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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 46 Paragraphs 682-693 25 November 2005

SUMMARY
GENERAL
682 Liaison Meetings with CWU Group MPs
683 Headquarters Printing and Reprographic Services
684 Equality & Diversity Mandatory Training For Branch Officials
685 Election Of Retired Members Regional Council Secretaries - 2005
686 Election Of Regional Secretaries
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
687 Harassment Complaints Database - Union Policy
HEALTH AND SAFETY
688 Royal Mail AMU Decisions - "Not An Accident At On Duty" - Review Of Accident Investigation, Notification And Reporting Procedures
689 Safety Representatives Training Courses - Royal Mail Paid Time Off Facilities And Assistance
690 New CWU/Romec National Agreement On Health & Safety Representation & Consultation
691 Materials Handling Containerisation Update & Christmas Arrangements 2005 - Health & Safety Aspects
692 York Containers - Vehicle And Trailer Strapping & Load Restraint Policies
TELECOMS
No items this week
POSTAL
693 Clerical Staff In Logistics Solutions Payment In Lieu Of A Bonus Scheme
LETTERS TO BRANCHES
555 17/11/05 Royal Mail Profits Mask Pension Concern - DGS(P)
556 17/11/05 Variable Pay Data Capture System Flashelectronic Recording Of Overtime - Martin Collins
557 17/11/05 Eurest Pay Review 2005 - BT Contract - Sally Bridge
558 17/11/05 TUC/Labour Party Elections - Steve Baguley
559 17/11/05 Romec Security Questionnaire - Ray Ellis
560 18/11/05 Attendance Procedure In Principle Disagreement - Ray Ellis
561 18/11/05 CWU Women's Conference 2006 - John Donnelly/Tony Kearns
562 18/11/05 Employment Tribunal Application Forms - Jim Moher
563 18/11/05 Romec Cleaners Christmas Pay Arrangements - Bob Gibson
564 18/11/05 Report On UNIETMO Conference - Dave Joyce
565 21/11/05 TUC/CWU Hazards At Work Manuals - Dave Joyce
566 21/11/05 Tray Dollies - Dave Joyce
567 21/11/05 Cardboard RSCs - Dave Joyce
568 21/11/05 2005 Labour Party A/C: CWU Delegation Policy - GS
569 21/11/05 York Containers Cardboard Sleeves Withdrawn From Use - Dave Joyce
570 21/11/05 CWU Black Workers' Conference - Michèle Emerson
571 21/11/05 Royal Mail Delivery Offices - Use Of Indoor Workload Tools - Bob Gibson
572 21/11/05 Loose Loading Of Mailbags Christmas 2005 - Dave Joyce
573 22/11/05 Customer Services Incentive Scheme Payment 2005/6 - Andy Furey
574 22/11/05 BT Mobile Worker Payments - Salary Sacrifice Scheme - Simon Sapper
575 22/11/05 Election Retired Members Regional Council Secretaries 2005 - Steve Baguley
576 22/11/05 Election Regional Secretaries - Steve Baguley
577 23/11/05 Romec Cleaners Proposed Chargehand Grade - Bob Gibson
578 23/11/05 Folding Steel Containers Trial - Dave Joyce
579 23/11/05 Open Reach - Real Life Trial - Ian Cuthbert
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GENERAL
682
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:
13 December: Graham Colk, Andy Kerr, Dave Warren, representative from London Region.
Billy Hayes
General Secretary

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683
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 Kevin Slocombe, Head of Communications.
020 8971 7497 or KSlocombe@cwu.org

