GO BACK TO BRIEFINGS INDEX

WEEKLY INFORMATION FROM THE COMMUNICATION WORKERS UNION
SUMMARY

Attachments or LTB's can be emailed or downloaded from the National Site

Volume 9 Issue 45 Paragraphs 719 - 733 19 November 2004

SUMMARY
GENERAL
719 Meetings with CWU Supported MPs
720 Jaguar Workers March and Rally
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
No items this week
HEALTH AND SAFETY
721 CBRNE Trials - Mount Pleasant Mail Centre
722 Proposition 53 - 2003 Telecoms & Financial Services Conference
TELECOMS
723 BT Training and Preferred Suppliers
724 Network Build: DSLAM Trial
725 Network Operations: Control and Field Attendance Patterns
726 Telewest: Pay and Reward Update
727 Accenture HR Services: A New Global Client
728 Telewest: Service Attendance Arrangements for Christmas and New Year
FINANCIAL SERVICES
No items this week
POSTAL
729 Interim Productivity Scheme - Progress Report - Week 31
730 Interim Productivity Scheme - Progress Report - Week 32
731 LGV Bonus Scheme Training
732 Letter Network Information System
733 Royal Mail Way
LETTERS TO BRANCHES
526 10.11.04 CWU/Monterey Relationship - Simon Sapper
527 10.11.04 BTEC - Election of Lay Representatives - Jeannie Drake
528 11.11.04 CWU Black Workers' Conference 29 Jan 2005 - John Donnelly/Tony Kearns
529 11.11.04 Parcelforce Worldwide Workwear Agreement - Terry Pullinger
530 11.11.04 POL Campaign for Crown Offices Early Day Motion - Andy Furey
531 11.11.04 Nominations for Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Transgender; TUC; STUC; Disability; TUC Women's; TUC Black Workers'; TUC Labour Party; Women's Conference - Steve Baguley
532 11.11.04 PFWW Workwear Joint Statement - Terry Pullinger
533 11.11.04 LGB Driver Resourcing in Royal Mail Logistics - Terry Pullinger
534 12.11.04 Contacts & Communications School - Jeannie Drake
535 12.11.04 Officerial Responsibility for Manpower Issues in HCL - Jeannie Drake
536 12.11.04 Xmas Arrangements - Dave Ward
537 15.11.04 Sales and Customer Services - Incentive Scheme Payments 2004/5 - Andy Furey
538 16.11.04 Homeworking Expenses - Bill McClory
539 16.11.04 Clientlogic Pay Review 2005 - Sally Bridge
540 16.11.04 Political Fund Review Ballot Result - Steve Baguley

Back to the top
GENERAL
719
Meetings with CWU Supported MPs
Meetings with CWU supported MPs have now been arranged for the present Parliamentary session and, for your information, I list below the dates of the meetings and those nominated to attend:
14 December
Wales Regional Secretary/Political
Secretary, John Holmes, Karen Rose, Steve Fishwick, Andy Kerr
Details of meetings in 2005 will be notified to Branches when these have been arranged.
Billy Hayes, General Secretary

Back to the top

720
Jaguar Workers' March and Rally
The TUC have advised us that a march and rally is being organised by unions representing workers at the threatened Jaguar plant at Browns Lane Coventry.
The rally takes place on Saturday 27th November 2004 meeting at 10.00 a.m. in Coventry City Centre. Details are as follows:
9.00 a.m. assemble Millennium Place
or 10.30 a.m. Speakers Corner assemble Coventry Council Buildings.
Speakers include Tony Woodley, Derek Simpson, Jaguar workers, MPs and supporters.
Brendon Barber will be speaking at the rally as a demonstration of the TUC's support for the campaign to keep the plant open and urges all unions to do what they can to support this event.
You will know that the CWU sent a letter of support to our colleagues in T&G and Amicus and I sincerely hope that you will make every effort to demonstrate your support for the Jaguar workers by going to Coventry on the 27th. If your Branch is able to send a contingent or marchers please let the march co-ordinator, Des Quinn (T&G stand down officer) know in advance. You can contact him on 07785 102386.
Further information can be found on www.rgwu.org.uk/savejaguar.
Any enquiries on this BOB paragraph should be addressed to the General Secretary's Department quoting the reference GS 13.0.

