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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 41 Paragraphs 604-620 20 October 2005

SUMMARY
GENERAL
604 Liaison Meetings with CWU Group MPs
605 Headquarters Printing and Reprographic Services
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
606 Harassment Complaints Database - Union Policy
HEALTH AND SAFETY
607 Acoustic Shock in the Workplace Conferences
608 York Containers - New Type Elasticated Straps
609 York Containers - Loading of Letter Trays - Correspondence Between Area General Managers & Mail Centre Managers from Mike Eady, Head of Central Postal Control (July, Aug & Sept)
610 York Containers - New Batch
TELECOMS
611 One IT - Operational Integrity Review
612 Telewest - Consumer Field Operations - Points Matrix
613 Telewest - Pay & Reward 2005 - Ballot Results
614 Accenture HR Services - Salary Review 2005
615 Accenture HR Services - End of Financial Year Update
616 BT Wholesale - Core Planning Zero Based Budgeting (ZBB)
617 Telewest - Total Reward
618 One IT - Performance Management Online
619 One IT - Newstart
POSTAL
620 Downstream Access Guidance
LETTERS TO BRANCHES
487 14/10/05 Telecoms Organisers - Progress Reports - Jeannie Drake
488 14/10/05 National Briefing: Campaign Against Post Office Privatisation - GS
489 14/10/05 Public Ownership of Royal Mail - EDM 548 - GS
490 17/10/05 Public Ownership of Royal Mail - Early Day Motion 548 - GS
491 17/10/05 TUC Press Release from Draft Temporary Agency Workers Directive - Sally Bridge
492 17/10/05 Post Office Ltd Cash Services Future Business Strategy - Andy Furey
493 18/10/05 BT Salaries Sacrifice (Mobile Worker Payments) - Simon Sapper
494 18/10/05 National Briefing: Campaign Against Post Office Privatisation - GS
495 19/10/05 Final Payroll Details - Hays - Sally Bridge
496 19/10/05 Public Ownership of Royal Mail - EDM 548 - GS
497 19/10/05 BT Global Services - Proposed Disposal of TES, Satnet and OU - Billy McClory
498 18/10/05 National Briefing: Campaign Against Post Office Privatisation - GS

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GENERAL
604
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:
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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605
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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EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
606
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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HEALTH AND SAFETY
607
Acoustic Shock in the Workplace Conferences
A major conference will bring together experts in the field of acoustic safety at work from the scientific, medical, and legal communities to discuss the controversial subject of acoustic shock.
Acoustic shock syndrome is a serious condition suffered by call centre workers caused by inadequate protection from sharply rising noise interference. This can result in tinnitus, ear pain, nausea, and anxiety, and contributes to the high levels of absenteeism and staff attrition in the call centre industry.
There will in fact be two one day Acoustic Safety Programme Conferences due to the interest in attendance and they are being held on November 7 and November 11 at the Government's National Physical Laboratory (a state-of-the-art scientific research centre in Teddington, London), which aims to raise awareness of acoustic shock and introduce solutions to those in the call centre industry and the general public.
4% of the UK workforce are employed in call centres, and an RNID survey of 15 of these call centres found that 30% of their staff suffered from tinnitus. Despite the availability of equipment and solutions that affords call centre workers protection from acoustic shock, some employers and headset manufacturers refuse to recognise the condition.
Speakers at the conference include; Marcus Quilter, Chairman, Acoustic Safety Conference; Richard Barham, Principal Research Scientist, National Physical Laboratory; David Joyce, Communication Workers Union National Health, Safety and Environment Officer; Keith Broughton, former HM Principal Specialist Inspector Noise and Vibration; Hugh Robertson, Senior Policy Officer TUC; Dr. Andrew Graham-Cumming, Specialist Consultant Occupational Physician; Dr. Amir Nooral, Specialist Acoustics Engineer; Adrian Fawden, Specialist Acoustics Injury Lawyer, Simpson Millar Solicitors.
CWU involvement in the Acoustic Safety Programme is part of the Union's campaign to raise awareness and secure action to deal with the problem of "Acoustic Shock" suffered by headset wearers in the communications industry and secure technological protection for members and support and assistance for those who have suffered. Acoustic Shock is a problem which has for a long time been ignored by employers, many of whom have continued to deny its existence and occurrences.
All enquiries should be addressed to Dave Joyce National Health, Safety & Environment Officer at CWU Headquarters quoting reference E2.

