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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 39 Paragraphs 573-588 07 October 2005

SUMMARY
GENERAL
573 Liaison Meetings with CWU Group MPs
574 Headquarters Printing and Reprographic Services
575 Union Skills I Course
576 Union Skills II Course
577 Health & Safety Stage II Course
578 Equal Rights in The CWU Part 1
579 Equality & Diversity Mandatory Training for Branch Officials - Chelmsford - Reminder
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
580 Harassment Complaints Database - Union Policy
581 OUTtalk - Glasgow 2005 Issue
HEALTH AND SAFETY
582 Royal Mail Fluorescent "Orange" Domino Printer Ink Trials
583 CWU Health & Safety Representation in RME for RM Engineers
TELECOMS
584 Telewest - Pay 2005 - Ballot Arrangements
585 Telewest/NTL Merger
586 Accenture Learning - Career Level Mapping
587 BT Wholesale Operations - Support Review and Newstart
POSTAL
588 Catering Facilities - Joint Working Group
LETTERS TO BRANCHES
467 29/09/05 Eurest Pay Review 2005 - BT Contract - Sally Bridge
468 29/09/05 Manpower UK Ltd - Training for Agency Reps - Sally Bridge
469 29/09/05 Indoor Workload Tool - Bob Gibson
470 30/09/05 CWU Disability and Special Needs 26/11/05 - Michèle Emerson
471 03/10/05 POL - Cash Services - Future Business Strategy - Andy Furey
472 04/10/05 Building a Social Europe - The Trade Union Case for EU Reform - General Secretary
473 04/10/05 Newstart Leaver Payment Terms - W McClory
474 05/10/05 TUC/Labour Party Elections - Steve Baguley
475 05/10/05 Partnership Agreement between Kelly Services UK Ltd and the CWU - Sally Bridge
476 04/10/05 European Health and Safety Week National Inspection Day - Dave Joyce
477 05/10/05 Post Office Privatisation/Liberatisation - General Secretary
478 05/10/05 Press Reports concerning the Government Review into Royal Mail after Liberalisation - General Secretary
479 05/10/05 Labour Party Conference 2000 - Postal Privatisation/Liberalisation - General Secretary
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GENERAL
573
Liaison Meetings with CWU Group MPs
Meetings with CWU supported MPs have now been arranged for the remainder of 2005 and, for your information, I list below the dates of the meetings and those nominated to attend:
18 October: Graham Colk, Maria Exall, Dave Warren, representative from South West Region
8 November: Beryl Shepherd, John Holmes, Phil Waker, representative from North West Region
13 December: Graham Colk, Andy Kerr, Dave Warren, representative from London Region.
Billy Hayes
General Secretary

