WEEKLY INFORMATION FROM THE COMMUNICATION WORKERS UNION SUMMARY
Volume 8 Issue 37. Paragraphs 525 - 538 26 September 2003
SUMMARY
GENERAL
525 Headquarters Printing
and Reprographic Services
526 Health & Safety at
Work Stage II Course(A)
527 Union Skills II Course
528 Union Learning
Representatives Course
529 Health & Safety at
Work Stage II Course (B)
530 CWU 2004 Diary
531 Health & Safety at
Work Stage II Course (C)
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
532 Equality Leaflets
HEALTH AND SAFETY
533 Royal Mail Group Plc -
Introduction of New Accident Book Report Forms - Withdrawal of
Accident Notification to Safety Representatives
TELECOMS
534 Telewest - Dignity at Work
535 BT Wholesale -
Freezing Enabled Teams
536 Telewest - Disturbance
Allowance Policy
537 Accenture HR Services
- Career Model
FINANCIAL SERVICES
No items this week
POSTAL
538 Endorsement on Driving Licences
LETTERS TO BRANCHES
LTB/564 Trade Dispute with Royal Mail UK/Logistics
Distribution Services (National Pay Claim 2003), Including all
Matters Arising out of and in Consequence of That Dispute (Billy
Hayes, G.S.)
LTB/565 Trade Dispute with Royal Mail UK/Logistics -
Commercial Operations and Distribution Services/Quadrant Catering
Limited (London Weighting Allowance), Including all Matters Arising
out of and in Consequence of That Dispute (Billy Hayes, G.S.)
LTB/566 Royal Mail National Pay and London Weighting
Industrial Action Ballot - CWU Press Release (Billy Hayes, G.S.)
LTB/567 Residential Review Consultation (Trish Lavelle)
LTB/568 Trade Dispute with Post Office - London Weighting
(Billy Hayes, G.S.)
LTB/569 Trade Dispute with Parcelforce - London Weighting
(Billy Hayes, G.S.)
LTB/570 Trade Dispute with Romec - London Weighing (Billy
Hayes, G.S.)
LTB/571 Royal Mail Pay and major change (Dave Ward, DGS{P} Elect)
LTB/572 Pay and Major Change - Follow up LTB (Dave Ward,
DGS{P} Elect)
LTB/573 Current Delivery Issues Ref 535.25 (Bob Gibson)
LTB/574 National Briefing Saturday 27th September (Dave Ward,
DGS{P} Elect)
LTB/575 Pay and major change (Dave Ward, DGS{P} Elect)
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GENERAL
525
Headquarters Printing and Reprographic Services
Branches and Representatives will wish to know that CWU Headquarters
have recently acquired new reprographics equipment. The purpose of
broadcasting this information is to inform you that we are now able
to offer a print service to branches that we believe will be within a
price range that you will find competitive.
Amongst the services we can provide are colour or black & white
posters, leaflets, booklets etc. It is not possible to produce a
price list as prices will vary dependent on each individual job based
on quantity, timescale, delivery requirements etc. If you would like
more information about this service or wish to receive a quote for a
particular piece of work then please ring or email Jacquie Winter,
Acting Head of Post & Reprographics. 020 8971 7218
jwinter@cwu.org.
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526
Health & Safety at Work Stage II Course(A)
A Health and Safety at Work Course Stage II has been organised to be
held at the Education and Training Centre at Alvescot Lodge. All
courses held at Alvescot Lodge are accredited with the National Open
College Network. This is a fully integrated course.
The course will be held from 12 - 16 January 2004
The closing date for nominations is 4 December 2003
Applicants for this course will have already attended the Union's
Health & Safety Stage I course.
We particularly encourage branches to nominate women, ethnic
minorities, people with disabilities and young members who are often
under-represented on the CWU Education and Training Programme.
All courses at Alvescot are 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.
The Education Centre can offer child-minding facilities for a maximum
of three under school age children at any one time. If any applicant
from your branch would like child-minding facilities, can you please
advise the age and sex of the child on the application form. Further
information on the child-minding arrangements will then be sent to
the successful applicants.
Nominations should be made on an 'application for Union courses' form
and returned to Alvescot Lodge by the closing date shown. If a member
is refused a place, due to oversubscription, then indicate this on a
subsequent application for another date.
