WEEKLY INFORMATION FROM THE COMMUNICATION WORKERS UNION
SUMMARY
Attachments or LTB's can be
emailed or downloaded from the National Site
Volume 10 Issue 14 Paragraphs 221-234 08 April 2005
SUMMARY
GENERAL
221 Liaison Meetings with CWU Group MPs
222 Headquarters Printing and Reprographic Services
223 Branch Magazine and Website Competition
224 Annual Conference 2005 - Equality Disco
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
No items this week
HEALTH AND SAFETY
225 Royal Mail National First Aid Competition 2005
226 Luton Postman Saves Mans Life
227 Low Level Letter Box Campaign
TELECOMS
228 BT Wholesale - Moves Into One IT From CIO
229 Accenture HR Services - Equal Pay Audit Review
230 BT Wholesale - CReST Resource Management Pilot
231 Accenture HR Services - CWU Increase in Subscriptions
232 One IT: Breakdown on LOB Transfers
POSTAL
233 Election of Romec National Representative &
Romec Regional Representatives
234 TPM Allowance - Addressograph Machine Operators
LETTERS TO BRANCHES
154
31.03.05 Election of Romec National Reps & Regional Reps - Ray Ellis
155
31.03.05 Stalled Sites - Bob Gibson
156
31.03.05 Rail Against Privatisation - GS
157
01.04.05 Vehicle Services Territory Rep - Ray Ellis
158
01.04.05 Nominations 2005 - Steve Baguley
159
01.04.05 Communications Review - GS
160
01.04.05 Individual Performance Standards/Performance Measures -
Martin Collins, Bob Gibson
161
01.04.05 Royal Mail Pension Scheme Benefit - Dave Ward
162
05.04.05 Eurest Pay Review 2005 - Accenture HR Services Contract -
Sally Bridge
163
05.04.05 POL CIT National Agreement Training and Agreement Licensing
Agreement - Andy Furey
164
06.04.05 Low Level Letterbox Campaign - Dave Joyce
165
06.04.05 Information and Consultation Agreement Between Hays
Personnel Agency and The CWU - Sally Bridge
166
06.04.05 RM & Logistics Pay 2005 - Dave Ward
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GENERAL
221
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:
19 April
John Holmes, Steve Fishwick,
Manny Blake, Graham Colk and a North West Region representative.
Billy Hayes
General Secretary
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222
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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223
Branch Magazine and Website Competition
Web wonders and branch hacks take note! The annual awards rewarding
the very best CWU branch magazines and websites are up for grabs once
again - and as normal the competition will reach its climax at Annual
Conference in Blackpool.
Nominations are now open, so it's time to think about getting
recognition for the branch editors and internet boffins who beaver
away to bring you the information you need at branch level.
Editors: All you have to do is decide which edition of the magazine
was your best of the last twelve months and send three copies to:
Marcia Murray, CWU Communications Department, 150 The Broadway,
Wimbledon, London, SW19 1RX.
Webmasters and mistresses: email your details, including the branch
URL (website address) to: mmurray@cwu.org
Deadline for entries is Friday, May 20 so don't delay, particularly
considering substantial prizes are at stake thanks to Hamilton Bank
which is once again sponsoring the competition.
This year the winners of both the branch magazine and branch website
competitions will walk away with a total of £300 in software
vouchers, enabling them to improve their publications still further.
Simon Alford
Communications Dept. HQ
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224
Annual Conference 2005 - Equality Disco
The time has come to start preparations for the Equality Disco 2005,
which is to be held on the Saturday preceding Annual Conference, i.e.
11th June 2005. As in previous years, I would be grateful if Branches
could consider donating raffle prizes, the proceeds of which will be
given to charity. If Branches would like to contribute, please
contact: Katrina Quirke, email: cwu-helpline@cwu.org
or tel: 020 8971 7312.
Any enquiries concerning this paragraph should be addressed to Manny
Blake, Acting Assistant Secretary quoting reference 1.10.1.
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HEALTH AND SAFETY
225
Royal Mail National First Aid Competition 2005
Once again the CWU is pleased to support the Royal Mail National
First Aid competition 2005, endorsing the participation of CWU
members and fully recognising the valuable contribution First Aiders
make to the treatment of injury and preservation of life.