Back to the top

HEALTH AND SAFETY
721
CBRNE Trials - Mount Pleasant Mail Centre
Further to BOB No.05/04 Paragraph 73 dated 5 April 2004 and BOB No.44/04, paragraphs 708 and 709 dated 12 November 2004, we have been informed that two further trials will be run in December. An "ECAM Chemical Detection Unit" and a "Radalert 50 Portable Radiation Detection Unit" will be trialled at Mount Pleasant Mail Centre and may be moved further afield after Christmas. This is part of an agreed programme of research and development of new detection equipment aimed and countering the threat of Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive attacks initiated by Terrorists and others using the Postal system.
As explained in my previous reports to Branches and Safety Reps, following the 2001 series of Anthrax laced letter attacks in the USA which were sent to US Politicians and News Media personalities and which in turn led to deaths and serious illness of US Postal Workers and others, the CWU along with Royal Mail and Government Departments (Home Office, DTI, HSE, Police) formed a CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive) Attack Committee that has met regularly since then. Ongoing work has developed and revised its defence plan and precautionary procedure, working with the Police and Emergency services. These Defence plan procedures are triggered in the event of a suspect package or letter. Additionally, new Detection Equipment is being trialled with international co-operation in order to evaluate the effectiveness of such additional Defence and early Detection Systems
Special procedures have been in place for some time at the UK international offices of exchange like Mount Pleasant, where overseas mail arrives. This involves daily swab tests which are taken throughout the office and then analysed for harmful biological agents.
The brief on the trials is set out below:
The Smiths Detection ECAM Chemical Detection Unit
The ECAM is a chemical detection unit designed, primarily, for use by the military in a battlefield environment. It uses a technology known as Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS) to differentiate harmful chemical agents from the surrounding air sample. IMS is a well-established technology and has been widely used by the military for explosive and chemical agent detection. IMS has been used for civil explosive detection, but that use has declined since the use of modern plastic (and hence low vapour) explosives, has risen.
The system is designed to identify all currently known chemical military threats and will indicate that either a nerve agent or a blister agent is present.
IMS is a technology that draws air (and any potentially dangerous vapour) into an internal chamber where characteristics of the sample are assessed. To be able to detect a dangerous chemical, an IMS system requires that the chemical agent produces a vapour. To be effective as a battlefield weapon a chemical agent would normally either be in vapour form, or would vaporise readily from the solid or liquid state. It is possible that an envelope could be contaminated with a chemical agent that is not producing detectable amounts of vapour, however, the risk to health from such a material is quite low provided that direct skin contact is avoided.
The ECAM unit contains a small radioactive source (10 millicuries of Ni 63; an emitter of beta radiation) within the measurement cell assembly. The source is surrounded on all sides by material of such thickness that no direct radiation will reach the outside of the cell. If the unit is significantly damaged, it must be returned to the manufacturer for repair or replacement.
Engineering Services are intending to run small controlled tests to understand how the device may be used in an operational environment (probably by managers in conjunction with the threat assessment process). Kevin Howard, Circulation Manager, has agreed to assess the management use of the ECAM at Mount Pleasant.
The Radalert TM 50 Portable Radiation Detection Unit
The Radalert 50 is a health and safety instrument that measure alpha, beta and gamma and X-Ray radiation. The Radalert 50 uses a Geiger Muller tube to detect radiation. The Geiger tube generates a pulse of electrical current each time radiation passes through the tube and interacts with the wall or gas in the tube to cause an ionization event. The Radalert displays the number of pulses (ionisation events) on the display of the Radalert and the pulses generated give an audible click if the audio is switched on.
Royal Mail's trial co-ordinator is Dr. Dave Coward, RM Engineering Services who will be consulting and involving the CWU Area Safety Representative, Balbir Bhara during the Trials. The Trial outcomes with be reported back to the National joint CBRNE Committee.
All enquiries should be addressed to Dave Joyce, National Health, Safety & Environment Officer quoting ref: E1.

