Doncaster & District Amalgamated Branch

3rd March 2010

UPDATE ON ROYAL MAIL/CWU NEGOTIATIONS

Given growing speculation surrounding our negotiations with Royal Mail we would ask Branches to convey the following CWU statement to our representatives and members:-
"Following 3 months of talks facilitated by Roger Poole, the Independent Chair and ACAS, the negotiating process between Royal Mail and CWU has now reached its final phase.
Both parties believe significant progress has been made. A document, will this week, be considered by the Postal Executive Committee".
Further information will be issued in due course.
Yours sincerely
Dave Ward
Deputy General Secretary (Postal)

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11th February 2010

Update on Royal Mail Negotiations

Talks with Royal Mail were adjourned on Tuesday 9th February to allow both parties time to reflect on the position reached. The union is currently awaiting what Royal Mail have described as their final offer on some elements of the package under negotiation.

The next meeting under the independent process will take place on Friday 12th February and further information will follow in due course.

Pensions

 

The union continues to pursue a pensions resolution through all available channels.

The General Secretary and Deputy General Secretary (Postal) are today meeting the Chair of the Pension Trustee Board to outline the union’s position as set out in our recently published document. We will impress upon the Trustee Board the urgent need to find a solution and fully consult the union over the future of our members’ pensions.

The union has also told Royal Mail that there can be no sustainable modernisation agreement without a pensions solution. Moreover, given that it is public knowledge that the pension deficit will increase, we are pressing the company to urgently reveal when the increased deficit will be formally announced and how they intend to fund it. The union will be meeting the company as a matter of urgency to discuss the overall situation on pensions.

Any enquiries regarding this LTB please contact the DGS (Postal) Department.

 

Yours sincerely

Dave Ward

Deputy General Secretary (P)

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5th February 2010

TO All CWU MEMBERS - UPDATE ON ROYAL MAIL NEGOTIATIONS

Dear Colleague

You will be aware that negotiations have been taking place for nearly 3 months since reaching the interim agreement in November 2009. 

We understand that CWU members will be concerned about the lack of detailed information and how long talks are taking. 

However, the length of negotiations really does reflect the fact that the scale of change involved and the challenges that lie ahead are unprecedented.

Furthermore, whilst we would like to provide more detailed information, the negotiations are taking place under the auspices of an independent chair with the support of ACAS and all parties agreed to retain confidentiality.  Despite this we believe it is important to remind everybody what we set out to achieve.

The CWU has consistently stated that we cannot afford to face away from change – but that change must be introduced through negotiation and in a way that aligns the interests of customers, the workforce and the company as a whole.  We set out our key objectives as follows:

 

• The need to reach an agreement covering all aspects of operational change, the introduction of new machinery/new technology and how this affects jobs.
  

• The need to reach an agreement that ensures we protect as many jobs as possible -with no compulsory redundancies - alongside a package of measures that will provide greater long term job security.
  

• The need to reach an agreement that provides an improved benefits package covering higher basic pay, overall earnings opportunities, a shorter working week and family friendly policies.
  

• The need to reach an agreement that will fundamental improve industrial and employee relations. 
  

• The need to reach an agreement that will ensure future workload is based on fair, objective and transparent measurement systems.
  

We must also recognise that our aspirations are set against the environment the business now operates within and the company’s own objectives, which include the introducing of a standarised six day work plan.     

The current position is that whilst there are a few of major issues to finalise, we have made real progress and we want to conclude an agreement very soon and communicate in more detail.  At the same time we continue to pursue a pensions resolution through all available channels.

A further update will be provided in due course.

Yours sincerely

 

Dave Ward                                     

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27th January 2010

North West MP Exposes Workplace Bullying by Royal Mail Bosses

Outspoken Southport MP John Pugh has alerted his fellow MPs to the appalling treatment of postal workers in his constituency by Royal Mail chiefs.

Introducing a debate in the House of Commons earlier this week, Mr Pugh started by praising the UK's postwomen and postmen for their devotion to duty.

"They work some pretty unsocial hours, yet they need to have the social skills to interact with every kind of person they meet," he said, adding: "They call at every house and every business, so they have an unrivalled view of how our communities and towns are made up and they are a tolerant lot, putting up with letterboxes in ridiculous places, dogs of all dispositions, and gates and paths that offer more in the way of hazard than access."

But this dedication to public service is clearly not appreciated by their own managers, the backbencher continued, telling the House that, "in the relatively small Royal Office in Southport, 46 postmen have been suspended or dismissed or have gone off work with stress."

Mr Pugh said that he had received countless emails and letters from victimised workers and their partners who were "alarmed by the prospect of dismissal, loss of income, mortgage arrears and repossession."

And the offences for which these workers are being disciplined - even if they are guilty of the offences - are, he insisted, ones that would warrant a corrective word of warning from a manager rather than the extreme sanctions that have been taken.

Giving some examples of injustices that have been brought to his attention, the crusading MP told his colleagues: "I have been told of a good career ending when a postman signed for a little old lady-a known customer whom he saw most days-so that she would not have to make the trek out of town to the sorting office, because there was no bus route. She phoned the office to get her thanks passed on, and it cost the postman his job.

"I have been told of a suspension when a postman stayed too long answering customer queries inside a shop. His load was left within range and eyesight, and critically within Post Office guidelines. He had to be reinstated, but he should never have been suspended.

"I have been told of postmen followed out to the countryside to isolated dwellings to see whether they leave their van unlocked for a second, which is not an altogether irrational thing to do, and of loyal workers suspended for mistakenly leaving a bag in a van or a letter in a post box-all understandable mistakes. "

Criticising the company for its over-reaction to each of these incidents, Mr Pugh argued: "They are cases for a word of advice, not for a disciplinary hearing."

And, voicing a suspicion that is growing among many postal workers, the MP added: It is a fact - a rather suspicious fact - that as experienced staff are replaced by less experienced staff, even if they successfully appeal to an employment tribunal, the crippling pension liabilities of Royal Mail are reduced. I have seen one case in which a saving of £37,000 was engineered, if I may put it like that, from such a dismissal.

"The management with that dismal record of suspension and dismissal received an award in 2009 for being the most improved. Is that because they have got gross staff hours down by 25 per cent?"

Fellow MPs Edward Timpson (Crewe and Nantwich) and CWU-supported Katy Clark (North Ayrshire and Arran) also spoke in the debate, voicing similar concerns about the treatment of postwomen and postmen in their respective constituencies.

In replying to the points made by Mr Pugh, Postal Affairs Minister Pat McFadden (Woverhampton South East) said: "In the Postal Services Act 2000, we established a clear distinction between ownership of the company and the day-to-day running of the company. I am not going to get into second-guessing the disciplinary procedures inside individual sorting offices. The management and unions must work together to ensure that the proper procedures are in place.

"It is for Royal Mail and its work force to work through the issues, because they are responsible for the day-to-day running of the company."

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22nd January 2010

National Negotiations - Future of Royal Mail

It has been agreed to extend talks into next week on the basis of progress made and the recognition of the crucial importance this set of negotiations will have on the future of Royal Mail.
Please find below a communication from Roger Poole, the Independent Chair confirming this position. Further information will be sent out in due course.
Yours sincerely
Dave Ward Martin Collins Bob Gibson
Deputy General Secretary (P) Assistant Secretary Assistant Secretary
Ray Ellis Terry Pullinger
Assistant Secretary Assistant Secretary

Message From Roger Poole, Independent Chair
Royal Mail and the CWU continue to make good progress in what are very complex and wide ranging negotiations concerning the whole Letters business.
We will also soon be approaching the stage of negotiations where parties will need to report back and consult with their constituencies.
Further negotiations will take place next week. Both parties are still committed to achieving an agreement which will enable Royal Mail and its employees to secure a better future for everybody in the organisation.

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16th January 2010

North East No1 AGM

The Annual General meeting took place at 15.00 in the Branch offices Doncaster. Branch Officials and Reps that attended were:

• Chair Gavin Aylott

• Secretary Harry Mangham

• Vice Secretary Julia West

• Treasurer & ASR Steve West

• Area Delivery Rep Kev Lester

• Area Distribution Rep Ian Barnes

• Area Counters Rep Ron Park

• Retired Members Secretary Dick Searle

• Union Learning Rep lead Paul Johnson

• Ballot Officer Phil Chapman

• Unit Rep Neil McGoran

• Unit Rep Bernie McBride

• Unit Rep Gary Davies

• Unit Rep Alan Dale

• Unit Rep Jonathon Kay

• Unit Rep Glyn Lewis

• Unit Rep Mark Sayles

• Unit Rep Mark Bailey

• 11 CWU Members

Minutes from the meeting can be obtained from Branch Officers or Reps.

It was agreed unanimously that the Branch name would be changed from "North East No1" to "Doncaster & District Amal"

Nominations were invited for the following positions:

• Retired Members Secretary, Dick Searle, accepted & elected,

• Retired Members Chair, Brian furneaux, accepted & elected,

• Ballot officer, Phil chapman, accepted & elected,

• ULR Lead, Paul Johnson, accepted & elected,

• Auditors, John O'Brien & Sarah Hewitt, accepted & elected,

• New position, Branch President, Harry Mangham, accepted & elected.

New Branch Officers that take up their role immediately following the AGM are:

• Branch Secretary, Julia West

• Vice Chair, Mark Sayles

The prize draw took place at the end of the meeting. The winning tickets were:

• 1st prize, Steve West

• 2nd prize, Mark Sayles

• 3rd prize, Gavin Aylott

A moving speech from the floor by Mark Sayles concerning the dedication and commitment of Harry Mangham for his decades of work as the Branch Secretary received a deserved round of applause.

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14th January 2010

Excerpt from the "Daily Telegraph" 14th Jan 2010

Union sources are giving warning that unless an agreement was signed by a jointly agreed deadline of January 22, further action could be expected with unions returning to “dispute mode” in the bitter row about pay and working practices.

National strikes could be called for as early as next month, without the need for a fresh ballot of postal workers. The overwhelming vote for a national strike among Communication Workers Union members from last September still stands.

A series of rolling strikes last summer, culminating in several days of all-out national strikes in October brought the postal service to its knees, with more than 30million letters and parcels trapped in sorting offices and mail centres.

In early November, Royal Mail and the Communication Workers Union agreed a truce to save the Christmas post from disruption.

Both sides then committed themselves to finding some middle ground in the bitter row about pay and working practices during this strike-free “period of calm”.

But there are fears that if there is no written agreement by January 22, Royal Mail will push ahead with implementing its 2010 management plan, triggering a fresh bout of unrest.

Both sides said they were cautiously optimistic about the outcome. But the next 10 days are vital as both sides committed to paper the results of the talks over the past eight weeks, one source said.

The source told The Daily Telegraph: “Royal Mail want to move to their 2010 plan. If they go ahead and impose changes, there will be industrial action.” Another source described the talks as "painfully slow".

Royal Mail’s decision to press ahead with the 2009 management plan last April, which recommended cuts of 10 per cent, without the agreement of the union, was the trigger for last year's strikes, the worst for two years.

Teams of Royal Mail managers and union officials have been meeting at a series of London hotels over the past two months. The talks have been chaired by Roger Poole, a former chair of the Northern Ireland Parades Commission.

They have been led for the union by Dave Ward, the CWU’s deputy general secretary, and for Royal Mail by Mark Higson, managing director of Royal Mail’s letters business.

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11th January 2010

£70k Won for CWU Dog Attack Victim

A postwoman who was left scarred for life after a vicious dog attack has been awarded £70,000 in compensation.

She was delivering post to a farm in February 2007 when a German Shepherd dog attacked her.
The dog attempted to bite her face but when she protected herself, she suffered severe injuries, her ring finger being almost completely torn off by the animal.
The victim - a CWU member who does not wish to be identified - recalled that both her and her colleagues had feared that the dog could, potentially be dangerous. "It was usually on a leash but even then, we always said that if it ever managed to escape, it could kill us," she explained.
"As the dog jumped over the gate and headed towards me growling and snarling I honestly thought that was it for me."
According to NHS statistics, the number of dog attack victims attending hospital emergency departments after a dog attack has risen by more than 40 per cent in the past four years and the CWU estimates that some 6,000 of these are postal workers attacked in the course of their duties.
The postwoman's injuries were so severe that she had to be transferred from her local hospital to receive specialist plastic surgery.
"Luckily my hand looks ok now," she pointed out, "but I'll never be able to bend my finger properly and it is also difficult to grip with it."
Unusually, the dog was not destroyed after the attack - something which the victim is extremely concerned about.
"I can't bear to imagine what would have happened if it had been a mother and child that day," she added.
CWU national health, safety and environment officer Dave Joyce welcomed the compensation figure, which was part of an out-of-court settlement reached between both parties, but insisted: "It's clear that this dog was a menace and preventative action should have been taken prior to this horrific attack.

