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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 8 Paragraphs 131-145 25 February 2005

SUMMARY
GENERAL
131 Liaison Meetings with CWU Group
132 Headquarters Printing and Reprographic Services
133 Conference Guide - CWU 11th Annual Conference - 12-17 June 2005
134 United Campaign - To Repeal the Anti-Trade Union Laws - Labour Representation Committee
135 Equality & Diversity Mandatory Training for Branch Officials
136 2005 TUC Organising Award
137 Retired Regional Secretary
138 Reminder - Union Skills III Course
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
139 Disability Discrimination
HEALTH AND SAFETY
140 Risk Assessment into the Identification and "Marking Up" of Duct Routes in the External Environment
141 CBRNE Joint Statement - Desk Top Exercises (DTEs)
TELECOMS
142 Accenture HR Services - BT Peoplesoft
FINANCIAL SERVICES
No items this week
POSTAL
143 Individual Performance Standards
144 Revenue Protection Duties
145 National Workplan/Mailsort Changes
LETTERS TO BRANCHES
79 16/02/05 Employment Tribunal Lay Members Recruitment Campaign 2005 - GS
80 17/02/05 New Royal Mail Group Stress Safety Standard Policy - Dave Joyce
81 17/02/05 Network Operations Attendance Patterns - Post Ballot Options Exercise - Brian Healy
82 17/02/05 Delivering Quality - National Briefing & Mass Lobby - GS
83 18/02/05 Postal Liberalisation - GS
84 18/02/05 National Workplan Mail Sort Changes - Martin Collins
85 22/02/05 National Events - Dealing with Competition in Royal Mail - Dave Ward
86 22/02/05 Ballot results: Uni World Conference, Uni World Womens Conference, Europa Postal/Telecoms Conference - Steve Baguley
87 23/02/05 National Briefing: Lobby of Parliament 1st March 2005 - GS
88 23/02/05 Contact and Communications School - 12th and 13th April 2005 - Trish Lavelle/Jeannie Drake
89 23/02/05 Cash in Transit Reward Scheme Consolidation of Weekly Supplements - Andy Furey
90 23/02/05 Pay and Major change LAs in Royal Mail - Martin Collins
91 23/02/05 CWU Recognised Companies Recruitment and Organisations Updates - Jeannie Drake
92 23/02/05 Telereal Pay Review 2005 - Simon Sapper

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GENERAL
131
Liaison Meetings with CWU Group MPs
Meetings with CWU supported MPs have now been arranged for 2005 and, for your information, I list below the dates of the meetings and those nominated to attend:
15 March
John Holmes, Joe Malone, Andy Kerr, Karen Rose and a South West Region representative.
19 April
John Holmes, Steve Fishwick,
Manny Blake, Graham Colk and a North West Region representative.
Billy Hayes
General Secretary

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132
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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133
Conference Guide - CWU 11th Annual Conference - 12-17 June 2005
The union will once again be producing a conference guide which will give details of events taking place at Annual Conference.
Please send information concerning any fringe meetings or social events for inclusion in the guide to Peter Dodd by no later than 15 April 2005.
Branches and Regions are once again invited to insert fraternal greetings adverts in the guide. For further details contact Peter Dodd on 020 8971 7331.

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134
United Campaign - To Repeal the Anti-Trade Union Laws - Labour Representation Committee
A joint meeting of the Labour Representation Committee and the United Campaign for the Repeal of the Anti-Trade Union Laws is due to take place at the House of Commons, Grand Committee Room 7-9pm Monday 28th February 2005. The meeting will be hosted by John McDonnell MP and confirmed speakers will be Bob Crow, John Hendy QC and Steve Cottingham, United Campaign Legal Advisors Group.
The theme of the meeting is "Don't Stay Quiet - Now is the time to influence the next manifesto - Trade Union Rights for a Labour Third Term"
The Union, as you know, are affiliated nationally to both United Campaign and Labour Representation Committee and Branches are invited to send representatives to the meeting.
Branches are also encouraged to affiliate to the United Campaign - Reclaim our Rights. The United Campaign is financed solely by affiliation fees from trade union bodies and individuals. By being a supporter not only shows you agree with the call to repeat the anti-trade union laws, but it lets the Campaign fight on your behalf such as for a Charter of Workers Rights. The cost of affiliation is: Branches with more than 500 members - £50 and Branches with less than 5000 - £25. Cheques should be made payable to United Campaign and sent to the United Campaign Secretary, John Hendy QC, PO Box 17556, London EC2Y 8PA.
Any enquiries on this BOB paragraph should be addressed to the General Secretary's Department quoting the reference GS 18.16

