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WEEKLY INFORMATION FROM THE COMMUNICATION WORKERS UNION
SUMMARY

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

Volume 10 Issue 1 Paragraphs 1-8 7 January 2005


SUMMARY
GENERAL
1 Liaison Meetings with CWU Group
2 An Obituary to Harry "Lofty" Hammond
3 TUC Launches Tsunami Appeal
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
No items this week
HEALTH AND SAFETY
4 Low Level Letter Boxes - Buildings Regulations & European (EN) Standard EN 13724 - Model Letter to Local MPs
TELECOMS
5 Telewest - Service BBE on Call Allowances
6 NDI - Business Management Unit
7 BTExact - One IT Bench Creation Process
8 Network Operations - Residential Official Line Status
FINANCIAL SERVICES
No items this week
POSTAL
No items this week
LETTERS TO BRANCHES
609 23.12.04 Telecoms Organising 2005 - Jeannie Drake
610 23.12.04 Christmas & NY Arrangements - BT Contract - Manpower & Hays - Sally Bridge
611 23.12.04 Pay & Major Change: Joint Statement - Bob Gibson
001 04.01.05 Low Level Letter Boxes - Dave Joyce
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GENERAL
1
Liaison Meetings with CWU Group MPs
Meetings with CWU supported MPs have now been arranged for 2005 and, for your information, I list below the dates of the meetings and those nominated to attend:
18 January
John Holmes, Dave Warren,
Manny Blake, Karen Rose and a
South East Region representative.
15 February
John Holmes, Chris Murphy,
Maria Exall, Graham Colk and a Midlands Region representative.
15 March
John Holmes, Joe Malone, Andy Kerr, Karen Rose and a South West Region representative.
19 April
John Holmes, Steve Fishwick,
Manny Blake, Graham Colk and a North West Region representative.
Billy Hayes
General Secretary

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2
An Obituary to Harry "Lofty" Hammond
You would always know when you had met Lofty, a tall figure of a man with a heart of gold and generous with it. Even during the last few months of Lofty's life, he never gave up on what he could do for the union. When I went to visit him in Swindon's Great Western Hospital a month prior to his death, he was as ever seeking better conditions for the nurses on his ward and would make sure everyone was happy.
He was over the moon, to say the least when, he received a call from the former general secretary Tony Young, "Yes Lord Young called me", he said, loud enough for all to hear, something as small but as significant as that was enough to boost Lofty's morale. He never forgot anyone and in reality, if you knew Lofty you would not forget him either.
Even my own children knew Lofty, they never forgot the time he came around my house and played football with my son in my living room. Neither will I, as he kicked the ball across the room straight through my television. I never failed to advise him of this from time to time and he never forgot either.
So what of the man himself, dedicated, honourable, what you got with Lofty was commitment to detail, strength and the ability to push harder if the need arose. He was the only person I have ever met who could give you the name and address of any branch member without even looking it up. He even knew the postcodes.
His rise within the branch as with all of us started as a committee member, from minutes I have he was always prepared to argue a point, you only have to read his comments to see that he was more akin to leading from the front. Lofty was destined to move forward.
At that time Lofty met up with the late Gerry Emery, Lofty's working relationship with Gerry was without doubt the pinnacle of bringing the Swindon engineering branch to the forefront. Together they were a formidable team. Lofty was always very proud of Gerry's rise to the National Executive and made this known.
It was very easy to see that this was a hard team to follow, Gerry's articulation and professionalism on one side, with the added bonus of having a clever, dedicated secretary back in the office who worked late into the evenings, weekends and on occasions bank holidays. As a member of this branch I was very proud of this dedication. It was impossible to find fault anywhere.
When Gerry died, Lofty phoned me at home around 11.00 pm to tell me; from his voice and from speaking to him afterwards, you could see that Lofty had lost a very special person, someone he had grown up with in union circles and who would be impossible to replace.
Gerry's death in some ways made Lofty work harder, now he was pushed into having a young, not very experienced branch Chair. Without doubt if it had not been for his leadership and attention to detail I would not have survived. He was a gentle person but make no bones about it, he could and would let you know when something was not right. I respected this very much as he was a teacher who would if need be pull you forward with enthusiasm and integrity.
I never failed to be amazed either by his sheer knowledge of everything, we would spend hours discussing everything from Swindon town football club, to the battles of World War II, his vast knowledge of politics and government and the history of working people was totally fascinating. He was always proud to tell stories of his dad, a sergeant major in the Guards.
When Lofty finally retired from BT, some of us were stupid to even think that he would go into retirement and take the easy life. He actually began to work even harder, day in and day out he would appear in the union office, read the latest information, then disappear home with it. On many days I would have to phone him at home to go and retrieve LTBs. He never failed to read everything, if he was not happy with something then letters would be written and questions asked.
He was very proud indeed when he was awarded the union's gold badge. To Lofty this was the total award, something he could show people, to Lofty, this union was his life. He was presented with his badge by Tony Young, who would become a lifelong friend, Lofty always commented on this, even though at times the branch was in loggerheads with national officers, Lofty's principle and, quite rightly so was that it should never interfere with a friendship.
That friendship issue was and always will be some of the best advice he ever gave me. Lofty may have had opinions, but to him this union was a brotherhood of souls, together we were strong and strength can always be built upon.
In his later years he picked up the mantle of the retired members, he would quite often stand at meetings and push the issues which we as younger branch officers could not see sight of. He tried on a number of occasions to be elected to the retired members committee but sadly for him and for us this was not to happen. However it never spoilt his ability to still take up the cause for our senior people.
As the years rolled on Lofty would still try and attend branch meetings, but he never failed to attend a branch AGM, when the old Swindon engineering branch merged with the Gloucestershire branch, Lofty played a major part in ensuring the constitution met the needs of the members. He would sit at home going through the finer details then contact me to discuss it.
This flawless dedication to detail really says it all, and it never wavered, you did sometimes wonder where he gained the strength, where he found the time. But that was Lofty through and through.
There are countless tales and stories that could be written about Lofty, and without doubt the world will now be a colder place without his input and valued friendship. He was one of life's nice people, a true comrade and a committed trade's unionist.
His wife Joan and his family can be deeply proud in the knowledge that they knew a man who loved life, a man who gave up himself to represent those around him and a man of deep integrity and honourable values.
To us here he was above anything else a true friend, he will be greatly missed by those of us who knew what he stood for, his input and his leadership set the standards by which we now work. We will remember him with deep thought and never forget that without people like Lofty and others, the world would be a much sadder place.
Harry Hammond, Born in Cefn Forest, Nr Caerphilly, South Wales 27th August 1932. Attended Barnsley Grammar School and then back to Tooting, London and, to Battersea Grammar School. Joined BT (then GPO) at 16 (1948) as an apprentice.
Married to Joan 1956; one son Peter, born 1957.
Grandfather of Jayne, Sarah and Kate.
Parish Councillor, footballer, cyclist.
Died at St Wilfred's Hospital, Chichester, on Sunday 2nd January 2005. Aged 72.
Terry Poppy
Branch Chair, Gloucestershire and North Wiltshire branch.