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684
Equality & Diversity Mandatory Training For Branch Officials
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:
Thursday 26th January - Leeds
Thursday 2nd March - 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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685
Election Of Retired Members Regional Council Secretaries - 2005
At the close of nominations at 14.00 on 22nd November 2005, the following were received:
Eastern
Nobby Clark, Eastern No. 5 (Elected)
Midland
No Nominations Received
North East
No Nominations Received
Northern Ireland
John Martin, Northern Ireland West (Elected)
North West
Stan Skinkiss, Greater Manchester Amal (Elected)
Scotland
Charlie McDonald, Glasgow & Dist (Elected)
South East
No Nominations Received
South West
No Nominations Received
Wales & The Marches
Dennis Rose, North Wales & The Marches (Elected)
London
Fred Jepson, Mount Pleasant Int. (Elected)
As you will see from the above information, we did not receive any nominations for the following Regions:
Midlands
North East
South East
South West
As a result of this it has been decided to re-advertise these positions and nominations are invited accordingly. Nominations forms are available on written request from the National Organising Department. The completed forms should be returned to Steve Baguley, National Organising Secretary by Friday 9th December 2005 (14.00).
Any enquiries regarding the above paragraphs should be directed to Steve Baguley, National Organising Secretary.

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686
Election Of Regional Secretaries
Further to BOB No. 42, Para 623, dated 28th October 2005.
Please note that at the close of nominations on 22nd November 2005 the following were received:
Eastern
John Colbert ,Eastern No. 6 (Elected)
Midland
Lee Barron, Northamptonshire Amal (Ballot)
Maureen Hooper, Birmingham & District Amal (Ballot)
North East
Paul Clays, York & District Amal (Elected)
North West
Carl Webb, North Lancs & Cumbria (Elected)
Northern Ireland
Steve Gribben, Northern Ireland West (Ballot)
Lawrence Huston, Northern Ireland Engineering (Ballot)
Scotland
John Brown, Glasgow & District (Elected)
South East
Terry Jackson, South East No. 5 (Elected)
South West
Kevin Beazer, Bristol & District (Elected)
Wales & The Marches
Ken Hanbury, South West Wales (Elected)
London
John Denton, London West End Amal (Elected)
Further information regarding the ballot arrangements will be published to the relevant branches in the next few days.
Any enquiries regarding the above paragraphs should be directed to Steve Baguley, National Organising Secretary.

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EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
687
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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688
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Royal Mail AMU Decisions - "Not An Accident At On Duty" - Review Of Accident Investigation, Notification And Reporting Procedures
As all Area Safety Reps and Branch Officers will know the problem with the Royal Mail Accident Management Unit (AMU) sending letters to members informing them that the accident they had was "Not an Accident on Duty" but was "An Incident" has been subject to continual controversy. This has led to complaints and Sick Absence Warning Appeals made locally and nationally by this department and the central services department. The issue has been subject to complaints and representations at the highest levels within Royal Mail on numerous occasions. In many cases after a lot of time consuming efforts, many of the decisions are amended and accidents are recorded but on others there is no change which leads to the understatement of accident statistics and to individuals receiving Attendance Procedure Warnings and loss of Sick Pay, and in some cases members have faced dismissal due to Sick Absence related to Accidents not being discounted.
In response to the most recent representations, Allan St John Holt, Head of Safety met with Adam Bowles, Head of GPTW and the AMU Managers following which he sent the following response:
To Dave Joyce CWU National HS&E Officer
Dear Dave,
"Not An Accident On Duty"

1. The numbers of incidents that have been classed as 'not an accident'
are actually falling substantially each year, which would seem to contradict the experience of your ASRs, though I appreciate that it is an annoyance for them. In detail, they are:
Year 'not an accident'
2000 1182
2001 2012
2002 1824
2003 1554
2004 1173
We don't have any ideas on why this should be, and I can confirm to you what I said at the meeting, namely that there is now and has never been any policy in the AMU or elsewhere to reclassify injuries away from accidents. I think the decreasing numbers also support this statement.
2. We are going to reword the letter sent to managers stating that an incident has not been classified as an accident. Partly this is because it wasn't the most appropriate wording in my opinion, and could be seen as denying the incident had taken place, but also to specifically remind the manager to give the details of the incident to the CWU Safety Rep under our agreement. That is, unless the injured person has requested that
this is not done.
3. I can confirm that the process review of accident reporting and investigating will include the whole question of classifying accidents as 'not an accident', and will also interface with a review of the attendance procedure and the conduct code to make quite sure that nobody is either encouraged or discouraged from reporting an accident by 'the system'.
I hope this will go some way towards answering the concerns of your ASRs on this topic, as expressed at our meeting.