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608
York Containers - New Type Elasticated Straps
Further to successful Trials a new type of York Container "Elasticated Straps"are being introduced.
The new type Straps will be initially fitted from new to the next new batch of 17,000 York Containers due to be introduced into the system prior to Xmas 2005. The straps will also be fitted as replacements to the present straps once existing stocks are exhausted.
The Strap has been found to be an improvement on its predecessor in that the elasticated straps retract above floor level avoiding entanglement and damage to straps and buckles and also retract to hang free of the trap zone area when the York Containers are nested which likewise caused damage to the existing static straps. This will provide for both a safety improvement and cost saving to Royal Mail.
I would like to thank Tony Hayes Area Safety Rep CWU SW No 7 Branch for his assistance in the trial.
All enquiries should be addressed to Dave Joyce CWU National HS&E Officer quoting reference No. C25.

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609
York Containers - Loading of Letter Trays - Correspondence Between Area General Managers & Mail Centre Managers from Mike Eady, Head of Central Postal Control (July, Aug & Sept)
Further to LTB No. 439/05 dated 12 September 2005 the following letter has been sent to Mike Eady Royal Mail Head of CPC.
"17 October 2005
Mike Eady Head of CPC
Royal Mail HQ
35 Rathbone Place
London W1P 1AA
Dear Mike
York Containers - Loading of Letter Trays (28 Trays)
Further to my letter dated 12 September 2005 and my Letter to Branches to clarify the situation, I have been contacted by a number of our Area Safety Representatives to point out the following to you.
Many of our ASRs take issue with your assertion that staff being unable to see over the top of a container is an invalid issue to be concerned about. For your information this point is specifically identified in the Royal Mail risk assessment manual on page MH9 (Manoeuvring of Wheeled Containers and Pallets). In the column 'Examples of ways to reduce risks' one such example is 'In congested areas do not load containers above eye level'.
This confirms the CWU position and emphasises why 'Local risk assessments should be carried out subject to the normal involvement and consultation with the Area Safety Representative. Our Area Safety Reps are of the view that almost every workplace has circumstances where this guideline would apply during peak mail movement periods and failing to recognise and act upon this knowledge could expose our members to injury as a result of workplace accidents.
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce
National Health Safety & Environment Officer"
Any enquiries should be addressed to Dave Joyce, National H&S Officer quoting reference No. C25.

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610
York Containers - New Batch
In response to our concerns expressed regarding Container shortages leading to increased health and safety risks over the Christmas Pressure period, we have been informed by Royal Mail that an additional 17,000 York Containers have been ordered with the intention that delivery will be taken prior to Xmas 2005 as part of a £2.4m contract. The bulk will be introduced to the Network via PRDC, NDC and Amazon with smaller numbers being delivered to meet demands elsewhere. In December 2004, Royal Mail made a £2.1m purchase of 15,000 York Containers.
York Containers are manufactured by "Bekaerts" in their UK plants and were first introduced in 1992 following successful trials at York Mail Centre. They currently cost Royal Mail £140 each and around 350,000 have been purchased since 1992 with an additional 25,000 bought each year.
Large numbers are lost each year at great expense and inconvenience to Royal Mail when competitors or customers and others take them or keep them for their own use instead of returning them and Royal Mail have asked the CWU to pass on the request to CWU Representatives and to any members aware of illegal or non-accredited customer use of York Containers to report it to Central Postal Control on 020 7016 2999.
All enquiries concerning the above should be addressed to Dave Joyce National HS&E Officer at CWU Headquarters quoting reference C25.

