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  • LTB 099/24 - Joint Statement Regarding Deployment of 2024 Resource Realignment Efficiency Revisions in Mail Centres to Support Deployment of Network Window Changes

    No: 099/24 For the Immediate Attention of All: Postal Branches Royal Mail Divisional Reps Area Processing Representatives JOINT STATEMENT REGARDING DEPLOYMENT OF 2024 RESOURCE REALIGNMENT EFFICIENCY REVISONS IN MAIL CENTRES TO SUPPORT DEPLOYMENT OF NETWORK WINDOW CHANGES Dear Colleagues, The Business Recovery, Transformation and Growth (BRT&G) Agreement committed us to working together to transform business operations, building on the mutual interest processes. In 2018, the department negotiated a Joint Statement Regarding Resource Realignment, which defined agreed processes for revision and resourcing activity in Processing Units. This approach was re-affirmed in the 2021 Pathway to Change agreement, albeit with necessary amendments to deal with the implications of the Covid Pandemic. Section 2.5 of the BRT&G Agreement includes commitments that future revision activity will involve the restoration of joint working in all functions in line with national agreements and that revisions will be based on efficient, fair and achievable workload. The primary aim of realignment revision activity in 2024 is the deployment of the extended Network Window change, where the reduction of flight sectors and the movement of this traffic to road services means delivering change across all functions to mitigate the onward impact of the flight removal across the pipeline. The activity also provides an opportunity to resolve the outstanding Supernumerary issues within the plants. Discussions have now concluded with the attached agreed Joint Statement, which has been endorsed by the Postal Executive and which retains the principles and protections of the 2018 agreement, provides opportunity to remedy some of the outstanding elements of the 2022 revisions and updates the processes to ensure that they are fit for purpose. The agreed document and its Annexes contains the updated elements of the 2018 agreement, including a revised process for jointly establishing the Model Week. It also includes updated guidelines for: Resource Realignment; Establishing Model Week; Quality Checklist; Resourcing Checklist; Weekly/Quarterly Resourcing Meetings. With regard to providing the best opportunity to resolve the Supernumerary problem, the document reintroduces the ability to utilise inventive duty patterns, something which was removed by the business in 2022. In addition, we have retained the commitment to move work between shifts where this assists in reducing surpluses. The one outstanding issue relates to productivity. Royal Mail have circulated aspirational productivity figures to Plant Managers, however Branches will be aware that the department has not agreed in past revision activity any specific WIPWH increases centrally and we have not done so on this occasion as well. While further discussions are continuing, in the view of the department the agreement is clear in that the process allows Representatives to agree the model week, the alignment of workload and the throughputs and it is clear that increased throughputs should be supported by agreed process changes, which have been tested. Representatives should approach discussions on that basis. The clear priorities, in addition to deploying the Network Window changes, is the successful realignment of workload to resolve any displaced employees and the reduction and/or removal of agency resource. Against that backdrop, the words in the agreed documentation should give Representatives the ability to achieve revision outcomes, which better match the aspirations of our members. Joint launch activity took place for Plant Managers and Divisional/Area Representatives today online and a further session is being arranged for CWU Representatives. Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary, email: shayman@cwu.org quoting reference: 733.02. Yours sincerely, Davie Robertson Assistant Secretary LTB 099/24 – Processing Realignment Activity 11.03.24 Att: JS Deployment of 2024 Resource Realignment Efficiency Revisions 07.03.24

  • LTB 097/24 - Royal Mail Collective Pension Plan (RMCPP)

    No 097/24 Dear Colleague ROYAL MAIL COLLECTIVE PENSION PLAN (RMCPP) We wish to provide Branches and members with an update in respect of the Royal Mail Collective Pension Plan (RMCPP) also known as the Collective Defined Contribution or CDC scheme. The news is relatively positive with good progress having been made in recent months to ensure the legal framework is in place to launch the scheme later this year. This work has included engaging with the Pensions Minister at the DWP along with HMRC.  Regular meetings are also held with Royal Mail to ensure that everything possible is being undertaken to make the scheme a reality.  Following our most recent meeting we agreed with Royal Mail that an update should be provided on their internal pensions page and this is as follows: Update on the Royal Mail Collective Pension Plan It has been a while since we last updated you on the progress towards the Royal Mail Collective Pension Plan (the Collective Plan for short). Lots of work has been going on in the background and we have made good progress on the changes to legislation that we need to make the plan possible. We are aiming to launch this year. As we’ve always said, we and our unions believe this is the right pension scheme for our people and we are looking forward to it becoming a reality. If you want to find out more about the Collective Plan, please go to myroyalmail.com/collective-plan Obviously, it has taken a long time to get to this stage; however, we are more optimistic than ever before that the scheme will come into being this year.  This can be seen from the above statement whereby Royal Mail is in the process of building up an administration team within the Pensions Service Centre to facilitate and support the introduction of the scheme. Essentially, everything is being put in place to ensure the scheme can go live this year.  In respect of further developments, these will be reported as events occur. Any enquiries regarding Pensions should be directed to Andy Furey Assistant Secretary by emailing snicholas@cwu.org. Yours sincerely Martin Walsh Deputy General Secretary (Postal) Andy Furey Assistant Secretary LTB 097/24 – Royal Mail Collective Pension Plan (RMCPP)

