CWU general secretary (GS) Billy Hayes declared that equality issues are central to the role of any trade union in representing its members.
Addressing the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender conference in Bristol, Billy reiterated that equalities are bread and butter issues for the union. “If you face problems in the workplace regarding sexuality, colour of skin or disabilities and we are not there to defend you then it is less of a union,” said Billy, who claimed it was as much of a responsibility of the union to challenge transphobia as it was to fight for agreements on overtime. ”The union must be there to defend you all the time. What you are doing here is not a side issue. It is about sustaining this union. It’s about fighting for equality in and out of the union.”
Billy highlighted the under reporting of hate crime, quoting the Stonewall statistic that 25 per cent of such offences go unreported. For those who do report such crimes, 20 per cent experience discrimination from the police.
“We need to strengthen the reporting and conviction rate by the police,” said Billy who highlighted other areas of concern such as homophobic bullying in schools.
The GS also attacked the football authorities for failing to act to counter homophobia in sport. “There is a failure in the leadership of the Football Association,” said Billy, who claimed two thirds of fans would not have a problem if players came out.
Billy also warned of the danger represented by the electoral breakthrough of the BNP and called for more representation from the CWU workers on gay pride events.
Equality officer Linda Roy told how the CWU was writing to the Polish embassy to complain about homophobia in Poland that has seen an increase of 18.3 per cent rise in homophobic hate crime over the past year.
Linda pointed out that one in five lesbian and gay people were victims of homophobic aggression over the past five years in the UK.
“The rights enshrined in the law took years to gain and we must not lose them now,” said Linda, who quoted Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s commitment to make hate crime a top priority of his government.
Michelle Bridgman, project manager for the Gender Trust, quoted Gandhi’s saying in relation to the struggle of transgender people, namely they ignore you, then ridicule you, then fight you and then you win. “They’ve stopped laughing and are now fighting,” said Michelle.
At least 10,000 people in the UK have changed their gender since birth while 300,000 are struggling with their gender.
Michelle told how the problems for transgender people all arise out of the attitude of people in society. “People react the way that they do because they feel shaken out of their little boxes,” said Michelle, who told how young transgender kids are not taking the abuse any more. “We must celebrate differences and get out and take some risks.”
NUT and LGBT history activist Elly Barnes highlighted how all the policies were there for the LGBT community but it remained for them to be implemented. “Homophobia is caused by ignorance, there is no way we are going to be forced back in the closet,” said Elly, who told how academies and private schools oppose the celebration of LGBT month.
Elly called for LGBT to be celebrated not tolerated in schools and workplaces. “Teachers are scared because it can come back to them personally,” said Elly, who said it was about time that people acknowledged LGBT existed, especially given that they make up 10 per cent of the population.
Elly told how working in school she has endeavoured to integrate LGBT into all departments, including religious education, science and drama. “Role models are important, people have got to be out at work, they must be brave and do it,” said Elly, who told how once educated the homophobic attitudes disappear.
In debating the motions, concerns were expressed over the links of the Conservative Party with homophobic parties in Europe. There was also questioning over Stonewall’s negative attitude to unions and concern over the Jan Moir column in the Daily Mail attacking the LGBT community at the time of the death of singer Stephen Gateley.
Dave Daniels of Grampian and Shetlands saw the article as a sign of the dangerous reactionary forces that are seeking to reverse the gains of recent years. “These rights have been won after long battles and the attacks must be repelled,” said Dave. “The article is typical of the right wing backers of David Cameron and the parties that he is being associated with in Europe.”
Another motion passed expressing concerns over fundamentalist Christian churches claiming to be able to perform exorcism on lesbian and gay people to purge them of homosexuality. “It is highly insulting that they see homosexuality as a disease in need of curing,” said Gary Williams of the Solent branch.
_____
About Me
- Linda Roy
- Lifetime commitment to the trade union and labour movement. Been local workplace and national CWU representative and held many other positions in the CWU. TUC accredited tutor and disability champion. Former Labour town councillor and town Mayor.
Thursday, 17 December 2009
Wednesday, 16 December 2009
E-Bulletin
The department will be issuing an e-bulletin this week if you are not on are mailing list and require a copy please let us have your e-mail address.
Contact the Equality Department
Linda Roy
Contact the Equality Department
Linda Roy
Date of next Equality Conferences
Just to remind everyone the Black Workers Conference takes place on Saturday 6th February 2010 at the APEX Hotel Dundee.
The Women's Conference takes place on Saturday 20th February 2010 at theVillage Hotel in Coventry.
The Women's Conference takes place on Saturday 20th February 2010 at theVillage Hotel in Coventry.
REPORT
ON
HUMAN TRAFFICKING
FOR SEXUAL EXPLOITATION
This year we moved a motion at the TUC Women’s Conference on legalising prostitution which was lost at the conference.
On 3rd December I attended a European Conference on Human Trafficking in Stockholm. I went with an open mind to listen to how other countries deal with this issue. Below is a report on what I heard and I think the CWU should have a full and frank discussion on this issue and see if we do have the right policy on this issue.
The conference started at 8.30 Maj Britt Theorin a former member of the European Parliament and former member of the Swedish Parliament addressed conference.
Kajsa Wahlberg, Swedish National Rapporteur on human trafficking and Detective Inspector at the National Police Board & Jonas Trolle Detective inspector with the Stockholm police, human trafficking unit. Told conference what they are doing to stop the trafficking.
Sweden criminalized human trafficking for sexual exploitation in July 2002. The remaining forms of human trafficking and purposes of exploitation were criminalized two years later in July 2004. Sweden has also adopted other legislative measures deemed effective in the fight against human trafficking for sexual exploitation.
In Sweden buying sexual services was banned in 1999, under the Act prohibiting the purchase of sexual services, and is punishable by fines or up to six month’s imprisonment. The offence covers all forms of sexual services, whether they are purchased on the street, in brothels or from escort services. It is only the purchase of sexual services that is prohibited, not the act of selling. It was considered most important to motivate those involved in prostitution to attempt to exit without risking punishment.
It appears the average age of people who are trafficked is between 13 and 18 years of age.
Factors that can cause people to seek better conditions and fall victim to human trafficking include poverty, oppression, lack of human rights, lack of social or economic opportunity, and marginalization. Dangers associated with conflict, political instability, civil unrest and natural disasters. Some parents sell their children, not just for the money, but also in the hope the children will escape poverty and try and find a better life and more opportunities. Social or cultural practices can also facilitate human trafficking. The devaluation of women and girls in a society makes them disproportionately vulnerable to human trafficking; the lack of gender equality is a significant contributory cause. Individual factors could be such as family conflicts domestic violence.
Without demand for the services that victims are forced to provide, there would be no market for human trafficking. This is a form of slavery
During the afternoon we were shown a DVD about the Dutch Showcase were prostitution has been legalised. This DVD showed a French lady who had been a prostitute talking against the legalisation of prostitution and I listened very intently to what she said. This is slavery no woman sells her body because she enjoys a man violating her body. She said you will find the woman does this service because the woman cannot get a job which is paid well. If she had a good job she would have enough money. Whilst watching the DVD we saw big areas fenced off and there were like partition areas were from about 5 o’clock at night cars would access these areas and prostitutes would carry out there services. On the DVD you could see men just leaving work and calling in for the services it was really in your face do we want this in the UK.
Denise Marshall from the Poppy Project is totally against the legalising of prostitution Denise believes trafficking and prostitution are linked. It appears the UK Government do not think they have a problem but listening to some of the horror stories Dennis told the conference this is not true. Dennis told the conference she recently rescued an 18 year old who told Denise of the day when she SERVICED 40 men when she asked her pimp why on this particular day was there so many men he told her it was Christmas Day how sad this young woman had no idea or no comprehension of what time of year it was.
At the end of conference delegates where asked to sign a petition I have not done this yet as I would like the views of our members on this issue.
Linda Roy
ON
HUMAN TRAFFICKING
FOR SEXUAL EXPLOITATION
This year we moved a motion at the TUC Women’s Conference on legalising prostitution which was lost at the conference.
On 3rd December I attended a European Conference on Human Trafficking in Stockholm. I went with an open mind to listen to how other countries deal with this issue. Below is a report on what I heard and I think the CWU should have a full and frank discussion on this issue and see if we do have the right policy on this issue.
The conference started at 8.30 Maj Britt Theorin a former member of the European Parliament and former member of the Swedish Parliament addressed conference.
Kajsa Wahlberg, Swedish National Rapporteur on human trafficking and Detective Inspector at the National Police Board & Jonas Trolle Detective inspector with the Stockholm police, human trafficking unit. Told conference what they are doing to stop the trafficking.
Sweden criminalized human trafficking for sexual exploitation in July 2002. The remaining forms of human trafficking and purposes of exploitation were criminalized two years later in July 2004. Sweden has also adopted other legislative measures deemed effective in the fight against human trafficking for sexual exploitation.
In Sweden buying sexual services was banned in 1999, under the Act prohibiting the purchase of sexual services, and is punishable by fines or up to six month’s imprisonment. The offence covers all forms of sexual services, whether they are purchased on the street, in brothels or from escort services. It is only the purchase of sexual services that is prohibited, not the act of selling. It was considered most important to motivate those involved in prostitution to attempt to exit without risking punishment.
It appears the average age of people who are trafficked is between 13 and 18 years of age.
Factors that can cause people to seek better conditions and fall victim to human trafficking include poverty, oppression, lack of human rights, lack of social or economic opportunity, and marginalization. Dangers associated with conflict, political instability, civil unrest and natural disasters. Some parents sell their children, not just for the money, but also in the hope the children will escape poverty and try and find a better life and more opportunities. Social or cultural practices can also facilitate human trafficking. The devaluation of women and girls in a society makes them disproportionately vulnerable to human trafficking; the lack of gender equality is a significant contributory cause. Individual factors could be such as family conflicts domestic violence.
Without demand for the services that victims are forced to provide, there would be no market for human trafficking. This is a form of slavery
During the afternoon we were shown a DVD about the Dutch Showcase were prostitution has been legalised. This DVD showed a French lady who had been a prostitute talking against the legalisation of prostitution and I listened very intently to what she said. This is slavery no woman sells her body because she enjoys a man violating her body. She said you will find the woman does this service because the woman cannot get a job which is paid well. If she had a good job she would have enough money. Whilst watching the DVD we saw big areas fenced off and there were like partition areas were from about 5 o’clock at night cars would access these areas and prostitutes would carry out there services. On the DVD you could see men just leaving work and calling in for the services it was really in your face do we want this in the UK.
Denise Marshall from the Poppy Project is totally against the legalising of prostitution Denise believes trafficking and prostitution are linked. It appears the UK Government do not think they have a problem but listening to some of the horror stories Dennis told the conference this is not true. Dennis told the conference she recently rescued an 18 year old who told Denise of the day when she SERVICED 40 men when she asked her pimp why on this particular day was there so many men he told her it was Christmas Day how sad this young woman had no idea or no comprehension of what time of year it was.
At the end of conference delegates where asked to sign a petition I have not done this yet as I would like the views of our members on this issue.
Linda Roy
Report on
STUC Disabled Workers Conference
5th 6th December 2009
Delegates attending
Elspeth Bettany
Gary Clarke
Joe Malone NEC
Willie MarshalL
Linda Roy Officer
Tony Seddon
The STUC Disability Conference was held in Dundee this year there were 50 delegates from various unions.
The Conference commenced at 11 am on the Saturday morning Martin Keenan (CWU member) and President of the Scottish TUC opened the conference there was in total on the first morning 4 guest speakers including Pauline Rourke (CWU member) and Chair of the STUC Women’s committee over the two days there was a total of ten speakers. Most speakers talked about the credit crunch and how the most vulnerable in society are being target.
Motions that were heard
Recession and Disabled People
Discrimination, Recession and Welfare Reform
Budget Cuts and Public Sector Duties
The Equality Bill
Disability Discrimination Act
Scottish Trauma Centre of Excellence
Health & Capabilities Policies
Disability Living Allowance
Occupational Health Assessments
Children with Disabilities
Scotland Wide Free Bus Travel Scheme for Older and Disabled People
Shared Surfaces
On the Sunday morning there were two workshops one on Workplace Stress and one on Mental health. Gary Clarke was successful on being elected onto the STUC Disability Committee and I would just mention Elspeth Bettany was presented with a bouquet of flowers for all her hard work over the years on the STUC Disability Committee and I would also like to place my thanks on record to Elsbeth she has done sterling work over the years on behalf of the CWU and will be sorely missed.
Linda Roy
National Equality Officer
STUC Disabled Workers Conference
5th 6th December 2009
Delegates attending
Elspeth Bettany
Gary Clarke
Joe Malone NEC
Willie MarshalL
Linda Roy Officer
Tony Seddon
The STUC Disability Conference was held in Dundee this year there were 50 delegates from various unions.
The Conference commenced at 11 am on the Saturday morning Martin Keenan (CWU member) and President of the Scottish TUC opened the conference there was in total on the first morning 4 guest speakers including Pauline Rourke (CWU member) and Chair of the STUC Women’s committee over the two days there was a total of ten speakers. Most speakers talked about the credit crunch and how the most vulnerable in society are being target.
Motions that were heard
Recession and Disabled People
Discrimination, Recession and Welfare Reform
Budget Cuts and Public Sector Duties
The Equality Bill
Disability Discrimination Act
Scottish Trauma Centre of Excellence
Health & Capabilities Policies
Disability Living Allowance
Occupational Health Assessments
Children with Disabilities
Scotland Wide Free Bus Travel Scheme for Older and Disabled People
Shared Surfaces
On the Sunday morning there were two workshops one on Workplace Stress and one on Mental health. Gary Clarke was successful on being elected onto the STUC Disability Committee and I would just mention Elspeth Bettany was presented with a bouquet of flowers for all her hard work over the years on the STUC Disability Committee and I would also like to place my thanks on record to Elsbeth she has done sterling work over the years on behalf of the CWU and will be sorely missed.
Linda Roy
National Equality Officer
Wednesday, 18 November 2009
`DISABILITY AWARENESS WEEK
`Disability Awareness Week will commence from Monday 23rd November until 27th November.
The helpline number for the week is 02089717238 calls will be taken directly by my office and then allocated onto our advisors who consist of members of the Disability & Special Needs Advisory Committee (DSNAC).
The helpline number for the week is 02089717238 calls will be taken directly by my office and then allocated onto our advisors who consist of members of the Disability & Special Needs Advisory Committee (DSNAC).