Allan St John Holt
Head of Safety
Corporate Social Responsibility
Royal Mail Group
Unit 6, Ancells Court
Rye Close
Fleet
Hampshire GU51 2UY
As you will see Allan St John Holt has responded to this and other accident investigation issues that I have raised by agreeing to look at overhauling and revising the Accident Investigation, Notification and Reporting procedures based on a new electronic system which would enable Safety Reps to receive notification of all accidents promptly and efficiently along with the appropriate information to enable an effective investigation and follow up and would also deal with this "not an accident on duty" issue. I am awaiting their proposals in order to commence negotiations but it will be a little while yet as the internal review has only just commenced.
In the meantime I would like ASRs to send in to the HS&E Dept any specific "bad examples" of the AMU sending letters to members following a blatantly clear accident and injury informing them that it was not an accident but was an incident in order that I can take up with Royal Mail a small number of example cases of where the AMU has clearly got it unjustifiably wrong. I do not want to be deluged with hundreds of very minor cases but a small number of the worst examples are required. I have recently received two such cases from John Reilly ASR Glasgow & Dist Amal and Paul Rew ASR Essex Amal. I look forward to receiving a further number of examples which should contain full details of how the accident occurred, the injuries received and time off, a short summary investigation report and copy of letters to member etc and any outcome. I will then raise these cases which are obviously blatantly wrong to demonstrate once again what the AMU is doing incorrectly.
All enquiries and correspondence to be addressed to Dave Joyce, National HS&E Officer quoting reference A1.

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689
Safety Representatives Training Courses - Royal Mail Paid Time Off Facilities And Assistance
It has been brought to our attention that rrecently, Royal Mail re-circulated a list of various CWU training courses which they have indicated, in their opinion, qualify for unpaid leave included in which are Safety Representatives training courses (induction, plus Stages 1, 2 and 3 etc). This list was circulated without any reference to or agreement with the CWU.
A number of Branches and individual Safety Reps have contacted the Health, Safety & Environment Department seeking guidance and advice in respect of paid leave being refused. Please accept this as a reply and update.
This is to inform Branches and Safety Representatives that a letter has been sent to Gareth Evans Head of Industrial Relations Royal Mail Group, copied to Dale Lang Head of Industrial Relations Royal Mail UK Letters and Allan St John Holt Royal Mail Group Head of Safety pointing out that Safety Representatives are legally entitled to paid time off for training, which is freely available from their trade union (CWU) or the TUC. It has firther been pointed out that these courses are all "Approved" by the CWU and TUC and as such should be provided on "Paid Leave". It has been requested therefore that Royal Mail immediately arrange for the withdrawal of Safety Reps training courses from the list of "Unpaid Leave" courses which has been circulated to Area Managers.
Attachment G13 is a copy of the letter which is self explanatory.
All enquiries should be addressed to Dave Joyce CWU National Health, Safety & Environment Officer quoting reference G13.

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690
New CWU/Romec National Agreement On Health & Safety Representation & Consultation
This is to update Branches and Romec Safety Reps on the above.
Further negotiations have taken place over the last couple of months resulting in further progress on outstanding issues and a new draft agreement, Version 9 is expected to be produced shortly, forming the final negotiators agreed document.