Application forms should be addressed to: Trish Lavelle, Head of
Education & Training, CWU Education & Training Centre,
Alvescot Lodge, Alvescot, Bampton, Oxon OX18 2PY. Telephone: 01993
843373; Fax: 01993 840960 email: maxine-cwueducation@btinternet.com
527
Union Skills II Course
The Communication Workers Union has organised a Union Skills II
Course, to be held at the Union's Education & Training Centre at
Alvescot Lodge. All courses held at Alvescot Lodge are accredited
with the National Open College Network. This is a fully integrated course.
The course will be held from 19 - 23 January 2004
The closing date for nominations is 11 December 2003
Only members who have attended a Union Skills I course are eligible
for nomination. Preference, will of course, be given to those
students who have been refused a previous Union Skills II Course, so
this must be shown on the application form. We particularly encourage
branches to nominate women, ethnic minorities, people with
disabilities and young members who are often under-represented on the
CWU Education and Training Programme.
All courses at Alvescot are residential. The cost of tuition, food
and accommodation will be met from the General Fund. Ex-NCU Branches
are required 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.
The Education Centre can offer child-minding facilities for a maximum
of three under school age children at any one time. If any applicant
from your branch would like child-minding facilities, can you please
advise the age and sex of the child on the application form. Further
information on the child-minding arrangements will then be sent to
successful applicants.
Those nominees who are Committee Members, Branch Representatives or
Branch Officers are entitled to leave with pay. Please indicate
whether the applicant is employed in BT, Posts or Girobank.
Nominations should be made on the form for Education Courses, and
returned to Alvescot Lodge by the closing date shown. If you nominate
more than one member (a maximum of two please), indicate the order of
preference if necessary and please apply for only one course at a
time. If a member is refused a place, due to oversubscription, then
indicate this on a subsequent application for another date.
Application forms should be addressed to: Trish Lavelle, Head of
Education & Training, CWU Education & Training Centre,
Alvescot Lodge, Alvescot, Bampton, Oxon OX18 2PY. Telephone: 01993
843373; Fax: 01993 840960; email: maxine-cwueducation@btinternet.com
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528
Union Learning Representatives Course
The Communication Workers Union have organised a Union Learning
Representatives Courses, to be held at the Union's Education Centre
at Alvescot Lodge.
The courses will be held from 26 - 30 January 2004
The closing date for nominations is 16 December 2003
We particularly encourage branches to nominate women, ethnic
minorities, people with disabilities and young members who are often
under-represented on the CWU Education and Training Programme.
The Moser report - Improving Literacy And Numeracy: A Fresh Start,
made clear that over seven million people have difficulties with
either literacy or numeracy. Currently, 250,000 are in study
programmes. The Labour Government's task is to double this figure by
2002. At the time of writing only 0.2% of learners improving their
basic skills are learning through work.
Trade Unions have always been committed to training and up-skilling
the workforce. New Government strategies have ensured that union's
play a leading role in opening up and promoting learning
opportunities for members and their families. The CWU has already
obtained funding for several projects including Learning Centres at
Preston (Open 2 All), Fujitsu Birmingham and BT Northern Ireland,
Liverpool, Birmingham, Coventry, Southampton, Dorset, York, Truro,
Gloucester, London, Aylesbury, North Wales, and South Wales. Other
Branches have indicated to me their intention to become involved with
work place based learning centres. CWU bids for funding are
co-ordinated by the Union's Head of Education & Training, Trish Lavelle.
The second and perhaps most important strand of the Government/TUC
policy is the creation of Union Learning Reps. Making sure that our
members who, for whatever reason missed out previously, have the
chance to make a fresh start is a priority for the CWU.
Trade Union Learning Reps can play a key role in bringing learning to
the work place. CWU members trust our reps and will be prepared to
confide in them. Learning Reps will deal sensitively with individuals
who are embarrassed about wanting to improve their basic skills. Only
the unions can work effectively with employers and education
providers on the Basic Skills Agenda.
What is Basic Skills?
In short Basic Skills is the ability to read, write and speak in
English and use mathematics at a level necessary to function and
progress at work and in society. The union has found that combining
'basic skills' learning with computer applications is the best
methodology. Learners can also be offered more advanced computing
skills, life skills and communication skills through the learning centres.
Do you want to be involved in the most exciting educational
revolution since the invention of writing in 2860 BC?
If you want to be involved in the CWU strategy to create and
construct learning centres.
Then become a Union Learning Representative and attend this Course.
The course will be tutored by the TUC and will give prospective
Learning Reps all the knowledge and skills that are required to give
advice and guidance to our members.
Branches who already have work place based Learning Centres or who
are in the process of setting up Centres will be able to exchange
information and ideas.