I would request that Area Safety Representatives and other CWU
Officials give as much support as they can to the competition and CWU
members participating, encouraging participation.
The Regional Rounds will take place between 11 - 28 April at "Ye
Old Bell Hotel", Barnby Moor, Retford Nottinghamshire on the
following dates:
11 - 12 April - West 1 Area - Includes Postcode Areas DE, NG, LE, CV,
NN, B, HR, WR, ST, WS, DY, SY, LD, TS, WV, CH, LL.
13 - 14 April - East 1 Area - Includes Postcode Areas PE, NR, IP, CB,
CO, CM, SG, LU, MK.
18 - 19 April - East 3 Area - Includes Postcode Areas CR, BR, SM, RH,
BN, TW, GU, KT, HA, UB, SL, CT, TN, ME, DA.
20 - 21 April - West 2 Area - Includes Postcode Areas EX, TQ, TR, PL,
BH, DT, BA, BS, TA, CF, SA, NP, OX, GL, SN, RG.
25 - 26 April - North 2 Area - Includes Postcode Areas BD, HG, LS,
WF, HX, HD, YO, S, DN, LN, HU, CW, WA, WN, SK, OL, M, LA, BB, PR, FY,
WN, CA, BL.
27 - 28 April - North 1 Area - Includes Postcode Areas EH, TD, KY,
FK, PH, BD, AB, IV, HS, KW, ZE, G, ML, KA, BG, BT, NE, SR, TS, DL.
27 - 28 April - East 2 Area - Includes Postcode Areas EC, WC, N, SE,
SW, W, WD, EN, AL, HP, NW, E, RM, SS.
106 teams of 2 to 3 people have been entered for this years
competition which is open to visitors. The finals will be held at
Cotton House, Rugby on 26 & 27 October.
If you have any general enquiries regarding the competition then call
Andy McArthur on 1582-394613.
Dave Joyce, National Health, Safety & Environment Officer.
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226
Luton Postman Saves Mans Life
Luton delivery Postman and trained first-aider John Hannah had just
completed his Farley Hill round when several people came running to
the front of a petrol garage forecourt in an agitated state, shouting
for anyone with first aid knowledge, John immediately responded and
ran into the garage to find an unconscious man lying face down in a
large pool of blood with head injuries and he had turned a blue
colour. He had in fact suffered a heart attack and stopped breathing.
John swiftly went into action using his regular first aid
resuscitation training and lifesaving skills. After a while the man
gurgled, exhaled noisily and bloodily, and gasped spasmodically for
air, which improved then regaining a little consciousness. A witness
said he staggered then fell hitting his head first on a car and then
on the ground.
999 had been called and eventually an ambulance approached the garage
and drove past on its way to a nearby major road accident but
eventually a second ambulance arrived taking the man to hospital by
which time he regained more consciousness
John visited the man in hospital a few days later and discovered he
had had a quad heart by-pass operation cancelled in January
re-scheduled for March. John was told that the man has suffered no
heart or brain damage as a result of the incident, and is now back at
home and "normal" despite not breathing for an estimated 3
minutes (4 minutes is the critical time). The two men have since kept
in touch and become great friends, sharing many interests and they
are planning some outings after his operation.
John said "I momentarily froze due to the shock I suppose, but I
mustered my thoughts and what triggered me was our regular first aid
resuscitation training with Andy McArthur Area Safety Rep Eastern No.
6 Branch who is also the Chair of the First Aid Association. I went
into a sort of detached automatic mode from then on".
Dave Joyce National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
commended John for his quick actions and said if First Aiders like
John and trainers like Andy weren't around then this man wouldn't be
here now. First Aiders play a really important role and the CWU is
keen to support and encourage participation of our members. We will
once again this year be giving our support to the Royal Mail First
Aid competition.
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227
Low Level Letter Box Campaign
I write to update branches further to LTBs 604/04 issued on 21
December 2004 and 01/05 dated 4 January respectively, BOB No. 50/04
Paragraph 811 "Low Level Letter Boxes - Risk Assessment &
Safe System of Work - Buildings Regulations, - European (EN)
Standard" and Paragraph 812 "Low Level Letter Boxes -
Buildings Regulations, European (EN) Standard EN 13724".
