Volume 9 Issue 05 Paragraphs 65-75. 6 February 2004
WEEKLY INFORMATION FROM THE COMMUNICATION WORKERS UNION
SUMMARY
SUMMARY
GENERAL
65 Meetings with CWU Supported MPs
66 National Executive Council Elections & National Officer
Elections 2004
67 Online Mailing and Microsites
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
No items this week
HEALTH AND SAFETY
68 STREAM — Stress Assessment and Management in BT
69 Donald McAndrew BT Engineer — Fatal Accident in
Aberdeen on 10 September 2003
70 Royal Mail Group plc — Notification of Accidents to
Safety Representatives and the Provision of Accident Report Form Copies
71 E-COSHH Essentials
72 Safe Access/Egress to/From Royal Mail Group Buildings
73 Chemical Biological Radiological & Nuclear (CBRN)
Steering Group — Royal Mail
TELECOMS
No items this week
FINANCIAL SERVICES
No items this week
POSTAL
74 Enhanced Pay Rate for Romec Cleaners Making an Attendance
on 27.12.03
75 Romec Cleaners Forum
LETTERS TO BRANCHES
30 28.01.04 War on Want Conference 26/27 Feb — GS
31 28.01.04 Unite Against Fascism Launch Rally — GS
32 28.01.04 Bullying and Harassment — GS
33 29.01.03 Pay and Major Change/London Weighting — GS
34 30.01.04 NEC Elections and National Officer Elections 2004
— Steve Baguley
35 02.02.04 Field Service Transformation — Ian Cuthbert
36 03.02.04 Bullying and Harassment — Errata to LTB 32/04
— GS LTB36A
37 03.02.04 2004 Client Logic Pay Claim — CWU grades
— Sally Bridge
38 04.02.04 RMT Affiliation — General Secretary
39 04.02.04 Client Logic Ballot Timetable — Sally Bridge
Back to the top
GENERAL
65
Meetings with CWU Supported MPs
BOB paragraph 558, 10 October 2003, reported that regular liaison
meetings with the CWU Group of MPs had been established and gave
details of dates and attendees up to March 2004. The meetings from
April to July 2004 have now been arranged and for your information I
list below the dates of the meetings and those nominated to attend.
It should be noted that the meeting originally scheduled for 17
February has been changed to 24 February.
24 February
Midlands Regional Secretary/Political Secretaries
Chris Murphy, John Holmes, Graham Colk
16 March
South East Regional Secretary/Political Secretary
Steve Fishwick, Manny Blake, Jimmy Reid
20 April
South West Regional Secretary/Political Secretary
Sharon Hogarth, Andy Kerr, Jimmy Reid
18 May
North West Regional Secretary/Political Secretary
John Holmes, Chris Murphy, Graham Colk
15 June
Scotland Regional Secretary/Political Secretary NEC members tbc
20 July
Northern Ireland Regional Secretary NEC members tbc.
Billy Hayes, General Secretary
Back to the top
66
National Executive Council Elections & National Officer
Elections 2004
The NEC has now agreed the ballot timetable and regulations
for the 2004 NEC Elections. As in previous years the COOC and OAOOC
elections will be held simultaneously. The NEC has also agreed that
the election for the Assistant Secretary Legal Services (under the
five year rule) will be held at the same time.
The timetable for the elections is as follows:
Nominations Open:
1 March 2004
Nominations Close:
23 March 2004 (first post)
Accept Nominations:
(PTS Eng & Clerical) 26 March 2004 (noon)
Despatch of Ballot Papers:
29 April 2004
Close of Ballot:
24 May 2004 (first post)
Result:
27 May 2004
The election regulations stipulate that they must be distributed to
all branches in advance of the nomination process, a copy of the
Election Regulations is printed below for the purpose of being
brought to the attention of the membership.
The regulations are also published on the CWU website and will be
issued to all candidates.
Any enquiries regarding the elections should be addressed to Steve
Baguley, National Organising Secretary, CWU, 150 The Broadway,
Wimbledon,
SW19 1RX.
Communication Workers Union
National Executive Council Elections 2004 — Election Regulations
1. These regulations have been determined by the National Executive
Council in accordance with the Rules of the Union to govern the
election of National Executive Council members. The election will
take place in Spring 2004 and the successful candidates will take
office following Annual Conference 2004 for a period of one year.
2. Nominations open on 1 March 2004. The National Organising
Secretary will provide formal notice of when the election will take
place.