1. It has been agreed that the Romec/CWU agreement should embody possible changes to the SRSC Regulations expected next year and therefore the agreement includes written commitments to (a) consult on risk assessments (b) respond to Safety Reps representations in good time (c) a firm commitment to paid time of for Safety Reps Training.
2. It has been agreed that in addition to Area Safety Representatives, all Units with 10 or more staff will have a WSR to support the ASR and these will be listed in an appendix to the Agreement.
3. In respect of Scotland it has been agreed that Cross-Representation for Engineering grades can continue on an interim transitional basis.
4. In respect of London it has been pointed out that the last Romec re-organisation resulted in all but one Safety Rep being transferred into the same SPC and there needs to be interim flexible arrangements in order to ensure that all SPCs are represented from day one and this is being investigated further.
5. It has been confirmed that all Regions will conform to the new National Agreement Safety Committee meeting structure including the London/East Region whose management claimed they would do something different.
6. It has been agreed that in Manufacturing each site would have one ASR per site rather than a WSR and local Safety committees would be set up.
7. For Print solutions (as with Manufacturing) it was agreed that the Unit would have one ASR rather than a WSR and a local Safety Committee would be set up.
8. For Security it was agreed that there would be two ASRs per Security Region (N, W & E).
9. Safety Representation for Installation would be grouped with Maintenance, ASRs covering both due to small numbers.
10. Amendments to the Agreement Appendices were agreed and these are now being prepared jointly.
11. Regarding notification of accidents to CWU Safety Reps it was agreed that a manual form would form part of the agreement but Romec Ltd would investigate a new replacement electronic Romec IRC notification email being copied to the CWU IR Rep (National IR Rep and Regional Reps - North, East and West) for them to forward it to the specific Safety Rep as an interim arrangement and this would be reviewed. This would ensure that minimal updates are required to the circulation lists. Romec are to proceduralise this and come back to the CWU.
12. The timetable following completion of the above issues will be to consult Engineers Reps, Opps Reps and Regional H&S Forums following which a Recommend Draft Agreement would go to the Postal Executive prior to a Branch Ballot, concluding the process ASAP and signing the agreement. Thereafter, launching the agreement in the new year. The launch will include Romec and CWU publicity with reciprocal text approval before publishing. There will also be a joint statement to be circulated to all Managers, Reps and Employees and a CWU Safety Reps recruitment campaign (fully supported by Romec) will be activated with posters and publicity. Branches will be kept informed.

All enquiries should be addressed to Dave Joyce National Health, Safety & Environment Officer quoting reference RC1.

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691
Materials Handling Containerisation Update & Christmas Arrangements 2005 - Health & Safety Aspects
Further to our previous reports below is a summary update:
1. York Containers
Royal Mail have purchased an additional 17,000 York Containers for imminent delivery.
2. RSCs
Royal Mail have purchased an additional 9000 RSC Containers for imminent delivery.
3. Tray Dollies
Trials in 4 MCs have been completed and trials will now be extended over the Xmas period. The Tray Dollies are for use for transporting Trayed Mail between Mail Centres and Delivery Offices and will be trialed at 17 Offices. 4300 have been purchased and delivery is imminent. These have a great potential of freeing up thousands of Yorks and saving space in Offices.
4. Cardboard RSCs
The Cardboard RSCs are for use during Xmas only to provide additional storage for Mailsort Christmas deferred mailings, empty bags and empty trays. 9000 have been purchased and delivery is imminent. These will need to be withdrawn at the conclusion of the Xmas period. These will fill a gap in the current system.
5. Wire Cages
A supermarket type cage with the Same intention as Cardboard RSCs has not been proceeded with at this stage.
6. York Container - Cardboard Sleeves
I am pleased to report that following further recent discussions Cardboard Sleeves have been withdrawn from "general use" with immediate effect and instructions have been issued to Area General Managers to act accordingly. This removes a high risk method of work. They will now only be used for the agreed Amazon Book Contract and in last resort emergency situations with the false base and cross member fitted.
7. Folding Steel Containers FSCs Trial
Folding Stackable (Steel) Container have been subject to ongoing Trials in a closed loop between NDC and NHCDC over the last 18 months. The Mk 3 version has now been produced. The FSC is simply a collapsible version of the standard RSC and the aim of the trial is to test the suitability of the FSC as a possible replacement or addition to the currently used RSC. The FSC has benefits in terms of storage and transportation when empty as when folded 3 may be carried instead of 1 RSC. The concept will allow loading of 130 empty containers on a trailer instead of the standard 44 (RSCs) empty. 150 of the latest updated Mk 3 FSC trial version have recently been delivered. Not surprisingly a number of problems have been encountered during the testing and development of the early versions of the containers which have been continually modified and improved in line with experience.
8. Loose Loading of Mail Bags - Xmas 2005
Further to a number of enquiries and concerns raised by Branches and Area Safety Reps regarding rumours of increased use of loose loading this Xmas as the traffic increase leads to container shortages, representations have been made to Royal Mail. Discussions have taken place with Mike Eady, Cathy Way and Mark Wythe and they have confirmed that Royal Mail will be taking a number of steps to ensure that loose loading of mail should only take place in exceptional circumstances.
If loose loading has to occur, local CWU Reps will be consulted and the Manual Handling/Loose Loading SSOW will be adhered to.
Separate LTBs and BOBs have been issued with further details on the above items of MH equipment. Introduction during the Christmas period will be supported by appropriate Safe Systems of Work and operating instructions and I have had a team of our ASRs working with me on the various equipment. I trust this updates you as you prepare for the Xmas period. The IR aspects of the Xmas pressure period are being dealt with by Martin Collins Assistant Secretary Indoor Dept.
From a H&S point of view the HS&E Dept will proceed to continue our joint work with Ian McDonnell RM National CEM, Mike Eady, Royal Mail Head of Central Postal Control, Mr Mark Wythe Royal Mail's National Container Control Manager and Cathy Way Head of Network Design.
All Health & Safety enquiries only in relation to the above should be addressed to Dave Joyce National Health, Safety & Environment Officer quoting reference No. C12.