"Whilst welcoming this significant victory in relation to personal injury compensation, it does emphasise the importance of the ongoing CWU Biteback campaign which continues to fight for tougher laws to protect postal and other workers and members of the public from dangerous dogs.
"There must be changes in the law and the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 must be amended so that it is the behaviour of dogs, rather than a particular breed, that is punished," Dave urged, adding:
"It is the deed, not the breed."
The CWU, along with a broad and growing coalition of organisations and individuals, is campaigning for new laws giving the police and local authorities the power to issue control orders - "Dog ASBOs" - on owners of dogs that are a threat before an attack takes place.
And, in another key reform, the union wants all workers to be given full legal protections if they are attacked on private property while carrying out their duties.
Nagam Din, of solicitors Simpson Millar, represented the postwoman and advises a growing number of clients who have suffered dog bite attacks.
"We deal with hundreds of dog bite injury claims ever year and recently we have seen some particularly horrific cases with very tragic outcomes," said Ms Din, adding: "These cases could have been avoided if the owners had acted responsibly."
And Ms Din agrees with the CWU that legal changes are urgently needed. "A tightening of the rules governing animal ownership would be welcomed and highly appropriate given the number of injuries sustained each year," she said.

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23rd December 2009

UPDATE ON NATIONAL NEGOTIATIONS

Please see the following communication from Roger Poole the Independent Chair of the current national negotiations process. In this communication Roger explains that whilst progress is being made the national parties have agreed to extend the process into the New Year. The extension to the process has been confirmed on the same terms as the original interim agreement. We will be providing Branches and members with more detailed information early in the New Year.

Yours sincerely,

Dave Ward Deputy General Secretary (P) Martin Collins Assistant Secretary Bob Gibson Assistant Secretary Ray Ellis Assistant Secretary Terry Pullinger Assistant Secretary.

Royal Mail Transformation Progress Report on Negotiations Intensive negotiations have taken place since my last report. Groups covering Delivery, Processing, Network, RDCs, MDEC, Fleet and Maintenance Services and Engineering have all been meeting to discuss key topics and reach agreements on a complex and wide-ranging set of issues. Talks have also commenced about Reward with useful meetings taking place to negotiate and agree a new employee reward package. A separate group has also been looking at how a final agreement will be deployed. We have made good progress and many issues are agreed in principle, although there are some important issues still to be agreed. All agreements in principle are of course subject to what the final overall agreement looks like. Acas and I have been helping as necessary and have been encouraged by the constructive approach which both management and the union are taking towards the talks. At local level, review negotiations continue and good progress has been made with 411 out of 764 now concluded with agreements reached. The timescale we were set by the interim agreement was always going to be a challenging one. The priority has to be to reach good agreements which stick rather than quick agreements which unravel when implemented so we have allowed ourselves a short extension of the talks into the New Year. We will next meet formally on Tuesday 5 January and redouble our efforts to conclude an agreement by 22 January Groups may well be swapping drafts over the break but I hope they will all find time for a well-earned rest. I wish them and you seasons greetings and best wishes for 2010.

Roger Poole Independent Person

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08th Dec 2009

Update on Progress with the Interim Agreement

The purpose of this LTB is to give branches, representatives and members a comprehensive update on progress with the interim agreement following yesterday's Postal Executive meeting.
This report is broken down into the following sections:
- Resolution to local disputes
- National negotiations
- The independent review meetings
- Summary
The afore-mentioned sections are designed to fully reflect all the activities covered by the interim agreement.
The PEC also had the opportunity to take stock of the overall situation and this LTB includes helpful correspondence which will re-assure branches over Royal Mail's regional plans and 2010 budget / local revision activity.
Resolution to Local Disputes
The interim agreement included the ability for all offices to either review or re-negotiate 2009 local change - dependent on whether change had been introduced by agreement or imposed by Royal Mail executive action. The agreement also included the terms of re-engagement at local level covering all the contentious issues that normally arise from a national dispute.
In order to track local progress, CWU divisional representatives and Royal Mail regional managers were jointly tasked with holding regular meetings with a common agenda that highlighted key elements of the interim agreement. This was then cross referenced with the actual progress being made at local level. Reports from these divisional / regional meetings have been fed back to the national parties and are then reviewed through the independent process.
Initially, in some areas, there were major problems in implementing the local aspects of the agreement. However, recent reports demonstrate we are now making progress in all regions.
We have developed a detailed summary report covering all local offices and this shows positive engagement is now taking place in over 95% of local units and agreement has been reached in approximately 70 units. The summary report is being shared with divisional representatives and it has been agreed that confirmation of local agreements requires joint sign off by the local parties.
In terms of the overall situation regarding the local elements of the interim agreement it can be seen that things are now moving forward although we want to see evidence of more agreements being reached in the next week or so.
National Negotiations
To take forward the national key principles of the interim agreement a negotiating structure was agreed covering operational change, job security issues, reward and relationships. This structure is supplemented by plenary sessions every Thursday where progress is reviewed on all the negotiations with the independent chair and ACAS.
The Postal Executive were given an update on the various strands of the negotiations by the relevant national officers. This can be summarised by saying that in the operational change meetings covering delivery, mail centres and the network, although draft proposals had been exchanged, negotiations were proving difficult particularly in delivery. However, it was felt that the review meeting of the 3rd December had given fresh impetus to the talks and the officers were hopeful that real progress could be made this week.
On the other elements of the talks covering reward, job security issues and relationships, it was reported that negotiations were moving forward, albeit, it was recognised that we had not yet reached a pivotal stage.
The Independent Review Meetings
There have now been three independent review meetings facilitated by Roger Poole, the independent chair, and ACAS. At the 3rd December review meeting we received an in-commercial confidence presentation from Mark Higson, the Managing Director, and his team. The presentation contained some new and helpful information in the context of the impact of Royal Mail's transformation programme on jobs, full time to part time ratios and mail centre rationalisation.
In the question and answer session that followed the union received strong assurances from the Managing Director that the company's plans would be shaped by any final agreement. Furthermore, the independent chair also made it clear to both parties that his expectation was that the agreement would shape the future of the business. Overall, this was seen as a helpful session for the union.
The review meeting then received reports on the state of play in all the negotiations. This was followed by suggestions from ACAS and Roger Poole on how we could remove barriers that were preventing progress in some areas. As a result of the 3rd December review meeting there have been some helpful developments:

• ACAS will now directly assist delivery talks.
  

• Royal Mail has clarified their negotiating teams to ensure key players are always in attendance.
  

• There has been an important exchange of correspondence (attached) which provides the union with strong assurances over the status of the company's regional plans and 2010 planned budget / local revision activity. It is important that branches convey the content of this exchange of correspondence to all local representatives.
  

• The independent chair explained that he would be sending out a communication (attached to LTB 1070/09) outlining his views on the current situation.
  

Summary
It can be seen from the afore-mentioned that, at this stage, the decision to engage external support is proving beneficial.
In taking stock of the overall situation, including the assurances given by Royal Mail over planned 2010 change, the Postal Executive yesterday accepted two very important points:
- The union must continue to put our faith in the independent process as the only realistic way of securing a full and final agreement.
- A return to strike action will be a last resort and will only be triggered if there is a breakdown in negotiations.
We are now focusing all our efforts on trying to finalise an agreement before Christmas. The Postal Executive has agreed to meet again on the 16th December to review the situation. A further report will be issued in due course.
Yours sincerely
Dave Ward Martin Collins
Deputy General Secretary (P) Assistant Secretary
Ray Ellis Bob Gibson
Assistant Secretary Assistant Secretary
Terry Pullinger
Assistant Secretary

Dear Dale

At yesterday's review meeting, I explained that speculation about the status of Royal Mail's regional plans and 2010 local budget / revision activity is damaging confidence in the negotiating process.

In response, you provided the meeting with assurances that Royal Mail's regional plans did not necessarily reflect Royal Mail policy, had not been finalised and were at a very early stage of the drafting process.

You also gave assurances to the meeting that 2010 budgets / local revision activity had not been finalised and you stated that it would be premature for managers to discuss these matters with local reps.

You did recognise the potential for the afore-mentioned issues to damage confidence and you gave the meeting assurances that both the regional plans and 2010 local revision activity would ultimately be shaped by the outcome of our national negotiations and any final agreement.

The independent chair, Roger Poole, and ACAS also confirmed that your assurances were in line with their expectations, their understanding of the interim agreement and status of our national negotiations.

In the circumstances, it would be helpful if you could now confirm the assurances you gave yesterday in correspondence.

I look forward to your response.

Yours sincerely
Dave Ward
Deputy General Secretary (P)

Dear Dave

In response to your letter of earlier today, and the questions you raised at yesterdays' review meeting, I am happy to confirm the position regarding Regional Plans and our planning process, which is, as you appreciate, something that all businesses do each year.

The plans being drawn up by regions currently are very much at an early drafting stage; they do not necessarily reflect Royal Mail's policy. They are a first cut and will be subject to considerable refinement before they are finalised. Budget planning is part of this process and it would be premature for this to be the subject of discussion with local representatives at this stage.

I can also confirm that the 2010 Regional Plans and revision activity will ultimately be shaped to reflect the outcome of our National negotiations and any final agreement.

Yours sincerely

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07th Dec 2009

National negotiations update

As the independent person asked to oversee the modernisation negotiations  between the CWU and Royal Mail I want, on behalf of myself and the senior negotiators from both sides, to keep you informed and abreast of the progress we are making. ACAS are assisting me and both sides in these discussions.

We have set a very tight timetable for these negotiations to be completed by the end of the year. To achieve this we will need everyone’s cooperation and help. We will endeavour to keep in touch with you all as we progress.

We have set some ground rules for the negotiations, one of which is that nothing is agreed until everything is agreed. This will give both sides confidence to deal with difficult issues knowing that nothing will be implemented until all their issues are dealt with.

To foster success in the process there have been some useful commitments made by Royal Mail management and the CWU:

• management have stated that no further changes will be imposed while negotiations continue and that local agreements in the spirit of the interim agreement are encouraged. Any changes planned for 2010 will fully reflect and honour the new national agreements they are committed to reaching;
  

• the CWU in turn have stated that members should now be working normally in line with the interim agreement and that no further industrial action will take place while negotiations continue and that they fully engage in the process to negotiate and deliver change.
  
  We have had three review meetings so far as allowed for in the interim agreement. The issues being dealt with are as follows:
  

• groups at national level are now making progress on the terms of various national agreements as set out in the interim agreement. The topics for the four groups are Operations, Managing the Change, Reward and Relationship;
  

• we have also been looking at progress on deployment at local level.

There is still a way to go but we are encouraged by the spirit of pragmatism shown by the parties and the genuine will of everyone to achieve lasting progress and create a positive climate in which to take the modernisation agenda forward.

Roger Poole

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09th November 2009

Interim agreement

Below are the main points from the deal reached between the CWU & Royal Mail. The full agreement can be seen here

The aim of the interim agreement is to achieve a final agreement by the end of 2009. The independent nominated person & both RM & CWU will review the interim agreement W/C 16th November and fortnightly thereafter. Both parties will meet 4 days a week to work on concluding the agreement. Relevant senior operational managers and area reps will meet as soon as possible to clarify where in the IR Framework each change proposal has reached and begin to oversee the process of re-engagement at the appropriate level. RM have agreed that the National ballot & all local ballots remain enacted.

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5th November 2009

Deal Means Postal Strikes Off

The CWU has today announced that the postal strikes planned for Friday 6th November and Monday 9th November have been called off.

CWU and Royal Mail have reached an interim agreement that was unanimously agreed by the union's Postal Executive today.
The interim agreement will provide a period of calm for the CWU and Royal Mail to reach a full and final agreement. The interim agreement guarantees that modernisation will be introduced with agreed job security and improved terms and conditions for postal workers. It also addresses all the issues included in the long running local disputes.

The strike ballot remains in place.

Dave Ward, CWU deputy general secretary, said: "There needs to be exceptional efforts to improve trust and relationships between CWU and Royal Mail. As a result both TUC and ACAS will have a continuing role to keep the discussions and agreement on track."

The details of the agreement are embargoed until 12noon Friday 6th November 2009.

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5th November 2009

Update on Postal Dispute

Talks between the CWU and Royal Mail took place at TUC headquarters in central London yesterday (Wednesday) chaired by TUC general secretary Brendan Barber.

The CWU Postal Executive has a meeting today (Thursday) starting at 12 noon.

Both the CWU and Royal Mail have agreed not to speak publicly about the detail of the discussions so far.

The two national strikes on Friday 6th November and Monday 9th November involving all 121,000 members in Royal Mail Letters - are set to go ahead as planned.