CWU Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Conference Saturday 21st November 2009
The CWU LGBT Advisory Committee are holding this years LGBT Conference in Bristol, on the 21st November 2009.
The Conference will take place at the Novotel Bristol Centre, Victoria Street Bristol BS1 6HY.
I look forward to seeing you there.
The Conference will take place at the Novotel Bristol Centre, Victoria Street Bristol BS1 6HY.
I look forward to seeing you there.
Friday, 13 November 2009
2010 TUC Women's Conference
For all women delegates attending the TUC Women's Conference the conference will be held in the Floral Hall Winter Gardens Compton Street, Eastbourne. From Wednesday 10th March to Friday 12th March 2010. The conference will begin on Wednesday 10th March at 2.00pm and close at 5.30pm. It will recommence on Thursday 11th at 9.30 am and close at 5.30 pm. On Friday 12 March, Conference will open at 9.15 am and finish business no later than 1.00pm
International Diabetes Day 14th November 2009
International Diabetes day is the 14th November 2009. I have put together a fact sheet on Diabetes and this is being sent out with an LTB, we will also be putting the fact sheet on the web site.
STUC Womens Conference in Dundee
On Monday 9th November I went to Dundee for the STUC Womens 82 conference. Pauline Rourke was chairing the conference on behalf of the women's committee and I am proud to say Pauline is a CWU Branch official. Cathy Newall, Joyce Stevenson, Helen Olgilvie, Ann Ferry, Liz Dunlope, Morag Rose and myself were all delegates on behalf of the CWU. Pauline gave her welcome speech and did a magnificent job of chairing the conference. Morag Rose moved the the motion on the Post Bank and there was unanimous support for our motion. Joyce Stevenson moved a motion on Performance Management she also spoke on flexible working and I got up and spoke on the equality bill pushing for our equality representatives to be afforded the same rights as Health and Safety representatives.
One of the most concerning pieces of information the conference was given was that children now wear bands on their wrist to indicate how sexually active they are and each colour they wear indicates at what stage they are active. Parents please be aware.
One of the most concerning pieces of information the conference was given was that children now wear bands on their wrist to indicate how sexually active they are and each colour they wear indicates at what stage they are active. Parents please be aware.
Eastern & London Regions Joint Annual Equality Seminar
On Friday 6th November I attended the Eastern & London Regions joint annual equality seminar. I told the seminar that as a union we use every forum to push for are equality representatives to have release time and the same rights as health and safety representatives. I also highlighted how women were not being treated equally and ethnic minorities are not represented in the higher echolones, how the disabled workers are being targeted. "They are being singled out and taken off duties which have been adjusted for their disabilities", and that harassment and bullying is rife in our industries.
Tuesday, 3 November 2009
CWU DISABILITY AND SPECIAL NEEDS CONFERENCE REPORT
Delegates at last month's (OCTOBER) CWU Disability and Special Needs
Conference held in Dundee spoke passionately on wide-ranging issues,
from changes to the Equality Bill, to diabetes, and even assisted
suicide. Organisers said it was their most successful equality
conference to date, and pressing issues debated will now be raised at
next year's main CWU conference.
Ted Stead, of the Disability and Special Needs Advisory Committee, urged
the union to launch a campaign to prepare itself for the impending
changes to the Equality Bill that will bring nine pieces of
discrimination legislation under the one umbrella of the Single Equality
Bill.
He said: "At the moment, there can be only one discrimination claim
raised at a time, but the new legislation will mean a black woman, for
example, could launch a combined race and sex discrimination claim, or
an elderly disabled worker could launch a race and a disabled case. We
need to make all of our reps aware of the changes and ensure they are
well-prepared in anticipation of this legislation expected to be
introduced next year."
The motion was unanimously passed and delegates voted for it to be
raised at the main union conference next year.
The other motion supported sufficiently for it to be put forward at the
main union conference, was another proposition by Ted Stead, in his
capacity as branch secretary for the Oldham and Rochdale Amal. He garnered
support for the DSNAC to produce a "disability leave policy" to protect
disabled members from falling foul of various sickness absence policies
that various employers utilise.
But the most hotly debated motion, was one put forward by Gary Clark of
Scotland No. 2 branch on assisted suicide. He argued that the union
should lobby for euthanasia to be made legal and available on the NHS,
adding: "This is about freedom of choice. People should be allowed to
die with dignity." But he faced opposition from Lynne Hart who said that
her Thames Valley branch has conducted a survey of all of its 2,000
members, which concluded the matter would be better dealt with at a
national level. The motion was not carried.
Jeff Till of Central London branch gained support for a move to get more
Human Resources managers trained on "all aspects" of the DDA, while
Lynne Hart successfully called for hearing tests to be made available
for employees actively working with headphones on a daily basis.
Earlier, Tony Sneddon, chair of DSNAC, welcomed the delegates to Dundee,
City of Discovery. While he said that much progress has been made for
disabled workers' rights, he warned: "The fight for true equality is not
over."
Linda Roy, national equalities officer, echoed those views. She said:
"In the majority of complaints to our equality department - almost 15 years
after the DDA - is that management is either ill-briefed, ignorant, or
deliberately ignoring their legal responsibilities." Therefore, she said
that her primary aim is in providing employees with information on the
DDA, including fact sheets, guides, e-bulletins, and toolkits.
President of the STUC, Martin Keenan, told delegates: "As we strive to
move out of recession, equality matters even more."
Perhaps the most emotive talk was delivered by Robin Hood - the Scottish
director for DEBRA - the national charity working on behalf of people
with the horrific genetic skin blistering condition Epidermolysis
Bullosa (EB).
He spoke about his brave daughter's fight with the debilitating
condition, which results in skin and internal linings to blister, bleed
and peel off at the slightest touch. Mr Hood has devoted his life to
raising money for research into the condition, and despite his daughter
dying last year aged just 19, he has vowed to continue the fight for a
cure.
So many subjects were covered at this conference ranging from the Equlaity Bill to Diabetes this is just a sample of the issues debated.
The amount of delegates attending this conference was 82
Conference held in Dundee spoke passionately on wide-ranging issues,
from changes to the Equality Bill, to diabetes, and even assisted
suicide. Organisers said it was their most successful equality
conference to date, and pressing issues debated will now be raised at
next year's main CWU conference.
Ted Stead, of the Disability and Special Needs Advisory Committee, urged
the union to launch a campaign to prepare itself for the impending
changes to the Equality Bill that will bring nine pieces of
discrimination legislation under the one umbrella of the Single Equality
Bill.
He said: "At the moment, there can be only one discrimination claim
raised at a time, but the new legislation will mean a black woman, for
example, could launch a combined race and sex discrimination claim, or
an elderly disabled worker could launch a race and a disabled case. We
need to make all of our reps aware of the changes and ensure they are
well-prepared in anticipation of this legislation expected to be
introduced next year."
The motion was unanimously passed and delegates voted for it to be
raised at the main union conference next year.
The other motion supported sufficiently for it to be put forward at the
main union conference, was another proposition by Ted Stead, in his
capacity as branch secretary for the Oldham and Rochdale Amal. He garnered
support for the DSNAC to produce a "disability leave policy" to protect
disabled members from falling foul of various sickness absence policies
that various employers utilise.
But the most hotly debated motion, was one put forward by Gary Clark of
Scotland No. 2 branch on assisted suicide. He argued that the union
should lobby for euthanasia to be made legal and available on the NHS,
adding: "This is about freedom of choice. People should be allowed to
die with dignity." But he faced opposition from Lynne Hart who said that
her Thames Valley branch has conducted a survey of all of its 2,000
members, which concluded the matter would be better dealt with at a
national level. The motion was not carried.
Jeff Till of Central London branch gained support for a move to get more
Human Resources managers trained on "all aspects" of the DDA, while
Lynne Hart successfully called for hearing tests to be made available
for employees actively working with headphones on a daily basis.
Earlier, Tony Sneddon, chair of DSNAC, welcomed the delegates to Dundee,
City of Discovery. While he said that much progress has been made for
disabled workers' rights, he warned: "The fight for true equality is not
over."
Linda Roy, national equalities officer, echoed those views. She said:
"In the majority of complaints to our equality department - almost 15 years
after the DDA - is that management is either ill-briefed, ignorant, or
deliberately ignoring their legal responsibilities." Therefore, she said
that her primary aim is in providing employees with information on the
DDA, including fact sheets, guides, e-bulletins, and toolkits.
President of the STUC, Martin Keenan, told delegates: "As we strive to
move out of recession, equality matters even more."
Perhaps the most emotive talk was delivered by Robin Hood - the Scottish
director for DEBRA - the national charity working on behalf of people
with the horrific genetic skin blistering condition Epidermolysis
Bullosa (EB).
He spoke about his brave daughter's fight with the debilitating
condition, which results in skin and internal linings to blister, bleed
and peel off at the slightest touch. Mr Hood has devoted his life to
raising money for research into the condition, and despite his daughter
dying last year aged just 19, he has vowed to continue the fight for a
cure.
So many subjects were covered at this conference ranging from the Equlaity Bill to Diabetes this is just a sample of the issues debated.
The amount of delegates attending this conference was 82
DYSLEXIA AWARENESS WEEK 1st - 7th November 2009
1st November - 7th November Dyslexia Awareness Week 2009
In conjunction with Dyslexia awareness week we have sent out to branches a poster and a DVD on Dyslexia. The DVD was recorded at the Disability Conference in 2007. Jeffrey Till gave his permission to record his experiences and Derek Kennedy from the Bakers Union also gave his permission to record him giving his presentation on various types of Dyslexia.
If anyone wants to find out if they suffer from dyslexia there is a dyslexia online test on the CWU web site.
I would also like to place on record my thanks to Jeff Till for all his help and advice.
In conjunction with Dyslexia awareness week we have sent out to branches a poster and a DVD on Dyslexia. The DVD was recorded at the Disability Conference in 2007. Jeffrey Till gave his permission to record his experiences and Derek Kennedy from the Bakers Union also gave his permission to record him giving his presentation on various types of Dyslexia.
If anyone wants to find out if they suffer from dyslexia there is a dyslexia online test on the CWU web site.
I would also like to place on record my thanks to Jeff Till for all his help and advice.
Monday, 26 October 2009
Majority favour suspending funding from Labour
My latest online poll has closed. Particpants voted 71% to 28% in favour of supending CWU contributions to the Labour party. As one member recently put it "Why feed the hand that bites you."
Wednesday, 14 October 2009
Commenting on this blog
Due to a technical problem viewers have not been able to comment on my postings. The situation has now been rectified. Just click on comment, then under "profile" select "anonymous". You can also register as a follower. Look forward to hearing from you.
DSNAC CONFERENCE
The CWU DSNAC conference takes place at the Apex Hotel, Dundee in 10 days time on October 24th. Almost 100 delegates have registered and there is a full agenda of speakers and motions. The Lord Provost of Dundee has organised a "Welcome"for delegates on the Friday evening. This will be followed by a social at a local hostelry. For those staying on Saturday evening DSNAC Chair Tony Sneddon has arranged a gathering at his local pub. I look forward to seeing you all there.
London strikes today
Friends and colleagues in London are on strike today. Please send messages of support to these offices:
South London Mail Centre
Victoria SW1 DO
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South London Mail Centre
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Mount Pleasant Deliveries/Processing/ Distribution
EC Deliveries
LAMU
Cricklewood NW2 HUB Distribution
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SE1 Collection HUB
SE No5 Collection HUB
North Finchley HUB
The Hyde HUB Collections/DO
SW11 Hub (Collections PM)
SW19 Hub (Collections PM)
Willesden NW10 HUB Distribution
Wimbledon HUB Collections
Battersea HUB Collections
Cricklewood NW2 HUB Distribution
Greenwich Collection HUB
Kensington Inner HUB
N1 Distribution & HUB
Tottenham N17 HUB Distribution
NW1 Collection HUB & Distribution
Acton Outer Hub
Woolwich SE18
Southwark DO SE1
East London DO (E1)
Hampstead DO
Hornsey DO
Islington DO
Kilburn DO
Muswell Hill DO
NW1 DO
Poplar Docklands DO
Southwark DO
Stratford DO
Willesden DO
Woolwich DO
Abbey Wood & Thamesmead DO
Acton DO
Anerley DO
Balham DO
Barnes DO
Battersea DO
Bethnal Green DO
Blackheath DO
Bow DO
Brixton DO
Brockley DO
Camberwell DO
Catford DO
Charlton DO
Chelsea DO
Chingford DO
Chiswick DO
Church End DO
Clapham DO
Clapton DO
Cricklewood DO
Deptford DO
Dulwich DO
Ealing DO
Earls Court DO
East Dulwich DO
East Finchley DO
East Ham DO
Putney DO
Rotherhithe DO
Shepherds Bush DO
South Kensington DO
South Lambeth DO
South Norwood DO
South Tottenham DO
South Woodford DO
Southgate DO
St John's Wood DO
Stockwell DO
Stoke Newington DO
Streatham DO
Sydenham DO
West End D.O (Rathbone Place) W1-WC DO
ELMC Victoria Docks DO
Eltham DO
FinsburyPark DO
Forest Gate DO
Forest Hill DO
Fulham DO
Golders Green DO
Greenwich DO
Hackney DO
Hammersmith DO
Hanwell DO
Hendon DO
Herne Hill DO
Highbury DO
Highgate N6 DO
Holloway DO
Homerton DO
Kennington & Walworth DO
Kensington DO
Kentish Town DO
Lee DO
Lewisham DO
Leyton DO
Leytonstone DO
Lower Edmonton DO
Maida Vale DO
Manor Park DO
Mill Hill DO
Mortlake DO
New Cross DO
New Southgate DO
North Finchley DO
North Kensington DO
Norwood DO
Tottenham DO
Tooting DO
Notting Hill DO
Paddington DO
Palmers Green DO
Peckham DO
Plaistow DO
Putney DO
Upper Edmonton DO
Upper Holloway DO
Walthamstow DO
Wandsworth DO
West Brompton Earls Court DO
West Ealing DO
West Kensington DO
West Norwood DO
Whetstone DO
Wood Green DO
Chelsea SW3 DO
Balham DO
Brixton DO
Clapham DO
Putney DO
South Lambeth DO
Tooting DO
Tuesday, 13 October 2009
Don't write them off!