3. Where Branches are entitled to nominate only a member from their
own Branch, nomination forms will be supplied to all Branches who
request them in writing. Completed nomination forms giving the
biographical details, election address and a recent photo for the
Branches candidate must be received by first post 23 March 2004 at
CWU Head Office. Any nominations received after that date will not be
accepted. Each Branch will be sent a letter confirming receipt of
nomination forms.
4. Where Branches are entitled to nominate members from Branches
other than their own, nomination forms will be distributed direct to
these Branches for completion and return to CWU Head Office by first
post 23 March 2004. 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. Completed forms for biographical details and the
election address, together with a recent photograph must be received
by noon 26 March 2004 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. All candidates shall have the right to prepare an election address
of not more than 300 words and to submit a recent photograph. 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.
6. The biographical details, election address and individual
photographs for all candidates will be published and distributed with
the ballot papers to all relevant 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.
7. 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 the Branch must
include the name of the Branch and the printer’s name and
address where appropriate.
8. 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.
9. Candidates may not use information held by theon 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 18 of these Regulations.
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. 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 April 2004. 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.
13. All relevant members included in the Register maintained by the
Union as at 29 March 2004 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.
14. The last time for receipt of ballot papers at the address
nominated by the Scrutineer will be first post 24 May 2004. Any
ballot papers received after that time will not be counted.
15. 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 envelopes 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
27 May 2004 or as soon as possible thereafter.
16. 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.
17. 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.
18. 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 after 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.
19. 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.
20. 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 0NW. 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.
21. 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.
CWU National Executive Council Elections 2004 — Candidates Guidelines
Please Note: That in line with the policies of the union, where they
have not already done so all candidates will be required to undertake
CWU Equality & Diversity training.
Candidates Guidelines:
Each member nominated, as a candidate will be entitled to complete
the appropriate forms giving the following biographical information,
up to a maximum of 100 words, for inclusion in the booklet sent to
every member with their ballot paper.
-Branch
-Date started employment relevant to CWU
-Date of joining CWU (or relevant predecessor union)
-Job Title
-Union Record/Other relevant service to the Union and Labour Movement.
This should include information on positions held in Branch,
District, Region NEC etc. together with appropriate dates and
information on representation at Conferences e.g. TUC, PTTI, C.I.
UNI, membership of other unions, political parties, any education or
training relevant to this election.
Election Address
Each candidate is entitled to submit an election address of up to 300
words. Words in excess of 300 will be deleted after the 300th word.
The election address can be submitted on disc or by email to pmetcalfe@cwu.org.
The preferred format for this is MS Word.
Alternatively the election address should be typed or written in
clear manuscript and signed by the candidate when submitting to the
union. Please do not send photocopies to avoid misreading of your
statement. Any errors will be reproduced — so proof read your
text carefully prior to submitting it.
Use of formats such as underlining, text in bold, bullet points etc.
may be used and it is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure
that any instructions regarding the layout are clear.
The CWU cannot take any responsibility for text that cannot be read,
or instructions on layout that cannot be understood.
Photograph
Each candidate is entitled to submit a recent photograph that will be
printed with the election address. The photograph should be black and
white and of head and shoulders of the candidate only. Photographs
containing more than one person are not acceptable, and will not be
printed in the booklet. Candidates should note that black and white
photographs will reproduce to a higher quality in the booklet, and
the CWU cannot take any responsibility for inferior quality if a
colour photograph is supplied. Photographs must be received by the
CWU by the appropriate closing date for acceptance of nominations and
cannot be returned after the ballot.
Please note: Instructions to refer to those printed in previous
years’, photocopies of a previous election address or extracts
cut out from printed copy in previous elections, including
photographs, are not acceptable, and only the submissions received
for this election will be printed.
In accordance with current legislation, the CWU shall secure that no
modification is made to any election address other than where it is
necessarily incidental to the method adopted for producing the copy.
Communication Workers Union
Election of CWU Assistant Secretary — Legal Services
Election Regulations — Spring 2004
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 — Legal Services. The
election will take place in conjunction with the NEC elections in
Spring 2004 and the successful candidates will take up office
following Annual Conference 2004 for a period of five years.
2. Nominations open on 1 March 2004. 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 23 March 2004. 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 26 March 2004 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.
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 theon 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 April 2004. 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 29 March 2004 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 24 May 2004. 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 envelopes 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
27 May 2004 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 after 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.