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You might find this interesting it was penned by an employee of Royal Mail explaining why we are striking and explained in laymans terms:

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03rd November 2009

Royal Mail Discussions - Update

Talks between the CWU and Royal Mail continued at TUC headquarters in central London today, chaired by TUC general secretary Brendan Barber. Both the union and Royal Mail have agreed not to speak publicly about the detail of the discussions so far. Negotiations will resume at the same venue tomorrow morning and further updates will follow.

The two national strikes on Friday 6th November and Monday 9th November involving all 121,000 members in Royal Mail letters are set to go ahead as planned.

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28th October 2009

Excerpt from the "Telegraph"

Postal strike: hopes fade that this week's strikes will be called off

A third wave of postal strikes could be announced today, as hopes fade that a breakthrough between the Royal Mail and the postal union can be made in time to avoid the second round of stoppages.

By Harry Wallop , Consumer Affairs Editor

Published: 7:00AM GMT 28 Oct 2009

A national strike is planned for Thursday, Friday and Saturday of this week, with fears mounting that even more strikes could be called, dragging the dispute into November and the start of the Christmas post.

Talks between the Royal Mail and the Communication Workers Union resumed at 4 o'clock on Tuesday afternoon at the headquarters of the TUC and continued late into the night.

Though the talks are understood to be making some progress, both sides have failed so far to back down.

This leaves just a few hours this morning for a breakthrough to be made, before the union's executive meets to decide whether to call off this week's strike or decide on further action.

A CWU spokesman said: "Our executive will meet tomorrow [Wednesday] afternoon and assess where everything is in terms of the talks that have been happening... they could call the strike off or, at the other extreme, call for more strike action."

Both sides have promised not to "give a running commentary" on the progress of the talks that the TUC are hosting, but the CWU raised the stakes by confirming it was seeking a High Court injunction against the Royal Mail.

The union is deeply unhappy at the controversial move by the company to hire 30,000 temporary workers to help it clear the backlog caused by the strikes. The CWU has called the extra staff "Strikebreakers"

It is illegal under employment law to hire workers to carry out the duties of a worker on strike. The CWU said it was gathering more evidence before it decided whether or not to file the injunction.

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26th October 2009

Update from Talks at TUC

CWU and Royal Mail have been meeting today (Monday) at the TUC to discuss all the issues involved in the current dispute.

We have had useful discussions today, and the talks are being adjourned to allow further work to be done overnight on some of the issues involved.
We will be reconvening again in the morning in Congress House to continue the talks.
In the meantime neither CWU nor Royal Mail will be making any further comment.

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26th October 2009

                           Latest strike days:

The CWU & Royal Mail are due to hold talks today (Mon 26th Oct) attended by the TUC. The outcome of the talks may affect the announced strike action timetable, but until we receive further information the strikes will continue on the following dates:

Thursday from 4am

43,700 staff across the UK in mail centres, delivery units in mail centres, network logistic drivers and garage staff.

Friday:

MDECs (400 people in three sites - Plymouth, Stockport, Stoke. These workers assist mail centres by reading and entering mail addresses.)

Saturday:

77,000 delivery and collection staff across the UK.

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26th October 2009

A letter was sent to CMA members last week issued by Derek Simpson and Tony Woodley, Joint General Secretaries of UNITE.

The message was that they are calling upon CMA members to undertake “no work beyond their normal duties”.  Further, UNITE will support its CMA members if they are faced with disciplinary action as a result.

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16th October 2009

Colleagues,

Please see below the latest guide from CWU HQ regarding the forthcoming industrial action. To eliminate confusion we have sought clarification from the Division as to who is out next week & when.

Thursday:

Doncaster Mail Centre staff including Deliveries, Proccessing, Distribution & Rossington Delivery staff.

Friday:

All Delivery Offices & SPDO's including DN SPDO Delivery drivers.

If you are in any doubt, please contact your local Rep or Branch Official

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National Guidelines for the Planned Industrial Action 2009

The following Guidelines have been produced to assist Branch Representatives and provide more detailed guidance on the Action that has been planned on a Functional/Site specific basis.

Functional/Site Specific

The clarification of the above is - all Royal Mail Employees/CWU members (regardless of grade e.g. OPG, LA, Mail Screener, Engineer, MT members etc) employed on the Site irrespective of their function.

Example 1:

Mail Centre/Network Action Day

A Mail Centre may have a Delivery, Distribution and Network function on the same Site.  In these instances all of the members from these four functions would be involved in the Industrial Action on the days scheduled for the Mail Centres/Network Strike but will not be expected to take Action on the days scheduled for Delivery, MDECs, Collection Hubs and MTWs on separate sites. 

Example 2:

Delivery, MDECs, Collection Hubs and MTWs on Separate Sites Action Day

A Delivery Office may also have a Distribution function, Collection Hub or MTW on site.  In this instance again the members from all of these functions would be scheduled to take Action on the days scheduled for Deliveries.

Example 3:

Mail Centres/Network Action Day

Airports, International (HWDC) and Walk Bundling Centres on separate Sites would be due to take Action on the days scheduled for Mail Centres/Network.

Example 4:

Walk Bundling Centres which are Co-located

Where a Walk Bundling Centre is on the same Site as a Delivery Office, Mail Centre or Network Unit the members would be scheduled to take Action on the days scheduled for Delivery/MDECs or Mail Centre/Network Units as appropriate i.e. the same principle applies as outlined in Example 1 and 2.

Rotations

Where members rotate weekly between functions for example Mail Centres and Delivery they will be due to be involved in the Action scheduled for the offices they are working in on that particular week.

Example:

Week 1 working in a Delivery office, Week 2 working on a Mail Centre Site for Distribution.  The Action taken would be in line with Deliveries in the first week and Mail Centres in the second week.

Total Action

The planned Action is scheduled to ensure that no individual is required to be on strike for more than 24 hours in a week.

Programme of Action

We have detailed below the initial Programme of scheduled Function/Site Action.

Mail Centres/Network

All duties, Scheduled Attendance and overtime commencing at or after 04.00 Thursday 22nd October 2009 and before 04.00 Friday 23rd October 2009.

Delivery, MDECs, Collection Hubs and MTWs on Separate Sites

All duties, Scheduled Attendance and overtime commencing at or after 21.00 Thursday 22nd October 2009 and before 21.00 Friday 23rd October 2009.

Disciplined Approach/Difficulties of Unofficial Action

This planned Action has been designed to have the maximum impact on the business whilst limiting the loss of pay to our members.  If carried out as planned it should cause major disruption to the service and put pressure on the business for meaningful negotiations with the Union.

There are however clearly many issues that will arise that could, if not managed in a disciplined way, lead to unnecessary difficulties.  We have listed below a number of examples that immediately spring to mind:

• Representatives will already be aware from previous strikes that members have been finishing their shifts while other members are still on strike due to the varied shifts not all commencing at the same time.  This will still be the case and it is imperative that we continue to avoid this leading to Unofficial Action because picket lines have put undue pressure on members who are actually due to be at work in line with the strike scheduled by the Union.

• Picket lines must also be organised to ensure that they do not put pressure on drivers who are not due to be taking Action when they visit a site that is on strike in the course of their duty i.e. the picket line should be stood down as appropriate.

• With the Functional/Site Specific Strikes planned, it must be recognised that members of the same Branch in the same area may be due to work while others are on strike e.g. the Mail Centre and attached Delivery Unit may be on strike while the neighbouring separate Delivery Offices are due to be at work.  This could lead to management asking our members to go and work in the office that is on strike which, although we appreciate will be very contentious, Union discipline again must be maintained to prevent unnecessary problems.

• Transfers of traffic from one office to another office will also clearly be an avenue that may be explored by the business without any consultation or agreement in an attempt to disrupt our disciplined Action.

• The illegal use of agency staff will of course be challenged but clearly the business will seek to use agency staff before and after each strike and throughout the period in offices that are still due to be operationally working.

• Management will also continue to use casuals wherever they can so that they can keep overtime at minimum levels to wind our members up further but again we need to avoid Unofficial Action over these issues at this point in time.

We fully appreciate that the above may be difficult for everyone to manage but it is essential that we do if we want the Action to work and hit Royal Mail where it hurts.

Additional Enquiries

If Branch Representatives still need further clarification on any points they should in the first instance contact their Divisional Representative or Regional Secretary who should be able to provide the appropriate advice.

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CWU Offers Peace Deal to Royal Mail

13th October 2009

The Communication Workers Union has today (Tuesday) written to Royal Mail offering a deal to avoid strike action. The offer would help restore customer confidence at a crucial time for the Royal Mail while addressing outstanding problems of job security, work levels, bullying, and reward.

In the letter to Mark Higson, Royal Mail managing director, the CWU urges the company to show it is sincere about reaching an agreement and avoiding strike action. If not, the CWU will have no option than to press ahead with issuing notice for strike action later this week. Dave Ward, CWU deputy general secretary, said: "Postal workers do not want to have to take strike action, but neither are they prepared to put up with continuing attacks from a management which is failing. "We have today written to Royal Mail making it clear that the CWU is ready to issue notice for a national strike as voted for by three quarters of postal workers. "More importantly, we have offered what we believe is a genuine alternative to reach a lasting agreement. This is an opportunity to avoid a national strike, restore customer confidence and resolve the concerns of staff. "If Royal Mail really is sincere about reaching an agreement we expect them to take up this offer for the interests of all involved in the mail industry." CWU is copying the letter to organisations including the Federation of Small Businesses, Direct Mail Association, Mail Users Association and British Chambers of Commerce encouraging them to urge Royal Mail to reach an agreement. CWU is also campaigning for a resolution to the pension deficit and is hoping to make a joint approach with the Royal Mail to government on this issue. If Royal Mail refuses this offer then strike dates will be announced on Thursday 15th October.

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Postal Strikes for w/c 5th October

Below is a list of postal strikes for the week commencing 5th October 2009. All action is for 24 hours unless stated otherwise. Further detail is available on the Royal Mail dispute page of this website: www.cwu.org/royal-mail-dispute.html

Wednesday 7th October
Peterborough delivery office (DO) from 22:00
Thursday 8th October
Bristol mail centre
Peterborough DO
Friday 9th October
Burslem DO
Kilmarnock
Peterborough DO, until 22:00
London mail centres:
East London
London Airport Mail Unit
Mount Pleasant
South London mail centre

Network (logistics and van) drivers in:
Carlisle
Coventry
Chelmsford
Hatfield, Northern Home Counties
Leeds, North East Regional Distribution Centre
Nottingham
Peterborough
Swindon
Warrington, North West Regional Distribution Centre
London:
East London
Greenford
Nine Elms, Vauxhall
Princess Royal Distribution Centre, North London

Saturday 10th October
Bathgate
Hadfield DO
Irvine DO
London-wide deliveries

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21st August 2009

Biggest Week of Postal Strikes Looms

Postal workers across the UK are set for another week of strikes as the deadlock between the Communication Workers Union and Royal Mail over cuts and non-negotiation continues.

Research by CWU shows that postal workers are facing unprecedented levels of attacks from management at the very time at which Royal Mail needs staff to be on-board with major changes.

On jobs:

Postal workers fear compulsory redundancies as offices are closed and relocation is an unrealistic option, along with fear of being forced to go part-time as Royal Mail looks to strip out full-time jobs.

On pay:

Postal workers face a pay-freeze in the same year that Royal Mail announced record profits while also losing overtime hours.

On wellbeing:

Postal workers are facing daily bullying and harassment from managers piling extra and unrealistic workloads on them in order to meet impractical budget targets. Underlying all these issues is Royal Mail management's refusal to negotiate with the CWU to establish a national agreement to roll-out a workable modernisation programme to future-proof the company.

Dave Ward, CWU deputy general secretary, said: "Never before have postal workers experienced so many attacks from all sides. Whether it's pay, job security, workload or dignity and respect at work, our members are facing a beating on all aspects of their working lives.

"Pressure and stress are rising to breaking point. It won't be long before services are dramatically affected.

"Our members do not want to lose money or disrupt services by taking further strike action. However, while Royal Mail refuses to acknowledge the serious issues facing its own employees we feel there is no alternative but to press ahead with a national strike ballot.

"We will call off all strike action in return for meaningful negotiations on modernisation, pay and job security. As the recognised union this is the least Royal Mail should do.

"We are also encouraging the government to honour its responsibility to the Royal Mail pension scheme by taking on the deficit and also addressing the ongoing problems of regulation which put Royal Mail in a disadvantaged position in the mail market."