Today the National Autistic Society has launched it's !Don't Write Me Off" report. This calls on the Government to make the the employment services and benefitss ystem fair for adults with autism, so that it takes into account their needs. The report found that among autistic people:
- one third are currently without work or benefits
- over half have spent some time without work or benefits, some for as long as 10 years
- just 15% have a full-time job
- 79% of those on Incapacity Benefit want to work
Mark Lever, Chief Executive of The NAS, says, “We believe that people with autism deserve to live fulfilled lives. We believe that people with autism deserve the support to reach their full potential. We also believe that there are simple solutions that the Government can put in place to make this happen. Without these changes, we would be writing off people with autism, and that’s just not acceptable. We’re calling on the Government to take action, and we’re asking you to support our campaign.”
For more details and to join in the campaign log on to http://www.dontwritemeoff.org.uk/en-GB/News/2009/DWMOReportLaunch.aspx
- one third are currently without work or benefits
- over half have spent some time without work or benefits, some for as long as 10 years
- just 15% have a full-time job
- 79% of those on Incapacity Benefit want to work
Mark Lever, Chief Executive of The NAS, says, “We believe that people with autism deserve to live fulfilled lives. We believe that people with autism deserve the support to reach their full potential. We also believe that there are simple solutions that the Government can put in place to make this happen. Without these changes, we would be writing off people with autism, and that’s just not acceptable. We’re calling on the Government to take action, and we’re asking you to support our campaign.”
For more details and to join in the campaign log on to http://www.dontwritemeoff.org.uk/en-GB/News/2009/DWMOReportLaunch.aspx
Monday, 12 October 2009
On strike today
Today, Monday 12th October, friends and colleagues in these offices are on strike.
Avonmouth PDO
Axbridge SPDO
Brentwood delivery office, Essex
Bristol North, South, East, and South East delivery offices
City PDO
Clevedon PDO
Clifton PDO
Fishponds PDO
Keynsham
Kingswood PDO
Portishead
Nailsea PDO
Westbury on Trym PDO
Woolavington SPDO
Yatton PDO
Yate
SW London Offices:
Earls Court DO
Fulham DO
South Kensington DO
Stockwell DO
West Brompton Earls Court DO
Battersea DO
Barnes DO
Mortlake DO
Streatham DO
Wandsworth DO
West Wimbledon DO
Wimbledon DO
Please send messages of support.
Avonmouth PDO
Axbridge SPDO
Brentwood delivery office, Essex
Bristol North, South, East, and South East delivery offices
City PDO
Clevedon PDO
Clifton PDO
Fishponds PDO
Keynsham
Kingswood PDO
Portishead
Nailsea PDO
Westbury on Trym PDO
Woolavington SPDO
Yatton PDO
Yate
SW London Offices:
Earls Court DO
Fulham DO
South Kensington DO
Stockwell DO
West Brompton Earls Court DO
Battersea DO
Barnes DO
Mortlake DO
Streatham DO
Wandsworth DO
West Wimbledon DO
Wimbledon DO
Please send messages of support.
The GUDE CAUSE march in Edinburgh
On Saturday 10th October 2009 it marked the 100th anniversary of the Women's Suffrage Procession in Edinburgh. Hundreds of women dressed in Green, White, and Violet the colours of the suffragette movement, took part in the procession with colourful displays, music, floats and banners, marching for women's right to vote. Thousands more turned out to cheer them on.
The CWU was well represented by the WAC and the Chairs and Secrtaries of the Regional Women's committees. It was a very special day and well done to Willie Marshal and Garry Clarke who carried the Scotland No 2 Banner for the 2 miles.
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The CWU was well represented by the WAC and the Chairs and Secrtaries of the Regional Women's committees. It was a very special day and well done to Willie Marshal and Garry Clarke who carried the Scotland No 2 Banner for the 2 miles.
Friday, 9 October 2009
Congratulations to Piers and Martin
On Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th October I led the CWU delegation to the STUC Black Workers Conference where we succeeded in getting Piers Doughty Brown elected the STUC Black Workers Committee. Congratulations to Piers and also to Martin Keenan who is currently President of the STUC.
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Myself, AJ, Piers and Elspeth
(Sorry about the quality)
Martin Keenan
Elspeth Betthany retires
Myself, Elspeth and Tony Sneddon, Chair of the DSNAC.
Read Billy's article
If you've read coverage of the Royal Mail dispute in today's papers you would be forgiven for thinking that the CWU is solely to blame. There is little criticism of the Government or of the bullying, harassing and intransigent managers at all levels of Royal Mail. GS Billy Hayes has responded in an excellent article in article in the Guardian which should be read at http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/oct/08/cwu-postal-workers-strike-royal-mail
UAF protest against Nick Griffin
The BBC has invited Nick Griffin, leader of the fascist BNP and a man with a criminal conviction for denying Hitler’s Holocaust, onto its flagship Question Time programme on Thursday 22 October in London. Unite Against Fascism will be protesting at the BBC Headquarters, Wood Lane, London W12 7RJ. ( White City or Wood Lane tube )
Picket from 9am. Main demonstration from 5pm, Thursday 22 October
You can also protest by contacting BBC Complaints via 03700 100 222 , or click here www.tinyurl.com/bbccomplaints
Help UAF to raise the funds needed to stop the fascist BNP today. Click here to download a join form www.uaf.org.uk/resources/0903membership_form.pdf
Picket from 9am. Main demonstration from 5pm, Thursday 22 October
You can also protest by contacting BBC Complaints via 03700 100 222 , or click here www.tinyurl.com/bbccomplaints
Help UAF to raise the funds needed to stop the fascist BNP today. Click here to download a join form www.uaf.org.uk/resources/0903membership_form.pdf
On strike today
Today, Friday 9th October, friends and colleagues throughout the regions are on strike. Please send messages of support to the following offices:
Bristol mail centre processing
Burslem delivery office
Kilmarnock
London mail centres:
East London
London Airport Mail Unit
Mount Pleasant
South London mail centre
Network (logistics and van) drivers in:
Carlisle
Coventry
Chelmsford - Essex DC
Hatfield, Northern Home Counties DC
Leeds, YDC
Nottingham - East Midlands VOC
Swindon VOC
Warrington - North West Regional Distribution Centre
London:
East London
Greenford
Nine Elms, Vauxhall
Princess Royal Distribution Centre, North London
Bristol mail centre processing
Burslem delivery office
Kilmarnock
London mail centres:
East London
London Airport Mail Unit
Mount Pleasant
South London mail centre
Network (logistics and van) drivers in:
Carlisle
Coventry
Chelmsford - Essex DC
Hatfield, Northern Home Counties DC
Leeds, YDC
Nottingham - East Midlands VOC
Swindon VOC
Warrington - North West Regional Distribution Centre
London:
East London
Greenford
Nine Elms, Vauxhall
Princess Royal Distribution Centre, North London
Thursday, 8 October 2009
Massive vote for industrial action
CWU memebrs in Royal Mail have overwhelmingly voted in favour of industrial action. The CWU website reports:
The Communication Workers Union today (Thursday) can report a yes vote in the national ballot for strike action in Royal Mail. Postal workers voted by 76 per cent in favour in favour of strike action.
Dave Ward, CWU deputy general secretary, said: "This is a huge vote of no confidence in Royal Mail management. The company has tried to make out that problems only exist in some local offices, but postal workers across the UK have now spoken and they say no to Royal Mail's arrogance.
"Royal Mail has never really been engaged in modernisation. They've been running down the business, running down services and cutting costs and it's that business plan that postal workers have overwhelmingly rejected today. "There's still an opportunity to reach an agreement before any national strike action takes place. "We need a national agreement which secures a fair deal on modernisation and reward for the efforts of postal workers in transforming the business. We want reassurances on job security, covering both redundancies and full-time part-time ratios.
"Crucial to an agreement is fair workloads with agreed standards of measurement. Constantly disciplining postal workers will not improve efficiencies but will drive an ever bigger wedge between workers and what they are told is modernisation.
"We've seen cuts and increased workloads and now we need an agreed roll-out of real modernisation. Aligning the interests of customers, employees and the company as a whole is a pre-requisite for the successful modernisation of Royal Mail. "The Government must act now to resolve the pensions deficit which is crippling the Royal Mail's finances and chances to modernise effectively."
The Communication Workers Union today (Thursday) can report a yes vote in the national ballot for strike action in Royal Mail. Postal workers voted by 76 per cent in favour in favour of strike action.
Dave Ward, CWU deputy general secretary, said: "This is a huge vote of no confidence in Royal Mail management. The company has tried to make out that problems only exist in some local offices, but postal workers across the UK have now spoken and they say no to Royal Mail's arrogance.
"Royal Mail has never really been engaged in modernisation. They've been running down the business, running down services and cutting costs and it's that business plan that postal workers have overwhelmingly rejected today. "There's still an opportunity to reach an agreement before any national strike action takes place. "We need a national agreement which secures a fair deal on modernisation and reward for the efforts of postal workers in transforming the business. We want reassurances on job security, covering both redundancies and full-time part-time ratios.
"Crucial to an agreement is fair workloads with agreed standards of measurement. Constantly disciplining postal workers will not improve efficiencies but will drive an ever bigger wedge between workers and what they are told is modernisation.
"We've seen cuts and increased workloads and now we need an agreed roll-out of real modernisation. Aligning the interests of customers, employees and the company as a whole is a pre-requisite for the successful modernisation of Royal Mail. "The Government must act now to resolve the pensions deficit which is crippling the Royal Mail's finances and chances to modernise effectively."
Bristol strike today
Bristol mail centre collection and distribution drivers are withdrawing their labour today. Please send messages of support.
Wednesday, 7 October 2009
Peterborough delivery offfice on strike today
On the day before the result of the national ballot is announced friends and colleagues in Peterborough delivery office are on stirke from 22:00. Please send messages of support.
Monday, 5 October 2009
Use your vote NOW!
The national ballot for industrial action in Royal Mail closes this Thurday. Please use your vote and return your ballot pape as a matter of urgency. If you have not received a ballot paper and think you are entitled to one contact CWU headquarters immediately.
Saturday, 3 October 2009
Demonstrations against English Defence League
Manchester UAF http://manchesteruaf.org/?p=55 has called a demonstration against the English Defence League at 12 noon in Piccadilly Gardens. It is supported by the Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester and the Muslim-Jewish Forum of Greater Manchester. Email mancuaf@gmail.com for more details.
Forthcoming EDL demonstrations include:
17 October: Swansea
24 October: Newport
31 October: Leeds
7 November: Nottingham
14 November: Glasgow
Forthcoming EDL demonstrations include:
17 October: Swansea
24 October: Newport
31 October: Leeds
7 November: Nottingham
14 November: Glasgow
Friday, 2 October 2009
Use your vote!
The deadline for the return of ballot papers for members in Royal Mail is next Thursday October 8.
PLEASE USE YOUR VOTE!
If you have not received a ballot paper and you think you are entitled to one contact headquareters immediately.
PLEASE USE YOUR VOTE!
If you have not received a ballot paper and you think you are entitled to one contact headquareters immediately.
Sikh police officer wins discrimination case
An employment tribunal has ruled that Gurmeal Singh, 31, will receive compensation from Greater Manchester Police after being subjected to indirect discrimination and harassment.
Two of Mr Singh's grievances were upheld. One centred on him being told to remove his turban during training. The Tribunal ruled that this was a violation of his dignity particularly as he had already informed his superiors that he would not remove the turban on religious grounds.
Read more at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/8285952.stm
Two of Mr Singh's grievances were upheld. One centred on him being told to remove his turban during training. The Tribunal ruled that this was a violation of his dignity particularly as he had already informed his superiors that he would not remove the turban on religious grounds.
Read more at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/8285952.stm
Strikes in Bristol
Today friends and colleagues in these offices in the Bristol area are on strike:
Avonmouth
Axbridge
BristolNorth, South, South East, City and East
Bridgewater
Clevedon
Clifton
Fishponds
Keynsham
Kingswood
Nailsea
Portishead
Westbury on Trym
Woolavington
Yate
Yatton
Please send messages of support.
Avonmouth
Axbridge
BristolNorth, South, South East, City and East
Bridgewater
Clevedon
Clifton
Fishponds
Keynsham
Kingswood
Nailsea
Portishead
Westbury on Trym
Woolavington
Yate
Yatton
Please send messages of support.
Thursday, 1 October 2009
Assault on union rights in New Zealand
The New Zealand Dairy Workers Union is engaged in a tough battle with a ruthless employer assaulting fundamental workplace rights, and needs your support.
The dispute is at the Waharoa plant of Open Country Cheese, one of the company's three cheese and milk ingredients plants. Open Country is New Zealand's second largest dairy producer. It was set up in the wake of the government's 2001 industry restructuring which abolished the single-seller status of the Dairy Board, allowing independent dairy companies to produce and export. Open Country has used deregulation to pursue a "low road" model for the industry. At Waharoa, workers recently joined the union in response to management proposals for degrading already precarious working conditions characterized by long and unsocial hours and the abusive use of "temporary" workers - often for years on end.
Find out more and send messages of support at http://www.iuf.org/cgi-bin/dbman/db.cgi?db=default&uid=default&ID=6209&view_records=1&ww=1&en=1
The dispute is at the Waharoa plant of Open Country Cheese, one of the company's three cheese and milk ingredients plants. Open Country is New Zealand's second largest dairy producer. It was set up in the wake of the government's 2001 industry restructuring which abolished the single-seller status of the Dairy Board, allowing independent dairy companies to produce and export. Open Country has used deregulation to pursue a "low road" model for the industry. At Waharoa, workers recently joined the union in response to management proposals for degrading already precarious working conditions characterized by long and unsocial hours and the abusive use of "temporary" workers - often for years on end.
Find out more and send messages of support at http://www.iuf.org/cgi-bin/dbman/db.cgi?db=default&uid=default&ID=6209&view_records=1&ww=1&en=1
Wednesday, 30 September 2009
EAT ruling on unlawful discrimination on grounds of disability
The following came from Des Carney via Ted Stead.
Eagle Place Services Ltd (1) Staples (2) Dray (3) v Rudd - dismissal due to implications of reasonable adjustments was unlawful discrimination
EAT - 25/09/2009
The EAT established the limits to what is required of a comparator in a disability discrimination case: it then held that, once reasonable adjustments are in place, it will be discriminatory to subsequently dismiss a disabled employee because of the perceived financial implications of such adjustments: the dismissal cannot be justified by arguing that any employee giving rise to the same implications would be dismissed.