The campaign to date has received a high profile and good level of
positive support. There has been a lot of Media interest with Press
and radio stations in particular.
Following our approaches to Government, a mixed response was received
at Ministerial Level, however, sadly the Deputy Prime Minister's
office rejected our call to amend the exiting building regulations to
enshrine EN13724 into the legislation although they fully support
adherence to the European Standard through dialogue with industry.
Alan Johnson, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions was supportive
in as much as sharing the view of the HSE that this was one of a
combination of factors that increased the risk of back injury. He
stated that HSE would examine the problem via their planned
Inspection programme and would begin an awareness raising process
with those who design, build, install and buy doors in bulk to
influence change and minimise injury risks to Postal Delivery Staff
in respect of new and replacement letter boxes.
A high level meeting has taken place with the HSE who have confirmed
their support to our initiative and would be examining the problem
further and taking action in accordance with the line confirmed in
writing to the CWU, detailed above.
I would like to thank all those Local, Area, Branch and Regional
Officials plus members who wrote to MPs and Local Authorities in line
with the request and model letter set out in LTB 01/05. A good level
of cross-party support was received. Copies of the letters from both
Ministers Offices are attached for your information.
I have now raised the matter with the National House Builders Council
(NHBC) and intend to and move the issue on in conjunction with the
HSE, by approaching various organisations involved with house
building and granting building permission.
I would request that Branches and Regional Councils also now
intensify the campaign locally by approaching Local Authorities
directly or via Councillors, approaching organisations involved with
house building, renovation and granting building permission as well
as door manufacturers and suppliers.
Can I thank all those Branches and Officials that have supported the
campaign and written to the HS&E Department to date with copies
of correspondence. I will keep Branches updated on any developments.
Any enquiries should be addressed to Dave Joyce, National Health,
Safety & Environment Officer.
Att:
G5
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TELECOMS
228
BT Wholesale - Moves Into One IT From CIO
One of the key elements of the One IT strategy is to identify people
whose work naturally fits into one of the 29 Programmes, the
objective being to move people into the relevant part of One IT. As a
continuation of this work on 1 April 2005 BT will be transferring a
number of people across from the Wholesale CIO team into One IT.
Considering that a major focus for the CIO team in Wholesale is 21CN,
the majority of people transferring will be working on the 21CN
Programme, with a few people working on other Wholesale One IT
Programmes (Field Force Solutions, Wholesale Products etc). In total
40 people will be transferring from the CIO team from the current
total of 81.
Of the 40, the breakdown by grade is as follows:
32 PCGs
6 MPGs
2 Team Members.
Reaming in the CIO team will be
18 PCGs
16 MPGs
7 team members.
The people impacted by this change have been notified by management.
Brian Healy
Assistant Secretary
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229
Accenture HR Services - Equal Pay Audit Review
The work on the analysis of salaries is drawing to a final phase with
two functions represented and populated by CWU grades to be
concluded. The extra detailed investigation required, revolves around
the employment history of the female members in those functions.
There is a need to ascertain whether there are any material factors
which can be acceptable and which are not discriminatory in the
difference to the average salaries.
During April, line managers will be tasked to gather information on
employment records and during April/May agreement on the final
implementation plan to resolve any cases which cannot be materially justified.
Brian Healy
Assistant Secretary
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230
BT Wholesale - CReST Resource Management Pilot
Attached for the information of Branches is a closure report of the
CReST pilot. The following is a summary of the perceived benefits as
summarised by Wholesale Management.
o The pilot has highlighted that the use of CREST has increased the
accuracy of the data that identifies available resource by 10-15%.
This improved accuracy has increased the Production Capability and
Control (PCC) Team's ability to match available resource to work
volume. It has also increased the speed of response and effectiveness
of interventions when work volumes differ from resourcing levels.
o As a result of building user profiles on CReST, BT now have an
overall view of leave and attendance pattern and these have been
compiled and collated across the pilot teams. This has highlighted
significant weaknesses in resourcing levels within the pilot teams on
Mondays and Fridays which is attributed to lack of a clear rota day
policy by management.
o The introduction of CReST has reduced the amount of time line
managers spend on leave and attendance management by 2.14 hours per
manager per week.
o CReST now provides the PCC with full and automated visibility of
attendance that removes the need for Data Team members to manually
update the desktop director with details of their working patterns.