CWU Assistant Secretary Legal Services Election 2004 —
Candidates Guidelines
Please Note: That in line with the policies of the union, where they
have not already done so all candidates will be required to undertake
CWU Equality & Diversity training.
Candidates Guidelines:
Each member nominated, as a candidate will be entitled to complete
the appropriate forms giving the following biographical information,
up to a maximum of 100 words, for inclusion in the booklet sent to
every member with their ballot paper.
-Branch
-Date started employment relevant to CWU
-Date of joining CWU (or relevant predecessor union)
-Job Title
-Union Record/Other relevant service to the Union and Labour Movement.
This should include information on positions held in Branch,
District, Region NEC etc. together with appropriate dates and
information on representation at Conferences e.g. TUC, PTTI, C.I.
UNI, membership of other unions, political parties, any education or
training relevant to this election.
Election Address:
Each candidate is entitled to submit an election address of up to 500
words. Words in excess of 500 will be deleted after the 500th word.
The election address can be submitted on disc or by email to pmetcalfe@cwu.org.
The preferred format for this is MS Word.
Alternatively the election address should be typed or written in
clear manuscript and signed by the candidate when submitting to the
union. Please do not send photocopies to avoid misreading of your
statement. Any errors will be reproduced — so proof read your
text carefully prior to submitting it.
Use of formats such as underlining, text in bold, bullet points etc.
may be used and it is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure
that any instructions regarding the layout are clear.
The CWU cannot take any responsibility for text that cannot be read,
or instructions on layout that cannot be understood.
Photograph
Each candidate is entitled to submit a recent photograph that will be
printed with the election address. The photograph should be black and
white and of head and shoulders of the candidate only. Photographs
containing more than one person are not acceptable, and will not be
printed in the booklet. Candidates should note that black and white
photographs will reproduce to a higher quality in the booklet, and
the CWU cannot take any responsibility for inferior quality if a
colour photograph is supplied. Photographs must be received by the
CWU by the appropriate closing date for acceptance of nominations and
cannot be returned after the ballot.
Please note: Instructions to refer to those printed in previous
years, photocopies of a previous election address or extracts cut out
from printed copy in previous elections, including photographs, are
not acceptable, and only the submissions received for this election
will be printed.
In accordance with current legislation, the CWU shall secure that no
modification is made to any election address other than where it is
necessarily incidental to the method adopted for producing the copy.
67
Online Mailing and Microsites
All Branch Secretaries should have subscribed (or requested (via me)
to be added) to the online mailing list by now, in order to continue
to receive all electronic correspondence (namely LTBs and the weekly
BOB) from HQ. If you have yet to do this, please subscribe yourself
now, or contact webeditor@cwu.org
who will happily add you to the mailing list.
All Branch Secretaries are also now responsible for their own
microsite on the new CWU National Site — if you do not know your
username and password, please contact the web editor immediately in
order to obtain these so you can update your branch details. I am
happy to talk anyone through this if assistance is required.
Any enquiries regarding this paragraph to Abigail Lawrence-Jones
please, on webeditor@cwu.org,
or 020 8971 7442
HEALTH AND SAFETY
68
STREAM — Stress Assessment and Management in BT
Can you please bring to the attention of BT USRs the attached
documentation for the introduction of STREAM. The T & FSE Health
Safety and Environment Sub Committee along with Connect have
negotiated the Stress Risk Assessment Tool over a four year period.
The Sub Committee are grateful to all BT Union Health and Safety
Committees, USRs, Branches and members who have assisted with their
constructive comments throughout the trials. The STREAM roll-out will
start in the first week of February in five tranches; 1 - Field
Service; 2 - the rest of Retail apart from CCC; 3 - Network Ops; 4 -
the rest of Wholesale; 5 - Group Ops, BTExact, Global Services UK, CCC.
Members with access to the BT intranet can access STREAM at URL http://bis.nat.bt.com/stress/main_risk.cfm
With the launch of STREAM, the new “Dealing With Stress”
website is also available at http://humanresources.intra.bt.com/health/dealing_with_stress.htm
This contains links to all the stress-management related resources
available to BT people, including websites, specialist teams and the
STREAM tool.
Any enquiries on this issue should be addressed to Dave Joyce,
Assistant Secretary, quoting reference NS144
69
Donald McAndrew BT Engineer — Fatal Accident in Aberdeen on
10 September 2003
Bob Number 36 paragraph 520 dated 19 September 2003, informed
Branches that BT Engineer Donald McAndrew aged 46 was killed in an
Accident at Work on 10 September 2003.