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TELECOMS
611
One IT - Operational Integrity Review
The One IT management have announced their review of the Operational Integrity Unit as reported to Branches in BOB No.27/2005, paragraph 435.
As a consequence, through the following processes listed below, they will be moving 165 people onto the Bench:

Additionally, there will be a significant reduction in the number of agency and contractors in the order of 25%.
Those that are assigned to the Bench will be reassigned to ICT or own use work. The Union has further detailed information on where the impact will fall and which will be provided to Branches in due course.
Brian Healy
Assistant Secretary

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612
Telewest - Consumer Field Operations - Points Matrix
Previous feedback on Pay and Reward has been focused on that applied for Service and the Last Drop OEs.
Further work has been carried out by Telewest on the matrix for Consumer and Install and the proposed changes are attached.
The company has reported that all Installers with the exception of those on sick leave have been shown the revised matrix to give feedback on its acceptance. It has been reported that the majority of the workforce have approved the changes.
The purpose of this briefing is to seek verification via the Telewest representatives and to see if there is any support and evidence for the view that the present time and points for telephony should be left unchanged.
Brian Healy
Assistant Secretary
Attachment

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613
Telewest - Pay & Reward 2005 - Ballot Results
Branches and local representatives may wish to be advised of the outcome of the consultative ballot:
Votes in Acceptance 134
Votes in Rejection 23
The company has been notified of the results and have been urged to make arrangements for the uplift and arrears to be paid in the November salaries. The Union awaits confirmation of this request.
Brian Healy
Assistant Secretary

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614
Accenture HR Services - Salary Review 2005
Following the BT HR and Learning Contract renewal, discussions have taken place jointly with Accenture HR Services and Accenture Learning on a salary review for 2005.
This has been against the background of Accenture having to make substantial cuts in the cost of the contract to retain it, together with the associated restructuring costs, in particular the VR programme.
In spite of this, the company has been able to report a moderate profit on its overall operations. Additionally in the discussions it became clear that there was a sum of money that if not spent in the current financial year that it was realised or committed as a one-off payment in the next, would be returned to the overall Accenture Services Group and shareholders.
The Union's negotiating team has tried to secure this sum of money as part of the ongoing salary arrangements. However, the Union's efforts have been frustrated by the company having to report and conform to the American accounting regulations as it is quoted on the American stock market.
Nevertheless, the Union has secured payment as an unconsolidated payment as one component of this year's pay review. The proposal is:

In the discussions the Union's objectives have been to address the movement through the salary range, in particular those in Zone 1A-C particularly new recruits in what has been e-peopleserve and the effects of capping in Zone 2C. The Union believes that this has been achieved, as well as the delivery of Newgrid increments for those that had prior expectations. This is the last year that this will apply as all individuals will have progressed as per expectations. Overall, the proposal will operate salary increases for CWU grades ranging between 8% to 0% according to the matrix, plus the one-off payments for those with a Meets low rating or above of £250 to £750. The combined effect will give 67% of employees a salary review worth 3% to 6%. A further 18% with a salary review worth 6% to 10%.
The proposed details of the salary review are contained within the attached letter and subject to acceptance in a members' ballot, the details of which will be notified to branches.
Brian Healy
Assistant Secretary
Attachment

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615
Accenture HR Services - End of Financial Year Update
Attached for the information of Branches is a brief summary by the senior Lead Manager for Accenture HR Services in the UK. It touches upon AHRS performance with regard to the winning of contracts and passes comment upon some of the sites that it currently operates out of and possible moves within the same location.
Brian Healy
Assistant Secretary
Attachment

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616
BT Wholesale - Core Planning Zero Based Budgeting (ZBB)
The Union has been advised that following the running in BT Wholesale Operations of the review to determine the best organisational structure for the support areas using a Zero Based Budgeting (ZBB) approach, it is intended following the recent re-organisation within BT Wholesale, including the merger of ND&I and Wholesale Operations, to extend the ZBB approach to include the former ND&I organisation.
Management's reasons for extending the review into the expanded organisation align with their initial rationale by proving the opportunity to:

The whole of the former ND&I organisation within Wholesale will be in scope. Management state that they will be adopting a similar methodology as used previously, and will again be asking VZ Associates to carry out a scoping phase from 10 October and initiate the review on 17 October, beginning with a data gathering exercise. They expect to have completed the review and made recommendations within a 3 month period.
The Union is seeking to make further representations in this area, given how poorly it has been implemented in Network Operations, and why after a number of re-organisations recently, is this review required.
It is hard to understand why, after all this effort to restructure that such a review is required and if any benefits can be secured. Further reports will be issued in due course.
Brian Healy
Assistant Secretary