  • LTB 092/24 - Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash FY24 05 – ‘Damaged PSM – Following Electric Truck (Tug) Collision in Mail Centre’

    No. 092/2024 Our Ref:  V4/24 To:  All Branches Dear Colleagues, Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash FY24 05 – ‘Damaged PSM – Following Electric Truck (Tug) Collision in Mail Centre’ Introduction Royal Mail Group’s Safety Team have issued ‘RMG SHE Safety Flash FY24 05’ with the aim of communicating a clear message to all drivers of Electric Trucks, Tugs, York Movers, FLTs/ Powered Materials Handling Equipment (MHE) across Royal Mail Group: – Warning! Never leave, deviate or swerve off of the designated and clearly marked MHE route putting both plant and equipment and more importantly other members of the workforce at risk of collision and injury or death. Background An Electric Truck/Tug driver was proceeding around a Mail Centre along the recognised, designated and marked MHE route when he saw a parcel laying on the floor in the middle of the MHE route. Instead of stopping the truck to remove the obstructing item, as is set out in the standard MHE driver training, the driver decided to manoeuvre his truck around the item by swerving the truck off the MHE route and attempted to drive underneath an adjacent Parcel Sorting Machine (PSM). The truck collided with the PSM and became jammed and stuck underneath the PSM, damaging the electric truck’s warning beacon and the PSM underguard. Time was lost whilst engineers worked to free the truck and repair the damage. Fortunately, no pedestrian members of staff were struck and injured. Impact Minor damage to both the Electric Truck/Tug and PSM underguard. Lost time whilst the truck was freed from its position, jammed under the PSM and repairs undertaken. Leaving the designated MHE route could have resulted in a collision with an unsuspecting employee causing injury or death or alternatively causing greater damage to other plant, equipment and machinery. Key Messages And Actions To Avoid Similar Incidents – Procedures To Follow If The MHE Route Is Obstructed: Electric Truck/TUG/MHE Drivers When obstructions are found on Electric Truck/Tug routes, as outlined in MHE training, drivers/operators should always stop the vehicle and remove the item from the route. Drivers should never swerve or deviate off the designated MHE route, due to an obstruction. Non MHE Processing Staff: Remove mail/parcels obstructions. If an item of mail/parcel is found on the floor, check surroundings for any approaching MHE and when safe to do so, remove the item. Report any unsafe MHE/Tug/Truck/FLT use. If MHE is seen being driven or operated unsafely (such as off the designated MHE routes), it should be reported to the line manager. Managers: Monitor and Manage MHE operations by actively undertaking safety coaching, safety conversations. Observe and spot check that designated MHE routes are not deviated from and that drivers are beeping if driving past blind bends/doorways and check that unsafe interactions are not occurring between MHE operators and pedestrian members of staff on the Mail Centre floor. York Containers Near Truck/Tug Routes/Walkways. Where possible, avoid placing York Containers very close to MHE routes or walkways as this increases the chances of parcels falling onto Electric Tug/Truck routes. Where this cannot be avoided managers should monitor that fallen items/parcels etc., are not left causing an obstruction in the MHE route and are routinely removed. PiCs/Managers must ensure all MHE Operators/Drivers have been initially trained and have undergone ‘refresher training’ in line with the Royal Mail Group standard of every 3 years. Actions: PiCs/Managers – Brief appropriate staff on this SHE Flash, display it and bring it to the attention of all MHE Operators/Drivers in the workforce. CWU ASR/WSR Action: ASRs/WSRs please ensure that this Safety Flash is communicated, displayed and brought to the attention of the workforce in all buildings. ASRs/WSRs to carry out spot check safety inspections including a check that the SHE Flash has been deployed and briefed to staff by PiCs/Managers. ASRs to check awareness of the workforce regarding Electric Truck/Tugs and workplace transport generally. On ASR Safety Inspections, ensure staff are briefed, raising awareness at every opportunity with members/workers/MHE drivers and operators. THE GOLDEN RULE IS: Never deviate from the MHE route. Attachment: Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash FY24 05 – Damaged PSM Yours sincerely Dave Joyce National Health, Safety & Environment Officer 24LTB092 Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash FY24 05 – Damaged PSM Following Electric Truck (Tug) Collision in Mail Centre SHE Flash FY24 005 Damaged PSM