The brief circumstances of the Agreement were that Donald was part of
a Network Build Cable Recovery Team, recovering a cable from a
manhole. A MK5 Cable Recovery Trailer being used by the team of
Engineers was parked by the manhole with the handbrake applied.
Donald was waste high climbing into the manhole when the trailer
unexpectedly moved running over crushing him.
Following the tragic accident, investigations were immediately
launched by the Police, HSE, BT and the CWU.
The action taken by BT was to withdraw all MK5 Cable Recovery
Trailers for inspection and testing whilst the one involved in the
accident was impounded for inspection by Police and HSE before being
released back to BT. Replacement Handbrake systems have been fitted
to the Trailers and work completed by BT and a new safe systems of
work implemented along with the introduction of “wheel
chocks” to be used as a secondary “fail safe” system
whilst Trailers are parked and unoccupied. On that basis the Trailers
have been re-introduced for general use. In response to a request
from the CWU, the Trailer involved in the accident will not be put
back into service in Scotland by BT.
The Union’s Solicitors have been instructed to act for the
family and are investigating a personal injury litigation claim for
damages on behalf of Donald McAndrew’s family.
The CWU investigation into the accident led to the conclusion that
there appeared to be clear breaches of the Health and Safety at Work
Act and the provision and use of Work Equipment Regulations by BT. It
therefore came as quite a shock to all involved in the case when on
15 January a spokeswoman for the Procurator Fiscal announced in a
statement to the press that “there will be no criminal
proceedings over the death of Mr McAndrew and no charges will be
brought against BT”. The spokeswoman would apparently not give
any reasons.
Since the announcement the Health, Safety and Environment Committee
has been in contact with the Aberdeen Branch, The Centre for
Corporate Accountability (CCA), The Scottish TUC and the Union’s
Solicitors in Scotland. We have written in detail to both the HSE in
Scotland and the Procurator Fiscal questioning the announcement and
seeking clarification prior to considering if further action is
required by CWU Headquarters.
Donald McAndrew’s family have been kept fully informed of events
via our Aberdeen Branch.
There have been a number of enquiries from Branches and Safety
Representatives since the press reports referred to above appeared
and we are fully aware of concerns and strong feelings generated by
this latest development.
A fatal accident enquiry will take place on 16 February in Aberdeen
and a Representative from the Health, Safety & Environment
Department will be in attendance.
All enquires should be addressed to Dave Joyce National Health Safety
& Environment Officer quoting reference NS37A.
70
Royal Mail Group plc — Notification of Accidents to Safety
Representatives and the Provision of Accident Report Form Copies
Further to Bob 34 Paragraph 487 dated 5 September 2003, Bob No.37
paragraph 533 dated 26 September 2003, Bob No 41 paragraph 603 dated
24 October 2003 and Bob No.2 paragraph 30 dated 16 January 2004, I
write to inform Branches and Safety Representatives that this issue
has been satisfactorily resolved via a negotiated National Agreement.
Following further discussions involving the Royal Mail Group Head of
Safety, the HSE Deputy Director General and the CWU National Health,
Safety & Environment Officer Agreement was reached that the
Notification of Accidents to Area Safety Representatives will
recommence with Managers instructed to provide copies of Accident
Book Report forms.
The HSE have agreed that Royal Mail should pro-actively involve,
consult and inform Safety Representatives in good time.
Royal Mail have given a firm commitment to work in partnership with
the CWU and provide full details of the accidents to Safety Representatives.
A copy of the full Agreement is attached for your information and
reference. The contents are self explanatory.
Any enquires on the above should be addressed to Dave Joyce National
Health, Safety & Environment Officer quoting reference A1.
71
E-COSHH Essentials
As part of the European Health and Safety week initiative the HSE
announced the launch of “E- COSHH Essentials’. This is a
new web based COSHH Guide which covers the risk assessment part of
COSHH and can be used as a tool to do COSHH assessments. The COSHH
essentials paper version costs £30.00 from HSE Books and is a
voluminous publication. The new electronic version will provide all
the required information and complete a COSHH assessment simply by
filling in the information and following the on screen instructions.
The PDF files on E- COSHH essentials are downloadable, printable, and
emailable and can be found at www.coshh-essentials.org.uk
The HSE unit responsible for the COSHH Essentials will provide
publicity material and provide speakers to do presentations if
required.
Any enquiries should be addressed to Dave Joyce, National Health,
Safety & Environment Officer quoting reference No. EX2.