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692
York Containers - Vehicle And Trailer Strapping & Load Restraint Policies
A joint review of of the York Container loading plan and load restraint and strapping Policy for Logistics/Network Vehicles and Trailers is currently underway. However, some confusion has been created in respect of smaller Royal Mail UK Letters Vehicles which are not covered by that Policy review and this BOB Paragraph is aimed at clarifying the situation.
Royal Mail UK Letters Vehicles - 7.5 Tonne & below
The Policy of Strapping every 6 York Containers remains unchanged. Royal Mail's published Strapping Policy refers to strapping every six Yorks which is suitable for smaller vehicles carrying a small number of Yorks.
Logistics/Network Vehicles and Trailers above 7.5 Tonne
Logistics/Network in conjunction with the CWU are working through a completely revised and improved Strapping and Load Restraint Policy. Having examined this issue we jointly endorse the proposal of strapping every nine York Containers in Network vehicles and trailers i.e. anything above 7.5T and Trailers carrying potentially 45 Yorks. This has been provisionally agreed ahead of the new National Strapping Policy document which should be finally agreed and and published shortly. This is acceptable as the Straps used are rated well in excess of the potential weight of nine Yorks - 2250 kg which only have to be restrained by 25% rearwards and 25% sidewards as they are a braked container. The strapping of nine Yorks is already the common practice at many Logistics sites, Strap capacities and the legalities of load security indicate that a strap every nine Yorks is more than capable of restraining loads securely and safely and within the Law. Strapping of every six Yorks in Logistics/Network vehicles was found to be excessive and an unnecessary expense in terms of both time to strap & the straps themselves. Trailer specifications have recently been changed to fit twelve straps and not twenty four as in the old trailers as this was found to be an unnecessary expense and clutter within each box trailer. Queries have arisen as the new Trailers are now arriving with 6 straps per load track, i.e. six at the top and six at the bottom (total 12). The six straps don't permit strapping every six Yorks which is where the questions have arisen.
I trust the above clarifies the situation ahead of the publication of the new Load Restraint and Strapping Policy.
All enquiries should be addressed to Dave Joyce National Health, Safety & Environment Officer quoting reference No. C 25a.

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POSTAL
693
Clerical Staff In Logistics Solutions Payment In Lieu Of A Bonus Scheme
Attached as PE 25 for the information of Branches is a Pay Directive relating to the above subject.
Any enquiries regarding this particular paragraph should be addressed to Terry Pullinger, Assistant Secretary, quoting reference 201. Email: dwyatt@cwu.org

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