Mr Rudd, a solicitor employed by Eagle (a service company of Nabarro) was a disabled person within the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 due to an eye condition. However a range of reasonable adjustments were put in place, and these ensured that he worked quite successfully for a single major client, UKCoal Plc. After further complications with his condition, further adjustments were made. However, the Head of HR, (Ms Staples), investigated Mr Rudd's history and found alleged comments and threats of litigation he had supposedly made, attempts by him to manipulate the situation, and a general pattern of non-cooperation over
the years. She dismissed him - allegedly off her own bat - giving as the reason the fundamental breakdown in trust between Mr Rudd and the firm.
An employment tribunal held that the dismissal was unfair. It did not accept the reasons for the dismissal given by Ms Staples, but held that the real reason for dismissal was a concern that the firm would get
nsufficient return from Mr Rudd in terms of chargeable hours. The dismissal was an act of direct disability discrimination - the tribunal created a comparator whose circumstances were the same (same grade, skills, good relationship with client and need to work from home some of the time) but was not disabled, and concluded that such a comparator would not have been dismissed.
Eagle appealed to the EAT, primarily arguing that the correct comparator should have been a person who would also inhibit or damage the firm's commercial objectives, but not by reason of disability. It lost.
HHJ Serota held that, having rejected Eagle's explanation for what might be unreasonable behaviour, the tribunal was entitled to infer that the dismissal was because Eagle believed (however wrongly or unreasonably) that Mr Rudd's disability made him an "inconvenient liability which would inhibit or damage the firm's commercial objectives".
Turning to the question of comparators, he noted that, as a result of LB Lewisham v Malcolm, the comparator in cases of both "direct" and "disability related" discrimination is likely to be the same. If the evidence clearly discloses direct discrimination, the identity of a comparator is likely to be of little value as, by definition, the claimant will have been treated less favourably, but in any event the hypothetical comparator
must be created in accordance with the decision in LB Lewisham v Malcolm:
"...the comparator in this case will be a fellow lawyer of the same grade and skills as [Mr Rudd] who shared a similarly good relationship with the client, who for reasons other than disability required adjustments to be made to enable him to work and in respect of whom reasonable adjustments had been agreed to the satisfaction of both employer and employee, and in respect of whom commercial performance, even having regard to the proposed adjustments, was not an issue. Such a hypothetical employee would not have been dismissed by reason that he was considered to be an inconvenient liability which would inhibit or damage the firm's commercial objectives and that he would not provide as efficient return as against the "inconvenience" that a continuation of the reasonable adjustments was perceived to create."
It followed that:
* Eagle could not argue that it did not discriminate because it would have dismissed this comparator - to do so would be irrational and it would be unreasonable to accept that it would have so acted.
* the comparator did not have to be someone who would also damage the firms financial objectives, because (1) an unreasonable and incorrect belief that this was the case cannot amount to part of the "relevant circumstances" and
(2) the time at which consideration of the expense and inconvenience of adjustments takes place is when they are made: an employer "cannot, once those adjustments have been considered to be reasonable, then assert because of their perceived financial implications he is entitled to dismiss the employee because he would
dismiss any employee who was not disabled whose adjustments gave rise to the same financial implications. Such an argument, if correct, would give the employer a "second bite of the cherry" so as to speak and drive
a coach and horses through the protection given to disabled employees by the requirement in the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 that an employer must make reasonable adjustments to accommodate disabled
employees. An employer could always disregard the need to make reasonable adjustments with impunity by dismissing the employee and asserting that he would have dismissed a non disabled employee requiring
the same adjustments, on financial grounds, notwithstanding that the adjustments had been adjudged to be "reasonable"."
Eagle Place Services Ltd (1) Staples (2) Dray (3) v Rudd - dismissal due to implications of reasonable adjustments was unlawful discrimination
EAT - 25/09/2009
The EAT established the limits to what is required of a comparator in a disability discrimination case: it then held that, once reasonable adjustments are in place, it will be discriminatory to subsequently dismiss a disabled employee because of the perceived financial implications of such adjustments: the dismissal cannot be justified by arguing that any employee giving rise to the same implications would be dismissed.
Mr Rudd, a solicitor employed by Eagle (a service company of Nabarro) was a disabled person within the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 due to an eye condition. However a range of reasonable adjustments were put in place, and these ensured that he worked quite successfully for a single major client, UKCoal Plc. After further complications with his condition, further adjustments were made. However, the Head of HR, (Ms Staples), investigated Mr Rudd's history and found alleged comments and threats of litigation he had supposedly made, attempts by him to manipulate the situation, and a general pattern of non-cooperation over
the years. She dismissed him - allegedly off her own bat - giving as the reason the fundamental breakdown in trust between Mr Rudd and the firm.
An employment tribunal held that the dismissal was unfair. It did not accept the reasons for the dismissal given by Ms Staples, but held that the real reason for dismissal was a concern that the firm would get
nsufficient return from Mr Rudd in terms of chargeable hours. The dismissal was an act of direct disability discrimination - the tribunal created a comparator whose circumstances were the same (same grade, skills, good relationship with client and need to work from home some of the time) but was not disabled, and concluded that such a comparator would not have been dismissed.
Eagle appealed to the EAT, primarily arguing that the correct comparator should have been a person who would also inhibit or damage the firm's commercial objectives, but not by reason of disability. It lost.
HHJ Serota held that, having rejected Eagle's explanation for what might be unreasonable behaviour, the tribunal was entitled to infer that the dismissal was because Eagle believed (however wrongly or unreasonably) that Mr Rudd's disability made him an "inconvenient liability which would inhibit or damage the firm's commercial objectives".
Turning to the question of comparators, he noted that, as a result of LB Lewisham v Malcolm, the comparator in cases of both "direct" and "disability related" discrimination is likely to be the same. If the evidence clearly discloses direct discrimination, the identity of a comparator is likely to be of little value as, by definition, the claimant will have been treated less favourably, but in any event the hypothetical comparator
must be created in accordance with the decision in LB Lewisham v Malcolm:
"...the comparator in this case will be a fellow lawyer of the same grade and skills as [Mr Rudd] who shared a similarly good relationship with the client, who for reasons other than disability required adjustments to be made to enable him to work and in respect of whom reasonable adjustments had been agreed to the satisfaction of both employer and employee, and in respect of whom commercial performance, even having regard to the proposed adjustments, was not an issue. Such a hypothetical employee would not have been dismissed by reason that he was considered to be an inconvenient liability which would inhibit or damage the firm's commercial objectives and that he would not provide as efficient return as against the "inconvenience" that a continuation of the reasonable adjustments was perceived to create."
It followed that:
* Eagle could not argue that it did not discriminate because it would have dismissed this comparator - to do so would be irrational and it would be unreasonable to accept that it would have so acted.
* the comparator did not have to be someone who would also damage the firms financial objectives, because (1) an unreasonable and incorrect belief that this was the case cannot amount to part of the "relevant circumstances" and
(2) the time at which consideration of the expense and inconvenience of adjustments takes place is when they are made: an employer "cannot, once those adjustments have been considered to be reasonable, then assert because of their perceived financial implications he is entitled to dismiss the employee because he would
dismiss any employee who was not disabled whose adjustments gave rise to the same financial implications. Such an argument, if correct, would give the employer a "second bite of the cherry" so as to speak and drive
a coach and horses through the protection given to disabled employees by the requirement in the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 that an employer must make reasonable adjustments to accommodate disabled
employees. An employer could always disregard the need to make reasonable adjustments with impunity by dismissing the employee and asserting that he would have dismissed a non disabled employee requiring
the same adjustments, on financial grounds, notwithstanding that the adjustments had been adjudged to be "reasonable"."
Striking today
Friends and colleagues in these offices are on strike today:
VictoriaSW1 DO
Chelsea SW3 DO
Please send messages of support.
VictoriaSW1 DO
Chelsea SW3 DO
Please send messages of support.
Tuesday, 29 September 2009
London posties say suspend Labour donations
Following a consultative ballot by their division postal workers in London have overwhelmingly voted to suspend CWU funding to the Labour party.Although this is not binding on the Union it certainly denonstrates the growng sense of anger and frustration at the govenrment. Full story at: http://www.socialistworker.co.uk/art.php?id=19163.
Do you think the CWU should supend funding to the Labour party? Cast your vote now!
Do you think the CWU should supend funding to the Labour party? Cast your vote now!
Disability Living Allowance not under threat
I am gratefull to Ted Stead for forwarding this.
Dear Ted,
In what may represent a dramatic victory for campaigners, Care Services Minister Phil Hope yesterday told a reporter at the Labour Party conference that DLA is not under threat by the care green paper.
According to the Disability Now website, Phil Hope, when asked if he would abolish DLA after the election, replied:
“No. All the models that we have done have not included DLA. But if people were to make a case to integrate DLA into a comprehensive system, then I'm very happy to hear that case and have those arguments.
"DLA is not under threat and people can be very happy".
For more details and our reaction, visit: www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/news/latest-news/1110-dla-is-not-under-threat----be-very-happy-says-government-minister
We know that some people will claim that the minister’s comments are evidence that campaigning to save DLA was unnecessary. It’s a claim, however, that can only be be made by ignoring such as the following.
1 Earlier this month the DWP press office said in relation to whether DLA would be scrapped: “It depends on what people say in the consultation. We need to see what people say when they respond.”
2 The same minister who is now saying DLA is not under threat wrote to MEP Liz Lynne just a fortnight ago stating that: “. . . this is a consultation exercise and no final decisions have been made about which disability benefits might be involved, or how they would be affected.”
3 The same minister also refused to rule out the possibility of DLA being axed in an interview earlier this month with Disability Now.
4 Last month CPAG claimed that it had received assurances from ‘senior sources’ at the DWP that DLA was not under threat. Just four days later CPAG revealed that it had “subsequently been contacted by the DWP who have said that no decisions have been taken as to the future of DLA whilst the consultation is ongoing.” CPAG then went off to lobby the Department of Health on the issue.
5 For almost two months national charities such as the MS Society have tried, but failed, to get clarification from the government as to whether DLA would be affected by the care green paper.
6 Just last week, David Behan, the Director General of Social Care at the Department of Health, published a blog post on the Big Care Debate website clearly trying to reduce the flood of hostile responses. He could have easily done so by saying outright that DLA would not be affected by the green paper – he didn’t.
The reality is that, if the government have now stepped back from an attack on DLA before the care consultation has even ended, it is because of the literally thousands of angry responses on the Big Care Debate website, the thousands of signatures on petitions, the torrent of angry letters to MPs, the motions before the Scottish and Welsh assemblies and the growing pressure from disability charities who were themselves under enormous pressure from outraged claimants.
It’s because the focus on the single issue of benefits is fast becoming a public relations disaster for a green paper signed by no fewer than six secretaries of state.
Above all, if there’s been a change of heart, it’s because you have fought so effectively to protect the benefits of disabled people.
Here at Benefits and Work we don’t know if the fight is yet over for DLA, but we do know for certain it’s only just begun for AA.
Good luck,
Steve Donnison
Dear Ted,
In what may represent a dramatic victory for campaigners, Care Services Minister Phil Hope yesterday told a reporter at the Labour Party conference that DLA is not under threat by the care green paper.
According to the Disability Now website, Phil Hope, when asked if he would abolish DLA after the election, replied:
“No. All the models that we have done have not included DLA. But if people were to make a case to integrate DLA into a comprehensive system, then I'm very happy to hear that case and have those arguments.
"DLA is not under threat and people can be very happy".
For more details and our reaction, visit: www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/news/latest-news/1110-dla-is-not-under-threat----be-very-happy-says-government-minister
We know that some people will claim that the minister’s comments are evidence that campaigning to save DLA was unnecessary. It’s a claim, however, that can only be be made by ignoring such as the following.
1 Earlier this month the DWP press office said in relation to whether DLA would be scrapped: “It depends on what people say in the consultation. We need to see what people say when they respond.”
2 The same minister who is now saying DLA is not under threat wrote to MEP Liz Lynne just a fortnight ago stating that: “. . . this is a consultation exercise and no final decisions have been made about which disability benefits might be involved, or how they would be affected.”
3 The same minister also refused to rule out the possibility of DLA being axed in an interview earlier this month with Disability Now.
4 Last month CPAG claimed that it had received assurances from ‘senior sources’ at the DWP that DLA was not under threat. Just four days later CPAG revealed that it had “subsequently been contacted by the DWP who have said that no decisions have been taken as to the future of DLA whilst the consultation is ongoing.” CPAG then went off to lobby the Department of Health on the issue.
5 For almost two months national charities such as the MS Society have tried, but failed, to get clarification from the government as to whether DLA would be affected by the care green paper.
6 Just last week, David Behan, the Director General of Social Care at the Department of Health, published a blog post on the Big Care Debate website clearly trying to reduce the flood of hostile responses. He could have easily done so by saying outright that DLA would not be affected by the green paper – he didn’t.
The reality is that, if the government have now stepped back from an attack on DLA before the care consultation has even ended, it is because of the literally thousands of angry responses on the Big Care Debate website, the thousands of signatures on petitions, the torrent of angry letters to MPs, the motions before the Scottish and Welsh assemblies and the growing pressure from disability charities who were themselves under enormous pressure from outraged claimants.
It’s because the focus on the single issue of benefits is fast becoming a public relations disaster for a green paper signed by no fewer than six secretaries of state.
Above all, if there’s been a change of heart, it’s because you have fought so effectively to protect the benefits of disabled people.
Here at Benefits and Work we don’t know if the fight is yet over for DLA, but we do know for certain it’s only just begun for AA.
