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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 36 Paragraphs 541-552 16 September 2005
SUMMARY
GENERAL
541 Headquarters Printing and Reprographic Services
542 Equality & Diversity Mandatory Training For
Branch Officials - Chelmsford
543 Equality & Diversity Mandatory Training For
Branch Officials - Cambridge
544 Equality & Diversity Mandatory Training For
Branch Officials - Leeds & Newcastle
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
545 Harassment Complaints Database - Union Policy
546 Ethnic Minorities and Magistrates Shadowing Scheme
HEALTH AND SAFETY
547 EU Parliamentary Debate on Protecting Workers
from Harmful Exposures to Sunlight "Optical Radiation
Directive" Debate
TELECOMS
548 BT Wholesale Organisational Changes
549 Telewest - Grievance Policy
550 Accenture Learning - Redeployment to BT
551 Telewest - Discipline Policy
POSTAL
552 PFWW Reward and Recognition Agreement Ballot Result
LETTERS TO BRANCHES
428 08/09/05 Agency Plans and Priorities - Sally Bridge
429
08/09/05 Manpower Christmas/New Year Staffing Arrangements -
Proposition 5 - Sally Bridge
430
09/9/05 TUPE Transfer from Hayes to Manpower UK Ltd - Documentation
for Branch Briefing - 16th Sept 2005 - Sally Bridge
431
09/09/05 AXA - PTP Consent Forms - Ray Ellis
432
09/09/05 Bill Fry - Funeral Details - GS
433
09/09/05 Liberal Democrats: Privatisation - GS
434
09/09/05 National Briefing - Dave Ward
435
09/09/05 O2 Pay Ballot Result - Grace Mitchell/Dave Johnson
436
09/09/05 Reward and Recognition Agreement Ballot Result - Terry Pullinger
437
09/09/05 Guidance Letter Unofficial Industrial Action Bradford - GS
438
12/09/05 Post Office Ltd Christmas/New Year arrangements 2005 - Andy Furey
439
12/09/05 York Containers Loading of Letter Trays - Dave Joyce
440
12/09/05 Balance Your Life Week 19-24 September - Grace Mitchell
441
13/09/05 Skin at Work Outdoor and Workers and SunExposure - Dave Joyce
442
14/09/05 Manpower UK Ltd - Annual Leave Allocation - Proposition 8 -
Sally Bridge
443
14/09/05 Childrens Food Bill - Simon Sapper
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GENERAL
541
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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542
Equality & Diversity Mandatory Training For Branch Officials - Chelmsford
In line with Conference policy, we now require branches to submit
applications for the following mandatory Equality & Diversity courses.
These courses are being held in the Eastern Region:
Thursday 6th October - Chelmsford
Thursday 13th October - Chelmsford
Thursday 20th October - Chelmsford
Thursday 27th October - Chelmsford
Further dates and venues for other regions will be published in due course.
Nominations should be made on an application form for Union courses
and returned as soon as possible to Trish Lavelle, Head of Education
& Training, CWU Education & Training Centre, Alvescot Lodge,
Alvescot, Bampton, Oxon OX18 2PY. Telephone: 01993 843373; Fax: 01993
840960; email: mtodd@cwu.org
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543
Equality & Diversity Mandatory Training For Branch Officials - Cambridge
In line with Conference policy, we now require branches to submit
applications for the following mandatory Equality & Diversity courses.
This course is being held in the Eastern Region:
Tuesday 25th October - Cambridge
Further dates and venues for other regions will be published in due course.
Nominations should be made on an application form for Union courses
and returned as soon as possible to Trish Lavelle, Head of Education
& Training, CWU Education & Training Centre, Alvescot Lodge,
Alvescot, Bampton, Oxon OX18 2PY. Telephone: 01993 843373; Fax: 01993
840960; email: mtodd@cwu.org
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544
Equality & Diversity Mandatory Training For Branch Officials -
Leeds & Newcastle
In line with Conference policy, we now require branches to submit
applications for the following mandatory Equality & Diversity courses.
These courses are being held in the North East Region:
Wednesday 12th October - Leeds
Wednesday 19th October - Newcastle
Tuesday 8th November - Newcastle
Thursday 10th November - Leeds
Further dates and venues for other regions will be published in due course.
Nominations should be made on an application form for Union courses
and returned as soon as possible to Trish Lavelle, Head of Education
& Training, CWU Education & Training Centre, Alvescot Lodge,
Alvescot, Bampton, Oxon OX18 2PY. Telephone: 01993 843373; Fax: 01993
840960; email: mtodd@cwu.org
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EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
545
Harassment Complaints Database - Union Policy
Branches are again reminded of the need to fill in the Harassment
Complaints Database (HCD) Forms, as illustrated in LTB 450/04.
