scrutineer on any matter in these
Regulations shall be final.
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293
E-Mail Use ("Netiquette")
As we rely more and more on the use of email and the Internet, so it
becomes increasingly important that we adopt some ground rules to
ensure that we behave properly towards others in the electronic "community".
The following CWU "netiquette" has been produced for the
benefit of us all.
Should I send an email?
when considering the use of email, ask yourself
Preparing an email
all emails should have a clear subject title in the header - not some
obscure minute number, or file reference number, from a sub committee
that no-one's interested in
Replies
replies should be to the sender wherever possible - not the rest of
the world
Group Mailing
group mailing should be used judiciously
And remember
Never, never, never give out private information (your password, your
address, your phone number etc.) to strangers on the Net.
Phil Bowerman, Head of IT
CWU Headquarters
Pbowerma@cwu.org
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294
Election of Royal Mail Divisional Representative Substitute -
North Wales/North West
Election of Royal Mail Divisional Chair - Anglia - South Central
Please note that at the close of nominations on 30th May 2003 the
following nominations were received:-
1.Royal Mail Divisional Representative Substitute - North
Wales/North West
Des Carney Oldham & Rochdale Amal
Ballot
Tony Williams - Merseyside Amal
Ballot
Steve Wright - Cheshire No.1 Amal
Ballot
2.Royal Mail Divisional Chair Anglia
Adam Oakes - Eastern No.5 Branch Elected
South Central
Terry Jackson - South East No.5 Branch Elected
The timetable for the elections is:
Ballot papers despatch
13 June 2003
Ballot close
27 June 2003 (first post)
Any enquiries in regards to the elections should be directed to Steve
Baguley, National Organising Secretary.
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EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
295
'Women's Talk' - June 2003 Edition
Included with this Briefing is the latest edition of 'Women's Talk',
the Women's Advisory Committee magazine. Further copies can be
ordered from the Equal Opportunities Department by phone, post or by
email to: (dgittens@cwu.org).
Any enquiries on the above should be addressed to Michèle
Emerson, Assistant Secretary, quoting reference No.1.50.4.
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HEALTH AND SAFETY
296
European Health and Safety Week 2003 - Dangerous Substances
Branch Officials Bulletin 667 issued on 6th December 2002 detailed
future themes for European Health and Safety week. The Health and
Safety Department is reminding Branches that European Health and
Safety Week 2003 runs in Britain from the 13-19 October. The CWU has
campaigned over the years to make European Health and Safety week a
focal point for its Health and Safety Representatives.
The week is run by the European Agency for Safety and Health and in
Great Britain by the Health and Safety Executive. The theme for the
week in will be 'dangerous substances' and details can be found at
the EU Agency Web Pages: www.agency.osha.eu.int/news/press_releases/en/30_11_2002/index.htm
In Britain the Health and Safety Executive's European Week for Safety
Web Page can be found at www.hse.gov.uk/euroweek/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.
The TUC have a good site on: www.tuc.org.uk/h_and_s/index.cfm?mins=297
Can I ask Safety Reps, 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 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 Dave Joyce,
Assistant Secretary, quoting reference M2.
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TELECOMS
297
Telewest Broadband Engineers Vote Yes! for Recognition
Voting papers distributed 1175
YES votes 631(96.5% of vote)
NO votes 23(3.5% of vote)
Invalid papers 1
% Turnout 55.7%
Last year, following representations from our field technician
members, the union formally submitted a claim for union recognition
in the field operations bargaining unit in Consumer Division.
Discussions between the union and the company proceeded in a mature
and constructive basis, although there were clearly some difficult
areas for both parties. Significantly, the company agreed to enter
into a voluntary process with the intention of fully consulting the
Broadband Engineers (BBEs) in a secret ballot. It was therefore
jointly agreed that the independent Electoral Reform Services would
conduct a confidential ballot of BBEs.