This time saving has not been captured. Further development of CReST
will allow users to record their current responsibility (eg working
on queue or project) on the system and also give the PCC team the
visibility it needs to proactively deploy available resource to where
it can be most effective.
o Analysis of the user perception surveys conducted before and after
the pilot indicates that despite extensive training and
communications, CReST has not been wholeheartedly embraced by team
members within the pilot teams. However, the results clearly show
that a team's perception of CReST correlates closely to the adequacy
of briefings given to them.
Brian Healy
Assistant Secretary
Attachment
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231
Accenture HR Services - CWU Increase in Subscriptions
It has come to the attention of the Union that the increase in Union
subscriptions was not executed with effect from 1 January 2005. The
company has advised that that the increase in subscriptions for CWU
members effective 1 January 2005 will be deducted from their pay in
March. Therefore Payroll will be deducting the amount for January,
February and March during the one month.
Brian Healy
Assistant Secretary
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232
One IT: Breakdown on LOB Transfers
Attached for the information of Branches is a sub grade group of
those numbers transferred with affect from 1 April 2005, to One IT.
Brian Healy
Assistant Secretary
Attachment
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POSTAL
233
Election of Romec National Representative & Romec Regional Representatives
Nominations are invited for the following positions:
1. Romec National Representative
(1 position)
All branches with Romec technical services or admin grade members are
eligible to nominate candidates for this position.
2. Romec Regional Representatives
East
Region 1 (1 position)*
Region 2 (1 position)*
North
Region 1 (1 position)*
Region 2 (1 position)*
West
Region 1 (1 position)*
Region 2 (1 position)*
*For full listings of branches eligible to nominate candidates please
look at LTB 154/05.
The elections for the above positions will be run in accordance with
the CWU guidelines for senior field official elections.
Nomination forms are available on request from the National
Organising Department. Completed nomination forms, which must be
signed by the Branch Secretary and Branch Chair (or accredited
deputies) and the nominee, should be returned by no later than 22nd
April 2005. The timetable for the elections is as follows:
Nominations open 1st April 2005
Nominations close 22nd April 2005
Please note that if a ballot is required for the above positions it
will be an individual member ballot.
The term of office will be for one year.
The term of office will commence from the close of Annual Conference.
Any enquiries regarding the nomination forms should be directed to
Steve Baguley, National Organising Secretary.
Any further enquiries should be directed to Ray Ellis, Assistant Secretary.
234
TPM Allowance - Addressograph Machine Operators
Branches and Representatives will be aware that I have been pursuing
a number of outstanding issues in relation to TPM, one of which was
the extension of the payment of the TPM Allowance to OPGs who operate
Addressograph Machines.
A consultation exercise was carried out with Branches and the
responses that were received, in my opinion, provided enough evidence
to justify the payment of the allowance therefore a claim was put
forward to Royal Mail for their consideration.
The type of work currently being carried out by our members involves
the general cleaning of the machines, cleaning the print heads and
roller cutter. In most instances our members have been required to
undertake training which has been overseen by the company who
supplied the Addressograph Machines to Royal Mail.
The Business has, however, now formally responded to our claim
informing us that they will not agree to extend the TPM Allowance
Payments for this work. They have also stated that if there are any
difficulties with the Addressograph Machines such as blockages, this
should be referred to the contractor responsible for maintaining this
equipment. In view of the negative response from the Business,
Representatives should bring the content of this paragraph to the
immediate attention of members operating Addressograph Machines. It
is important that in future our members do not continue to perform
any tasks on Addressograph Machines other than printing which will of
course be in line with the response received from Mr Forbes, Head of
Processing Design. Any difficulties with the machine including
cleaning requirements, maintenance or repairs should be referred to
the appropriate contractor.
Our members should also be made aware that following the formal
response from Royal Mail to continue to perform other work could have
Health and Safety implications, in particular if they were to have an accident.
All enquiries regarding the content of this paragraph should be
addressed to Martin Collins, Assistant Secretary, Indoor Department,
quoting reference number L.350.01.