  • LTB 091/24 - Post Office: Pay Agreement 2024/25

    No 091/24 7th March 2024 Dear Colleague POST OFFICE: PAY AGREEMENT 2024/25 Further to LTB077/24 dated 22nd February.  Branches and our Post Office members are advised that the following ballot timetable has now been agreed for the Post Office Pay Agreement 2024/25: Ballot papers despatched: Thursday 7th March Ballot papers returned and result declared: Thursday 28th March Assuming a YES vote to support the Pay Agreement, the new pay rates (+3.75% consolidated pay increase) and all associated improvements to terms and conditions will apply from 1st April 2024. The next pay review date is 1st April 2025. Branches are urged to bring this LTB to the attention of our Post Office members. Further developments will be reported. Yours sincerely Andy Furey Assistant Secretary Attachment 1: LTB091-24 Post Office – Pay Agreement 2024-25

  • LTB 082/24 - Election of RM Divisional Representative, RM Divisional Representative (Sub) and RM Divisional Chair

    No.  082/24 TO:  All Branches with POSTAL MEMBERS Dear Colleague, Election of: Royal Mail Divisional Representatives -2024 Royal Mail Divisional Representatives (Substitute) – 2024 Royal Mail Divisional Chair – 2024 Royal Mail Divisional Representatives & Royal Mail Divisional Representative (Sub) Nominations are invited from Branches within the relevant divisions for the position of Royal Mail Divisional Representative (2 per division) and Royal Mail Divisional Representative (Substitute – 1 per Division) for the following divisions: Anglia London Midland North East North Wales/North West *Northern Ireland Scotland South Central South East South West/South Wales *Please note the Northern Ireland Division is only entitled to the position of 1 Royal Mail Divisional Representative. The term of office for these positions is two years and the successful candidates will take up office at the conclusion of the election period, however candidates should be aware that the above positions and divisions are currently under review by the CWU & Royal Mail and therefore the term of office may be subject to change prior to the conclusion of the 2 year term. Nomination forms are attached to this LTB and completed forms must be signed by the Branch Secretary and Branch Chair or accredited deputies and the nominee and should be returned by email to elections@cwu.org  to  be received by 13th March 2024 (14:00). The timetable for the election is as follows: Nominations Open:                                       28 February 2024 Nominations Close:                                        13 March 2024 (14:00) Ballot Papers dispatched:                            21 March 2024 Ballot Close:                                                      11 April 2024 (first post) If ballots are required for the positions of RM Divisional Representative and RM Divisional Representative (Substitute) they will be conducted on an individual member ballot basis and the ballots will be run in accordance with the CWU guidelines for Senior Regional/Field Official elections, which are attached for your information. Royal Mail Divisional Chair Nominations are invited from Branches within the relevant divisions for the position of Divisional Chair: Anglia London Midland North East North Wales/North West Northern Ireland Scotland South Central South East South West/South Wales The term of office for these positions is two years and the successful candidates will take up office at the conclusion of the election period, however candidates should be aware that the above positions and divisions are currently under review by the CWU & Royal Mail and therefore the term of office may be subject to change prior to the conclusion of the 2 year term. Nomination forms are attached to this LTB and completed forms must be signed by the Branch Secretary and Branch Chair or accredited deputies and the nominee, and should be returned by email to elections@cwu.org  to be received by 13th March 2024 (14:00). The timetable for the election is as follows: Nominations Open:                                       28 February 2024 Nominations Close:                                        13 March 2024 (14:00) Ballot Papers dispatched:                            21 March 2024 Ballot Close:                                                      11 April 2024 (first post) If ballots are required for the position of RM Divisional Chair they will be conducted on a branch ballot basis and therefore paragraphs 8, 9, 10 and 11 of the attached Guidelines are not applicable on this occasion. Any enquiries regarding this LTB should be addressed to the Senior Deputy General Secretary’s Department on telephone number 0208 971 7237 or email address sdgs@cwu.org. Yours sincerely, Tony Kearns Senior Deputy General Secretary LTB 082/24 – Election of RM Divisional Representative Sub and Chair Att: 082 – Guidelines 2024 Att: 082 – Divisional Representative Nomination Form Att: 082 – Div Rep Sub – Nomination Form Att: 082 – Div Chair – 2024- Nomination Form