Thanks to the support and activity of our many members within the
company, we are very pleased to let you know that the ballot resulted
in a very large majority in favour of recognition. The General
Secretary and the union's National Executive Council wish to thank
all of our Telewest members, both within and outwith the bargaining
unit, for their support and encouragement throughout this period.
At all stages union members have been mindful of the difficult period
that the industry has been going through, and on two occasions the
union agreed to defer ballot timescales in order to assist the
company meet its challenges of internal reorganisation and financial
restructuring. We believe that it was important to a build
co-operative relationship and to work in a manner that was positive
and harmonious.
Now that the ballot is over the union will be working with the
company to conclude the recognition agreement, to hold fresh
elections for union representatives in the company, and to design and
deliver a joint training programme for union reps in the bargaining
unit. It is expected that this will take place over the summer
period, with the intention of the new arrangements coming into
operation in early September.
In the interim period, all major collective issues will be handled by
Brian Healy, the Union's national negotiating officer with special
responsibility for Telewest. In discussing the interim arrangements
with the company, the union has made it clear that it will not seek
to alter those issues that have already been the subject of current
and recent consultation, e.g., the pay and reward review where the
existing elected staff consultative representatives have put in hard
work and commitment. It will be our intention to work towards a
smooth and seamless transition from ad hoc collective consultation
processes to the new processes that will develop with recognition.
Meanwhile the union's organising team will be assisting Brian Healy
with the election and training issues, as well as helping our new
reps and activists with developing union building skills.
Telewest BBEs deliver a first class broadband product that is
acknowledged to be a market leader. Their skills are critical for the
future commercial success of the company and stable long term
employment for its staff. Good management, excellent communications,
and a harmonious working environment are necessary components for
success in a highly competitive market. The union will be working
with the company to positively develop these objectives as well as
the skills and potential of its people.
Union colleagues in other parts of the company will join with us in
wishing our BBE members every success with collective recognition.
Those members, not least our copper maintenance colleagues who were
transferred to networks just before the ballot, have also expressed
the view that they too wish to covered by a collective agreement for
trade union recognition. We will be working with members in those
areas, but, with limited resource, it is fair to say that our
priority for the remainder of this year will be to settle in the new
agreement and to assist in making a smooth transition within the
field operations bargaining unit.
Success breeds success, and we want to demonstrate that recognition
for the BBEs will bring benefits for both the staff and the company.
Once achieved, we believe that there should be a marvellous case for
looking to fresh bargaining units. But our ability to pursue new
recognition agreements will depend on two questions:
Are there enough union members to justify recognition?
The answers to those questions rest with us all.
In order to build upon this excellent result, Brian Healy and the
telecom organising team will wish to work with our branches and
Telewest members in seeking to regularise the existing site-based
organising teams into formal local sections that will be tasked with
dealing with members' issues and extending the membership base, both
within field operations and other parts of the company.
Any queries should be addressed to the Telecom Recruitment Officer,
Donald MacDonald.
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298
Organisational Realignment
I attach for the information of Branches a copy of an Organisational
Realignment Briefing Note published by Wholesale which is self-explanatory.
Brian Healy, Assistant Secretary
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299
Job Descriptions
Branches were advised in Branch Officials Bulletin No.1/2003
paragraph 17 of the aims and objectives in discussing and agreeing
the separation of the single power job description into three
separate ones.
Attached for the information of Branches are the final and agreed job
descriptions, this also discharges in part Proposition 37, passed at
Annual Conference 2002.
Brian Healy, Assistant Secretary
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300
Attendance Management in Network Field Operations - Christmas/New Year
Branches were advised in Branch Officials Bulletin No.5, paragraph 72
of the intent to roll-out nationally a process of the booking of
guaranteed leave over the Christmas and New Year. The Union sought
clarification as to how the system will be used and as to whether it
is fair and transparent. The process which has already been in use
for sometime within NLG7 is as follows.