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3
TUC Launches Tsunami Appeal
The TUC has launched a special appeal as part of the international relief effort targeted on the survivors of the south east Asian tsunami.
TUC general secretary Brendan Barber explains: "The breathtaking levels of death and devastation caused by the earthquake and tsunami in south east Asia has shocked and saddened everyone around the world.
"In response, the TUC is making an urgent appeal. I am asking all TUC affiliates, union organisations and individual union members, to give generously to the TUC Aid Appeal for money to help the victims. We will also be helping the regional trade unions to rebuild and re-equip themselves.
"This appeal is urgent because more than 150,000 have died in nine countries, and five million are homeless and in dire need. The TUC has heard from the world union body, the ICFTU's Asia Pacific Regional Organisation (APRO). They report considerable damage to trade union offices, the prospects of massive job losses in tourism and ancillary services sectors. The economies of the region and the trade unions in the sectors concerned will take years to recover.
"You can help by sending a personal donation; by organising a collection at your workplace or among colleagues or friends; and by getting your union organisation (branch, region, national) to send some money. All money received will go to the ICFTU-APRO to help the victims and their families, and for repairs and renovation to union buildings."
Donations can be made by cheque, or by using the TUC's secure online donations service at www.tuc.org.uk/tsunamiappeal
Cheques should be made payable to 'TUC Aid -Tsunami Appeal', and sent to: TUC Aid - Tsunami Appeal, EUIRD, Congress House, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3LS.
Donations receive gift aid tax relief, which can add an extra 29% to their value.
Staff at the TUC's Congress House in Great Russell Street, London, observed a three minute silence at 12 noon in memory the tsunami's victims and the continuing struggle of the survivors.
The three minute silence was also observed at CWU headquarters in Wimbledon.
Brendan Barber
TUC General Secretary

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HEALTH AND SAFETY
4
Low Level Letter Boxes - Buildings Regulations & European (EN) Standard EN 13724 - Model Letter to Local MPs
Further to LTB No. 604 dated 21 December 2004, attached is a model letter on the above subject which I am circulating to Branches requesting that as part of the campaign, you write to local MPs to build support.
Your attention to this matter is much appreciated and any enquiries should be addressed to Dave Joyce, National Health, Safety & Environment Officer, quoting reference No. MS1(L).