Up to 20,000 postal workers will take strike action over the next week in (staff numbers shown in brackets):

Friday 21st August
Peterborough collection drivers
Kings Lynn delivery office
Burslem delivery office#

Saturday 22nd August
Boston delivery office (100)
Carrickfergus delivery office (Northern Ireland) (50)
Stockport delivery office (~250)
Hadfield delivery office (20)

Monday 24th August:
Skegness Delivery Office Lincolnshire (80)
Huntingdon Delivery Office (60)

Tuesday 25th August:
Rochdale delivery office (200)

Thursday 27th August:
Birmingham VOC): 60
Coventry Hubs: 140
East Midlands VOC: 80
National Distribution Centre, Northampton: 180
London: (700 approx total for London)
· East London Distribution
· East London VOC
· Nine Elms CLS VOC
· Greenford VOC
· PRDC
· PRDC VOC
Essex Distribution (75)
Peterborough VOC (60)
Northern Home Counties, Hatfield - distribution and processing (350)
NW REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION CENTRE, Warrington (120)
SW REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION CENTRE, Bristol (120)
Yorkshire REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION CENTRE, Leeds (100)
Bridgend Hub (20)
Ely DELIVERY OFFICE: 4am - 8pm (45)
Soham DELIVERY OFFICE: 6am - 4pm (25)
Haddenham SPDO: 6am - 4pm (2)
Isleham SPDO: 6am - 4pm (8)
Cambridge DELIVERY OFFICE: From midnight (110)
Bristol MAIL CENTRE: From 9am (800)

Friday 28th August:
Newport West DELIVERY OFFICE: From 10pm (60)
London Division MAIL CENTREs: (3,500)
Stirling DELIVERY OFFICE: From 10.30am (110)
Edinburgh DELIVERY OFFICE: From 4am (200)
Edinburgh MAIL CENTRE: From 5am (500)

Saturday 29th August:
Middlesbrough DELIVERY OFFICE: From 3am (80)
London Division DELIVERY OFFICEs: 7,500
Hadfield SPDO: From midnight
Lochgelly DELIVERY OFFICE: From midnight (4)
Anstruther DELIVERY OFFICE: From midnight (10)

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Wednesday 19th August 2009

CWU Press Release

Strikes on as Postal Workers Overworked by Management-Rigged Systems

Thousands of postal workers are striking across the country today (Wednesday) as Royal Mail continues to disregard the concerns of CWU over cuts to jobs and services and a lack of willingness to negotiate on modernisation. The CWU has today accused Royal Mail of abusing work measurement systems to increase workloads to breaking point.  

Dave Ward, Communication Workers Union deputy general secretary, said: “Postal workers are more productive than ever handling more mail with a diminishing workforce. Stress is now reaching breaking point while morale is at an all-time low. 

“The company is rigging the work measurement systems to overload postal workers.  Budgets are cut year on year and delivery rounds are then overloaded to match that budget. These systems were introduced to accurately determine workloads but Royal Mail are rigging the systems to ensure they meet their panic-driven cost cuts.

“The company knows the workload is unacceptable but are bullying people to attempt to tackle impossible workloads" he added. 

The strikes have developed over Royal Mail’s attempts to impose budget cuts, reducing jobs and services.  The CWU continues to call for meaningful negotiations on modernisation, as previously agreed in 2007.  Only this week, as a result of the strikes to date, has Royal Mail finally offered the union talks. 

Dave Ward said: "The offer of talks is welcomed, but the company has to have real dialogue.  To this point, all they do is lecture us on their plans. In the meantime they continue to impose cuts and unacceptable workloads and so the strikes will continue.  We repeat our offer of a no strike deal if the company takes a step back on this round of cuts and negotiates on the bigger picture of the much needed modernisation of the company.  In 2007, both parties agreed to negotiate on all aspects of modernisation and Royal Mail must return to that approach.”

The CWU has repeatedly expressed serious concerns over the appalling way that postal workers are being treated by Royal Mail.  "The bullying, managerial culture in the company is now reaching very dangerous proportions and we fear for the wellbeing and safety of our members.   Examples of this are increasing numbers of employees facing unfair conduct action when they simply cannot complete the work tasks demanded by managers, within the allocated working time," added Mr Ward. 

The CWU has uncovered lots of examples where workers are increasingly harassed when they are genuinely ill and of managers dismissing employees for issues that would only trigger informal counselling in most other companies. There is also the deliberate tactic of taking people off of pay if they dare question management on legitimate work related issues.

Dave Ward said: “The simple way to resolve these issues and bring an end to strike action is for Royal Mail to agree to negotiations which agree an approach to modernisation taking into account job security fears and stop the unagreed imposed cuts.”

Strikes are taking place at the following for 24 hours on Wednesday 19th August:

Network/logistic drivers (1,300 staff) at:

• Birmingham Vehicle Operation Centre, Birmingham Mail Centre, St Stevens Street

• Coventry, Parcelforce Hub, Siskin Parkway West, Middlemarch Business Park, Coventry, West Midlands CV3 4PF  

• East London Regional Distribution Centre

• East London VOC

• Essex RDC,

• Greenford VOC

• National Distribution Centre, Northampton, Drift Industrial Estate, Crick.

• Nine Elms VOC, Vauxhall

• Peterborough VOC, Papyrus Road

• Princes Royal Distribution Centre Indoor and VOC, north London

• South West Regional Distribution Centre Indoor and Drivers, Bristol

• Yorkshire Distribution Centre VOC, Silkstone House, Euro Way, Normanton, WF6 2XX –

Deliveries and collections:

• London – all excluding Mount Pleasant (9,000)

• Chatham (130)

• Maidstone (180)

• Medway Valley (78)

• Sheerness (50)

• Faversham (140)

Strikes for the rest of the week are set for:

Thursday 20th August

Peterborough delivery office

Friday 21st August

Peterborough collection drivers

Kings Lynn delivery office

Burslem delivery office

Saturday 22nd August

Boston delivery office

Carrickfergus delivery office (Northern Ireland)

Monday 24th August:

Skegness Delivery Office Lincolnshire

Huntingdon Delivery Office Huntingdonshire

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August 17th 2009

NEGOTIATIONS WITH ROYAL MAIL - NATIONAL DISPUTE

Further to LTB 689/09 in respect of the above, I can report there have been two further meetings last week with the business. Within these discussions the company fully accepted that urgent negotiations need to take place on the principle issues that were due to be concluded under the Phase 4 of the Pay & Modernisation Agreement.
They have however continued to refuse to take up our offer of establishing a period of calm by instructing their Managers to cease taking Executive Action to provide the right climate for these talks. There is also evidence that despite the assurance given previously by the business that current National Agreements would be honoured, Representatives have reported there has been no sign of this at Local Level with Managers still attempting to push through unacceptable changes by stealth.
Whilst we will continue to press the employer to engage and progress constructive negotiations at National Level, it is essential that Branches maintain their focus on achieving a Yes Vote in the National Ballot scheduled to take place in September.
I trust Branches will ensure the above information is relayed to all CWU members as soon as possible and further developments will be reported in due course

Yours sincerely,

Martin Collins
Acting Deputy General Secretary (P)

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14th August 2009

Article from the "Tribune"

by René Lavanchy

Royal Mail is delaying the introduction of mail sorting machinery over concerns that it will result in mail being delivered later, the Communication Workers Union suggested this week. CWU officials say most of the machines bought, part of a planned order of 1,000 to be used to replace manual sorting by postmen, are lying idle at an undisclosed location in the Midlands.

The equipment has been bought with a £1.2 billion modernisation loan secured from the Government in 2007. Royal Mail has already come under fire for failing to spend all the money yet.

A CWU spokesperson said this week: “We think they’ve bought a large number of machines and they’re sitting in a dusty hangar.”

The union last week announced it would hold a national strike ballot over Royal Mail’s modernisation plans, which it says it is not being properly consulted on. Royal Mail accuses the CWU of trying to block change, but the union said this week it would accept job losses and cost savings if they were properly managed.

Royal Mail is thought to have planned to buy 1000 electronic walk sequencing machines from French company Solystic in order to automate the manual sorting of letters into “walk order” ready for delivery to letterboxes.

CWU London divisional representative Mark Palfrey said: “Do the machines do the job? Yes they do. Do they do it as quick as the current machinery? No they do not.”

“Distance mail [from distant parts of the country] does not arrive in inward mail centres till four o’clock in the morning… That mail would not now land in delivery offices till ten o’clock.”

“Royal Mail is having a debate. That’s clearly what’s going on, hence the attack on the front line postmen to reduce the cost, where they thought machinery was going to do that.” Union activists were not “Luddites”, he insisted.

Politicians are also puzzled about plans for the equipment. During a House of Lords debate on Royal Mail, Labour’s Lord Clarke said: “I have made exhaustive inquiries but no one can tell me where these machines are.”

Royal Mail had not responded as Tribune went to press.

Relations between Royal Mail and the CWU have currently broken down with company bosses accusing the union of refusing to negotiate despite being offered meetings. A CWU spokesperson said: “It’s just a lecture. There’s no negotiation going on at all in these meetings. It’s not talks, it’s being talked at.”

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21st July 2009

Lord Mandelson's Statement

In giving evidence this week to the Common's Business Committee Lord Mandelson chose to launch a bitter attack on the CWU, accusing the Union of reneging on the 2007 Pay and Modernisation deal and generally opposing change and all Royal Mail's attempts to modernise.
It is clear Lord Mandelson's attack has been timed to respond to both growing industrial action and the CWU's "Keep the Post Public Campaign" which was instrumental in getting the Government to shelve plans for privatisation.
We want Branches to know that the Union will be rebutting Lord Mandelson's statement in a formal letter to Government and we will be accusing him of deliberately misleading a Parliamentary Select Committee.
In a separate development we have also become aware that some Royal Mail managers are handing out copies of Lord Mandelson's statement in order to undermine current support for industrial action. Therefore, we would ask Branches to convey the content of this LTB to our members as a direct response to Royal Mail's actions.

Pay and Modernisation

Royal Mail has confirmed that every office in the country had fully co-operated with the first 3 phases of Pay and Modernisation. This involved their own independent audit process and their Headquarters signing off all local agreements before any monies linked to the agreement were released to our members. Furthermore, the company continue to boast about how many job losses there have already been and the fact that in years 2008/2009 they outperformed all of their financial targets.
The company have publicly stated, consistently, that the reason for improved performance has been deployment of the Pay and Modernisation Agreement. The truth is where there are problems with the agreement it has been the fact that management abuse flexibility and continue to adopt bullying tactics to impose change.
Where the agreement has been univocally broken is where Royal Mail's senior management has walked away from the 4th phase of the deal, which clearly stated that the company were committed to further negotiations and further national agreements in the crucial areas of Mail Centres, Delivery and Network strategies, including the introduction of automation and better reward for our members.
The Union has already written to MP's explaining the facts and we want to assure you that we will now focus our attention on ensuring Lord Mandelson understands the fact that Royal Mail are the party who have reneged on the deal. You would have thought this should not prove too difficult given that both Lord Mandelson and the Hooper Report correctly identified, at an earlier stage, the senior Royal Mail's management team's lack of transparency - the company's lack of expertise to run a postal operation and their failure to engage the Union and the workforce.
Lord Mandelson's previous criticisms of Royal Mail are more relevant today than when the Hooper Report was first published.

Modernisation

The CWU and Royal Mail have a completely different view of what modernisation really means. What Royal Mail is doing now in Units up and down the country is not modernisation. They are not bringing forward new machines, neither are they investing in the staff and better equipment. Royal Mail are not developing new and better services fit for the 21st Century, neither are they providing better value for the customer. They are not providing their workforce with more rewarding and secure jobs. Instead they are randomly cutting jobs and turning full time posts into part time. Delivery times are getting later and more erratic. Staff are being bullied to try and achieve impossible budget targets. Increasingly, decisions are being taken purely on the basis of short-term financial need as opposed to the needs of the service as a whole.
Far from opposing modernisation, the CWU has been for a long time the only organisation demanding it. We are for new machines and equipment that deliver a more efficient service and make the jobs of our members easier. What we ask for, though, is that these changes are brought in by agreement and that our members share in the benefits. We are for improving the service and developing the new services that will secure our members jobs in the future. We are for decent industrial relations where the Union and its members are treated as equal partners. We are for a Royal Mail run democratically with input from both the community it serves and the workforce through their Unions. We are for a well-paid and well-motivated workforce. We believe that this is what a modernised Royal Mail should look like. Achieving this is what our current dispute is all about.
Yours sincerely,

Billy Hayes Dave Ward
General Secretary Deputy General Secretary (P)

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10th July 2009

Royal mail  postal workers go on three day strike.

The Communications Union (CWU) that represents the postal workers called for the three day London strike over job and pay cuts and conditions. Recently the government had to put its plans on hold for part privatising the Royal Mail. The CWU has bitterly opposed plans by the government of part privatising Royal Mail.

Dave Ward, CWU deputy general secretary said "When presented with the best deal we - or any other union - can offer, which is for three months of no industrial action and focused negotiation on modernisation, they [Royal Mail] refuse." Moreover, the Ward blamed Royal Mail chairman Donald Brydon of incapability and said "He was clearly brought in to oversee a part sell-off and his skills are not suited to the current problems facing the company." "The problems that Royal Mail face are not going away. The pension deficit in particular needs to be resolved along with the increasingly important outstanding issues of modernisation. The government is allowing the same management that was criticised for failure to continue mis-managing the company."Strike action in London is in response to Royal Mail's continuing executive action of cuts without modernisation. There's no machinery, no redesigning of deliveries and no improvement on industrial relations," added Ward.