Maximum absence will be initially set at 35% for the 2-week period
covering Christmas and New Year. This is in line with national
standards agreed by each T3 patch and equates to one third of
resource being absent.
As the period in question comes near and subject to work volumes, the
percentage of resource that may be allowed leave may be increased.
Brian Healy, Assistant Secretary
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POSTAL
301
Transport Review
Reproduced below for the information of branches/representatives is
LTB No.318/03 circulated to branches 28th May 2003. Branches should
note that the following changes have been made to the representatives
involved in Strands 1 and 4:
Ernie Jackson Merseyside Amal is now on Strand 4
Unfortunately it was not possible to convene a meeting at Annual
Conference to discuss the Strands with the nominated representatives.
Meetings will however be convened in the very near future to discuss
the role the representatives will be taking and seeking their input
into the separate terms of reference for the strands.
"To all Branches with Postal Members, CWU Divisional Postal
Reps, Regional Organisers
Dear Colleague
Transport Review
Further to LTB 279/03 that advised of the conclusion of the Enabling
Agreement and its ratification by the Postal Executive, you will
recall that contained within that agreement was an agreement to
formulate 5 Strands to deal with the separate aspects of the
Transport Review proposals and the effects on the CWU represented
grades. LTB 17/03 requested that individuals wishing to be considered
for involvement in these Strand activities should write to the
relevant Headquarters department expressing their interest. Now that
agreement has been reached, the representative to be involved in
these Strands has now been completed and are as follows:
NDN Revised Network - Strand 1
John O'Donnell,
Glasgow & District Amal
Mick Whiting, Hull & East Riding
Dave Hutchinson, Leeds No.1 Amal
Steve Wright, Chershire No.1
Ernie Jackson, Merseyside Amal
Lenny Callaghan,
Greater Manchester Amal
Steve Clarke, Eastern No.5
Brian Jefferies, Oxfordshire Postal
Alan Smith, West London Postal
Peter Longhurst,
Croydon & Sutton Amal
Midland Hub - Strand 2
Paul Kennedy, Divisional Rep
Mick Kavenagh, Divisional Rep
Tom O'Reilly,
Northamptonshire Amal
South East Plan - Strand 3
Tom Walker,
Northern Home Counties Amal
Brendan Bond, Essex Amal
Steve Hawthorne, Kent Invicta
Keith Smith,
Rail Stations & Transport Amal
Air/Rail Plan - Strand 4
Paul O'Donnell,
Rail Stations & Transport Amal
Davie Robertson, Glasgow Amal
Graham Barr,
North West Central Amal
TPO Closure - Strand 5
Roy Dixie,
Rail & Stations Amal
Paul O'Donnell,
Rail & Stations Amal
Lenny Crook,
North Lancs & Cumbria
Chris Elliott,
Plymouth & East Cornwall Amal.
It is hoped that a meeting will be arranged, perhaps on site at
Annual Conference to discuss the Strands with the representatives
involved with a view to setting up meeting in the near future. At
these meetings we will also discuss the role the representatives will
be taking and seeking their input into this separate Terms of
Reference that will cover the specific Strands that have been agreed.
Further information will of course be given once any further
information is known, however in the meantime any enquiries regarding
the contents of this LTB should be addressed to Terry Pullinger,
Assistant Secretary, Packages & Express/Logistics quoting
reference LS24 or Martin Collins, Assistant Secretary, Indoor,
quoting reference L600.07.
Yours sincerely
Terry Pullinger
Assistant Secretary
Martin Collins
Assistant Secretary"
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302
Annual Conference Decisions (Indoor Department) Section 9
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 Indoor Department in this
year's Annual Report. Subsequent negotiations will now progress
taking into account the policies adopted at Conference.