Please ensure that all reps have a copy of LTB 450/04 as it contains
useful guidance as well as the form itself. Branches may also find
LTB 289/04 useful which contains information on the Harassment
Helpline and the Harassment Advice Network as well as the HCD. The
completion of the HCD forms is part of our agreement with the Equal
Opportunities Commission and is, therefore, CWU policy. (The full
agreement can be found in LTB 292/04)
The Equal Opportunities Commission has raised concerns with us
regarding the completion rate, which we need to address, otherwise we
will fall foul of the agreement. Therefore, please ensure that any
complaint raised with branch reps by members that involves possible
Harassment should be notified to HQ via these forms.
We appreciate that this will add to an already busy work schedule for
those reps that have the responsibility for completing them, but
there is no scope for non-compliance. We must accept that this will
become an accepted culture in terms of harassment reporting.
The data that will come through to HQ will be vital in enabling us to
analyse and identify any obvious patterns where problems exist.
We extend our appreciation to all those branches already complying
with the policy and look forward to the co-operation of all Branches
in this matter.
Any enquiries regarding this paragraph please contact Michèle
Emerson at CWU HQ.
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546
Ethnic Minorities and Magistrates Shadowing Scheme
Branches will be interested to know that an organisation called
Operation Black Vote has been set up specifically to target and
encourage more ethnic minorities to take the path of the judiciary
and look at the possibility of becoming a Magistrate.
Branches are asked to bring this to the attention of their black
members and any black member interested in this positive scheme are
asked to contact OBV on 020-89835430 or more info can be obtained
from their web site which is www.obv.org.uk
The scheme will involve a commitment from the individual of between 6
-8 days. The chosen individuals will pair with two experienced mentor
magistrates. The initiative has been devised by the OBV in
conjunction with the Magistrates Association.
Six to ten candidates from each region are required, and the regions
are Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, London, Derby,
Ilford, Leicester, Merseyside, Mid Glamorgan and Bury.
Anyone interested in this initiative will need to get their
applications in to OBV by Friday 28th October 2005 at their address
which is 18a Victoria Street, London, E2 9PB.
Michèle Emerson
Assistant Secretary
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HEALTH AND SAFETY
547
EU Parliamentary Debate on Protecting Workers from Harmful
Exposures to Sunlight "Optical Radiation Directive" Debate
The issue of Sun Protection has been subject to an EU Parliamentary
debate and has subsequently been subject to a lot of press interest
along with the usual distortion and misrepresentation in UK and
German Tabloid Newspapers with the usual outrageous reporting. The
"Optical Radiation Directive" debate concluded in
Strasbourg on Tuesday 6 September. The Directive is principally
designed to limit workers' exposure to lasers, X-rays, welding
torches or ultra-violet lamps. However, the European Commission
proposed the inclusion of a natural radiation - sunlight clause -
with the backing of the Executive European Commission and backed by
the Council of EU member state governments. The EU Parliament however
voted against including the so called sunlight clause in the
directive by 397 to 260 with 9 abstentions so rejecting binding
Europe-wide rules that would have made employers responsible for
workers' exposure to sunlight by more than the absolute majority
needed to amend legislation by MEPs. The European Parliament vote on
radiation at work law will now leave it to each individual EU member
state to decide whether to regulate whether employers and bosses
should have to protect staff from the sun's harmful radiation.
Pro-business Conservative, Liberal and Nationalist MEPs, Employers
and Business denounced it as over-burdening business and welcomed the
vote stating that the sunlight clause would have created an unwanted
responsibility on employers with regard to sunlight exposure and set
a precedent in terms of employers' future legal liability towards
workers who get skin cancer from working in the sun. They claimed
that EU-wide rules were unworkable because of the variation in
climate across Europe with different levels of sunlight in Sweden and
Spain, in Greece and Germany. They said the vote was a great victory
for deregulation and less bureaucracy. Critics like British Lib Dem
MEP Liz Lynne said it was no business of the EU to tell workers that
they can't be bare-chested or wear shorts etc and that the EU should
not be deciding that employers provide sun cream or sunglasses to
workers.
Supporters (Socialist and Green MEPs) argued that it would help
protect people who work outside from the danger of skin cancer and
that EU legislation was vital to cut skin cancer rates among outdoor
workers. British Labour MEP Stephen Hughes pointed out that cases of
skin cancer in the UK had doubled in 25 years, and had risen by
15-20% among German farm workers in the last decade and vowed to
continue to do what he could improve and not undermine worker
protection. He accused the media and right-wing politicians of being
hell-bent on misrepresenting important health and safety regulation.