  • LTB 085/24 – Election of: Parcelforce Worldwide Substitute Regional Organiser & Regional Chairs

    No.  085/24 TO:  BRANCHES WITH MEMBERS EMPLOYED BY PARCELFORCE WORLDWIDE (INCLUDING RMSS) Dear Colleague, Election of: Parcelforce Worldwide Substitute Regional Organiser & Regional Chairs Further to LTB 036/24 dated 26 January 2024 and LTB 045/24 dated 30 January 2024, we currently have the following vacancies. Nominations are now invited from members in the respective Parcelforce Worldwide Region (including RMSS) for the following positions:- South Central Wales & South West Region Substitute Regional Organiser Central Region Regional Chair Northern Region Regional Chair Nomination forms are attached to this LTB, completed forms must be signed by the Branch Secretary and Branch Chair or accredited deputies and the nominee, and should be returned to Tony Kearns, Senior Deputy General Secretary on the following email elections@cwu.org by 14th March 2024 The timetable for nominations is as follows:- Nominations Open       :           29th February 2024 Nominations Close       :           14th March 2024 (2.00pm) Should a ballot be required,  the timetable will be advised to branches in due course. Any enquiries regarding this LTB should be addressed to the Senior Deputy General Secretary’s Department, telephone number 020 8971 7237 or email address sdgs@cwu.org Yours sincerely, Tony Kearns Senior Deputy General Secretary LTB 085/24 Att: Regional Chair Nomination Form (word doc) Att: CWU Sub Regional Org Nomination Form (word doc)

  • LTB 090/24 - Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash FY24 04 – ‘Fire Alarm Evacuations’ – ‘If the Alarm Sounds, Then Evacuate and Take No Chances!’

    No. 090/2024 Our Ref:  E5/24 To:  All Branches Dear Colleagues, Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash FY24 04 – ‘Fire Alarm Evacuations’ – ‘If the Alarm Sounds, Then Evacuate and Take No Chances!’ Introduction Royal Mail Group’s Safety Team have issued ‘RMG SHE Safety Flash FY24 004’ with the aim of communicating a clear message to the workforce across Royal Mail Group: Warning! Never ignore the Fire Alarm and never assume the alarm is false or the result of a test. Everyone must evacuate the building by way of the safest and closest exit and/or stairway. Ignoring the alarm or assuming the fire and rescue service has been notified can put people at risk. Background A fire alarm system at a mail centre had been faulty for several hours. Following a shift change, it was then accidentally set off by a technician carrying out repairs. Due to unclear communication, some employees who knew of the fault, assumed it was a false alarm without being told so and refused to evacuate the building whilst other employees evacuated promptly as they should do. There was confusion and a delay in correctly evacuating the building. The alarm could have been set off by a genuine fire and emergency in the building leaving those ignoring the alarm in potential danger. Actions to avoid similar incidents – Procedures to follow if the fire alarm system is faulty: Call PFS Helpdesk: Immediately on 0333 005 0312. Isolate Faulty Call Points: There are various fire alarm systems used in Royal Mail. Where possible, isolate the faulty call point/panel so it does not compromise the whole building’s fire alarm system. Only complete this if trained to do so. Temporary fire detection arrangements: Introduce temporary arrangements. This could include an employee standing on fire watch by that particular area, or use of temporary measures to signal an alarm. Any temporary arrangements should be captured in the fire risk assessment and evacuation plan. Clear Communication to staff: The PIC should ensure all employees are aware of any temporary arrangements that are in place, to support safe evacuation of the building. Clear Communication between shift managers: These issues must be clearly communicated between PICs on different shifts at a site. Key Messages All employers including Royal Mail Group (Royal Mail, Parcelforce, RMSS, RMP&FS, RME, RM Fleet, RM Customer Experience and Admin etc.,) are required by law to make a detailed fire emergency plan so that employees, visitors and members of the public can be kept out of danger. In the event of fire, the three most important actions are, in chronological order, to: Raise the alarm. Summon the Fire Brigade. Evacuate the building — attempts to extinguish the fire should only be made if it’s a small incident and it’s safe to do so. GOLDEN RULE: Should a fire alarm ever be ignored? DON’T Ignore a fire alarm! The Fire Alarm System is designed and engineered to provide people with an early warning to allow them to safely exit the building during an emergency situation. Never ignore or assume the alarm is false or the result of a test. Everyone must evacuate the building by way of the safest and closest exit and/or stairway. Ignoring them or assuming the fire and rescue service has been notified could put people at risk. The main message is: Treat every alarm as a real fire evacuation procedure and vacate immediately. Ignoring a fire alarm could quite seriously cost you your life. Emergency plan – What should be covered in your emergency plan? A simple emergency plan must show that the employer has in place for the building: A suitable fire detection system. A process for identifying false alarms. A clear understanding of who calls 999. A clear passageway to all escape routes. Suitable routes and exits for people to escape. Clearly marked escape routes – these should be as short and direct as possible. Emergency doors that open easily – and emergency lighting if it is needed. Providing training so your employees know how to use the escape routes. Set out a safe meeting point for staff. Considered the needs of anyone who might not be able to escape quickly if there’s a fire – for example, wheelchair users or people with visual impairments. Other important topics to cover include: What to do on discovering a fire. How to warn others if there is a fire. Calling the Fire Brigade. Evacuation of the premises including those particularly at risk. Power/process isolation. Places of assembly and roll call. Liaison with emergency services. Identification of key escape routes. What firefighting equipment you provide – and where it is located. Everyone’s specific responsibilities in the event of a fire. Remember to test your emergency plan by practising it regularly. Actions: PiCs/Managers – Brief staff on this SHE Flash, display it and bring it to the attention of all employees in the workforce, visitors, contractors and the public. CWU ASR/WSR Action: ASRs/WSRs please ensure that this Safety Flash is communicated, displayed and brought to the attention of the workforce in all buildings. ASRs/WSRs to carry out spot check safety inspections including a check that the SHE Flash has been deployed and briefed to staff by PiCs/Managers. ASRs to check awareness of the workforce Fire Safety and Evacuation Rules during Workplace Safety Inspections and ensure staff are briefed, raising awareness at every opportunity with members/workers. Attachment: Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash FY24 004 – ‘Fire Alarm Evacuations’ Yours sincerely Dave Joyce National Health, Safety & Environment Officer LTB 090/24 – Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash FY24 04 – Fire Alarm Evacuations Att: SHE Flash FY24 004 Fire Alarm Evacuation