Application forms should be addressed to: Trish Lavelle, Head of
Education & Training, CWU Education & Training Centre,
Alvescot Lodge, Alvescot, Bampton, Oxon OX18 2PY. Telephone: 01993
843373; Fax: 01993 840960; email: mtodd@cwu.org
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529
Health & Safety at Work Stage II Course (B)
A Health and Safety at Work Stage II Course has been organised to be
held in Edinburgh at the Scotland No.2 Branch Office. The course will
be accredited with the National Open College Network. This is a fully
integrated course.
The course will be held from 26 - 30 January 2004
The closing date for nominations is 16 December 2003
We particularly encourage branches to nominate women, ethnic
minorities, people with disabilities and young members who are often
under-represented on the CWU Education and Training Programme.
Nominations should be made on the Application Form for Union Courses
and returned to Alvescot Lodge by the closing date shown.
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: email: mtodd@cwu.org
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530
CWU 2004 Diary
Branches that placed an order for CWU diaries should now be in
receipt of them. If you have not received your diaries then please
let Marcia Murray know. However, if you have not yet ordered your
diaries, there is still time to do so by completing your diary order
form or by writing to me. You can pay through the branch rebate or
send a cheque or postal order made payable to 'CWU diaries'. Still
good value for money the pocket diary is priced at £1.50 and the
desk diary £2.50.
Any enquiries regarding this paragraph should be addressed to Marcia
Murray in the Communications Department on 020 8971 7497 or email mmurray@cwu.org
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531
Health & Safety at Work Stage II Course (C)
A Health and Safety at Work Stage II Course has been organised to be
held in Edinburgh at the Scotland No.2 Branch Office. The course will
be accredited with the National Open College Network. This is a fully
integrated course.
The course will be held from 10 - 14 November 2003
Applications to be submitted as soon as possible
We particularly encourage branches to nominate women, ethnic
minorities, people with disabilities and young members who are often
under-represented on the CWU Education and Training Programme.
Nominations should be made on the Application Form for Union Courses
and returned to Alvescot Lodge ASAP.
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: email: mtodd@cwu.org
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EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
532
Equality Leaflets
The following leaflets are available in PDF format on the CWU
Website. www.cwu.org/about/equal_ops/newsletters.html
You will require Adobe Acrobat in order to access them, which is
freely available to download on the Internet.
The leaflets are:
CWU Code of Practice
Domestic Violence
Lesbian & Gay Rights
Harassment Leaflet
Parental Rights
Racial Harassment
Transsexualism
Any enquiries concerning this paragraph should be addressed to
Michèle Emerson, Equality Officer quoting reference 2.10.
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HEALTH AND SAFETY
533
Royal Mail Group Plc - Introduction of New Accident Book Report
Forms - Withdrawal of Accident Notification to Safety Representatives
Further to my letter dated 8 September and Bob paragraph 487 issue
34, this is to update you on progress since those communications.
Further enquiries have revealed the fact that the HSE launched their
own new standard accident book (B1510) in May following discussions
with and approval by the "Information Commissioner". The
Information Commissioner whose role is to enforce the Data Protection
Act (DPA) ruled that existing accident books that allow personal
information to be seen by anyone reading them or making an entry in
the book needed to be revised. The Commissioner allowed a seven month
lead in time that businesses must change their accident books to
comply with the DPA by 31 December 2003. The new design accident
books must allow for accidents to be recorded whilst details of
individuals can be stored separately in a secure location.
Further to the matter being raised with Allan St John-Holt, Head of
Safety Royal Mail Group Plc and Steve Catterall HSE, Head of
Utilities Group, the issue had now been raised at a higher level in
letters to Kate Timms HSE, Deputy Director General who was
responsible for the launch of the new accident book and Bill
Callaghan, Chair of the HSC. Copies of the letters to Kate Timms and
Bill Callaghan are attached.
The issue with the HSE/HSC is the clear failure to foresee and deal
with the direct conflict created between the DPA and the SRSC
Regulations which is now impeding the ability of Safety
Representatives to be notified of accidents in good time to allow
them to effectively carry out inspections and investigations promptly
following accidents. The HSC/HSE have been called upon by CWU
Headquarters to restore the rights of Safety Representatives and
achieve a proper balance between respect for people's privacy and
employees' rights to a safer workplace by effective workplace Safety Representatives.