Meanwhile, Lord Mandelson, the UK Business Secretary slammed CWU for boycotting talks on Royal Mail modernisation. Mandelson accused the union of backtracking from a 2007 agreement of introducing new technology into the business. He said: "They are boycotting the agreed process for making changes to the Royal Mail." Royal Mail has a pension deficit of £10 billion, which the business secretary said was inconceivable for the tax payers to bail out without any changes in the Royal Mail working structure.

The strike, spread over three days, action began on Wednesday 8 July when delivery staff will take part. On Thursday 9 July, the distribution and logistics members will be out participating in the strike and on Friday 10 July, mail centres in processing will be striking.

DO THE JOB RIGHT!

  DO THE JOB SAFELY!

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10th July 2009

National Day of Action

Friday 17th July 2009

• Over 400 Offices will be taking Industrial Action in defence of the right to negotiate.

• If your office is not taking action that does not mean you cannot help.

• Organise a gate / membership meeting on this day and ask your branch to attend and explain the latest situation to you. Now is the time for your unit to join the fight. We are fighting for a modern Royal Mail committed to rewarding loyal employees.

EVERY OFFICE MUST work safely on 17th July

• Start on time and NOT BEFORE

• Weigh your Bags

• Take your meal relief’s

• Use one piece of equipment at a time

• Raise any safety concerns with your CWU Rep

LETS MAKE THIS A REAL DAY OF NATIONAL ACTION.

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10th July 2009

10 Reasons why we need to ballot for Industrial Action and Vote Yes!

• Royal Mail continues to abuse the Pay and Modernisation agreement with their flexibility and lapsing policies and the extension of the 3.5 hour national agreement on delivery spans.

• Royal Mail have frozen our pay and refuse to give us a pay rise whilst paying managers thousands of pounds in bonuses!

• Royal Mail refuses to enter into meaningful discussions on a new delivery model for the future.

• Royal Mail refuses to discuss the future structure of Mail Centres across the country and are continuing to close mail centres without the agreement of the CWU.

• Royal Mail refuses to discuss the future network of how mail will be circulated around the country with the CWU.

• Royal Mail refuses to enter into any discussions with the CWU on a shorter working week.

• Royal Mail refuses to enter into meaningful negotiations on the future of our pension.

• Royal Mail refuses to enter into any discussions that will involve a National agreement with the CWU unless it is pay and conditions, in other words they want to do whatever they want!

• Royal Mail continues to implement executive action without the agreement of the CWU members throughout the country.

• Demand your Branch call a meeting to seek a ballot for Industrial Action to defend national Agreements. The situation is critical YOU have to support YOUR Union. Without YOUR support Royal Mail will introduce all of the changes above  without the agreement of the CWU and without any payment whatsoever to YOU. Pay and Modernisation without any reward, NO WAY!

Support your Union’s campaign to achieve a National Agreement. Vote Yes to Support Your Union!

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3rd July 2009

Managing the Surplus Framework Agreement

We have held a number of meetings with the business to discuss the incorporation of the various amendments made to MTSF in recent years into a single revised MTSF document.  The attached document, which also incorporates small changes to reflect current organisation and practice, is the final version and incorporates all previous changes made to the agreement since 2003.

Branches should note that Appendix 10 on “Re-employment after Redundancy…” did not form part of the original MTSF agreement between CWU and RMG, but was noted by the union as management policy. This appendix, unlike the rest of the document, remains simply a management policy. It seems sensible, however, to include it in the document to ensure awareness. RMG has also produced a number of standard forms associated with the agreement, on which we have been consulted. The intension is to ensure that there is a common approach from all managers in dealing with MTSF issues. 

It is our intention to make the document available to all branches in booklet format for ease of reference. The booklet will be produced in time for the training package currently in preparation in line with the terms of Motion 173 carried at this year’s Postal Group Conference.

Any enquiries to Ray Ellis’s office, quoting reference PTC/MA/dj/020.
Email address: rellis@cwu.org 

Yours sincerely

Ray Ellis,

Assistant Secretary

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22nd June 2009

Swine Flu - HPA Advice on Exclusion from Workplaces and Schools

Following the closure of some schools as a precautionary measure, where probable or confirmed cases of swine flu have occurred, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) has provided the following advice for the public. This advice relates to the current situation in which the strategy is to delay and reduce onward transmission of the illness. Such advice may change as understanding of the virus improves.
The only people who need to refrain from their normal activities (such as going to work or to school) are:
· those who have been confirmed as having swine flu;
· those with symptoms who are being investigated and tested as a possible or probable case of swine flu; or
· those who have been attending a school where a case is found to have been present and have symptoms of the illness (a possible case).
· Anyone who is being investigated as a possible case of swine flu (which means they meet the epidemiological criteria and have symptoms) will be given antiviral medicine and will be asked to stay at home and limit their contact with other people until the test results are available.
· Close contacts of probable or confirmed cases (family, close friends etc) will be started on antiviral medicine as a precautionary measure but can continue their normal lives so long as they do not have any clinical symptoms.
· Adults and Children who have no symptoms but have had contact with probable or confirmed cases in social community settings do not need to be excluded from either the workplace or school. They should continue their normal daily routines 'business as usual' (unless they have been given specific advice not to attend work or school by a medical practitioner).

Infection Control
It is important to remember that flu is usually spread from one person to another when an infected person has symptoms (i.e. coughing and sneezing).
General infection control practices and good respiratory hand hygiene can help to reduce transmission of all viruses, including swine flu. This includes:
· Covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue when possible.
· Disposing of dirty tissues promptly and carefully.
· Maintaining good basic hygiene, for example washing hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to face or to other people.
· Cleaning hard surfaces (e.g. door handles) frequently using a normal cleaning product.
· Making sure your children follow this advice.
· The wearing of face masks and gloves by healthy people, who are not involved in caring for people who are ill, is not recommended by HPA who state that although face masks have been given out in Mexico, there is no actual evidence that proves wearing a face mask will stop you getting the virus. It's more effective to use tissues when sneezing and coughing and wash your hands regularly.
· The national guidelines issued to all UK households by the government and Dept of Health continues to hold the field including good standards of hygiene. (copy attached).

Confirmed Cases

At June 19 the total confirmed number of UK Swine Flu Cases was 1,984.

Region: Cases:

Worldwide there have been 19,315 confirmed swine flu cases in 66 countries, with 117 deaths - all in Mexico and the USA.

General

• Most people contracting Swine Flu have either been those returning from holidays abroad (Mexico and parts of the USA mainly) or others coming in contact with families who have returned home with Swine Flu.
  

• The overwhelming majority of Swine Flu cases have shown only mild symptoms and have responded very well to "Tamiflu" medication.
  
  

• Advice from the health authorities is very simple, if you or a member of your family is showing flu-like symptoms, stay at home and contact your GP or the NHS Direct. You will then be taken through a series of questions and where necessary you will be given the correct advice, testing or treatment.
  

• Tamiflu has been given as a precaution to the schoolchildren and staff in schools where outbreaks have occurred and to close contacts of probable or confirmed cases (family, friends or otherwise) as a precautionary measure but widespread administering of the medication as a precaution is not advisable as the drug is a 'treatment' and is not a 'vaccine'. To be effective Tamiflu needs to taken within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms. The illness may be shortened by a day and reduce the risk of complications.
  

• The World Health Organization (WHO) uses a series of six phases of pandemic alert to inform the world of the seriousness of the threat and the need to launch progressively more intense preparedness activities. WHO has raised its pandemic alert level from Phase 5 to 6. The move to Phase 6 should not be a cause for concern. WHO's decision to declare a pandemic is based on what is happening globally with swine flu and does not suggest a sudden shift in the UK situation. The move to Phase 6 does not mean the infection is becoming more severe. It reflects the level of spread of the infection, not a change in its severity.
  

Helplines:
Swine Flu Information Line 0800 1 513 513 to hear the latest advice. This will be updated regularly
If people are still concerned, they can call:
· NHS Direct on 0845 4647 in England
· NHS 24 on 08454 24 24 24 in Scotland
· NHS Direct Wales on 0845 4647 in Wales
· 0800 0514 142 in Northern Ireland
They will give people advice on their symptoms and the next steps to take. Advice is to contact a doctor if an individual develops complications, like a shortness of breath -but advice is for the person with symptoms not to go to the surgery themselves due to the risk of spreading infection.

Royal Mail have issued a WTLL "Lets Talkabout" Brief on the subject Swine Flu and 'contact with people returning from abroad'. The WTLL "Lets Talkabout" Brief confirms the UK Health Protection Agency advise that there is no need to quarantine anyone who has visited countries where swine flu has been discovered. On the basis of the best available medical advice, Royal Mail advise the workforce that anyone with flu symptoms should report sick, people without symptoms should report for work and everyone should work normally with anyone who is not sick.





Footnote: This is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. Consult a doctor or other health care professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions.

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03rd april 2009

LtB 298/09 Royal Mail Letters Claim - Update on Royal Mail Modernisation Discussions

Further to LTB 279/09 the Postal Executive discussed earlier this week our Royal Mail Letters 2009 Pay Claim and received progress reports from the National Officers on further meetings with Royal Mail over the company's modernisation plans.
April 2009 RML Pay Claim
In discussing this year's Pay and Conditions Claim the Postal Executive has taken into account Conference Policies, the current environment, including our wider Government Campaign, outstanding commitments from Pay and Modernisation and the company's future plans.
The Postal Executive recognise that given the complexity of the challenges we face it will not be possible to move our Pay and Conditions Claim forward in complete isolation to everything else that is happening in the industry. This is particularly relevant to how the claim will be viewed by Royal Mail and other interested parties. It also means we will have to be realistic about the likely timescales required to achieve an acceptable settlement.
A full copy of the Pay and Conditions Claim letter is attached.
In the circumstances we want Branches to publicise and discuss the content and rationale behind our claim in all workplaces.
Update on discussions with Royal Mail
Despite commitments made by Royal Mail for more productive talks, the Postal Executive received reports from the National Officers that no real progress has been made in discussions on the company's modernisation plans. It appears the company has a fundamental problem over engaging the Union in proper negotiations to reach national agreements on the next phase of modernisation. This was despite the following written commitment given by Royal Mail's HR Director in advance of the most recent talks.
"In various forums, we have confirmed that Royal Mail will continue to maintain existing National Agreement and changes to these or future changes to terms and conditions will be done through negotiation".
The aforementioned commitment was also confirmed by Mark Higson, Royal Mail's Managing Director at our recent two day meeting.

Regrettably, we are once again at a point where Royal Mail's words are not being matched by their deeds and actions. There is growing evidence that out in the field the company continues to break existing national agreements covering MTSF, deliveries and Pay and Modernisation. This is now being met by significantly increased requests for local industrial action ballots.
The truth is we are facing an employer who does not listen or act in the interests of our members. Royal Mail's response to the severe criticism of Government and the Hooper Report, which highlighted their lack of expertise and failure to engage the Union/workforce, is just to press on regardless.


The current situation is unacceptable. CWU members are facing the biggest major change of any current UK industry and we have a right to deal with major change through collective bargaining and national agreements.

In light of Royal Mail's continuing behaviour the Postal Executive has agreed the following course of action:-


- Until such time as Royal Mail honour existing National Agreements, accept that major change must be negotiated and reach agreements on the next phase of modernisation, we are instructing all Branches not to engage in revisions or savings initiatives.
- In the meantime, before talks are elevated, we have insisted that Royal Mail hold further meetings with the National Officers, in accordance with the spirit and content of the process recently agreed by the company.
We are very aware that Royal Mail's behaviour may be political and deliberately timed to undermine the Union's Campaign against privatisation. Nevertheless, we have no alternative other than to defend National Agreements and deal with all the issues facing our members in their workplaces.
It is essential that the content of this LTB is communicated in every workplace.
Any enquiries on our pay claim should be directed to the DGS (P) Department, enquiries on Royal Mail Modernisation talks should be directed to the appropriate Assistant Secretaries.

Yours sincerely
Dave Ward
Deputy General Secretary (P)

Dear Dale

CWU PAY AND CONDITIONS CLAIM 2009 - ROYAL MAIL LETTERS
We had a useful discussion last week exchanging initial views on the CWU April 2009 Pay and Conditions Claim.
We talked about the challenges facing Royal Mail and the Union, the current internal/external environment, CWU policies and our outstanding joint commitments to continue improving the terms and conditions of the workforce.
I explained the Union would be formally submitting our claim this week, but first I want to elaborate further on the background to our forthcoming negotiations.
When considering our claim Royal Mail will no doubt continue to point out that we are in a recession, mail volumes are falling and that our members are aware of what's happening in many other companies. It's true we are in a difficult environment - but we both know this does not represent the full picture.
The truth is there are other equally important factors to consider that place Royal Mail in a unique position.