  • LTB 081/24 - Royal Mail & CWU Joint Communication Regarding Delivery 2.0 Trials

    No. 081/24 Dear Colleagues, Royal Mail & CWU Joint Communication Regarding Delivery 2.0 Trials Branches, Representatives and members will recall the commitments contained in the Business Recovery, Transformation and Growth Agreement, in relation to Section 7 – National Agreed Trial Indoor Delivery Methods Changes, the core details of which were outlined in LTB 184/23 (Letter To Branches). In line with the terms of this Section of the BRT&G Agreement, a joint trial was held from July to October of last year covering the four different indoor method options, which took place in 10 Delivery Units. Alongside this, a further limited trial covering 2 Delivery Units was also agreed and held in October on the former Back-to-Back Prep and Delivery method, which Royal Mail had previously trialled in 2018. Based on the trial feedback, including Industrial Engineer studies to test each of the methods ‘actual time taken’ against the current ‘planned time’ it was clear that none of the methods being tested produced the Royal Mail stated efficiency improvements, nor the outlined time reduction of 20-25 minutes per delivery, per day, which was referenced as one of the success criteria within the BRT&G Agreement. Given this and during subsequent discussions, Royal Mail has informed the union that at this juncture these trials have ended and none of the indoor methods trialled will be moved forward or deployed. However, alongside these agreed Indoor Delivery Methods trials, the CWU had equally been pressing Royal Mail in terms of its continuing plans to seek to move forward with its indoor design concept previously entitled ‘Ringwood or BluePrint’. Branches may recall that the initial ‘Ringwood or BluePrint’ design had first surfaced during the back end of last year’s bitter dispute, with Royal Mail seeking to impose the indoor design changes, which remove individual RM2000 Frames and replace them with a continuous Frame layout. Since then, Royal Mail has re-titled and revised the concept along with the programme, now called ‘Delivery 2.0’, as well as further advanced the design to include geographically aligned delivery loops along the continuous Frame layout, using the GeoRoute revision system to plan the outdoor delivery arrangements. Despite very difficult initial talks, it would be fair to say that recent discussions have been far more positive, but it was still very clear that there was some resistance on the part of Royal Mail to have in place a joint national framework and oversight covering any further activity on Delivery 2.0. Indeed, whilst we continue to hold talks in good faith, Royal Mail has sought in the background to move forward with its plans to roll out the Delivery 2.0 design concept in some 21 Delivery units, including a full outdoor GeoRoute revision and the testing of parcel sortation solutions. This backdrop has proven both frustrating and difficult, given our attempts to secure the relevant national framework, while at the same time knowing that Royal Mail has been pressing forward with local level planning in several Delivery units on the Delivery 2.0 design. Nonetheless, we felt this was still a necessary approach and the correct one to adopt. During this period, we have equally sought to informally influence some of the earmarked Delivery units based on feedback from our Divisional Reps. However, following further discussions held late last week, we have now agreed on the following Joint Communication with Royal Mail to cover the Delivery 2.0 trials, which has now been endorsed by the Postal Executive. Whilst the attached Joint Communication and its remit and aims are self-explanatory, with the list of the 21 Delivery units involved, it is relevant to further highlight that the trials aim to define mutually beneficial outputs, which will be jointly reviewed as part of further national discussions before any wider move or further deployment in terms of the Delivery 2.0 design. In setting out the above, Branches and Representatives will note that Royal Mail has moved forward with some of the initial planning linked to the Delivery 2.0 trial activities and that once again we find ourselves undertaking an element of catch-up in some of the listed units. Whilst this is not satisfactory, a judgment call was made by the union in this regard to ensure that we remain engaged with Royal Mail in this wider trial activity, noting that the initial ‘Ringwood or BluePrint’ design and concept, was deployed in some 12 Delivery units without any form of CWU engagement. It has also been confirmed with Royal Mail that a National Joint on-line launch meeting will take place on Thursday 29th February, which will involve the appropriate CWU Representatives and Royal Mail Managers within the trial units, the link details and confirmation of the time of this will be issued in due course. Finally, at the time of issuing this LTB, we continue to hold talks in respect of seeking to secure a joint position in terms of GeoRoute revision planning, both linked to the Delivery 2.0 trials and separate revision activity that Royal Mail has outlined. This remains a matter of ongoing frustration and we will update Branches and Representatives as soon as possible. Any queries to the content of the above please contact the Outdoor Department reference 540, email address: JRODRIGUES@cwu.org. Yours sincerely, Mark Baulch CWU Assistant Secretary LTB 081.24 – RM and CWU Joint Communication Regarding Delivery 2.0 Trials RM CWU Joint Communication Delivery 2.0