Good luck,
Steve Donnison
Brown announces plans for Post Office Bank
In his speech to conference today Gordon Brown announced plans for the Post Office to bring banking to the heart of communities. Full story at http://www.cwu.org/news/archive/brown-backs-post-bank.html
Delivering digital Britain - Broadband accessibility for all
At a fringe meeting at Labour's conference in Brighton yesterday GS Billy Hayes and DGS (Telecoms) Anddy Kerr participated in a debate about the future of broadband and it's accessibility. The CWU broadly welcomes the Government's proposals. A report on the fringe can be found at http://www.cwu.org/news/archive/labour-fringe-21st-century-access-delivering-digital-britain.html
Tuesday's strikes
Friends and colleagues trhoughout the UK are on strike today. Please send messages of support to these offices:
Bognor Regis
Boston DO
Bristol mail centre (from 11.55)
Cambridge
Ely DO
Haddenham
Isleham
Middlesbrough DO
Newport Isle of Wight
Portsmouth
Skegness DO
Soham SPDO
Kent
Sheerness
Medway Valley
Faversham
Chatham
Maidstone
Scotland
Ayr
Irvine
Johnstone
Kilmarnock
Kilwinning
Network (logistics and van) drivers in:
Birmingham
Bridgend
Bristol, South West Regional Distribution Centre
Carlisle
Nottingham
Chelmsford
Hatfield, Northern Home Counties
Leeds, North East Regional Distribution Centre
Northampton, National Distribution Centre
Peterborough
Swindon
Warrington, North West Regional Distribution Centre
East London Distribution
East London
Nine Elms, Vauxhall
Greenford
Princess Royal Distribution Centre, North London
London
East London DO (E1)
Hampstead DO
Hornsey DO
Islington DO
Kilburn DO
Muswell Hill DO
NW1 DO
Poplar Docklands DO
Southwark DO
Stratford DO
Willesden HUB Distribution/Deliveries
Woolwich DO
Abbey Wood & Thamesmead DO
Acton DO
Acton Outer Hub
Anerley DO
Balham DO
Barnes DO
Battersea HUB Collections/ DO
Bethnal Green DO
Blackheath DO
Bow DO
Brixton DO
Brockley DO
Camberwell DO
Catford DO
Charlton DO
Chelsea DO
Chingford DO
Chiswick DO
Church End DO
Clapham DO
Clapton DO
Cricklewood DO
Cricklewood NW2 HUB Distribution
Deptford DO
Dulwich DO
E1 Collection HUB Distribution
E10 Collection HUB
E14 Collection HUB
E15 Collection HUB
Ealing DO
Earls Court DO
East Dulwich DO
East Finchley DO
East Ham DO
East London Distribution
East London MC Distribution
East London MC Processing
East London VOC Transport Network
Putney DO
Rotherhithe DO
SE1 Collection HUB
SE No5 Collection HUB
Shepherds Bush DO
SLMC & SW1 DO
South Kensington DO
South Lambeth DO
South London Mail Centre
South Norwood DO
South Tottenham DO
South Woodford DO
Southgate DO
St John's Wood DO
Stockwell DO
Stoke Newington DO
Streatham DO
SW11 Hub (Collections PM)
SW19 Hub (Collections PM)
Sydenham DO
The Hyde HUB Collections/DO
W.E.D.O (Rathbone)
WC Deliveries
ELMC Victoria Docks DO
Eltham DO
Finsbury Park DO
Forest Gate DO
Forest Hill DO
Fulham DO
Golders Green DO
Greenford MC
Greenwich Collection HUB
Greenwich DO
Hackney DO
Hammersmith DO
Hanwell DO
Hendon
Herne Hill DO
Highbury DO
Highgate N6 DO
Holloway DO
Homerton DO
Kennington & Walworth
Kensington DO
Kensington Inner HUB
Kentish Town
LAMU
Lee DO
Lewisham DO
Leyton DO
Leytonstone DO
Lower Edmonton DO
Maida Vale DO
Manor Park DO
Mill Hill DO
Mortlake DO
Mount Pleasant Deliveries/Processing/ Distribution
N1 Distribution & HUB
New Cross DO
New Southgate DO
Nine Elms CCS Garage VOC Network
North Finchley DO
North Finchley HUB
North Kensington DO
Norwood DO
The Hyde HUB Distribution
Tottenham DO
Tottenham N17 HUB Distribution
Tooting DO
Notting Hill DO
NW1 Collection HUB & Distribution
Paddington DO
Palmers Green DO
Peckham DO
Plaistow DO
PRDC Network
PRDC VOC
Putney DO
Tottenham N17 HUB Distribution
Upper Edmonton DO
Upper Holloway DO
Walthamstow DO
Wandsworth DO
West Brompton Earls Court DO
West Ealing DO
West Kensington DO
West Norwood DO
West Wimbledon DO
Whetstone DO
Willesden NW10 HUB Distribution
Wimbledon HUB Collections/ DO Winchmore Hill DO
Winchmore Hill N21 HUB Distribution
Wood Green DO
W1 Deliveries
WC/W1/W2 HUB
Bognor Regis
Boston DO
Bristol mail centre (from 11.55)
Cambridge
Ely DO
Haddenham
Isleham
Middlesbrough DO
Newport Isle of Wight
Portsmouth
Skegness DO
Soham SPDO
Kent
Sheerness
Medway Valley
Faversham
Chatham
Maidstone
Scotland
Ayr
Irvine
Johnstone
Kilmarnock
Kilwinning
Network (logistics and van) drivers in:
Birmingham
Bridgend
Bristol, South West Regional Distribution Centre
Carlisle
Nottingham
Chelmsford
Hatfield, Northern Home Counties
Leeds, North East Regional Distribution Centre
Northampton, National Distribution Centre
Peterborough
Swindon
Warrington, North West Regional Distribution Centre
East London Distribution
East London
Nine Elms, Vauxhall
Greenford
Princess Royal Distribution Centre, North London
London
East London DO (E1)
Hampstead DO
Hornsey DO
Islington DO
Kilburn DO
Muswell Hill DO
NW1 DO
Poplar Docklands DO
Southwark DO
Stratford DO
Willesden HUB Distribution/Deliveries
Woolwich DO
Abbey Wood & Thamesmead DO
Acton DO
Acton Outer Hub
Anerley DO
Balham DO
Barnes DO
Battersea HUB Collections/ DO
Bethnal Green DO
Blackheath DO
Bow DO
Brixton DO
Brockley DO
Camberwell DO
Catford DO
Charlton DO
Chelsea DO
Chingford DO
Chiswick DO
Church End DO
Clapham DO
Clapton DO
Cricklewood DO
Cricklewood NW2 HUB Distribution
Deptford DO
Dulwich DO
E1 Collection HUB Distribution
E10 Collection HUB
E14 Collection HUB
E15 Collection HUB
Ealing DO
Earls Court DO
East Dulwich DO
East Finchley DO
East Ham DO
East London Distribution
East London MC Distribution
East London MC Processing
East London VOC Transport Network
Putney DO
Rotherhithe DO
SE1 Collection HUB
SE No5 Collection HUB
Shepherds Bush DO
SLMC & SW1 DO
South Kensington DO
South Lambeth DO
South London Mail Centre
South Norwood DO
South Tottenham DO
South Woodford DO
Southgate DO
St John's Wood DO
Stockwell DO
Stoke Newington DO
Streatham DO
SW11 Hub (Collections PM)
SW19 Hub (Collections PM)
Sydenham DO
The Hyde HUB Collections/DO
W.E.D.O (Rathbone)
WC Deliveries
ELMC Victoria Docks DO
Eltham DO
Finsbury Park DO
Forest Gate DO
Forest Hill DO
Fulham DO
Golders Green DO
Greenford MC
Greenwich Collection HUB
Greenwich DO
Hackney DO
Hammersmith DO
Hanwell DO
Hendon
Herne Hill DO
Highbury DO
Highgate N6 DO
Holloway DO
Homerton DO
Kennington & Walworth
Kensington DO
Kensington Inner HUB
Kentish Town
LAMU
Lee DO
Lewisham DO
Leyton DO
Leytonstone DO
Lower Edmonton DO
Maida Vale DO
Manor Park DO
Mill Hill DO
Mortlake DO
Mount Pleasant Deliveries/Processing/ Distribution
N1 Distribution & HUB
New Cross DO
New Southgate DO
Nine Elms CCS Garage VOC Network
North Finchley DO
North Finchley HUB
North Kensington DO
Norwood DO
The Hyde HUB Distribution
Tottenham DO
Tottenham N17 HUB Distribution
Tooting DO
Notting Hill DO
NW1 Collection HUB & Distribution
Paddington DO
Palmers Green DO
Peckham DO
Plaistow DO
PRDC Network
PRDC VOC
Putney DO
Tottenham N17 HUB Distribution
Upper Edmonton DO
Upper Holloway DO
Walthamstow DO
Wandsworth DO
West Brompton Earls Court DO
West Ealing DO
West Kensington DO
West Norwood DO
West Wimbledon DO
Whetstone DO
Willesden NW10 HUB Distribution
Wimbledon HUB Collections/ DO Winchmore Hill DO
Winchmore Hill N21 HUB Distribution
Wood Green DO
W1 Deliveries
WC/W1/W2 HUB
Monday, 28 September 2009
Monday's strikes
Today colleagues and friends in the following offices are withdrawing their labour.
Burslem DO (delivery office)
Coventry DO
Eastwood DO
Glasgow mail centre
Grantham DO
Leamington Spa DO
Looe DO
Nottingham East deliveries
Plymouth mail centre
Plymouth NW and West Park Dos
St Austell
London:
New Cross DO
Nights:
Victoria SW1
Wimbledon SW19
Woolwich SE18
Southwark DO SE1
Rathbone Place W1/WCDO
Please send messages of support.
Burslem DO (delivery office)
Coventry DO
Eastwood DO
Glasgow mail centre
Grantham DO
Leamington Spa DO
Looe DO
Nottingham East deliveries
Plymouth mail centre
Plymouth NW and West Park Dos
St Austell
London:
New Cross DO
Nights:
Victoria SW1
Wimbledon SW19
Woolwich SE18
Southwark DO SE1
Rathbone Place W1/WCDO
Please send messages of support.
Sunday, 27 September 2009
Challenge to compulsory retirement age fails
The High Court has upheld the default retirement age of 65
In R (on the application of Age UK) v Secretary of State for Business Innovation and Skills and ors, or the Heyday Challenge as it is more commonly known, the High Court has held that the UK’s default retirement age (DRA) of 65 is lawful. A challenge to the lawfulness of Reg 3 of the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006, which allows employees to objectively justify direct age discrimination, was also rejected.
The European Court of Justice (Brief 873) previously held that the DRA, contained in Reg 30 of the Age Regulations, fell within the scope of the EC Equal Treatment Framework Directive (No.2000/78). Thus, the DRA would be age discriminatory unless ‘justified by legitimate social policy objectives, such as those related to employment policy, the labour market or vocational training' achieved by appropriate and necessary means’.
The High Court was satisfied that the Government had proved to the requisite high standard that a DRA was a proportionate means of achieving legitimate social policy aims such as securing the integrity of the labour market and its short-term competiveness. The Court then considered whether setting the DRA at 65 was proportionate to the social policy objectives. There were powerful reasons why a DRA higher than 65 could have been adopted, such as creating a cultural change in relation to age discrimination and retirement, and ensuring that the DRA would keep pace with future rises in the state pension age.
The Court indicated that, if a DRA of 65 had been introduced in 2009, it would not have found it to be proportionate. However, the challenge to the Regulations had to be judged as at the date it was begun, in 2006. The Court had regard to the fact that, in the consultations on the Regulations, the preponderance of consultees supported 65 as the DRA, that no one was making a case for age 68 or so, and that age 70 commanded little popular support. On balance, the court concluded that setting the DRA at 65 was within the competence of the Government in implementing the Directive. Mr. Justice Blake went on to comment that he might have reached a different conclusion if the Government had not brought forward its review of the Regulations to 2010. He also noted that he ‘cannot presently see how 65 could remain as a DRA after the review’.
The full transcript can be read at http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Admin/2009/2336.html
In R (on the application of Age UK) v Secretary of State for Business Innovation and Skills and ors, or the Heyday Challenge as it is more commonly known, the High Court has held that the UK’s default retirement age (DRA) of 65 is lawful. A challenge to the lawfulness of Reg 3 of the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006, which allows employees to objectively justify direct age discrimination, was also rejected.
The European Court of Justice (Brief 873) previously held that the DRA, contained in Reg 30 of the Age Regulations, fell within the scope of the EC Equal Treatment Framework Directive (No.2000/78). Thus, the DRA would be age discriminatory unless ‘justified by legitimate social policy objectives, such as those related to employment policy, the labour market or vocational training' achieved by appropriate and necessary means’.
The High Court was satisfied that the Government had proved to the requisite high standard that a DRA was a proportionate means of achieving legitimate social policy aims such as securing the integrity of the labour market and its short-term competiveness. The Court then considered whether setting the DRA at 65 was proportionate to the social policy objectives. There were powerful reasons why a DRA higher than 65 could have been adopted, such as creating a cultural change in relation to age discrimination and retirement, and ensuring that the DRA would keep pace with future rises in the state pension age.
The Court indicated that, if a DRA of 65 had been introduced in 2009, it would not have found it to be proportionate. However, the challenge to the Regulations had to be judged as at the date it was begun, in 2006. The Court had regard to the fact that, in the consultations on the Regulations, the preponderance of consultees supported 65 as the DRA, that no one was making a case for age 68 or so, and that age 70 commanded little popular support. On balance, the court concluded that setting the DRA at 65 was within the competence of the Government in implementing the Directive. Mr. Justice Blake went on to comment that he might have reached a different conclusion if the Government had not brought forward its review of the Regulations to 2010. He also noted that he ‘cannot presently see how 65 could remain as a DRA after the review’.
The full transcript can be read at http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Admin/2009/2336.html
Thursday, 24 September 2009
Edinburgh on strike
Friends and colleagues in Edinburgh mail centre will be on strike today. Please send messages of support.
Wednesday, 23 September 2009
London Division Hardship Fund
The London Divisional Committee has set up a hardship fund for members affected seriously by 13 days of strikes. I urge all trade unionists and members of the public to send donations. Cheques should be made payable to “CWU London Divisional Committee” and sent to John Denton, CWU London Regional Secretary, 2nd floor, 33-41 Dallington Street, London EC1V 0BB.
If your region or branch has set up a similar fund please send me details.
If your region or branch has set up a similar fund please send me details.