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574
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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575
Union Skills I Course
The Communication Workers Union has organised a Union Skills I course, to be held at the union's Education & Training Centre at Alvescot Lodge. All courses held at Alvescot Lodge are accredited with the National Open College Network. This is a fully integrated course.
The course will be held from 9 - 13 January 2006
The closing date for applications is 24 November
The Linked Education Programme is designed to encourage members to become more active in the union. It is open to all members of the CWU, but is particularly aimed at new activists. We particularly encourage branches to nominate women, ethnic minorities, people with disabilities and young members who are often under-represented on the CWU Education and Training Programme
All members of the union who wish to have a working knowledge of the wider Trade Union and Labour Movement would benefit from attending the Linked Education Programme. The courses are called 'Linked Education' because the programme comprises three distinct but connected courses, each of one week duration. It begins with the Union Skills I, followed by the Union Skills II and concludes with Union Skills Ill. The three parts of the course are completely self contained, but there are real educational benefits in completing all three parts of the programme in a year or eighteen months. Union Skills courses attract special leave with pay.
All courses at Alvescot are residential. The cost of tuition, food and accommodation will be met from the General Fund. Branches requiring financial assistance from the General Fund to enable them to send students to the course must submit the request with the nomination, to enable the Trustees to consider the request in time.
The Education Centre can offer child-minding facilities for a maximum of three under school age children at any one time. If any applicant from your branch would like child-minding facilities, can you please advise the age and sex of the child on the application form. Further information on the child-minding arrangements will then be sent to successful applicants.
Those nominees who are Committee Members, Branch Representatives or Branch Officers are entitled to leave with pay. Nominations should be made on the form for Education Courses, and returned to Alvescot Lodge by the closing date shown. If you nominate more than one member (a maximum of two please), indicate the order of preference if necessary and please apply for only one course at a time. If a member is refused a place, due to oversubscription, then indicate this on a subsequent application for another date.
Application forms should be addressed 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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576
Union Skills II Course
The Communication Workers Union has organised a Union Skills II Course, to be held at the Union's Education & Training Centre at Alvescot Lodge. All courses held at Alvescot Lodge are accredited with the National Open College Network. This is a fully integrated course.
The course will be held from 20 - 24 February 2006
The closing date for nominations is 5 January
Only members who have attended a Union Skills I or an Induction course are eligible for nomination. Preference, will of course, be given to those students who have been refused a previous Union Skills II Course, so this must be shown on the application form.
Application forms should be addressed 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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577
Health & Safety Stage II Course
A Health and Safety Stage II course has been organised to be held at the Education and Training Centre at Alvescot Lodge. All courses held at Alvescot Lodge are accredited with the National Open College Network. This is a fully integrated course.
The course will be held from 30 January - 3 February 2006
The closing date for nominations is 15 December
Applicants for this course will have already attended the Union's Health & Safety Stage I course.
Application forms should be addressed 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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578
Equal Rights in The CWU Part 1
The Communication Workers Union has organised an 'Equal Rights in the CWU Part 1 Course', to be held at the Union's Education & Training Centre at Alvescot Lodge. All courses held at Alvescot Lodge are accredited with the National Open College Network. This is a fully integrated course.
The course will be held from 13 - 17 February 2006
The closing date for nominations is 5 January
This course is targeted at CWU Branch Equality Officers and other Branch and Field Representatives who deal with equality Issues on a regular basis. The course objective is to equip members with a thorough grounding in diversity & equality issues at both a theoretical and practical level.
As with all CWU courses, the focus is very much on the practical and on building the individuals' confidence, skills and knowledge. Students are supported throughout by trade union tutors and will be encouraged to work at a pace and level that suits them. Many of the course activities will be carried out through working in small groups assisted by our specialist tutors.
Main Themes

Special Leave with pay applies for members employed by BT.
Application forms should be addressed 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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579
Equality & Diversity Mandatory Training for Branch Officials - Chelmsford - Reminder
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 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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EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
580
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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581
OUTtalk - Glasgow 2005 Issue
Included with this BOB is a copy of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Advisory Committee Newsletter OUTtalk.
We will also be sending OUTtalk to our contact list. An electronic copy will be put on the CWU website. If you want us to send you further copies please let us know. Further copies can be ordered from the Equal Opportunities Department by phone, post or by email to acrisp@cwu.org.
Any enquiries on the above should be addressed to Michèle Emerson, Assistant Secretary, quoting reference No. 1.50.3.2

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582
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Royal Mail Fluorescent "Orange" Domino Printer Ink Trials
A new type of Ink has been on Trial at Dorset Mail Centre from which a number of Health and Safety issues were identified and not satisfactorily resolved to the satisfaction of the CWU. Royal Mail Engineering subsequently proposed extending the Trials to a further 7 Mail Centres (Edinburgh, HWDC, Gloucester, Sheffield, Leeds, Birmingham and Mount Pleasant. Understandably this created widespread concerns amongst Safety Representatives. This is to inform Branches that following representations the extended pre-national deployment trials have been postponed pending further discussions.
The history is that a new trial Domino printer ink was introduced for trial in Dorset Mail Centre in November 2004. The trials were problematic and resulted in spills, equipment contamination and release of vapour clouds around the printer.
The ink contains a fluorescent resin and an alcoholic solvent medium (ethanol, methanol with some ammonium hydroxide). The ink wash for cleaning comprises of a similar solvent composition to which members at Dorset Mail Centre complained of exposure to solvent fume vapours during maintenance and cleaning of the equipment. Engineers complained of dizziness and took rest breaks outside away from the printers.
One Asthmatic member became unwell with severe chest tightness and a skin rash affecting his hands or fingers.
Royal Mail's Head of Health, Dr Steve Deacon, confirmed that unfortunately the PPE provided (paper masks) was completely inadequate for protection against solvent vapours which he said requires a full face mask with use of an appropriate absorbent canister filter and he recommended:

In March 2005 when the above was brought to the attention of the CWU Health, Safety and Environment Department by the Dorset MC CWU Engineering Safety Rep, a letter was sent to RME's Head of Safety, Chris Portman, requesting a cessation of the trial and a thorough investigation of the Ink Trial at Dorset MC. Additionally we demanded that before any recommencement that a suitable and sufficient risk assessment be carried out, and that there be a review of Safety compliance, control measures and safety organisation.
In April 2005 a response was received from the RME Head of Safety which acknowledged that improvements to the trial process should be made and a further report was promised following visits to the Mail Centre by the RME Head of Safety and a Royal Mail Chemist. Shortly thereafter CWU HQ Health Safety & Environment Department was assured by the RME Head of Safety that everything was now under control.
In June 2005 the HS&E Department received a communication from the Territorial CWU Rep stating that effective risk control measures had not been put in place and there were now plans to extend the Trial to three other Mail Centres.
On 27 June a detailed letter went to the RME Head of Safety referring to the above issues and demanding that there be no extension or roll out of the trial ink until the health and safety issues had been addressed and adequate safety controls implemented.
A reply came back on 28 June accepting that things had "gone awry" and that an investigation would take place. RME's Head of Safety, Chris Portman, said that there were no plans to extend the trial that he was aware of and that he would request that the trial ceases if it proves that suitable and sufficient safety precautions weren't in place.
Nothing more was heard until mid-September 2005 when Paul Brown of RME proposed extending the trial ink to the 7 Mail Centres listed above but without demonstrating that the health and safety issues had been adequately addressed or questions raised by Safety Reps had been answered such as Workshop General Ventilation, Local Exhaust Ventilation, PPE, RPE, Risk Assessment & SSOW issues, COSHH Assessment, Training issues, Washing Facilities, Environmental and Waste Disposal issues.
On 23 September RME confirmed that the extended Ink Trials due to commence in October had been postponed subject to further discussions with the CWU.
On Friday 30 September a meeting took place with Royal Mail Engineering (RME) Senior Management. At the meeting a detailed presentation of the CWU's concerns was made to which RME assured the CWU that they would address all the issues sufficiently to the satisfaction of the Union's representatives and members in Mail Centres. To resolve the matter it was agreed that:

  1. There would be no further roll out of the new Fluorescent Orange Ink until the CWU concerns are discussed in detail and a satisfactory resolution is reached.

  2. A further meeting would be urgently arranged at one of the Trial Offices (Dorset, Swindon or Northampton) with the Project Manager and a CWU team of Reps to go through the issues and resolve an agreed way forward.
  3. Once the CWU concerns have been resolved an agreed phased roll out programme would commence with pre-intro meetings at each Mail Centre involving local CWU Safety Reps to ensure local risk assessments are added to the generic SSOW, ensuring that all staff are informed sufficiently as to the safety requirements and procedures with the trial being closely monitored by RME and CWU.

Any enquiries should be addressed to Dave Joyce National, Health, Safety & Environment Officer CWU/HQ quoting reference C33.