72
Safe Access/Egress to/From Royal Mail Group Buildings
Royal Mail were recently fined a quarter of a million pounds for
health and safety offences after a disabled pensioner was killed at
Bridgend Delivery Office when he came to collect an item at the
caller’s office which was accessed from inside the busy delivery
office yard. Royal Mail hadn’t ensured the way in and out of the
office was safe for public and staff alike.
A new National Joint Working Party has been set up to look at safe
access and egress to/from offices for staff and customers in both
normal and emergency situations. The National Officer sits on the
National JWP on behalf of the Union along with Royal Mail’s Head
of Safety National Fire Prevention Officer, National Disability
Manager plus UK Mails Network Representatives from Management, Royal
Mail Legal Department, Property Holdings and Security. Following
discussions it has been agreed that a number of pilot offices have
been selected to undertake a joint examination of all relevant
factors with the aim of drawing up a set of model standards and
guidelines to be followed when undertaking risk assessments and
designing safe pedestrian and vehicular traffic routes. An outside
firm of consultants have been engaged to assist in this work and
safety representatives will be fully involved and consulted in the
assessments of yards, traffic routes, walkways, escape routes etc.
once the programme is implemented. The pilot offices are Seacroft DO,
Harrogate DO, Airbrough DO, Filey DO, Redhill DO and Oakehamptkon DO.
Branches will be kept advised of developments.
Any enquiries should be addressed to Dave Joyce, National Health,
Safety & Environment Officer, quoting reference No.C1.
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73
Chemical Biological Radiological & Nuclear (CBRN) Steering
Group — Royal Mail
Since the Anthrax outbreaks in the US in 2001 and following the
Anthrax scares in the UK postal services, there has been a great deal
of inter-agency activity in the UK involving the CWU, Royal Mail,
Health & Safety Executive, Department of Trade & Industry,
Government Scientists and Emergency Services to ensure that lessons
are learnt for the future.
A CBRN Steering Group was established involving these agencies, Royal
Mail and the Unions CWU and CMA which meets regularly. The CBRN
Steering Group which was set up to look at chemical, biological,
radiological and nuclear attack contingency plans, has met regularly.
This Group includes Royal Mail, CWU, DTI, HSE, Home Office,
Government Scientists and others. There has also been liaison with
the US and Canadian Governments, health authorities and postal unions.
Since its formation, the CBRN Steering Group has examined and revised
Royal Mail emergency procedures and the terrorist attack plan
designed to deal with chemical/biological incidents and attacks
detailing clear and precise arrangements which will be applied and
strictly adhered to in the event of a perceived threat to any workplace.
Whilst this matter is subject to ongoing research and developments,
significant advances have been made in both protective measures
around detection and reactive emergency procedures.
In line with Motion 95 (2003) carried at Annual Conference 2003, the
Officer secured greater involvement and closer working with CWU Area
Safety Representatives in emergency procedures which have been
incorporated into suspect package and white powder incidents,
deployment of the CBRN plan and the establishment of local planning
committees. Further reports to Branches will be made in due course.
Any enquiries should be addressed to Dave Joyce, National Health,
Safety & Environment Officer, quoting reference No. E1.
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POSTAL
74
Enhanced Pay Rate for Romec Cleaners Making an Attendance on 27.12.03
It has been drawn to the attention of Headquarters that there was
some confusion about the mechanism for claiming the enhanced rate of
pay which was negotiated for Romec Cleaners who were required to make
an attendance on 27th December last.
Any member who made such an attendance should have submitted an
overtime docket and claimed the lower rate option as if Saturday 27th
December was a Bank Holiday. Could branches ensure that any members
affected by this are made aware of this requirement and any
difficulties reported to Bob Gibson, Assistant Secretary.
Any enquiries to Bob Gibson, Assistant Secretary, Postal Outdoor
Department, Reference 120.12
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75
Romec Cleaners Forum
It has been agreed to set up a Forum for Romec Cleaners to advise the
National Officer and the Postal Executive Committee on issues
relating to cleaners employed by Romec Limited. This will be on the
basis of one person for each of Romec’s Regions (North, West,
East and London).
Branches are invited to submit nominations to the Postal Outdoor
Department containing a short CV of the individual concerned in
relation to CWU activity.
Selection for the Forum will give preference to Romec employees, with
direct experience in the Cleaning grade and experience representing
Cleaning members.
Any enquiries to Bob Gibson, Assistant Secretary, Postal Outdoor
Department, Reference 120.