  • LTB 079/24 - Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash FY24 03 – ‘Dog Attack – Through Sliding Porch Door’ – BEWARE!

    No. 079/2024 Our Ref:  P18/24 To:  All Branches Dear Colleagues, Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash FY24 03 – ‘Dog Attack – Through Sliding Porch Door’ – BEWARE! Introduction Royal Mail Group’s Safety Team have issued ‘RMG SHE Safety Flash FY24 003’ which in effect aims to do two things: Draw attention and raise awareness amongst the Royal Mail delivery workforce of the increasing number of dogs attacks and to be vigilant, take no risks and adopt a ‘zero-tolerance approach to dog hazards Warn the delivery workforce no to open the street doors to homes under any circumstances, including as in this case a ‘Sliding Porch Door’ which has a second access door to the home behind it. This action in effect removes a barrier between the Royal Mail delivery postal worker and any dogs that may be inside the premises. Background Over the last two years, dog attacks have risen by 15% a year and Loss Time Accident Dog Attacks have risen over 60%. Over 80% of dog attacks on postal workers occur at the street door or on the garden path or drive. The most common incident type is when the postman or woman knocks on a customer’s door or rings the bell in order to make a delivery which needs a signature or won’t go through the letterbox and the resident or family member and in many cases children open the front door without firstly securing or restraining their dog, which subsequently charges out of the property and attacks the postman or woman, in many cases inflicting serious injuries or maulings. In a recent case, a delivery postal worker approached a house to make a delivery and opened the outer porch sliding glass door to knock on the inner front door. A child opened the inner door allowing the dog to barge past the child, exit the property and launch an attack on the postal worker which included bites to the face resulting in significant wounding requiring emergency and ongoing hospital and GP treatment. Key Messages Delivery postmen and women to be warned and reminded that when ringing the bell/knocking on a customer’s door: As the customer approaches the door announce who you are and ask them to put their dog away before they open the door. Step back from the door to a safe distance to create a space between you and the door. Utilise outer doors, gates, to put a physical barrier between you and any unknown hazardous dogs. Do not pass items into the customer’s/dog’s space as this is often perceived as a threat by the dog. Report all significant dog hazards to a manager so they can be recorded on the ORA (Offsite Risk Assessment) or duty log, for example: dogs showing aggression, challenging behaviour at the doorstep, customers who open the door without properly restraining the dog, a dog snatching letters behind a letterbox or running loose on a property or in a public space. Do not make local agreements with customers where dogs are involved on the premises/in gardens etc. Take no risks, err on the side of caution, do not accept a dog owner’s/customer’s word that their dog is safe, do not enter a premises where a dog is running lose and not under control or if there are signs that a dog could be present but out of sight. Actions: PiCs/Managers – Brief staff on this SHE Flash, display it and bring it to the attention of all delivery staff. CWU ASR/WSR Action: ASRs/WSRs please ensure that this Safety Flash is communicated, displayed and brought to the attention of the delivery workforce. ASRs/WSRs to carry out spot check safety inspections including a check that the SHE Flash has been deployed and briefed to staff by PiCs/Managers. ASRs to check awareness by delivery workers during Workplace Safety Inspections and ensure staff are briefed, raising awareness at every opportunity with delivery member workers. Attachment: Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash FY24 003 – ‘Dog Attack – Through Sliding Porch Door’ Yours sincerely Dave Joyce National Health, Safety & Environment Officer 24LTB079 Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash FY24 03 – ‘Dog Attack – Through Sliding Porch Door’ – BEWARE SHE Flash FY24 003-Sliding Door Dog Attack