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617
Telewest - Total Reward
Telewest at corporate level have been working on addressing the perception of its terms and conditions as a totality, in particular over and above that seen in the monthly pay slip.
The attached is a specimen letter which is individually tailored that has been released and will continue to go out to all employees of Telewest.
Brian Healy
Assistant Secretary
Attachment

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618
One IT - Performance Management Online
The union has been advised that One IT is shortly due to go live with a PM online system.
Attached are slides which provide guidance on mid-year review, cycle 2 ratings and Cycle 3 goals. These are merely to show the process and are not linked to performance for CWU represented grades.
Brian Healy
Assistant Secretary
Attachment 1 Attachment 2 Attachment 3

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619
One IT - Newstart
The Union has been advised that across One IT, management will be launching a further voluntary Newstart window from 17 October 2005.
The terms that will be made available will be as confirmed to CWU in John McGee's letter of 26 September 2005 and as reported in Letter to Branches 473/2005. The terms are summarised as follows:

The window will operate in One IT from 17 October until 30 November 2005.
Attached is a copy of the general comms outlining the process and timetable that will be published on Monday 17 October 2005.
The target audience will, in the main, be that of employees no longer wishing to be associated with the new business model of working that has been operational in OneIT.
Brian Healy
Assistant Secretary
Attachment