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135
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.
This course is being held in the North East Region:
Tuesday 19th April - 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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136
2005 TUC Organising Award
Branches are invited to nominate lay Union representatives for the TUC Organising Award.
The TUC wants to demonstrate and acknowledge the range of work currently undertaken by lay union representatives on behalf of their members and the wider community. The TUC will be making an award to the trade unionist who has done most to improve workplace organisation. This is not intended to be a competitive award, and the TUC is keen to develop this award over the coming years. The award will be made at the 2005 Congress, which takes place in Brighton from 12-15 September.
Nomination forms are available upon request from the National Organising Department, and should be returned to the National Organising Secretary by no later than Thursday, 7 April 2005.
Any enquiries regarding this paragraph should be addressed to the National Organising Department.
Steve Baguley
National Organising Secretary

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137
Retired Regional Secretary
Further to Letter to Branches No 587/2004, dated 14 December 2004 please note that John Balderson, Nottingham & District Branch has been elected as Midlands Regional Retired Members Council Secretary.
Any enquiries regarding this matter should be directed to Steve Baguley, National Organising Secretary.
Steve Baguley
National Organising Secretary

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138
Reminder - Union Skills III Course
The Communication Workers Union has organised a Union Skills III 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 11 - 15 April 2005
Please submit application forms ASAP
Only members who have attended a Union Skills I/Induction and a Union Skills II course are eligible for nomination. 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 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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EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
139
Disability Discrimination
Branches will be aware that one of the major questions for members in respect of Disability Discrimination arises when there is doubt over whether someone is disabled within the terms of the Disability Discrimination Act.
As a first step employers have a duty to consider any member's claim that they are covered by the DDA and you should ensure the employer gives consideration to this matter including the employer seeking medical advice from their own specialists. If the medical advice from the employer's medical people is negative in respect of DDA status Branches can if they wish seek their own medical advice.
If the doctor you consult wants guidance on how to apply the criterion in respect of the DDA the following information can be provided:
To be covered the member will have to show:

In other words, if the member is suffering from a medically recognised condition which has lasted for 12 months or more, or is likely to last for 12 months or more, which is serious and affects their life in more than a minor way, they will have a disability for the purposes of the Act.
The matters affected are:

In the case of depression it may affect a person's ability to concentrate and it may also affect a person's ability to maintain performance of the task over a certain period of time.
If a person can show they are adversely substantially affected by the condition under one of the above headings, their medical condition may be deemed to be a disability under the Act.
You may wish to draw the medical advisor's attention to the following other points:

Where a member has more than one impairment, any one of which alone would not have a substantial effect you may wish to advise the medical assessor that in such a case, account should be taken of whether the impairments together have a substantial effect overall on the person's ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. For example a minor impairment which affects physical co-ordination and an irreversible but minor injury to a leg which affects mobility, taken together, might have a substantial effect on the person's ability to carry out certain normal day-to-day activities.
If necessary the medical assessor should be advised that the Act provides that where an impairment is being treated or corrected the impairment is to be treated as having the effect it would have without the measures in question. The treatment or correction measures are to be disregarded for these purposes include medical treatment (including medication) and the use of a prosthesis or other aid.
This applies even if the measures result in the effects being completely under control or not at all apparent.
However, the Act states that this provision does not apply to sight impairments to the extent that they are capable of correction by spectacles or contact lenses.
Progressive conditions
Due to recent changes in the law please seek further advice about progressive conditions.
Recurring effects
If the member has a recurring condition such as epilepsy please advise the medical assessor that the Act states that if an impairment has had a substantial adverse effect on a person's ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities but that effect ceases, the substantial effect is treated as continuing if it is likely to recur; that is, it is more likely than not that the effect will recur. Conditions which recur only sporadically or for short periods (e.g. epilepsy) can still qualify. Regulations specifically exclude hayfever from this category, except where it aggravates the effects of an existing condition.
Likelihood of recurrence should be considered taking all the circumstances of the case into account. This should include what the person could reasonably be expected to do to prevent the recurrence; for example, the person might reasonably be expected to take action which prevents the impairment from having such effects (e.g. avoiding substances to which he or she is allergic). This may be unreasonably difficult with some substances. In addition, it is possible that the way in which a person can control or cope with the effects of a condition may not always be successful because, for example, a routine is not followed or the person is in an unfamiliar environment. If there is an increased likelihood that the control will break down, it will be more likely that there will be a recurrence. That possibility should be taken into account when assessing the likelihood of a recurrence.
Reasonable adjustments
Branches are also reminded that a member who is covered by the DDA is entitlted to reasonable adjustments if they are necessary for their continued work. These adjustments are summarised as follows:

As far as the union are concerned these are an employers' responsibility. However Branches must take proper account of the duty we and our members have to accept an accommodate reasonable adjustments as the bullet points listed above include allocating duties to another member, filling appropriate vacancies, altering working hours, transferring to another workplace and all of these have a potential knock on affect on other members. These knock on effects can of course create problems but apart from the needs of the member who requires the reasonable adjustment it must be borne in mind that a failure to carry out a necessary reasonable adjustment for someone covered by the DDA is discrimination under the DDA and therefore unlawful.
If the doctor has not dealt with these issues before it is important to strike a balance between advising the of the requirements and overwhelming them with information.
Copies of the relevant Codes of Practice can be downloaded in electronic form from the Disability Rights Commission web site at www.drc-gb.org/ For further advice please email mailto:acrisp@cwu.org or call the Equality Department at CWU HQ.
Any enquiries on the above should be addressed to Michèle Emerson, Assistant Secretary, Equal Opportunities Department, quoting reference No. 2.15

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HEALTH AND SAFETY
140
Risk Assessment into the Identification and "Marking Up" of Duct Routes in the External Environment
The T&FSE Health and Safety sub committee have been involved in discussions with BT on Risk Assessments into the identification and "Marking Up" of duct routes in the external environment. This information will be briefed out at team meetings to PPO's. The briefings will talk about:

Generic means assessment of the work by the employer - not taking into account the time and the place. The hazards and conditions are largely expected and are inherent. All must be controlled with an available Generic Risk Assessment.
A Generic RA is mandatory by Law.
On site assessment is undertaken and a decision made on what hazards there are and how to ensure personal safety. The PPO must take into account what is found on site where the Mark Up is required. In addition to normal safe working practices it may mean:

Any of these options are available to the PPO with the back up of their Manager or Network Protection Control confirming that Safety is of paramount importance and will not be compromised. The PPO or the NPC will advise the customer if it is decided a job cannot be undertaken at that time with a clear explanation as to why this decision has been made. Again Safety must not be compromised. Before commencing work the individual must check the working conditions actually faced against the information, training and experience they have. If the work situation faced is beyond their capability, knowledge or experience they must not begin work before their Manager has been consulted; or if the circumstances surrounding them deteriorate during the course of the job they must stop immediately and re-assess.
The PPO and the Manager carry out The Local Risk Assessment. It is mandatory for all line managers to ensure that the significant risks beyond those stated in the generic risk assessment are captured. Where a PPO believes the Mark Up cannot be undertaken without avoiding significant risk a decision must be made by the Manager on whether the Mark Up can be undertaken safely or not at all. Managers should regularly monitor their people and ensure safe systems are being followed and correct decisions are being made when undertaking an On Site Risk Assessment. Network Controls must identify as much information as possible to assist the PPO. The Risk Assessments and Presentation are attached to this Bulletin.
All enquiries regarding the above should be addressed to Dave Joyce, National Health, Safety & Environment Officer, quoting ref: NS54
Att: G2a G2b G2c