Support striking postal workers
Please send messages of support to our friends and colleagues in the following offices who are on strike today:
East LondonDO (E1)
Hampstead DO
StratfordDO
Hornsey DO
Islington DO
Kilburn DO
Battersea DO
Muswell Hill DO
Camden DO
Poplar Docklands DO
Southwark DO
Willesden HUB Distribution/Deliveries
Woolwich DO
Abbey Wood & Thamesmead DO
Acton DO
Acton Outer Hub
Anerley DO
Balham DO
Barnes DO
Bethnal Green DO
Blackheath DO
Bow DO
Brixton DO
Brockley DO
Camberwell DO
Catford DO
Charlton DO
Chelsea DO
Chingford DO
Chiswick DO
Church End DO
Clapham DO
Clapton DO
Cricklewood DO
Cricklewood NW2 HUB Distribution
Deptford DO
Dulwich DO
E1 Collection HUB Distribution
E10 Collection HUB
E14 Collection HUB
E15 Collection HUB
Ealing DO
Earls Court DO
East Dulwich DO
East Finchley DO
East Ham DO
East London Distribution
East London MC Distribution
East London MC Processing
East London VOC Transport Network
Putney DO
Rotherhithe DO
SE1 Collection HUB
SE No5 Collection HUB
Shepherds Bush DO
SW 1DO Victoria
South Kensington DO
South Lambeth DO
South London Mail Centre
South Norwood DO
South Tottenham DO
South Woodford DO
Southgate DO
St John's Wood DO
Stockwell DO
Stoke Newington DO
Streatham DO
SW11 Hub (Collections PM)
SW19 Hub (Collections PM)
Sydenham DO
The Hyde HUB Collections/DO
WC Deliveries
ELMC Victoria Docks DO
Eltham DO
FinsburyPark DO
Forest Gate DO
Forest Hill DO
Fulham DO
Golders Green DO
Greenford MC
Greenwich Collection HUB
Greenwich DO
Hackney DO
Hammersmith DO
Hanwell DO
Hendon
Herne Hill DO
Highbury DO
Highgate N6 DO
Holloway DO
Homerton DO
Kennington & Walworth
Kensington DO
Kensington Inner HUB
Kentish Town
LAMU
Lee DO
Lewisham DO
Leyton DO
Leytonstone DO
Lower Edmonton DO
Maida Vale DO
Manor Park DO
Mill Hill DO
Mortlake DO
N1 Distribution & HUB
New Cross Gate DO
New Southgate DO
North Finchley DO
North Finchley HUB
North Kensington DO
Norwood DO
The Hyde HUB Distribution
Tooting DO
Tottenham DO
Tottenham N17 HUB Distribution
Tooting DO
Notting Hill DO
NW1 Collection HUB & Distribution
Paddington DO
Palmers Green DO
Peckham DO
Plaistow DO
PRDC Network
PRDC VOC
Tottenham N17 HUB Distribution
Upper Edmonton DO
Upper Holloway DO
Walthamstow DO
Wandsworth DO
West Brompton Earls Court DO
West Ealing DO
West Kensington DO
West Norwood DO
West Wimbledon DO
Whetstone DO
Willesden NW10 HUB Distribution
Winchmore Hill DO Wimbledon HUB Collections/ DO
Winchmore Hill N21 HUB Distribution
Wood Green DO
W1 Deliveries
WC/W1/W2 HUB
Wimbledon DO
You all have my support and admiration.
East LondonDO (E1)
Hampstead DO
StratfordDO
Hornsey DO
Islington DO
Kilburn DO
Battersea DO
Muswell Hill DO
Camden DO
Poplar Docklands DO
Southwark DO
Willesden HUB Distribution/Deliveries
Woolwich DO
Abbey Wood & Thamesmead DO
Acton DO
Acton Outer Hub
Anerley DO
Balham DO
Barnes DO
Bethnal Green DO
Blackheath DO
Bow DO
Brixton DO
Brockley DO
Camberwell DO
Catford DO
Charlton DO
Chelsea DO
Chingford DO
Chiswick DO
Church End DO
Clapham DO
Clapton DO
Cricklewood DO
Cricklewood NW2 HUB Distribution
Deptford DO
Dulwich DO
E1 Collection HUB Distribution
E10 Collection HUB
E14 Collection HUB
E15 Collection HUB
Ealing DO
Earls Court DO
East Dulwich DO
East Finchley DO
East Ham DO
East London Distribution
East London MC Distribution
East London MC Processing
East London VOC Transport Network
Putney DO
Rotherhithe DO
SE1 Collection HUB
SE No5 Collection HUB
Shepherds Bush DO
SW 1DO Victoria
South Kensington DO
South Lambeth DO
South London Mail Centre
South Norwood DO
South Tottenham DO
South Woodford DO
Southgate DO
St John's Wood DO
Stockwell DO
Stoke Newington DO
Streatham DO
SW11 Hub (Collections PM)
SW19 Hub (Collections PM)
Sydenham DO
The Hyde HUB Collections/DO
WC Deliveries
ELMC Victoria Docks DO
Eltham DO
FinsburyPark DO
Forest Gate DO
Forest Hill DO
Fulham DO
Golders Green DO
Greenford MC
Greenwich Collection HUB
Greenwich DO
Hackney DO
Hammersmith DO
Hanwell DO
Hendon
Herne Hill DO
Highbury DO
Highgate N6 DO
Holloway DO
Homerton DO
Kennington & Walworth
Kensington DO
Kensington Inner HUB
Kentish Town
LAMU
Lee DO
Lewisham DO
Leyton DO
Leytonstone DO
Lower Edmonton DO
Maida Vale DO
Manor Park DO
Mill Hill DO
Mortlake DO
N1 Distribution & HUB
New Cross Gate DO
New Southgate DO
North Finchley DO
North Finchley HUB
North Kensington DO
Norwood DO
The Hyde HUB Distribution
Tooting DO
Tottenham DO
Tottenham N17 HUB Distribution
Tooting DO
Notting Hill DO
NW1 Collection HUB & Distribution
Paddington DO
Palmers Green DO
Peckham DO
Plaistow DO
PRDC Network
PRDC VOC
Tottenham N17 HUB Distribution
Upper Edmonton DO
Upper Holloway DO
Walthamstow DO
Wandsworth DO
West Brompton Earls Court DO
West Ealing DO
West Kensington DO
West Norwood DO
West Wimbledon DO
Whetstone DO
Willesden NW10 HUB Distribution
Winchmore Hill DO Wimbledon HUB Collections/ DO
Winchmore Hill N21 HUB Distribution
Wood Green DO
W1 Deliveries
WC/W1/W2 HUB
Wimbledon DO
You all have my support and admiration.
Tuesday, 22 September 2009
On strike today
Colleagues in the following offices are on strike today:
Nine Elms mail centre
Battersea hub (drivers)
Wimbledon hub (drivers)
Night offices over Tuesday night into Wednesday morning at:
Cricklewood DO (delivery office)
East London DO
Hampstead DO
Kilburn DO
NW1 DO
Rathbone Place
SLMC SW1 DO
Wimbledon DO
Willesden DO
Stratford DO
Poplar/Docklands DO
Southwark DO
Woolwich DO
Please send messages of support!
Nine Elms mail centre
Battersea hub (drivers)
Wimbledon hub (drivers)
Night offices over Tuesday night into Wednesday morning at:
Cricklewood DO (delivery office)
East London DO
Hampstead DO
Kilburn DO
NW1 DO
Rathbone Place
SLMC SW1 DO
Wimbledon DO
Willesden DO
Stratford DO
Poplar/Docklands DO
Southwark DO
Woolwich DO
Please send messages of support!
Monday, 21 September 2009
Successful DEBUT launch
The toolkit should be online from tomorrow. please log on and tell me what you think. Thanks to Billy, Fevzi, Julie, Dionne,Charlotte Jenny from BIS, and all who took the time to attend.
Photo kindly supplied by allimages.net
LGBT conference
The forthcoming CWU LGBT Equality Conferenceis being held on Saturday 21st November 2009 at the Novotel Hotel in Bristol. Instructions for motions and delegate registrations will be sent out from the SOC. Those with an interest in equality issues should bring this to the attention of their Branch Secretaries in order that provision can be made to plan for motions etc. Please come along and have your say.
Use your vote!
As I reported in an earlier posting, ballot papers were despatched to members in Royal Mail last Thursday. This is your chance to have your say in your future. You can watch a video from DGS Postal Dave Ward explaining the Union's case at http://www.cwu.org/index.php/
PLEASE USE YOUR VOTE!
If you do not receive a ballot paper please contact CWU headquarters.
PLEASE USE YOUR VOTE!
If you do not receive a ballot paper please contact CWU headquarters.
Friday, 18 September 2009
Inequalities in health
The Care Quality Commission has published a report called "Closing theGap" which highlights inequalities in health in Engalnd and Wales. It states that, "There are still stark, persistent differences in life expectancy. In England and Wales, adults in the richest area can expect to live 23 years longer than adults in the poorest area when comparing electoral wards."
If you live in Moreton Hall, Bury St Edmonds the average life expectance is 93.4 years. In Middlehaven, Middlesborough it's 67.8 years. A shocking difference of almost 26 years. Read the full report at http://www.cqc.org.uk/newsandevents/newsstories.cfm?cit_id=35290&FAArea1=customWidgets.content_view_1&usecache=false
If you live in Moreton Hall, Bury St Edmonds the average life expectance is 93.4 years. In Middlehaven, Middlesborough it's 67.8 years. A shocking difference of almost 26 years. Read the full report at http://www.cqc.org.uk/newsandevents/newsstories.cfm?cit_id=35290&FAArea1=customWidgets.content_view_1&usecache=false
Read todays Guardian
There's a really good article by Lindsay Mackie in the Guardian today about postal workers. Give it a read at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/sep/17/royal-mail-postal-workers-strike
Don't forget DEBUT launch
I shall be launching our online DEBUT toolkit on Monday at CWU headquarters. All are invited to attend. Unfortunately due to her many commitments Harriet Harman is unable to join us.
On strike in Scotland today
Today Friday18th September colleagues in these offices will be withdrawing their labour:
Ayr delivery office (from 10pm Thursday night for 24 hours)
Irvine delivery office (from 10pm Thursday night for 24 hours)
Kilmarnock delivery office (from 10pm Thursday night for 24 hours)
Kilwinning delivery office (from 10pm Thursday night for 24 hours)
Please send messages of support to our friends in Scotland.
Ayr delivery office (from 10pm Thursday night for 24 hours)
Irvine delivery office (from 10pm Thursday night for 24 hours)
Kilmarnock delivery office (from 10pm Thursday night for 24 hours)
Kilwinning delivery office (from 10pm Thursday night for 24 hours)
Please send messages of support to our friends in Scotland.
Thursday, 17 September 2009
Ballot papers despatched
Ballot papers for a national strike will today be despatched to 121 thousand members in Royal Mail. DGS, Postal, Dave Ward says, "Modernisation is crucial to the future success of Royal Mail, but the implementation of change must be agreed and it must bring with it modern pay and conditions.
"Postal workers deserve to be rewarded for change. We want to see a new job security agreement which will help people through this time of change for the company. CWU is focused on defending jobs and public services. Modernisation should improve services not cut them."
Please use your vote. The ballot closes on October 8th.
"Postal workers deserve to be rewarded for change. We want to see a new job security agreement which will help people through this time of change for the company. CWU is focused on defending jobs and public services. Modernisation should improve services not cut them."
Please use your vote. The ballot closes on October 8th.
Wednesday, 16 September 2009
Support your colleagues
Today drivers in the following offices will be withdrawing their labour:
Birmingham network drivers, from 4am
Carlisle network drivers, from 4am
Coventry network drivers, from 4am
East London distribution centre network drivers, from 4am
East Midlands, Nottingham network drivers, from 4am
Greenford network drivers, from 4am
National distribution centre, Northampton network drivers, from 4am
Nine Elms, Vauxhall network drivers, from 4am
Northern Home Counties distribution centre, Hadfield network drivers, from 4am
North West regional distribution centre, Warrington network drivers, from 4am
Peterborough network drivers, from 4am
Princess Royal Distribution Centre, London network drivers, from 4am
Swindon network drivers, from 4am
Yorkshire distribution centre, Leeds, network drivers, from 4am
London Wide delivery offices from 3am
East London
Collection Hubs
SW London
SE London
NW London
North London
West London
Please send messages of support!
Birmingham network drivers, from 4am
Carlisle network drivers, from 4am
Coventry network drivers, from 4am
East London distribution centre network drivers, from 4am
East Midlands, Nottingham network drivers, from 4am
Greenford network drivers, from 4am
National distribution centre, Northampton network drivers, from 4am
Nine Elms, Vauxhall network drivers, from 4am
Northern Home Counties distribution centre, Hadfield network drivers, from 4am
North West regional distribution centre, Warrington network drivers, from 4am
Peterborough network drivers, from 4am
Princess Royal Distribution Centre, London network drivers, from 4am
Swindon network drivers, from 4am
Yorkshire distribution centre, Leeds, network drivers, from 4am
London Wide delivery offices from 3am
East London
Collection Hubs
SW London
SE London
NW London
North London
West London
Please send messages of support!
Tuesday, 15 September 2009
Good on you Lesley
Following his speech at TUC conference Gordon Brown answered questions from delegates. My friend and Postal Executive member Lesley Maclean asked Mr Brown what he was going to do to resolve the current deficit in Royal Mail's pension scheme. Sadly, while the PM offered some words about the challenges facing Royal Mail he failed to answer Lesley's question. Pity.
At last - Equal Rights for agency workers.
Speaking at the TUC conference in Liverpool today Gordon Brown said,
"And I believe that the fight for fairness must include agency workers, and so I pledge to you today that when parliament returns our new legislative programme will include equal treatment for agency workers and that in the coming few months the law will be on the statute book."
The CWU has been at the forefront of the trade union movement's campaign for equal rights for agency workers. We welcome this development and look forward to seeing the contents of the Bill.
"And I believe that the fight for fairness must include agency workers, and so I pledge to you today that when parliament returns our new legislative programme will include equal treatment for agency workers and that in the coming few months the law will be on the statute book."
The CWU has been at the forefront of the trade union movement's campaign for equal rights for agency workers. We welcome this development and look forward to seeing the contents of the Bill.
News from Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland Regional Secretary Lawrence Huston has sent me a disturbing article from yesterdays Belfast Telegraph part of which reads:
" Nearly three years on from a final political settlement in Northern Ireland, emergency evacuations of families under intimidation are on the rise. A summer of high tension has seen hundreds of attacks on both Catholic and Protestant individuals and premises, including churches, being reported to police.
There have been 65 emergency re-housing cases in the five months since April; the total for the whole of last year was 100. These include families subjected to petrol-bomb and stoning attacks on their homes.
A total of 1,500 sectarian attacks – an average of four a day – were recorded in the past year, almost exactly the same as in the previous 12 months."