Back to the top
722
Proposition 53 - 2003 Telecoms & Financial Services Conference
Proposition 53 carried at 2003 TIC Conference instructed the incoming Telecoms & Financial Services Executive to investigate the implications of Deep Vein Thrombosis and DSE for our members, particularly if seated for prolonged periods and during DSE breaks.
A DVT, which is normally associated with long haul air travel, is a blood clot, which develops, usually in the veins of the legs, and it may cause swelling and pain in the calf. Complications from DVT can result from a clot breaking off and lodging elsewhere in the circulation which can be life threatening.
Following conference the T&FSE Health Safety and Environment Sub Committee contacted health professionals, which came back with the advice that they were not aware of any evidence linking DVT with sedentary work. CWU Research Department also conducted wide-ranging research for the sub committee and found considerable media references to computer use contributing to DVT. It was concluded however that references to the risk of Deep Vein Thrombosis in display screen users emanated from an article by Richard Beasley, which appeared in an issue of European Respiratory Journal and referred to a man in New Zealand who sat in front of his PC for up to eighteen hours per day and developed a blood clot. The European Respiratory Journal reported this case of the young man from New Zealand who nearly died after developing deep vein thrombosis following long periods of physical inactivity in front of his computer.
T&FSE Health Safety and Environment Sub Committee conclude therefore, that after researching the issue raised by Proposition 53, that there is currently no conclusive evidence linking normal display screen users being at risk to DVT. The HSE and CWU advise employers and members that adequate rest breaks away from the workstation must be taken to control the potential physical and psychological health risks. Walking around and stretching during breaks exercises muscles and increases blood circulation, which relieves tension and reduces the risk of visual fatigue and Musculoskeletal disorders and is encouraged. The sub committee will however continue to monitor the situation. Articles on this issue can be found at the Health page on the CWU website.
Any enquiries should be referred to Dave Joyce, Assistant Secretary quoting reference NS 140.

Back to the top
TELECOMS
723
BT Training and Preferred Suppliers
Branches were advised in Branch Official Bulletin No.40, Paragraph 659 of the route that BT was taking with regard to a preferred suppliers list for training. Further information was sought from BT and the following is a detailed summary of the events and outcomes of the course of action taken by BT.
Last year, BT used more than 1,150 different training suppliers. BT's training expenditure currently amounts to £57m per year. This includes £24m with Accenture HR Services, and £33m non-Accenture spends.
The Training Procurement Project was established to deliver cost leadership in the use of third party training suppliers, through an extensive tendering exercise. This work also lays the ground for the rationalisation of training processes and systems.
The key objectives were:

An invitation to tender (ITT) was issued to 150 suppliers identified by LoB representatives as 'business critical' and already significant volume suppliers into BT.
Following a rigorous adjudication process, a 'preferred supplier list' (PSL) including fewer than 50 suppliers was agreed covering:

Accenture HR Services, as BT Group's current principal supplier of training, will continue to feature as a core supplier with offerings in all training types.
All these suppliers will then become the first choice for training across BT. Exceptionally, where specialised (typically low volume) requirements arise, which genuinely cannot be met through the PSL; an 'exceptions' process will be available, managed through BT Procurement. This process will ensure appropriate contractual and cost control over training procurement is maintained. The BT Group OC approved implementation of the strategy and mandated use of the PSL.
Progress has also been made in the following areas:

Arrangements are in hand to gain a better understanding of the companies on the PSL and, in addition, the range of training provided.
Brian Healy, Assistant Secretary

Back to the top

724
Network Build: DSLAM Trial
The Union has now been advised that completion of all of the installations will now not be completed until the end of November. This has been caused by delays meaning that only one site would have been completed by the end of October.
Details of the new schedule are as follows:
The West Midlands Team
Site Start Date CRD Status
Halesowen 04/10/04 17/10/04 Completed
Sedgley 18/10/04 28/10/04 In progress
Tile Hill 26/10/04 04/11/04 Awaiting Stores
  (could put back to 11/11/04 CRD)
The London Team
Site Start Date CRD Status
Kensington Gdns 18/10/04 28/10/04 In progress
Hampstead 18/10/04 28/10/04 In progress
Mile End 01/11/04 11/11/04 Waiting Planning & Stores from Ftel
Southbank 01/11/04 11/11/04 Waiting Planning & Stores from Ftel
TBA 15/11/04 25/11/04 Waiting on Ftel allocation
TBA 15/11/04 25/11/04 Waiting on Ftel allocation
Brian Healy, Assistant Secretary