• The company recently posted its best financial results for years and out performed all of its financial targets.
  
  
  

• You have recently written to all employees saying the value of the company has significantly increased.
  
  
  

• The Government has now accepted that it will take on the pension's legacy deficit. This will bring about an incredible transformation in Royal Mail's finances. Previously, Royal Mail signed into funding approximately £280 million per year, for the next 15 years. This money can now be released and reinvested into improving our members' terms and conditions amongst other things.
  
  
  

• Crucially, Royal Mail has now confirmed that its modernisation programme is fully funded from the previous Government loan.
  
  
  

• In addition, Royal Mail's modernisation programme is designed to achieve its biggest ever cost reduction, well in excess of a billion pounds. Again, this represents a massive boost to the company's finances.
  
  
  

• The Government's regulatory proposals provide the company with a great opportunity to now operate on a level playing field with its competitors and further improve its financial prospects. This includes revisiting DSA revenue loss, introducing a USO Support Fund and agreeing more helpful price control mechanisms.
  

What the aforementioned factually demonstrates is that whilst we face challenges there are also real prospects of delivering a successful future for our members and the company. This is the real background to our claim. I also want to emphasise that our claim must be seen in the context of us jointly making progress on modernisation with the potential to explore a longer term deal.
The claim is for all CWU represented grades in Royal Mail Letters, HR Services and Finance Ops covering the following areas:-

• Significant Increases in Basic Pay
  
  We must be mindful that for OPG's we previously jointly committed to achieving £400 per week and the Union is determined to make real progress towards our policy of achieving average national basic pay.
  
  We must also take into account the outstanding commitment from our Pay and Modernisation Agreement to introduce a new improved Pay and Benefits package including, pay simplification.
  
  For all other CWU represented grades we believe there are real opportunities as part of modernisation to achieve increases in basic pay and build on pay and benefits packages that reflect different jobs and skills requirements.
  
  
  

• Progress towards the Introduction of a 35 Hour Working Week
  
  Our claim for shorter working hours recognises the demands being placed on our members to further improve efficiency. This must be balanced against increasing workloads, which are stretching the vast majority of our members up to and beyond their physical limits.
  
  We are willing to explore ways of introducing the Shorter Working Week by absorbing costs.
  
  Our members are entitled to benefit from the introduction of automation and we believe a Shorter Working Week will also be seen as a way of minimising job losses.
  
  For all the reasons outlined above it is now vital that we make progress towards achieving this longstanding Union policy.
  
  
  
  
  

• An Improved Job Security Package
  
  We previously agreed to review the MTSF Agreement and the Union believes we must now negotiate an improved Job Security Package reflecting the scale of change envisaged by Royal Mail's Modernisation Programme.
  
  
  

• Improved Family Friendly Policies
  
  The Union supports the introduction of the same status Family Friendly Policies across all Royal Mail Businesses. This is long overdue and requires the terms and conditions in Royal Mail Letters to be enhanced, particularly around harmonisation of maternity and paternity leave.
  
  Although not strictly under the banner of Family Friendly Policies the Union also believe that Royal Mail continues to adopt unfair practices on sick pay. Therefore we want to negotiate an agreement that as a minimum ensures sick pay is paid in the first 12 months of service where absences have been caused by industrial injury/disease or an assault on duty.

The Union would wish to urgently discuss, with you, the best way to move our claim forward and recognise that it is worth considering how our claim fits in with other discussions that are taking place on modernisation.


In the circumstances we propose that we diarise a meeting in the next two weeks with the following agenda.
Ø That we jointly examine, in more detail, the factual background to this year's negotiations.


Ø The Union presents its claim and Royal Mail presents their detailed response.


Ø That we agree a structure for ongoing negotiations to ensure we can move forward at pace.


In recent years, we have been on a journey of change and this has resulted in us reaching hard fought National Agreements. The principle that has underpinned all of those agreements has been that the company and our members should both benefit from change. This principle must continue, alongside an improved working relationship and professional negotiations.


Given that the pay and conditions claim is due from the 1st April, I look forward to a timely and positive response.
Yours sincerely
Dave Ward
Deputy General Secretary (P)
Cc: Mark Higson, Gillian Alford

10th March 2009

Mandelson Unconvincing on Second Reading

In response to the second reading of the Postal Services Bill, the Communication Workers Union says Lord Mandelson has contributed nothing new and continues to refuse to recognise that full public ownership is essential for a modern, successful Royal Mail.

Billy Hayes, CWU general secretary, said: "There was nothing new in Lord Mandelson's contribution this afternoon. He has missed an opportunity to address public concerns about privatisation of Royal Mail. "The real facts will continue to expose the fiction that privatisation is good for the postal industry. "Royal Mail can modernise in the public sector in a new regulatory framework and continue to build on its profitability and success. The flaw in this Bill is the privatisation element - why nationalise the pension debt and privatise the company's profit?"

Two more key aides join the fury over the Royal Mail's part-privatisation

Source : Mail Online

The Government was last night fighting to contain the fury over the Royal Mail's part-privatisation as ministerial aides in Alistair Darling and Lord Mandelson's departments joined the rebellion.

John Robertson and Sian James are the latest senior Labour figures to sign a Commons motion against the plan.

The opposition of Mr Robertson, Parliamentary private secretary to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury Yvette Cooper, and Miss James, PPS to Consumer Affairs Minister Gareth Thomas, takes the number of Labour MPs rebelling over the scheme to 142.

Another 29 MPs have also signed the motion, putting the total number of opponents in the Commons at 171.

Ministerial aides in Alistair Darling and Lord Mandelson's departments joined the rebellion

At least 11 ministerial aides have protested against the moves to sell off up to a third of the Royal Mail to a foreign rival. Several have indicated they were ready to resign.

Jim McGovern, PPS to Postal Services Minister Pat McFadden, quit in December.

At least three ministers are said to have doubts, including chief whip Nick Brown and deputy leader Harriet Harman.

Business Secretary Lord Mandelson has vowed to press on as the House of Lords prepares to debate the Postal Services Bill next week. MPs are not expected to get a chance to debate the plans until after Easter.

Lord Mandelson says the sell-off will secure the Royal Mail's future, which is threatened by a £9billion hole in its pension liabilities.

Billy Hayes, of the Communication Workers Union, said: 'Sian James and John Robertson are the latest of at least 171 concerned MPs to stand up and voice concern for this unfounded privatisation plan.'

He added: 'The public doesn't want it, MPs don't want it and Peter Mandelson's own staff don't want it.'

Royal Mail plans 'dead in the water'

Excerpt from the "Sunday Telegraph 15/02/09"

The planned partial privatisation of Royal Mail is "dead in the water" after Gordon Brown was warned there was little or no chance of getting the controversial move through the House of Commons.

By Patrick Hennessy, Political Editor Last Updated: 5:25PM GMT 15 Feb 2009

Scores of Labour MPs have pledged to vote against the sell-off in a humiliating rebuff to Lord Mandelson, the Business Secretary.

The Sunday Telegraph has learned that the Prime Minister was warned by Nick Brown, the Chief Whip, that he "did not have the numbers" to get the measure through.

The search is now on for a face-saving exit strategy for Lord Mandelson, who is said to have badly misjudged the mood on Labour's backbenches.

A possible deal would see the Government write a guarantee into legislation that Royal Mail would never be totally privatised - but ministers fear even that would not be enough to satisfy the rebels.

A leading Government source said: "There needs to be a major think. The sell-off as it currently stands is dead in the water and what we are trying to do now is to spare Mandelson's blushes."

The sale of a minority stake in the Royal Mail was first proposed last year by a review carried out by Richard Hooper, a former civil servant, and was enthusiastically endorsed by Lord Mandelson.

However, the Business Secretary has since held a series of bruising meetings with Labour backbenchers, more than 100 of whom have signed a Commons motion attacking the move, which they see as the first step towards a full sell-off.

The Communication Workers Union - the sixth largest union in the country - has also warned it will sever links with Labour if the plans go ahead, threatening the party with a damaging and costly split in the run up to the general election.

Lord Mandelson was said by some MPs to have wrongly thought he could achieve the part-privatisation, a long-cherished dream dating from his time as Trade Secretary in the late 1990s, on his return to the Cabinet.

A leading rebel MP said: "Peter miscalculated and got the mood wrong. Ten years ago it was much easier to get this sort of radical move through. The parliamentary Labour party was much more supine then than it is now, and of course our majority was much bigger."

Labour has a Commons majority of 67 - meaning that just 34 of the party's MPs could defeat a government measure as long as all opposition MPs also voted against it.

The Prime Minister backed Lord Mandelson's plan, but is not thought to want to risk a damaging Commons defeat after being informed by Nick Brown of the full scale of the revolt.

To be sure of winning he would need to rely on Conservative votes, something he is not thought to be willing to do.

The Tories have said they support part-privatisation in general terms, but have not committed themselves to backing the Government in a vote.

Nick Brown and his team of government whips were alerted to the strength of opposition in Labour's ranks during their recent - successful - move to win a vote on plans for a third runway at Heathrow Airport.

Pat McFadden, the postal affairs minister, said: "We know people feel very strongly and our door is always open to MPs to talk about this. But the situation is very serious and that is why we have to act."

KEEPING YOU POSTED
A MODERN FUTURE FOR ROYAL MAIL: THE CWU ALTERNATIVE

The CWU agree with Hooper about many of the issues challenges facing RM and welcome a number of his recommendations (maintain the USO), Government to take responsibility for RM’s pension deficit; the need for modernisation and innovation in RM; for a new relationship between management and unions).
But much of Hooper’s analysis, particularly the international comparisons on efficiency are highly questionable and the overall package of measures (centred on part privatisation of RM) is fundamentally flawed.
None of the measures needed to support RM (added investment, support for pensions and regulatory changes) are contingent on privatisation. All could be delivered under public ownership.
The CWU believe there is an alternative to the prescription for managed decline set out by Hooper. There is a positive future for RM that delivers greater investment, exploits new technologies and market changes, with better products and services for customers and greater support for businesses that’s supports the wider UK economy at a time of economic recession.
The CWU has set out the following proposals which provide a credible and costed alternative to Hooper:

•
RM to remain 100% publicly owned. Commercial confidence, access to capital and corporate experience can all be delivered under public ownership. None are contingent on privatization.
•
Greater investment by using £600m still unspent from the Commercial Agreement, giving RM the money its likely to save on servicing its pension deficit (£280m a year) plus additional revenues from changes to the unfair access regime;
•
changes to the access price regime to end unfair competition in the UK;
•
the establishment of universal support fund (as provided for under the EU Postal Directive) to ensure all operators who use RM’s national infrastructure help pay a fair price towards its upkeep;
•
RM to deliver modernisation based on implementation of agreements with CWU that treats us as a partner in change. We want modernisation not marketisation;
•
Measures to deal not just with the pensions deficit but also to resolve issues about the pension cuts imposed to date;
•
A requirement to support SME’s enshrined in the Postal Services Act together with a delivery specification that guarantees them a consistent and reliable service and provides a foundation for the development of other new products and services.
•
More product and service innovation. We don’t underestimate the risks posed by changes in the postal market but we want RM to embrace these developments, exploit the new technologies and maximise the commercial opportunities they present.
•
A revitalised PO network that provides a ‘shop front’ for Government services and a People’s Bank with a full range of financial services that people can trust and rely on.
Communication Workers Union North East Division – Keeping You Posted
From Red to Black Hooper’s international comparisons on profits and efficiency don’t compare like with like and ignore important differences in the investment, pricing and regulatory arrangements in different EU countries which explain RM’s relative position on profits and efficiency:
•
RM hasn’t spent all the investment provided under the Commercial Agreement (estimated around £600m);
•
RM has lost £2.6bn in revenue because of Postcomm’s mistaken volume forecasts;
•
There have been far greater levels of investment in overseas postal operators;
•
Overseas operators charge higher prices across all categories of mail;
•
The UK has seen full liberalisation ahead of many EU countries;
•
Only the UK operates the damaging downstream access regime;
•
A minimum postal wage operates in Germany;
•
International comparisons of network requirements are crude guesstimates which ignore vital differences in each countries, population, topography and delivery (road, rail and air) infrastructures.
Hooper’s analysis also ignores the potential impact on RM’s finances of removing annual pension contributions of around £280m over the next 15 years; plus the impact of the recent 3p tariff increase; and possible changes to the access pricing regime which could stem the losses to competitors from unfair competition rules.
A reduction in pension contributions, the 3p tariff increase and changes to the access pricing regime would transform RM’s finances - turning Hooper’s profit forecasts from red to black.
Minority shares but Complete Control
Selling a minority stake in RM:
•
Will give the strategic partner minority shares but effective control over a vital public service;
•
Will put focus on cutting costs and delivering private profits to a private investor not on serving RM’s customers;
•
Will mean further internal, organizational upheaval for RM after a period of unprecedented turmoil;
•
Is short on crucial detail – how much will be sold? What price? What return for investor? What partner?
•
Ignores lessons of credit crunch, failings of postal competition to date and experience of privatizations in other sectors (energy, railways, PFI);
•
The CWU question TNT’s desire and capability to offer a national service.
End unfair competition
We’ve called for 2 key reforms:
•
A change to the damaging access pricing regime (to stem the losses to RM’s competitors); and
•
The establishment of a Universal Service support fund (as provided for under the EU Postal Directive) to ensure that all operators who use and benefit from RM’s infrastructure pay towards its upkeep.
Managing modernization
CWU want modernization but want RM to work in partnership with the union and honour the agreements we have made to deliver change.
•
Imposition won’t work and will prove damaging and counterproductive.
•
We believe the UK has the expertise – what we need is people appointed to run RM and Ofcom with experience of public service provision.
The Government is currently advertising for a RM Chair and we urge Secretary of State to appoint a chair and management team committed to principles of a modern public enterprise.
“The CWU Believe that our alternative vision will modernise Royal Mail for a positive future which, will protect our members and give the Service our public deserve”.
Keep it public, keep it real!