  • Locker Banks & Collect + In Royal Mail (Collection Of Parcels)

    DATE: 22nd February 2024 Dear Colleagues, Locker Banks & Collect + In Royal Mail (Collection Of Parcels). Following ODM 03/24 (Outdoor Department Memo) issued on 18th January, which sought to advise Branches and Representatives in terms of Royal Mail’s plans to use Locker Banks, the purpose of this ODM is to provide an update regarding further developments covering both ‘Locker Banks’ and now ‘Collect +’, given the Royal Mail communication issued this morning, attached below for ease of reference. Firstly, it can be confirmed that we have continued to hold talks with Royal Mail, which have been cross departmental with the Processing, Logistics, Parcelforce, International, Eurest Department. They have more recently covered Collect +, which has been held in ‘commercial confidence’ given Royal Mail have remained in negotiations with the relevant suppliers. Accordingly, we have now exchanged draft joint documents covering both developments, which are separate initiatives but will nonetheless need to be addressed in terms of national oversight and a clear framework for local level engagement given the nature and indeed the scale of both the Locker Banks and Collect + programme. Both departments continue to hold talks with Royal Mail and it is hoped that we will be in a position to communicate a joint position with Representatives and Branches in due course. Any enquiries in the meantime about the content of this ODM please contact the Outdoor Department at: JRODRIGUES@cwu.org. Yours sincerely, Mark Baulch Assistant Secretary

  • LTB 076/24 - Ballot for Parcelforce Worldwide Area Health & Safety Representative/Substitute Area Health & Safety Representative – South East Region

    No. 076/24 TO:     BRANCHES WITH MEMBERS EMPLOYED BY PARCELFORCE WORLDWIDE   (INCLUDING RMSS) Dear Colleague, Ballot for  Parcelforce Worldwide Area Health & Safety Representative/Substitute Area Health & Safety Representative – South East Region It has been brought to our attention that there was an error within the data file used for the ballot for the above positions. In discussion with the National Officer Davie Robertson and the Independent Scrutineer it has been agreed to extend the closing date for the ballot to Friday 8th March 2024. This is to enable those members who did not receive ballot papers adequate time to vote and return them to the independent scrutineer accordingly. Branches should note that the closing date for this ballot is now First Post Friday 8th March 2024. Would branches ensure that this information is shared with your members. Any enquiries regarding this Letter to Branches should be addressed to the Senior Deputy General Secretary’s Department on telephone number 020 8971 7237, or email address sdgs@cwu.org. Yours sincerely, Tony Kearns Senior Deputy General Secretary 24LTB076 Ballot for Parcelforce Worldwide Area Health Safety Representative Substitute Area Health & Safety Representative – South East Region

  • LTB 075/24 - Royal Mail Group New Starter Driver Training – Interim Safety Standards Variation Rules Non-Compliance – RMG SHE Huddle FY24 009