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583
CWU Health & Safety Representation in RME for RM Engineers
Since earlier this year the Health Safety & Environment Dept has been seeking discussions with Royal Mail Engineering (RME), to take forward all the issues on safety representation and a health and safety representative structure as part of the link to the Royal Mail Group wide talks. RME have unfortunately cancelled a number of arranged meeting dates, so it is not for the want of trying on behalf of the HSE Dept.
In respect of the decision to put on hold the RM Group Health and Safety Representation talks announced to Branches in January, due to the overshadowing IR problems, the HSE Dept has despite that sought to take forward the need for an interim Safety Representatives structure in RME, I am pleased to report that meeting dates have been arranged following two meetings at Royal Mail Group level, now the IR framework discussions are back underway separately following Conference decisions and the endorsement of the "Joint Statement".
Early on in the talks we strongly rejected the Royal Mail proposal not to have dedicated CWU Engineering Safety Reps and in January we once again rejected their proposal to subsume Engineering Safety Representation under the Opps Grades Area Safety Reps, which was a strongly held position in certain Royal Mail Management quarters at the time. As discussions progressed RME then took the position that the Territorial CWU RME IR Reps would deal with Health and Safety which was likewise strongly rejected by the HSE Dept negotiating team. Following that we faced the problem of RME threatening to withdraw current paid time off facilities for Engineering Safety Reps in Scotland and London. Then the next turn of events was when RME having agreed the basis of a structure within the Royal Mail Group talks mischievously gave instructions to the RMG negotiators to withdraw the proposal. Following further recent meetings with Royal Mail Group we have established the basis for constructive talks directly with RME to get underway.
Clearly we need a robust Safety Representatives structure with dedicated CWU RME Area Safety Reps, Engineering Safety Committees and proper recognition and involvement which we will continue to pursue and further reports will be issued to Branches in due course.
Any enquiries should be addressed to Dave Joyce National, Health, Safety & Environment Officer CWU/HQ.

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TELECOMS
584
Telewest - Pay 2005 - Ballot Arrangements
Arrangements have been made for a consultative ballot to be held and the timetable is as follows:
Ballot Opens - Monday 3 October 2005
Ballot Closes - Monday 17 October 2005
Ballot papers will be dispatched by first class post on 3 October to home addresses of those Broadband Engineers entitled to vote.
If you are aware of any BBEs that do not receive a ballot paper and who are members, please contact my office as soon as possible quoting their name, address and membership number.
Yours sincerely
Brian Healy
Assistant Secretary

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585
Telewest/NTL Merger
On Monday 3 October 2005, the respective Boards announced that having cleared the detail, they are recommending to its shareholders a package that will, subject to legal, shareholder and regulatory approval, create a merger of the two companies.
The Union has already been in contact with Telewest and they report that as it was part of the disclosure process, it will be business as usual with regard to extending the Union's recognition and that talks will take place shortly on providing access to the workforce prior to the ballot.
Brian Healy
Assistant Secretary

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586
Accenture Learning - Career Level Mapping
Accenture Learning in anticipation of the move across of the Learning Services community from Accenture HR Services has being working on aligning the banding levels with that of the main Accenture Services Group. The documentation explaining the reasons are in the attached slides.
Also attached is a copy of the Accenture Services Group Career Level Criteria. For the existing Co-ordinator and Associate II grades, there exist clear read across comparisons; this is not however exactly true for Associate I is how the union reads the documentation. Within the narrative of the Career Level Criteria there is evidence to indicate that the mapping level should read as E and not F as suggested by the company. This has been raised with management and a response to their rationale is awaited.
Brian Healy
Assistant Secretary
Attachment 1 Attachment 2

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587
BT Wholesale Operations - Support Review and Newstart
Following the announcement by BT Group of the opening up of a Newstart window, BT Wholesale have confirmed to the union that they are now prepared to consider applications for voluntary release and will advise the affected community directly by letter. A copy of that letter is attached.
Brian Healy
Assistant Secretary
Attachment

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POSTAL
588
Catering Facilities - Joint Working Group
An exchange of correspondence with management is attached concerning the setting up of a joint working group to review quadrant services provided to Royal Mail Group.
It includes our reply concerning the make up of the Joint Working Group and our proposed nominees.
It will also be noted that we have been supplied with a list of offices to be reviewed and the comparative canteen takings between 2002/03 and 2004/05.
Any enquiries to Bob Gibson's Department, Ref 110.01 for Royal Mail Catering Services issues, Terry Pullinger's Department, Ref 311 for Quadrant Staffing issues and Ray Ellis's Department, Ref 018 for Quadrant pricing issues.
Att: PE22

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