MOTIONS
Section 9
Category A
9.1
Conference agrees that the union at every level, using the IR
Framework Agreement, should challenge Royal Mail Service Delivery's
continued abuse of temporary contracts running beyond two years,
where no very exceptional circumstances exist. Branches should send a
full breakdown of all cases to CWU HQ to address the extent of the
problem and allow for the information to form part of a CWU campaign
to raise the profile on such cases. These findings should allow for
the union to open immediate negotiations with the employer based
around the temporary contract agreement signed in 1994 and where
management fail to recognise this agreement the consideration for the
ballot under National Rule 13 should be considered.
The Postal Executive is instructed accordingly.
BOOKROOM REVIEW
Para 9.5
Category A
Add at end:
except that any final agreement on the Bookroom review will be based
on the following policies:
The removal of any reference to role play in the selection process.
Composite Amendment 9B
Para.9.5
Category A
Add at end:
except that any final agreement must include the facility to allocate
overtime of scheduled attendance as agreed locally which conforms to
the fair allocation procedures.
Para.9.5
Category A
Add at end:
except that the practice of advising reserve duty staff of the duty
to be performed on return from annual leave, sick leave, etc. should
be standardised in all units.
SIMPLIFIED SORTING
Composite Amendment 9C
Para 9.6
Category A
Add at end:
except that any office who are in a situation of surplus, whether
unresolved or not, irrespective of where that surplus is, i.e.
different functions etc., and whose overall office hourage is due to
reduce under SISO will be removed from the phasing programme and will
be part of local, divisional and national review every three months.
ROYAL MAIL: INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE STANARDS
The following two amendments to be taken as one:
Para. 9.7
Category A
Add at end:
except that the Postal Executive is instructed to ensure that this
agreement does not allow a member to be placed on the NCI Procedure,
if they have successfully accomplished the appropriate performance
standard(s) relevant to their normal duty, as detailed in the
national roll-out project.
Para.9.7
Category A
Add at end:
except that part of the National Joint Review well be to establish
any real reduction in "close supervision" office by office
as this is a key measure of a successful implementation.
WEEKEND CONCENTRATION
Composite Amendment 9F
Para.9.11
Category A
Add at end:
except that weekend concentration cannot simply be seen in isolation
but has to be dealt with in wider context of downsizing Mail Centres.
Therefore new provision to be negotiated as a matter of urgency into
the framework based on the following:
The right of offices to refuse to concentrate based on the social and
economic impact on employment levels resulting from other changes
occurring across all areas/functions of the business.
This list is not exhaustive.
Composite Amendment 9G
Para.9.11
Category A
Add at end:
except that no agreement is given to weekend concentrations until it
is agreed that the terms of the MTSF agreement are applied.
DEUTSCHE POST MAIL STANDARD PRODUCT TRIAL - DOWNSTREAM ACCESS
Composite Amendment 9I
Para.9.12
Category A
Add at end:
except that at all stages of the trials or any future trials or
roll-outs the effect of universal service obligation will be closely
monitored so as to ensure that it is not compromised at any time.
FLAT AUTOMATION PROJECT
The following two amendments to be taken as one:
Para.9.15
Category A
Add at end:
except that Flat sorting technology cannot simply be seen in
isolation but has to be dealt within the wider context of downsizing
Mail Centres. Therefore, any agreement must adhere to the following principles:
The right of offices to refuse to concentrate based on the social and
economic impact on present/future employment levels resulting from
other changes occurring across all areas/functions of the business.
This list is not exhaustive.
Para.9.15
Category A
Add at end:
except that due to the introduction of the proof of concept, Flats
Sorting Machines at Wolverhampton Mail Centre, the business must
provide adequate and quality technical training, as these machines
are about to go live at Wolverhampton and HWDC.
The training needs to be built up in a similar way to our past
automation training, giving a full understanding of mechanical,
electrical and electronic operation and control, then delivered to
our engineers in a timely manner.