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141
CBRNE Joint Statement - Desk Top Exercises (DTEs)
Further to BOB paragraph No. 82, dated 28 January 2005, reproduced below is a letter dated 19 November 2004 from Nigel Best, Regional Investigations Manager, Royal Mail Corporate Security for your information and assistance.
Several Area Safety Representatives have reported to me either directly or via Regional Safety Forums that they have not been involved in discussions with their appropriate Area Management Teams on local CBRNE Joint Planning and Desk Top Exercises. Although in some cases some AMTs have been slow to initiate local planning, they have been prompted nationally to progress this work because of the obvious terrorist threat. The attached letter should hopefully assist ASRs in initiating discussions with their Area Management Teams on this particular subject to ensure that involvement and participation takes place.
You will see that the letter clearly states as follows:
"On the matter of Desk Top Exercises (DTEs) and the participation of CWU Area Safety Representatives we make a specific point of inviting them not just because of the Joint Statement or that we agreed to do so, but as you quite rightly articulated quoting the Glasgow MC and Luton MC experiences, they and their counterparts in the CMA prove invaluable to the effective management of an event and protection of our people, should it occur."
However, you will also note that the letter goes onto say that they have "experienced a mixed response from CWU Area Safety Representatives to invitations to become involved in CBRNE planning and Desk Top Exercises. Some attend and bring along a number of work area representatives, others do not attend but the work area representatives do. When this occurs we make a point of asking the AMT Commercial Team to contact the ASR, take them through the CBRN processes, update them on any action points agreed and reinforce their importance in the process. I trust the reproduced letter will be of assistance to you and I would urge all ASRs to take an active role and involvement in these vital processes and procedures at this point in time.
"Thank you for your communication dated 12th November 2004, which Catherine and I received today.
At the outset can I state that I am aware through working with Bob Storey and from speaking with my own team, that he and his AMT has what would best be described as an excellent working relationship with Brian Irvine and his colleagues in the CWU. So much so that when they experience any issues they simply talk to one another and resolve them amicably. This is not articulated in the communication, which creates a perception of an altogether quite different relationship.
On the matter of Desk Top Exercises (DTEs) and the participation of Communication Workers Union (CWU) Area Safety Representatives (ASRs). We make a specific point of inviting them, not just because of the Joint Statement or that we agreed to do so, but as you quite rightly articulated, quoting the Glasgow MC and Luton MC experiences, they, and their counterparts in the Communication Managers Association (CMA), prove invaluable to the effective management of an event and protection of our people, should it occur.
We have experienced a mixed response from ASRs to our invitations to the DTEs. Some attend and bring along a number of work area representatives, other do not attend but the work area representatives do. When this occurs we make a point of asking the AMT commercial team to contact the ASR, take them through the CBRN processes, update them on any action points agreed and re-enforce their importance to the process.
On the matter of the specific matter of Tyneside MC I am aware that the CWU was represented at the DTE but for reasons we have yet to establish, Brian was not present. We will make sure that he is informed of what took place and involved in all future CBRN activity in the area.
Can I suggest that we pick up the issue of the CBRN Joint Statement as an AOB item when we meet at the CBRN Steering Group on Monday 22nd November 2004.
As always thank you for your personal help and support on these matters and for that of your colleagues in the areas.
Yours sincerely
Nigel Derek Best"
Any enquiries with regard to this issue should be addressed to Dave Joyce, National Health, Safety & Environment Officer, quoting reference No. E1.

