Apply to be an MP in Colne Valley - All women short list.

Dear member, I’m writing to inform you that the selection process for parliamentary candidates  to contest the next general election are now under way in Calder Valley and Colne Valley.  You will find timetables for these selections below; if you wish to put yourself forward you will find an application form, job description of an MP, details of   selection procedures and a code of conduct here:   http://members.labour.org.uk/parliamentary-selections The Party’s NEC Organisational sub-committee has decided that Colne Valley’s candidate will be selected from an All Women Shortlist, and as such only female applicants may apply for this seat. Calder Valley is an Open Selection. CALDER VALLEY OPEN SELECTION Applications Close: Fri 19 April 2013 Shortlisting Interviews: Mon 3 June 2013 Final Hustings and Count: Sat 22 Jun 2013 Procedure Secretary: Ann Martin Email: annmartinuk@googlemail.com COLNE VALLEY ALL WOMEN SHORTLIST Applications Close: Fri 26 April 2013 Shortlisting Interviews: Sat 15 June 2013 Final Hustings and Count: Sat 6 July 2013 Procedure Secretary: Phil Woodthorpe Email: philwoodthorpe2013@gmail.com If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact the Yorkshire and Humber Labour Party Regional Office,  on 01924 291 221. Best wishes, Paul Nicholson Regional Director Yorkshire and the Humber Labour Party http://yorkshireandhumberlabour.org.uk/ Follow us on Twitter: @yorkshirelabour

Come on down to the CWU conference Equality Disco

CWU Equality Disco – Annual Conference 2013
It’s that time of year again and the Equal Opportunities Department will be holding their disco on the Saturday 20^th April 2013 at the Menzies Bournemouth Carlton Hotel, East Overcliff, Bournemouth BH1 3DN.  The disco will commence at 8 pm and tickets are only £5.

A raffle will be held on the night and members are encouraged to purchase raffle tickets in advance and on the night.  The grand prize will be a complimentary stay for 2 at the Menzies Bournemouth Carlton Hotel, on a dinner, bed & breakfast basis.

Proceeds raised from the raffle will once again go towards the Charity ‘Just a Drop’, whose mission is to reduce child mortality by delivering accessible, clean, safe water where it is needed most.

In order to continue this wonderful work, the Department is again relying on the assistance of CWU Branches and Regions to make prize worthy donations of cash and/or gifts.  These should be sent c/o Dionne Gittens-Noel to CWU Headquarters; please give generously.

Any enquiries to the Equal Opportunities Department, email address: dgittens@cwu.org.

More about the hotel including directions here http://www.menzieshotels.co.uk/hotels/south-coast/bournemouth-carlton/how-to-find-us/

LGBT awareness and IDAHO weekend

FRIDAY 17TH - SUNDAY 19TH MAY 2013
CWU EDUCATION & TRAINING CENTRE, OXFORDSHIRE
For many decades trade unions have been in the forefront of the battle for equality in the workplace and in society. Through campaigning, awareness raising and representing those who suffer discrimination, the CWU makes a real difference and our work in supporting and organising LGBT members is key to this. This weekend course aims to: 

 * Raise awareness of issues which affect LGBT workers and the LGBT community

* Develop strategies to support LGBT activists and members in the CWU
* Understand the way discrimination impacts on LGBT workers.
* Provide a networking opportunity for LGBT and equality activists

The weekend will be an activity based course based on small group work, discussion and presentations. The course is aimed at anyone who wishes to increase their understanding of LGBT issues and will be particularly suitable for Equality Reps, LGBT activists and any CWU activist who wishes to better understand how the union can support LGBT workers.

On Saturday the 18th May, which is the International Day Against Homophobia, the CWU will place a wreath in the Alvescot Lodge Workers Memorial Garden to remember all those who have been victims of oppression, imprisonment, violence or death because of their sexual orientation or identity.

This course does not attract paid release from the employers that we work with. To Book your place contact your Branch Secretary to ask for an application form. Applications will be accepted on a first come first served basis and places are limited.

 If your Branch nominates you for this course they will usually cover your travel and subsistence costs and release costs from work if applicable. This can vary, so always check with your Branch Secretary in advance.

All courses at Alvescot are residential. The cost of tuition, food and accommodation will be met from the General Fund. Branches are expected to meet the cost of travelling and subsistence payments. Branches requiring financial assistance from the General Fund to enable them to send students to the course must submit the request with the nomination, to enable the Trustees to consider the request in time.

 Application forms should be returned to: Trish Lavelle, Head of Education & Training, CWU Education & Training Centre, Alvescot Lodge, Alvescot, BAMPTON, Oxon OX18 2PY. Telephone: 01993 843373; Fax: 01993

840960: e-mail: mtodd@cwu.org

 

 

Post Office dispute - latest

TO: ALL BRANCHES WITH POSTAL MEMBERS

Dear Colleague,

POST OFFICE: PAY 2012 AND BEYOND AND THE FUTURE OF THE CROWN OFFICE NETWORK 
Following our successful industrial action taken on Saturday 30th March, we were planning to serve notice on the Post Office today for further action; advising that our members would be taking strike action on Friday 12th April. However, we have today received a letter from Kevin Gilliland, Network and Sales Director, stating the following:

I and my team are keen to meet with you to discuss ways of resolving the current dispute. I therefore invite you to provide us with details of when you are available to meet with us so we can arrange a mutually convenient time to discuss this matter further.