Back to the top
725
Network Operations: Control and Field Attendance Patterns
Discussions have recently taken place as to what attendance pattern arrangements may apply in the future. The Executive Team awaits the final proposals from management on these arrangements and branches will be advised when known.
It has already been decided by the Executive that the final proposals, if agreed by the Executive, will be subject to the acceptance of the membership in a consultative ballot.
Branches are therefore required to supply the list of names of members in Network Operations, both Control and Field, who are not in the associated attachment and its OUCs. These groups are not affected by any potential proposals that the union has yet to receive, so all other OUCs will be and it is these groups of members whose names are being sought and for which the assistance of Branches is being sought in identifying them. The cut-off date for supplying names is 19 November 2004.
Where possible, the data required is full name including initials with membership number, or if membership number is not known with their national insurance number or BT EIN in its place. All information to be sent electronically to my office in a basic Microsoft format.
Brian Healy, Assistant Secretary
Attachment

Back to the top

726
Telewest: Pay and Reward Update
Branches will recall that one element of the pay settlement was an agreement to improve and review aspects of the Pay and Reward Bonus Scheme. Arrangements are in hand to move forward on improving issues surrounding barriers to securing increased bonus. However, in terms of the interim revised levels it can be reported that in terms of bonus attainment, October's numbers show 53% of the BBE population achieving bonus, which is a considerable move from the 35% before discussions began. This means at least 18% of members for that month achieved in excess of £125 per month.
Branches will also recall that the objective was to secure payment in excess of 50% on a region by region basis. This is a national aggregate and there are at least two areas where this is in the low 40 percentage and will need to be further investigated. Conversely this means that in at least some parts of the country the 50% threshold is being passed quite comfortably.
When further detail is available, this will be reported to Branches.
Brian Healy, Assistant Secretary

Back to the top

727
Accenture HR Services: A New Global Client
The Union has been advised further to the initial signing of a letter of intent signed on 22 June 2004, the Swedish engineering group, Sandvik, has signed a 10-year agreement with Accenture HR Services to outsource its human resources functions, which include:

Under the contract, Accenture HR Services will manage Sandvik's HR administrative services in Finland, the United States and Sweden, utilising its global delivery network. As part of the agreement, Accenture HR Services will establish a new service centre in Sandviken, Sweden. In addition, some Sandvik employees will transition to Accenture HR Services and will be based at this new service centre. At a later stage, the intention is that the contract will be extended to include Sandvik operations in France, Germany, the United Kingdom, South Africa, India and Australia.
Sandvik is a high-technology engineering group which employs 37,000 people in 130 countries.
Further reports will be issued in due course as when this contract affects operations in the UK.
Brian Healy, Assistant Secretary

Back to the top

728
Telewest: Service Attendance Arrangements for Christmas and New Year
The Union has raised attendance arrangements for:
o Monday 27 and Tuesday 28 December 2004, which are both statutory bank holidays and Monday 3 January 2005 is also a statutory bank holiday.
The Company has agreed there is no requirement for scheduled attendance on these days. For the substitute holidays and other days surrounding them, it has been agreed that the following will apply:

All existing holidays booked and approved for this period will be honoured. Any additional time off will be allocated fairly, the aim is to give every service BBE the opportunity to get at least one flexible day off. The regional operations managers (RoMs) are responsible for reviewing numbers required over this period for their own sub-region. It is also agreed that local CWU reps should be involved so that an even distribution of days off is reached.
It should be noted that the Company has agreed to depart from previous practice and to allocate all the hours worked on a flexible holiday as opposed to that of a 7.5 hours nominal day.
Brian Healy, Assistant Secretary
 
Back to the top
POSTAL
729
Interim Productivity Scheme - Progress Report - Week 31
We are monitoring the introduction of the new productivity schemes nationally and within that process we have requested progress reports. Please find attached the latest progress report I have received on the deployment of the Mail Centre/Distribution schemes for your information.
It should be noted that all of the Business' planned headcount reduction figures are subject to agreements being concluded locally on how the financial savings should be achieved. In addition, actual headcount reductions stated include members who have resigned, etc.
All enquiries regarding the content of this paragraph should be addressed to Martin Collins, Assistant Secretary Indoor Department, quoting reference number L.300.42(a).
Att: PE58