22nd January 2009

Excerpt from the "Times"

Royal Mail, which has been heavily criticised in Parliament recently for failing to modernise quickly enough, said yesterday that its profits for the nine months to December 31 had reached £255 million.

This compares with £162 million for the financial year 2007-08. However, that year was hit by some of the worst industrial action for two decades.

Royal Mail said that all its four main operations were in profit for the first time in 20 years. However, it did not provide a breakdown of its profits between Royal Mail letters, the Post Office, Parcelforce and GLS, the European parcels business. The group forecast that annual profits would be twice those of the previous year.

It also said that the one-price-goes-anywhere universal service was under threat and was still loss-making. Although volumes had increased by 3 per cent in the nine months to December 31, Royal Mail expects sales to fall by about 7 per cent next year amid a migration to e-mail and a decline because of the recession. Adam Crozier, the chief executive, said: “The challenges from competition and the structural decline in the mail market are growing, not diminishing - these latest results show the progress we are making, but we still have much to do in order to secure the future of the one-price-goes-anywhere universal service to the UK's 28 million addresses.”

21st January 2009

CWU Responds to Royal Mail Profits

CWU today (Wednesday) welcomes Royal Mail's strong financial results which prove the company is thriving while modernising in full public ownership.

Billy Hayes, CWU general secretary, said: "It's good to see Royal Mail increasing profits while remaining fully publicly owned.

"Today's financial results must not be seen as an invitation for any part sell-off but instead prove the viability and future sustainability of a wholly publicly-owned modern Royal Mail."

Dave Ward, deputy general secretary, said: "Royal Mail is again giving us mixed messages on its financial health.

"These results must not come at the cost of cutbacks in services, terms and conditions for staff and post office closures. Future services and standards must at least be retained if not expanded to ensure consumer confidence."

14th January 2009

MPs Oppose Royal Mail Privatisation

Over 70 Labour MPs have signed an Early Day Motion tabled today (Wednesday) opposing privatisation of Royal Mail.
The EDM, tabled by Geraldine Smith MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, supports modernisation of Royal Mail and rejects any move to sell a minority stake in the business.
Welcoming the EDM, Billy Hayes, CWU general secretary, said: "The Royal Mail is a successful and vital public service which does not need private capital to ensure modernisation.
"We strongly welcome this Early Day Motion which reflects the opinions of millions of ordinary people. The public is fed-up with privatisation and has suffered enough from flogging off public assets.
"The Labour Party has a clear commitment to a wholly publicly owned Royal Mail. This EDM is further proof of the commitment of Labour MPs to a modern public postal service."
Geraldine Smith, MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, said: "Royal Mail is one of the country's oldest and most respected public bodies. In recent years it has been exposed to ever-increasing, unfair competition by the regulator. Part-privatisation is not the answer."
John Grogan, MP for Selby and one of the signatories of the motion, said: "In February 2007 the Government agreed a £1.2 billion loan to modernise the sorting offices. It is surprising that two years later only half of this money has been spent. £600 million of Government money remains available to fund modernisation - there is no need for private capital."
During a Business and Enterprise Select Committee this morning, Business Secretary Peter Mandelson said: "Selling a minority stake in Royal Mail will not make a difference to it being in the public sector. Privatising the Royal Mail is a bad idea. As far as this government is concerned, privatisation is a non-starter."

Full text of EDM 428:

"That this House notes that the Labour Party Conference 2008, with the backing of ministers, supported 'a vision of a wholly publicly-owned, integrated Royal Mail Group'; welcomes the conclusion of the Hooper Report that the current universal service obligation offered by Royal Mail, including six days a week delivery, must be protected and that the primary duty of a new regulator should be to maintain it; further welcomes the recommendations in the report that the Government should take responsibility for the pensions deficit which followed an extended contributions holiday; endorses the call for a new relationship between management and postal unions and welcomes the commitment of the CWU to negotiate an agreement which would support the modernisation of the industry; observes that in 2007 the Government agreed to a £1.2 billion loan facility on commercial terms to modernise Royal Mail operations; rejects the recommendation of the Hooper Report to sell a minority stake in Royal Mail which would risk fracturing one of Britain's greatest public services; notes the Government is currently advertising for a new Chair of Royal Mail and urges the Secretary of State to appoint a Chair and management team who are committed to the principles of a modern public enterprise."

18th December 2008

Over the last couple of days you may have heard of the “Hooper report”. Reproduced below are the initial responses by both the CWU and Royal Mail.

The purpose of this letter is to set out the Union’s initial reaction to the Hooper Report, its recommendations and the Government’s position.

Six months ago Hooper published his interim report with the headline that competition had not worked. Six months later, in a report that has clearly been influenced by Government, any notion that competition is or has ever been a problem has been airbrushed out of history. This is a dishonest attempt by Government to cover the short comings of their own failed policies.

The Government’s statement that they accept the recommendations and will seek a strategic partnership with a European competitor is a betrayal of their Manifesto Commitment. The idea that Royal Mail can only be successful in the future through the expertise of our European competitors is total nonsense. The Union remains opposed to any form of privatisation and will campaign vigorously to stop the Joint Venture.

The Union acknowledges that we must find a resolution to the growing pension crisis with an estimated deficit in 2009 of £7 billion. We were the first to campaign for the Government to face up to its responsibilities on pensions and we welcome this development.  However, we want more information about the detail of their proposal. We see this as an opportunity to create fresh momentum in not only helping the company’s future finances but also improving our members’ pension arrangements.

The Union welcomes the end of Postcomm’s regulatory regime. However, we require further information on how Ofcom will operate and in particular how this will help sustain the Universal Service going forward.

A full and considered response will be made by the union's national leadership.  The union will be campaigning to ensure that the government's manifesto commitment not to privatise Royal Mail is upheld.  We have received reports of dissensions within the Cabinet, and inside the Whips office on these proposals.  Jim McGovern MP for Dundee West has resigned from his position as Parliamentary Private Secretary to Pat McFadden in opposition to the proposals.  A meeting has been arranged with Lord Mandelson for Friday.  The group of CWU sponsored MPs has met and agreed to campaign against the proposals.  The TUC General Council; met today and reaffirmed its opposition to the privatisation of Royal Mail.

Next Steps

We will be writing direct to our members’ home addresses next week to explain the Union’s position in more detail.

We will be immediately calling upon the Government to honour the Manifesto Commitment and engage the Union in direct talks on the future of the industry. The Postal Executive will meet next Tuesday to determine what other actions are necessary to take our campaign forward.

Branch view

Royal Mails reaction to the report is in the form of a letter sent out by Adam Crozier to his managers. Adam croziers full letter to managers here

In the letter Mr Crozier states that:

“We should also make it clear that Royal Mail and the Government have today had an expression of interest from the Dutch postal operator TNT who are interested in building a postal partnership with Royal Mail. We welcome this approach and will be having discussions with them and any other interested parties in the forthcoming weeks and months”.

“There is a lot of work to be done over the next nine months to ensure that Hooper’s recommendations are progressed in the best possible way for all our stakeholders. There is plenty of time to go through these issues with you in more detail as we move forward, and we will be sure to keep all of you informed”.

“The Panel’s proposals will allow greater investment in new technology and training for our people to achieve still better quality of service and efficiency and to develop other revenue streams which will help support the Universal Service and underpin the future success of the company. At the same time, we will continue to bring in skills and talents from outside the business as we drive forward our transformation plan”

The above extracts from Mr Croziers letter epitomises the tactics we have all become used to over the past year. The CWU are not mentioned. At no stage does the letter say that the CWU will have an input into the changes that the report recommends.

The CWU have made clear that  “A full and considered response will be made by the union's national leadership”

In Mr Croziers letter, he wrote, “We will of course be examining the document in more detail to assess the full implications for the company and keeping you up to date as we do so”.

The difference in the two statements is that the CWU will look at the report in full before acting upon it, whilst Mr Crozier has cherry picked certain items from the report and intends to drive forward THEIR transformation plan with no mention of CWU involvement. This can not be allowed to happen and further action/information will be relayed in due course.

16th December 2008

CWU Responds to Mandelson ( Hooper Review )

CWU today (Tuesday) reacts with dismay at the suggestions by Peter Mandelson to sell-off part of the Royal Mail.

Billy Hayes, general secretary, said: “It is incredible that the British Government which has lead the world in overhauling banks need another European postal service to rescue the Royal Mail. Especially one which has already been disgraced by losing sensitive data disks in the mail.

“This was meant to be a report about competition but Mandelson has ignored the damage done through irresponsible liberalisation and advocates more involvement by private companies.

“We welcome the move to Ofcom which recognises both changes in the communications sector and the failings of Postcomm to manage the mail market effectively, however we look forward to receiving more information on future regulation.”

Dave Ward, deputy general secretary, said: “There is no need to seek private funding from outside companies in a joint venture. This would open the floodgates for full-blown, damaging privatisation. Post is a key public and business service which must retain the protection and guidance of Government for sustainable success.

“We welcome the fact that our campaign to get the Government to secure Royal Mail workers’ pensions has been successful. The news that the USO has been safeguarded is also very welcome.

“We will be studying the detail of the report closely over the coming weeks and will respond fully in the New Year.”

15th December 2008

Future of Royal Mail and the Hooper Review

Over the past week there has been an increase in media stories about the outcome of the review of Royal Mail led by Richard Hooper.

The CWU has stepped up its campaign. On Tuesday 9th December, the national Union organised a briefing meeting in the House of Commons for Labour MPs. The meeting was addressed by the General Secretary, Billy Hayes, and the Deputy General Secretary (Post), Dave Ward. In addition, Tony Lloyd MP, Chair of the Parliamentary Labour Party spoke in support, as did Frank Doran MP, Chair of the Trade Union Group of MPs. The General Secretary's presentation to this meeting can be seen at www.billyhayes.co.uk

The Union case for opposing the privatisation of Royal Mail, resolving the pensions deficit, negotiating changes in the industry, and for the establishment of a Peoples' Bank, were all well received by the assembled MPs.

Later that day, the GS and the DGSP met with BERR Minister Pat McFadden. The major item discussed was the unagreed proposed closure of Mail Centres. The CWU explained why the Minister should press Royal Mail management to commence genuine negotiations on the future of the Mail Centre network.

Over the weekend, and today (Monday 15th), there has been considerable media interest following leaks of some of the contents of the Hooper Report. The selected leaks that have been placed by unattributable people is damaging to a serious debate about the contents of the report. The CWU has written to Lord Mandelson, Pat McFadden, and Richard Hooper seeking details of the publication of the report. We believe only its early publication and a serious national debate can ensure favourable Government action on the report.

Billy Hayes                                                                    Dave Ward
General Secretary                                                          Deputy General Secretary (Post)

11th December 2008

Postal workers under walk-speed pressure

Postal workers are facing pressure to complete unrealistic delivery routes because of misuse of software system Pegasus, says CWU.

The CWU today (Thursday) accuses Royal Mail of putting delivery workers under pressure to complete delivery rounds that are too long to complete within normal hours.

Bob Gibson, CWU national official, said: "Royal Mail is using this system to meet financial savings without considering the physical realities of delivery rounds. This is putting pressure on delivery workers and leading to bullying and harassment.

"CWU has an agreement with Royal Mail to jointly review all aspects of Pegasus, but the business has reneged on this and is pushing ahead with damaging changes without input from the union. This is having disastrous consequences on services in some parts of the country.

"We're receiving high volumes of complaints and seeing a deterioration in both industrial relations and service standards. We need Royal Mail to see sense and review this system with the CWU."