ROYAL MAIL: TRAINING PARTNERSHIP
Para 9.17
Category A
Add at end:
and that recognition of learning representatives will be pursued as a
matter of urgency to bring Royal Mail's training policy in line with
the 2002 Employment Act.
All enquiries regarding the content of the above paragraph should be
addressed to Martin Collins, Assistant Secretary quoting reference L.760.03.
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303
Christmas Arrangements - Royal Mail Non-Service Days
In BOB No 11, Paragraph 146, we printed correspondence between Ian
Bond (Royal Mail) and assistant secretary Dave Ward regarding
Christmas non-service days. We should have also included a reply from
Dave, which is now printed below. The BOB apologies for any
inconvenience or misunderstanding caused.
Further to BOB No.11, Paragraph 146, the following further
correspondence has taken place concerning management's view that
services are required on Saturday 27th December:-
22 April 2003
Dave Ward, CWU
Dear Mr Ward
Christmas Non-Service Days
Thank you for you letter of 3rd April.
The period for which you offered dates in your earlier letter was of
course the week of our extended TDS negotiations at the CWU's hotel
in Bournemouth. Since you and I were staying away there together, I
took it as read that this period was not available for us to meet on
other subjects, but apologise if you were expecting me to confirm
this in writing.
As I said in my earlier letter, if the business is unable to operate
non-service days under our license then clearly we do not need a
policy to cover non-service day arrangements. In these circumstances
there is no longer any need for us to review any implementation
concerns the CWU might have arising from the existing National Agreement.
You are of course correct that the business could potentially decide
to make representations to Postcomm for an exception to be made.
There is however no guarantee that this would be granted. If we were
to present a convincing case for such an exception, the business
would need to show how this could be to the overall benefit of our
customers, and within this to demonstrate that there would be
significant financial savings. As a precursor to any such decision,
we would need to review the currently agreed position to ensure that
it maximises the financial benefit involved, and would need CWU
support for an approach on this basis.
If CWU is willing to consider how a proposal could be put together
along the lines I have suggested above then please let me know.
Yours sincerely
Ian Bond
29th April 2003
Ian Bond
Royal Mail
Dear Mr Bond
Non-Service Days
Thank you for your letter of 22nd April.
I note your comments about the need for a case to be made to Postcomm
and we would be prepared to jointly consider how this could best be
done in a way which would be for the benefit of the business, our
members and the customers. To that end we would again offer dates for
us to meet as follows:-
Tuesday, 13th May @ 11am
Wednesday, 14th May @ 2pm
Tuesday, 20th May @ 11am
It would also be helpful if you could provide in advance of that
meeting what the business would expect to collect, despatch and
deliver on Saturday, 27th December and the estimate of costs which
are likely to arise from the provision of those services in terms of
staff and non staff expenditure.
Yours sincerely
Dave Ward, Assistant Secretary
cc Martin Collins, Assistant Secretary, Indoor Department
Any enquiries to Dave Ward's Department, reference 170.
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304
Address Interpretation - MDEC Image Processing Failures/ICS Bonus Scheme
Following enquiries from representatives regarding the temporary
changes that have been introduced to Automated Mail Handling
Equipment, i.e. MTTs, etc. as a result of throughput failures in the
MDEC Network.
Further representations have been made to Royal Mail UK to put
forward our view that AI difficulties should not affect Mail Centre
ICS Schemes. The Business have now written to the Union confirming
that any failure by the MDECs to key out images on time resulting in
additional workload/quality of service failures at Mail Centres will
be excluded from ICS calculations. All failures will be logged
against codes 2N and 2O as detailed in Mail Centre Daily Reports
(MCDR), the definition of these codes are detailed below:
2N AI - failure to key out images on time
The position in relation to the temporary exemption will cease as
soon as the situation at the MDECs has been rectified, which it is
hoped will be within the next six months.
All enquiries regarding the content of this paragraph should be
addressed to Martin Collins, Assistant Secretary Indoor Department,
quoting reference number L.685.21(a).