With regards to the position of Royal Mail Group a number of further
points have been raised with them and proposals put to resolve the
issue quickly. A copy of the letter to Allan St John-Holt is
attached. We have suggested:
The status quo to be reinstated and the old accident book/forms
continue in use at least until 31 December in line with the
Information Commissioners ruling.
In the meantime, whilst attempts are being made to resolve this
problem it is very important that Area/Regional Safety
Representations stay in close contact with the units within their
constituency in order to ensure that accidents are investigated as
soon as possible.
Finally, I am enclosing a model standard letter for Area/Regional
Safety Representatives to send to all senior managers regarding their
need to comply with the SRSC Regulations 1977 in respect of Accident
Investigation/Inspections so as to ensure every senior manager is
made aware of their obligations and to maximise pressure on the Business.
You will be kept informed of further developments.
Any enquiries on this matter should be addressed to Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer, quoting ref A1.
TELECOMS
534
Telewest - Dignity at Work Policy
I'm in the process of gathering in a set of Telewest policies across
a wide range of employment and terms of condition issues.
I attach for the information of Branches the Dignity at Work Policy.
Brian Healy, Assistant Secretary
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535
BT Wholesale - Freezing Enabled Teams
The Union nationally has been advised that all further work on
Enabled Teams as a concept has been frozen. Attached for the
information of Branches is a briefing that has been released
internally to BT Wholesale, there will also be a further
communication in the September edition of The Bizz, the in-house
magazine for BT Wholesale.
Yours sincerely
Brian Healy, Assistant Secretary
536
Telewest - Disturbance Allowance Policy
Attached for the information of Branches is another policy from
Telewest covering disturbance of location which does not require a
home relocation.
Yours sincerely
Brian Healy, Assistant Secretary
537
Accenture HR Services - Career Model
It was reported in Branch Officials Bulletin No.14 Paragraph 185 of
the instigation of a Career Model review and discussions on how this
would be processed.
As reported at the time both the CWU and Connect have been
attempting, since the creation of e-peopleserve, to resolve the
differing salary structures which prevail within the Company. Having
at least three differing structures and mechanisms for review and
advancement was recognised as creating a climate of suspicion and
unease, in particular when individuals working alongside colleagues
performing the same function could be rewarded differently.
Discussions have taken place with the objective of introducing an
across the company-wide salary structure as agreed and reported in
BOB No.30, paragraph 435. The jointly agreed objectives have been to
create a company-wide career level and salary structure which allows
our members, irrespective of how they became employees of Accenture,
to be able to understand how they can progress their career and
salary. The Executive team is pleased to report that the aspiration
of harmonising salary arrangements has been achieved; this means that
Associate and Co-ordinator new hires into the company can proceed to
a higher salary maximum which is similar to that which existed for
ex-BT employees. These members can now have a reasonable expectation
of progressing to the same salary maximum via the salary matrix as
opposed to being at some point in the Newgrid range which in most
cases was at or towards the bottom of the range. In addition, unless
individuals have been notified otherwise, ex C1, C2 and C3 grades and
their equivalent new hire associates, can now progress via the salary
matrix into a salary range similar to that of the old D1 range. There
are a small number of posts, some of which were already personal
rights which have been mapped down. The total numbers of posts is 23;
in such circumstances the pay protection principles that have been
agreed will apply. There are also a number of posts - 13 in total -
that are union represented grades which are assessed as being at a
higher level. In such circumstances, the salary advancement
arrangements have been agreed.
A project team with representatives from operational management,
employees, HR management and Union representatives have established
generic job descriptions across the company. The job descriptions
will be used to assess the correct placement in the Career Model
Structure. It was not the expectation of the Union nationally at the
time that this would lead to wholesale re-grading and this has proven
to be the case.
What has been realised is a complete set of 200 plus generic job
descriptions which have been agreed jointly with the company. These
job descriptions will be maintained at the national level, the detail
of which will be provided to Branches. As this is a substantial
volume of megabits of data, it has not yet been resolved as to the
best method to supply it to branches. Whilst the job description
discussions have been concluded, there are a few roles, one of which
the CWU has an interest in, where it has not been agreed where it
sits within the Career Model. In the meantime, as it is believed that
the ongoing resolution of these roles will not distort the Career
Model, activity is taking place to release in agreed areas, letters
to individuals notifying them of their generic job, career level,
path and family. Attached for the information of Branches are copies
of these letters.
Yours sincerely
Brian Healy, Assistant Secretary
POSTAL
538
Endorsement on Driving Licences
The attached correspondence has been exchanged and is printed for
your information.
Any enquiries to Bob Gibson's Department, Reference 450.05