Read full article at http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/the-enduring-scar-of-sectarianism-in-northern-ireland-14490633.html#ixzz0R750En8e
" Nearly three years on from a final political settlement in Northern Ireland, emergency evacuations of families under intimidation are on the rise. A summer of high tension has seen hundreds of attacks on both Catholic and Protestant individuals and premises, including churches, being reported to police.
There have been 65 emergency re-housing cases in the five months since April; the total for the whole of last year was 100. These include families subjected to petrol-bomb and stoning attacks on their homes.
A total of 1,500 sectarian attacks – an average of four a day – were recorded in the past year, almost exactly the same as in the previous 12 months."
Read full article at http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/the-enduring-scar-of-sectarianism-in-northern-ireland-14490633.html#ixzz0R750En8e
Middlesborough unofficial walk out
Socialist Worker reports today that colleagues in Middlesborough sorting office have walked out this morning in protest at Royal Mail drafting in 150 managers to clear a backlog of mail. A rep is quoted as saying, “They’ve been brought here to punish us for taking official strike action. They say they are here to make sure we don’t get any overtime work as a result of our earlier strikes.” Read article at http://www.socialistworker.co.uk/art.php?id=18993
Please send strike stories and photos to me at lroy@cwu.org
Please send strike stories and photos to me at lroy@cwu.org
On strike today
On Tuesday 15th September colleagues in these offices will be withdrawing their labour:
All below night offices take strike action from Tuesday 15th September (night shift). Times vary but earliest goes out from 18:30 on Tuesday. Earlies in these offices start action on 03:00 Wednesday 16th and finish 03:00 Thursday 17th September.
Cricklewood
Hampstead
Kilburn
NW1
Poplar Docklands
Rathbone Place
SLMC SW1 DO
Southwark
Stratford
Willesden
Wimbledon
Woolwich
Please support your colleagues.
All below night offices take strike action from Tuesday 15th September (night shift). Times vary but earliest goes out from 18:30 on Tuesday. Earlies in these offices start action on 03:00 Wednesday 16th and finish 03:00 Thursday 17th September.
Cricklewood
Hampstead
Kilburn
NW1
Poplar Docklands
Rathbone Place
SLMC SW1 DO
Southwark
Stratford
Willesden
Wimbledon
Woolwich
Please support your colleagues.
Extension to maternity pay delayed?
A report in the Guardian today suggest that Labour will postpone a proposed extension of paid maternity leave from 9 to 12 months because of the cost. The additional 13 weeks would have meant up to an extra £1600 for each eligible claimant. This development, if true, is extremely disappointing. No doubt the CWU and other trade unions will be responding in due course. If you have any comments let me know. For the full report go to: http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/sep/14/labour-drops-maternity-leave-pledge
Monday, 14 September 2009
On strike today
On Monday 14th September colleagues in these offices will be withdrawing their labour:
Cambridge delivery office
Ely delivery office
Haddenham delivery office
Isleham delivery office
Soham delivery office
Please send messages of support.
Cambridge delivery office
Ely delivery office
Haddenham delivery office
Isleham delivery office
Soham delivery office
Please send messages of support.
Saturday, 12 September 2009
Friday, 11 September 2009
On strike today
Today Friday 11th September colleagues in London are on strike. Please send messages of support to: delivery offices in:
Battersea
Earls Court
South Kensington
Victoria
Battersea
Earls Court
South Kensington
Victoria
Thursday, 10 September 2009
National ballot for strike action
Today the Union served notice on Royal Mail that it intends to ballot all 130 thousand postal members for strike acton. The timetable is:
Ballot opens: 17th September
Ballot closes: 8th October
let us hope that common sense prevails and the employer stops bullying and starts negotiating.
Ballot opens: 17th September
Ballot closes: 8th October
let us hope that common sense prevails and the employer stops bullying and starts negotiating.
DSNAC Conference deadline
The deadline for motions and delegate registration for the CWU DSNAC conference in Dundee on Saturday October 24th is fast approaching. Please submit motions and delegate names as quickly as possible.
Orange and T-Mobile merger
The announcemnt of the proposed merger of Ornage and T-Mobile has understandably caused concerns to members employed by these organiations. On the CWU website Andy Kerr, CWU deputy general secretary says:
"There has been nervousness for some time in large T-Mobile call centres in Greenock, Merthyr and Docksford with months of rumours about the future of the company. If this proposed takeover of one mobile firm by a larger one goes ahead we think we will be looking at job losses and possibly site closures of both call centres and retail outlets in a rationalisation programme. Our main aim at this time is to protect workers from the inevitable drive for efficiencies which a takeover will bring. It is crucial that Orange makes commitments over job security and is honest with staff regarding the implications of this takeover. Staff motivation and retention will be key to a successful and smooth operation."
"There has been nervousness for some time in large T-Mobile call centres in Greenock, Merthyr and Docksford with months of rumours about the future of the company. If this proposed takeover of one mobile firm by a larger one goes ahead we think we will be looking at job losses and possibly site closures of both call centres and retail outlets in a rationalisation programme. Our main aim at this time is to protect workers from the inevitable drive for efficiencies which a takeover will bring. It is crucial that Orange makes commitments over job security and is honest with staff regarding the implications of this takeover. Staff motivation and retention will be key to a successful and smooth operation."
Strikes in London
Today colleagues in London are on strike. Please send messages of support to members in these offices:
Balham
Barnes
Brixton
Chelsea
Clapham
Fulham
Mortlake
Putney
South Kensington
South Lambeth
Stockwell
Streatham
Wandsworth
Wimbledon
West Wimbledon
Balham
Barnes
Brixton
Chelsea
Clapham
Fulham
Mortlake
Putney
South Kensington
South Lambeth
Stockwell
Streatham
Wandsworth
Wimbledon
West Wimbledon
Wednesday, 9 September 2009
More postal strikes
Today colleagues at the following offices are on strike in protest at an intransigent management who are implementing unagreed changes:
· SLMC SW1 DO - 22.00 on Weds 9th until completion of duty on Thurs 10th - for night duties
· Wimbledon DO - 22.00 on Weds 9th until completion of duty on Thurs 10th - for night duties
· All East London Delivery Offices from 0300 Weds 9th September until 0300 on Thursday 10th September - except Walthamstow which is 02.00-02.00
· All South East London Delivery Offices from 0300 Weds 9th September until 0300 on Thursday 10th September
· All West London Delivery Offices from 0300 Weds 9th September until 0300 on Thursday 10th September
· All North West London Delivery Offices from 0300 Weds 9th September until 0300 on Thursday 10th September
· All Collection Hubs from 0300 Weds 9th September until 0300 on Thursday 10th September
· All North London Delivery Offices from 0300 Weds 9th September until 0300 on Thursday 10th September - except for the following:
· Hornsey DO - from 22.00 on Wednesday 9th September until completion of duties on Thursday 10th September for all duties commencing after 21.30 on Weds 9th September
· From 0300 on Wednesday 9th September until 0300 on Thursday 10th September for all duties commencing after 0300 but before 21.30 on Weds 9th September
· Islington DO - from 21.00 on Wednesday 9th September until completion of duties on Thursday 10th September for all duties commencing after 20.00 on Weds 9th September
· From 0300 on Wednesday 9th September until 0300 on Thursday 10th September for all duties commencing after 0300 but before 20.00 on Weds 9th September
· Muswell Hill DO - from 00.00 on Thursday 10th September until completion of duties on Thursday 10th September for all duties commencing at 00.0 on Thurs 10th September
· From 0300 on Wednesday 9th September until 0300 on Thursday 10th September for all duties commencing after 0300 on Weds 9th September
You all have my admiration and support as do members who withdrew their labour yesterday..
· SLMC SW1 DO - 22.00 on Weds 9th until completion of duty on Thurs 10th - for night duties
· Wimbledon DO - 22.00 on Weds 9th until completion of duty on Thurs 10th - for night duties
· All East London Delivery Offices from 0300 Weds 9th September until 0300 on Thursday 10th September - except Walthamstow which is 02.00-02.00
· All South East London Delivery Offices from 0300 Weds 9th September until 0300 on Thursday 10th September
· All West London Delivery Offices from 0300 Weds 9th September until 0300 on Thursday 10th September
· All North West London Delivery Offices from 0300 Weds 9th September until 0300 on Thursday 10th September
· All Collection Hubs from 0300 Weds 9th September until 0300 on Thursday 10th September
· All North London Delivery Offices from 0300 Weds 9th September until 0300 on Thursday 10th September - except for the following:
· Hornsey DO - from 22.00 on Wednesday 9th September until completion of duties on Thursday 10th September for all duties commencing after 21.30 on Weds 9th September
· From 0300 on Wednesday 9th September until 0300 on Thursday 10th September for all duties commencing after 0300 but before 21.30 on Weds 9th September
· Islington DO - from 21.00 on Wednesday 9th September until completion of duties on Thursday 10th September for all duties commencing after 20.00 on Weds 9th September
· From 0300 on Wednesday 9th September until 0300 on Thursday 10th September for all duties commencing after 0300 but before 20.00 on Weds 9th September
· Muswell Hill DO - from 00.00 on Thursday 10th September until completion of duties on Thursday 10th September for all duties commencing at 00.0 on Thurs 10th September
· From 0300 on Wednesday 9th September until 0300 on Thursday 10th September for all duties commencing after 0300 on Weds 9th September
You all have my admiration and support as do members who withdrew their labour yesterday..
Linda's in the Scotsman
My invitation to President Obama to speak at our DSNAC conference in Dundee has been picked up by the Scotish media. On Monday i gave an interview to Tay FM and on Tuesday I was quoted in an article in the Scotsman. Read article at http://news.scotsman.com/barackobama/Visit-Dundee-conference-Obama-asked.5625253.jp
EHRC reports on sex discrimination in the City
On Monday the EHRC published the results of its inquiry into the gender pay gap in the finance sector. This found that women working full-time in this sector earned 55 per cent less per year than men working full-time. Further the gap between male and female full-time earnings is twice as large as the average gap across the economy as a whole. View the full report at http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/
Monday, 7 September 2009
Fame at last - Tay FM interview me
Today I appeared on the midday news on Tay FM who contacted me about the invitation we sent to Barack Obama inviting him to the CWU Black Workers Conference in Dundee next February. As of today the President has not said yes and he has not said no. I shall be working with the GS and John Baldwin of ourInternational Department to do what we can to make this happen. Nothing ventured nothing gained.
Friday, 4 September 2009
DEBUT toolkit launch
After almost two years in the making the offical launch of our Debut toolkit takes place on Monday Septemebr 21st at CWU headquarters. This online interactive resource has been specifically designed as an information bank for our lay equality officers who have also contributed to the final version. Invited guests include the Minster for equalities Harriet Harman, Brendan Barber TUC, Trevor Phillips EHRC and all our equality representatives.
For more information contact Equality Department on 02089717238
For more information contact Equality Department on 02089717238
Come to the Chainmakers Festival 2009
I shall be attending the Cradley Heath Women Women Chainmaker's Festival at the Black Country Living Museum on Saturday September 12th.
The event commmemorates the fight of the Cradley Heath Women Chainmakers, who in 1910 went on strike for ten weeks and were successful in winning the first ever minimum wage. The TUC organised event celebrates the importance of Trade Union History and women at work. The day of entertainment starts at 10am and includes music and theatre from local performers along with speeches commencing at 12.30pm. We must all ensure that the legacy of the Cradley Heath Women Chainmakers lives on.
Fo more information ccontact me at lroy@cwu.org.
Thursday, 3 September 2009
Message of support - Thursday 3rd of September
Today CWU members in these offices are on strike:
London mail centres
Peterborough delivery office
You all have my support and admiration. Send your picket line photos and stories to me at lroy@cwu.org.
London mail centres
Peterborough delivery office
You all have my support and admiration. Send your picket line photos and stories to me at lroy@cwu.org.
Wednesday, 2 September 2009
Message of support - Wednesday 2nd of September
Today CWU members in the following offices are on strike:
Burslem delivery office
Thames Valley mail centre
Glasgow mail centre
Network (logistics and van) drivers in:
Birmingham Vehicle Operation Centre (60)
Bridgend Hub (20)
Bristol, South West Regional Distribution Centre (400)
Carlisle VOC
Coventry Hubs: (140)
East Midlands Vehicle Operation Centre: (80)
Essex Distribution (75)
Glasgow, Scotland Distribution Centre
Hatfield, Northern Home Counties
Leeds, North East Regional Distribution Centre (100)
London: (800 approx total for London)
East London Distribution
East London Vehicle Operation Centre
Nine Elms CLS Vehicle Operation Centre
Greenford Vehicle Operation Centre
PRDC
PRDC Vehicle Operation Centre
Northampton, National Distribution Centre (180)
Nottingham, East Midlands VOC at East Midlands airport
Peterborough Vehicle Operation Centre (60)
Swindon Vehicle Operation Centre
Warrington, North West Regional Distribution Centre (202) picket from 5am
You all have my support and admiration. Send your picket line photos or stories to me at lroy@cwu.org.
Burslem delivery office
Thames Valley mail centre
Glasgow mail centre
Network (logistics and van) drivers in:
Birmingham Vehicle Operation Centre (60)
Bridgend Hub (20)
Bristol, South West Regional Distribution Centre (400)
Carlisle VOC
Coventry Hubs: (140)
East Midlands Vehicle Operation Centre: (80)
Essex Distribution (75)
Glasgow, Scotland Distribution Centre
Hatfield, Northern Home Counties
Leeds, North East Regional Distribution Centre (100)
London: (800 approx total for London)
East London Distribution
East London Vehicle Operation Centre
Nine Elms CLS Vehicle Operation Centre
Greenford Vehicle Operation Centre
PRDC
PRDC Vehicle Operation Centre
Northampton, National Distribution Centre (180)
Nottingham, East Midlands VOC at East Midlands airport
Peterborough Vehicle Operation Centre (60)
Swindon Vehicle Operation Centre
Warrington, North West Regional Distribution Centre (202) picket from 5am
You all have my support and admiration. Send your picket line photos or stories to me at lroy@cwu.org.
Tuesday, 1 September 2009
Paul Olden retires
On Sunday last I received an invitation to attend Paul Olden's retirement do in Milton Keynes on Saturday September 12th. . The invite reads:
"The celebration will be held on Saturday 12th September 2009 at the RAMADA encore Hotel at the HUB, 312 Midsummer Boulevard, Milton Keynes, MK9 2EA from 7.00pm – 1.00pm. We hope you can join us in wishing Paul a long, happy and healthy retirement and the very best for the future."