Stephen Hughes stated that "although an opportunity to give
workers more information and protection had been lost, No employer
out there should think that this means they needn't take account of
solar radiation," he told Reuters, adding that existing EU law
laid down the principle of employer responsibility for over-exposure
to sunlight.
In its proposed original form, the Optical Radiation Directive would
have forced employers to monitor workers' exposure to the sun, assess
the risks and provide them with information and protection measures.
All radiation can damage the skin and eyes.
However, EU member states may yet attempt to overturn the
parliament's decision. If the EU Council, made up of ministers from
the member states, rejects the parliament's decision, a conciliation
committee will be set up to attempt to reach a compromise. The EU
executive, who drafted the legislation to protect workers from
exposure to artificial and natural radiation, said it would seek to
balance worker' rights with reaching a deal. Parliament, governments
and the Commission must now meet in a conciliation committee to agree
on the final wording.
Mike Shepherd, HSE Senior Health Policy official earlier issued a
warning from the Health and Safety Executive about the dangers of sun
exposure in a message to outdoor workers the HSE message is to cover
up when working and wear long sleeved work shirts to protect the skin
from undue exposure to sun rays. For workers who spend a great deal
of time working outside it is essential that they are aware of the
precautions which can be taken. Allowing skin to burn and blister is
not just painful at the time but can lead to serious consequences,
particularly skin cancer. So encouraging those who work outdoors to
keep their tops on is very important.
Skin cancer is one of the fastest growing cancers in the UK and there
are around 40,000 new cases each year. Non-melanoma skin cancer is
most associated with outdoor workers and is caused by long term
exposure to excessive sunlight. Malignant melanoma is usually
associated with short term exposure to intense sunlight. Malignant
melanoma is less common but more dangerous as it can spread quickly.
The TUC had written to MEPs prior to the vote urging them to ensure
workers get the protection they deserve stating that this is a
serious health issue that requires a serious response. Australia
dealt with the issue of protection for outdoor workers sensibly, and
now has lower rates of skin cancer than the UK. As well as the cancer
risk, excessive exposure to sunlight causes damage to the skin and
macular degeneration, permanent damage to the eye. Add to that the
risk of heat stress and heat stroke and outdoor workers have a
genuine reason for concerns and a right to better protection at work.
Any enquiries should be addressed to Dave Joyce, National Health,
Safety & Environment Office quoting reference No. P5.
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TELECOMS
548
BT Wholesale Organisational Changes
Branches may wish to be advised of the organisational and senior
appointments changes that have been announced in BT Wholesale.
No changes are envisaged for CWU grades and discussions will take
place with BT Wholesale management in due course, the outcome of
which will be reported to Branches.
Brian Healy
Assistant Secretary
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549
Telewest - Grievance Policy
Attached for the information of Branches is a copy of the revised
Telewest Grievance Policy. In essence the main changes incorporate
those driven by legislation. Additionally Telewest has clarified its
position in that it would not hear cases if it is deemed to obstruct
other procedures currently being processed such as performance
management and that they are not related. In such cases the decision
not to hear the new case will reside with senior management.
Brian Healy
Assistant Secretary
Attachment
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550
Accenture Learning - Redeployment to BT
Following a number of conflicting messages emanating mainly from
management statements, the Union made further representations in
order to ensure that the original principles agreed and in particular
Pay and Pension protection arrangements were further restated to the workforce.
The attached internal communication has been issued to quash any
previous misunderstandings.
Brian Healy
Assistant Secretary
Attachment
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551
Telewest - Discipline Policy
It came to the attention of the Union nationally that Telewest were
revising their disciplinary process. Although the policy applies
across the whole of the company and not strictly confined to where
the Union has recognition, representations were made in order to seek
improvements. Telewest listened to the Union's suggestions and
incorporated them as part of the ongoing joint approach. Attached is
a copy of the amended policy.
There has been much confusion over the status of informal verbal
warnings which are not part of the disciplinary process and whether
they were given or understood in the first place. The company has
agreed that where this happens a record will be kept on the personnel
file and a copy given to the employee. Furthermore it has agreed that
no disciplinary decision will take place until the case has been
discussed with the employee and that the appropriate investigation
has taken place. The company also agrees that where dismissal is not
appropriate or as a lesser award, demotion may be considered as an alternative.
Brian Healy
Assistant Secretary
Attachment
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POSTAL
552
PFWW Reward and Recognition Agreement Ballot Result
Reproduced below for the information of Branches is the result of the
PFWW Reward and Recognition Agreement membership ballot.
Yes 787
No 172
Spoilt Papers 0
Total Dispatched 2277
Any Branch enquiries should be addressed to Terry Pullinger,
Assistant Secretary quoting the reference 105.
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