Back to the top

730
Interim Productivity Scheme - Progress Report - Week 32
All enquiries regarding the content of this paragraph should be addressed to Martin Collins, Assistant Secretary Indoor Department, quoting reference number L.300.42(a).
Att: PE 61

Back to the top

731
LGV Bonus Scheme Training
Further to LTB 465/2004 it has now been agreed with the business that they will cover the costs of fares and loss of earnings for attendance at the LGV Bonus Scheme Training Schools, which were held on the following dates:
Tuesday 26th October 2004
Yorkshire Distribution Centre - Europort, Castleford Yorkshire and
Wednesday 27th October 2004
Princess Royal Distribution Centre - Willesden, NW London.
Would all Branches please ensure that representatives are made aware that their claim forms should be given to managers so that they can be processed.
Any enquiries regarding this matter should be addressed to Terry Pullinger, Assistant Secretary, quoting reference 205.

Back to the top
732
Letter Network Information System
I was recently informed that the Business were currently reviewing the Letter Network Information System (LNIS) with a view to replace it with a new system called the Royal Mail Consignment Management System (RMCMS). Our concern is obviously that this change could impact on LA duties working in the Network Circulation function.
Following my representations to Royal Mail they have confirmed that LNIS is in effect a time expired system that has been in need of an overhaul for some time, which led to the development of RMCMS. They also informed me that the development of this system has been carried out with LAs working in Network Circulation and that they have played an important part in this project.
The Business have stated that there are still opportunities for further improvements to the system and that there are no current plans to cease any LA posts in Network Circulation until these have been tackled. Should the new system finally result in a decrease in the overall LA workload in Network Circulation it has been confirmed that proposals would be subject to the normal consultation/negotiation with the union.
Branch secretaries should ensure that the content of this paragraph is brought to the attention of all appropriate Area/Unit Admin Representatives.
All enquiries regarding the content of this paragraph should be addressed to Martin Collins, Assistant Secretary Indoor Department, quoting reference number L.600.04.

Back to the top

733
Royal Mail Way
Reproduced below for the information of Branches/Representatives is LTB 525/04, which was circulated on the 11th November 2004 in respect of the above.
I was advised earlier in the year that a local trial sponsored by the Western territory was taking place at Chester, which involved external consultants. The trial, (which at that time had no project name) was aimed at improving the level of employee involvement in the day to day issues that affect them in their work areas. In addition, it was to provide employees with the opportunity to have more input into the changes that were being planned in their office.
I visited Chester in June to discuss with the Area Processing Rep how the trial had been running and how well it had been received by the union and members. At the conclusion of my visit I discussed with the Head of Territory how we would progress any proposed extension to the trial. It was agreed that a full report would be provided from both the local management and the CWU so that we could evaluate the trial in detail and make any necessary amendments to the process.
Despite the fact that this report has not to date been discussed or any proposal for an extension received, I was notified by a number of branches earlier this week that a national initiative based on Chester 'Royal Mail Way' was being proposed to be trialed in six Mail Centres. In view of the fact that no consultation has taken place regarding these trials I have contacted Tom Melvin, Head of Operations to obtain an assurance that they would not progress prior to the union being consulted in the correct manner at National Level.
A workshop involving the managers from the twelve Mail Centres that have been nominated to participate in these trials will be taking place in Rugby on 15th and 16th November 2004 out of which six are due to be selected. I have however as stated above been given a firm commitment from Mr Melvin that our joint meeting will be held prior to any discussions being instigated locally or the proposed trials commencing.
I trust the above clarifies the situation on the proposed trials and that until such a time as national discussions have been concluded Branches/Representatives will not become involved in any local negotiations in this regard.
A copy of this LTB has been forwarded to the Business so that they are also fully aware of the national position at this point in time.
All enquiries regarding the content of this BOB should be addressed to Martin Collins, Assistant Secretary, Indoor Department, quoting reference number L.530.13.

Back to the top