05th December 2008

Police Commence First Corporate Manslaughter Investigations with Vigour

Defence Lawyer Paul Burnley of DLA Piper Solicitors recently reported to the IIRSM and HSW safety conference in Birmingham on 5 November that Police are arresting managers at their workplaces as part of Corporate Manslaughter investigations under the new Law. Mr Burnley has been involved in two of the first deaths being investigated under the new Act.
He warned that in the cases he is involved in, Police have arrested supervisors, site-level managers and directors and interviewed them under caution within weeks of the incident and he added that he had been surprised by the rigour of the investigations compared with those into fatalities in the past.
He noted that investigators are counting site staff as senior management for the purposes of the Corporate Manslaughter Act. The Act, which came into force in April, requires the authorities to prove that the way an organisation's "activities are organised or managed by its senior managers causes a person's death".
"The police and the HSE are taking a very wide interpretation of who is a senior manager," said Burnley.
He said some lawyers had expected the police to be inadequately trained to pursue corporate manslaughter enquiries. But in the cases he is handling, officers have day-to-day advice from HSE inspectors, who are priming them with questions to ask managers about risk assessments and safety management generally, but also higher-level support.
They are advised in the way they go about the prosecutions by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and, from time to time, by the attorney general.
Investigators are also spending a lot of time at the organisations' premises said Mr Burnley and they stay around, he warned, and that has a psychological effect on workers and managers and the board. The time they've spent interviewing people has really taken me aback.
The police in the investigations he has been involved in have said they see the offence as "one step down from murder" he noted.
The CPS is not thought to have brought forward any corporate manslaughter charges under the new Act to date, but Burnley said they are looking for a big organisation to make an example of.
A full report on Burnley's presentation to the IIRSM/HSW conference will be published in HSW magazine next month.

Dave Joyce

National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

25th November 2008

Delivery Spans North East Division Point of Principle Disagreement             North East No1 edition

Dear Union Member,

The CWU Divisionally has had to register disagreement with Royal mail across the whole of the North East Division which covers every delivery office from Berwick to Lincoln.

The reason for disagreement is that Royal Mail believe the implementation of the Pay and Modernisation agreement gives them the right to extend the current delivery town spans from 3.5 hours to anything they see fit!

The simple message from the CWU is:

DO NOT GET INVOLVED IN LOCAL DISCUSSIONS TO EXTEND DELIVERY SPANS!!

We are still awaiting a National Agreement on this issue which is part of the phase 4 discussions of the Pay and Modernisation Agreement, which covered ways of working, reward etc.

We have included Royal Mails thoughts and statement on the disagreement below as well as the CWU’s statement for your information. Please do not hesitate to contact your local Rep or Area Rep if you need any further advice or guidance on this matter.

CWU Position

• There is a maximum delivery span as set out in the SDD Agreement which for walking duties is 3.5 hours and as such the Pay and Modernisation agreement has not superseded the SDD agreement.

• The planning element for SDD was to ensure walks were at a maximum of 3.5 hours. However, the wording of the agreement was to minimise local disagreements if walks were over or under 5 minutes etc. In a nutshell there was a recognition of a “give and take” element to planning for 3.5 hour walks.

• The Absorption element of the Pay and Modernisation agreement is within the currently nationally agreed 3.5 hour walk criteria. Therefore any absorption of deliveries must ensure that the walk holder does not exceed 3.5 hours and the absorption element can be performed within the 3.5 hours allocated to the outdoor element of delivery duties.

• The Pay and Modernisation agreement has within it Guiding Principles/Key Criteria for absorbing hours and covering for one another, one of the guiding principles within the agreement is:- Adherence to all Health & Safety Standards/requirements including walk safe, legal requirements and national/local agreements.

• The Nationally Agreed Pay and Modernisation agreement has a phase 4 element which addresses what the CWU want in the North East Division which is as follows:- To assist development of a fourth Phase of Royal Mail modernisation, consultation and negotiation will now take place in the following working groups. The intention is for these joint working groups to develop national agreements, where appropriate, by no later than the end of April 2008, to be deployed as soon as possible thereafter. The relevant paragraph that deals with deliveries is within joint working group 3 – Future working.

• Joint Working Group 3 – Future working. This group will look at the business’ future mail centre / delivery / network strategies and have an opportunity to input to them. It will develop proposals on how the business will best capture the benefits of new technology, whilst continuing to consider the implications for job security, and job design and the new delivery model. It will also look at the strategies needed to grow and develop the business in a changing, competitive environment.

• The CWU in the North East Division believe the way forward to tackle new delivery methods including an extension to the current 3.5 hour span for walking deliveries is through a national negotiation which will look at all elements of delivery as set out in the Joint working group 3 future working

Royal Mail Position

There is no specified maximum delivery span, and many examples exist of longer spans being used to support full time roles in a number of Delivery Offices nationwide.

The SDD agreement states that 'town residential routes will be planned on a 3.5 hour delivery span'. This statement does not mean that an individual cannot spend longer than 3.5 hours out on delivery in any one day. If it did, it would rule out anyone covering a vacancy on overtime after completing their own walk (this has been happening since the introduction of SDD). 

RM wants to ensure that delivery people have 'fair and manageable workloads' and will provide the equipment needed to complete the delivery.  RM will take account of fatigue and personal needs. Having covered any health and safety requirements, RM wants people to absorb work whenever there is time within their normal hours of attendance. Phase 3 on the national agreement on pay and modernisation made it clear that this applies outdoors. As such DOMs are entitled to ask delivery personnel to do additional delivery work when they have capacity to do so.

The phase 3 agreement states that all paid hours should be fully utilised. Provided RM ensures that meal and comfort breaks are provided it is entitled to request people to do more than 3.5 hours of delivery work, where there is time within their normal hours to do so.

17th November 2008

Postcomm’s demerger for Post Offices damaging and incompetent

The CWU today (Monday) brands Postcomm “incompetent” for its proposal to demerge the post office network from Royal Mail.

Billy Hayes, general secretary, said: “Postcomm is again displaying its incompetence in managing the UK’s mail system by making this proposal to demerge the post office network from Royal Mail.

“Separation would create greater uncertainty for the network. Royal Mail needs the post office to provide a universal service while the post office remains dependent on Royal Mail for approximately a third of its revenue. Separation would threaten not strengthen this revenue stream. 

“Separation is unnecessary to achieve Postcomm’s stated objectives which include enabling private operators to access the post office network. This is clearly Postcomm trying to push its own agenda of privatising Royal Mail instead of assessing the real issues facing the mail network.

“We welcome Postcomm’s recognition of the importance of the community role of the network and support for training and enterprise. The post office network plays a crucial social and economic role and does not need further threats to its future.”

21 October 2008

New Royal Mail Standard Issue Footwear - Introduction of New "Uprated" Magnum Footwear Shoes & Boots

This is to update Branches and Safety Representatives following the most recent discussions with Bob Taylor, Royal Mail National Uniform Manager.

The background to this problem is well known to Branches and safety representatives in respect of the widespread concerns reported to the Health, Safety and Environment Department regarding the poor slip resistance and durability of the current 'Magnum Hi-Tec' footwear, introduced in September 2007. A significant number of accidents, including 'RIDDORS' (over 3 day sick leave) accidents for slips and trips were reported, linked to the footwear.

As previously reported the agreed plan of action was to introduce a new improved footwear design - "Uprated" versions of the Magnum shoes and boots which have a new sole design and compound to improve slip resistance on wet, frosted and steel surfaces and full grain water-resistant leather uppers. Delivery to Royal Mail of the first bulk order of the improved footwear design commenced during August/September . Royal Mail then commenced introduction of the redesigned range of footwear by 'supersession' (phasing them in) as soon as they could, with the aim of accepting wearer orders from the end of August.

The redesigned shoes and boots are now being delivered and almost 28,000 pairs of the redesigned range have been received by Royal Mail from the manufacturers. Delivery to wearers has started with the new 'uprated' versions being issued as sizes of the old current stocks run down. 3,000 pairs of all styles of the new 'uprated' versions have been issued to date. Royal Mail report that they are almost out of stock of the old Magnum Footwear range in most sizes, so the new 'uprated' versions will start to flow through to most wearers in all offices from here on.

Additionally Royal Mail have supplied a few offices with a small number of pairs of the new versions immediately so they can feed back on how well they perform in the field, addressing any issues with the manufacturers on the basis of continuously improving the product. The pilot batches were issued to Saltcoats DO, St Austell DO and Armagh DO for evaluation. We are awaiting feedback but initial responses are promising.

Yours Sincerely

Dave Joyce

National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

15th August 2008

Royal Mail Modernisation Plans/Mail Centre Rationalisation

The purpose of this letter is to provide Branches with a comprehensive update on how Royal Mail’s modernisation plan is developing and also to set out the Union’s response.

In the last few weeks the Union has had a number of meetings with Royal Mail over the company’s future commercial and operational strategies.

On the operational side Royal Mail said they intend to progress Mail Centre rationalisation on an area by area basis over the next couple of years.  They also stated they do not have, at this stage, an overall position on how many Mail Centres will remain.

On Deliveries Royal Mail said they have yet to finalise their plans and they want to engage CWU in developing a new Delivery Model alongside the introduction of Walk Sequencing Machines.

On Network Royal Mail said that they envisage a reduction in RDCs but they are still developing their plans at this stage.

The Union’s Executive has been considering these issues and have agreed we will not support a disjointed and piecemeal approach to the modernisation of the company.

Given that Royal Mail continue to progress ad hoc Mail Centre Reviews a meeting was held on Tuesday the 12th August 2008 with all Branches currently affected by Royal Mail’s Mail Centre rationalisation plans.  The meeting concluded by adopting the following policy:

• There would be no further local or area discussions on Mail Centre closures unless advised by CWU Headquarters.

• There would be no further co-operation with preference exercises in the affected sites.

• The Union would prepare for Industrial Action Ballots in all the affected sites.

The aforementioned position will ensure we have a co-ordinated National approach to major change and also move forward Emergency Motion E12 unanimously agreed at this year’s Annual Conference.

On Wednesday the 13th August 2008 the Union met Royal Mail Senior HR Manager, Head of Operations and National IR Manager to discuss the overall situation.

During the meeting the Union made it clear we are ready to negotiate a National Agreement covering all aspects of modernisation.  However we stated this must be in the long term interest of not just the company - but also CWU members and the general public.  We acknowledged any Agreement would need to cover difficult issues including efficiency, best utilisation of automation, impact on jobs and changes to the whole network.  We said any National Agreement must improve the pensions, pay and conditions for CWU members who remain and provide job security, whilst maximising the choices available for those who chose to leave on agreed voluntary terms.

We have offered to commence our negotiations with Royal Mail by setting jointly developing a vision for the future.  This means Royal Mail must set aside their current plans on Mail Centre rationalisation including those offices already announced as closing.  

The CWU have put forward our rationale that any serious plan for the future must start by agreeing a new Delivery Model.  This in turn would then inform what type of Mail Centre and Distribution network is required.  We have also pointed out that investment in automation should be on the basis that mail can be delivered earlier with an improved service - rather than towards later deliveries which is where Royal Mail seem to be heading.

Royal Mail responded by saying that they did want to work with the Union and were prepared to review their position on the North West Review.  However they said they must press ahead with the offices already announced for closure.  Given the seriousness of the situation, Royal Mail offered the Union a meeting with the Managing Director in early September when key people on both sides have returned from Annual Leave.  The Union accepted this invitation but have told Royal Mail that in the meantime we will continue to adopt the policy outlined in this LTB.

It can be seen from the aforementioned that a serious Industrial Relations situation is developing and it is essential all Branches communicate the content of this LTB to all CWU members.

Although at this stage the Union is preparing for Industrial Action Ballots in the affected areas i.e. the North West, Coventry, Northampton, Milton Keynes, Oxford and Reading – it is inevitable that unless Royal Mail change their current position, an overall National Agreement will have to be pursued in the near future with the full support of all CWU Branches.

Further information will be sent to Branches in due course including details of a National Briefing in September and a pamphlet that will be sent to member’s home addresses.

Further Information Requested from Royal Mail

• That Royal Mail reveal to CWU their full business plan and provide the Union with total clarity around projected job losses, office closures, level of savings expected and their financial projections for the duration of the plan.

• That Royal Mail reveal to the Union their people strategy for dealing with closures and their pay and benefit assumptions for the duration of the plan.

• That Royal Mail reveal to the Union full details on ColleagueShare/Stakeholder dividends including how this is linked to the so-called increase in value of the company.

• That Royal Mail reveal to the Union the real cost of their property portfolio and what they intend to do with finance acquired through the sale of property.

• That Royal Mail explain fully the relationship between automation in RDC’s, Mail Centres and Deliveries and its potential impact on people and the operations in each function. This would also cover the siting of walk sequencing and LSM’s.

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