    No. 075/2024 Our Ref:  V4/24 To:  All Branches Dear Colleagues, Royal Mail Group New Starter Driver Training – Interim Safety Standards Variation Rules Non-Compliance – RMG SHE Huddle FY24 009 This LTB is being issued further to LTB 288/23 dated 10 November 2023 and my letter to all ASRs dated 21 October 2023. Introduction: SHE Huddle FY24 009 is intended to remind managers of their requirements when it comes to training new entrants following a relaxation of driving requirements. Background – New Starter Driver Training As detailed in LTB 288/23, Royal Mail initiated a huge ‘crash’ recruitment programme with circa 10,000 new employees being engaged in a short space of time. One of the ‘knock-on’ effects of this exceptional current large scale staff recruitment programme condensed into such a short period of time was that it presented a ‘driver training’ predicament, that being the impossibility of getting all the newly recruited drivers through the Royal Mail ‘standard new driver training programme’ without an ‘interim variation’ to the process as ‘Pertemps’, Royal Mail’s accredited driver training provider were not able to train this large number of new recruits within the in-take time frame, in line with Royal Mail Group’s current policy as the number exceeds the maximum capacity of Pertemps’ driving instructors. Therefore, a relaxation or variation in the RMG new starter driver training requirements had to be put in place, in order to maintain Royal Mail operations whilst at the same time taking steps to mitigate any safety impact of the change. In short this means that where training lead-times exceed 2 weeks, new starters will be permitted to drive ‘Small Vans Only’ (e.g. up to Peugeot Expert size), pending training being delivered and for a period of up to a maximum of 6 months. The ‘interim driver safety variation’ Royal Mail Group therefore made last November is a temporary change to the current driver training standards for new starters enabling them to drive in advance of taking their Royal Mail/Pertemps driver training course. Two higher risk groups where the RMG Driver Training Standards requirements will not be relaxed by Royal Mail for driver training are in respect of new entrants that: Have held a drivers licence for only 12 months or less Are under the age of 25 For those allowed to drive under the new ‘interim driver safety variation’ arrangements, the following must apply: They will only be allowed to drive small vans prior to being trained – for 6 months only – by which time they must go through the ‘New Starter Training’. They must be booked on a Pertemps new starter driver training course. They must have completed the driver e-learning and been briefed on the driving SSOW. They must be comfortable to drive under the new arrangements. The Unit Manager/PiC must complete the ‘Permit to Drive’ checklist (copy attached) which details each element of the alternative arrangements, including that a Pertemps course has been booked for a future date and file this in the employee’s personal file. Electric Vehicle (EV) Training and Post Collision/RTC Training remain unchanged. Non-Compliance A significant non-compliance problem has been discovered across the country with only 59% of the new starters having been trained or booked for training and many of the new recruits have now exceeded the maximum six months service without driver training dispensation. Further to this, the situation worsens as many of these new recruits have not even had the driver training booked, let alone attended the training. This non-compliant practice increases the risk of road traffic collisions and increases the risk of prosecution. The Royal Mail SHE Team are endeavouring to take action to improve the situation and have requested CWU support through ASRs and WSRs. Road Traffic Accident Statistics Royal Mail, Parcelforce, RMSS etc., vehicles were involved in over 8,500 collisions last year and the trend indicates that that the number of RTCs this year will top 9,000. As the business changes with more parcel duties, larger vans and increasingly electric vehicles, the risk to drivers increases and driver training is more important than ever. ASR Action – Message From the Royal Mail Group National Road Safety Manager Mark Bromhall The Royal Mail Group National Road Safety Manager Mark Bromhall has requested the assistance of all CWU Area Safety Reps and Workplace Safety Reps to check compliance with the new starters ‘Driver Training Variation Standard’ in the Units within their postcode constituency, reporting any non-compliance to the Unit PiC OPL and SHE Team Safety Advisors without delay. RMG SHE Instruction 8.2 – Drivers Minimum Standards An additional point to be checked by ASRs/WSRs in respect of new starter drivers is the requirements as set out in RMG SHE Instruction 8.2 ‘Drivers’ Minimum Standards’. This states that; New drivers must have no more than 6 points on their drivers licence. New drivers must not have a TS99 (totting up) endorsement on their driver’s license. Two drivers in one area were found to have licenses breaching these requirements – so please check them out. See attached copies of: SHE Huddle FY24 009 – Driver Training Royal Mail –  Guidance for Using New Starter Training File Driver Training Relaxation – Permit to Drive Checklist Regional New Starter Training Completed and Training Booked Stats Yours sincerely Dave Joyce National Health, Safety & Environment Officer 24LTB075 Royal Mail Group New Starter Driver Training – Interim Safety Standards Variation Rules Non-Compliance – RMG SHE Huddle FY24 009 SHE Huddle FY24 009 Driver Training New Starter Instructions Driver Training Relaxation Permit v1.0 (1) Regional New Starter Training Completed and Training Booked Stats

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