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"."

Striking today

Friends and colleagues in these offices are on strike today:

VictoriaSW1 DO

Chelsea SW3 DO

Please send messages of support.

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!

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

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

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.

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

 

Edinburgh on strike

Friends and colleagues in Edinburgh mail centre will be on strike today. Please send messages of support.

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.

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.

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!

Successful DEBUT launch

The CWU launched its pioneering DEBUT toolkit today. Over 60 branch equality officers plus GS Billy Hayes and guests were in attendance for a demonstration of this pioneering resource. I said in my speech that I valued the work that you all do and that the toolkit is part of my commitment to equip Equality Officers with the tools they need to do an immensely difficult and valuable job. I also explained that we had submitted our response to the governments Single Eqaulity Bill supporting statutory recognisition for Lay Equality Officers.
  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.

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

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.

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.

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!

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

Today at the chain makers

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

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.

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."

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

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..

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/

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Spent last weekend at a Global Solidarity summer school organised by the ICTU in Waterford. This was an excellent opportunity to learn more about the most urgent equality and social justice issues in our world today. Heard some excellent contributions from Elliot Ramochela, General Secretary Lesotho Congress of Democratic Unions, Jeroen Beinaert, The International Trade Union Confederation’s coordinator of the Global Campaign against trafficking, Denise Charlton, Director of the Immigrant Council of Ireland, Steve Benedict from the Human and Trade Union Rights department of the International Trade Union Confederation, Nessa Ni Chasaide, Debt and Development Coalition, Also attended a reception to celebrate the Centenary of the Waterford Council of Trade Unions. A big thanks to the ICTU and delegates for the warm welcome and an excellent weekend.