"Draft Model Letter"
To MP
House of Commons
Westminster
London SW1


Dear

Low Level Letter Boxes - Buildings Regulations & European (EN) Standard EN 13724

A recent case involving a postal delivery worker has once again brought to the fore the health and safety risks related to delivering mail to ground level letter boxes and the CWU national Health and Safety officer has written to the Deputy Prime Minister requesting that consideration be given to introducing changes to the appropriate UK Buildings Regulations in order to reduce the risk of injury to British postal delivery workers. I am writing to seek your support for the CWU's campaign for the introduction of new legal standards and request that you register your support by writing to the Deputy Prime Minister's office accordingly.
The CWU has raised the issue with Royal Mail and we are seeking a concerted effort to control injury risks through Safe Systems of Work instruction and training for staff on low level letter boxes. However, although such activity will help control the risks there is no better way than to eliminate it in the first place and in that respect Government action is required.
In 2001 the Irish Government changed their Building Regulations, outlawing the so called "mousetrap-type" letter boxes at the bottom of doors, banning them in all new homes. This followed an Irish High Court case in which a Dublin postman was awarded civil damages against the Irish Post Office for back injuries caused on his walk which had a high number of ground level letter boxes.
You may be surprised to learn that as far back as 1958 the Council of Industrial Design and British Standards Institute issued a British Standard specifying letter box/letter plate aperture size, maximum flap spring tension and a recommended height position for the letter plate in the door of between 2 ft 6 inches and 4 ft 9 inches from the ground with an ideal height being 3 ft 6 inches. In 2002 an updated European Standard was introduced EN 13724 entitled "Postal Services - Apertures of Private Letter Boxes and Letter Plates - Requirements and Test Methods" was issued. This covers similar dimensions and specifications as the previous BSI standard and specifies that for "ergonomic and safety reasons" the centreline of the letter box aperture should be at a height between 700 mm (2 ft 3.5 inches) and 1700 mm (5 ft 7 inches).
However these standards are not compulsory in law and the CWU is therefore re-launching the union's campaign, calling for Building/Planning Regulations to be amended by the Government. The union is obviously not demanding that householders and businesses change their doors overnight but we hope that the Government can see the merit in starting to influence change and minimise the risk of injury to our delivery staff members in respect of all new and replacement letter boxes.
The introduction of changes to the appropriate UK Buildings Regulations, similar to those in Ireland would go some way towards helping to reduce the risk of injury to British postal delivery workers. Bearing in mind that manual handling injuries along with slips, trips and falls remain key safety issues for Royal Mail staff, this is one change where Government could contribute to a reduction in injury risks.
There are currently around 3000 back injuries to Royal Mail postmen and women each year in Royal Mail and delivering to low level letter boxes at the base of a house front door, forces postal staff to stoop to ground level, whilst carrying a satchel of mail weighing up to 16Kg and thereby risk serious back strain.

I trust we can count on your support.

Yours sincerely
.....

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TELECOMS
5
Telewest - Service BBE on Call Allowances
The Union's negotiating team has been in discussions with the company on the arrangements to apply on-call out for BBEs on Network Service Activities. As a result the following has been agreed.

It is important that all Union representatives take up the arrangements and the opportunity to consult only with the CWU members. They should contact the Regional Operations Manager as soon as possible and preferably no later than 7 January 2005.
Brian Healy
Assistant Secretary

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6
NDI - Business Management Unit
The process for non-management appointment has been completed. Branches were advised in Branch Officials Bulletin No. 9/2004, paragraph 473 of the change in the role of the Business Unit. Currently the Business Management Unit is now running at 4 non-managers vacant (C1 and C3) and 4 non-managers surplus. Prior to the restructuring of the Business Unit, 2 of the 4 involved were already surplus.
Those not successfully appointed are to be given coaching to enable them to re-apply if they wish, when the jobs are run at open advert on Job News.
Brian Healy
Assistant Secretary

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7
BTExact - One IT Bench Creation Process
Attached for the information of Branches is a copy of a briefing that will go to all One IT Line managers. This briefing outlines the rules to be applied if employees nominated to the 'bench' are to be challenged in the sense that they have a business case for continuing on existing activity/programmes. Individuals selected for the bench should complete their existing programmed work within a three week timeframe.
The briefing also outlines the role of the line manager in this process.
Brian Healy
Assistant Secretary
Attachment

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8
Network Operations - Residential Official Line Status
Following comments made at a Network Briefing Forum and from information supplied by the Swansea Branch, the issue of removal of residential official line status was taken up with senior operational management. The discussions revealed the lack of consistency of management treatment in the creation of callout lists, which has been the subject of a separate report and the arbitrary approach on the removal of residential official line status.
Following these discussions the following national process has been drawn up which Branches should utilise against any claims for inappropriate removal of residential line status.
The process to follow when removing Residential Official Status is as follows:

Attached for the information of Branches is the official line management briefing.
Brian Healy
Assistant Secretary
Attachment

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