As a consequence of the above we have taken the decision not to serve notice for strike action and will be meeting with the Post Office next week.

Further developments will be reported.

Yours sincerely

Andy Furey Dave Ward
Assistant Secretary Deputy General Secretary

Tackling Homophobia in Sport campaign. Plymouth.

Plymouth Argyle's Home Park stadium will play host to the CWU's latest 'tackling homophobia in sport' action this weekend. A social event on Friday (5 April) will kick off the festivities followed by leafleting on Saturday (6 April) ahead of the Plymouth v Cheltenham fixture.

"This is the second year running that the union has initiated this event in association with the TUC Alliance, which is supported by groups such as Kick It Out, the PFA and Show Racism the Red Card , which aim to eliminate discrimination in sport," said CWU head of equality, Linda Roy.

"This weekend is focused on raising awareness about the devastating effects homophobic bullying can have on the life of an individual too scared to admit to being homosexual. In the sporting arena this type of bullying is especially rife and the high profile nature of sport, particularly football in the UK, makes it a good place to start encouraging tolerance and acceptance regardless of sexual orientation. The footballing authorities must be seen to be doing more to tackle this serious problem." she said.

The CWU also campaigns to eradicate racism in sport and is affiliated with campaigns such as Show Racism the Red Card and Let's Kick Racism out of Football.

If you would like to volunteer or support the event please contact the CWU Equalities department on 0208 971 7238.

Royal Mail pay latest

To: All Branches with Postal Members

Dear Colleague

Royal Mail Pay – April 2013

The purpose of this LTB is to advise CWU Branches, Representatives and members on the current situation with Pay.

The Union is determined to achieve a straightforward above inflation pay rise for at least 2 years commencing April 1st 2013. As part of this we are also seeking an opportunity for our members to share in the company’s ongoing profits as a replacement for ColleagueShare, alongside new productivity arrangements. 

Initially, the company had agreed that we would resolve pay before the April due date. However, the situation has now become more difficult because of wider industrial relations problems. The current situation is that the company are insisting that pay is linked to a resolution to outstanding Business Transformation issues and clarity on their future plans.

The Postal Executive will be considering this matter when they meet next Tuesday. Further information will follow and the issue of pay will also be included in a planned membership communication that will arrive soon.

Please ensure that the content of this LTB is communicated in your to all workplaces.

Any enquiries on the above LTB should be addressed to the DGS (P) Department.

Yours sincerely

Dave Ward 

Deputy General Secretary (P)

Post office pay and campaign.

TO: ALL BRANCHES WITH POSTAL MEMBERS

Dear Colleague

POST OFFICE: PAY 2012 AND BEYOND AND THE FUTURE OF THE CROWN OFFICE NETWORK – COMMUNITY CAMPAIGNS & RESOURCES 

Branches will be aware that the Post Office is planning to franchise / close up to 76 of our Crown Post Offices. This amounts to approximately 20% of the Crown Network, with the loss of over 800 jobs. 

As a consequence, our representatives and members have instigated high profile community campaigns at many of the Crowns impacted by the Post Office decision. To assist in making these campaigns as effective as possible, a campaign pack has been produced in conjunction with our communications department. 

“Protect the People’s Post Office” is the title of our campaign. Campaign packs will be sent to all of the Crowns earmarked for franchising and closure. The “Protect the People’s Post Office” strap line was used on posters and leaflets on Easter Saturday, day of action, as well as our other key message - “Keep the Crown in the Heart of Town”. On all of our campaign materials we have used the words “Post Office” inside a broken heart to symbolise the Post Office’s plans to rip apart this cherished network. 

The campaign pack includes an introductory letter explaining why we want to ensure maximum pressure is put on the Post Office through well-organised campaigns in communities which have Crowns earmarked for franchising. By all accounts the Post Office does not yet have franchise partners lined up and we need to gain the greatest support possible from the public, local politicians and media. Crown Post Offices play a vital role in the local community and are unrivalled in terms of quality of service and must be sustained for the long-term future. 

The pack also contains the following:

• Guide to campaigning

• Campaign brief

• Q&A section with answers to potential hostile questions

• Media brief and a draft press release

• Model letter to MPs

• Stickers 

• Leaflet for the public

• Posters

• Petition

Each of the documents contained within the campaign pack can be downloaded from our website: http://www.cwu.org/downloadable-resources.html Campaign packs have been provided to Regional Secretaries, Territorial Representatives and Area Representatives. 

Please send any enquiries to csinclair@cwu.org

Yours sincerely

Andy Furey Dave Ward

Assistant Secretary Deputy General Secretary Postal