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POSTAL
620
Downstream Access Guidance
Further to BOB No.19 dated 13th May 2005 I have reproduced below for the information of branches and representatives a revised set of guidelines that have been agreed with the business to cover the above operation. Representatives who attended the Area Quarterly Meetings will recall that I reported that new guidelines will be published due to a number of difficulties that had been reported to the Indoor Department in respect of licensed Mail Operators not complying with the terms of the DSA contractual requirements they have e.g. Arrival Times. In addition a number of licence holders are now using York Containers to transport their traffic which made it necessary to amend the DSA guidelines to cover off the safe systems of work etc.
It is important that all of our representatives and members are made aware of this revised guidance.
Downstream Access Guidelines
Condition 9 Access handling procedures when an issue arises
Access to The Mail Centre
Late Access to the mail centre - there are two types of late access; advised and unadvised. Advised is where downstream access central control (DSACC) has contacted the mail centre in advance. Unadvised is where the driver arrives after the time slot without any prior warning.
Advised late arrival - DSACC may ask you if you can admit a driver after the access slot has finished. If this will cause operational difficulties tell DSACC and the driver will not be granted late access.
Unadvised late arrival - Refuse entry to the driver and let DSACC know immediately.
Early arrival at the mail centre - Ask the driver to wait until the access slot begins. Let DSACC know what has happened.
The driver and/or vehicle is not on the registered list - If the driver is carrying a letter of authority and you have been given advance notification by DSACC allow the driver on site. If there is not a letter of authority and the driver and/or vehicle has not been registered on Docket Hub refuse access and let DSACC know immediately
The driver is not wearing a high visibility jacket and/or safety shoes - Refuse access and contact DSACC immediately.
The driver is not carrying photographic ID appropriate to the company he/she is working for, or doesn't have an agreed letter of authority - Refuse access and contact DSACC immediately.
The driver arrives in a vehicle that is not compatible with the mail centre requirements - All DSA carriers have been advised of maximum vehicle sizes and tail lift restrictions for each mail centre. If the vehicle is too big to be safely admitted or does not have a tail lift when one is needed refuse access and contact DSACC. (N.B. any restrictions imposed on DSA vehicles must be the same as those applied to Royal Mail vehicles)
Handover of the Mail
The driver does not have a copy of the manifest - Sometimes you will have received advance instructions from DSACC if it is known that the carrier will be arriving without a manifest. If not you should accept the mail and put it to one side. Contact DSACC who will arrange for you to receive a faxed copy.
The number of bags does not tally with the number on the E*Pro manifest + or - any exception reports - If the discrepancy is discovered whilst the driver is still on site ask the driver to identify the missing/extra bags. If the driver cannot do this in a reasonable amount of time the driver should take the mailing away. Inform DSACC of this immediately. If the discrepancy is discovered after the driver has left, double check the bag count and if it still does not agree call DSACC who can arrange for the carrier to return to resolve the problem or take back the mail. Alternatively DSACC may be able to obtain an exception report from the customer to identify the missing/extra bags.
Should mail centres help customers to unload? - No, the carriers must unload all their mail themselves. Sufficient empty York containers must be provided for them to unload into. Do not use fork lifts to unload vehicles.
How should the mail be segregated? - Mail must be segregated by different contracted customers. If a carrier e.g. UK Mail is bringing in their own mail and mail for another DSA customer e.g. GE Capital the mail must be handed over separately and there must be a separate manifest per customer. DO NOT accept the mail if it is not segregated between contracted DSA customers. Customers are not required to segregate types of mail i.e manual mail can be placed in the same York as mech mail.
The mailing contains bags weighing over 11 kgs or is presented in Yorks weighing over 250 kgs - If the driver is still on site ask him/her to break down the bags/yorks or, if this is not operationally feasible, to take away the overweight bags/Yorks. Ensure you know the bag numbers so they can be removed from E*Pro. If the driver has left the site contact DSACC. DSACC will ask the carrier to return to the site and, if operationally feasible, break down the overweight bags/Yorks. If it is not feasible to do so the carrier will have to take the overweight bags/Yorks away and only return when the containers meet the specification.
The carrier is bringing their mail into the site in Yorks that have been loaded in a dangerous manner (e.g. base is likely to drop out when the mail is taken out of the York.) - If you believe Yorks have been loaded in a hazardous manner ask the driver to take them away. If you only discover the hazard after the driver has gone contact DSACC who will ask the customer to return to the site and take the Yorks away.
The carrier is transporting the mail in a dangerous manner - If you believe Yorks are being transported in a dangerous manner (e.g they are being carried on vehicles without restraining straps) you can ask the driver to leave the site without unloading the mail. Do not allow drivers to take away empty Yorks from the site if you are not convinced that they will be transported safely. (N.B. any restrictions imposed on DSA vehicles must be the same as those applied to Royal Mail vehicles).
The customer has damaged a York - Report all damaged Yorks to DSACC so the contract holder can be charged for repairs
Revenue Protection and Processing Issues
During Revenue Protection problems are found with the contents of a bag e.g. labelling, indicia, mail sticking together, poor condition of mail etc. - All such issues can be reported via Docket Adjustment. If it is an issue that is likely to affect the mailing on a national basis e.g. incorrect indicia you should also contact DSACC by phone. DSACC may ask mail centres to hold the mail until the problem is resolved or until the following day when the customer can take it away. If it is an issue that is likely to have a major impact on the processing of the mail at a particular mail centre e.g. entire bags of mail are found to be loose loaded or large quantities of mail are stuck together contact DSACC by phone immediately. The carrier will be asked to take the mail away.
During Processing problems are found with the contents of a bag e.g. labelling, mail sticking together, poor condition of mail etc. - If Processing staff have had to undertake re work to enable the mail to be processed (e.g. unbanded mail has had to be faced or mail items that were stuck together have had to be pulled apart) DSACC should be advised of the problem so the contract holder can be charged for the re work. If the problem has affected so much mail that re work cannot reasonably be undertaken the mail should be returned to Revenue Protection so that DSACC can arrange for the carrier to take it away. DSACC should be advised of all other problems e.g. incorrect labelling, mixed bundles etc. Whenever problems are reported to DSACC the following information should be included: . Bag ID numbers (whenever possible)

If bag labels are not available please include any information that will help identify the originating customer (e.g customer logo on the envelope).
Branches should ensure that the content of this paragraph is brought to the attention of all appropriate Area/Unit Representatives and CWU Members involved in the handling of Downstream Access items so that they are aware of the revised guidelines that need to be followed.
All enquiries regarding the content of this paragraph should be addressed to Martin Collins, Assistant Secretary, Indoor Department, quoting reference number L.600.42
Attachment version

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