Paul has over 30 years dedicated service to members of the CWU particularly those in Eastern No. 6 branch where he has served as Branch Secretary. He's also a stalwart of the national Standing Orders Committee. I shall be pleased, to attend as I'm sure many others will, to show the Union's appreciation for all he has done for us. Best wishes for the future Paul. You deserve a rest.
"The celebration will be held on Saturday 12th September 2009 at the RAMADA encore Hotel at the HUB, 312 Midsummer Boulevard, Milton Keynes, MK9 2EA from 7.00pm – 1.00pm. We hope you can join us in wishing Paul a long, happy and healthy retirement and the very best for the future."
Paul has over 30 years dedicated service to members of the CWU particularly those in Eastern No. 6 branch where he has served as Branch Secretary. He's also a stalwart of the national Standing Orders Committee. I shall be pleased, to attend as I'm sure many others will, to show the Union's appreciation for all he has done for us. Best wishes for the future Paul. You deserve a rest.
Message of support - Tuesday 1st September
Today CWU members in the following offices are on strike:
Dorset mail centre, Bournemouth
Bristol mail centre collection drivers: From 13:30 for 24 hours (1,000)
Burslem delivery office
Cambridge mail centre
Coventry mail centre
Ipswich mail centre
Maidenhead delivery office
Middlesbrough delivery office
Slough delivery office
Thetford delivery office
You all have my support and admiration. If you have any news or photos from the picket line send them to me at lroy@cwu.org and I'll post them on this blog.
Dorset mail centre, Bournemouth
Bristol mail centre collection drivers: From 13:30 for 24 hours (1,000)
Burslem delivery office
Cambridge mail centre
Coventry mail centre
Ipswich mail centre
Maidenhead delivery office
Middlesbrough delivery office
Slough delivery office
Thetford delivery office
You all have my support and admiration. If you have any news or photos from the picket line send them to me at lroy@cwu.org and I'll post them on this blog.
Equal rights for lesbian IVF couples
From Monday 31st of August lesbian couples in England and Wales who have children as the result of fertility treatment after April 6th 2009 can now register both their names on the birth certificate. This welcome change in the law means that for the first time legal parenthood is conferred on a biological mother's female partner for the first time. The CWU welcomes this development and will continue to campaign for full equality for all members of society regardless of their sexual orientation.
Global Solidarity weekend
Thursday, 27 August 2009
DSNAC conference
This years DSNAC conference takes place in Dundee on Saturday October 24th. Please do your best to attend this lively forum where many decisions about our policies on Disability and Special Needs issues are made. It's also a social occasion where you can meet and make friends and useful contacts. If you want to be a delegate contact your branch secretary. Also get your branch to submit a motion. If you need any advice or assistance please let me know at lroy@cwu.org.
Tuesday, 25 August 2009
What's happening where you work?
If you've got any good or bad news about what's happening in your workplace and you would like us all to know about it please email it to me at lroy@cwu.org. I'll do my best o publish it on this blog the same day. You can also send photographs which should be in jpeg format.
Please feel free to comment on anything that is on the blog. Thank you all.
Please feel free to comment on anything that is on the blog. Thank you all.
Monday, 24 August 2009
EHRC challenges BNP membership criteria
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has today initiated court proceedings against Nick Griffin and two other BNP officials over theit's membership rules which limit membership to people who are "Caucasian' and defined 'ethnic groups' emanating from that race".
The EHRC is concerned that the BNP is continuing to discriminate against potential or actual members on the grounds of their race despite being advised by the Commission in June that the party was in breach of the Race Relations Act.
Let us hope that justice prevails.
The EHRC is concerned that the BNP is continuing to discriminate against potential or actual members on the grounds of their race despite being advised by the Commission in June that the party was in breach of the Race Relations Act.
Let us hope that justice prevails.
From the Front Line
From a postman in Merseyside
Today we returned to our office after the weekend to find all fittings had been changed and we had lost 6 walks plus a driving duty. Executive action was served last month by R/M expiring on the 28 august ( yes we haven’t reached the 28 august yet) but they saw it fit to ignore this law binding agreement and implement their changes anyway. All staff saw this as unacceptable and sat in the canteen. We were given 10 minutes to return to work or R/M were classing it as unofficial action. Once the 10 minutes were up we were told we would have to leave the premises .By this time our area rep had arrived and was informed by management that he could not address the lads in the canteen. This went down like a lead balloon and he told them he would address us and he did. He asked us what we wanted and we informed him we wanted fittings to go back to how they were on Saturday and that we wanted to pick our own duties going down the seniority list and we would return to the shop floor. R/M chose not to allow us this so on the gate we went. Today still R/M are refusing to talk to the union and tomorrow we are on the gate again .What they have done as we refused to pick duties is they picked them for us and the ones that did refuse regardless of there seniority, gave them either a reserve duty or a floating duty and gave less senior postmen half decent duties. What is now happening in our area is that come tomorrow an office close to ours is coming out in support of us and hopefully this spread locally. We did make the local news papers, local radio stations and the local news on tv. We also had present on our picket line today two community police officers, why I do not know. Before they arrived we had the police attend our picket line to find out what was going on when i told them they did inform me that their inspector was on his way to see me. He understood the position we were in and had no objections to our picket if the numbers were kept to the correct number (6) we did try this but it didn’t last and nothing was said by the police which was great because they could have easily have kept to the letter of the law and broke up our picket line so its back on the gate tomorrow and may be the day after or even longer until R/M decide to talk to us. How stupid of a big employer like R/M refusing to talk to the union. What I believe they are trying is starve us back to work but so be it.........
This is an update … just to let you know how our unofficial strike action is going. Well its day two and we are still on the gate, held talks with very senior managers today and divisional and area reps present. We explained to them allow the staff to pick there own duties starting today as the seniority list dictates and we shall return to work immediately. Sadly R/M decided that they would only allow us to return to work once we were back on the shop floor and working as normal but would only allow us to pick duties in 2 or 3 weeks time .This was not acceptable to the office workers and the vote was overwhelmingly in favour of staying out until we are allowed to pick our own duties and not have these dictated to us by R/M. So on to day three tomorrow and back on the gate. Will keep you updated tomorrow............
Today we returned to our office after the weekend to find all fittings had been changed and we had lost 6 walks plus a driving duty. Executive action was served last month by R/M expiring on the 28 august ( yes we haven’t reached the 28 august yet) but they saw it fit to ignore this law binding agreement and implement their changes anyway. All staff saw this as unacceptable and sat in the canteen. We were given 10 minutes to return to work or R/M were classing it as unofficial action. Once the 10 minutes were up we were told we would have to leave the premises .By this time our area rep had arrived and was informed by management that he could not address the lads in the canteen. This went down like a lead balloon and he told them he would address us and he did. He asked us what we wanted and we informed him we wanted fittings to go back to how they were on Saturday and that we wanted to pick our own duties going down the seniority list and we would return to the shop floor. R/M chose not to allow us this so on the gate we went. Today still R/M are refusing to talk to the union and tomorrow we are on the gate again .What they have done as we refused to pick duties is they picked them for us and the ones that did refuse regardless of there seniority, gave them either a reserve duty or a floating duty and gave less senior postmen half decent duties. What is now happening in our area is that come tomorrow an office close to ours is coming out in support of us and hopefully this spread locally. We did make the local news papers, local radio stations and the local news on tv. We also had present on our picket line today two community police officers, why I do not know. Before they arrived we had the police attend our picket line to find out what was going on when i told them they did inform me that their inspector was on his way to see me. He understood the position we were in and had no objections to our picket if the numbers were kept to the correct number (6) we did try this but it didn’t last and nothing was said by the police which was great because they could have easily have kept to the letter of the law and broke up our picket line so its back on the gate tomorrow and may be the day after or even longer until R/M decide to talk to us. How stupid of a big employer like R/M refusing to talk to the union. What I believe they are trying is starve us back to work but so be it.........
This is an update … just to let you know how our unofficial strike action is going. Well its day two and we are still on the gate, held talks with very senior managers today and divisional and area reps present. We explained to them allow the staff to pick there own duties starting today as the seniority list dictates and we shall return to work immediately. Sadly R/M decided that they would only allow us to return to work once we were back on the shop floor and working as normal but would only allow us to pick duties in 2 or 3 weeks time .This was not acceptable to the office workers and the vote was overwhelmingly in favour of staying out until we are allowed to pick our own duties and not have these dictated to us by R/M. So on to day three tomorrow and back on the gate. Will keep you updated tomorrow............
Breast Cancer Awareness
I am grateful to Brian W Kenny for sending this.
This should make you smile ... and make you think!
This is the cutest breast cancer email I have ever received.
This should make you smile ... and make you think!
This is the cutest breast cancer email I have ever received.
A small request. All you are asked to do is keep this circulating.
All you are asked to do is keep this circulating
Even if it is to one person
In memory of anyone you know that has
been struck down by cancer or is still living with it ...
A Candle Loses Nothing by Lighting Another Candle
Please Keep This Candle Going
Wednesday, 19 August 2009
Barack Obama to address CWU Black Workers Conference?
Delegates to the 2009 CWU Black Workers conference in Dundee could find themselves in the same room as the President of the United States if he accepts the invitation I sent to him last month..
In 2005 the Union published the Black Workers Representation booklet which contained a number of recommendations. One was to raise the profile of the Black Workers conference and another was to engage with politicians to promote our equality and diversity objectives especially those pertaining to black and ethnic minority workers. There can be no more inspirational politician than Barack Obama. We have contacted the White House to invite the President. They have responded by saying that for security reasons they only publish details of Mr Obama’s commitments three months in advance. As they have not declined our invite this is encouraging.
I advise branches to submit applications for delegates credentials for the Black Workers Conference as soon as possible as there will be a big demand for places regradless of who the guest speaker is.
In 2005 the Union published the Black Workers Representation booklet which contained a number of recommendations. One was to raise the profile of the Black Workers conference and another was to engage with politicians to promote our equality and diversity objectives especially those pertaining to black and ethnic minority workers. There can be no more inspirational politician than Barack Obama. We have contacted the White House to invite the President. They have responded by saying that for security reasons they only publish details of Mr Obama’s commitments three months in advance. As they have not declined our invite this is encouraging.
I advise branches to submit applications for delegates credentials for the Black Workers Conference as soon as possible as there will be a big demand for places regradless of who the guest speaker is.
Stop bullying my members
The CWU has an unrivalled record in supporting members who are bullied and harassed at work. We thought we were making progress in eliminating the epidemic of bullying endemic in Royal Mail over the last decade. It is with sadness and anger that I report that my department is being deluged with complaints from members about their unacceptable treatment by managers mainly since the government had to shelve plans to privatise Royal Mail. The following letter from Kenny Jordan sums up what is happening. Kenny was due to receive a long service award.
Dear Sir/Madam,
With regard to my long service award, it is regretful but I feel it inappropriate at this troublesome time for me to accept any reward, to do so would be both hypocritical and disloyal to my work colleagues, whom I stand next to on the picket line.
Royal Mail tell me I am a valued employee and they wish to reward me, the truth is however somewhat different, I am to be allocated a new duty, not only are my working hours to be changed I am also expected to work 2 Saturdays out of three and except a pay freeze! Add to this Bank holiday working, when required, introduced some time ago. This is my reward for 20 years service, while management are apparently receiving bonus payments for their efforts!
To add insult to injury, I am currently off work suffering a viral infection with severe back pain, yet it only took a day for Royal Mail to issue me a letter informing me of the disciplinary procedure for being ill too often! Valued employee? I don't think so.
Mr. Alan Leighton during his reign expressed Royal Mail's intolerance regarding bullying and harassment in the work place, he failed to inform us that it was a totally acceptable practise for management!!
Yours with regret,
Mr. K. R. Jordan.
E.L.V.O.C.
Good on you Kenny. I advise Kenny and all members who are the victims of bullying to contact their local rep and lodge a grievance against the individual responsible. You should also contact me directly. Rest assured that neither I or this Union will tolerate the bullying and harassing of our members. Shame on those responsible.
Dear Sir/Madam,
With regard to my long service award, it is regretful but I feel it inappropriate at this troublesome time for me to accept any reward, to do so would be both hypocritical and disloyal to my work colleagues, whom I stand next to on the picket line.
Royal Mail tell me I am a valued employee and they wish to reward me, the truth is however somewhat different, I am to be allocated a new duty, not only are my working hours to be changed I am also expected to work 2 Saturdays out of three and except a pay freeze! Add to this Bank holiday working, when required, introduced some time ago. This is my reward for 20 years service, while management are apparently receiving bonus payments for their efforts!
To add insult to injury, I am currently off work suffering a viral infection with severe back pain, yet it only took a day for Royal Mail to issue me a letter informing me of the disciplinary procedure for being ill too often! Valued employee? I don't think so.
Mr. Alan Leighton during his reign expressed Royal Mail's intolerance regarding bullying and harassment in the work place, he failed to inform us that it was a totally acceptable practise for management!!
Yours with regret,
Mr. K. R. Jordan.
E.L.V.O.C.
Good on you Kenny. I advise Kenny and all members who are the victims of bullying to contact their local rep and lodge a grievance against the individual responsible. You should also contact me directly. Rest assured that neither I or this Union will tolerate the bullying and harassing of our members. Shame on those responsible.
New Equality e-bulletin
The new issue of our pioneering CWU Equality e-bulletin is now available. To subscribe just send your details to lroy@cwu.org. You can also view and download our informative equality fact sheets at http://www.cwu.org/30550/equal-opportunities.html
Tuesday, 14 July 2009
From the picket line
Striking workers at the Bromley-by Bow Mail Centre were in good spirits when I joined them on the picket line last Friday [10th July 2009]. The Branch reported a 100% strike rate amongst its members. The strikes which were taking place all over London were by all accounts very solid and a serious signal was again given to Royal Mail that the CWU members will not be brushed aside when it comes to the latest dispute.
It was an honour to travel the 12 miles or so from our headquarters and go down to Bromley-by-Bow and offer support to our striking members. It was great to see people’s spirits so high and Royal Mail will be in no doubt about the fight they have on their hands on this dispute.
It was an honour to travel the 12 miles or so from our headquarters and go down to Bromley-by-Bow and offer support to our striking members. It was great to see people’s spirits so high and Royal Mail will be in no doubt about the fight they have on their hands on this dispute.
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