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TELECOMS
142
Accenture HR Services - BT Peoplesoft
The Union is in discussions with Accenture HR Services regarding the long term position of the support for Peoplesoft and the wider ramifications.
A report will be made to Branches in due course.
Brian Healy
Assistant Secretary

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POSTAL
143
Individual Performance Standards
Information has been received at CWU Headquarters regarding local management attempting to introduce variations to the National Agreement covering Individual Performance Standards.
CWU Headquarters has also had sight of an Ops flash circulated in the North West which indicates Royal Mail is taking a more aggressive stance in relation to Individual Performance Standards. Branches will recall that one of the main aims of the IPS Agreement was the removal of this type of approach in future which is why one of the principles was:
"to remove the unnecessary close supervision and any conflict that might arise in the workplace in order to give managers the opportunity to focus on their most important role of coaching, supporting and motivating employees."
Branches/Representatives are reminded therefore that the current National Agreement concluded in July 2002 continues to hold the field and under no circumstances should any local agreement be given to deviate from the terms. Any approaches made by managers in Mail Centres to seek local agreements or variations to the National Agreement should be reported to the Indoor Department immediately.
A copy of the National Agreement is available on the CWU website in the postal section or alternatively an electronic copy can be obtained from the Indoor Department upon request.
Branch Secretaries should ensure that the contents of this BOB paragraph are brought to the immediate attention of all appropriate Area/Unit Processing Representatives.
All enquiries regarding the content of the above paragraph should be addressed to Martin Collins, Indoor Department Assistant Secretary, quoting reference no L.140.23 (e).

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144
Revenue Protection Duties
It has been brought to the attention of the Indoor Department that Local Agreements are being given to resource Revenue Protection Duties as a Specialist Duty. I therefore need to draw to the attention of Branches/Representatives that section 15 paragraph 15.6 of the Way Forward Agreement details the specific jobs that require specialist skills that have been agreed nationally and Revenue Protection is not included in this list. In view of this under no circumstances should local agreement be given to include Revenue Protection Duties being classed and resourced as a Specialist Duty.
To do so would allow management to abrogate the Terms of the National Agreement and compromise the National Unions objective to secure a skill payment for OPGs performing Revenue Protection Duties in line with the policy agreed at the Annual Conference 2004 which is reproduced below for information.
"Conference agrees that work performed at Revenue Protection Units attracts a skills allowance, due to the additional tasks and responsibilities that have been introduced since the implementation of the Way Forward Agreement. The Postal Executive is instructed accordingly."
Branch Secretaries should ensure that the content of this paragraph is brought to the immediate attention of all appropriate Area/Unit representatives.
All enquires regarding the content of this paragraph should be referred to Martin Collins, Assistant Secretary quoting reference number L.610.04.

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145
National Workplan/Mailsort Changes
Reproduced below for the information of branches/representatives is the content of LTB 84/05, circulated on the 18th February 2005, the contents of which are self-explanatory. We can confirm that a further meeting has been scheduled with Royal Mail and Logistics to continue our negotiations on this issue and Branches will be advised of how these talks progress in due course. Branch Secretaries should ensure that the content of this paragraph is brought to the attention of all appropriate Area/Unit Representatives.
Dear Colleague
To: All Branches with Postal Members National Workplan/Mailsort Changes
Further to LTB 09/05 we can now report that meetings have taken place with management from both Logistics and Royal Mail to discuss the above proposals. At the conclusion of the most recent meeting held on Wednesday 16th February 2005 Royal Mail confirmed the following:

Branches should again note therefore, that until they are advised that there is a National Agreement on this matter there should be no agreement to any local changes. In the meantime any branches experiencing difficulties or requesting further information regarding this LTB should be addressed to Terry Pullinger, Assistant Secretary, Logistics quoting the reference 214, Bob Gibson, Assistant Secretary, Outdoor Department, quoting the reference 530.03 or Martin Collins, Assistant Secretary, Indoor Department, quoting the reference L.600.50.
Any enquiries regarding the content of the above paragraph should be sent to the appropriate Assistant Secretary quoting the relevant reference number.

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